I was there in the room. I remember.

This weekend was the weekend of The Vagina Monologues. I've been in that great play for the past four years now, and I have loved every minute of it. My monologues have included "Introductions," "Wear and Say," "Smell," "I Was 12, My Mother Slapped Me," "The Woman Who Loved to Make Vaginas Happy," and "Intro to Reclaiming Cunt." I have seen over a hundred actresses and volunteers for the play. In short, I'm a veteran of the play.

One thing that I especially like about it is that it offers an open and non-judgmental way for women to discuss their sexuality and experiences. Sexuality is such a hushed up thing in our society, in particularly women's sexuality. I'm not saying that I want everyone to dish every little detail of their private lives, but I do think that there needs to be more openness between women and between men and women about what they think and where they're coming from on each issue. The Vagina Monologues is one way for actresses to speak the lines of real women from real interviews, and it encourages them in turn to share their own experiences. And many of our male audience members were really supportive as well, especially in the monologues about current or historical events (comfort women, Congolese conflict, Bosnian conflict, etc.) It's such a totally uplifting, completely empowering experience.

Champaign, It is A-Changin'

Come gather 'round sudents
It's almost time to go.
Your schooling's almost over,
Can you believe this is so?
This town looks similar,
But some things sure don't
If you've heard what some folks are sayin'.
Then you best pay attention,
In your last months to go
For this town, it is a changin'.

Come DI and Buzz,
Write this down with your pen,
You need some good subject matter,
It won't come again.
Le Shoppe changed owners,
And Impasta had to go,
For Champaign wasn't where it'd be stayin'.
And Luna expanded,
It's in a depot.
For this town, it is a changin'.

Now the feminist folk
Should be pacified
Cause they have a women's center
With new events inside.
Meanwhile the charities
Learned they had to fight,
For their funding supply was decaying.
And Illini Orange was demolished,
It's now a construction site,
For this campus, it is a-changin'.

PAR has gone trayless,
And Lincoln has too,
And the luxury apartments
Are frighteningly huge.
The co-ops are still insane,
And it's certain that you
Have many options of where you'll be staying!
And the South Quad is sporting
A bell tower that's new.
For the campus, it is a-changin'.

Come down, Alumni
Come and reminisce.
Your obnoxious reflections
Will get us all pissed.
Your good old days are over,
Though it's true they are missed,
But they're a time you won't be regaining.
So let's toast our grads,
And wish them all the best,
For without them, UI will be a-changin'!

--Go Ask Alex
With all apologies to R-Zimmy/Robert Zimmerman/Bob Dylan

What's cookin at the Beat Kitchen?

Take some funky grooves, solid strong vocals, a ten-piece band, horns, and a seriously modern twist on classic R&B...

And you have the recipe for the perfect weekend band!

Meet the Beat Kitchen. They're ten folks from Champaign-Urbana (there is also a restaurant in Chytown with that name, but this article isn't about them), and can they play! They play some R&B/funk with some solid, danceable grooves, and their songs get everybody up and dancing. Most of the songs are originals, but they've been known to do a funkified cover or two (think an R&B cover of Radiohead's "Karma Police" for starters!). My friend DoMonique and I went to see them, and their worldbeat co-headliner Mhondoro, a few Saturdays ago. We were in for a fabulous double act, as both groups did not disappoint. They just kept us dancing and singing along, and the crowd in the whole bar, the Iron Post, was on its feet. I've liked R&B for a while now, but this only cemented my love for it. This band really knew how to work a crowd while also staying soulful and emotive. And that singer has a terrific set of pipes! He has a big deep voice, with a wide range for a guy.

The rhythm and blues crowd also knows how to behave, think the manners of the folk crowd mixed with the good exuberance of the rock one. Sure, the Iron Post was crowded and a small venue. But, there was no shoving, moshing, feeling-up when you don't want to be felt up, or creepies being creepy like I've seen at other shows. The fans behave, but that doesn't mean they can't get excited and energized. And their dancing is so much fun. You don't have to know any particular steps or anything, but rather to find your own groove. Some folks were doing West African style dancing to Mhondoro, since that group does have Zimbabwean and Guinea influences, but the rest of us were simply doing what we liked. Our friends Jane and Megan, who are more into social dances with lots of rules and steps (Megan's been known to ballroom and swing dance during punk shows--and pull it off), also could find their groove. It wasn't hard at all.

Only drawback is that the "comfortable" boots we both had on turned out to be not so comfortable after dancing for four hours straight! The bus ride we took to IHOP and then back home provided a welcome opportunity to sit down for once that night! Definitely a fantastic night and show, and one to hopefully be repeated!

And if you would like to cook up some grooves at the Beat Kitchen, hie thee hence to http://www.myspace.com/beatkitchenfunk, and find out when you can see them next!

Wicked Wisdom!

I greatly apologize for my leave of absence from Club Revel, but I'm back, my readers! This is a post for my metal fans. Listen up, all you metal heads and rock and rollers!!

