Buzz Magazine: Sept. 11, 2003 by Buzz Magazine

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BUZZ, I’M A BEE | SEPTEMBER 11-17 2003

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Life in poverty (page 3)

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Visualizing the Blues (page 6)

PRIVATE PARTIES CALL TED 217 766-5108 MUSIC

Top Five Rainy Day Songs (page 11)

CALENDAR

Rainer Maria, Hey Mercedes & Umphrey’s McGee (page 12)

FILM & TV

Return of photo polls (page 18)

Arts | Entertainment | Community

Looking back, moving forward Absinthe Blind’s frontman says farewell

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YOU GOT A FUCKING DART IN YOUR NECK | SEPTEMBER 11-17 2003 buzz

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COMMUNIT Y

Q & A with co-owner of Aroma Cafe

ARTS

MUSIC

CALENDAR

FILM & TV

ODDS & END

Review of Langston Hughes’ Dreamkeeper Review of Alien Ant Farm: no longer smooth criminals Busy week for music Lead reviewer debuts Coulter: Cardinal woes

Volume 1, Number 26 COVER PHOTO | Paige Goldsworthy and Chris Strong

editor’snote

didn’t get Absinthe Blind. I had been living in Champaign for over a year, and thanks to OpeningBands.com I started going to local shows. Absinthe Blind’s name was constantly mentioned on OpeningBands, so over the summer of 2002 I picked up Absinthe Blind’s The Everyday Separation, their latest album at the time. I didn’t like it and didn’t get it. The music snob in me thought there were too many influences on the album and those influences overpowered any identity the band wanted for itself. I put Everyday Separation on the shelf and didn’t pay much attention to the release of Absinthe Blind’s Rings album despite the local and national praise it was getting. I met Absinthe Blind guitarist and lead singer Adam Fein before their welcome home show at Mike ‘N’ Molly’s on March 14, 2003. He was incredibly polite and agreed to an interview with me for buzz. I stuck around to listen to the band in the flesh for the first time. They were a lot better than I gave them credit for after my initial Everyday Separation review. But I was tired and started to leave before they finished. Then it hit me. Filling the tiny upstairs room at Mike ‘N’ Molly’s was one of the most impressive, melodic walls of sound I had ever heard. I didn’t know the name of the song at the time (I now know it was “She Saves/Now I’m Where I Need to Be”), but that sound was enough to make my feet stop and my jaw drop. I was hooked. The interview I had with Adam and his broth-

er and bandmate Seth has made me look at Champaign-Urbana in a completely different way. Hearing them discuss the passion they had for their music and the love they had for their local roots was infectious. I bought the truly spectacular Rings a few days later, saw a few more of their shows and I was officially hooked. I even gave Everyday Separation a better listen. By summertime I was going to as many shows as I could. I am not going to even claim to be the most die-hard Absinthe Blind fan in Champaign. They have a great local following and growing national fan base. Hell, I didn’t even live here until Absinthe Blind had been playing shows for a good four years. I am not going to claim that the cover story in this issue is a unique news event. Bands around the globe go through the same issues that Absinthe Blind is dealing with this week. Adam, the founder and leader of the band, has decided to have a smaller “at home” role instead of touring relentlessly around the country with the other members. Absinthe Blind isn’t breaking up, but this is a major shake-up for them. Bands break up. Bands change focus. Bands change their sound. Bands get immensely successful. These things happen every day. But for people who care passionately about those specific bands, there are few more important stories to tell than those major changes. It can be said without much hyperbole that Champaign-Urbana cares about Absinthe Blind. Adam’s farewell show Saturday at The Canopy Club features a spectacular bill made up completely of local bands that care about Absinthe Blind. The crowd will be filled with fans that would better be described as extended family. I’ll be in that crowd as well, making sure to savor Adam’s final performance. If you spot me near the front, I will undoubtedly be smiling from ear

BUZZ STAFF Editor-in-chief Tom Rybarczyk Art Director Meaghan Dee Copy Chief Erin Green Arts Katie Richardson Music Brian Mertz Entertainment Jason Cantone Calendar Marissa Monson Calendar Coordinators Lauren Smith, Cassie Conner, Erin Scottberg Photography Nathan Hoople, Julie Zielinski, Elliot Kolkovich, Adam Young Copy Editors Jessica Jacko, Elizabeth Zeman Designers Adam Obendorf, Carol Mudra, Jacob Dittmer, Jason Cantone Production Manager Theon Smith Editorial Adviser Elliot Kolkovich Sales Manager Lindsey Benton Marketing/Distribution Melissa Schleicher, Willis Welch Publisher Mary Cory All editorial questions or letters to the editor should be sent to buzz@readbuzz.com or 2449898 or buzz, 1001 S. Wright St., Champaign, Ill., 61820. 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.

to ear when Adam shouts out “Rock!” during “Shields” and going a little crazy at the ensuing jam. I will be fighting back and inevitably shedding some tears during the last songs as this chapter of Absinthe Blind comes to a close. I know I won’t be the only one on or off the stage doing the same. If you have never experienced Champaign’s music scene or even if you are a die-hard scenester, you owe it to yourself to be part of this farewell celebration. We at buzz wouldn’t be doing our jobs if we didn’t cover this major local event in some capacity. But to be perfectly honest, there are very personal reasons I pursued this story as much as I did. Adam, Seth and the rest of Absinthe Blind have instilled in me a true passion for this community. Before that first interview in March, I was always thinking about what I would do after I left Champaign. Now few days pass when I don’t feel some sadness about eventually leaving behind this great town and its even greater music scene. Absinthe Blind has made me proud to call Champaign home. Absinthe Blind has made me proud to be a part of a music scene so fine that I can hardly imagine few better. And in turn, I am immensely proud of everything that Absinthe Blind has accomplished. Most of all, the members of Absinthe Blind through their music and their own passion constantly remind me why music means so much to me. By now I consider them friends, and I will undoubtedly continue to be proud of what Absinthe Blind accomplishes in the future as they transition to a four-piece. I have endeavored to suppress these personal feelings and thoughts in the actual story on page nine. The members of Absinthe Blind, especially Adam, deserve an honest, journalistic telling of their story, and I tried to do just that. But they also deserve my heartfelt thanks. And that has been the point of this editor’s note. I guess you can say in under a year I have finally managed to get Absinthe Blind. I know I can say that my life is genuinely better for it.

–Brian Mertz Music Editor

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SEPTEMBER 11-17 | BASEBALL ROCKS.

AND ANOTHER THING...

DAVE’S DREAM DIARY | BY DAVE KING

Fall sports extravaganza BY MICHAEL COULTER | CONTRIBUTING WRITER

bitch quite a lot this time of year. That, in itself, isn’t any different than any other time of the year since I’m pretty much a bitcher, but at least the topics of my bitching are different. “Jesus Christ, all the students are clogging up the supermarkets;” “Man, it took me seven minutes to drive across town yesterday;” “It was cold last night so I wore a sweater today and now I’m sweating my ass off.” I’ve made all those moronic comments in the last week. I shouldn’t be such a tool because this is the best time of the year. Yesterday was the definition of a perfect day: a slight breeze, a warm sun and not a cloud in the sky. That’s not what made the day great though. It was the damned television, or specifically what was on it. You got football and baseball at the same time and this month or so of overlapping weeks makes my heart smile. I went to my friend Jackson’s house for the afternoon. It’s weird, but three people really do need four dozen shrimp, two bags of spicy beef jerky, some pork rinds, three or four rotisserie chickens, brats and assorted chips to really take advantage of the first big sports Sunday of the fall. It’s more than just the food that makes it special. We also had some Guinness, Busch Light, Miller Lite, and that wonderful new Jim Beam and cola stuff that’s already premixed. Normally, I could have given a crap about what was on television but there were a lot of factors working in the favor of the television for folks here in the Midwest. Our viewing day started with the St. Louis Rams. We didn’t really care about that game at all, except it was the first game of the year. No one starts a meal with a big slice of pie and no one starts an exercise program by running a marathon. It’s a long season and you have to ease into it. I couldn’t even really tell you who won because during the second half we found it more enjoyable to sit in the backyard and listen to a Richard Pryor tape. Of course during this first game we also opted to switch back and forth between the Cards, Cubs and White Sox games. I’m a Cardinal fan, so it’s a little distressing. It sucks when I have to admit that the Cubs look pretty good sometimes. It’s like laughing at a Carrot Top joke or believing Pauly Shore will win an Oscar, but I guess it could happen. I mean, who thought an inarticulate, moronic, movie star would be governor of California, except for Ronald Reagan. The Cubs won easily and my hypocritical ass had to sit on the couch with ketchup running down my chin saying “Wow, I

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think it might be the Cubs’ year.” I so hope that’s not true. As far as the Cardinals go, they’re more of a disappointment than Paul Westerberg’s solo career after The Replacements. They’ve blown more games than Ginger Lynn blew ... well, you get the idea. The worst part is I’ve been a loudmouth Cardinal fan my entire life and if the Cubs go to the World Series I have a feeling paybacks are going to be a bitch. I can already see the scientist in charge of that Doomsday clock moving it forward a couple of hours after watching Sportscenter. Actually, I hope it might be the Sox’s year. Sometimes after the games they let children come down and run the bases. If they make the World Series, they could let some of their drunken, inbred fans run onto the field and tackle their favorite base coach. It’s nice really, something for a father and son to do together. There’s still a bit of baseball left and a lot of things could happen, but it’s nice to check in, sort of like a frozen pizza in your oven when you’re drunk off your ass. You know it’ll still be awhile, but part of the beauty lies in checking it’s progress. Most of this led up to the Bears game. I could barely slap my ass with both hands by the time it came on—those Beam and colas really seem to pack a wallop. Jackson was already on his third big-assed cigar and Amy had changed clothes four times by this juncture. So the exhaustion and the Bears sound defeat made the end of the day about as climactic as a masturbation episode interrupted by your mother. But that’s not really the point. Summer is slowly fading away and the end of summer is often the best it has to offer. We’ve made it through another one. The heat and stupidity are almost over and there are just 15 baseball games before the postseason and 16 weeks of football before the playoffs. After that I got nothing to look forward to except the NBA and televised figure skating competitions. I’m already looking forward to spring training.

You got football and baseball at the same time and this month or so of overlapping weeks makes my heart smile.

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Michael Coulter is a videographer at Parkland College and a bartender at Two Main. He writes a weekly email column, “This Sporting Life” and has hosted several local comedy shows. He can be reached at coulter@readbuzz.com.

DirtyTalk

Lehman- Wanna get laid man? Ryan- You’ve got a four leaf clover, wanna get lucky?

Bill--Now that your arm is all better, maybe you could teach me a few wrestling moves.....NAKED

Lily- When you stole that bottle from the bar, you stole my heart with it.

Coleen--I've seen you working at the TIS bookstore. I want to give you my life but I would settle for an hour or two--Mike

Nick- If you’re gonna pick a fight with a girl, do it with me, I have a few whips and chains to make it more exciting.

jc, you are just the most gracious person on earth and i thank you for being you. i pray that i would be as gracious as you, too in everything. you are just terrific and i honor you.

Hanlon- You’ve got something I’d like to get my hands on.

Diane and Gary- Happy 40th Anniversary- Think of all the wonderful things that have come out of the marriage, like me -love Matt Sarah Jo- You’re not a hoe, but I am, let’s have some fun. Stevo- Our time on the beach was great, but I still haven’t found a way to get all the sand out -Adam Theon- Happy Birthday- take a day off, you deserve it. Adam- Good luck with the patch, if you want something else stuck on you, give me a call.

Hoopes- You make fatty ville not fat, but skinny and phat. Carol- You’re the feeture of the week. and it’s hot. Betsy- When you took that photo, you took my heart. Aneel- Ever since you moved away from the blue apartments, I’ve been blue without you. Kordash- I’d dash to come see you. Struppa- I wanna swoop ya off your feet. Gunji- You make negative space positive. Krissy- I like your haircut, wanna f*ck?

Shannon- I know you’re busy with Rush, but I’d like to see you, because you give me a rush.

To the girls at Daniel Tower- I got a tower for ya. :-)~

Getz- You make me wetz.

SWEET “DIRTY” TALKS ARE FREE. To submit your message go to www.readbuzz.com and click on the Sweet Talk link. Please make your message personal, fun, flirty and entertaining. Leave out last names and phone numbers because we (and probably you!) could get in big fat trouble for printing them. We reserve the right to edit your messages. Sorry, no announcements about events or organizations. (Enter those at cucalendar.com)

Lauren- I failed at my diet, can I eat something of yours. Kirchner- Sorry I went home with an old man, I knew you’d be better. Lily- When you stole that bottle from the bar, you stole my heart with it.

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TALK DIRTY TO ME | SEPTEMBER 11-17 2003

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FREE WILL ASTROLOGY | SEPTEMBER 11 - 18, 2003 ARIES (March 21-April 19): A study by psychologists at the University of Sussex in Great Britain has found that taking part in protests, demonstrations, or strikes is good for you. Interviews with activists revealed that participants experienced a deep sense of happiness and even euphoria in being involved in such events. By my astrological reckoning, this will be especially true for you Aries in the coming weeks. If you haven't already found a constructive channel for your rebellious mojo, start searching now. TAURUS (April 20-May 20): “Both Picasso and T.S. Eliot are credited with saying, 'Good artists borrow, great artists steal,'” notes music critic Peter Gorman. “Credit it to Picasso and it comes across as bravado, a declaration that great art comes from those who appropriate whatever they damn well please. Credit the quote to Eliot and it seems more like word play; to borrow is to imitate and give back, to steal is to make it one's own." Study these tricky assertions about the creative process, Taurus. They should incite provocative meditations as you negotiate a turning point in your relationship with your own fertility. GEMINI (May 21-June 20): Trains in China are divided into two different sections: soft seats and hard seats. "The soft seats are usually where you find the richer, stiffer, better-educated people," reports Charlotte Temple in "DoubleTake" magazine. "In the hard-seat section, it's like a little village. Everyone is eating watermelon seeds, playing games, leaning out windows to buy from the dumpling sellers." I bring this up, Gemini, because it's an apt metaphor for the choice you now face. As you travel on to the next phase of your life, the soft seats would provide the greatest comfort, but the most interesting and educational events would unfold in the hard seats. CANCER (June 21-July 22): You've heard of passive smoking, which occurs when the burning cigarette wastes of smokers snake into the lungs of innocent bystanders. Now scientists at the Beauty and Truth Lab have identified a phenomenon they call second-hand depression, wherein victims inadvertently absorb the misery and cynicism of people who are spewing out negative emotions. You Cancerians must be especially careful to protect yourself against that contamination in the coming week. You can't afford to be poisoned by the lazy blather of out-of-control naysayers. Why? Because you have an astrological mandate to nurture optimistic perceptions and articulate loving strategies that uplift everyone whose life you touch. LEO (July 23-Aug. 22): On an episode of the TV science fiction show "Stargate SG-1," friendly aliens called the Asgards come to Earth seeking help from the top-secret government agency with whom they've had a working relationship. It seems the superintelligent, highly evolved Asgards have reached a dead end in

their ability to fend off their mortal enemy, the Replicators. They hope their dumb allies, the humans, will be able to find some elementary solution that they themselves are too smart and complicated to think of. The idea works. One of Earth's top physicists, a simpleton by Asgard standards, dreams up a crude but effective plan. Let this be a teaching tale for you in the coming week, Leo. Trust innocent, uncluttered, amateur solutions.

more than a thousand other war criminals to justice. He recently retired. "My work is done," the tireless 94-year-old crusader said. "I found the mass murderers I was looking for. I survived all of them." I hereby appoint Wiesenthal to be your role model, Sagittarius. The astrological omens suggest that the coming months will be a perfect time for you to home in on a passionate, righteous commitment that will fuel you for years.

VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22): The largest meeting of world religious leaders in history was virtually unreported by the media. The top-secret event transpired in 2002, when leading representatives from every major faith gathered in Italy. They issued a "Decalogue for Peace," which denounced violence committed in the name of God and religion. It also declared, "We commit ourselves to those who suffer poverty and abandonment and who have no voice." The media deemed many other stories more important than this unprecedented breakthrough, like Mike Tyson getting his boxing license, John Walker Lindh making a court appearance, and the Enron hearings beginning. I bring this up, Virgo, because a comparable marvel is unfolding in your own life, and you haven't noticed it yet.

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19): The ozone hole is shrinking and will recover. Current human life expectancy, already at age 84, is steadily increasing. Since 1993, the violent crime rate in the U.S. has decreased by 50 percent. The number of America's black elected officials has sextupled since 1970. The planet is steadily becoming more free: 89 democratic countries control 89 percent of the world's GDP (Gross Domestic Product). Birthrates for teenagers are at the lowest levels in over 60 years. Charitable giving by individuals has increased 180 percent since 1960. Worldwide, the percentage of children enrolled in secondary education has more than doubled since 1970. In other words, Capricorn, life on earth is much better than everyone assumes. Inspired by my shocking evidence, compose a similar list of everything that's going really well for you.

LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 22): "You're only given a little spark of madness," says Robin Williams. "You mustn't lose it." His advice is especially apt for you now. To aid your efforts, here are tips on how to keep a healthy level of insanity, by librarian Bonnie Wolf. 1. When people ask you to do something, ask if they want fries with that. 2. Have your coworkers address you by your wrestling name, Rock Hard Kim. 3. As often as possible, skip rather than walk. 4. Finish all your sentences with "in accordance with the prophecy." 5. Ask people what sex they are. Laugh hysterically after they answer. 6. Page yourself over the intercom. Don't disguise your voice. 7. At lunchtime, sit in your parked car with sunglasses on and point a hair dryer at passing cars. See if they slow down. 8. In the memo field of all your checks, write "for sexual favors." 9.When the money comes out of the ATM, scream "I won! I won! Third time this week!" SCORPIO (Oct. 23-Nov. 21): Find a new name for the Divine Intelligence. The terms "God" and even "Goddess" have been so abused and overused that we've all become numb to them. And given the spiritual opportunities that will be opening up for you in the coming weeks, you can't afford to have an impaired sensitivity towards the Great Mystery. Here are a few ideas to whet your imagination: Blooming HaHa, Whirl-Zap-Gush, Sublime Cackler, Primal Jokester, Cosmic Wow, Eternal Crucible. SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21): For almost 60 years, Simon Wiesenthal tracked down Nazis responsible for the Holocaust. His most famous catch was Adolf Eichman, but he also brought

Living for the moment: Life in poverty BY SARAH JO BRENNER | STAFF WRITER

Essie Spencer, 40, said she knew it was time to make a change in her life when she couldn’t afford to buy her 7-year-old daughter pizza. “It was such a little thing,” Spencer said. “She was crying—my daughter wanted pizza and it broke my heart that I couldn’t give it to her.” Spencer, who lives in Champaign with her husband, David “Spence” Spencer, and 7-year-old twins, is self-employed—she cleans people’s houses three days a week. Her husband has always been the main breadwinner; until a little over a year ago, the family was fine. Then the bottom dropped out.

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18): In the coming week, Aquarius, you're in danger of seeing with your imagination rather than with your eyes; you'll be tempted to trust the power of your beliefs more than the evidence of your five senses. It is possible to avert that fate, however.To assist you, I'm happy to provide this curmudgeonly prod from journalist H.L. Mencken: "An idealist is one who, on noticing that a rose smells better than a cabbage, concludes that it will also make better soup."

What are your tricks for cultivating non-sappy happiness and emotional wealth that's free of sentimentality? www.freewillastrology.com

Rob Brezsny's Free Will ☎ Astrology beautyandtruth@freewillastrology.com 415.459.7209(v)• 415.457.3769 http://www.freewillastrology. com P.O. Box 798 San Anselmo, CA 94979

CROSSWORD PUZZLE (ANSWERS ON PAGE 12) ACROSS 1 Break producer 6 It means “island”

in Kazakh

10 Not at all cheerful 14 A criminal may

have one

15 Popular one-

named techno musician 16 First name in Hollywood dirtdishing 17 Polish populace, e.g. 18 Conventional 20 Identical to 22 Eyelet creator 23 More than request 25 Early breath freshener 26 Annual hiree, for some 28 Academic stretch 30 T. Rex, for one 32 Bee’s charge 36 Like a later draft, presumably 37 Casts away 40 Be organized, in a way

41 One who doesn’t

speak plain English? 43 Something to get in gear 46 Venue of indulgence 47 Have no doubt 50 “The Wild One” star 52 Safety signal 54 Attack suddenly 57 Cured fare 59 High-hatter 60 It may be capped, in Caen 61 Certain head of state 62 Harden 63 At first, in Frankfurt 64 Wine list subheading 65 Dropperfuls, say DOWN 1 Architect ___ Gilbert 2 Cantina cooker 3 Coral Gables is in it

Buff Hit maker? U.N. figure: Abbr. Noisy one in the morning 8 Have an edge against 9 Apollo, musically 10 Where some people wait to be shot 11 Takes the money and runs? 12 Yoke 13 Kind of jar 19 A cappella part song 21 It doesn’t hold water 24 Campout fare 26 Old cosmonauts’ insignia 27 10-Across atmosphere 29 Always at the Forum 31 Noted whaling port, once 33 Like a foxglove 34 P.D. figure 4 5 6 7

32 37 41

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21 23

46 50

54 58

Puzzle by Dana Motley

35 ___ noche

(tonight, in Tijuana) 38 Tons 39 Like many winter skaters 42 Read the riot act to

Peer of Dashiell Destitute person Wallop Composer Bernstein 49 Sin City array 51 “Got me!” 44 45 47 48

53 55 56 58

Sighed aside Middle earth? Verb with “vous” Application checkbox option

McWilliams said a third of American households have zero or negative assets. PAID is designed to help those people acquire needed assets along with teaching them financial education and how to save. The pilot program— which will officially end in October 2003— started out with about 70 people, 36 of whom have graduated. The new program, which has been slightly streamlined, began in March 2003. To enroll in the program, families must first complete 10 hours of financial education, and soon the program will also require electronic deposit to emphasize the importance of savings. Sarah Lee, a program manager at PAID, explained that the program lost some participants because of lost jobs and health issues but she said most left because they “just could not save money.” Lee said that is why a steady job is a requirement; the whole point is to learn to save money. Participants must be able to save $1,000 of their own to qualify for the $2,000 in matched funding from the program. ACQUIRING THE TOOLS To qualify for the program, Lee said the family must also have minor children and be Spencer said she found her answer in a living at or below 200 percent of poverty financial education program, from which she income level. A two-person family in 2003 has since graduated. Partnership Accounts for would not be able to Individual Development, make more than or PAID, is a not-for-prof$24,240 and be eligible, it corporation whose misshe said. The program sion is to “support indidoes not target the vidual development lowest income bracket accounts (IDAs) and to of the population, but provide tools and trainrather focuses on those ing to local community Essie Spencer families with the organizations for the proresources to help get motion of financial literathemselves out of debt through budgeting, cy education for low and moderate income financial education and a little bit of a finanfamilies.” cial boost. PAID is one of the few programs in The program requires 10 hours of general Champaign County which incorporates finanfinancial education coupled with six hours of cial education with monetary assistance, asset-specific education. Because the financial attempting to give participants the tools to get assistance comes in the form of an IDA, a themselves out of poverty—and stay out. matched savings account designed to facilitate The program is funded through a variety of asset acquisition, PAID requires that the sources, including unspent welfare funds money be spent on home purchase, home from the Department of Public Aid. Valerie improvement, car purchase, car repair, postMcWilliams, president of PAID and the directsecondary education or starting a small busiing attorney at the Champaign Land of ness. For the second round of the program, the Lincoln Legal Assistance Foundation, said the options of home improvement and car purprogram is designed “to build assets within chase have been eliminated. the low-income community.” Her husband quit his job. He didn’t have another one waiting for him. “We went three to four months without any income from him and it basically nose-dived us,” Spencer said. “Even before we had pretty much been living paycheck to paycheck.” The bills started to pile up. After paying child support for Spence’s son from a previous relationship, the monthly family income was only about $350 to $400. During the three to four months Spence was without a job there was nothing coming in. Even when her husband was able to find a job, he made about $10,000 less than before. The credit card bills were still there; there was a house payment and money for food. They tried to consolidate the credit card debt, but then the house payment went up $50. “That’s what really did it, it was just money we didn’t have,” Spencer said. “I knew we had to do something. I mean, we have two 7year-olds and we want to take care of them. I knew we had to stop living like that.”

PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20): Up till now there's been a certain value in you not having the stuff you've been aching for, but as of now its continued absence would begin to have a soul-shriveling effect. Therefore, on behalf of cosmic forces, I hereby authorize you to take all necessary steps, as long as they're ethical, to get the goodies.You may even resort to the desperate pleading that kids use on their parents to get a beloved treat at the grocery store, including: "I promise to be good," "I'll never ask for anything again," and "I NEED IT!!!!"

✍ HOMEWORK:

community

SEPTEMBER 11-17 2003

PHOTO | NATHAN HOOPLE

0911buzz0322

Essie Spencer stands outside her Champaign home Monday evening. Spencer and her family have been struggling to get back on their feet after recent financial troubles.

Instead of just bandaiding it and giving you the money, you have to work for it, earn it.

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“We look at poverty a little differently,” McWilliams said. “It’s not just a question of income, but how you’re spending the money that you have. How do you build wealth within your family so that you have more stability? How do you become a homeowner if you’re just barely getting by?” “Sometimes I think low-income people get into a mindset of, ‘I just need to get through today,’” McWilliams said. “Well, you can’t just

SERVICES OFFERED Services offered by Consumer Credit Counseling Service of Central Illinois Budget and debt counseling ■

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Q & A

MichaelWells

SEPTEMBER 11-17 2003

live for today and not think about the future. “We want to give people the vision that no matter how desperate their circumstances are financially, they can choose to make it worse or they can choose to make it better,” McWilliams said. “We’re going to give them education and tools to make it better, one step at a time.” To qualify for the funds, Spencer said she had to take financial education classes and learn to budget. Spencer recalled in one of the classes the group was shown the “envelope method” of budgeting, where they were supposed to put money into envelopes marked for things such as power, house and food. The group was given a lump sum and told to divide the money up in the best way possible. “I needed that,” Spencer said. “Just being told how to do it once, being shown how, and I was like, ‘Wow, I can do that.’ “Instead of just band-aiding it and giving you the money, you have to work for it, earn it,” Spencer said. She said this made the program more bearable for her. “I don’t like to take things,” Spencer said. “I like to be where I am because I did it, because I made decisions and got myself there.” Spencer said PAID helped her realize that credit card debt had been her destruction. She said that when her husband lost his job she was still able to pay most of the bills with her job and help from his family—but she said they never really recovered. “I didn’t have any savings,” Spencer said. “He ended up making $10,000 less when he got a job and in the end we had to do bankruptcy.” But Spencer says she has changed her approach to finances because of PAID. “I learned all the lessons to help me not get there again,” Spencer said. “I was naïve; it

ichael Wells has co-owned Aroma Cafe since it opened in April of this year with his wife Lissette. The Chicago-area native has lived in the Champaign-Urbana area for more than a year. Since moving to ChampaignUrbana, he has enjoyed the change of pace.

What is the best advice anyone has given you? Be yourself. Be genuine. If you could rid the world of one thing forever, what would it be? Crime.

PHOTO | ELLIOT KOLKOVICH

What is your favorite thing to do in the Champaign-Urbana area? Just hang out, go to local restaurants, go to downtown parks with my kids. What is your biggest regret? Not doing this sooner (Aroma Cafe), and waiting until I was so burned out on the corporate life. What is the one thing that always makes you smile? Somebody else’s smile

never dawned on me that I when I was using a credit card to buy something I was paying more for it because of the interest. I’d grown up thinking that if you wanted something, you borrowed or used your credit card to get it. All that got me was highly in debt; that’s a place I don’t want to see again.”

THE ROLE OF CREDIT But it is a place that many Americans do see. According to the Consumer Credit Counseling Service of Central Illinois (CCCS) Web site, in January of 1999 American credit card debt reached more than $565 billion. McWilliams said we live in a consumer culture, where people are trained from an early age that happiness comes from buying things. But, she added, there are people who are truly desperate and believe that using credit will buy them a little more time. These people are living in what McWilliams calls a “house of cards.” They are still meeting their minimum payments, but that’s all they’re doing—keeping the collectors at bay. But paying the minimum payment doesn’t eliminate the debt, and all those payments can add up. Kathy Leary, a certified credit counselor at CCCS, said a lot of the people who come into CCCS don’t know where the money is going. They don’t keep track of their expenses and they don’t realize what’s really going out each month. “You have to know what you’re spending and plan for it so that you’re in control of your expenses rather than letting your expenses control you,” Leary said. But all of that seems easier said than done for many people and the expenses can be overwhelming. Many people in debt believe that bankruptcy is the answer—believing it a fresh start—but it isn’t always the “quick fix”

What book are you reading right now? The History of Coffee. It’s a book about how coffee has shaped our culture, through trade and trends. If you were a superhero, what would your powers be? Something to do with flying. What did you do last night? Normally, I would be here listening to the live music that we have every Thursday night, but last night I was home taking care of a sick daughter. If you could live in another era of time, for fashion purposes only, when would you choose to live? The ‘50s were cool, but I would have to pick the ‘40s. You never had to guess whether or not it was a dress-up occasion; everyone was always wearing their snazzy suits and hats. You could dress up and really look sharp.

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A FRESH START THROUGH BANKRUPTCY?

DEADLINE: 2 p.m. Monday for the next Thursday’s edition.

Justin Davis, a consumer lender at First Federal Savings Bank of Champaign-Urbana, said the feasibility of bankruptcy really depends on what’s causing the individual’s financial problems. “Some people avoid (bankruptcy) like the plague, others see it as a good option,” Davis

DEBT COLLECTING LAWS Provisions of the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act It is assumed that after 8 a.m. and before 9 p.m., at the consumer’s location, is the safe harbor for collection calls.

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Should a consumer, or their attorney, notify a debt collector in writing that the consumer refuses to pay a debt or that the consumer wishes the collector to cease further communication, communication ceases—other than to notify the consumer of a specific action.

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■ Debt collectors are not allowed to use criminal means to harm the “physical person reputation, or property of any person.”

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Use of obscene or abusive language is prohibited.

Using the telephone to harass the person at the called number is prohibited.

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Debt collectors cannot use false, deceptive or misleading means in connection with the collection of any debt. This includes the implication at nonpayment of a debt will result in arrest, wage garnishment or sale of any property unless the action is lawful and is the actual intent of the collector.

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Source: Fair Debt Collection Practices Act

What are your top three favorite movies? It’s a Wonderful Life is my favorite, the other two are constantly changing. If you could live within one TV sitcom, which would you choose? Seinfeld. Life would never be boring. If you could relive one event from your life, exactly the way it happened, what would it be? The first couple years of college. I had a group of really great friends, and it was quite an experience.

SEPT 11-17, 2003 | YOU STILL KEEP HOLDING ON TO THAT BARBIE DOLL IT COULD BE WORTH SOMETHING SELL IT HERE.

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Drive-thru Reviews

ONCE UPON A TIME IN MEXICO: SPRING BREAK GONE HORRIBLY WRONG | SEPTEMBER 11-17 2003

AMERICAN WEDDING ★★

JASON BIGGS AND EUGENE LEVY Herz may follow a simple formula in American Wedding, but he also adds that extra spice of story weaving that leaves an audience feeling like they saw a movie instead of a regurgitation of Hollywood sludge. American Wedding may limp along, but it does indeed support its own laughs making it worthwhile for some stupid humor. (Alan Bannister) Now showing at Beverly and Savoy

BAD BOYS 2 ★★★

MARTIN LAWRENCE AND WILL SMITH With all of the negative aspects of the movie, how can it be worth three stars? Simply because it delivers nothing more than what it promises. Action fans will certainly not be disappointed. Lawrence and Smith fans will also be delighted by the performances the two superstars give in this film. Bad Boys 2 is high on adrenaline and low and brain cells, so check any intelligence at the door and strap in, and hold on tight for this one. (Aaron Leach) Now showing at Beverly and Savoy

CAMP ★★ DANIEL LETTERLE AND ROBIN DE JESUS Camp does manage to pull a few funny moments out of its hat. The film is full of inside theater jokes that many theater fans will be quite pleased with. There is even a cameo by legendary musical songwriter Stephen Sondheim. The drawback is that only die-hard musical and theater fans will really enjoy this film. With better musicals out there and better films that have a more sophisticated take on teen issues, this Camp is certainly nothing to write home about. (Aaron Leach) Now showing at Boardman’s Art Theatre

DICKIE ROBERTS: FORMER CHILD STAR ★ DAVID SPADE AND JON LOVITZ During his stint as a cast member on Saturday Night Live and even in his supporting role on the television show Just Shoot Me, David Spade demonstrated glimpses of comedic spontaneity and charm. In his latest film Dickie Roberts: Former Child Star, Spade is portrayed as childhood star who fades into obscurity. Although the underlying concept of the theme sounds promising and intriguing, Spade is ultimately the wrong comedian to successfully fill this role. (Daniel Nosek) Now showing at Beverly and Savoy

FINDING NEMO ★★★★

VOICES OF ALBERT BROOKS AND ELLEN DEGENERES Pixar can do no wrong.The film company has never had a failure, either commercially or critically. This newest edition to the Pixar family tells the tale of a fish lost.It’s a father and son tale in the big blue sea and currently getting controversy from tropical fish sellers across the nation for its depiction of inhumane fish sellers.One of the year’s best films. Finding Nemo is now set to also become the year’s most successful film.(Jason Cantone) Now showing at Beverly and Savoy

FREAKY FRIDAY ★★★ JAMIE LEE CURTIS AND LINDSAY LOHAN Freaky Friday’s family-friendly plot still includes a mother and daughter unsympathetic to one another’s problems because each is convinced her own life is more difficult than the other’s. After a mysterious fortune cookie grants a fateful spell on the pair, Anna, the daughter, and Tess, the mom, wake up in each other’s bodies. And, of course they freak out, as the title implies. (Janelle Greenwood) Now showing at Beverly and Savoy

FREDDY VS. JASON ★★ ROBERT ENGLUND AND MONICA KEENA After all is said and done, Freddy vs. Jason is certainly not the best in either series, but fans of the two super-killers will not be disappointed. While the setup might be long, the payoff

has been two decades in the making and is well worth the wait. Bad acting aside, this film still does a lot of things right. Yu makes sure the film is completely aware of itself and uses all the usual horror conventions against the audience for either a laugh or a quick scare. (Aaron Leach) Now showing at Beverly and Savoy

THE ITALIAN JOB ★★

MARK WAHLBERG AND EDWARD NORTON The Italian Job is a thrilling caper film that uses endearing wit to win over the audience, leaving the confusing plots of more successful films behind. A Mini Cooper chase provides action and excitement, and fun tactics will keep viewers planted in their seats and not make them think too hard to be entertained. (Andrew Crewell) Now showing at Beverly and Savoy

JEEPERS CREEPERS 2 ★ RAY WISE AND JONATHAN BRECK When a horror film opens with a haunting message that something will come and eat you, despite all attempts to save one’s self, the immediate gut reaction takes the viewer to a terrifying place where boogie monsters are born. Unfortunately, the answers or motivations of the monster are never fully realized in this film. (Janelle Greenwood) Now showing at Beverly and Savoy

