Buzz Magazine: May 25, 2006

champaign . urbana

05 | 25 | 06 . 05 | 31 | 06 s o u n d s f r o m t h e s c e n e FREE

Over the hazards and through the woods...

Welcome to the World of Golf

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BRAVING THE OUDOORS FOR LIVE MUSIC

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HEALTHY VIDEO GAMES? IT’S TRUE!

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LIKES AND GRIPES

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DO YOU HAVE A MAP? COS HONEY, I JUST KEEP GETTIN LOST IN YOUR EYES.

BUZZ STAFF volume

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Cover Design • Brittany Bindrim Editor in chief • Todd Swiss Art Director • Brittany Bindrim Copy Chief • Alexis Terrell Listen, Hear • Anna Statham, Leah Nelson Stage, Screen & in Between • Elyse Russo Around Town • Tatyana Safronova CU Calendar • Todd Swiss Photography Editor • Christina Leung Designers • Nikita Sorokin, Hank Patton Calendar Coordinator • Brian McGovern Photography • Christina Leung, Tatyana Safronova Copy Editors • Brandon Oswald Staff Writers • Paul Prikazsky, Jeff Nelson, Scott Frankel, Carlye Wisel, Kevin Wombacher Syd Slobodnik, Todd J. Hunter Contributing Writers • Michael Coulter, Seth Fein, Lianne Zhang Sales Manager • Mark Nattier Production Manager • Rick Wiltfong Marketing/Distribution • Brandi Wills Publisher • Mary Cory

e-mail: buzz@readbuzz.com write: 57 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.

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UNDER THE COVER |1-3| 3 3 3 |4-6| 4-6 6 |7-9| 7-8 8 8-9

INTRO This Modern World • Tom Tomorrow Life in Hell • Matt Groening First Things First • Michael Coulter

AROUND TOWN It’s time to hit the green • Tatyana Safronova The Local Sniff • Seth Fein

LISTEN, HEAR Summer Camp: the great outdoors, live music, and porta-potties • Carlye Wisel Soundground #127 • Todd J. Hunter Album reviews

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CU CALENDAR

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STAGE, SCREEN & IN BETWEEN

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Dance dance revolution = weight loss revolution • Lianne Zhang Artist’s Corner with Jim Hultquist Page Rage Movie reviews

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TALK TO BUZZ

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CLASSIFIEDS

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THE STINGER

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Doin it Well • Kim Rice & Kate Ruin Free will astrology Likes and Gripes

First copy of Buzz is FREE, each additional copy is $.50 © Illini Media Company 2005

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House Salad

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todd swiss EDITOR’S NOTE Buffalo Chicken Sandwich

Portabella Mushroom Sandwich

Broccoli Cheese Soup

www.firehausbar.com 708 S. Sixth Street

Champaign 217.344.4171

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o, t he new I l l i n i Media building is f i n a l l y open a nd (almost) fully operational.

No longer do I have to walk all the way to First and Green from the depths of Urbana, and for that, I am thankful. However, our new location between 5th and 6th streets was not merely built for me, the lazy editor in chief — it was designed for the community. Hearing WPGU broadcast onto Green Street makes me smile every time I come into work. And how cool is it that CU finally has an Apple store? All in all, this new building is marvelous.

On a completely different note, I do not know how I feel about summer classes. On one hand, they are fantastic. The thought of f inishing a course in just four weeks makes me joyous beyond words. Additionally, only having class on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday gives me a wonderfully long weekend. Still, when 9 a.m. Monday rol ls around, I cannot help but curse myself for taking summer classes.

Not only is the class that I contest at an ungodly hour of the morning, but it is also four-hours long. Besides just getting to class on time after a late night, we watch a film

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at the beginning of class. Turning the lights off so early in the morning is the last straw. I have made it completely through only one of the films screened for the class, and I actively like and have seen many of them prior to taking the course!

Now, one would assume that instructors who teach such marathon classes would have the compassion to breakup the class with a series of five- or ten-minute breaks, but this is not the case. Four straight hours of film noir is a daunting task, even for a fan of classic films.

I guess I shouldn’t complain, though — four hours of film is so much better than four hours of any other subject. Just thinking about how horrible a summer economics course would be gives me the strength to keep going.

Finally, if you are bored this summer and want to wr ite about happenings in CU, I encourage you to send me an e-mail at tswiss@ uiuc.edu. All of our sections are looking for writers, and getting your work published in a college newspaper cannot possibly look bad on a resume. We are especially looking for writers interested in the local art scene and general happenings around our f ine twin cities.

So please, please, please e-mail me! Working for buzz is fun!

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DO YOU WANT TO SEE SOMETHING SWELL?

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michael coulter FIRST THINGS FIRST

Smoke-free and self-important Smoking ban is un-American

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e’re on our way to becoming a nation of pussies. Maybe I shou ld h ave ch a n g ed that f irst word to wussies or pantywaists or possibly Nancy boys or maybe just something like @#$%&*!s, but with my obviously limited vocabulary, “pussies” was the only word I could stumble upon that seems to capture what many people are becoming. Call it what you will, but we aren’t a country of real men and real women anymore.

We are becoming a nation of whining, complaining, lazy, timid human beings who are more content to let life pass by as pleasantly as possible than to experience any discomfort whatsoever — pussies. It isn’t getting better.

As most of you are probably aware, last Tuesday night the City of Champaign passed a law that will prohibit smoking in restaurants and bars. I sat in my living room watching much of the proceedings on TV, sipping bourbon, smoking and calling people pussies. It made for good television. When it was all said and done though, it didn’t make for good democracy.

It was an odd collection of people who chose to address the council. I’ve always had this sort of way to decide whether someone was a friend. Would I go to war with the person?

It’s probably overly simple, but it works for me ... especially since I’m not a pussy. Anyway, it’s the simplicity that makes the question work.

Do you trust that person in a crisis? Is that person more for the team than for personal gain?

Would he or she cover your back while you did the same? I really don’t think I’d want to go to war with any of the anti-smokers.

There has always been strength to the American way. We came here to build our own world. “Build” is the key word there.

You build your place in this countr y to be whatever you might want it to be. You don’t be a pain in the ass until you get your way, other folks be damned. If the smoke-free alliance were made up of real men and women, it would have worked to create a non-smoking venue that could have been its own little selfimportant utopia. Instead, they chose to dick up someone else’s living.

I didn’t see one bar-owning citizen come to the podium and speak for the ban, but I heard plenty of them speak against it. Whose side are you going to take? People on one side put their own money (many times not the money handed to them by their ancestors!) into a business. They cultivated customers, they paid taxes, they paid

for permits, they took a risk — all so they could call this place their own and so they could share it.

Apparently, it was never theirs to begin with.

I saw bar owner after bar owner come to the podium and say this ordinance wasn’t wanted. It wasn’t what customers wanted or what the businesses wanted, but it didn’t make a damned bit of difference. Maybe the five council members who voted for the law couldn’t hear them. I’m sure it’s difficult with their heads so far up their asses, but still, I think that’s what bothers me the most. They didn’t listen. They didn’t attempt to come up with a compromise that would have worked for everyone. They didn’t spend time looking at alternatives. They didn’t suggest it be put to a vote by the citizens. They felt they knew what was best for everyone and nothing was going to change their minds. They didn’t act like Americans. You know, Nazi Germany was also very big on smoking bans, but who the hell cares about history?

If you want a place for the creative class, like some people are always saying, then you should let people choose for themselves. Creative people like to build their own visions, not have them handed down by someone who supposedly knows best. Champaign should have bars where the number of specialty martinis on the menu is in direct proportion to the pretentiousness of the venue or where people can talk about the money they screwed someone out of earlier in the day while listening to a DJ. Champaign should also have bars where people get drunk and smoke as much as they like, where they can talk about how hard they worked earlier in the day and where they can watch a ball game.

Champaign should also have places where you can do both. It should be a matter of choice, not a matter of who can bitch the loudest.

One thing occurred to me during all of this public input. If all of these places are always smoky every time whiny non-smokers walk into them, then that must mean people who go there enjoy smoking. It’s a fucking bar and that’s what people do there. If that’s not your kind of place, then find somewhere that is. The Mormons didn’t sign a bunch of petitions. They just moved to Utah. They may be freaky, but I’ll never call them un-American.

I swear, sometimes it’s like people have read 1984 once too often and walked away with the wrong lesson. Government is supposed to be there for the people, not the other way around.

I truly wonder how long the word freedom will remain in our vocabular y. The Champaign City Council, at least five of them, should be ashamed of themselves.

OOPS! WE MADE A MISTAKE • Although buzz strives for accuracy, we sometimes make mistakes. If you catch something we didn’t,

please let use know at buzz@readbuzz.com. When a correction is needed, it will be listed here.

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around town

CHRISTINA LEUNG • PHOTO

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A couple of golfers practice some shots at Just Fore Fun, a driving range in Champaign, on Thursday, May 18.

IT’S TIME TO HIT THE GREEN! TATYANA SAFRONOVA • AROUND TOWN EDITOR

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he history of modern golf is most commonly traced back to Scotland, where by the 15th century, the sport was gaining prominence even with kings; it was often banned, however, because it distracted royal subjects from practicing archery.

Over the ages, and especially in the last century, golf has become a highly-specialized sport. Wooden golf balls were eventually replaced by leather balls filled with feathers in the 17th century. Modern golf balls are specially-engineered white spheres with hundreds of dimples for improved aerodynamics. Even the clubs have been crafted to hit farther, forcing course designers to expand golf courses.

Golf has grown in popularity, simultaneously facing criticism and praise. Mark Twain once noted, “Golf is a good walk

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spoiled.” Woodrow Wilson said, “Golf is a game in which one endeavors to control a ball with implements ill adapted for the purpose.” Golf has also been regarded as an elitist sport reserved for rich white men. The green has even proven to be an infamous business environment, with businessmen gathering on the courses to make deals.

Universities like Stanford offer students golf classes that teach golf fundamentals and etiquette to those curious about the sport and to business students striving to impress future partners and bosses. On Feb. 6, 1971, golf even invaded the moon when American astronaut Alan Shepard hit balls off the lunar surface.

Golf has also become a popular sport in high schools and a favorite pastime in public, as well as private, golf clubs and driving ranges. Illinois alone has 742 golf courses: two private

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courses in Champaign, two public courses in Rantoul, the public Orange and Blue University of Illinois Courses in Savoy and two courses in Urbana, according to the Web site http://www. golfcoursesguide.org.

Communit y residents and golf enthusiasts alike spend afternoons hitting golf balls on driving ranges like Just Fore Fun at 301 Eisner Road in Champaign. Some come with friends, while others hit balls alone to relax or to practice their skills during lunch breaks. At $6 for 70 golf balls at Just Fore Fun, the sport is hardly an elitist pastime. And Art Mayeda, golf instructor and co-owner of the range, plans to turn the business he and his partner bought this month into a year-round spectacle with visual and auditory targets, including a f lamethrower. buzz

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IF IT WEREN’T FOR PHILO T. FARNSWORTH, INVENTOR OF TELEVISION, WE’D STILL BE EATING FROZEN RADIO DINNERS.

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A player prepares to take a swing at Just Fore Fun, a driving range in Champaign, on Thursday, May 18.

At the Just Fore Fun driving range, instructor Art Mayeda emphasizes motion over “proper” body angles and positions. “I teach what I call ‘right brain golf,’” Mayeda says. “It’s very non-analytical.” He teaches the importance of letting centrifugal force swing the golf club instead of forcing it along. The effect is a soaring golf ball, arching like a rock that was swung by a string and let go. “If you brush the grass, what’s going to happen is the ball will go in the air,” Mayeda says. “If you are tight and your muscles (are) short, then you will hit the ball on top.” To achieve the perfect swing, the golfer needs to make a “whooshing” sound, “like you’re making omelets Art Mayeda, owner of Just or stir fry.” Then, repeat the motion until it becomes a habit.

