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VOL14 NO6
february 19, 2016
weekly
IN THIS IS SU E
EDITOR’S NOTE
RACE TO SAVE R.A.C.E.S
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REVIEW: HAIL CAESAR!
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TENNIS TOURNEY
WATSON'S REVIEW
Hear our thoughts about the newest hot spot
CALENDAR
Your guide to this week's events in CU
O N READ BUZZ .COM Humans of CU Shannon Jameson
COMMUNITY Check out Shannon Jameson’s new column, “Humans of CU.”
ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT
Love and Censorship in Kingdom City Atoosa Sayeh
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The Fit Foodie: Healthy Snacks for Midterms Madeline Decker
Super Bowl Ad Reaction
Read about The Theatre Department’s production of Kingdom City.
FOOD & DRINK Need some healthy snack ideas you can make in your dorm or apartment? Keep the ingredients for these eight easy snacks on hand to help you stay energized and healthy through midterms.
MOVIES & TV See what the Movies staff thought about the biggest night of commercials.
buzz Movies & TV Staff
Album Review: DIIV Is the Is Are Jack Kelly
MUSIC Our review of DIIV’s sophomore release.
ANWEN PARROTT
Throughout my seven and a half semesters on campus, I’ve never intentionally planned a semester where my classes corresponded by topic. I haven’t filled my schedule with five classes about British literature or ensured that each course I signed up for included discussions regarding new media’s impact on society - in fact, I’ve done the opposite, as a schedule filled with similar classes would get repetitive pretty quickly. Yet around this point in every semester, I am fascinated to find that my class material unpredictably, and sometimes exactly, overlaps with other courses, and even crosses over into my daily life. An odd historical fact briefly mentioned during lecture will pop up in the reading for another class, or a definition that I memorized for an exam will factor into a different discussion. Last week, one of my assignments included reading “Sonny’s Blues” by James Baldwin; yesterday, I picked up a magazine commemorating Black History Month with Baldwin’s face front and center. Today, I read an article for a different class suggesting that exposure to literature produced by African-American writers develops empathy and can be viewed as a “stepping stone” to racial justice activism (as idealistic as that might sound, I hope that it’s true). At first, I thought this was another strange I’m-learning-about-the-same-thing-in-everyclass coincidence. Now I’m not so sure; this time around it feels different, and maybe that’s because it is. Perhaps the prominence of Baldwin’s stories and social commentary has less to do with some meaningless pattern I noticed and more to do with his continued relevance. Maybe Baldwin’s words continue to surface because we need them - during all 12 months of the year. I don’t often include quotes in my editorials for fear that they’ll come off as cheesy - but it’s Baldwin, and this particular quote is deserving of its popularity: “Not everything that is faced can be changed, but nothing can be changed until it is faced.” If stories written 60 years ago still ring true - beautifully, sadly true - maybe we still have something to face.
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JILLIAN MARTIN Former Designer
»$ENIOR YEAR BB
ON THE PROWL FOR SOME OWLS DANIEL BAKER If you’ve ever seen the Harry Potter movies, you may have been fascinated by Harry’s pet owl, Hedwig, decorating the skies of Hogwarts throughout the series. While there may not be any castles or magic in the Champaign area, you can still join the Champaign County Forest Preserve in their event Owl Prowl. Since the majority of these winged creatures are known to breed during the winter, February is the ideal time to search for and observe owls in their natural habitat. The Owl Prowl begins indoors with a slideshow discussing some of the different types of owls in the area, along with their adaptations and hunting abilities. Afterwards, participants will embark on a hike in hopes of finding some of these compelling birds, using owl recordings to attract their attention. Finally, once the hike is finished, participants will dissect owl pellets which often contain bones, skulls and feathers. If you’re interested in this nighttime adventure, tickets are $5 per person. Children two and under get free entry. You must register online ahead of time.
