Food

Everyone knows Chicago will be focusing on fashion this week because it’s…oh yeah Fashion Focus Chicago. And while I want to hit up every event this week has to offer, there are some events that are a little unique.

Today is the start of Chicago Ideas Week. Now what kind of ideas will be discussed? Lots. And what kind of people will be discussing said ideas? Amazing people.

And on the third day of October, The Chicago River will run shaded with multitudes of independent whiskey, rum, tequila, mezcal, cognac and vodka alike. The masses with gather with intense expectations of world-renowned spirit’s that entice taste buds and blur vision of all who participate.

I can honestly say that AKIRA is my favorite retail store in the entire city of Chicago and there are a million reasons why. I’ve narrowed it down to my top 5 so I can keep this short & sweet. 1. Their insanely stylish & innovative women’s & men’s clothing /footwear 2. All of their locations (Over 17 in neighborhoods all over the city & even the suburbs!!) 3. Their amazing customer service & stylists (You won’t walk out their door without a bag or two swung over your shoulder) 4. The co-owner …Jon Cotay (Sweetest & smartest owner in the industry...hands down!) 5. & last but definitely not least…their FASHION SHOWS!

Have some Fashion envy seeing your New York friends’ pictures of Fashion Week right now? Don’t fret: Chicago will have a week of their own next month! It’s called Fashion Focus Chicago and will show off some of Chicago’s own design talent. Here’s a look at one of the big events of the week, Next Fashion Chicago.

Listen up all you dedicated followers of Alternative Press! If you didn’t already know, Riot Fest is finally making its way to Chicago on September 14-16th! The Congress Theatre and Humboldt Park will be packed with intense alternative music fans. If you love this particular band as much as me then you are probably about to fall off your chair with excitement because Chiodos is coming back at full force with all of the original band mates!!

We may just be a week into September, but it’s time to start talking about Oktober. Because Chicago has tons of events that pay homage to the German festival Oktoberfest. The keg may not get tapped in Munich until the 22nd, but we in Chicago get to start off the celebrating as early as next week! Here’s a list of a couple events:

If you follow me on Twitter, you probably saw my night out last night w/Olympian buds Ryan Lochte & Conor Dwyer. You obviously know how freakishly talented they are and how great they represented and competed for our country, but just wanted to say on a personal level, they are two solid great guys, pleasure to hang out with for sure.

City Winery Chicago opened last week at the west end of the Randolph corridor, anchoring restaurant row and extending the repertoire of venues. It’s Wine Country in the West Loop. With a bold focus on wine and a fully functioning winery, City Winery crafts a culture of music, food and entertainment hinged upon the cornerstone of great wine as envisioned by founder and owner Michael Dorf.

It’s that time of year when Chicagoans flock to rooftops across the city, tourists and locals alike head to the beach and people of all ages settle in to watch jaw-dropping aerial and water stunts. Yup that’s right, I’m talking about the über popular Air & Water Show – the largest free military air & water show in the country…and it’s back for its 54th year! This coming weekend, August 18th-19th starting at 10am, prepare to be wowed by the U.S. Navy Blue Angels, U.S. Army Golden Knights parachute team & U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds as they take to the skies to perform dazzling acrobatics 12,000+ feet in the air. The best part, it’s completely free.