“The Cello Man” performs at his CD Release party tonight!

JenChicago, NBC Chicago Street Team
Extra! Extra! Read all about it! Or even better, WATCH all about it! The weekend starts early with a performance and celebration this Thursday at The Joynt. Cellist Ian Maksin will be performing, with special guests, songs from his new CD, Solo Flight. The night is also the launch of the newly released CD, so expect plenty of celebrating to go along with the unique and soulful music of Ian Maskin. No cover. Doors at 8.

Want a little taste? Watch below as I host a “Gimme 5!” interview with “The Cello Man”, himself!

For more info, check out this week’s Time Out Chicago! See ya there!

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A Most Interesting Party!

JenChicago, NBC Chicago Street Team

Thursday night I went to one of the best events all year! The Dos Equis Most Interesting Academy held at the Museum of Science and Industry was AMAZING! The venue is, of course, outstanding in its own right and so was everything else! In addition to free free food and drinks, there was windtunnel sky diving, edible bugs with Andrew Zimmern (of the TV show Bizarre Foods), mohawk coiffeurs, a tattoo parlor, burlesque dancing lessons, an old timey photo booth, birds of prey, performance art, lots of dancing and so much more that I didn’t even have time to see it all! There were three different DJs pumping out hot dance beats inside, outside and all around! DJs Z-Trip, Flosstradamus, and White Shadow did an outstanding job of keeping us on the dance floor all night!

The party planning was impeccable all the way down to the free trolley service running from the museum to River North to shuttle us party-goers to and fro. I had so much fun, I had to “live vicariously through myself!”

Here’s a little video taste if you missed it!

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Alternative Medicine

Rebecca Taras, NBC Chicago Street Team

There’s a doctor in the house – literally!  Located within a rehabbed pre-Victorian Hennesy House, Dr. Dominic Gaziano opened Salute’ Wine Bar (46 E. Superior) last week. The 130-year old building in the Gold Coast exudes both traditional and modern Italian touches. “We want people to feel like they’re being welcomed into a cozy Italian home,” says the good doctor.

The warm atmosphere pays homage to family traditions inspired by Gaziano’s upbringing. As a first generation Italian-American, Gaziano grew up learning Calabrian and Sicilian culinary traditions instilled by his mother, a gourmet cook and author. Inspired by mom and memories of preparing elaborate Sunday meals with his four brothers, Gaziano started entertaining at his Lincoln Park home in his adulthood. As an internal medicine doctor, author of “Feel Good Health,” and nationally syndicated health show, “Health and Lifestyles Weekly,” Gaziano wants to bring Chicago a genuine Italian experience combined with the health benefits of the Mediterranean culture, food and wine.

Who better to whip up such a “remedy” than an Italian native. Executive Chef James Caputo (formerly of Rosebud restaurants) grew up in a small neighborhood with family roots from the regions of Marche and Naples. The menu features items made with ingredients imported from Italy to re-create an authentic Italian Bistro. Look for a variety of small and large plates, salads, grilled and toasted sandwiches (panini and trammezzinis respectively), cheeses and of course, homemade desserts. Need more of a visual? Think the Salute Panini with proscuitto d’parma, aged gorgonzola and truffled fig butter, or a melt in your mouth Beetroot Hummus served with aged balsamic reduction and flatbread. Pair with a wine that will blow your taste buds away and not your budget. Bottles range from $30-$60 and glasses in the area of $6-$12.

You’ll love the fireplace on a crisp windy city winter and the secluded stone outdoor patio on a balmy summer evening. At Salute’, the prescription is a glass of vino and some Italian comfort fare. Isn’t it about time you got a refill?

Open Sunday through Friday from 11 a.m. to 2 a.m. and Saturday from 11 a.m. to 3 a.m. Private party packages and space available. Street parking or Valet ($9). For additional information please visit www.salutewinebars.com or call 312.664.0100.

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FREE Screening Party of TNT’s Saving Grace

Cara Carriveau, NBC Chicago Street Team

Who says the stars are only out in Hollywood.  So many TV shows are now holding exclusive premiers right here in Chicago.   In fact, I have the pleasure of moderating a TNT show premier next week – actor Kenneth Johnson will take part in a Q/A session right after the premier of  “Saving Grace” is viewed at Chi Bar inside the Sheraton Hotel & Towers in Chicago…this Tuesday, February 24, 7pm-9pm.

If you want to take part in the fun, the good news is that it’s free to attend - but you’ll need to preregister.  Tickets are first-come-first-served, so hurry and shoot an email to savinggracechicago@gmail.com if you’re interested.

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I love First Fridays at the MCA!

JenChicago, NBC5 Street Team

I’m always looking for cool, new, fun things to do… It’s kind of my shtick. So when I heard that on the first Friday of every month, the MCA (Museum of Contemporary Art) hosts a happy hour party, featuring a hip local artist, I knew I had to peep the scene. And I am so glad I did! I had some great chats, ate some killer brownies and even made a Valentine card for my love… Chicago.

