There’s more going on around town than you may realize. As much as some of us former big city-dwellers like to bemoan the lack of anything worthwhile to do here in Champaign-Urbana, that’s just simply not true. What we lack in terms of massive art museums, slam-poetry readings, open-air concerts, and professional sporting events, we make up for with elbow grease and ingenuity (otherwise known as the DIY spirit), as evidenced by this selection of offerings to add to your weekend to-do list. Have a good suggestion for next weekend? E-mail us your tip at info@smilepolitely.com.
FRIDAY NIGHT
Rock ‘n’ Roll for a good cause: The Fourth Annual V-Day Benefit Concert at the Cowboy Monkey is your opportunity to reacquaint yourself with some of the area’s better local bands. Organized by Megan Kniepkamp as part of the 2009 UIUC Vagina Monologues campaign, the benefit features JigGsaw, World’s First Flying Machine, Sunset Stallion, Common Loon (pictured, right), The Brother Whys and Tree Thump. Show starts at 9 p.m. and the cover is $7, with proceeds going to A Woman’s Fund, as well as aiding victims of violence in the Democratic Republic of Congo.
While we’re on the subject of local music: If the $20 advance ticket price scared you away from seeing the exceptional Keller Williams at The Canopy (or if you didn’t win tickets via our giveway — sorry!), don’t fret: those seeking something other than indie rock have options, too. The Prairie Dogs, longtime stalwarts of the local music scene and defenders of all things American and traditional in musical nature, perform during happy hour at The Iron Post. Everyone’s favorite excuse to enjoy a cheeseburger in paradise, The Boat Drunks, are playing a happy hour set at the Krannert Center. Later in the evening, you can catch The Delta Kings, old school rock ‘n’ rollers that are always a good time, at Memphis on Main; Dawna Nelson and MIke Ingram at Bentley’s; the Samba/Bossa Nova grooves of Desifinado at The Embassy; or The Feudin’ Hillbillys at The Rose Bowl. (If you’re not in the mood to throw down with a feisty live country band, try a country DJ on for size at Bradley’s II.)
Introducing Harvey Milk: C-U has waited long enough for the Oscar-nominated flick Milk to arrive. Well, it’s here now and showing at both the cineplexes. There’s always The Wrestler, too.
Maybe you prefer lower-budget films?: Then the IMC Film Fest is the place for you. Following a 5 p.m. reception, the festival gets underway at 6 p.m. with a series of locally-produced shorts ranging from documentaries to “Midwestern Westerns.” Of particular note: Patrick Thompson and Martel Miller’s Citizen Watch, which airs in the 8 o’clock hour on Friday and features behind-the-scenes footage of local police interaction with the black community. The film opened eyes when it was released in 2004. See the IMC site for a complete schedule with descriptions. The festival continues on Saturday and Sunday.
Who says we’re not family friendly?: Dads can teach daughters The Worm, forcing daddy’s little girl to pretend she doesn’t know her own pops. Check it: the Savoy Rec Center is hosting a Daddy-Daughter dance from 6:30 to 8 p.m. Bring your wallet if you want some cake and punch: entrance is $18 for Savoy families and $23 for non-Savoy families.
SATURDAY
Time to update your board game collection beyond Illiniopoly?: Winter War 36, one of the Midwest’s largest conventions for gamers, is going on all weekend at the Hawthorn Suites. Join in, or just watch, as wargames, role-playing games, Euro board games and miniatures smother the tops of countless tables.
Enter stage left: Parkland College Theatre is holding open auditions from 2 to 5 p.m. for its final production of the season, William Gibson’s The Miracle Worker, the acclaimed Broadway play about Hellen Keller’s teacher, Anne Sullivan. Anyone is welcome to try out. See this site for more information.
Flyin’ high: No, not that sort of high. This Saturday the Armory hosts the Fourth Annual E-Fest Indoor Electric Airplane Festival. Air combat, pylon races, a “blackout” night fly … what more could you ask for? From 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. on Saturday, and continuing at 8 a.m. on Sunday. Kids 12 and under get in free; five bones for everyone else.
And she could hear the highway breathing: The Canopy hosts a Talking Heads tribute band that will be recreating the film Stop Making Sense on stage. $8 gets you in the door. Hecklers welcome.
Rook takes King’s Bishop: Think you may have a Bobby Fischer on your hands? Encourage your kid to flaunt his or her mad skills on the chess board at the Urbana Free Library at 5 p.m.
Encourage reading … for everyone: Sad about the demise of Pages for All Ages? Then do something literary minded on Saturday by attending a Books to Prisoners work session in the basement of the Independent Media Center at 2 p.m.
Bowling, with ear plugs: Old Orchard Lanes features a fine bowling environment and $4 games after 9 p.m. Slip on some mildly uncomfortable shoes and shoot for a Turkey; afterward, check out the alley’s rather unique lounge, enjoy a “Spicy Sleeper Pizza” and listen to Bruce “Bruiser” Rummenie’s swinging blues band The Impalas.
SUNDAY
The big game: The Boilermakers look for revenge at the Assembly Hall on Sunday at noon; the Illini, meanwhile, look to pull their heads from their asses and stay in the Big Ten race. Why not enjoy the game at the newly re-opened Fat City, which as enough flat panel TVs to ensure that every seat in the house is a good one. You can even play shuffleboard during halftime.
We’ve got a museum, damn it: Sunday afternoons from 2 to 5 p.m. the Krannert Art Museum opens its doors. If you can beat the basketball traffic prior to the end of the Illini game, this Sunday you can check out the museum’s interesting exhibitions, including Andy Warhol polaroids (pictured, above) and shoes from Dutch designer Marloes ten Bhömer.
Fix it yerself: The Bike Project offers free lessons in repairing your two-wheeler. They’ve got all the tools you’ll need to turn that old Schwinn you picked up at a yard sale last summer into a keeper. From 2 to 4 p.m. in the Independent Media Center’s basement.
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Send your suggestions for future weekend events to info@smilepolitely.com.