DEALS DEALS DEALS

Going on NOW...(thru Sunday, April 3rd)

come and get it

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

A Date with Nonnie Threads

We're very excited to announce an evening with 2010 Designer In Residence of the Chicago Fashion Incubator, Jonnie Rettele of Nonnie Threads

Please join us for the launch of...

NONETHELESS | purpose driven garments | made in chicago
by Jonathan Shaun

When: Thursday, September 23

6PM-9PM

Where: Connect Wicker Park

1330 N Milwaukee Ave

(p) 773.360.1520

FEATURING
Entertainment by Mister Joshua of Dialogue Incorporated
Urban Adventures with Bobby's Bike Hike
Gaztro-Wagon |*twitter feed @wherezthewagon
The Academy for Global Citizenship

AND for the first 20 people to arrive...
Give-Away bags by:
Connect Chicago
Michelle Connor Floral Design
Eleanor Reily of eleanorsoaps.com
bear.illa

AND plenty more...

Coming Soon.....

Clear here for details

Unveiling.....

An exhibition of wild life as seen through the eyes of a collaborative effort from talented artists against the devastation caused by oil companies such as BP!

Connect
1330 North Milwaukee Avenue (Wicker Park)
Saturday, August 7th 2010
4pm-11:30pm

Starring
American Contemporary Artist
Ennis Alexander Martin III

Also Featuring Art and Installations by:
Scott Helbach
Erik Stenberg
Misha Esterkin
Mike Turner
Ian Bennett
Dense83

Guest DJ Top Key
Musical performances by Neak

Giveaways and Gift bags provided by bear.illa and Connect

TACOS and drinks will be served as well!

THIS EVENT IS OPEN TO THE PUBLIC

Biodegradable Tent Could Solve Festival Waste Problems ::.

via* The Green Thing

The problem: a massive amount of tent waste left in fields at the end of a festival. Few people want to bring good quality tents as they may get ruined so most people opt for the cheap stuff. For less than £20 one can get their hands on a tent that will provide shelter for a weekend but then it gets left behind. Abandoned. Put to landfill. Complete waste.

And we thought surely there has to be a better way.

Designer extraodinaire, Vanessa Harden has been spending the past few months working alongside Green Thing and others to tackle the brief. Without further hesitation, we bring you Future Tents.

Future Tents are the world's first festival tents that will last three days then biodegrade. Embedded with local seeds the tents disintegrate to reveal rejuvenated green spaces.

Over the next 4 days, Vanessa will be living in the tent and documenting how the design is holding up and the feedback people have.

Green Thing are headed north to T in the Park to trial the world's first biodegradable tent! If you'd like to follow our future tents adventure, you follow us on twitter or click on the tag 'Future Tents' below to see blog entries. We'd love to hear your suggestions, impressions and thoughts!

Save the Date: Friday, July 9th - 7PM-11PM

RSVP Here

Connect - Lincoln Park

One Origin Jewelry launches new collection - Veiled

Come celebrate at Connect with Veev Acai Spirits the revealing of One Origin's new line- Veiled

Natural. Urban. Elegance.

02.04.10

Connect

1330 N Milwaukee Ave

Wicker Park. Chicago. IL

6.00PM - 9.00PM

About One Origin Jewelry:

Designer, Viviana Langhoff is committed to design that is smart, responsible and truly one of a kind. Ranging everywhere from casual street fashion to wedding and heirloom pieces, Viviana focuses her abilities on making signature jewelry for every occasion. Viviana draws much of her influence from art, poetry, history and travel. Her love for cultural and religious traditions experienced in Northern Africa, Spain and Latin America is apparent in her work and continues to expand the breadth of her designs. As an alumnus of the prestigious School of the Art Institute of Chicago, Viviana’s fine art background continues to push her to keep exploring new territories within the realm of fine jewelry by rethinking design and even more what jewelry can become.

Eco-friendly cocktails courtesy of

First Ever Environmentally Preferred Men's Webstore Is Launched...