Lolololololol.... wasn't this year supposed to be fun? #haven'tSleptInDays #fallingBehind #amIEvenGonnaGraduate? #probzNotTBH #undergrad4lyfe
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BUZZ STAFF COVER DESIGN Gracie Sullivan EDITOR IN CHIEF Anwen Parrott MANAGING EDITOR Ya Boi Sean Neumann ART DIRECTOR Alyssa Sparacino COPY CHIEF Daria Niescierowicz PHOTOGRAPHY EDITOR Alyssa Abay IMAGE EDITOR Sean Neumann PHOTOGRAPHERS Alyssa Abay, Sean Neumann DESIGNERS Alyssa Sparacino, Gracie Sullivan, Eric Pryor MUSIC EDITOR Christine Pallon FOOD & DRINK EDITOR Shruti Srikumar MOVIES & TV EDITOR Jamie Hahn ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT EDITOR Melisa Puthenmadom COMMUNITY EDITOR Abby Rummage ONLINE EDITOR Sean Neumann DISTRIBUTION Brandi and Steve Wills ADVERTISING SALES MANAGER Nick Langlois PUBLISHER & GENERAL MANAGER Lilyan J. Levant
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MELISA PUTHENMADOM A&E Editor
»LITTLE SO THEY KNOW.. When your friend wants to try new coffee things but they have acidity problems so you drink their latte for them.. I guess they'd write this as a GRIPE... February 19-25, 2016 buzz 3
ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT
TO SLEEP, PERCHANCE TO DREAM
Veteran Christopher Gillet directs A Midsummer Night’s Dream at Krannert SHIVANI DHARMASANKAR
Used with permission from Visit Champaign County
AMONG
William Shakespeare’s most celebrated work, A Midsummer Night’s Dream endures as a comedy of mischief and misadventure. “The course of true love never did run smooth,” and nowhere is this more apparent than in the city of Athens. As one of the most often performed works of Shakespeare, true creativity is required to bring new energy to this familiar romp in the woods. Lyric Theatre’s production of A Midsummer Night’s Dream, which runs Feb. 18-21, is bound to grasp the attention of audience members anew with its quick wit and vibrant characters. Director Christopher Gillett is no stranger to the opera. An opera singer by trade, Gillett has joined approximately 150 performances of Midsummer over the course of 36 years. His familiarity with
4 buzz February 19-25, 2016
the characters runs deep, especially after playing one of the more comedic roles, Francis Flute, for a number of productions. This strong connection enables him to understand the intricacies of each character and the fine balance between humor and seriousness demanded by the play’s complex, layered plot. Apart from the vocal requirements of the characters, such as Oberon, countertenor (rare for male leads) and Bottom, bass-baritone, there are physical elements that have to be met by the characters. One such detail is the height difference between Hermia and Helena. Although it may seem to be a slight factor, this physical discrepancy is crucial, as it is essential to the humor in the dialogue between both characters. When asked what the most difficult aspect of
directing the production was, Gillett stressed that specifying a context for the Lyric Theatre’s production was complicated. The context of any production fosters the setting and movement for a piece. Some shows choose to modernize, others skip around various eras and spaces and many remain comfortably in Elizabethan dreams of Greece. Cultural differences lead to diverse artistic preferences, and Gillett ensured that his context was one that his audience could enjoy. Gillett also chose to stage the Benjamin Britten opera with songs in English, an unusually large cast for opera (Britten wrote roles for all but two of the play’s characters), a number of smart musical moments that riff on operatic tropes and some genuinely funny moments. From this decision stemmed another: the por-
trayal of the fairies, led by Oberon and Titania. Claiming that the common presentation of fairies as “little winged creatures” is “Victorian nonsense,” Gillett chose to go about the depiction of the fairies in a more original manner, one that will remain secret until opening night. The fairies proved to be quite daunting in regards to staging and appearance, particularly when Titania seduces Bottom. Gillett wished to incorporate the four solo fairies present in this scene in a less “twee and coy” manner as it is usually portrayed. Given Gillett’s involvement with numerous productions of the play, it's clear that he has an endless artistic supply to draw inspiration from. One production that he cites as influential is Robert Carsen’s. Gillett has first-hand knowledge of Carsen’s work since he was part of the production for 25 years. Regardless of (or perhaps thanks to) that experience, Gillett strives to create a production that audience members will not expect with unique performances grounded in the original text. When asked what he was most looking forward to presenting to the audience members, Gillett mentioned the Rustics’ scenes. Due to his aforementioned familiarity with Flute, Gillett states that these scenes are the ones that he is most comfortable with. With the number of plotlines Midsummer plays with, offering some clarity and a few breaks in the action are of utmost importance. Gillett noted the argument scene between the lovers as the most detailed and complex in regards to staging. Its complexity stems from his desire to make the scene as physical and energetic as possible. As expected, the difficulty of achieving the arrangement came from the inherent physicality required to sing opera itself, in addition to incorporating body-oriented aspects into such a chaotic scene. As is true of all productions performed through The School of Music, Midsummer possesses all the potential for a highly successful opera. Based on Gillett’s plethora of background knowledge, an accompaniment composed by Benjamin Britten and conducted by Filippo Ciabatti, the opera has the benefit of an incredibly experienced team pulling the strings. This team of professionals along with a talented group of students is sure to produce a production to appease any fan of Shakespeare looking for something new. A Midsummer Night’s Dream runs at the Krannert Center for the Performing Arts from Feb. 18-20 at 7:30 p.m. with a 3 p.m. showing on Sunday, Feb. 21. For ticket information, visit www.krannertcenter.com or call (217) 333-6280.
FOOD & DRINK
WATSON SHACK & RAIL REVIEW
Downtown Champaign’s new fried chicken hotspot serves up inspired soul food with a kick SAM SMITHSON
Photo by Alyssa Abay
IT’S HERE.
