Category > BooksReviews
Local writer Jeff Kohmstedt has published a novel. It’s called The Fifth Kraut and is about a tight-knit group of four high school boys of German ancestry in suburban Chicago in 1990. The clique allows a new boy — the “fifth kraut” — to start hanging out with them, and from there, lives and events go in unexpected directions over the course of senior year. I spoke with Kohmstedt recently about his novel, getting published, and the craft of writing …
| Amelia Gray | Carr Reading Series | April 18, 4:30 pm | Illini Union Bookstore | FREE Illinois' Carr Reading Series is a hidden gem in C-U's diverse cultural landscape. Tucked away in the Author's Corner at the Illini Union Bookstore, Carr has played host to an incredibly diverse cross section of literary voices, from Lucie Brock-Broido to Natasha Tretheway to Dave Eggers. In fact, this semester's lineup is a testement to how diverse the reading series is becoming. Toi …
Although I have two English degrees from Eastern Illinois University, I’ve never been one to navel gaze about writing. Maybe I’m too impatient or think that whatever I’ve written has to be awesome because naturally it is. I wrote it. So, when my friend and fellow writer/runner Letitia Moffitt suggested we start up a local writing group, I was initially skeptical. Mostly, I was afraid my writing sucked too much, despite what I might believe about it. It’s one thing …
Local archaeologist/mystery writer Sarah Wisseman has published a new novel, The Bootlegger’s Nephew, set right here in East Central Illinois. The protagonist of the book is a 40-year-old doctor with a 19-year-old flapper daughter, who starts trying to figure out why some of his patients are inexplicably dying. Following that mystery leads him and his daughter into the speakeasies and blind pigs of Champaign County, and into some scary situations with the gangsters who control them. Along the way, the …
Even if you were paying attention in American History class in high school, you might not know a whole lot about what was going on in Illinois during the War of 1812. If that’s the case — and you want to remedy it — the recent UI Press book Illinois in the War of 1812 by Gillum Ferguson can help. The War of 1812 between the United States and Great Britain was basically a sideshow to England’s ongoing war against …
Author’s Note: This is the first of what I hope is a series of articles about writing and getting published. Julie Cross’s journey from an aspiring writer punching out story ideas in Borders to becoming a published author is fascinating. The local author and busy mother of three launched her first novel, Tempest, at the Champaign Public Library this past Saturday. The book is about Jackson Meyer, a 19-year-old time traveller, who goes back in time to save his fatally …
Our local creative community is a vibrant and buzzing place. As witnessed in the seven Pecha Kucha events so far, we've got an abundance of artists, designers, musicians, writers, architects, magicians — even a mad scientist — living among us. Hell, you might as well call Champaign-Urbana the culture capital of Illinois if it weren't for that damn city 2 hours north of us. Well, it's time to add another name to that list of local heroes we're proud of: …
As a kid in the 1970s, I used to hang out during the summers at the original oval Crystal Lake Swimming Pool in Urbana, a pool built in 1927 and designed by architect Joseph Royer. As a teenager, I went to Urbana High School, which was built in 1913 and designed by Joseph Royer. As an adult, I served jury duty at the Champaign County Courthouse, built in 1900 and designed by ... well, you get the idea. I'm mentioning …
I'm fairly well-read, meaning that I read probably more than I should, and don't go outside nearly enough. I was an English major at the U of I, and while I was in school the first question everyone always asked me was whether or not I wanted to teach. No, I have no patience for that. The second question they would ask was if I wanted to write, and I would think about the idea of writing. I hate writing. …
Nina Baym, Emeritus Professor of English at the UI, researched 343 women who published books about the American West between 1833 and 1927, and she describes these authors and their writings in her own book, Women Writers of the American West, 1833–1927. Basically, Baym's work is a reference book, her hope being that her "overview of these writers and their books will provoke readers to find out more about them."
Most Recent Arts Comments
Local, I forgot to offer you a piece of sage advice. Don’t bag on 39 south because they represent your potential collector pool. Even though I haven’t lived in Champaign since 1997, 39 south is still the only arts entity that has promoted my work as an…
Lest 39 South feels picked on: Check this from the Urbana City Public Arts Program: “Calling all Champaign County Artists! We’re pleased to announce a Call for Entries for a new initiative called Murals on Glass, which will feature artwork reproduced in adhesive vinyl displayed on the…
You forgot Jonathon Fineberg was also personal pals with the Christo’s. I’ll agree that Dr. Fineberg has done a tremendous job communicating to undergrads why this stuff is important, but I won’t kiss the ring because he also contributed to the dismantling of crafts at the U…
And boom goes the dynamite.
