Profile

Antoinette Simpson
Photographer
By Tamara Jenkins

Antoinette Simpson takes in Chicago’s social scene one flash at a time. As a nightlife and celebrity events photographer, Simpson helps create lasting images of the trendsetters and elitists who flock to exclusive events in and around the city. Her work has been featured is several local publications and her company, Create Me Instant Images, is thriving. UnRated recently caught up Simpson to find out more about her.

How long have you been a photographer
Seven years

How did you get your start
My Husband. He worked at a company, Timeless Photography, for a year before I started (working with) him. I traveled with him, helping him out printing photos etc. Then I trained under Parrish Lewis (of Parrish Lewis Photography) for 6 months.

What kind of events do you do
I work nightlife and celebrity events. I work with mostly high end clients

Hardest part about being a photographer
Nothing for me. As long as I can create something special for you that’s fine. I’ve never had a bad client or experience. Everyone I’ve worked with has been satisfied.

Best part about being a photographer
Meeting new people because I’m a people person.

Best event you’ve cover
It was a First Friday’s event and I got a chance to meet Mc Lyte. She’s one of the girls from back in the day and you don’t get a chance to meet someone like her that often. Another event was when I met Robin Thicke. Both artists were so nice and sweet and took photos with fans.

Worst part of your job
When weddings start late. They tell me to be there by a certain time and I’m waiting 2-3 hours for the ceremony to begin.

Do you only work in Chicago
No. I’ve traveled to Connecticut, I just got booked for something in St. Louis. I also take a lot of photos when I travel.

Any role models or mentors in the business
My husband and Parrish Lewis who trained me. Parrish trained me very well and taught me that sometimes you can fall but you have to learn how to pick yourself up and keep rolling.

Have you worked for any publications
My work has been in the Chicago Defender, Sophisticates Black Hair Magazine and Chicago Scene Magazine that included photos I had taken of the Chicago Bears. I’ve also shot some cookbook covers. One cookbook cover was for Smothered Southern Food by Wilbur Jones.

If you could photograph anyone, who would it be
Michelle Obama, I would love to photograph her and Prince.

Any upcoming events/projects
First Friday’s, Tantrum Monday through Friday, Intertwine Chicago the fourth Saturday of every month, Big Boi Entertainment (BBE) will be hosting an event in July and New Christian Life. New Christian Life is my church and it has been a blessing for me because people have been able to see my work and they like it.

What are your future goals
I’m expanding (my business) as we speak. My clientele is growing and I’m hiring more independent photographers because it’s hard out here when you’re starting out.

Have you won any awards, received any local or national recognition
Not yet, I’m waiting. That would be nice!

For more information on Antoinette Simpson and her company, Create Me Instant Images, visit: http://www.myspace.com/createmeinstantimages or contact her directly at antoinettefields@sbcglobal.net

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Steve Lyons Signs Copies of his book "The Psycho 100: Baseball's Most Outrageous Moments" on May 28, 2009

Former MLB player, Steve Lyons, stopped by Chicago's Borders Books on State Street for signing and discussion of his new book, "The Psycho 100: Baseball's Most Outrageous Moments" on May 28, 2009.

Steve Lyons is currently a broadcaster for the LA Dodgers, but played nine seasons as a Major League Baseball player from 1985 to 1993. He played for the Chicago White Sox from June 1986 to 1991, then moving on to other teams. Some of the Eccentricities that earned him the nickname "Pscycho" as playing tic-tac-toe and hangman with his spikes in the infield dirt during games. His most famous moments known to most is when he slid, headfirst, into first base during a game at Detroit (July 16, 1990), Lyons dropped his pants to empty the dirt out and brush off his shirt earning him a new nickname "Moon Man." The dollar bills waved by woman in the audience to repeat the strip tease.


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Profile

Horacio Nieto
Fashion Designer
By Tamara Jenkins

Chicago designer Horacio Nieto is making his mark in the fashion world. Named winner of AOL’s 2008 Latino Fashionista online design competition, Nieto beat out 10 other contestants to claim the top spot and the opportunity to dress actress and model Ana de la Reguera from the film Nacho Libre. The Texas native is no stranger to challenges as he has a woman’s and menswear line. UnRated Magazine recently had the chance to sit down with the talented young designer to learn more about him, get his take on the Chicago fashion scene and find out his plans for the future.

Why did you make the move to Chicago-why not New York

My mom said no to New York because it’s too big and too expensive. I researched four schools and the transportation (in Chicago) is easy; you can access everything. Chicago also had a Mexican folk dancing group here I joined while I was in school.

When did you know you wanted to become a fashion designer

10-12 years old, middle school age. I started sketching and it progressed from there.

Why men’s and women’s clothing

I started with women’s clothing because that’s what you learn in school. Arlo is my men’s line. I could never find anything for myself and I started making custom jackets for myself and I noticed the need for a menswear line in the Midwest. I started with t-shirts and jackets and people responded. It separates me from other designers because I do both.

