FRIDAY, MARCH 23
Hank, Bedtime, Finishing School, 10:00 p.m.–1:00 a.m.
Mike ‘N Molly’s, $5 cover
Hank just released a new EP worth checking out; plus this show is a release of a split with Bedtime. Hank will be finishing up their mini-tour across the midwest and will finish it up at home. Why not head over to Mike ‘N Molly’s to enjoy some local punk. (PS)
Obdulio’s Macaroni and Cheese at Milo’s, 5–9 p.m.
I dream of Obdulio’s Macaroni and Cheese. I could eat it for lunch or dinner, or possibly even breakfast, if they served it for breakfast. There’s nothing quite as cheesy and classic and reasonably priced as an appetizer or side dish of the golden pasta goodness, with breadcrumb crust baked to crispy perfection on top and creamy cheese underneath. This weekend (or anytime) you can get the dish baked fresh at Milo’s or also across the lot at Wines at the Pines if you’re in a more laid-back mood. (SK)
The Skin I Live In and We Need to Talk About Kevin at the Art Theater, times vary, $9
There are a lot of options this weekend at the Art but these are your two best bets. Antonio Banderas is great in Pedro Almodovar’s The Skin I Live In, a thriller that will keep you on edge and blow you away with the twists.
We Need to Talk About Kevin, like Skin, was recognized by the Golden Globes (and others) but not by the Academy Awards. Tilda Swinton deserved the recognition she did receive for her portrayal of a mother tormented by her son who seems to have an evil streak and a personal vendetta against her. Both films do well at being subtle and giving you everything you need to leave you stunned. They are are easily two of the best films I saw this past year. (JS)
Cirque du Soleil: Quidam, Friday at 7:30 p.m., Saturday at 3:30 and 7:30 p.m., and Sunday at 1:00 p.m.
If you’ve never seen a Cirque show, remedy that now. They’re pretty much the visual interpretation of awesome. And check out SP writer, Meghan Whalen’s review of Quidam that will publish today at noon. (TN)
Go see The Hunger Games, and try not to worry about all the things they miss: Any Box Theater in the world
I read the whole Hunger Games trilogy earlier this year without even thinking about it, simply because it was such a terrific story. Yeah, it’s for Young Adults, and at last night’s Midnight showing in Memphis, we were inundated with teens (mainly girls) squealing for Peeta and Katniss to lock lips throughout the whole film, but honestly, it was entertaining as hell. The book, of course, is far more complex and detailed, and the movie doesn’t really do it justice, but if you can try to enjoy it for entertainment value alone, it’s worth your time. It’s like Twilight with a decent plot. And yes, it’s a rip-off of Battle Royale to a degree, but the plot here is better, and more fulfilling. (SF)
SATURDAY, MARCH 24
Mike & Kayla video shoot + Graft vs. Host + Kyle Howard, 9:30 p.m.–2:00 a.m.
Cowboy Monkey
Cover: $2–3, after 11:00 p.m.
Mike & Kayla are joining up with some friends this Saturday. They’ll be performing some new material, and Matt Harsh will be there to shoot some videos. (TN)
COYOTE UGLY, 10:00 p.m.
The men and women of Carnivàle Debauche will be there, and the Jager Girls will too. I don’t know what came first, the movie or the party. I just know that I’ll never go to one of these events because I’m too damn old. I honestly have no idea what happens at these parties, but the event page mentions “underbits,” so it sounds like a hell of a lot of fun. (TN)
Chaise Manhattan’s Birthday Event, 10:30 p.m.-12:30 a.m.
Emerald City Lounge
Cover: $5 (waived, if you’ve reserved a table)
I neglected to include this event in this week’s Rainbow Connection. Sometimes I suck.
Chaise Manhattan is having a birthday party on Saturday. Her co-host will be the “First Lady of Champaign,” Mona Monclair. Special guest performers are Kelasia Karmikal and Amaya Mann.
Drag shows at Emerald City are always a blast. I highly recommend checking out this event if you can. (TN)
Prairie Fruits Farm Breakfast, 9–12 a.m.
Go for some yummy breakfast cooked right on the farm, go to see the cute baby goats, or go for fresh, local cheese and produce. Tomahnous Farm, Blue Moon Farm, and Glazik Farm will attend and vend a variety of foodstuffs like spinach, kale, salad, and scallions. It’s the first farm breakfast, so expect a logistical nightmare of parking, and perhaps a slight test of patience (if you’re anything like me).
But the Mexican Goat Milk Hot Chocolate and fresh farm food make the wait worth it. (Lisa from Tomahnous Farm pictured.) (SK)
SUNDAY, MARCH 25
Stroll the Krannert Art Museum: 500 E. Peabody, Champaign
It’s overlooked at times, simply because it’s hard for most to imagine that Champaign-Urbana has the same kinds of tourist attractions that larger cities have as well, but on Sunday from 2–5 p.m., the Krannert Art Museum is a wonderfully quiet and peaceful place to spend an afternoon. With a large rotating permanent collection that includes the likes of Warhol and Picasso, and interesting touring shows and exhibits regularly changing over, this should be a place that you visit four, five, six times a year, without fail. Right now, they have four shows happening, both of which I found — at the very least — interesting if not disturbing, and made for good dinner conversation with my wife, who actually went to school to learn about art. It scores me points when I bring it up. (SF)