Posts from — October 2009

Hearing Impaired?  Find the original script here.

*hearing impaired*

[VIDEO]  Pirates of the Caribbean: start believing in ghost stories (about 2:30 in)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0Z1XpfbuZOA

*jump on to screen*

Ahoy, There!  I’m Captain JenChicago and I intend to commandeer this show.  You may as well stand down.  Savvy?  I will not be denied.  Just ask these two boys from Jersey.

[VIDEO] Jersey Boys Intro

Those guys are amazing!  I saw Jersey Boys for the first time on Saturday with Stan and the Giglios and we were all blown away by the outstanding performance!  Did you know that “Can’t take my eyes off you” was at first considered a “weird song” that almost never saw the light of day.  Check out these goody-goodies as they watch one Franki Valli’s early performances. 

[VIDEO]  Frankie Valli

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U0IM7Mvg80w&feature=PlayList&p=6D363D214FC8E6CB&index=1

*Doo-bee-doo* The show was so good! I couldn’t even sit still in my chair!  And I had to call my mom at intermission to tell her “thank you” for teaching me how to sing Sherrie for the 3^rd grade talent show.  Look!  I think I even have the Jersey Boys dance down too! *pump*

[VIDEO] Big shot (3 minutes in)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D5WAvc8W0yI&feature=player_embedded#

Um… no.  The show is only expected to run until January 10^th, so go see them soon!  Ron Onesti- thanks for the awesome seats and happy anniversary once again to Jim and Anne.  27 years, huh?  *COUNT*  So what, you guys were in kindergarten?

And now, for something a little smaller. 

Little baby packets of sauce.

Sauce packets * ( like sauce packets )

1        CLTV’s anchor Monica Schneider was in this week and though we can’t confirm reports, someone said she was in doing research on the swankiest Joynt in Chicago… and that sounds true enough to us.

2        State Rep Susana Mendoza held her fundraiser here last week and though I’m still not sure what a State Rep does, I’ll tell you this… that little lady smells good.

3        I made a new friend this week!  I on the Scene’s, Irene Michaels and I enjoyed martinis and plenty of interruptions at Gibson’s Monday night where the 42 Club honoring of legendary Chicago Bear Sid Luckman enjoyed dinner upstairs.  The place was crawling with silver foxes and they all stopped to talk with the gorgeous and gracious Irene.  You can check out her a-list celebrity site at ionthescene.com

4        Thanks to Roger Young, over at the WIT hotel for the help last week with Joe Piscopo. You know he’s spoiled now, with that room, right?

5        DJ Boogie Man rocked out the Retro Room on Friday.  I don’t know how he did it, but one minute we were dancing to some Shakira and the next we were swaying and singing “that’s amore”  He’ll be here again this Friday- and so will we.

[VIDEO] This is Halloween 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xpvdAJYvofI

*sing along* Arrg!  It’s coming!  Halloween is coming and it’s going to be so fun, we’re going to need plastic surgery to remove the smiles from our faces!  All four rooms will be filled with spirits, music, characters, and more!  We’ll hold the costume contest around midnight in the Grand bar, and someone is gonna win a party for 15!  No, you don’t have to wear a costume, but if you don’t you have to buy the rest of us drinks.  Hey, I don’t make the rules.  And get this… even Stan agreed to wear a costume this year!  I know some of you will come just to see that!  I won’t spoil the surprise, but it’s gonna be BAAAd!

Need some last-minute costume inspiration?  How about Balloon Boy or maybe the Sham-wow guy?  These sleeve-faced costumes are super easy if you happen to have any record albums lying around.  Coming as Kayne and Taylor Swift would be a fun couple idea… Well, maybe not for Taylor.  Michael Jackson, Lady gaga-you still have time to put it together.  Unless you want to be a man-sized fully functioning iphone… yeah… you’re probably too late for that.

[VIDEO] Iphone costume

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xIjBqFMwM08&feature=player_embedded

Tonight, Wed, October 28^th Lincoln Park Young Professionals are hosting their Dalmore Scotch Event, here at The Joynt.  From 6 to 8, enjoy a wide array of food, 15 year old Dalmore scotch, Skyy martinis, imported wine, the list goes on.  RSVP to LPYP@juno.com.

