Green Booze
Be green this year while you’re being blue. The Whiskey Blue trio of bar lounges is taking the 2007 Environmental Pledge to make Chicago the greenest city this Earth Month by asking their patrons to partake in a courageous eco-conscious feat: the consumption of a refreshing alcoholic libation. Whiskey Blue, Whiskey Sky and Mexx Kitchen at the Whiskey will plant a tree—er, actually environmental advocacy group Live It Green will—with every purchase of their "TreeTini" cocktail, a martini made with vodka, Cointreau and a twist of basil. "It’s a very cool, easy way to kind of do something in an eco-friendly way to help the environment, and the effect is really remarkable," says Whiskey Blue bar manager Grant Gedemer. The swanky W Hotel bars Whiskey Blue and Whiskey Sky and the newly revamped Latin food-inspired Mexx Kitchen at the Sutton Place Hotel will be offering this "green" cocktail throughout April. Gedemer, a longtime recycler, is very excited. "It’s very difficult for a bar manager to find ways to help the environment," he says. "It’s the first time I’ve been able to combine what I do for a living with one of my passions."

Mr. Blues
Thirty-five years ago in his first gig as a teacher at a Columbia University masters class, local Chicago blues musician Corky Siegel discovered a secret about music. "I didn’t know what to do at first," he says, "but I started experimenting in class and saw so many transformations in the students. They were so profound." Siegel’s new book, "Let Your Music Soar—The Emotional Connection," reveals his teachings and thoughts he has gathered over many years in playing with his own groups, with legends like Howlin’ Wolf and Muddy Waters, and with larger orchestras such as the Grant Park Orchestra. Siegel says that his book helps teach musicians better expression, which he believes sometimes takes a backseat to more technical aspects of music, and will help musicians of all levels "get in the zone" and stay there. Siegel shows off what his techniques have done for him at a May 30 concert at Northeastern University with his group Chamber Blues, which uniquely blends aspects of classical and blues. "People should expect something they haven’t seen before," he says, as he jokingly adds, "and they may never want to see again."

(2008-04-01)

about Newcitychicago | about Newcity magazine | advertising | privacy policy | FAQ | employment