FRIDAY, MARCH 8
Friday Forum: Rev. Dr. Cindi Love from Soulforce, Latzer Hall, University YMCA, 12 Noon
This talk will focus on the challenges faced by marginalized communities, who are often subjected to the violence of exclusion, and highlight the non-violent efforts made by Soulforce to resist the oppression arising out of the fundamentalist agenda.
Background: Successful entrepreneur and corporate executive turned minister, Rev. Dr. Cindi Love is the Executive Director of Soulforce, as well as a regular contributor to the Huffington Post. Soulforce is a national non-profit organization dedicated to bring freedom to lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer people from religious & political oppression. It also challenges other forms of oppression including sexism, racism, and classism. Soulforce accomplishes its mission primarily through community organizing, education and training, advocacy for public and private institutional policy change, and street-based nonviolent resistance to overt discrimination.
Go here for more information. (TN)
4th Annual Eric Show, Illini Union Art Gallery, 5:00–7:00 p.m.
The 4th Annual Eric Show is an art competition “featuring artwork from several area high schools,” and supported by 40 North | 88 West. Members of the public are invited to the opening reception on Friday, March 8, 5:00–7:00 p.m. Refreshments will be provided by University Catering, and there will be music from The Conservatory: Veronika Sowers (violin), George Ruan (violin), and Kitty Schwartz (cello).
The following schools are represented:
- Centennial High School
- Central High School
- Heritage High School
- The High School of St. Thomas More
- Monticello High School
- GCMS High School
- Rantoul Township High School
- University Laboratory High School
- Urbana High School
- Bement High School
- Unity High School
The show will be on display from Sunday-Thursday, March 8–29, 7:00 a.m.–Midnight | Friday–Saturday, March 30–31, 7:00 a.m.–1:00 am. (TN)
Circus Oz: From the Ground Up, Krannert Center Tryon Festival Theatre, Friday, 7:00 p.m. | Saturday, 1:00 (60-min. performance) & 7:00 p.m.
Circus Oz is an amazing troupe of aerialists, jugglers, and live-wire musicians from Melbourne that’s been around since 1978. They’re nationally celebrated for their “handcrafted blend of live rock and roll, awe-inspiring acrobatics, agile wit, strength, and grace.” They blend themes of rebellion, social justice, equality, and “tradition, kindness, community, and wisdom.”
Program. (TN)
2nd Annual Magic and Other Nonsense, SoDo Theatre, Friday–Saturday, 7:30 p.m., $12/advance; $15/door
- Markus Clegg will feature more breathtaking magic and unique entertainment.
- Brian Pankey will astound and amaze you with feats of juggling.
- Master Magician David Casas will leave you breathless.
- Visual artist, John Jansky, will create a masterpiece right before your eyes.
Doors open 30 minutes prior to showtime.
Come early for pre-show close up entertainment from local magician and U of I student Alejandro Remigio.
Tickets are available at Exile on Main St. or online. For more information contact Markus Clegg. (TN)
Holy Motors, The Art Theater Co-op, 9:30 p.m.
I know very little about this fantasy film, aside from what I have seen in the trailer. Austin McCann, the Art Theater Co-op General Manager, calls it his “favorite film of the year.” The film is a mixed bag of genres, and seems to cross through parallel universes and lives. It has the feel of something unique and great (it has a 90% on Rotten Tomatoes to boot), and it’s only accessible at the Art for a short time. You’ll be confounded and mesmerized by the trailer. If you miss it this Friday, you’ll have another chance next Wednesday at 10 p.m. (JS)
SATURDAY, MARCH 9
2nd Annual Used Book Sale, McKinley Presbyterian Church, 9:00 a.m.–3:00 p.m.
McKinley Presbyterian’s 2nd Annual Used Book Sale happens this Saturday. There will a large selection of books to peruse, and special prices for those buying full boxes. (TN)
2nd Champaign Greek Film Festival, Art Theater Co-op, Saturday, 11:15 a.m. | Sunday, 1:30 p.m., $7 per film (exceptions: Sayome: $5; Fish n Chips, Jerks, and Super Demetrios: $9); discounts for students and senior citizens.
This year’s festival will feature “contemporary, juried-selected films (feature-length, documentaries, shorts and student films) from Hellenic filmmakers worldwide.” Twelve films will be screened over the two-day festival.
Schedule:
Saturday, March 9, 2013
- 11:15 a.m. – Welcome. Dr. Stefanos Katsikas, Director of the Modern Greek Studies Program, University of Illinois, and Mr. Nikos Franghias, founding member and Chair of the Film Hellenes
- 11:30 a.m. – The Visit; Foreigner; Playing with the Shadows
- 1:30 p.m. – Kisses to the Children
- 4:00 p.m. – Sayome
- 5:30 p.m. – Paradise
- 8:00 p.m. – Fish and Chips
- 10:00 p.m. – Jerks
Psychic Twin, ProLogic Rebel Base Ensemble, Federal Crimes, Mike ‘N Molly’s, 9 p.m., $7
Are there any readers who haven’t seen Psychic Twin yet? Seriously, people. It’s a big problem if you have not at this point. Saw them two years ago? Doesn’t count. Saw them one year ago? Still doesn’t count. This trio of Erin Fein, Brett Sanderson, and Jonny Sommer is terrific, and they’re moving to NYC soon (I died a little bit inside when I heard that). Yeah, moving AWAY from C-U. Which means they might not be back for some time. Do I know that for certain? No. However, it makes a lot of sense that they might not be playing in C-U for a while, unfortunately. This is your chance to see what’s been happening as Psychic Twin is going full speed ahead with the damn thing.
You can check out their new video below for their awesome new single, “Strangers,” below. (PS)
Sunday, March 10, 2013
1:30 p.m. – Welcome to All Saints
3:30 p.m. – DOUBLE FEATURE: The Other Town; Dear Ancestor
6:00 p.m. – Super Demetrios
Passes are on sale here. (TN)
Social Action Coffeehouse, Unitarian Universalist Church Fellowship Hall, 7:00 p.m.
Here’s something that slipped past me when I was compiling this week’s Rainbow Connection. Come and hear some good music, stories, and other entertainment while you support immigration reform and marriage equality for LGBTQ people. From the newsletter:
Do all of this by coming and helping with the Standing on the Side of Love Coffeehouse on Saturday, March 9 at 7:00 p.m. in the Green Street UU Church.
We encourage you to come and perform in the spirit of our theme of social justice, or just in the spirit of socialness. This is not an open mic coffeehouse, so please contact us to get on the schedule.
Please email Jim Hannum for more information. (TN)
Sons of the Prophet, The Station Theatre, 8:00 p.m., $15
This new play by Stephen Karam has its final performance tonight, directed by Station veteran Gary Ambler. Smile Politely’s Vicki Hoskins described it as a “deeply moving and tragically funny play” in her glowing review. This production features actors both seasoned and new to the Station, and it starts promptly at 8:00 p.m. To make a reservation, call (217) 384-4000 or go to stationtheatre.com. Don’t miss out on this hilarious and well-acted play. (MG)
I haven’t seen acting as good as this performance in a long, long time. An amazing story, fucking fantastic performances. Can’t recommend this play highly enough. (TN)