Is there anyone in Chicago having more fun this summer than Chris Chelios?
The former Blackhawk was standing alongside Eddie Vedder last month when the Pearl Jam singer gave an impromptu performance at Stanley’s Kitchen & Tap in Lincoln Park and he was with Kid Rock Thursday when the “American Bad A—“ gave an impromptu performance at Underground Wonder Bar in River North.
Rock, who dined at The Purple Pig earlier that night and also stopped by The Underground nightclub, performed a mashup of songs and then freestyled for patrons. This wasn’t Rock’s first surprise performance at a Chicago bar. He, like Vedder, has performed at Stanley’s.
Blackhawk bachelors: Two ‘Hawks players celebrated their bachelor parties over the weekend: Dave Bolland and Brent Seabrook. Bolland and his party, which included actor Vince Vaughn and Peter Billingsley, had dinner at RPM Italian Saturday before hitting WhirlyBall around midnight. Seabrook’s celebration included a visit Friday to Paris Club’s upstairs lounge, Studio Paris, with teammate Duncan Keith.
Big ups: Cubs president of Baseball Operations Theo Epstein helped raise $250,000 for his Foundation To Be Named Later and Chicago Cubs Charities at the Hot Stove Cool Music Benefit Concert Thursday at The Metro. The benefit was hosted by actors Mike O’Malley (“Glee”), Jeff Garlin (“Curb Your Enthusiasm”) and Joel Murray ("God Bless America") and featured a performance by The Smashing Pumpkins and the Hot Stove All-Stars. Epstein played guitar with the latter band, which includes baseball writer Peter Gammons, during the benefit.
Cool as ice: We were only going to post one minute of footage from my recent lunch with Ice-T at Harry Caray’s in River North, but he was such a great interview that we decided to post multiple videos. You can watch the videos by clicking here. And in case you’re wondering, yes, I did order a salad while speaking to the rapper behind “Cop Killer.”
On the record: “They was talking good to me. They was talking like I was talking, and I liked that. – Chicago rapper Chief Keef, 16, tells MTV why he signed with Interscope Records over the many other labels pursuing him.
Heads up: The Chicago set and based drama, “Mob Doctor,” will film in Chicago in July and premiere on Fox September 17. The show co-stars Jordana Spiro (“My Boys”) and Evanston’s Zach Gilford (“Friday Night Lights”). (Via RedEye’s Show Patrol)
About this week: “The Descendants” writer and director Alexander Payne will present fellow Oscar winner Reese Witherspoon with the Gene Siskel Film Center Renaissance Award Saturday during “An Evening with Reese Witherspoon” at the Ritz-Carlton Chicago. … Jeremy Piven will attend the Piven Theatre Workshop gala Saturday at the Noyes Cultural Arts Center in Evanston. Look for my interview with Piven in Friday’s Chicago Tribune. ... “The Biggest Loser” alums will be on hand when the NBC weight loss competition holds auditions Saturday at Chicago Home Fitness in Downers Grove.
Sightings: First Lady Michelle Obama had lunch with a friend at Café Spiaggia Saturday. … Aziz Ansari hung out at Cuvee following his surprise performance at The Hideout Thursday and had dinner with a large group -- including Stephen Merchant, co-writer of the British version of “The Office” -- at Nellcote after his two TBS Just For Laughs festival shows at the Chicago Theatre Friday. … “Conan” sidekick Andy Richter had lunch Friday at Terzo Piano in the Art Institute. … Kelsey Grammer and wife Kayte celebrated their baby shower at Drumbar in the Raffaello Hotel Tuesday with his “Boss” co-stars Kathleen Robertson, Sanaa Lathan and Jonathan Groff. … Moby visited the Museum of Contemporary Art Sunday and checked out the “Rashid Johnson: Message to Our Folks” exhibit. … Jeff Ross had lunch at Harry Caray’s Italian Steakhouse in River North and dinner at RPM Italian Friday. ... Fellow comedian D.L. Hughley had lunch at Hub 51 Saturday. … Retired Cub Kerry Wood had dinner with his wife at Chicago Q Friday. … The Bears’ Matt Forte had dinner Saturday at Joe’s Stone Crab. … Former Rage Against the Machine guitarist Tom Morello dined Thursday at Mastro’s Steakhouse. … The Black Crowes singer Chris Robinson had dinner Wednesday at Tavern on Rush.
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