CHICAGO FILM CRITICS AWARDS: A STARRY, STARRY NIGHT

...PLUS IAN SCHRAGER’S PARTY AT PUBLIC CHICAGO, FREDERIC FEKKAI IS FETED AT NOMI, JOFFREY BRIDGE PROGRAM, SEND GOCA TO NYFW, WINTER IN CHICAGO AND MORE!

What a full week in Chicago! And here I was worried I wouldn’t have anything to write about at this time of the year! The Chicago Film Critics and Comedy Awards Show can be described in one word: surreal. I have never seen so many stars in one place in such an intimate setting. I was told to come to the Ritz’ 11th floor for a press conference, that I thought was supposed to begin at 4 p.m., but sadly had started at 3 p.m. and was over by the time I arrived. So, I waited in a little anteroom with a few other people who included ABC 7’s Janet Davies, PR whiz Dionne Williams, photogs Mila Samokhina and Shauna Bittle along with a few others. I was sure I had missed my opportunity when event creator/founder Sharee Pemberton swept into the room along with Event Creative’s Lisa Newman. I had previously been invited for dinner but figured this would be a massive affair and I would never even get close to the stars to get photos but boy was I mistaken! Sharee opened doors to reveal an intimate dining room set up with a beautiful buffet for around 25 to 30 people! I couldn’t believe it when I saw George Lucas and Mellody Hobson come in with the cast from “Red Tails” including handsome Terrence Howard, Nate Parker, Cuba Gooding, Jr. and director Anthony Hemingway. As if this wasn’t enough, James Earl Jones arrived with his protective wife, Cece. It was, as I said, surreal! I sat with N’Digo’s witty Hermene Hartman, DuSable Museum Prez Carol Adams and Dionne Williams among others at a table right next to Lucas who was seated next to Mr. Jones. Others seen at the dinner included Abe Thompson and his beautiful wife Angela, Tyronne Stoudemire, Urban Prep’s Tim King, Roe Conn with glam wife Barb, Richard Roeper and Sarah Cooley (just back from Mexico together), “The Muppets” writer and star Jason Segel and Tara Jenkins among a few others. Before the dinner began, Pastor Charles Jenkins gave a blessing. Every time James Earl Jones spoke, the room quieted to a whisper just to hear his legendary voice. What a thrill! After the dinner, we all filed downstairs to the Broadway Playhouse in Water Tower Place. Before the awards show began, there was a video presentation featuring movies filmed in Chicago that included clips from the “Blues Brothers,” “Home Alone,” “About Last Night” and others. Then emcees Roe Conn and Richard Roeper came to the podium, Richard with a glass of red wine. After he toasted the crowd, he explained that the proceeds from the sale of these embossed wine glasses would benefit Ronald McDonald House Charities. As they mentioned the honorees, Roeper commented on Chicago’s own Dennis Farina by jokingly saying, “Farina hasn’t been a cop in 25 years and still had the fourth highest arrest record.” Shirley MacLaine accepted her Commitment to the Craft Award via a video. Roe Conn said, “Shirley couldn’t be here but she did send an astral projection.” Then the cast of “Red Tails” was introduced to wild applause followed by announcements of winners for Best Original Score (“Drive”), Best Cinematography (“Tree of Life”), Most Promising Performer (Elizabeth Olsen for “Marcy Martha May Marlene”); Most Promising Filmmaker (Sean Durkin for “Marcy Martha May Marlene”), Best Foreign Film (“A Separation” from Iran), Best Documentary (Steve James for “The Interrupters”) and Best Animated Feature (“The Adventures of Tintin”). After these awards were announced, RMHC’s Doug Porter told the crowd of 400 that the new Ronald McDonald House, which will be the world’s largest, will open in June and provide 95 rooms for families every night. The next award for Best Original Screenplay went to the “The Artist” – FANTASTIC and a must-see! – followed by Best Adapted Screenplay (“Moneyball”), Best Supporting Actress (Jessica Chastain for “Tree of Life”) and Best Supporting Actor (Albert Brooks for “Drive”). Brooks accepted his award via video as well and said, “I am sorry I can’t be there tonight. Someone forgot to pick me up from my hotel.” Jason Segel was honored by the Comedia in Excellence Award. (He was so cute and kept flirting with the model/actress who presented the exquisite awards created by Crystal Cave.) Final awards went to Michael Shannon, a Red Orchid Theatre ensemble member (“Take Shelter”) for Best Actor; Michelle Williams (“My Week with Marilyn”) for Best Actress; Terrence Malick (“Tree of Life”) for Best Director and Best Picture (“Tree of Life”). The first Oscar Micheaux Award was presented to James Earl Jones, who commented that his father starred in Micheaux’ 1939 melodrama, “Lying Lips.” The first Comedy Awards came next with honors going to Antonio Banderas, Anne Hathaway, George Clooney, Melissa McCarthy, “The Adventures of Tintin” and Alexander Payne. The Second City theater group was recognized with the Big Shoulders Award. The Nichols Sisters, Jennifer Hudson’s cousins, brought the house down to close the show by singing “Happy Birthday” to event planner extraordinaire, Lisa Newman. The after-party continued back at the Ritz where Dennis Farina and his longtime girlfriend Marianne Cahill were seen greeting the guests. Huge kudos to CFCA President Dann Gire and Executive Producer (and Comedy Awards founder) Sharee Pemberton on a memorable night in the Windy City! I can’t wait to see what next year brings!
 
