Smile Politely

Weekender: December 2–4

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 2

Edison School Jazz Band at Krannert Center, 6:30 p.m., Free

The Nutcracker by Champaign Urbana Ballet at Krannert Center, 7:30 p.m. Fri, 2 & 7:30 p.m. Sat, 2 & 6 p.m. Sun, $36 & down

Martha Marcy May Marlene at the Art Theater, 5:15 & 7:30 p.m. Fri.,Sat. and Sun. w/additional shows at 3:00 p.m. Sat./Sun.

My Antonia at the Station Theatre, 8 p.m. Fri/Sat/Sun, $15 Fri/Sat, $10 Sun

We will most likely have a review for this play early next week. Stay tuned! (TN)

Auntie Mame by the Penny Dreadful Players at the Gregory Theatre, 8 p.m. Fri/Sat, $5

Mike & Kayla’s Fan Video Friday at JT’s, 9:00 p.m.–12:00 a.m.

JT Walker’s Restaurant and Sports Bar

Mike & Kayla have a request for their fans:

Have a smartphone or one of those little flip video cameras? Bring it along and shoot some video of your favorite song, and upload it to YouTube! We need more video for promotional purposes, so we’d really appreciate the help!

Help a bitch out, yeah? (TN)


Bellflower at the Art Theater, 10 p.m. Fri/Sat, $6.50

Here’s an Indie flick with some kick. I saw one comment that compared it to a combination of a John Hughes film and Mad Max. I’m interested. Look for our review of this film in the upcoming days. (JS)

SATURDAY, DECEMBER 3

Breathless at the Art Theater, 12:00 p.m.

The French classic, restored for its 50th anniversary. (JS)


National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation at the Virginia Theatre, 1 & 7 p.m., $5

Yes, you know you love it. Here’s one of my favorite quotes: “This is a full-blown, four-alarm holiday emergency here. We’re gonna press on, and we’re gonna have the hap, hap, happiest Christmas since Bing Crosby tap-danced with Danny fucking Kaye. And when Santa squeezes his fat white ass down that chimney tonight, he’s gonna find the jolliest bunch of assholes this side of the nuthouse.” (JS)

U of I Men’s Basketball vs. Gonzaga at Assembly Hall, 2:15 p.m.

Bob Zuppke and the Foundations of Illinois Football at Urbana Free Library, 3 p.m., Free

Take Your Child to a Bookstore Day

Normally the librarian in me would make an irrational, off-putting comment here, but Jane Addams Book Shop is participating in this event, and I love that bookstore, and they’ve got a wonderful children’s literature section, so I’ll just post this here for anyone who might be interested. (TN)

 

Winter Buffet at The Red Herring Vegetarian Restaurant, 5:00–8:00 p.m.

The Red Herring Vegetarian Restaurant

$7 for Adults; Student Discount with Student ID

This dinner will offer indigenous Native American cuisine. There will be food (of course), Native story-telling, offerings, and music. And if Liz and Jeremiah’s review can be believed (and it can), you won’t want to miss this. (TN)

Greater Community AIDS Project Gala Fundraiser at Levis Center, 6:30–10:00 p.m., $30 for first ticket, $20 for each additional ticket

Levis Faculty Center

The event will have entertainment from the Parkland Early Jazz Ensemble, a fabulous dinner from Classic Events Catering, and a live auction of gifts from numerous local businesses.

This is a fundraising event for the Greater Community AIDS Project (GCAP). All proceeds support direct client services and the HIV awareness efforts of GCAP.

Get tickets by:

  • Calling GCAP office at 217-351-437
  • Ordering online
  • Purchasing at the door

(TN)

Jazz from Malawi at UC-IMC, 7:30 p.m.

SUNDAY, DECEMBER 4

U of I Men’s & Women’s Gymnastics at Huff Hall, 2 p.m.,

The Mean Lids at Champaign Public Library, 2 p.m., Free

Annual Carol Concert at Krannert Center, 3 p.m., $10 and down

Winter Lights Festival at Krannert Center, 4:00–6:00 p.m., Free

Kranner Center for the Performing Arts

There are all kinds of fun things to enjoy at this event:

  • Music by the Justin Dyer Quintet
  • “Roaring Twenties” costume contest (for kids only, I believe)
  • Yuletide crafting with The I.D.E.A. Store
  • Custom caricatures by the U of I Life Drawing Club
  • Photo collection display by the UIUC Vintage/Analogue/Manual Photography Club (VAMP)
  • Complimentary hot chocolate
  • Amphitheatre tree lighting to top off the evening

 (TN)

Channing-Murray Holiday Party, 5:30 p.m.

I receive the Channing-Murray e-newsletter, and this event was mentioned. However, as of this writing, there’s nothing about it on their website or their inexcusably neglected Facebook page. But here’s what the newsletter says:

Please bring family and friends and a favorite holiday salad, vegetarian casserole, or dessert to share. Turkey and beverages will be provided by Channing-Murray’s very own holiday elves.

It sounds like fun, but I’d advise you to call them before going to all of the trouble to make your great-grandmother’s traditional, top secret veggie tray and soy dip, and verify that this is actually happening. (TN)

Tree of Hope campaign kick-off, 7:00–8:00 p.m. on the quad

The TOH “spokesfamily,” the Johnsons, will be on hand to talk about the campaign and ask for support for local people with developmental disabilities. For more information, check out today’s cover story. (JS)

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