Word to the wise: if you ever see an #ArtofLocal event at a, well, local Springhill Suites by Marriott, you should go. You should bring all of your friends and go. Immediately.
What began in 2010 as Marriott’s ArtNight has evolved into a community extravaganza of giving craftspeople a platform of wide visibility (and wowing hotel guests and lucky locals). The night I attended? Off-the-charts food, drink, art, and performances.
Right off the bat, a large scale painting entitled “City in Winter” by Detroit artist Catherine Lauerman welcomed guests- and served as a stellar backdrop for some photo and video action.
We took advantage of this.
Next up? Mario Ink dazzled with gorgeous body painting (and one brave, beautiful model who, by the end of the night, wore the Chicago skyline- and little else). I played it safer by enlisting the talented Ashley to do up some glitzy eye makeup. (I now require this look every time I leave the house.)
Austin’s Jessie Maxwell Bearden made quick work of edible artistry in front of a rapt crowd. How’d she get started? Portraits! She says this is definitely “more fun and relaxing.”
Listen, when you offer up custom silkscreened canvas bags (and you know that specific Chicago-style bag is a This Event Only kinda thing), well then- you will have a LINE of eager patrons, friend. Hit + Run provided me with my new favorite tote, which I’m not presently using to cart baby wipes around town in. (I’m NOT.)
And after making good friends with the patient servers who eventually- patiently- sought me out with replenished trays of passed wonderfulness (read: sushi!), and after I narrowly escaped the CANDY STATION of sugary goodness, and walked firmly past the decadent dessert bar (twice), and sure, enjoyed a glass of craft bourbon punch, we headed back to the main hub for the headlining events.
Loren Nalewanski, VP and Global Brand Manager of Springhill Suites by Marriott, spoke a bit about the main missions of their Art of Local events- specifically the celebration of artists (and their chosen communities) and the promotion of arts education in these same towns. Then- oh, and then- he had the cool job of introducing the upcoming band (and the reason for which many, many peeps were perched eagerly in front of the stage) Misterwives! (Heard of ’em? You will. Not only are they on a hot recording and touring streak- alongside Panic! At the Disco- but last year, Buzzfeed counted them among “25 Artists You Need in Your Life in 2015.”)
A fabulous blend of dancey pop, soaring soulfulness, and an impressive array of instrumentalists, the band (Mandy Lee – Vocals, William Hehir- Dirty Bass, Etienne Bowler- Dirty Drums, Marc Campbell- Guitar, and Dr. Blum- Keys/Trumpet/Accordian) are wonderful. They’re wonderful while performing live, wonderful while chatting after the show (they stayed with some of their fans for a full hour, people), and wonderful musically. (Their cover of Cyndi Lauper’s “Girls Just Wanna Have Fun” brought down the small, electrified house- girls and guys both.)
After the show, I had a chance to talk to Loren and ask him just what made Springhill Suites so popular with parents. After naming the obviously parentally adored amenities like free breakfast (’cause have you seen my kids eat?) and wireless for critical, early a.m. show-streaming, he hit upon the big one: “Space!” (Their queen suites alone sleep between one and six people!)
When asked about what he liked best about the Chicago Springhill Suites spot, he had no shortage of glowing things to say: “The pool is great- and on this hotel it’s on the 27th floor- with amazing views. I envision being up there during a snowstorm with those views of Chicago!”
He went on, “This is second to none the best location. You’re a block from Wacker, you’re right by the river, the jazz bar across the street’s world famous, the best donuts are a block away. Where else would you want to be?”
And do you think I’d miss a chance to fangirl on Misterwives? (Nope.)
Since the band travels so much, I had a feeling Mandy Lee would have an easy answer for their absolute top priority in a great hotel:
“A bed,” she laughed. (And as everyone knows that Marriott is known for their airier-than-airy beds, she’s covered- literally.)
And now for the hard-hitting questions:
What did Lee listen to while getting ready for that night’s show?
“Lemonade- that’s what gets me pumped up. Beyoncé all day, every day…I’ve gotta be fierce!”
The band’s Facebook page lists their collective interests as “Zombies, Dinosaurs, Elephants, Octopi, Lobsters, [and] Polar Bears.” But if Lee had to choose only one?
“Zombies! I just think I’d do really well in a zombie apocalypse. I’ve done a lot of training.”
We agreed that you can never be too prepared.
(First step’s having a solidly marvelous place to lay your head. That one’s a freebie, friends.)
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Check out more about Springhill Suites by Marriott and an Art of Local event in your own local ‘hood!
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