Reviews

William: The swirling crowds in the lobby of the Krannert Center for the Performing Arts separate into grayer C-U Symphony-goers and the Pygmalion Music Festival crowd. In this austere venue, these younger patrons of the …

INT. BARCELONA RESTAURANT – NIGHT NARRATOR: Vicky sat with Cristina and Juan in a romantic Spanish restaurant drinking red wine. Juan had randomly approached and convinced both Vicky and Cristina to travel with him to …

For anyone that pulled up to or walked past the Canopy Club this past Saturday, the mild summer weather was most likely broken by the abnormally long line that stretched from the Canopy to the …

When I was first introduced to Lykke Li’s EP, Little Bit, I was entranced in the sheer uniqueness of her voice and music. Lately, it seems as though too many artists follow a certain guideline …

Welcome back to work. Look for Justine Bursoni’s photo review in Aww Snap! tomorrow on Smile Politely.

Seatbelts securely fastened. Tray tables in their upright positions. Yet the turbulence of Tropic Thunder doesn’t phase. Thunder is the most refreshing, brave and entertaining comedy of the year, and it didn’t come from an …

The Bottle Rockets with Otis Gibbs Highdive, Champaign, Ill. Aug. 16, 2008 “Happy anniversary,” Brian Henneman shouted as the Bottle Rockets took the stage, launching into the heavy, bitter lament about a romantic relationship gone …

When the line for Lifehouse wrapped around the Canopy Club to the School of Music building on Nevada entered the venue, they fully packed the main floor and filled every seat in the balcony. Every …

Way Out West Entrance Generally speaking, Smile Politely tries to cover events in and around Champaign-Urbana. It’s part of our mission statement actually; we believe in the notion that our cities have their own culture. …