Welcome to Smile Politely’s rundown of weekend events in our fair cities. As always, if you have a suggestion for this weekend, add it to the comments thread below. And don’t forget to send us your recommendations for future weekends.
FRIDAY
“Appy” Hour at Silvercreek: Each Friday, Silvercreek in Urbana offers “Appy Hour” from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. Appetizers and drinks from the bar are half off, and the menu has plenty of “meals” to choose from. Can’t beat it.
A sketchy situation: Sketch comedy troupe Fishing With Dynamite continues their sometimes bi-weekly residency at Canopy. 7 p.m. start time, and the cover is $5.
A-Maze-ing show at the Canopy: Later that night, check out Elsinore with Post Historic and Mazes, who are signed to Parasol and are playing their first-ever live show. Midnight is the start time. Go here for more on Mazes, including some tunes.
It didn’t win the Oscar for Best Foreign Film, but: Waltz with Bashir won the Golden Globe for Best Foreign Language Film, and a ton of other awards. This revolutionary film opens Friday at Boardman’s Art Theatre.
Champaign & Chocolate — a benefit for Planned Parenthood: Includes a hosted bar of wine/beer/specialty cocktail, heavy hors d’oeuvres and dessert bar, auction packages, and live music by Desafinado Trio. Champaign Country Club, 1211 S. Prospect Ave., from 6:00 to 9:00 p.m.
“Irresistable,” according to the NY Times: The play, that is, not necessarily this performance of it. (Although it may be!) Parkland Theatre hosts the musical comedy Flight of the Lawnchair Man, which, you may have been able to guess from the title, is appropriate for kids. Friday and Saturday at 8 p.m., Sunday at 3 p.m. (and contiuning next week). Prices vary.
SATURDAY
Don’t fear the insect: Usually under-attended but always truly engaging, the entomology department at the university presents the 25th edition of the Insect Fear Film Festival. This year’s theme is the centipede. Admission is free and it starts at 6 p.m.
Reading is fundamental: You’ve been following your brackets, and now it’s time to cash in on all the pools you entered. It’s the Battle of the Books Finals at the Douglass Branch Library from 1 to 3 p.m.
Rocking out for kitty-cats: Good music (Dottie & the Rail, Angie Heaton, Terminus Victor), good cause. Check it out.
Some guy named Buddy Guy: The tickets aren’t cheap, but the blues legend (pictured, right) will probably give the audience an ample reminder that the thrill is not gone. Virginia Theater, 8 p.m.
The Candy Man can: If you’d rather get your blues/R&B fix on the cheap, you should check out one of the area’s best performers, Candy Foster, who is playing the Embassy at 9 p.m. Cover is $5.
Clean up your act: This Saturday, the Greener Living Expo will be held from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. at The News-Gazette‘s distribution center (3202 N. Apollo Drive in Champaign). More than 40 vendors will feature their green ideas, with some highlights being: “SoyWorld USA plans to bring environmentally friendly cleansers and personal care products to the show. Angel Wind Energy will demonstrate wind turbines for residential use. And a Bratcher representative will explain how homeowners can save money and gain efficiency with geothermal heating and cooling systems.” A $5 donation goes to Habitat for Humanity.
Get your brick-red vinyl here, yo: New Ruins celebrate the release of their new CD (or brick-red colored vinyl, if you prefer) with a show at the Cowboy Monkey. Tractor Kings and Common Loon open. $5, 10 p.m. start. (Be sure to read our interview with New Ruins.)
Getting worldly: If last weekend’s Toubab Krewe concert whetted your appetite for more African music, Bolokada Conde is performing as part of the Spurlock Museum’s WorldFest. Other performers include polish music and dance by the Lira Ensemble, and the Chinese Silk-and-Bamboo Ensemble. From 12:30 to 4 p.m., $5 suggested donation.
Vaginally speaking: The annual performance of Eve Ensler’s play, The Vagina Monologues, takes place this Saturday at 8 p.m. in the Lincoln Hall Theater. $7 in advance, $10 at the door, with proceeds benefiting A Woman’s Fund in Champaign-Urbana.
SUNDAY
Let’s brunch: It’s Sunday at noon. Do you know where your stomach wants to go? This week, why not try a stack of the most delicious and under-appreciated pancakes in town while you people-watch at the most popular downtown spot for brunch? Radio Maria serves it up right. Just $4 for these bad boys (pictured right). Make sure to smear some of the cinnamon-laced butter on top and in between as well. It’s quite possibly the best part.
Supercalifragilisticexpialidocius? The Family Film Fest at Urbana Free Library from 2 to 4 p.m. is being pretty coy about what movie its showing, but the smart money is on Mary Poppins. It’s free, and there’s no registration required.
Sara Bareilles @ Foellinger: The Grammy-nominated songstress performs at 7:30 p.m. $20 for students, $25 for the public.