SPlog

Here you go, folks. It’s going to be awesome. 11:00–11:50 DJ Mertz (first live DJ set since October 2011!) 11:50–12:20 Chloe Rose & the Exiles on REO Speedwagon Way (Mayor Don Gerard, Chloe Rose, and …

Sigur Rós’ concert film, Inni, will be playing at The Art Theater on Saturday, Apr. 7 at 7:30 and 9:30 p.m., and on Monday, Apr. 9 at 9:30 p.m. Smile Politely was contacted by Inni‘s …

The one-night-only premiere screening will begin at 8pm on Thursday, April 12, 2012 at the Parkland Theatre. The director will introduce the film and join a panel discussion immediately following the screening. This event is …

THIS guy is coming to town… http://volsounds.com Ed. note: From Mallonee’s website: APRIL 7 . SATURDAY . ILLINOIS Winter Agency 4114 Fieldstone Road,  Suite C Champaign, IL  61822 Show time: 7pm Cover: $10 This concert …

SPlogging since 1989. This Mazda was spotted at the intersection of Oak St. and Kirby Ave.

This play by Tarell Alvin McCraney is the first installment in his trilogy, the Brother/Sister Plays, and is directed by Kathleen F. Conlin. The Brothers Size tells the story of two brothers (one, an owner …

All I can say is wow. And this is huge. And wow. Johnson’s decision means that the Republican county chairmen in the 13th District will have to select the new Republican candidate to oppose Bloomington …

Art of Science: Images from the Institute for Genomic Biology 2.0 Opening Reception is Thursday, April 12 from 6:00pm to 8:30pm at Indi Go Gallery, 9 E. University Ave in Champaign. Exhibition is Friday, April 13 …

East Central Illinois Safe Schools Alliance is hosting a community movie night at Champaign Public Library (Robeson Rooms A & B). That’s a Family 6:00–6:35 p.m. This film explores what it’s like to grow up …

Artists Against AIDS is an annual art exhibition and sale in Champaign, Illinois to benefit the Greater Community AIDS Project (GCAP).  The 2012 Artist Against AIDS event will take place on April 27-29. Participating artists …

Used to be that you had to stand in line for like, an hour and shit, to get single show tickets to EbertFest films. Now, you can read about Rob McColley being discussed on the …

According to sources close to the popular parenting website ChambanaMoms, it has been three days since ChambanaDads stepped out to pick up a few items, including a gallon of milk, a loaf of Wonder Bread, …

University of Illinois Athletic Director Mike Thomas hurriedly searched for another head coach to fire on Saturday, hoping to redeem his Contract Buyout Loyalty punch card before it expired today. After buying out the contracts …

Kansas, that is: http://espn.go.com/mens-college-basketball/story/_/id/7758565/kansas-state-wildcats-hiring-bruce-weber-men-basketball-coach

Today on SP Radio, we welcome John Kersh, Urban Project Planner for Urbana Champaign Big Broadband. John will talk about what UC2B is and how it will help the C-U community. We’ll discuss the ramifications …

Inner Voices Social Issues Theatre group will present a brand-new original play entitled Standing By: Violence and the Bystander Effect on April 10–13 at the Armory Free Theatre. Inner Voices is a program co-sponsored by …

No surprise here: http://espn.go.com/chicago/ncb/story/_/id/7749743/ohio-bobcats-john-groce-agrees-coach-illinois-fighting-illini

From the SID: PRESS CONFERENCE SCHEDULED TO ANNOUNCE NEW MEN’S COACH A press conference has been scheduled for today (Thursday) at 1:00 p.m. CT at the Assembly Hall (1800 South First Street, Champaign) to announce …

Works from local artists Mella-D & Miigan will be on display for Aroma Cafe’s grand re-opening from March 29–May 5. There will be a reception on March 31, from 6:00–10:00 p.m. Check out their flyer …

Director of Athletics Mike Thomas has announced the hiring of Matt Bollant as the new head women’s basketball coach at the University of Illinois. Bollant comes to Illinois after a successful five-year stint at Green …

By 11 a.m. we should know who will replace Jolette Law as the next coach of the Fighting Illini for women’s basketball. Stay tuned.