LE DIVORCE ★★ NAOMI WATTS AND KATE HUDSON The latest exercise in European femininity by the team of producer Ismail Merchant and writer/director James Ivory (The Remains of the Day) didn’t have to be a meandering tale of vulnerability and alienation. With its polished, proper setting and pointed costume design, the story of two American sisters in Paris could have been a tender truffle about the ties that bind. But this bloated French confection is dry on the outside and then hollow on the inside. (Matt Pais) Now showing at Savoy

THE MEDALLION ★ JACKIE CHAN AND CLAIRE FORLANI Horrible chemistry between Forlani and Chan doom this below average action flick. Loyal Chan fans will be disappointed as will any newcomers. (Arthur Mitchell) Now showing at Beverly and Savoy

OPEN RANGE ★★ KEVIN COSTNER AND ROBERT DUVALL Open Range mixes slow-paced historical nostalgia with slower-paced Little House on the Prairie references, pitting free range herders against the static, prejudiced ranchers. At times, the film plays a little like Gangs of the Old West and anyone who’s even heard of classic Westerns like Shane or The Searchers can pretty much stay two steps ahead of Open Range at all times. (Matt Pais) Now showing at Beverly and Savoy

THE ORDER

no stars HEATH LEDGER AND MARK ADDY There are far more than 10 things to hate about The Order, a thrill-less thriller that tries desperately to manufacture scares out of barking dogs, flying bats and supernatural specialeffects. Hate the frozen facial expressions, the ludicrous love story and awkward editing. (Matt Pais) Now showing at Beverly and Savoy

PIRATES OF THE CARIBBEAN: THE CURSE OF THE BLACK PEARL ★★★ JOHNNY DEPP AND GEOFFREY RUSH All eyes are on Depp in his scene-stealing turn as Capt. Jack Sparrow in Pirates of the Carribean. The characters are not all that developed and sometimes the action scenes are a bit long, but overall the film comes together as a good action flick. (Janelle Greenwood) Now showing at Beverly and Savoy

SEABISCUIT ★★★★ TOBEY MAGUIRE, JEFF BRIDGES AND CHRIS COOPER The Seabiscuit phenomenon was one of the most captivating in United States history and this film does it justice. Laura Hillenbrand reported that Seabiscuit took up more newspaper space than any other story in 1938, including Hitler and the spawning world war. The immensity of the story is rivaled only by the production of the movie, and Seabiscuit is the first sure-fire Oscar nominee of the year. (Andrew Crewell) Now showing at Beverly and Savoy

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SECRET LIVES OF DENTISTS ★★★ HOPE DAVIS AND CAMPBELL SCOTT David's life is a feverish dream. His delusions of office assistant Robin Tunney sulking up and down his stairs singing "Fever" while running around to quell each of his daughter's childish dilemmas furthers the frantic situation. Just like sitting in a dentist’s chair, this film isn't supposed to be comfortable. But with a powerful maturity not often seen in modern movies, Secret Lives helps to explain one of marriage's many mysteries — why people stray and why people stay. (Jason Cantone) Now showing at Savoy

SPY KIDS 3-D: GAME OVER ★ ANTONIO BANDERAS AND SYLVESTER STALLONE The pacing is ridiculous since time no longer matters in the game world, and far too many things go unexplained. This movie falls well short of making the audience care one bit about the characters in this Matrix-knock-off environment. The only thing this movie does well is remind viewers that cheap 3-D will never work and to be thankful the original Spy Kids is available on DVD. (Aaron Leach) Now showing at Beverly and Savoy

S.W.A.T. ★★

SAMUEL L. JACKSON AND COLIN FARRELL Although S.W.A.T. can boast a few merits, its many flaws make sure that S.W.A.T. won’t get the pulse racing. Still, it holds its own among some of the other mediocre films being released this summer. With Jackson and Farrell doing their best to keep S.W.A.T. entertaining, the film does end-up producing a few intriguing amounts here and there, between the flaws. (Aaron Leach) Now showing at Beverly and Savoy.

WINGED MIGRATION ★★ NARRATED BY JACQUES PERRIN Successful documentaries either are meant to inform or to draw viewers into a new situation so they can better understand it. Winged Migration fails to do either. With little more than the name of each species and how many miles they fly during migration, Winged Migration proves to be less informative than 20 minutes of watching Animal Planet. (Jason Cantone) Re-released at Beverly

OPENING THIS WEEKEND AMERICAN SPLENDOR

PAUL GIAMATTI AND HARVEY PECKAR An original mix of fiction and reality illuminates the life of comic book hero everyman Harvey Pekar. This film is being hailed as one of this year’s best and effectively mixes comics and live action, which The Dangerous Lives of Altar Boys recently did poorly. (Jason Cantone) Opening at Boardman’s Art Theatre

CABIN FEVER

JORDAN LADD AND RIDER STRONG A group of people are trapped in the woods and methodically killed off by a horrifying flesh-eating virus. However, this film is supposedly better than the usual slasher fest and has been endorsed by Peter Jackson. (Jason Cantone) Opening at Beverly and Savoy

THE HARD WORD

GUY PEARCE AND RACHEL GRIFFITHS Three fraternal bank robbers languishing in jail discover a profitable (if not dodgy) way to spend their time, according to http://www.imdb.com. This film has been slowly moving through art houses across the country and is now in good old Champaign-Urbana. (Jason Cantone) Opening at Beverly

MAKE MONEY! REVIEW MOVIES, TV SHOWS, BOOKS OR PLAYS! Come to the meeting at the University YMCA (on Wright Street) at: 3 p.m. Friday or 3 p.m. Sunday. E-mail cantone@uiuc.edu if you are unable to attend.

BACK PAIN RELIEF FREE EXAM & X-RAY (IF NEEDED) NEW PATIENTS ONLY Without Drugs or Surgery! Back pain hits Americans by the thousands every day compromising health and sapping vitality. The good news...chiropractic health care DOES bring relief and results. It’s a proven fact.

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said. He added some people don’t really think bankruptcy through. They forget they’re facing 10 years of bad credit down the line, higher interest rates and added barriers to later loans. This does not mean that bankruptcy is never the answer though—a person’s credit could be so bad that filing for bankruptcy is really their only option. But, filing for bankruptcy is not a quick fix. Budgeting and financial education still play a big part in the success one enjoys after wiping the slate clean. Spencer, who filed for bankruptcy last year, agreed it was the credit card debt that broke her. “It got to where they were taking $700 a month,” Spencer said. “They were leaving me $25 a month to buy food for four people—I don’t think so.” In the end, Spencer said it was either the credit cards or house. “I wasn’t going to lose my house; I’m keeping a roof over my kids’ heads and the heat on,” she added. Things are a little different for the Spencers now. Spence Spencer’s 14-year-old son is living with them and they’re trying to gain custody of him. They no longer have to pay child support, but they do to take care of him. The Spencers are a family of five now; things are still difficult—but Spencer said it is getting better. She said with the knowledge from the PAID program, she’s ready to try again. “I have changed,” Spencer said. “I don’t have credit cards anymore. They scare me. Even now, I’m afraid to have one—afraid that I might get myself back into that situation, that I might be addicted. So for now I think it’s just better to not have one.” buzz

2002 ■ Program includes nine local community organizations

Participants required to make monthly deposit of at least $20 to a savings account at Busey Bank or Canaan Credit Union.

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Deposits continue for no less than six months, and no more than 22 months.

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■ Assets include home purchase, home improvement, car purchase, car repair, post-secondary education, or starting a small business.

2003

ONCE UPON A TIME IN MEXICO

JOHNNY DEPP AND ANTONIO BANDERAS After a Tony nomination and millions of dollars for acting as a sidekick to pre-teens and cool technology, Antonio Banderas needs this movie more than anything to prove he can do movies other than the Spy Kids trilogy. Johnny Depp adds further intrigue to this film by Robert Rodriguez, who became famous with El Mariachi but has earned most of his money because of the Spy Kids trilogy. (Jason Cantone) Opening at Beverly and Savoy

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Program includes four local community organizations.

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■ As before, each partner hosts small groups of five to 14 participants who attend monthly literacy education sessions

Plan to add 85 more families over the next two years

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■ Assets include purchasing house, opening a small business and post-secondary education.

Source: www.prairienet.org/paid and PAID program manager Sarah Lee

Drop us a line. buzz@readbuzz.com

CHANGES IN THE PAID PROGRAM

MATCHSTICK MEN

NICOLAS CAGE AND SAM ROCKWELL No, this isn’t a film about pyromaniacs or arsonists invading a town. Instead, matchstick men are con artists and here the cons go between friends and family members. When Cage’s character finds out he has a daughter, they meet and she wants to join in on the con. (Jason Cantone) Opening at Beverly and Savoy

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SEPTEMBER 11-17 2003

ON SALE THIS SATURDAY AT 11AM!

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I GOT THE BLUES, KRAFT MACARONI ’N CHEESE.| SEPTEMBER 11-17, 2003

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Visualizing the blues

PHOTO COURTESY OF KRANNERT ART MUSEUM

“Musician with Sunglasses”

hollers,” sung while working under the sun became the backbone for blues music; this mood mirrored the continued oppression that occurred throughout the Civil War and into the segregation of the 20th century. Since the evolution of the Blues spans over a great period of time, there is such a wide range of artwork that one is bound to find pieces that pique one’s interest. The photographs in the first section fall under the theme of “Civil War and Civil Rights.” Here, a slave is given unexpected identity. In “Catherine Hunt, Black Slave Woman, Holding Her Mistress’ Baby, Julia Hunt,” one can see the unflagging trust between the whites and blacks. In this, there is a glimmer of a different reality, suggests curator Michael Conner, in which slavery functions as a system of people taking care of each other. Catherine’s mistress so trusted her slave that Catherine became the executor of her mistress’ will after “Boy on Car” her death. Other stereotypes emerge when, in a different picture, black Confederate fighters, poised for war against the visual experience of this spirituality comprises Union, refuse to give up their own slaves with- the last section. This lively part of the exhibit follows the preout a fight. Another powerful piece is “To the Memory vious, more formal ones, and the energy is of Emmett Till,” which shows a landscape encapsulated in Ralston Crawford’s “New devoid of any human presence. It serves as a Orleans.” At first glance, this picture appears to reminder of where a young black man from the be merely a group of people dancing. However, North was murdered in 1955 after making an the mob makes up the “second line” of a funeroff-hand remark about having a white lover. al procession. In New Orleans tradition, a funeral begins This sort of brutality is ominously expressed in “Klanswoman,” which depicts a serenely com- with a horse-drawn cart that houses the body, posed female eye peering through the hole of a followed closely by the family in a formal procession of cars and a band that plays jaunty KKK hood. In the second section, “Country, Home, and music to celebrate the life of the deceased. Downtown,” photographs express the poverty Juxtaposed with the somber display of the proand the immediacy of the land in Southerners’ cession is complete chaos in the form of friends lives. One picture shows a dress used as a cur- and younger relatives dancing to the jubilant tain; another photo captures the endlessness of music. Yet this is also the place where tempers cotton fields, a reminder of where “field flare and violence occurs, particularly if the hollers” originated. In “Color TV in Bayou,” deceased’s life came to a brutal end. In all of the pieces, it is interesting to note wherein a color TV floats upon grimy water, it appears that nature has been invaded by where black and white people are standing in relation to one another. The older the photodomestic life, or perhaps vice versa. More well-known snapshots are captured in graphs, the farther apart the two races appear. the third section, “Southerners,” with Mardi As one travels through the exhibit, however, the Gras and gambling pictures, as well as an all- importance of race seems to fade, and in its too-familiar image of a man passed out on the place are examples of people taking pleasure countertop of a diner, called “Too Much from life. For as much darkness and mystery the South Saturday Night.” Much like in today’s society, the good time of a Saturday night needs to be seems to hold for Northerners, life appears to be quelled by worship on Sunday. The liveliness of remarkably simple in the photographs of peocolorful experiences, set against the solemnity ple celebrating. Even convicts are dancing in the of the austere KKK images, creates a county jail. As one museum-goer pointed out, sizeable disparity in Southerners’ lives which, continued on page 8 according to Conner, is filled by religion. The

CAMP ★★

COMEDY CENTRAL TELEVISION

hen one thinks of the South, one might think of mugginess, a certain kind of warm grunginess and everything moving in slow motion. “Visualizing the Blues,” Krannert Art Museum’s salute to the South and the era that has characterized it, is on display until Nov. 2.

The exhibit has a lot to offer the art-savvy and also a great deal for those less likely to go to an art show. Alive with photographs from the past, the walls of the museum echo the music from the Blues era in art form. The beginning of the Blues era is hard to pinpoint, though it seems that the blues, or melancholia, of blacks started when their familiar African coast disappeared from view on their way to America. The sad ballads, or “field

moviereview

BY AARON LEACH | STAFF WRITER

RENO 911 | BEN GARANT

televisionreview

PHOTO COURTESY OF KRANNERT ART MUSEUM

BY NIK GALLICCHIO | CONTRIBUTING WRITER

RENO 911! ★★★

BY ARTHUR MITCHELL| STAFF WRITER

film&tv

SEPTEMBER 11-17 2003 LIFETIME VS. SPIKE TV: WHO WOULD WIN IN A FIST FIGHT?

omedy Central once again premieres a “fresh” new series that attempts to teeter on the edge of insanity. Its new show Reno 911! is a parody on the well-known program Cops and is set up in the same way: Introduce where the crime fighting takes place (Reno, Nev.), who is on the squad and what they go through on a daily basis. Co-stars Kerri Kenney and Ben Garrant both starred in the short-lived Comedy Central series Viva Variety. Although their faces may be familiar, the characters they play are tremendously different. Rounding up the rest of the cast are a group of rag-tag individuals who attempt to capture different stereotypes reminiscent of Police Academy. Wendy McLendonCovey portrays Deputy Clementine Johnson, considered a “whore” by Kenney’s character who has a outward fondness for the black officer on the force, played by Cedric Yarbrough. Most of the show’s antics are caused because of the officers’ inability to get a handle on the situation they are in. In one scene, two officers respond to a “disturbance by a street performer” call about a mime. While one of the officers becomes distracted by the mime’s show, the other officer becomes not only frustrated with the officer not helping out but also of the mime’s non-compliance. That officer then beats the mime out of anger and irritation. For the most part, the show’s scenes will make you chuckle with their visual humor. However, some of its stereotypes might be taken a little too far. Garrant’s character plays the officer in command, who happens to be gay. Not many people seem aware of this, which could be an accurate depiction when compared to real life. However, in just one episode Dangle attempts to hit on fellow officer Jones and wildly makes out with a man he pulls over for speeding. The same weak stereotypes and characters will not be able to hold itself week after week for an extended period of time. If you liked the movie Super Troopers, then you might find this show funny for the first few episodes. After that, you should just look for something better.

ecently, cinema fans have rekindled their love affair with the musical, a genre that lay dormant for decades. Critical and box-office successes such as Chicago and Moulin Rouge helped to fan those flames and spark an interest with younger generations. Unfortunately, Camp is such a halfhearted little film that it has the potential to stomp out all those sparks and put the musical back to bed for another 20 years. By making Camp his directorial debut, actor/writer/director Todd Graff seems to have been in a little over his head. Camp takes viewers to Camp Ovation. Based on a real summer camp in New York, the camp aims to mold aspiring young actors and singers into Broadway material. But the only thing Camp Ovation seems to be successful at is creating devious and violent hostility among performers who rival for parts while further confusing already sexually confounded teens. The paper-thin plot revolves around the three cookie-cutter cliches who serve as the lead characters. Michael (Robin de Jesus) is a homosexual boy whose differences cause his life more pain than he can stand. His parents have forsaken him, and he was beaten up in high school for attending prom in drag. Ellen (Joanna Chilcoat)

televisionreview

1-800-MISSING ★

BY JENNIFER KEAST | STAFF WRITER

he title of the new Lifetime series, 1-800MISSING, sounds like it could be a new take on America’s Most Wanted—a showcase of actual missing people with details of their lives and the times and settings of the disappearances. Grabbing viewers’ attention with shots of a missing girl being gagged, tied up and carted off to who knows where only furthers that misconception. Even the filming style mocks the reenactments of America’s Most Wanted. But then viewers witness a young woman get struck by lightening (and survive) and are snapped into the reality of how silly the show is going to be. 1-800-MISSING, which is based on the novel 1-800-Where R U by Meg Cabot, the author of The Princess Diaries, begins when main character Jess Mastriani (Caterina Scorsone) is struck by lightning one night and awakens the next day with the ability to dream accurate clues about the whereabouts of missing people after seeing their photographs. After phoning many “anonymous” tips to the FBI hot line, Jess is visited by Agent Brooke Haslett (ER’s Gloria Reuben) and arrested. Haslett’s overpowering and strange male boss (as most males on the Lifetime network tend to

is the camper who may not be the prettiest girl but has a lot of talent and a heart of gold. Then there’s Vlad (Daniel Letterle), who seems to be the only straight male in the whole camp and happens to look like a Backstreet Boy. This, of course, gets him attention from both the guys and the girls. Most of these newcomers, especially de Jesus, do their best with the little they are given to work with, with the exception of Letterle. After watching him deliver only a handful of lines, it is clear that a few summers in a real acting camp would have done him some good. One subplot featuring the camp’s bitchy blonde bombshell getting what she deserves only muck up the already shaky waters this film is floating on. The stereotypes that suffocate the story are simply atrocious. When Vlad first appears, he quickly unpacks his football and basketball in order to boldly declare his heterosexuality. Apparently gay thespians aren’t allowed to like sports. Aside from Vlad, there isn’t a single masculine male in the camp. The irresponsible aspect of all this is the film’s negligence in squashing any of these stereotypes. When a groundbreaking film like But I’m a Cheerleader does marvels for bringing teenage sexual identity crises into the mainstream, it is painful to watch how immaturely a film can handle such subject matter. Camp does for sexual liberation what Bringing Down the House did for race relations, setting everything back a few years. But this is a musical, so the highlights should be the musical numbers. Even in this department the film never rises above mediocre, and none of the pieces top the film’s opening song. All the performances are looped, which means

CAMP | DANIEL LETTERLE

be) decides Jess will not be released unless she works as a special consultant to the FBI. And out into the world (for another long 45 minutes) the two women go—solving mysteries, bickering and becoming friends. What started out as a potentially interesting plotline quickly (or shall I say very, very slowly) evolves into a long, stretched-out mystery case. The plot is written and divided into so many different blocks and chunks it makes one’s head spin, yet the time does not go by quickly. As one plotline begins to pick up the pace, it is halted and viewers are plunged into a boring dialogue involving a different mystery missing person. According to www.albertawatson.com (Alberta Watson plays Jess’ mother on the show), “Kelly Goode, Lifetime’s head of programming, says the pilot ‘is not just about solving compelling cases, it’s also about the emotion surrounding a loved one who has disappeared or has been the victim of a crime.’” However, the show just focuses on the accomplishments of two strong-headed, full-of-themselves women. Haslett’s attitude suggests she wants to find these people not for the good of the missing but for the good of herself and her reputation. What happened to the “emotion(s) surrounding” the missing person? These are not the kind of women that females everywhere should look up to and aspire to be like. No, these are the type of women who teach females everywhere to tone it down a little. They can have pride in themselves, yes, but have it with a little bit of class and with the good of others in mind as well.

