Chicago

If you’d consider flying to Cuba to smoke some of the highest quality cigars in the world, how about a quick trip over the state line to Indiana? The second annual Midwest Smoke Out, the largest cigar show and exhibition in the Midwest, will be held Thursday, April 7 at The Venue at Horseshoe Casino in Hammond, IN, a 20 minute drive from downtown Chicago. The event attracts cigar enthusiasts from around the country for a night of premium cigars, fine spirits and wines, gourmet foods and more. Puff, puff pass.

Get excited for April 16th Chicago! The Chicago Red Dress Party at the Palmer House is a must attend event with more than 800 guests! This evening is dedicated to the awareness for the HIV/AIDS movement and to raise money to help the organizations that provide community services. Chicago is not the only large U.S. city to support this amazing cause, there are Red Dress Parties in many other cities like Washington D.C. and Seattle that celebrate the supporting of this movement.

Can’t make it to Rio for the biggest party of the year? Texas de Brazil, Chicago churrascaria is celebrating Carnival, Brazil’s biggest holiday with a benefit for two local charities, The Gateway for Cancer Research and American Theater Company. Guests are invited to experience the fiesta with complimentary cocktails and appetizers and a festive Carnival atmosphere. 


On Saturday, March 12, Trump International Hotel & Tower® Chicago will celebrate the Chi-rish, St. Patrick's Day festival. Located on the hotel's 17th Floor, the St. Patrick's Day Skyboxes offer an unparalleled view of the green river minus the cold and crowds, while feasting on traditional, gourmet Irish fare. They can accommodate up to 40 people and are ideal for businesses or groups of friend seeking a unique, festive outing.

Chicago’s most notable chefs will bring their culinary expertise together for Common Threads’ Sixth Annual “World Festival” on Monday, March 7, 2011 from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. at Soldier Field. Michelle Bernstein, Stephanie Izard, Bill Kim, Giuseppe Tentori, Chris Pandel, Domenica Catelli and Anita Lo are among this year’s celebrity chefs who will serve up global gourmet cuisine in the annual culinary event to benefit health and nutritional education for Chicago youth.

On Thursday February 24th, over 150 guests attended the First Annual Martinis & Mutts, a fundraiser hosted by Dominique Scalise with Proof Lounge and Cece & Melinda with Raymi Productions for the Friends of Chicago Animal Care and Control. Dressed to impress, guests were greeted with champagne, Absolut cocktails, Swirlz cupcakes and appetizers courtesy of Carmines, Mercadito and RA Sushi at Proof Lounge in the Gold Coast. Chicago legends Bill Kurtis and Donna La Pietra joined in the celebration with Chicago Wolves players Jason Krog and Darren Haydar as well! Over $8,000 was raised during the evening for the FCACC.

Susan G. Komen for the Cure®, the world’s leading breast cancer organization, announced today its inaugural “Pink Passions Auction.” The auction – powered by charitybuzz, the leading destination for luxury online charity auctions – is comprised of an unprecedented collection of designer fashion, accessories and home décor items, as well as exclusive beauty treatments, experiences and extravagant trips. Bidding is open through March 23, 2011 at www.charitybuzz.com/perfectpink.

This Saturday, March 5 the Hephzibah Children’s Association will host the Heart of Gold Ball at the Marriott Hotel Michigan Avenue. This year will be the the association’s 25th anniversary of their Group Homes program and what better way to celebrate. Those who attend will feast on an elegant dinner, dancing and social cocktailing. The silent auction for the evening will feature amazing options such as few beautiful vacation packages for you and your significant other or family to enjoy!

If you are looking for a place to get fit somewhere in Chicago, then be assured that you are safe at Charity Gonzalez's Urban Fit Clubs. Charity Gonzalez, being the fitness fanatic that she was at an early age, started Urban Fit Clubs. Why? She found herself in a situation that many people find themselves in, she was in a workout rut having been a member of the same gym for five years. Wanting to have the convenience of local gyms but without paying the price of one, she created Urban Fit Clubs using her background knowledge in marketing. What is special about being a member of Urban Fit Clubs is that members are able to access fitness facilities around Chicago with the use of a simple card. They offer an abundance of workout options such as cardio and strength training, spin, dance, TRX, martial arts, pole dancing and more. She has sought out partnerships with TeamIFit, Go Cycle Studio, North Pilates, POW! Kick Boxing, Lincoln Park Crossfit, Yoga Now, and many more locations continuously being added.

The secret language of the Hermès workshops and the words that give life to Hermès objects will be celebrated with its first traveling Festival des métiers (Festival of Crafts). In a thoroughly modern setting by internationally acclaimed Milanese designer Paola Navone, the Festival is a vibrant celebration of craftsmanship and its indispensible knowledge and ability to create by hand. Starting on March 11 at 25 Oak Street in Chicago, the Festival will present weeklong demonstrations by the masterful craftsmen and women from the renowned Hermès workshops in France.

Chicago’s Top Singles Party this year will take place at Enclave Nightclub on Friday, March 11 from 7 to 10 p.m. Come out for a night of drinks and networking with some of Chicago’s most stylish! Local celebrities include Ginger Zee of NBC who will be the host of the evening, Lisa Kramer of the U.S Ski and snowboard team, Mark Colpoys of Fleet Feet Sports, and Anderson Bell founder of fanfueled.com

George Bumbaris & Sarah Stegner, the environmentally-conscious chefs & co-owners of Prairie Fire & Prairie Grass Cafe, have designed a new "Sustainable Wedding Program," drawing attention to the growing movement of socially conscious brides who wish to utilize sustainable resources for their wedding.