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- 2. History! The Aragon was built in 1926 by brothers William and Andrew Karzas, at an exorbitant cost of $2,000,000.00 (considering the price of admission was only ninety cents). Named aGer a providence in Spain, the Aragon was the crowing jewel in a cluster of lucraKve properKes owned by the Karzas. It was designed to replicate a Spanish palace courtyard with its crystal chandeliers, mosaic Kles, brashly painted plaster, terra-‐coNa ceiling and beauKful arches. The shiny bent wood floor was created for dancing and rests on a cushion of cork, felt and springs.On opening night, July 14, 1926, Mayor William Hale Thompson bought the first Kcket, and more than 8,000 people jammed the Aragon to enjoy its unprecedented beauty. The Aragon soon became the most famous dance hall in America. Radio broadcasts were of paramount importance to the Aragon for adverKsing. These broadcasts were made live from the Aragon six nights a week on WGN Radio.The Aragon enjoyed near capacity crowds every day. Weekly aNendance regularly topped 18,000 during the 1920s, 1930s, and 1940s. It was the place in Chicago to meet single men and women. Many couples met for the first 9me at the Aragon, later to be married. On one special occasion, 800 couples gathered to share their stories of how they met at the Aragon under the twinkling stars.
- 3. History! Such acts as Frank Sinatra, Lawrence Welk, Tommy Dorsey, Glenn Miller, Guy Lombardo, Dick Jurgens, Harry James, Xavier Cugat, Eddy Duchin, Carmen Cavallaro, Kay Kyser, George Olsen, Benny Goodman, Sammy Kaye, Art Kassel, ArKe Shaw, Ted Fio Rito, Jan Garber, Frankie Masters, Russ Morgan, Orrin Tucker, Griff Williams, Ben Bernie, Tommy Tucker, Abe Lyman, Henry King, Bernie Cummins, Shep Fields, Gus Arnheim, Ted Weems, Eddy Howard, Wayne King and many more frequented the Aragon.By 1955 an era in which an esKmated 50 million people had danced at the Aragon to the very best of Americaos orchestras was coming to an end. They danced through ProhibiKon and danced during the Depression. Emerson Whitney became the next owner and then sold it to a group of investors who turned it into the Cheetah Club in 1966, a mod-‐type discotheque brought here aGer resounding successes in New York City. The Aragon changed its name and became the Cheetah Club. The old palace rocked each night with mini-‐skirts and what was known as the "now" sound of the sixKes. A tent now covered the balcony and the ceiling, spoNed fabric covered the chairs, colored strobe lights flashed and psychedelic-‐iridescent paint spots where splashed on the floors of the lobbies. The grandeur appearance of the Aragon had been replaced. The Cheetah Club was a flop. It glided along and then folded.In 1968, Emerson Whitney took back possession of the Aragon and reinstated its original name.
- 4. History! In 1970, promoter Michael Butler of American Tribal ProducKons, the creator of the theatrical producKon "Hair", introduced "monster" rock concerts to the Aragon. LasKng six or seven hours, someKmes unKl 3:00 am., with top-‐name rock performers such as the Grateful Dead, Joe Crocker, Sha-‐Na-‐Na, B.B. King, the Bryds, Jethro Tull, Steppen Wolf and many others appeared. CraGsmen set up booths to sell their wares. AGer six months, Michael Butler threw in the towel, and a his former employee, ScoN Doneen, picked it up. ScoN Doneen had the astoundingly bad fortune of having nine cancellaKons in July of 1970. The "monster" rock shows ended in October of 1970.The Aragon sat idle unKl January of 1971, when Harmond Harvey and Arthur Holleb bought it and began restoring the venue to its original splendor. For a short Kme, Thursdays were nostalgia nights. The house band, "The Aragon", played through a dance music library that spanned from the turn of the century to the '70s. On Saturdays there were ethnic parKes and wrestling matches were held every other Friday. Harmond, like every other owner before him, thought he could bring back big bands and dancing, but low aNendance soon stopped those dreams.The Aragon reopened its doors to rock and roll concerts in 1972. Bands who played the Aragon at that Kme include the Doors, the Kinks, the Fabulous Rhinestones, Dr. John and many more. The Aragaon was quickly carving a niche as the premiere rock venue in the world.
