DW's Loop

“How can you stay in the Loop, if you aren’t in the Loop?”

Week of December 20, 2007

Since the Double Up Tour will be in town, Let’s Double Up on this Weekend’s Events

Thursday
1st Annual Maker's Mark Stocking Stuffer @ Plan B
1635 N. Milwaukee
$4 Maker shots, appetizers and more.
Dip glassware in the famous Makers wax.
Receive a Makers gift stocking just in time for the holidays.
For more info: 773-252-2680

Shed the Pounds @ NV Penthouse Lounge
116 W Hubbard
Hosted cocktail reception by Ciroc Vodka from 9pm - 10:30pm
Bring bags filled with clothing from your closets that they would like to donate to the Salvation Army. All bags will be weighed and the guest that shed the “most” pounds of clothes will win one of three prizes.

Friday
Mistletoe - A Naughty Holiday Party
DJs Mark Fullaflava and JazIntellect Funky Buddha728 W. Grand Ave.9pm - 2am10$ with RSVP, $20 Without http://rsvp.goodforparty.com/

Y-ite Xmas @ Y Bar
224 W Chicago
Sponsored Reception between 9pm -11pm
$150 Grey Goose Bottle Specials

Saturday
Surreal's 3rd Annual Winter Wonderland Party @ Moda
25 W. Hubbard
Glam Live Fashion and Body Painting Show
Ladies Dressed in Snow Bunny attire are comp all night.
RSVP on Surreal: http://www.surrealchicago.com

DJ Riz from the Crooklyn Clan Spins @ Enclave
220 W Chicago
9pm – 2am
RSVP for no cover before 11pm info@enclavechicago.com

Sunday
Sundays @ Le Passage
937 N Rush
Special Pricing on Stoli Elit
Goes to 4am

Chris Greene Quartet @ Red Kiva
1108 W. Randolph St.
8pm, No Cover
http://www.chrisgreenejazz.com

Cocktail for the Week
Pear Drop
2 parts Grey Goose La Poire Pear Vodka
1 part Quartine Tres Vanilla Liqueur
Squeeze of Lime Juice
2 parts Apple juice

DW's Loop

“How can you stay in the Loop, if you aren’t in the Loop?”

Thursday
Melissa Brown & the Downtown Divas present
The Downtown Divas' Christmas Soiree
Salud Tequila Lounge
1471 N Milwaukee Ave.
8pm-2am
Complimentary Svedka Vodka Christmas Cocktails 8-9pm
Kitchen Open until Midnight
RSVP for the VIP Guest List To: DowntownMissyB@Yahoo.com
Please send all names for the guest list before 6pm on Thursday.
For dinner reservations, call Kathy at (773) 276-7582 and mention Lip Service!

Friday
Phenomenal Fridays at Mannequin
Corner of Halsted and Wayman in the Fulton Market District
Hosted Snow Queen Vodka reception from 10-11pm
VIP tables e-mail brian@surrealchicago.com.
RSVP for no cover before 11:30pm http://www.surrealchicago.com/site/epage/6421_319.htm

Saturday
DJ Psycho Bitch @ the Shanghai Lounge
Dragonfly Restaurant
832 W. Randolph St.
10pm - 3am
RSVP for no cover before 11pm to thebitch@dragonflychicago.com

Sunday
Plan B Bar and Kitchen Football Package
1635 N. Milwaukee Ave Call (773) 252-2680
$45 football package for four, $50 Heineken keg and a dozen wings, $3 Bud Light drafts, $5 Bud Light 22-ounce souvenir mugs, $5 select cocktails, $3 hot dogs, $6 subs

Cocktail for the Week
Veuve Lurve
1 oz. Veuve Clicqout
1 oz. bourbon
Pour equal measure into a champagne glass (or increase the ounces for a highball glass)
Garnish if you see fit.