Fore Fun.

TATYANA SAFRONOVA • PHOTO

CHRISTINA LEUNG • PHOTO

INSTRUCTORS ADVISE: TO THINE OWN SELF BE TRUE Mickey Finn is the golf instructor at Stone Creek Golf Club, where instead of enforcing specific golfing techniques, he teaches a general golfing form.

“Every person’s body is different, and so everybody’s swing is different,” he says. Finn describes two types of golfers: “strikers of the golf ball” and “swingers of the golf club.” Most people are “strikers” who go for direct impact like they’re chopping wood. The “swingers,” on the other hand, just happen to hit the ball, but don’t necessarily aim to do so. Their swing resembles the motion of sweeping with a broom. When teaching, Finn aims to combine the best qualities of the two types of players. To facilitate motion in the golfer, Finn teaches these basic techniques: have flexibility Mickey Finn, instructor in your legs, let your arms hang naturally and bend at your waist instead at Stone Creek Golf Club of bending with your knees. “Golf is a game of momentum,” Finn says. in Urbana.

PUBLIC PLACES TO PLAY City

Course

Address

Price

Open Season

Holes

Urbana

Stone Creek Golf Club

2600 Stone Creek Blvd.

$20 — $35

March 1 — Dec. 15

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Savoy

Orange University of Illinois Golf Course

800 Hartwell Drive

$10 — $20

March 1 — Dec. 15

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Blue University of Illinois Golf Course

800 Hartwell Drive

$9 — $17

March 1 — Dec. 15

36

Brookhill Golf Course

3150 County Road 1700 E

$12 — $22

Jan. 1 — Dec. 22

18

Willow Pond Golf Course

1126 Country Club Lane

$10 — $18

March 1 — Nov. 15

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Just Fore Fun

301 Eisner Road

$3 — $35

Year-Round

Driving Range

Rantoul

Champaign

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NEVER OFFEND PEOPLE WITH STYLE WHEN YOU CAN OFFEND THEM WITH SUBSTANCE.

HITTING BALLS AT THE JUST FORE FUN DRIVING RANGE MAY 18 AND 19

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seth fein THE LOCAL SNIFF

Officer Blah Blah Blah gives the Sniffer a Ticket!

Don Gerard witnesses; writes column; retires.

Hyo Sun Kang 32, Champaign • Beginner, playing for a few months • Favorite place to play is Just Fore Fun; she comes once or twice a week • Why play? “I think it’s interesting.

Including my husband, a lot of my friends play golf.”

• Distance: Near 137 yards • Handicap: No

Herman Bishop, Jr. 46, Champaign • Playing 5 years • Became interested from Peter Jacobsen’s Golden Tee Golf video game • Likes to play at Rail Side in Gibson City • W hy play? The cha l lenge. Gol f is not like team sports: “It’s you against the course.”

• Distance: 255-260 “wind-aided”

John McQuoid 23, Champaign • Played it in high school but stopped because of college • Why play? “I’m taking up golf to keep me busy.” Golf is also helpful at making business deals. Also likes the challenge.

• Likes to play on the course at home in Memphis, Miss.

• Handicap: “I’m sure it’s high.”

• Distance: “Inconsistent.”

Ron Leverich 56, Mahomet • Playing for 35 years.

• Plays for business and on weekends.

• Likes to play with friends.

• Why play? “Because it’s challenging and it’s fun, and it’s something I can enjoy physically.”

• Handicap: 20 — “I started shooting a lot better than I do today.”

• “Today I’ve been hitting my short game.”

Eric Revell 18, Urbana • Playing 3-4 years. His father also taught him when he was little.

• Likes to play at the Stone Creek Golf Course in Urbana and at Quail Creek in Robinson, Ill. • Golfs because he played on the team in high school.

• Distance: Up to 275 yards. “I haven’t been hitting far with my driver.”

CHRISTINA LEUNG • PHOTO

Mike Francisco 47, Mahomet • Playing for 20 years • Favorite place is Lake of the Woods in Mahomet • Why play? To relax and to be outside • Distance: Up to 250 yards • Handicap: 24 • Likes to go with his son, 10

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FIRST SNIFF like cops. I really do.

I know that most of you probably think that I would feel animosity for them based upon the fact that some 75 percent of coppers vote Republican, but I don’t. For real! I swear.

On the contrary, I have nothing but respect for them, usually. So when Off icer Blah Blah Blah pulled me over for speeding last week, it hurt me to f ind out that even having an aff inity for cops doesn’t supercede wanting to rip one of them a new asshole for writing an unnecessary ticket.

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WHAT’S THE “ACTUAL” SPEED LIMIT? So, let’s say that I needed to get to the hospital because I had an abscess on my stomach that burst. In this case, I did have one – and despite the fact that a certain girlfriend of mine didn’t want me to share that, I am – but it did not burst.

But what if it had?

It’s not an emergency, that is true. So I wouldn’t need to call the ambulance, but I would also want to get over to the doc as soon as I could. So where is the line drawn?

According to the copper that busted me, there is no line. He said, “The speed limit is the speed limit. No exceptions. I don’t care what the situation is. If it was an emergency, you should always call the ambulance.”

Yeah. Call the fucking ambulance? And pay more than $500 for an unnecessary ride? I’d rather take my chances and break the speed limit.

I hope that Officer Tight Ass’ wife goes into labor at some point soon, or that he accidentally cuts himself while trying to chop down a tree or something. Then, we’ll see just how fast he draws a line and crosses it. Inevitably, the story changes when it involves someone you know.

THAT COPPER WAS A-LYIN’!

My friend, the cop. I love him. I really do.

Not because I can call him up and find out what’s goin’ down at the station, or because he gives me the inside scoop on certain things. No, I love him the most because he is just the jolliest guy I know. He is a really, really nice guy. So, seeing as how I was so super pissed off at Officer Tight Ass, I gave him a call to find out what he thought about it.

He said pretty straight up, “Most cops who give out tickets all the time simply have an in fer ior it y complex. They either just got demoted or reprimanded and are on traff ic watch or they simply haven’t been having a good time at home. Most of us are pretty

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lenient about tickets. We’ll give warnings and see if there is a way to avoid slapping someone with a f ine”.

It hurt me to hear that, really, because the officer who gave me the ticket could have easily given me a warning, no problem. But he didn’t. He gave me a ticket. And so I have come to recognize that it’s all just luck of the draw. I only wish all cops could be like my buddy. If they were, we’d be in a much better place.

IN RESPONSE TO DON GERARD’S COLUMN. It sure would be nice to actually start a war with him, kinda like the way that Neil Steinberg and Eric Zorn go back and forth from the SunTimes and the Tribune, respectively. But I don’t have the time and I am sure that he doesn’t either. But I must say, nothing is more flattering than having someone mock you, playfully, and for your co-employee to walk into your office and say, “You’re better at doing you than he is. Don’t worry.” Yep. Brought a smile to the Sniffer’s face.

BAND OF THE WEEK This week, it’s simple. It’s none other than my favorite guitarist ever to have played a lick in Champaign-Urbana — Henry Frayne. If you’ve never heard Lanterna, you have truly been missing out on one of the finest musical composition projects to ever come from our fair cities. When he played in The Moon Seven Times (with that son of an Egg McMuffin, Don Gerard) he was often compared to luminaries like Kevin Shields, Neil Halstead and Nick McCabe. After they disbanded, he quickly picked up where they left off and created Lanterna. He releases another delicious album on Friday night at Cowboy Monkey. Desert Oceans is an album that we should all be proud to call one of our own.

FINAL WHIFF After next week, I will be writing a three-part series of what is wrong with Champaign-Urbana.

I will be leaving for Florida and the Bahamas for a few weeks and while I am gone, that is what will run in place of my regular column. So here is your chance, folks. I would really, really, really like to know what it is about Champaign-Urbana that pisses you off. For me, it’s cops who aren’t lenient as well as a host of other things. But I’d like to hear your side of it. Write me and we’ll commiserate together.

Seth Fein is from Urbana. He wants to join that group of people who get the stickers that cops see and then don’t write tickets as a result. What is that called again? He can be reached at sethfein1@gmail.com.

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THE GREAT OUTDOORS LIVE MUSIC PORTA-POTTIES

SUMMER CAMP

CARLYE WISEL • STAFF WRITER

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PHOTO COURTESY OF JAMBASE.COM

ver since I was old enough to understand music, I’ve dreamed of going to Woodstock. Something about an outdoor music festival has always sucked me in, I guess. The music, the people, not showering for an extensive period of time ... it all seems so interesting, primitive and, most importantly, lost in today’s society.

Fortunately, outdoor music festivals are thriving yet again, even though they’re not part of the mainstream. In a few days, I will fill my “I-wish-I-could-have-gone-to-Woodstock” void by trekking down to Chillicothe, Ill., to attend the sixth annual Summer Camp Music Festival. With three (or four, if you want to set up camp early) days of live music and more than 45 bands, the festival’s three stages will have music all day, all night, and even into the morning with three optional late-night shows.

Ever since I found out I would be covering Summer Camp, I’ve been, for lack of a better term, stoked as hell. And since I have a one-track mind, it’s basically all I can think about, so I’ve decided to lay out the top five reasons why I’m excited to attend Summer Camp Music Festival. Hopefully you’ll agree with me and decide to head out for what is sure to be a kick-ass time. A fucking awesome time, in fact. So fun that I need to use obscenities to prove it. Anyway, here it goes:

Kids play with fun dirt at Summer Camp 2005.

Reason Number Five: Umphrey’s McGee

PHOTO COURTESY OF JAMBASE.COM

In all honesty, I would go all the way to Summer Camp Music Festival just to see this band. Well, they are my favorite ... but it’s still true! What’s so interesting about the six guys in Umphrey’s McGee is that they’re so individually talented and strong at their respective instruments that when they come together, it’s actually mind-blowing. I recommend that if you ever have the opportunity to check them out live you do it, and if you’re going to be at Summer Camp, don’t even think about skipping over them. Umphrey’s kicks off the festival with a Friday night performance and then plays an hour-long set on Sunday afternoon, both of which should be invigorating shows with an energetic audience, like always. What’s sure to be a highlight is the Sunday late-night show, featuring two different “split squads” comprised of members from both Umphrey’s and moe., another headliner at the festival.

Michael Franti at Summercamp 2005.

Reason Number Four: Choices, Choices, Choices

Three stages – enough said. If you don’t like a band you’re listening to or need a change of scenery, there’s always someone else to listen to and somewhere else to go. I checked out the schedule for the entire weekend, and whoever made it deserves a gold star. It is set up in such a way that when bands overlap, it’s usually only for a half-hour. This means that if you want to see two people who are playing at the same time, you’ll be able to catch a bit of both, instead of having to pick favorites.

Reason Number Three: Porta-Potties

I’m just fucking around; I hate these with a fiery passion and plan on not popping a squat the entire weekend. I was just checking to see if you’re still paying attention. But while we’re on the topic, does anyone else find it impossible to NOT look down the hole to see how shit-filled the plastic toilet bowl is?

It’s like a car crash, a pregnant teen or an ugly couple groping each other’s awkward bodies – you just can’t help it, you have to look. Ah, I just remembered to add toilet paper to my what-topack list. Moving on ...