Normally, when they start handing out recording contracts to actors, conventional wisdom dictates you head for the hills (think Jennifer Lopez, Jared Leto from 30 Seconds to Mars, Keanu Reeves and Dogstar, or Minnie Driver). Not in this case!

I have just discovered this excellent nu metal band, WICKED WISDOM! You can find them at www.wickedwisdom.net. They come from California and are considered nu metal (incorporating some rap and thrash elements into their music). Their lyrics are intelligent, the guitars and basses are thundering, and the vocals are melodic. They have all of the attitude with little posturing, and at times they sound a lot like Rage Against the Machine with a less whiney vocalist (I'm a Rage fan and have seen their farewell tour, I can criticize them if I want). The best part is that their lead singer is an actress I like, Jada Pinkett Smith. Wicked Wisdom gives her the spotlight as the lead singer as opposed to being merely defined as Will's wife (although Will is skilled at rapping, I think that with a little more press, his wife could easily overshadow him). Jada does not disappoint, as her vocals can shred your speakers and get you moshing but not destroy your hearing. Her band is tight and spot-on. Definitely worth a listen.

Get your Zmick on!

Today is the newest review from Club Revel, and it's a new review of Chambana's favorite bar band, ZMICK (www.myspace.com/zmickmusic)! Zmick is a fourpiece (guitar, bass, keyboard, and drums) from Champaign, and they are an indie jam band. They are known best for combining lots of styles of music to make a truly unforgettable and thoroughly danceable show. They will occaisionally have visual art in the form of a videographer and some incense, but that is not always the case. I've gone to see these guys on the days I've needed to cut loose and just dance. And you certainly can do any type of dancing to what they play! Today was their Cinco de Mayo show, and they did a little Santana music to celebrate. I was doing the two-step (basic nightclub dance) until one of my friends burst onto the floor. He jokingly scolded me for two-stepping to Santana and showed me how to properly Latin and blues dance to the songs! We managed to apply that to every one of their songs (and do them pretty damn well), even with such a packed dance floor. To add to their cool factor, Zmick also played at the Vagina Monologues benefit back in February, and the folksinger Pat Mustain joined them to help mellow out the set. (I guess you could call them Zmustain?)

However, the best thing about Zmick is that they play a four hour free show at the Canopy Club (http://www.canopyclub.com/) every Monday! The show is called "Monday Night Rage." (Did I mention it's free?) Today I took a break from writing a huge paper and went to see them. They play every Monday at the Canopy Club in Urbana, from 10 pm to 2 am. This show has no cover, cheap beverages and food, and the only requirement is that you are 19 to get into the Canopy. Their music is fast and furious, lots of driving guitar, thudding bass, and sparkling keyboard. The four guys can transition from song to song effortlessly, and their taste in material is impeccable. Most of their songs are instrumental, but there are the few that have singing. Their singer has a decent voice--it's not the most beautiful or powerful or unusual, but he can handle the songs he writes or chooses. And with everyone dancing their hearts out, who's complaining?

The band: Zmick (www.myspace.com/zmickmusic)
The venue: Canopy Club in Urbana (http://www.canopyclub.com/)
When: Every Monday from 10 pm to 2 am
Audience: 19 to enter, 21 to drink
Revel Rating: 8 out of 10 stars

Boneyard Arts Festival

Here is the first review from Club Revel!

This is the review of the yearly tradition, Boneyard Arts Festival. The Boneyard has been going on for six years so far, and it is a celebration of all things art. Various stores, restaurants, and galleries open their doors to the public and serve as venues for budding or established artists. You need only see the emblematic sign (a bone) on the door to know it is a venue for the festival.

I staffed a gallery called Healing Works this year, which featured artwork by and about survivors of sexual and domestic violence. Healing Works is a staple of the festival, and it is held in the African American Cultural Center. Included is a clothesline project (shirts with stories of survivors written on them--as a way of "airing the dirty laundry"), masks (to depict the problem of "masking" sexual violence), and art by survivors. All were very powerful and very sobering to see, but also very hopeful in the message of having the strength to heal.

The highlight of the Boneyard is Late Night spACE, the series of concerts. My boyfriend Adam and I saw the first three artists, vonFrickle, Jane Boxall, and Vernon Reid. Last year we saw the jazz fusion trio led by UI alum Greg Spero. All of these acts are totally recommendable if you'd like something new and different (in a good way). vonFrickle sounds and looks like they came from another planet! The four guys wear masks and white suits on stage, and occasionally, their eyes will light up bright red. They churn out shredding prog-rock grooves that recall the late great prog rockers but keep things original. Adding to the hypnotic quality of their music was some funky videography in the back. I had never really thought much of video as an art form, but it certainly is spectacular to watch. It turned the whole show into a trip, and an addictive one at that! Jane Boxall is a marimbist. I saw her at the Pygmalion festival, and she was good. She provided a quiet break between the weirdness of vonFrickle and the funky psychedelic sounds of Vernon Reid. Vernon had just his distorted guitar and his videographer, and he sounded like a high-tech student of Jeff Beck! I'm not implying that he was as good as Mr. Beck, but from the bluesy influence and the vocal-esque sounds of his guitar, it definitely sounded like he learned a thing or two from the master! He even had a quiet, unassuming stage presence, with little flash or flamboyance (again, another chip off the old Beck block). The video made his music even more hypnotic.

