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Nick's Friends
These awesome people, places, and things are among Nick's favorite friends, partners and collaborators...and you should definitely check them out!
FLASHBACK WEEKEND HORROR CONVENTION
This is Chicago’s largest and longest running Horror Convention known for major celebrity guests, innovative programming, and spectacular evening events. I am very proud to have been a part of this family-owned convention since the very beginning in 2002, and every year it gets better and better. Mike and Mia Kerz created this amazing convention that is dedicated to the preservation of the American Drive-in, 35mm film, and all things horror. You need to come out during the first weekend of August each year to experience the fun, and join me in my element with my horror family, or, Tribe.
SVENGOOLIE
A legend. The greatest TV horror host of all time, and one of the funniest, most generous and talented men on the planet, Rich Koz has played Svengoolie for 45 years, and he is still going strong. Svengoolie can be seen every Saturday night at 7pm on METV, I have had the honor of appearing on the show several times, I work with Sven at The Flashback Weekend Horror Convention every year, and Rich was the very first guest on “The Nick D Podcast.” My friendship with Rich is something I really treasure.
ZANIES COMEDY CLUBS
Zanies comedy clubs are the finest venues in which to see live comedy in the Chicagoland area. From world renowned headliners and comedy legends, to local stand-ups, to hilarious podcast shows and more, Zanies is THE place to go for laughs. I have done stand-up sets at the Old Town location, and hosted LIVE editions of my podcast at the beautiful Rosemont location.
RADIO MISFITS PODCAST NETWORK
This is simply the best podcast network in the world. Radio Misfits features entertaining, varied, informative, dramatic, musical, and fun podcasts of all shapes and sizes. It also happens to be the home of my two podcasts.
TONY FITZPATRICK
Tony and I go way, waaaaay back, to the old days in the screening room watching movies with Gene and Roger, and counting all of the quality kills. He is a brilliant Chicago-based artist best known for his multimedia collages, printmaking, paintings and drawings. He is a true Chicagoan through and through, and his amazing work reflects that. He is also a hell of a nice guy who has also been known to act in film and on stage, write stories, host podcasts and radio shows, bartend, box, work construction, design album covers, and in general, be a cool dude, and a true mensch. I consider him a true friend and a massive talent whose work is unlike anything else
MOVIES! TV NETWORK
The great Neal Sabin (the genius behind Me-TV and other terrific Weigel Broadcasting creations) established this OUTSTANDING free-to-air network, dedicated to showcasing classic movies 24 hours a day. The network’s programming and advertising operations are located right here in Chicago, and the unique showcases and special festivals are fresh and wonderful. It’s one of my very favorite go-to movie networks available anywhere.
ECKHARTZ PRESS
A wonderful publishing company co-founded, and run by my friend and former radio personality Rick Kaempfer. It’s the home of some of the best authors and books you will find anywhere. Ranging in a wide variety of topics, styles and more (fiction and non-fiction alike), the books published by Eckhartz Press are consistently smart, informative and entertaining. Rick also co-hosts (with David Stern) two outstanding podcasts on our beloved Radio Misfits Podcast Network: “Minutia Men” and “Minutia Men Celebrity Interview.”
CLASSIC CINEMAS
Classic Cinemas is the largest Illinois based movie theater chain that operates 16 locations with 137 screens showing first-run blockbusters, while also continuing great programs that feature screenings of old favorites and more modern classics. I am honored to host a monthly film club, Nick’s Pix, at one of Classic Cinemas’ best theaters: The Lake Theater in Oak Park. The theaters are beautiful, comfortable, and equipped with the finest sound and projection systems available. A GREAT place to see a movie, and a terrific company to work with.
THE MIDWAY DRIVE-IN
This incredible place (currently owned and operated by Mike and Mia Kerz) opened in 1950 in Sterling, Illinois and has been in continuous operation ever since. It is a genuine historical landmark that can hold up to 500 cars, has a great full service concession stand, and a giant 90 feet across screen that gives a massive film presentation. I love this place, and have hosted triple features, and dusk til dawn events in the past, with many more to come in the future. If you’ve never been to the drive-in and experienced this wonderful piece of Americana, you need to get to The Midway this summer!
THE MUSIC BOX THEATRE
This is a beautiful, historical movie palace located in the middle of the city of Chicago, that showcases new first-run movies, along side classic revivals, 70mm presentations, amazing film festivals, and unique and weird programming that makes it the best place in the country to see a movie, and have a TRUE movie-going experience. It’s one of my favorite places on earth, and I have hosted, been a part of and helped program films at The Music Box for many years. I plan more partnerships with this place, and I visit there regularly.
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