The results are in for the first Art Theater Co-op board. Here is the new board: 3-year terms: Audrey Wells, Ben Galewsky, and David Thiel 2-year terms: David J. Ward, Joanna Ebizie, and Luke Boyce …

If you’ve been around U of I’s campus today, you might have run into some AXE promotions crews. Famed DJ/producer Diplo & hip-hop duo Chiddy Bang are currently part of the “AXE One Night Only” Tour and the …

Sally Bernhardsson, Executive Director of the upcoming DoCha Chamber Music Festival, is our guest for tonight’s edition of Smile Politely Radio. We’ll have the chance to chat about just what chamber music is, how the …

Here’s what Chairman Christopher Kennedy just sent to U of I faculty and staff:   I write today to inform you that University of Illinois President Michael J. Hogan has tendered his resignation, and I …

Starting March 14, FAFSA applicants will be turned away, because Illinois has no money. The University of Illinois blamed diminished state funding for a 4.8 percent tuition increase planned for next year, after a 6.9 …

Looking for the race to run in between now and the Illinois Marathon in late April? The 26th Annual Mountain Goat 5, 10, or 15K race, put on by the Kennekuk Road Runners, is taking place this …

As you’ve probably already noticed, Smile Politely now requires registration in order to comment on articles. For those of you who already log in to comment, nothing will change. For those of you accustomed to …

The films and events schedule for the 14th annual Roger Ebert’s Film Festival, a.ka. Ebertfest, have been announced. No word yet on the festival website or on Twitter but Ebert posted festival details on the …

Ah, Record Store Day. That day in late April where an above average amount of people celebrate music by spending money on physical copies of their favorite national and/or local artists. Consider it the holiday …

According to a recent Champaign News-Gazette post, Five Guys Burgers and Fries is coming to North Prospect Ave. in Champaign. First Jarling’s starts accepting credit cards and now this. Man, I guess I had some …

If you hold a rally and less than 25 people show up, does it count as a rally? As part of its grassroots support for presidential candidate, Rick Santorum, anti-choice group Susan B. Anthony List …

Elsinore will be playing at the annual Summer Camp Music Festival, held in Chillicothe, IL. This year’s event takes place May 25–27. Headliners include moe., Umphrey’s McGee, Jane’s Addiction and Primus. For more information check …

There’s no need to run to the ATM on your way to get custard this season at Jarling’s, so long as you’re buying at least $10 worth of product (that’s the minimum that you can …

Rocky Votolato will be playing Mike ‘N Molly’s on June 2nd, but TODAY he has a Daytrotter session at 4:00 p.m. EST. dig it.

Interesting news item out of the celebrasphere. Donald Trump’s sons are causing their dad some issues with sponsors because of their big-game hunting activities. Pictures of Donald Trump, Jr., and Eric Trump with some very …

I attended Ron Paul’s event yesterday and took a lot of video. They’re here for you, gentle readers, in case you’re interested. A guy from the AP asked me some questions. After I answered them, …

On a recent episode of the often excellent WTF Podcast with Mark Maron, Nick Offerman (aka Ron Swanson aka Duke Silver) briefly discusses his “great epiphany” learning about theater before and while attending the University …

Farmers wanting to explore collaborative opportunities to expand into new markets are invited to attend a Food Hub event scheduled for March 27, 2012 at the Champaign County Farm Bureau, from 7:00–9:00 p.m. Please RSVP …

Farmers wanting to meet regional fresh produce buyers are invited to attend a Meet the Buyers event scheduled for March 27, 2012 at the Champaign County Farm Bureau, from 8:30 a.m.–5:00 p.m. Buyers from Illinois …

Due to selling out Foellinger in 12 hours… For more information

Former Smile Politely contributor (and all-around awesome person) Lisa Bralts’ “DIY Smokerpalooza” was named Best Light Feature, one of six stories or series by WILL contributors honored in the downstate radio division of the Illinois …

The Illini men were not invited to participate in the 2012 National Invitation Tournament.

Wednesday, Mar. 14, 7:00 p.m. Congressman Tim Johnson and local Ron Paul Campaign Coordinator, Scott Schmucker, are responsible for orchestrating. For reserved seating Directions to Foellinger Auditorium For more information        

The farewell speech:  

Today on Smile Politely Radio, we will be joined by Chris Davies, music writer for Smile Politely and a member of the relatively new local group Finer Feelings. We will talk to Chris about the …

I believe that it’s for not winning enough basketball games.

His last post was almost a year ago, but Unit 4 School Board member Greg Novak’s campaign website has reopened with information about his funeral arrangements as well as a list of links to articles …