Buzz Magazine: Oct. 13, 2011 by Buzz Magazine

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Champaign-Urbana’s community magazine FREE

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week of October 13, 2011

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VOL9 NO39

OCTOBER 13, 2011

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ILLINI

IN THIS ISSUE

A CAMPY HALLOWEEN

IN CONCERT

buzz recommends seasonal B movies

TORTICA’S

Reviewing the new Burrito King affiliate

GREAT SEATS STILL AVAILABLE!

HOUSE HENS

The art of chicken keeping

HOODOO LOVE

Coming to Krannert’s Studio Theatre

CARNAGE 4 ON THE217.COM ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT Clara Bush walks us through game day for the Marching Illini. Check out the inside take of what it’s like to be a member of Illini’s famed marching band this Thursday. FOOD & DRINK Don’t let expiration dates come and go. Jasmine can tell you what to do with those random items you have in your kitchen. Look for “Refrigerator Recipes,” online Saturday.

THIS SUNDAY! 3 P.M.

MUSIC Take your audio experience back a few decades while staying in the current year with our Back to the Future Playlist. Hear the vibes of the past in the records of today, online this week. MOVIES & TV Check out extended versions of our stories online right now! We all know you love big extensions!

COMMUNITY

CALENDAR

Your guide to this week’s events in CU

LIKES

GRIPES

SAM BAKALL FOOD & DRINK EDITOR

LIKES

» Chicken soup: Finallyyyyyy it’s starting to get cold (again), and I can once again commence the making and consuming copious amounts of homemade chicken soup. » Making Chicken Soup: Alright, I’m a weirdo. Deal with it. I STAY HOME ON FRIDAY NIGHTS AND COOK. SATURDAYS, TOO. I prefer the company of a nice set of pots to obnoxious drunk people sometimes. Nothing wrong there. It’s cathartic. » Fall: This is my favorite season, hands down. I don’t like it when people say they love summer because I know they that they really like to stay inside in the AC, too. But fall is always pretty with the leaves, and squash (butternut, acorn, pumpkin) is really yummy. It also means that I can wear scarves and finally get some style. It’s hard having style when you’re hot. You’re pretty much relegated to shorts and t-shirts or tank tops. Not too many options there.

U of I Assembly Hall • Champaign, IL Tickets $8 in advance, $10 day of show. Illinois Students, Seniors, & Youth 2-12 yrs & Groups of 12+: $2 discount!

SEAN O’CONNOR PHOTO EDITOR

GRIPES

Tickets at the Assembly Hall Box Office, or Charge-by-phone: 217-333-5000. www.uofiassemblyhall.com Co Sponsored By:

While living away from family, students rely on their friends more than anyone else. This week online, check out Erin’s relationship column, where she talks about maintaining friendships. 2

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» Steve Jobs is Dead: This is not okay. Ask any of my friends, and they will testify that I have been sincerely perturbed by the whole ordeal. I'll never forget where I was when I first heard Steve Jobs was dead; I was in Dylan Sutcliff's/Nick Martin's kitchen. Dylan, myself, and co. held a "memorial ceremony" in Steve's honor. I didn't know you, Steve, but you worked at Atari in the 70s to fund a spiritual enlightenment trip, went to India, shaved your head and converted to Buddhism, did a bunch of LSD, and then revolutionized technology, so you sound like a pretty cool fuckin' dude. RIP, you crazy bastard. — Steve Jobs illustration by Michael Zhang.

the217.com

OCTOBER 13 - 19, 2011

EDITOR’S NOTE DYLAN SUTCLIFF

Two tow dudes. Used with permsion from Dylan Sutcliff

BUZZ STAFF

COVER DESIGN Lucas Albrecht EDITOR IN CHIEF Dylan Sutcliff MANAGING EDITOR Peggy Fioretti ART DIRECTOR Olivia La Faire COPY CHIEF Drew Hatcher PHOTOGRAPHY EDITOR Sean O’Connor IMAGE EDITOR Peggy Fioretti PHOTOGRAPHERS Sean O’Connor, Animah Boakye, Lauren Leonatti DESIGNERS Tyler Schmidt, Michael Zhang MUSIC EDITOR Adam Barnett FOOD & DRINK EDITOR Samantha Bakall MOVIES & TV EDITOR Nick Martin ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT EDITOR Joe Lewis COMMUNITY EDITOR Amy Harwath CU CALENDAR Tracey Woodland COPY EDITORS Casey McCoy, Sarah Jo Alo ONLINE EDITOR Emily Siner DISTRIBUTION Brandi and Steve Wills EDITORIAL ADVISER Marissa Monson PUBLISHER Lil Levant

TALK TO BUZZ

Taking into account my recent exploits, it seems more than necessary to tell the car crash stories I have been involved in throughout my four years of owning an Illinois state driver’s license. Here we go. In junior year of high school, I was driving through downtown Yorkville, IL (my hometown) with my then girlfriend. On account of it being rush hour and the existence of multiple stoplights, the uphill road was packed with slow moving cars. Directly after one of the stoplights, my attention was elsewhere, and I accidentally bumped into the stopped van directly in front of me. Unfortunately, the inertia of that small bump pushed my free-floating right foot directly onto the gas pedal, shooting the car forward to hit the van a second time, this time much harder. Even seconds after it happened, it was obvious that both cars had been totaled. Glass, metal and white milk were spread across the road on account of a shelf that was attached to the van’s back bumper. In the crash, my car forced the black, metal shelf (two mangled coolers sat atop the shelf, at least one of which held a decent amount of milk) upwards, shattering the van’s back window. I was mortified — it wasn’t real. Not two seconds after the second impact, the passenger door of the now-crushed van burst open to reveal a thirty-something year old blonde woman who pointed directly at my face and yelled, “You fucking idiot!” I was a fucking idiot. I accepted the title and repeatedly added, “I’m so sorry!” She was unmoved.

ON THE WEB www.the217.com EMAIL buzz@readbuzz.com WRITE 512 E. Green St., Champaign, IL 61820 CALL 217.337.3801

We reserve the right to edit submissions. buzz will not publish a letter without the verbal consent of the writer prior to publication date. buzz Magazine is a student-run publication of Illini Media Company and does not necessarily represent, in whole or in part, the views of the University of Illinois administration, faculty or students. © ILLINI MEDIA COMPANY 2011

Arms flailing, she stormed in my direction as she coarsely explained that her husband and herself were on a trip to Michigan for a dance competition in which they were transporting five of the dancers. She pointed to the backseat of the van, where I could see clearly through the shattered back window a number of girls no older than ten crying, shaken to the bone by the crash. Jump to last Thursday night. buzz managing editor and friend Peggy Fioretti, my good friend Andy Katz and I were driving down to St. Louis in my roommate’s car to see St. Vincent. About an hour outside of St. Louis, we were alone on route 70, fresh off of a Wendy’s trip when, as a result of my shoddy driving, we drifted onto the left edge of the highway. I immediately realized the situation when I heard the quick “thump, thump, thump” of the tires underneath my seat. This time, I wasn’t going to make the same mistake. I slammed on the brake and steered right. Turns out this was the wrong move, as the car went into a skid, slowly turning the car more and more right as it crossed the left, then right lane of the highway, moving fast towards the right hand ditch. With all three of us shouting different forms of denial, we rocketed into the ditch at a 45-degree angle, my foot still pressed hard on the brake. After a short dip into the ditch, the car was not done as it moved up the grassy incline on the right side of the highway. At the very top, the small hill suddenly dropped off as the car rolled onto its back with a thoroughly unsatisfying crunch. From start to finish, the crash lasted about six seconds. That miniscule, yet intense, amount of time felt like years; however, they were nothing compared to the multiple lifetimes of guilt, worry and downright fear that existed in the microseconds in which I was unsure whether or not my friends were going to be there when I turned to check on them. Luckily, they were fine. After an extremely brief moment of relief, I unbuckled my seatbelt and dropped onto the interior roof of the car. From this point on, not much happens besides a frantic race to get out of the car. At the time, we were all frightened to the point of panic as we searched for the door handles that, when found, would not open. After trying each numerous times, we realized that the doors were locked, and after a quick press of a button, we spilled out of the car and found ourselves in the frontage road ditch to the right of route 70. So there they are, the two most embarrassing and emotionally charged moments of my life. Yes, much more emotionally charged than when I lost my virginity. buzz

arts

entertainment

God of carnage

A Play About Being An Adult

by Tracy Woodley

rench playwright Yasmina Reza has received international critical acclaim for her plays and translations, which have been translated into over 30 languages and performed all over the world. Her 2007 play God of Carnage was adapted for Broadway and won a Tony award for Best Play. This month, Urbana’s Station Theatre opened its 40th season with Reza’s dark comedy, which runs until October 22nd. The Station Theatre was founded out of a desire to perform and produce more modern plays as opposed to the flux of experimental theater during the 1970s. Rick Orr and some friends started the company after his graduation from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign’s theater program. “I thought we’d only last for the summer or a year, but here we are to celebrate 40 years,” said Orr. Orr, who is directing the show, has been interested in putting on God of Carnage since its Broadway debut. “When I read the script, as a director it really grabbed me. I had such a good feeling about the content and the dynamics of the script and the challenge of doing this particular show,” said Orr. “I think it’s so pertinent about today’s society and couples and relationships.” God of Carnage centers around two couples discussing an incident that happened between their two sons, aged eleven, on a playground. One boy hit the other with a stick, and the parents have met to civilly address the altercation. Things

Jugglin’ Life

Station Theatre's production of "God of Carnage". Photo by Animah Boakye.

soon turn sour, however, as tensions escalate and the veneer of composure deteriorates. David Barkley plays Michael, owner of a wholesale company and father of the victim. Barkley has been involved with the Station Theatre since 1984 and has performed in twenty shows since then. “I heard about God of Carnage and knew it was a newer play that had gotten a lot of recognition,” Barkley said. “I learned what I could about it, and I was really interested in trying to do something new.” Barkley’s character is a generally jovial fellow who initially works to smooth the friction and generate an amiable atmosphere. We soon realize, however, that his ebullience can fade fast — with intense results. Michael and his wife Veronica invite An-

nette and Alan over and attempt to discuss how the boys should apologize to one another and whether punishment is necessary. The volatile blend of personalities makes things anxious from the start. Veronica is a skittish woman who starts off by emphasizing compromise and waxing her liberal values, but she’s soon exposed as a nervous control freak. Annette, seemingly calm and diplomatic, is pushed to the point of exasperation and is quite literally made sick by the stress of the situation. Alan manages to deliberately and inadvertently get under everyone else’s skin. As a high-power corporate lawyer with a cell phone permanently affixed to his ear, he manages to bring out the worst in the other characters. He is skeptical of Veronica’s

morals, and his nonstop calls to the office make Annette irritated, nauseous and bold with frustration. In short, the meeting is a disaster. Barkley said Reza’s play features the essential themes that resonate with all audiences. “It’s basically about human relationships — love, hate, deceit, honesty and prejudices — and the highs and lows of human character which lead to conflict with and without resolution,” Barkley said. “[God of Carnage] has been described as a savage comedy, and that’s pretty much what it is.” Jeremiah Lowry, who plays Alan, acknowledged some of the difficulties of the role. “It’s definitely a different kind of role for me, and it is a very difficult play to do for an actor,” said Lowry. “There’s a lot going on, especially for Alan who has to kind of manage two plays at the same time. I’m in one play on my phone and another within the room. It’s been pretty challenging.” Reza has a great gift for dialogue, which manifests itself in God of Carnage through her ability to present relatable characters and conventional morals in a fresh and exciting way. “The writing is very good, and it’s very smart,” said Lowry. “But you can’t take your brain out of it for one second because it’s go-go-go.” Orr feels the staging of this production is natural to the Station Theatre. “It’s a play that our company felt we should do. It’s an important play, and it’s the kind of play that we’re noted for.”