And later tonight, Karen Kovach, Tiffany Junta and I are hosting a “Let’s learn the Thriller dance”, downstairs in the Retro Room tonight!  We’ll teach and practice with music both Wednesday and Thursday night staring at 7:30pm.  DJ Jack is dying to play Thriller on Halloween and we can’t think of a more appropriate year to celebrate MJ’s famous dance. Get more information on our FB page or just float in… unless of course, you’re scared.

[VIDEO]  Thriller

[VIDEO] scream  (?)

Got talent?  Let’s see it!  Here’s your chance to audition for the new reality show,“ Piscopo’s Joynt After Dark” being put together by Joe Piscopo,*(guest host) Don Novello (Father Guido Sarducci) Jimmy “The Hat”, Ari Golan, Matt Gaven and Stan “The Man” Wozniak.  Call or email the Joynt *(JenChicago, Shovel Productions)  for a time slot on Tuesday, November 3^rd and come out to audition for the guys.  Be a member of the casted audience, perform stand-up comedy or impress us with some other type of variety act!  Anyone have a dead-on Father Sarducci impression?

[VIDEO]  Father Sarducci (4:30 in)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kO8×8eoU3L4

BIRTHDAYS

Bill Zehme- you will definitely have to come in and walk the plank

Joe Hoh 

Michael Joseph Morrison (age 25)

Anthony Morre,  NBC ST

Brad Altman, 

Danielle Barrera, NBC

Jessi Odenbach (age 27), 

The Money Smart Guy, Matthew Sapaula, 

Ezra Olano (age 29), 

Joynt security, Pete Testa

Fred Altstadt, 

Vincent Friedel,(29)

Artie Zaban ,

Kinga Savic (30)

Anrea Princess

Wallace,Lew Langer (31)

Freddy McCaffery,

John Blandino (1)

Melissa Lynn (2)

Adam Iuliano (3)

April Rose Haydock,

Rob Kleiman 

Aleck Whaley

And Chef Llyod here in the kitchen- he makes a means spicy grilled shrimp

Aye, Maties.  Alas, I’m finally off to find more booty.  That’s pirate for treasure… which is Chicagoan for booty.

[VIDEO] Time warp

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yarYjuN-m8I

This is The SAUCE video for the week beginning October 22, 2009.

Original and unedited script is available here for the hearing impaired.

*The following is my original script with ideas for video.  Many edits have been made.**

Hey Everyone, I’m JenChicago, this is Toto and you’re watching The SAUCE. Maybe you expected the SAUCE yesterday, but we had to toss the SAUCE from yesterday… It just wouldn’t do.  So here it is- a day late, but remade with love and from scratch.  So eat it! 

Weird Al’s video “Eat it?”

*witch cackle*

What a week we had here at the Joynt, Toto! Stan’s long time friend, Joe Piscopo and gal pal, Jess, came in town Saturday night- just in time for Sweetest Day. *aww* The guys are moving forward with Ari Golan and Jimmy the Hat on preproduction of the sweetest variety show to hit Chicago in a very long time.  The Joynt After Dark, hosted by Mr. Piscopo, is creeping forward to shoot in November. *scary growl or evil laugh*

Joe and Jess came into town and a few of us went out for a scrumptious dinner at N9ne Steakhouse. Big thumbs up to Bruno for taking care of us at the table, and of course our buddy, and manager Tim Griffin; who also has the fine taste enough to frequent the Joynt on a regular basis. The surf and turf I ordered was outstanding! And the Ketel martinis straight up with 3 blue cheese olives were so good, I think we made a believer out of Jess. From there we went back to The Joynt, where Joe had the whole crowd singing and swaying as he and Dakota sang “New York, New York”.
 [VIDEO]

Fun right?! I know! There was all kinds of excitement going on Saturday night! Which is why I didn’t catch any of Joe’s comedy on camera… I was in the Grand Bar celebrating DJ Jack’s birthday with a big ol’ cookie cake and then… he played my song and I just had to get my boogie on…

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hGjC0wbUXzk

*dancing* Now THAT’S a good song, even Napolean Dynamite thinks so! And speaking of good songs, after my dance, I popped back in the Piano room and what do I find?!? Joe!  Rocking out on the drums and doing some cool freelance thing with Zachary on the congos or bongos- I forget which is which. Anyway, it looked like so much fun, I can’t to watch it again right NOW!