For Immediate Release:

The Best of Chicago Sustainable Apparel Goes Global, Wicker Park Eco-Boutique, Connect, Launches the First ever men’s centric web store to stock environmentally and socially preferred goods…C by Connect

Chicago, Ill., November 9th, 2009 – Forward-thinking, Chicago-based sustainable retailer, Connect, launches its first-ever e-commerce site C by Connect, the first and only online men’s store with an environmentally and socially responsible brand portfolio.

C by Connect stocks Nau, Holden Outerwear, Topo Ranch, Coal, Icebreaker, LiViTy, Patagonia Footwear, and The Stronghold, just to name a few. Connect’s private in-house label, SideCar, which uses reclaimed and surplus fabrics and organic cotton, is also available, making the popular Chicago line available for the first time worldwide.

“We realized men didn’t have an authentic and conscious online experience to shop. It’s our honor to finally offer men a place to go where they can find functional and design-driven brands that are progressive and socially responsible,” says Jonathan Shaun, one of the Connect Co-Founders.

C by Connect includes a "gifts for her" section, as well as sustainable home furnishings, to make C by Connect a truly one-stop-shop experience for the forward-thinking individual.

“Connect, as well as our partners, are driven by conscious capitalism that paves the way for future generations,” says Shaun. “Each and every brand we work with goes through a rigorous selection process to ensure that it aligns with our values and vision. Our online web store represents a collaboration between a wide-range of stakeholders within the sustainable design industry.”

The Connect manifesto is based on a “not-just-for-profit” method honoring the triple bottom line: planet, people, profit. C by Connect donates 3% of all profits to its Community Investment Portfolio that consists of local, national, and international NGOs.

Other Sustainable Features of C by Connect Include:

• Carbon ZERO bicycle messenger delivery within Chicago city limits
• All collections are environmental, fair trade, and ethically produced and sold
• Connect is dedicated to marketing ethical start-up brands made in the U.S.A.
• Carbon neutral shipping (national and international)
• Renewable energy-based web hosting

ABOUT:
C by Connect is a derivative of Connect-Chicago, a retail showroom and conscious event space in Wicker Park, Chicago. The boutique is the first fully interactive, eco-friendly boutique to physically and virtually stand in this forward-thinking neighborhood on the third coast. Connect is also the only store in Chicago to stock the majority of the Nau fall and winter collection. For more information or to view the digital domain visit www.CbyConnect.com.

Halloween Fundraiser at Connect...

Connect Chicago

October 31st

8-11 PM

A few words from Teen Living;

From your friends who brought you TLP on Tap:

Join the Teen Living Programs Auxiliary Board for our first Halloween Party, an evening of fun-raising! All you can eat and drink for $40 ($50 at the door). Your ticket enters you in a drawing to win prizes generously donated by Wow Bao, Bull & Bear, DePaul University Basketball Team, Gioco, Handlebar, Hinda Incentives, Lynfred Winery, Opera, Rivers and Michael & Michael Salon. Music will be provided by three DJs. Prizes for BEST COSTUMES!

Proceeds benefit Teen Living Programs, the only organization in Chicago whose sole focus is serving youth who are homeless. TLP's mission is to create hope and opportunity for youth who are homeless by assisting them to permanently leave the streets, secure stable housing, and build self-sufficient, satisfying lives.

Our October 31st event is generously hosted by Connect Chicago, a retailer in Wicker Park focused on sustainability and social responsibility. Their art gallery-inspired location gives select non-profit organizations a space to build awareness and raise money. Connect also contributes a portion of their sales to local organizations.

For more information about our Halloween Party, Teen Living Programs, or how to join the Auxiliary Board's efforts, please email Emily at emilyk@teenliving.org.

Robot House presents: Loose Cannons

Connect is very pleased to announce a truly authentic conscious event on the lower -level of our boutique in Wicker Park. The event promises to be a fun, lighthearted way to kick off the weekend and to be completely different than the usual wine-and-cheese art opening.


