Buzz Magazine: April 12, 2012 by Buzz Magazine

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VOL10 NO16

APRIL 12, 2012

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IN THIS ISSUE

All

A CAPPELLA

U of I

Breaking down the University vocal scene

Students Get In

BUZZ TALKS COMICS

“The Strange Talents of Luther Strode”

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301 MONGOLIA

buzz reviews the new Mongolian grill

Mon-Thurs

I CAN BE YOUR GYRO

Learn how to make gyro-wn.

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HUA NIAN 7

CALENDAR

Your guide to this week’s events in CU

Looking for a job? Need extra cash?

Check out the Classified Section of the Daily Illini

ON READBUZZ.COM MOVIES & TV: Check out Syd’s Hidden Gems online now! You’ll find a movie you haven’t seen, but definitely should. GOT IT?!

FOOD & DRINK: Barcrawls are ubiquitous around campus. But have you ever thought about food crawls? Or even more sweet: dessert crawls?

MUSIC: Like Nicki Minaj? Hate Nicki Minaj? Check out our review of her new album and all our reviews, ONLINE NOW!

COMMUNITY: This week online, Karolina talks being uniquely unique. Explore unique uniqueness by uniquely checking out www.readbuzz.com RIGHT NOW!

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT:

Comedians say the darnedest things! Check out our new column, “komedian’s korner,” where we pick the brains of local comedians, online this Wednesday! 2

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EDITOR’S NOTE SAMANTHA BAKALL

In the midst of my zen week last week, I had an epiphany: What am I still doing in school? This wasn’t an anti-establishment “screw you” to higher education; this was a legitimate realization that many of the things I want to do with my life require little to no schooling. It’s simultaneously frightening and obvious that I am still figuring out what I want to do with my future. Over the course of my weekend, I made and ate a lot of food, talked about food with friends and did a lot of thinking. I love food. More than people a lot of the time. It doesn’t talk back, and it’s always there for me. I do like to write about it (I want/wanted to become a food journalist after graduation), but I enjoy making it and working with it so much more. So what am I doing sitting in a classroom when I should be out in the real world getting hands-on experience? For example, I considered doing work Sunday afternoon but quickly decided that I would rather spend it infusing alcohol. I ended up making a lavender gin, a blueberry gin and a grapefruit rum. I’m really looking forward to trying them once they’re ready. Monday afternoon I spoke to a beekeeper for a story I’m writing. Initially, I called the woman to set up an interview, and we ended up talking for over 30 minutes on the phone — me for maybe four and her for the rest. It was fascinating and enlightening at the same time. This woman has dedicated a large portion — 38 years — of her life caring for bees and learning the beekeeping industry. What started as a hobby for her became a way of life, and it was inspiring to see someone whose life was so affected by their personal passion. Next semester I’m taking a butchering class, and I’ve never been so excited. Yes, there are real animals involved. No, I am not bloodthirsty. I’m just interested in learning how to be a butcher! I want to raise animals, garden, keep bees, cook, have a butcher shop and make booze. That’s not too much to ask for, right?

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by Emma Cullen The University of Illinois’s Colleges Against Cancer branch is hosting its 10th annual Relay for Life on Saturday, April 14. The American Cancer Society event provides a venue for people to celebrate cancer survivors, remember those who have been lost and make a significant contribution in the fight against the disease. Students across campus will partake in the event, which, weather permitting, will take place at the outdoor track and soccer stadium. Teams of 8 to 15 students will take turns running or walking laps around the track. Each team must have at least one member on the track at all times for the entirety of the 24-hour event, symbolizing the constant efforts of students to fight the deadly disease. It allows students to unite under a common cause and encourages that, with their support, the world will one day be cancer-free. There will be more than 1,000 students at the event, all of whom have raised funds to make a positive community impact. The event will benefit cancer research, education, prevention, programming, and the University, which is home to the first national Colleges Against Cancer chapter. The event will be both fun and rewarding, so students are encouraged to participate in any way possible, either through joining a team or making a donation. Regardless of form, all participation makes a difference. Cancer affects everyone, so embrace the opportunity to make a change in the fight against cancer.

BUZZ STAFF

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TOM THOREN COMMUNITY EDITOR

RELAY FOR LIFE

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COVER DESIGN Lauren Blackburn EDITOR IN CHIEF Samantha Bakall MANAGING EDITOR Nick Martin ART DIRECTOR Michael Zhang COPY CHIEF Drew Hatcher PHOTOGRAPHY EDITOR Zach Dalzell IMAGE EDITOR Zach Dalzell PHOTOGRAPHERS Animah Boakye, Megan Swiertz DESIGNERS Will Ryan and Tyler Schmidt MUSIC EDITOR Evan Lyman FOOD & DRINK EDITOR Jasmine Lee MOVIES & TV EDITOR Joyce Famakinwa ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT EDITOR Jessica Bourque COMMUNITY EDITOR Tom Thoren CU CALENDAR Bobbi Thomas COPY EDITORS Sarah Alo, Casey McCoy DISTRIBUTION Brandi and Steve Wills STUDENT SALES MANAGER Molly Lannon PUBLISHER Lilyan J. Levant ON THE WEB www.readbuzz.com EMAIL buzz@readbuzz.com WRITE 512 E. Green St., Champaign, IL 61820 CALL 217.337.3801

We reserve the right to edit submissions. buzz will not publish a letter without the verbal consent of the writer prior to publication date. buzz Magazine is a student-run publication of Illini Media Company and does not necessarily represent, in whole or in part, the views of the University of Illinois administration, faculty or students. © ILLINI MEDIA COMPANY 2012

APRIL 12 - 18, 2012

» Cell phones: My cell phone has been in the process of a slow death for months now. It finally bit the dust last Friday night, leaving me to wake up to a Saturday of isolation, desperation and frustration. Without its alarm, I overslept. Without its text messaging, I couldn’t send pointless comments to my friends. To make phone calls, I had to use a land line. A land line! I had to stand in one spot for the entirety of my conversations. It was absolutely awful. Luckily, I now have my mom’s old phone to use so I can feel connected to the world again. It’s teal and super fly.

TUESDAY $2 Real Long Islands, $2.25 Bud & Bud Light drafts!

» Internette: You know what’s even better than a functioning cell phone? A working wireless internette connection. Using it with a laptop is like using a smartphone on steroids. I can do so many fun things on the internette like send emails, take Sporcle quizzes, LOL at memes, look at cute animals and get this — even make phone calls! JESSICA BOURQUE ARTS AND ENTERTAINMENT EDITOR

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» Keychains: I own one key. It opens my apartment, my car and my heart. Unfortunately, sometimes I’m a Scatter-Brained-Jane (SBJ) and lose this key, much to the chagrin of my keymaster and landlord, Mel. My stupid babyman boyfriend suggested, “Why not get a keychain? Maybe a Hello Kitty or one that looks like the Berlin Wall?” I said, “Shut your teeth; keychains wronged me in the past, AND THEY WON’T DO IT AGAIN IN THE FUTURE!” » The Past: Once, I swallowed a keychain. I don’t know why I swallowed the keychain. Perhaps I’ll die. » The Old Lady Who Swallowed a Horse: I don’t know why she swallowed a horse. She’s dead — of course. But seriously, horses are very functional work animals. Don’t eat them! They pull things; you ride them; you quietly pet their mane of beautiful horse hair and whisper, “I love you, horse. I wish I was a horse just like you.” SAM BAKALL EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

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» Long, informative interviews that only require one question: I recently did an interview where I asked one question, and my interviewee talked for the remainder of the interview, resulting in roughly 3,000 words of quotes and information. There is nothing better on the planet than a talkative source. I would rather write and type until my fingers bled than sit and try to pull information out of a source. Just help me out! Give me a break! buzz

a sound of their own

University a cappella groups vary in history, members and sound by Avani Chhaya and Esteban Gast

his week, buzz examines a selection of University student a cappella groups. The following group members helped to give a better look at what makes them unique. »Stephen Ladner, president of Xtension Chords (XC) »Edward Washington, business manager for The Other Guys (OG) »Neesath Shah, business director and president of Chai Town (CT) »Alexandra Gremer, president of Girls Next Door (GND) »Robb Erlenbush, business manager for No Comment (NC) »Maura Stanton, president of Rip Chords (RC) »Aranee Sivananthan, cofounder, business manager and treasurer for Illini Awaaz (IA) »buzz: When and how did the group form? XC: In 1992, a group of guys from Varsity Men’s Glee Club wanted to experience music in a new way. The four friends decided to make a group that would perform more mainstream music in different venues across the country. OG: “Other Guys have been on campus for about 43 years. They formed during the 1968-1969 out of the Varsity Men’s Glee Club, which is the only male choir on campus. All of the members of the group are part of Men’s Glee Club, and we perform at Glee Club concerts. Over the years, we evolved to be sponsored and affiliated with university.” CT: The group started ten years ago in 2002. When several guys signed up to sing for a spot in Diwali night, the Indian holiday showcase, the group then became serious with singing. GND: The group formed in 1971 based off of The Other Guys. The girlfriends of some of the male singers created Girls Next Door. NC: The group started in 2004 with the name of Guys and Dolls. With confusion between the school musical, the group asked on the audition sheet about

a new name. A student did not want to comment and thus put “no comment” on the audition sheet, creating their new name. RC: The group was formed in 1992, supposedly created by the friends of the Xtension Chords. IA: Spring 2011. »buzz: How many group members? What is your gender makeup? XC: 10 members. All male. OG: Eight members. All male. CT: 16 members. All male. GND: 11 members. All female. NC: 12 members. Co-ed. RC: 15 members. All female. IA: 16 members. Co-ed. »buzz: What’s your best memory? Have you won any awards? XC: “One memory that really sticks with me would have to be the first show I had in Foellinger Auditorium. We perform at Foellinger once a semester, but you never truly realize how much support we get from people in the community. It is really special to look out and see 600-800 people who are excited to see us perform.” OG: “The Alumni Association trips are always fun. As for notable accomplishments, in 2006 we placed third in the world at [the International Championship of Collegiate A Cappella]; that was the highest accomplishment we’ve had.” CT: Most recently, the musical group won second place in a competition in Iowa. 2009 was a second place win in a California competition ... a third place win in Iowa in 2010, and a second place in that Iowa competition in 2012. GND: The best moment for Gremer is during the winter tour, where the group schedules performances throughout high schools and middle schools during winter break for one entire week. With performances in the day, the girls have sleepovers at night. “It’s where most of our bond-