Curtis Mann, is the artist of the month and I just loved that guy. What a cool and interesting dude! He started out as an engineer of some kind (not a details girl) and now… he’s an artist. You gotta hear about how he creates his art (hint: Clorox bleach) and THEN you gotta go check it out for yourself!

MCA has their happy hour First Friday every month, and one of the things I really like about the party, is that it gives people a chance to meet a TON of new people (I mean a TON) and have something “real” to talk about. Art is a beautiful thing. And it works magic on the brain. Kinda puts you in the mood to love… and maybe not always romantic love… but love, just the same.

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First Fridays at the Museum of Contemporary Art!

JenChicago, NBC5 Street Team

Music, Art, Food and Drinks!
Friday, February 6. 6-10pm. $7-$15.

Looking for something artsy and happy-hourish all on the same night? The MCA hosts First Fridays monthly and features an up-and-coming Chicago artist. Tickets include free Wolfgang Puck appetizers, live music from local DJs, the world’s only iMac G5 digital dating bar, creation stations and a cash bar. Get cultured and have a great time kicking off the weekend! Order your tickets online for a discount. Guests must be 21 or older to enter.

Though the cash bar closes at 9:30, the party keeps going as you and all of your new artsy friends head out to the MCA’s after-parties at a Chicago hotspot. The museum is a great place to meet new and old friends alike. Being surrounded by art, food, music and drinks can only help conversations and ensure that everyone has a great time! Buy your tickets in advance to get VIP admission.

We’ll be shooting a video of MCA’s First Friday, so be sure to drop in, say “hi” and check out some art!

Museum of Contemporary Arts
220 East Chicago Avenue
Magnificent Mile
312.397.4010

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Chicago’s Presidential Inaugural Ball

JenChicago, NBC5 Street Team

Volunteers and supporters of President Obama got all dolled up and gathered at McCormick Place on Tuesday evening, January 20th, to celebrate the inauguration of our 44th president! Go Obama!

PS: Fellow Street Teamer, Reggie Brown, does an awesome Obama impression in the video!

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Crave Holiday Shopping Party

JenChicago, NBC5 Street Team

Last night I attended a huge girl party at the Chicago Cultural Center. Girls rock.

For more information and details on upcoming parties: http://www.craveparty.com/chicago/

For more super cool videos, check out http://jenchicago.com

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Street Team Party Recap

Marcus Riley, NBC5 Street Team (video)

There’s a couple of party recaps listed below this (thanks Natalia, Hungry Z), so I’m not going to rehash. But I will say it was a blast seeing everyone come together to meet in person. In a digital world where we often conduct virtual relationships that don’t create the need to actually meet face-to-face, it was important that we all put some real faces to the names. And to all of our readers who came out, thanks to you!

Special big-ups to Jbar for hosting the event and Sarah Vargo and Renae Placinski of Maven PR for setting it up. Till next time y’all!

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Bolf-a-palooza!

Cara Carriveau, NBC5 Street Team

It’s a party!  Tickets are only $40 and include all of your cocktails plus an opportunity to win great prizes, such as Cubbies tickets.  And, you’ll be helping out a deserving cause.  Need I say more?  Click on the picture for details.

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AKIRA Launch Party and Bachelor Auction

JenChicago, NBC5 Street Team
AKIRA just opened it’s newest location in Lincoln Park and had a big ol’ party to kick things off! There was a DJ, food, drinks, chocolate, shopping, manicures, makeovers, a fashion show and, of course, a bachelor auction featuring the Chicago Machine Lacrosse Team.

And in the words of the great and wise, Cyndi Lauper,

Girls just wanna have fun!

…and “have fun” we DID!

PS: This video has cute “Chicago Machine Lacrosse Team bare man chest” on the latter end, so…

Hey… I don’t make the news, I just report it.

Credit: Sudana Irby, videographer

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Thrillist Chicago Launch Party

JenChicago, NBC5 Street Team

It’s officially here. Thrillist Chicago. It’s a free daily email and they only cover what they like. Why waste your time with NOT fun stuff (ie: bad reviews) is their logical position. The magazine is targeted at “guys like us” says co-founder Ben Lerer, and I think it has kickin’ stuff for everyone.

Dave, the local editor for Chicago does a great job of finding cool things to do and write about. I didn’t say that these things are all necessarily reasonable priced, but definitely cool. (I haven’t stopped thinking about this bronze appliqué holster that was featured a few weeks back by Skin.Graft. )

The party was a ton of fun and everyone was wonderfully nice. The 50/50 is an awesome bar and did a phenomenal job of hosting us. They have an amazing staff, good music and nice clean restrooms. (We love that, don’t we, Ladies?) Therefore, I say, the launch was a huge success with music, an open bar, Jet Blue giveaways and more.

Sheesh… It’s a dirty job…

If you want to get in the loop with Thrillist Chicago, you may join here.

(A special “Thank you” to Michelle Molina for being my videographer. Music: Kevin MacLeod)

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