If you didn’t see Pharrell Williams in Chicago last week, you might be one of the few. The N.E.R.D. singer and Grammy-winning producer was spotted just about everywhere while in town opening for Erykah Badu at the Chicago Theatre.
Williams had dinner with nine people, one of whom was celebrating a birthday, at Japonais on Monday and was back again with the same group Tuesday.
On Wednesday, Williams, who makes a cameo in the new comedy “Get Him to the Greek” and co-wrote the score to the upcoming animated film “Despicable Me,” shopped at the Prada store and had dinner at Joe’s Seafood, Prime Steak & Stone Crab. After his band’s Chicago Theatre performance, he was spotted at Jbar at The James Hotel, The Shrine, Crescendo and Y Bar.
The “Frontin” singer returned to Joe’s Seafood less than 24 hours later for lunch Thursday and performed again at the Chicago Theatre that night. His publicist said Williams will likely be back in Chicago later this summer to promote N.E.R.D.’s next album, “Nothing,” which hits stores Sept. 7.
Playboy search: Jay Cutler had one of the best seats in the house during the Playboy Club’s 50th Anniversary Bunny Search at Bull & Bear on May 30. The Bears quarterback sat in a booth on the second level with “Miami Social” star and former “Apprentice” contestant Katrina Campins and teammate Greg Olsen’s brother, Chris Olsen. The winners of the preliminary bunny search events will compete for the title of Chicago Bunny on Thursday during the 50th anniversary party at The Venue at Horseshoe Casino.
Sightings: The Bears’ Julius Peppers had dinner at Sunda on Saturday. Ex-Blackhawks star Jeremy Roenick was spotted at the Underground later that night. … Actor Ron Lester (Billy Bob from “Varsity Blues”) dined at Joe’s Seafood on Saturday. … The Blackhawks’ Niklas Hjalmarsson had dinner at Texas de Brazil on East Ohio Street the night before Game 5 of the Stanly Cup Finals. … Lupe Fiasco hung out with N.E.R.D.’s Chad Hugo at Rockit Bar & Grill in River North on Thursday. … White Sox legend Frank Thomas hung out at Cuvee in the early hours of Thursday. … Winona Ryder, in town filming an ensemble comedy with Vince Vaughn, had lunch at RL restaurant on May 29. The sightings continued at RL on May 30 when actress Ali Larter stopped by for brunch (that’s right: two “Varsity Blues” sightings in one week). … That same weekend, rappers 50 Cent and Soulja Boy stayed at the Dana Hotel and Spa. … Gold medal-winning speed skater Shani Davis hung out on Market’s rooftop May 30.
About this week: The Victoria’s Secret store on North Michigan Avenue will host the launch of the new “VS PINK” Major League Baseball line Friday in honor of the Crosstown Classic. The Cubs’ Randy Wells and the White Sox’s Gordon Beckham will be on hand for a meet-and-greet from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m., along with PINK models Candice Swanepoel and Behati Prinsloo.
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