FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 2
U of I Women’s Volleyball: State Farm Illini Classic at Huff Hall, Friday and Saturday, $7 per match
As it happens, the University of Illinois has a few teams in its sports stable that are not just fun to watch, but nationally ranked as well. The #7 Illini are off to a hot 3–0 start this season, and this week, play host to their own mini-invitational, with BCS school Tennessee and fellow ranked squad, #21 Dayton, in for the weekend.
Fact is, this team takes it to Spiketown more often than not, and 2011 appears to be the chance for them to go pretty far nationally. Give it a shot. (SF)
Firkin Friday at The Blind Pig
5:00 p.m.
Come at 5:00 p.m. and watch The Blind Pig tap a CASK-conditioned ale right on the bar, and be one of the first to try some of the freshest beer you can drink.
Specially priced at $4 in a 20 oz. mug.
This Week’s CASK: Stone Sublimely Self Righteous. (TN)
U of I Women’s Soccer vs. USC at Soccer/Track Stadium, 7 p.m., Free
The U of I women’s soccer team is no slouch, either, as they take their #19 national ranking into a pair of weekend matches with major-conference foes. And the price is right, so if you’re a footie fan, this is a good weekend to see if the rest of the season should be on your radar. (JG)
Rock for Humanity at Canopy Club, Fri 8:00 p.m., $7
I can’t claim to know fuck-all about 80% of this bill, but Kowabunga! Kid are a sweet little surf band that are worth your seven dollars solely for their cover of the Misfits’ classic “Last Caress”. (BV)
Allerton Barn Music Festival at Allerton Park, Fri/Sat/Sun 8 p.m. plus a 10 a.m. show on Sunday, $130 for weekend pass
While the indie kids will be getting down at the Kalyx Center, Allerton Barn Music Festival will offer a road show for the Krannert Center’s usual audience. It’s classical music as far as the eye can see, kicking off with Strauss and ending with Strauss, with some Bach in between. (JG)
UPDATE: Friday’s show moved to Krannert’s Great Hall due to heat precautions. Check out the Krannert website for more information.
Daytrotter presents Barnstormer 5, Fri 6:30 p.m., Kalyx Center, Monticello, $20 in advance / $25 at the gate
If you’ve ever been to the Kalyx Center, just past Allerton Park, outside of Monticello, Ill. you already know what I mean: it’s about perfect. Serene in its own odd way, and far enough from the road to give you the impression of being lost in the woods, its been lucky enough to play host to two prior Barnstormer tours, presented by Rock Island, Ill. indie-internet outfit, Daytrotter.
I won’t rehash what you’ve likely already read about on Smile Politely, but in case you missed it Monday, author Chris Davies gave us a rundown about who is playing this time out, and what to expect.
It’s a perfect way to spend an early autumnal evening in the Midwest. (SF)
Another Earth at the Art Theater, Fri 5:30 & 7:30 p.m., Sat/Sun/Mon 1:30, 3:30, 5:30 & 7:30 p.m., $6.50 before 6 p.m. & $9 after
The Room at the Art Theater, Fri/Sat/Sun 10 p.m.
Hey guys! Remember that time Smile Politely was going to promote a movie at The Art? And remember when we decided that instead of something serious, we should totally do something campy and fun, and present like, Evil Dead 2 or The Room? And remember when we suggested it and the owner of the Art Theater was all like, “I don’t want to run that type of film at the theater, it’s not what we’re trying to do, really.”
Yeah, I don’t remember that either… (SF)
I’ve completely forgotten that that happened as well. And every time I see that the Art is showing The Room, I don’t remember it all over again. (TN)
One of these days Smile Politely is going to show Battle Royale. (RH)
And when we do, I’m going to buy RH a drink because he’s the one who suggested it. (TN)
Why don’t you three just get a room? And that room should be a movie theater. I know one that’s going to be for sale soon. (JStein)
SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 3
U of I Football vs. Arkansas St., 2:30 p.m., $50
FOOTBALL SEASON!!!!
A long, tumultuous offseason finally comes to a close. Let the games begin. (RH)
SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 4
U of I Women’s Soccer vs. Colorado at Soccer/Track Stadium, 1 p.m., Free
Candy Foster & Shades of Blue at Hessel Park, 6:30 p.m., Free
Hessel Park may not be the closest park to downtown Champaign or have paths with sculptures peeking out of the prairies, but it has a lot going for it, including what might be the most diverse crowd in C-U. On any given weekend you’re likely to see young couples holding hands, old men in shorty shorts, college students, toddlers, Indians, Russians, South Americans, Africans, Canadians. Basically people of all economic backgrounds — all colors, all creeds. They are all there to enjoy a nice swath of grass, the sweet watery relief of the splash pad, the savory taste of fresh grilled beef, the joy of playing volleyball poorly and, on Sundays in the summer, they come to see the live music. Blues singer Candy Foster will close out the summer outdoor music season with a show that should attract a wide demographic swath of our fair city.
The other thing that Hessel Park has is a place that sells frozen dairy products across the street. It is easily the 4th or 5th best frozen custard stand that I’ve ever been to. (I can’t remember exactly how many I’ve been to, but it’s right around 4 or 5.) You HAVE to try the cold fudge. Or some such. (JStein)
MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 5
It appears that there is specifically jack shit events-wise to do on Labor Day itself. Hopefully your liquor store of choice will ignore the progress made by unionism in this country and be open on the holiday to serve your needs. (JG)