[VIDEO]

 Talented guys… Joe was really nice and gracious, too. He took pictures with anyone that asked, which was a lot of pictures- even by my standards. Our buddy and best-selling author Bill Zehme took a break from writing his upcoming book to join us in the fun.  I’m not allowed to say who it’s about *mouth or cough Johnny Carson, or hold up sign* but I know it will be an incredibly interesting read because Bill is an incredibly interesting character.  He may not say much, much when he does, it’s always really cool and smart. *duh* I guess that’s why he sells so many books. 

Okay, back to Saturday- At one point, Brandy and I step outside for some air and the next thing I know, we’re singing “Tyrone” by Erika Badu on the sidewalk at the top of our lungs for anyone that will listen!  Too silly!  Ladies, if you haven’t heard Ms. Badu, here’s a little taste…

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VABStIYzepY
Oh snap! *snap fingers* Guys, sorry, we women just shared a little moment there, but everything’s ok… it’s just a song. You can borrow our phone.  But make it fast.

Okay, that was pretty much Saturday night, and then rewinding back to Friday… we had the Meals on Wheels Celebrity Chef Ball at Macy’s.  Pretty ladies peppered the party, like poppies on the way to Oz. Among said beauties were Theresa Carter, Meagan Pulia, Desiree Prieto, and Michelle Molina. Michelle, coincidently, wins a date with Toto here, for being such a great sport and hard-working volunteer.

Then, we followed the yellow brick road all the way back to the Joynt and kept the party going. Oh, yeah- you don’t have to go to the movies to see “Where the Wild Things Are”. Just pop in here on the weekend!

Ari Golan from Atomic (not to be confused with Ari Gold from Entourage) is throwing a HUGE party on Halloween, aptly titled Graveyard Millionaire! And if you’re anything like me, you’ll go to this party AND the JOYNT party on Halloween!  Ari’s fundraiser benefits Adaptive Adventures and includes spirits, dancing, hors’ dourves and prizes. Get the full 411 at AtomicImaging.com or search Graveyard millionaire on FB.

Last night, River North belly laughed as comics performed one after the other for a very good looking crowd.  Stand Up Against Cancer Benefitting Imerman Angels was standing room only as Vince Carone, Brian Neufang, Mike Maxwell, Prash-anth Venkat-Arama-Nujam Andrew Woodhull and Prescott Tolk from Premium Blend on COMEDY CENTRAL kept us in stitches all night long. Kira Soltanovich headlined the show last night and here’s a little taste, if you missed it. 
I also had the chance to chat with Kira after the show and “yes” she’s just as funny in a chair as she is on stage.  You can find the rest of our interview along with all of the comedic performances on our YouTube Channel or Facebook Page. 

Why did the dancing skeleton go to The Joynt? To see DJ BoogieMan. *drum beat for joke* That’s right, starting this Friday, and just in time for Halloween, we have DJ BoogieMan mashing up beats, so all you ghouls can shake your groove bone! And if you want even more Groove… the ladies of Groove Dynasty will be performing in the Piano Room once again this Friday.

[VIDEO]

*dancing* They always pack the room- so get here early and get some food from Lloyd, in the kitchen! The Spicy Grilled Shrimp is my personal favorite! *slurp*

NBC’s Art Norman may be retired, but that hasn’t slowed him down one bit.  Thanks for dropping in, Art.  We miss seeing you on the air.

I think it’s time for some more October birthdays!

Happy Birthday to…

Michael Essany (age 27)
Christina Foster
Carlos ChiiCity Lopez
Elizabeth Jackson age 27),
Kurt Scholle,(
Ann Marie Belcore (age 39),
Sandra Smith-Doghmi (age 68)
Angelo Eliades,
Bernardo Rodarte (age 28),
Susan Schatz,
Tom Cooper (age 55)24 -
Brad Serot,
James Wilson,
Saya Hillman (age 31)
Jaime Vela (age 24),
Lisa Boren Gordon,
Pam Adair
Mark Beringer,
Thom Ward
Jo Blitz A. Escotal,
Matt Redding (age 38),
Sasha Techet
Charles Whitlock (age 45),
Chef Jeff Goldfarb (age 40),

 As you can probably surmise, the fun never here at The Joynt and we would love for you to be a part of it! As Phillip Speciale author of *Mia Cuchina Pazzo” says about the Joynt, “If you don’t appreciate style and class, then this is not the place for you.” Touche, Mr Speciale. We agree.