Photo by Megan Swiertz 4

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ing comes from,” she said. NC: He said a non-musical best group moment would be the group bonding during a corn maze in Rantoul with girls pitted against guys. Musically speaking, he added that the campus-wide sorority event during his freshman year with a 1,000-person audience was also one of the best moments. RC: At the International Championship of A Cappella competition, the group placed second place and has placed third in previous years. In November at The Virginia Theatre, the group placed first against other local a cappella groups. IA: “Our best memory is when we did a fundraiser for Valentine’s Day this year. We went around and embarrassed kids during class and sang valentines to them.” »buzz: What’s your go-to/favorite song? What style of music do you sing? XC: “One of our favorite songs to perform is ‘What We’re Thinking While We’re Singing.’ It gives us a chance to really show off our fun side. We sing a lot of different styles that span pop, rock, country and everything in between.” OG: “Anyone going to our show can expect two things: great musicality and lots of humor. We originally started as a comedy act, so we’re always working on incorporating funny elements. For example, a lot of our choreography is very tongue-in-cheek and goofy. As for songs, we have a very diverse repertoire. Anything from current pop songs, older songs, rock, country, jazz and R & B.” CT: One of Shah’s favorite pieces is a medley that combines three other songs, two songs meant for the “club” with a Hindi love song. He said the medley has hilarious choreography that incorporates hiphop moves and bhangra dancing. The group fuses Hindi and American songs often, also incorporating Punjabi and Telugu. GND: Gremer’s most recent favorite song is “Stuck Like Glue” because “it gets stuck in her head.” She said the group has a diverse set that ranges from Pink to Bob Marley. NC: Erlenbush said his favorite song was “Beautiful Disaster” by Kelly Clarkson, one of the songs performed for a competition. They perform popular radio music and indie tunes. RC: Stanton said her favorite song is Justin Timberlake’s “What Goes Around.” The group performs pop, rock, R&B, oldies and country music. IA: “A mash up of ‘Down’ by Jay Sean and ‘Forever’ by Chris Brown. We sing Bollywood and American pop songs.” »buzz: What’s your group atmosphere like? XC: “We are a very laid-back group that always strives to have fun. I think it is really special that we have a very diverse set of people with different majors — from different places in the world — who

come together in order to bond over music.” OG: “In our audition process, we not only determine if they are a good singer or if they can sight read music — we take gauge of their personality. We rehearse three hours a night every night, so that is like 15 hours a week and that’s not counting shows. We spend a lot of time together, so it’s very important for our group to get along.” CT: He said the group atmosphere can be described as “really chill.” With rehearsals, performances and road trips, Shah said the group has moved past friendship and into brotherhood. GND: The group atmosphere is very laid-back. NC: Erlenbush said he describes the group atmosphere as excellent. RC: Stanton said the group atmosphere is one of laughter and obnoxious singing, as should be expected with 15 girls in one room. IA: “We have a quirky but enthusiastic environment. We like to have fun and joke around but get work done at the same time.” »buzz: How are you different from the other groups? What distinguishes you from the rest? XC: “Every group has a distinct personality which sets them apart. I think what really makes us different is the fact that we always enjoy ourselves and act like a crazy bunch of five-year-olds.” OG: “It’s a smaller thing, but we don’t use any vocal percussion, which makes us different.” CT: Chai Town is the only competing South Asian a cappella group on campus. The group’s dialogue and choreography infused with the singing is the total package. GND: The group’s broad repertoire is what makes them different from the other a cappella groups on campus, Gremer said. She added that Girls Next Door does not focus just on one genre of music. NC: The co-ed component is what makes the group different from other a cappella groups on campus. They focus on music instead of the comedy aspect of a performance. RC: The element that distinguishes The Rip Chords from the other a cappella groups on campus is their darker sound. “We have a bit more edge,” Stanton said. “We pride ourselves on our edge.” IA: “Even though we’re a singing group, not all our members have traditional singing experience. Rather than turning them away, we welcome any musical background and look to see if prospective members share a similar passion for music.” »buzz: Describe your group in three words or less. XC: Creative. OG: Comedy and musicality. CT: Swag. GND: Quirky. NC: Fun. RC: An experience. IA: Swag.

MUSIC

April 12 - 18, 2012

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This band is “in-tents!” The past and hectic present of John Isberg

Evil Tents during a band practice in Champaign, IL. All photos by Animah Boakye.

by Evan Lyman

he band Evil Tents does not live up to its name, which suggests rebellion and anger. Their entire existence contradicts that “heavy metal” sentiment. Instead their quiet, intimate songs and candle-lit live performances come from the influence of John Isberg, the group’s 35-year-old front man. Isberg, a veteran of the Champaign and Chicago music scene, uses his energy away from music to pursue a master’s degree in special education at the University of Illinois and raise his 2-year-old daughter, Eve, with his wife, Karima. His daily schedule leaves little room for hanging out or catching his breath. At six in the morning, he wakes up to the sound of his daughter bouncing in her bed. After setting her up with some Sesame Street and cooking breakfast, it’s a mad dash from his home in Savoy to classes in Champaign. “I’m at school until around 3:30 in the afternoon, and then I run home or go directly to my trainee-ship with my professor,” Isberg said. “Then I go to class at night — it’s pretty crazy. Then I come home and do whatever work I need to do. After that’s done, I hang out for a second with my wife, maybe watch some Mad Men. Or sometimes on good days I’ll get stuck in record mode and write some songs.” Prior to a late night concert at Mike ‘N’ Molly’s in downtown Champaign, he pauses between sips of his Red Bull to remark that he craves a cheeseburger and has barely eaten all day. The scent of his jacket reveals that cigarettes have been suppressing his appetite, and his thin frame suggests that his lifestyle leads to skipped meals. Isberg was born in Aurora and grew up in Elburn, the furthest Metra commuter train stop from Chicago. In the development of Evil Tents’ debut album, “Night Air on the Midway,” he drew from his childhood. “I grew up in a small town,” Isberg said. “There’s this thing called Elburn Days. They had this carnival that came, and my dad was a firefighter ... we would always hang out there. That’s where I got

a lot of the inspiration for our last record.” Isberg released the album via the band’s Bandcamp website on Halloween, contributing to the record’s carnival motif. He dedicated the album to his daughter Eve, who managed to impact the recording process from her crib. “I recorded the vocals in my kitchen, straight onto the computer with no microphone, and usually my daughter was asleep at the time,” he said. “I was afraid I might wake her up if I was too loud. I think sometimes I didn’t give a very good performance.” Lack of confidence in his vocal recordings led Isberg to experiment with filters on his voice in the production stage, adding unusual textures to the album that subtly capture the attention of the listener. Evil Tents drummer Nathan Westerman compares it to the “flurry” screensaver that comes standard with Apple computers. “Remember that screensaver where there’s a bright point with colors coming off of it in all directions?” asked Westerman. “I imagine if the vocals were a visual effect, that’s what it would be. This light at the end of the tunnel.” Though he serves as the face of Evil Tents, Isberg collaborates with band mates Westerman, Isaac Arms and Aron Stromberg when writing. “When you write a song, you really wanna play it in front of people,” Isberg said. “That’s how I started playing with Nathan. So we would kind of write songs together. Or sometimes, we’ll get lucky when we’re jamming.” When that happens, a song comes together spontaneously. “We’ll kind of jam, and sometimes it comes together,” Isberg said. “Then I’ll take the recording home, listen to it and come up with a song structure off of that.” When forming song structures, Isberg relies on his band to flesh out the more simplistic sections.