An Inside Look at the U of I Juggling RSO

by Karizo Vance

he Juggling Club, a registered student organization, meets every Monday night at the indoor track in the Armory to do what they do best — juggle for three hours straight. Club members can be seen juggling solo or in groups with either clubs, rings or balls. The policy for juggling props is BYOB, “bring your own balls,” although sharing is definitely allowed. The club can be booked for events where they do juggling performances aside from just meeting up as a group. The juggler’s level of expertise range from complete novices to total juggling pros. Brian Balsamo, club vice president and senior in LAS, said jugglers of different levels come to the club to hone their skills, learn new tricks from other jugglers or teach new people the name of the game. For beginning jugglers, the group usually starts out with juggling two to three balls, said Phoebe Barkan, senior in LAS. She said the skill for this basic juggling trick is to throw the balls up in the air towards the opposite hand and catch. Barkan said once more balls are involved there’s methods such as 5-3-1 because if all the balls where thrown up in the air all at once, they would be impossible to catch. The numbering system indicates the position where the ball is 4

buzz

thrown: 5 the highest, 3 in the middle, and 1 the lowest, she said. One juggling trick that may seem frightening to some is passing around, a trick the club often does, Barkan said. This involves having two people juggle clubs back and forth while someone stands in the middle. Standing in the middle for some people brings the feeling that one will possibly get clubbed in the face; however, juggling is all about timing, so a trained middle man could easily step out without a scratch. Antonio Daniel, freshman in Engineering, said this is his first time ever juggling before joining the club. The club caught his attention during Quad Day, where members were simply juggling. “I thought it might be something interesting,” Daniel said. Experienced juggler Chris LaReau, Champaign resident and Illinois alumnus, has been an active member of the club almost since its birth back in 1983 (he joined as a freshman a year later). LaReau said it was originally the Unicycle Club until it changed to the Juggling and Unicycle Club. He said he was originally drawn to the club for the same reasons as Daniel — by seeing jugglers out on Quad Day. The most interesting item they juggle are flam-

Used with permission from qwrrty and the Creative Commons

ing batons, LaReau said. Personally, he doesn’t see the excitement and would rather avoid the dangers in tossing “dirty and smelly” batons, he said. “You’ll burn your hair off, and it smells bad, and you reek of fuel for a long time,” LaReau said.

LaReau said he is still involved with the club after all these years just for the break it gives from everyday work life. It’s fun, and it’s exactly the opposite of my work, which is sitting around and thinking all day. It’s very much not thinking,” he said.

Do you enjoy socks?

the217.com october 13 - 19, 2011

THIS WEEK

2011(OcT13)3qUARTER(bUzz)

CU Sound off What is your favorite fall smell?

KR ANNERT CENTER FOR THE PERFORMING ARTS

TH OCT 13

by Karolina Zapal

e all know what comes after summer: cool nights, painted leaves, the switchover from cold to hot coffee… all packaged in three short months — September, October and November. During these months, while we run to class in our ponchos or add spices to our lattes, we notice the smells unique to the season. Some smells may be as soft as new sweatshirts purchased to defeat the cold temperatures, some as harsh as burning wood, or maybe as exhausting as your roommate’s Febreze because it is no longer warm enough to prop open a window. Personally, my favorite fall smells are freshly brewed apple cider and cold rain. Lucky for me, I can experience both numerous times each fall season. buzz sniffed around to ask you about your favorite autumn odors. Sandy orozco senior

THESE SPONSORS MAKE GOOD STUFF HAPPEN:

5pm

Krannert Uncorked

7:30pm

Cabaret

7:30pm

Hoodoo Love

7:30pm

UI University Band and UI Campus Band

Elaine & William Hall

// School of Music

Peggy Madden & Richard Phillips

St. Louis Symphony

// Marquee

In remembrance of Valentine Jobst III, Endowed Sponsorship

// Depar tment of Theatre // Depar tment of Theatre

Lois & Robert Resek

FR OCT 14

7:30pm

Cabaret

7:30pm

Hoodoo Love

7:30pm

UI Symphony Orchestra

Anonymous

// Depar tment of Theatre // Depar tment of Theatre // School of Music

Corporate Circuit Night: It’s Your Cabaret, It’s Your Scene

SA OCT 15

1pm 6:30pm

TOTA Block Party

// Kranner t Center Student Association

Dessert and Conversation: Cabaret

// Depar tment

of Theatre

7:30pm

Cabaret

7:30pm

Hoodoo Love

7:30pm

UI Philharmonia

// Depar tment of Theatre // Depar tment of Theatre // School of Music

SU OCT 16

3pm

Friends of Theatre: Backstage Tour

// Depar tment

National Acrobats of the People’s Republic of China

of Theatre

3pm

Hoodoo Love

7:30pm

St. Louis Symphony

// Depar tment of Theatre // Marquee

“Pumpkin Spice Latte from Starbucks” curt peterson senior

TU OCT 18

6pm

Corporate Circuit Night: It’s Your Cabaret, It’s Your Scene // Marquee WE OCT 19

7pm

National Acrobats of the People’s Republic of China // Marquee TH OCT 20

“Crispness—is that a word?” brandon crawford

5pm

Krannert Uncorked with Faye Ballard, ragtime piano // Marquee

7pm

National Acrobats of the People’s Republic of China // Marquee

7:30pm

Cabaret

Anonymous

// Depar tment of Theatre

junior

C A L L 3 3 3 . 6 2 8 0 • 1. 8 0 0 . K C P A T I X

Corporate Power Train Team Engine

“Acorns.”

Marquee performances are supported in part by the Illinois Arts Council—a state agency which recognizes Krannert Center in its Partners in Excellence Program.

40 North and Krannert Center —working together to put Champaign County’s culture on the map.

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Week of Fri, Oct. 14 through Thurs. Oct. 20, 2011

Life in a Day (PG-13)

Fri & Sat: (5:30 PM) Sun: 7:30 Mon: (5:30 PM), 7:30 PM

Senna (PG-13)

Fri: 7:30 PM Sat & Sun: 3:30 PM Tue: (5:30 PM), 7:30

Buck (PG)

Sat: 7:30 PM Sun: (5:30 PM) Wed: 5:30 PM, 7:30

AWESOME ON ACCIDENT buzz helps you find the perfect guilty pleasure horror movie this Halloween by buzz movies and TV staff

The Thing (1982) (R) $5 Late Night show Fri & Sat: 10:00 PM

Bolshoi Ballet: Class Concert & Giselle (NR) Sat & Sun: 12:00 PM

Grow! (NR)

Fundraiser for the Land Connection. $10 tickets Thu: 6:30 PM

Slaughter Massacre (NR) $3 Late Night show Thu: 10:00 PM

126 W. Church St. Champaign

Take the CUMTD Bus www.theCUart.com

buzz just can’t get enough horror movies! This week, we’re taking a look at B-Movies: the genre of high-concept gimmicks, cheap thrills and guilty pleasures. If you want to be grossed out, brainwashed, or just watch a bad movie on purpose keep reading! Blah! So scary! GORE-O-METER! Everyone enjoys a thrilling, Jason-slaying, psychopathic horror flick. Yet, some movies take “scary” to a whole new level of gore. It’s not a possessed doll, a brain bender or the Boogie Man that makes you want to hide under your read buz z covers at night. It is metric tons of blood alone, flying body parts and mystery mush oozing out of unexpected areas. You might want to skip the popcorn on these flicks. A barf bag would be more appropriate. — Lyanne Alfaro

enjoy

SAVOY 16 217-355-3456

S. Neil St. (Rt. 45) at Curtis Rd. GQTI.com and on Facebook

$5.75

BARGAIN TWILIGHT D A I LY 4 : 0 0 - 6 : 0 0 P M * excludes Digital 3D & Fathom events

DIGITAL PROJECTION BRIGHTER AMAZING CLARITY

SHOWTIMES 10/14 - 10/20

No passes S Stadium seating

TITLES AND TIMES SUBJECT TO CHANGE

FALL MOVIES

Saturday & Sunday 9 & 10 AM MR. POPPER’S PENGUINS (PG)

METROPOLITAN OPERA - ANNA BOLENA LIVE SAT. 10/15 11:55 AM THE ROLLING STONES: SOME GIRLS LIVE IN TEXAS 1978 TUE. 10/18 7:30 PM GHOSTBUSTERS (PG) THUR. 10/20 7:20 PM S THE BIG YEAR (PG) 12:10, 2:30, 4:45, 7:10, 9:30 FRI/SAT LS 11:50 FOOTLOOSE (PG-13) 11:45, 2:20, 4:50, 7:20, 9:50 S 11:00, 1:30, 4:00, 6:30, 9:00 FRI/SAT LS 11:30 S THE THING (R) 11:50, 12:40, 2:10, 3:00, 4:30, 5:20, 6:50, 7:40, 9:10, 10:00 FRI/SAT LS 11:30 REAL STEEL (PG-13) 11:05, 1:00, 1:45, 3:45, 4:35, 6:25, 7:15, 9:15, 10:00 FRI/SAT LS 12:00 S THE IDES OF MARCH (R) 11:55, 2:15, 4:40, 6:55, 9:20 FRI/SAT LS 11:40 DREAM HOUSE (PG-13) 12:00, 9:40 WHAT’S YOUR NUMBER (R) 11:15, 1:40, 4:05, 6:35, 8:55 FRI/SAT LS 11:20 50/50 (R) 11:35, 1:55, 4:15, 6:40, 9:05 FRI/SAT LS 11:25 S 3D DOLPHIN TALE (PG) $2.50 PREMIUM PER 3D TICKET 2:00, 9:30 S DOLPHIN TALE (PG) 11:30, 4:30, 7:00 MONEYBALL (PG-13) 12:55, 3:40, 6:35, 9:25 KILLER ELITE (R) 12:05, 9:45 ABDUCTION (PG-13) FRI-WED 2:35, 4:55, 7:20 TH 2:35, 4:55 3D THE LION KING (G) $2.50 PREMIUM PER 3D TICKET 12:30, 2:40, 4:40, 6:45, 8:50 FRI/SAT LS 11:00 DRIVE (R) 2:45, 5:05, 7:25 CONTAGION (PG-13) FRI, SUN-TH 4:20, 9:55 SAT 9:55 THE HELP (PG-13) FRI, SUN-MON, WED-TH 1:10, 6:45 SAT 6:45 TUE 1:10

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» The Gore Gore Girls: Herschell Gordon Lewis’s 1972 film takes place back in his hometown. The movie focuses on a reporter’s struggle to investigate a series of unsolved gory murders in Chicago nightclubs. The director includes a survey of types of torture, from jabbing knives into the girls’ eyes to amputating body parts. ¬ GoriestBUZZ scene: A killer drives a meat tenderizer THURSDAY into a stripper’s butt cheek. Did we mention that OCTOBER 13 he also snips off her nipple? corp note...keep this same size always Gore-o-meter: 5/5

