Sprung

 

Spring is officially in full swing, and there are few things that make us happier than watching a city burst with the energy that this season brings.  The dramatic changes in weather are providing spectacular opportunities for image making, both personally and professionally.  Last night Paul was simultaneously taking a ton of pictures of the incredible thunderstorm and hoping that the good weather forecast held for our job today.  In typical spring fashion, the weather went from incredibly inclement to completely clear in just a few hours.  We could not have dreamed of better weather for an outdoors shoot than what we experienced today (and - of course - we are supposed to be experiencing massive thunderstorms again tomorrow).

 

Another storm has been brewing for a while in the Chicago art scene, and this weekend it is going to hit this city like a Category 5 hurricane.  The Art Institute of Chicago is opening it's new Modern Wing this Saturday, May 16th.  Designed by the architect Renzo Piano, it will house the museum's collections of modern European painting and sculpture, contemporary art, photography and architecture and design.  This new addition now makes the Art Institute the second largest art museum in the United States (pretty neat!).

 

And speaking of openings, Leasha (our Producer, Culinary Expert and Valentino Rossi Fanatic) is having her work displayed in the 33 Collective Gallery's Annual National Self-Portrait Exhibition!  The opening is tomorrow night (Friday, May 15th) from 7-10 p.m., and we invite you all to come check it out! (the gallery is located inside the Zhou B. Art Center at 1029 W. 35th St., 60609).

 

While most people associate ballet with winter (The Nutcracker and Swan Lake always seem to be prominently featured around December), the fact of the matter is that ballet performances go on all year round, and this weekend is no exception.  Ballet Chicago is performing their spring review, Captivating Rhythms, this Friday, Saturday and Sunday.  If you've been hit by Spring Fever and are looking for a unique event to take a date to, this would be a surefire way to make your date think that you are sophisticated and cultured.  More than one member of Team Elledge has taken a date to a Ballet Chicago event!

 

No matter what you end up doing this weekend, we hope it's a good one.

 

Ciao.