Category > FilmPreviews
Well, Barack Obama said it, so who are we to argue: June is LGBT Pride Month. We started the month off right, but June's still far from over. So let's relax this weekend with some "amazing films" in the lovely Art Theater with our fabulous selves. The UP Center's Kevin Johnson recently spoke with Smile Politely about the Film Festival, where he said that this year they'll be showing "five amazing films, three of which were donated by the producers." …
I wish I could preview this film for you, but sadly, I have not been able to watch the movie. (I dropped the ball at getting ahold of the film in time.)
John Gallaher | Thursday March 31st | Krannert Art Museum | 7:30 p.m. | Free Tomorrow (or today if you're reading this on Thursday), the U of I MFA Program's reading series, VOICE, has a special event that will celebrate U of I's award winning literary journal, Ninth Letter, by having John Gallaher drive all the way from northwest Missouri to Champaign, IL to read some poems. There will also be live music and light snacks. John agreed to do …
An exhibit called The Art of Science will be at indi go art co-op between March 31st and April 2nd. An opening reception is on the 31st from 6:00–8:30 p.m. The exhibit features various images that were taken using the ultra high-tech equipment at the Institute for Genomic Biology at the University of Illinois. While the images were all originally taken for scientific reasons, they were selected for the exhibit based on their aesthetic qualities. As a preview, Melissa McKillip, …
2011 Early Spring Literary Festival | March 13-16, 2011 | Various Locations | Free Last year, when the university's Creative Writing Department announced its first Early Spring Literary Festival, it was a departure from its previous, more traditional visiting author series. In previous years, the event was essentially secluded to the Illini Union Bookstore and attended almost exclusively by people directly affiliated with the English Department. The three day schedule, while being rather modest in scale, featured a fairly robust …
23 Portraits | Thursday 7–9 p.m. (artist talk at 8) | Murphy Gallery @ UIUC YMCA | Free The last time I interviewed Jason Patterson, he was preparing to show his recently finished Civil Rights Project at Indi Go Gallery. Over the course of our interview, I became more and more excited to see his work in person. In Civil Rights Project Patterson seemed to engage a subject that has been teetering on the edge of clichedom, from a relevant …
Grief. The aching, shocking loss of losing someone we love. There are self-help books flooding Borders bookshelves, seminars, support groups, and online communities that revolve around the essential elements of mourning. Unfortunately, grief does not often take a linear path or neatly process through a series of stages or emotions, particularly when one must confront the unfathomable loss of a child. Becca and Howie Corbett (Nicole Kidman and Aaron Eckhart) are a formerly happily married, affluent couple living in their …
Premiering this Thursday (Feb. 10) at the Station Theatre in downtown Urbana is the play, Eurydice, written by Sarah Ruhl. I had the opportunity to interview director and co-producer, Mathew Green. Here's what he had to say.
There seems to be a concerted effort to draw in a younger demographic of viewership with co-hosts Anne Hathaway and James Franco presiding over the event. Although both actors are certainly likable and talented, it remains to be seen whether they can ably host this austere occasion. In a bit of an unusual twist, James Franco will serve as both host and nominee as he is nominated for Best Actor for his performance as ill-fated hiker Aron Ralston in 127 …
It's been a year since Sanford Hess took over as operator of the Art Theater in Champaign. I spoke with him recently about the Documentary Festival that will be showing January 21–27, and about his first year in general.
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…