2013 has defied the ancient Mayan calendar... the world is still here!
To celebrate the end of the mighty year of 2012, I hit the Chicago streets for a few choice hot spots.
My first stop of the night -- N9NE Steakhouse.
Genuine Entertainment, Monika Dixon PR, and Status magazine hosted an evening of opulence with guests dressed to the nines (see what I did there?) to take in the lavishly decorated steakhouse filled with golden balloons, artistic projections, and music mixed by DJ Madrid.
The crowd munched on the delicacies concocted by N9NE as they enjoyed the music or took to their private tables for VIP bottle service. I had to dash out before 2012 ended to ring in 2013 under the stars at Adler Planetarium.
More than 650 Chicago entrepreneurs and social notables came together for the 2nd Annual Entrepreneur's Eve. A stylish and philanthropic group showed up to raise a glass, have a dance and try their luck -- all while benefiting the H Foundation -- a charitable foundation committed to raising funds to cure cancer in partnership with the Robert H. Lurie Comprehensive Cancer Center of Northwestern University.
VIP guests experienced a swanky seated lounge with Hennessey Black cocktails carefully created by Chicago's very own, Benjamin Newby. After a bit of liquid courage, guests grabbed friends to dance in one of the Alder's full size theaters, staged as a private club for VIP attendees.
General admission also delivered an exceptional NYE experience with full open bar, champagne, and a dance floor under the glass ceiling of the Adler -- which offered out-of-this-world skyline views of Chicago and the perfect spot to watch the NYE fireworks over Lake Michigan.
Throughout the night, a group of top DJ's kept the crowd moving, including DJ DOLO, DJ Will Galvan, DJ Matt Roan (Crossfader King), DJ Yours Truly and headliner -- DJ Zeke Thomas, who bumped an energetic crowd into the New Year at midnight. If dancing wasn't your thing, Adler's exhibits were open for discovery as well as a cigar lounge and casino.
When all was said and done, Entrepreneur's Eve very proudly raised a total of $69,199.91 for H Foundation. Partying and philanthropy, what could be better?
For those who still had some partying left in them, trolleys from the Adler whisked the guests away to The Mid for the official after-party. House music blared throughout the whole club as the crowded dance floors -- sticky with champagne and confetti -- rocked out into the wee first hours of a brand new year.