Reason Number Two: The Lineup

Why am I excited for Summer Camp? Moe., Keller Williams, Rusted Root, Yonder Mountain String Band, The Disco Biscuits, Andrew Bird, Groovatron, Drop Q, Glenn Kotche of Wilco, Family Groove Company, Otiel & the Peacemakers, Elsinore and New Monsoon are just a few reasons why. The music festival has a large array of performers that I’ve always wanted to see and makes it convenient as hell to hear all of them over the course of three days. Summer Camp Festival provides a huge opportunity for a listener to hear many bands over a short period of time in a great location. It’s perfect for a true fan of music.

Reason Number One: Camping Out

When I was younger, I attended an overnight camp — an overnight camp with electricity in our newly-built cabins, an SEE SUMMERCAMP PG. 8

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air-conditioned gym and field trips to Wisconsin Dells’ hot spots every week. However, to show us what roughin’ it was really like, there was always a required, annual over-nighter that every girl absolutely hated, dreaded and refused to go on.

(Unfortunately, neither a faked illness nor a cabin protest could keep us from attending. But we still tried.) The intensity of the protests varied with age, though in sixth grade, we camped across the lake, which was fine. By eighth grade, we were at a campsite only a bus ride away, which wasn’t so bad. However, sophomore year brought an infamous canoe trip that, well ... ended girls’ canoe trips forever at camp. The tour guides, in addition to basically reading a Wisconsin state map upside down, heavily overestimated the strength of a canoe powered by 16-year-old girls, and after eight hours of intensive paddling and Lamaze-like encouragement to “PUSH!!!!”, we never made it to our destination and set up camp

on a small hill that flooded almost everything by morning. Now, this raises a more than obvious question – why am I so excited to camp out?

One reason, and one reason only – times have changed. Now that I’m older and incredibly busy, the only opportunity I have to go outside usually consists of walking to and from my car. It will be a wonderful change of pace to be able to live outdoors for a little while instead of inside my insanely boring home in suburbia. The last time I camped out was a couple of years ago between Phish shows, and let me tell you – waking up to your neighbors having a jam session and wishing you a good morning is a lot better than a rising tide. I’m ecstatic to stay at a campsite full of people from all different walks of life who are all there for the same reason – to listen to good, live music.

And no canoe trip, regardless of how traumatic, can ruin that.

See you at Summer Camp! buzz Cornmeal at Summer Camp 2005.

soundground #127 THIS WEEK IN MUSIC

PHOTO COURTESY OF JAMBASE.COM

SUMMERCAMP CONTINUED FROM PG. 7

album REVIEW SHOOTER JENNINGS Electric Rodeo

TODD J. HUNTER • STAFF WRITER

The f irst full-length by Headlights now has a title and release date. Polyvinyl will release Kill Them with Kindness on Aug. 22. A nationwide tour will follow. Headlights headlines tonight at Lava Lounge in Pittsburgh.

Jan. 5-8, American Minor will join Lynyrd Skynyrd, Drivin N Cryin, Blue Dogs and many more in the Bahamas. Gimme Three Days is a cruise from Miami to Nassau and back aboard the Carnival Fascination. It features intimate concerts and open mic in addition to casino, gym, etc. Reservations opened to the public on May 8. On May 18, Lynyrd Skynyrd frontman Johnny Van Zant had an emergency appendectomy in Palo Alto.

In its 20th issue, Innocent Words Magazine debuts a section devoted to the Champaign-Urbana scene called The Decline of the Midwestern Civilization. The June/July issue showcases Champaign-Urbana CD reviews and interviews and welcomes submissions for the future. Innocent Words Magazine distributes in Los Angeles, Oakland, San Francisco, Van Nuys, Portland, Seattle, Chicago, St. Louis, Indianapolis, Buffalo, New York and Washington.

Universal

BY LEAH D. NELSON

Sunday at 10 p.m. on WEFT 90.1 FM is a fond farewell for Jason Pitzl-Waters. For six years, he has hosted The Sky’s Gone Out, about “the best in gothic and darkwave music.” Co-host Kristin Holtz will stay on in his slot. Also known as DJ ZoZo, Pitzl-Waters founded The Skeleton Dance and was instrumental in NOX and Subversion at The Highdive. He and his wife, Leigh, move to Milwaukee in June.

The Lanterna record release tomorrow at Cowboy Monkey has a lineup change. The new lineup features The Invisible, Lanterna featuring Hector Zazou, Pulsar47 and New Ruins. New Ruins opens at 10 p.m., and cover is $5.

Saturday at The Iron Post, The Living Blue and The Beauty Shop play with Reds. Show time is 10 p.m., and cover is $5. Then Sunday at The Highdive, The Living Blue plays again with Southern Culture on the Skids. Showtime is 9 p.m., and cover is $15.

Todd J. Hunter host s W EFT S essions and Champaign Local 901, two hours of local music every Monday at 10 p.m. on WEFT 90.1 FM. Send news to soundground@excite.com. Support your scene to preserve your scene.

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Prior to hearing this album, I was not familiar with the music of Shooter Jennings, but I knew his dad, Waylon, and Waylon’s friends Johnny Cash and Willie Nelson. I also knew hillbilly rock (I am from Central Illinois, after a l l). I have a strange, almost sick love for the twang in a Southern rocker’s voice, for strong guitars and songs about frogs named Martin Luther and Jesus riding shotgun.

On his sophomore effort, Electric Rodeo, Jennings will win you over with his unexpectedly deep voice and strong, vibrant guitars. The title track that opens the album is nothing special, as it sounds like any other Southern rock song, but it expertly adds a banjo to the mix in one moment and a tambourine in the next.

The song “Bad Magick” begins with some trippy wind effects and an equalizer-laced single guitar. Jennings’ voice perfectly mingles with the music and a second guitar. The rest of the song isn’t anything special, featuring the same melody and beat as countless other Southern rock songs. The lyrics are barely audible under the dual guitars and heavy drums.

“Manifesto No. 2” begins with fiddles. As it should be, it’s about a drunk who gets locked up and the woman who loves him anyway.

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Of course, every rocker must have his ballad. Electric Rodeo’s ballad is “Aviators,” almost an homage to Everlast’s “ T he L e t t e r.” Je n n i n g s starts the song by speaking, rather than singing, to his lost love about their fights at the Waff le House. True to his roots, Jennings keeps it country. The silly white trash lyrics made me smile and made me think that this song should be played on NBC’s My Name is Earl.

Best lyrics ever: “And I’m sorry ‘bout that time I got drunk and hit on your mom and slashed your daddy’s tires, but I figure they had it comin’.” My favorite Southern rock is the kind that makes you fall over laughing.

The album ends with “It Ain’t Easy,” a personal song about being the son of a country music legend, a second-generation rocker. The token female background singers flank his strong voice as Jennings thanks (presumably) his daddy and says he’ll be fine.

Electric Rodeo is a fun time and offers good music to get drunk to.

Kick back and enjoy this album, y’all.

Look for Shooter Jennings when he comes to the Highdive on June 22.

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YOU NEVER DID EAT YOUR LUNCH, DID YOU?

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album REVIEWS MURDER BY DEATH In Boca Al Lupo

WOLFMOTHER S/T

Tent Show

BY KEVIN WOMBACHER

Interscope

BY LEAH D. NELSON

Murder by Death’s third album, In Bocca Al Lupo, doesn’t stray far from their signature style — a raucous mix of hard rock and Frontier Saloon attitude. In Bocca Al Lupo paints a picture of a Western town where the inevitability of an early death is compounded by the temptations of liquor and women. This album falls short in terms cohesiveness when compared to Murder by Death’s second LP, Who Will Survive and What Will Be Left Of Them, but still manages to give the listener a sense that the songs work together to tell a story. The glaring exception on this album is “Dead Men and Sinners,” a song about a shipwreck and its survivors. Overall, the album does a passable job of telling the story of life and death in the Wild West.

The album begins by introducing the audience to a town rife with trouble and death. “One More Notch” is an ominous warning that death is looming on the horizon. “Brother” is the one track that stands out the most on this album. It’s a catchy song about the relationship between two estranged brothers, one of whom is on the run from the law.

By the halfway point, the album takes a somber turn. “Sometimes The Line Walks You” describes the events leading up to imprisonment and the ensuing escape attempt. “The Big Sleep” and “Shiola” tell the remorseful tale of a man sentenced to death and his final minutes with his family. The final two tracks feel rather forced and uninspired when compared to the rest of the album, leaving the listening to wonder whether the album would be better off without them.

Despite its disjointed start, In Bocca Al Lupo manages to recover from a few sub-par songs and to deliver a solid listening experience for anyone looking for an album that weaves an interesting story and has a sound and style all its own.

Apparently, people are making a big deal about the Australian rock trio Wolfmother, hailing them as the return of ’70s rock and praising the band with comparisons to legendary bands.

Personally, I don’t think that ’70s rock needs any help from the rockers of today.

Wolfmother’s self-titled album begins with a shout from lead singer Andrew Stockdale that made me jump. It was unexpected. The first track, “Dimension,” is reminiscent of Black Sabbath, with vocals that sound eerily like a bad Robert Plant impersonator. Song lyrics range from strongly influenced by The Doors (a trippy venture into the desert) to Jimi Hendrix (they actually use the term “purple haze” in one song).

This is common throughout the entire album, where I was reminded of classic songs I’ve known since my childhood. More than once, I looked up and said, “I know that tune (or riff, melody, etc.),” and realized that it was a Zeppelin riff.

The song “Love Train” begins with familiar bongos, almost instantly recognizable as the beginning of The Rolling Stones’ “Sympathy for the Devil.” The guitar riff of Wolfmother’s song “Joker and the Thief ” (don’t get me started on the title/lyrics of that one) is Black Sabbath’s “Into the Void” with a spedup tempo.

I could go on, but I’m getting a little queasy.

ON THE RIGHT TRACK SUSAN SCHOMBURG • STAFF WRITER

sounds from the scene

In an interview for Rolling Stone, Stockdale says that all the influence is unintentional, and that every riff is completely their own. His claims remind me of that Harvard chick whose first novel was pulled out of bookstores after she “unintentionally” plagiarized two Megan F. McCafferty novels. We won’t be lucky enough to have this album pulled off shelves, though.

Instead, Wolfmother are praised for “borrowing liberally” from ’70s greats. Yuck.

When I told my mother about Wolfmother and their apparent influences, however, she was excited. “Oh, how cool,” she said, telling me that some of the great classical composers did the same thing as an homage to musicians they admired.

I guess I wouldn’t be so appalled if Stockdale had simply come out and said, “Yeah, that’s Black Sabbath’s riff. They totally rock and I wanted to pay homage.” It sounds more credible than completely deny i ng the similarities.

If you are curious to hear Wolfmother, I suggest that you instead listen to Zeppelin, Black Sabbath, The Doors, older Rolling Stones or even The White Stripes (Stockdale’s voice at times is very Jack White). You’ll get the gist of Wolfmother’s music from the original composers.

[ PARASOL TOP TEN ] 1. THE CORAL SEA Volcano And Heart Hidden Agenda

2. VOXTROT Raised By Wolves Culthero

3. MATTHEW SWEET & SUSANNA HOFFS Under The Covers,Vol. 1 Shout Factory

4. THE 1900S Plume Delivery Parasol

5. THE KNIFE Silent Shout [IMPORT VINYL] Rabid

6. MONTYS LOCO Man Overboard NONS

7. THE CHARADE A Real Life Drama Skipping Stones

8. BORIS Pink Southern Lord

9. JOSE GONZALEZ Stay In The Shade EP [domestic] Hidden Agenda

10. HOLY MADRE S/T NONS

01. “New English” – Ambulance Ltd. New English EP 02. “Valerie Loves Me” – Material Issue International Pop Overthrow 03. “Pins” – Dark Country (Demo; album in the works) 04. “The Long Black Veil” – Johnny Cash Live at Folsom Prison 05. “Amplifier” – The dB’s Repercussion 06. “Conquistador” – The Living Blue Fire, Blood, Water 07. “Hey” – The Pixies Doolittle 08. “Nightcrawlers” – The Beauty Shop Crisis Helpline 09. “Who Knows What Tomorrow May Bring” – Traffic Traffic 10. “Jocko Homo” – Devo Q: Are We Not Men? A: We Are Devo!

