FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 21
Two Beers with Dylan Heath, featuring Andrew Voris, Anna Karenina/Anna Karina, oh, and Seth Fein — Mike ‘N Molly’s, 6:00 p.m.
This is a program formatted like a talk show, but mostly about two beers. They talk about things in the community and have guests on the show. This week, Seth will take the mic (or the beer?) and talk about Pygmalion as well as some Jewish soup recipies. Andrew Voris will be talking about some local comedy and open mic nights around town, and Anna Karenina/Anna Karina will be playing some tunes for the onlookers. (PS)
Do drugs of some sort and wig out in Shpongleland, Canopy Club, 9 p.m. ($20 advance/$25 door)
I mentioned earlier this week that Shpongle, aka Simon Posford’s insane psychadelic outfit, will be coming to Urbana later this week. That time is now, and it’s been brought to our attention that this will be a presentation of Shpongle’s Mascarade. To get an idea of what this is all about, apparently it will “transport concertgoers into another world: the parallel and ephemeral universe of Shpongleland.” For some reason when I hear that, I want to use it in the lyrics of “Jungleland.” You might feel like you’re in a jungle or something, but that’s probably the drugs kicking in. (PS)
Raw Talent Show, Emerald City Lounge, 11:30 p.m.
Amy Myers will MC while contestants battle it out for the September title! Emerald City’s first talent show was a hell of a lot of fun (read about all the details here), and I expect this show will be even better. (TN)
SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 22
Dinner in Drag, The Marketplace Mall, 3:00–4:30 p.m.
At this writing, we don’t yet know all the details, but there seems to have been some disturbing discrimination at Marketplace Mall last Sunday. Local resident, Randall Krause claims that an overzealous security guard treated him very disrespectfully due to the fact that Randall was wearing women’s clothing.
So, some of us will be dressing in drag and shopping at the mall on Saturday. Go to the event page to read Randall’s alarming account of what happened to him, and what you can do to protest the mall’s actions. (TN)
Vermilion County Civil War Days, all day Saturday and Sunday, Kennekuk Park, Danville
My parents are coming to town this weeked from rural Iowa, and this is definitely what we’re going to do on Saturday. Battle re-enactment, period-accurate baseball game, husband calling contest, Abe Lincoln press conference? Yep, they’re all here. Plus a medical demonstration and a nighttime artillery demo? Bonus. (JG)
Oktoberfest at Destihl, 4:00–10:30 p.m., prices vary
From Oktoberfest beer brewed on-site, to traditional German cuisine, a costume contest, and a bunch of live music, this is a good way to while away your Saturday. And a “Stein Holding Contest”? All right, now I’m confused. Probably time for another Dunkelweizen. (JG)
Mayor Don Gerard is scheduled to tap the first official keg of Oktoberfest beer at 4:30. Let’s hope he saves some for the rest of us… (SK)
Reading from The Black Cultural Front, Urbana Free Library, 2:00–3:00 p.m.
Local author Brian Dolinar, who recently released his book, The Black Cultural Front, will read from it Saturday afternoon in the Lewis Auditorium. The book talks about black writers and artists from the depression era, including poet Langston Hughes, novelist Chester Himes, and cartoonist Ollie Harrington.
Even though it’s not on the event poster, Dolinar will probably also sell and sign you a book if you want one. (SK)
An Evening of Words and Music, Indi-go Artist Co-op, 8:00 p.m.
A night of prose, poetry, and music featuring Lania Knight, John Palen, Roxane Gay, and Jeff Arrigo. Books and CDs will be available for purchase. No cover.
- Lania Knight’s first book, Three Cubic Feet, is a novella about a gay teenager in Missouri. Smile Politely published a review of this book, which you can read here.
- John Palen’s latest book is Small Economies, a short-fiction chapbook published by Mayapple Press. His Open Communion: New and Selected Poems came out in 2005, also from Mayapple.
- Roxane Gay lives and writes in the Midwest. (Why no plug, Indi-go? Why?)
- Jeff Arrigo is a singer-songwriter from Missouri. His first CD, Gideon, features his signature folk-blues storytelling style. (TN)
Illini Union Board Presents: Culture Shock, Illini Union (South Lounge), 5:30–8:30 p.m.
Not much detail on the event page, but it looks like there will be plenty of food, dance, song, and culture from “around the world.” (TN)
SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 23
The Glamazon Show: Welcome to the Jungle, Chester Street Bar, 11:30 p.m.–2:00 a.m., $4 ($10 tables)
This week’s show is hosted by Calexus Carrington-Steele and Sienna Mann. It stars Lady Mocha Carrington, Lady Rage, and Kelasia Karmikal. Drink specials all night. Age: 19+ (TN)
All event information is accurate to the best of our abilities, but sometimes we make mistakes and sometimes event information, times, prices, etc., change after we look them up. Whenever possible, we’ve provided a link to the original event page; you should always double-check the source before you make any firm plans. Thanks for your understanding.