Watson’s Shack and Rail has opened its doors after months of anticipation and eagerness from Champaign-Urbanites. We have been following intently and patiently, oh so patiently, waiting for this day. But the day is upon us, and because of my visit to Watson’s, it was a happy day indeed. But first, a little background info: If you have been following along with the Watson’s saga, you are definitely familiar with the head of the kitchen: Mark “Shades” Hartstein (@shades1227). Committed to promoting local agriculture, Shades has been cooking, and cooking right, in Champaign for more than 20 years. He’s worked on pop-ups with Black Dog, Cracked, Common Ground, UIUC’s Spice Box and countless other prominent C-U establishments on everything from ramen to dumplings to smørrebrød. In an interview in 2013, Shades expressed his love of the pop-up concept, explaining that the lack of long-term commitment gives him freedom, allowing him to “move from obsession to obsession.” It will be fascinating to see how he applies this freedom to a more fixed position in the kitchen. I have no doubt we will see a certain amount of variation in the menu in the months to come. Working with him are former Cracked partner Sean Baird and Roland Realty’s Alec Gillespie: an absolute dream team of local talent. Let’s talk about my visit. I decided that Thursday night would be the time
to go out and get a handle on what a busy night at Watson’s was going to look like. When my friends and I walked in, I was hit with the soul-filling scent of chicken frying, and the warmth and liveliness of the dining room. The wood paneling behind the bar was a genius idea, and painted flour sacks on the wall and other decorations evoked images of a cozy Appalachian cabin. The decor has been given a much needed overhaul since its Boltini days. The giant glass owl on a wire “branch” overlooking the bar is particularly memorable, because... they probably have a good reason for that, right? It was packed, as I anticipated, so we elected to eat at the bar. The bar was beautiful, the bartenders seemed upbeat and knowledgeable and oh my god... is that... an alcoholic slushie machine? Holy shit. They were offering their own take on a Moscow mule and Kentucky slush, making me consider the potential such a machine has: to provide sweet, boozy relief come summer (I’ve had summer on my mind a lot these days). Along with the slushies, Watson’s boasts an impressive beer list with all of the typical players at most downtown bars (Revolution, Ballast Point, Founders, etc.). They do offer a few wines; though, if a friend of mine were to order wine with fried chicken, it might be a sign that our relationship needs some reevaluating. If slushies and beer aren’t for you, there are plenty of bourbon and
whiskey options as well as house-made cocktails (someone please try the ’Shady’ Mary for me). After thumbing through a menu, which featured Misty Pointe oysters and a pimiento grilled cheese, we decided on the pickle sampler, the hushpuppies, a half-pound of wings, an order of the Nashville Hot Chicken and the Popcorn Tofu Po’Boy (!!!). The pickle sampler was an obvious choice, given that Shades’ is known for his expertise with all things pickled. We got a plate of warm spiced winter squash, beet, cucumber and what we guessed was jicama. The acid, sugar and salt was perfectly balanced in each, a mark of culinary expertise. The hushpuppies were the only part of my meal that was just so-so. The hushpuppies were dense and were lacking the crabbiness that would separate them from your average hushpuppies, but they were perfectly browned, and the comeback sauce it was served with cut through the starch excellently. The wings were tossed in a Carolina Gold sauce and were a testimony of how food can be elevated by well-sourced ingredients. They were tender, perfectly dressed and had incredible flavor, plus the heaping platter will only put you back $6. On to the hot chicken. Now, I’ve never been to Nashville, but I have heard tell of the original hot chicken, and I was ecstatic to see it on the menu. It came out of the kitchen just as
I pictured it would: red as the devil, pungent and with a side of pickles. As I crunched my way past the breading and pulled the juicy, pickle-brined meat from the bones, the tingle of the cayennespiced sauce that adorns all Nashville hot chicken crescendoed into a full-on blaze. It was wonderful. After about three glasses of water and a quarter pound of chicken, I regained the ability to taste and moved on to the popcorn-tofu po’boy, one of two vegan entrees offered. Talk about a sleeper menu item. For some reason lost to me, tofu and popcorn on a po’boy bun works. It really works. The brilliance of the sandwich is in the dichotomy between the give of the tofu and the crunch of the popcorn. Add kick-ass vegetarian remoulade and habanero honey to the equation, and I’m just about convinced that Shades has some sort of deal with the devil. My meal only ran me $30 (with a healthy tip to our friendly and knowledgeable bartender/ waiter), which feels like highway robbery, but I suppose it’s in-keeping with Watson’s mantra: “Delicious chicken, sourced responsibly, priced reasonably.” Simple, poetic: a formula for success in pleasing people night after night. So, continuing on the track of simplicity, I give my opinion on Watson’s: it’s here, it’s good and it’s only getting better.