Which do you like designing more-men’s or women’s

I love both. Women will wear anything; (women) like to push the envelope. With men (its about) pushing the envelope, trying to get men out of long sleeve shirts and ties, trying to get them (to go) out of the box.

Your Fall/Winter 2009 collection at the Heaven Gallery on April 13th featured mostly dresses and skirts in the collection-why

Pants are very difficult because of fit. Boutiques like to stick with people with experience (with pants) because of fit.

How would you describe your recent collection

The inspiration (for this collection) was the Jazmine Sullivan song “Bust your Windows”. It’s a collection of sleek revenge pieces. A girl gets dumped, goes to the club and see’s him (her ex) and the revenge is her looking good when she sees him. Or a girl actually busting the windows of his car, but she’s looking so good no one believes she did it. The collection is mostly party dresses-giving women a variety of everything.

You’re the winner of the 2008 AOL Latino Fashionista, what was it like to film an online show

It was an experience. It was4 days in New York. Because their taping you, it wasn’t so spontaneous, it was mechanical. If we were shooting something (and it wasn’t right) we may need to do it again. We were filmed from 7a.m.-10 p.m. running around getting things for shoots. At the end, I was ready to come home. I was tired of New York.

What did you think of New York
Very big. I can see how it (fashion industry) thrives with all the resources.

Can Chicago one day be a fashion mecca like New York
Yes, but Chicago’s going to have to wake up and realize the little stuff were doing is not helping to make it what it can be. We can’t just have fashion shows and have fashion. There are not enough resources for designers. (Chicago) is the bubble of the Midwest and not really fashion.

Have you auditioned for Project Runway

I did (audition) the first year. I was in school then. It was 400 of us in line waiting about 9 hours to get in for four minutes.

Any upcoming projects/shows

I’m interviewing interns and planning a spring/summer 2010 show for October that will showcase Arlo (menswear line) and my women’s designs. I’m also trying to become apart of Chicago Fashion Focus-I just sent a proposal in.

Where do you see your line in 5 years

In more boutiques and major retail stores-anywhere someone can buy it and can afford that fashion piece.

If you could dress anyone, who would it be

Charlize Theron. She’s a fashion icon and I admire the work she’s done (on behalf of) gay rights.

What's the hardest part about being a designer

Getting your name out there.

Do you have any role models in the industry

Anyone who’s been in this business and endured it is my role model.

Advice to anyone interested(or dreaming)of becoming a designer

Make sure to think twice, it’s a lot of work. You have to have a passion for it; the stamina, the endurance and you have to be ready to be critiqued by everyone in the world.

For more information on Horacio Nieto and his designs, please visit:
www.horacionieto.com
www.arlomenswear.com

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Read more at UnRatedMagazine.com

Von Iva- Hot Stuff Power Rock!

Von Iva- Hot Stuff Power Rock!
Schubas Tavern - Chicago, IL, USA – May 5, 2009
by Anita Maree Lande

The San Francisco female trio known as Von Iva stormed into Chicago pulling out all their high-energy songs and promoting their latest CD - Girls on Film. Power-house lead vocalist Jillian Iva was right on as she strutted the stage opening the show with their song Guise with their unbelievable keyboardist Bex Kupersmith and hard hitting Kelly Harris (Lay Lay) on drums. Crowd favorites include the haunting Emerald Eyes, the dance sensation Not Hot to Trot, and the snearing LaLa. They ended the night the Donna Summer classic Hot Stuff.

Von Iva is a definite must see live act so since they are on tour check them out soon!

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MUST SEE: Caliban, Dancing

By Tamara Jenkins

“I always know what’s right, it’s just doing it”-this is just one of the many complicated emotions felt in the lives of the characters encompassing the story of Caliban, Dancing, the latest production from the n.u.f.a.n. ensemble.

Written by award winning playwright Evan Guilford-Blake; Caliban, Dancing deals with moral responsibility, long standing suffering, anger and family dysfunction that culminate on a day of mourning.

Set in modern day New York, Caliban, Dancing tells the story of the Sampson family- its matriarch, Kate a former ballet dancer now the sole caregiver her 10 year old granddaughter Karesa who has recently succumbed to her illness…..or did she?; Kate’s son, Christopher, a disfigured opera singer; Liza, Christopher’s ex wife and former ballet dancer now confined to a wheelchair; and Liza’s assistant Raquel.

Through flashbacks and plot twists and turns, the audience gets a sense of what was during happier times, what could have been without looming betrayal and suffering and what is within the morality of each character.

The heart of the story lies in Kate (brilliantly performed by actress Madeline Franklin) who seems to resent Liza because the spotlight has always been on her and Kate is forced to play in the background, something she’s never done as she’s always put herself first even before her son. Though Kate's a fighter, she’s never had to fight it seems until now. Life has been easy for her and she doesn’t understand why she’s now in the position to play caregiver to, it seems everyone.

Is she someone we should admire for her superficial selflessness or blame for the current circumstances that exist?

