Teh One Who Knocks
05-05-2011, 01:14 PM
By Rob Manker - Chicago Tribune reporter
The jubilant celebration of Osama bin Laden’s death seen at Ground Zero, the White House and elsewhere won’t be mimicked Friday night at a Chicago bar after all.
Live music venue Uncle Fatty’s in Lakeview had planned a bin Laden death-themed party for that night but says it quashed the idea after encountering backlash from some who received an email promoting the event, and on Wednesday apologized.
"Our intention was never to offend anyone," read a news release from Empower Public Relations and attributing the comments to "a representative of Uncle Fatty’s."
"After further consideration we have decided that this was a joke that was taken too far and have therefore decided to change the focus of the party. We have pushed the envelope in the past by hosting parties with irreverent themes, but we now recognize that this was perceived as inappropriate."
The original release announcing the "Osama bin Laden Is Rot'n" party was greeted by angry emails from some who received it, Empower said.
"Arrive at Uncle Fatty’s decked out in your favorite American-style swagger that represents your love of your country for no cover charge," read Monday’s first release. "This means garb sporting our nation’s flag, your favorite team USA t-shirt and any other creative clothing item you can think of.
"The staff will is pulling (sic) out all the stops for this event with specialty cocktails like 'The Floating Terrorist' and 'Osama Been Shot' — a blood red shooter made with vodka and grenadine."
Other bars, restaurants and apparel makers, local and national, have introduced bin Laden-themed events and products to mixed reaction since the former al-Qaida leader’s killing by U.S. forces Sunday in Pakistan.
The jubilant celebration of Osama bin Laden’s death seen at Ground Zero, the White House and elsewhere won’t be mimicked Friday night at a Chicago bar after all.
Live music venue Uncle Fatty’s in Lakeview had planned a bin Laden death-themed party for that night but says it quashed the idea after encountering backlash from some who received an email promoting the event, and on Wednesday apologized.
"Our intention was never to offend anyone," read a news release from Empower Public Relations and attributing the comments to "a representative of Uncle Fatty’s."
"After further consideration we have decided that this was a joke that was taken too far and have therefore decided to change the focus of the party. We have pushed the envelope in the past by hosting parties with irreverent themes, but we now recognize that this was perceived as inappropriate."
The original release announcing the "Osama bin Laden Is Rot'n" party was greeted by angry emails from some who received it, Empower said.
"Arrive at Uncle Fatty’s decked out in your favorite American-style swagger that represents your love of your country for no cover charge," read Monday’s first release. "This means garb sporting our nation’s flag, your favorite team USA t-shirt and any other creative clothing item you can think of.
"The staff will is pulling (sic) out all the stops for this event with specialty cocktails like 'The Floating Terrorist' and 'Osama Been Shot' — a blood red shooter made with vodka and grenadine."
Other bars, restaurants and apparel makers, local and national, have introduced bin Laden-themed events and products to mixed reaction since the former al-Qaida leader’s killing by U.S. forces Sunday in Pakistan.