“I don’t like to get too elaborate with songs,” Isberg said. “I’m always like, ‘This is great! This two chord song is awesome!’ Isaac and Aron are really helpful because they help me add to what starts as a minimalistic song.” Evil Tents’ music blends gentle acoustic grooves, ambient guitar washes and a steady rhythm section. Westerman said he appreciates Isberg’s influence on his drumming. “Before Evil Tents, I always played the drums real hard,” Westerman said. “John came to me with this idea and said, ‘Play with some brushes.’ Evil Tents has been a lesson for me in that respect. It’s about totally pulling back and being sort of a support role for everyone else.” On the other hand, Isberg’s past suggests that he was not always the relaxed, folk-pop songwriter he is today. He said that the video for “Today,” the Smashing Pumpkins single, piqued his interest in music. After seeing the video, he purchased “Siamese Dream,” the band’s breakthrough album, and had an epiphany. “The first song on it is ‘Cherub Rock,’” Isberg said. “That was the first time I was like, ‘I need to play guitar.’ It just comes in, just a simple guitar line, and it just hits you like a wall.” The most noteworthy of Isberg’s previous work was his tenure with the Firebird Band. Chris Broach, who made his name in the influential Champaign group Braid, started the Firebird Band as an electronic side project. Isberg joined the band in 2001 as a bass and keyboard player. “I was really into electronic music because we did the City at Night record,” Isberg said. “That was where I got a lot of my electronic influences. My intention with Evil Tents was to record it acoustically but to do it in the style of electronic music. Very minimal, very repetitive, simple.” While the minimalist grooves of electronic music continue to inform Isberg’s music, he

says he has grown out of certain aspects of the genre. “I was in a band called Reds, which was an electronic dance group,” Isberg said. “It was one of those bands where we dressed up and stuff. I started to feel like I was putting on a uniform to go play music, like it wasn’t me. I think that’s why I wanted to start Evil Tents.” Ironically, electronic dance music has risen in popularity over the past few years, culminating in popular electronic artist Skrillex receiving five Grammy Award nominations this year. Campus bars have capitalized on the popularity of electronic music, hosting DJ sets rather than live bands on weekends. Aron Stromberg, lead guitarist for Evil Tents, described how bands on the Champaign-Urbana scene have struggled. “I feel like it’s really hard to get people to go out to shows,” Stromberg said. “I feel like here, everybody’s just more interested in getting sloshed and hookin’ up with each other. And it’s not easy to get people to step outside their normal comfort zone.” But Isberg says there are plenty of good venues for local bands in Champaign-Urbana. “I like Mike ‘N’ Molly’s because you’re on the same level as the crowd,” Isberg said. “Also, I always liked to play house shows because you can interact with the crowd. People are bumping into you as you play. It’s awesome.” Though Isberg hopes to teach special education after earning his master’s, he does not see himself abandoning music. “At this point, I’ve been playing for 17 years, and it’s one of those things you learn to appreciate more as you get older,” Isberg said. “At least with acoustic music, it’s something you can never really outgrow.” Evil Tents will be opening for Hathaways at Cowboy Monkey on April 14. buzz

TEENAGER WITH SUPERPOWERS CAUSES TERRIBLE DISTRUCTION buzz talks to author of hit indie-comic “The Strange Talents of Luther Strode” by Nick Martin

The cover of the trade paper back for The Strange Talent of Luther Strode.

hen a teenager gets superpowers, s/ he has two options: a) become a noble, world-saving caped crusader, or b) freak out, beat people up and act like an asshole. Most teenagers are rude and selfish (speaking from personal experience), and superpowers often stand to augment bad behavior. Albeit, it’d still be totally awesome. This idea is elaborated in the indie-comics hit, “The Strange Talents of Luther Strode,” available in trade paperback since April 11. Luther Strode is a teenage geek with few friends and no respect. Luther sees an ad for an exercise program that promises Herculean strength; with nothing to lose, he sends away for the program. Surprisingly, it works perfectly. He’s imbued with super strength and becomes practically unstoppable. Unfortunately, this attracts the attention of a masochistic librarian and an ancient murder-cult, but more on that in a minute... buzz got a chance to talk with series creator Justin Jordan for some insight into this clever new comic. In fact, ads like the one that gave Luther powers used to really exist. “In the ‘60s and ‘70s, the ads played into the power fantasies you’d find in superhero comics. They all but promised you’d have superhuman abilities. We ask, what if it worked?” Jordan explains. 6

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The first thing Luther does with his new powers is punch a jerk-off jock in the face. Then, he stops a convenience store robbery, beats up more bullies and lives out every nerd-fantasy revenge scenario imaginable. “If you’ve been picked on or harassed, you’d want to get some payback. It’s only human nature,” Jordan said. But you can’t have a superhero without an archnemesis. Luther’s is the Librarian, an erudite master-killer inspired by British comedian Stephen Fry. Unlike the former sketch partner of Hugh Laurie, the Librarian brutally slaughters anyone who gets in his way, often through dismemberment. Jordan explained the inspiration behind the Librarian, “I’ve been a librarian a few times. There’s an expectation that librarians are meek and bookish, but I thought it’d be funny to see a murderous librarian.” Comic books allow crazy, cartoon violence; “Luther” is no exception. “When Batman beats up criminals, it’s fairly bloodless — but in real life, getting punched hurts. We tried to take the violence to a whole other level to make the link more explicit,” Jordan said Jordan also said “Luther” was inspired by ‘80s slasher movies. “With a typical slasher villain, you’ve got a supernatural force that wears a mask, is completely indestructible, and goes after ‘bad people.’ Superheroes do pretty much the same thing. Take the Punisher, for example. He’s just a slasher killer with guns.” Of course, crazy-over-the-top-teenage-murder-mayhem rarely goes unpunished. “One underlying theme is, Luther means well, but all of his decisions are pretty horrible. He doesn’t have any foresight. Or a mentor — an Uncle Ben type character — to lead him in the right direction.” “I always knew the book would be a tragedy,” Jordan said. “Luther Strode” issue 1 sold out in comic shops across the country. It’s won the acclaim of comic critics and fans alike. Best of all, a sequel is already in the works. “‘The Legend of Luther Strode’ is about Luther’s penance.” Jordan explained. “It takes place five years after the first series. Luther is in a dark place. He’s been murdering people because he thinks he can’t control his rage. He’s not happy to be alive. We’ll also find out more about the murder cult, find out how they do what they do.” If you like movies such as Kick Ass and Wanted or comics like “Invincible” and “Ultimate Spiderman,” you’ll love “The Strange Talents of Luther Strode.” Right now, it’s only $8 on Amazon! Buy it before it inevitably becomes a blockbuster-mega-hit or FX original series!

TEENAGER WITH SUPERPOWERS CAUSES TERRIBLE DESTRUCTION buzz talks to author of hit indie-comic “The Strange Talents of Luther Strode” by Nick Martin

The cover of the trade paper back for The Strange Talent of Luther Strode.

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arts

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April 12 - 18, 2012

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overcoming all odds A profile of local artst Hua Nian by Jessica Bourque

f you want to understand Hua Nian, look at her paintings. It’s all there: spewing onto every canvas, hiding behind every line, reflecting in every color. Her frustration, repression and regret. Her peace; her emotion. Her life. “The moment I realized I could connect art to life, I just jumped to the board and never looked back,” Nian said. And what a life she’s lived. Growing up in communist China during Mao Zedong’s Cultural Revolution, Nian’s childhood was laden with difficulty. Her parents, a neurologist and an engineer, were exceptionally well-educated — a trait Chairman Zedong found threatening — and they were blacklisted as a result. To avoid persecution, her family fled their comfortable life in Beijing and retreated to the poverty-stricken countryside. Nian was six years old. “We didn’t have anything. No toys, no games — nothing! It was very rural,” she remembered. The move was especially hard on her mother, a prominent figure in Chinese intellectual circles. Nian’s mother took a job at a two-room clinic and worked for a mere 60 yen ($10) a month. Crippling poverty became a barrier for Nian. Food and clothes were rationed. Books were hard to come by. Even blank paper was considered a luxury. “You couldn’t draw or doodle on your school pads. It was forbidden. Paper was meant for homework.” This proved problematic for the budding artist. The longer she lived in the countryside, the more Nian developed a love for doodling and sketching. Her mom often made the kids pose so she could sketch them. By watching her mother, Nian learned that making art is the perfect way to escape — from boredom, from poverty, from everything. She still remembers her first sketchbook. It was handmade by her mother, who collected spare medicine instructions from the clinic. She used them as substitute for paper. “The instructions were tissue paper thin. They would rip, and you could see through them. You could often see the Chinese writing on the other side.” But Nian’s mom, never wanting her kids to go without, made it work. She meticulously stapled the flimsy instructions together to make a hodgepodge sketchbook. Nian treasured it. “Paper is still very cherished for me. I save everything. It’s hard for me to see the kids draw one line and throw the page away.” By age eight, Nian’s hobby was embedded into her soul. While the majority of her childhood was spent “making mud balls with spit and running through the hills,” Nian loved her drawing

time. However, she only had four years to hone her skills if she wanted to make art a career because at age twelve, she could finally apply for art schools. Any children accepted to these prestigious, exclusive schools would inevitably become professional artists; the children who weren’t had little to no chance. To prepare, she began taking lessons — that is, freeloading art lessons at a nearby factory. “The lessons were supposed to be for workers only — a source of entertainment for them. I was only about eight or nine, and I would sneak in! But everyone in the village knew I loved drawing, so they would just let me stay.” The lessons weren’t enough. The kids who had more exposure to art, through teachers or parents, had a stark advantage. Nian failed to get into art school. “I think it was a real blow. I had no self-confidence after that and never wanted to show anyone my work.” Instead she attended the regular public school, and her childhood dream of being an artist was neglected by everyone around her. Nian was urged by her mother to focus on her studies so, if she was lucky, she could get into college. “Back then, only 3 percent of students went to college ... It was almost impossible.” Nian’s life was hinged on the college acceptance tests. She studied, under her mom’s watchful eye, until it consumed her every waking moment. No time for a social life. No time for boyfriends. No time for art. “I was shut out from that group of people — the artists, the musicians, the performers. But inside, I was just burning.” Hua was accepted to college and chose to major in photojournalism because it offered a photography class. Photojournalism became her release; it wasn’t painting or drawing, but it was enough to temporarily tame the stifled artist inside her. “Something in my mind didn’t like it [photojournalism]. It was too realistic. There was no creativity. I had something in me I needed to get out.” Sometimes it came out when she was alone. In those quiet moments, Nian found herself aimlessly drawing and doodling. One day, someone finally noticed. While in her final year of college, Nian interned at a newspaper. One day, the Art Director, Mr. Qin, walked in on one of Nian’s scribble sessions. Immediately, he asked to see more. “I drew and drew, but he wasn’t interested in any of it.” Instead, he was interested in her “candy wrapper folding” — little figurines Nian would create out of old candy wrappers and magazine scraps. She started making them in her spare time after taking interest in fashion design. They were