Evan Guilford-Blake has written a work that evokes real interaction among the characters. He uses the ballet Giselle by the French composer Adolphe Adam about a young peasant girl wooed by a nobleman only to have her heart broken by him; and Shakespeare' The Tempest which deals with fairness, morality, forgiveness and justice as his backdrop.

Caliban, Dancing is an incredible play, wonderfully written and acted and a must see.

The play will run at 8 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays and 3 p.m. Sundays through May 24th at the Chicago Actors Studio (2040 N. Elston Avenue). Tickets are $15 per person. For more information, please (773) 282-3444 or visit www.nufanensemble.com.



Cast:
Katherine Sampson…………….Madeline Franklin
Christopher Sampson………….Adam Krause
Liza Sampson………………….....Mary Czerwinski
Raquel Austen…………………...Camille Kuthrell
Karesa Sampson………………...Christina Zaeske

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Del The Funky Homosapien Funks Up Chicago

Del The Funky Homosapien on the Funk Man Tour

Reggie's Rock Club, Chicago, IL

May 8, 2009

By Tamara Jenkins

Del The Funky Homosapien brought his Funk Man Tour to Chicago’s Reggie’s Rock Club on Friday, May 8th. Proving he still keeps it funky, funky, Del delighted the 17 and older crowd during his one hour set that included old hits “Dr. Bombay”, “Mistadobalina”, and “Thank Youse” and songs from his new cd, Funk Man (Stimulus Package). Del also performed several freestyles with help from A Plus from the group Souls of Mischief.

The tour also included performances from three opening acts: the Santa Cruz, California band Serendipity Project who delivered a mediocre performance with a sound and style similar to a Red Hot Chili Peppers tribute band; Berkeley rapper and skateboarder Bukue One and San Francisco’s Mike Relm whose live performance consists of various music genre’s such as rock, pop, hip hop and electronic accompanied by visual images from movies, music videos, commercials and television. Relm even inserts himself into some of the images. Relm’s performance was truly amazing and a must see.

Del's new cd "Funk Man (Stimulus Package)" can be downloaded for free at http://delthefunkyhomosapien.bandcamp.com/

The Nanny (Fran Drescher) Comes to Town

Actress Fran Drescher a cancer survivor and women's health advocate was in Chicago early this week to speak to an organization dear in her heart. The Cancer Schmancer Foundation in which she founded. She was at a benefit in her honor at Carnivale (702 W. Fulton Market). During the cocktail reception Drescher did a meet and greet every one in attendance. And afterward she spoke on how Cancer Schmancer is helping woman of low income to be their our health advocates while dealing with their own health problems. During her chat with the crowd she say that it took her going to 8 doctors to find out that she had cancer. And she could only think how hard it would be for women with lower income to find out if they have cancer.
Tickets range from $5,000 for a title sponsor opportunity, complete with a V.I.P. dinner for six with Ms. Drescher herself, to a $250 ticket to the cocktail reception only. There are also raffle tickets available for $50--
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Ed Westwick and Jessica Szohr and Kate Walsh Attended Opening Night Party for Target’s First Midwest Pop-up Store In Chicago, "

"Gossip Girl" Stars Ed Westwick and Jessica Szohr and Kate Walsh of "Private Practice" Attended Opening Night Party for Target’s First Midwest Pop-up Store In Chicago, "Bullseye Bazaar" on May 6, 2009


Target Welcomed television celebrities Kate Walsh (Priavte Practice), Ed Westwick (Gossip Girl) and Jessica Szohr (Gossip Girl) to help Target celebrate the opening of the Bullseye Bazaar, a limited-time-only springtime market in Chicago. The opening-night party was held on May 6. Target will make a $25,000 donation on behalf of Feeding America and the Greater Chicago Food Depository as part of the private launch party. The Bullseye Bazaar, open to the public from May 7-9, will feature a unique mix of designer products found only at Target across home, beauty, accessories, as well as everyday essentials.

Featured products include:

• Affordable designer fashion collections for spring, including Tracy Feith’s beach-chic summer fashions, part of the GO International collection


• Erickson Beamon’s bold, iconic fashion jewelry


• A fun mix of Target products across home, beauty, accessories and everyday essentials

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Exclusive Chicago Premiere & Party - "Jazz In The Diamond District" - May 14

Exclusive Chicago Premiere & Party - "Jazz In The Diamond District" - May 1

"Jazz In The Diamond District"

The story of a young lady's quest to join the music scene in Washington, DC starring Wood Harris of "The Wire" and Clifton Powell ("Ray," "The Brothers," "Next Friday")

Thursday, May 14
7:30 p.m. - Film

Century Centre Cinema
2828 North Clark Street at Diversey
Chicago, IL

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Twista Performs at the Red Bull Open Run Basketball Under the Lights and Sounds of The Aragon on May 3, 2009

Twista made a special appearances with Erika Shevon at The Red Bull Open Run Basketball Under the Lights and Sounds tournament at the Aragon Ballroom on May 3, 2009 in Chicago. Twista performed his new hit single "Wetter (Get It Wet Part 2), nicknamed "Daddy" which features the vocal talent of Erika Shevon.

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