1 X 5.417

» Suicide Club: The independent film won the 1/8thBreaking” page Jury Prize probably for “Most Ground its unusual premise about mass suicide. Gore is always worse when there are children involved. Suicide Club has plenty. As a matter of fact, there are kids falling off of buildings, getting run over by trains and stepping into stoves left and right. ¬ Goriest scene: A mother slices off her entire arm in thin strips with a butcher’s knife as her daughter peers over the kitchen sink. Gore-o-meter: 3/5 » The Human Centipede (First Sequence): An insane scientist kidnaps three tourists and makes them part of his contorted experiment. All he did was stitch mouth to rectum twice, and he had his twisted idea of a pet: the human centipede. If you have a weak stomach for needles, run for the hills. The scientist sews his victims together. The Full Sequence will debut on October 7. ¬ Goriest scene: Subject A defecates into Subject B’s mouth. Gore-o-meter: 2/5 SCARED STRAIGHT! SHOCK PROPAGANDA FILMS! Do you want to learn something from your movies? No, I’m not talking about National Geographic documentaries or The Reading Rainbow, I’m talking about horror movies. Scary, disturbing movies

that scare you... into learning something? That’s right. This trend goes all the way back to traveling shows wherein a person would go from town to town having a one-time-only public screening of a film that your kids “needed” to see. The most infamous, Reefer Madness, teaches that Mary Jane can cause your kids to go insane. The line between edu-ganda and exploitative are blurry at best. Reefer Madness tells the story of two teenage drug dealers. Marijuana inevitably leads them to corrupt the youth, reckless vehicular manslaughter, capricious murder and rape, too — all due to marijuana cigarettes! The movie’s taken on a cult status because the melodrama and hyperbole almost seem quaint. How cute of conservative America circa 1950 to say pot was this bad. The film was originally titled Tell Your Children, but Reefer Madness is an ironic acknowledgement of the film’s moral panic. This trend is not simply a thing of the past. A movie entitled The Slumber Party Massacre, originally released in 1981, is the story of a group of girls who are stalked and killed by a man with a drill. While I’m not entirely sure how the film promotes this message (and yes, I have seen it), the film was originally intended to teach teenage girls the consequences of premarital sex. In retrospect, both of these films are downright hilarious. — Adam Dreyfus HE’S BACK! STUPIDEST SEQUELS! When a horror movie franchise extends itself past its shelf life, the creators of the film often resort to desperate measures to freshen up the series. These attempts to make the series new and feel fresh do not involve any real type of re-imagining of the series. Rather, the film transplants the franchise to a new, and often bizarre, location. Take the Leprechaun series for example. This series is the tale of a killer leprechaun slaughtering those who interfere with his gold. By the fourth movie, the creators were floundering in their attempts to squeeze any horror out of the already-thin premise. So for the fifth film (which is actually a prequel/origin story to the preceding four), they decided to take the Leprechaun to the hood in the aptly named Leprechaun: In the Hood. This film features a particularly odd sequence in which the three gang members on the run from the leprechaun break into a transvestite’s house and disguise themselves as women to hide from the leprechaun. This movie apparently was good enough for a sequel titled Leprechaun: Back 2 the Hood. Other more respected horror franchises also do the trick of taking the killer and placing him in a new location. Jason, the slasher of the Friday the 13th series, has traveled to an increasingly unlikely number of places. Jason has been to New York (Jason Takes Manhattan), Hell (Jason Goes to Hell) and even space (Jason X). Where will these kooky serial killers go next? Straight to the $5 DVD Bargain Bin. — Jamilia Tyler

Used with permission from New Line Cinema

Used with permission from Lewis Motion Picture Enterprises

DUMBEST TITLES All of these movies are real; we have not seen most of them, but they are definitely real. Watch them immediately. — Kaitlyn Penn ThanksKilling Frankenhooker Teenage Catgirls in Heat She Killed in Ecstasy Twitch of the Death Nerve Whoever Slew Auntie Roo? Don’t Torture a Duckling Night of 1000 Cats Blackenstein Sssssss Monsturd

the217.com october 13 - 19, 2011

I don't think I would like you if you were a bear.

tragicomedy and the american dream!

Dr. J. Barry Howell, Buzz & The Champaign Urbana Theatre Company Presents

RICHARD O’BRIEN’S

Saturday, October 22, 2011 at The Canopy Club

Used with permission from John Warner

Author and U of I Alum John Warner reads at Illini Union Bookstore, Oct. 17 by Nick Martin Do you like to laugh? Cry? Contemplate the complexity of celebrity and fame in the information age? If the answer to any question was yes, check out The Funny Man by John Warner. Warner is the former humor editor for McSweeney’s Internet Tenacity — Warner pioneered the quirky/literary/absurdist brand of McSweeney wit. Warner is also a character in Dave Eggers' A Heartbreaking Work of Staggering Genius; after meeting Eggers at a wedding, he was one of the mega-meta-memoir’s first readers. Finally, Warner is a UIUC alum (class of 92’, as well as a creative writing teacher ‘01-’02), and he’ll be reading from The Funny Man Monday, Oct. 17 at the Illini Union Bookstore, 4:30. Come check it out! It will be funny — in a lofty way. » buzz: Did you model your nameless character, The Funny Man, after any particular hack? John Warner: No, not really, but I did know I wanted him to have a gimmick. Sort of like Gallagher, who I mentioned in the book. Gallagher used to be hugely popular — a bunch of television specials. His jokes were terrible, something you’d read out of a corny joke book, but then he would smash stuff with his sledgehammer. It’s sort of a Gallagher/Carrot Top thing. I wanted him to be famous for no reason. I knew prop comics were held in low esteem by real comedians, so he had to be a prop comic. The Funny Man’s gimmick just sort of happened. I already made him a stayat-home dad with a child, so I had him invent the gimmick trying to entertain a baby. » buzz: So his gimmick ends up being that he sticks his hand in his mouth and does incomprehensible impressions. It seems like a good model of fame in the 21st century because he’s spouting gibberish, and nobody really knows what he’s talking about. It’s more minutiae building upon the endless void of white noise. JW: I hadn’t thought about it that way, but it fits. It feeds on itself. It’s this notion of content-less fame, notoriety based on nothing... I wanted the character to be a real person interested in comedy, but I knew I was writing about fame. Here’s

my pretentious, larger metaphor: the original subtitle of the book was called “An American Saga." I always thought I was writing about the American story; no matter what we have in this country, it is never enough. It’s manifested in entertainment, but everybody else, too. Greed, not just for money, but for success. I even recognize it in myself, as a writer. I finally wrote a novel, a dream of mine since I was ten years old, and now I want it to sell really well. In a way, that’s just greedy. There’s something in the American character that makes us unsatisfied with what is objectively enough or even more than we may deserve. Fame just blows this notion up to maximum size. » buzz: What is the role of a comedian in American culture? A critic? An entertainer? A distraction? JW: It could be all of the above depending on the comedian. Someone like Jerry Seinfeld does a gentle, observational comedy that’s funny — and perhaps there may be an implicit commentary on human foibles — but ultimately it doesn’t do all that much. Someone like Dick Gregory, Richard Pryor or Bill Hicks — if people watch Bill Hicks videos from the eighties right now, they’re still just as relevant as ever because Hicks was interested in really seeing the culture. Steve Martin — probably my favorite comedian — wasn’t a cultural commentator, but if you really think about his work, there are all sorts of notions about performance, art and audience. There’s so many layers there; it’s not just a rubber chicken and an arrow through the head. » buzz: Have you ever tried stand-up? JW: Ironically, I have not; I’m just not that brave. I’ve never tried it, but I’m an admirer of it. I feel like I should now. I’ve been doing readings all the time since the book came out. I suppose I have a reputation of writing funny things, or my students will say, “That’s the funny teacher,” but I just see it as a totally different thing. Being the funniest teacher? The bar is so low. Entertaining students in a classroom is relatively easy. I’m not sure why I am so hesitant, but the thought of it makes me nervous in a way no other public speaking does.

A whole day dedicated to Rocky Horror! Gleeked Concert 6-7 pm One hour concert of the music of Rocky Horror Doors-5 pm Cost: $10 This show is for 17 & under and must be accompanied by a parent or guardian

Rocky Horror Show in Concert 2 Doors: 8:30 pm Show 9:30 pm Movie to follow Cost: $15 For both in concert and movie!

This performance is a fundraising event for the Champaign Urbana Theatre Company. Tickets are available now at: The Canopy Club, Exile on Main Street, Manolo’s Pizza & Empanadas, CUTC ofﬁce Online at www.canopyclub.com, or By phone at 1-800-514-ETIX

buzz

Food

Drink

What to order

First time for Japanese? buzz has you covered. by Annalisa Rodriguez

visit to an ethnic restaurant can be a scary thing. I don’t know about you, but I take one look at the menu and immediately become overwhelmed. There are so many choices and so many names I can’t pronounce. And there’s nothing I hate more than spending money on food I end up hating. Dining at a Japanese restaurant would fit in this category of headache-inducing outings. A menu can include many dishes that we need a few more clues to understand. One popular menu item is donburi, which is the term for “bowl.” Donburi is a bowl of cooked rice with other foods served on top of it. One popular type of donburi is the gyudon, or beef donburi, which consists of the bowl of rice with beef and onions. Tempura is pieces of seafood and vegetables that are battered and then deep fried. Tempura is a popular dish on its own, but it can also be added to a bowl of rice for tempura donburi. Tuna donburi includes raw tuna mixed with the rice and is often served with strips of nori seaweed and ground yamaimo, which is a type of yam that can be eaten raw and is a common ingredient in many Japanese recipes. Donburi is a good choice for picky eaters or the faint of heart to try because it can translate to as simple a meal as chicken with rice.

Tonkatsu is also a popular dish served at many Japanese restaurants. Tonkatsu is breaded and deep fried pork, usually served with shredded cabbage. The pork cutlet is usually salted, peppered, lightly floured, dipped into a beaten egg and covered with bread crumbs on both sides, after which it is deep fried and served in bite-size portions. This same concept is also applied to other meats such as chicken or pork, and entrees such as chicken katsu and pork katsu appear on many menus. Noodles are also an essential food, and there are many different types. Udon are white, thick wheat noodles that are made by kneading wheat flour, salt and water. They can be fried, chilled or added to hot soup. Udon are often dipped in mentsuyu, a soy sauce flavored dashi soup. Dashi is a cooking stock that is the basis for almost all Japanese soups and broths. Udon noodles are served with toppings such as grated ginger, nori, green onion and wasabi, to name a few. And, of course, there is sushi. As familiar as you may think you are with sushi, it actually comes in many forms. In addition to the typical sushi rolls, known as norimaki, there is nigiri sushi, which differs from norimaki in that it is not rolled. Rather, nigiri consists of small rice balls with seafood placed on top. Sashimi is thinly sliced, raw sea-

At the Store

Spice up dinner with Adobo!

Used with permission from Miki Yoshihito and the Creative Commons

food served alone that is similar to sushi except for the absence of rice and nori. If you pride yourself on being someone who will try anything, the next couple of dishes may be for you. Let’s just say I would not add these to my plate. Shishamo is a saltwater fish about 15 centimeters in length that is considered a delicacy in Japan. It is grilled or fried whole (eyes and all) and is eaten with the roe inside, which are the fish’s fully ripe internal ovaries or egg masses. Natto is another dish known to rank high on the list of unusual foods. It is a food made from fermented soybeans and is known for its powerful

smell. It is also known for its sticky texture. Natto is surrounded by a white, mucus-like material. When you pick up the beans, a web of this sticky white material hangs between the beans. The smell has been said to resemble a moldy cheese; most people take one whiff and can’t step any closer. However, if you’re brave enough, natto has many health benefits, including the prevention of heart attacks. With these suggestions of dishes to try (and not to try), looking at a Japanese menu shouldn’t seem like such a daunting task.

by Jordan Ramos There are certain go-to items in your kitchen that can make any food better. Nutella and ranch dressing, for example. About a month ago, my roommate introduced me to a seasoning called Adobo, and I swear, my culinary world was transformed. This spice can go on almost any food and make it so much better. Adobo is a seasoning made by Goya that consists of salt, granulated garlic, oregano, black pepper and turmeric and can be used in many different ways. There are eight different varieties of Adobo, including with and without pepper, with cumin, with lemon, hot and different light varieties, which contain 50% less sodium. I have Adobo with pepper, but I can’t wait to try the others once this bottle runs out. Also, the stuff is cheap; I got an 8 ounce bottle for less than $2. Here are a couple recipes to enjoy with Adobo. But for the record, throw Adobo on anything, especially meats, and the meal will come alive. Adobo Chicken Quesadillas »6 soft flour tortillas »2 pounds chicken breast, cut into cubes 8

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»1 large red pepper »1 medium onion, chopped »2 teaspoons Adobo seasoning »1 bag Mexican cheese »oil »butter »sour cream

1. In a hot skillet, heat some oil. Add the chopped chicken, onions, peppers and seasoning to the skillet. Fry, stirring frequently, until chicken is cooked. Remove from heat. 2. Place flour tortillas on a flat surface. On each tortilla, cover one half of the area with the fried chicken mixture. Sprinkle with Mexican cheese mix. Fold each tortilla in half. Preheat oven to 400F. Place assembled quesadillas in a non-stick cookie sheet (I usually line the cookie sheet with either wax paper or aluminum foil to avoid the clean up afterward). 3. Place quesadillas in oven for about 10 minutes. Once the tortillas are out of the oven, slice each quesadilla in half (making 12), and serve immediately with sour cream, guacamole or any of your other favorite dips.

