After all the hype . . .

. . . all week about the "official" Lollapalooza after-party featuring Perry Farrell and a bunch of other celebs happening Saturday, these are the series of emails I received half an hour before the event was supposed to start:

First:

"I am sorry to say the party will not be taking place tonight at Golan Studios. The talent will be playing at Vision Nightclub, Dearborn and Ontario in Chicago, if you want to check out Perry Ferrell, Deadmau5 etc. However, they are not offering comp admission or open bar. Sorry for this unavoidable situation. "

Five minutes later:

"The party has now been moved to Sound Bar, Ontario and Franklin. The first 500 people presenting invites or on guest list including this evite list. there will be an open Belevedere bar. Sorry for all the confusion, promoters are moving the party. The artists Deadmau5 and Perry Ferrell will perform, hope you can stop by."

And then finally not too long after:

"Sorry to report but the promoter has cancelled the event. There is no party at sound bar or anywhere else. Apologies to all."

What really happened with this whole thing?! Does anyone know?!

B.O. in bars?!

Dr. Alan Hirsch testing for "funky" smells in Chicago bars now that they're smoke free. (Photo: Axesmokefreebars.com)


Dr. Alan Hirsch from the Smell & Taste Treatment and Research Foundation uncovers what's really stinking up local bars.

You just gotta see this for yourself!

Obama vs. McCain . . . in cocktails!

Plan B's Ciroc Obama pays homage to the presumptive Democratic presidential candidate. (Photo: Plan B)


Plan B Bar + Kitchen pits the two presidential candidates against one another—this time with cocktails.

Who gets your vote?!

First up is the Ciroc Obama, a dope drink made with Ciroc vodka, splash of Chambord and lemonade, served with a grape sugar rim.



The John McCANE cocktail's rim is dipped in sprinkles. (Photo: Plan B)


Then there's the John McCANE, a sweet sipper composed of crème de coconut rum, Godiva white chocolate liqueur and crème de cassis liqueur with a splash of Frangilco liqueur and 10 Cane rum, served with a Hershey syrup rim dipped in sprinkles.

You cannot go wrong with either!

Before you ever think about being rude to another server again . . .

. . . you might want to pick up this book.

Loco for Lolla . . . and Lohan . . .

There's a big chance we'll see Lindsay Lohan out and about at various parties this weekend.


Lollapalooza—one of the summer's biggest attractions—is here.

And while some will brave the blistering heat this weekend with daylong, outdoor concerts, others will opt for the parties bringing out the stars:

THURSDAY

Lollapalooza founder Perry Farrell is the special guest at GALApalooza, taking place tonight at Petrillo Music Shell (235 S. Columbus Dr.; 312-742-4808). The sneak-peak fundraiser for the Fountain Restoration Project, the event includes a buffet, cocktails, and a performance by Sharon Jones and the Dap-Kings. 6pm. $350.

The BlackBerry Luxe Club Series makes a stop in Chicago tonight, and yes you're invited if you RSVP here. Party happens at Lumen, featuring celebrity deejay Jazzy Jeff, who'll be spinning old-school hip-hop, rock and R&B from 11pm-1am. You'll also get comped specialty cocktails if you arrive between 9pm-midnight. Doors open at 9pm. Free admission with that RSVP.

Underground transforms into the MOTOROKR Lounge all weekend with performances from Katy Perry ("I Kissed a Girl") tonight; a deejay set by Million $ Mano on Friday; Fonzworth Bentley, O'Neal McKnight, DJ Cassidy and DJ Momjeans on Saturday; and a live performance by G. Love & Special Sauce with a deejay set by Flosstradamus on Sunday. 9pm-4am Thursday, Friday, Sunday. 9pm-5am Saturday. Cover varies.

FRIDAY

Famed deejay Samantha Ronson returns to Crimson Lounge for her regular residency, but this time look out for some possible celebrity sightings. Her infamous galpal Lindsay Lohan and brother Mark Ronson—who's also a superstar deejay—are both in town for the Rock the Vote concert happening Saturday at Lollapalooza. That party takes off at 9pm. $20.

Graham Elliot Bowles—known for his love of good music—has created a menu he's dubbed Foielapalooza, taking place all weekend, and happening at his chic namesake restaurant. The foie gras and music extravaganza features a nightly changing preparation inspired by and served with music from that evening's headlining act: Friday: Radiohead Foie Gras in Rainbows (grilled foie gras with stewed blackberries, dehydrated raspberries, strawberry puree, blueberry air); Saturday: Wilco
Yankee Hotel Foie Gras (cornnut-crusted foie gras with corn foam, caramel corn, popcorn shoots, candy corn); Sunday: Nine Inch Nails Head Like a Foie (poached foie gras torchon with black olive, black pepper, black licorice, aged balsamic).

