Starting Sept. 15, Rockit is CCCP’s new meeting venue

Starting Sept. 15, the Chicago Creative Cocktail Party (CCCP) will hold its monthly Happy Hour at its new, regular venue, Billy Dec’s Rocket Bar & Grill, which fittingly, was once a film studio.

Dec, owner of Rockit Ranch Productions and newly formed Elston Films is hosting the networking event, which brings together working creative professionals in film, television, screenwriting and new media, who are members of eight film-related organizations.

The upcoming event is almost sold out, notes Dante Bacani, CSN president, who facilitated CCCP’s formation last May. “Our respective group members will benefit immensely from rubbing elbows at Rockit.  We’re setting the stage for them to build collaborative relationships and to discover business opportunities.”

Says Dec, restaurateur, actor and radio/TV personality, “We always have been active supporters of Chicago’s creative arts, theatre and film community,” adding that he formed Elston Films “to make world class films here, with amazing Chicago talent.”

Groups sponsoring the Creative Cocktail Party are: Chicago Acting in Film Meetup (CAFM) – the lead sponsor for next week’s event, Chicago Creative Coalition, Chicago Filmmakers, Chicago Screenwriters Network (CSN), Chicago Women in Publishing, IFP/Chicago, Independent Writers of Chicago and SAG-AFTRA Chicago.

Turnout at these events has included directors, producers, actors, screenwriters, editors, post-production workers, singers, and other industry members from throughout Chicago. 

CCCP events are a great way to network without the pressures of work, notes Steve Scholz, a SAG-AFTRA Chicago board member and former CAFM vice president. 

“Many of us meet on a set or in a studio, and we rarely have time to just hang out and get to know each other. This changes that.  You can get a drink, meet other creatives, and keep building relationships while having a fun time.”

At 22 W. Hubbard, second floor, 5-7 p.m.; cash bar, full service kitchen.  Admission is free but attendees must RSVP here to get their tickets.