FRIDAY, AUGUST 19
Pride Fest Dinner and a Movie at Boltini Lounge and the Art Theater, 7 p.m., $20 for dinner and $7 for the movie
Though I’m not sure I can totally endorse the film being screened, KABOOM, I can say for certain that Boltini’s kitchen is one of the most vastly underrated experiences in this town. Most of us have come to know Bolitni as a spot for upscale cocktail hour, or as a place to get your adult on. But did you know that they are routinely pumping out some of the best food in town? If you are unsure, this would seem like a good chance to support a great cause, and dine on a three-course meal for just $20. And assuming they will let you order off the regular menu as well, go for the Pub Pretzels. They are tremendous. (SF)
U of I Women’s Soccer vs. Gonzaga at Soccer/Track Stadium, 7 p.m., Free
The season opens at home, against the Zags. I love this time of year. Football hooliganism to make the Nika Riots look like a play date at Ants In Their Pants. And you should see the mad shit the Zags have been talking about the meth-addled hillbillies of flyover country. (RH)
Psychic Joker presents The Ford Theatre Reunion et. al. at SoDo Theatre (114 S. Neil), 10 p.m., $10
Mentalism, assassination references, gypsy sideshow bands, a living doll… What, that’s not eclectic enough for you? Your orthodoxic ecumenism disgusts me. (RH)
Midnight in Paris at the Art Theater, 5:30 p.m. Fri. with add’l show on Sun. at 2:30 p.m.
Owen Wilson stars as a writer who falls in love with the Paris of past and present in this Woody Allen film. Check out the Smile Politely review to read about what makes this film highly recommended. (JS)
Snow Flower and the Secret Fan at the Art Theater, 7:30 p.m. Fri. with add’l shows at 5:00 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. on Sat/Sun, $6.50 before 6 p.m., $9 after
Standup Comedy Showcase at the Iron Post, 9 p.m., $5
Comics performing include: Andrew Voris (C-U), former SP contributor Collin Bullock (Chicago), Joe Roderick (Peoria), Jason Dockins (C-U), Jesse Tuttle (C-U), Bryan Heine (Bloomington), Justin Tuttle (C-U).
Speaking of the Post, “It almost feels like it was laid out specifically for stand-up. It’s large enough to be comfortable, but tight enough so that everyone in the audience can really feel connected to the show,” said Voris. “And folks dig it. We have good comics in the community and around the region. So I think it’s become a unique, cool thing to come together in downtown Urbana.” (JG)
Kaboom at the Art Theater, 10 p.m., $7
An oversexed, conspiracy-minded, sci-fi, college comedy about the end of the world. This looks really terrible and really fun. (RH)
SATURDAY, AUGUST 20
Mahomet Half Marathon & 5-K with registration at Mahomet-Seymour High School, 7 a.m., $30/$15
Running is for winners, and you know you ate too much yesterday, probably because you and your partner haven’t been getting along lately. That, or you were watching the news, and you saw Rick Perry talking about some bullshit, and you subconciously ate a bunch of ice cream to dismantle the feelings of hatred that were welling up inside of you. This is what happened, and so, you should probably run it out, you know? (SF)
Campus YMCA Dump and Run Sale at Stock Pavilion, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sat & 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sun, $2 admission on Sat & Free Sun
I had a friend who once drove a motorhome to Vancouver for Boxing Day because he believed that, on said day, everyone in Canada put their unwanted goods in boxes on their front lawns. In his beautiful, unfettered imagination it was the world’s greatest rummage sale and he was going to bring back enough animatronics to create a mechanoid superentity that would destroy all the squares in the Pacific Northwest. This is kind of like that, but real. (RH)
Summer Used Book Sale, St. Joseph Township-Swearingen Memorial Library, 9 a.m.–3 p.m.
Misspelling notwithstanding, I’m certain St. Joe named its library after the owner of The Gem.
Paperbacks are 25¢ and hardbacks are 50¢.
