You’ve seen them at Lollapalooza, North Coast and Millennium Park. We’re talking of course about the young bands fostered by Intonation Music Workshop, and when we say young, we mean young. “Chicago’s youngest band” The Pop Tots, with students as young as six-years-old, will perform this Thursday as part of the organization’s first ever gala fundraiser, “Amp It Up!” The West Loop event includes dinner, open bar, a silent auction and, of course, live music. Chicago’s own Autumn Defense (Pat Sansone and John Stirratt of Wilco) will be on hand for a special acoustic set. more ›

We've been following the saga (disaster) of the local ice cream industry for the past several weeks. The state has imposed new regulations that make it nearly impossible for small companies to do business, and due to the new regulations, large stores like Whole Foods have stopped ordering. Enter social media: Nice Cream is taking to the ether to support themselves. Starting last week, a Twitter-driven kickstarter campaign has been moving forward to keep Nice Cream alive, and a fundraiser next week at Revolution Brewing will support the effort. more ›

The Peterson Garden Project (which is hosting the Chicagoist garden plot for the second year in a row) is having a gala fundraiser on Thursday, May 26th at Architectural Artifacts. Things kick off at 7 PM, and the event will have food provided by City Provisions, drinks poured by vinejoy and Koval Distillery, live music, a silent auction for restaurant gift certificates, and more. Best of all, we're giving away two tickets - a $150 value! more ›

So it turns out that, much like pimping, putting together a three-day experimental music festival ain't easy. But adages aren't enough to keep the enterprising folks at Neon Marshmallow Festival down, even if, as co-runner Matt Kimmel told us via email in March, "The festival really not aimed to be a big money maker, we are just putting together a festival of artists we love ... The risk of financial loss is still very real this time around. We are very excited about this years version and all we can do is hope that other people in town are similarly excited." So what can you, as music fans, do to show your excitement? Buy a tape. more ›

Early this morning, Chicago's first lady Maggie Daley was admitted to Northwestern Memorial Hospital, her doctor Dr. Steven Rosen, and Mayor Richard Daley's spokeswoman Jacquelyn Heard told the Chicago Tribune. After being diagnosed with cancer in 2002, Daley had her right leg reinforced with a metal plate during surgery last year. Discomfort in the same leg early this morning caused her to be admitted to the hospital. According to Heard, Mayor Daley has canceled his public schedule for the rest of the day and is with his wife at the hospital. "They've conducted some tests, and are waiting for the results," Heard said to the Tribune. more ›

The Empty Bottle and Benten Records are teaming up tonight to give Chicagoans a chance to contribute to the relief efforts in Japan while enjoying a full night of Japanese rock. For the fourth consecutive year, the Bottle will host Japan Nite, an annual, touring showcase that’s been delivering Japanese underground rock to the states since ’96. And in the wake of the devastating earthquake and tsunami, tonight’s Japan Nite will also serve as a benefit show to provide relief to the victims of the tragedy. more ›

Rahm Emanuel's list of big-whig backers, like R&B pop-star Jennifer Hudson, Bill Clinton and the president himself, Barack Obama, just got even longer today. The Huffington Post just announced that Wilco's main man, Chicago music-mainstay, Jeff Tweedy has joined the ranks to help get Emanuel raise funds for his mayoral campaign. Tweedy has often been known to support the political candidates and causes he believes in, having done concerts for Chicago Public Schools, Jon Stewart and Stephen Colbert's Rally to Restore Sanity and of course, the big cheese, Barack Obama. more ›

Not too surprisingly, Rhymefest is calling on some of hip-hop’s heavy-hitters in order to help drum up some dough for his campaign as 20th Ward Alderman. According to a news release, ‘Fest is holding his campaign kick-off fundraiser on Sunday, Nov. 14th at the Shrine, located at 2109 S. Wabash Ave. One special guest is Lupe Fiasco, who is connected to Rhymefest through the transitive power of Kanye, and with whom Rhymefest talked extensively about politics in 2008. more ›

In Chicago to enjoy a little down time for his 49th birthday, President Obama paid a visit to the Ford plant on Chicago's South side Thursday, touting job creation at a time when many Americans are nervous about the economy. After acknowledging the local elected officials in the plant with him, including Mayor Daley, State Treasurer Alexi Giannoulias and Governor Pat Quinn, the President talked about the historic significance of Chicago's Ford Assembly Plant. "This plant is part of American history," he said, noting that it had been built by Henry Ford in 1924. "When World War II was raging, this plant was churning out armored vehicles that helped make victory possible. In the 1990s, workers at this plant built the best-selling car in America five years in a row." Governor Quinn, who is running for re-election, highlighted his own work in bringing over a thousand jobs to Chicago, releasing a video of the visit to the plant, including remarks from both him and the president. more ›

