FRIDAY, JULY 27
Smile Politely Radio Happy Hour in the Beer Garden and Anthology release show, 5 p.m., Mike ‘N Molly’s
Smile Politely Radio will be on the air live from 5:30–6:30. The show will feature:
- Urbana Mayor Laurel Prussing
- The return of Quizmaster Chris
- Updates from a few authors about articles in the book
- Prizes
- Other things if we can squeeze them in
If you donated to last year’s Kickstarter campaign, you can come pick up your copy. If not, you can still come and buy a copy. All proceeds from the book will go to charity. (JG)
Opening Reception: Really Big Fractals, Indi-Go Artist Co-op, 5:00–9:00 p.m.
Dan Lanier uses Gaston Julia’s idea for “examining non-linear difference equations,” which results in mathematical occurrences being expressed artistically … I give up. Please click on the link above. It explains Lanier’s art much better than I can.
The opening reception is free and open to the public. The show will be exhibited from July 27–August 4. (TN)
Your Sister’s Sister, The Art Theater, Friday: 5:00 and 7:30 p.m. | Saturday: 12:00, 2:30, 5:00, and 7:30 p.m. | Sunday: 3:30, 6:00, and 8:30 p.m.
This film, a story of grief and reconciliation, earned very high reviews from Rolling Stone and Robert Ebert. It’s also (I believe) won awards at Sundance and Tribeca.
It will be shown on 35mm print at the Art. (TN)
PechaKucha Night Champaign-Urbana Volume 10, Krannert Center for the Performing Arts Lobby, 8:20 p.m.
PechaKucha returns with a new roster sure to highlight the amazing, creativity, and downright genius that we have here in Champaign-Urbana. Doors open at 7:30 p.m. and admission is free. (TN)
Lineup:
MC, Michael Morgan
Music by DJ Mertz
Baub Alred :: The Desensitization of the Curse Word
Rebecca Blachly :: Hip-hop, the Pentagon, and Me
AJ Christensen :: Physics and Purpose
Mayor Don Gerard :: Dr. Strangelove (or How I Learned to Stop Worrying About Hitting Curve Balls and Love Municipal Government)
Julia Govis :: Farm to School
Michael Kilby :: Words, Art, T-shirts?
Chris Lukeman :: Giant Robots, Vampire Lincoln, and a Mummy: Indie Filmmaking in Champaign
Maurice Meilleur :: Cool Things You Probably Didn’t Know about Letters and Type
Andrew Voris :: Stand-up Comedy
Matt Wiley :: Gadgets, Inventions and Other Random Things to Change the World
Cocktail Night and The Diva and The Dude, Buvons, no cover
Buvons always serves wine and beer, but the night you don’t want to miss is Cocktail Night. As always, you can expect four specialty cocktails, which this time will include house-infused spirits, limoncello, fresh-squeezed orange juice, and blood orange bitters. From 6:30–8:30, The Diva & The Dude will perform, but you can plan on great cocktails all evening. (SK)
Time Traveling Cinema, SoDo Theatre, 10:00 p.m.–1:00 a.m., $5
The final Friday of every month, Time Traveling Cinema shows and “eclectic collection of movies from a by-gone era.” Popcorn and cokes are available for purchase. Don’t forget to bring your sleeping bags, pillows, and blankets.
This month’s film is Santa Claus Conquers the Martians. (TN)
SATURDAY, JULY 28
C-U Flea at Parasol Records, featuring My Werewolf Diary, Goblin Colors, and Lonely Trailer, flea from 12–3 p.m., bands from 3–6 p.m., free + cost of whatever you buy
If you haven’t been into Parasol lately, this is about the best opportunity you have to spend quality time there and potentially walk away with some good stuff. The actual flea market part of the day starts at noon and runs until 3 p.m., then the music begins. Elzie Sexton of New Ruins’ side project My Werewolf Diary would be pretty cool to see (I haven’t seen this in person yet, so it would be something cool to see), and will be joined by Goblin Colors and Lonely Trailer. The music portion of the day will run until 6 p.m.
