FRIDAY, APRIL 19
The National Day of Silence, Everywhere, All Day
Day of Silence is an annual day of protest against harassment experienced by the lesbian, gay, bisexual, and trans community. Every year, the LGBT Resource Center, LGBT student organizations, and more organize a wide range of programming in observance of this important day. (TN)
- 11:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m.:Tabling on the Main Quad
- 5:00–6:00 p.m.: Breaking the Silence Rally on the Main Quad
- 7:00–8:00 p.m.: Keynote Speech from David Yost (Illini Union, Room 314)
- 8:00–10:00 p.m.: Green Street Hug-In Prep (LGBT Resource Center, Room 323)
- 10 p.m.: Green Street Hug-In
The Place Beyond the Pines, Art Theater Co-op, all weekend (check for times)
If you can’t get into Eberfest this weekend and you’re looking for a good film to see — or you’re just looking for a Ryan Gosling fix (with tattoos this time) — then check out this “emotional drama powerfully exploring the unbreakable bond between fathers and sons.” Joining Gosling are Bradley Cooper (hot off his Silver Linings Playbook performance), Eva Mendes (do yourself a favor and watch Holy Motors, which is now on Netflix), and Ray Liotta. Look for the full review of this one on Monday. (JS)
First ever show at Error Records featuring Dino Bravo, Estates, Uncle Sham, Earth Witch, Error Records, 7 p.m., $5
Even before RSD hits on Saturday, Error Records will be busy. I don’t think their feet have hit the floor yet; they’ve been doing so much to get that storefront and venue ready to host shows. Well, that time is now. Local sludge kings Dino Bravo are releasing a new tape at this show, and are joined by a handful of other acts to support them. Remember, this is all-ages, so all you youngin’s can come on out to this show. (PS)
Prairie Skies, Staerkel Planetarium, Fridays through May, 7:00 p.m., $4–$5
A live-narrated tour of the wonders of tonight’s starry sky, accompanied by some of the legendary stories of the ancient sky. Find out what constellations and planets are visible tonight from your backyard. This show is updated seasonally and is intended for all ages. (MG)
You can read Katie’s review of this show here. (TN)
Spring Awakening, Krannert Center, Colwell Playhouse, Friday-Saturday, April, 7:30 p.m. | Sunday, 3:00 p.m., $8–$16
Smile Politely published a review of this play on Tuesday, and it pretty much tells you everything you need to know. But I love the Krannert’s description of the subject matter: “Wedekind realized in 1892, there is still a time in the lives of young people when sex commands every waking hour” (emphasis mine). That never really ends, does it? Am I the only one?
On Sunday, after the performance, there will be a free talkback. (TN)
SATURDAY, APRIL 20
Record Store Day 2013 — Exile on Main Street, Error Records, and more, all day
Music lovers could consider this day Christmas in April for many reasons. You have the ability to spend a boat load of money, but at the same time, you’re walking away with some insanely awesome presents. It’s honestly a gold mine for vinyl lovers, as well as people who love live music and the interesting collectables that are available for Record Store Day around C-U. Exile on Main Street and Error Records know what’s up, and they have full days planned for Saturday. Support your local music scene, pick up some exclusive releases, or just use this as an excuse to go buy that record you’ve been eyeing for awhile, but haven’t had the guts to drop the money for. Saturday is that day, people. I know I’ve been there. (PS)
Smoke a huge joint; eat a Chef Ra Dog, Black Dog Smoke and Ale House, 11:00 p.m.–2:00 a.m.
Listen, I really don’t give a shit anymore about anyone in the world who is against the idea of the legalization of Marijuana. The Illinois House passed a bill 61–57 this week that would allow seriously ill patients to take “the pot” as a means to feeling better. The bill now goes on to the Senate. Urbana’s own Naomi Jakobsson voted for it. Champaign’s Adam Brown voted against it. Jakobsson is a Democrat. Brown is a Republican. You do the math.
Sorry to digress…
To celebrate the dumbest fucking holiday of all time — 4/20 — which needs no further introduction, you should hop on down to Black Dog on Saturday night, where Josh Boyd will be making a Chef Ra Dog, that is comprised of “a smoked pork tamale with pork chili, cheddar cheese, red onion, cilantro & sour cream.”
Nothing will cure your munchies this weekend quite like that. (SF)
Dawn of the Space Age, Staerkel Planetarium, 7:00 p.m., $4–$5
From the launch of the first artificial satellite, Sputnik, to the magnificent lunar landings and privately operated space flights, be immersed and overwhelmed with this accurate historic reconstruction of Man’s first steps into space. Who were these men and women who took part on these death-defying endeavors? Witness their drive, passion and perseverance to explore. (MG)
Check out Katie’s review of this show here. (TN)
Screening of Half the Sky, Friends Meeting House, 7 p.m., optional donation of $5–$10
Friendship with Cambodia will present a forty-minute film that “highlights segments of the 4 hour PBS documentary Half the Sky: Turning Oppression into Opportunity for Women Worldwide” and a short film about education for girls in Cambodia. The event is hosted by Urbana-Champaign Friends Meeting. The Friends Meeting House is located at 1904 E. Main, Urbana.
Refreshments and childcare will be provided. For more information, please call (217) 766-5550 or email Charlotte. (TN)
Chicago Symphony Orchestra, Krannert Center, Foellinger Great Hall, 7:30 p.m., $10–$53
Riccardo Muti is conducting this Saturday’s performance, which will consist of:
Vivaldi: Concerto in A Major for Strings and Continuo, R. 158
Mozart: Symphony No. 38, “Prague”
Beethoven: Symphony No. 4
SUNDAY, APRIL 21
Quesadillas for breakfast, Mas Amigos, starting at 11 a.m.
Because you drank too much the night before, or simply because you feel as though on Sundays, calories tend to work in different ways, or honestly, because a quesadilla done the right way is as good as good gets, you should see what happens to your life if you eat one made by Mas Amigos on a Sunday morning.
It’s so easy to make a great quesadilla, and yet somehow, so many restaurants in this town just fuck it all up. But not at Mas, which is why you are going to eat this. And you should get it with pollo if you eat meat. Because it’s a well-spiced bird, and the breast is shredded after having been marinating for hours in something really delicious that involves spices and peppers that I sometimes dream about.
This is the good shit. The dank, as it were. And it only costs like $4.99. My recommendation is that you split one, because while it is very delicious, it’s also a one-note meal, and you could eat more things like chilaquiles or tacos or even lengua that’s been put into an enchilada, and covered in a mole sauce.
Enjoy. (SF)
Krannert Center Debut Artist: Moye Chen, Foellinger Great Hall, 3:00 p.m.
Mr. Chen is an award-winning pianist who studied at both Shanghai Conservatory of Music and Oberlin Conservatory of Music. He has performed at the Gilmore International Keyboard Festival, the Beijing International Contemporary Music Festival, the Shanghai Spring Music Festival, and the Tongyeong International Music Festival.
At Foellinger this Sunday, Chen will perform:
- Scarlatti’s Sonata in G Minor, K. 8 and Sonata in D Major, K. 214
- Beethoven’s Bagatelles, Op. 33
- Liszt’s Sonetto 104 del Petrarca and Hungarian Rhapsody No. 19 (arr. Vladimir Horowitz)
- Scriabin’s Poème in F-sharp Major, Op. 32, No. 1 and Sonata No. 10, Op. 70
- Rachmaninoff’s Sonata No. 2 in B-flat Minor, Op. 36 (1940 version).
We published an announcement of Chen’s performance a few weeks ago, and there is a lot of information about him there. (TN)