A paper tear piece by Hua Nian depicting a mother and child, titled the water is wide.

impeccably constructed and breathtakingly elegant, yet they were made from garbage. “He was shocked that someone who had never taken art lessons or figure lessons could make them look so precise. He was so impressed.” Mr. Qin ran a news story featuring Nian’s unique art. He also took it upon himself to be her artistic mentor and to develop her abilities. “Mr. Qin was the first one to recognize my talent,” Nian said. “I didn’t believe him, though. I mean, I was outcast! It was official! But Mr Qin, he loosened the soil so that I could grow. I didn’t know it then, but that growing process would last for six years.” After those six years, Nian finally took Mr. Qin’s advice, confronted her mother and declared her intent to become an artist. “She called me a quitter. The Chinese don’t like people who change their position. Once you get set with something, you just go, go, go until you’re great. Plus, she didn’t like the idea of me being an artist.” But Nian didn’t feel like she was quitting; she felt like she was finally beginning. She submitted her paper tearings to schools in the U.S. — the mystical place her mother mentioned so often. “After things settled down in China, my mom went to America to study at Berkeley as a visiting scholar. She came back amazed and said, ‘Hua, you have to go see that place!’” So she did. After getting accepted to Pittsburg State University in Kansas and barely passing her TOEFL exam, Nian left her homeland to start a new life, a life she fantasized about for so long. Nian devoured her art classes. She took a variety of courses, including one in printmaking, but Nian’s most valuable classes allowed her to connect her art to her life, something she had never tried before.

“I used to read great literature and wonder how those people could write about things so deeply, with so much feeling. I felt like I would never be able to do that. But then I made that connection.” She “released the beast” inside her spirit and it showed up on the canvas. Her early works were very abstract, full of chaotic lines that rush off the canvas. She thought about life and how tumultuous it can be, her childhood and the relationship with her mother, death and her purpose on earth; all of it served as inspiration. She used art to explore her inner self, to work out her problems: art was her therapy. Now, Nian is married and is the mother of two children. This too is represented in work, specifically in her new exhibit “Where the Wild Things Glow.” “In my early work, my lines were always rushing off the page. Everything was very abstract. Now, people see my work and they say, ‘You are painting flowers?!’ and it’s because I’m more settled, more at peace.” The flowers still retain a semblance of Nian’s early chaotic style, though, incorporating gritty textures and imperfect lines; as Nian puts it, her work is not “too pretty.” “A still life can be pretty, but it says nothing about me.” For Nian, that’s the purpose of her art — to reveal something about herself. In that way, her art is her autobiography, told through brush strokes rather than words. She puts a piece of herself in everything she paints. Maybe that’s why Nian is reluctant to sell some of her pieces. She is especially attached to one from her current exhibition. “I hope it doesn’t sell! I raised the price. If it sells, I will cry! I will find out who owns it! It’s my love.” Hua Nian’s latest exhibition, “Where the Wild Things Glow,” is on display at Amara Yoga & Arts through April 18. You can see her work right now at www.huanianartstudio.com buzz

Movies

One on one with Crispin Glover The actor talks filmmaking, typecasting, and Back To The Future. By Joyce Famakinwa

here are actors who audiences instantly recognize by name. Then there are actors whose faces are easy to place, but it takes a second to remember their name — they are usually actors who work and generally avoid the Us Weekly crowd. Crispin Glover lands somewhere comfortably between these two categories. He can be seen in mainstream films like Charlie’s Angels and Alice in Wonderland while also appearing in independent films. Aside from an actor, he is a director, author, producer and recording artist. On April 11 and 12, he will be at The Art Theater performing Big Slide Show. » buzz: You are in Champaign for Big Slide Show, which you will be performing at the Art Theater. Can you tell me a little more about Big Slide Show? Crispin Glover: For “Crispin Hellion Glover’s Big Slide Show,” I perform a one hour dramatic narration of eight different books I have made over the years. The books are taken from old books from the 1800s that have been changed into different books from what they originally were. They are heavily illustrated with original drawings and reworked images and photographs. I started making my books in 1983 for my own enjoyment without the concept of publishing them. I had always written and drawn, and the books came as an accidental outgrowth of that. I was in an acting class in 1982, and down the block was an art gallery that had a book store upstairs. In the book store there was a book for sale that was an old binding taken from the 1800s, and someone had put their art work inside the binding. I thought this was a good idea and set out to do the same thing. I worked a lot with India ink at the time and was using the India ink on the original pages to make various art. I had always liked words in art and left some of the words on one of the pages. I did this again a few pages later and then, when I turned the pages, I noticed that a story started to naturally form, and so I continued with this. When I was finished with the book, I was pleased with the results and kept making more of them. I made most of the books in the ’80s and very early ’90s. Some of the books utilize text from the binding it was taken from, and some of them are basically completely original text. Sometimes I would find images that I was inspired to create stories for, or sometimes it was the binding, or sometimes it was portions of the texts that were interesting. Altogether, I made about 20 of them. When I was editing my first feature film, What Is It?, there was a reminiscent quality to the way I worked with the books because as I was expanding the film into a feature from what was originally going to be a short, I was taking film material that I had shot for a different purpose originally and re-purposed it for a different idea, and I was writing and shooting and ultimately editing at the same time. Somehow I was comfortable with this because of similar experiences with making my books. 8

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» buzz: As an actor, are you afraid of being typecast? CG: Usually a successful actor is associated with a particular thought or perception in people’s minds. Often the way someone is cast in something has to do with that perception that people have about that actor. This, to me, is a positive thing, and to be able to get into the truth of the psychology of the character is what is important to me. The best philosophy for feeling good about oneself is to not compare one’s self to others. Someone could always compare their self to someone who is doing something that they wish they were doing and feel bad about their self. Or conversely, someone can always compare their self to someone who is not doing well and then falsely feel great about their self. Either of these ways of thinking is not healthy. It is best to realize if one is accomplishing what one wants to accomplish. If one is accomplishing what one wants to accomplish, that is all that matters. Right now, completing both What Is It? and its sequel — It is Fine! Everything is Fine. — and touring with these films are things that I have been wanting to accomplish for a long time, so I feel great about these things. I do not view eccentric as a negative term, and I am not particularly concerned with what someone calls me as long as I am accomplishing my own films that I am passionate about. I view it as poetic interpretation of a mathematical term meaning something that does not follow a centric course. Many of the characters I have played can be called eccentric. My own films and books can be called eccentric. I find all of this fine. I publish my own books, produce, finance, direct and edit, distribute my own films. Publishing, producing, financing, directing, editing and distribution — all have extremely centric elements to them that have to be followed in order for results to happen. Because I spend a good amount of time performing those very centric tasks, it means that I have very centric qualities in my day-to-day life even if the art I am interested in can be perceived as eccentric. I have not always played eccentric or unbalanced characters, but I definitely have often played eccentric characters. I enjoy acting when there is a good concept for the film or a good character arc or psychological understating in the writing and by the director. Finding this sort of combination can be difficult. There is definitely a complexity in how roles are chosen. It can be a combination of enthusiasm for the role or project or the necessity of bringing in money or maintaining visibility. » buzz: Can you talk a little bit about what happened with Back To The Future? CG: Interviewers actually do not usually ask me about this subject often or in a detailed way, so I am very glad to have the opportunity to get it straight. A lawsuit is, of course, a reaction to an unfortunate negative situation. I would not enter into a lawsuit unless there was an egregious

Used with permission from Crispin Glover

and unlawful wrongdoing. It just so happens that was the situation with Back to the Future Part II. If something wrong is done, you have to stick up for yourself and ultimately others so that sort of illegal activity cannot recur. What happened was that there was no agreement reached for me to appear in the sequels of Back to the Future. The producers hired another actor and put a prosthetic false nose, chin and cheekbones on him in order to make him up to look like me, then inter-spliced a very small amount of footage of me from the original film in

order to fool audiences into believing it was me. My lawsuit set certain precedent in the US for the understanding of an actor’s innate ownership of their own self and their own image. To make what my lawsuit was about exceedingly clear, what the producers did was use casts of my face from the original film to put my features on to another actor’s face with prosthetics. Had they only used original clips from the first film and not attempted to fool audiences into believing I was in the film, there would not have been a lawsuit. Or had the producers only hired another

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Why don’t you make like a tree and get outta here?