Probably the best Boneyard yet. Stay tuned as I go "in da club" next time!

The artists: Varied from year to year, but highlights have included Angie Heaton, Greg Spero Trio, vonFrickle, Vernon Reid, and Jane Boxall

The venue: Champaign, Urbana, and Savoy clubs and restaurants

The dates: Third week in April from year to year

The audience: All ages for the artwork, all ages for the bands, 21 to drink (it's the law!)

Revel Rating: 10 out of 10

The Best of C-U: My edition

So for all of you Illini and townies, here is my personal take on The Buzz's "Best of C-U." This is not an ego trip (although I do like self-promotion as much as the next person), but it's instead an open way of letting the readers get to know what kind of a scene this blog will be addressing. If it's not your thing, that's totally cool. Just figured I'd get it out there.

Allow me to present the Best of the Best...

Sandwich: Crane Alley
Place to take the parents: Radio Maria (instantly impressive, with amazing food)
Salad: Red Herring
Park: West Side in downtown Champaign, across the street from the IRS/RCS building
Ambience: KoFusion for the out-there funky vibe, Bread Company for the earthy funky vibe (sorry, as you can tell, I really like my funky vibe! And not in that way you sicko!)
Ice Cream: Jarling's Custard Cup (it's custard that's totally worth waiting in line for)
Burger: Murphy's (quarter pound of heart attack-waiting-to-happen)
Fries: Merry Anne's
Place to snore in public: Anywhere your GWS professor isn't
Politician: Tony Fabri (yes, I know that I should be bi-partisan, but you've seriously gotta hand it to a guy who remembers everything about you and shows up to all the big Fem Maj events! Hell, he wasn't even intimidated by Sex Out Loud! He just strode right in and struck up a conversation with the NARAL lady. Go Tony!)
Pancakes: Merry Anne's
Fine dining: Timpone's all the way, although I do want to check out Bacaro sometime
Diner: Merry Anne's (dude, I think they're gonna sweep the awards!)
Barbecue: Blues (this is what REAL southern comfort tastes like)
Vintage: The amazing deals, wild outfits, and smart-ass proprietress obviously make Le Shoppe the best of the best! Luv ya bunches, Cindy!
Used store: Exile on Main Street for CDs, Jane Addams for books, and Le Shoppe for clothes
Stir fry: KoFusion
Mexican food: Chevy's Fresh Mex with Dos Reales a close second
Asian food: Basil Thai of Urbana with Siam Terrace as second
Bookstore: Jane Addams Bookstore (Best selection around of books and a wonderful place to explore with a friend. Make sure the friend knows the basics of used-book-shopping first. It is a fine skill s/he must acquire before stepping foot in this lovely place.)
Fast food: Potbelly's or Jimmy John's
First date location: Aroma Cuban Cafe (come when they've got live music!)
Makeout spot in public: On one of the quads, under a lamp post...you heard that right.
Place to bowl: Illini Union rec room (cosmic bowling, anyone?)
Place to watch the Sunrise: At your friend's house, after a nine-hour party, when you're both sober and talking each other's ears off and then you're all like, "Holy shit, is it 6 AM already?? Let's get breakfast!"
Chicken wings: Buffalo Wild Wings (get the hottest sauce you can handle--it's not called "wild wings" for nothing!)
Milkshake: Courier Cafe
Pizza: Garcia's
T-shirts: Anything sold at Sex Out Loud in March. How can you not love something that says "My sexual preference is safe and often" or "This is what a feminist looks like"?
Grocery Store: World Harvest (the variety and prices helps World Harvest beat out my former favorite, AmKo, for the #1 slot)
Band to watch at a bar: Three-way tie between the Greg Spero Trio (for their eclectic appeal), Angie Heaton (for her attitude and sass), and Hotel Ahead (for their sense of fun).
Concert venue: Highdive
Act at Assembly Hall: Joan Jett and the Blackhearts
Campus bar: Legends
Downtown bar: Crane Alley in Urbana, Highdive in Champaign.
Place to buy music: Exile on Main Street
Drink selection: Boltini
Chill bar: Soma Ultra Lounge
DJ bar: C-Street (Chester Street, the club with a triple-decker dance floor!)
Bar food: Tie between Murphy's and Legends
Concert venue: Highdive and Krannert Center
After-hours food: Merry Anne's
Coffee shop: Cafe Paradiso
Art gallery: Krannert Art Museum on campus, Cinema in Urbana, Wind Water and Light in Champaign. Or, check out the Boneyard Festival and see them all!
Video store: That's Rentertainment
Local website: http://the217.com/ That is literally my Bible/Koran/Torah/Kitab-i-aqdas/Analects/Bagavad Gita/Bayan all rolled into one!
Radio Station: 107.1

The biggest vote-getters? Merry Anne's and Highdive
Honorable mentions are Potbelly's, Murphy's, Le Shoppe, Exile on Main Street, Jane Addams Bookstore