Smile Politely

The Overture: July 28-August 3

WHAT: Condition Blue

WHERE: The Iron Post (cover)

WHEN: Wednesday, July 30th at 5:30 p.m.

Jazz quintet Condition Blue will be taking the stage at the Iron Post on Wednesday evening. The collective consists of Randy Salman, Michael Stryker, Jeff Helgesen, Mikel Combs, and Jeff Magby.
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WHAT: The Prairie Dogs

WHERE: Krannert Center for the Performing Arts (free)

WHEN: Thursday, July 31st at 5 p.m.

This week’s installment of Krannert Uncorked features Americana outfit The Prairie Dogs. If you’re unfamiliar with Krannert Uncorked in general, check out our feature on the event here.

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WHAT: Brainchild, Flaccid, Moon Jr.

WHERE: The Canopy Club ($7)

WHEN: Thursday, July 31st at 8 p.m.

Summer Camp Music Festival presents Brainchild at the Canopy Club later this week. They’re a jazz/soul rock outfit out of Peoria, and they’re joined by Bloomington’s Flaccid and Moon Jr.

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WHAT: Dino Bravo, Single Player, Ratboys, Nectar

WHERE: Thee Deathtower ($5)

WHEN: Thursday, July 31st at 9 p.m.

Very solid bill at Thee Deathtower from top to bottom on Thursday night. Sludge crew Dino Bravo are coming off of 2013’s Planet Madness, and are steadily churning out shows. Sean Neumann’s outfit Single Player did a short tour with the non-local outfit on this bill — Ratboys. Nectar is the project of Kamila Glowacki of Kowabunga! Kid, which put out a pretty great EP earlier this year.

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WHAT: Friday Night Live

WHERE: Downtown Champaign (free)

WHEN: Friday, August 1st at 6 p.m.

Friday Night Live is taking place again this week in Downtown Champaign as it has been throughout the summer months. The lineup hasn’t been announced yet, but I will update this post when I get that information for all to see. Here’s the lineup:

Walnut & Chester:
6 p.m.: Chandra Watkins – slide guitar & electric violin
7 p.m.: Pocket Change – indie/folk/alternative

Neil & Park:
6 p.m.: Angie Heaton – singer/songwriter with a country tinge
7 p.m.: Crazy Johnny Band – classic rock

Neil & Church (One Main Plaza):
6 p.m.: Rick Kubetz & Terry Bush – folk/rock/jazz/pop
7 p.m.: Kirkwood West & Reed Richards – slow motion house DJs

6:45-7:45 p.m.: BUBBLES with Joyfulbubbles at One Main Plaza
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WHAT: Chachi & The Bandidos, The Claudettes

WHERE: Mike ‘N Molly’s ($7)

WHEN: Friday, August 1st at 9 p.m.

The southern rock outfit Chachi & The Bandidos headline Mike ‘N Molly’s on Friday night. They’ll be joined by Johnny Iguana & co. — The Claudettes — which you can read more about here.
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EDITOR’S PICK: THE FIGHTS, DR. MANHATTAN, SAMUEL PAYNE
The Iron Post — Saturday, August 2nd at 6 p.m.

The Fights are releasing their first full length record, Off Your Horse, tomorrow on Parasol’s imprint Spur Records. On a personal note, I am very excited to hear what they’ve put to tape, as I’ve been a fan of what they’ve been doing for some time now. That’s the album art up there, which is great, and you can stream one of their songs at the link in the album title above. They’re joined for this release show on Saturday night at the Iron Post by Dr. Manhattan and Samuel Payne, and the “Master of Ceremonies” will be local comedian Andrew Voris.
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WHAT: Carnivale Debauche

WHERE: Mike ‘N Molly’s ($15)

WHEN: Saturday, August 2nd at 7:30 p.m. and 9:30 p.m.

Burlesque outfit Carinvale Debauche will be performing two shows on Saturday evening at Mike ‘N Molly’s. Their dancers include Bettie Leigh, Drusilla Delacroix, Rebel Raspberry, Bellatrix Vane, Jeto Gin and more. Stay tuned as we speak with the act later this week to lead up to the event.

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WHAT: Ben Bedford

WHERE: Sleepy Creek Vineyards ($12)

WHEN: Saturday, August 2nd at 8 p.m.

Another show to pair wine to this week, as Ben Bedford will be performing out at Sleepy Creek Vineyards, which is located between Urbana and Danville. Booze it up a bit and enjoy some tunes at an awesome vineyard.
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WHAT: DJ Tim Williams, DJ Belly

WHERE: Cowboy Monkey (free)

WHEN: Saturday, August 2nd at 10 p.m.

A couple of local staple DJs will be taking over Cowboy Monkey on Saturday evening — DJ Tim Williams and DJ Belly.
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WHAT: Chase Baby, Justo Moe, IL Intentionz, 3rd World Famine, D-Spillz, Onehotmini, Kevin Corey, Cynical

WHERE: The Canopy Club ($7)

WHEN: Saturday, August 2nd at 10 p.m.

Hip-hop show happening at Canopy Club on Saturday night should get the party started. Headlined by Chase Baby, you can check out his new video here.

Executive Editor

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