Can you believe it's only been 6 weeks since we planted the garden? Everything we planted has come up wonderfully, and we're finally starting to get a real harvest. Our first tomatoes turned red this week, baby jalapeno peppers are hanging on the plants, and all of the bush beans have flowers. We've already harvested lettuce and radishes twice and the new crops are sprouting! As we mentioned before, our only minor failure was our carrots, but even they have rallied and are now coming up strong. Take a look at our first all-garden salad! It was very tasty. more ›

In an ideal world, we'd love to have everyone in the city drop what they're doing and head to Goose Island Clybourn Thursday for our reader meetup. Realistically, that isn't going to happen, especially with events such as Thursday's Chefs and the City event taking place. more ›

As GOP U.S. Senate candidate Mark Kirk takes his turn in the hot seat, the Democratic nominee, state treasurer Alexi Giannoulias, is trying to drum up some good press. Perhaps the biggest piece of news is, as Lynn Sweet reports, Vice President Joe Biden will appear at a June 21 fundraiser scheduled for Alexi. Biden will already be in town to support congressional nominee Dan Seals but it's a big show of support from the White House for a candidate who's had his own set of troubles since garnering the party's nomination in early February. Other Obama administration officials will be showing support for Alexi in the next few weeks, including Education Secretary Arne Duncan and Obama campaign head David Plouffe. more ›

The people behind the vicious attack against two females in Wicker Park-Bucktown this past April 23 have been caught and charged for their crime, but one of the victims remains in a serious condition while the other is attempting to recover and move on since the life-changing event. Natasha McShane, an Irish exchange student who was more severely injured in the attack, is showing some brain activity and came out of her coma on Friday. McShane's friend and the second victim, Stacy Jurich, made an appearance at Cans Bar and Canteen, which held a fundraiser in her honor in Bucktown on Saturday. Jurich, who is unable to walk, spent the night in a wheelchair. more ›

Reserve your spot now for the Fifth Annual Family Dinner by Purple Asparagus being held on Saturday, March 20th at Dawali Mediterranean Kitchen, from 2:30-5:00 PM. The dinner will some of feature Chef Amer's favorite home-style dishes including: Fasoulia- green bean and lamb stew, hummus, falafel, and grilled kababs. more ›

Ready? Oh-Kay! Chicago’s only fundraising cheer, dance and drill team, the Chicago Spirit Brigade (CSB)—a group that raised $10,000 last year for local non-profits—is taking a night to help its own by hosting its annual fundraiser Big Bang. more ›

The Tree House Humane Society is holding its fifth annual Kittypalooza at the Empty Bottle this Thursday. This year's fundraiser is dedicated to the memory of Radley, the former resident cat of the Empty Bottle who died last August, and will feature four local music acts, Brice Woodall, One & Only, Cobalt and the Hired Guns, and Todd Kessler. more ›

When a friend of ours visited Kenya a few years ago she stopped by an elephant orphanage operated by The David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust and fell in love with the cause. In particular she connected with an adorable little blind baby elephant named Ndolo --who was later profiled on 60 Minutes -- and she was deeply moved by the dedication of the people working with the animals and for the Trust. The Trust operates primarily in Tsavo National Park rescuing and raising both elephant and rhino orphans upholding the ivory ban, de-snaring operations, a mobile veterinary project, animal welfare, and general conservation initiatives. more ›

Last night Eyewitness News Chicagoist went to the House of Blues to hear Bill Clinton talk about the Millennium Network: an effort to involve folks under 45 in the public service work undertaken by his William J. Clinton Foundation. In addition to remarks by the OG President Hopey (Arkansas, represent), the fancy fund-raising event included a performance by Common and platters of spring rolls served with a delightful sauce. more ›

