If I have lapsed in my sinning duties, this was certainly the opportunity to make it right. Four bars, plenty of friends, and a sea of women & whiskey.  Like any good night in the Village, this one started at The Continental. Five shots, ten dollars.  The night ended at Cheap Shots, and there were more than enough shots to go around this night. I had a few friends more than willing to help me hit number 93 with a bullet.

I  always made the claim that I would pound five in a row of Jameson, and this was the night I intended to actually do it. And I did, and my friends made quite the spectacle of it so that onlookers would see me rise or fall to the challenge. I wish Rocky was playing in the background, as it had in the past, but no such luck.   After the said shot challenge,  too many strangers were aware of my existence. My friend started small talk with a wily brunette, trying to play the part of a wing man as much as possible.  She asked if I was done for the night, and my friend just laughed. I’m sure she found my early alcoholism charming on multiple levels.  And we talked for a little while, but I really wasn’t feeling it. Maybe in another few drinks she would have been the girl of my dreams, but not then & there.

Bar two was more low-key. There was lots of dancing, and that is something I refuse to do despite how many pretty girls try to grab my hand and drag me to the floor. I cooled off with a rum & coke, and hung my head low, to the disapproval of the group. Naturally, this wound me up in a corner with a lady that seemed to be taking a breather. I asked if she had a debilitating ankle injury, she said she was just taking a rest. I mentioned my common medical condition of two left feet, and apologized at how lame that was (a move a friend of mine has claimed as his own), and it worked because she laughed.  We small talked it out, and I nursed my drink to recoup from the shot loss of sobriety, when a female friend came up, I took it as an exit strategy.

This was much the case for the other two bars as well.  I started strong on the drinking, but then took my time, and played the role of the silent observer most of the night. I really wasn’t feeling much of anything, that might have been due to the buzz though.  The farthest I got with any girl was playful half-drunk touches, and small talk.

Image by Michael LaRiccia

Ah yes, the bar scene. This was done while I was in Amherst so these experiences were still very fresh in my mind. I was never a big “bar” person but in those days I just went along for the ride.

Potential images are all around us. As I was sitting across the bar enjoying a cocktail and some good company before the New York Underwater Photographic Society meeting at Arctica Bar, the colors and warmth of this NYC bar scene called upon me. Tripod deployed mid-drink, 5 shot HDR exposure, in the can.

It is amazing the friends that come out of the woodwork for a “pal’s” birthday bonanza. The same flaky, unreliable guys and gals that couldn’t be reached the whole week you were moving – or when you needed a dog-sitter – are suddenly willing to shift their entire schedule to make sure they are part of your big event.

Especially if it’s held at a bar.

The popular belief is that birthdays are special celebrations to be cherished, and applauded, and drowned amid copious amounts of alcohol. You see, no matter what you think, your birthday is not about you. It’s about your friends getting drunk.

Now, does that mean you have bad friends? No, absolutely not. They’re just human; thus, selfish. You see, they go through their day-to-day lives constrained by real or perceived social expectations. They may not drink much during the week. Maybe they only come out on Saturday nights, and maybe they use the “gotta get up early” line even on the weekends. They are trying so hard to be responsible, despite how much its killing them.

That’s why, for birthdays, it all comes out. They might as well be in Vegas, or starring in the movie Coyote Ugle. The prissy girl that’s been your girlfriend’s bestie since they were in elementary school? She just did a body shot off the lesbian rugby player at the bar, then flashed the bartender for a free Cape Cod. Your work buddies, Taz and Tim from accounting? They’ve wrapped their ties around their heads and are squaring off like Roman gladiators in a ring, yelling profane and disturbing challenges in Old English.

That’s what this is all about. It’s an excuse to drink. Not that people don’t have enough of them. But that’s all your birthday is. It’s an excuse for the inhibitions to relax a little more than usual, and for those people that “don’t really do shots;” it’s a chance to suck down everything from tequila to Flaming Dr. Peppers. Chances are, you won’t be the first to throw up on your birthday. And an even better chance is you won’t leave the bar more intoxicated than your friends. For they have toasted your birth a dozen times tonight. They have dragged every poor soul in the bar around your chair to sing to you. They have begged the bartender for a round of free drinks for the occasion. And they have looked the manager in the eye and said plainly, “it’s his birthday,” when questioned about the broken glasses and pool of liquid on the floor.

