Paul Barker

 

As we mentioned in our very first post (seems like it was only yesterday...), we plan on sharing things that we like with you on the pages of this blog - and the range of things that we recommend will definitely vary!

 

Today's recommendation combines several things that we like; music, eccentricity and gadgets.  Paul's longtime friend, Paul Barker (Ministry, The Revolting Cocks, USSA, Flowering Blight), is not only an accomplished musician, he is also one of the masterminds behind Malekko Heavy Industry - makers of top-shelf guitar and bass effects.  If you are a musician looking to upgrade your pedal board in a unique fashion, then look no further than www.malekkoheavyindustry.com  With products like the Spring Chicken (spring reverb) and B:ASSMASTER (simply awesome), Malekko are making a name for themselves.   

  Home made pasta - Italy

 

This week Paul and his producer Leasha are doing a shoot in Italy.  If you happen to be in Italy this weekend, you probably already have an itinerary of some sort, but if you are in Chicago and you don't have anything planned, Team Elledge has you covered.  Here are our recommendations for staying busy this weekend:

 

Mods versus Rockers is a motorcycle event that spans the course of the weekend at various locations.  If you have any interest in vintage motorcycles or scooters, you really need to check it out.

 

The Stephen Daiter Gallery is having an opening tonight (Friday, June 19th) for their staff show, entitled, "It's All Who You Know."  It will run from 5:30-8 and will definitely be worth dropping in on.

 

And as many of you know, there are only two seasons in Chicago - winter and street festival season.  We are now firmly in the latter, and the Taste of Randolph Street will be showcasing a variety of music and food throughout the weekend.   

 

It also looks like it will be a great weekend to be outdoors, so look for Paul's assistants to be out and about on the town.  Brian will most likely be spotted riding his bicycle through Ukranian Village or checking out Mods vs. Rockers.  James will be found on a golf course or at Oak Street beach.  If you run into them, stop and say hello!     

 

Paul's good friend, Monte Beauchamp (creator of BLAB!), is curating Midwestern BLAB!, which will feature the artwork of several Midwestern artists that have helped to make the annual a success through their contributions.

 

BLAB! is a highly regarded showcase of Fine Art, Illustration and Comics, and you would be remiss to not make it to this exhibit if you are interested in professional visual arts.

 

The opening reception will be held Thursday, June 18th from 5-8 p.m. at Columbia College Chicago's Leviton A+D Gallery (619 S. Wabash Avenue). 

  Superdawg = Super Tasty

 

Occasionally the stars align in our industry, and we get to incorporate something we are quite fond of into our work.  Last summer brought about one of those opportunities when we were able to shoot a campaign at Superdawg - the legendary Chicago hot dog drive in.

 

While it's true that Superdawg can be enjoyed all year round, the fact of the matter is that there are few things greater than having to decide between a Whoopskidawg or a Superburger on a summer evening...  We recommend going the whole nine yards and adding Superfries and a shake.  

 

Although Superdawg is a bit of a Chicago institution (established in 1948), it is still hip, with a Twitter page to prove it.  They recently had a competition through their Twitter feed that gave people an opportunity to win Superdawg food.  That was almost enough to convince the hold-outs in the studio to finally sign up for Twitter...

 

And in case you were wondering, yes - Paul is on Twitter himself.  Find him HERE. 

 

Tonight, Sam Rosen (of The Post Family) is throwing himself a birthday party of reasonably epic proportions.  Not only does this party feature a large collection of Sam's personal work, it will also have:

 

- Live perfomances

- Interesting people

- A DJ

- Empanadas

- Team Elledge running a photo booth

- Etc.

 

To find out more about the event (and how to get there), just click HERE.

 

So come on out and bring a friend (or 5) with you.

 

See you there!