Get there early, snag some random items (for cheap, I would assume), and enjoy the DJ and food while you browse around. Hey, it’s also another reason to drink during the day, because this is a BYOB event. So grab a sixer of your favorite brew and head over to the vine covered building on Griggs. (PS)
Champaign County Fair (last chance), Champaign County Fairgrounds, all day
Saturday’s going to have temps under 90 degrees, so if you’ve been waiting out the heat, this could be your best chance. There’s even a demolition derby. And if you’re planning on riding the Sky Diver (the ferris-wheel-looking-thing that had cars that flip upside down) and you’re over 175 pounds, leave your cell phone at home. After shoehorning my husky-thighed frame into the car, the friendly carnie slammed the gate closed on my $40 pay-as-you-go burner flip phone, cracking the screen. Boo! But Yay! to flask-spiked lemon shake-ups, sweet potato fries, the spider ride, bratwurst corn dogs, and utter domination in the horsey-racing game. Let the haters hate; the fair rules. (JG)
I:Scintilla, HighDive, 7:00–10:00 p.m., $7
IDG Productions presents I:Scintilla, with opening acts GoFight and DJ SorceryKid.
Industrial/electronica I:Scintilla returns to their old stomping grounds this Saturday, and they’re bringing Jim Marcus’ new project GoFight with them. This will be GoFight’s very first live show. Local DJ SorceryKid opens the night.
Check out all the details here. (TN)
Carnivàle Debauche Burlesque and Vaudeville Extravaganza, Mike N’ Molly’s, 8:00 p.m.–12:30 a.m., $5
The Carnies are back and taking over the best beer garden in town! There will be two shows on Saturday: the first at 8pm and the second at 10:30pm.
Check out Liz’s preview for all the details. (TN)
A Midsummer Night’s Wet Dream, Emerald City Lounge, 10:45 p.m.–2:00 a.m.
Join the Emerald City DIVAS for the newest installment to their DIVAS Show Series.
This show features special guests Saya Naomi Diaz Deleon-Visage and Dymond-Champagne Calloway of Chicago, and of course your favorite DIVAS, Leiloni Stars and Aurora Lamont-Carrington.
DJ Dreea will be on the decks from 9pm–2am with drink specials and great tunes all night long.
The VIP couches are already sold out, but to reserve a table, please email Leiloni Stars. See a map of available tables here.
And yes, Seth, at this show there will be robes and crowns. (TN)
SUNDAY, JULY 29
Catch a matinee showing of The Dark Knight Rises, Goodrich Savoy Theaters or Carminke Beverly Cinema, practically every 15–30 minutes starting at 11:00 a.m.
It’s not often that I go see a film on its opening weekend — basically because I don’t really care to pay $8+ to see a movie I can see a few months later for free. There are some exceptions to the rule, and this is definitely one of them. I caught a showing of Christian Bale & co.’s new flick last Sunday night and it was great. I don’t think I was as blown away as I was when I saw the 2nd installment of this Christopher Nolan trilogy, but it was definitely worth seeing. Any chance I get to see Morgan Freeman or Michael Caine (or a major portion of the cast of Inception), I usually take it (for some reason). Shockingly, Anne Hathaway did not ruin the movie for me, as I thought she was going to when I realized she was cast in the film. Anyways, this is a good way to be lazy and stay out of the heat for a few hours (this is just shy of a three hour long film we’re talking here). Check out Chike’s review here. (PS)
Twin City Derby Girls Home Bout, Skateland, 6:00–8:00 p.m., $8 online/$10 at the door
The ‘Paign take on the Boneyard Bombshells! These bouts are always a ton of fun. Food and beverages (alcoholic and non) are available for purchase. And don’t miss out on the after party at Memphis on Main.
And watch for Meghan’s recap next week. (TN)
Get a tattoo, No Regrets, Noon–10 p.m., Prices Vary
Fuck it. Why not? You might as well, right? I mean, summer is fleeting and you’ve been effacing your body in more subtle ways since the beer gardens started calling your name way back April. You might as well have something to show for it, right? Right?
Right.
Now get over there and see if you can get an appointment with Justin Brewer. If he’s not already booked, he’ll tat you up real nice like. (CAC)