Life. Love. And all things Chicago.

The SAUCE: Being HAPPY with Snow Days and Auto Shows! from Jen Knoedl on Vimeo.

SAUCEY LINKS:

• Ian Maksin (The Cello Man)
• Don’t Worry, Be Happy MP3 on Amazon
• Love Shack on Amazon
• Broadway in Chicago
• Conan’s Final Tonight Show
• The Art Institute of Chicago
• Don’t worry, Be Happy video on Youtube
• Love Shack video on YouTube
• Happiness Coke Machine
• Snow Days / Explore Chicago
• Chicago Auto Show
• The Joynt Chicago
• La Scarola
• Cupid’s Loveshack Tickets
• Travel Channel’s Samantha Brown

Cupid's Loveshack party flyer

Appetizers from LA SCAROLA • Desserts from DESSERT CONCEPTS
Special guest performance by singer-songwriter DAKOTA
LIVE JAZZ music by Steve Biossat at The Deep City Band
DJ BOOGIEMAN • Sweet DOOR PRIZES • And much MORE!

$10 tickets: http://cupidsloveshack.eventbrite.com/
$15 at the door

Wear RED or PINK and your first cocktail is on CUPID!
PLUS… $6 SWEETIE-TINIS!

JenChicago, NBC Chicago Street Team
Extra! Extra! Read all about it! Or even better, WATCH all about it! The weekend starts early with a performance and celebration this Thursday at The Joynt. Cellist Ian Maksin will be performing, with special guests, songs from his new CD, Solo Flight. The night is also the launch of the newly released CD, so expect plenty of celebrating to go along with the unique and soulful music of Ian Maskin.

Want a little taste? Watch below as I host a “Gimme 5!” interview with “The Cello Man”.

This event was also listed twice in Time Out this week!

http://chicago.timeout.com/articles/opera-classical/82091/ian-maskin-at-heaven-gallery-and-the-joynt-concert-preview

http://chicago.timeout.com/bars-clubs/river-north/17511/the-joynt

Have an awesome day and we hope you decide to explore Ian’s music with us on Thursday! Embrace something DIFFERENT this week!

Song: Bulletproof

Dakota intro

Aww, SNAP! Hey Everyone, I’m JenChicago and welcome to The SAUCE. So Dakota there is another one of my super fun friends that I’ve met at The Joynt and when I asked him to guest host The SAUCE, [moustache: obviously he said could not resist]I looked up his story online and found out all kinds of stuff about him! He started singing at 2, professional by 5 and got Sinatra handkerchief and blessing before he could even walk around the block by himself! It’s a cute story, you should ask him about it. Oh, and he sang at the Brad Pitt/Jennifer Aniston wedding and the Sopranos Emmy party [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=242H7F8DKHA]… AND he sings at The Joynt. (Raise eyebrows) Yep, last week was fun hanging with Dakota AND that wasn’t the ONLY fun thing that happened last week…

Well, last week Joe came back in town to continue promoting “After Dark with Joe Piscopo” The guys covered Roeconn, WLS – Mancow, Medill News Service, Today’s Chicago Woman [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A3wOyCSwkI4&feature=related], Chicago Tribune, Chicago Magazine… The list goes on, but suffice it to say, millions of eyes and ears saw and heard all about it. And if you love Chicago like I do, you gotta cheer for a fun new television show born and bred in a little place called Chi-town! [Homecoming song] http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LQ488QrqGE4 Side note: I decided we need some more dance songs about Chicago. Musicians… get crackin’ eh? We can’t let NY have more fun, can we?!?

Anyway, after all that excitement, we all went to dinner… Stan, Jimmy, Ari, Joe, Jessica, Matt Gaven, Mike Motchsman, and birthday boy, Jim Pesoli who is the coolest, although technically the only, entertainment lawyer I know. So we got him some tiramisu and sang Happy Birthday to him. I’d let y’all hear the full audio but the tequila shots decided to help me sing louder than really necessary and… let’s just say, I’m no Dakota.