It's the first-year anniversary for Smash&Crunch at Liar's Club, and you don't want to miss it as they'll have performances by Does It Offend You, Yeah? and CreamTeam.Tv. Hosted by Chicago Suicide Club, Custom Vibes, URB Magazine, Kilo Kai Rum and Scion. Oh, and there's $2 Kilo Kai drink specials. 8pm-2am. Free.

DJ Kid Kris performs at Manor, but he'll be accompanied by a surprise guest star who hasn't been announced yet. That's 9pm-2am. $20. And Saturday Katy Perry performs with high-profile NYC deejay Mia Moretti. That one goes on from 9pm-3am. Cover varies.

SATURDAY

What's certain to be the hottest deejay showcase of the weekend is happening at Vision. Moby will be in the house, and it's his only Chicago performance this summer. He doesn't get on the tables until 1am, so check out all the other events going on first. 1am-5am. $30-$40.

Hollywood comes to the West Loop as "My Name is Earl" star Jamie Pressly celebrates her birthday at Bon V. Southern Comfort sponsors this party, which also includes Tinseltown mixmaster and on-air personality Eric Cubeechee (who also happens to be her fiance). Midnight-2am. No cover.

OK, so they're calling this a private bash, yet the public can win an invite to the official post-Lolla bash here. Perry Ferrell's set to host this event, with performances by Deadmau5, Steve Smooth, Danny Masterson (That 70's Show), "Does It Offend You, Yeah" and others. Party, which happens at Golan Studios (1501 N. Magnolia Ave.), includes an open bar and starts at 11pm. Free with RSVP.

Update on Jerry Suqi spot(s)

Just got a confirmation that Chick Pea is gonna be the name for Jerry Suqi's new spot in West Town.

But there's more!

He's simultaneously working on another project in Logan Square with well-known designer Frank Adorno (Narcisse, La Pomme Rouge, The Filthy Libertine). The soon-to-be-named contemporary American restaurant will be located at 3059 W. Logan Blvd., scheduled to open fall/winter, and focus on a seasonal menu through local and organic growers. Of course, it will also be very nightlife-oriented with authentic artwork, live music and deejays.

Drawing Room mixologist enjoys sweet victory

The Drawing Room's Charles Joly beat some stiff competition to win a bartenders' contest for 42 Below Vodka.


Some of Chicago's top mixologists competed in 42 Below Vodka's Cocktail World Cup Tuesday, but only one came out on top.

Charles Joly of The Drawing Room went head to head with stars from some of my favorite bars, including Nacional 27, Martini Park, The Violet Hour, Sepia, Japonais, NoMI and Swig, in front of a crowd on Citizen Bar's deck.

Though I wasn't a judge, I sat close enough to the stage to sneak tastes of some of their cocktails and was pretty impressed with this honey-flavored spirit from New Zealand. Their mission was to create a signature cocktail for the company, and Joly's winning 42 Bees Martini—made with fresh ginger puree and accompanied by a friend dressed as a bumblebee holding cue cards—stood out from all the rest.

His prize?! A free trip to New Zealand to compete against bartenders from all over the world. Good luck!

Today is National Cheesecake Day

It's rich as hell, but oh so delicious. Why not have a gooey slice today to celebrate its special day?!

Eli's Bakery Cafe, however, wants you to wait one more day to celebrate, as they're giving away free slices of their signature cheesecake at the Wright College Farmer's Market on Thursday. That happens 11am-2pm at 6701 W. Forest Preserve Dr.

Here's where to go today:

I'm going to miss C'est si Bon when it leaves its Harper Court home in December. But for now I'd better get over there for their house specialty dessert: the Sweet Potato Cheesecake.

David Burke's Primehouse made waves when it first opened for the signature Cheesecake Lollipop Tree, comprised of six miniature treats. Faves include the Pink Lady Cheesecake Pop (dipped in pistachio crunchies, ground pistachios, sun-dried cherries and covered in white chocolate) and Top Hat Cheesecake Pop (milk chocolate coating dipped in dark chocolate crunchies and ground Score Bars).



David Burke's Pink Lady Cheesecake Pops is one of several flavors from the Cheesecake Lollipop Tree.


Sweet Mandy B's in Lincoln Park offers so many cupcakes that your head will spin. One of my absolute delights is when they put the creamiest cheesecake frosting on the tiny chocolate or vanilla cakes.

And make your way to one of the various locations of Sweet Occasions for home-style blueberry or strawberry cheesecake. We'd love it if they'd create a cheesecake-flavored ice cream, but for now we're happy just pairing those pastries with the non-fat blueberry twirl yogurt or the Boysenberry gelato.