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cu calendar

THU. MAY 25 Live Bands Gene Sterling Jazz Quartet Iron Post, 7pm, $3 Ben Benford, Vinny Bex Dae Aroma Cafe, 8pm, free Mike Bray, Adam Wolfe Hideaway, 8pm, free Caleb Rose Bowl Tavern 9pm, free Clio, Butt Ugly, Genghis Khan, Handsome Mick Highdive 10pm, $5

Will Rogers Band Neil St. Pub, 10pm, cover Shovelwrack White Horse Inn, 10:30pm, free DJ Zen Thursdays: DJ Asiatic Soma, 9pm, free Metal Thursday: DJ Dirtleg, DJ Vance Highdive, 10pm, free DJ Huggy Joe’s Brewery 10pm, cover DJ PBR Cowboy Monkey 10pm, free

TAKING A CUE FROM THE DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY, EVENTS OF HIGH PRIORITY HAVE BEEN LABELED IN ORANGE.

DJ Limbs Boltini 10:30pm, free Karaoke Liquid Courage Karaoke Radmaker’s Billiard and Sports Bar, 7pm, free Boneyard Karaoke Memphis on Main, 7:30pm, free Karaoke Fat City Saloon 8pm, free “G” Force Karaoke Pia’s of Rantoul, 9pm, free Liquid Courage Karaoke The Office, 10pm, free

Lectures / Discussions Andrew Borbely Presents “One River, One Summer: Adventures on the Mighty Mississippi” [Last summer, Andy paddled the entire length of the Mississippi in a Wenonah canoe, from its source in Minnesota to its mouth at the Gulf of Mexico. Fortunately, he completed his trip just before Katrina roared into New Orleans. Andy will present an informative and entertaining multime-

Amy Loftus Megan Jones Meg Allison The Iron Post, 9 p.m.

May 31, $3

dia presentation of his summer adventure on the Mighty Mississippi River.]

Champaign Surplus Store 5pm, free Family Fun “Funfare” Urbana Free Library, 10:30am, free

FRI. MAY 26 Live Bands Billy Galt Blues Barbecue 11:30am, free Ear Doctor Iron Post 5pm, free Real Deal Jazz Band Cowboy Monkey, 5:30pm, free Dixee Flyers Hubers 8pm, free Playerz Memphis on Main 8:30pm, $4 Clio, Jonesful The Phoenix 9pm, cover Country Connection Rose Bowl Tavern, 9pm, $1 The Groove Dukes Iron Post 9pm, $3 Adam Wolf Duo Tommy G’s 9:30pm, cover Indie Rock Show: New Ruins, Pulsar 47, Lanterna (record release show), The Invisible Cowboy Monkey, 10pm, $5 Will Rogers Band Neil St. Pub, 10pm, cover Quadremedy White Horse Inn, 10pm, free DJ DJ Elise Boltini, 6pm, free DJ Bozak Soma, 8pm, free DJ LNO Nargile, 9pm, free before 10pm DJ Delayney Barfly, 10pm free DJ Who Joe’s Brewery 10pm, cover DJ Tim Williams Highdive 10pm, $5 DJ Mertz Boltini 10:30pm, free Karaoke Liquid Courage Karaoke The Brickhouse, 9pm, free

Women have often been unjustly overshadowed in the music industry, and one could argue, in many other things as well. Besides greats like Aretha Franklin, many women in the early days of rock and roll simply swayed in unison, backing up the male lead vocalist. Today, the gender situation has changed little. All the universally-renowned bands tend to be male dominated.

Women musicians are reserved for brainless pop (see Ashlee Simpson), and female bands are seen mainly as gimmicks (see The Donnas or Josie and the Pussycats). Brilliant artists like Loretta Lynn or Janis Joplin, though well known and respected, still don’t receive as much attention or admiration as their male peers.

Men, with their facial hair and phallic anatomy, love to pat each other on the back and brush women to the side. Well on Wednesday, three women will take the stage at the Iron Post to show their expertise and talent in songwriting and performing. Amy Loftus, based out of Nashville, captures the southern flavor of folk and rock in her unique songs, characterized by her beautiful voice. Megan Jones, Champaign’s own young songsmith, will perform with her backing band, The Greytones. With one solo album out, Megan has accumulated a lot of area buzz as well as a local music award nomination for best female artist. The Iron Post will showcase these talented women at 9 p.m. on May 31.

—Todd Swiss

Teen Battle of the Bands Crystal Lake Park, TBA, free DJ DJ Bozak Soma, 8pm, free DJ LNO Nargile, 9pm, free before 10pm DJ White Horse Inn 9:30pm free DJ Tim Williams Highdive 10pm, $5 DJ Naughty Boy Joe’s Brewery, 10pm, cover DJ Elise Boltini 10:30pm, free Karaoke “G” Force Karaoke American Legion Post 71, 8pm, free Liquid Courage Karaoke Geo’s 9pm, free

Live Bands Alleyway Sex, Kick to the Head, Dizzy Chair Time, The Cockblocks, The Insolents, Counteractive, Carbomb Lottery McKinley Foundation, 5pm, $5 The Impalas Alto Vineyards 7:30pm, $3 Marini Brothers Hubers 8pm, free Unfinished Business Memphis on Main, 8:30pm, $4 Brat Pack Fat City Saloon 9pm, cover World Divine, Invocation The Phoenix, 9pm, $5 Country Connection Rose Bowl Tavern, 9pm, $1 Quadremedy Tommy G’s 9:30pm, cover The Living Blue, The Beauty Shop, Reds Iron Post 10pm, $5 Little Big Fat Cowboy Monkey, 10pm, $4 Will Rogers Band Neil St. Pub, 10pm, cover

Live Bands Carlos Vega Trio Iron Post 7pm, cover Southern Culture on the Skids, The Living Blue Highdive 9pm, $15 Crystal River Band Rose Bowl Tavern, 9pm, free

DJ Jazz Mondays Nargile 8pm, free DJ Delayney Barfly 10pm, free

TUE. MAY 30 Live Bands Billy Galt Blues Barbecue, 11:30am, free Spoken Word/Open Mic Nargile, 9pm, free Threesome Tuesdays: Larry Gates, Jesse Greenlee White Horse Inn, 9:45pm, free DJ Zoo Theatre Company’s Boltini Bingo and Lounge Variety Show Boltini 6:30pm, free Atomic Age Cocktail Party: DJ Jason Croft Cowboy Monkey 8pm, free

Karaoke Liquid Courage Karaoke Geo’s, 9pm, free Family Fun “Babies’ Lap Time” Urbana Free Library, 10:30am, free

WED. MAY 31 Live Bands Donnie Heitler Great Impasta, 6pm, free Irish Traditional Music Session Bentley’s Pub, 7pm, free The Confines, Sharks and Sailors, The Monitors, the Bellcaster Canopy Club 8pm, $5 Fuedin’ Hillbillies Rose Bowl Tavern, 9pm, free Amy Loftus, Megan Jones, Meg Allison Iron Post, 9pm, $3 Soultro Joe’s Brewery 10pm, cover DJ Welcome Back Wednesdays: DJ LNO Nargile, 8pm, cover DJ Stifler Highdive, 8pm, $5 Chef Ra Barfly, 10pm, free DJ Bozak Boltini, 10:30pm free Dancing Tango Dancing Cowboy Monkey, 8-10:30pm, free Salsa Dancing Cowboy Monkey, 10:30pm, $3 Karaoke Karaoke White Horse Inn 9:30pm, free Liquid Courage Karaoke Geovantis, 10pm, free

Project 66: An Exploration of Utopia Inspired by the Works of Ilya and Emilia Kabakov [Project 66 is both an installation and a Web site created by a group of students from the School of Art and Design, the Department of Computer Science and other campus units.]

Krannert Art Museum through July 30 Pour la Victoire: French Posters and Photographs of the Great War [Graphically-charged, lush-colored lithographic posters from World War I vividly depict the place of women in the war effort, the need for personal sacrifice on the home front and the position of French colonial subjects.]

Krannert Art Museum through July 30 Designing Experiences: How Graphic and Industrial Design Shape Daily Life [Design is less about generating products than it is about creating experiences through products that satisfy functional, as well as spiritual, cultural, social, tribal and emotional needs. This exhibition profiles everyday products and solutions to visual communication problems created by UIUC Graphic and Industrial Design Alumni and includes information about the designers, the design process and history of the products.]

Krannert Art Museum through July 30 Rain Forest Visions [This exhibition focuses on artistic representations by contemporary South American indigenous people and the ecological, mythical and cosmic forces in their lives. These people, whose myths and narratives provide the basis for the imagery, are the Canelos Quichua of Amazonian Ecuador. Complementary artifacts come from the Achuar, Tigua and Chachi of Ecuador, the Shipibo-Conibo of Peru, the Waounam and Emberá of Colombia and Panama, the Tukuna of Colombia and Brazil and the Yekuana of Venezuela.]

Spurlock Museum through Aug. 20 Visits [Works by Billy and Siti Mariah Jackson] Verde Gallery through June 17

DJ sOUL tREE: DJ LNO Nargile 9pm, free before 10pm Goldfronts Cowboy Monkey 10pm, free

Acrylic Self Portraits [Champaign Centennial High School Painting class exhibit] Pages For All Ages through June 30 “Through the Past Darkly” [Paintings by Richard Greenberg] Cinema Gallery through May 27

MON. MAY 29 Live Bands Feudin’ Hillbillies Rose Bowl Tavern, 6pm, free Michael Davis Bentley’s Pub 7pm, free Open Mic Night Cowboy Monkey, 10pm, free Finga Lickin The Office 10:30pm, free

art & theater

Parkland College Digital Media Student Juried Exhibition Parkland Art Gallery through June 22

PUZZLE pg. 18

VISIT WWW.CUCALENDAR.COM FOR THE MOST CURRENT EVENTS AND TO ADD YOUR OWN.

—Brian McGovern

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Champaign County Health Care Consumers is looking for five part-time interns this summer. Summer Interns will support CCHCC’s community organizing efforts.

Current issues include Champaign County’s access to care crisis, Medicare Part D and access to emergency contraception.

Interns will learn organizing skills, become familiar with the local health care system and understand how policy impacts people’s lives. Interns are needed Mon-Fri from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. for two-hour shifts.

CCHCC is located at 44 E. Main Suite 208 in Champaign. Contact Katie Coombes at (217) 352-6533 for more information.

SUN. MAY 28

SAT. MAY 27

PHOTO: HTTP://WWW.AMYLOFTUS.COM/PHOTOS.HTML

Summer Internship Champaign County Health Care Consumers

Subversion: DJ Evily, DJ Twinscin Highdive 10pm, cover DJ Hoff, DJ Bambino Mike N Molly’s, 10pm, cover DJ Tremblin BG Barfly 10pm, free DJ J-Phlip Boltini 10:30pm, free

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sounds from the scene

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stage, screen & i n b e t w e e n

dance dance revolution NEW WAVE VIDEO GAME DANCE DANCE REVOLUTION CAN HELP YOU LOSE WEIGHT

A

young man in a yellow and blue jersey dances energetically to the rhythms of a Japanese techno song, his feet sweeping over the fluorescent floor pad, his eyes never leaving the rapidly flowing arrows on the wide projection screen.

