Remember last weekend’s edition of the Weekender, in which we basically told you about the fireworks and parade that we don’t enjoy and sent you on your not-so-merry way? Well, this week’s edition is much less misanthropic, mainly because there’s a shit-ton (metric, even, not short) of stuff going on in town(s) this time around. It’s like it’s not even a college town in the summertime. Enjoy!
FRIDAY, JULY 8
Buy 3 Pizzas, get a 4th Free at Timpone’s: A couple of truths here: 1) Timpone’s likely has the best thin crust pizza in town. Yes yes, I know that I wrote something differently, as recently as a few months back, but as per usual, I am taking it back — flipflopping if you will — and declaring Timpone’s grand champion of that title. 2) It’s the summer in CU and this town, especially East Campus / Krannert Center District, is as dead as a doornail — like Old Marley, but in June and without the histrionics. 3) Ray Timpone is a surly man and a fine chef, as is Jim, his right hand man and the creator of lots of the food you can eat there. 4) They offer 4 pizzas for the price of 3 in the summer time.
So, grab a couple friends and do a few extra squat thrusts on Friday morning and start your weekend off with the most delicious lunch you can likely get around these parts. (SF)
Danville Dans at home vs. the Richmond RiverRats, 6:30 p.m., $6
Since we’re still a few years and arguments away from being able to stroll over to the Fox/Khan/JJ’s Stadium, why not take a drive out to the ol’ Dirty D for a true slice of Americana and then some? Tickets to watch the game are just $6, and the concessions are actually worth your while, as they serve up true Chicago Red Hots — yes, actual Vienna Beef wieners, simmered right, and “dragged through the garden.” They even get Poppyseed covered buns for us purists. So, whether you love baseball or just being outside in the summer, this weekend seems optimal for a trip just east to take it all in. (SF)
Del Castillo with the Corn Desert Ramblers at U of I Research Park, 6:30 p.m., Free
Del Castillo has their very own promo video. How could we pass up the opportunity to post that? Hey, it’s free (this also applies to StreetFest). (JG)
“Farm Together Now” with author Daniel Tucker at Common Ground Food Coop, 6 p.m., Free
Join Chicago author Daniel Tucker for snacks, a slide show and discussion of Farm Together Now: A portrait of people, places and ideas for a new food movement. Check out my interview with Tucker for some more background on what to expect. If you’re tired of hearing about what’s wrong with our food system and want some concrete examples of people who are doing things right, here’s a fantastic opportunity to hear about 20 different farms around the country who are doing innovative, progressive things. Plus, it’s free to attend. (JG)
Hairspray at the Station Theatre, 8 p.m. (Fri. & Sat.), $15
The Summer Season at the Station Theater opened with a bang this year, as one of the finest local ensembles around have put together a pretty damn fine version of John Waters’ “Hairspray,” a wacky comedy with “crazy characters, toe tapping rock and roll and Motown flavored music with an infectious energy.” It’s the closing weekend for this show, and every session has been sold out, so make reservations here and get while the getting’s good.
Blithe Spirit at Krannert, 7:30 p.m., $18
Quoth Percy Bysshe Shelley:
Hail to thee, blithe Spirit!
Bird thou never wert,
That from Heaven, or near it,
Pourest thy full heart
In profuse strains of unpremeditated art.
How could you not want to see a play based upon a stanza like that? Beautiful. And it’s a comedy to boot. Tickets are only $18, you paint-huffing philistine. Hup to, now. Before it’s too late. (CDC)
Noche Cubana at jim gould w/ Los Guapos: If there is one thing that I like in this god forsaken world, it’s a good, solid traditional Cuban sandwich. I don’t much care for an experimental chefs’ take on it, adding ingredients, deconstructing it, trying to one-up it in some way. I like it straight up: crusty bread, soft enough to tear at, yellow mustard, thinly sliced dill pickles, pork — sliced thin — and ham, the same way, cheese, optional. Heat it on a press, and basically mash it into submission. Serve. Don’t fuck with it. Perhaps the folks at jim gould will keep with tradition on Friday when they offer, “Noche Cubana,” a night of dancing, drinks, and food on its patio this Friday night? Let’s hope… (SF)
Bud and Pal: Send Soon and Other Art at Indi Go Artist Co-op, 6 to 9 p.m.
Bud and Pal is an exploration of art by two friends who were separated by life’s journeys. This exhibit looks at maintaining frienships over time and space “using only physical objects such as letters, post cards, and other hand made, more ‘manual’ forms of communication.” Who couldn’t use some reminders of good ol’ traditional communication?
You will also be able to check out “Museum for A Shark,” which explores the ways that “animals interact with science and culture.” This installation includes paintings, drawings, photos, text labels and other objects.
