Jonah Weisskopf, guru of the Gallery Art Bar in Urbana, had the best quote of the weekend. “We literally have arts oozing out of every part of Champaign-Urbana. This is such a gifted and diverse …
Posts by Smile Politely Writers:
2023 C-U Folk & Roots Festival showcased world-class musical talent for delighted audiences
Over the weekend two of our writers took in just a few of the multitude of incredible performances at this year’s Champaign-Urbana Folk & Roots festival. Here are a few of their observations on the …
PYGMALION 2023: A kaleidoscope of genres and talent
This year’s PYGMALION is in the books, and the music portion was exceptionally diverse and entertaining. The writing staff all saw different acts over the weekend and shared some thoughts on their experiences. Lauren Mayberry …
ELLNORA delighted and impressed during its 2023 edition
A few Smile Politely music writers attended a few major performances during this year’s ELLNORA | The Guitar Festival, and below were their takes on the performances they experienced. Sharon Isbin & the Pacifica Quartet …
An evening of tango and tapas
Dancing the night away fueled by appetizing small bites, two Smile Politely writers — one dance writer and one food writer — attended the inaugural event of Monarch Event Center’s Musical Food Tour. This past …
Great films, interesting panels, and a few surprise guests at Ebertfest 2023
This weekend saw the return of Ebertfest, the Champaign-Urbana film festival founded by acclaimed film critic and Urbana-native Roger Ebert along with his wife Chaz Ebert. The four-day festival is held annually at the Virginia …
We went to Ebertfest 2022 and here’s what happened
The Smile Politely writers and editors share their 2022 Ebertfest experiences.
Smile Politely went to Boneyard and here’s what we saw
Smile Politely editors and writers share their Boneyard 2022 experiences in words and images.
U of I graduate student workers are seeking a new deal
Bearing the pandemic in mind, the Graduate Employees Organization at the University of Illinois is asking for better treatment, wages, and benefits as its contract lapses this year.
Krannert Center’s limitless ELLNORA 2019 in review
Another magnificent ELLNORA came and went, and here's what we caught from this past weekend's jam-packed program.