Gypsy Jazz Monday nights at The Joynt!

JenChicago, NBC5 Street Team

Any given night of the the week, The Joynt has something great going on and Monday nights are no exception. Last week, though still tired from the weekend, I went in to The Joynt thinking I would sit quietly and simply enjoy listening to one of my new favorite bands. Well, it wasn’t long at all before I had hopped up out of my seat an on to the dance floor! I couldn’t help it! Eyes Manouche will help you find energy you didn’t know you had!

From the website:

Gypsy jazz, aka Gypsy swing and jazz manouche (which means literally “traveler jazz”) is a Paris-based style of music that memorably blends traditional Roma (gypsy) forms (which are already a hodgepodge of various cultures) with elements of American jazz and swing. With its chugging rhythms, sweeping melodies and inventive improvised stretches, this enormously popular and profoundly influential instrumental tradition is as nearly synonymous with the French capitol as accordion-led bal musette, to which it also owes a considerable debt.

The guys are amazing and I managed to stop dancing long enough to record these little samples for y’all. Enjoy. I hope to see you at The Joynt on a Monday night!

Adis Sirbubalo: Accordion, Nikola Dokic: Guitar, Robert Palos: Guitar, Cole Blodget: Bass, Daniel Crane: Drums

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Maven’s Diva Series: Featuring the ladies of the NBC Chicago Street Team!

JenChicago, NBC5 Street Team
Thursday, February 5, 2009. 6-9pm. Free

The Diva Series is back and this week will be honoring the divas, er… ladies of the NBC Chicago Street Team! The Diva Series seeks to celebrate influential women in Media, PR, Fitness, Fashion, Beauty and much more! Crimson Lounge hosts the weekly series with $3 drink specials (sparking champagne, house wine and draught beer)

I, among the other ladies of NBC Chicago Street Teamers will be in attendance and celebrating! The Diva Series is always a good time for BOTH men and women! After all, the smart guys know that the celebration of women is a VERY good thing. Come straight from work and enjoy the $3 sparkling wine special, which is always a hit with the ladies!

RSVP here on Facebook!
Check out videos about other super fun events at JenChicago.com!

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Sarah Vargo: THE nightlifer to watch in Chicago!

JenChicago, NBC5 Street Team

Ok, so maybe I am slightly biased (since Sarah is such a good friend of mine) but when Chicago Magazine recently listed her as one of the top five nightlifers to watch in Chicago, I knew that my successful friend was getting the acknowledgment that she richly deserves!

We started out, Friday night, at Crimson Lounge where Sarah and team will relaunch Maven‘s Diva Series. After we had our fill of “Girl Talk” Sarah led us over to Underground where we danced, laughed and partied the night away! Benjamin Newby, manager and good friend of Sarah’s, made sure that we all had a great time!

Congratulations, Sarah! You deserve it!

PS: We’ll definitely be watching YOU!

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Keep Santa in your heart all year!

JenChicago, NBC5 Street Team

Much to my delight and surprise, I found myself to be the current “Featured NBC Chicago Street Teamer”! After such an exciting, bustling and fantastic Chicago Holiday season, I feel as though the gifts just keep on coming!

I also realized that in the midst of all the excitement, there were TWO holiday videos that I never actually posted on this site. I know, I know… and I’m sorry. Please forgive Santa.

Due to the “Santa-Clause-y” nature of the videos, I wondered if the time had passed and it was too late to post… BUT THEN I thought, “What would Santa do?”

So, “bada-bing, bada-boom”… here you go. Please enjoy Santa dancing at the Go Green event and ice skating in Millennium Park.

Find more fun and silly videos at JenChicago.com!

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Cheeky Chicago New Year’s Eve 2009!

JenChicago, NBC5 Street Team

Ringing in the New Year… This is how we do it!

Cheeky Hosts NYE at Angels & Kings “A Global Threesome” kicks off 2009 in style with a triple champagne toast, goody bags, cupcakes, hot hot DJ’s and special guest Catt Sadler from E!’s “The Daily 10.”

Feel fine in 2009 with more rockin’ videos at JenChicago.com!

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Helping out the Greater Chicago Food Depository!

JenChicago, NBC5 Street Team

Dennis McKinnon of the “85 Chicago Bears helps raise money for those in need this Holiday Season!

Check out more helpful videos at JenChicago.com!

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Yelp Holiday Bash!

JenChicago, NBC5 Street Team

On December 11, Yelp hosted their 2nd Annual Winter Wonderland Cocktail Soiree at Architectural Artifacts… and it ROCKED! If you missed this one, get on the website and start yelping, so that you do’t miss the next one!