Mike Currier is playing a widely popular video game called Dance Dance Revolution (DDR). Currier has been playing for more than two years.

“I lost 23 pounds in three months by playing 5 times a week. I went from 210 to 186,” Currier said, the large, yellow number 13 on his champion sweatshirt darkened with sweat.

The DDR craze has hit students and others alike here at UIUC. Students have broken the barriers of typical gym routines and have discovered a new way to exercise while having a lot more fun than they can find while running laps at CIRCE. What makes this game different from other video games is its exercise and weight loss aspect, a feature that video games in previous generations have lacked.

DDR has spawned a variety of other games that only quiver in its dominance. Video game companies have traded in their controllers in favor of everything from eye cameras to keyboards or conga drums.

Located in the Illini Union Billiard Room are several DDR and DDR-style coin-operated machines.

DDR may look simple — a 3-foot platform serves as the controller, marked by four bright distinct arrows, pointing north, east, south and west. Players stand on it. Their goal is to match their steps in conjunction with the scrolling arrows on the screen.

It sounds pretty simple for anyone with an ounce of rhythmic ability, but throw in a few combination steps and up the speed a few notches, and suddenly the game turns vigorous enough to match any aerobic workout.

Layne Phillips, sophomore, has taken his passion for DDR and created a Dance Dance Revolution club here on campus giving UIUC students a chance to socialize, play and share their love for all things DDR. What makes this game especially appealing is the fact that people get to watch others play, said Dave Walker, a recent UIUC graduate. “But it’s also nice to have one [DDR pads] at home too, so you can play the same song ten times, and no one is there to tell you to turn it off,” he said, laughing.

“Even now, a co-worker and I go during our lunch breaks at work,” Walker said. “It’s still about the only form of exercise that I actually like — well, that and the fact that the condition of the dance pad is paramount.”

For Johnson, weight loss was an unintended side effect. “I just came to college and I played a lot,” she said. “I ended up losing six pounds in just a few months.”

“I like to come in between classes,” junior Alex Quiroga said, while reaching into his pocket for more money. “I used to play this a lot, but ... oh, I still have a dollar, I can play one more game. I used to spend about $20-$25 a week, playing two hours each day.”

“Those DDR machines are by far our most popular machines,” said Donna Wargo, retail service coordinator of recreation in the Illini Union Billiards room. Wargo has been in the video game industry for more than 14 years.

The DDR machines alone make up for more than 50 to 55 percent of the arcade’s profits, Wargo said.

“The DDR games make the recreation room a destination. People specifically come to play DDR,” Wargo said. “The other games are just a convenience for the people that are already here.”

Dance Dance Revolution was first released by a Japanese video game company called Konami Corp. (Konami). These arcade versions first hit the market in 1999. Riding on the wave of popularity, Konami released an at-home version of DDR in 2001 to increase the game’s already large fan base, and the plan was met with great success. The game quickly gained popularity, both in arcades and in homes, giving birth to a new era of video games.

As more people catch on to the new wave of interactive video gaming, the positive side effects begin to make themselves known. Like Currier, many people started to lose weight while having a lot of fun.

Konami added the Calorie Count and Workout modes to their home versions after the game’s first release to help draw in customers, said Marc Franklin, Konami Digital Entertainment America’s associate director of public relations.

“This new generation of video games is more interactive, and DDR is part of that,” Franklin said. “It gives people an excuse to get off the couch.”

Konami would not divulge actual numbers for machines sold, but a fan group Web site, DDRfreaks.com, lists 2,057 known locations within the United States that carry the DDR arcade machines. >> DDR Copycats and Rivals Competitors have noticed the shift in the video game industry and have followed suit.

According to The Straits Times in Singapore, DDR’s debut has blazed the way for many more hands-on video games such as Guitar Freaks, Karaoke Revolution, Donkey Conga, Eye Toy, Keyboard Mania and more, drawing forth a new, highly diverse generation of players.

Sales of these types of games are so popular that the video game store on campus, Electronic Boutique (EB) Games, reaps half of its profits from just these “reality” games.

“We’re not really worried that the old games will die out,” said senior Tai-Chi Kuo, an employee at the on-campus video game store. “It is just that the new games are taking over. We still sell the equal amounts of controller to reality games.”

>> DDR and its Fan Base When walking by the arcade room, located in the basement of the Illini Union , on any given day during meal hours, passersby will notice that the room never fails to be stuffed to the brim with avid fans competing with each other to be the ultimate dancing champion.

“I come down every day and play between 1-2 p.m. and 3-5 p.m.,” sophomore Sarah Johnson said. “The home versions are just not the same. The pads move around and don’t sink in like the ones at the arcade.”

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PHOTOS BY LIANNE ZHANG

LIANNE ZHANG • CONTRIBUTING WRITER

Although the DDR craze has ceased in Japan, it is growing more popular by the minute in the United States, with the series’ newest release, Dance Dance Revolution Ultramix 3, for Xbox.

This new version includes all the goodies from the original, but gives extra perks. Players are now able to hold online DDR tournaments with anybody else in the world.

“I love the new version of this,” said senior Kan Kan Yu, while stopping for a water break as she stepped off the platform surface of the DDR machine in the Union. “DDR is better than ever. I can compete against my friends from all over,” “Once, I spent $40 in one night at the arcade.”

“Now, when you go to the arcade, there are so many different kinds of dancing games,” junior Janille Guiang said. “There are so many companies that try to mimic DDR, but it’s not the same,” DDR has changed the way students here on campus look at video gaming and exercise. No longer are they confined to the machines at a gym or at risk of being called couch potatoes. They

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= weight loss revolution can now have the best of both worlds in their very own living rooms. >> DDR fun, exercise & community DDR has gotten so big that it has its own Web sites, dancing groups, fan clubs and more. It has become more than a game — it has become a community, Franklin said.

This game closes the age gap bet ween generations and is a great game for everyone, Franklin said.

“Some people are attracted to the weightloss aspect, some to the game aspects, some to the dance, some to the music, it is very hard to determine why they play; we (Konami) are just pleased with how popular it is.”

“DDR is for ever yone — my 5-year-old cousin plays it, and even my mother,” Guiang said, laughing. “It seems the younger you are, the better you play, though.”

According to The San Francisco Chronicle, Dance Dance Revolution has given birth to a domino trend that equates video gaming with exercising.

“This is one of the only forms of exercise that I get,” Walker said, taking a break from playing DDR in the Union.

Following the success of DDR and these new reality games, weight loss is now not only a perk but a motivation for players to play.

“Once, when I was in Vegas, I saw t wo people come in to the arcade to play DDR with water bottles and towels,” Guiang said.

“It literally is exercise.” I brought my DDR pads to school, and random people would drop by my dorm and play.”

“I lost a lot of weight on it — it’s a good aerobic workout,” said Ryne Dionisio, president of the Japanese Game and Entertainment Club at UIUC. “You need endurance and speed, something you can build on as you play more,” In t he pa st yea r -a nd-a-ha l f a lone, t he demand for more chal leng ing, interactive video games has been met. The Illini Union has added two more games to its interactive dance collection: a Korean-version of DDR developed by Andamiro that has f ive arrows instead of four called Pump It Up, and a Roxor Games’ sequel, In the Groove 2.

“DDR downstairs is almost stale compared to the two new games,” Dionisio said. “In The Groove is a much harder game than DDR, and the regulars’ skill levels are miles above mine, but I still have a blast. There’s also a new DDR version out, but it won’t be widely available until this summer at the earliest.”

“I love to play [DDR] because it gets you more involved, rather than just sitting in a seat,” junior Edward Clemons said. “I spend way too much money on DDR.” Of course, hand–held controller games will always be classic to many people, but this new movement of reality video games takes player involvement and video game experience to new heights.

“To me, DDR will never get old,” Clemons said. “Its essence — the bright, upbeat songs or the catchy announcer phrases and background visuals — will always be a part of me. I have more freedom to express whatever on the dancing pads, and to me that’s the fun part: expression.”

Currier wipes the sweat off his forehead and jumps on the mat, ready for another round.

“This is really challenging and motivating for me to keep playing and getting better,” Currier said. “I never tried to workout when I was overweight. Now I’m having fun and losing weight.”

Seconds later, he is in his element — feet scrambling, arms balanced and never once needing to look down at the game pad.

>> DDR vs. hand-held controller games: Which will you play?

buzz

Sophomore Janille Guiang steps to the beat of the music, smiling at the perfect scores she recieves from the game.

1

There is no hand held video game controller, so step onto the video game pad. Place your feet on different arrows to select the type of game and level. Start.

sounds from the scene

2

As the arrows flash up the screen, at the time when the lit arrow hits the home arrows at the top, step on the corresponding key with your foot. The trick is to match the beat with the timing of the arrows.

3

Choose various songs to dance to. Your goal is to achieve ìperfectî and ìgreatî scores. Achieve combination scores and the more combos, the higher the score. At the end, each player is graded on a scale of A=F.

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YOU SHOULDN’T KEEP SOUVENIRS OF A KILLING.

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ARTIST’S CORNER

ELYSE RUSSO • STAGE, SCREEN & IN BETWEEN EDITOR

PHOTO BY CHRISTINA LEUNG

jim hultquist

Designer Jim Hultquist stands next to his photographs of light bulbs at Pekara Bakery in Champaign on Saturday, May 20.

“My life pretty much revolves around light,” says Jim Hultquist, an Iowa native and local artist in the Champaign-Urbana area. Originally educated in lighting design at Rutgers University, Hultquist works for a theater consultant out of California and keeps photography as an “intense hobby” on the side. His newest photography exhibit, The Idea Project, which will continue to be on display at Pekara Bakery until June 24, is one of his two showcases that he’s had at Pekara since he’s moved to the area. Hultquist currently lives here in Champaign with his wife Alex and his new baby daughter Anastasia Sophia.

How did you come up with the idea, no pun intended, for The Idea Project?

Well, I was playing with light bulb pictures because they’re very self-referential. When you take a photograph of the light bulb, the light from the light bulb exposes the negative, and you can shine light through that negative onto the

paper, and then you view the paper with light. So, there’s a complete circle when you’re photographing a light object.

And I had originally intended on taking a lot of different pictures of a lot of different light bulbs, but the more I played with it, the more I just loved this single image. It just sort of popped out, and it’s more iconic in a way.

I also read an Ansel Adams’ quote about the negative being a piece of music or score and that the print is a performance of that. And I was sort of thinking about doing a wall of performances of a single negative, so I went through about fifty ideas and sort of settled on these.

What is your favorite artistic project that you’ve done?

My favorite project was one of the first projects I did when I moved to Champaign, which was a project on books. I showed the books in illogical ways, mostly with light emanating from them in different sort of ways ... I think it was probably my favorite project so far, and you can see it on my Web site, www.jhjd.com. But I gotta say, I really do enjoy this project. See, what happened was I did the books, and some of those photographs were shown at the Catherine Edelman Gallery in Chicago; and printing them is such a precious process, it’s so easy to make a mistake. But what was happening was it was becoming not as fun because it has to be so perfect, which was part of the reason I did this project too. I just wanted to have a really good time and just work on things.

But when you’re doing gallery work, it just feels

too precious in a way ... I guess the surmise is that my book project was my favorite photography project, but I think I had more fun working on this one.

Is photography the main medium you work in?

Actually, I design performing arts centers, [and} I’m a lighting designer by education. I used to do theater lighting design almost exclusively.

