By Jorge G. Zavala | Creative Director
Richard Chiang | Resident Media Director

The steps leading towards the entrance of the Adler Planetarium were adorned with lights, graced with the backdrop of one of the most beautiful views of Chicago's skyline, and charmed with the joie de celebracion that filled the air as anticipation for Entrepreneur's Eve 2012 made its way to the minds of young, affluent guests.

Entrepreneur's Eve 2012 broughts some of the city's top entrepreneurial folks - and their gorgeous arm candy - to toast to the end of a wonderful year and the welcoming of 2013. Upon arriving to the Adler Planeterium's primary entrance, attendees were greeted by the smiling faces of individuals waiting to accomodate all those wishing to ring in the new year in style. Funds from the evening benefited the H Foundation – a foundation dedicated to raising funds and awareness to cure cancer in partnership with the Robert H. Lurie Comprehensive Cancer Center of Northwestern University.

Guest lists, which were separated into VIP and general admission, were organized efficiently and the check-in process commenced quite smoothly. Ryan Beshel, the evening's gracious host, warmly greeted attendees, directed folks to the VIP lounge sponsored by Hennessy Black, and encouraged everyone to eat, savor the succulent cocktails, and bask in the holiday ambiance.

Benjamin Newby, Brand Architect for Hennessy Black, was a vibrant ball of energy that mingled with guests, surveyed the boutique bar to ensure that staff members had access to guests' favorite items, and managed to smile pretty for the camera as the who's who of entrepreneur society in Chicago made their way through the nouveau chic VIP lounge and unto the dance floor.

The decor, mood, and ambiance fit for a star (or a planet) was divine and reflective of the affluent and style-conscious crowd.

Ladies and gents found themselves flattered by the amount of photographers present ready to have them strike a pose and look joli jolie as flashes from various angles created a light-show of sorts only comparable to the night stars.

In addition to the one-of-a-kind cocktails filled with a generous amount of elixir, guests had the opportunity to enjoy a casino-style ambiance where blackjack and poker were often the game of choice.

Whether one found themselves interested in a Hennessy Black cocktail or a unique blend of whiskey-lemonade with champagne, it was a shot of the same: smiling, beautiful faces. Amy, one of the evening's guests, noted that the amount of food and premium liquour present was simply "divine".

The evening's diverse elixirs were enough to wow guests and prepare them for an amazing 2013. However, the food was also delectable and consisted of a diverse set of goodies, which included churros and empanadas.

As the clocks began to strike 10:30pm, 11pm, and so forth, guests couldn't help but indulge in premium cocktail offerings of the evening. Pictured above, one of PdM's favorite cocktails include this vibrant mix of Hennessy Black, tapioca diamonds, topped with champagne d'allure. Oh, la la!

While the VIP dance floor initially appeared to serve as a meeting point for hotties in cocktail dresses and studs in the finest fit suits, as the clocks came closer to midnight l'air d'essence became vibrant and filled with boogie. Guests celebrated good friends, amazing music - which included the high-energy beats by DJ Dolo, and a decadent lounge that reflected one's surroundings at the Adler Planetarium - stars, stars, stars.

Whether one decided to sip a ginger and whiskey cocktail topped with lime juice while getting their dance on, people watch as beautiful ladies in the latest creations mingled with girlfriends, or enjoy one last bite of that delish vegetarian empanada before that highly-anticipated midnight kiss, Entrepreneur's Eve 2012 delivered an ecstatic good time surely to be remembered (and talked about) throughout 2013. What's more, proceeds from the evening's decadence went to a noteworthy cause. Beauties, premium cocktails, some poker, a little bit of dancing, and a whole lot of doing good? We'll toast to that!

Cheers!

By Jorge G. Zavala | Creative Director
Richard Chiang | Resident Media Director

On December 27th, 2012 SHPE-Chicago held its annual networking and fundraising event at the Adler Planetarium. The Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers (SHPE) Chicago chapter held "Creating Leaders in STEM Together", which included the Adler Sky Show that began promptly at 7pm, free-flowing Indio Beer and EC Charro Tequila all night long, and plenty of delicious hors d'oeuvres from 6pm to 11pm.

The event started with a gracious welcome by SHPE-Chicago board members, including Ruth Barriga, Events Coordinator, who emphasized the importance of philanthropy and community engagement. The evening's fundraiser, which benefits Latino high school and college students who are pursuing the STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics) fields of education, drew distinct business and educational leaders spanning the city's diverse communities.

Cultural performances by Chicago's Tierra Colombiana and the Mexican Dance Ensemble brought zest, energy, and plenty of positive vibes to the evening. The crowd lit up as performers danced to typical folkloric dances representative of both Colombia and Mexico.

Guests commented on the beauty and grace of dancers as they were adorned in folkloric dress from Colombia. The group performed 3 dances, each representing a different piece of Colombian heritage.

The Mexican Dance Ensemble wooed attendees with their exuberance and vibrant dance moves that showcased years of experience and dedication.

In addition to the cultural performances, a raffle boasting diverse prizes - including spa treatments and tickets to a comedy show - took place throughout the evening with guests having the opportunity to both engage and win the anticipated goodies.

Lizveth Méndez of the Illinois Attorney General’s Office, Government & Community Relations, was one of the notable guests of the evening. She mingled with guests, SHPE-Chicago board members, and PdM's team.

SHPE-Chicago board members and friends enjoyed an evening filled with delicious cocktails, great company, and plenty of dancing.

As the evening progressed, the lights began to dim and the crowd came out for dancing. The music, which reflected a mix of Latin salsa, bachata, merengue tunes with top 40 hits from the 1970s, '80s, '90s, and contemporary 2000s.

Some impromptu dance lessons took place with Ruth Barriga leading a group of interested participants.

The evening's positive energy, harmonious vibes, and plenty of smiling faces made SHPE-Chicago's annual holiday fundraiser a success. Guests commented on their pleasant experiences as they departed the Adler Planetarium while noting the importance of giving back to one's community.

"Creating Leaders in STEM Together" brought together an intimate crowd of professionals from a diverse array of industries in Chicago. The core of the evening placed an emphasis on contributing to one's community, not just during the holidays. There was plenty of holiday cheer in the air, and PdM expects great things from SHPE-Chicago in the near future.

¡Salud!