chicago

Growing up my best memories were the ones sitting with my grandpa and listening to Jazz and Big Band music. The appreciation for the way all of the individual instruments could mesh as one to create something so special as an emotional groove was something I will never forget. This music appreciation from a young age was so influential in my life, from my high school music programs, professional dancing career, night club djing, and of course my radio career. That is why The Chicago Academy of Music really caught my attention as something I wanted to be involved with.

The Side Project, with only 25 seats, combines the elements that makes Chicago theater world-famous: intimate, gripping, intense, smart. The theater is located in Rogers Park, steps from the Jarvis red line station, and there are some great options for a bite or a drink before or after the show: Italian (Gruppo di Amici); Indian (the mom-and-pop Luzzat); Coffeehouse casual (Charmers Cafe); and Irish pub (Poitin Stil).

Last Friday, I spent my night at Rockit Wrigley for Karaoke- always a blast & interesting!! Wanted to share this fun video of a between a Factor Women's Model & ABC's "Karaoke Battle" Darin Ortmann fighting over Eminem's "Love the Way You Lie." Check out the battle & meet me there next Friday!

Long story short, I changed my name on twitter on my bday last Friday from @BillyDec to @BD thinking it was the smartest thing to do being less characters, so unique, so hard to get.. But immediately a ton of people said they didn't like the name change at all! Did I make a mistake?!? Help me decide what my name should be, vote here now please! Will go with the name with the most votes by next Friday (11/11/11) at 5p. Here are just a few of the comments from people about it in case helps, and feel free to leave your own comments below or on my twitter or facebook pages. Thanks! Signed, no name guy (til Friday).

You know her from MTV’s The Hills and The City and while she’s certainly left a memorable mark on New York and LA, Whitney Port is coming to Chicago to share stories, give inspiration and answer all your burning questions! Whitney opens up about everything from her book True Whit covering fashion and beauty to romance and career. From backstabbing coworkers and bitchy bosses to long-distance boyfriends and a daring new career in fashion, Whitney managed to handle it all. After Port speaks, have your phones ready as she’ll answer your questions submitted via Twitter!

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Now that the 7th annual Chicago Fashion Focus has come to an end, this is the perfect time to reflect on the city’s initiative to cultivate local talent. Having just seen a parade of various trades, be it designers, producers, stylists, models, photographers and more, it’s comforting to know that the city is trying to help these emerging artists find a voice. Chicago definitely has been and still is a launching pad for many careers.

NERD ALERT! Joe here from Rockit Ranch Productions with an important message for you all. Do you enjoy FASHION SHOWS? Do you enjoy WORLD OF WARCRAFT? Do you enjoy SUPPORTING GOOD CAUSES? If you answered YES to any of these, I have just the thing for you. Come down to Bloomingdale's on Wednesday, November 2 from 6:30-9:00pm for the Geek 2 Chic fashion show hosted by Microsoft.

When I am not working with my Rockit Ranch family to deliver the best in food & fun at our establishments, I love working to entertain people on TV, Movies, here on my blog & any other way that I hope makes people happy as well (my reel). Most of the time it's on my weekly segment Thursdays 9a on ABC TV's Windy City Live, but I also like auditioning for parts in movies and tv shows that are in town filming, like this one for FX's newest pilot "Powers" where I play a Chicago cop.

Highwood might be a small city in the North Shore, but what we lack in size, we certainly have in heart. Take our second annual Great Pumpkin Fest into consideration to get an idea of what I mean.