And then I sort of got into theater consulting, which is one step before lighting design because I design all the pieces that theaters would use to do the lighting design. And then photography is a very intense hobby, I would say. It’s not a profession; I don’t make a living at it. I do make some money from it, which is good because it pays for the materials and things, though it’s not my primary professional focus. But it’s great.

One thing about lighting design in theater is that it is very much a collaborative art; there’s always lots of people with their fingers in the pie. When you design a show, there’s directors, actors, set designers, costumers, and they all have something to say about the lights, which is the way it works. But with photography, it’s very much an individual pursuit. You go in the dark room, and you can play with an image until the cows come home, and then bring out the one you like, versus doing all the work in front of an audience, basically.

When did you first realize your passion for photography?

I was living in Chicago, right before I went to Rutgers, and my sister was living with me, and I had this Cannon 81 that I bought when I was in the Navy in 1986; it’s a really old camera, but it works really great. And my sister and I were screwing around, and I took these pictures of her buried in socks. There’s a King Missile song

called “Too Many Socks,” and the song goes on for like three minutes about him screaming about how his socks have taken over his life. And we were just screwing around, and I took these photographs of her buried in my socks with just like some eye sticking out, and it’s one of my favorite photographs.

What is your most embarrassing moment?

When I was in graduate school, they spent three years telling me — I have sort of a temper — that you can’t yell at people, you can’t raise your voice, you have to be a nice guy all the time or you won’t work ... So, I was working on my thesis show, To Kill a Mocking Bird, and I was lighting it with a really, really diff icult director, and he used to be a lighting designer himself. So, he basically kept trying to design the show for me, and he was very persnickety about ever ything. And it was f ine, and we worked together, but it was a swallow your pride kind of thing ... The night before the preview of the show at dress rehearsal, the director comes over and just starts screaming at me, “Oh my god! You changed everything we worked on! Why did you do that?” And I hadn’t changed it at all because it’s all on computer disk. And I finally stood up and said, “Yeah, that’s right! That’s what I’m trying to do! I’m trying to destroy your show because I’m just an asshole!” and I just went off on him. About a week later, I had to go to my committee review of the show, and I think I’m gonna get creamed. I say it’s my most embarrassing moment because I was horribly embarrassed after I did it because they spent three years telling me not to yell at people, and here I am at my thesis show, and I scream at somebody. And I get into the committee and they say, “You know, we thought you handled the director really well.”

PAGERAGE AVA GARDNER : LOVE IS NOTHING

By Lee Server

SYD SLOBODNIK • STAFF WRITER

Lee Server’s Ava Gardner: Love is Nothing (St. Martins’ Press) is the latest retro-study of a Hollywood golden-era legend that contains more scandal-rag gossip than thoughtful insights into the skills of a much misunderstood screen star.

For those who like to read about spicy tales of a star’s dirty laundry, this 550-page biography nicely covers the troubled personal life of one of the screen’s most natural beauties — from her birth in 1922 and early upbringing in rural North Carolina to her salad days in Hollywood in the early 1940s, where she was wined, dined and sexually awakened to the appetites of the likes of screen idol Mickey Rooney (husband #1), renowned lady killer and band leader Artie Shaw (husband #2) and singer Frank Sinatra (husband #3).

Very little of the first 100 pages details much of Gardner’s professional training, acting ambitions or personal perspectives into characters she played. Instead, Server catalogs the parade of INTRO | A ROUND TOWN | L ISTEN, HEAR | CU CALENDAR | STAGE , S CREEN &

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lovers who follow in quick succession — Howard Hughes, Kirk Douglas, Mel Torme, David Niven, Robert Taylor, Robert Mitchum and even a young senator named John F. Kennedy.

While the biography successfully recalls that her best works occurred in a short 14-year period — from 1951’s Pandora and the Flying Dutchman and Show Boat to her only Oscar nomination in Mogambo (1953), an overlooked Oscar-caliber performance in On the Beach (1959), and her last great performance in John Huston’s Night of the Iguana (1964) — very few assessments of her talent are noted from critics of her time. Sorely missing is Pauline Kael’s judgment that Gardner was “the last woman star to make it on beauty alone.”

Ava Gardner: Love is Nothing is a sadly fascinating but limited look at a troubled, unhappy, alcoholic and passionate screen legend who was painted more as a femme fatale than a woman of substance.

B ETWEEN | CLASSIFIEDS | THE STINGER

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buzz weekly •

I’M NEITHER POOR NOR INNOCENT.

PAUL S PERUSAL OF

OVER THE HEDGE

O

PAUL PRIKAZSKY • STAFF WRITER

group of possums, porcupines, a squirrel, a turtle and a raccoon head over (and mostly under) the hedge to find their food.

The central character, an outsider to the pack, is RJ, a raccoon voiced by Bruce Willis. RJ has to collect enough food to fend off the threats of a disgruntled bear (voiced by Nick Nolte) whose food supply he destroyed while attempting to steal. The ingenious animals try a variety of means of getting at the humans’ seemingly abundant food supplies, first with garbage can raids and an attack on a couple of girl scouts selling cookies; later, they scheme to clean out minivans and backyard cookouts.

Children will love the voices of most of these likable characters. Willis’ RJ, Garry Shandling’s Verne the turtle, Wanda Sykes’s Stella the skunk and Steve Carell’s Hammy the squirrel all effectively express t hei r si mple emot ion s.

While parents may not like the bits of potty humor, including Hammy’s frequent reference to his “nuts,” most adults will likely f ind the screenwriters’ criticism of disrespect of nature and of suburban lifestyle and obsessions humorous and, at times, shockingly familiar.

DREAMWORKS

OVER THE HEDGE • CUDDLY CGI

THE DA VINCI CODE

Survivor winner Richard Hatch, who won $1 million in the debut season of the show, was sentenced to 51 months in jail last Tuesday for failing to pay taxes. The 45-year-old claimed he thought the show’s producers would pay his taxes and said he forgot to tell his accountants about some income. On a happier note, he’s eagerly awaiting prison, notably the daily showers where he plans to drop the soap repeatedly.

Actress Mischa Barton is set to leave hit TV series The OC, according to media reports in the U.S. The 20-year-old actress, who gained notoriety while playing the alcoholic, sometimes lesbian/ sometimes not, Marissa Cooper, has expressed a desire to focus on a film career. She plans to celebrate the culmination of her tenure on the show by eating eight cheeseburgers, a large shake and fries. And then throwing it all up.

Christina Aguilera is releasing her forthcoming “retro” album which is being described as a “Jazz Age Broadway-baby songbird.” To promote it, the singer is planning a tour of jazz clubs around the country. To encourage a strong response from male fans, concert promoters promised that Aguilera will be half-dressed and that free condoms will be distributed at the door.

Pop star Britney Spears nearly dropped her baby as she was leaving a New York City hotel last Thursday. The baby didn’t suffer any serious injuries but prompted Spears to say, “This is why I need a gun,” referring to battling her way through the crowd. With this incident, Spears topped the list of the 10 Worst Celebrity Parents along with Michael Jackson, another baby-dropper.

SCOTT FRANKEL • STAFF WRITER

W

itness the biggest cover-up in human history.” Not only does this apply to the secrets behind the novel The Da Vinci Code but also to the movie. Any movie based on a best-selling book doesn’t need to be at the top of its game. It will sell tickets, no matter how accurate the final product is. The Da Vinci Code disguises its misses with actor Tom Hanks and director Ron Howard, but audiences won’t be fooled. This riddle is a lot easier to distinguish than the mysteries of the titular code.

Harvard professor Robert Langdon (Tom Hanks) is called to solve a murder at Paris’s Louvre while lecturing in Europe. However, upon beginning his investigation alongside cryptologist Sophie Neveu (Audrey Tautou), Robert quickly learns that he is the main suspect for this murder. Audrey and Robert immediately flee, all the while trying to discover the truth behind this mysterious case.

With their investigations, they use the clues left behind in Leonardo Da Vinci’s works to reveal the secrets behind the Catholic Church, Jesus and the location of the Holy Grail.

sounds from the scene

COUNTY SPELLING BEE JEFF NELSON • STAFF WRITER

T

he 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee at Water Tower Place Theatre, on an open-ended run, is a howlingly funny show that offers a rare emphasis in musicals — the book upon which it’s based. The Tony Award-winning book by Rachel Sheinkin and Jay Reiss captures the neuroses of the contemporary teenage and adult worlds in these competitive characters.

Broadway director James Lapine has recreated his still-running New York hit with a wonderful Chicago cast who can match any of the talents of The Great White Way. Lapine’s incredible 20-year career of directing quality hits has netted him a collection of New York Drama Critics Circle Awards, Obies and Drama Desk Awards that could fill a desktop. Add to that 11 Tony Nominations, three wins and a Pulitzer Prize, and you can understand the importance of his presence in Chicago. His craftsmanship on this production is everywhere and this near North Side production could either replace Wicked as Chicago’s favorite or simply add another mega-hit for Chicago theater-goers to enjoy.

The final touch is William Finn’s (March of the Falsettos) precise songcraft. Though simple, the songs are cleverly integrated into the book and supplement, rather than mellow out, the neurotic tone of the show. Finn’s musical score does not produce hummable lobby melodies, but it does underscore the tensions of the competition and the life lessons of this wonderfully funny and entertaining show.

Water Tower Theatre is at 175 E. Chestnut in Water Tower Place, and you can inquire about tickets at 312977-1710 or spellingbeethemusical.com.

It’s important to remember that Dan Brown’s novel is fiction. The sooner people understand this concept, the quicker the story shifts from controversial to entertaining. However, even with this transfer, the movie still falls flat. The movie was written like the book: it felt segmented into chapters and contained the same cheesy dialogue. Even though this works for the novel, the adaptation to the screen needs to flow more smoothly. Despite this, it still uses the book’s main concepts to entertain. As a result, those who are experiencing the story for the first time will be greatly enthralled, but those who read the book might feel short-changed.

TO RECAP : 1 ) Tom Hanks’s hair is a mystery in itself.

2 ) Ron Howard painted Russell Crowe’s face in one of Da Vinci’s paintings because Crowe felt betrayed by not starring in another Howard movie.

3 ) I just made up #2. PLEASE don’t write Dan Brown or Ron Howard or Leonardo Da Vinci asking if it’s true.

COLUMBIA PICTURES

“

THEATRE REVIEW

THE 25TH ANNUAL PUTNAM

SYD SLOBODNIK • STAFF WRITER

ver the Hedge, the newest computer-animated film from Dreamworks Pictures, proves that the studio has what it takes to compete with Disney and Pixar. Tim Johnson and Karey Kirkpatrick’s Over the Hedge is a very entertaining, mostly child-oriented adventure tale that adults will find enjoyable enough to join the movie-going experience with their younger family members.

Over the Hedge concerns a group of forest animals who wake up from hibernation to discover that a good percentage of their forest has been taken over by a new suburban subdivision, and a huge hedge barrier now fences them in like some natural Berlin Wall. Since their usual food supplies are now essentially cut off, this assorted

15

THE DA VINCI CODE • TOM HANKS

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buzz weekly PHONE: 217/337-8337 DEADLINE: 2 p.m. Tuesday for the next Thursday’s edition.

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• All advertising is subject to the approval of the publisher. The Daily Illini shall have the right to revise, reject or cancel, in whole or in part, any advertisement, at any time.

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• This newspaper will not knowingly accept any advertising for real estate that is in violation of the law. Our readers are informed that all dwellings advertised in this newspaper are available on an equal oppportunity basis.

