David Sedaris’ evening at the Virginia
April 28, 2015
Filed under Uncategorized
David Sedaris has a key to the city and promised to steal Champaign’s riches while its citizens sleep. The author was honored with the key by Mayor Don Gerard before his performance, “An Evening with David Sedaris,” at the Virginia Theater on Sunday. “He was everything that’s advertised,”...
First annual Spring Jam concert brings B.o.B., Timeflies
April 27, 2015
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A location students usually use to study and commute to class was converted into a stage and outdoor concert venue Sunday afternoon. The University’s first annual Spring Jam concert hosted well-known artists B.o.B. and Timeflies. The Illini Union Board, State Farm Center and Star Course hosted the...
Ellnora: Internationally-recognized guitar festival announces lineup
April 22, 2015
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Three days. Seven locations. Twenty-nine performances. This is what music-lovers have to look forward to at the 2015 ELLNORA Music Festival. The annual event will be held Sept. 10 through Sept. 12 at the Krannert Center. This year’s list of scheduled performers was announced Monday. The festival began...
UI Black Greek Council Showcase shows off student dance performances
April 21, 2015
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On Saturday, UI’s Black Greek Council put on the first BGC Showcase as part of their inaugural Black Greek Picnic weekend. At the showcase, which was in Foellinger Auditorium, several fraternities and sororities from the Divine Nine performed routines for the audience that included each group’s unique...
More than the movies: 17th Ebertfest brings sense of community
By Annabeth Carlson, Assistant features editor
April 20, 2015
Filed under Arts & Entertainment, Life & Culture
In The Virginia Theatre’s gold, ornate rooms, the aroma of popcorn wafted through the air Wednesday night as people socialized and took programs from ushers. Outside, the theatre’s sign illuminated the reason behind the commotion: 17th annual Ebertfest. Ebertfest, founded by the late-movie critic and Univ...
Feminism shines bright in ‘Girlhood’
April 20, 2015
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Céline Sciamma’s “Girlhood” tackles stereotypes from the first scene. The 2014 French film was screened Friday at the 17th annual Ebertfest. The film is the coming-of-age tale of 16-year-old Marieme, played by Karidja Touré, who comes from a low-income home with two younger sisters, a workin...
“The End of the Tour:” Honoring David Foster Wallace at Ebertfest
April 20, 2015
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There’s something kind of “meta” about writing an article about a movie about someone writing an article. But it’s particularly fitting for a review of “The End of the Tour,” which was screened at the 17th annual Ebertfest on Thursday night.The movie, directed by James Ponsoldt and starring Jason...
“A Bronx Tale:” Ebertfest welcomes Chazz Palminteri and Jon Kilik
April 20, 2015
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I would never deny that “A Bronx Tale” is a great film; it references important dialogue about race relations, gender construction, class discrepancies and morality. But experiencing “A Bronx Tale” as introduced by Roger Ebert’s wife, Chaz Ebert, viewing it as a personal 35-mm print that bel...
Jenna Marbles brings the internet to real life
April 16, 2015
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Just as Clark Kent transforms into Superman, Jenna Mourey dons her false eyelashes, sardonic wit and pint-sized pooches to become Internet legend Jenna Marbles. Marbles has built an online empire based on YouTube videos, Instagram posts, blog and vlog posts, and most recently, a podcast. With her mini ...
An unheard Elsinore, the band is back
April 15, 2015
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Seven days before recording its most recent album, “PUSH/PULL,” local band Elsinore lost half of its members. Studio time was already reserved and a producer was scheduled to be flown out from Portland, but the band’s dynamic wasn’t working, making the previous members opt out last minute. Fro...
Legally Blonde cast delivers crowd-pleasing performance
April 14, 2015
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The cast of “Legally Blonde” earned a standing ovation on Saturday night, when they finished their Moms Weekend performance sponsored by the Illini Union Board. The IUB put on the play inspired by the 2001 movie of the same name starring Reese Witherspoon, who played a sorority girl who follows ...
Annual Boneyard Arts Festival launches on campus Thursday
April 8, 2015
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Champaign’s 40 North will kick off its annual Boneyard Arts Festival on Thursday, with the University campus as its first stop before visiting the rest of Champaign county. The festival, which is presented annually by 40 North Champaign County Arts Council, is in its 13th year and has been growing ra...
