Category — 2016 Olympic Bid

It looked to be a late night at 7:30ish on a Tuesday and not a vegetable to be found in the fridge.  So I went to my favorite Subway for a footlong tuna sandwich.  What I got was an two footlongs, a tattered piece of paper with indecipherable handwriting and some new perspective on providing value to random strangers.  Zig Ziglar says “You can have whatever you want if you help enough other people get what they want”…  and I believe he’s right.

How do you give a “footlong” of value? from Jen Knoedl on Vimeo.

So this is what I want: I want to make great strides in the production of my budding travel show, Staycation Nation.  As a friend, fan or potential fan, of JenChicago what do you want to see in an online staycation show?  Do you want coupons?  Do you want discount travel?  Do you want staycation ideas for downtown Chicago or day trip ideas?  Do you want to know about food, dance or a mix of all of it?

Please let me know in the comments or direct message me.

JenChicago, NBC5 Street Team
If you are any kind of a night owl, like I am, you are looking for something great to do on any given night of the week. Well, I’ve got you covered for Tuesday. Fatt Finger is a great band playing at The Joynt every Tuesday night starting at 9:30! The perform originals and covers from many genres of rock. Come out for drink specials and a classic rockin’ good time! I’ll see you on the dance floor! (No cover.)

PS: Here’s a little sample song from last week:

Fatt Finger: Use me up! from Jen Knoedl on Vimeo.

JenChicago, NBC5 Street Team

I feel as though I have told this story a thousand times, and yet, it still makes me smile…

When I first moved to Chicago, I went out by myself… a lot. It was exciting to try new places without knowing anything about them in an effort to find “my spot” for “this or that”. One of the “spots” that needed to be found was a place for me to dance. Preferably to live music. I’m not much of a sit-and-drink kind of girl. I never really have been, unless I’m eating or watching a show. I like to keep moving. And by “moving”, I mostly mean “dance“. And the best kind of music to dance to is live music! Agreed? The energy of a great band moves me in a way that makes me feel as though I am part of the music. I love it.

So, I sauntered into The Joynt one day, a little less than a year ago, and it just felt “right”. I knew this was my spot. It is essentially four (5 in the summer) clubs in one! The Grand Bar, The Retro Club, The Lounge and The Outdoor Cafe are all fantastic rooms with different personalities for each one! And then there’s my personal favorite… The Swing Bar.

Anyway, long story short… I started shooting at The Joynt here and there until I finally asked Stan Wozniak and Pauly Babcock to let me play with an idea on the weekends. The video below is the first edition of a bi-monthly series. The premise is simple.

Everyone in Chicago has a story. The following are just a few… STORIES FROM THE JOYNT.

Stories from the Joynt: Friday, May 22, 2009 from Jen Knoedl on Vimeo.

Come see me at The Joynt on Friday and Saturday nights!

JenChicago, NBC5 Street Team

I’m always looking for cool, new, fun things to do… It’s kind of my shtick. So when I heard that on the first Friday of every month, the MCA (Museum of Contemporary Art) hosts a happy hour party, featuring a hip local artist, I knew I had to peep the scene. And I am so glad I did! I had some great chats, ate some killer brownies and even made a Valentine card for my love… Chicago.

Curtis Mann, is the artist of the month and I just loved that guy. What a cool and interesting dude! He started out as an engineer of some kind (not a details girl) and now… he’s an artist. You gotta hear about how he creates his art (hint: Clorox bleach) and THEN you gotta go check it out for yourself!

MCA has their happy hour First Friday every month, and one of the things I really like about the party, is that it gives people a chance to meet a TON of new people (I mean a TON) and have something “real” to talk about. Art is a beautiful thing. And it works magic on the brain. Kinda puts you in the mood to love… and maybe not always romantic love… but love, just the same.

First Fridays at the Museum of Contemporary Art from Jen Knoedl on Vimeo.

Here is the full write up and the video is embedded below.

Today is the last day to vote! The website is kinda tricky, so make sure your stars stick!

Thank you!

Vote for “American Dreams, Chicago16!” here!