1-800-MISSING | GLORIA REUBEN

IFC FILMS

9/10/03

that the video and audio were recorded separately. Moulin Rouge and Chicago both recorded most of their musical numbers live, which helped to capture the fire and intensity of the performances. This lack of passion makes Camp look more like a music video than a musical. Camp does manage to pull a few funny moments out of its hat. The film is full of inside theater jokes that many theater fans will be quite pleased with. There is even a cameo by legendary musical songwriter Stephen Sondheim. The drawback is that only die-hard musical and theater fans will really enjoy this film. With better musicals out there and better films that have a more sophisticated take on teen issues, this Camp is certainly nothing to write home about.

Attitude aside, or maybe especially because of the attitude she is able to portray, Reuben is the show’s acting highlight as Haslett. Scorsone as Jess is the show’s softy, instilling in us little wisdoms (“You have to believe things before you can see them.”) She is so soft and sweet that she is hard to take seriously. 1-800-MISSING tries to create a mysterious atmosphere. It attempts (very unsuccessfully) to emulate the unique exciting feel of The X-Files with strange kidnappings and hostage situations. Sure, the opening scene of the pilot catches your attention; it leaves you wondering what is going to happen next. But as the show drags on, one can’t help but wonder instead when the show is going to be over.

LIFETIME TELEVISION

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moviereview

THE ORDER no stars BY MATT PAIS | LEAD REVIEWER

eligion is a difficult subject to embrace effectively on film, and these days it seems even harder to handle without offending anyone. And just as the battle heats up between Mel Gibson and Jewish organizations over his depiction of the Jews as Christ’s killers in his upcoming The Passion, 20th Century Fox has released The Order, a spiritual stinker of a thriller just asking to get the Catholic Church riled up. Filled with pseudo-spooky haunted house effects and some of the most gag-inducing dialogue of the year, The Order makes a day in Hell look preferable to a day in Rome. From dingy underground lairs to demons in the form of the pale-faced, dark-haired children that now pass as standard Hollywood scare tactics, it’s awfully dangerous to be a Christian in writer/director/producer Brian Helgeland’s outlandish vision of international impiety. As scruffy young priest Alex Bernier (Heath

moviereview

DICKIE ROBERTS ★

BY DANIEL NOSEK | STAFF WRITER

uring his stint as a cast member on Saturday Night Live and even in his supporting role on the television show Just Shoot Me, David Spade demonstrated glimpses of comedic spontaneity and charm. Of course, he did have such famous legends as Chris Farley, Phil Hartman and Mike Myers at his side to elevate his mediocrity. To have Spade in a leading role has proven time and time again to be a grave mistake. Seriously lacking in talent and charisma as an actor, Spade is best suited to play the role of the foolish sidekick, not a primary character. His antics on the screen are neither creative nor humorous. In his latest film Dickie Roberts: Former Child Star, Spade is portrayed as childhood star who fades into obscurity. Although the underlying concept of the theme sounds promising and intriguing, Spade is ultimately the wrong comedian to successfully fill this role. The director should have considered a Jim Carrey type who acts on sheer unpredictability. Dickie Roberts is the story of desperate, aging and pathetic 35-year-old man who wishes to reclaim the fame he enjoyed as a child TV sitcom star. Until age six, Dickie, with his lovable

DAVID SPADE NEEDS TO STOP SQUIRTING HIS HOSE IN PUBLIC. | SEPTEMBER 11-17 2003

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arts

SEPTEMBER 11-17 2003 | WHAT’S YOUR FAVORITE SOUND EFFECT?

ARTIST’S CORNER Ledger) investigates the death of his surrogate father, he discovers the reemergence of the sin eater, an ancient spirit who inhabits a man and offers “forgiveness for the unforgivable.” Alex then dives into the dark Italian netherworld, frequenting ominous dance clubs and abandoned cemeteries in his quest to uncover the mysteries of the Carolingian order. After all, this priest is far from wholesome; Alex drinks alcohol repeatedly with the tattooed Father Thomas Garrett (Mark Addy) and drools over a bland love interest (Shannyn Sossamon) who once tried to kill him during an exorcism. In fact, by the end of The Order, the men of the cloth have been converted into full-blown action heroes, solving mysteries and hitting people over the head with bricks—it’s no wonder Alex hasn’t been given his own congregation yet (“The church doesn’t know what to do with me,” he complains. Responds Popewannabe Father Driscoll (Peter Weller): “The church doesn’t know what to do with itself.”) He also is not the world’s most dedicated hero, engaging in extended conversations about love and manhood that needlessly distract him from his path to righteousness. The film’s middle section, in which Alex befriends the sin eater, is as unnecessary as it is preposterous; as the two men analyze the difference between a man and a priest, The Order’s assault on all things sacred reaches its abhorrent peak when the sin eater tells Alex, “I shave, I f—k, I s—t; does that make me a man?” Alex is eventually forced to choose between his heart and his personality and angelic looks, entertained fans of the show The Glimmer Gang. By the time he reached adolescence, Dickie faded from the television world. As the fictional E! True Hollywood program reveals, Dickie is now parking cars at a fancy restaurant in Los Angeles and participating in the celebrity boxing matches designated for the most hopeless of actors. Occasionally, Dickie will play poker with fellow former child sensations Danny Bonaduce of The Partridge Family and Gary Coleman of Diff’rent Strokes. Meanwhile, Dickie’s self-indulgent girlfriend, Cyndi (Alyssa Milano), realizes his worthlessness and dumps him for a rising star in showbiz. To revitalize his lackluster career, Sidney, Dickie’s loyal agent, manages to secure an appointment with Rob Reiner for a possible appearance in his upcoming film. When Reiner criticizes Dickie for his inability to relate to a character who has led a normal childhood, Dickie concocts a ridiculous scheme to regain the lost years he missed. He searches for a family that will adopt him for a few months and finally convinces the Finneys to welcome him into their home. The family embraces his predicament and takes surprisingly well to him. The mom pampers him as if he were her own child. Similarly, the kids grow to appreciate him as a babysitter, friend and older brother. At this point in the film, the plot offers nothing new to maintain interest. Its bland progression dashes any hope of a recovery at the end. As expected, Dickie Roberts is trapped in a boring formula that prevents it from being even mildly enjoyable. If not for Spade’s smug persona that becomes irritating after the first few minutes, the plot may have survived his dismal performance.

uk Ja Kang-Engles is a 3rd year graduate student in the MFA painting program at The University of Illinois. She recently performed the piece she highlights on the afternoon of Quad Day, and received a variety of reactions. Digital video is Suk Ja’s primary medium of late, but she has dealt with others extensively such as paints, drawing, and performances using her body. She has also had her paintings displayed in galleries in Athens, Ga., and has an opening soon in Los Angeles. Suk Ja is currently curator of an exhibition for UIUC’s I-Space in Chicago, which will open in October with works by artists such as Kojo Griffin and Adrian Piper.

church, and the unsatisfying resolution to the film’s love story is not nearly as shocking or heartfelt as it wants to be. Overseas, the movie is being called The Sin Eater, a more gripping but barely more fitting title for this wandering wreck of a thriller. Aside from its relentless attack on the Catholic Church, The Order chugs along slowly without much momentum or central focus. Even after the credits roll, it still isn’t clear if this drivel is about ancient rituals, religious brotherhood, or the way that demonic forces can really ruin a relationship. Every element of the barely comprehensible plot peels away like string cheese, and the preachy, pretentious script yields nothing but stiff performances from Ledger, Sossamon and Addy. The film is a reunion for the cast of A Knight’s Tale (also written and directed by Helgeland), but the medieval spunk is gone, replaced by the miserable gloom of sets that rely on darkness, rather than actual suspense, to provide its menacing mood. A black, pious wardrobe smothers Ledger’s easygoing charm, and the Australian actor—whose accent makes him a strange choice to play an Italian-born, New York-raised priest—seems like a rumpled shadow of his appealingly good-hearted bad boy in 10 Things I Hate About You. There are far more than 10 things to hate about The Order, a thrill-less thriller that tries desperately to manufacture scares out of barking dogs, flying bats and supernatural specialeffects. Hate the frozen facial expressions, the

What inspires you? Injustice and flippant judgments by the more equal regarding the less equal. Problems that don’t go away when we ignore them. Class lines, gender lines, racial lines, and lines of all kinds. What themes are in your work? Injustice. I try to look at what people have taken for granted, despite the pain they may feel when I point that out to them. I’m not looking for a pained reaction, but it’s usually the only reaction of any significance that I receive. I struggle with the institutionalization of art as a thing of beauty on some imaginary plane free from political discourse. That discourse may be the only useful consequence of art; without it you’ve got an expensive decoration for a museum or a mantle.

THE ORDER| BENNO FURMANN AND HEATH LEDGER ludicrous love story and awkward editing. Hate the meditations on life, death and suicide, and hate the confusing action sequences that elicit lines like “Just demon spawn in the form of children; nothing I can’t handle.” But most of all, hate Helgeland—who continues to make his cowriting credit on L.A. Confidential look like a fluke—for producing such an unredeemable, sinful loser that really stinks something holy.

C-UViews Seabiscuit ★★★★

DICKIE ROBERTS | DAVID SPADE The lone high point occurs during the sequence at the poker table. All of the recognizable child stars toss cruel jokes to defend their own miserable careers. The animosity at the table sparks some laughter, but even this scene could not compensate for the lack of humor in the rest of the film. The true winner of this monstrosity is probably Gary Coleman, whose cameo may garner some support for his California gubernatorial campaign. Until David Spade breaks from his conventional traits, his films will be nothing more than targets for relentless criticism.

SCREEN REVIEW GUIDE

★★★★ ★★★ ★★ ★ no stars

Flawless Good Mediocre Bad Unwatchable

very powerful with false objectivity and economic pyramid schemes. The woman on the pedestal (myself) is whitewashed and stands atop a moral platform of racial mythology. The scene is enlarged and paralleled next door with the Alma Mater’s open arms “to thy happy children of the future.” I look at what is now the school’s logo and wonder if “those of the past send greetings” to the unhappy children of others. It’s an example of invisible genealogical favoritism that is more commonly called racism. I don’t mean to insinuate that the school is inherently tied to racism because of its landmark/logo, but we have to think critically about the symbols that are given to us by our institutions. Where can you find the best conversation in town? In my studio. Sadly, the best conversations are often held behind closed doors.

Why did you choose the piece you are featuring? This piece’s setting lies in the real world (in front of the Alma Mater statue) rather than the art world (a gallery or some other venue), and it speaks in real world language. In a nutshell, it’s about cultural whiteness that threatens to enslave all but the

- Linda Dumich Champaign

“Great movie that was based on a true story. The three main actors were very good.”

Open Range ★★★★ - Sherry Hofing Champaign

“It was just all around a really great film– Entertaining.”

★★★ - Tyrone Brown Bloomington

“It was a good old fashioned film and reminded me a lot of old fashioned westerns.”

PHOTO | JULIE ZIELINSKI

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20TH CENTURY FOX FILMS

9/10/03

PARAMOUNT PICTURES

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Suk Ja Kang-Engles’ performance piece which reads: “I can do well in a challenging situation without being called a credit to my race.”

classicbookreview The Dream Keeper and Other Poems ★★★★

by Langston Hughes

BY ZACH HENSEL | CONTRIBUTING WRITER

o one can fully understand America in the 20th century without being exposed to the work of Langston Hughes. While he explicitly works to explain the black experience in his poetry, an incredible analogy can be drawn between his writing and the type of bitter struggle experienced by many groups in American history. Hughes’ poems affect anyone who has ever tried to change his or her small part of the world, however narrow the target might be. Although the problems addressed by Hughes and his contemporaries have eased or shifted in the last 40 years, his message is easily as powerful today as when it was written. With the average American’s growing preference for cooperation over conflict, one might say that his message is more important now than ever. The Dream Keeper and Other Poems, a collection of Langston Hughes’ poetry, traces the path of dreams from their first recognition to their sometimes tragic conclusion. The work is arranged thematically and is best experienced when the entire book is tackled at once, or by reading an entire section at a time. The opening section, “The Dream Keeper,” features lyrical, often pastoral poems that build up dreams. Hughes visualizes dreams in their ideal state, untouched by failed attempts to realize them. He writes, “Out of the dust of dreams / Fairies weave their garments,” holding dreams above mythical perfection. Hughes continues with “Sea Charm,” a selection of works where dreams are thrust into the open, prone to the mechanisms of fate. The main parallel at hand here is that between the sea and struggle. Hughes also delves into the homesickness accompanied by a quest to seek out one’s dreams. A stanza in the poem “Sailor” reads, “He had a mermaid on his arm, / An anchor on his breast, / And tattooed on his back he had / A blue bird in a nest.” He insists that people must turn their backs to comfort to attain change. He also writes of the destitute—beggars and hags who continue on despite the blow fate has dealt them. The most intriguing poems in the volume lie in its middle section, “Dressed Up.” Here, Hughes embraces the language and rhythm of the black struggle. All of the poems here flow beautifully and beg to be sung. Several of them actually take on the form of a traditional blues lyric. For anyone familiar with the blues, it is impossible to read these poems without forming a melody to accompany them, if not flat-out singing them aloud. Hughes uses the blues in the same way that one would seek refuge from troubles. The blues exist as an outlet for his frustration—a place where everything can be thrown on the table, laughed about and picked up again. Next comes a brief section where Hughes again appeals to fate. “Feet O’ Jesus” emphasizes the necessary reliance on fate in a struggle. “Walkers with the Dawn” concludes the book. Although one might expect the book to conclude with the realization of dreams, Hughes insists that this is not always a realistic expectation. Instead, Hughes works here to celebrate the ongoing struggle to realize these dreams. He honors the strides that have been made and the attitude that has accompanied the quest to get this far. He finds pride in everything about his people, from their culture to their accomplishments in the face of oppression. As an introduction to Langston Hughes, The Dream Keeper and Other Poems is perfect. Beautiful, appropriate drawings by Helen Sewell accompany many of the poems, and the two forms work well together. Each poem stands on its own, yet as a collection, the poems ascend to greater significance. Langston Hughes’ eloquence and experience give him an insight into a struggle that few others can attest to, and he communicates this perfectly.