Photo by Alyssa Abay
February 19-25, 2016 buzz 5
MUSIC
THE RACE TO SAVE R.A.C.E.S.
Local musicians unite to support R.A.C.E.S. this Saturday with a benefit show at Exile on Main Street. RYAN GRAVES
RAPE
Advocacy Counseling and Education Services (R.A.C.E.S.) is the local rape crisis center that serves Champaign, Ford, Douglas and Piatt counties. R.A.C.E.S. provides vital services for survivors of sexual violence and their significant others, offering free and confidential services that directly focus on the needs of the survivor. Due to the current Illinois budget impasse,
6 buzz February 19-25, 2016
however, the future of R.A.C.E.S. is uncertain. Staff hours and salaries have been cut by 20 percent, and office hours have been shortened, limiting the availability of counselors, legal advocates and community educators. If the budget situation does not improve, R.A.C.E.S. may be forced to close its doors later this year. Facing an uncertain future, R.A.C.E.S. turns to
the local community for support through fundraising and crowdfunding efforts, the first of which being this Saturday’s Give A Little benefit concert at Exile on Main Street. The event features musical performances from Bookmobile!, Klevah, New Souls and Jiggy & the Source, as well as poetry readings. The benefit show begins at 12 p.m. and is free and
open to the public with a $5 suggested donation at the door. Exile on Main Street and Dandelion will donate 10 percent of any sale made during the event to R.A.C.E.S., and attendees will also have the chance to enter a drawing to win prizes. R.A.C.E.S. staff members will be present at the event to provide information on services and how to support R.A.C.E.S. as the state budget impasse continues.
MUSIC February 20 is also the official launch date for the R.A.C.E.S.’s “Save Our Services” crowdfunding campaign. Community groups and individuals are invited to donate or create fundraising teams to support the local institution. “We want the public to know that the budget crisis is impacting real lives and that these services are needed,” said Rachel Reardon, a representative for R.A.C.E.S. “We’re inviting them to be a part of SOS: Save Our Services. What they give to us will surely be given back in our ongoing commitment to supporting survivors, our community and ending sexual violence.” As far as a goal, R.A.C.E.S. hopes to raise enough money to help keep their doors open for the next few months, so they can continue to provide services to the community. Beyond that, they’ll wait for the money that the state owes them. Give A Little is a trimester (February, June and October) fundraising event hosted by Exile and Dandelion that showcases local musicians and raises funds for local, community-based charities. The previous Give A Little benefit in October featured Motes, The Autocorrect and Angie Heaton and raised money for Imerman
Angels, an organization that provides one-onone support for cancer patients. “The concept for Give A Little was based upon the idea that we have an incredible local music
“THE FUTURE OF R.A.C.E.S. IS UNCERTAIN. STAFF HOURS AND SALARIES HAVE BEEN CUT BY 20 PERCENT AND OFFICE HOURS HAVE BEEN SHORTENED, LIMITING THE AVAILABILITY OF COUNSELORS, LEGAL ADVOCATES AND COMMUNITY EDUCATORS.” scene with musicians with incredible talent and huge hearts,” said Stephen ‘Sven’ Johnson, one of the event’s organizers. “My favorite time of
Photo by Sean Neumann
year for the C-U area is when Record Store Day comes around mid-April. For one day, people come from all around to buy records and listen to local bands play live in Exile on Main St. I wanted to duplicate that feeling - maybe on a smaller scale, but why not have people chip in a few bucks that would go directly to a local charity?” Jeff Brandt, owner of Exile on Main St., said that he couldn’t be happier to host the fundraiser for R.A.C.E.S. “There are a lot of great charitable organizations out there, and to be able to contribute and raise awareness for them on occasion is really great,” said Brandt. “I personally have wanted to do regular events like this for some time now, and with the stage we have in our newer location, it’s much easier to pull off.” When asked what it meant to them to play at the benefit, the artists involved expressed solidarity and support for R.A.C.E.S.and the services they provide. Knowing how issues of sexual assault affect the women around her, local rapper Klevah said she’s “all for” supporting an organization like R.A.C.E.S. through her “music and positivity.”
“We’ll answer the call any time we can be of service to R.A.C.E.S.,” said Mike Ingram of New Souls. “It’s a very important service, and we dearly wish that it wasn’t so often reduced to having to spend time keeping its doors open instead of helping those in need of its expertise.” R.A.C.E.S. encourages those who can’t attend the Saturday’s benefit concert to make a donation on their website to help keep the center up and running. In a statement via email, local punk band Bookmobile! cited the importance of supporting R.A.C.E.S. even when the state fails to protect it. “No matter what business shape the state is in, we should take care of our people. We should take care of women, victims of assault [and] their families. It is completely unconscionable not to.”
Give A Little: A Benefit for R.A.C.E.S. begins at 12 p.m. at Exile on Main Street. $5 suggested donation. Exile and Dandelion will donate 10% of sales to R.A.C.E.S. between 1-4 p.m. All-Ages.
