Hi readers. Candice Warltier here from Communication Strategies Group, a Chicago-based communications firm. We are calling on all Leno fans! We know you love to laugh, and aChicagoThing wants to hook you up with tickets to a rare Chicago appearance by Jay Leno! This Saturday, April 28, 2012, Leno takes the stage at the Cadillac Palace Theatre, to celebrate OMNI Youth Services 40th anniversary – and we have three pairs of tickets to give away! Eric Ferguson, WTMX radio “Eric and Kathy” morning show co-host, will serve as emcee and Second City, the world’s premier comedy club, will make a brief performance. Be sure to visit Billy's Facebook page today for a chance to win a pair of tickets!

Three phrases I’m sure everyone in the working world can relate to. These statements resonate with me more than ever as I prepare for Chicago’s LARGEST Latino professional networking event this Wednesday. For the 12^th year in a row, the Chicago Latino Network is hosting, "Schmoozefest”…

Hi aChicagoThing readers, Carol Johnson here! Capping off an illustrious nightlife career that spans decades at the forefront of cutting edge nightclubs (Shelter, Drink, China Club), amazing restaurants (Cantare, Gibsons Restaurant Group, Il Covo), I’ve joined forces with comedy culture icon Jamie Masada in bringing his standup magic to the Chicago scene.

After a night of dining out and hitting the clubs, you might feel like you’ve gained 10 pounds. Worry no longer, because parties should be fun, not fattening, Skinny Socials’ philosophy! Skinny Socials, founded by Karen Bobos in 2012, is Chicago’s go-to-guide for a healthy, fun lifestyle.

Calling all art and film buffs! This Friday April 20^th there is a special screening of Ai Weiwei: Never Sorry directed by Alison Klayman at the Museum of Contemporary Art. The film is traveling the country dominating film festivals one after another, and Chicago’s Human Rights Watch Film Festival is next up. If you don’t know who Ai Weiwei is you have got to check this out, and if you do I’m sure you can’t wait to see this. Ai Weiwei is considered China's most famous international artist, and its most outspoken domestic critic.

“They” say to try and do at least one good deed a day right? Open the door for someone, help someone carry their groceries, or even something as simple as letting someone go in front of you in line. In this instance that I speak of, good deeds go a long way. You have the power to help a kids dream come true and have a blast with a couple of your friends!

Less than a decade ago, AKIRA opened the doors of its first women’s clothing boutique in Chicago’s Bucktown neighborhood. Since then, they have taken Chicago by storm with their unique clothing, great customer service, and breath taking fashion shows.

Tomorrow night at 8 pm the second edition of Night Heist, an annual fundraiser gala hosted by the Evening Associates Board of the Art Institute of Chicago takes place. The Department of Architecture and Design will feature a private preview of Fashioning the Objects: Boudicca, Sandra Backlund, and Bless.

GOCA Designs is a women’s luxury clothing line that was established in Chicago in the Fall of 2010. President Gordana Rasic and Vice President Omar Villalobos, who are both pursuing college degrees; all the while bringing their fashion dreams to fruition, run the fashion line themselves. Through their combined efforts they aim to, “revamp the fashion industry as a vessel of art; bringing obscure truths into clarity.” Tackling college finals at the same time as showcasing in ‘Latino Fashion Week’ might be a daunting task for some but not for Omar & Gordana. Their passion is electric and their youthful energy is contagious.

Any Chicagoan will tell you, it’s not a spring or summer holiday if it doesn’t have its own 5k race. I think Juneteenth even put in their bid to CARA for a 5k to get the official status...kidding of course. We like to run, and we like to let people know we run, it’s that whole Chicago pride thing, and I can respect that. Well if all you joggers, runners, and aggressive morning CTA station speed walkers had your eyes peeled for the inevitable Easter 5k …look no further!