*tug on neck* Whew!  What a surprising spurt of warm weather we are having, ay? But alas it shall become cold and rainy, once again this weekend. But we will not let the weather ride in on her broomstick to spoil our fun!  Nope, we’ll click your heels together 3 times and remember… *whistfully* …everything we’ve ever really wanted is in our own backyard of downtown Chicago.  And there’s no place like the Joynt. Right, Toto?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3YKn53vWIHA (heels click)

A lot of you have been asking about the SAUCE and it gave me a brilliant idea!  You are invited to the shooting of the SAUCE next Tuesday October 27 at noon.  Watch us shoot, while you eat and network on your lunch break.  RSVP to jen@jenchicago.com and I’ll even feed you.

JenChicago, NBC Chicago Street Team

There’s something funny going on in River North on Tuesday, October 20^th. Sarah Vargo of Maven and Fred Farris of Key Management have teamed up with The Joynt to host Stand Up Against Cancer which benefits local charity Imerman Angels. The party and the awareness are going down at 650 N. Dearborn (@ Erie) and I can’t think of a better way to celebrate all the good things that are happening under Johnny Imerman’s inspiration!

The show starts at 6:30 and features a laundry list of talented comedians along with headliner Kira Soltanovich, from Girls Behaving Badly and The Phony Phone Booth on The Jay Leno Show. Have you seen this bit? It’s hilarious! What WON’T people do for a free picture?!?! You can find the clips here or check it out in this week’s edition of The SAUCE, hosted by Yours Truly, below. Tickets are $15 in advance and $20 at the door with limited seating.

*PRESS RELEASE*

**Hugs and Kisses from JenChicago.com!

*Start w GhostBusters intro*

Hey Everyone, I’m JenChicago and you’re watching *mouth “the sauce” and once waiting for it* From weddings, to mugshots to meals on wheels, we have a lot to cover. So sit back, relax and get SAUCED with us.

Ladies- you know how it is. You spend all this money on a Halloween costume and then you never get the chance to wear it again, because the next year comes along and you have found an even BETTER costume to take a million pictures in, so last year’s costume dies a slow death in your storage closet… But not anymore! This is my Snow White costume from last year and in the spirit of Halloween, I am bringing it back from the dead. And though 6 of the 7 dwarfs are missing, my favorite one is here to be my guest host. You wanna apple, Sam?

We booked our first round of inmates this weekend (mostly just the usual suspects) and there’s one thing we know for sure… we’re gonna have to get a much bigger board. Yes, I thought a board 2×5 feet would be plenty of space but for the *count* third time in my life… I was wrong. I admit it. So we’re going to call this the beta version until the full monty gets here. Oh but when it does *toes fingers and look up*

By the way, thanks to Pete Wentz over at Angels and Kings for setting the light bulb *insert picture of having an idea w bulb above* off in my head when I saw theirs… *cough out: ours is going to be better*
*bubbles* The Joynt hosted its first wedding reception on Saturday and all I can say is… “THAT is how you throw a reception party! Congrats to the beautiful Bride Margarita and Groom Eddy- thank you for sharing your special day with us. *just remember* Oh. And we have a little confession *small fingers* to make… THIS sauce *voiceover* we make in-house. The marinara sauce, we just ordered it in from the experts. If you haven’t tried to sauce that Armando and crew make over at La Scarollo… *Italian* “What’s the matter with you?!?

There’s something funny going on in River North on Tuesday, October 20th. Sarah Vargo of Maven and Fred Farris of Key Management are hosting Stand Up Against Cancer which benefits local charity Imerman Angels, amd we’re hosting the party here at The Joynt. The show starts at 6:30 and features a list of talented comedians along with headliner Kira Soltanovich, from Girls behaving Badly and The Phony Phone Booth on the Tonight Show. Check this out. [VIDEO]

By the way, you do not have to dress up for the Monster Mash Bash on Halloween. Stan made it very clear to me that party-poopers, I mean people… should feel comfortable coming in without a costume. Having said that, just in case you are on the fence… we came up with 5 reasons you SHOULD consider dressing up for Joynt Halloween Party.