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212 E. John 1 bedroom apartment, furnished and A/C for Fall. Includes Water, Free Parking, No Pets. $460/mo. 3525207

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502 E. HEALEY, C August 2006. JUST REMODELEDTOP TO BOTTOM!!!! NEW NEW NEW!!!! The BEST LOCATED EFFICIENCIES & 1 BEDROOMS on campus- period. Here's the best part: Efficiencies $385/mo & 1 bedrooms $550/mo. Ethernet avail.

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503- 505- 508 E. White Fall 2006. 2 and 3 bedrooms. Furnished with internet. Parking and laundry available. On-site resident manager. Call Kyle, 202-7240.

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604 E. White, C. Security Entrance For Fall 2006, Large 1 bedroom, furnished, balconies, patios, laundry, off-street parking, ethernet available.

Office at 309 S. First, C. THE UNIVERSITY GROUP www.ugroup96.com 352-3182

510

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NOW LEASING FOR FALL, 2006 JTS Properties - 328-4284 905 W. Main, U. 2 bedroom, 1 bath, w/d, pets welcome, & off-street parking. $750/mo 105 N. Coler, U. 4+ bedroom, 2 bath, hardwood floors, w/d, CA, off-street parking w/garage. $1500/mo 502 S. Broadway, U. 5 bedroom, 2 bath w/enclosed front porch, fenced in yar, w/d & pets w/deposit, garage, $1300/mo 29 E. John, C. 5 bedroom, 2 bath, hardwood floors, w/d, off-street parking, $2000/mo 505 E. Elm, U. 4 bedroom, 2 bath, w/d, pets w/deposit, off-street parking, $1000/mo

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ENGINEERING CAMPUS Efficiency w/ pkg, A/C Avail. Fall 2006, $370/mo.

The Weiner Companies, Ltd. 384-8018 www.weinercompanies.com

510 S. Elm Available Fall 2006. 2 BR close to campus, hardwood floors, furnished, W/D, central air/heat, off street parking, 24 hr. maintenance. $595/mo.

841-1996.

THE UNIVERSITY GROUP www.ugroup96.com 352-3182

THE GEORGIAN 1005 S. SIXTH, C Aug 2006. Next to UI Library. 1 bedrooms from $460 to $550/mo.

Laundry, Window A/C, Carpet.

Shown 7 days a week.

BARR REAL ESTATE, INC. 356-1873 www.barr-re.com

ABOVE JIMMY JOHN’S ON LINCOLN 805 S. Lincoln, U Aug 2006. Ceiling fans, ethernet avail, window A/C. Efficiencies from $500/mo, 1 bedrooms from $545/mo. 7 days a week showing.

BARR REAL ESTATE, INC. 356-1873 www.barr-re.com

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Old Town Champaign

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buzz weekly •

SHE READ IT IN COSMOPOLITAN.

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807-809 W. ILLINOIS, U Aug 2006. 1 Bdrms corner of Lincoln & Illinois. Window A/C, Laundry, Ethernet avail. Rent $550/mo. Parking $45/mo. Shown 7 days/wk.

BARR REAL ESTATE, INC. 356-1873 www.barr-re.com 901 Main Street 3 Bedroom $975, Studio $450- all utilities included.

2 Bedroom- $650.

201 Busey 3 Bedroom $975, 1 Bedroom $550 503 W. Green Street Efficiency $400, 1 Bedroom $550heat included Doyle Properties 398-DOYL

1 BLOCK FROM LINCOLN Eff & 1 BR’s w/pkg, laundry $365 - $690/mo.

Avail Fall The Weiner Companies, Ltd. 384-8018 www.weinercompanies.com

115 W. WASHINGTON, U. Aug 2006. 1 bdrms. Window A/C, Laundry.

From $340/mo. to $475/mo. Shown 7 days/wk.

BARR REAL ESTATE, INC 356-1873 www.barr-re.com

UTILITIES INCLUDED Avail. January & August 2006. Close to Campus. 4 bedroom apts. with Disposal, Dishwashers, Washer/Dryers in each unit, Ethernet access, Central A/C. Handicap accessible.

Shown 7 days a week.

BARR REAL ESTATE, INC. 356-1873 www.barr-re.com

Aug 2006. Huge 1 bdrm apts. Window A/C, Ethernet available. Parking $40/mo. Rents starts at $435/mo.

Shown 7 days/wk.

BARR REAL ESTATE, INC 356-1873 www.barr-re.com

306-308-309 White August 2006. 1 & 3 Bedroom furnished apts. Balconies, patios, laundry, dishwashers, off-street parking, ethernet available. 841-1996.

THE UNIVERSITY GROUP www.ugroup96.com 352-3182

440

Available Now. 2 bedroom on campus. $550/mo. 367-6626.

Other Rentals 500 )064&4

510

1, 2, 3 bedroom houses, condos, and duplexes for rent. Great Champaign Location. Many amenities W/D, A/C, etc. 637-0806.

2 bedroom house on campus for Fall 2006. 367-6626.

Aug 2006. 1 bdrm apts close to Campus. Window A/C. Rents $430/mo. Shown 7 days/wk.

BARR REAL ESTATE, INC 356-1873 www.barr-re.com

Eight to Nine Bedroom, $2700 2 Bedroom, $695-$725 367-6626

Check out our new building at 512 E. Green

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510

South of West Side Park 4 BR, 2 BA, Hwd floors, A/C Laundry, garage, $1,000/mo.

Avail. Fall The Weiner Companies, Ltd. 217-384-8018 www.weinercompanies.com

300.4 46#-&54

722 S. BROADWAY, U.

GREAT VALUE

'VSOJTIFE

Park Like Setting 2 BR avail. Fall 2006 laundry, A/C $480-560/mo.

The Weiner Companies, Ltd. 217-384-8018 www.weinercompanies.com

205 E. HEALEY, C

JOHN RANDOLPH ATRIUM

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GREAT LOCATION 2 BR, hwd, garage, A/C $875/mo. @ 116 W. Vermont, U The Weiner Companies, Ltd. 217-384-8018 www.weinercompanies.com

530

1 BR in 4 BR apartment. $350/mo.

367-6626.

Old Town Champaign Convenient to campus & downtown, old town Champaign, 1 & 2 BR’s, available starting June, July & August. From $380/mo.Call 352-8540, or see: www.faronproperties.com Room in Urbana house walking distance from quad. $250/mo. Call 6491767.

300.."5& 8"/5&% 550 1 bedroom, near campus $345/mo.

367-6626 2 roommates for furnished 4 bedroom house. $420/mo, utilities included.

630-479-6881. bmeador@uiuc.edu.

Near Campus, $350/ mo. 3676626.

Off-campus, University Fields apartment. $515/mo. all inclusive. Share 4 bedroom, 4 bath with three males.

Call Angela, (847)414-0264, aturk@uiuc.edu

listen live at wpgu.com

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6OGVSOJTIFE Remodeled Apartments near downtown Urbana 305 W. Elm, U - 2BR plus study New kitchen, A/C, pkg, deck/patio Avail. July or August 2006 @ $650/mo.

DEAL GR EAT

The Weiner Companies, Ltd. • 217-384-8018 • www.weinercompanies.com

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sounds from the scene

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the stinger kim rice & kate ruin DOIN’ IT WELL

jonesin CROSSWORD PUZZLE

33 It may be waterproof for the shower 36 Automatic counterpart Across 37 “Straight Outta Comp1 Font flourish ton” group 6 River through Russia and 38 “It’s ___” (Pet Shop Kazakhstan Boys hit) 10 Storyboard progressions 39 Skin care brand with 14 “He’s ___ nowhere strips man...”

40 Redding of R&B 15 Round number?

41 Sault ___ Marie 16 Blue shade on “Miami 42 Sauna-loving people Vice” 43 Diarrhea, with “the” 17 Oral hygiene concern 44 Finding the jackpot, 19 Point of view maybe 20 They’re armed and 47 Word after chicken or dangerous monkey 21 Cheated at drawing 48 Half a phrase warning 23 Flyer to Oslo Airport not to spit when you talk 24 Jack in a nursery rhyme 49 Antitrust gp.

28 I as in Innsbruck?

52 Some songs on 29 Subtitle of “The Shoop Nirvana’s “Incesticide” Shoop Song” 55 Roman, say “Hey, Four Eyes!”--that’s what you’ll shout.

57 Word sung on January 1 58 Like the belief that morality doesn’t exist 62 Round ender 63 “Weekly World News” topic 64 Desert dwellers 65 “___ quam videri” (North Carolina’s motto) 66 Cantata composer 67 Lucy’s friend Down 1 Kind of trees used for flour 2 “Any Woman’s Blues” author Jong 3 The folks, slangily 4 Shakespearean scumbag 5 Locates, like a magazine page 6 Submachine gun, or its designer’s nickname

7 Out of the mil.

8 “All Things Considered” reporter Shapiro 9 Show with six mysterious numbers 10 Asthma episode 11 Explore, as a mailbag 12 A stripper may jump out of one 13 Enjoy the snow 18 People who get backstage easily 22 Game where Ukraine borders Afghanistan 25 Insurrections 26 1990s Surgeon General Novello 27 Parched 29 “Where am ___ this picture?”

30 Winter walking hazard 31 “M*A*S*H” Emmy winner 32 Back talk 33 Diaper problem 34 Italian city known for sparkling wine 35 Drugs with a recent glut of daytime TV commercials 39 Place for bargains?

40 MoveOn.___ 42 Prix ___ (menu listing) 43 Naughty sounding birds (not rodents) 45 Walk like a baby 46 Jessica of “7th Heaven” 49 Abercrombie partner 50 Not real fresh 51 Rhodes behind the Rhodes Scholarships 52 Film with the segment “Pork Is a Nice Sweet Meat” 53 Takes to court 54 Ignore for a nomination 56 Test for jrs.

59 “___ train leaves Boston at 3:45 p.m....”

60 Ad ___ committee 61 Suffix meaning “sorta” Answers pg. 10

Sex & Disability The Right To Make Sexuality Accessible

This column is dedicated to people living in differently-abled bodies.

ALL PEOPLE ARE SEXUAL At some point in our lives, we will all experience some form of limitation with our bodies, whether it’s something temporary like a broken leg or a long-term condition that keeps us in a wheelchair for years. When we believe myths about disabilities negating sexuality, we limit our possibilities as sexual beings. This concept is particularly true about myths surrounding sex and people living with chronic conditions.

If we believe and internalize these myths, we cut ourselves off from an important part of who we are or who we could be. We’re also shielded from the reality of the rich sexual feelings and experiences we have. We’re left viewing ourselves or others as unable to have, or simply not interested in, sex. Holding on to these myths limits everyone because we may not see ourselves or others as being sexual or as potential partners.

Regardless of how able-bodied or not we are, we each have the right to explore and experience our sexuality. We have the right to sex education, a tool to help us understand how our bodies function sexually. We each have the right to talk about our sexuality and to state our needs and boundaries to others.

Your body—the parts that do, don’t, or sometimes function—is what you have to work with sexually, so it’s a good idea to get familiar with it.

Learn about sexual functions and, most importantly, how your own body feels and responds. We each have the right to know and enjoy our bodies.

There are limitless ways to explore your body.

Discover which parts are sensitive to erotic touch.

Where are your erogenous zones? Your nipples?

Earlobes? Clitoris? Skin on the inner thigh? No one right way exists to experience sexual arousal or to enjoy sexual pleasure.

Remember, sexual pleasure is not only about genital touching. People without sensation in their genitals can experience very powerful, intense, wonderful orgasms by stimulating other body parts. Be creative!

YOU HAVE THE RIGHT TO BE SEXUAL AND HAVE PRIVACY When we believe that sex is inappropriate to talk about and that we are not to be sexual in any way in front of others, it can create barriers for those of us who may need assistance with communication or require the help of a personal attendant. Take an inventory of your privacy. Look at your day and identify the times you can count on being alone. Is there a worker, attendant or family member that would respect your need for more privacy if you asked?