- 5. Aragon Ballroom! In one form of music or another, the Aragon has been rocking Chicago since 1926. It is Chicago's premiere place for live entertainment. The unique architecture, design and ambiance make it the ideal sekng for many types of entertainment, including concerts, corporate events, large private parKes, convenKons, world class boxing, wrestling, movie and video producKons, dances, television programs and cultural events. It is as beauKful today as when it was originally built. The Aragon has been restored to its original grandeur and is conKnuing in its tradiKon as Chicago's premiere venue for live entertainment by hosKng events from both sides of the border. With an enormous main floor for dancing and a 2nd level providing addiKonal seaKng, the Aragon enjoys a capacity of 5,000. There are two private VIP areas on the balcony level uKlized for sponsors & guests. The gorgeous entrance and lobby provide an addiKonal 4,000 G of display area.
- 8. Hispanic Events! Viva Entertainment Network enjoys an exclusive arrangement in presenKng Hispanic events at the Aragon. Viva produces from 25-‐30 major Hispanic events per year in this historic venue. The average aNendance is 4,000 per event or 100,000+ patrons per year. The events are programmed primarily to Mexican & Caribbean consumers, 21 years+ and include; Mexican Regional, LaKn Rock, Super Star Oldies, BachaNa, Reggeatone & Tropical/Salsa
- 9. General Market! Jam & Live NaKon produce up to 25 General Market shows a year that Range from Pop, Rock, Electronic and Hip Hop. Average aNendance for a Jam or Live NaKon concert is roughly 4,000 or 100,000 per year. In the last 85 years The Aragon has hosted some of the greatest ArKst of every generaKon in the last century and conKnues to do so for many more to come.
- 10. Special Events! Special events have been a growing part of the history of the Aragon Ballroom. With over 20 Special events per year this historic venue has been host to many Charity events, Corporate parKes, weddings, Boxing Matches and high profile events such as; Real estate mogul and former Chicago Tribune CEO Sam Zell’s 40th birthday party, President of The United States Barack Obama’s 50th birthday party and Groupon CEO Andrew Mason Christmas party.
- 11. Lobby
- 12. Main Floor!
- 13. Third Floor!
- 14. OPEN BAR PACKAGES! Non-‐Alcoholic Drinks Packages Coke, Diet Coke, Sprite, Ice Mountain BoNled Water, tonic water, club soda, orange juice, cranberry juice, pineapple juice, tomato juice and coffee Per Person*: 3 hours $19 | 4 hours $22 | 5 hours $25 Beer, Wine & Well Package All of the above plus: Miller Genuine DraG, Miller Lite, Corona, Heineken, Modelo. Well Vodka, Gin, rum, tequila, whiskey and scotch Robert Mondavi Chardonnay and Robert Mondavi Sauvignon. Per Person*: 3 hours $23 | 4 hours $26 | 5 hours $30
- 15. Call Package All of the above Plus: Absolute Vodka, Absolut Vodka Flavors, Tanqueray Gin, Bacardi Rum, Jose Cuervo Tequila, Jack Daniel’s Whiskey. Per Person*: 3 hours $28 | 4 hours $32 | 5 hours $36 Premium Package All of the above Plus: Robert Mondavi Private SelecKon Chardonnay and Cabernet Sauvignon Assorted Liqueurs Grey Goose, KeNle One, Bombay Sapphire Gin, Cuervo 1800 Tequila, Don Julio Tequila, Don Julio Reposado Tequila, , Jameson Irish Wiskey, Makers Mark Bourbon, Chivas Regal Scotch and Johnnie Walker Scotch Whiskey. Per Person*: 3 hours $36 | 4 hours $40 | 5 hours $44 Add: *10.75% sales tax ***ALL SERVERS + GLASS WARE MUST BE PROVIDED BY PREFERED CATERERS. Brands and pricing are subject to change Cash bars are available -‐ $7500 Bar Minimum required for all Non-‐Open Bar events. OPEN BAR PACKAGES!
- 16. Food For Thought John Wagner 773.318.0987 jwagner@wchicago.com www.wChicago.com Blue Plate Catering Caryn Blumenfeld 312.239.2842 cblumenfeld@blueplatechicago.com www.blueplatechicago.com Entertaining Company Denise RobineNe 312.406.9757 jwagner@wchicago.com www.entertainingcompany.com Calihan Catering NiKn Vyas 312.587.3553 Nitv@calihancatring.com CalihanCatering.com Jewell Events Catering Les Chandler 312.829.3663 x 209 Lauren@Jewelleventscatering.com www.Jewelleventscatering.com PREFERED CATERERS!