Connect Chicago 2010 | Progressions

Here are a few accolades from 2010 to be noted. Thanks to everyone that made 2010 a great one.

- Permanently Opened a new retail location at 2130 N. Halsted – Lincoln Park

- Celebrated our 2-year anniversary in November. Matthew Santos played a live set on the lower-level event space.

- The Web Shop was redesigned and had the best year yet. (Connect-Chicago.com)

- Brought new brands into the portfolio; Patagonia, Aether Apparel, Snipe, Icebreaker, Timberland Boot Co., Alternative Apparel, and Nonetheless Garments to name a few.

- Introduced a (spin-off) clothing line to the world – Made in Chicago. (Nonetheless Garments)

- Held 20+ events throughout the year. (Book Club –showcasing various artists + many others)

- Miles Nielsen and Dan McMahon recorded a live show at Connect Wicker Park.

- We officially opened up the lower level (Wicker Park) as an event space. It has awesome acoustics for live shows. Musicians love it.

The Connect Crew

ATTN Chicagoans: They're BACK in town!

Don't miss out on the intimate performance - space is limited and it's filling up QUICK

It's confirmed....it's in the water!

I have always joked with fellow friends that 'there's something in the water' in Rockford, Illinois - not E. coli (like Lake Michigan) or oil (damn BP!) but something more along the lines of Willy Wonka's Chocolate River mixed with that eternal youth potion from the early 90's Bruce Willis, Meryl Streep, Goldie Hawn flick, 'Death Becomes Her'

Let's face it, 'Cheap Trick' hails from this Northern Illinois town and it doesn't get much bigger than them. Those guys from the synth-heavy, dance-pop band, 'Hey Champ' claims strong ties to "The Rock" and then there's 'Miles Nielsen', that soulful stud that graces us all with his rich blend of folk/Americana-pop sounds complete with lyrics laden with 'Beatles' overtones. Oh! and how could I forget the jack-of-all-trades: engineer, producer, multi-instrumentalist (my personal lead guitar crush), 'Dan "The Man" McMahon'- seen playing with the likes of 'Cory Chisel and the Wandering Sons' and 'Cameron McGill and What Army'.

And NOW....the next Mozart?!!