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We all have the right to privacy, even if you depend on others to help you with many of your daily activities. You may need to ask those around you for some time alone to explore and experience your sexuality. For some, the only option for privacy may be closing your eyes and pretending to be asleep. Use this opportunity to your sexual advantage. Sit back, relax and conjure up your favorite sexual fantasy.

Indulging in fantasy is a normal, healthy and effective way to experience sex. It is a form of self-pleasuring. But sex is also an activity of daily living, and you also have the right to ask for assistance to help you explore your sexuality, either by yourself or with a partner.

BOUNDARIES You have the right to have your boundaries respected, even if you depend on others to assist you physically with tasks such as bathing, dressing or masturbating. People who live with disabilities are more likely to be survivors of sexual assault and abuse than those without disabilities. It is important to keep in mind that as you begin exploring who you are as a sexual person, maybe even for the first time, the experience may trigger memories that may be traumatic.

This can be true whether or not you have been sexually abused. Many people are taught negative things about their bodies and what it means to be sexual. As you explore your sexuality, it is a good idea to identify a number of people to whom you can turn if you want to talk. Support is key during any kind of self-discovery.

SEX 411 • •

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May is International Masturbation Month. Celebrate with yourself!

Resources: www.gimpsex.org, www. sexualhealth.com (awesome articles addressing sex & disabilities), The Ultimate Guide to Sex & Disability & Enabling Romance (books) A favorite sex toy for those with disabilities or chronic conditions is the sling, in which you can sit or lie to take the weight off your joints & limbs. This can allow for much more movement with your partner.

Questions about sex & disability? Write to Kim & Kate at riceandruin@yahoo.com, and see your question featured in buzz! sounds from the scene

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buzz weekly •

IT’S ME OR IGGY POP, TIME TO DECIDE.

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free will astrology MAY 25 —MAY 31 ARIES

March 21 – April 19

“Donald Rumsfeld never listens to anything except the voices inside his own head,” wrote San Francisco Chronicle columnist Jon Carroll. While this is an unfortunate situation, given the fact that the U.S. Secretary of Defense has so much power over others, it is not all that uncommon. Many people rarely consult any opinions besides those that originate in their own imaginations. And from time to time, all of us get temporarily hypnotized by the rants of the little voices in our heads. You’re especially at risk for that to happen in the near future, Aries. There are two things you can do to ensure it doesn’t. First, cultivate an ironic distance toward those inner voices. Evaluate what they say with rigorous objectivity. Second, listen really hard to people who are both thoughtful and humble

T A U RU S

April 20 – May 20

Surveys show that 21 percent of the population say they’re “regularly bored out of their minds.” If those surveys included astrological data in their research, I bet they’d find that among Tauruses who suffer bouts of boredom, 85 percent are most susceptible to that state during the end of May and the first half of June. That’s why I encourage you to make dramatic efforts to keep yourself stimulated and amused in the coming days. Don’t fall prey to the lowest common denominator of plain old ordinary fate. Use your imagination to fill your schedule with novelty, intrigue, learning experiences, and high adventure.

GEMINI

May 21 – June 20

“Do you want to sell sugar water for the rest of your life, or do you want to change the world?” That’s the question asked by Marc Hedlund in the intro to his “Proverbs for Entrepreneurs” (http://snipurl.com/ndlv). Since you’re experiencing new opportunities to bring more of the entrepreneurial spirit into your life and work, I thought I’d offer you a few of his suggestions.

(1) Pay attention to any idea that won’t leave you alone. (2) Give people what they really need, not necessarily what they say they need. (3) If you keep your brilliant ideas secret for fear they’ll be stolen, people will hide their brilliant ideas from you.

(4) Great things are made by people who share a passion, not by partners who have been talked into it.

CANCER

June 21 – July 22

Every one of us has at some time in the past created a monstrous thing--a terrible relationship, a big mistake in judgment, or a wrong move that damaged our credibility, integrity, or income. According to my reading of the astrological omens, it’s a perfect time for you to atone for your own personal monstrosity--to make amends, seek forgiveness, and fix what’s possible to correct. I also urge you to analyze the unconscious patterns that led you to act in such a distorted way. Any hard-won understandings you gain now will serve as beacons that’ll help prevent you from veering so far off course again.

LEO

Aug. 23 – Sept. 22

Have you heard of the Lorax, the fuzzy yellow hero of the Dr. Seuss story? When a greedy factory owner moves into his idyllic little paradise and begins despoiling the forest, the Lorax complains on its behalf, saying, “I speak for the trees, because the trees have no tongues.” Be like the Lorax, Virgo.

Stand up for those who are too meek or weak or inarticulate to defend their own interests. It’s the right thing to do, and besides, by doing so you will make connections that generate lucky breaks for you.

sounds from the scene

Sept. 23 – Oct.22

SCORPIO

Oct. 23 – Nov. 21

S AG I T TA R I U S

Nov. 22 – Dec. 21

CAPRICORN

Dec. 22 – Jan. 19

AQUA R I U S

Jan. 20 – Feb. 18

William Vollman is an author who travels the world in search of crazy experiences to write about. In the course of his adventures, he has lived with prostitutes in Cambodia, hung out with rebel insurgents in Afghanistan, and almost died on two occasions, once while stuck in the Arctic’s frozen wastes and once when caught in a crossfire in Bosnia. Despite having lived the equivalent of ten lifetimes, however, he’s not jaded. Reviewing his work in The New York Review of Books, Michael Wood says Vollman has “seen it all but he still hasn’t lost his innocence.”

Your assignment right now is to achieve a Vollman-esque state of open-minded freshness as you seek out adventures that are as feisty (though not as risky) as Vollman’s. It’s time for you to cultivate what Zen practitioners call beginner’s mind.

According to mythologist Michael Meade, real warriors are those who are experts at avoiding violence. They know how to prevent the escalation of conflict. They’re skilled at resolving problems before they explode. In fact, Meade says, war breaks out only when there are no authentic warriors involved in the situation. In this spirit, Scorpio, I exhort you to cultivate your skills as a warrior. You can be instrumental in dispersing the brewing tension well before it erupts into a brawl.

In 2005, a band called the Mountain Goats released the album The Sunset Tree. They dedicated it “to young men and women anywhere who live with people who abuse them.” In this spirit, I’m dedicating your horoscope to those of who promise to sever your connection to people who abuse you and to those of you who vow to never again tolerate a relationship with anyone who treats you with chronic disrespect. The next eight weeks will be prime time for you to ask for more good magic from all your intimate alliances.

Twice a year you enter a short-lived phase in your astrological cycle when tough challenges are the best gifts you can possibly receive.

This is one of those times. To honor this richly disconcerting moment, I offer you three gems from sages who understood how to get the most out of their trials. Psychologist C.G. Jung: “We need difficulties; they are necessary for our health.” French diplomat Jean Monnet: “If you have a problem you cannot solve, enlarge the context.” Albert Einstein: “We can’t solve problems by using the same kind of thinking we used when we created them.”

Your power animal is the queen bee, which lays up to 2,000 eggs a day in the spring. Like her, you are stupendously fertile.

In fact, you’re capable of so much creative expression that it could take months for you to ripen all the new life that you’re now spawning. Just because you have this potential, however, doesn’t guarantee that you will use it well or completely. There’s a first important step you can take to help ensure that you do: Treat yourself with the same care and reverence and optimism you would a woman who’s nine months pregnant.

July 23 – Aug. 22

Author and peace activist Anne Herbert coined the suggestion, “Practice random acts of kindness and senseless acts of beauty.” Recently I found myself driving behind a battered blue truck with a bumper sticker that had a variation on that advice: “Commit random acts of beautiful coolness.” Now, just in time for your Season of Ingenious Compassion, Leo, I have borrowed from them both to create an oracle that’s in perfect alignment with your astrological omens: Commit random acts of the coolest kindness and most intriguing beauty you can dream up.

VIRGO

LIBRA

PISCES

Feb. 19 – March 20

Sri Lankan-born overachiever Suresh Joachim has a fascinating hobby: He attempts outlandish feats that get him written up in the Guinness Book of World Records. Among his many successes, he’s the current champion in the category of marathon TV watching. Given your current astrological omens, Pisces, you could exceed his mark of 70 consecutive hours. You have the potential to achieve miraculous levels of laziness. It’s my duty to inform you, however, that this same tendency could be directed in more constructive directions, even if you’re less likely to be cited for them in the Guinness book. For example, your capacity for breakthrough meditation is at a peak. With a few hours of intense prayer and self-examination, you could dissolve complexes that have plagued you for many moons. You also possess the ability to achieve marvelous states of relaxed stillness that will fill you with expansive new understandings of the way life really works.

Homework: Homework: What name would you choose for yourself if you couldn’t have the one you do now? Write: http:// www.freewillastrology.com

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LIKES AND GRIPES LET IT OUT

CHRISTINA LEUNG Photo Editor LIKES 1. Banana Coconut Frapp u cc i n o: G o o d n e s s, i t is amazing. The smell of coconut is so refreshing. I definitely need one every day to keep me awake during those 9 a.m. classes.

2. The Brand-New Illini Media Building: I absolutely love it. The new location is awesome, and there’s a ton of space! And … there’s actually an elevator!!

How cool is that?

3. Candles: I don’t know if I really like candles or just the fact that I get to play with fire. Anyway, 99-cent scented candles are good stuff!

BRITTANY BINDRIM Art Director LIKES 1 . B r i a n Fr o u d’s Good Faeries/Bad Faeries: I never get sick of flipping through this book. His illustrations and paintings are so beautiful. It also reminds me of when I was little, since he created the set designs for The Labyrinth. Oh man, gotta love David Bowie in that tight spandex. I wonder whose idea that was?

2. Suicide Commando — Bind, Torture, Kill: I’ve had this disc on repeat for the past couple of weeks.

SC keeps its signature dark, noisy, EBM sound, but this record has an even stronger intensity than past albums. Really fun to dance to!

3. Radio Maria’s Mexican Coffee: I don’t have brunch there too often, which is good because I usually sleep through it on the weekends. But I nearly drink a whole pot when I do dine there.

buzz

TATYANA SAFRONOVA Community Editor GRIPES 1. Wearing a Bullet-Proof Vest: I had to wear one when I went on a ride-along with a police officer. Only one thought goes through your mind: If I didn’t need this, I wouldn’t be wearing it.

2. The Fact that Champaign Doesn’t Recycle (unless you’re in the dorms or live in a singleto four-plex residence.): I live in Champaign, and I recycle in my apartment. I’m still wondering what I’ll do with these bags of recycled papers and cans. Illegal dumping in Urbana? I’ll pretty much have to because I don’t have the resources to take my recyclables to the special drop-off area. “The City strongly supports recycling and encourages all citizens to take part in waste reduction,” the city writes on its Web site. It seems to care more about smoking than recycling.

3. Not Getting Enough Sleep: It’s all my fault.

I go online a lot, read the news, talk to friends, go out gallivanting, do lots of research, and soon I lose track of time and end up getting less than four hours of sleep. Then, in the morning, I want to kill my two alarms but realize I have to wake up, go through the day and repeat the treacherous process.

FOR FOUR GRAND? ONE PALM TREE, A COUPLE OF ROCKS, AND A SEWAGE OUTFLOW.

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We’ve moved to the new Illini Media building in the heart of campustown, now home to The Daily Illini, WPGU 107.1, Illio, Technograph and the Illini Apple Center.

Remember to get your weekly buzz!

the daily illini :: buzz :: wpgu-fm 107.1 :: illio :: technograph

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