Used with permission from Exile on Main
February 19-25, 2016 buzz 7
MOVIES & TV
HAIL CAESAR! REVIEW
Should you or should you not watch the latest quirky film by the Coen brothers? Read on to find out CAMRON OWENS
HOLLYWOOD
has a long history of making movies about movies. From Singin’ in the Rain to more recent films like The Artist and Saving Mr. Banks, Hollywood seems to love movies about itself. Hail Caesar! is the latest tale of backlot antics, big stars and demanding directors. However, as expected, the Coen brothers once again manage to take a setting audiences are familiar with and turn it into a fun ride in their vision of Hollywood’s Golden Age. The film follows Eddie Mannix (Josh Brolin), head of Capitol Pictures, during 1920s Hollywood. As the studio prepares its production of a largescale biblical epic, Hollywood’s biggest star Baird Whitlock (George Clooney) is kidnapped. Mannix must then manage to find the star and keep the situation quiet from the press, all while running the day-to-day operations of the studio. The film is a fun ride that manages to pay tribute to musicals, westerns and epics of early Hollywood. Part of what makes the movie so fun to watch is the perfect casting of modern stars in these classic roles. Channing Tatum plays a Gene Kelly-type of actor, dancing in a sailor suit and singing about the lack of women he’ll see in the Navy. Scarlett Johansson is the demanding Hollywood starlet who is advertised as the wholesome girl next door to the public. Emerging star Alden Ehrenreich steals many of the scenes as a western actor who can’t seem to ditch his accent to play more dramatic roles. It’s clear that the actors are having a blast in these roles, which makes it a treat for moviegoers. While similar movies celebrate Hollywood and the hard work that goes into making entertainment for the masses, the Coen brothers show a different version of Hollywood. This is a Hollywood where none of the actors really act the way they appear onscreen, a Hollywood full of jerks. The celebrated actors and goofiness of the characters in Singin’ in the Rain is replaced with Hollywood fixers and publicists, which in many ways addresses the harsh realities of the studio system at the time. Had this film been released a month ago, it would have definitely received Oscar buzz, but the film itself is an example of why the Coens don’t seem to care about awards or the Hollywood lifestyle. The film may not be their best, but it’s a solid addition to their resumes and provides fans with their style and many of their signature tropes. Unlike the characters in the film, the Coens don’t seem to care whether or not you like their work - and that’s what makes their films continuously great.
8 buzz February 19-25, 2016
Used with permission from Universal Pictures
Used with permission from Universal Pictures
COMMUNITY
PARTY AT THE NET
Dodds makes a racket with 13th Annual Tennis Tournament ARIEL MAJEWSKI
Photo by Alyssa Abay
FOR
decades, tennis players have adapted to a variety of court surfaces: classic asphalt, slippery clay and wet, worn grass — but snow isn’t one of them. The Dodds Tennis Center will provide racket fanatics the opportunity to warm up their skills during this month’s chilling weather through a fun yet competitive atmosphere. The 13th Annual Indoor Tennis Tournament in Champaign will take place on Feb. 19 at 5 p.m. and continue until Feb. 21 at 10 p.m. Whether players are polishing that 80 mile-per-hour serve or configuring their hands to grip tape for the first time, all age ranges and experience levels are welcome to participate. Tournament Director Yuri Sohn has organized the event since its origin in 2004. “I originally started this tournament because the boys’ high school season starts in March or the end of February,” Sohn said. “So I wanted to give them some practice before the season started.” Sohn also recognized that not many indoor tournaments exist in the local community. “We have six courts. It’s one of the best kept secrets in Champaign-Urbana,” Sohn said. Over the past four years, the tournament has expanded, forcing the competition to extend an extra day and postpone several of the center’s main membership programs. About 136 participants are categorized into divisions according to their age and gender. While junior-advanced boys and girls can only play matches singularly, adults may opt to play doubles matches. With so many athletes waiting for their next
rounds, the scoring format has shifted to no-ad, meaning that players only need to win by one
“I JUST LIKE TO SEE PEOPLE ENJOY COMPETING, IMPROVING AND PLAYING AGAINST DIFFERENT PEOPLE,” SAID SOHN. “I SEE A LOT OF THE PATRONS COME OUT AND TEST THEIR SKILLS AGAINST DIFFERENT PEOPLE THAT THEY MIGHT NOT NORMALLY PLAY REGULARLY DURING THE WEEK. THERE’S A LOT OF GOOD ENERGY.” point instead of two. Although this rule can be pressuring for opponents, consolation matches are offered to the defeated players. “We guarantee at least two matches If you lose in the first rounds,” Sohn said. The chance to play multiple sets doesn’t end there; former competitors have participated several times throughout this 13-year streak. “We do have a lot of returnees who come out
