An oral history of Night Air on the Midway
Chris interviewed Evil Tents about their re-release and upcoming show. What we present here is pure unadulterated Evil Tents, which, according to them, sounds a lot like night driving, pot smoking, water bed fucking music. Fair enough.
Coulter admits it: he likes Dancing with the Stars
He also likes elipses, and doesn't care much for Maroon 5.
You can't escape the beat
Parasol Records is releasing a retro live record from The Rave next week, conjuring up nostalgia even if you weren't alive in 1979.
Cher's autograph
While Cannes goes on without him, musing on time travel and a lifelong focus on the esoteric.
Big Grove Tavern set to open with farm-to-table focus
We talk to Jessica Gorin, the Executive Chef for the new Big Grove Tavern in downtown Champaign, to hear about her years as a chef and her plans for the menu.
Derby Girl Doubleheader: The ‘Paign gets their first victory of the season
The Twin City Derby Girls kicked off their home season on Saturday, with close scores and hard hits in both bouts.
A Separation poses questions
Chike tells us that A Separation is a universal human tale with suberb characters.
SP Radio Podcast: C-U Flea arrives
Dubbed the Market at the Square after party, C-U Flea debuts this Saturday with clothes, house stuff, knick-knacks, food and live music.
The Rainbow Connection: May 21–27
This week’s Rainbow Connection is dedicated to Jay-Z and the NAACP.
The Overture: May 22–28
This weekend-heavy week of shows includes an album release show and plenty of options of where you can see music this weekend.
Champaign pulls rug from under food trucks
A new focus on enforcement of parking and licensing ordinances has small businesses like the Crave Truck at a loss as to how they can operate in Champaign.
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I’m in the middle (or the beginning or end, depending on how you look at it) of re-reading Slaughterhouse Five. What a great companion column.
Get yours early. The Rave’s CD will be available at Exile and at The C-U Flea on Saturday. C-U Flea details here: http://www.smilepolitely.com/news/sp_radio_podcast_c-u_flea_arrives/
I don’t know about Gerard and a random police sargeant. My (mild) outrage is based on this: “...he worked closely with Champaign City Clerk Marilyn Banks to make sure he was licensed properly as a transient food peddler, filling out the necessary paperwork and paying a $225…
Local Yocal pretty much nails it here. I suspect there will be merchants who oppose food trucks because they arguably don’t pay their fair share to locate their trucks in high traffic (high rent) areas. The food trucks take away business from rent payers, park in city…
Oh nice! I’d totally vote for Matt Campbell!
“Smile Politely sports writer announces candidacy for city government.”
I also got to visit Big Grove Tavern during the soft open and definitely enjoyed the pork belly the most of all the dishes I sampled. The cheesy grits and the vinegary pickled vegetables were a perfect compliment to the rich pork belly.
The Alan Partridge lookalike on the right in the first small photo has nothing to condescend to anyone about. AH HA!
Snell and the little Hitlers of the neighborhood association need to chill out. Legitimate businesses should have the freedom to exist without having to endure the slings and arrows of ignorant and misguided opposition.
represent, Matt.
Yeah, I’d agree that Transporter Room 3 is the worst house venue I’ve ever seen.
Food trucks are the start-up, small businesses of the future for those unable to afford real estate. No surprise, that merchants who pay rent, utilities, and maintenance on a property would despise the traveling competition. Or developers who build more empty retail spaces would want to close…
Not so much far-right Tea Party as a balanced, moderate viewpoint between letting businesses succeed and protecting society with reasonable regulations. In spite of what the city reps are saying, the interpretation of policy on this issue certainly has changed. Letting a business start up under one…
I think it’s neat that SP has turned rightward, now espousing a Tea Party-style frustration with government regulations & taxes.
This makes me so sad. (Happy to live in Urbana, though!) Crave Truck has been a GREAT addition to the food choices in C-U, and it’d be a travesty to chase them away. This town should be supporting small businesses. I’m glad to hear that they’ll still…
*slow. clap.* Still offering no threat of intelligence…. I know I said I thought you should just write this whole column yourself next year, Isaac, but now that you’ve gone and taken a “part deux” run at it, I’d like to modify my request: Best Music 2013,…
Actually, it’s kind of nice, the quiet. John Heoffleur’s engaging commentary/dialogue is sorely missed, however. In lieu of someone intelligent saying something, I’ve compiled a list of Honourable Mentions: BEST ROCK BAND: Take Care ::these gentlemen have four completely different sets at their disposal right now (which…
What? Echo! (Echo!) Where’s the dischord and dissent?
This weekend will mark the first appearance of Kayla Brown’s Fire Doll Candle booth at the Market. Check it: http://www.facebook.com/firedollcandles
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Looking forward to trying this place!