Chicken thigh Adobo style--Used with permission from the Creative Commons

Buttery Crusted Baked Tilapia »4 6-oz boneless tilapia filets »6-8 Ritz crackers, crushed »1/2 teaspoon seasoned salt »1/4 teaspoon chili powder »1/4 teaspoon adobo seasoning »2 tablespoons unsalted butter, cold 1. Arrange fish on a lined baking sheet. In a mix-

ing bowl, combine crushed Ritz crackers with seasoned salt, chili powder and adobo seasoning (use clean hands to mix). 2. Cut butter into 6 equal pats. Place one pat a piece directly on the center of the tilapia. Cut remaining 2 pats into pea-sized pieces and mix by hand into cracker mixture. Sprinkle crumbs equally over each tilapia filet. Bake in a preheated oven at 425F for 15-20 minutes, or desired doneness. Serve hot.

the217.com october 13 - 19, 2011

Be a real human being.

A “Big Mouth” to Fill

Tortica’s Mexican Subs makes its Green Street debut

by Stacey Klouda

s the landscape of Green Street continues to change, it seems like a recurring theme within buzz’s Food section to highlight and investigate each new shift in dining possibilities — still, the Tortica’s/ Big Mouth’s drama presents a new angle on this theme. We see another Green Street heavyweight (Burrito King) expanding and taking full advantage of the vacancies popping up along the U of I strip. Big Mouth’s spot on this strip has been transformed into Tortica’s, and people are talking. One recent alum, Erin Halpin of Milwaukee, expressed honest shock at the departure of the Green Street Classic, Big Mouth’s. “What? Big Mouth’s is gone?! Where am I going to get my cheddar burger fix when I come back for game days??” Never fear, Erin. Fortunately, there’s a new place to fill our bellies in that same Big Mouth’s way and that’s creating plenty of buzz. As I was asking around about the place, a Tortica’s enthusiast came up to me and said, “I’ve got four words for you — A-Number-Three-Delicious.” The girl was referring to one of the Mexican subs offered at Tortica’s and piqued my interest. Tortica’s, the brainchild of Burrito King’s owner, has a less formal feel and more Mexi-mericana choices like Mexican/American subs, ribs,

chicken wings and salads (listed as “healthy” for anyone who might be confused). They also offer a variety of alcoholic beverages of the Mexican tradition and even a blooming onion appetizer option. Menu-wise, it’s a little bit of a hodgepodge, yet the dishes seem to follow one relatively unifying concept — American favorites with a Mexican twist. Just take the classic hamburger: on top of the normal patty, they stack on ham, hot dog, pepper-jack cheese, freshly sliced avocado, lettuce, tomato and onion to create their “Mexican Burger.” After looking over this wild menu, I was ready to bite down on what Tortica’s had to offer. For my first taste of Tortica’s, I wanted something that wouldn’t break the bank, so I went with a reasonably priced soup — Chicken Tortilla. Honestly, I love Chicken Tortilla Soups of all kinds, but sadly, this one seemed like half-heated nacho cheese with a mysterious chunk or two of chicken floating around in it. Maybe it was just an off batch. For my next attempt, I asked one of the employees what some of his favorites were, and he told me that any of the first three Mexican subs — The Mole Verde, The Mole Rojo, or the Chile Colorado — are delicious. I decided on the Red Mole chicken sub that has refried beans, lettuce, tomatoes and red mole sauce, all on a

Torticas Grill on Green Street. Photo by Lauren Leonatti

fresh sub roll and comes with Burrito King’s classic chips and salsa. While the sandwich was a bit unwieldy and the mole a bit too overpowering and sweet, the bread was perfect, the veggies fresh and the flavor relatively authentic. This place also is a great spot for soccer fans as they play games from some of those hard-to-get channels and have great deals (half-off entrees) for game days

and otherwise. Even with the hit-or-miss dishes I have tried so far at this new hub of south-of-the-border-meetsfrat-house favorites, I refuse to write off Tortica’s completely — the staff are friendly and very eager to please, and the less frantic atmosphere and delicious bread give this new place a leg up on its sister restaurant, Burrito King.

WPGU

& 1 . 7 0 1

bring you

Frattle of the Bands III

Come out and watch Delts, Alpha Chi Rho, and Triangles rock it out Oct. 12 at KAM’S starting at 10 PM! Bands have a chance to win $1000 CASH as well as bragging rights around campus!

AMAZING DRINK SPECIALS ALL NIGHT LONG AT KAM’S:

$1.50 “Bud” U Call It Drafts and Bottles $2.50 Bacardi Drinks $3.50 Vodka and Bam

buzz

MUSIC

Wanna see an android walk a tightrope? Janelle Monae warps to Foellinger Auditorium Oct. 16

t’s been a little over a year since Janelle Monae put on an extremely theatric but equally captivating performance opening for of Montreal at last year’s Pygmalion Music Festival. On Sunday, Oct. 16, she’s coming back as a part of Reverb’s national Campus Consciousness Tour with opener fun. and collaborators from Monae’s own label (Wondaland Arts Society), Deep Cotton and Roman GianArthur. At this point, it has almost become a cliché to refer to Janelle Monae’s music as genre-bending because so many have referred to it thusly. But upon listening to it again, and again, and finding so many different types and personalities of people who become completely enthralled by her music, it’s probably one of the best descriptors out there for her flawless and critically acclaimed blend of rock, R&B, hip hop and whatever else you can pick out of her two releases and countless collaborations with artists like of Montreal, Big Boi and fun.. So you’ve got your soulful R&B obsessed, the indie pop entrepreneurs, hip hop connoisseurs and everything in between. The best part about it all is Monae does it well and with a shit ton of style, a white tuxedo, a crazy and fashion buzz-worthy hairdo and the performance energy of at least a couple Gagas. Before our interview with her, Janelle Monae made sure we understood where her generally cool-toned answers were coming from. “Pardon my relaxed voice as I am still coming down from this high of just being on stage and just performing with Stevie Wonder,” she explained. It was a performance in Rio de Janeiro for 100,000+ people she defined as “indescribable,” and understandably so. Her trip to the top has only lasted briefly. With only one full-length released in 2010 and an EP released almost three years prior, Monae’s music has been getting around town (and in turn, the world, universe and time and space itself). Before releasing her first EP Metropolis: Suite I (The Chase), Monae hooked up with Outkast’s Big Boi, whom she met in Atlanta, who then passed on her music to Music Industry bigwig and talent Sean Combs. Upon hearing Monae’s music and taking a look at her tuxedo-on, hair-up, uninhibited danceheavy performances, Combs signed her to his own Bad Boy Records, which ended up putting out Suite I and Monae’s first full-length The Archandroid (Suites II and III), also released on Wondaland. The album peaked at 17 on the Billboard Top 200 and was featured on several “Best Album” lists for 2010 in magazines like Spin, Pitchfork, Entertainment Weekly and The Guardian. The record was also nominated for Best Contemporary R&B Album at the 53rd Grammy Awards in 2011. After all that and even a few tour dates with Katy Perry earlier this year, it only makes sense that Stevie Wonder would be another pivotal point in the 25-year-old artist’s career. But that isn’t the peak of it all. Monae said she’s in the works of her fourth album, what will be Suite IV of her four-part saga. 10

buzz

“It’s unfinished, and it’s already my favorite thing to listen to,” Monae said. “I mean, I’ve been in Brazil listening to it. And just sonically, the music, I just love it, and I’m in love with it. It’s just very organic...” But she doesn’t want to give too much away or else, Monae explained, “the droid control will definitely administer some repercussions to [her].” But it is, in fact, an ongoing story, and the anticipation is part of what fuels the continuation of the plot, the story of android Cindi Mayweather and her life, responsibilities and heroics in the city of Metropolis hundreds of years in the future (see sidebar for details on the history). In addition to her already ambitious pursuits in music and her arts collective, Monae is looking to promote quite a few causes, one of which is the Campus Consciousness Tour, a tour focused on promoting sustainable living and healthy environmental practices. Another is her own upcoming non-profit organization Super Seven, for which she said she’ll be taking “young girls who are between the ages of 9 and 18 and giving them the seven essential things that [she] feel[s] like they’ll need in order to cultivate themselves and to evolve as young women and to succeed in the world.” Monae could not reveal the specifics of the organization at this time, but she did specify two of those seven things. “I think exposure is everything,” she said. “And just exposing them to a different part of the world, a different country. A lot of young girls haven’t been out of the United States, and I know for me, I’m not the same person as a result of just exploring the world. Being here in Brazil, being all over Europe, I have a broader perspective. I think the arts are important, so just allowing them to experience a concert is really important — to understand music more, to go take an art class, just expand their mind. You never know what you don’t like until you experience it.” Monae has also revealed her plans to create music videos for a large portion of her catalog, a movie and even a graphic novel. Though, for her, creating all this art is all about “timing.” When asked when fans can expect all of this to come out, Monae responded with an extremely cryptic, but well-thought-out reply: “When the robin kisses the bluebird, and the bluebird sucks on honey, and the honey drips down my thigh, and then I’ll look at my toe and I’ll know.” Supported by Star Course, the concert will take place at Foellinger Auditorium at 8 p.m. Tickets are available for purchase at the Assembly Hall Box Office and Ticketmaster, running at $31 for the general public and $26 for students. “You guys will be getting an experience,” Monae said. “It’s not just me coming and performing songs; I’ll have the Arch Orchestra there ... Hopefully, it means something deep to you when you watch the experience.”

» » »

by Adam Barnett / interview by Dylan Sutcliff and Adam Barnett

Used with permission from Janelle Monáe

Here are some highlights from our interview: » buzz: Why did you decide to take the setting of Metropolis the film and incorporate it into your works? Janelle Monae: Because I think it’s a very strong concept, the concept between the haves and the have-nots. That struggle is happening now. Everyday there’s the fight against the man and the worker, and like the quote says in Metropolis, “The mediator between the mind—” which is the man—“and the hands—” the workers, the oppressed—“is the heart.” And I thought that that was just a strong concept, and I still think it is. And I’ve always wanted to represent the heart; I’ve always wanted my music to represent the heart. And I think music is just a language that we all speak. Stevie Wonder would say, “a language that we all understand,” and I don’t ever think that will go out of style or expire. And I’m just doing my diligence of bringing forth something that has been talked about in the past that is still happening. And again, just mediating and bringing people together to talk about how we can find a solution to live in the same world. And that goes with the android. Once the android is truly integrated into society — how can we all live with one another? What we fear, what we teach our kids to fear — how’s the society going to work? » buzz: “Tightrope” is said to be influenced by Cindi’s interview on June 9, 2719. We were wondering what happened in that interview. JM: Well, in that interview, there were a lot of young people who were really, really depressed and were hopeless, and they had given up. And they came to see Cindi outside the interview. She was doing an

interview about her album that was coming out, and she had brought this new “Cybersoul” genre to Metropolis. But the teens were just really depressed, and they felt like they were always gonna be havenots, and nobody would ever listen to them—and these were android teens—and so she just told them, “Life is about balance. This is what you do when you’re feeling oppressed and depressed. You put this song on and you remember that you can’t get too high or too low, or if you do get too high or too low, you’ll fall.” And that’s exactly how the song got very popular. She went and she wrote it, and she thought that it’d be great for everybody around the world to listen to that song. » buzz: “Neon Valley Street” is inspired by Cindi’s last thoughts before entering cybertronic purgatory. Was Cindi making a messiah’s sacrifice to save Metropolis and the planet? JM: The thing is, we’re only on Suites Two and Three, so I can’t give away too much information, or the droid control will definitely administer some repercussions to me, who is very aware of all of this, and I do indeed know. But unfortunately, my friend, I am working on new music — well, not unfortunately. Fortunately, I am working on new music, and the concept is gonna be strong, and I will give more detail about that encounter and her whole experience in cybertronic purgatory. Just know that she has been faced with oppositions and decisions, and she has been involved in her own self-discovery of who she is and her superpowers, and she definitely has responded to being the Archandroid, this mythic, messianic thing that has been going around for centuries. And for her to discover that it was indeed her is a very powerful thing, and it’s a lot of responsibility.

the217.com october 13 - 19, 2011

Stop telling me truths.