Downtown Festival of the Arts in downtown Champaign, 10 a.m to 6 p.m., Free
I’ve always been a little confused about this particular festival in downtown, simply because it has such a broad and generic title. I suppose that anything would encompass, “the arts” if we really tried to stretch it out to appeal to everyone? But that shouldn’t stop you from seeing what it has to offer. I think we’ll go, and I’d like to find out the ratio of local to non-local vendors, to be honest, because, I swear to God, if I have to buy a sandwich from someone from Mt. Vernon, Ill., I might be ready to hurt a man… wait, wait, wait… this isn’t the Taste? OK. Phew…
Still though, look above these words. That’s the logo for a festival for the arts? Has anyone at the CPD figured out that we have this whole big, great university, just sittin’ there, literally FILLED with young creative people? Who the fuck designs the Park District’s anythings anyhow? Let me clue you in: it’s terrible. Awful. Disgraceful. A clip art flower and block lettering? For an arts festival? Maybe I am making too much of it (I am), but seriously — that’s pathetic. (SF)
The Trip at the Art Theater, 2:30 p.m.
The Trip, starring Steve Coogan and Rob Brydon is back for some addtional showings this weekend and next week. Find out how Xanadu, scallops, and Michael Caine impersonations all play a part in the film by checking out the Smile Politely review. (JS)
CCAMR fundraiser, 4–9 p.m. at Alto Vineyards, $25 or 2/$45
Champaign County Community Advocacy and Mentoring Resources assists adults with intellectual disabilities. The event will have live music from Ryan Groff, Tricia Scully, Street Level Doppler and The Impalas. Food will be provided by Milo’s, LA Gourmet, Lil Porgy’s, Hooters, Olive Garden and others. (JS)
Mustache Ride III: Revenge of the ‘Stache at The Bike Project, 5 p.m., $2
Who doesn’t love a mustache ride? This is the third edition of the goofy mustache contest/alleycat race, and hopefully we’ll have as much fun this time around as the first two. No bike racing experience necessary, and excellent mustaches are always available for purchase at Dallas & Co., if you’re unprepared or are at a gender disadvantage. Eric Gertner won the real mustache division last year with a chest-stache, and will return to defend his title, reportedly with a different strategy. Elizabeth Surles will not be around to attempt to repeat in the fake mustache division (winning with a mustache created from her own hair), unfortunately. Disclosure: I’m the fool who “organizes” this mess. (JG)
SPEAK! An Open Mic Afternoon at Das Cafe. 3 p.m. to 5 p.m., free
Das Cafe has beer (the good, German kind). You’re a damned fool if you don’t drink some. (BV)
CU Pride Fest at Lincoln Square Mall, 4 p.m. to 9 p.m. (festival) & 9 p.m. to 2 p.m. (afterparty), Free
Because Lincoln Square Mall is fabulous.
Check out Emma Reaux’s preview of the festival here.
Pearl Handle Band at Bunny’s Tavern parking lot, 7 p.m., No cover
Elsinore’s Life Inside an Elephant EP release show, 8 p.m. at The Highdive, $10 in advance/$12 at the door
Elsinore returns with their first release since Yes Yes Yes. Ezra Fuhrman and The Palace Flophouse open the night. A digital copy of is included with admission. (JS)
Also, read the Dylan Sutcliff’s interview with Elsinore this week in the buzz or on the217.com, where you can luxuriate in the reflected glow of crooner Ryan Groff’s feelings towards Kohl’s: http://the217.com/articles/view/catching_up_with_elsinore_1
Specifically, this line: “It was great that it was a company like Kohl’s because Kohl’s feels like warm hugs and chocolate chip cookies.”
I feel a little flushed… (SF)
SUNDAY, AUGUST 21
U of I Women’s Soccer vs. Toledo at Soccer/Track Stadium, 1 p.m., Free
You should see the mad shit the Rockets are talking about the pretentious, over-educatued, over-employed philosopher kings of the Ag belt: auto & glass manufacturing > corn & soybeans. This calls for more post-match rioting. (RH)
Auditions for God of Carnage at the Station Theatre, 2 p.m.
If you want to try out for the part of Annette, you must be able to vomit on command. (RH)
Gillian Grassie at Hessel Park, 6:30 p.m., Free