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arts

YOU KNOW WHAT BIG FEET MEANS RIGHT?...YEAH...BIG SCULPTURES!! | SEPTEMBER 11-17, 2003

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Blues

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ART EXHIBITS & GALLERIES

PHOTO | ZACH HENSEL

feeturedartoftheweek

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Everyone talks about the “feet sculptures,” but nobody seems to know where they are or what they look like. They are located in front of the Krannert Art Museum, 500 E. Peabody Drive, slightly hidden under a bush and just waiting for someone to sit down and read, do homework or just ponder life’s idiosyncrasies.

this week Fr Sep 5 Billy Branch and the Sons of the Blues 6pm, Krannert Art Museum 500 E Peabody, Champaign free

krannert center

Bruce Hornsby 7:30pm, $30-$45 Sponsors:

Sa Sep 13 Opening Celebration: Big Bang Theory 5:30pm, free

Barbara Cook: Mostly Sondheim 7:30pm, $23-$37 Sponsors: Mary and Ken Andersen Carol and Carl Belber Anonymous

Fr Sep 12 Ian Hobson, piano 7:30pm, $2-$5

Tu Sep 16

WPGU-FM 107.1 the Planet Afterglow: Big Bang Theory 9:30pm, free Sponsor:

“You don’t have to be rich to enjoy life”—a sentiment mirrored in “Wedding, New Orleans,” in which a couple celebrates the night. Portable tape players are available to enhance the experience of the exhibit. One can listen to the blues poetry of John Sinclair with complementing music in the background. Conner believes that listening to what blues artists have to say delves deeper into the truth of the era: “If you listen to blues lyrics, you can see that blues is not about racism, it’s about love and how economic status affects your love life. The mix of races turns into a one-on-one relationship. At some point, it stops being about black and white, and it just becomes me and you.” The simplicity of Southern living is captured in a photograph of a man sitting on a front porch, looking forward, watching the world pass his house, waiting. This photo, entitled “Front-Porch Etiquette,” was seemingly taken in a flash of photographic spontaneity. Such moments appear to be more common than one may think and though one may enter the exhibit with preconceived notions of a solely brutal South, one must remember that these calmer instances were also a part of that era. Hopefully, one will exit with a more complete idea of Southern living and the environment that contributed to the development of blues music. buzz

Boneyard Pottery – Ceramic Art by Michael Schwegmann and more. 403 Water St, Champaign. 355-5610. Tue-Sat 11am-5pm. Broken Oak Gallery – Local and National artists. Original art including photography, watercolors, pottery, oil paintings, colored pencil, wood turning, and more. Refreshments served by the garden all day Saturday. 1865 N 1225 E Rd, White Heath. 762-4907. Thurs-Sat 10am-4pm. Cinema Gallery – Fine art and crafts by 36 Central Illinois artists including faculty from EIU, Parkland, and UofI. New work on display by Bill Baker, Ron Kovatch, Chuck Mercer, Dwain Naragon, Jefferey Nichols, Peggy Shaw, Joan Stoltz, Billie Jean Theide and Victor Wang. 120 W Main, Urbana. 367-3711. Tue-Sat 10am-4pm. Sun 1-5pm. Cafe Kopi – Art work from local artists on display. 109 N. Walnut, Champaign. 359-4266. Mon-Thur 7am-11pm, FriSat 7am-12pm, Sun 11am-8pm. Creation Art Studios – Hosts a continuous and evolving display of works by students and associates of the studio. Landscapes, florals, animal life, and expressive art in various mediums by Jeannine Bestoso is also currently on display. For information contact Jeannine Bestoso. 1102 E Washington St., Urbana. 344-6955. Tue-Sat 1-5:30pm; and scheduled studio sessions. www.creationartstudios.com Country in the City – Antiques, Architectural, Gardening, Home Accessories. Custom designing available. 1104 E Washington St., Urbana. 367-2367. Thur-Sat 10am-5pm. Framer's Market -- Frame Designers Since 1981. Current featured artists: Charlotte Brady - Botanical Watercolors, Barry Brehm - Landscape Photography, Larry Hamlin - Aquatint Etchings, Patrick Harness - Vibrant Oils and Pastels, Hua Nian - Abstract Watercolors & Pastels, David Smith Original Acrylic Landscapes, Cindy Smith - Stone & Wood Sculpture, Bill Stevens - Humorous Recycled Metal Sculptures, Steve Stoerger - Steel & Glass Sculpture, Bonnie Switzer - Abstract Acrylic Paintings. 807 W Springfield Ave., Champaign. 351-7020. Tue-Fri 9:30am-5:30pm, Sat 10am4pm. Furniture Lounge – Local artist Dean Schwenk along with many other local and fine artwork / pottery. Also specializing in mid-century modern furniture from the 1920s 1980s, retro, Danish modern, lighting, vintage stereo equipment and vinyl records. 9 E University, Champaign. 3525150. Sun-Mon 12-4:30pm, Wed-Sat 11am-5:30pm. Gallery Virtu Cooperative – Original fine art and crafts from member artists including jewelry, pottery, paintings, collages, hats, handbags and other textiles, sculptures and journals. The Gallery also offers workshops, a new schedule of classes is on the website. 220 W Washington St., Monticello. 762-7790. Thurs 12-4pm, Fri 12-8pm, Sat 10am6pm. www.galleryvirtu.org Glass FX – New and Antique Stained Glass Windows, Lamps, and unique glass gifts. Gallery is free and open to the public. Interested in learning the art of Stained Glass? Beginning, Intermediate, and Advanced Stained Glass Classes offered. 202 S First St, Champaign. Mon-Thur 10am5:30pm, Fri, 10am-5pm, Sat, 9am-4pm. 359-0048. www.glassfx.com. Griggs Street Potters – Handmade functional and decorative pottery. 305 W Grigg St, Urbana. 344-8546. Mon-Fri: 11am-4pm, or call for apointment. The High Cross Studio Gallery – Works by Sandra Ahtens on display. Artist studio space available. 1101 N High Cross Road, Urbana. Tue 7-9pm, Thurs 3-5pm, Fri 3-5pm and by chance or appointment. spiritofsandra@hotmail.com Hill Street Gallery Inc. – Oil and Watercolor Paintings, Hand Painted T-Shirts, Handmade Jewelry. 703 W Hill, Champaign. 359-0675. Sat 12-5pm or by appointment during the week.

Some Krannert Center programs are supported in part by the National Endowment for the Arts, the Illinois Arts Council, and patron and corporate contributions.

Season Sponsors Coporate Season Underwriters

Patron Season Sponsors

CAROLE AND JERRY RINGER

KrannertCenter.com 217/333-6280 or 800/KCPATIX 217/333-9714 (TTY) 217/244-SHOW (Fax) 217/244-0549 (Groups) kran-tix@uiuc.edu Ticket Office Open 10am to 6pm daily; on days of performances open 10am through intermission.

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SEPTEMBER 11-17 2003 | WANT TO GET YOUR EVENT LISTED ON OUR CALENDAR? Send your listings to calendar@readbuzz.com

International Galleries – Works from local artists. Lincoln Square Mall. 328-2254. Mon-Fri 10am-8pm, Sat 10am-6pm, Sun 12-5pm. Larry Kanfer Gallery -- University of Illinois images by photographic artist, Larry Kanfer. Unique diploma frames and other UI gifts. Sepia Champaign-Urbana Collection also on display. Available now: 2004 Prairiescapes and University of Illinois calendars. 2503 S Neil, Champaign. 398-2000. Free and Open to the Public. Mon-Sat 10am-5:30pm. www.kanfer.com

LaPayne Photography – Specializes in panoramic photography up to 6 feet long of different subjects including sporting events, city skylines, national parks and University of Illinois scenes. Las Vegas Strip photo show coming soon. 816 Dennison Dr., Champaign. 356-8994. Mon-Fri 9am4pm and by appointment. Old Vic Art Gallery – Fine and Original Art. 11 E University, Champaign. 355-8338. Mon-Thur 11am-5:30pm, Sat 11am4:30pm. Springer Cultural Center – cultural, recreational, and educational programs for all ages as well as workshops, lectures, exhibits, and performances. Offers classes in dance, music, theater, visual arts, health/wellness and for preschool children. 301 N Randolph Street, Champaign. 398-2376. MonThur 8am-9pm, Fri 8am-5:30pm, Sat 9am-5pm, Sun 12pm5pm. www.champaignparkdistrict.com Steeple Gallery – Works from Gary Ingersoll, including many Allerton Part photos on display. Also showing vintage botanical and bird prints, antiques, framed limited edition prints. 102 E Lafayette St. Monticello. 762-2924. Mon-Fri 9am-5pm, Sat 10am-4pm. www.steeplegallery.com Verdant News and Coffee & Verde Gallery – Magazines, newspapers, coffee, beverages and fine pastries along with the Verde Fine Art Gallery. 17 E Taylor St., Champaign. 3663204. Cafe hours: Mon-Sat 7am-10 pm; Gallery Hours: TuesSat. 10am-10pm. www.verdant-systems.com/Verde.htm UIUC Japan House -- Public Tours: Every Thursday, 1-4pm, Third Sat of each month, 1-5pm or by appointment. 2000 S Lincoln Ave., Urbana. 244-9934. email japanhouse@uiuc.edu. Ziemer Gallery – Original paintings and limited edition prints by Larry Ziemer. Pottery, weavings, wood turning and glass works by other artists. Gallery visitors are welcome to sit, relax, listen to the music and just enjoy being surrounded by art. 210 W Washington, Monticello. Tue 10am-8pm, Wed-Fri 10am-5pm, Sat 10am-4pm. www.ziemergallery.com

ART EXHIBITS-ON VIEW NOW "Retrospective" – Paintings by Derek Hambly on display at Verde Gallery. "Such free-flowing experimentation invariably works, because Hambly has an unerring sense of color and form. Now, finally, he seems like a man whose creative odyssey has merged with a spiritual quest." His work as described by Kevin Lynch, writer for The Capital Times. 17 E Taylor St., Champaign. Gallery hours: 10am-10pm; Cafe hours: 7am-10pm. 366-3202. www.verdantsystems.com/Verde.htm 'Separate and Unequal: Segregation and Three Generations of Black Response, 1870-1950.' - This exhibit highlights the Plessy v. Ferguson Supreme Court decision of 1896, which legally sanctioned racial segregation in the United States until 1954 when the Supreme Court overturned Plessy in the landmark Brown v. Board of Education case. Materials from the Library's collections and archives highlight the historical period between these two landmark civil rights cases. Sponsored by the Office of the Chancellor, the Brown v. Board of Education Commemorative Committee and the University of Illinois Library. On view at the University of Illinois Main Library, first floor hallway, during library hours. 1408 W Gregory Drive, Urbana. Hours vary. 217-333-2290 http://www.oc.uiuc.edu/brown American Folk Art from the Herbert Fried Collection – A recent donation of 19th and early 20th century American folk art has strengthened the museum’s holdings.The vivid forms and vernacular appeal of folk art are highlighted through selections from this important collection. On view at Krannert Art Museum through Sept. 21. 500 E Peabody, Urbana. Tue, Thur-Sat 9am-5pm, Wed 9am-8pm, Sun. 25pm. 333-1860. Suggested Donation: $3 Group Photography Show – Landscape photography from local photographers Lisa Billman, Jennifer Gentry and Lissa Raybon on display at The Middle Room Gallery through Sept. 30. Opening reception on Sept. 13 with spirits provided by the Corkscrew Wine Emporium and food provided by Strawberry Fields. 218 W Main St, Urbana. http://www.gallery.ucimc.org/

ART EXHIBITS-OPENINGS "Full Circle" – Gallery Virtue presents a solo exhibition of black and white photography by Anna Barnes. The photographs will be on display throughout September with a reception for the artist on Saturday, Sept. 13 from 7-10 pm Refreshments will be served and the artist will be available to discuss her work. 220 W Washington, Monticello. Thurs 12-4pm, Fri 10am-8pm, Sat 10am-6pm. 762-7790. www.galleryvirtu.org. "Remnants of Ritual: Selections from the Gelbard Collection of African Art" – The magnificent African art collection of David and Clifford Gelbard focuses on the cultural significance and aesthetic beauty of masks and sculptures—many of which were created for ceremonial and ritual purposes. This exhibition includes a wide array of objects and celebrates the durable, expressive essence of festivals, rites, and coming-of-age ceremonies. On display at the Krannert Art Museum through Oct. 26. A moderated discussion with scholars and collectors of African art wil take place at 5:30pm on Sept. 10. 500 E Peabody, Urbana. Tue, Thur-Sat. 9am-5pm, Wed. 9am-8pm, Sun. 2-5pm. 3331860. Suggested Donation: $3 "Visualizing the Blues: Images of the American South, 1862-1999" – Every picture tells a story and this exhibition of more than 100 photographs of the Mississippi Delta region portrays a profoundly vivid narrative of life in the American South. These photographs, taken from the Civil War era through 1999, show the rhythms of life from this almost mythic region and powerfully document the sources of inspiration for the lyrics and melodies of Blues musicians. Among the photographers represented are Margaret Bourke-White, Alfred Eisenstaedt, Walker Evans, Dorothea Lange, Gordon Parks, Andres Serrano, and many others. On display at Krannert Art Museum Sept. 5-Nov. 2. 500 E Peabody, Urbana. Tue, Thur.-Sat. 9am-5pm, Wed. 9am - 8pm, Sun. 2-5pm. 333-1860. Suggested Donation: $3 Featured Works XIII: "The Spirit of Mediterranean Pathos: The Early Work of Pierre Daura" – Pierre Daura (18961976) was a member of significant modern art movements in the early 20th century.This exhibition highlights a recent gift of works by Daura and explores the forms and colors of his paintings and drawings from about 1910 to the late 1930s. On display at Krannert Art Museum through Nov 2. 500 E Peabody, Urbana. Tue, Thur.-Sat. 9am-5pm, Wed. 9am - 8pm, Sun. 2-5pm. 333-1860. Suggested Donation: $3

THEATRE LISTINGS Elysium on the Prairie, Live Action Roleplaying – Vampires stalk the city streets and struggle for dominance in a world of gothic horror. Create your own character and mingle with dozens of players who portray their own undead alter egos. Each session is another chapter in an ongoing story of triumph, tragedy and betrayal. Friday, “Vampire: The Masquerade” For more information visit: http://ww2.uiuc.edu/ro/elysium/intro.html. Check site for location, 7pm. The Actors Rural Theatre Company will be performing The Complete Works of William Shakespeare {Abridged} Sept. 11-12, 7:30pm performance and Sept. 7 2:30 matinee. The comedy covers all of Shakespeare's tragedies, comedies and even the sonnets in a breathtaking 97 minutes (give or take a second) by three actors. Romeo and Juliet is condensed into a Cliff Notes edition, Othello is given a more modern approach and Hamlet is performed in 15 minutes, then 5 minutes, then 2 seconds and then one version that has to be seen to be believed. The play will be performed at the Fine Arts Center in Tuscola located on 211 E Overton St. For ticket information call (217) 253-6699. Ticket prices $511. Parkland Theatre announces open auditions for Story Theatre. Auditions will take place Sunday, Sept. 21 from 24pm or Monday, Sept. 22 from 6-8pm at Parkland College Theatre. Rehearsals will begin shortly after casting. Performances are Nov. 5-16. Developed by Paul Sills (a cofounder of Chicago’s Second City), Story Theatre is a sequence of 10 inventive, fun-filled stories from the Grimm Brother’s Collection and Aesop’s Fables brought to life by an ensemble troupe using improvisational techniques. The 10 scenes in Story Theatre are: The Little Peasant, The Bremen Town Musicians, Is He Fat?, The Robber Bridegroom, Henny Penny, The Master Thief, Venus and the Cat, The Fisherman and His Wife, Two Crows, and The Golden Goose. Street Theater Festival – a series of nine street theatre shows and food, games, stockades and prizes – Downtown Urbana, 9am-11pm ArtCo to hold auditions for “The Crucible” – seeking actors for fall production of “The Crucible” Open auditions are scheduled for Sept. 14, 1-5pm and Sept. 15, 6-8pm. Roles available for 10 males ages 15-70 and 10-17 females ages 11-65 and one African-American woman aged 20-50.

MIND BODY SPIRIT Loose Womyn Discussion Group – (discussion topics are loose, the women need not be) 7pm Thursday, Sept. 18 we'll discuss the book The Dance of the Dissident Daughter by Sue Monk Kidd. Borders Bookstore, 802 Town Center Blvd., Champaign (217) 351-9011. Sunday Zen Meditation Meeting – Prairie Zen Center, 515 S. Prospect, Champaign, NW corner Prospect & Green, enter thru door from parking area. Introduction to Zen Sitting, 10am; Full Schedule: Service at 9 followed by sitting, Dharma Talk at 11 followed be tea until about 12 noon. Can arrive at any of above times, open to all, no experience needed, no cost. For info call 355-8835 or www.prairiezen.org Prairie Sangha for Mindfullness Meditation – Monday evenings from 7:30-9pm and monthly retreats on Sunday. Theravadan (Vipassana) and Tibetan (Vjrayana & Dzogchen) meditation practice. Meets in Urbana. More information call or email Tom at 356-7413 or shayir@soltec.net. www.prairiesangha.org Clear Sky Zen Group – Meets on Thursday evenings in the Geneva Room of the McKinley Foundation. Newcomers to meditation and people of all traditions and faiths are welcome – McKinley Foundation, 809 S Fifth St., 6:25-9pm Formerly-Fat Persons’ Support Group – Free social meeting every Saturday at 2pm at Aroma Cafe, 118 N Neil St., C For more information contact Jessica Watson at 353-4934.

