Be a Jet Setter This Spring!

Guests enjoying Steppenwolf Auxiliary Council's "Red or White Ball" at Salvage One in 2009. (Photo: Kyle Flubacker)


Chicago's always been known as a party kind of town, but when spring hits it's on a completely different level.

That's when it's prime-time benefit season, as most young professional groups hold their annual charity events.

The Steppenwolf Theatre's annual Red or White Ball, happening at 8pm Friday, typically attracts a sophisticated, arts-loving crowd, but this is definitely not a stuffy collection of folks.

It's put on by the Steppenwolf's auxiliary board, and guests get to mingle in Warehouse District art gallery Salvage One. A premium open bar and deejay spinning danceable hits also contribute to getting this crowd in a festive mood.

Get tickets here. $150 (general admission); $250 (for 7pm VIP reception). An after-party happens at Underground.

More charity parties to keep you busy all season:

Are You the Star of the Bar?! You Can Win $5K

Towne Bidez of Rockit Bar & Grill. (Photo: Rockit Bar & Grill)


I've had my chance to shake up a drink or two in front of large crowds, but I'm in no way ready to take on the challenge of the first-ever Star of the Bar competition.

Professional mixologists and those who love to create cocktails as a hobby are encouraged to enter the National Restaurant Association's contest for the International Wine, Spirits & Beer Event.

Watch 'Top Chef Masters' with Marcus Samuelsson

The second season of Bravo's "Top Chef Masters" debuts 10pm Wednesday, featuring a number of culinary kings repping Chicago.

There's certain to be plenty of competition between Spiaggia's Tony Mantuano, Graham Elliot's Graham Elliot Bowles, Primehouse's David Burke, Tru's Rick Tramanto and C-House's Marcus Samuelsson, so it would be nice to hang out at a cool place to cheer them on.

Dion Antic's The Shady Lady Debuts April 16

Crain's Chicago did a pretty intense story on restaurateur Dion Antic, who's opening The Shady Lady to the public on April 16.

I Want To See a Local Version of This!

The new KFC "Double Down" Sandwich debuts April 12. (Photo: KFC)


Two pieces of bacon. Two melted slices of Monterey Jack and Pepper Jack cheese. And a secret sauce. Pile that between two fried, boneless white meat chicken fillets and you've got the latest artery-clogging concept from KFC—the Double Down Sandwich.

Yet somehow we think it could be done better.

The 'Triple Secret' Meatball Sub!

(Photo: The Fifty/50)


Today's Meatball Mondays dish comes to you from the The Fifty/50, an upscale sports lounge in Ukrainian Village.

Schwa's Closed For Renovations . . .

Steven Lee (left), wine director for Sixteen, with the acclaimed Schwa owner/chef Michael Carlson. (Photo: Steven Lee)


We found out the hard way Friday that Schwa super chef Michael Carlson—who's up for a Beard award next month—had decided to shut his restaurant down for the Easter weekend in order to make some renovations.

Yeah, four of us strolled up to one of the city's notoriously difficult places to get into at 8pm on a Friday, crossing our fingers that we just might have a chance snagging a table.

'Glee' Stars Spotted at Sushi Samba Rio

The entire cast of "Glee"—FOX's hit show about a high-school singing group—was in town Saturday taping "Oprah," so it's no surprise that they were out on the town later that night.

An Ultimate Insider tells 312DD that at least five members of the cast were hanging at Sushi Samba rio later that night.