Thursday, August 20, 2009

Glamorama's "big" surprise guest?!

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Just found out who the "big-time" guest star is going to be at Friday's highly anticipated Glamorama at Chicago Theatre.

Muppet legend Miss Piggy is definitely a style icon, so a retrospective on her impact on high fashion should definitely be the highlight of the production. Attendees will get glass-case views of The Divine Ms. Swine's couture ensembles, which include a Burberry quilted gold trench, a custom-made blue kimono by Jason Wu and a peacock feather dress by Prada.

For Friday's show, we hear she'll be wearing Marc Jacobs.

A little taste of Hed Kandi goes a long way

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Cover illustration for Hed Kandi by Jason Brooks


Now that you've gotten over the shock that you won't be getting into any of newly crowned Top Chef Master Rick Bayless's restaurants anytime soon (opentable.com has no reasonable reservations available until well into fall), it's time to move on.

If you've got a big appetite for soulful, electronic house music, indulge in some Hed Kandi, the glamorous U.K.-based deejay collective that's on its way to new West Loop lounge Theatro tonight. Hed Kandi deejays Airloom and Funky Couture kick off the monthly residency with a blow-out bash featuring comped cocktails and light bites from Sushi X until 10pm, plus a visit from lingerie-clad football team Chicago Bliss.

Party happens 8pm-2am Thursday. Cover varies.

Benefits, beats and eats to keep you happy all weekend long:

THURSDAY

Hopefully the bad weather will hold off for the Mile-High Cocktail Club, taking place on C-View's rooftop lounge. SVEDKA Vodka created an "in-flight" cocktail menu just for the occasion, plus the "cabin crew" will serve comped appetizers from C-House. 6-9pm. Free, but RSVP necessary at Chris@expagency.com.

A number of fabulous women in media, PR, fitness, fashion and beauty (including yours truly!) will be honored during Maven's Diva Series Reunion at BOKA. This party benefits PAVE, a nonprofit focusing on the awareness of sexual violence. 8-11pm. $20 with comped appetizers and $8 specialty cocktails.

The St. Jude Summer Sipper's a favorite of the supporters of the venerable children's hospital, and tonight's event happens at Maeve in Lincoln Park. 6-9pm. The $40 ticket includes wine tastings and appetizers.

Every kid needs proper school supplies and books, and WITS is doing its part to make that happen. Their next benefit happens at WAVE, where guests will be treated to summer-focused cocktails and appetizers prepared by Executive Chef Kristine Subido. 7-10pm. One hundred percent of the $55 benefits WITS.


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"Cigar Sunday" happens this weekend on Peninsula's fabulous outdoor terrace. (Photo: Peninsula Chicago)


FRIDAY

If you don't make it to Glamorama, Chicago's top fashion event of the year, head to the after-after-party at Underground where R&B super star Ne-Yo is scheduled to make an appearance. Look for him to show up around 1am, but I wouldn't count on him singing. 10pm-4am. $20.

Here's your chance to get a taste of Frontera Grill after all! The award-winning Mexican restaurant, along with the likes of Hot Chocolate, Santorini and Bluebird, caters a benefit for StreetWise, the magazine providing an income to homeless Chicagoans. The party also includes an open bar and goes down at the Rooftop Sculpture Garden (117 N. Jefferson, fourth floor). 6-9:30pm. Get the $100 tickets here.

A Taste of Provence continues through Saturday at Kiki’s Bistro. The French-focused eatery's paying homage to Julia Child with regional wine and cuisine specials, including monkfish with Ratatouille and tomato coulis.

SUNDAY

Instead of the usual brunch, why not partake in Red Light's delicious BBQ benefit for farmers Tracey Vowell (a former Topolobampo chef) and Kathe Roybal of Three Sisters Garden?! Participating chefs include Giuseppe Tentori (BOKA) and Sarah Stegner and George Bumbaris (Prairie Grass Cafe), Mark Mendez (Carnivale), Jolene Worthington (Eli's Cheesecake) and chefs from Frontera Grill/Topolobampo. Noon-3pm. $50 (tickets not available at door; must be purchased at participating restaurants).

Here's one for the cigar enthusiast: Cigar Sunday returns to the terrace at Peninsula, where you can smoke stogies, sip single-malt scotch and bond with other like-minded luxaholics. 5-10pm. No cover; RSVP required at diningpch@peninsula.com.

MONDAY

And McDonald's Filet-O-Fish will have nothing on C-House's new C-Wich, now available on the lunch menu. It's stacked with house-made crab cake between a brioche bun with coconut gribiche, and served with a side of seasonal apple slaw and tomato-corn salad. Today through Aug. 28, you can get it for $5 (regularly $15). Other $5 offerings during the promotion include C-House fries with housemade ketchup; decadent chorizo mac & cheese with local goat cheese; and white wine spritzers.