Your birthday is the reason. It’s the reason they will feel like crap in the morning and it’s the reason they will wake up a couple hundred bucks poorer. It’s the reason they will regale their coworkers with drunken tales of romance and adventure on Monday morning. And they’ll feel good about it. Because they did it for you. They were a good friend and got drunk with you. Whether or not you made their Top 10 on MySpace, they were willing to go balls-to-the-wall with you and you should thank them. Just don’t forget to invite them next year. Because it’s something they very, very much look forward to.

D.C. “Fete Select TV” Crenshaw, NBC5 Street Team

After a disappointing experience at the grand opening of the new restaurant Epic, in the downtown River North area of Chicago, I was a little hesitant to return for dinner.  The event that evening was far too crowded and a little unorganized that left me pondering the concept of the new hot spot.  I didn’t know whether they it was a club or a restaurant, so I decided to go back and check it out, after receiving a sincere message from their Maitre De.

Upon arrival, I again had the same thoughts.  Is this a club or a restaurant? But as soon as we were seated in the main dining area, the concept became very clear.  The downstairs bar area provides more of a lounge atmosphere with hip music, couches and hi top bar seating.   The upstairs space is where the feasting takes place.  The entire place is massive complete with four levels, including a rooftop terrace.  Epic’s design is simple and straightforward.  The architecture has a loft like appearance with elements of exposed brick, steel and concrete.  It didn’t wow me, but it got my attention.

Epic’s dinner menu is filled with beef, chicken, pork and fish entrées.  Seafood items plaster most of the appetizer section and they have a nice selection of salads and side dishes to choose from.  Since I’m a connoisseur of lamb shanks, I opted for the “Spiced Lamb Shank” entrée.   Our waiter assured me that their lamb shank would be right up there with the best that I’ve had.  Well, I wouldn’t necessarily give it those props, but it was definitely tender and succulent.  The combination of spices complemented the shank and the lamb jus was pungently flavorful without sweetness.  My dinner guests enjoyed the “Chilean Sea Bass” and “Salt Crusted Market Fish For Two” entrées.  The presentations for both dishes were done well.  The “Brussels Sprouts” side dish prepared with bacon, honey and chestnuts tempted my taste buds.  The sweet and savory combination helped me forget that I was eating brussels sprouts for a moment, but sprouts are sprouts.

Dinner was capped with dessert.  The “Chocolate” and “Pumpkin & White Chocolate” desserts were sampled.  The former consisted of flourless cake, mousse and hot fudge, and the latter was made with toasted white chocolate cake, roasted pumpkin ice cream and chestnut caramel.  Both desserts were solid, but didn’t have me licking the plate.  The service started off a little slow, but picked up as the dinner progressed.  The atmosphere was festive, which helped the cocktails to flow more readily, although, I wouldn’t recommend Epic for a quiet evening at dinner.  Expect to drop $50 per person on dinner before getting your keys back from the valet and be prepared to hang out for after dinner cocktails in the downstairs bar area.  Overall Epic’s cuisine was solid with a good atmosphere and decent service.  My final “Tru” rating is TTt.

Say what you want about my smoking and my drinking, but I have one thing usually going for me in the pro column. I’m pretty damn punctual, most of the time. Due to a lack of sleep and an excess of drinking, my head does, however, fail me on occasion. Which is why at 6pm I was running to a subway, and frantically/apologetically texting Kelly that I was going to be late. Now I wasn’t entirely too broken up about the fact that this girl would be pissed that I was late, it was that at 6:30, the drink specials ended and prices doubled.

Not only this, but when I do arrive, Kelly has not secured prime location. She tells me she’s by the door, and I almost immediately want to completely blow her off, but I was late so I suppose it was my due payback. I grab us a pitcher, but part of me doesn’t even want to be there because I hate a crowded bar, and I hate waiting for drinks, hence the pitcher.  We talk and I’m staring mostly at the beer, and she more than likely assume I was staring at her chest.  I think we both failed each other’s tests. Me with my rare bout of unpunctuality, her with her bar location. She had limited options, but a pretty girl can get away with anything at a bar.

so i went to “public bar” in dc. place was cool but i just thought it was weird for a sports bar to have VIP sections and bottle service. like, that’s just weird. but hey, get in where you fit in.

anyway, i ended up needing to use the restroom. i did what i had to do & as i approach the restroom attendant for a paper towel [since she was practically holding it for ransom]…her she goes complaining about lack of tips! like, you cant be serious. & of course she wasn’t complaining to me b/c i would’ve just given her the blankest stare ever. she’s over here complaining to my friends about her lack of tips & how just like any other person, she’s tryna get their money. that itself is totally understand but honey, you’re going at it all wrong.