Robot House presents: Loose Cannons, opening in it's new event space, Connect Commons on September 11, 2009. The collaborative show will feature a full-room graffiti art installation from local artists, James Ford, Dave Valente, Jason Nonnenmann, Ken Klopack and Brandon Hanson. This marks their 2nd collaboration in the past few years.

This event will take place from 7 to 11 pm on the 11th.

Loose Cannons will be a full room installation depicting a seaside wharf in full swing. The town is replete with buccaneers and bar wenches, all causing chaos and blowing off steam. The three-dimensional installation will have live action aspects to it as well, with some of the pieces moving.

Rum drinks will be flowing. Light food will be served. DJ's will be here throughout the night. There will be apparel, screen-printed posters, and other art for purchase. Part of the proceeds will be donated to Little Black Pearl.

A suggested donation of $5 will support:

Little Black Pearl

ABOUT:

NO GIFT IS AS PRECIOUS AS THE POTENTIAL OF A CHILD.

Their talents, needs, questions and hopes are entrusted to us. Our job is to guide, nurture, support, empower, and challenge them. They are the heart and hope of our community. At Little Black Pearl (LBP) we commit ourselves each day to achieving success for all children by empowering them to envision and achieve their unique potential through art and entrepreneurship. Moreover, we believe that art is an integral part of a healthy community and its presence creates opportunities for community and economic development.

WHO THEY WE

Beginning as a dream ten years ago in the basement of a gray stone, today Little Black Pearl is a thriving nonprofit serving youth in the Kenwood/Oakland, Woodlawn, and Bronzeville neighborhoods on Chicago's south side. Firmly rooted in the black community, as the population has changed, so has Little Black Pearl by working with an increasingly diverse youth population and adding curriculum and services for adults and families. Today home for Little Black Pearl is its state of the art 40,000 square foot Little Black Pearl Art and Design Center located in the Kenwood/Oakland neighborhood. This cultural arts center not only houses LBP but provides opportunities in art, culture and entrepreneurship to youth, adults and families across Chicago.

WHAT THEY DO

LBP works diligently to counter the challenges urban youth face by providing a safe environment, positive role models, and rigorous program and skill development activities and opportunities. Our 10-year history has successfully proven that it is possible to marry art and entrepreneurship through real life application of talent, interest and skills. At Little Black Pearl, youth feel safe and open to exploring, expressing and challenging their ideas and feelings through art. The combination of art and business bring out innate talents and shows youth the value of their work. They learn lifelong skills; enhance their self-esteem and benefit from the sale of their art. A wide array of works of art created by youth in programs and workshops provided by Little Black Pearl are available for purchase through the Art and Design Center.


When:

Friday September 11th 2009
From 7-11pm

Where:

Connect
1330 N.Milwaukee Ave
Chicago, IL, 60642
(Lower-Level Event Space)

Questions:

773.360.1520


Our best,

Connect-Chicago

Connect is proud to announce the conscious fundraiser “Welcoming Greenheart to Wicker Park” was a success!

Connect is proud to announce the conscious fundraiser “Welcoming Greenheart to Wicker Park” was a success!

The Center for Cultural Interchange operates The Greenheart Shop, an environmental and social initiative that supports sustainability development. The shop offers a wide selection of fair trade and eco-friendly products ensuring that the artisans making the products are paid fair living wages and each product is produced using the most sustainable materials whenever possible.

The event was filled with creative energy as like-minded individuals came together to enjoy art, music and celebrate conscious capitalism.

We would like to thank the businesses that chose to support our event:

Tree Theory: Bags harvested from seatbelt webbing and billboard material from the Chicago junkyards.

Wired: Jewelry made from reclaimed and surplus industrial materials

The Bleeding Heart Bakery: Local, sustainable Pastry

Blue Plate Catering: Premier Chicago caterer

The Green Grocer: Neighborhood market that features organically grown locally produced food products and specialty items.

Divine Chocolate: Fair trade chocolate

American Friends Service Committee: Fair trade olive oil

Tierra Madre: Organic olive oil

VeeV: Eco friendly cocktails

Goose Island: Local brewery

Steaz: Fair Trade & Organic soda

Pollen: Sustainable flowers

Thank you to our Greenheart volunteers and for those who supported our event!