I’d would like to blame Armando for all of the saucey fun I had at La Scarola, but I did kinda ask for it in the last edition of The SAUCE [insert SAUCE] and then he kicked it up a notch and presented me with my very own bottle of Golden Tequila. Isn’t it lovely? I like to think of it as a Golden Tequila award for my hard-hitting SAUCE reporting. [Acting like it is an award. Crying. /// push up like trophy]

All kinds of golden awards were given out last week and though the winners in Hollywood can’t drink their awards like I can, I think they were still pretty stoked to get a Golden Globe. If you missed it, here’s the nutshell version.

Ricky Gervais hosted a great show being funny, clever and brave. The Hangover and Glee won best comedy in their respective categories. I was stoked to see Jeff Bridges finally get a Golden Globe for “Crazy Heart” [whisper] even though he’ll always gonna be The Dude to me. [http://www.hulu.com/watch/12729/the-big-lebowski-she-kidnapped-herself] Robert Downey Jr. was sweet and funny in his speech for best actor in Sherlock Holmes, as was Sandra Bullock, for her role in The Blind Side- which is SO my kind of movie and I TOTALLY recommend it! And then Avatar’s James Cameron cleaned house with best director AND best motion picture. There’s talk of an Avatar 2 and I’ve already submitted my headshot for consideration. [jenchicago picture fade to avatar] *growl*

[Golden Globe http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VzYdxa65Q_k]

So last week I was totally expecting to see Ellen on American Idol, and I don’t even watch IDOL really, but I adore Ellen. So turns out, she doesn’t start until February, so… she wasn’t there… but you know who was? General Larry Platt with some good advice…

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tMwhl4IrPNc&feature=video_response

Ok, ok… who do you think does it better? Me?

[me sing pants on the ground]

Or Brett Farve? http://video.foxnews.com/v/3971128/brett-favre-with-pants-on-the-ground/?playlist_id=87249

Both good, right? How’s your version? Let’s see it! Send me a video link with YOUR rendition of “pants on the floor” and I’ll put it in next weeks SAUCE, unless of course you’re scared because you got your… pants on the ground [clear throat]

Um… anyway, so where were we? Ah yes… upcoming events.

Ok, I’ll give you a hint… He wrote Auld Lang Syne (the new years song), he’s Scotland’s national poet, and it’s his birthday Monday, January 25. Give up? It’s Robert Burns, Silly! Alright, even if you STILL have no idea who this dude is, the gang at Drinks over Dearborn do, and they are celebrating with a scotch-tasting. For $15 you will taste six different Scotches (some of them pretty pricey) and different national foods. Kyle will be there so you can congratulate him on their write-up in the latest issue of Food and Wine Magazine! Go to drinksoverdearborn.com for details.

On Wednesday, January 26, you can meet the experts and look better with StyleChicago.com’s Resolution 2010 party! From 6-9 at The Sofitel Hotel guests will enjoy cocktails, wine, hors d’oeuvres, mini-spa services, wellness experts- it’s gonna be good. Go to StlyeChicago.com for ticket information and score yourself one of the goody bags valued over $250!

CELLIST IAN MAKSIN is having his Solo Flight CD release party at The Joynt, Thursday, Jan 28. Ian has been playing since he was 6 and has been all over the globe and all over musical genres, from solos, to orchestras to P Diddy! [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CgiX53hjAPc] Anyway, here’s a sample of Ian’s original music. You might wanna close your eyes for this. [http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/IanMaksin] Isn’t that lovely? So join me at The Joynt on Thursday in supporting musical art and getting some of that culture we Chicagoans love so much. By the way- there’s no cover, drinks specials and valet.