Bonus: Three Day Celebration Event
Friday - Sunday, 12/14-12/16
Krem 1 Year Anniversary1750 N. ClarkHosted cocktail reception and passed appetizers from 9-10:30PM.
Sponsored by Mumms Champagne and Stoli Vodka.
Toys for Tots donations taken at door.
http://www.kremchicago.com/

Red Kiva: 3 Stars

1108 W. Randolph St., Chicago IL, 60607
www.redkiva.com
(312) 226-5577

Red Kiva is a small lounge located in the West Loop. When you enter Red Kiva the first thing you notice is the piano and circular sunken lounge area to the right. Red Kiva hosts live jazz several nights a week. The contemporary decor and muted lighting creates an ideal atmosphere for a jazz lounge. Red Kiva also advertises a DJ on weekend nights. The night I went the DJ spun strictly techno. I am not a fan of techno and did not stay very long. I enjoyed my experience there much more on the jazz night. Both nights had one thing in common, Red Kiva is a very low key type of spot. For that reason, I think it is a nice place for a date or if you want some place mellow to meet friends. One perk is that Red Kiva offers free pizza to its guests M-F from 5pm to 7pm. They won't tell you, though, you will have to ask.

Prices: $$

DW's Loop

“How can you stay in the Loop, if you aren’t in the Loop”

Week of 12/6/07

Thursday
Puresoul Music @ Wax
1551 N Sheffield
Soulful House Music
10pm-2am, $5 cover, $30 Premium Open Bar Package

Friday
Funkshion Clothing & Fortune Denim Premiere Party
2121 W Division Street
Enjoy Cocktails, desserts and product giveaways
7-10pm
After Party at Bon V @ 10pm
Questions: kara@funkshionclothing.com

Saturday
DJ Craig Alexander Birthday Celebration Part II
La Pomme Rouge
108 W KINZIE
10pm - 2am

Sunday
"Sinhá’s Sunday Brunch"
2:00 pm to 6:00 pm
2018 West Adams Street
Limited Capacity – Call to Reserve (312) 491-8200
Authentic Brazilian food with an International flair
EAT, MINGLE, DANCE & BYOB
Fresh orange juice available to pair your champagne for mimosas

Cocktail for the Week
Finlandia Lime Light
3 oz. Finlandia Lime
1 oz. grapefruit juice
Splash of Melon Liqueur

Shake and strain into a chilled martini glass
Garnish with a lime zest.

Double UP Tour - 4 Stars

To paraphrase a quote from my homeboy Aaron McGruder's Boondocks character Riley, never underestimate how much [we] love R. Kelly.

I'll admit it, I am a fan. Not of the man, but I am a huge fan of his music. Always have been. So yes, I went to his concert when I was in D.C. for Thanksgiving. We all remember the drama that ended the R. Kelly/Jay-Z tour. And then there is the latest drama that led to Neo's departure from the Double Up tour. Given this history I did not know what to expect from the concert.

Here's the deal. R&B artist J. Holiday, a D.C. native, opened the show. He was already performing when I arrived, which was maybe 10 minutes after the stated show time. I saw J. Holiday perform live here in Chicago at the House of Blues, so I figured he would do a similar set. Well, by the time I got some snacks and made a pit stop he was already singing "Bed," but instead of the 20 minute version I heard in Chicago he sang the abbreviated version and was out. I could not believe it! But thought, oh well, Keyshia Cole is next there will now be more time for her to perform. I know, you feel it coming... The concert was held at the Verizon Center, which is the sports arena where the Wizards play. My point is that the place is huge. I am also a big Keyshia fan (J. Holiday opened for Keyshia the night I went to see her at the House of Blues) and this is what I remember about her show:

1. Most people in the arena could not see her because they did not simulcast on the big screens.
2. The sound system was horrible.
3. She too only sang snippets of her songs and was out.

I started to get restless and began regretting purchasing these tickets. But, then the Rrrr did his thing. I won't spoil it, but all of sudden we had 3 big screens, the sound system was crystal clear, and R. Kelly performed hit after hit (17 years of hits) for over 2 hours. While I spent half the time laughing at how ludicrous his lyrics were or at the crazy things he was doing on stage, the other half of the time I marveled at how great he sounded.

R. Kelly, for all of his faults, is truly talented and has a rich voice. R. Kelly should not tour with other artists in the future as it seems he is unwilling to share the limelight. Lucky for Kells his fans will continue to support him whether or not he has an opening act.