actor to play the role and not used my features on the other actor, there would not have been a lawsuit. The producers owned the name and the character, but they did not own me or my facial features. They did not come to an agreement with me to appear in the film, and so they decided to test the boundaries of an actor’s ownership rights erroneously. What my lawsuit was about was self-ownership infringement. In other words, an actor owns their own image, and producers taking that image without paying the actor for it is stealing and unlawful. Because of my lawsuit, there are rules in the Screen Actors Guild that make it so no producers, directors or actors in the US are ever able to do this again. I am proud of standing up for actors’ rights in that situation. Probably the most negative aspect about it is that Bob Gale, who was a co-producer, co-writer and one of the main architects of the illegal activity, has decided that it serves him best to lie about what happened in order to justify partaking in something that led to the producer’s illegal activity. He has falsely stated that I asked the same amount of money that Michael J. Fox was getting. This statement by him is complete fabrication. The truth is I was offered less than half of what Lea Thompson and Tom Wilson were getting. The role I was offered was a similarsized role to Tom Wilson and Lea Thompson, and what my agents were trying to negotiate was for myself to make something similar to Tom Wilson and Lea Thompson, as this seemed fair to both my agents and myself. My feeling is that the reason they never changed the low offer was

because they did not want me to be in the film. I had not been given a complete screenplay before I was hired for acting in Back to the Future. I analyzed the screenplay after I was hired, and during production I asked questions as we approached certain scenes. My feeling is they did not want me to be in the film because during the original production, when we got close to shooting the end alternate future scenes, I asked questions about the characters getting a monetary reward at the end of the film. I said to Robert Zemeckis that I felt the reward should be that the characters were only in love and that if there was a monetary reward at the end, such as the son character having a new car in the garage, it tainted the message, and the message turned to “Money will bring you happiness” as opposed to “Love will bring you happiness.” Please understand I was a 20-year-old idealist who had been watching many films from the ‘60s and ’70s that tended towards questioning these things, so it did not seem outrageous to question this. Robert Zemeckis got angry with me, and I do not think it was forgotten when the negotiations for the sequels came around or when they were writing the sequels, for that matter. The illegal actions this led to on the part of the producers as a punishment for a 20-year-old actor asking questions is not justifiable. It was not right to producers of Back to the Future to break the law to punish a 20-year-old actor in their film for asking questions about the moral content of a screenplay they only allowed to be read after the deal was completed. Bob Gale now makes matters worse because

APRIL 12 - 18, 2012

he is making up untrue things to take the focus off the fact that what he and his fellow producers did was illegal, by definition of the word. He does not want to face that fact. To skirt the issue, Bob Gale has lied to millions of people on the Back to the Future DVD commentaries about how the negotiations were handled. I would not normally discuss this sort of thing, but people believe what he has stated as true. What people have to realize is that Bob Gale was involved with something that turned into illegal activity. People who wonder about if what Bob Gale has said is true or not should understand even if they liked Back to the Future, it still means that a creator like Bob Gale, who was a contributor to the illegal activity, has motivation to create lies to detract the attention from his wrongdoing. I am enjoying my life, making my films, touring with them, publishing my books and acting in other people’s films. If I were put in the exact same situation today, I would react in the exact same way. I am glad to help clarify. People can find out about my films and shows and where I will be with them on CrispinGlover.com. » buzz: Who have been some of your favorite people to work with? CG: I’ve been very glad to work with and enjoyed working with Werner Herzog, Milos Foreman, Jerzy Skolimowski, David Lynch, Tim Hunter, Oliver Stone, Tim Burton, Trent Harris, Lasse Hallström, Robert Zemeckis, Jim Jarmusch, Vanessa Redgrave, John Hurt, The Yuen family fight choreography team, Tim Hunter, Trent Harris, and really so many great people that I have worked with over the years.

Week of Friday, April 13 through Thursday, April 19, 2012 Coriolanus (R) From a 35mm print. Fri: (5:00 PM), 7:30 PM | Sat: (2:30 PM), (5:00 PM), 7:30 PM Sun: (4:00 PM), 6:30 PM | Mon & Tue: 7:30 PM Wed: (1:30 PM), 7:30 PM | Thu: 7:30PM Tim and Eric’s Billion Dollar Movie (R) From a 35mm print. $5 show. Fri & Sat: 10:00 PM | Thu: 10:00 PM Kahaani (NR) Subtitled. From a 35mm print. Sat: 11:30 AM She Stoops to Conquer (Stage comedy from the National Theatre) (NR) Digital Presentation Sun: 1:00 PM | Wed: 4:00 PM 126 W. Church St. Champaign

Take the CUMTD Bus www.theCUart.com

streaming live on the217.com

SEE IT NOW

What Is It? and It Is Fine. Everything Is Fine! By Kaitlin Penn Normally, films seem to boast set plots and simple morals. In Crispin Glover’s 2005 film, What Is It?, and 2007 film, It Is Fine. Everything Is Fine!, such is not the case. Bizarre in every way, the filmography of both appear to be that of demented surrealism. In the first, What Is It?, we look into the psyche of the “Dueling Demi-God Auteur” dubbed protagonist, as played by Glover himself. Involving multiple appearances of snails, salt and a pipe, the main goal of Crispin’s protagonist is figuring out how to get home and dealing with his particularly racist psyche. Although billed as a drama, the film manages to portray a fair load of twisted humor among its other attributes, coming off as a Dadaist film that pokes fun at the early 20th century international artistic movement, using a strong emphasis on the absurd or nonsensical. Another thing to note is that Glover cast the movie with nearly all people with Down’s syndrome. What Is It? is a mixed bag, and there’s a little bit of everything: a graveyard sex scene, a naked picture of Shirley Temple, and porn star actresses. Tread carefully. If What Is It? isn’t enough for you, there’s Glover’s sequel, It Is Fine. Everything Is Fine! Written by and starring Steven C. Stewart, a man with a severe cerebral palsy, the main point of the film lies in his depictions of life around him, as well as his own sexual fantasies – his lots of sexual fantasies, particularly involving beautiful women and him being angry about it. While Stewart grapples with his physicality, Glover manages to capture the selfproclaimed “psycho-sexual” and “fantastical” story Stewart has to tell in all of its strange glory, emphasizing the complex nature of humanity. To describe the plot in one sentence, various attractive women become inexplicably attracted to Stewart, have sex with him and are shortly thereafter killed by him – over and over. So while a bit more clear in its plot and overall messages, It Is Fine. Everything Is Fine! does a fine job but only remains similar to What Is It? in having perplexing accounts depicted and left open to interpretation. Now go watch and feel an excess of feelings!

Used with permission from Crispin Glover

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FOOD

DRINK

DINNER AND A SHOW

301 Mongolia brings Mongolian barbecue to the city of Champaign

by Jasmine Lee

he inevitable comparison customers will make when dining at 301 Mongolia is that it is simply a pricier version of Flat Top Grill, and at first glance, the restaurants are indeed similar. Both offer custom stir-fry dishes and encourage patrons to choose from an array of starch, vegetables, protein and sauces. Then the dishes are prepared on a giant stone grill, to be presented in front of the patron by a cheerful waiter. However, that’s where the similarities end. Located on the corner of Neil Street and Church Street, the dimly lit restaurant is very impressive with its striking deep-red walls, adorned with modern wine racks. The tables are black and glossy and are surrounded by cushy, high-backed chairs; even the buffet that displays the farm fresh vegetables, sauces and proteins looks sleek and polished. Behind the buffet is the requisite stone grill, which is pushed all the way into the back corner, framed on either side by floor to ceiling windows, at which two or more cooks artistically cook and tap out rhythms with their spatulas. A giant bar takes up one entire wall of the restaurant and serves up eight craft beers on tap, as well as an extensive list of house-made specialty cocktails. Joshua Huddleston, general manager and director of operations of both 301 Mongolia and Dublin O’Neil’s, a neighboring Irish-influenced pub, is quick to articulate that the independently owned

301 Mongolia is all “about the concept, about the whole thing: creating your own stir fry, getting a bowl, being able to go up and pick — we’ve gotten twenty-two different vegetable options, eighteen different sauces, ten different proteins choices — being able to choose all those items, and the interaction with the chefs, watching them cook your food right there up front.” That’s what sets 301 apart from the standard hibachi. The menu is as simple and sparse as the restaurant itself — well, except for the vast listing of wines, liquor and unique cocktails that are packed into the last two pages — and offers a handful of tasty appetizers and desserts, as well as a succinct description of the ordering process. The appetizers all sound tasty, the sweet and spicy Mongolian Nachos in particular; Huddleston recommends to start with the tangy baked crab and pineapple dip, and to end the meal with the chocolate wontons. There’s a little pad of paper in the middle of the table, on which you mark your choice of white, brown or fried rice or paratha bread, any dietary restrictions and if you’d like to turn your dish into a soup or salad. The waiter will then set down large steel bowls in front of each seat, and you are let loose to pile the bowls high with neatly labeled vegetables, an array of high quality meats and protein (i.e. tofu), including crab and shrimp, and over eighteen sauces, one of which is intriguingly named “Warrior Sauce.” The

ANATOMY OF A GYRO

Food selection at 301 Mongolian. Photo by Animah Boakye

proficient waiters are all incredibly helpful and full of advice — for example, order the half dish of rice to save yourself from a food coma later that night — and know when to hover and how often to refill water glasses. Also, the service is surprisingly fast. Huddleston believes that connecting and working with the community is vital to the existence of the restaurant. His decision to strategically place the stone grill in a location so that patrons seated both inside the restaurant and outside on the patio, as well as allowing passers-by to watch the cooks at work, reflects that agenda. Since 301 opened this past October,

it’s had a presence at the local farmers’ market and will work with the Humane Society this upcoming summer in an effort to reach out to the Champaign-Urbana community. Additionally, 301 is firmly entrenched in social media, having a virtual newsletter in addition to both a Twitter and Facebook page. Lunch runs from 11 a.m. – 4 p.m. and costs $9.95 for unlimited bowls. Huddleston also promises that 301 provides for a fantastic business lunch. Dinner starts at 4 p.m. and costs $13.95 for one bowl and $15.95 for unlimited. And starting May 1, 301 Mongolia will launch an Asian-fusion small plates menu.

