FRIDAY, MAY 24
Blancanieves, Art Theater Co-op, Friday, 4:30, 7:00, 9:30 p.m. | Saturday, 2:00, 4:30, 7:00, 9:30 p.m. | Sunday, 2:00, 4:30, 7:00 p.m.
Jeremiah’s description of this film in his Ebertfest preview should be all that’s required to get you to the Art the weekend: “Blancanieves is a take on the classic Snow White story, set in Spain with tenderhearted bullfighting dwarves, an evil, self-absorbed step-mother who you’ll love to hate, and a pet rooster that holds up his own as an empathetic character.” (TN)
Experimental Sounds and Poetry, Error Records, 7 p.m., $5
Finding Voices, indi go Artist Co-Op, 7:00 p.m.
Finding Voices — an After-School Arts Program (ASAP) Student Art Show — is a “compilation of three different visual arts programs.” The show highlights issues of “social justice, human rights, and identity.” (TN)
Featuring:
Design for Justice
Franklin Middle School
Teacher: Emily Denis
Jump Out
Garden Hills Elementary School
Teacher: Daniella Pavlic
Digital Identity
Urbana Middle School
Teacher: Rusty Clevanger
Eat light, but eat well — there’s work to do; after Happy Hour
Listen. I know you are hungry. Me too. After all, it’s Friday evening, and it’s time to let loose, especially seeing as how there is a chance that you don’t really need to be back at work until Tuesday morning.
But see, that’s the very reason to just relax and eat something small tonight. Face it: there’s a lot of grillin’ out to do these next three days, and likely, some drinking as well. So honestly, just relax. Eat some sushi, perhaps?
Here is an option from KoFusion:
Or share the Weisenheimer Chicken dish at Destihl with a pal, or your significant other:
Have some drinks, but you know what? Not too many. But perhaps have a cigarette as well? Only if you want one.
Again, it’s Friday. Take it easy. Enjoy. (SF)
SATURDAY, MAY 25
BBQ a massive piece of beef or pork until it gives up; your place, all day
While it’s not officially Summer yet, it’s close enough. And as such, it’s time to barbecue a massive piece or beef or pork. For a very, very long time.
Here’s what you do:
- Get a pork shoulder. Run it down with a mixture of spices, herbs, and love. Let it rest.
- Put it in your smoker for 12–16 hours.
- Rip it apart and eat it. (SF)
Champaign County Humane Society’s Garage Sale, Champaign County Fairgrounds, 8 a.m.–6 p.m.
I messed this up last week and put it in the Weekender a week early, so we’ll try this again.
This is happening on Friday as well, but who goes to a garage sale that’s not on Saturday? Not me.
Having just moved into a new place recently, I still need some random things and I don’t want to spend a lot of money doing it. Sure, I could look to Craigslist, which I have done, but sometimes, I just want someone to put out a ton of shit I can look through and choose. Plus, paying a small amount for a coffee table is something I’m interested in doing — not shelling out $150 bucks for something I don’t really care that much about. Plus, the proceeds go to benefit the Champaign County Humane Society, which is good, because animals are good. Well, most of them. Who knows, you might pick up something you don’t really need for cheap. That’s always fun. (PS)
Exile on Main Street’s Summer Sale, Exile on Main Street Records, all day
I saw this post on Facebook the other day and my jaw nearly hit the floor. Aside from the stellar new Daft Punk record, Exile has the walls stocked to the ceilings as their summer sale is starting. Summer sale starts as all new and used LPs will be 15% off and all new and used CDs will be 25% off. Not that I buy CDs anymore (do people buy CDs?), but seriously, if you don’t have some of these records, go buy them. The new Flaming Lips and Kurt Vile records, just top notch stuff. That debut album † (yes, that’s a cross) from Justice? Loud as hell and spectacular. Been wanting to get your hands on In the Aeroplane Over the Sea? Yep. That’s there, too.
It’s Saturday and you’re spending money during the weekend anyway. Why not do it and pick up some stuff that’s cheaper than usual? (PS)
Bob Dylan Birthday Bash, Mike N Molly’s, 6:00 p.m.
Go to Mike N Molly’s in downtown Champaign for a celebration of the music of one Mr. Robert Zimmerman featuring several of your favorite local musicians. Presumably, you will hear the following lyric: “Well, I see you got your brand new leopard-skin pill-box hat/ Yes, I see you got your brand new leopard-skin pill-box hat/ Well, you must tell me, baby/ How your head feels under somethin’ like that/ Under your brand new leopard-skin pill-box hat…” (MG)
Sholem Aquatic Center Opening Weekend Celebration, 10:00 a.m.
Three full days of great, free activities planned for you and your little swimmers. Grab the kids, put on your sunscreen, and get your summer started in style with the staff of the Sholem Aquatic Center. Military personnel get free admission all weekend long (must show valid military ID at time of entry). Activities include: Concessions Specials 10 a.m.–8 p.m.; free pictures with Mr. Turtle (the Sholem mascot) from noon–2:00 p.m.; free games & activities from noon–3:00 p.m.; free children’s face painting: noon–3:00 p.m.. (MG)
SUNDAY, MAY 26
Memorial Day Weekend Show, Chester Street Bar, 11:00 p.m.–2:00 a.m.
This week’s special Memorial Day Show at C-Street will feature both new and veteran performers. All of our local favorites will dazzle us as well. This is a Ceduxion Produxion, and is not to be missed. (TN)
Roster includes:
- Leiloni Stars
- Ceduxion Carrington
- Kelasia Karmikal
- Sienna Mann
- Calexus Carrington-Steele
- Aurora Lamont-Carrington
- Sharon ShareAlike
- Introducing, Big Pussy Carrington
MONDAY, May 27
Consider your freedom, and eat some corn before you should; all day
I’ve got trouble with this country, with the rules of law, and with the state of things. I can’t even watch the damned news anymore because of how upset it makes me. Frankly, I’ve turned slightly apathetic and somewhat lethargic towards national tragedy and the needs of those in serious trouble.
It doesn’t mean that I no longer care; quite the opposite, in fact. It’s simply that I have a tendency to feel helpless.
When I feel that way, I read a letter that I still have from an old friend who went off to war, came home, and is currently living well in a different state. I received it the week before Memorial Day, back in the nineties. I won’t write out what it says here, because, well, it was a letter — hand-written, and addressed to me and me alone. But I will relay the message that he gave me:
He stated, and I paraphrase:
I don’t care that you are a liberal, or a Communist, or a “selective Socialist” as you so call yourself. You live in this country and your happiness is based on a couple of simple truths. One, and somewhat importantly, we’ve brought us here. We being the operative word. For this, against that, doesn’t matter. We’ve somehow stuck together and we’re here.
Secondly, and most emphatically, there are people right now, who are willing to die so that you can eat corn on the cob today, long before it’s even close to being ready to be picked in Illinois, let alone Georgia. But you will eat it, and you will smile.
Remember that, when you are eating your corn, Fein. Remember that someone is literally willing to lose everything so that you can eat some goddamned corn in May.
I may not always respect the decision that military personnel make, but damned if I don’t think twice about a person in uniform. And I am thankful. And we all should be. Today is the day to be even more. (SF)
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