Valentine’s Day is coming up and the girls and I are planning a party at The Joynt on Friday, February 12. We’ll have more details next week, but we DO know that it’s gonna be a blast and we’re suggesting Valentine’s attire. Huh? Whatever you want it to mean…

And if you are in a Staycation State of Mind…

Check out couples massages at Aniko Salon and Spa. I’ve had massages there from Sylvia and, let me tell ya, it’s a little slice of heaven all on it’s own, BUT couples Sessions include chocolates, roses and wine, champagne or mimosas! PLUS, if you prebook by January 31, Aniko will give you $20 off. It’s a romantic Staycation for your mind, your body and your sweetie-pie. Aww…

Staycations, to me are cathartic [DEFINE] and planning these little Chicago adventures, is such a joy for me, it’s too big for The SAUCE. So, I’m going to start another series of videos that’s all about Chicago staycations. I don’t have a name for it just yes, but sometimes you just gotta start. Plus, it has been suggested that I shorten The SAUCE 8sniff* (it’s ok) so making the two series separate just makes sense. Cherry One is working on my website and that will make things a cleaner and easier to find. But until then, thanks for sticking with me. I really do appreciate it.

Ok, enough rainbows and butterflies, let’s get to the tweets of the week…

• Paul’s back in town from his polar bear hunt in Latvia, Riga. He didn’t bring any polar bears back… just a wife… oh and lots of chocolate.
• Polish your spoons- January is National #Soup Month! Celebrate at Basil Leaf Café with their Gourmet Creamy Tomato Basil soup. It’s delish!
• Just drank my daily cup of aloe vera juice w OJ. Slightly weird taste but worth the health benefits! Google it.
• Dreamgirls is playing at The Cadillac Theater but only until January 31! Guys- THIS is another EASY one!
• FACT: The octopus is the most intelligent animal in the world that does not have a backbone. [Oh, I could go so many ways with this...]

This last one is a retweet (DEFINE RETWEET… pronounced just how it looks and it’s a verb and it means to tweet a message that someone else originally tweeted)

• RT @melissapierce: @Oprah, know who should have her own show? @JenChicago her enthusiasm & love 4 life is infectious & a pleasure 2 watch!

Thanks again, Melissa. That was a very sweet tweet. If YOU have suggestions for tweets of the week, send me an email with your tweet (140 characters or less) to jen@jenchicago.com

And now let’s see who’s having a birthday this week in Chicago…

Happy Birthday, Everyone. May all your wishes come true.

Ok, friends, that’s it for this week, so I’ll leave you with a suggestion… Even if you do activities that you often do, do it with a Staycation state of mind this week- it’ll make a FUN of difference! So, until next week… [video hot tub]

The SAUCE: Family love, NYE and Chicago Staycations! from Jen Knoedl on Vimeo.

GUEST INTRO: Mom and Jason

And then I missed my plane. *bad news sound* Hey Everyone, I’m JenChicago and welcome to The SAUCE. That was my mom and brother, Jason helping with the first guest intro of the New Year! I went home for the holidays to hang with the fam in beautiful Austin TX. They took me to Chuy’s para fajitas. [picture] And yes, Jason is wearing shorts in December. We went for walks and took pictures in other people’s lawn. We rolled down hills and challenged each other to hang upside down. Dad made chocolate chip cookies from-scratch almost every night I was there, and let me tell ya- these cookies are the edible epitome of love. [define epitome with sound and text on screen]

Main Entry: epit·o·me

Function: noun

2 : a typical or ideal example

And if all that wasn’t enough, then they took me dancing. Check out my brother, Rich and me cuttin’ a country rug at Coupland Dance Hall. [video] Wipe dirt off shoulder

And then Christmas rolled around. Actually Christmas came early for me when Stanta Claus gave me a Kindle. [looks off camera] StantaClaus… Yeah, that’s right. What don’t cha get? Who do you think takes care of things when Santa needs a deal to happen? [tap brain w click sound] So back to my Kindle… Well, if you don’t know- it’s a wireless reading device created by Amazon. It can hold a ton of books, magazines and blogs and it’s light as a paperback. You can make notes and highlight and as long as you have it, you’ll never have to be bored waiting for someone. Reading IS fun, Mom. It’s not just a grammar school slogan. It’s the truth. [Mischievous smile] Oo- and my parents got me a Ninja, smoothie/chopper/mixer thing with double blades! It’s perfect for me because I make smoothies a lot and when I do, people tell me all the time that I look just like a ninja. Check it. [VIDEO mouth: “I made this smoothie with my ninja blender. Fruit is really easy on your system, so it’s a great breakfast option to keep you light on your toes. Just check your teeth for seeds when you’re done.]

