Michigan Avenue - Niche Media - Michigan Avenue magazine is a luxury lifestyle magazine centered around Chicago’s finest people, events, fashion, health & beauty, fine dining & more!
Issue link: http://digital.greengale.com/i/508485
PhotograPhy courtesy of candace Jordan (Krimins); dan uslan (art Van) from left: With Neiman Marcus VP and GM Wendy Krimins (left), Candace Jordan (far right), and designer extraordinaire Pamella DeVos at her Pamella Roland trunk show held at Neiman Marcus to benefit the Joffrey Ballet; the team at Art Van Furniture—(from left) Cathy DiSante, Kim Yost, Diana Sikes, Art Van Elslander, Diane Charles, Gary Van Elslander, and Jeanette McNamara—sure know how to throw a party, as they recently did at Soho House to give the media an update on their opening in Downers Grove on June 25! Any rAnkings list will prove that Chicago's arts, culture, and culinary scene is world-class: TripAdvisor voted the Art Institute as the world's top museum, and we're one of just three US cities to boast multiple Michelin-starred restaurants. The proof is in the numbers. Chicago's philanthropy, though not as easily quantified, is also second to none. Our Midwestern sensibility is trumpeted to the point of almost being a punch line (a visiting friend once described even our portions as generous). It's why Niche Media's mission statement—to connect, captivate, and celebrate with consciousness—works so well here. As if to validate that assertion, on May 16 we'll serve as the media partner for three charitable galas. We're humbled to support the AIDS Foundation of Chicago's 30th Year Gala (aidschicago.org), championing HIV activism efforts, at the Hilton Chicago. That same evening, we're helping the National Alliance on Mental Illness (namiccns.org)—whose stakehold- ers include former Chicago Bear Brandon Marshall—further its advocacy by sponsoring its Huddle Up for Mental Health Gala at Soldier Field. Rounding out the night is Make-A-Wish Illinois' annual Wish Ball (illinois.wish.org), emceed this year by the legendary Jay Leno. Similarly, our favorite cover subjects are those who leverage their star power for the greater good. Such is the case with this month's celebrity, Dylan's Candy Bar founder and CEO Dylan Lauren. The style scion has just launched Dylan's Candy Barn to support anti-animal- cruelty initiatives and education, and we're happy to announce that the organization will be a benefactor of our upcoming luncheon with Lauren at the Langham Hotel. And while it's not philanthropic in aim, our fourth annual Ashore Thing party on July 11, presented by BMO Harris Bank, evokes "consciousness" in that it gathers the commu- nity to celebrate the natural beauty of Chicago and Lake Michigan. I hope you'll join us on the East End of Navy Pier with sponsors Chicago Yacht Club, Celebrity Cruises, Veuve Clicquot, Belvedere, 900 North Michigan Shops, Bob Loquercio Auto Group, Peroni, Leinenkugel's Summer Shandy, Voss, Spex, Mitchell Gold + Bob Williams, CBS Chicago, and Pinstripes for our hallmark summer soirée, which shrinks the nation's third-most populous city to an intimate gathering of your closest friends. Follow me on Twitter at @danuslan and on Facebook at facebook.com/danieluslan. dan uslan 22 michiganavemag.com letter from the President and Publisher