AND “Annihilation of Annihilation,” which explores what you’d expect from the name — annihilation — through gray tones “while flattening and ‘dumbing’ of the imagery. Think cool B&W paintings. (JS)
Rubber at The Art Theater, 10:30 p.m. (Fri. & Sat.), $6.50
This is probably the weirdest trailer I’ve seen in a while, and I’m guessing the movie is no more straightforward. Get thee to the Art! (JG)
SATURDAY, JULY 9
Get Wired: Wire Car Crafts from Malawi, Africa at the Urbana Free Library, 11 a.m., free
Stop by on your way back from the Market and check out this program: “In this family program we’ll learn the story of Kondi – a young boy from Malawi in southern Africa – who built his own toy wire car out of recycled materials. Then you’ll get chance to work with others to make one yourself!” It’s open to 3rd grade and up. (JG)
“The Corpse Flower” in the greenhouse of the Plant Sciences Lab, 1201 S. Dorner, Urbana. Saturday and Sunday from 9 a.m.-1:30 p.m.
Here you have the world famous Amorphophallus titanium ie the “Corpse Flower”. It flowers once every ten years and smells just like a decomposing mammal. The “fragrance” of the titan arum attracts the carrion-eating beetles and Flesh Flies that pollinate it.This is the stuff dreams are made of. (JStein)
Twin City Derby Girls Doubleheader, U of I Ice Arena, 5 p.m., $10–$12
You know, I’ve never been to one of these, even though I’ve planned on it a couple of times. So, shame on me and shame on you if you never check it out. I hear that it’s worth it and this Saturday looks like a good chance to give it a shot. You can catch the Damagin’ Dames vs. Bash Valley Clobber Girls at 6, followed by The ‘Paign vs. Boneyard Bombshells. And tickets are more readily available than they were in the days of the Savoy Rec Center, so don’t miss this just because you didn’t get your tix in advance. (JS)
Danville Dans vs. the Dubois County Bombers, 6:30 p.m., $6
Danville Stadium was born in 1946, one year after the war ended, one year after the Cubs made their final appearance in the World Series. Heck. That means that this Saturday, the ol’ gal’ll be turning 65 years old. And what better way to celebrate than to watch the lauded Dans take it to reviled Dubois County Bombers? Sure, they have hot dogs there, and sure, they the Little Nugget is just around the corner, but the real reason come out Danville this weekend is to watch the Dans trounce a much hated rival. And why should you hate the Bombers, you ask? Well, Dubois County is largely compiled of communists who want nothing else but for your children to grow up maladjusted and undernourished and your grandparents to die physically depleted, mentally exhausted and alone. A Bombers victory puts us one step closer to that end. Need I say more? (CDC)
Champaign StreetFest in downtown Champaign, 7 p.m., free
Cassandra and the Gravel Road Band at 7 p.m. and Fools for Rowan at 9 p.m. This cursory acknowledgment of StreetFest is brought to you by Barbasol. (JG)
New Revels Players Performance of “Who’s Afraid of Virginal Woolf?”
Channing-Murray Foundation Chapel
Saturday, July 9, 8 p.m., $5
The New Revels Players’ Erik Allgood spoke to Joel about this performance, and it’s a good thing, because it’s tough to find much else about it online. Oh, and in case you missed it above, it’s just $5. (TN)
Dive in to an authentic Hawaiian Ice: While I would never, ever discourage you or John Steinbacher from pulling up to Custard Cup on any decent summer night, I also think that the Hawaiian Ice stand at the corner of Prospect and Bradley is completely worth your time. There are endless flavors, and for the cost (like $2 for a massive quantity of perfectl shaved ice + liquid), it’s such a bargain. Piece of advice: just get Tiger’s Blood. There is no other flavor likely worth your time. (SF)
SUNDAY, JULY 10
CUTC and 88 Broadway Present: ‘Yankee Doodle Death,’ A Seven Corpse Dinner Mystery, 6 p.m., $25
The Champaign Urbana Theatre Company brings their dinner theatre back for an interactive dinner going experience. You get to eat food, be entertained, and consider if you would like to be a part of the show perhaps sometime in the future. If you’ve been looking for a dinner mystery but didn’t want to drive to Chicago, then here’s your chance. (JS)
Paul Kotheimer / Aba Kiser / Eleanor Murray & Co.
On Sunday, July 10, Paul Kotheimer will be joined by Eleanor Murray and Aba Kiser (who are currently touring together) at the Red Herring Coffee House.
I’ve heard Kotheimer sing quite a bit, and I always enjoy is low-key, singer-songwriter vibe. His songs lean toward American folk protest music; his lyrics are politically inspired, and oftentimes poetic. I’ve never heard a show by Paul that I didn’t enjoy, and the musicians joining him on Sunday look to be inspiring as well.
The concert is 8:00–11:00 p.m. (TN)
Freaking Fireflies — Your backyard at dusk
It’s easy to forget how incredible fireflies are. But then one evening your 2 ½ year old sees them for the first time, and her look of awe and delight is completely infectious. Suddenly you look at these bugs again for the first time and realize that right in front of you are hundreds of little flashing lights. So get out the mason jar, put in some grass, poke a couple of holes in the lid, and go to work. It’s bioluminescence, people. (JStein)