1. you do not complain about your job while you’re working! flat out, it’s unprofessional. if i hired you, i’d be quick to fire you; my establishment has a name to uphold & you will not bring it down!
2. i feel, i shouldnt have to tip you to get a paper towel! seriously. what? am i suppose to dry my hands off my ass i just wiped? the restrooms came equipped with papers towels, so stop acting like it’s yours!
3. now, if i used one of your products, took some of your gum/candy, etc, then a tip is pretty much in order…

…otherwise, chiiillllll! seriously, whether you’re a restroom attendant or a CEO, it’s never cool to complain about your job especially while you’re on the clock. do it at happy hour with your friends or something. it really just makes you look bad…how do you expect to be taken seriously?

so word to the wise, just put on a fake smile if u have to. suck it up. if you’re not happy, no one else is happy. so don’t think i’ll take pity on you and tip you. simply change your approach. & be kind…it goes a long way

You get a few drinks in an already talkative girl, and you are bound to have an interesting conversation. Penny is a small 5′3 thing of a black haired girl.  She read the site, and decided that she had to go drink-for-drink with me. I’ve had a couple girls contact me via this for dates, but this was the first one I actually went on.

We met in the Village and she was already a few deep, she immediately fessed up. I just laughed and shook my head. I told her that she was cuter than her picture (an occurrence that is very rarely true).  After a few T&Ts in the back booth she apologized for being in a bad mood, something she didn’t remotely seem in, thanks to the drinks. I asked her why, and she me it was stupid. Clearly, this only piqued my curiosity. That’s when she told me.

She was upset because her period was conforming to that of her roommates. She said this with the straightest of faces. Now, as much as turn on period talk is, especially on a first date, I was intrigued. I simply just ask, “So you’re upset because your period isn’t the alpha period?” She laughed at it, and then I laughed. This resulted in a long stream of jokes that were based on her being her roommates bitch. I mean, I suppose deep seated insecurities about being taken advantage of and being the subservient one in a relationship can result themselves in the most carnal of ways, but I was just fascinated by her displeasure over this.

She talked about being rushed into moving and this and that, and I gave her a sympathetic ear, and another round of gin while she let her heart out. We left and split a cigarette, because she doesn’t really smoke anymore, then we shared a cab, and then a really platonic kiss. She kissed me, but I wasn’t ready to make her my alpha or my omega anything.

After passing out on the couch, I came to at 1:23 when I heard the phone ring. I didn’t even look at the caller idea, because I was a little groggy. And that’s when Taylor returned my phone call. She told me to come down to this bar, because they were having nickel beers from 2-4. Now, I had already passed out with a belly full of scotch by 11:30, and I looked down at the dog weighing the option. It wasn’t the smartest idea, but I decided to at least go out and enjoy my Friday night/Saturday morning.

I put on my jacket, walked down my steps and hailed a cab. Fifteen minutes later I grab three beers. I then walked around looking for either a place to sit or the reason I was at this bar in the first place. I found both in the back corner. She got up to hug me and almost fell. She had four beers on the table, saying I could have one…or two. I promptly pointed to the three I just put down and slid one her way.

I sat and we didn’t talk for a few moments, both working away on a beer. She broke the silence with, “I didn’t think you’d actually show.” I said the word “yeah” into my cup as I finished the Bud Light.  She immediately brought up Nicole, and I instinctively hemmed and hawed around the topic with lots of filler words. There was a small group of people there that seemed to thin within minutes of me arriving, and then dwindle down to Taylor and I within an hour.  Somewhere between rounds 2 and 3 I went from the chair across her to right next to her. I think it had to do with wanting to be in a booth. But, honestly, it probably had more to do with the fact that we both wanted me to be next to her.

That’s when the moment happened. I’d played this moment out in my head in every single situation imaginable, but I never actually thought it would happen.  I don’t even know who started it. I don’t even have more than a hazy recollection of it at all. We started kissing. It wasn’t vile, but it wasn’t fireworks. It just was. Two lips grazing and meeting in the middle and getting acquainted for the first time after years of frustration.  And then I backed away for a moment to dive in again. And then she broke it, and came right back in. The next thing I know I’m outside the bar trying to get a cab.