The popular Greek sandwich is decoded

by Annalisa Rodriguez

With the coming reopening of Zorba’s, many of you may be salivating for some gyros. But what exactly does a gyro consist of? What ingredients make up the popular Greek sandwich? A gyro is a sandwich made with meat — usually a combination of minced beef and lamb — mixed with onions and spices, which are then formed, baked, thinly sliced and wrapped in pita bread

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then served with condiments. The pita bread can either be pocket-style or the greasier round flatbread. Traditional meats for the gyro are pork, chicken, beef or lamb. In Greece, and in other nearby countries, a gyro sandwich might also refer to a similar sandwich called souvlaki, which consists of several different meats cooked on skewers and served with vegetables, rice, beans

and pita bread. While traditional gyro meat is a mixture of minced beef and lamb, souvlaki usually consists of marinated pork product. In restaurants, the gyro meats are often pressed into a conical shape and placed vertically on a spit rod for roasting, and cooks will shave portions of the meat off the spit rod before searing them on the grill. Tzatziki sauce, made with yogurt

and cucumbers, is spread over the sandwich, and other condiments such as tomatoes, onions, lettuce and even french fries are added on top of the sandwich. To get a sense of what you’re biting into before you make your first trip to Zorba’s, or just to try making your own homemade gyros, take a look at this recipe by Alton Brown from the Food Network.

Frogs never drink.

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APRIL 12 - 18, 2012

Used with permission from Jeffery W and the Creative Commons

Gyro Meat with Tzatziki Sauce » Total Time: 3 hr 45 min » Prep: 30 min » Inactive: 2 hr » Cook: 1 hr 15 min Yield: 6 to 8 servings » 1 medium onion, finely chopped or shredded » 2 pounds ground lamb » 1 tbsp finely minced garlic » 1 tbsp dried marjoram » 1 tbsp dried ground rosemary » 2 tsp kosher salt » 1/2 tsp freshly ground black pepper » Process the onion in a food processor for 10 to 15 seconds and turn out into the center of a tea towel. Gather up the ends of the towel and squeeze until almost all of the juice is removed. Discard juice. » Return the onion to the food processor and add the lamb, garlic, marjoram, rosemary, salt and pepper and process until it is a fine paste, approximately 1 minute. Stop the processor as needed to scrape down sides of bowl. To cook in the oven as a meatloaf, proceed as follows: » Preheat the oven to 325 degrees F. » Place the mixture into a loaf pan, making sure to press into the sides of the pan. Place the loaf pan into a water bath and bake for 60 to 75 minutes or until the mixture reaches 165 to 170 degrees F. » Remove from the oven and drain off any fat. Place the loaf pan on a cooling rack and place a brick wrapped in aluminum foil directly on the surface of the meat and allow to sit for 15 to 20 minutes, until the internal temperature reaches 175 degrees F. Slice and serve on pita bread with tzatziki sauce, chopped onion, tomatoes and feta cheese. Tzatziki Sauce » 16 ounces plain yogurt » 1 medium cucumber, peeled, seeded and finely chopped » Pinch kosher salt » 4 cloves garlic, finely minced » 1 tbsp olive oil » 2 tsp red wine vinegar » 5 to 6 mint leaves, finely minced » Place the yogurt in a tea towel, gather up the edges, suspend over a bowl and drain for two hours in the refrigerator. » Place the chopped cucumber in a tea towel and squeeze to remove the liquid; discard liquid. In a medium mixing bowl, combine the drained yogurt, cucumber, salt, garlic, olive oil, vinegar and mint. Serve as a sauce for gyros. Store in the refrigerator in an airtight container for up to a week. buzz

CALENDAR

APRIL 12 - 18, 2012

Complete listing available at

SUBMIT YOUR EVENT TO THE CALENDAR: Online: forms available at the217.com/calendar • E-mail: send your notice to calendar@the217.com • Fax: 337-8328, addressed to the217 calendar

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Snail mail: send printed materials via U.S. Mail to: the217 calendar, Illini Media, 512 E. Green St., Champaign, IL 61820 • Call: 531-1456 if you have a question or to leave a message about your event.

THURSDAY 12

Classes, lectures, & workshops

Miscellaneous

Spring Bicycle Sale

April 12-16, 2012

Champaign Cycle

www.champaigncycle.com

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The Art of Science: Images from the Institute for Genomic Biology 2.0 Opening Reception Indi Go Artist Co-op 6pm Jerusalem Saved! Inness and the Spiritual Landscape Krannert Art Museum and Kinkead Pavilion 9am 2012 Parkland College Art and Design Student Juried Exhibition Parkland Art Gallery 10am Exhibit Opening Celebration: ¡CARNAVAL! Spurlock Museum, 7pm

Classes, lectures, & workshops

Fifty Years: Contemporary American Glass from Illinois Collections Krannert Art Museum and Kinkead Pavilion 9am Bringing Faith & Art to Life: Works of Shari LeMonnier Unitarian Universalist Movement of UrbanaChampaign 8am After Abstract Expressionism Krannert Art Museum and Kinkead Pavilion 9am The Art of Science: Images from the Institute for Genomic Biology 2.0 Opening Reception Indi Go Artist Co-op Mind, body, & 6pm spirit Public Opening Reception Yoga Classes Krannert Art Museum Krannert Art Museum and Kinkead Pavilion and Kinkead Pavilion 5pm 12pm Power Flow Yoga with Jerusalem Saved! Inness and the Spiritual Corrie Proksa Landscape Amara Yoga & Arts Krannert Art Museum 12pm and Kinkead Pavilion Vinyasa Krama Yoga on the corner of 9am with Don Briskin Prospect & Bradley 2012 Parkland College Amara Yoga & Arts 217-722-9530 Art and Design Student 4:15pm Juried Exhibition Happy Hour Hot Flow Yoga with Luna Pierson Parkland Art Gallery Food & festivals The Art PArty Studio 12pm Amara Yoga & Arts SoDo Theatre Larry Kanfer Gallery: 5:30pm Local Authors Fair 7pm Inside India Show and Rantoul Public Library Miscellaneous Raw Art Tour Celebration 6:30pm 133 West Main Larry Kanfer Galler F.I.N.D. Orphy Live music & 6pm Orpheum Children’s Sci- 3pm karaoke “Where the Wild The Art Party Studio ence Museum Things Glow” Paintings Live Karaoke Band at SoDo Theatre, 7pm 1pm by Hua Nian Raw Art Tour Fat City Bar and Grill Movies & theater Amara Yoga & Arts 133 West Main, 6pm Fat City Bar & Grill 9am 9pm Our Town By Thornton “Where the Wild Things Glow” Paintings Late Night with DJ Belly Wilder at Krannert by Hua Nian Radio Maria Center for Performing WHATS ON SALE: Amara Yoga & Arts 10pm Arts! 9am Turn it UP 2012! Krannert Center for the Save $50 on every Trek Hybrid 88 Broadway Performing Arts both comfort and sport models. Classes, lectures, & 7pm 7:30pm Save $50 on every Trek 3 and 4 workshops Kilborn Alley series mountain bikes. Cowboy Monkey, 10pm SATURDAY 14 Local Author Book DJ Delayney Signing Save 10-50% on accessories Art & other exhibits Jane Addams Book Shop including: Highdive Shoes, Helmets, Clothing, 10pm 2012 Parkland College 2pm Bags, Tcks, Computers, Tires, Karaoke with DJ Hanna Art and Design Student Illinois Riverwatch Pumps and Lights. Phoenix, 9pm Refresher Workshop Juried Exhibition Urbana Country Danc- Parkland Art Gallery Homer Lake Interpretive ers Contra Dance Center, 10am 12PM 506 S. Country Fair Drive Phillips Recreation Live Homework Help EXHIBIT: ¡CARNAVAL! Champaign Center Rantoul Public Library Spurlock Museum (217) 352-7600 8pm 2pm 9am