[karate chop w sound] Anyhow, I could go on and on about my adorable family and sweet ninja moves, but we have two weeks to cover and we have to save some room for all the excitement that happened last week with Joe Piscopo!

The day after I returned back in Chicago from Austin, we sell out both shows of Jokes @ The Joynt- with Joe Piscopo himself opening up for each show. Ben Mahoney is editing the footage now into chunks per comics, so we’ll let y’all know when those videos are up. David Leornardis and Sarah Cooley were in the house Tuesday night, as well, shooting their talk show “Chit-Chat” and scored some primo interviews with Stan, Joe, Bill, Jimmy, and ME! The morning after the comedy show, was Joe’s media tour, and it started PRETTY early in the morning. When WGN says “morning news”, they aren’t kidding. Somehow we all managed to be bright-eyed and bushy tailed despite the time – and I was extra exuberant, this being my first media tour and all! My official title was photographer… Oh- and videographer… and a couple of times I was the hop in the picture-er… Which, I think I’m pretty good at.

Anyway, Joe performed his much-loved Sinatra classics and was also interviewed by WGN’s Paul Konrad, who did a great job. Joe’s right hand, Jessica, spotted Heather McDonald in the hallway and us gals snagged a picture on our speedy way to the next stop.

[video]

That right there is real footage of “Stan the Transporter” getting Joe and the rest of us across town. Call me a square, but I’m pretty sure some of those “streets” weren’t intentioned for cars. I thought for sure Joe was donating a kidney or something, but as it turns out, Stan just doesn’t like to be late.

We arrived at Fox EARLY where we met up with Jimmy the Hat, Jim Pesoli from Kids Fighting Cancer, and Reid Tillinghast from Germania Place. Anchors, Kori Chambers and

Nancy Loo were really fun to watch and I know Joe had a great time with their interview.

After Fox, we all got a short reprieve before heading back out to Comcast SportsNet. We saw Lou Cannelis in the hall and had to snag a pic with him, before entering the meat locker, David Kaplan calls a studio. Brr! It was cold in there! Joe did his part to heat up the conversation with talk of After Dark, SNL days with Eddie Murphy, finding broads and… hockey. Umm-hmm- brought up hockey the day before his home team, New Jersey Devils, would be crushed by the Chicago Blackhawks at the United Center for NYE. [song] So Kaplan invited Joe on air, thereby inviting us, to the game where we got seats on the glass next to Jim Cornelison who sings the national anthem beautifully for every Hawks home game.

But I’m getting ahead of myself. After Comcast we went to our spot for Italian, La Scarola where we met up with Katy and Reid from Germania’s Place. The food was amazing as usual, and a fun little treat was the IL Secretary of State, Jesse White, happened to be there and we snapped pictures with him too. We then proceeded to stuff our bellies in preparation for the big night.

The Blackhawks/Devils game started at 7 and Joe was asked to shoot a puck, as well as be interviewed on the ice by Comcast’s Sarah Kustok [koo-stock]. The puck challenge didn’t go as well for Joe it they did for the 7 year old kid before him, but hey- in Piscopo’s own words “I was that close”. The interview, on the other had, was a total score for everyone, and yet it still couldn’t drown out the sound of the SPANKING The Blackhawks gave to The Devils. Sorry Joe. [song]