WORKSHOPS

Walking In This World Group – The new sequel to the Artist's Way with 12 new weeks of strategies and techniques for expressing our creative spirit.Wednesdays, Sept. 17-Dec. 17 (no session Nov. 26) from 7:30-9:00pm at McKinley Foundation (free parking).To register or for more information, contact Jo Pauly, MSW, Whole Life Coach at (217) 337-7823 or jopauly@prairienet.org. Artist’s Way Group – A 12-week adventure in recovering and celebrating our creative spirit. Wednesdays, Sept. 17Dec. 17 (no session Nov. 26) from 5:45-7:15pm at McKinley Foundation (free parking). To register or for more information, contact Jo Pauly, MSW, Whole Life Coach at (217) 3377823 or jopauly@prairienet.org. Introduction to Medical Coding and Billing – Sept. 4-25 – Learn the basic CPT coding guidelines and how to identify correct code using the CPT code book. Recognize the different types of service and places of service that affect medical billing. Understand the billing cycle from the patient encounter to payment of the bill, including identifying the required information on a billing form to assure proper claim processing. Classes will meet Thursdays, from 6-9pm at the Parkland Business Development Center, 206A W Anthony Drive, in Champaign. The course fee is $160. Call (217) 351-2235 Finding Your Writer’s Voice – Sept. 11, Introductory workshop is an encouraging, creative environment for new and experienced – Allen Hall, 1005 W Gregory, Urbana, 7pm Living Well With Fibromyalgia – Sept. 27, Educational seminar for individuals with Fibromyalgia and health professionals who work with it – The Forum at Carle, Urbana, 9am-4pm, $30 individual/$40 couple Cover-to-Cover Book Discussion Club – Sept. 11, Discussing portrait in Sepia by Isabel Allende – Champaign Public Library, 2-3pm

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WANT TO GET YOUR EVENT LISTED ON OUR CALENDAR? Send your listings to calendar@readbuzz.com | SEPTEMBER 11-17 2003

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Mali bu Bay L

Professional Female Exotic Dancers Monday – Saturday 4 pm–1am

Consistently the Best

(Contestants must register by 6:30pm) Looking for the BEST Female Exotic Dancers in the area to participate in the Weekly Malibu Dance Contest. Customer Appreciation Night

Door Prizes • $1.50 Draft Beer • $1.50 Well Drinks Rt. 45, North of Urbana (1mile north of I-74) 217/328-7415 ATM

120 S. Race, Urbana 337.7678 Joe’s Brewery 706 S. Fifth, Champaign 384.1790 Kam’s 618 E. Daniel, Champaign 328.1605 Krannert Art Museum 500 E. Peabody, Champaign 333.1861 Krannert Center for Performing Arts 500 S. Goodwin, Urbana Tickets: 333.6280, 800/KCPATIX La Casa Cultural Latina 1203 W. Nevada, Urbana 333.4950 Lava 1906 W. Bradley, Champaign 352.8714 Legends Bar & Grill 522 E. Green, Champaign 355.7674 Les’s Lounge 403 N. Coler, Urbana 328.4000 Lincoln Castle 209 S. Broadway, Urbana 344.7720 Malibu Bay Lounge North Rt. 45, Urbana 328.7415 Mike & Molly’s 105 N. Market, Champaign 355.1236 Mulligan’s 604 N. Cunningham, Urbana 367.5888 Murphy’s 604 E. Green, Champaign 352.7275 Neil Street Pub 1505 N. Neil, Champaign 359.1601 Boardman’s Art Theater 126 W. Church, Champaign 351.0068 The Office 214 W. Main, Urbana 344.7608 Parkland College 2400 W. Bradley, Champaign 351.2528 Phoenix 215 S, Neil, Champaign 355.7866 Pia’s of Rantoul Rt. 136 E., Rantoul 893.8244 Pink House Rts. 49 & 150, Ogden 582.9997 The Rainbow Coffeehouse 1203 W. Green, Urbana 766.9500 Red Herring/Channing-Murray Foundation 1209 W. Oregon, Urbana 344.1176 Rose Bowl Tavern 106 N. Race, Urbana 367.7031 Springer Cultural Center 301 N. Randolph, Champaign 355.1406 Spurlock Museum 600 S. Gregory, Urbana 333.2360 Strawberry Fields Café 306 W. Springfield, Urbana 328.1655 Ten Thousand Villages 105 N. Walnut, Champaign 352.8938 TK Wendl’s 1901 S. Highcross Rd., Urbana 255.5328 Tonic 619 S. Wright, Champaign 356.6768 Two Main 2 Main, Champaign 359.3148 University YMCA 1001 S. Wright, Champaign 344.0721 Verde/Verdant 17 E. Taylor St., Champaign 366.3204 Virginia Theatre 203 W. Park Ave., Champaign 356.9053 White Horse Inn 112 1/2 E. Green, Champaign 352.5945 Zorba’s 627 E. Green, Champaign

CHICAGOVENUES House of Blues 329 N. Dearborn, Chicago 312-923-2000 The Bottom Lounge 3206 N Wilton, Chicago Congress Theatre 2135 N. Milwaukee 312-923-2000 Vic Theatre 3145 N. Sheffield, Chicago 773-472-0449 Metro 3730 N. Clark St., Chicago 773-549-0203 Elbo Room 2871 N. Lincoln Ave., Chicago

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Park West 322 W. Armitage, Chicago 773-929-1322 Riviera Theatre 4746 N. Racine at Lawerence, Chicago Allstate Arena 6920 N. Mannheim Road, Rosemont 847-635-6601 Arie Crown Theatre 2300 S. Lake Shore Drive, Chicago 312-791-6000 UIC Pavilion 1150 W. Harrison, Chicago, 312-413-5700 Schubas 3159 N. Southport, Chicago 773-525-2508 Martyrs 3855 N. Lincoln Ave., Chicago 773-288-4545 Aragon 1106 W. Lawerence, Chicago, 773-561-9500 Abbey Pub 3420 W. Grace, Chicago 773-478-4408 Fireside Bowl 2646 W. Fullerton Ave., Chicago 773-486-2700 Schubert Theatre 22 W. Monroe, Chicago, 312-977-1700

STLOUISVENUES The Blue Note 17 N. Ninth St. Downtown Columbia, MO The Pageant 6161 Delmar Blvd., St. Louis, MO The Savvis Center Clark & 14th St.., S

INDIANAPOLISVENUES Patio Lounge 6308 N. Guilford Ave., (317) 253-0799 Verizon Wireless Music Center 12880 E. 146th St., Nobelsville, IN (317) 776-3337 Vogue Theatre 6259 N. College Ave. (317) 259-7029 Murat Egyptian Center 502 N. New Jersey (317) 231-0000

ART LISTINGS The Springer Cultural Center is seeking local artists to participate in the juried Art Exhibition Series. – Information and applications are available at the Springer Cultural Center, 301 N. Randolph, Champaign 61820 3982376, or on line at www.champaignparkdistrict.com/pdf Applications will be accepted from August 25 through September 26. Art Classes at Creation Art Studios with Jeannine Bestoso – Regular on going studio times for Children and Adults:. Children meet Mon, Tues and Wed 3:30-5pm. Adolescents meet Fri 4-5:30pm. Adults meet Thurs 4-6pm and Sat for a 2 hour session 1-5pm. All classes offer development of studio skills and the exploration of materials and techniques through expressive, spontaneous art Development of portrait skills is ongoing. CPDUs offered provider#102753. Sign up by the month. Fees $90110/month. Makeup classes available. Contact Jeannine Bestoso. 1102 E. Washington,Urbana. 344-6955. www.creationartstudios.com Drop-In Open Studio Workshop for Adults – EBeginners and adult special interest groups welcomed and encouraged. Bring your works-in-progress or gather and bring photos, pictures and favored objects to create art. Bring a friend. Sessions take an individual beyond the ordinary and beyond limitations. Tues 7-9pm. $15 base fee. CPDUs offered -provider#102753. 1102 E. Washington,Urbana. 344-6955. www.creationartstudios.com Join Artists and Workshops at Gallery Virtu – Gallery Virtu, an artist-owned cooperative, now invites applications from area artists. The Gallery also offers workshops for adults, teens, and children in knitting, embroidery, photography, jewelry making, print-making, paper-making, book-binding and ribbon flowers.. For more information please call 762-7790, visit our website at www.galleryvirtu.org, e-mail: workshops@galleryvirtu.org or visit the gallery. Regular hours: noon to 4 p.m. Thursday; noon to 8 p.m. Friday; 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday. Located at 220 W. Washington Street in Monticello. Art Classes at High Cross Studio – All classes are held at High Cross Studio in Urbana. 1101 North High Cross Road. Email or call for reservations and details. 217-367-6345 or spiritofsandra@hotmail.com. "Open Studio" – Limited enrollment. Individual instruction. Providing a chance to learn new media, gain skill in drawing or painting, explore a theme, or illustrate an idea, etc. Some previous art instruction or permission required. Thursdays, 2 hour drop in time between 3 - 9pm. $95 for 5 (2-hour) sessions in 6 weeks.

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SEPTEMBER 11-17 2003 | SO DUST HIM OFF AND GIVE HIM A BIG OLE’ BEAR HUG

A farewell and a new beginning

music

Absinthe Blind frontman says goodbye as band carries on. BY BRIAN MERTZ | MUSIC EDITOR

ive hands join together in a tangible, physical bond. In a few moments, the five hands will separate, but the bond will remain. As part of their pre-show ritual, the five members of the band Absinthe Blind huddle up and reach out a hand to one another. With the adrenaline obviously starting to flow, they look into each other’s eyes and excitedly let out a shout in unison, “one, two, three, tight!” When the huddle breaks, the five members of one of Champaign’s most successful bands turn and walk onto the stage. “One, two, three, tight!” is a refrain that has been repeated before every Absinthe Blind show, since their second show—close to seven years ago. Over those years, there have been multiple album releases, several tours and even a great deal of personnel changes. However, there has always been one particular constant in Absinthe Blind’s huddle. But that too will soon change. This Saturday, just off to the side of the Canopy Club stage, the ritual will be repeated. Before they take the stage as headliners, Absinthe Blind will huddle up and chant their energizing refrain. It may well be the final time Absinthe Blind’s guitarist, lead singer and founder, Adam Fein, is a part of that huddle. Adam Fein has decided to step back from Absinthe Blind and take on an “at home” role after Saturday’s show while the rest of the band pursues a more intensive touring schedule. While no one is sure of the exact role that Adam will play in the future of Absinthe Blind, one thing is certain: Absinthe Blind will continue on despite having to deal with losing the constant presence of their leader and a family member. THE DECISION On a cool Sunday summer evening, on the deck of his new home in Urbana, Adam Fein sits down with a glass of water to talk about his “baby”—Absinthe Blind. For Adam, talking about music would be important in any setting. But tonight Adam is talking about more than finding out which guitar pedals the Cure used to create their sound that influenced him. Tonight he is discussing his future with Absinthe Blind. “I understand that if you want your job to be a musician—and I didn’t always believe this, but I do now—you need to tour,” Adam said. “But sleeping on floors, and playing for gas money and fast food money, and being gone from my wife for five months of the year really doesn’t fit into my plans for the future.” “Being a husband and being 27 years old, I am a little bit tired of the traveling lifestyle,” Adam said. “I’m not tired of anything else. If the other four members of Absinthe Blind also

Adam refers to his new role as the “at home” didn’t want to be musicians for their careers, we toured many times all over the United States. would still be a five piece. But they want to be Their latest album, Rings, has received critical member of Absinthe Blind. His brother Seth musicians for their careers and I don’t want to acclaim from college radio stations, The College said the decision was one that had to be made. “Adam was given an ultimatum. I hate to use Music Journal and even the Los Angeles Times. hold them back from this.” “It has been very interesting how they’ve such a hard word, but that’s really what it was,” The decision is one that Adam, his wife Kelly and his bandmates in Absinthe Blind have been stepped outside the typical Champaign ‘loud Seth said. “Whether we’re doing it in a van that wall of guitar’ sound,” said Matt Talbott, co- smells like ass or we’re doing it in a posh tour dealing with for some time. “It’s been a year and a half in the making,” producer of Rings and the frontman for the bus, we’re still gone. The bottom line isn’t finanAdam said. “We could all see it coming. We just influential Champaign bands HUM and cial. It is, ‘Am I going to be away from my loved kept progressing to the point where we had to Centaur. “There isn’t a band that sounds like ones, my animals, my job, my family, am I make the decision. I guess I put it off to the last them and they have secured their own place in going to be away for all this time?’ And for Adam the answer is no. Invariably no.” the scene. That is a tribute to them.” minute. We all did. It’s easier.” Reactions to Adam’s decision from the band But even as Absinthe Blind’s success seemed In that year and a half, while Adam continued to grapple with his decision, Absinthe to grow from year to year, Adam was still members have been understandably mixed. “It has been looked at with some anger weighing whether or not the life of a musician Blind as a band continued to grow. Adam Fein decided to start a band during his is what he wanted. That debate even came out because he’s not giving up on it, but he’s retiring. Sometimes I think it’s too early for him to freshman year of college at the University of in the lyrics he wrote for Rings. “Rings is a metaphor for wedding rings,” retire,” Seth said. “I don’t want to stop playing Illinois. After a particularly rough week with tests and rushing for a fraternity, Adam decided Adam said. “Very few people have picked up in a band with Adam. We’re kids still. But really, I’m a kid still and Adam is an adult. I’m not to drop the fraternity and on the spur of the on that. I was writing my own goodbye.” “Rings was kind of a celebration of the way ready to settle and he is. moment to learn guitar. “It is no secret that Adam and I have been “I’ve done that with a million things and not things were going—getting married and being followed through. So it was kind of weird that I happy about the musical direction of the band,” exceptionally close brothers since we were chilactually did follow through,” Adam said. “I Adam said. “I wanted to create a record also dren,” Seth said. “And this band has been the learned the G chord, learned the C chord and I that captured not just sad songs, but sad songs last truly binding thing between us. We still that have hope. I wanted to take people through have each other as brothers. But we don’t have said, ‘Okay, let’s start a band.’” Adam’s first incarnation of Absinthe Blind all those emotions, through what I had gone as much in common as we did when we were didn’t work after six months of practice and no through at the same time—almost losing my kids. The band was the one thing we were both shows. In the meantime, Adam’s younger wife, gaining her back, getting married and at still working on together to make both of our brother Seth and Seth’s friend Tristan Wraight the same time, musically, almost losing the lives more valuable to ourselves and to each had been playing in other bands in high school. band, getting it together and getting it where other. That is gone now. “That is still there in some respects. But the Despite reservations about the age difference, we wanted it to be.” Adam decided to join forces with his younger sibling and Wraight. “It was fun. They were as starry-eyed and ‘we can take over the world with our music’ as I was and that trumped any concerns I had with playing with younger kids,” said Adam of Seth and Wraight who were about 15 years old. Absinthe Blind got off to a quick start, playing shows all over Champaign, signing a record deal with Hammerhead records and releasing a CD within the first year. “For six straight years we practiced every Tuesday and Sunday, no exceptions, and that’s how we got to where we are today,” Adam said. Where they are today is at the top of the Champaign music scene. They have released five albums and an EP and Absinthe Blind are (left to right) Seth Fein, Tristan Wraight, Erin Fein, Brett Sanderson and Adam Fein.

PHOTO | BRIAN MERTZ

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ABSINTHE IS SOME GOOD SHIT. WHY YOU GOTTA BE OUTLAWED? | SEPTEMBER 11-17 2003

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PHOTO | BRIAN MERTZ

But before those next 10 years start, there is still Saturday night’s performance.

Adam Fein shakes his fist during a live performance at the Iron Post on August 11.

tangible feeling and the very visceral experience of being up on stage, and looking up from my drums and seeing my brother pumping his fist like a fool, it’s gone.” For singer and keyboard player Erin Fein, the youngest member and Adam and Seth’s sister, the changes on stage will be noticeable. “It is going to be very weird for me because he is my singing partner up there,” Erin said. “I’ve never had to be the frontperson. I’ll miss being able to look over and seeing my brother.” Still other members, like Wraight, have been trying to take Adam’s decision in stride. “Like every change that happens, there are good things and bad things that happen,” Wraight said. “We just try to capitalize on the good things and not get down too much about the bad things.” For the religious Adam, there appears to be a newfound sense of inner peace. “Don’t get me wrong, I’m sad and it’s a strange time for me,” Adam said. “I feel like the Lord is saying though, ‘Trust me.’ I feel like this huge weight has been lifted off my shoulders. The pressure of being someone that I don’t think I really am—the six month of every year type of guy.” THE FUTURE Before embarking on the final leg of the Rings tour, and quite possibly his final tour ever, Adam Fein and the rest of Absinthe Blind played a show at the Iron Post on Aug. 11. As always, his booming voice soared into the packed audience. Pumping his fist as if trying to puncture the air, Adam became consumed by his music. “Most of the time I’m not thinking,” said Adam of his habits on stage. “If you enjoy the music you’re playing on stage then you are just in the music. I love a lot of the songs we have lately and they charge me up to do what I do.” It is hard to tell that so much energy could

come from Adam. He is somewhat reserved and always seems to think about what he will say before he says it. Rarely does his speaking voice reach the volume of his singing voice. “He’s a little man,” said brother Seth. “He’s 5 feet 5 inches, 120 pounds. He’s like a toy. But he’s got a strong voice and he’s always made that very clear in everything that we’ve done.” Seth, like every other member of the band, made sure to note that strong voice not only translates into powerful vocal melodies, but into great leadership as well. Adam has served as the manager of Absinthe Blind, setting up tours, arranging schedules and other tasks. He still intends to help from home in some degree with the organization, but the other members will do more now. The four remaining members seem ready to take on that challenge. “I’m not worried,” said bassist Brett Sanderson. “This band knows how to work. We’ll have to pick up the pieces, but I’m not worried about it.” While Adam has indicated that he might contribute guitar or vocals in recording, and perhaps perform a few old Absinthe Blind songs for Champaign or Chicago shows, the band will forge a new direction as a four-piece. Part of that new direction will come from an increased frontperson role for Erin and having guitarist Tristan Wraight sing as well. “I don’t want to try and be Adam,” said Wraight. “It is not possible to fill his shoes, at least not with me. I think that it’s a stupid thing to try and do. It is going to be different. The music is going to go a different way.” Wraight describes his singing voice as softer and gentler. The vocal difference will also determine what songs from the Absinthe Blind catalogue continue to get performed without Adam singing lead vocals. “I can’t sing like Bono from U2, but Adam can belt it out like that. I can sing in tune, but I

don’t have that voice,” Wraight said. “The songs that translate well we’re going to keep and the ones that don’t we won’t keep.” The foursome also faces the challenge of replacing Adam as the main lyricist. “Tristan and I will be writing a lot of the lyrics,” Erin said. “However, Adam will still be involved in a lot of different ways. If Adam hears a song that really inspires him lyrically, Tristan and I will both be happy for him to contribute in that way. “For me, I always have Adam look at my lyrics,” Erin said. “Nothing will go on a record unless he gives it his seal of approval.” The process of reforming as a four piece will momentarily be put on hold as Wraight will leave in about two weeks to tour as guitarist for Athens, Ga., band, Maserati. In the meantime, Sanderson, Seth and Erin will work as a trio called Orphans, writing songs and performing in the Champaign-Urbana area. “I don’t know how people will react to the new Absinthe Blind,” Seth said. “Some Absinthe Blind purists we will lose. But putting Erin forward and letting her shine, for every Absinthe Blind purist we lose, we will gain 1,000 fans based on our touring and based on our future plans. Erin is a force.” When Wraight returns from touring with Maserati in December, the band, along with Adam will record four tracks either for an EP or another project, said Adam. The four songs to be recorded include a reworking of “Do You Know What You Mean to Me” as well as new songs “Winning is Our Business and Business is Good,” “The Crowd That Loved Us Back When” and “Behind the Volumes of Noise.” Despite his departure, Adam himself has no doubts about the future of Absinthe Blind. “They want to be musicians and I have a feeling they are going to do it,” Adam said. “At least for the next year it looks really good. Who knows, maybe the next 10 years and beyond.”