The cab ride home was sullen. I was tempted to start a dialogue with the cab driver, about all the stupid ways kissing Taylor could go.  But I decided against it and just had the dialogue with my head. I’d wanted this moment for so long, and throughout many different relationships. The bitch of it is that I couldn’t enjoy this because of how it happened, why it happened, and I just felt so goddamn guilty. I suppose that’s what makes me a good Catholic.

I think few if anyone who may live east of Branson Missouri might know about a full service bar that’s located near the intersection of Highway 160 and Y highway in Forsyth, Missouri. Charlie’s Steak Ale and Rib restaurant has a pretty nice bar that is gaining popularity mostly through word of mouth. I’ve stopped by there numerous times and have noticed the number of patrons seems to be on the upswing. The bartenders that work there are all attractive, nice to meet, and most importantly you never have to wait long for the libation of your choice.

I originally came from the big city of Chicago where there are small local bars like this on most every corner. They serve an important function as a meeting place for locals who want to hear a bit of gossip or just hang out and people watch. Charlie’s works in well for this small Midwest town that sports a population of around 1800. Hope to see you there!

On New Years day the team flew to Nashville with a stopover in Chicago, if that makes any sense, to play a pair of games against Belmont and Lipscomb on the 2^nd and 4^th.

My friend Jeff had been planning on visiting me during the season in Fort Myers, but recently we decided that it might be more fun for him to meet us on the road.

Nashville was the best place for him to catch up with us since the teams we played were fifteen minutes apart, meaning we didn’t have to travel on the 3^rd and stayed in the same hotel for the duration of the trip.

Jeff flew in early on Saturday January 2^nd and took a bus to the Lowes Vanderbilt Hotel, where the team was staying, just in time for me to give him a hug and my room key so he could relax while we were at shoot around.

When we returned to the hotel I decided to skip pre-game meal so that Jeff and I could walk around the West End area near the hotel and catch up. Since it was Saturday we played a late afternoon game at Belmont, which would allow Jeff and I to spend the entire evening exploring Nashville’s nightlife.

During the game I excitedly took about twenty-seven looks into the stands at Jeff since I rarely have anyone in the bleachers directly supporting me. It felt great to have a friendly face in the building, and it was even more thrilling when we defeated the Bruins 66-63 for FGCU’s first ever win in Nashville.

Afterwards I took care of my post-game responsibilities before Jeff and I finally hit the town. We decided that since we were in Nashville that we would go out on Broadway Street, which locals described as their “Honky Tonk” area.

Initially the scene was as Jeff and I expected it with rows of country bars blaring live music. We decided to get the lay of the land before choosing an establishment to begin our evening, so we walked a few blocks down until the lights began to taper off before heading back up the other side of the street.

Along the way Jeff became infatuated with the idea of buying cowboy boots since stores were offering a buy one pair get two pairs free deal. After seeing the $180 price tag on the boots he liked, and pondering why exactly he needed to own three pairs, we decided that if the purchase was meant to be that fate would lead us back in the stores direction.

From there we sauntered into a popular bar called Tootsies to grab a drink and listen to a few country tunes. From there it was more of the same as we went into four or five more bars, ordered Vodka and Red Bull, told stories and listened to live music.

While I can’t say that I’ve ever had an affinity for country music the atmosphere and excitement in the bars we visited was wildly entertaining and electric. As the combination of stimulant and depressant that we had downed all night made it’s way through our systems it was obvious that we were both diggin’ the honky scene.

Later in the night we met up with another assistant coach on our staff and a couple of FGCU sports information guys that had made the trip with us. They ended up leading us into a place that was three bars rolled into one. Downstairs there was a bar and stage for live country music and dancing. Another room played hip-hop and had a dance club feel to it, while the upstairs had another huge bar and played more stereotypical top 40 music.

As the combination of drinking and not eating dinner caught up to us Jeff and I decided that 2:00am was a good time to find some greasy food to quell our hunger before heading back to the hotel to pass out.

A crowded place nearby offering juicy burgers and salty fries did the trick to satisfy our appetites before we hailed a cab back to the luxurious Loews Vanderbilt Hotel. Upon entering room 1123 I went to the bathroom for literally forty seconds before emerging to find Jeff already asleep on the right side of the queen bed we were sharing that night.

