Non-music things to do at PYGMALION 2023
As a Millennial, nothing gives me more nostalgia than a great burned CD. It immediately takes me back to sitting in class where there would always be a few people who could make exceptional mixes. …
Arts
Get to know PYGMALION poet Deon Robinson
PYGMALION is right around the corner, and as I mentioned in my five things in arts this month, there’s plenty to do at the festival even if you aren’t into the music scene. Ahead of …
Art at the Cinema in Downtown Urbana
As you walk down East Main Street in Downtown Urbana, between Race and Vine, you’ll notice a large cinema marquee. Outside, the interior looks dark, maybe even foreclosed. But Wednesday through Saturday from 10 a.m. …
Fraya Replinger’s photography elevates the everyday
This year’s Boneyard Arts Festival, my first event as Arts Editor, introduced me to the work of many talented local artists. One of my favorite things that I encountered was quite simple in theory: a …
Visiting The Militia House with John Milas
In many ways, John Milas is a product of Champaign-Urbana. He grew up in Champaign, attended public school, completed a year at Parkland before enlisting in the Marine Corps, and returned to complete his undergraduate …
Five things in arts: September 2023
Fall is around the corner, campus is bustling, and school is back in session. Although there were a number of great events over the summer (my favorites included Art Around the Block and My Little …
Marcus Flinn raises the bar for self portraiture
Photographer and artist Marcus Flinn started out like the rest of us, taking photos of himself on his phone…and then it turned into something more. Flinn’s self-portraits are incredible: from conception, design, to execution, you …
An exhibition of exhibitions on contemporary American arts at Krannert Art Museum
Currently at Krannert Art Museum there is a most interesting and unique exhibition on contemporary American arts since 1948 on display. As the curator of Art Since 1948 Amy L. Powell pointed out: “Drawn from …
Signed Kiaya reflects on Black experience in America
I often think of consuming poetry as being a lot like listening to a new album: most people will read a single poem or listen to a song or two, but reading an entire poetry …
Fantasy novel Evryn the Light builds a lasting message of feminism and love
I will admit, although I often read novels, fantasy is something that I have not read for a couple of years. I’ve sort of banished that subgenre in my mind, taking to other books instead. …
Go behind the scenes with Scenic Artist Christina Rainwater
When I attend a theatre performance, I try to appreciate the amount of work that goes into putting on a show. While I can appreciate the actors, the set design, and the costumes, unless you …
An inside look at the planning of a season at the Station Theatre
Out of all the art forms we cover in this section, theatre is probably the area that I know the least about. I’ve gone to theatre productions, of course, but when the Station Theatre announced …
Melissa Pokorny’s sculptures are an exercise in experimentation
If you were at Delight Flower Farm this July, you probably noticed an addition to their regular lineup of flowers: a gorgeous series of ghost lily sculptures created by their artist-in-residence, Melissa Pokorny. Pokorny is …
All kinds of murder and friendship in My Little Titus Andronicus
I recently wrote how I learned about My Little Titus Andronicus (a play combining the children’s toy My Little Pony with the gruesome Shakespeare tragedy) in a late-night email, convinced myself I had dreamed it, …
Crystal Lake Art Fair made for a rainy but enjoyable Saturday
Last weekend was the fifth year for the Crystal Lake Art Fair, hosted by 40 North and the Urbana Park District (you can read about last year’s fair here). This was my first year attending, …
Shozo Sato’s stories in black and white
As founder of Japan House and professor emeritus of the School of Art and Design, Shozo Sato is a pillar of the Champaign-Urbana arts community. His kabuki adaptations of western classics are well-loved, and he …
Five things in arts: August 2023
After last week’s heatwave, it may be hard to believe, but the end of summer is near. The pools are closing soon, kids go back to school in a few weeks, and campus and fall …
Talking costumes and children’s books with Vivian Krishnan
When I asked Vivian Krishnan to tell me about herself, she described herself as “an artist and art advocate, wannabe homesteader, and mother of chickens.” This does not even begin to cover her many talents …
Lindy Hop at Hamilton Walker’s is a relaxed and inviting social dance experience
As a ballroom dancer, I know how to swing dance, but I’ve never tried lindy hop before. I was completely surprised to learn that there is an entire Swing Dance Society of Lindy Hoppers here …
Yeong Choi’s abstracts are a beautiful exploration of life
When I attended this year’s Art Around the Block at Giertz Gallery at Parkland, I was immediately drawn to an abstract piece by an artist I wasn’t familiar with: Yeong Choi. In my review of …
Truth Truth Lie is a fast-paced thriller that will keep you guessing until the very end
I love a good thriller. And I really love a good domestic thriller. As I recently described to a friend, “you know, the kind when there is some scandal, and it turns out someone had …
A review of CU Comrades in Art’s The Near, the Dear, and the Faraway
Just before July the 4th, our country’s Independence Day holiday celebration, I revisited Champaign County Park District’s Springer Cultural Center to see the art exhibition titled The Near, the Dear and the Faraway. This exhibition …
Jose Vazquez walks us through the creation of that incredible CUPHD mural
We have written about the amazing new mural at Champaign-Urbana Public Health District (CUPHD) a few times already since it made its debut. As someone with no talent for drawing or painting, I could not …
Jenny Chi’s Ars Longa, Vita Brevis is an exhibition worthy of the old masters
Typically, when I learn about a new artist or exhibition, I spend some time on their website or social media getting a feel for their work before I decide how best to cover the event. …
Art teacher and comic creator Grant Thomas walks us through his creative process