From the website:

Yelp is the fun and easy way to find, review and talk about what’s great (and not so great) in your world. You already know that asking friends is the best way to find restaurants, dentists, hairstylists, and anything local. Yelp makes it fast and easy by collecting and organizing your friends’ recommendations in one convenient place.

Cocktails provide by:
Barefoot Champagne / Poinsettia
Between Lounge / Hot ‘n’ Dirty
Blackbird / Anejo Smash
Blue 13 / X’s and O’s
Bull & Bear / The Broker’s Breakfast
Chaise Lounge / X-Miss-tini
Encore Liquid Lounge / White Winter Pear
Jbar / S’more-tini
May Street Market / Nectar Martini
MK / Adlib
Uncommon Ground / Winter Tree Tini
Zed 451 / Cranberry Spiced Old Fashioned

Check out more groovy videos at JenChicago.com!

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MAVEN’s Diva Series with le Dress!

JenChicago, NBC5 Street Team

di·va – [dee-vuh, -vah] noun, distinguished female singer; prima donna. Goddess, fine lady.

Every Thursday, in downtown Chicago, divas gather at Madame Tartine for MAVEN‘s Diva Series. This weeks’ series featured the Ladies of le dress, Eva and Robyn Anderson! The sister-in-laws opened the “dresses-only” store this summer, as a result of their personal experiences in trying to locate dresses for a variety of events. The store has a price range from $40 to $500 with sizes ranging for 0 to 12.

The Diva Series runs weekly from 7-11 with complimentary champagne cocktails from 7-8pm. And though Madame Tartine is packed full of beautiful women, the smart guys know that the Diva Series isn’t just for the ladies. (that’s a hint, guys!)

Come celebrate the Diva Series with Sarah Vargo and Renae Placinski of MAVEN!

Find more fun videos at JenChicago.com!

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Samson gets a haircut!

JenChicago, NBC5 Street Team

Let me tell you a little story about a fellow named, Samson…

Okay, we don’t have time for a long drawn out story, but suffice it to say… Samson is my friend, my buddy, my dog. And I love him. Very much.

There are a lot of dog lovers, like me, here in Chicago and we all want to take care of our little friends. They need their nails trimmed, teeth brushed, hair cut, la-la-la… One might think it a good idea to buy some clippers, a nail file and toothpaste… and then just “have at it”… BUT if you have ever tried to groom a squiggly dog, in less than 3 hours, you would know how easy it is to make the little guy look like he just stepped off the set of Fraggle Rock. Trust.

So, as I was searching for a place to groom my best pal, I found Streetervile Pet Spa and Salon. I spoke with the owner, Marion, and was convinced that Samson was going to be in good hands. And, of course, he was!

Beware: If you thought Samson was handsome before… hold on to your socks!

Check out more fun videos at JenChicago.com!

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Hornitos’ Midnight in the Garden of Agave

JenChicago, NBC5 Street Team

What do you get when you combine the Garfield Park Conservatory, wonderfully costumed performers, DJs, dancing, and a whole lotta Hornitos tequila?

Midnight in the Garden of Agave. Check it!

Check out more fun videos at JenChicago.com!

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Go Street Team Go!

Reggie Brown, NBC5 Street Team

Tonight was an exciting night for the Street Team at Trump Tower for the 2008 Emmy nominations party hosted by Richard Roeper of the Chicago Sun Times. Congrats to the Street Team members who were nominated for the Outstanding Achievement for Alternate Media/New Media Interactive category for coverage of Looptopia Live, the nominees included: Marcus Riley, Zach Christman, Mark Luciano, Kaylee King, Theresa Carter, Erik Sorensen, (Yours Truly) Reggie Brown , Jim Grillo, Angie Gormas, Susan Noble, Shlomi Rabi, Jennifer O’Neal, Laura Lodewyck, Chasity Johnson, Blagica Bottiglero, Liz Holland, LeAnn Trotter, Nicole Thomas and Damaris Woodbury.  

The coverage of Looptopia was a groundbreaking and web spinning phenomenon that synchronized live video streaming, blogging, over the phone correspondence and data submissions on a level never seen before. It was a pleasure and an honor to participate in such an event and come October 18, I hope we can bring this one home. Words can’t express the joy I feel right now, until then, Street Team do your thing and continue to make me proud.

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Why Chicago? Millennium Park

JenChicago, NBC5 Street Team

Some of the same reasons that I moved to Chicago are the same reasons that I think it would be pretty sweet to have the 2016 Olympics here! And Millennium Park is one of my most favorite things EVER!