The legend of Janelle Monae and The Archandroid by Dylan Sutcliff Cindi Mayweather’s hesitance to fall in love with a human, Anthony Greendown; however, by the end of the song, her “emotion engine” malfunctions. She is now beyond the bounds of her desired purpose and therefore breaking the law of Metropolis; however, the Droid Control is not aware of this yet, and she becomes a mass cultural icon. She writes and releases “Tightrope,” furthering her fame and influence. In the middle of Suite II is “Neon Gumbo,” which is actually the very end of the song “Many Moons” from Suite I in reverse. This leads me to believe that we must shift to Suite I to continue the story chronologically. The first song in Suite I, “March of The Wolfmasters” is the most straightforward reveal of narrative. We learn Mayweather is on the run from The Metropolis Droid Control as a result of her illegal love for Anthony Greendown. She and her fellow outcasts (“freaks, weirdos”) are hiding in underground Metropolis. “Many Moons” is a call to revolution with Mayweather at the head. At this point, it is unknown whether or not she is the ArchAndroid; however, the rumor is making its way around. The story then moves back onto The ArchAndroid where Mayweather is in The Palace of the

THE

Dogs Sanitarium (by choice or not is unclear) undergoing primal scream therapy in “Come Alive (War of the Roses).” The therapy releases a piece of Cindi that was previously untapped, bringing her closer to embracing the prophecy of The ArchAndroid. Suite III is the latest chronologically in the legend, and even though Mayweather is planning her revolution, she laments for Anthony Greendown and their love that cannot be in “Neon Valley Street.”. “57821” is told from Greendown’s point of view and adds that at some point Mayweather was locked up, presumably by the Droid Control. Greendown finds and rescues her, saying, “I will show you the ways that I loved you/ I saved you so you’d save the world/ Cause you’re the one.” By the end of the album, it is clear that Cindi Mayweather is in fact The ArchAndroid. The last two songs close the album a bit ambiguously with “Say You’ll Go” pushing once again the theme of revolution and “BaBopByeYa” expressing an anxious tone, calling out for the tale to be finished in Suite IV. 1 Found on The ArchAndroid vinyl gatefold. 2 Found in an interview with SoulCulture

Used with permission from Bad Boy Records.

briefbox

First and foremost, Janelle Monae is not an android. Monae is a human from the year 2719 who 1 was “snatched, genoraped and de-existed ” — meaning that her DNA code was illegally stolen from her and then sold at a “body farm.” From her DNA, the android prototype #57821, Cindi Mayweather, was created. Monae was then sent back in time (possibly by the Metropolis Droid Control) to our century where she has devoted her life to telling the story/legend/prophecy of Cindi Mayweather in four parts (suites): The ArchAndroid. According to Monae, the album takes it’s name from “a mythical figure that went around for centuries and centuries. It was said that when the ArchAndroid 2 came, it would lead the androids to freedom.” At this time, only three of the four suites have been released, with Monae dutifully and diligently working on the culminating piece. Before I get into the narrative of the ArchAndroid, please keep in mind that this is my interpretation. Presently, there is no clear source of information pointing to the actual narrative of this legend, so I guess you’ll just have to trust me. I’m going to tell the tale chronologically, which begins with Suite II, or the first half of her debut album The ArchAndroid. With “Dance or Die” setting the scene of Metropolis, “Faster” introduces

Foellinger Auditorium who: Janelle Monae and Fun where: 709 South Matthews avenue,

urbana, il 61801 when: Sunday, OCT. 16 @8:00 p.m. TICKETS: $31 Public, $26 Students

Brought to you by:

ALTERNATIVE TO A BORING TAILGATE OCTOBER 15th

12:30PM-2:30PM ILLINI VS. OHIO STATE COME BY THE ILLINI MEDIA BULDING 2ND FLOOR FOR YOUR TAILGATE PASSES OR PRINT ONLINE AT THE 217.COM

buzz

an A-maize-ing crop

Corn isn’t just for eating — it’s used in ethanol, mazes and even palaces

by Avani Chhaya

e live in the middle of cornfields, in the midst of corn husks and yellow kernels. In consequence, many of us take the cash crop for granted. Corn can be used in everything and anything (and not just to make corny jokes). Martin Bohn, associate professor in crop sciences, said corn can be used for animal feed, ethanol production and for the chemical industry to create high fructose corn syrup. He said that there are 280 different races of corn in the world, while dent corn is used in the United States. The kernel of dent corn is yellow in color, looks like a tooth and has a little dent in it, Bohn added. “Corn is incredibly diverse,” he said. “It’s the corn that’s evolved here.” To adapt a different breed of corn in a country, a plant breeder must cross different varieties to create a crop that is accustomed to the growing conditions in a particular region. Bohn said he is involved in corn breeding to create the best type of corn. A breeder selects the progeny of corn that comes out of crossing a corn that is known to be insect resistant with a high-yielding corn, for example, to produce a lot of grains. “Plant breeders make crosses to create genetic diversity,” Bohn said. “We cross the best with the best.” He said Illinois is incredibly productive in yielding plentiful amounts of corn due to the rich soil.

Used with permission from James Rickwood and the Creative Commons

“Corn is one of the most important crops here,” Bohn said. “Corn is a fantastic crop.” It is also a fantastic crop to get literally lost in as well. Hardy’s Reindeer Ranch in Rantoul hosts an annual corn maze with various designs made out of 10 acres of their corn field. Julie Hardy, owner of the ranch, said the reindeer ranch started 16 years ago. She said last

year 11,000 people came through the maze. “It kind of grows on its own,” Hardy said. “It’s a lot of word of mouth.” The maze opens to the public starting the first of August through the middle of November. The Monster Maze is this year’s theme for the corn maze, she said. “We thought this would be a great attraction for our fall business,” Hardy said.

She added that people love the maze because it is a challenging treasure hunt where maze-goers have to find eight check points in the midst of corn. Illinois is not the only state in the country to pay homage to corn. The Corn Palace, located in Mitchell, South Dakota, has murals made out of 13 different shades of corn along the building’s walls. Resembling Russian architecture with green and yellow turrets, the Corn Palace has been in existence since the early 1900s. Once inside, the auditorium is home to vendors selling their corn-related goodies. Whether it’s a corn pipe or a book of corn recipes, you will get the urge to slap some butter on an ear. While a different theme is selected each year, the annual murals are made by nailing the corn to the walls ear by ear. The locale attracts about 500,000 tourists and uses over 275,000 ears of corn to redecorate the Corn Palace, according to the official website. Bohn said the nation depends on the corn produced here and at corn breeding centers located around Champaign County. He said corn is something special for people, especially those who have lived in a corn-producing area like Champaign-Urbana. “This shows how important Champaign county is for corn,” Bohn said. “I feel proud to be a part of this business of corn production.”

make it from (chicken) scratch Urbana residents are able to reap the benefits of raising chickens in their backyard by Hannah Pitstick

iving in Urbana has its perks. It’s quiet, with the loudest nighttime noisemaker being the buzzing cicada chorus. It’s relatively Crime-Alert-free, with the exception of a stolen bike here and there. And unlike Champaign residents, Urbanians are legally allowed to keep up to four hens in their backyard. Raising chickens has become increasingly popular over the past few years as a way to get fresh, free-range eggs every day. After the city of Urbana removed most prohibitions on keeping livestock and poultry within the city back in 2001, many residents, including college students, have decided to raise chickens of their own. Chickens can be purchased at any age, from eggs to full-grown hens. Fertilized chicken eggs cost around four dollars apiece when purchased from local farms, such as The Joy of Illinois Farm, and must be incubated and turned two or three times a day in order to keep the eggs uniformly warm and moist. University students Jesse Carlson and Maggie Corr raised chickens from eggs in their Urbana home last year. Unfortunately, their new landlord did not allow them to keep live animals, so they placed the chickens in the care of friends this year. 12

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“The landlord just said we weren’t allowed to have pets here,” Corr said. “I tried to explain to him that they weren’t pets.” Of the dozen eggs that Carlson bought from The Joy of Illinois Farm, six hatched and five survived. “Five out of 12 is a pretty good rate, especially since we did hand turning,” Carlson said. “Without using an electronic turner, you expect a 20 to 30 percent hatch rate.” One problem with buying chickens as eggs is that you can’t tell which ones will turn out to be hens and which will be roosters, which are not allowed in Urbana or Champaign for obvious reasons. “Out of the five that survived, only two were hens, and it’s a law that you can’t keep roosters because they start crowing,” Corr said. “We ate one of the roosters. It was a really cool experience; we actually killed it.” One of the main perks of raising chickens is free, fresh eggs. However, since it takes organic chickens about three to four months before they start laying eggs, Carlson and Corr didn’t have their chickens long enough to enjoy that aspect. University senior Phil Sudderberg and his housemates inherited three hens when they moved into their house this fall. The previous

Used with permission from the Creative Commons

tenants built the coop and raised the chickens to maturity, so all Sudderberg and his roommates have to do is feed them and collect the eggs. “Typically, we get one egg per chicken per day, so about three eggs a day,” Sudderberg said. “The eggs seem to be bigger, and the yolk is more of an amber, yellow-gold color rather than the pastel muted color that you see in a storebought egg. That’s the result of letting them live as they should, being able to free roam the backyard, eating insects that they find and get-

ting all the proper nutrients. “One unnamed neighbor said that the chickens look very delicious to him one time when he was sitting on his back porch,” Sudderberg said. “But he said it in jest, so I don’t think there’s any real threat that he will steal one of our chickens to slaughter and eat.” “Otherwise, we haven’t had any complaints. I don’t think they disturb anybody. I think all of our neighbors are college students or liberal adults, and they’re pretty happy to see them.”

the217.com october 13 - 19, 2011

@shiftmydadsays. Check it.

The South, the blue, voodoo

Run to the end of our 45 Mile broadcast and listen to 130 of our songs.

Krannert’s Latest Performance of Hoodoo Love by Imani Brooks

oodoo Love, a production written by Katori Hall and directed by Dept. of Theatre professor Robert Ramirez, debuted last Thursday at 7:30pm in the Studio Theatre of the Krannert Center for Performing Arts. The 2 hour and 20 minute play shows Wednesday through Saturday at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday the 16th at 3 p.m. Hoodoo Love takes place in 1930s Memphis, Tennessee, and is centered on main character Toulou, who is played by senior in acting Kayln N. C. Rivers. Toulou is a tiny but tough young woman dealing with flighty love interest Ace of Spades, played by senior in acting Tyrone Phillips, her controlling brother Jib, played by senior in acting Julian Parker, the temptation of voodoo, and aspirations of becoming a famous blues singer. Toulou’s dilemma spurs from her boyfriend Ace of Spades, who is also an aspiring blues musician. He travels along the Mississippi river and leaves a trail of women wherever he performs. Insecure, Toulou attempts to capture Ace’s heart by using hoodoo, or folk magic, supplied by her eccentric friend Candylady (played by senior in acting Mercedes White), an old woman who lives across the street and acts as the town’s witch doctor. During her struggles in love, Toulou’s sketchy older brother Jib comes for an unexpected visit, turning her world upside down. Although filled with easy humor, Hoodoo Love is not a lighthearted comedy. Struck with the setting of a black community during the Great Depression in the South, Hoodoo Love’s plot is structured around issues such as poverty, racism, religion and family structure. The play has mature content such as sex, rape and implied illegal drug use, so bringing children under age 18 to this play is not advised. But Hoodoo Love is an important story to tell, as it reflects on one of the toughest decades of American history while holding the resonant point of trusting the ones we love.

The Studio Theatre’s small space allow the small cast of four main characters and three ensemble characters to capture the audience’s attention, as the play is acted out in the middle of the room, with props for Toulou’s bedroom and Candylady’s shack. The blues songs, written by playwright Katori Hall, also gives Hoodoo Love more texture as the characters and ensemble sing through transitions and foreshadow through the context of their lyrics. Hoodoo Love director Robert Ramirez, who is also a voice, speech and acting teacher in the department of theatre, also aided the play’s transitions by creating an ensemble cast for the play, who sung the majority of these blues songs while moving props for the following scenes. The ensemble played as local characters, which Ramirez thought would add community to the small cast play. “The ensemble helps to add atmosphere. It lets the community tell the story in a broader sense,” Ramirez said. Actress Deandria Janice Kelley, who is part of the Hoodoo Love ensemble, is also a senior in acting and recognizes that this play may be one of her last Krannert productions as an acting student. “I wanted to go out with a bang,” Kelley said. “The play is beautifully written.” Phillips, who plays main character Ace of Spades, also reflects that Hoodoo Love will be one of his last undergraduate shows but “highly doubts” that it will be his last Krannert production. But this play will also be one of his last productions with his peers on the cast, whom he has gained close relationships with over the past four years. “It’s definitely a special show,” Phillips said. “We already know each other very well, and I think that’s what makes the story so clear.” Sophomore in acting Ryan Jenkins, one of the only non-seniors on the cast with sophomore in acting Iziz Mollinedo, also felt the familial energy despite the age difference. “With a cast this small you can’t help but feel like a family,” Jenkins said.