As someone who can’t fall asleep that easily I relaxed for a few minutes and thought about the night. While many of my friends have those types of crazy drunken adventures every weekend, since they live in Chicago or New York, they might not have viewed the evening in the same light as me.

For me it was not just an awesome night filled with crazy Honky Tonk bars, cowboy boots, and dangerous alcoholic beverages it was something much more. Often times when I think about my life and living situation I tend to dwell on the opportunities I’ve lost as a result of my professional choices, however after that night in Nashville I decided for the first time in a while to look at things in a different light.

Instead of using that night as another opportunity for me to lament not being able to have that type of fun all the time, I realized that my evening in Nashville was unique and made possible to a large extent by my job.

Unlike my friends who go out to the same bars and clubs every weekend I have traveled all over the country and have been to bars, restaurants and campuses from coast to coast. Therefore, even though I don’t have the opportunity every weekend to go out with my friends to the bars and potentially have a crazy night, when I do it is that much more memorable and special.

Plus I bet none of my friends got their picture taken with Elvis last weekend.

As we leave another Christmas season, we can reflect back on the times spent with friends and family…and the bar scene. As we all know, the Holidays bring all the rats out of the woodwork. Below is a list I’ve compiled that represents the high school faces you probably saw…(or didn’t want to see)

1.) Popular Girl Who Still Thinks She’s….um Popular
2.) “Most Likely to Succeed” Turned “Biggest Loser
3.) “The Swan” or The Late Bloomer
4.) The wussy kid turned Military
5.) Super Geek Turned Millionaire
6.) Jock Turned Super Cop
7.) Hot Girl Who’s Really Not Hot Anymore (Too much Tanning Salon?!)\
8.) Kid You Thought Was Gay…and now is
9.) The tool That’s Still a Tool
10.) Guy with some fake accent, when you know he grew up in Jersey!

Come on…who did you see this past break…was it the long haired guy that is now bald? The fat girl now a super model? Share with us your bar scene…scene!

Cara Carriveau, NBC Chicago Street Team

Lady Gaga will invade Chicago next weekend, but now it’s at a new location. Turns out the production of her show just won’t work at the Chicago Theatre so now her shows on January 8-10 will happen at The Rosemont Theatre.

Here’s the kicker: if you were fortunate enough to land tickets to any of her sold out Chicago Theatre shows those tickets are not automatically good for the The Rosemont Theatre. YOU MUST TAKE ACTION TO KEEP YOUR TICKETS VALID….AND YOU ONLY HAVE 48 HOURS TO DO SO, beginning at 5pm today!

If you have Lady Gaga tickets here’s what you need to do: return your Chicago Theatre tickets for a full refund at your point of purchase – then you will be given the information on an exclusive presale for The Rosemont Theatre shows at that time.  So, in essence, you have to buy your tickets all over again.  But rest assured, ticket holders for the Chicago Theatre show(s) are guaranteed the same amount of tickets to the Rosemont Theatre show(s) on the same night they bought originally. This guarantee is only valid during the 48 hour presale time.

Confused? For any ticket holder questions, go to www.ticketmaster.com or call ticketmaster customer service at 800-653-8000.

All of this is good news if you didn’t score Lady Gaga tickets the first time around. Since The Rosemont Theatre is a bigger venue that means more tickets will go on sale this Monday morning, January 4, at 10am via www.ticketmaster.com or at any ticketmaster outlet. Get more information HERE.  And…even better…you can win FREE tickets for Lady Gaga next week with Eric & Kathy on 101.9 The MIX!

(that’s what she said.)

in all seriousness, i completely doubted that the snOMG/snowmageoddeon/whatever-clever-snow-related-name-you-may-have-called-it-on-twitter was going to hit the D.C. area. in the three years i’ve lived here, i’ve learned a few things — Virginia is not the same as D.C.;  drinking is much more socially acceptable on the East Coast; and even the most minor of snow predictions will create pandemonium,  leading to a rapid depletion of eggs, milk and toilet paper in all local grocery stores.

call me a cynic, but i mocked the panic all day. i had a holiday party to attend that night and nothing was going to get in my way.

and it didn’t. i definitely celebrated that night — i celebrated so hard that by the time it started snowing, i didn’t even realize how fast it was accumulating until i was facedown sobbing in it at the end of the night because i couldn’t catch a cab back to virginia and my boots were definitely not ice proof.

it’s a long, torrid, emotional tale, but after a two-hour walk/metro ride home, i fell through the door, tackled my roommate and didn’t leave the safety net of my house for 72 hours.

and now i know i will be first in line for eggs, milk and toilet paper during next week’s predicted snow showers.

