Arts

Illinois Theatre's season-opening play tackles big themes in a small space. 

Rebecca attempts to describe BEAR without spoiling it.

Jeff Nelson profiles the preeminent classical pianist of our age. 

On Saturday September 24th at Memphis on Main,the Book Fort pop up event New Poets + New Poems will be from 1:15pm to 1:45pm. Caro Macon, C. Russell Price, Kathleen Rooney, and others will perform their poems and other works for lucky listeners.

Four amazing authors will be rapid-fire-reading from noon to noon-thirty inside the Accord during the Book Fort on Saturday. 

What is Book Fort? Sadly, it is not a literal fort made of books. The event is an interactive and roving book fair of select independent presses and publishers.

SP Writers take a closer look at the DeathMatch participants, complete with color-commentary. 

No rumbling. No one is ready for that. 

Nathaniel takes a look at The Pygmalion Festival's Literary Death Match.

Maybe SP likes Matthew too much. Maybe we talk too often. Regardless, this conversation between Minicucci and Rebecca should provide new details about our old homeboy. 

Seth Fein of Smile Politely, Pygmalion Festival and Nicodemus Agency was quite enthusiastic about the chance to interview Neil Steinberg, Chicago columnist.

Shelly interviews writer Kim Chinquee about her upcoming appearance at this year's Pygmalion Lit Fest. 

Rebecca previews the next PK night, bringing you 20x20s from each of the five major Pyg groups: Food, Tech, Made, Lit, and Music.

Jordan interviews Tyehimba Jess about his upcoming appearance at The Pygmalion Festival as well as what he hopes those who attend his performance will gain from his work. 

Meet one of Champaign Urbana's largest paper crane paper crane maker. 

C-U has a ridiculous number of libraries, and Shelly learns about the most diverse and interactive one we've ever seen. Check out people at the Human Library event during Pygmalion LitFest. 

Jordan interviews author Jean Thompson about her upcoming appearance at The Pygmailon Festival and what influences her work.

Since 2008 the Urbana Public Arts Program and Commission have sought to engage everyone in the arts whether they be professional, amateur, emerging, or “non” artists. What better way to engage the community than by exhibiting some of the talented artists in our area?

Peter and the Starcatcher may not have you clapping to save Tinker Bell’s life, but it will have you laughing and smiling.

Krannert Center for the Performing Arts kicked off their new season Friday with an Opening Night party that will not soon be forgotten.

Fresh off the Opening Night Party, KCPA keeps the tempo tight by inviting the cutting-edge Canadian dance troupe to display its unique method on Tuesday night.

Mandy Danowitz and Maggie Kirby of Gallery 217 took us on a guided tour, complete with Q&A session. 

This year’s opening celebration brings the sounds and tastes of the world to CU-rbanites and Rebecca’s bringing you the scoop.

In an age when young adults are chastised for being young-er than adult-er, Peter Pan occurs more often in popular culture. The latest, Peter and the Starcatcher, is a musical produced by Twin City Squared, opening this week. 

On Friday August 26, the art exhibition Borderland Collective: Northern Triangle opened at the Krannert Art Museum. The exhibition provides plenty of material for a dialogue about the issues of migration and human rights, but navigating the renovation and exhibit itself may prove daunting for some.

40North has been hosting juried exhibitions in a new gallery space they're calling 40 Point One. Michelle and Stephen capture the opening reception while Rebecca reads into the work. 

At Parkland Community College’s Giertz Gallery, the 2016 Art and Design Faculty Exhibition highlights the department's strengths. The exhibition also drives home to me that a number of the faculty members are incredibly talented working professionals.

Rebecca sits down to talk poetry with local author, publisher and librarian Aaron McCollough. Instead they talk about music and mass culture and hermeticism and music.

Two Rebeccas discuss the merits of films, festivals, and dance. 

Director Andrew Laudone talks with Jordan about his first feature film, its Midwest setting, and how people can help contribute. 

After attending this year's gala, Smile Politely can confirm that this festival is still worth an entire Saturday. 

Spontaneous. Irreverent. Gritty. Electric. Underground. Unrefined. Different. Raw. These are just some of the words synonymous with Dada and Punk, two cultural movements with a lot in common. When embraced by an artist, something unique emerges from these two movements that makes art fun and engaging.

Andrew talks with several parties involved with UFL's first Comic Con. 

As the Celebration Company at the Station Theatre announces its 45th season, no one needs reassurance that they are in the prime of life. 

Rebecca gives you the rundown of what to expect from Saturday's Pens to Lens gala, a festival that is beginning to receive national attention. 

A two-fer, in which Mathew speaks with director Stephen Fiol and then reviews a rehearsal at the Virginia Theatre.

New York Times bestselling author J. Ryan Stradal visited the Champaign Public Library to read and answer questions about his book, Kitchens of the Great Midwest.  Check out Brittany’s photographs of the event.

A conversation with Latrelle Bright, director of Dreamgirls, shows that inclusion is a big effort when it comes to producing a typical play.

Check out a reveal of new sculptures in town!

For its 39th season, the Illinois Shakespeare Festival brings an amazing cast together to perform one of the Bard’s most famous plays. Directed by Leda Hoffmann, Hamlet finds a balance of the comedic within the tragic.

Although Alan Ball may have been warming up for his better-written TV women, Andrew gives the actresses applause. 

This PK preview keeps to the 20×20 theme to give you just a small stolen glimpse of Saturday's show. 

New York Times bestselling author J.Ryan Stradal talks with Rebecca about his upcoming appearance at Champaign Public Library.

Michelle stopped in to Cracked Glass to check out their sales before their big move.

As the mercury (and humidity) rise in Illinois, I seek the shelter of dark, cool places like movie theaters. Even when the weather isn’t unbearable, I have a tendency to go to the movies. Luckily, the Art Theater Co-Op is showing a variety of film series to keep me coming back again and again.

Something strange, quirky, creepy, and weird has arrived at the Station Theater this summer. Don’t worry though; it’s a musical.

Sly comments by the director and producers of the upcoming Five Women Wearing the Same Dress make Rebecca realize she missed her chance to ask the obvious question. 

With so many permutations on the story of the classic chocolatier, Rebecca talks to the director & cast of the musical Willy Wonka to find out what makes this weekend's show one to see. 

Rebecca speaks with the Artistic Director of ISF to see how well the fest has aged.