and play each year and test their skills. Like we have a doubles team that’s won, I don’t know, at least five times in a row. Two former college players from Parkland and ISU,” Sohn said. Three athletes per division are awarded trophies: first place, second place and consolation. Every participant also receives a t-shirt. These prizes serve as a condensed memory of all the handy lobs, sharp-angled volleys and short balls spliced with top spin, a summary of cross-court shots interspersed with down-the-line hits, a strong flashback of spiked adrenaline mixed with forced composure when reaching the final tiebreaker and a symbol of sportsmanship as competitors stepped on the court as opponents and left as friends. Not only do players receive a tangible souvenir for their participation, but they also gain insight towards their game strategy. “You can really find out what you need to work on [as well as] break down what you’re doing well,” Sohn said. After players analyze strengths and weaknesses, they can enroll in pro-supervised work-outs that execute a variety of drills, point games and match playing. Dodds Tennis Center also offers three summer tournaments, which allow players to cement their perfected techniques. After observing the tournament’s successful evolution over the years, Sohn is excited to see newcomers and returnees flourish. “I just like to see people enjoy competing, improving and playing against different people,” said Sohn. “I see a lot of the patrons come out and
test their skills against different people that they might not normally play regularly during the week. There’s a lot of good energy.” A lot of that energy beams from parents and friends, cheering from their reserved seats. You can bet that if parents aren’t watching their child’s every stroke, they are spending quality bonding time together playing on another court. The Dodds Tennis Center tournament strengthens the entire community, because players depend on their opponents — they do not realize their full capabilities under pressure until their challengers strike a Wilson ball into the service box. No matter the wins or losses, the athletes build each other physically and mentally, further embedding a passion to play the sport. One of the Dodds Tennis Center’s former competitors is a testament to how tournaments have shaped his lifetime hobby. “I don’t know if he is going to sign up again, but we’ve got an 85 year old who just beat theNo. 4 player in the nation twice in a couple of tournaments down in Florida. If he plays, he’ll probably be the oldest,” said Sohn. Tennis is a sport that holds no regard for gender or age; it is a sport meant for any and all, either taken incredibly seriously or used as a means of leisure. The Dodds Tennis Center’s tournament is an opportunity for community members to come together and share in a sport open to all. Either by signing up or rooting for other players on the court, come join a community who loves to put a fun spin on life.
February 19-25, 2016 buzz 9
I heard it through the grapevine..
MUSIC
THE 92s RETURN TO CU
The 92s come home this weekend for an EP release show RYAN GRAVES Although they're now based out of Chicago, The 92s will return to Champaign-Urbana on Saturday night to play a house show in support of their new EP, For Public Use. Buzz recently caught up with Dan Durley of The 92s to talk about the new EP and the upcoming release show. buzz: What's the official release date for this EP? Dan Durley: The EP is coming out on Friday, February 19. buzz: What are the details on the EP release show? DD: We're playing a really rad house party in Urbana on Saturday, February 20 with Single Player and Lime Forest. We can't print the address, but message any band member or our band page and we'll tell you where it's going to be! buzz: Since your first album release in 2014, how do you think the band, your music, influences and inspirations have changed? DD: We had some line-up changes in between Television Fuzz and this EP, so our process is a little different. Rob (our current guitar player) was our bassist on Television Fuzz and our current bassist hadn't come into the fold yet. Rob plays guitar with a little bit more reckless abandon than our previous guitar player, and Dylan is just an incredibly tight bass player, and I think that shows on this new EP. As far as our influences are concerned, I think we're all sort of still into really noisy guitar-based rock. We all have very different tastes in music, but as far as where the inspiration for a lot of our writing comes from, I'm still very much into bands that juxtapose pretty and not-so-pretty sounds in pop music (Wilco, Weezer, etc.) I've been really focusing on what makes a great song great in the vast world of pop music and taking what I've observed and applying it to our writing. buzz: What can people expect to see that may differ or be the same on the new EP? DD: Well, with Television Fuzz, we were much more concerned with making everything fit within the loose conceptual arc of the album. That was important for that release because it's a full-length record. There's a defined starting point and end point and everything in-between is part of some larger emotional statement. This is an EP. It's more or less a collection of songs that we're really proud of. Not that we didn't think about how everything fit together (the production on the album was very much designed to be the same across all 4 songs) but we were more interested in making each individual song the best song it could possibly be. Television Fuzz was live-tracked at Pieholden Suite
10 buzz February 19-25, 2016
Used with permission from The 92s
Sound in Chicago, and this new EP was recorded in a much more piece-wise manner, so that certainly makes a difference in how everything sounds, too. buzz: The 92s have collaborated with artists like Tara Terra. Will there be any collaboration on this EP? DD: We collaborated with our long-time producer Scot Stewart on this EP, as per usual. He's sort of the "fifth member" of the band at this point. Other than that, everything on the record was written and recorded by The 92s and The 92s only. buzz: What are your specific goals or thoughts on this EP that differ from those before?