Photo by Tomasz Wieja

As long as I’ve lived in this city, I’d always wanted to go to PDT.  It’s kitschy, but it was on the long NYC checklist. My friend Kelly was well aware of this, and invited me to tag along with a group of girls she knew going. Immediately, I couldn’t refuse because the odds were stacked in my favor as one of three guys in a group of six girls.  In going to such a place, I was appalled that not a single one of these ladies had a red dress. I busted out the vest for the occasion, and they brought nothing to the table. Well, I wouldn’t say nothing, their reservation was the only reason I got in.

I ignored the girls I came with because the red dress was my white whale of the night. It didn’t take long before I zeroed in on Sydney. I Immediately compliment her on her dress, and she kind of brushed me off. I continued, “No seriously, this isn’t just a horrible pick up line. I genuinely appreciate the fact that you put on the red dress to come here.” She looked at me for a moment. Up and down, weighing whether or not she was going to mildly indulge me. I offered to buy her a drink to help improve my odds. Fifteen minutes later we were in the back booth with our Martinis.

I have to say it was one of the most interesting experiences I’ve ever had. We spent a solid hour talking, and yet, not revealing any sort of personal information about her. I noticed this about five minutes into the conversation, and tried to keep it up for as long as possible. She wouldn’t ask me personal questions, I wouldn’t ask her any. I didn’t get her last name,  I have no idea what she does for a living, no idea where she lives…etc. I know she takes her Martinis dirty. I know that even when she can’t walk straight or form a completely coherent thought, she can carry that glass without spilling a drop.  And I know that when she gets close enough to kiss you goodbye on the cheek she smells like cinnamon.

Sometimes I forget that Wednesday is Karaoke night at my favorite bar. My friend Griffin insisted that we stay though, because the deal on draft Killians is hard to beat.  The bar was pretty empty aside from us, and a few scattered parties. Eventually it started to get a little more packed with drunk college girls from the nearby campus.

Now I’ve perfected the art of completely tuning out people singing tone deaf Miley Cyrus covers, so I was feeling pretty good about myself. When I went up to get my third beer I was almost immediately accosted by a group of drunk chicks. Colleen, a tall redhead, specially started asking me a million questions. If I was there alone, if I had friends as cute as me, what I was drinking. I don’t know why, but I’m pretty sure the tall girls are the most confident girls I’ve come across. Especially the tall drunk girls. I really wasn’t feeling her however, and tried to get away.

Of course because of that, she got more forward and more brazen. After dodging her to get back to Griffin in the corner, she eventually made her way  to the mic. And busted out, “I Want You To Want Me”. Now, I’m not specifically a sucker for not-subtle 80s rock, but I did appreciate the moxie of it.

Mid performance I shook my head at her, and walked out to the back area to smoke.  Mid-cigarette she comes out and starts acting hurt that I left in the middle of her song. I unemphatically apologized, and she asked for a smoke. I obliged, and within seconds she starts coughing a lung out.

“You don’t smoke do you?”

She admitted she didn’t and immediately tossed it on the ground.  I just looked at her and thanked her for wasting it. She then kissed me on the cheek and said she was sorry. Working her way up to my lips and we made out for a little bit until her hand grazed my still lit cigarette. I couldn’t help but laugh at this, but muttered out some sort of half assed concern over her hand. She asked me to kiss it to make it better, and I told her I think it was time that I get going.

Eric Smith, NBC5 Street Team

On location at Eve’s Parlor in Humboldt Park.

On a recent evening, I was given a unique look into what I makes Chicago tick. And what makes Chicago tick is the unique personality of the artistic community that beats to their own drum. In this instance I had the opportunity to meet Chicago’s very own Angela Eve.

Eve's Parlor

Angela Eve is a Headliner, Producer, Artist, Model and photographer. She is an accomplished multi-media and performance/dance artist-graduate of The Art Institute of Chicago with a degree in Fine Arts. She is a professionally trained actor and graduate of The Second City Conservatory. She has her own line of wearable art, toured with major music festivals including OzzFest and has established her own Twisted Tassel Burlesque Festival among quite a few noteworthy accomplishments.

