Katie Donbavand
Email: katie@gozamos.com
Website: http://katiedonbavand.com/
Facebook: Katie Donbavand Twitter: @BreakingCurfew
A Boston import and recent newly wed, Katie Donbavand is a freelance writer who loves zombie movies, magic tricks, s'mores, and winning at Texas Hold ‘em. By day she's a mild-mannered featured writer at Shelterrific, Gapers Block, and Gozamos but her secret identity is a Kung-Fu master in training. Follow her adventures (and mishaps) on Twitter.
6 Hot Spots to Catch Chicagoland Fireworks
By Katie Donbavand on July 3, 2010 | 1 Comment
Booming fireworks displays are the essential part of celebrating our nation’s birth and our victory over those devious, tax-loving Englishmen so grab some lawn chairs and cozy up to a fellow patriot under the rockets’ red glare.
Second City Savant: Horacio Nieto
By Katie Donbavand on June 23, 2010 | 1 Comment
Fashion designer Horacio Nieto takes time out from making Chicago look fabulous to tell us about his Texas roots and how Mexican folk dancing lead him to the Second City.
The Mid West Maverick: Borris Powell
By Katie Donbavand on June 16, 2010 | 2 Comments
Borris Powell is on a mission. Gozamos catches up with the man who is bringing style to Chicago’s sidewalks, one dress at a time.
Mommy Dearest: Mother’s Day Gift Guide
By Katie Donbavand on May 6, 2010 | 1 Comment
Mother’s Day is this Sunday and, don’t worry, there’s still time to pick up a gift for your favorite matriarch! Check out Gozamos’ Mother’s Day gift guide for some inspiration.
There Goes My Hero
By Katie Donbavand on April 30, 2010 | 1 Comment
For those about to geek out: we salute you! Jerrod, Greg, and PT are their secret identities but their on stage alter egos are Wednesday Heroes.
Local Hero: Sifu Yamel Torres
By Katie Donbavand on April 29, 2010 | 3 Comments
Gozamos turns the spotlight on one of our heroes: Sifu Yamel Torres of Chinese Martial Arts. He takes time out of his busy schedule of teaching Kung Fu, Tai Chi Chuan, and Qi Gong to lucky Chicagoans to tell us why low-key Christmases are the best holidays and hard work pays off.
The Second City Shimmy
By Katie Donbavand on April 17, 2010 | 1 Comment
If you made it through the packed house and bellied up to the bar, you’d see the very appropriate plaque mounted on the Blue Bayou’s bar: “Laissez Les Bon Temps Roulez”. Indeed, the good times were rolling. They were also shimming, shaking, twirling, and doing some pretty impressive back bends at Friday night’s Windy City Burlesque Fest’s opening night party.
Red Hot to Trot
By Katie Donbavand on April 15, 2010 | 1 Comment
The Chicago fire’s got nothing on Red Hot Annie! The second city’s favorite burlesque dancer tells Gozamos about her latest project: The Windy City Burlesque Festival.
Local Hero: Michelle Garcia
By Katie Donbavand on April 11, 2010 | 4 Comments
Gozamos turns the spotlight on one of our heroes: Michelle Garcia of the Bleeding Heart Bakery. She takes time out from feeding hungry Chicagoans to tell us why Punky Brewster rules and how she wouldn’t be caught dead in a Wal-Mart.
The Devil in Derby Skates
By Katie Donbavand on April 9, 2010 | 1 Comment
Gozamos catches up with local hero Windy City Roller Juanna Rumbel.
Talk Derby to Me
By Katie Donbavand on April 6, 2010 | 3 Comments
Gozamos spends Saturday night with a few dozen blood-letting bad girls. The UIC Pavilion rumbles with anticipation as the “Eye of the Tiger” begins. Down on the floor a few dozen kids gather rink side, bouncing with eager energy. In the stands, the fans are already screaming.
Kung-Fu Hustle
By Katie Donbavand on March 31, 2010 | 6 Comments
Katie takes on a new hobby and (imaginary) bad guys as she learns ancient Chinese martial arts in Chicago. Reality set in about five minutes into the first class. Turns out, Kung-Fu is hard. In fact, it’s way harder than it looks.
Window Shopping: Southport Stroll
By Katie Donbavand on March 22, 2010 | 2 Comments
It’s officially spring, so get out of the house already and check out these Wrigleyville neighborhood shops.