DD: It's a cliche to say this, but our goal is to get as many people to hear this project as humanly possible. The release process is going to be a little bit less "involved" than Television Fuzz's release, due to the nature of our day jobs and the fact that we're putting out a four-song EP rather than a second full-length. Still, the goals remain the same. buzz: Who produced and recorded the tracks? Reasons why? DD: Our long-time producer Scot Stewart produced, engineered and mixed the EP. We couldn't imagine working with anyone else! He's made every single one of our records up to this point.
buzz: How does the band feel about the EP so far? DD: We're very proud of it! Hopefully, people will dig it. buzz: What are some strong outliers of the release so far? DD: We're going to be pushing the lead single "Made of Nothing" very hard. It has been a live staple for over a year now, and we're very excited about that song's potential. Check back tomorrow for our review of For Public Use.
my ex got jealous of my love for my burrito
JONE SIN’
by Matt Jones
“All Day”--not just the three-letter abbreviation.
KRANNERT CENTER
FR FEB 19 » 7:30PM 7:30PM
A Midsummer Night’s Dream // Lyric Theatre @ Illinois UI Chamber Orchestra // School of Music
SA FEB 20 » 6:30PM
Dessert and Conversation: A Midsummer Night’s Dream // Lyric Theatre @ Illinois
7:30PM
SU FEB 21 »
Stumped? Find the solutions in the Classifieds pages.
Across 1 Humor, casually 6 Build ___ (bird’s job) 11 Tree stuff 14 Sans-serif Windows typeface 15 Wild card 16 Prepare to feather 17 Ernest or Julio of winemaking 18 Stadium 19 Undivided 20 Workweek closers that are a hit with everyone? 23 Green beginning 24 Some journalism 25 Concert souvenir 28 Just fine 30 Opportunity, in metaphor 31 Particle from a weekend coffee server? 36 Conservatory focus 37 Snooze 38 Shoot the breeze 40 Jennings sends packages when there’s no mail service? 45 One of five lakes 46 Wouldn’t stand for it? 47 Mighty tree 48 ___-Lytton Fiction Contest (competition to write terrible prose)
51 ___ Vegans (some Nevada residents) 53 Door opener that only works when the weekend’s over? 59 Ashcroft and Holder, for short 60 Cedars-___ Medical Center 61 “Hand over the money!” 63 “Chi-Raq” director 64 Say “prob’ly,” for instance 65 Wombs 66 Drug for Hunter S. Thompson 67 Coup ___ 68 Labwork
Down 1 Fall behind 2 Part of UAE 3 Organizer 4 Not genuine 5 Hobbyist’s racer 6 Not quite shut 7 Seaweed, or a phrase of denial 8 ___ out a living 9 Elizabeth Warren, e.g. 10 Martin killed in 2012 11 Rock 12 Root beer brand 13 Weightlifting exercise 21 Word after fast or (more
A Midsummer Night’s Dream // Lyric Theatre @ Illinois
recently) slow 22 Fortify 25 Bag-screening gp. 26 Dumbo’s claim to fame 27 Part of Caesar’s last question 29 West of award show antics 30 Tricks 32 ___ & World Report (defunct print magazine) 33 Himalayan beast 34 Where Buckeyes hail from 35 “Sideways” valley 39 Vowelless reproach 41 Decent, so to speak 42 Unit for a frequent flier 43 “The Lion King” role 44 Remain in place 48 Hoops 49 Pushes 50 Exposed to light 52 Take to the rink 54 “I’ll get right ___!” 55 Nothin’ 56 Nonfiction bestseller topic, often 57 “___ Wide Shut” 58 Nomad’s tent 62 Greek letters
2PM
Dessert and Conversation: A Midsummer Night’s Dream // Lyric Theatre @ Illinois
3PM 7:30PM
A Midsummer Night’s Dream // Lyric Theatre @ Illinois Sinfonia da Camera: Voices Unite!
TU FEB 23 » 7:30PM
UI Wind Orchestra // School of Music
WE FEB 24 » 7:30PM 7:30PM
National Theatre of Scotland: The Strange Undoing of Prudencia Hart // Marquee UI Wind Symphony // School of Music
TH FEB 25 » 5PM 7:30PM 7:30PM
Krannert Uncorked with Nucleus, reggae/jazz // Marquee Chip Stephens, piano // School of Music National Theatre of Scotland: The Strange Undoing of Prudencia Hart // Marquee
FR FEB 26 » 10AM 7:30PM
Dance for People with Parkinson’s // Marquee National Theatre of Scotland: The Strange Undoing of Prudencia Hart // Marquee
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DISCOVER M O R E!
