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Celebrity calendar: A guide to celeb appearances in Chicago

Luis Gomez — Tue, 21 May 2013 13:21:00 GMT

Want to know which celebrities are coming to Chicago? Here's a list of upcoming appearances -- from concerts and book signings to charity events and red carpets -- in and around the city.

Charity events keep spring social season hot

By Luis Gomez — Mon, 20 May 2013 20:06:00 GMT

Chicago socialites had a difficult decision to make Saturday, with three celebrity-hosted galas taking place at the same time around the city. But for the see-and-be-seen crowd, this was likely a good problem to have.

A history of celebrity-owned restaurants in the Chicago area

Luis Gomez — Wed, 15 May 2013 21:28:00 GMT

The week before The Squared Circle opened in mid-March, owner and pro wrestler Lisa Marie Varon — better known as Victoria during her WWE days and Tara currently with TNA wrestling — sat in a corner booth of her Lincoln Park restaurant, conducting one of many interviews that month without having served a single gourmet burger or non-traditional pizza.

Interview: Kevin Smith isn't the silent type

By Luis Gomez — Tue, 14 May 2013 05:00:00 GMT

When you ask people who clearly are upset what's wrong, they typically will reply "nothing," because they don't want to talk about it — or they will take the opposite approach and tell you exactly what's got them down, starting from beginning to end and sparing no details.

'Chicago Fire' cast gets its fill of Stanley Cup

By Luis Gomez — Sun, 12 May 2013 18:28:00 GMT

More than two years after the Blackhawks brought the Stanley Cup trophy to Lottie's Pub, the NHL's most prized possession returned to the Bucktown bar to make a cameo on the NBC firefighter drama "Chicago Fire."

Interview: Jillian Michaels is not here to shout at you

Luis Gomez — Fri, 10 May 2013 13:08:00 GMT

What’s it like to go out to eat with Jillian Michaels, the drill sergeant-like trainer on NBC’s weight loss reality TV series “The Biggest Loser” — known for getting in the faces of the show’s overweight contestants?

Howard Stern taking his 'Talent' to Chicago area

By Luis Gomez — Sun, 05 May 2013 23:52:00 GMT

"America's Got Talent" will do this week what the National Radio Hall of Fame couldn't last November: It will get legendary shock jock Howard Stern to come to the Chicago area.

It's nice to be the 'Queen of Mean'

By Luis Gomez — Thu, 02 May 2013 05:00:00 GMT

We haven't seen the last of Lisa Lampanelli on the Comedy Central Roasts, not according to the "Queen of Mean" herself.

Interview: It's nice to be the 'Queen of Mean'

Luis Gomez — Wed, 01 May 2013 21:18:00 GMT

We haven’t seen the last of Lisa Lampanelli on the Comedy Central Roasts, not according to the “Queen of Mean” herself.

'Chicago Fire' renewed, just like Jesse Spencer expected

Luis Gomez — Mon, 29 Apr 2013 14:29:00 GMT

It's difficult to tell who should be more excited NBC officially picked up “Chicago Fire” for a second season Friday: The cast and crew of the firefighter drama or the Illinois Film Office.

Jessica Alba coming to Naperville for book signing

Luis Gomez — Sun, 28 Apr 2013 22:51:00 GMT

Heads-up: Actress Jessica Alba (“Machete”) will sign copies of her book, “The Honest Life,” on May 8 at Anderson's Bookshop in Naperville. … The Bears' Charles Tillman will host his second annual Celebrity Pro Bowler Tournament on June 5 at Kings Lanes, Lounge & Sports in Rosemont.

'Divergent' films at Navy Pier Ferris wheel

Luis Gomez — Sun, 28 Apr 2013 22:44:00 GMT

“Divergent” update: Navy Pier closed early Friday because the sci-fi movie “Divergent,” which stars Shailene Woodley , was filming.

'Walking Dead' stars to draw hordes at C2E2

Luis Gomez — Wed, 24 Apr 2013 21:44:00 GMT

If you're really excited about meeting “The Walking Dead” cast members Laurie Holden , Chandler Riggs and Chad Coleman — and attending Coleman's Q&A — at this weekend's C2E2 convention at McCormick Place, get in line.

Sighting: Lady Gaga works out at Reform Chicago Pilates studio

By Luis Gomez — Sun, 21 Apr 2013 05:00:00 GMT

Lady Gaga is back on her feet, a pilates studio owner says.

