Arts

Alyssa Edwards headlines Emerald City’s drag show this Saturday.

Nina reviews local author Lauren Elizabeth's debut novel, with a side commentary on the perils of self-publication.

Mathew interviews Les Mis director Stephen Fiol about the upcoming CUTC production.

Thom previews Freud's Last Session, up next at the Station Theatre.

Mathew shares his love for Joss Whedon's new version of Much Ado About Nothing.

Sequels! Comic book adaptations! Animation! It must be summer! (Wait, what's Hitchcock doing here?)

Smile Politely editors and arts writers share some of their favorite seasonal films. 

Madeline takes a stroll through the surrealism exhibit at Krannert Art Museum

Chike continues his weekly rundown of the films you should see, complete with the where, the when, and the why.

Madeline tours two very different exhibits of African art on display at Krannert Art Museum.

The Fourth of July might be over, but there are still plenty of fireworks at the box office.

Thom dishes up a behind-the-scenes tour of the Station Theatre's annual Summer Benefit.

The Heartland Gallery in Downtown Urbana offers more than beautiful Irish artifacts, and Katie describes some of it here.

Vicki reviews the Station Theatre's Evil Dead: The Musical.

Chike's weekly rundown of the films that are worth your time before the big July 4 craziness begins.

Katie talks with local artist Phil Strang about his work, Second Life inspiration, and his upcoming exhibit at indi go Artist Co-op.

Thom previews Evil Dead: The Musical, opening this week at the Station Theatre.

Katie reviews Jennifer Bechtel's film Scary Normal, a heart-warming story about family, friends, and teenage romance.

In the first installment of his new weekly column, Chike tells you which films are worth your time and money.

Madeline tours the Taste of Chicago photography exhibit at The Urbana Photography Museum.

Mark talks with a local scholar and author about ways in which advertising since the mid-twentieth century has changed and remained the same.

Mosquita y Mari explores the tense relationship between two young girls whose fascinations traverse friendship and romance.

Chike offers up a primer on Richard Linklater's new film, Before Midnight.

Parkland College Graphic Design Student Juried Exhibition offers up some undiluted beautiful simplicity.

Thom reviews Harmony Korine's summertime dream/nightmare Spring Breakers.

Madeline reviews Superior Donuts, now playing at the Station Theatre.

Thom reviews Ready? OK!, tonight's second offering at the UP Center's Reel It UP Film Festival.

The Reel It UP Film Festival continues tonight with the award-winning No Dumb Questions.

Powerful performances and solid Southern storytelling make Jeff Nichols' Mud the best film of the year.

Monique previews the first play of the Station's summer season.

Mathew reviews the romantic indie film Weekend, which kicks off the UP Center's Reel It UP Film Festival.

Chike reviews the musical drama The Sapphires, now playing at the Art.

Codebreaker opens tonight’s Reel It UP Film Festival.

The UP Center’s annual LGBTQA Film Festival brings together family and community to celebrate Pride.

Thom conducts a virtual round table with a dozen local actors.

Mathew shares some stories and memories from the Pens to Lens filmmakers, just in time for their first annual gala.

Robert Redford is on the run in his new, actor-packed Weather Underground thriller.

Chike reviews the new Savoy 16 IMAX Theater.

We've done it with music, so why not give it a try with film?

Thom reviews (with a bit of digression) Chan-wook Park's Stoker, the midnight show at the Art Theater Co-op.

Mathew shows “lots of love” for the upcoming summer schedule at Urbana's Station Theatre.

Mathew reviews Terrence Malick's To the Wonder, now playing at The Art.

The Smile Politely Arts Editors pick their favorite people, shows, and moments from the past year.

Behold, dear readers: The gloriousness that is the Krannert Center’s upcoming season has been announced, and can be found here, for your reading pleasure.

Thom looks back on his first season with the Station Theatre in Urbana.

Vicki reviews the Station Theatre's heartrending and beautiful musical, Next to Normal.

Vicki reviews Parkland Theatre's The Mystery of Edwin Drood.

Come walk the red carpet this Thursday at the 4th Annual Feminist Film Festival.