@tgiFRESHchicago: Black Friday "So So Fresh Edition"

Do you have your "day after Thanksgiving" plans yet? Once you're done braving the mall, or a fierce session of online shopping, come out and enjoy the sounds of Jermaine Dupri. He'll be the guest DJ at TGIFreshFridays - - the monthly event hosted by So Chi Promotional Group and Royalte Inc.

Why I love their events so much? It's once a month so there is no burn out, the steady line up of fresh DJs they bring in, and best of all? $40 "open bar" wristband!!! Of course there's a slight catch - - the open bar is typically only between 9p to midnight... but for anyone that likes to have more than 3 drinks this is a great deal.

Pre-sale tickets are only $16 and on sale until 11/18. Hop on this now because the regular price is sure to sky rocket as the event nears. Come work off those Turkey Day calories and enjoy some good times.

Please note that an RSVP is required for entry in addition to purchasing a ticket. This event is sure to sell out and an RSVP does not guarantee entrance into the club. 

RSVP Here
Purchase Tickets Here

Occupation: Club Promoter??

"Don't call me no mo and don't text me no mo... Cuz I'm through with ya! Cuz I'm through with ya!"

- The Great Project Pat

Everyone is accustomed to being bombarded with countless promoter text msgs, emails and wow - - haven't they destroyed the facebook event invite!!! A few hrs ago I received a text msg from a random number telling me that I needed to say such and such name at the door of fill in the blank club for whatever party. Jesus Christ, not again!!! I hate getting these annoying ass text msgs. I typically reply back asking to be removed and never get a response ... only another text msg when it's time to "promote" the next party. *sigh*

Today I was shocked when I actually received a response back to my reply of "please remove me from your list"... the promoter decided to let me know how he felt with a simple "no". NO??? Many blank stares, crickets and tumble weeds crossed my mind. How dare this raggedy ass text msg promoter tell me that he wouldn't be taking my name off of his list. I tried to scan my brain to remember when I last entered my email/phone # online in hopes of getting a $10 cover before 11p. lol... I was drawing up blanks as I haven't been going out lately. The next thing I know I received a text back from the "promoter" explaining to me that if I were to answer my phone when he calls then he wouldn't have to resort to sending text msgs. My head tilted in the way a dogs does when it just doesn't quite understand what's going on. God, this "promoter" must be some dude I had deleted from my phone and life... only for him to be making his dramatic return.

Annoyed at the msg I decided to take the high road and ignore the msg. I did, however, vent via twitter posting his phone # because umm, newsflash: if you're not going to remove me, I'll put your ass on blast and let the world possibly aid you in getting your mind right.




Now that my little venting session is out of the way, I have some great news for so-called promoters (i.e. guys that don't have legitimate jobs unless you consider being a professional text msg/email sender w/ access to the occasional free drink a real career)... Downtown Entertainment (Enclave and Cuvee) has partnered with Wingman Promotions to offer people the chance to compete to be: Chicago's Next Top Host!!!

Corny name? Yes... but don't dismiss this competition just yet. The winner will be given a grand prize of $5k and a full time marketing position with Downtown Entertainment and Wingman Promotions. Yes folks - - you'll actually be an employee of a legitimate company and be able to say you get W2s. If you think you're the life of the party, come up with creative party ideas, a strong circle - - or just want to be able to drink and party for free - - you could become Chicago's Next Top Host.

Over the course of the 6 week competition, contestants will be judged on their VIP relations, ability to attract people to an event, client services/satisfaction, and creativity. Get your friends involved as well by having them cast weekly votes for you online. To sign up for your chance to become a bit less annoying and more legitimate, visit the site.

Tonight...

If you're ready to get your weekend started here are a few options for tonight:



Al B Sure will be hosting his album preview party at Griffin Lounge (formerly Climax) from 9p-2a. I wasn't aware that he was still making music but the event is free and sponsored by Uptown Magazine, Hidden Beach Recording and the Chicago Defender Newspaper. It is sure to be a great networking opportunity at the least.