After the game, we screeched away on two wheels until we arrived back at The Joynt. Joe got onstage with Steve Biossat and The Deep City Band and worked his magic for the benefitting charity, Kids Fighting Cancer. So many of our friends showed up for NYE- Karen, Tiffany, Brandy, Mike, Theresa, Bill. And- Bill also gave me this autographed copy of his Sinatra book that I have been asking for- and it’s fascinating. Not only is Sinatra quite a story, but Bill is an incredible writer… Between Bill, Joe and Stan, I’m going know everything there is to know about Ol’ Blue Eyes, pretty soon! Anyway, Bill is working on a Johnny Carson Biography now and he also writes for Playboy, which proves to me, they really MUST have great articles. AND guess what? After meeting with Joe, it looks like Bill may be a writer for After Dark, as well! The mastermind team is forming! *Dracula laugh*

So the countdown to NYE was great and the rest of the night was great, and then I slept for 3 days. And here I am now. Hi.

Things may have slowed down a little from the holidays but they haven’t come anywhere close to stopping. Piscopo is coming back to Chicago on Monday to begin shooting some on-location segments of After Dark around town. THEN on Tuesday, we are hosting a media day here at the Joynt. After Dark with Joe Piscopo will be loosely modeled after Hef’s Playboy after Dark, and it’s all coming together. So keep tuning in to the SAUCE to hear who our first guests will be!

Brr! It’s so cold out there! And though we may not be able to sneak off to a beach vacation this week, we can’t let that stop us from enjoying a winter staycation, Chicago-style! So here are 3 staycation ideas for this week in Chicago.

• Ice skating: Tell your friends to meet you at the seasonal ice skating rink at Wrigley Field. Make sure you bring your camera in a protective case for unexpected spills on the ice. The rink is open through February and adults are $10 to skate not including rentals. Plan to hit up your favorite coffee shop afterwards for defrosting and reliving.
• Lady Ga-Ga will be performing at the Rosemont Theatre this weekend (a last minute change from the Chicago theatre) to house the eight semi-trucks she is reportedly sending in for the show. The set production and costume changes may make this staycation feel more like we are on mars than downtown Chicago, but that’s the point! All 3 show shows are sold out, so if you wanna go at this point, you gotta “know a guy”!
• January 19^th at the MCA, is a FREE night of art and “un-lectures”. Different artist groups will present throughout the night to create a variety show-like evening. Find out more about Cabinet of Curiosity by visiting MCAChicago.org. Grab a pal and get ya’self some culture this week!

For cool shirts like this fancy tuxedo tee one I’m wearing, check out Chicago’s own Strange Cargo in Wrigleyville on Clark Street.

Send an email to jen@jenchicago.com with SAUCE in the subject line and we’ll add you to our weekly video distribution, and you’ll never miss another SAUCE.

Hey Bill Zwecker!  Thanks for the “After Dark” plug in the Sun Times!  And congrats on your new gig with Fox!

Know Michelle Reed? Her Beautiful Blue Birthday party is at @TheJoyntChicago this Friday starting at 10 in the Lounge! Wear BLUE for a free cocktail!

Joe Piscopo and The Joynt are on page 13 of The Globe, January 11. No word yet on whether or not this is a good sign.

• Transporter: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z8XqwRc74bA
• Hush video/ playboy after dark http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KiXcqxms3Bs
• Upcoming events anticipation: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gq_5QZDpY1Y
• Sad trombone: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iMpXAknykeg
• Debbie Downer: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IJ_R-G_i4Xk

And now it’s time for some birthdays! Please help us in wishing our friends a very happy birthday. [pictures & song] If you or a friend has a birthday coming up and you would like us to put them in the SAUCE, please email me at jen@jenchicago.com with a picture attached.

And that’s it for this week, check us out again next week for another edition of The SAUCE. Until then…

[video: you stay saucey, Chicago]

I wish you all a very safe, peaceful and merry Christmas! Here is my “I’m on vacation” version of The SAUCE this week!

Ho-Ho-Ho!
Jen

The SAUCE: Jingle Bell Jam, SAUCEY tweets & Girl’s Night! from Jen Knoedl on Vimeo.