Get ready for Jill Scott

Jill Scott fans, get ready:

I just received an invite in my inbox for a Baileys Get Together hosted by Grammy award winner Jill Scott on March 23.

No details were listed on where the party is taking place, but all you have to do is sign up with the password "get together." That's it. There will be complimentary Baileys cocktails and appetizers at the event.

Dinner is on People Lounge . . .

. . . if you can handle a little frostbite.

Hey, you know how unpredictable Chicago's weather is, especially at the beginning of what is supposed to be spring. So, in order to test your stamina, People Lounge (1560 N. Milwaukee Ave., 773-227-9339) is willing to pay for your dinner if you can stand to dine on their sidewalk cafe on March 25.

This is People Lounge's first-ever Spring Celebration, so make your reservations now (required for the free dinner) at 773-793-0508. I'd bring a coat, scarf and gloves if I were you—just in case. (The offer is limited to dinner only; alcohol not included.)

Deal(s) of the day . . .

If you've always wanted to volunteer but couldn't decide on a charity in which you could throw your support behind, an event is taking place tonight that should help you out:

The Chicago Associates Board Presidents' Council hosts a cocktail party to recruit members for their various organizations, including AIDS Foundation of Chicago, Associate Board of Literacy Chicago, Chicago Architectural Society, Field Associates, Evening Associates of the Art Institute of Chicago, John G. Shedd Aquarium Auxiliary Board, Lincoln Park Zoo Auxiliary Board and Steppenwolf Auxiliary Council. The party takes place at East Bank Club (500 N. Kingsbury St.) tonight 6-8pm. $10 donation.

Also happening tonight—and only a few blocks away from East Bank—is Tizi Melloul's (531 N. Wells St., 312-670-4338) weekly special of cocktails, appetizers and a hookah session for $10.

At NoMI (800 N. Michigan Ave., 312-239-4030), it's Cellar Notes, as advanced sommelier Fernando Beteta leads his weekly wine-tasting event. Tonight is all about sake, and guests will have the opportunity to taste up to 10 varieties. 5:30-7:30pm. $30.

And it's 2nd Tuesday Tastings at Cru Cafe and Wine Bar (25 E. Delaware Pl., 312-337-4001). Tonight, they're featuring organic wines from around the world, plus organic hors d'oeuvres. 6-8pm. $40.

Deal of the day . . .

A sign of the times or is this just your lucky day?

Room21 (2110 S. Wabash Ave., 312-328-1198), Jerry Kleiner's South Loop sensation, is now offering a new "happy hour" bar menu that should make every wallet happy.

Get there between 5-6pm to take advantage of $2.10 select appetizers every Monday through Friday. Sample the spicy fried calamari, spinach and artichoke dip with housemade chips, traditional wedge salad or fried shrimp cocktail.

For those who come too late for the specials, Room21 has also unveiled a new bar menu that includes BBQ short rib sliders, a jumbo lump crab cake, grilled chicken salad and hand-formed burger.

They're finally here!

I've been blabbing on about a couple of spots for months, and now they're finally opening this week:

Rock Star Hot Dogs (801 N. Ashland Ave, 312-421-2364), nightlife impresario Dion Antic's nod to the likes of Justin Timberlake, Tommy Lee and Los Lobos, opens on Wednesday.

And Berry Chill (635 N. State St., 312-266-2445), the "couture," after-hours frozen yogurt shop from newcomer businessman Michael Farah, opens to the public on Friday.

Pete Wentz let the cat out the bag

Fall Out Boy star Pete Wentz slipped up and spilled the beans on his new lounge he's opening in conjunction with Empire Liquors' (1566 N. Milwaukee Ave., 773-278-1600) Matt Eisler and Lakeview Broadcasting Company's (3542 N. Halsted St., 773-857-2444) Stephen Westman.

During an interview on ABC-7 News, he revealed that AK45 is the name of the bar they're opening in River North this spring.

March right into the weekend

That's right. There's just too much going on this weekend, so there's no excuse not to hit the streets:

THURSDAY

Avenue M (695 N. Milwaukee Ave., 312-243-1133) hosts a cocktail party to introduce its new executive chef, Mariano Aguirre. The party includes complimentary cocktails and hors d'oeuvres, but reservations are required by calling the restaurant. Also, the Dan Cray Trio performs. 6pm-until.