February 19-25, 2016 buzz 11
CALENDAR FEBRUARY 19 - FEBRUARY 25, 2016 SUBMIT YOUR EVENT TO THE CALENDAR • E-mail: send your notice to buzz@illinimedia.com
MOVIES & TV
MUSIC GHOSTS OF PAUL REVERE
GIVE A LITTLE: A BENEFIT FOR R.A.C.E.S. Saturday, February 20; 12 p.m. Exile on Main Street; $5 suggested donation All-Ages
Bookmobile!, Klevah and New Souls perform at Exile on Main Street to raise money for R.A.C.E.S. (Rape Advocacy, Counseling, & Education Services).
FERAL STATES, METAVARI, J.O.R.T.S.
Saturday, February 20; 8:30 p.m.; Watson’s Shack ; Thursday, February 25; and Rail; Free; Ages 21+ doors at 8 p.m.; Mike N Molly’s; $7; Ages 19+
HAYWYRE, MELVV, MEGAPHONIX
RISEN Friday, February 19; 7 p.m. Carmike 13; $10
THE WITCH Friday, February 19; 7 p.m. Carmike 13; $10
WEEKEND FILMS: BURNT
Wednesday, February 24; doors at 8 p.m., show at 9 p.m.; The Canopy Club; $13 in advance, $15 at the door; Ages 18+
Friday, February 19; 7 p.m. Illini Union Pine Lounge
ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT
COMMON COMMON GROUND FOOD CO-OP GROUND FOOD CLASS: ORGANIC GARDENING FOR CO-OP CLASS: BEGINNERS: GARDENING BASICS Sunday, February 21; 2-3:30 p.m.; Flatlander Classroom; HOMEMADE VEGAN YOGURT $7 owner/ $12 non-owner. Register online.
SNACK-TIVITY Monday, February 22; 4 p.m.; Douglass Branch Library; FREE
COMMON GROUND FOOD CO-OP CLASS: SUSTAINABLE SEAFOOD COOKERY Thursday, February 25; 6-8 p.m.; Flatlander Classroom; $15 owner/ $20 non-owner. Register online.
Alaskan fisherman Marsh Skeele of Sitka Salmon Shares will share favorite recipes and will provide tips on how to purchase seafood.
SUMMER SESSIONS START STAR T MAY 23 AND JUNE 6. Start planning your summer now at harpercollege.edu/summer
A MIDSUMMER’S NIGHT DREAM Friday, February 19 – 21; 7:30 p.m. & 3 p.m.; Krannert Center for the Performing Arts; $8-29
MARGARITAS & PAINTING Tuesday, February 23; 6 p.m.; Guido's Bar & Grill; $30
THE LITTLE MERMAID
Friday, Feb. 19; 9:30 p.m. William M. Staerkel Planetarium (2400 W. Bradley Ave., Champaign); $8
Watch lasers dance for the first time since 2010 to Pink Floyd’s infinitely famous “Dark Side of the Moon”
12 buzz February 19-25, 2016
ARTIST SYMPOSIUM
The Lyric Opera will be performing Shakespeare’s comedy A Midsummer’s Night Dream.
Thursday, February 25; 5-9 p.m.; Krannert Art Museum; Free
ONE WORLD, ONE SKY: BIG BIRD’S ADVENTURE Saturday, February 20; 7 p.m.; William M. Staerkel Planetarium; $6 adults. $5 seniors/students
FEATURED
COMMUNITY
PINK FLOYD LASER SHOW
SON OF SAUL
Friday, February 19; 7 p.m.; The Art Theater Co-op Sunday, February 21; 2 p.m. Goodrich Savoy 16 + László Nemes’s award-winning Hungarian drama about a concentration camp inmate. IMAX; $10
FOOD & DRINK
Saturday, February 20; 2-4:30 p.m.; Flatlander Classroom; $15 owner/ $20 non-owner. Register online.
TCM PRESENTS MALTESE FALCON 75TH ANNIVERSARY
Friday, Feb. 19; 7 p.m.; The Virginia Theatre; (203 W. Park Ave., Champaign); $15 for adults, $10 for students and seniors, $8 for children
UFLIVE! PRESENTS KEVIN HART AND THE VIBE TRIBE Sunday, Feb. 21; 2-3 p.m.; Urbana Free ; Library (210 W. Green St., Urbana); free
CLIMATE CHANGE FUNDRAISER WITH LOLA’S BRUSH Saturday, Feb. 20; 5 p.m.; Cowboy Monkey (6 Taylor St., Champaign); $35
THE 92S, SINGLE PLAYER, LIME FOREST Saturday, February 20; 9 p.m.; Urbana house show; $5; All-Ages
Address available by messaging Facebook event admins.
ARTIST TALK: RAQS MEDIA COLLECTIVE “UNTIMELY CALENDAR” Wednesday, February 24; 5:30 p.m.; Krannert Art Museum; Free