Urbana

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CALENDAR

OCTOBER 13 - 19, 2011

Complete listing available at

THE217.COM/CALENDAR

SUBMIT YOUR EVENT TO THE CALENDAR: Online: forms available at the217.com/calendar • E-mail: send your notice to calendar@the217.com • Fax: 337-8328, addressed to the217 calendar Snail mail: send printed materials via U.S. Mail to: the217 calendar, Illini Media, 512 E. Green St., Champaign, IL 61820 • Call: 531-1456 if you have a question or to leave a message about your event.

THURSDAY 13 live music The Diva and the Dude: Kathy Harden and Andy Baylor The Clark Bar, C, 6:30pm Sudden Sound Concert Series: Emily Hay, Brad Dutz, and Motoko Honda Krannert Art Museum and Kinkead Pavilion, C, 7:30pm Keith Harden acoustic Indi Go Artist Co-op, C, PANTONE 138 PANTONE COOL GRAY 6 7:30 pm, Keith Harden acoustic solo Keith Harden- Solo Mary Wolters LMT,CYT Acoustic Guitar Licensed Massage Therapist Indi Go Artist Co-op, C, 217•367•9642 spa 7:30pm, $5-10 217•377•5127 cell Chillax Massage Therapy, Radio Maria, C, 9pm Thai Yoga Massage, Couples Massage, Ole #7 Private Yoga Instruction Rosebowl Tavern, Ltd., U, 9pm Rubblebucket Club, U, 9pm, PANTONE 138 PANTONE COOL GRAYCanopy 6 with other promotions. $10

Good for $10 off ﬁrst time appointments. Not valid

2nd ﬂoor, 115 W. Main St. Urbana, IL, 61801 www.greenyogaspa.com

THIS WEEKEND on Champaign’s Alternative

OL GRAY 6

WPGU 107.1

PANTONE COOL GRAY 6

FRI Sat

Get energized for the weekend with The Red Bull Music Academy at 10pm!

Come on out to the WPGU Tailgate for free food and more at 12:30! Get in tune with the local

Sun

bands on “Loud & Local” hosted by Tommy Stopka at 9pm!

Like us on www.facebook.com/wpgu1071 Listen live at wpgu.com

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dj DJ BJ Dance Night Po’ Boys, U, 8pm DJ Luniks Firehaus, C, 10pm, $5 DJ Ollie & DJ Hot Saus Highdive, C, 10pm

lectures Finding Where We Are: Critical Spatial Thinking and the Future of Geographic Information Technologies Spurlock Museum, U, 4pm Economic Freedom and Human Well-Being, presented by the Champaign County Libertarian Party Urbana Free Library, U, 7pm IPRH Lecture by Teddy Cruz Levis Faculty Center/Visitor’s Center, U, 7:30pm

recreation Gates of Delirium Haunted Attraction Downtown Gilman, Gilman, 7pm, $9

campus activities

classes and workshops

“No Place Called Home,” food and drink written and performed by Half Price Happy Hour Restorative Circles Facili- Kim Schultz Emerald City Lounge, C, tation Practice Music Building, U, 7pm 5pm Urbana-Champaign Inde- Stop Kiss pendent Media Center, U, Armory Free Theatre, C, SATURDAY 15 8:30am 8pm

FRIDAY 14 live music ‘Appy Hour Silvercreek, U, 5:30pm, $2-$10 Joanie Dreyer, Bob Watson, Matt Stewart The Clark Bar, C, 7pm Keith Harden acoustic Bentley’s Pub, C, 8:30pm The Decadents and Dan Hubbard & The Humadors! Memphis on Main, C, 8:30pm, $5 Goth Industrial with Alex and Andrew The Clark Bar, C, 10pm

Weekday Orthodox Minyan and Breakfast The Hillel Foundation: The dj Margie K. and Louis N. Cohen Center for Jewish DJ Tommy Williams Life, C, Chester Street, C, 9pm, $3 7:30am Blitz & Beatz Tour: Illinois Canopy Club, U, 8pm, $12 fashion DJ Cal Emmerich Yarn ‘n Yak Boltini Lounge, C, 10pm Rantoul Public Library, DJ Delayney Rantoul, Highdive, C, 10pm 7pm DJ Kosmo Cowboy Monkey, C, 10pm

kids and families

Preschool Story Time karaoke Rantoul Public Library, Bentley’s Thursday Night Rantoul, 10am Karaoke Raising Readers Bentley’s Pub, C, 3pm Rantoul Public Library, Liquid Courage Karaoke Rantoul, 10:30am Memphis on Main, C, Picture It! for teens 9pm Rantoul Public Library, RockStarz Karaoke: Pre- Rantoul, 4pm sented by 3L Entertaincommunity ment Bentley’s Pub, C, Cosmopolitan Coffee 10pm Hours University YMCA, C, stage 7:30pm God of Carnage Open Yoga Practice The Station Theatre, U, Amara Yoga & Arts, U, 8pm, $10-$15 5:30am, Open Stage at Red Her$8 ring Lunchtime Express Core Red Herring Coffeehouse, with Maggie Taylor U, 9pm Amara Yoga & Arts, U, 12pm, $12 museum exhibit Ashtanga Yoga with Celebrating the King Certified Yoga Teacher James Bible at 400 Lauren Quinn U of I Main Library, U, Amara Yoga & Arts, U, 8:30am 5:30pm, $12

dance music English Country Dancing Phillips Recreation Center, U, 7pm, $2

concert Tales From the Darkest Night Indi Go Artist Co-op, C, 7:30pm

karaoke RockStarz Karaoke: Presented by 3L Entertainment Senator’s Bar & Grill, Savoy, 9pm DJ Bange Karaoke Phoenix, C, 9pm Dragon Karaoke with Paul Faber The Clark Bar, C, 10pm

stage God of Carnage The Station Theatre, U, 8pm, $10-$15

art exhibit Art @ the Y | Waveland: A Meditation University YMCA, C, 7pm McMahan Monigold Mulcahy Art Coop, U, 7pm

lectures Friday Forum Presents “Verticalization and Unionization: What’s Better for Education?” University YMCA, C, 12pm

recreation Gates of Delirium Haunted Attraction Gilman, 7pm, $9 Open Gym Volleyball Champaign County Brookens Administration Center, U, 5:30pm, $1

literary Zionist Food for Thought The Hillel Foundation: The Margie K. and Louis N. Cohen Center for Jewish Life, C, 12pm

social issues Isra-ed Weekly Session Cafe Sababa, C, 12pm

mind/body/spirit Yoga Krannert Art Museum and Kinkead Pavilion, C, 12pm Vinyasa Krama Yoga with Don Briskin Amara Yoga & Arts, U, 4pm, $12 Happy Hour Flow Yoga with Amanda Reagan Amara Yoga & Arts, U, 5:30pm, $12

miscellaneous International Coffeehouse Etc. Coffee House, U, 4pm

classes and workshops

live music

GTO & the Glasspaks Curtis Orchard, C, 12pm The Diva and the Dude: Kathy Harden and Andy Baylor The Clark Bar, C, 6:30pm The Hillbilly Jones! Memphis on Main, C, 7pm Live Jazz with Panache Jim Gould Restaurant, C, 7pm Keith Harden acoustic Huber’s West End Store, C, 8pm Extreme Metal Invades The Phoenix Phoenix, C, 8:30pm, $4-6 The New Rural Route 3 Rosebowl Tavern, Ltd., U, 9pm Morgue Supplier, Horde, Low 12, Seven Year Exsistance Phoenix, C, 9pm Mother Get Down at Boomerang’s Bar and Grill Boomerang’s Bar and Grill, U, 9pm Here Come The Mummies Canopy Club, U, 9pm, $25 Candy Foster And Shades Of Blue Cowboy Monkey, C, 9:30pm, $5 The Hot Slugs! Memphis on Main, C,10pm

dj DJ Dif-EQ Red Star Liquors, U, 9pm DJ Randall Ellison Chester Street, C, 9pm, $3 DJ - Presented by 3L Entertainment D.R. Diggers, C, 9:30pm Goth Night The Clark Bar, C, 10pm. DJ Space Police Boltini Lounge, C, 10pm

Restorative Circles Facilidance music tation Practice Urbana-Champaign Inde- Salsa Night with DJ Dr. J pendent Media Center, U, Radio Maria, C, 8:30am 10pm

concert Tales From the Darkest Night Indi Go Artist Co-op, C, 7:30pm

karaoke RockStarz Karaoke: Presented by 3L Entertainment Senator’s Bar & Grill, Savoy, 9pm

stage God of Carnage The Station Theatre, U, 8pm, $10-$15 Stop Kiss Armory Free Theatre, C, 1pm

art exhibit Art @ the Y | Waveland: A Meditation University YMCA, C, 7pm

lectures Saturday Physics “The Mysterious Neutrinos” Loomis Lab, U, 10:15am

literary Talk and Reception with Deborah Neimann Jane Addams Book Shop, C, 1pm

kids and families Kids Yoga Amara Yoga & Arts, U, 10:30am Kids Arts & Crafts Playshops Amara Yoga & Arts, U, 11:15am

community Market at the Square Lincoln Square Mall, U, 7am

fundraisers Stone Soup-A Miracle for a Mission; A Production to Benefit the TIMES Center Savoy United Methodist Church, Savoy, 6pm, $20-25

miscellaneous 6th Annual Train Show The Cisco Center, Cisco, 9am, $3

october 13 - 19, 2011

classes and workshops

Restorative Circles Facilitation Practice Urbana-Champaign Independent Media Center, U, 8:30am

West African (Guinea) dance workshop Bayles Lake, Loda, 1pm, $10-12 West African Dance Class with Djibril Camara Channing-Murray Foundation, U, 6pm, $10-12

food and drink Sensational Saturday Tasting Sun Singer Wine & Spirits, C, 12pm Half Price Happy Hour Emerald City Lounge, C, 5pm

Sunday 16 live music Live Jazz with Panache Jim Gould Restaurant, C, 7pm John McMahon Strawberry Fields, U, 11am Denny K Curtis Orchard, C, 12pm Kathy & Keith Harden plus Andy Baylor Boomerang’s Bar and Grill, U, 6pm Surreal Deal Rosebowl Tavern, Ltd., U, 8:30pm

open mic Open Mic Nite Phoenix, C, 7pm

stage God of Carnage The Station Theatre, U, 8pm, $10-$15 Drag Show Chester Street, C, 10pm, $4

food and drink Champagne Brunch with a Diva! Emerald City Lounge, C, 10am, $12 Sandy’s Bagel Brunch and Games The Hillel Foundation: The Margie K. and Louis N. Cohen Center for Jewish Life, C, 11am

game-playing

movies

Puzzle Exchange Rantoul Public Library, Rantoul, 5pm

Israeli Movie Club The Hillel Foundation: The Margie K. and Louis N. Cohen Center for Jewish Life, C, 7pm

literary Lunch and Learn with Rabbi Naftali The Hillel Foundation: The Margie K. and Louis N. Cohen Center for Jewish Life, C, 1pm

social issues Congo Week: Potluck University YMCA, C, 6pm

volunteer Friends of the Library Rantoul Public Library, Rantoul, 6pm, $10

kids and families

Monday 17

Growing Up Wild: Along Came a Spider live music Lake of the Woods ForOne Dollar Wild Mondays est Preserve, Mahomet, Canopy Club, U, 10am 10am, $5 Baby & Me Yoga with dj Corrie Proksa DJ Randall Ellison Amara Yoga & Arts, U, Chester Street, C, 9pm, $2 10:30am, $12 Eletro/Industrial Night Chester Street, C, 9pm, $2 mind/body/spirit 80’s Night w/ DJ MinTarot Reader gram Boltini Lounge, C, 6:30pm Highdive, C, 10pm

karaoke RockStarz Karaoke: Presented by 3L Entertainment Mike ‘n Molly’s, C, 10pm