Griffin Lounge
324 w. Chicago Ave.
9p-2a
No Cover
RSVP to rsvp@richmondgrouponline.com





The same people that bring you Chicago's First Friday events are hosting their usual Thursday night "ButtaSoftSol" at Butterfly Social Club. It's hosted by DJ Mark Fulla Flava and features everything from Afro-Beat to Neo-Soul and Disco.

Butterfly Social Club
722 W. Grand
9p-2a
No Cover


For any fans of "Rock of Love Bus" on VH1, be sure to come out to Enclave tonight and see Mindy (one of the "finalists") from the show. She'll be hosting the night along with rock guitarist Joy Basu. The event is sponsored by Enclave, Surreal Global Adrenaline. There will be complimentary Rock 'n Roses t-shirts, tattoos, and giveaways - - as well as a private cocktail reception from 10p-11p. Be sure to rsvp for free cover before 12a. Click here.

Enclave
220 W. Chicago Ave.
free cover before 12a with rsvp (must rsvp before 8p)

Next Day Air

Today is BEAUTIFUL and really too nice to be writing about on a pc... you need to be out living and enjoying this weather before Mother Nature swagger jacks it back.

For all of you looking for something a little different to do tonight, the red carpet premiere for Next Day Air will be going down at Excalibur. Click here to RSVP ( $5 cover before 1130p) for the event.

After Happy Hour...

After we're done downing drinks at Devon Seafood Grill we're going to continue things at Sortie. You can RSVP for free cover before 9p and know that you'll need to have the confirmation email with you (on your iPhone/Blackberry) because they'll ask to see it.. and keep in mind that at 9:01p they will be charging $20 cover for both men and women. I'll save you a "shit face" and let you know that if you don't want to pay $20 get there around 8:30/8:45 because they aren't going to make any exceptions... and believe me, I got played at 9:30 last weekend thinking it'd be a $10 cover and it was $20 so we left. lol...




Other options for tomorrow night include:

HD Fridays at Libertine 1615 N. Clybourne (Clybourne/North Ave.)
Free before 12 with RSVP to collectiveqwest@yahoo.com



Flaunt Fridays at Vain
2354 N. Clybourne (Clybourne/Fullerton Ave.)
Ladies free before 1130p
Men free before 11p

Good Friday - Good Party

Most people didn't have to work today (I'm not one of them) and everyone will be looking for something to get into tonight. I was just told about this party going on tonight and wanted to pass this info along. I hope everyone is able to make it out and have some good times, good drinks, and good convo on this Good Friday!

Where: Sortie (formerly Bella) 1212 N. State Pkwy

When: Tonight (4/10/09) 6p-2a

Cost: Free before 9p with RSVP (click here to RSVP)

Weekend Wrap-Up

There are many pros to living in a big city - - one is the smorgasbord of clubs/lounges to choose from, especially on a holiday weekend! In an effort to not trick off a ridiculous amount of money I decided on 2 events: Saturday night at Kamehachi Sushi Bar (hosted by 432 Entertainment) and Sunday night at Crimson Lounge (hosted by the Black Alumni Network).


Saturday night - Kamehachi Sushi Bar - 432 Entertainment

Kamehachi of Toyko
240 E. Ontario St.
Chicago, IL 60611
312-587-0600

The flyer stated that the event would be from 9p - 3a. Since it was a holiday weekend we expected most places to be packed and decided to get there earlier than the standard 11p club arrival time. We pulled up around 945p and to our amazement were met with the sights of an empty restaurant and full staff, standing around the bar! Their blank stares were only matched by ours. "I could've sworn the flyer said 9p-3a" I told my friends. I felt solely responsible for leading them on this send off mission...I do not make a habit of selling wolf tickets and had assured my friends that this event would be legit! We went to the bar and ordered some drinks...hoping that the club gods would wave their magic wands and people would begin to trickle in...this never happened. Throughout the night the club had, at MOST, 30-40 people!!! Yes, 30 to 40 including the promoters themselves who didn't show up until close to 11p! I didn't know that promoters were running modern day hood operations! The pros: We got there earlier than the promoters and didn't have to pay a cover... Cons: We got there earlier than the DJ too and had to wait for some music. I felt bad for the restaurant because they could've made way more money staying open for dinner! The staff was bored most of the night and I doubt they made much at the bar. On the other hand the hors d'oeuvres were amazing! I would recommend this restaurant to anyone, as long as there isn't a special event going on.





