Oprah Parties On The Mag Mile

By Marcus Gilmer in Arts & Entertainment on Sep 1, 2009 4:40PM

Laura Stolpman/Chicagoist

Oprah's throwing a party on the Mag Mile for her 24th season opener, filming next week. If you want to get in, "doors" for the celebration open at high noon next Tuesday. The portion of Michigan Ave between Ohio and Wacker will close down next Monday morning to set up for the taping, which gets underway at 5 p.m Tuesday. The show will also feature a performance by the We'll Work With Anyone Happy Funtime Band a.k.a. The Black Eyed Peas. Officials say Oprah and her folks are footing the bill for this party (a la the DNC for Obamapalooza) and that the mess will all be out of the way by 5 a.m. next Wednesday morning. [Crain's, NBC 5]

Update: Mayor Daley has gone on the defensive over the decision, saying, "This is a great thing we're doing. Wish we could do this every day in Chicago." When asked about the inconvenience to the common non-Oprah fan who has to get to work downtown, Daley said, "They'll understand how important this is, dealing with jobs, dealing with international exposure. This is really important. This is a great opportunity. I'm very proud. I wish your media outlets would do something like this. Hello?"

We guess he then probably screamed, "CHICAGO 2016 YEAH!" and ran off.