1. You can enter the costume contest and win a party here for up to 15 people… just in time for the holidays!
2. 10 years from now, you’ll look back and say “I was a pretty hot pirate back then” and you’ll be glad you dressed up in 2009
3. It’s a well-known fact that by dressing up on Halloween, you have anywhere from a 10-15% increase in your chances of making out. And for most of you, that’s a good thing.
4. When someone asks you, “Who are you supposed to be?”, you’ll take it literally, have an epiphany and the answers to all of your quandaries will come to you in a flash.
5. You are a human being and you have the amazing opportunity of choosing your own costume… Some people *head nod to Samson* don’t.
6. It’s fun. I promise.

And if that’s not enough, some of our friends banded together to make this for you [VIDEO] We have one more version of the mash bash, so if you love rock and roll- be one of the first 5 to comment.

The Meals on Wheels Celebrity Chef ball is once again at Macy’s this Friday and I don’t even have a dress yet… but I do have a superhero costume… *hmm* Anyway, tickets are still available and here’s a little clip of me interviewing Stephanie Izard, the first female to become Top Chef. Let’s keep in mind that this was before I discovered white balance on my camcorder. [VIDEO: 32 seconds in Macy’s]
I can’t think of a better Halloween to learn the Thriller dance, can you? *[VIDEO] Check out this video taken in Jackson’s home weeks after his death* Was that mean? I actually screamed and jumped when I saw it. Anyway, learning the thriller dance is like all the rage and you should totally check out Thrill the world.com to see what a sensation it has become! *clear throat* That’s why, this *Tuesday* before the comedy show I am teaching the dance to anyone who wants to learn it. You can come in casual gear and we’ll meet downstairs in the retro room. And then… [VIDEO or me dancing] Thriller

Are you rich and looking for a new way to celebrate these shorter, colder Chicago nights? Get a Duxiana bed and pillow! Last week , I went to their open house promoted through Chicago Magazine and I won $600 worth of pillows! Thanks Guys! I love them! *whispers* $600 Bengis turns out to be 2 king pillows but boy, are they fancy! And did you know that you can test lie one of their beds in a private room for up to four hours?! No word on whether couples are allows.

*I ain’t afraid of no sauce… yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah*

Purple tie day Last Saturday was purple tie night in the Joynt but Stan and I were the only 2 to get the memo. This Saturday is… mmm… I’m not sure yet. Hang tight. We’ll send a memo.

Are you ready for some birthdays?

Jerry Bryant,

Nick Luedde tasting room

(age 33), Todor Krecu

15 - Amber Lee Simonitch (age 30), Brian Sherman (age 43), Carlo De, Michelle Molise, Sandra DeLeon, Trent Willenberg (age 34)

16 - Eric Hoffhines, Kelsi Bartley

17 - Joe Schneider (age 34), Justin Loeloff, Saeed Khalifa (age 24)

18 - Barbara Rozgonyi, Harvey Daniels, Joanna Pena-Bickley, Randy Kravitz (age 54), Richard Pearlman (age 53), Waled B Jaber (age 22)

19 - Danny Woods (age 40), J.D. Gutierrez (age 34), Jennifer Gorski, Sue Sowinski Schneider

And a special thank you to Michelle Joseph who celebrated quite a birthday with us here this past weekend.

Here’s is the reason I stayed up until 9 am this morning. Every week I think of something new to add and the learning curve slows me down. This week, I spent a lot of time writing out the entire script beforehand, shooting and the laborious process of editing. (I even ended up leaving a few segments on the cutting room floor. I guess that’s just how it goes, but it is some times difficult for me to edit things out that I know I worked hard at creating it all… but in the end, I believe that no act of creation is ever without value and the effort is never lost… even if not else ever sees it.

In any case, this is the best that I can do with what I have at this point in my life. I am happy know ing that… and yet… no artist is ever pleased. I keep asking for suggestions, but I don’t get them very often… Which may be a good thing since my skin may not be as think as it should be.

So in the words of Erykah Badu… “Keep in mind that I am an artist… and I’m sensitive about my sh*t.”

PS: Here is the script for the video for the hearing impaired.