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The David Leonardis Report #5

Last night I got to hang out with legendary Rock and Roll Photographer Mick Rock. Mick is an affable bloke who is into yoga and health foods so I took him to Whole Foods on North Ave. He was quite charmed with Chicago and my galleries here. He’s psyched about his showing at my River North Gallery tomorrow in conjunction with the BBC America’s Brit Bus Tour.  The Julia Jones Band will also be playing an acoustic set. The bus will be there from 6-8pm. The opening will go until 11pm and so will Mick Rock.

So come on out and say hello to Mick and take a look at some of his incredible library of photos of the Rock Icons that have permeated our lives. Oh yeah it’s more fun if you walk out with one too. Make sure you bring your charge cards darlings. This is a rare Chicago appearance for this walking piece of history.

Tuesday night I went to Castaways at the North Avenue Beach. A great place with a simple menu. I had the California wrap with an order of fruit instead of fries. The server was great and very friendly. Just don’t ask them for water because they are wearing shirts that say water is $3 or you can go 300 yards east and get all you want for free. I had a great view of the beach and there were several volleyball games going on. Several of the games seemed semi pro. There were men and women in their swimsuits going all out. I seemed to have a better view of the ladies in bikini’s but I’m sure that was just luck. It made me think of vacation in the Caribbean and even some time I spent in Lido de Vinecia. Which, by the way, if you ever get a chance to go is a fantastic vacation spot outside of Venice Italy. They have a world renowned film festival there in late August which is star studded. When you are looking at the beach from Castaways it makes it seem as if you could be anywhere. Then you look over your shoulder and see Chicago’s magnificent skyline. I felt really relaxed and as if I had been on a mini vacation. A great place for some fun, food and with your friends. I’ll be back soon.

I went to Kumas Corner on Sunday for a late brunch. One of the few places in the city that’s not a diner and you can get an egg or two. I ordered the Kumas Burger which is a half pound of Angus with bacon, cheddar and egg on a pretzel roll. Super good and the up charge for salad instead of fries is soooo worth it. I mean the salad was huge. A great house dressing. I wanted extra dressing and the waitress was super friendly. She was as nice as her tattoo sleeve was cool. They have a dozen or so burgers all named after Heavy Metal Bands. My friend Dave Stern from www.5oogreatestshots.com was the guest expert. Dave had the Judas Priest as a tribute to his old friend Rob Halford. The mix was only hipsters and local sports fans. I’m sure they would welcome anyone though. They had a couple of great TV’s with the cross town classic on. I give this place a standing triple. Try it, you’ll like it.

Friday I am going to Georgia to work on my Howard Finster Vision House Museum. I have three guys who are kind and giving enough to go down there with me and get there names on the HFVH. We are going to be drywalling the caretaker apartment and painting the porch and the reception room. After the drywall is done I will be looking for a full time care taker to rebuild the rest of the Museum and keep weekend hours. My previous caretaker Jeff got injured when he went home for Christmas vacation. I hope to have him back soon but regardless, I will be moving forward. It’s been a slow steady progress for the last two years I have been working on this wonderful project and I really still expect to have it 90% done in another two years. (What little I can do for Howard Finster and all of his fans.) If this inspires you feel free to contribute $120 or more and I will put your name on Howard’s Vision House in Perpetuity. In case you are wondering, donating to this Museum will be the best Karma you can get. I know you were wondering. I’ll be posting the new pics I take this weekend on my myspace page. www.myspace.com/DavidLeonardis

That’s all for now Folks….

Have an Art Filled day.

DL

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