A toast to tequila

It's National Tequila Day. So drink up all day!

Make this a legendary weekend

Marilyn-themed food and drinks are on tap for the invite-only bash at the Chicago Cultural Center.


If you're not on the list for the Joe Jackson bday bash at The Joynt or the Marilyn Monroe-themed gig to unveil the newly renovated Tiffany Dome at the Chicago Cultural Center, have no fear, there's plenty to do this weekend:

THURSDAY

Get to the celebration for the first-year anniversary of Martini Park. The party starts at 8pm, with live music, cocktail specials and a few surprises. No cover.

The Diva Series, hosted by Sarah Vargo Productions at Jbar, this week honors the ladies from Chicago Social and also features a launch party for Emperors New Clothes 86'd tees and $6 Snow Queen cocktails. Deejay Jesse de la Pena spins, accompanied by Kafele on trumpet. 9pm-2am. No cover.

FRIDAY

A Summer Luau happens all weekend at Lizzie McNeill's, with live music, food and contests along the thriving lakefront. They're inspired by the big Jimmy Buffett concert also happening this weekend, so if you missed out on tickets, head here. Bands performing include Louis Scharf, Denny Diamond and The Black Oil Brothers. A portion of the food and beverage proceeds will be donated to Special Olympics and Misericordia. Starts at noon each day. No cover.

UNITY's in town, so that means the largest collection of African-American, Native American, Latin-American and Asian-American journalists will be around all weekend. Support the National Association of Black Journalists-Chicago Chapter as they host Mo Chocolate Jam: An NABJ-Chicago UNITY Production, with special guest Tom Joyner. Party happens at Sheraton-Chicago with local deejays spinning old-school/new school music. 10pm-2am. UNITY registrants $10; regular admission is $15.

Sheque Chicago works a Moulin Rouge Nights theme for its fifth-anniversary party at Underground. Event includes two-hour cocktail reception, manis and makeovers, luxe spa gift bags (for the first 100 guests) and appetizers by Rockit Bar & Grill. 8-10pm. $25 in advance; $35 at door.

SATURDAY

Here's another food fest you don't want to miss if you've got all day to spare: It's the City Provisions Supper Club July 2008: The Farm Dinner. Board a charted bus at City Provisions (1043 N. California Ave.) for a trip to Faith's Farm for a history of the farm, along with a tour of the sustainable wonderland. End the day with an educational dinner and beer pairings by Two Brothers. Noon-11pm. $125 by calling 773-235-2489. Reservations required.

Deep house lovers will get the chance to party hard to the sounds of Brian Tappert, Andre Harris and Aaron Dae at Smartbar. Also, the legendary Dave Gandy is making his first-ever Chicago appearance. 10pm-5am. Free before 11pm.

My fave go-to spot for online house music, Groove Parlor, celebrates its sixth anniversary at Cuatro. Deejays Andy Compton, DJ FLX and Groove Parlor founder Mario Romay spin. 10pm-2am. No Cover.

Why I'm mad at The Violet Hour

The glamorous interior of The Violet Hour. (Photo: Michael Robinson)


I'm a big fan of bars that are totally scruffy on the outside and absolutely fabulous inside. You know, what they call the Speakeasy.

That's why I'm a bit miffed about the recent exterior makeover over at The Violet Hour, the cocktail-crazed lounge in Wicker Park.

There was just something endearing about the loco graffiti on the dark blue walls right outside of the door, where the well-dressed doorman stood. If you didn't know what was up, then you didn't need to be in there. It was gritty and it was good, but now that they've put fresh paint up with a random image of some dandy-looking cat, it's just not the same and feels a little too mainstream.

I cannot wait until the gangbangers tag it again 'cause right now it's just too civilized out there!

Let's go (carb) crazy

Mac ‘n' Cheese Pizza is one of the carb-a-licious pies on the menu at Ian's. (Photo: Ian's)


Here's a sure sign the no-carb craze is o-vah: Urban Daddy uncovers new pizza joint Ian's Pizza By the Slice. What's certain to be the stoner pizza place debuts tomorrow in Wrigleyville, and get this: There's free food from 5-9pm on this first day.

I'd get in line early if I were you.

Duchamp does Bucktown next week

So the guys behind Lumen and Michael Taus (Zealous) have settled on an opening date for their American-French-Asian-influenced eatery called Duchamp.

It's set to open next Thursday, according to one of the partners, and if you were in this Bucktown location when it was Meritage, you probably won't recognize it. They've totally gutted the interior and changed the patio into a feng shui wonderland complete with communal seating and a lovely garden vibe.

Taus, who was once the chef at the legendary, yet short-lived night spot China Club, is going back to his cool roots with an exotic menu that's very neighborhood friendly. What we're particularly looking forward to is his version of bouillabaisse that uses a Thai coconut curry sauce in lieu of the classic one.

Food fest attracts culinary elite

"Top Chef" winner Stephanie Izard, with "Top Chef" runner-up Dale Levinski in the background, cooked at "Green City Chefs' BBQ Festival." (Photo: Suzy McMillen)


Intern extraordinaire Suzy McMillen checked out the Green City Market Chefs' BBQ Festival last week, hung out with "Top Chef" elite and wrote about it for UR Chicago.

*&^%$#@!@!?% Starbucks

I'm sorry, Phil Vettel, I love you like a brother, but I just cannot get down with your plea for saving Starbucks. Instead, here's what I recommend people do.

A Twist-er of fate

Let's just loosen up today with an offbeat event:

Happening Edgewater wine bar/restaurant Broadway Cellars pays homage to the famous cycling competition with 20 Wines 20 Dollars: Tour de France Wine Tasting. You'll get snacks paired with selections from regions and cities featured on the tour, including Burgundy, Bordeaux, Languedoc and the Rhone Valley. 7pm. $20.

Can you handle Tough Love Wednesdays, the weekly rotating party featuring a dope lineup of local deejays?! It's happening this time at Par-Lounge with Bear Who? and NewLife, who'll be thumping out a mixture of hip-hop, house, '80s, rock, R&B, Dancehall and Brazilian beats. 10pm-2am. No cover.

It's time for Twisted Keys, an outrageous Twister competition on the largest Twister board in the world. Held at Uncle Fatty's Rum Resort, the event happens 7-9pm, with a dueling piano party (with two pianists going to war with your fave songs) immediately following. And because you cannot do Twister sober, Uncle Fatty's is offering a bunch of drink specials, including $6 30 oz. fish bowls, $5 Malibu frozen drinks, $5 bombs and $12 Miller Light buckets. 7pm-midnight. No cover.

Guests just can't seem to get enough of Steve Chiappetti's Viand's Gourmet Burger Bar. Monday through Friday, between 4-6pm, all burgers are $2 at Viand. Guests choose from a number of fine Wisconsin cheeses as toppings.