THE CELEBRATION There has been a near consensus within Absinthe Blind that Saturday night will be “weird” for the band as they headline a show with five other local bands including American Minor and Temple of Low Men. “It’s going to be strange,” Sanderson said. “I know these guys have been in the band way longer than I have and feelings are mixed about it. We’re happy about being able to take it to the next level but we’re going to miss Adam.” “As of right now, it’s just another show on the tour,” Wraight said. “It’ll be a really fun and lighthearted time. I’m sure it’ll be sad at the end when it hits. But right now I just want to play a good show.” “I suspect it will be emotional,” Erin said. “I suspect there will be some tears, maybe quiet tears that nobody notices. Standing next to him I’ll be able to look over and see some sadness.” “The vibe on stage is going to be different. It’s truly a love/hate thing. I love the fact that I am no longer under the oppressive chains of my older brother’s administration,” Seth said with a laugh. “And at that same time I don’t want that. I have always depended on Adam to be there as my older brother and as my best friend. And it’s gone. “Tears have been shed over Adam’s departure. I won’t be surprised if there are tears shed on stage on Saturday because I think there will be a moment when I realize that this is it. It’s also going to be the last Absinthe Blind performance for longer than ever due to Tristan touring,” Seth said. Adam maintains a more upbeat opinion. “I don’t want it to be seen as a sad ending,” said Adam. “I want it to be seen as a celebration. It’s going to be a fun Saturday night. And Sunday the world will go on and everything will be all right.” Other band members agree that it will not be an entirely somber evening. “I don’t want to get the feeling that this is the end because it’s not,” Wraight said. “It’s hard to maintain that balance of optimism for the future and nostalgia for the past.” Adam said that the band will add a few more songs to their touring setlist and he expects the band to play 10 to 11 songs on Saturday. In addition, Adam might play one song by himself at the end of the set. “An old song as kind of a goodbye,” Adam said. “I’m not sure if I’ll be able to make it through that song. I am a little bit worried about that. But I think it is appropriate.” Other band members are going to make small adjustments during the show. “For me, I have been thinking about it and I keep telling myself to look over at him a few times so I can freeze that moment in my brain because it will be the last time I see him standing to the left of me,” Erin said. But with the potential for sadness, Absinthe Blind hasn’t lost their sense of humor. “I’d like to get a big cooler of Gatorade and pour (it) over Adam at the end like a football coach,” Wraight said with a wide grin. “But I don’t think that’ll happen.” buzz

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SEPTEMBER 11-17 2003 | WANT TO GET YOUR EVENT LISTED ON OUR CALENDAR? Send your listings to calendar@readbuzz.com

OUT OF TOWN SHOWS

CHICAGOSHOWS

Bruce Hornsby – piano player, storyteller, singer – Tryon Festival Theatre, Krannert Center, 7:30pm, $32-45

DJ Fresh Face Guest DJ – Barfly, 9pm, Free LA Wells – Boltini Lounge, 10pm, Free DJ Spinnerty w/ educational films – Mike ‘N’ Molly’s, 10pm Live DJ – C-Street, 9pm-1am, cover

KARAOKE “G” Force Karaoke and DJ – TK Wendl’s, 9pm-1am

MUSIC PERFORMANCES WILL-FM Second Sunday Concert – UI Harp Ensemble, UI Elective Harp Ensemble, and Harpcore Harp Ensemble – Krannert Center, 2pm, free

WORDS The Revival – spoken word and music fusion – Two Main Lounge, 8-10pm

MondaySept.15 LIVE MUSIC Openingbands.com Showcase: Bent-Til-Broken, Deconstructing Jim – The Canopy Club, 10pm, $3 The Essex Green, Stars – Cowboy Monkey, 10pm, $8

TuesdaySept.16 LIVE MUSIC Verde Hootenanny: Bluegrass Jam – Verdant Gallery, 7pm, free Open Mic Night – Espresso Royale Café, 7:30pm, free Open Mic/Open Jam – The Canopy Club, 10pm, $2 Kathy Harden & the Kingbees – Embassy Tavern & Grill, free Crystal River – Rose Bowl Tavern, 9pm-1am, no cover Will Rogers Acoustic Night – Tommy G’s, 9pm, no cover

DJ DJ Bozak – Boltini Lounge, 10pm, free Seduction with DJ Resonate – Barfly, 9pm, free Rock ‘N Roll DJing with Drew Patterson – The Cowboy Monkey, 10pm, free NOX: DJ Zozo, DJ Kannibal – The Highdive, 10pm, $2 DJ Hoff – Mike ‘N’ Molly’s, 10pm Live DJ – C-Street, 9pm, no cover

KARAOKE “G” Force Karaoke and DJ – TK Wendl’s, 9pm-1am

COMEDY Spicy Clamato Improv Comedy – Courtyard Cafe, Illini Union, 9pm, free admission

MUSIC PERFORMANCES Barbara Cook: Mostly Sondheim – 90-minute cabaret of songs Stephen Sondheim either wrote or wished he had written – Tryon Festival Theatre, Krannert Center, 7:30pm, $25-37

WednesdaySept.17 LIVE MUSIC Final Grrrlfest Showcase – Crème Blush, Quatre Tete, Felix, The Violents, Vice Dolls, Little Black Spiders – Cowboy Monkey, 7pm-1am

DJ 2On2Out hosts rock `n’ roll night – Barfly, 9pm, Free Rock `n’ Roll DJing with Drew Patterson – The Iron Post, 10pm

KARAOKE “G” Force Karaoke & DJ – Kam’s, 10pm-1am

COMEDY Debono Improv Comedy – Courtyard Cafe, Illini Union, 9pm, free

MUSIC PERFORMANCES Community Drum Circle – All levels welcome – Ten Thousand Villages, 7-9pm

Larry Gates (of Lorenzo Goetz), Sam Lowry – The Iron Post, 5pm Mike Ingram – The Canopy Club, 10pm, free Throw Rag, The Greedy Loves – Cowboy Monkey, 10pm, $5 Whirling Dervishes of Rumi – Foellinger Auditorium, 7:3010:30pm, free Kilborn Alley – Tommy G’s, 9pm, free Hot N’ Ready – Rose Bowl Tavern, 9pm-1am, no cover

DJ DJ Chef Ra – Barfly, 9pm, Free The Bridge: A night of old school hip-hop – The Canopy Club, 10pm, $3 DJ Joel Spencer – Mike ‘N’ Molly’s, 10pm Live DJ – C-Street, 9pm, no cover D-lo & Spinnerty – The Highdive, 10pm

WORDS Wordfest – an eclectic blend of word and sound by poets/spoken-word artists Marva Nelson, Cindy Schmidt, Natalie Hall, Aarona Browning and Amira with vocal & percussion accompaniment by Cora Holland, hosted by poet, Kamau Laravier – Verde Cafe & Gallery, 8-9:30pm

9/11 Rainer Maria @ Metro 9/11 Leadfoot @ Double Door, 9pm, $5 9/12 Take Action Tour @ House of Blues 9/12 Cursive @ Metro 9/12 Pure presents Green Velvet @ House of Blues 9/13 Edwin McCain @ House of Blues 9/13 Rooney @ Metro 9/14 Stars @ Schubas 9/14 PGS @ Metro 9/15 Delirium@ Metro 9/17 Built to Spill @ Metro 9/17 Autumn to Ashes @ House of Blues 9/18 Built to Spill @ Metro 9/18 Maldita Vacinded @ House of Blues 9/19 Wilco @ Auditorium Theatre 9/19 Red Hot Chili Peppers, Queens of the Stone Age @ Tweeter Center 9/19 Interpol @ Riviera Theatre 9/19 Red Hot Chili Peppers @ Tweeter Center 9/19 Black Eyed Snakes @ Schubas 9/20 Wilco @ Auditorium Theatre 9/20 Thursday @ House of Blues 9/20 Robbie Fulks @ Double Door, 9pm, $10 9/20 Ravonettes @ Metro 9/22 Dressy Bessy @ Schubas 9/23 Turbonegro @ Metro, 18+ 9/23 Ratbag Hero @ Double Door 9/23 Damien Rice @ Park West 9/23 Good Charlotte @ Aragon Ballroom 9/24 Kim Hiorthoy, Black Dice @ Empty Bottle 9/25 Ted Nugent @ Hoirtywse of Blues 9/25 Jackie O Motherfucker, Priest, james Chance Terminal City @ Empty Bottle 9/26 SIZZLA @ House of Blues 9/26 !!! @ Empty Bottle 9/26 Houston @ Double Door 9/27 Lake Trout @ Schubas 9/27 Bouncing Souls, Tsunami Bomb @ Metro 9/27 Burning Spear @ House of Blues 9/27 Some Girls @ Double Door 9/27 Black Rebel Motorcycle Club @ Metro, 18 + 9/28 Adult, Michael Gira @ Empty Bottle 9/29 Lisa Marie Presley @ House of Blues

OCTOBER 10/1 Saves the Day @ House of Blues 10/1 Calexico @ Metro, 18+ 10/3 Leftover Salmon @ House of Blues 10/3 Nada Surf @ Metro 10/3 Dashboard Confessions @ Aragon Ballroom 10/4 IDA @ Schubas 10/4 Steve Winwood @ House of Blues 10/5 56 Hope Road/Down the Line @ Metro 10/5 Fischerspoon @ House of Blues 10/7 The Polyphonic Spree, Starlight Mints @ Metro 10/8 Switchfoot, Blue @ Metro 10/10 Death Cab For Cutie, The Long Winters @ Metro 10/11 Death Cab For Cutie, Pinebender @ Metro 10/11 Smokey Robinson @ House of Blues 10/11 Kid Koala @ Abbey Pub 10/13 Simply Red @ House of Blues 10/14 Alice Cooper @ House of Blues 10/16 Electric Six @ Double Door 10/16 Rufio @ Metro, all ages 10/17 Soulive w/ Me’Shell Ndegeocello @ House of Blues 10/18 DJ Justin Long @ Metro Smart Bar 10/19 Longwave/Calla @ Double Door 10/24 Cowboy Mouth with Cracker @ House of Blues 10/25 The Walkmen @ Double Door 10/26 Echo and the Bunnymen @ Metro 10/29 Fuel @ House of Blues 10/31 Karl Denson’s Tiny Universe @ House of Blues

NOVEMBER 11/1 Dirtbombs @ Double Door 11/7 Big Bad Voodoo Daddy @ House of Blues 11/15 The Shins @ House of Blues, tickets on sale 8/13 11/22 Tom Jones @ House of Blues 11/22 Alabama @ All-state Arena 11/23 Tom Jones @ House of Blues 11/24 Symphony X @ Metro

STLOUISSHOWS SEPTEMBER 9/11 Los Lonely Boys @ Blue Note, 7pm 9/12 Willie Nelson & Family to benefit SLU Liver Center @ The Pageant, 8pm, 21+ 9/13 Clutch with Mastodon and Murder One @ Pop’s, 8pm, $14

9/13 Margaret Cho @ The American Theatre, 8pm 9/15 Dropkick Murphy @ Blue Note, 6:30pm 9/17 Mason Jennings @ Mojos, 8:30pm 9/24 Yo La Tengo @ Blue Note, 8:30pm 9/25 Yo La Tengo @ The Pageant, 8pm 9/27 Jay Farrar @ The Pageant, 8pm, $14.50 in advance, $17 day of show. 9/27 Aerosmith & KISS @ UMB Bank Pavilion, 7pm 9/29 Bowling for Soup with Lucky Boy’s Confusion @ Pop’s, 7pm

OCTOBER 10/1 Leo Kottke @ Blue Note 10/4 Nada Surf @ Blue Note, 8:30pm 10/9 Starting Line @ Pop’s

INDIANAPOLISSHOWS SEPTEMBER 9/18 Ravonettes @ Patio Lounge, 10pm 9/29 Juliana Theory @ Knights of Columbus, 7pm 9/30 Yo La Tengo @ Vogue Theatre, 8pm

OCTOBER Grandaddy @ Birdys, 9pm

CLUBS/VENUES

C-UVENUES Assembly Hall First & Florida, Champaign 333.5000 American Legion Post 24 705 W. Bloomington Rd., C. 356.5144 American Legion Post 71 107 N. Broadway, Urbana 367.3121 Barfly 120 N. Neil, Champaign 352.9756 Barnes and Noble 51 E. Marketview, Champaign 355.2045 Boltini Lounge 211 N. Neil, Champaign 378.8001 BordersBooks&Music 802 W.Town Ctr., Champaign 351.9011 The Brass Rail 15 E. University, Champaign 352.7512 Canopy Club (The Garden Grill) 708 S. Goodwin, Urbana 367.3140 C.O. Daniels 608 E. Daniel, Champaign 337.7411 Cosmopolitan Club 307 E. John, Champaign 367.3079 Courtyard Cafe Illini Union, 1401 W. Green, U. 333.4666 Cowboy Monkey 6 Taylor St., Champaign 398.2688 Clybourne 706 S. Sixth, Champaign 383.1008 Curtis Orchard 3902 S. Duncan Road, Champaign 359.5565 D.R. Diggers 604 S. Country Fair Dr., C. 356.0888 Embassy Tavern & Grill 114 S. Race, Urbana 384.9526 Esquire Lounge 106 N. Walnut, Champaign 398.5858 Fallon’s Ice House 703 N. Prospect, Champaign 398.5760 Fat City Saloon 505 S. Chestnut, Champaign 356.7100 The Great Impasta 114 W. Church, Champaign 359.7377 G.T.’s Western Bowl Francis Dr., Champaign 359.1678 The Highdive 51 Main, Champaign 359.4444 Huber’s 1312 W. Church, Champaign 352.0606 Illinois Disciples Foundation 610 E. Springfield, Champaign 352.8721 Independent Media Center 218 W Main St, Urbana 344.8820 The Iron Post

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WANT TO GET YOUR EVENT LISTED ON OUR CALENDAR? Send your listings to calendar@readbuzz.com | SEPTEMBER 11-172003

ThursdaySept. 11

FridaySept.12

KARAOKE “G” Force Karaoke and DJ – Lincoln’s Castle Lodge, 9pm1am

LIVE MUSIC

LIVE MUSIC No River City – Record Service, 3pm, free U of I #1 Jazz Combo – The Iron Post, 7pm, $2 Paul Kotheimer – Aroma Cafe, 8pm, free Grrlfest Benefit – Sanya N’ Kanta, Essohess, Jiggsaw, The Greedy Loves, G. Lee and Jet Blonde, Gristle – Mike N’ Molly’s, 9pm, $3 Tim Green Quartet – Zorba’s, 9:30pm, $5 Umphrey’s McGee, Mason Jennings – The Canopy Club, 10pm, $10 Sick Day CD Release Party – Kate Hathaway Band, Mike Ingram – Cowboy Monkey, 10pm, $3 Hot N’ Ready – Rose Bowl Tavern, 9pm-1am, free Open Mic Night – Courtyard Cafe, 8pm, free Gabe Rosen – Embassy, 8pm-1am, free

Gold Fronts – Barfly, no cover Roger Clair – Cowboy Monkey, 5pm, free ShabMo Sextet – The Iron Post, 5pm, free Billy Galt and Ed O’ Hara – Tommy G’s, 5-7pm The Impalas – blues – Tommy G’s, 10pm-2am, cover Hot N’ Ready – Rose Bowl Tavern, 9pm-1am, cover Rainer Maria, Denali, Legs For Days – The Highdive, 7:30pm, $10 The Brat Pack – Fat City Saloon, 9pm Grrrlfest Benefit – What the Kids Want, Second Story Man, Arcade, Gina Young, The The Buzzards – Mike N’ Molly’s, 9pm, $3 Umphrey’s McGee – The Canopy Club, 10pm, $10

Plain White T’s, Don’t Look Down, Maxeen, Missing the Point – Courtyard Cafe, Illini Union, 8pm, $4

Dance Workshop – conducted by Eliana Manero, everyone is welcome – La Casa Cultural Latina, 7pm, free

Terminus Victor, Ring, Cicada, Jiggsaw – The Iron Post, 10pm

WORDS

TICKETS ON SALE Guster tickets on sale! – Ticket outlet: Illini Union; Foellinger Auditorium, 10/20

Hot N’ Ready – Rose Bowl Tavern, 9pm-1am, cover Maurice and the Mindset – Tommy G’s, 10pm-2am, cover

MUSIC PERFORMANCES Ian Hobson, piano – Ian Hobson presents the first of several recitals this year – Krannert Center, 7:30pm, $5

Beer Tasting and Chili Cook-Off Championship – a beer tasting with over 150 different specialty and import beers in conjunction with a chili contest – Lincoln Square Mall, 7am-noon

KARAOKE

Open Mic Reading w/ Guest Poet Tara Betts – Open to all – Allen Hall, 1005 W. Gregory, U, 9pm

Absinthe Blind, American Minor, Temple of Low Men, Legs for Days, Terminus Victor, Action People – The Canopy Club, 7pm, $5, $7 at door GrrrlFest Showcase – The Drapes, The Audreys, The Maybellines, Jenny Choi – The Highdive, 7-10pm, $5 or grrrlfest pass GrrrlFest Showcase – Aerin Tedesco & Andrea Burch, Joni Laurence, Eleni Moraites – the Iron Post, 9:30pm-1am, $5 or a Grrrlfest pass

ALIEN ANT FARM truANT Eltonal / Dreamworks

★★ BY BRIAN MERTZ

FESTIVALS

DJ Tim Williams – The Highdive, 10pm, $5 “G” Force DJ Chad – TK Wendl’s, 9pm-1am DJ Tim Williams – The Highdive, 10pm, $5 DJ – Two Main Lounge, 10pm-1am, cover DJ Mertz – Joe’s Brewery, 9pm-1am DJ Bozak – Barfly, 9pm, free

Grrrlfest Showcase – 4th Rotor, Triple Whip, Close But Not Quite, Kate Hathaway, Kayla Brown, Equinox – all ages show – Mike N’ Molly’s, 12pm, $3

SaturdaySept.13 LIVE MUSIC Battle of the Bands: Battle Against Violence – Missing the Point, Rat Bag Hero, Lorenzo Goetz, The Pitch, One Life, Essohess, Animate Object – Triangle Fraternity, corner of 2nd and Daniel, Campustown, 5:30pm, $5 Matt DeMars – Borders Books and Music, 8pm, free Despite, No Slogan, Hollowed Out, 100 Martyrs – Channing Murray Foundation, 8pm, $5 Bruiser and the Virtues – Cowboy Monkey, 9:30pm, $3 Spin Cycle – Embassy Tavern & Grill, 9:30pm, free

Saturday Night at Wendl’s with DJ Brad – TK Wendl’s, 9pm-1am “G” Force DJ Chris – White Horse Inn, 9pm-1am DJ Hipster Sophisto – Barfly, 9pm, free DJ Tim Williams – The Highdive, 10pm, $5 Noisboy – spinning rock – Mike `N’ Molly’s, 10pm, $1 Naughty boy – Joe’s Brewery, 10pm, $5

KARAOKE “G” Force Karaoke & DJ – Lincoln’s Castle, 9pm-1am

DANCING Nightclub Dancing – Two Main Lounge, 5-7pm Salsa Dancing – Two Main Lounge, 7-10pm

MUSIC PERFORMANCES

Friday, September 12 Illini Union Courtyard Cafe´, 8pm $3 UIUC students, $4 public

Accommodation for hearing impaired patrons is available by calling 244-8938 at least 7 days in advance of the event.

