Arts

After attending this year's gala, Smile Politely can confirm that this festival is still worth an entire Saturday. 

Spontaneous. Irreverent. Gritty. Electric. Underground. Unrefined. Different. Raw. These are just some of the words synonymous with Dada and Punk, two cultural movements with a lot in common. When embraced by an artist, something unique emerges from these two movements that makes art fun and engaging.

Andrew talks with several parties involved with UFL's first Comic Con. 

As the Celebration Company at the Station Theatre announces its 45th season, no one needs reassurance that they are in the prime of life. 

Rebecca gives you the rundown of what to expect from Saturday's Pens to Lens gala, a festival that is beginning to receive national attention. 

A two-fer, in which Mathew speaks with director Stephen Fiol and then reviews a rehearsal at the Virginia Theatre.

New York Times bestselling author J. Ryan Stradal visited the Champaign Public Library to read and answer questions about his book, Kitchens of the Great Midwest.  Check out Brittany’s photographs of the event.

A conversation with Latrelle Bright, director of Dreamgirls, shows that inclusion is a big effort when it comes to producing a typical play.

Check out a reveal of new sculptures in town!

For its 39th season, the Illinois Shakespeare Festival brings an amazing cast together to perform one of the Bard’s most famous plays. Directed by Leda Hoffmann, Hamlet finds a balance of the comedic within the tragic.

Although Alan Ball may have been warming up for his better-written TV women, Andrew gives the actresses applause. 

This PK preview keeps to the 20×20 theme to give you just a small stolen glimpse of Saturday's show. 

New York Times bestselling author J.Ryan Stradal talks with Rebecca about his upcoming appearance at Champaign Public Library.

Michelle stopped in to Cracked Glass to check out their sales before their big move.

As the mercury (and humidity) rise in Illinois, I seek the shelter of dark, cool places like movie theaters. Even when the weather isn’t unbearable, I have a tendency to go to the movies. Luckily, the Art Theater Co-Op is showing a variety of film series to keep me coming back again and again.

Something strange, quirky, creepy, and weird has arrived at the Station Theater this summer. Don’t worry though; it’s a musical.

Sly comments by the director and producers of the upcoming Five Women Wearing the Same Dress make Rebecca realize she missed her chance to ask the obvious question. 

With so many permutations on the story of the classic chocolatier, Rebecca talks to the director & cast of the musical Willy Wonka to find out what makes this weekend's show one to see. 

Rebecca speaks with the Artistic Director of ISF to see how well the fest has aged. 

The Celebration Company at The Station Theatre open their production of Bat Boy: The Musical July 14. Rehearsals lasted five weeks and have presented positive challanges. 

C-U's used bookstores are more than just booksellers. They're landmarks and community spaces. 

Since 1969 the Champaign-Urbana Potters’ Club has been a cooperative studio  for amateur potters, ceramicists, and sculptors. More recently, it’s been the focus of my curiosity.

Chung Chak and Travis Linville have their works on display at Giertz Gallery. Check out the real and the surreal. 

Spotlight Backstage is a new endeavor by SP Arts to shine a light where it's rarely seen in local theatre.

Frustrated by the closure of yet another art gallery in town, Rebecca seeks professional help to explore why C-U's fine art market feels like a revolving door. 

The Celebration Company at the Station Theater is showing Leaving Iowa by Tim Clue and Spike Manton, a comedic play about family, death, and vacations. 

“After some consideration,” Mara can state that CUTC's Kathy Murphy Student Production of Oliver! is well worth checking out.

BEST Arts 2016 is ready for you to disagree with. 

Mace Mackiewicz talks to both the director and the co-producer of the Station Theater's production of Leaving Iowa.

During an interview with CUTC's Jessica Elliott, rebecca discovers that there are benefits to attending Oliver!, this year's Kathy Murphy Production. 

SP Arts is hoping to shine a light where it's rarely seen — on the important yet invisible members of theatre Tech Crew. This month, we start at the top with C-U's most-sought stage manager. 

With a second book in the series which impressed us last year, we were curious to catch up with local author Ted Sanders. 

Rebecca is introduced to local pianist, 7 year-old David Wang, who returns to Carnegie Hall next week. 

In its second incarnation, the Sullivan Project brings Donald Margulies to C-U so Illinois Theatre can help bring his new play to life.

Rebecca learns about the new exhibition opening downtown, turns out it’s as hard to write about as it is to talk about.

As her final contribution to Smile Politely, Jimin ends the way she began: reviewing a novel by Jake Aurelian and Ripper the Clown.

Mathew reviews Twin City Squared's production of Green Day's American Idiot.

The director, producer, and the music director of Twin City Squared's production of American Idiot talk to an SP writer. 

Jimena visited the studio of Charles Wisseman, this year's Boneyard Arts Festival featured artist. He spent 23 years as a pathologist and now he likes “to make things”.

From the files of “Who Knew? (Everyone other than me)”, Smile Politely Arts brings you a belated introduction to The Reading Room, held once a month at the Accord, coming up this weekend.

Sam brings you photos and an audio interview with the Outhaus's youngest artists who also happen to be brothers and sisters. Check it out!

Rebecca contemplates the effect of art on everyday endeavors while browsing the late spring gallery at Parkland

This week, Jimena visited the studio of Chris Smith, who hails from Chicago, and his work is about in how we render things obsolete and how the obsolete resurfaces.

Urbana is the recipient of a large NEA grant to help revitalize the main drag. 

A play-by-play of all the plays that are fit to stage this summer in C-U. 

Nathaniel explores the world of Solace, returning to the fascinating land local author Jaleigh Johnson created last year. 

This week, Jimena invites you to see some of Jason Patterson's work. Through the utilization of soft pastel, Patterson re-creates significant images of African American history and the visual media of which the original image was created.

Welcome back to WorkSpace, this week, Jimena introduces us the work of Cory Imig, she is making large installations that exist in a place between sculpture, painting and textiles. She is an MFA candidate at the University of Illinois.