F.I.N.D. Orphy Art & other exhibits Beginner Tango Course Orpheum Children’s SciEXHIBIT: ¡CARNAVAL! 133 West Main, 8:30pm ence Museum, 1pm Krannert Uncorked! Yarn n Yak Spurlock Museum Krannert Center for the Rantoul Public Library 9am Performing Arts, 5pm Fifty Years: Contempo- 7pm Coffee Hour Live Homework Help rary American Glass University YMCA from Illinois Collections Rantoul Public Library 7:30pm 2pm Krannert Art Museum Art of Science - Open- Preschool Story Time and Kinkead Pavilion Rantoul Public Library ing Reception 9am 10am Indi Go Artist Co-op Bringing Faith & Art Raising Readers to Life: Works of Shari 6pm Rantoul Public Library LeMonnier Food & festivals 10:30am Unitarian Universalist Women’s Clothing Sale Movement of UrbanaUniversity YMCA Champaign, 8am Presents Cosmo Coffee to Benefit Larkin’s Place Parkland College, 4pm After Abstract Expres- Hours | Philippines sionism University YMCA Movies & theater Krannert Art Museum 7:30pm and Kinkead Pavilion Our Town By Thornton Live music & 9am Wilder at Krannert karaoke Jerusalem Saved! InCenter for Performing ness and the Spiritual Arts! Amy Mitchell Trio at Landscape Krannert Center for the Fat City Krannert Art Museum Fat City Bar & Grill, 8pm Performing Arts, 7:30pm and Kinkead Pavilion Tango at KAM 9am Krannert Art Museum FRIDAY 13 2012 Parkland College and Kinkead Pavilion Art & other exhibits Art and Design Student 6pm Juried Exhibition Chillax with DJ Belly EXHIBIT: ¡CARNAVAL! Parkland Art Gallery and Matt Harsh Spurlock Museum, 9am 10am Radio Maria, 10pm Fifty Years: ContempoThe Art Party Studio rary American Glass Mind, body, & spirit from Illinois Collections SoDo Theatre 7pm Krannert Art Museum Open Yoga Practice Raw Art Tour and Kinkead Pavilion with Corrie Proksa 133 West Main, 6pm 9am Amara Yoga & Arts The Art of Science: Im- 5:30pm Bringing Faith & Art ages from the Institute Ashtanga Yoga with to Life: Works of Shari for Genomic Biology LeMonnier Lauren Quinn 2.0 Opening Reception Amara Yoga & Arts Unitarian Universalist Indi Go Artist Co-op Movement of Urbana5:30pm 6pm Champaign, 8am Yin Yoga with Lauren “Where the Wild After Abstract ExpresQuinn Things Glow” Paintings Amara Yoga & Arts, 7pm sionism by Hua Nian Krannert Art Museum Candlelight Hot Flow Amara Yoga & Arts Yoga with Luna Pierson and Kinkead Pavilion 9am Amara Yoga & Arts, 7pm 9am

Jet W. Lee Show at Mike N Molly’s! Friday Forum Presents Mike N Molly’s 9:30pm “Debts and Deficits: Combating Recession New Rural Route 3 in the U.S., Latin Ameri- Rosebowl Tavern 8pm ca, and Eurozone” University YMCA, 12pm UI Percussion EnsemHome School Program: ble at Krannert Performing Arts Center! Aquatic Ecologist Homer Lake Interpretive Krannert Center for the Performing Arts Center, 1pm 7:30pm Live Homework Help Traffic Jam: Ryan Rantoul Public Library Ideus and The Feudin 2pm Art of Science: Images Hillbillys Krannert Center for the from the Institute for Performing Arts Genomic Biology 2.0 5pm Indi Go Artist Co-op Hair Metal Academy 12pm Memphis on Main 9pm

Art of Science: Images from the Institute for Genomic Biology 2.0 Indi Go Artist Co-op 12pm

Food & festivals Local Authors Fair Rantoul Public Library 9am

Live music & karaoke New Twang City Band at Huber’s! Huber’s 8pm Sinergy Saturday Highdive 10pm Hillbilly Jones at Boomerangs Bar and Grill Boomerang’s Bar and Grill 9pm University of Illinois Ensemble “TV BUDDHA” to Perform at Indi Go Indi Go Artist Co-op 3pm Hathaways Cowboy Monkey 10pm Salsa night with DJ Juan Radio Maria 10:30pm BK Productions Karaoke El Toro Bravo 9pm TV Buddha Performance Indi Go Artist Co-op 3pm Vanattica Highdive 7:30pm New Riders of the Golden Maize Rosebowl Tavern 9pm Hoo Doo Rodeo Phoenix, 9pm Champaign-Urbana Symphony Orchestra Pre-concert Discussion with Steven Larsen Krannert Center for the Performing Arts 6:30pm Champaign-Urbana Symphony Orchestra: Struggles and Triumphs Krannert Center for the Performing Arts 7:30pm

April 12 - 18, 2012

Mind, body, & spirit Fifty Years: Contempo- Live music & karaoke rary American Glass Yoga Fundamentals

Wild Hell Dogs & Geoff Beran from Illinois Collections 80’s Night The Clark Bar with Linda Lehovec Krannert Art Museum Amara Yoga & Arts Cowboy Monkey, 10pm 7pm and Kinkead Pavilion Sinfonia da Camera: 9am Lounge Night Rush Hour—Northern Power Flow Yoga with 2pm Radio Maria, 10pm Raw Art Tour Corrie Proksa Dance or Die Tour fea- Lights 133 West Main, 6pm Krannert Center for the Amara Yoga & Arts turing Robbie Rivera “Where the Wild Performing Arts 4pm with special guests Kettlebell RKC Russian Things Glow” Paintings Bass Jackers and Peace 5:30pm by Hua Nian Style Treaty at Canopy! Mind, body, & spirit Amara Yoga & Arts Truly Fit, 10am Canopy Club, 8pm 9am Vinyasa Flow Yoga with Miscellaneous Sports, games, & Maggie Taylor Food & festivals recreation Amara Yoga & Arts Brain Awareness Day 12pm Orpheum Children’s Sci- Industry Night Bingo Night ence Museum, 1pm Radio Maria, 10pm Memphis on Main, 10pm Slow Flow yoga with Amanda Reagan F.I.N.D. Orphy Dinner & Bowling Amara Yoga & Arts Orpheum Children’s Sci- Live music & Special karaoke 5:30pm ence Museum, 1pm Illini Union, 4pm Salsa Night with DJ Puzzle Exchange Nickel and Dimes Juan Rantoul Public Library Rosebowl Tavern, 8pm WEDNESDAY 18 Radio Maria, 10:30pm 5pm Wuna Meng will perArt & other exhibits Stand Up Comedy Sat- form Bach’s Goldberg urday Night Showcase Variations and ChoTUESDAY 17 EXHIBIT: ¡CARNAVAL! (w/Headliner: Chicago pin’s Piano Sonata No. Spurlock Museum Art & other exhibits 9am Comic Adam Grant) 3 in B Minor, Op. 58. Memphis on Main Krannert Center for the EXHIBIT: ¡CARNAVAL! School of Art and 8pm Performing Arts, 3pm Design Master of Fine Spurlock Museum Dessert and Conversa- UFLive! presents Del Sur 9am Arts Exhibition tion: Our Town Urbana Free Library Krannert Art Museum School of Art and Krannert Center for the 2pm Design Master of Fine and Kinkead Pavilion Performing Arts 9am Arts Exhibition Miscellaneous 6:30pm 2012 Parkland College Krannert Art Museum Art and Design Student C-U Autism Network’s and Kinkead Pavilion Movies & theater Juried Exhibition 9am 2012 Autism Walk 2012 Parkland College Parkland Art Gallery Our Town By Thornton Hessel Park Art and Design Student 10am 11:30am Wilder at Krannert Center for Performing Pop a Cork for the Cure! Juried Exhibition Classes, lectures, & Parkland Art Gallery Jupiter’s II Arts! workshops 10am 2pm Krannert Center for the Raw Art Tour Performing Arts, 7:30pm Beyond Gay and Sports, games, & 133 West Main Straight: Exploring recreation 6pm Multisexual Identities SUNDAY 15 “Where the Wild Illini Union, 12:30pm Big Dave’s Trivia Art & other exhibits Cowboy Monkey, 7pm Things Glow” Paintings Live Homework Help by Hua Nian Rantoul Public Library Sunday Late Night Jerusalem Saved! InAmara Yoga & Arts 2pm Student Special ness and the Spiritual 9am Illini Union Landscape Live music & karaoke 9pm Krannert Art Museum Live music & and Kinkead Pavilion Open Decks with DJ karaoke 2pm Belly MONDAY 16 EXHIBIT: ¡CARNAVAL! Radio Maria, 10pm Tango Tuesdays at Spurlock Museum, 9am Art & other Tango Dancing McKinley Foundation exhibits Bringing Faith & Art Cowboy Monkey, 8pm McKinley Presbyterian to Life: Works of Shari EXHIBIT: ¡CARNAVAL! Church and Foundation Salsa Dancing LeMonnier Cowboy Monkey, 10pm 7pm Spurlock Museum Unitarian Universalist The Rag Birds at Piano Man 9am Movement of UrbanaCanopy! 2012 Parkland College Canopy Club Champaign, 8am Canopy Club Art and Design Student 9pm After Abstract Expres- Juried Exhibition 8pm Open Mic Night sionism Cowboy Monkey Parkland Art Gallery Sports, games, & Krannert Art Museum 10pm 10am recreation and Kinkead Pavilion J. Cole Raw Art Tour 2pm Assembly Hall 133 West Main Nomad SF Book Club School of Art and 7:30pm 6pm Champaign Public Design Master of Fine “Where the Wild Dueling Guitars AllLibrary Arts Exhibition Things Glow” Paintings Request Show & Trivia 7pm Krannert Art Museum Night by Hua Nian Pokemon Fan Club and Kinkead Pavilion Jupiter’s II Amara Yoga & Arts Rantoul Public Library 9am 7pm 9am 4pm

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buz z ’s WEEK AHEAD Comedy Saturday Showcase! Memphis on Main