What do YOU love about Chicago?

Videography by Courtney Hannibal.

See more video at JenChicago.com

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Play Street Team Fantasy

Raminder, NBC5 Street Team

It’s that time of the year…. Office pools, hours upon hours spent drafting and monitoring Fantasy teams, imbibing on Sundays, neglecting family obligations. Yes, it’s football season!

And what better way to do it than to play in a league full of Street Team fans (limited space in our group) with an opportunity to win weekly prizes and of course, bragging rights too….what’s more — it’s all free. No cost. No obligation. No money down. Sorry, thought I was peddling mattresses!

This is a simple pool where all you have to do is pick the winners each week and if you don’t really know who’s good and who’s bad, pick the team colors that strike your fancy.

Sign up and let’s play some “pick’em” football!

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Meet the NBC5 Street Team

Theresa Carter, NBC5 Street Team

I think the people at J Bar must be insane. They’re hosting us, the NBC5 Street Team, for a meet and greet on Thursday. Type A people who love going out, love talking about it, love writing about it, and love recording it are taking over the joint. I’m wondering just how many video cameras – and egos – we can fit into one room.

I’m allowed to say that because (obviously) I’m one of them! Please join us – if you dare. If you think you need a stiff one to deal with all that energy, Snow Queen Vodka drinks are on special.

The evening starts at 8pm and ends when we run out of stuff to say. Uh oh…it’s going to be a long night.

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A Chicago-style haircut

JenChicago, NBC5 Street Team

After being in this city for two months, it was getting to be that time… Haircut time.

It can be scary letting someone new cut my locks so I did my research and found a place with great online reviews. Natural Elements Salon. The building is pretty. The staff is pretty and I left pretty happy about my new do’.

PS: My stylist’s name is Alexis and I think she rocks!
PSS: Thank you for filming Roya!

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Bring it, Olympics! (In 2016, that is…)

JenChicago, NBC5 Street Team

So Chicago and ME kinda got this whole love thing going on… and when the Chicago 2016 Organization asked me to be a part of bringing the Olympics to My Love, I jumped at the chance! After all, Chicago’s Sweetheart WOULD be incredibly supportive, yes? Yes. (You’re so smart.)

Therefore, expect to see a whole lotta Olympic chatter coming outta JenChicago! Granted, I just moved here, but it sounds like a big ol’ party if you ask me… and well… I sho’ do like a good party!

‘Cause there ain’t no city like this Midwest city, ’cause this Midwest city don’t stop!

Anyhow, there were some crazy-smart and influential Chicago social media peeps in attendance INCLUDING some of my fellow NBC5 Street Teamers, like The Local Tourist and Blagica Bottigliero! (Woot-Woot!) We all had some very authentic discussions about the impact of the Olympics and I am extremely anxious to see how we, as a community, will invite the world over for some fun in the Chicago sun!

So, get out your megaphone and pom-poms! We’re gonna need your help.

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Go, Chicago Machine! Go!

JenChicago, NBC5 Street Team

Sunday, August 10th at Toyota Park, the Chicago Machine took on the Rochester Rattlers. There was food, beer, fans, kids and lacrosse sticks as far as the eye could see. (Okay, maybe not that far, but a lot of kids had ‘em!)

Lacrosse seems to be a mix of football, baseball, hockey and maybe even a little wrestling (or wrastlin’ as we like to say in the South). In any case, expect to walk away with a few grass burns.

All and all, watching ANY team with “Chicago” in the name is a rockin’ way to spend a Sunday afternoon!

…and cheering along the Chicago Machine was no exception.

Go Chicago Machine! Go!

More videos and fun at JenChicago.com!

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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

Find more on JenChicago.com

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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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Pride of Baltimore II

JenChicago, NBC5 Street Team

As I was finishing up some filming today for the Mackinac Race at the end of Navy Pier, Samson (my dog) and I passed a beautiful ship that we had to explore.

Dave Castle was kind enough to talk with me about the history of the ship, its background and how people can get involved. Being a guest crew member seems to be a wonderful way to “get away” on the open water.

From the Web site:

Maryland’s PRIDE is a reproduction of an 1812-era Baltimore Clipper privateer. She is Maryland’s working symbol of the great natural resources and spectacular beauty of the Chesapeake Bay region. Her mission is threefold:

• to promote Maryland trade and tourism
• to represent the goodwill of all Maryland’s citizens
• to provide a unique education platform via onboard programs and the Internet for American history and maritime sciences.


Pride of Baltimore II from Jen Knoedl on Vimeo.

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