MARKETS

Must be a UIUC student, or 18 years of age with a valid ID

s ’ T E T I H LP AIN W ILLINI UNION BOARD presents

CHICAGO STYLE POP PUNK

with DON’T LOOK DOWN and M A X E E N

Opening Night Celebration: Big Bang Theory – the local band of veteran musicians will kick-off Krannert’s new season – Lobby, Krannert Center, 5:30pm, free Bruce Hornsby – piano player, storyteller, singer and Grammy award-winning artist – Tryon Festival Theatre, Krannert Center, 7:30pm, $32-45 Afterglow: Big Band Theory – Lobby, Krannert Center, 9:30pm, free

www.iuboard.uiuc.edu IUB Event Hotline: 333-8473

Market at the Square – Art, Crafts, Produce, Flowers, Plants, Food, Coffee, Music & more; every Saturday Morning through November 8 – SE Lot of Lincoln Square, Downtown Urbana, 7am-noon

FESTIVALS Street Theater Festival – a series of nine street theatre shows and food, games, stockades and prizes – Downtown Urbana, 9am-11pm

TICKETS ON SALE Death Cab For Cutie tickets on sale! – Ticket outlets: The Highdive, Bogarts, Record Swap, Bacca Cigar Co., Skins -n-Tins, The Highdive, October 12

SundaySept.14

In their quest to avoid onehit wonder status Alien Ant Farm have released truANT, an album chock-full of hard-edged punk rock tunes. All right, so perhaps Alien Ant Farm had more than one hit than their cover of Michael Jackson’s “Smooth Criminal” and maybe there is more to truANT than mere hard guitar riffs and over-belted vocals. But ask the average person if they remember Alien Ant Farm and they’ll say “Smooth Criminal.” Ask the average listener what truANT sounds like and they are more likely to say Limp Bizkit instead of the King of Pop. Working for Alien Ant Farm on this album is a stronger lyrical content than most mainstream rock bands these days can muster. Much of lead singer Dryden Vera Mitchell’s vocals focus on relationships on the brink of disaster. In “Quiet” Mitchell opines, “She don’t like life with a rock n’ roll singer / well yeah, but we’ll spend the rest of our lives in happiness./ I’ll wrap this ring around her finger / Hold up, don’t say what I think you’re gonna say” and then closes the song by singing, “You can take all the time you need / I’d hold my breath but I have to breathe. / Hold up don’t say.” These aren’t the best lyrics that have ever been written, but they show a concerted effort to make more mature music. However, the defining characteristic of truANT is that it is a truly forgettable album. By the time “These Days,” the fifth track on the album and the first single rolls around, everything has started to sound the same. Even the stabs at quirkiness on the herky-jerky “Glow,” the Caribbean-tinged “Never Meant” and the Latin-flavored “Tia Lupe” are just slightly different shades of a dull gray. The fact that Alien Ant Farm’s vocals and guitars have no contrast with one another in volume, tone or melody make it hard to distinguish what is important within each song and from song to song within the album. Alien Ant Farm fails to distinguish themselves and their

TopFive

albums because they are far too entrenched in a sound that provides them little room to explore. “Smooth Criminal” worked as a breakout single because it was such a unique take on the original. Perhaps that was merely good fortune for Alien Ant Farm, or a true stroke of creative genius. Whatever the cause, the magic and allure found in Alien Ant Farm’s “Smooth Criminal” is entirely absent on truANT. What the listener is left with is a band captured by its own limitations in talent and sound. truANT is a valiant effort, but not one that should be rewarded with praise.

S.T.U.N. Evolution of Energy Geffen

★★ BY JACOB DITTMER “Fuck you I won’t do what you tell me,” is the infamous rebellious mantra of L.A.’s Rage Against the Machine. Those were the days: A rock band that was fresh, angry, talented, passionate, intelligent. They rocked harder than anything from the 80s and were able to put anyone in the mood for rebellious action. Today we are stuck with wannabe hard rock bands that try harder looking cool and landing cover stories of Spin and Rolling Stone than invoking rebellious thought in its listeners. One band that attempts the latter is S.T.U.N. (an acronym for “Scream Towards the Uprising of Nonconformity.” What a rebellious name, eh?), another L.A. hard rock band that tries hard to create a personality of seditious behavior and nonconformity, but fails at creating something fresh. Their CD, Evolution of Energy, has received a large amount of press and the band was even picked by Rolling Stone’s “10 Artists to Watch” list a few months ago. This CD isn’t good because it isn’t original. The idea of politically infused hard rock and/or punk has been around for sometime and is what founded the tenets of these genres to an extent. But what these guys do is sound more like their predecessors and influences than the attitude they try to embody. Many critics compare this band to the above-mentioned Rage as well as the Pixies and Jane’s Addiction.The lead singer definitely shares a similar whiny voice that Perry Farrell is easily distinguished by. The only other thing that makes these comparisons worthy is the intensity that the music is presented; it’s fast, hard, raunchy, and confrontational. But what’s most upsetting is the lack of intelligence in the songwriter’s lyrics. The second track,“Movement” introduced the band’s lyrics and is a call to arms for the listener. Lead singer (although the liner notes refer to him as “communicator avant-garde”) Christiane J belts out his thoughts on the current status of the world, “Our hearts are being bought. / Our minds are being washed. / Look what we’re doing to the atmosphere. / It’s no wonder kids drug themselves to get out of here.” The lyrics make a point and the music adds to that point. The main weakness is that it leaves the listener without the intense feeling of doing something about. Fans still reeling from the loss of Rage and their hard-rock songs of protest may find solace in this new group from L.A. But if the music doesn’t move you, you were warned.

Rainy Day Songs

1.“Rain Song” - Led Zeppelin

“Rain Song” by Led Zeppelin is a perfect song for a rainy day. The song starts off quiet and dreary, while the addition of the orchestral strings gives the song a beautifully melodic sound. The song slowly builds into a climactic piece that sends up Zeppelin’s true musical talents as singer Robert Plant belts out his trademark moans of androgyny.

LIVE MUSIC Hey Mercedes, Carolina – The Highdive, 10pm, $8 Final Grrrlfest Showcase – Crème Blush, Quatre Tete, Felix, The Violents, Vice Dolls, Little Black Spiders – Cowboy Monkey, 7pm-1am The Blues Jam with Kilborn Alley – The Canopy Club, 10pm, $2 Funk Fest – The Beat Kitchen, Public Display of Funk, Transient Frank, Family Groove Co. – The Iron Post, 6:30pm, $7 Crystal River – Rose Bowl Tavern, 8:30pm-12:30am, no cover

music

SEPTEMBER 11-17 2003 | DON’T YOU WISH YOU WERE IN HIGH FIDELITY? SEND A TOP 5!

Kashmir: India’s Strategies and Options – by Ford Fellow in the Program in Arms Control, Disarmament and International Security, UIUC, Suba Chandran – Lucy Ellis Lounge, Room 1080 Foreign Language Building, UIUC, 707 S. Matthews St., Urbana, noon

J-Phlip – Barfly, 9pm, free Live DJ – C-Street, 9pm, free Live DJ – Ruby’s, 9pm-1am, free Live DJ – Two Main Lounge, 10pm-close, free DJ Orby – Joe’s Brewery, 9pm-1am, free DJ Aladdin, DJ Mathematx, DJ Runi – The Highdive, 10pm, $5

DANCING

Ballroom Dancing – Non-smoking, cash bar – Regent Ballroom, 7:30-10:30pm, $7 Salsa Dancing – Non-smoking, cash bar; dress code: no blue jeans, tennis shoes or hats – Regent Ballroom, 11pm-1am, $4 Dance Audition – Sudden Impaq Dance Troupe fall dance auditions, wear comfortable dance clothing, both male and females needed – FAR Aerobics Room, 7-10pm

buzz

LECTURES

“G” Force Karaoke – Pia’s in Rantoul, 9pm-1am Karaoke – Jillian’s, 9pm, free

DANCING

buzz

CDReviews

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2.“Acid Raindrops” People Under the Stairs

West coast rap doesn’t have to be gangsta. Groups like Jurassic 5, Dilated Peoples and Ugly Duckling all show that Snoop Dogg doesn’t necessarily reign supreme over every MC in California. People Under The Stairs ode to “Mary Jane” may draw on similar themes, but the twisting flows of Double K and Thes One are smart and melodic. As the sylla-

SICK DAY Garage Sale EP ★★★ BY BRIAN MERTZ In many cities across the globe, using the terms “local rock” and “self-produced” to describe a debut CD should elicit visible cringing. But that isn’t the case here in Champaign-Urbana. This year has seen some truly great local releases, and local rock band Sick Day’s self-produced debut CD Garage Sale belongs in that praiseworthy list of 2003. Produced by the band at Electric Pantyland Studios in Champaign,Garage Sale proudly marches through what made people love rock in the first place—loud guitars, catchy and grainy but melodic vocals and a truly tight rhythm section. While elitist types might not latch onto alt-tinged rock tunes about girls (like the quite funny “Skirt Sniffin’”), the possibilities for widespread appeal are definitely here. The EP opens with “New Original”, a tune that somehow manages to fuse together a little bit of Foo Fighters with a touch of fellow local rockers Temple of Low Men. “New Original” sets the tone for the rest of Garage Sale. Songs are quickly but carefully performed without hesitation. There will be no mulling about, nor will there be any power ballads coming from Sick Day on this release. The cover of Oasis’“Digsy’s Diner” sees lead singer Adam Wolf altering his vocals just enough to catch the sneer of Liam Gallagher’s voice without coming off as a bad carbon copy knockoff. Being able to take a song from a 1990s rock staple like Oasis and make it their own shows that Sick Day has musical talent that goes far beyond a mere garage or bar cover band. In comparison to the other four tracks on the EP, “Sharon Woods” feels the most simplistic. Considering we live in a world where Meg White is considered a good drummer, simplicity might not be looked down on anymore. But for a band with talent that shines through on this recording (particularly Michael “Guido”Esteves and Steve Carmody’s shared lead guitar work),the short,simple,pop sensibilities of “Sharon Woods” feels like Sick Day isn’t utilizing their maximum potential. The only other real flaw with Garage Sale is that it feels short, even for an EP. By the time the last song, “Garage Sale” comes to a hard rocking end, the listener is finally settled into the Sick Day sound and wants to hear more. Maybe the goal was to leave the listener hungry for future releases or live shows. But a few more tunes would inevitably made this CD one to keep in the player instead of one that gets digested in a mere 16 minutes and replaced for something that lasts longer than one drive across Champaign-Urbana. If you’ve caught Sick Day around town and are already salivating for their recorded material, you can pick up a copy of Garage Sale tonight at The Cowboy Monkey where Sick Day will be playing with Kate Hathaway and Mike Ingram. Sick Day’s guitarist Steve Carmody is on a tour of duty in Baghdad, Iraq and will not be performing,but will still be honored by the band at the performance. It should be a special night for a local rock band that has shown some great potential on their first release.

Next week: Top Five Party Albums e-mail us at music@readbuzz.com

bles slowly fall like raindrops, listeners can’t help but think that there are fun ways to enjoy a rain shower.

3.“Blue” - Joni Mitchell

Joni Mitchell’s Blue is one of those albums that encompasses the mood of a rainy day. On Blue, Mitchell exposed her self and her inner thoughts creating a unique folk with poetic lyrics of love found and lost. The title track offers Mitchell’s beautiful voice accompanied by a piano and nothing else. Her voice soars as the piano accompaniment sounds like the pitterpatter of raindrops outside of a window.

4.“Protection” Massive Attack

Like drops of rain trickling down a window pane, Tracey Thorne’s incredibly smooth voice flows over Massive Attack’s morose beats. The 1994 collaboration between Thorne from Everything But

The Girl and the boys of Massive Attack isn’t a famous collaboration in the pop world, but it still gets much respect in the world of electronic music. Brooding but bright, slow but moving, “Protection” remains one of the most impressive songs that Massive Attack has ever made.

5.“Not Dark Yet” Bob Dylan

Dylan’s Time Out of Mind was a dark, depressing album that heralded in a new identity for the ever-evolving Dylan. This album was Dylan’s first new work since the early 1990s and it went on to win the heralded album of the year at the 1997 Grammy’s. “Not Dark Yet,” is one of those songs that evokes a mood of cold bitter loneliness like no other. Dreary and cold rainy days would be the perfect setting for this sad song of a man coming to terms with his rapidly approaching mortality.

Some like depressing, dreary music on rainy days, while others find it to be a cleansing experience and look for music that reflects that. Either way, these are merely our opinion, so email us yours.

MUSIC REVIEW GUIDE

Flawless Good Mediocre Bad Un-listenable

★★★★ ★★★ ★★ ★ no stars

CHARTS PARASOL RECORDS TOP 10 SELLERS 1. Lost in Translation - Original Soundtrack (Emperor Norton Records) 2. My Morning Jacket - It Still Moves (ATO Records) 3. Quasi - Hot Shit!/Live Shit (Touch And Go Records) 4. The Decemberists - Her Majesty, The Decemberists (Merge Records) 5. Spiritualized - Amazing Grace (Sanctuary Records) 6. Slipstream - Transcendental (A Hidden Agenda Record) 7. Pretty Girls Make Graves - New Romance (Matador Records) 8. Guided By Voices - Earthquake Glue (Matador Records) 9. Neutral Milk Hotel - In The Aeroplane Over The Sea (Merge Records) 10. A Silver Mt. Zion Memorial Orchestra & Tra-La-La Band With Choir - This is Our Punk Rock, Thee Rusted Satellites Gather & Sing (Constellation - Canada)

RECORD SERVICE TOP 10 SELLERS 1. Black Rebel Motorcycle Club - Take Them on Your Own (Virgin) 2. Raveonettes - Chain Gang of Love (Columbia) 3. Grandaddy - Sumday (V2) 4. Rancid - Indestructible (Warner Brothers) 5. D-Lo and Spinnerty - Play it on the Porch 6. Blackouts - Everyday is a Sunday (Lucid) 7. White Stripes - Elephant (V2) 8. Mogwai - Happy Songs for Happy People (Matador) 9. Frank Black and the Catholics - Nadine EP (SpinArt) 10. Soulstice - North by Northwest

NEW RELEASES Patty Loveless - On Your Way Home Kid Dynamite - Cheap Shots, Youth Anthems Aretha Franklin - So Damn Happy DMX - Grand Champ A Perfect Circle - Thirteenth Step David Bowie - Reality Bubba Sparxxx - Deliverance Erykah Badu - Worldwide Underground Ying Yang Twins - Me & My Brother Pearl Jam - Live at Madison Square Garden 1 & 2 Blind Boys of Alabama - Go Tell It on the Mountain MxPx - Before Everything & After Buckethead - Bucketheadland II Mary-Kate & Ashley - Cool Yule Mates of State - Team Boo Billy Talent - Billy Talent Barry Manilow - A Christmas Gift of Love Saves the Day - In Reverie Rascal Flatts - Live

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buzzpicks Umphrey’s McGee at The Canopy Club

his Thursday and Friday Chicago jam band and local favorites Umphrey’s McGee will bring their funky rock sound to the Canopy. Umphrey's music takes its jam band influence from many genres like bluegrass, jazz, hip-hop, funk and even metal, places it into a blender and spews out some masterful jams. Famous for their Halloween show in which they played the part of Spinal Tap, Umphrey’s is no stranger to the Canopy. They’ve played the Bonnaroo Festival and are now heading out

Rainer Maria plays The Highdive

ainer Maria’s story begins in a conventional way, boys meet girl, girl and boy write poetry, girl and boys turn poetry into an unconventional, impressive brand of intimate Emo. Climax: Rainer Maria launches into greatness with their 1999 release Look Now Look Again that climbed to #19 College Music Journal Top 100 and was hailed by Spin as one of the top 20 albums of the year. But, the story doesn’t stop there. Rainer Maria has released four LP’s including A Better Version of Me, that hit #1 on the CMJ top 200, and their most recent 2003 release, Long Knives Drawn, a confident effort by the three-piece that shows their maturity and longevity. If you like Emo, go see this band. If you don’t like Emo, go see this band. Rainer Maria plays The Higdive, Friday at 7:30pm, for $10.

MillerTime at KAM’S

Hey Mercedes returns to Champaign

efore there was Hey Mercedes, there was Braid, one of the hardest touring bands to ever come out of Champaign. Once Braid came to an end, Hey Mercedes was born. Bob Nanna and crew are returning to The Highdive on Sunday. The new Hey Mercedes album, Loses Control will hit stores on October 7 so expect to hear some new tunes off of the album. Tickets are only $8.

PHOTO BY KATY MULL

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