FRIDAY, MARCH 1
UNOFFICIAL w/ Beer, Campustown, All Day, $
Now that I am a good solid decade removed from even being able to entertain the idea of throwin’ down at 7 a.m. on Unofficial, there is a part of me that kind of just wants to say fuck it, and do it anyway.
But, of course, I can’t — I won’t. I’ve got meetings, for chrissakes. And what’s more, I play basketball on Friday at Noon with the B courts at The Arc. Then, after that, I’ve got to meet with Urbana Public Works about some stuff. Point being, it’s just not in the cards for me.
But it could be for you? Maybe one year, an old friend who used to party down at Unofficial during college (I never went, sadly) might call me up, tell me that he’s getting together with a bunch of his old college pals to go drinkin’ early with the students. Maybe he’ll buy me a T-shirt and demand that I wear it? Hey, if the right fella from college called me up and said this is how it was going to be, yeah — I’d probably join in too.
After all, it’s just a party. They can be fun. And safe. (SF)
Unofficial Battle for Error Records, Red Herring, 7:00 p.m., $5
For those of you who won’t be participating in Unofficial, but still want to do something “Unofficial,” head over to Red Herring to catch some insane live music. The money raised will go to help fund the Error Records fundraising effort (even though they already reached their goal of $3,000). Bands performing include Gas Up Yr Hearse, Street Justice, Ashland, Ghost Key, and Daukis.
You can check out Error Record’s campaign over here and see what all the fuss is about if you’re not up to speed. (PS)
My Fair Lady (Semi-Staged/Concert Version), Krannert Tryon Festival Theatre, Friday–Saturday, 7:30 p.m. | Sunday, 3:00 p.m.
This show comes to us from the School of Music Opera Program Series. Music by Frederick Loewe. Book and lyrics by Alan Jay Lerner.
The role of Eliza Doolittle is played by Cristin Colvin (March 2) and Wendy Muir (March 1 & 3). Timothy Renner plays Henry Higgins.
Program (pdf) (TN)
You Can’t Take It With You, Parkland Community College, Friday–Saturday, 7:30 p.m. | Sunday, 3:00 p.m.
I have to say that Parkland College’s theatre is always pretty damned impressive. Smile Politely published a very positive review of You Can’t Take It With You yesterday, summing it up with one word: “delightful.” So check it out if you’re so inclined. (TN)
Mission IMPROVable and Odd Request Improv Show, Courtyard Café, 8:00 p.m., Free
Mission IMPROVable has been performing for over thirteen years. They began on the campus of the University of Massachusetts, and eventually six original members moved to Chicago’s Second City. Since then, the group has taken its show on tour and has become the #1 touring improv comedy act in the country.
Odd Request Improv is an RSO at the U of I that hosts bi-weekly shows in the English Building. (TN)
SONS OF THE PROPHET, Station Theatre, 8:00 p.m., $10–$15
Reviewed by Smile Politely as “a heartbreaking (yet somehow hilarious) look at human loss and pain,” Stephen Karam’s Sons of the Prophet will run this weekend and next at the Station Theatre in Urbana. Directed by Station veteran Gary Ambler and featuring a dynamite ensemble cast, this play explores dark topics while maintaining a brisk pace and a crackling wit. Reservations can be made by calling (217) 384-4000 or visiting the Station’s website. (MG)
HORRIBLE THINGS w/ WitchFeet + Hospital Job + Single Player, Mike ‘N Molly’s, 8:00 p.m., $7
According to alreadyheard.com, Horrible Things is “a straight up punk band from Champaign, Illinois. With their latest musical offering, ‘Dumb Days,’ they are able to create a whole sense of emotion within 13 minutes and 9 tracks. The record is full of fun little quips, anecdotes, and plenty of hooks. It genuinely just makes you feel pretty positive. Tracks like ‘Before I Was American’ really promote their influences, whilst ‘A Friend Named Food’ highlights how Horrible Things are able to take these influences and create something original and personal to themselves. “Steps” is my stand out track for the record, with the opening line of “Things are looking up finally” you can’t help but want to shout along. 13 minutes and an absolute pleasure to listen to.” (MG)
SATURDAY, MARCH 2
Jazz at the Herring Fest, Red Herring & Channing-Murray Foundation, 9:00 a.m.–7:00 p.m., $1 for public, free for students
Not only did I not know that Jazz at the Herring Fest was happening this weekend, I didn’t even know Jazz at the Herring existed in the first place. This pretty awesome mini-festival is happening on Saturday, basically all day long with a ton of different acts from U of I and NIU, as well as local combos and ensembles joining in on the festivities. This student-run event will be held in the chapel of Channing-Murray, while the food and other vendors will be available at the Red Herring downstairs. You can check out all the details over at the Facebook event linked in the title. (PS)
Read Across America, Lincoln Square Mall, 10:00 a.m.–1:00 p.m.
Come and enjoy fun, hands-on, literacy-related activities for young children. There will be storytelling by professional storytellers throughout the mall, including stories in other languages (Spanish, Vietnamese, French, Swahili, Japanese, Portuguese, and Chinese). The first 1,000 children will receive a free book bag and a free new book to take home.
Read Across America is, of course, a national event, but the theme of the local celebration this year is “Oh the Places You Will Go. Book a Trip Today!” This is Champaign-Urbana’s thirteenth annual celebration. (TN)
Smile Politely Show Series: The Dirty Feathers, Barrowe, Swords & The Struggle, DJ Belly, Cowboy Monkey, 8 p.m., $5
We’re pretty excited about this show coming up this weekend because, well, even if it wasn’t a part of our Smile Politely Show Series, it is something to discuss. The Dirty Feathers are on a roll recently, and joining up with this set of acts is even more reason to go see them and all their stage antics. Barrowe, a new Take Care/Hank. side project that I am personally excited about, is making their live debut this weekend as a part of this show. The combination of Swords & The Struggle plus DJ Belly with two rock bands is pretty stellar as well, and covers a wide range of great music in C-U. Four acts for the price of $5? Forget about it. You were sold before you even had a chance to see what the price of admission was. SP Show Series will have the long month of March to plan for April, but we have a feeling this one will tide us over for quite some time. (PS)
The Dirty Feathers: “If Your Love is a Drug (Then I’m Feeling Sick)”
[[mp3 the_dirty_feathers_if_your_love_is_a_drug]]
SUNDAY, MARCH 3
Weissenheimer Chicken, Destihl, All day, $15.95
Is there a better chicken dish in town? At this point, for me, it’s a toss-up between four different places, maybe five. But right now, I’m thinking of this Weissenheimer Chicken at Destihl. It’s a half-bird, roasted to perfection (and by that I mean that it’s not overdone, or dry), and it sits atop a bed of decent mashed potatoes and well pan-seared green beans.
Quite frankly, it’s incredibly good. You should eat it. (SF)