The parties never stop in Paris by the Prairie: On Tuesday, January 10th, TWO fabulous parties happened within hours of one another! The first event, hosted by hotelier Ian Schrager, was held at his PUBLIC Chicago and celebrated the launch of award-winning Chef Jean-Georges Vongerichten’s latest cookbook, “Home Cooking with Jean-Georges: My Favorite Simple Recipes.” The place was packed with 150 fans and friends all anxious to chat with Chef Jean-Georges and get their books signed. A Q & A followed with Ian, Chef Jean Georges and Pump Room Executive Chef Bradford Phillips. When asked that the difference was between cooking for people in NYC versus Chicago, Jean-Georges replied, “The people are nicer here.” Well, he instantly created 150 new friends for life! Seen on the scene were Victor Skrebneski, Michael Kutza, Karen and Marvin Herman, Dennis Minkel, Sherren Leigh, Dan Uslan, Rebecca Besser, handsome hairstylist Frederic Fekkai (who had appeared on “Windy City Live” that morning with Chef Jean-Georges), WCL’s Valerie Warner, Ryan Chiaverini and social media expert Ji Suk Yi, WCL producer Marlaine Selip, Cheeky Chicks Erica Bethe Levin and Joran Thompson, PR whiz Jill Katz (who planned the party), Playboy’s Jimmy Jellinek (Jill’s little brother), Alpana Singh (“Check, Please!”), legendary Chef Jean Joho, Elena Samokhina and Gilt City’s Nicole Banks, among others. To view ALL of the party pics by Mila Samokhina, please click here!)
 
After the PUBLIC party, it was onto the Park Hyatt’s NoMI restaurant, where hostess with the mostest/awesome author Amy Tara Koch had planned an intimate dinner party for 13 of her friends for hairstylist-to-the-stars, Frederic Fekkai - although as guest Lynn McMahan learned, he was so much more than this, being a helicopter skier, organic gardener, lover of holistic retreats and father of three. Amy kept the guests on their toes by expertly rotating everyone around the table to make sure we all got a chance to chat with Frederic. Lucky guests included Toni Canada, Lynn McMahan, Rebecca Besser, Rusty and Naomi Reese, Dusty Stemer, Chuck Garfien, Naomi Beckwith and Gale Gottlieb, among others. Watch for Amy’s latest book, “Five Minute Fixes: Easy Style Solutions for Busy Women,” coming soon. Can’t wait to buy it and use it! (To view ALL pics by Mila Samokhina, please click here!) 
 
We all know about The Joffrey Ballet but not enough people are aware of their wonderful Bridge Program that was launched in the fall of 2010. Dance master Pierre Lockett heads up this initiative that provides access for children in Chicago’s underserved neighborhoods to dance instruction, increasing diversity in the Joffrey Academy’s students. Thirty students from each of the 11 schools will receive onsite dance instruction twice a week, with 40 to 50 talented students being tapped to attend Saturday classes at the Joffrey Academy. For more info on the Joffrey’s community outreach programs, please click here.
 
We have such an amazing community of young designers here in Chicago and recently, the design team from GOCA (Gordana Rasic and Omar Villabos) were invited to show at the Emerge! Show during New York Fashion Week. And as is often the case with new designers, their budgets aren’t as bright as their futures, so please join me in a “GOCA Fundraiser: Making Dreams Come True” party on Friday, January 27th at NV Penthouse Lounge, located at 116 W. Hubbard from 6 - 9 p.m. Host committee members include Sandra Smith-Doghmi, Michelle Gomez, Shari Duffy, Benjamin Cottrell and Amir Attaie. GOOOO GOCA!
 
If you’re looking for a magical night for kids of all ages, then please check out the world premiere of “The Houdini Box” coming to the Mercury Theatre at 3745 N. Southport Ave. on January 24th (through March 4th). This Chicago Children’s Theatre production is based on Brian Selznick’s first book of the same name. The Tribune’s Chris Jones called it one of the “top 10 shows to watch for in 2012.” Selznick is also the author of “The Invention of Hugo Cabret,” the basis for Martin Scorcese’s current smash hit, Golden Globe winner for Best Director, “Hugo.  For more info, please click here! 
 
We all knew it was coming...it was just a matter of time. And now that it’s here, I feel like winter has really arrived. There is nothing quite as beautiful as that first snowfall. Sigh...but now I am done with it and ready for spring!
 
Love,
Candace
Candace@CandidCandace.com

P.S. Look at my new iPhone cover by Caitlin Saville Collins! Not only do you get a great case but you also get a photo session with this wonderful photog. LOVE this wonderful gift idea, Caitlin! For more info, please contact Caitlin at c.savillephotography@gmail.com or click here for her website.