Jonathan Shaun... giving Keynote at Magic in Las Vegas

If you are going at the end of August for Magic. Please stop by and say hello.

September 1st

11:00 am

Sustainability. Creativity. Authenticity.

Keynote by Jonathan Shaun, Founder 3. Zero, Co-Founder of

Connect-Chicago

Jonathan Shaun will communicate the importance of a holistic management approach to sustainable product and ethical brand communications. To date, Sustainability and Social Responsibility communications have been overly righteous, misleading, and disorienting. Many businesses have good product, however, they don’t fully identify with the conscious marketing elements needed to effectively deliver their brand story. Jonathan feels that the ultimate goal of the sustainable business model is to responsibly create new revenue streams based on the principles of conscious capitalism.

Room N256

September 1st

1:00 pm

Eco Materials

Moderated by Matt Grigsby, Ecolect

Panelists include: David Basson, Apparel Source, Moses Cohen, Teijin, Jonathan Shaun, Founder of 3.ZERO and Co-Founder of Connect-Chicago

At this years MAGIC, Ecollection event, Ecolect will host a Panel Discussion highlighting the true importance of using sustainable materials. Specifically tailored to the fashion industry, we will explore fiber options, their associated footprints, and the market rationale for using eco-materials. We want to help industry leaders to ask the right questions when souring, ordering and selling. This panel discussion is not to be missed and will equip the audience with the knowledge and examples to make educated purchasing decisions.

Room N256

August 25th Fundraiser for Greenheart at Connect

Hello Friends,

Here at Connect, we want to welcome Greenheart to Wicker Park. Therefore, you are invited to our conscious event for the Greenheart Shop, which is a branch of the global Greenheart Initiative - an environmental and social initiative of the Center for Cultural Interchange, a nonprofit cultural exchange organization to celebrate their opening at 1911 W Division St.


When:

Tuesday August 25th from 6-9 PM

Suggested donation of $5 before the celebration. $7 at the door.

Please be sure to RSVP Here


Where:

Connect Chicago
1330 N. Milwaukee Ave.
Chicago, IL, 60642
773.360.1520


What:

An evening of like minded individuals and networking with good sounds to enjoy.

Tree Theory Bag company will build a few of their innovative creations in real-time throughout the event.




Thank you in advance to our sponsors:


"Eco friendly cocktails courtesy of VeeV"








Visit VeeV






Desserts by blue plate

Check Out BHB





Visit Divine



We will be showcasing a new local and organically grown flower company calledPollen


Looking forward to seeing you,

Connect Chicago

LiViTy Coast to Coast Solar Tour comes to ChicaGo ...

The Livity Outernational crew came to Chicago for Green Fest, however, they found their real friends at Connect Chicago. There is nothing like good friends, good tequila, and good times. Salute!!!

March 21st Event -- Sara Snow at Connect

Date: Saturday March 21st

When: 5:30-9pm

Where: Connect Chicago

What: Sara Snow will be speaking about Green Living and signing advanced copies of her new book from Random House Publishing.

King's Hill Farm will also have a "meet the farmers" networking environment. You will be able to sign up for organic produce, which you can pick-up at Connect as the produce is ready. More details to come on this collaboration.


Ecolect.net will have its Petting Zoo for your pleasure.

Powerleap will be supplying the energy.

VeeV cocktails will be served.

Organic finger foods on hand.

Suggested donation of $7 at the door.

Email us your RSVP at celebrate@connect-chicago.com (space is limited)

Beats and things

...shout out to Dave Randin for laying down the tracks on a rainy Saturday afternoon at Connect...

... Connect ... Community Investment Portfolio

Here at Connect Chicago-- we are proud to announce that our collective has given over $2,500 to local, national, and multi-national Not-for Profits. Moreover, we have done this in less than four months of being in business.

We thank all the non-profit organizations that exist to assist our under served communities.

As Connect grows we will provide even more awareness and donations to many innovative change agents.

Keep up the good fight.

-- The Connect Cartel