My Darling Friends,

The Chicago 2016 Organization is holding a video contest asking people to answer the question “Why Chicago?” (as in, why should Chicago host the 2016 Olympics)

So, of course, being JenChicago, I HAD to enter!  I created a song and dance called the “Chicago16” and with the help of wonderful friends produced the video, which is online now!  The first round of voting ends this Tuesday (November 25) and the top 5 finalist will be announced the day after Thanksgiving.  So please register and vote as soon as possible!

To vote, you must register (fill in blanks, answer questions, receive a confirmation email) and then you can score the videos.  I know it may seem like a lot of work, but I figure… that’s what friends are for, right?  And you KNOW I’d do it for you!  The bonus is that by voting, you are entered to win a trip for 6 to watch the Olympians train in Colorado!

You may watch and vote on all of the videos or only vote for mine… and as MY friend, I am sure you will find that “American Dreams, Chicago16!” is the only video up there deserving the 5-STAR rating!

Here is the link: http://www.chicago2016.org/contest/entries.aspx and you may have to scroll for “American Dreams, Chicago16!” among the other submissions.

Thank you, in advance, for helping me.  When Oprah interviews me after I win, I will be sure to tell her what amazing friends I have!

Here is the video, but you must go to the 2016 site to vote!

American Dreams, Chicago16! from Jen Knoedl on Vimeo.

Videography by Ben Mahoney Productions

The 2016 Olympic Committee is having a video contest encouraging supporters to describe “Why Chicago should host the 2016 Olympics”.

I believe the answer is… Because we have a dance. And it’s called the Chicago-16. With the help of some wonderful friends, I have created a song and dance to answer the question of “Why Chicago?”

Below is a video explaining how to do the dance along with the text directions. We are going to film the dance at Plan B in Chicago’s Wicker Park on Wednesday, November 19, 2008 starting at 6pm. If you would like to be part of the video, please RSVP (jen@jenchicago.com) and show up! It’s all about having fun, not about having a PhD in dance!

Chicago-16 Dance Instructions from Jen Knoedl on Vimeo.

INSTRUCTIONS:
1-4: Starting w your right foot, walk four steps forward. Roll your arms parallel in front of you.

5-6: Step out w your right foot to the right side. Pump right arm and body as if to mimic two heartbeats.

7: Left leg closes to right. Right arm raises straight up.

8: Drop down to a closed-legged squat.

1-4: Pump your body by standing and squatting every other count.

5-8: Pivot turn (step right forward, turn 180 degrees, repeat) Return to the front.

1-3: Kick right front w heel on ground, switching feet every other count.

4: Straighten legs to the side and face left.

5-6: Slap belly with right then left hand.

7: Slide to your left, extending your right arm and dragging right foot.

8: Close.

REPEAT!

JenChicago, NBC5 Street Team

Thursday, October 2nd, marked that one year remains until the IOC’s Host City decision for the 2016 Olympic and Paralympic Games in Copenhagen.  And you know what that means for us Chicagoans…

That’s right… Parrrr-tay!

The party at Rockit Bar and Grill had hors d’ouerves, cocktails and Olympic spirit in spades!  And I had the opportunity to speak with Olympic and Paralympic peeps, Anjali Forber-Pratt, Matt Grevers, and Bill Scherr.

Keep rooting for the home team, Chicago!  Go 2016!

Chicago 2016: One year to Copenhagen from Jen Knoedl on Vimeo.

There is something very nostalgic, romantic and captivating about Navy Pier. There is so much to do, ride, see, experience and, of course, eat. All the hard facts about Navy Pier have can be found a thousand places online… so this is simply my experience. My date, if you will.

I have a crush on Navy Pier from Jen Knoedl on Vimeo.

I want to give Michelle a special “thank you” for filming most of this. She laughs at my jokes and that TOTALLY helps!

Some of the same reasons that incited my move to Chicago are the same reasons that I think it would be pretty sweet to have the 2016 Olympics here! Millennium Park is one of my favorite things EVER!

What do YOU love about Chicago?

Why Chicago?: Millennium Park from Jen Knoedl on Vimeo.

Videography by Courtney Hannibal.