April, 14, 8PM

It’s time again to hear jokes/yokes/tokes/pokes by everyone’s LEAST favorite Town Idiot, Nick Martin! He’s going to squawk about dogs, blowjobs, dads, first jokes, first tokes and probably other stupid stuff. Who cares, that guy sucks! At least there’s going to be Jesse Tuttle, head of Champaign-Urbana Comedy! He’ll probably talk about drinking. Do you remember your first beer? What about your first bear? Next up is John McCombs — a veteran who is just as funny, if not more funny, than Dwight Eisenhower. He’s also the first comic interviewed in buzz’s Komic’s Korner (online @ readbuzz.cum Friday!) Plus, we have Chicago headliner, Adam Grant! Some of the best comics are named Adam. Adam Corolla; Adam Ant; Adam Bomb — ALL OF THEM! So please come! PLEASE! I CRAVE CONSTANT ATTENTION! -- Managing Editor, Nick Martin

The Alabama Shakes’ debut album Hold On April 10 ‘til infinity

Record Stores Everywhere, My iPod, places with bitchin’ jukeboxes

On Tuesday, April 10th, The Alabama Shakes finally debuted their highly anticipated fulllength LP, and though I haven’t gotten the chance to sit down and listen to it, my expectations are high. For the past few months, the band has been touring with and gaining praise from one of my favorite southern rock acts, Drive-By Truckers. They’ve been getting rave reviews in all types of publications, from the blogosphere to the Chicago Tribune. Over the next few days I’m going to spend a lot of time listening, dissecting, grooving to this record. Hopefully Brittany Howard (the Shakes’ badass lead singer) and friends have made something I can keep on repeat throughout the summer. -- Music Editor, Evan Lyman

The Art of Science: Images from the Institute for Genomic Biology 2.0 April 12-14

Indi Go Artist Co-op, 9 E. University Ave., Champaign

This exhibit will showcase images from research done by the Institute for Genomic Biology at the University. Through use of biological microscopy and image analysis, the institute highlights problems with environment, health and energy use and production. The opening night is April 12 from 6 to 9 p.m. and continues on Friday from 12 to 8 p.m. and Saturday from 12 to 8 p.m. -- Community Editor, Tom Thoren

ACADEMY Friday April 13th 80s Party Rock by artists like Bon Jovi, Mötley Crüe, Van Halen and many more!

55 E. Main St. Downtown Champaign memphisonmain.com buzz

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readbuzz.com April 12 - 18, 2012

Can’t wait to go home and haze some pledges

From whom the bell tolls Students assist in playing Altgeld Hall’s bell songs

jone sin’

by Matt Jones

“Turn! Turn! Turn!”--prepare to get dizzy.

Michael Gaschler, student chime ringer, playing bells at Altgeld Hall Bell Tower. Photo by Animah Boakye.

by Hannah Pitstick

hey do not ring all by themselves, you know. Up there dwells the mysterious bell ringer. Who is this creature? How did he come to be there? If you wait outside the door marked “Bell Tower” on the fourth floor of Altgeld Hall at half past noon, you might just find out. Following the sound of footsteps descending squeaky stairs, the door opens to reveal not a hunch-backed monster but Michael Gaschler, a senior integrative biology student with tortoise shell horn-rimmed glasses and perfect posture. Gaschler is one of four students who regularly play the chimes during passing time between classes. As a freshman, Gaschler heard the bells playing on campus one day and fell in love with them. Eventually he found out the bells were played by a person and not some sort of machine, so he waited at the door and found Sue Wood, the chimesmaster of Altgeld Hall. Gaschler kept coming back and eventually learned how to play the clavier, or playing keyboard, which produces the ringing melodies of songs like “Illinois Loyalty” and, a few weeks ago, “Bad Romance.” Sue Wood, an environmental chemist, has been playing the bells for 37 years, but has had to cut back on her shifts lately because she is undergoing chemotherapy. Gaschler and the other students, who are all unpaid, have been picking up the slack to make sure the chimes don’t fall silent. Gaschler begins playing at precisely 12:50 p.m., immediately after the class bell has rung. With ancient, yellowed sheet music before him, he rapidly presses down on the levers, which are connected by cables to each of the 13 bells. Gaschler plays a waltz by Johannes Brahms, a piece from “Finlandia,” an old traditional song

called “In the Shade of the Old Apple Tree,” as well as “Fight Illini” and the Illinois state song. “I think we’re going to call it there,” he says. “The bells are going to ring soon, and they do not wait for you; they will cut you right off.” Gaschler tends to stick with more traditional pieces when he plays the clavier, but some unlikely tunes have rung out from the bell tower in the past, including the end credits music of the Portal video games and the Simpsons theme song. “I’ve heard tales of an old student chimes player who did ‘Flight of the Bumblebee,’” Gaschler says. “Apparently it was such a mess and so difficult, he just took the music with him, saying that no one should ever have to do this.” Transposing songs is even more of challenge for the Altgeld bells because lower D sharp and lower and upper F natural do not have corresponding bells. The class of 1920 was only able to raise enough money for 13 bells, exactly enough to play “Illinois Loyalty.” Gaschler says being a chimesplayer is a really nice way to be connected to campus since the bells are so much a part of the school’s identity. “I’m not a huge sports fan,” Gaschler says. “I haven’t been to a football game in years and even when I did, I’m like, ‘This is not fun.’ But being able to do something that’s still connected to school spirit and identity is really nice.” Gaschler admits that it can be a lonely job. “It’s a very solitary activity,” he says. “It’s frustrating at times. I’d like to be friends with the other student chimesringers, but I barely know them. I’ll recognize them, but it’s not like we hang out on the weekends. But the upside of that is when you make really egregious mistakes on the bells, you close up shop, walk outside the building and no one’s the wiser.”

Stumped? Find the solutions in the Classifieds pages.

Across

1 CD section? 5 Former Anaheim Stadium football player 10 “Leave it in,” in proofreading 14 Show opener 15 It may waft 16 No-no: var. 17 Withdraw (off) 18 Exorcist’s target 19 Gave the go-ahead 20 Medical carriers 22 Metallic gray 24 Jumped (out) 25 Tommy Lee Jones, in “Men in Black” 26 Utah city near Arches National Park 28 Scrape reminder 29 Clown name 32 “Never ___ Give You Up” 34 Stratford-___-Avon 38 Scary spot in “Hansel and Gretel” 39 Part of CAT 40 Pretty pink 41 “She Blinded Me With Science” singer Thomas 43 Poli ___ 44 Ignores socially 45 Kenyan ethnic group that Barack Obama, Sr. was part of 46 Good buddy

47 Sinuous swimmer 48 What the four longest entries in this puzzle (except this one) are examples of 54 Get it and you’re fired 55 ___ Lankan 56 That dude’s 57 “Hi and Lois” cartoonist Browne 58 Russian war planes 60 Brave way to solve crosswords 62 Actress Ward 63 2007 #1 NBA draft pick Greg 64 Like contortionists 65 Attention from the cops 66 Infamous fiddler 67 Show with Stefon, the City Correspondent for New York City 68 Twice less than thrice

Down

1 University of Georgia sports fans 2 Put on a winter coat? 3 The shortest Beatle 4 Sweet breakfast 5 Billboard’s 2010 Artist of the Year 6 God who sounds like a zodiac sign 7 Preferred term instead of “Gypsy” 8 “Famous” cookie guy 9 Like a bat out of hell

10 Surface for a pot of boiling water 11 Occupied 12 Guest commenter Roger on the 70th Anniversary DVD edition of “Casablanca” 13 Alan of “Suburgatory” 21 Favorite Brian of crossword writers 23 JFK alternative 27 They support sleepers 28 Slowpoke’s home 29 Muscleman’s asset 30 Cirque du Soleil show with eggs 31 Pouty actress Renee 33 Rechargeable battery type 35 Savannah-based TV chef 36 Planetoid 37 “The Legend of Zelda” console, for short 42 Shrill cries 44 Dos times tres 48 Matt stuck to Greg Kinnear in a Farrelly Brothers movie 49 Word after zinc or iron 50 Song for a diva 51 Car deodorizer scent 52 Light purple shade 53 Glide on a pond 59 ___-cone 61 Code at an ATM 62 “___ Nuff” (Black Crowes set)

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April 12 - 18, 2012

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SUMMER SESSIONS START

MAY 21 AND JUNE 4 Learn more: E-mail: summer@harpercollege.edu Phone: 847.925.6707 SAVE MONEY If you currently attend a four-year school, two summer classes at Harper can save you up to 3x more money for tuition than your summer part-time job*. GRADUATE EARLY. Continue your studies at Harper over the summer so that you can finish your degree early and avoid the dreaded “super senior” situation.

TRANSFER SUMMER CREDIT BACK TO YOUR HOME UNIVERSITY Taking classes at Harper College gives you personal access to dedicated instructors so that you can get the attention you need to succeed. Who wants to take a class like Intro to Computer Science or BIO 101 with 700 other students?

You can also scan the QR code with your phone to ask a question about your summer options. Don’t have a QR code reader? Visit www.i-nigma.mobi to download one for your specific phone.

It’s the smart thing to do. *Tuition savings based on part-time rates per credit hour listed on Harper College, ISU, NIU, DePaul and Roosevelt University websites as of January 5, 2012, and are subject to change without notice. Tuition rates rounded to the nearest hundred. Additional fees and room and board, where available, not included. Work earnings based on $8.25 per hour and a 20-hour work week over 8 weeks. Estimated taxes based on a minimum 10% federal and %5 Illinois state tax rate. Harper College is committed to the policy that all persons shall have equal access to its programs, facilities, and employment without regard to race, color, creed, religion, national origin, sex, age, marital status, disability, public assistance status, veteran status or sexual orientation. 17981 BC 3/12

Start. Finish. Go Forward. harpercollege.edu/summer 16

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