FRIDAY, OCTOBER 11
Machete Kills, Savoy 16 IMAX, various showtimes
Danny Trejo is back as the mercenary known as Machete. This time around, director Robert Rodriguez has ratcheted up the mayhem by a factor of, well, three. The three to whom I refer are Lady Gaga (as a femme fatale), Mel Gibson (as the main big bad), and Charlie Sheen (using his given name, Carlos Estevez, as the President). You can’t help but admire Rodriguez for embracing the B-movie aesthetic and going out of his way to find the most outrageous possible cast. I guess you also can’t help but feel lucky that this film was made before Miley Cyrus qualified. There’s always the next installment… (MG)
HOME: Empower, Educate, Engage., indi go Artist Co-op, $5, 6 p.m.
Beginning Friday, indi go will be selling work from local artists to support a new inititiative from United Way of Champaign County. The new initiative, HOME, is a program to help families during unstable periods of homelessness by providing emergency shelter, as well as assisting them in transitioning to permanent housing. The work will be on sale for a week, but the opening event on Friday night will offer cheese and wine and give attendees another chance to donate to a good cause. (CD)
Ezra Furman, The Fights, Unknown Pleasures, Mike ‘N Molly’s, $7, 8 p.m.
Ezra Furman is back in town again. He was here last year, in support of a record. This year, he’s back, and in support of another record that just came out. Their brand new album is called Day of the Dog, and you can buy it here, or at the show if you’re ever so inclined. $7 for this show is a straight steal, honestly. The Fights are worth that much, and combined, all three are definitely valued at much higher than a measley $7 cover charge. Do yourself a favor and spend a night at Mike ‘N Molly’s, blow off some steam from the work week, and hear some music while you drink your favorite cocktail. Or ten. (PS)
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 12
disABILITY Resource Expo, Fluid Events Center, 601 N. Country Fair Drive, Champaign, 9 a.m.–2 p.m., free
This event, hosted by Champaign County, is a place for people with disabilities and their families to ask questions, get information, share ideas, and learn more about the supportive services, programs, and technology offered in our area. This year’s Resource Expo will also feature a job fair, which will be attended by over 80 businesses and agencies from around the area that offer services and support to people with disabilities and their families. (RP)
Journey From Zanskar, The Art Theater Co-op, 2 p.m.
Zanskar is the last remaining original Tibetan Buddhist society with a continuous untainted lineage dating back thousands of years. In nearby Tibet and Ladakh, inSikkim, Bhutan, and Nepal, traditional Tibetan Buddhist culture is either dead already or dying. The horror of Chinese government design in Tibet is being matched by the destruction of global economics elsewhere. Zanskar, ringed by high Himalayan mountains in northwest India, one of the most remote places on the planet, has been safe until now. But that’s changing. In 3-5 years a road connecting Padum, the heart of Zanskar, with Leh, the heart of neighboring Ladakh, will be finished. Will the native language, culture, and religious practice survive? Director Frederick Marx (Uni Lab HS graduate and producer of Hoop Dreams) will be present and will conduct a Q&A after the screening! (MG)
C-U Oktoberfest, downtown Champaign, 5 p.m.–midnight, $5 entry
Celebrate October with Champaign’s first annual Oktoberfest. Proceeds from this event will go to the Developmental Services Center. Pekara Bakery, White Horse Inn, King Philly Sandwiches, Chester’s BBQ, and Burrito King will have food for sale. Blind Pig will offer up three different beers. There will be plenty of Polka music, too. You’re encouraged to wear your dirndl or lederhosen. Looks like Halloween might come a few weeks early. (JH)
Walls of Sound: A Look Inside the House of Records screening, plus music afterwards, Error Records, 7 p.m.
As I pointed out in the Overture earlier this week, there’s a pretty cool film screening going on over at Error Records on Saturday night. David Gracon’s film Walls of Sound will be screened, which, you guessed it, takes a look inside the House of Records in Eugene, Oregon. The local filmmaker did an interview with us, and you can check out the trailer for the film here. There’s going to be music afterwards, highlighted by Kowabunga! Kid, and they’ll be joined by Feuding Feathers, Ex-Bombers and Capys. Solid stuff all around. (PS)
SUNDAY, OCTOBER 13
Rocko Red, Alto Vineyards, $12.99/bottle, anytime
I just happen to be getting married at Alto Vineyards on Saturday, so on Sunday I think my wife and I will be taking some time to reflect and recouperate from the wedding (with a bit of the hair of the dog, of course). Rocko Red is our favorite, but you can’t go wrong with Alto’s wines. They’re available to purchase locally at Friar Tuck and Schnuck’s, among other stores, so get one for yourself and enjoy autumn. (CD)
Tacos & Margaritas, Wedge Bar, Downtown Champaign, $2 tacos/$4 margaritas, all day
Have you grown tired of import beer and German food? Need a little spice in your life? Why not switch it up and grab an affordable and tasty dinner at Wedge? Tacos are only $2 a piece, and traditional margaritas are only $4. They have an incredible outdoor patio with heaters, so no need to worry about freezing to death. Not such a bad way to either end or start the week. (JH)