Enjoy special selections of French vino at the South Loop Wine Cellar (1442 S. Michigan Ave., 312-356-0630). That event also occurs tonight from 6-8pm. Free.

Also happening in the South Loop is the weekly deep house music party hosted by Groove Parlor. Mario Romay and Mark Grant spin Latin, soul and other sexy sounds at Cuatro (2030 S. Wabash Ave., 312-842-8856). 10pm-2am. No cover.

You'll find more high-energy grooves at JBar (610 N. Rush St., 312-660-7200) for the Sounds Good Thursdays session. Jesse de la Pena brings on the sounds with a live percussionist; get there early for a comp VIP champagne tasting from 9-10pm; Stoli Elit cocktail specials all night for $5; bottles $150; 20 percent off King Baby jewelry at event. 9pm-2am. No cover.

Jazzheads can head to 3030 (2830 N. Milwaukee) for the Elastic Arts Foundation's highly regarded weekly Improvised Music Series. Enjoy eclectic sounds by Kimmel/Hatwich/Hess/Riordan, beginning at 10pm.

FRIDAY

San Francisco's DJ Morsecode hits the tables for Outfit Event's weekly bash at Enclave (213 W. Institute Pl., 312-654-0234). I'm not sure if it's the deejays they're bringing in or the crowd, but their events are red-HOT right now. Make sure you check out the after-party at Stone Lotus (873 N. Orleans St., 312-440-9680) till 4am. No cover before 11pm if you RSVP to outfitevents@yahoo.com

The original First Fridays happens this week at Victor Hotel (311 N. Sangamon St., 312-733-6900). DJ Mark Fuller hosts and spins the networking party. 9pm-2am. No cover before 11pm.

SATURDAY

Peruvian-born spin master Mario Romay takes a break from his usual house music to rock out at new party Sunny Side Up. It takes place at Darkroom (2210 W. Chicago Ave., 773-276-1411), and he'll spin a special and eclectic mix of Latin and African variety, Brazilian vibes, Afrobeat and more. Resident deejays 4BZ and Mwelwa will also spin. No cover before 11pm; $5 after.

If you feel like heading away for the weekend, the Abbey Resort (269 Fontana Blvd., Fontana, WI) is hosting the first-ever Great Chefs at the Lake Series, which kicks off on Saturday. A number of Chicago-based chefs are heading up there, where guests will have the opportunity to mix and mingle with them, Abbey Executive Chef Scott Powers and each other. Bill Kim (Le Lan), Mark Mendez (Carnivale), Dudley Nieto (Zocolo) and Andy Webber (Carlucci Restaurant) are the esteemed chefs who will serve up some of their specialties. Each weekend features a cocktail reception, cooking demonstration with the participating chef, wine-tasting event and a four-course feast. This weekend features Carlucci chef Andy Webber (March 7-9). The following weekends: Dudley Nieto (March 14-16); Mark Mendez (March 28-30); and Bill Kim (April 4-6). Call 800-772-1000 for more information.

SUNDAY

Help some well-deserving youth by dining out at Cafe Selmarie (4729 N. Lincoln Ave., 773-989-5595) tonight. Ten percent of dinner sales will benefit the Walter Payton College Prep High School Concert Choir, which has been invited to sing during Beijing's 2008 Summer Olympics. This choir is one of only five in the nation to be invited to participate, so the proceeds will help all 42 members with their travel expenses.

Hollywood invasion continues

Heather Graham is just one of many movie stars currently shooting a film in Chicago.


There's so many celebrities running around town right now filming movies that it's starting to feel like Hollywood.

Now comes word that Jerry O'Connell and Heather Graham, who are filming "Baby on Board" here for the next few months, were spotted this week shooting a scene at the downtown Nick's Fishmarket (51 S. Clark St., 312-621-0200).

Also, Stella's Column reports that Academy Award winning actress Marion ("La Vie en Rose") Cotillard was seen chowing down at La Scarola (721 W. Grand Ave., 312-243-1740) with director Michael Mann, plus a ton of others were out and about.