
"Dancing, talking, gawking, sipping, flipping and tipping everywhere," according to Rachel J…
The Chicago Elite Squad donned their best retro duds, and hit up the fabulously funky Catalyst Ranch on Saturday May 9th, 2009 for an evening full of yelpy surprises! Sporting the best gear of the 40's, 50's, 60's, 70's…even 80's, yelpers were high stylin' and ready to get their two-level party on, Ranch-style!
Floor 3: Snazzy guests first flitted to the third floor upon arriving, snagged an oh-so-cute and brightly colored corsage courtesy of the sweethearts at Flor del Monte, then quickly gravitated to the flashing, giggles and hilarious antics of 312photobooth.com's vintage photobooth! After snappin' a few black 'n white shots, catching a an amped up Big City Swing performance and lessons it was time for drinks, drinks, drinks…true Yelp party fashion!

Three bars (expertly managed by D'Absolute Catering) served up Hennessy Black, 10 Cane Rum, Firefly Sweet Tea Vodka, Goose Island Ginger beer, Summertime, 312 and Honker's Ale to keep guests D'Absolutely boozed up and happy! And, just in case there was a bit too much imbibin', Vitamin Water, Smart Water, and cute little Coca Cola throwback aluminum bottles were on hand at the Hydration Bar…drink up! Wow, and we better eat…right? Of course!

Catered by Design wowed guests with an impressive spread of appetizers (veggie Cali maki, meatballs, grilled veggies…the list goes on!), and desserts (deconstructed cannoli, OH MY!)…all creatively displayed, floating, hanging and dangling from some crazy-cool apparatuses. Fine dining, indeed!
Adequately fueled, peeps took to the dance floor to the 50's/60's vibe provided by Toast & Jam DJs. Shakin', shufflin', workin' the dance floor…yelpers can really move it. A sea of retro rumpshakers took over the dance floor!

WAIT, there's more!? Oh yeah, an entire floor! The fourth floor held many surprises for wandering yelpers…face painting by Trish Page (oooo, like tattoos that come off!), posed portraits by CityView Photography, makeup touchups and "hot stuff" hair by the mavens at Ulta State Street, neck and eyebrow clean-ups and hand massages for the lads by Mister 312, a vintage trunk by Dovetail Chicago, Landrin chocolates (yum!), and copious room to mix, mingle, lounge, and of course…snag a few more drinks ;)

On hand to document the night's festivities were veterans Dan Gin of Dan Gin Photography and Matt Ginger of Ginger by Design in addition to newbie (and fabulous!) Anna Inabinet of CityView Photo. Didn't make it? Check out the reviews here!
Big, huge, Yelp Chicago-sized thanks to the staffs of Catalyst Ranch (most especially Paulette E), D'Absolute Catering and Catered by Design for the exceptional service, attention to detail…and for being completely, and utterly AWESOME!

Yours in retro polka dots!
Yelp Chicago CM