Yearly Archives August 17, 2011

While sitting in BD’s office, someone mentioned seeing Billy on MTV’s My Super Sweet Sixteen for Maestro Harrell’s Chicago birthday party (click here for the video!). Of course we had to look up the...

I am constantly asked by customers to lend tips and tricks on anything pastry related. I lend such advice, including the importance of selecting the finest and freshest ingredients available, and making sure you’re always using the right tool to execute the right technique. Recently, I found myself in a complete role reversal! I was asked by Food Network Challenge (picture above is of all the teams!) to compete in creating a 3-foot tall moving dinosaur cake. The process of making this is as daunting as it sounds.

I struck up a friendship and mutual admiration with hotelier Ian Schrager over the last year and he asked me and our Rockit Ranch Productions team to help him as his Creative Consultant for the Pump Room Bar on his newest project PUBLIC Chicago. For details see http://www.PublicHotels.com .. Also, this exciting project is HIRING NOW!!! Email careers@publichotels.com if interested ASAP. More info to come!!!!!!

A few weeks back in a little bar over on Halsted a band caught my eye. I am usually seeking out the latest dub or electro to hit the scene, but back in the day I used to actually pick up my guitar. The blues, and rock & roll are actually what initiated my passion for music. Otis incorporates true live music, and it is unusual to see such talented musicians these days, especially when they’re all under twenty-five.

Local & national celebrities, athletes, activists & survivors will join together this weekend (Aug. 12 & 13) to help raise funds & awareness to those affected by sickle-cell anemia. The weekend of events will include an exclusive roof top party at the Terrace at the Conrad Hotel, celebrity bowling at Lucky Strike in River East Center and VIP reception and auction at Rockit Bar & Grill.

Recently, I caught up with musician and longtime friend of ours Pat Gilroy. He has definitely accomplished a lot since I’ve last spoken to him. Pat has a new band called The Super Happy Fun Club, with an upcoming tour and a recently released album titled “Go Fun Yourself.” The Super Happy Fun Club started out as six friends who’ve always partied together, but never played for the same band. Now, they’re like the Chicago super group; comprised of members from Lucky Boys Confusion, Treaty of Paris, The Waiting Game, Logan Square, One Life, and Close Enough. The Super Happy Fan Club is an alternative rock group, heavily influenced by their experiences in their previous bands. They’ve come together to create a unique sound of their own, having had no idea that their just-for-fun activity of writing tunes together would turn into something this big.

It was another crazy day in Billy’s office going through to-do lists, running to meetings, and writing emails when he noticed little creature staring at us... we thought it would fly away, but a few hours later, the little bird was still there. Fearing that it was hurt, Billy turned to his facebook & twitter friends for some advice.

What if my avatar literally came to life and spoke to people about a gigantic party to celebrate his 2nd birthday as the "person" behind all my social media platforms (facebook, twitter, blog..) that had been communicating with tens of thousands of people with similar interests for the last 2 years? And what if he explained in a really fun way that this huge party would benefit one of our favorite philanthropic missions, feeding people in need. Well, that was the crazy idea we came up with at Rockit Ranch Productions 6 months ago when we produced the attached video- we just never thought we would actually win awards for it!!??!

It's been an honor to have been asked to co-host events for The President of the United States over the last couple years (click here to see a clip), and I am excited to pass along the invitation to his 50th Birthday Party right here in our great hometown of Chicago w/performances by Jennifer Hudson, OK Go & Herbie Hancock! Click here for info! See you there!

I’m sure most of you have seen the infamous 1980’s film Ferris Bueller’s Day Off, and what better way to relive this film than with a bar crawl, themed to Ferris Bueller’s iconic day of hooky! This Sunday, July 24th is the Ferris Bueller’s Day Off Bar Crawl. Participants will travel throughout the city, visiting landmarks that Ferris himself visited and be able to lean their heads against the Willis Tower Skydeck, attend a Cubs game, and even partake in some karaoke just as Ferris Bueller did. Unfortunately, the karaoke session will not take place on float during a parade through the streets of Chicago, but some “Danke Schoen and Twist and Shout” are highly encouraged.