Lolla Recap 2014

This past weekend, Chicago hosted its annual and iconic Lollapalooza music fest. I absolutely love Lolla, but if you're anything like me partying with drunk and for some drug-induced suburban tweens isn't all that appealing. Seriously, go back to home room. So, I opted for a more laid back approach to Lolla and away from the mud people at some of the city's selected Lolla events.

W Lakeshore celebrated its recent $38 million renovation with what else..a party on the eve of Lolla. Records remixer /artist RAC performed live at the sixth floor deck of the trendy hotel. I can't say that I've ever had anywhere near a bad time at any of the W Lakeshore's events. Kind of hard to have a bad time with panoramic views of Lake Michigan and just the overall cool vibe the Hotel seems to elicit. However, I did not enjoy this year's performance. Perhaps I don't have a well-trained ear but sort of like art featured in the MCA, I just didn't get it. But I'll always have love for W Lakeshore and their events.

So, apparently, I'm not the only one who needs a sponsor in life. Hard Rock Hotel hosted its once-fun music lounge parties over the weekend. I knew something was up when I got the invite and the major sponsors were about as scarce as white girls off 79^th and Ashland. This year, the lounge was condensed to one room for the day parties with a ping pong table and a crowd more fit for a fraternity party. What happened ya'll? Years past, Hard Rock's music lounge was that come up for getting your nails did, a haircut, massages, and swag bags. Hell, if you networked well enough, you might could even walk away with a housing voucher. Not the case this year. The night parties stayed the same with the only highlights being DJ White Shadow's live DJ set and Betty Who's performance. I hope they find a rich Anglo and get their act together for next year and return back to what they used to be, an awesome lounge of live music and cool peeps.

Now, I've always been a Tide man myself when it comes to my whites and coloreds, but after attending Gain and Rolling Stone magazine's Lolla party at Studio Paris, I'll be picking up Gain detergent on my next Family Dollar trip! Gain and Rolling Stone knows how to treat a lolla lady. Ya'll know I'm a big gurl on the verge of a heart attack. They had skrimp cocktail, brisket sandwiches, carefully crafted cocktails, and a bunch of other spensive delights. Paul Banks of Interpol killed it with his live DJ set. I never witnessed a horn performance to the backdrop of a live DJ set, but Rudimental pulled it off and everyone loved it! And they were real caaaaaayute, so you know I was trying to get chose while enjoying my skrimpz. I've been to Rolling Stone's lolla party at Studio Paris in the past and they never disappoint. This is definitely a lolla party that should be in your datebook next year. And on a side note, who knew Gain had coinz like dat!? I'm buying up all da shares!

I couldn't have asked for a better Sunday Funday and way to conclude Lolla than at my next event. Local fashion designer Azeeza Khan hosted a pool party at the Radisson Blu Hotel's 3^rd floor deck. The party was to debut her Neo Noir collection. Since starting her label in 2011, Azeeza has rose in fame thanks to her national media attention from the likes of fashion bible Vogue and the Wall Street Journal. I'm not going to pretend like I'm a fashion reporter because I mainly know what looks good on me and know that pleated pants and light-wash jeans should remain at your local Salvation Army, but I do know parties, men, and dranks! And this party had all dat! Custom Moët Hennessy cocktails were a great counter to the rainy Sunday! And you know it's a good party when it's raining outside and guests are staying. Not even the black girls fled! Of course it always helps to have a set by Matt Roan as models prance around in the event host's latest collection; all in all, great way to end Lolla weekend.

So, if I had to rate each party with a credit score rating, it'd be as follows:

Gain and Rolling Stone – 800 – Accepted! You get an apartment with stainless and hardwood floors.

Azeez's Private Pool Party at Aqua – 730 – Accepted! Enjoy your amenities and Bosch appliances.

W Lakeshore Lolla Kickoff - 700 – Accepted! Enjoy your lakefront view!

Hard Rock Hotel – 429 – DECLINED – Better find a co-signer.