Sunday night - Crimson Lounge - Black Alumni Network

Crimson Lounge
(In the Hotel Sax)
333 N. Dearborn St.
Chicago, IL 60610
312-923-2453

After the catastrophic letdown the night before, I was excited to go to the Crimson Lounge! Crimson Lounge is located in the Hotel Sax and is one of my favorite lounges in the city. I had never been there for an urban event so I was looking forward to seeing how it turned out. We had sent our RSVP to the promoter (black alumni network) days before the event and received a confirmation. The email stated that we would receive discounted cover before 1030p (with the event running from 9p-2a). We got to the lounge at 10p and were greeted at the door by Benny. He was actually with the Crimson Lounge and told us that the promoter had yet to arrive or drop off a list. I couldn't believe that AGAIN a promoter was running over an hour late for their own event! This was starting to show signs of a hood operation! Benny proceeded to explain to us that oftentimes promoters would sign people up on their lists only to conveniently fail to drop them off at the door, show up after the cut off time, or hold the lines to reduce the number of people let in for the special price. He said that he'd be charging $10 for everyone until 11p, $20 until 12a, and then upwards of $30 to $40 as the night progressed. We didn't mind paying the $10 and went inside the club. ( I will say that many people chose to wait for the promoter to show up...which I'm not sure what time they appeared or if they even used their list...). The DJ was good, the drinks were nice (though a bit pricey...as to be expected for a lounge like crimson) and getting there early we were able to find a nice table to claim for the night. Besides the promoters being late to their own event, the only other complaint was that the lounge turned on their lights at 130a and left them on until 2a...when they immediately cleared out the club.

I can't say if this weekend was an accurate reflection on how black promoters in Chicago are hosting their events (showing up late, losing the lists, etc...) but I would think that on a holiday weekend, when you stand to double or triple your profits, you'd roll out the red carpet for your guests and be beyond on point with the execution. On the other hand, I learned a valuable lesson in being early: you get in free, discounted, a table, drinks, etc...it's worth it to beat the crowd!

Tabu Ultra Lounge Review

Tabu
738 N. Clark St.
Chicago, IL 60610
312-787-9900

http://www.tabuultralounge.com/

One word to describe this club would be Overpriced! I went this past Saturday night with a few friends and it was ridiculous. $20 for valet. $20 for women, $30 for men! 2 drinks - 1 Hennessey on the rocks and 1 Margarita were $30! The crowd consisted of 20-somethings (all under 25) looking to get their itch for a club scratched. Thank God we were in VIP (just a velvet rope with a few tables and seating bordering the dance floor (our section of the rope was flanked by fat chicks...not the best source for eye candy). There was 1 Go-Go dance that did a good job of dancing all night...but her pink, wook leg warmers were a bit humorous. (the 80s called....they want their style back!) I can say that the door guys were really nice...and nicely told my friend that he could not wear his long sleeve shirt in the club. I later found this to be interesting since a girl in the club was wearing gymshoes, jeans and a hoodie...another reason to not go. When a club doesn't set a certain standard for the women they want in there...how can they come down on men? The dj played a pretty nice mix of music and though the drinks are pricey, the bartenders are nice. I personally didn't care for the club, had a decent time, but would never go back!

On a side note: The narrow, steep stairwell leading up to the 2nd floor club is a definite fire hazard waiting to happen. If something were to go wrong it'd be a death trap!