TRIBECA FLASHPOINT ACADEMY WELCOMES GRAMMY NOMINEE TOR HYAMS FOR RECORDING SESSION WITH TFP STUDENTS AND GUESTS

FLASHPOINT ACADEMY SUPPORTS THE HAPPINESS CLUB BENEFIT CONCERT with TOR HYAMS AND TWISTA

WATCH TOR HYAMS PERFORM BLACKBIRD

HAPPINESS CLUB - 2010 - TOR HYAMS PERFORMS BLACKBIRD from HOWARD TULLMAN on Vimeo.

Twista meets ladies who lunch at Happiness Club fundraiser

Twista meets ladies who lunch at Happiness Club fundraiser
Posted by Shia K. at 3/16/2010 7:19 AM CDT on Chicago Business

A benefit for the Happiness Club, a Chicago non-profit that trains kids in the arts, was as eclectic charity gala as you're ever going to see — think rapper Twista meets ladies who lunch.


A silent auction with all the usual sports memorabilia like baseballs signed by Ryan Dempster (Cubs) and Gordon Beckham (Sox) and a Winter Classic framed photo signed by Patrick Kane and Jonathan Toewsof the Blackhawks. But it also had "Panty of the Month Club from G Boutique."


Twista

Tor Hyams, a music producer, songwriter and co-founder of Kidzapalooza, the children's section of the annual Lalapalooza summer mega-concert, was the honoree.


"I like what they stand for. It's about putting differences aside and realizing we have so much in common," he said before performing "Blackbird" on a keyboard.


The menu for Sunday evening's family-friendly party included Vienna Beef hot dogs, Lou Malnati's pizza and Eli's cheesecake.


And the entertainment came in a performance by Happiness Club members themselves.


"It's just a great time every year," said Doug Wertheimer, whose Wertheimer Box packaging company was among the sponsors.


Other guests included Charles Guengerich, president of Wright College; John Wozniak, president of Harold Washington College; Jill Takiff Hirsh, chairman of the board of First Bank of Highland Park (and daughter of the late Sandy Takiff, vice-chairman of the Bulls); and Howard Tullman, president and CEO of Flashpoint Academy.


Most memorable, though, was seeing Twista pose for pictures with author Sherrill Bodine, a regular with the ladies-who-lunch crowd, and Laurie Davis, owner of LuLu's at the Belle Kay boutique.