I think the best and most exciting arts programming in Champaign-Urbana is at the Krannert Art Museum. The depth and quality of the museum’s permanent collection speaks highly to the intelligence of the art history faculty at the University. I have to say taking Art History with…
Another mystifying thing is 39 South touts the fact that when you consider all things that are considered “art”, i.e. music, exhibits, movies, performances, craft fairs, circuses, ect; art in Champaign County apparently generates $60 million dollars of “economic activity” every year, so says 39 South. And…
I have to agree, I’m a bit confused as to the purpose of 40 North, although I am aware that the organization is in a period of restructuring and re-examination. And yes, the “staff of 1” does work tirelessly to keep the operations afloat, but the fact…
“Making art accessible to everyone and cultivating the art and artists in Champaign County is 40 North’s main mission.” FACT: When the Urbana City Council proposed to form a new public arts council of its own in 2008, 39 South actually sent letters from board members Cody…
On behalf of the New Art Film Festival, I’d like to thank you for highlighting our event in this article. It is our pleasure to put together this showcase for the community and the recognition is highly appreciated by all of us involved in the NAFF. Also,…
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Most Recent Comments
Looking forward to trying this place!
I’m in the middle (or the beginning or end, depending on how you look at it) of re-reading Slaughterhouse Five. What a great companion column.
Get yours early. The Rave’s CD will be available at Exile and at The C-U Flea on Saturday. C-U Flea details here: http://www.smilepolitely.com/news/sp_radio_podcast_c-u_flea_arrives/
I don’t know about Gerard and a random police sargeant. My (mild) outrage is based on this: “...he worked closely with Champaign City Clerk Marilyn Banks to make sure he was licensed properly as a transient food peddler, filling out the necessary paperwork and paying a $225…
Local Yocal pretty much nails it here. I suspect there will be merchants who oppose food trucks because they arguably don’t pay their fair share to locate their trucks in high traffic (high rent) areas. The food trucks take away business from rent payers, park in city…
Oh nice! I’d totally vote for Matt Campbell!
“Smile Politely sports writer announces candidacy for city government.”
I also got to visit Big Grove Tavern during the soft open and definitely enjoyed the pork belly the most of all the dishes I sampled. The cheesy grits and the vinegary pickled vegetables were a perfect compliment to the rich pork belly.
The Alan Partridge lookalike on the right in the first small photo has nothing to condescend to anyone about. AH HA!
Snell and the little Hitlers of the neighborhood association need to chill out. Legitimate businesses should have the freedom to exist without having to endure the slings and arrows of ignorant and misguided opposition.
represent, Matt.
Yeah, I’d agree that Transporter Room 3 is the worst house venue I’ve ever seen.
Food trucks are the start-up, small businesses of the future for those unable to afford real estate. No surprise, that merchants who pay rent, utilities, and maintenance on a property would despise the traveling competition. Or developers who build more empty retail spaces would want to close…
Not so much far-right Tea Party as a balanced, moderate viewpoint between letting businesses succeed and protecting society with reasonable regulations. In spite of what the city reps are saying, the interpretation of policy on this issue certainly has changed. Letting a business start up under one…
I think it’s neat that SP has turned rightward, now espousing a Tea Party-style frustration with government regulations & taxes.
This makes me so sad. (Happy to live in Urbana, though!) Crave Truck has been a GREAT addition to the food choices in C-U, and it’d be a travesty to chase them away. This town should be supporting small businesses. I’m glad to hear that they’ll still…
*slow. clap.* Still offering no threat of intelligence…. I know I said I thought you should just write this whole column yourself next year, Isaac, but now that you’ve gone and taken a “part deux” run at it, I’d like to modify my request: Best Music 2013,…
Actually, it’s kind of nice, the quiet. John Heoffleur’s engaging commentary/dialogue is sorely missed, however. In lieu of someone intelligent saying something, I’ve compiled a list of Honourable Mentions: BEST ROCK BAND: Take Care ::these gentlemen have four completely different sets at their disposal right now (which…
What? Echo! (Echo!) Where’s the dischord and dissent?
This weekend will mark the first appearance of Kayla Brown’s Fire Doll Candle booth at the Market. Check it: http://www.facebook.com/firedollcandles
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Thanks for the sage advice Mary Anna, but I’m long done with the sucking up and being thankful for the scraps. The most important thing an artist can do to live with yourself is tell the emperor he’s got no clothes, and spray paint something on his…