It could be easy to see why she is a person of interest; as a driving force and icon on the Chicago art scene. But even more compelling is what is in her heart and the compassion she feels for others. Splitting her time between Chicago and New Orleans, Angela Eve-along with fellow artist Anastasios Ketsios-has been at the forefront of a fine art photo documentary project entitled, “Home, This Was”-a narrative involving the effects of Hurricane Katrina on the people and their daily lives. Together they examine and analyze this narrative through the lens of a camera for all to see and experience.

Even more close to her heart has been the recent diagnosis of her mother having breast cancer. While the debate rages on in Washington for Universal Health Care for all-in Angela Eve’s case it couldn’t be more obvious the importance of the matter. Her mother, who is far from wealthy, has insurance coverage…although no where near adequate to cover the whopping $15,000 deductible required for treatment.

It will be Angela Eve’s new mission to raise the money to help her mother in this time of need-the best way she knows how. As such she will be organizing her only Fall show/benefit-“Kinky Xmas” on Wednesday, December 9th at the Debonair Social Club with two performances at 10pm and the other at Midnite-admission is free. Ring in the holidays with a sense of purpose and have some fun while you’re at it!

by April Lawson

Let’s face it. The typical a la carte fashion show in the Windy city is really more club promotion/publicity stunt to get folks drinking at some of the most notable swanky digs.  The models aren’t real and the fashion is barely believable.  The only thing you can count on is the buzz from the alcohol. That is just what I expected Sunday night at Cubby Bear for the Bryan K. Osburn Collection of Holiday evening wear.  But I must say wholeheartedly that I was pleasantly shocked. What the audience got was high-end couture worn by professional runway models at the most surprising venue.

Brian K. Osburn & Models

Osburne presented evening gowns with clean classic lines and party dresses with bold distinctive prints. He is far from a neophyte, having studied with Vera Wang, and being featured in French Vogue.

Songstress, Diana Ross

This man of the ‘cloth’ has styled a roster of Hollywood divas including the Grand Dame Diana Ross, actress Lynne Whitfield and singer Natalie Cole. More than a rising star, Bryan K. Osburn is perched firmly atop the fashion food chain. Not half bad when you’re a block away from the beer guzzling bleachers of Wrigley Field.

Kim Kardashian look-alike, Model Annie Mendez in a bold flower print gown

Dream Team Stylists, Cindy, Sue, Lillian & Linda

Lindsay Saewitz, NBC Chicago Street Team

It’s time to ditch the designer jeans and go vintage (i.e. grandma and grandpa era) for a day full of holiday drinking at GiveFoward’s 2nd Annual Ugly Sweater Pub Crawl!

This event brings together over 150 young professionals sporting the ugliest of ugly-wear, all for a good cause. Proceeds from the event will go to Streetwise, 2 Li’l Fishes, and The Night Ministry- three organizations working hard to prevent and aid Chicago’s homeless community.

Here’s the deets:
Date: Saturday, December 5th
Start Time: 1:00 PM
Route: Starts at Redmond’s (3358 N. Sheffield) and continues south to Uncle Fatty’s hitting Sheffield’s, Trader Todd’s, and Mad River along with way
Cost: $15 online donation at www.uglysweaterpubcrawl.com gets you a wristband for $2-$3 drink specials; door tickets are $25

As if an excuse to dress up like fool and drink all day wasn’t enough, you can also win MONEY. That’s right- there’s $100 cash prize to the worst dressed (i.e. best dressed?) and door prizes for the first 100 at Redmond’s.

So get your sweatered-self to Redmond’s for a holly jolly time. Check out the Facebook page to find out more or RSVP.

Glenn Murray, NBC5 Street Team




Art After Dark and its founder Derrick Lane have been hosting some very interesting events in the last few months. I had the chance to attend a great martini education and tasting event in September and this Saturday, they along with heritage link brands will host a very intriguing blindfolded wine tasting at Three Peas Art Lounge 75 E. 16th Street. The event is from 6-8 PM.
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Subtitled “Eyes Wide Shut” attendees learn to distinguish between 5 different wines in a special blind tasting. Extras for this event include catered appetizers, gift bags and prize giveaways.




Tickets are only $15 but are going fast! To purchase a ticket visit www.artafterdarkchicago.com