We're feeling quite presidential these days. Besides Hyde Park's most famous resident currently entrenched as POTUS #44, we mentioned earlier that #43, George W. Bush, will be in town later this month for a private function. And now we know that if you have a little extra money to donate, you can catch #42, William J. Clinton, this week at the House of Blues appearing with hip-hop star Common. The event is a fundraiser for the William J. Clinton Foundation Millennium Network, a network that seeks to engage individuals age 45 and younger in the work of the Clinton Foundation. The Clinton Foundation’s seven initiatives deliver tangible results to tackle pressing issues including HIV/AIDS, global warming, economic opportunity worldwide, and the childhood obesity epidemic in the United States. Tomorrow night is the Millennium Network's first event in the Midwest and it'll feature a performance by Common and remarks by the former President. more ›

Dozens of family members and friends quietly gathered outside the Fraternal Order of Police hall where supporters raised funds for an officer accused of drunk driving and crashing into a vehicle that killed two men, Chicago Breaking News reports. more ›

We've mentioned the upcoming film adaptation of the famous childrens book Where The Wild Things Are before. Maybe it's because we're a little skeptical of how writer Dave Eggers and director Spike Jonze will transform a 40-something page book (that's not a whole lot of substance, though we love it dearly) into a 90-plus minute movie. Or maybe it's because we do love the book so much and we're also fans of both Eggers and Jonze and are anxious to see if they worked their magic on this. more ›

There's been more on Chicago 2016's plate than just conflicts of interest and the looming October announcement. Last night the bid committee held its final fundraiser and, though they drew a huge crowd, the Tribune reports that it also raked in the least amount of cash of all their fundraisers: $5 million.

The first major fundraiser, in March 2007, raised $9.4 million, and the second, in July 2008, raised more than $12 million. This fundraiser comes at a time of deep recession and at a point when the bid has met its main targets.

On June 6 avid storm chaser Fabian Guerra died in a car accident to meet up with two of his compatriots, leaving behind his wife and 12-year-old daughter. Fabian also left behind a bereaved Chicago music community, many of who he haad given their start in the back room of The Big Horse in Wicker Park. more ›

President Obama will be in town this weekend for a fundraiser at the home of friend Penny Prtizker, but as Crain's Shia Kapos reports, not all the neighbors are thrilled, especially with the limited access and blocked off streets and alleys in the area of Pritzker's Orchard Ave. home. more ›

If you're a fan of trying to catch a glimpse of President Obama on one of his rare trips back home to Chicago, you'll have a chance in about three weeks when Obama returns for a DNC fundraiser. No word on how long he'll be in town or if the family will be with him. Really, I just wanted an excuse to run the above picture. more ›

Did you notice a lot of folks walking around the city on Saturday night? More than usual? With matching t-shirts and fanny packs and water bottles? They were probably part of the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention's 2009 Overnight walk traversed 18 miles of the city, beginning and ending at Soldier Field. Over 2,000 participants took the stroll and helped raise $2 million (before expenses, as the AFSP notes) that will help "support AFSP’s research and education programs to prevent suicide, increase advocacy, and assist survivors of suicide loss." Check out more of the AFSP's photos from the event. more ›

Whole Foods all over Chicago will be accepting your dusty old practice amps and extraneous guitars, basses, drums, strings, cables, tuners, cases and cymbals this Saturday between 10:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m. The brand spankin' new flagship store in Lincoln Park will also feature live entertainment throughout the day and a chance to meet some of the organizers and former students. more ›

We mentioned the sentencing for former Blago fundraiser Chris Kelly earlier. A judge has sentenced Kelly to 37 months in prison for using work funds to pay off gambling debts and to pay for his house. more ›

By now, you've seen them in several spots around town or you've seen them featured on websites like ours. Now, the artist who's created the stencils of former governor Rod Blagojevich is reaching out to you for a little help. The man behind the stencil, Pilsen artist Ray Noland, has begun a fundraiser at kickstarer to help raise money for a future showcase of his works. You can donate any amount from $1 on up and donations of certain increments ($10, $25, etc) will get you things ranging from t-shirts to your own painting. Noland is hoping to raise $3,500 by the end of the month and so far has raised $680 at post time. more ›

We here at Chicagoist are admirers of what Lisa Thompson is doing over at Blue Sky Inn and its Albany Park bakery and café. Blue Sky Inn and LUSH Wine & Spirits are teaming up to host a fundraising event this Saturday. "Picnics & Pies" will feature wine tastings; beer; a cakewalk; a bags tournament; the chance to buy picnic lunches from Charlie Trotter and Rick Bayless, among others; and a pie baking contest. The event runs from noon-5 p.m. at LUSH's University Village location (1257 S. Halsted) and costs $10 in advance, $12 at the door. To enter the pie baking contest, email here. more ›