Kendra G, Raven Smith join Windy City Weekend; Val and Ryan talk Bud Billiken Parade, Windy City Smokeout, new movies
Share this @internewscast.com

CHICAGO (WLS) — On Friday morning, Val Warner and Ryan Chiaverini invited viewers to join them at their studio located at 190 North State Street during “Windy City Weekend.”

Host Chat with Kendra G

During the “Host Chat” portion, they were joined by media personality Kendra G. In the past, Kendra was a recurring guest on the former “Windy City Live” program when she worked as a local radio personality at WGCI-FM.

Now, Kendra is an entrepreneur in Southern California, best known for her dating app, Kendra G Singles, which is available on a variety of platforms.

ABC7 Chicago is now streaming 24/7. Click here to watch

Kendra G has returned to Chicago to promote her Kendra G Singles Live Tour, which will take place on Monday at The Promontory in Hyde Park. At this event, she will select the top 12 singles in the city and pair them up for a potential romantic connection. The event begins at 7 p.m. at The Promontory, located at 5311 S. Lake Park Ave. Tickets can be purchased at www.promontorychicago.com.

In addition to talking about her event and app, Kendra also played the Kendra G Singles Live card game with Chiaverini and Warner, where they were both quizzed about their love matches.

They also talked about a new poll which says that the happiest shift workers are employed at marijuana dispensaries, with 92% of weed and vape store employees feeling good about their jobs.

Raven Smith

Clothes designer and entrepreneur Raven Smith has become one of the youngest changemakers in the city.

Smith first appeared on the show ten years during its incarnation as “Windy City Live.” She was a student at Morgan Park Academy, where she launched a clothing brand called “Straight From The Go,” where proceeds from all sales go to victims of gun violence in Chicago.

Since then, she’s become one of the youngest changemakers in the city and one of the youngest recipients of the Norman Bobins Award. She is also a two-time cum laude graduate of the University of Missouri and will return this August to pursue her master’s and possibly a PhD.

Smith talked to Chiaverini and Warner about her fashion show that she is curating on Saturday at the Epiphany Center for the Arts, 200 S. Ashland Ave. The show, called the Retrograde Fashion Show, will feature a celebrity signed “Straight From the Go” t-shirt. That shirt was signed by local celebrities, including Val Warner, former Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel and former First Lady Michelle Obama.

Doors open for the Retrograde Fashion Show at 6:30 p.m. and the show starts at 7 p.m. Tickets are available on Eventbrite and at the Epiphany Center for the Arts website.

Road to ‘The Bud’

The Bud Billiken Pared will be broadcast live on ABC7 Chicago from 10 a.m. to noon on Saturday, Aug. 9.

For the next few weeks, we’ll feature segments on some of the groups performing at the historic Bud Billiken Parade, a Chicago tradition since 1929.

This week, we profiled Dance Force Elite, a South Side dance school that’s been a staple at the parade since 2008.

The Bud Billiken Pared will be broadcast live on ABC7 Chicago from 10 a.m. to noon on Saturday, Aug. 9.

Roeper’s reviews

Which new movies are worth your money?

Roeper also gave a “spend” to “Dexter: Resurrection,” a streaming series which is a sequel to the popular “Dexter” TV series.

And he also gave a spend to “One Night in Idaho – The College Murders,” a streaming documentary about the 2022 University of Idaho murders.

Windy City Smokeout

The four-day festival of country music and barbecue is held at the United Center.

Tickets and a daily schedule of events at the Windy City Smokeout can be found on their website, www.windycitysmokeout.com.

Val honored by Happiness Club

Chiaverini then closed the show by congratulating Warner for receiving the Legacy Award from The Happiness Club, a nonprofit organization that provides a free performing arts education program for Chicago youth, largely from the South and West sides, who otherwise have limited access to the arts.

The award honors Warner’s contributions as a role model and beacon of hope to young creatives in Chicago.

Warner will receive the award in person at The Happiness Club’s annual benefit in Chicago on Sunday at the Park West Theater.

Copyright © 2025 WLS-TV. All Rights Reserved.

Share this @internewscast.com
You May Also Like
New York Daily News Flashback: “Ford to City: Drop Dead”

Historic Moment: When Ford Told NYC ‘No Bailout’ in 1975

October 30, 1975: In what is arguably its most memorable cover story,…
Attorney says Virginia school missed warnings before 6-year-old shot teacher

Virginia School Ignored Critical Red Flags Before 6-Year-Old’s Shocking Shooting Incident, Attorney Reveals

Lawyers representing a Virginia teacher, who was shot by a 6-year-old student,…
JSO: Man shot during argument with suspect on Moncrief Road

Shocking Glynn County Hotel Incident: Woman Arrested for Fiancé Stabbing

After conducting several interviews, authorities concluded that the assault was the result…
Patients go without needed treatment after the government shutdown disrupts a telehealth program

Government Shutdown Halts Telehealth Services, Leaving Patients Without Essential Care

MINOOKA, Ill. (AP) — Bill Swick is living with a rare degenerative…
Aide to Mass Gov. Healey charged in cocaine trafficking scheme allegedly linked to state office building

Aide to Massachusetts Governor Healey Accused in Cocaine Trafficking Operation Allegedly Tied to State Office Building

Authorities have arrested a Massachusetts governor’s aide on allegations of cocaine trafficking.…
Burglar arrested for rape of 74-year-old woman in Long Island apartment

Long Island Burglar Arrested for Shocking Assault on 74-Year-Old Woman in Her Apartment

In a disturbing incident that has shocked the local community, law enforcement…
Sabu has died: WWE star was 60

Remembering Floyd Roger Myers Jr.: The Beloved ‘Fresh Prince’ Star Who Captivated Hearts at 42

Floyd Roger Myers Jr., a former child actor known for his roles…
Hollywood producer sentenced in women's deaths also accused of rape by hero officer who died helping others

Hollywood Producer Convicted in Women’s Deaths Faces Additional Rape Allegations from Deceased Hero Officer

A Hollywood producer was given a prison sentence on Wednesday for the…
Pregnant widow shares husband's final text before alleged fatal sucker punch outside Arizona bar

Heartbreaking: Pregnant Widow Reveals Husband’s Last Text Before Tragic Incident at Arizona Bar

A pregnant widow shared the haunting final text message from her husband,…
Mike Bloomberg Reaffirms Support for Cuomo in NYC Mayoral Race

Mike Bloomberg Backs Cuomo: A Power Move in the NYC Mayoral Race

Billionaire and media mogul Michael Bloomberg has once again thrown his support…
Fury over Dictionary.com's Word Of The Year: '6 7'

Controversy Erupts as Dictionary.com Announces ‘6 7’ as Word of the Year

Dictionary.com has revealed its Word of the Year, and it’s likely not…
Illinois State teaching assistant toppled TPUSA table

Former Teaching Assistant Arrested by FBI for Threatening Trump Following Turning Point Table Flipping Incident

Editor’s Note: This article is part of Fox News Digital’s investigative series,…