Two 'Idols,' one goal: a long career in music

By Luis Gomez — Wed, 17 Apr 2013 05:00:00 GMT

Life has gone on for Kris Allen and Lee DeWyze — the 2009 and 2010 winners of Fox's "American Idol," respectively — since they parted ways with RCA Records.

Sighting: 'Divergent' cast dines at Girl and the Goat

Luis Gomez — Mon, 15 Apr 2013 16:45:00 GMT

The stars of “Divergent” took a break from factional feuding in the post-apocalyptic sci-fi film currently shooting in Chicago to have dinner together Sunday at Girl and the Goat in the West Loop.

Interview: Talib Kweli works the Chicago scene like a local

By Luis Gomez — Tue, 09 Apr 2013 22:00:00 GMT

You would think rapper Talib Kweli lives in Chicago or was from the city the way he's always performing here. The Brooklyn native's show Saturday at Double Door in the Wicker Park neighborhood will be his seventh in the city in the last year, including DJing appearances.

Interview: Call from Maroon 5 set PJ Morton's career in motion

By Luis Gomez — Tue, 09 Apr 2013 16:24:00 GMT

Back in 2011, one night after PJ Morton watched his future Young Money record label boss and rap megastar Lil Wayne perform at the DTE Energy Music Theatre in Clarkston, Mich., the soul-pop singer returned to the venue to perform pop hits such as "Moves Like Jagger" and "This Love" with Maroon 5 — for whom he also happens to play keyboard.

Interview: Evolution key to Mike Epps' next moves

Luis Gomez — Thu, 04 Apr 2013 16:33:00 GMT

'Black Doug' returns for 'The Hangover Part III'

Mike Epps considers himself a “crossover” artist of sorts these days.

'Chicago Fire' warms up to Bucktown bar

By Luis Gomez — Mon, 01 Apr 2013 05:00:00 GMT

"Chicago Fire" has been spending plenty of time filming in the Bucktown area the past few months — and the neighborhood has a nearly 80-year-old pub to thank for it.

Interview: 'American Idol' Scotty McCreery is not your average college kid

Luis Gomez — Wed, 27 Mar 2013 19:57:00 GMT

Scotty McCreery's decision to enroll at North Carolina State University last fall might not have created as big of a buzz in the media as James Franco's and Emma Watson's pursuit of a college education, but that doesn't mean the 2011 “American Idol” winner has been able to blend in easily his freshman year at the Raleigh, N.C., school.

Yes, another surly Harrison Ford interview

Luis Gomez — Mon, 25 Mar 2013 14:20:00 GMT

If getting reamed by the notoriously grumpy Harrison Ford is a rite of passage for entertainment reporters, you could say I was finally initiated into the club March 18. In fact, you could say a few Chicago reporters were initiated that night.

Interview: Thalia ready to get out in front of a crowd again

By Luis Gomez — Wed, 20 Mar 2013 19:00:00 GMT

Thalia Sodi has sold more than 40 million albums worldwide, performed in front of President Barack Obama at the White House and sang a duet with Tony Bennett on his 2012 album "Viva Duets," but to much of the English-speaking media, the 41-year-old Mexican pop star and former Spanish soap opera actress — known simply as Thalia — is just the wife of Mariah Carey's ex-husband Tommy Mottola, the former head of Sony Music.

Interview: 'The Call' star David Otunga finds himself in the center of the ring

By Luis Gomez — Sun, 17 Mar 2013 21:34:00 GMT

David Otunga had little time to order food Friday during lunchtime at Howells & Hood in the Tribune Tower — not with his hectic press tour running late and a live TV appearance up next — so the Elgin native and WWE Superstar settled for just a drink.

Interview: Imagine Dragons singer savors flight on the wings of success

By Luis Gomez — Sun, 10 Mar 2013 19:53:00 GMT

Midway through my conversation with Imagine Dragons lead singer Dan Reynolds and his wife, Aja Volkman , in Nellcote's private dining area last week, Volkman — whose band, Nico Vega, opened for Imagine Dragons earlier that night at the House of Blues — lifted up a blanket to reveal the couple's 7-month-old daughter, Arrow Eve . She had been sleeping next to Volkman in the booth the entire time.