The Zionist Lunch and Learn Cafe Sababa, C, 11:30am

campus activities

dance Music

Revive, Restore, Relax: Weston Wellness Weston Residence Hall, C, 3pm

Salsa Dancing Cowboy Monkey, C, 10pm

stage

Puzzle Exchange Rantoul Public Library, Rantoul, 2pm Trivia Tuesdays Memphis on Main, C, 7pm

literary

stage

Nomad SF Book Club Champaign Public Library, C, 7pm

God of Carnage The Station Theatre, U, 8pm, $10-15

social issues

game-playing

Congo Week: Breaking the Silence - Colton Awareness on the Quad University YMCA, C

Pokemon Fan Club Rantoul Public Library, Rantoul, 5:30pm Euchre Po’ Boys, U, 7pm Live Trivia Buffalo Wild Wings, Savoy, 8pm

lgbt

live music

Rainbow Coffeehouse Etc. Coffee House, U, 6pm

campus activities

open mic

Nutrition Walk In La Casa Cultural Latina, U, 5pm

Open Mic Night Cowboy Monkey, C, 10pm

open mic Open mic night at Samuel Music Samuel, C, 5:00 pm Open Mic Comedy Night Memphis on Main, C, 9pm Open Mic Nite Phoenix, C, 9pm

game-playing

Tuesday 18

Parkland Early Jazz Ensemble Iron Post, U, 7pm Blue Tuesdays - Presented stage by 3L Entertainment God of Carnage Senator’s Bar & Grill, Sarecreation The Station Theatre, U, voy, 7:30pm Soccer Planet Community 8pm, $10-$15 Dueling Guitars Open House Monday Night Comedy Jupiter’s II, C, 8pm Soccer Planet, U, 1pm Illini Union, U, 7pm The Piano Man Abe Froman Project Mon- Canopy Club, U, campus activities day Night Improv 9pm M and M: Midrash and Mike ‘n Molly’s, C, 9pm Dragon Karaoke with Meal Paul Faber The Hillel Foundation: The art The Clark Bar, C, Margie K. and Louis N. Co- MELD: Monday Evening 10pm hen Center for Jewish Life, Life Drawing group karaoke C, 6pm McGown Photography, C, 7pm, $7 RockStarz Karaoke: Pregame-playing sented by 3L Entertainlectures Trivia Night ment The Blind Pig Brewery, C, Human Social Networks Bentley’s Pub, C, 7pm in Real and Evolutionary 10pm Big Dave’s Trivia Time Rockstarz Karaoke Cowboy Monkey, C, 7pm Alice Campbell Alumni Chester Street, C, Center, U, 8pm 10pm

mind/body/spirit

God of Carnage The Station Theatre, U, 8pm, $10-15

Coyote Ugly Night w/ DJ Stifler Highdive, C, 9pm DJ Tommy Williams Chester Street, C, 9pm, $2 Wompdown Wednesdays: Chalice Mug Night! Canopy Club, U, 9pm, $1 I Love The ‘90s with DJ Mingram Soma Ultralounge, C, 10pm

classes and workshops Real Computing Help Douglass Branch Library, C, 6pm Beyond the Blues: Understanding Depression Illini Union, U, 7pm

Wednesday 19 live music Donnie Heitler Great Impasta, U, 6pm The Hot Iron String Band The Clark Bar, C, 6:30pm Jesse Francis and Jimmy Bean The Clark Bar, C, 6:30pm Open Deck Night Radio Maria, C, 9pm The Diva and the Dude: Kathy Harden and Andy Baylor The Clark Bar, C, 6:30pm

dj DJ Randall Ellison Boltini Lounge, C, 9pm

environmental issues Students for Environmental Concerns University YMCA, C, 6:30pm Central Illinois Green Business Networking Buvons Wine Bar, U, 5:30pm

the217.com

buz z ’s WEEK AHEAD Curls Night Out Ippatsu Hair Salon 122 N. Neil St., C. Friday, Oct. 21 6 p.m. - 9 p.m. Free!

I’m a minority — I have naturally curly hair. While most girls straighten the shit out of their hair until it falls in silky smooth strands across their back, I’ve got a frizzy, bouncy head of crazy curly Q’s and kinks. But I embrace what makes me different. I’m unique! That’s why I’m joining together with the rest of my under-represented hair brethren at this “Curls-Only” event. While you’re at home fighting the awkward bump in the back of your head with a burning hot straightening iron to achieve unnaturally straight hair, I’ll be treating myself to champagne, cupcakes and demos on how to best treat my beautiful princess locks. Jealoussss? — Amy Harwath, Community Editor

“Tales from the Darkest Night” Readings from Edgar Allen Poe & Tellings of Traditional Horror Tales Indi Go Artist Co-op 9 E. University Ave., C. Friday, Oct. 14 7 p.m. - 9:30 p.m. Cost: $12 adults/ $10 students Oh, how SPOOKY! According to the event summary, “Dan Keding, storyteller of international acclaim, is well known for his telling of traditional world folktales, personal narratives of his boyhood in Chicago, ghost stories and dark tales, and superbly crafted original pieces. As a child, he learned the traditional stories that his grandmother brought to this country from Croatia. A well-respected ballad singer, he accompanies himself on guitar, banjo and spoons.” What’s scarier than banjos and Poe? NOTHING! — Nick Martin, Movies & TV Editor

kids and families Storyshop at the Branch Douglass Branch Library, C, 10:30am

seniors Senior Free Wii Days Phillips Recreation Center, U, 9am

miscellaneous Cafe Ivrit Espresso Royale, U, 7pm

Evaluate Your Life Day Everywhere. Wednesday, Oct. 16 Everyone’s life needs evaluation. For example, I’ve done some terrible things in my life. I’ve dated some terrible girls, I’ve called those girls terrible girls, and I’ve published the fact that those girls were terrible in a weekly magazine (had I said which out of the countless women I’ve dated were terrible, that would be libel!). But I did something good once. And that, my friends, is introspection. — Adam Barnett, Music Editor

classes and workshops Tango Quick Start Class Channing-Murray Foundation, U, 6pm, $25

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Liquor Store Wine Selection New Business of 2011! Best Green Business Drunk Food Resale Shop Hair Salon Asian Cuisine Sushi Mexican Pizza Barbeque Breakfast Food On-Campus Bar Off-Campus Bar Beer Selection Live Music Venue Men’s Clothing Women’s Clothing Coffee Shop Smoke Shop Art Gallery Theater Venue

2011

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Place this ballot in an envelope and mail to: attn: Best of CU Illini Media 512 E. Green St.

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Find out your picks in the special Best of CU 2011 Edition of Buzz & the217.com on November 10 Rules: (1) One Ballot per person. Multiple Submissions will be disqualified. (2) Voting ends October 16, 2011

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OCTOBER 13 - 19, 2011

employment

BUSINESS OPPS

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Studio, 1, & Huge Multi-Level 2 Bedrooms One block from Engineering Quad, on major bus lines Starting @ $400/month universitygroupapartments.com (217)352-3182

2 Bedroom Available Fall 2011 Campus, some utilities From $700. 217-367-6626.

211 E. Green St., Urbana (217) 384-8001

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3 & 4 Bedrooms Located @ 5th and Healey Leather furniture, ﬂat screen TV, balconies Starting @ $398/person universitygroupapartments.com (217)352-3182

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58 E. John

3 & 5 Bedrooms Located behind Legend's Hardwood ﬂoor, ﬂat screen TV, balconies Starting @ $330/person universitygroupapartments.com (217)352-3182

4 & 5 Bedroom Townhouses Conveniently Located @ Fourth & Gregory Wood Floors, ﬂat screen TV, leather furniture Starting @ $376/person universitygroupapartments.com (217)352-3182

506 E. Stoughton

207 S. Wright

Large Studios Located one block from Engineering Quad New kitchens Starting @ $395/month universitygroupapartments.com (217)352-3182

Large, Newly Remodeled 1 Bedrooms Hardwood ﬂoors, Free parking Located on the corner of Wright & White universitygroupapartments.com (217)352-3182

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Huge Studio & 2 Bedrooms New Kitchens Located one block from Engineering Quad Starting @ $348/person universitygroupapartments.com (217)352-3182

1, 2, 3 Bedrooms Huge Multi-Level Townhouses New kitchens, hardwood ﬂoors, ﬂat screen TV Leather furniture, walk-in closets universitygroupapartments.com (217)352-3182

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Urbana Locations

Illini Union 3 1/2 Blocks Mech. Eng. 3 Blocks

• On engineering &

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Not your typical girls next door The A Cappella Group Plans Another Season by Andrea Baumgartner

he Girls Next Door is not your typical a cappella group. As freshman Sydney McComas said, “We’re pooptastic!” The leading ladies of Girls Next Door didn’t describe themselves as harmoniously perfect, melodically unified or any adverb-adjective you could choose to describe a group very musically talented girls. Amongst giggles and blushed faces, they couldn’t help but poke fun at their own goofy term for themselves. “Our group dynamic is laid back. None of us are super girly — we all just really like to have a good time and to laugh,” said singer Anne Taylor, sophomore. “And we do think poop is funny because it is ... We’re all just really supportive, and in our group, it’s not a competition ... we like to just have fun.” “We’re really more than just a group that sings together,” said junior Alexandra Habeeb. “These are some of my closest friends on campus, so I think that’s a big idea.” But what truly makes the Girls Next Door different from all the other a cappella groups? “We’re the ones getting interviewed, duh,” McComas teased. Sophomore Katrina Walter sees it as more than that.

“Aside from the fact that we all get along — which is pretty great — we’re probably the one group on campus that does the widest variety of genres,” she said. “We literally will sing anything. If one of us wants to sing it, we’ll either do it or at least talk about it. If someone brings up a suggestion, nothing is ever blatantly shot down.” The group has sang everything from a satirical version of “Friday,” a Bob Marley medley, Cee Lo Green, Jessie J. and other genres such as jazz, country and even classic Beatles songs. The Girls Next Door has a show coming up on Oct. 8. at Canopy Club starting at 6:30 p.m. “This show is a little bit different because we normally do three a cappella songs, but on top of that, every girl gets to sing a solo song with the band,” said sophomore Brittany O’Brien. “It’s a cool thing that no other a cappella group gets to do.” “Obviously, we all love singing a cappella,” Walter said. “But it’s kind of nice that we all get the spotlight and to do something different that we maybe wouldn’t get the chance to do in the a cappella world.” Gremer said the girls getting a moment in the spotlight makes the experience even more enthralling.

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Used with Permission from the Girls Next Door

“It’s one of my favorite things in the entire world,” she said. “Every time I get on that stage, I feel like a rock star, so it’s so fun to just have that kind of experience.” The girls’ lineup of songs include “Fever” by Lady Gaga, the Glee version duet of “Poker Face”

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sung by Walter and Taylor, Natasha Bedingfield’s “Unwritten” sung by Gremer and Bon Jovi’s “Livin’ on a Prayer” performed by senior Jessica Slovak. Other shows the ladies have coming up include Acetoberfest, Oct. 14 at 7:30, and their winter show Dec. 2 at 7:30 p.m. at Spurlock Museum.

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the217.com october 13 - 19, 2011

You wouldn’t understand what it is like to fall in love with a character.

FREE WILL ASTROLOGY ARIES

March 21-April 19

If it’s at all possible, Aries, don’t hang around boring people this week. Seek out the company of adventurers who keep you guessing and unruly talkers who incite your imagination and mystery-lovers who are always on the lookout for new learning experiences. For that matter, treat yourself to especially interesting food, perceptions, and sensations. Take new and different routes to familiar hotspots. Even better, find fresh hotspots. Cultivating novelty is your mandate right now. Outgrowing your habits would be wise, fun, and cool. Changing your mind is a luxury you need and deserve.