Grant Thomas never intended to stay permanently in his hometown of Champaign, but when he was offered the opportunity to teach art at his childhood grade school, he decided to stick around. Thomas has now …
Five things in arts: July 2023
We may already be fully into the month of July, but there is still plenty to do in the remaining weeks when it comes to the arts. Whether you want to embrace the heat in …
Possessing a fleeting moment with the art of Hua Nian
Those involved in the Champaign-Urbana art world are likely already familiar with the work of Hua Nian. This summer alone she was the featured Artist of the Corridor at the Urbana Free Library, where she …
Seeing florals in a new light with painter Faith Gabel
In my short term as Arts Editor so far, I have already mentioned Faith Gabel’s paintings on a number of occasions. I first encountered her work at Boneyard Arts Festival, and I recently saw one …
Cinnamon Trammel can teach you to dance salsa, swing, country, and more
As a competitive ballroom dancer myself, I grew up social dancing. For ballroom dancing, these are typically weekly held events at dance studios (Regent Ballroom in Savoy offers these type of events, often on Fridays). …
Twin City Theater Company brings a student-written mystery to Parkland College Theater
The Curious Case of Covingston Manor is a manor house mystery with all of the classic tropes and accoutrements: an old mansion with a vaguely aristocratic name, a wealthy (and possibly stingy) elder relative whose …
Art Around the Block highlights the diversity and talent of the C-U art scene
The call for entries for Art Around the Block IV: Artists From Our Neighborhood was my very first post as Art Editor for Smile Politely, so I was especially excited to check out the exhibit …
Marilynn Dean Cleveland showcases Black American life in My Soul Doesn’t Cast a Shadow
During her 82 years of life so far, Marilynn Dean Cleveland has created more than 1700 pieces of art. When I learned her choice of media included popcorn and bottle caps, I was intrigued, to …
Sculptor Andy White on the art of coaxing beauty out of scraps
Sculptor Andy White is relatively new to Champaign-Urbana: he moved to the area in the summer of 2020 from South Carolina, and this year was his first time participating at Boneyard Arts Festival. If you …
Encounter the familiar and very unfamiliar at Krannert Center for the Performing Arts’ 2023-2024 season
When I sat down on Zoom to discuss the upcoming Krannert Center for the Performing Arts‘ 2023-2024 season (the complete season schedule can be found below) with KCPA Director Mike Ross, the first thing I …
Five things in arts: June 2023
It’s officially almost summer: the pools are open, it’s way too hot and humid outside, and it’s generally believed that the arts community is quiet for the summer. While it’s true campus events are largely …
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 …
Mastering new mediums with self-taught artist Selma Prado
This year’s Boneyard Arts Festival introduced me to a lot of fantastic artists from the Champaign-Urbana area. One of the highlights of my visit to the ReGroup Art Collective showing was the stunning large mixed …
Catching up with illustrator and webcomic extraordinaire Matt Wiley
Long-time readers of Smile Politely are probably already quite familiar with Matt Wiley’s art. Wiley (they/them) has been profiled by us several times, including for their book, My Cat is Depressed, and the choose-your-own-adventure online …
Challenging the gendered world of ballroom dancing with Alex Tecza and Kato Lindholm
For non-dancers, ballroom dancing typically calls to mind one of two images: 1) Dancing with the Stars, meaning men in tailcoats and women in sparkly dresses and feathers, or 2) the kind of dancing your …
Re-Fashioned 2023 was fun and inspiring
Last Saturday’s Re-Fashioned event was, like all of the others I’ve been to, crowded and wonderful. Re-Fashioned is the runway show showcasing the work by University of Illinois School of Art + Design fashion students …
A behind the scenes look at Dancing Through The Decades with organizer Haley Gillespie
This year, the Champaign Park District is celebrating the 47-year legacy of the Dance Arts Conservatory. Their annual showcase, taking place on May 5th and 6th, will feature dancers in an array of styles including …
Tango for all at this year’s CU Tango Music Festival
Argentine tango has a strong presence in many cities and towns internationally, including, of course, Champaign-Urbana. The 2023 CU Tango Music Festival brought together local and visiting tango musicians, instructors, and dancers. Tango is many …
Parable preaches the gospel of change
The science-fiction writer Octavia E. Butler, who died in 2006 at the age of fifty-eight, is experiencing a posthumous renaissance. In 2021, the Library of America published its first volume of her collected works; she …
Five things in arts this month: May 2023
April is typically thought of as the big month for the arts in Champaign-Urbana, thanks to both Ebertfest and Boneyard Arts Festival. But as May ushers in better weather and the end of the school …
Dark fusion dance with Amanda “Daewen” Garion
Stygian Dance is a metal and dark fusion dance collective founded by former Champaign resident and University of Illinois alum Amanda Garion, who goes by the stage name Daewen. Aptly named after the river Styx …
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 …
A look at Boneyard Arts Festival 2023
This year’s Boneyard Arts Festival saw events taking place at more than ninety venues across Champaign County. The annual four-day arts festival is put on by 40 North and brings together local artists and businesses. …
An interview with Ebertfest organizers Chaz Ebert and Nate Kohn
Ahead of this year’s Ebertfest, I corresponded with Co-Founder and Producer, Chaz Ebert, and Festival Director, Nate Kohn, to learn more about this year’s lineup, past Ebertfests, and how the festival has changed – or …
City of Angels opens at the Virginia Theatre
On April 13th City of Angels (music by Cy Coleman / lyrics by David Zippel / book by Larry Gelbart) opened at The Virginia Theatre. The Lyric Theatre’s production is a collaboration between the Virginia …