LIBRA

October 13 – 19, 2011 Sept. 23-Oct. 22

Oct. 23-Nov. 21

“My grandfather always said that living is like licking honey off a thorn,” wrote the Slovenian American author Louis Adamic. That’s true enough. Here’s the thing, though: If you manage to get a smooth thorn without any prickles (like on certain hawthorn trees), the only risk is when you’re licking the honey close to the sharp end. Otherwise, as your tongue makes its way up the sleek surface of the rest of the thorn, you’re fine -- no cuts, no pain. According to my analysis, Taurus, you have just finished your close encounter with the sharp point of a smooth thorn. Now the going will be easier.

You’ve got to cry one more tear before the pungent comedy will deliver its ultimate lesson and leave you in peace. You’ve got to make one further promise to yourself before you will be released from the twilight area where pain and pleasure became so tangled. You’ve got to navigate your way through one more small surrender before you will be cleared to hunt down your rebirth in earnest. But meanwhile, the catharses and epiphanies just keep on erupting. You’re growing more soulful and less subject to people’s delusions by the minute. Your rather unconventional attempts at healing are working -- maybe not as rapidly as you’d like, but still, they are working.

GEMINI

May 21-June 20

SAGITTARIUS

Nov. 22-Dec. 21

CANCER

June 21-July 22

April 20-May 20

On the front of every British passport is an image that includes a chained unicorn standing up on its two hind legs. It’s a central feature of the coat of arms of the United Kingdom. I would love to see you do something as wacky as that in the coming week, Gemini -- you know, bring elements of fantasy and myth and imagination into some official setting. It would, I believe, put you in sweet alignment with current cosmic rhythms. (P.S. If you decide to invoke the archetype of the unicorn, unchain it.)

I’ve come across two definitions of the slang term “cameling up.” One source says it means filling yourself with thirst-quenching liquid before heading out to a hot place on a hot day. A second source says it means stuffing yourself with a giant meal before going out on a binge of drinking alcohol, because it allows you to get drunk more slowly. For your purposes, Cancerian, I’m proposing a third, more metaphorical nuance to “cameling up.” Before embarking on a big project to upgrade your self-expression -- quite possibly heroic and courageous -- I suggest you camel up by soaking in an abundance of love and support from people whose nurturing you savor.

LEO

July 23-Aug. 22

I love Adele’s voice. The mega-famous British pop singer has a moving, virtuoso instrument -- technically perfect, intriguingly soulful, capable of expressing a range of deep emotion, strong in both her high and low registers. And yet there’s not a single song she does that I find interesting. The lyrics are cliched or immature, the melodies are mostly uninspired, and the arrangements are standard fare. Does what I’m describing remind you of anything in your own life, Leo? A situation you half-love and are half-bored by? An experience that is so good in some ways and so blah in other ways? If so, what can you do about it? You may be able to improve things if you act soon.

VIRGO

Aug. 23-Sept. 22

There’s a good chance that you will soon find something you lost a while back. It may even be the case that you will recover an asset you squandered or you’ll revive a dream that was left for dead. To what do you owe the pleasure of this blessing? Here’s what I think: The universe is rewarding you for the good work you’ve done lately on taking better care of what’s important to you. You’re going to be shown how much grace is available when you live your life in rapt alignment with your deepest, truest values.

by Matt Jones

“Aftermath”--finally calling it quits.

Chris Richards wrote a story in the Washington Post in which he complained about the surplus of unimaginative band names. At this year’s SXSW music festival, he counted six different bands that used “Bear” and two with “Panda.” Seven bands had “Gold,” including Golden Bear. Marshmallow Ghosts was one of seven bands with “Ghost” in their names. You’re in a phase of your life when it’s especially important not to be a slave of the trends-- a time when it’s crucial to your well-being to come up with original language and fresh approaches. So what would your band’s name be?

SCORPIO

TAURUS

jone sin’

“Most people who profess a deep love of the Bible have never actually read the book,” says religious writer Rami Shapiro. If they did, they’d know that Satan is not implicated as the tempter of Adam and Eve. There’s no mention of three wise men coming to see baby Jesus, nor of a whale swallowing Jonah. Homilies like “This too shall pass” and “God helps those who help themselves” never appear in the scriptures. And contrary to the Ayn Rand-style self-reliance that evangelicals think is a central theme of their holy book, the Bible’s predominant message is that goodness is measured by what one does for others. I bring this up as a teaching about how not to proceed in the coming weeks, Sagittarius. You really do need to know a lot about the texts and ideas and people and situations upon which you base your life.

CAPRICORN

Dec. 22-Jan. 19

AQUARIUS

Jan. 20-Feb. 18

“The artist’s job is not to succumb to despair, but to find an antidote to the emptiness of existence.” So says a character in Woody Allen’s film Midnight in Paris. As an aspiring master of crafty optimism myself, I don’t buy the notion that existence is inherently empty. I do, however, wish that more artists would be motivated by the desire to create cures for the collective malaise that has haunted every historical era. In alignment with your current astrological omens, I invite you to take up this noble task yourself in the coming weeks, whether or not you’re an artist. You now have much more than your usual power to inspire and animate others.

The world-famous whiskey known as Jack Daniel’s is produced in Moore County, Tennessee, which prohibits the sale of alcohol in stores and restaurants. So you can’t get a drink of the stuff in the place where it’s made. I suspect there’s a comparable situation going on in your life, Aquarius. Maybe something you’re good at isn’t appreciated by those around you. Maybe a message you’re broadcasting or a gift you’re offering gets more attention at a distance than it does up close. Is there anything you can do about that? The coming weeks would be a good time to try.

PISCES

Feb. 19-March 20

Once you drive your car into Norway’s Laerdal Tunnel, you’re in for a long haul through the murk. The light at the end doesn’t start appearing until you’ve traveled almost 14 miles. Using this as a metaphor for your life in the here and now, I estimate that you’re at about the 12-mile mark. Keep the faith, Pisces. It’s a straight shot from here. Can you think of any cheerful tunes you could sing at the top of your lungs?

Stumped? Find the solutions in the Classifieds pages.

Across

1 “You are not!” retort 6 Antlered beast 9 First word of two Springsteen albums 13 Skeezy type 14 “___ So High” (Blur song) 16 “Peek-___!” 17 Dorothy’s aunt’s precipitation is surprisingly mild? 19 “Te ___” (hymn title) 20 Miss Scarlet’s game 21 Record player parts 23 “The Fifth Beatle” Sutcliffe 25 The guy who always dyes eggs in springtime? 27 Cigarette ingredient 28 Palme ___ (Cannes Film Festival prize) 29 Tool that breaks ground 30 Humble dwelling 32 It’s a little dirtier than “bum” 35 Hail ___ 39 Fictional spy who’s really a giant department store founder? 42 Cubs all-time home run leader 43 Attachable brick brand 44 Spot in the water 45 Emerald, for one 47 Hot Topic founder ___ Madden 49 Some fish bait 50 Command for this flan-like dessert to jump in my mouth

already? 55 “...___ and buts were candy and nuts...” 56 Shout after an unhappy return 57 Perched upon 59 “Squawk Box” network 60 Announcement/event of September 2011, or what happened to the theme answers 64 End in ___ 65 Swiss painter Paul 66 Flightless birds 67 Rick of the radio 68 Pig’s digs 69 Late jazz musician who insisted he was from Saturn

Down

1 Word in many beer names 2 Give guns to 3 Full of a liquid metal 4 Insignia 5 Turn-of-the-century place to get high 6 Key near F1 7 ___ Apso 8 Seaweed varieties 9 Nightmares 10 “Divided by” symbols (BE OIL anagram) 11 French city where Joan of Arc died 12 Claim on some Chinese menus

15 Alan ___ (pseudonym used by film directors) 18 Roman emperor who fiddled around 22 Role reprised by Keanu in 2003 23 Wild guesses 24 Deed not to be done 26 Rub out 31 Competes on the street 33 Bad toupee 34 Thread holder 36 Baseball Jr. nicknamed “Iron Man” 37 “___ Cakes” (Food Network show) 38 8-bit units 40 Herbal remedy from trees 41 Rosie, et al. 46 Brain waves monitor: abbr. 48 Tail end 50 Seed plant (DC CAY anagram) 51 ___ Carlo 52 “Memories of You” pianist Blake 53 Cambodian currency 54 Like some needs 58 Where North Shore surfers go 61 Richard of 1990s talk show fame 62 Egypt and Syr., from 1958-1961 63 “Don’t do drugs” ad, for short

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october 13 - 19, 2011

the217.com

AND ANOTHER THING ...

by MICHAEL COULTER

friends like these How to judge the worthiness of your child’s playmates I always like to say that I’m lucky enough to have the best friends in the world. This is probably more an indictment to my lack of judgment than to their awesome friend qualities, but either way, I love them, and it’s all pretty subjective anyway. I’ve been around most of them long enough that it’s hard to remember how we all got hooked up together in the first place. There’s nothing we can do about it now anyway, so there’s probably not much of a point spending too much time on any sort of analysis.

explanation for them falling for all those gritty rock musicians. The boys only seem to regress back into liking dirty when they have been plied with alcohol, which can be often. Another problem child is the obsessive one. These are the ones who like collecting things and are generally are able to turn obsessivecompulsive into an art form. I had a few of these friends, and they had the best toys of anyone. The problem was that they often didn’t even take them out of the box because they wanted to preserve them, somehow knowing that hipsters would someday pay vast amounts of money for them on ebay if they were in pristine condition. I like the illusion of playing with these kids far more than actually playing with them. Cheating off their papers probably allowed me to get through algebra, though, so they aren’t all bad. The hanger-on is another problem child. These are the kids that want to be around your kids all the time. When they get older, we call them stalkers, but as children, “hangeron” is a far more kind term. These kids can be a pain in the ass, but on the other hand, they will also run errands and generally kiss the ass of your child, so it could be worse. If you’d like your child to eventually end up in middle management or to be a reality show starlet, you should encourage these relationships with a vengeance. If you’d like your kid to be a lawyer, they can also help, as your child can get several junior restraining orders. It’s a “can’t miss” either way. The last kid is the know-it-all. As they age, they are simply called pain in the asses. They will spoil the Santa Claus/Easter Bunny/Tooth Fairy things for your child. They will know everything and are far too happy to share this knowledge. They are just little douche bags that will grow up to be big douche bags. Your child should avoid them like the plague, but only after they have been taught several swear words that will come in handy later. I get all of it, I suppose, but for crapsake, a parent can’t and shouldn’t try to control everything. When kids are kids, they are learning. If they can’t play with the aggressive kid, how are they ever going to learn to deal with aggressive people they meet later in life? If they only hang out with kids like themselves, then they better either live on a secluded island or be Amish. Otherwise, they won’t ever be ready to go out into the world on their own and live with a variety of other folks. It seems like it’d be wonderful if your kids never encountered pain in the ass people during their entire time on earth, but it’s completely unrealistic and actually sort of boring.

The first child to be on the lookout for is the bad influence. These are the ones who act out and make poor choices. You know, the ones who are most fun to sit by in class or play with all day. Apparently, a person needs to be careful whom they choose as friends, especially when they are children. I found an article by a clinical psychologist that talked about the children who hang out with your children and the ones you need to look out for as a parent. These are the bad seeds that can get your children into bad predicaments — you know, the ones your children will probably enjoy the most. He divides the demon spawn into five groups because apparently all that “every child is a snowflake” stuff only works for the good ones. The first child to be on the lookout for is the bad influence. These are the ones who act out and make poor choices. You know, the ones who are most fun to sit by in class or play with all day. I’d like to think I was this sort of kid, but I really wasn’t. I did, however, spend most of my formative years enabling these renegades. I would go to great lengths to encourage them and, most importantly, would suggest hilarious ways for them to get themselves into more trouble. I was the little bastard behind the little bastard. This worked out well for me because even though I caused a lot of trouble, I never really got into that much trouble. The next culprit for your kids to avoid is the unhygienic kid. All of us were dirty when we were kids — it’s just that some of us got undirty at least once a day while others carried that dirt around like a security blanket. These kids seemed kind of awesome for a short time, but most of us grew out of hanging with them when we were pretty young. From what I can tell, many young girls grow back into this phase of liking the dirty-looking kids. This is the only 20

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