• the217
• Music
• The week ahead in local music

Related Media

• See Slideshow (9 images)

Mike Ingram can be reached at forgottenwords@gmail.com.

Related Artists

• George Clinton & Parliament Funkadelic's Profile »
• Post Historic's Profile »
• Sunset Stallion's Profile »
• Carl Hauck's Profile »
• On Again Off Again's Profile »
• Santa's Profile »
• World's First Flying Machine's Profile »
• Greencards's Profile »
• Asobi Seksu's Profile »

See More About these Events

George Clinton and Parliament Funkedelic »

• Event has already occurred

Asobi Seksu »

• Event has already occurred
• Canopy Club »
  708 S. Goodwin Ave. Urbana, IL 61801
  (Show on map)

I have about a hundred PCU-related quotes that I want to unleash in preparation for tonight’s Canopy Club show. That’s right, it’s ... George Clinton ... and the Parliament ... Funkadelic! I half-expected to see some, “Tonight at the Canopy Club — Everyone Gets Laid” posters around campus. I don’t even know if the band knows exactly who will be playing onstage tonight, but you can rest assured that your ass will be unable to stop moving as they perform some of the biggest funk songs ever written. Tickets are 27 bucks in advance, which seems like a pretty good price to catch such an iconic group in such an intimate setting. Get up for the down stroke at 9 p.m.

Have you ever found yourself wondering what it would be like if the Brat Pack’s drummer (Josh Quirk) decided to step out from behind the kit and instead grab an acoustic guitar, only to start playing shows behind Dawna Nelson (vocalist in such bands as the Impalas and ’80s local sensation Gator Alley)? No? Well, now you are. And to feed the newfound hunger you have to hear what that amalgamation would sound like (probably not too far from Parliament Funkadelic but with only one person wearing a diaper), head to Bentley’s tonight to catch Rocket Science. The show is free, which would certainly agree with your wallet more than P-Funk, and Bentley’s is a wonderful place to drink. Start time is 7 p.m.

The Springer Cultural Center (at Randolph and Church in downtown Champaign) will once again mix music and art this Friday with a reception for artists Kristi Rae Wilson and Phyllis Rash Hughes, featuring music from local singer/songwriter Carl Hauck (who will begin at 6 p.m.). It appears the event will be free, but for more information, call 398-2376. Hauck’s latest album, Counter Intelligence, is available at most local outlets and online and is a fantastic piece of chamber-folk. Check him out at http://myspace.com/carlhauck.

Stellar local band Three Hour Tour will play a show Friday night at Cowboy Monkey to help get some folks out for the Handcuffs. The latter band is a new project from former CU resident Brad Elvis, who has a long and storied history in the CU music scene, having been a part of Screams (one of CU’s earliest punk bands, signed to MCA) as well as Epic recording band the Elvis Brothers (which would eventually feature the lovely Adam Schmitt — the one from Urbana, not the one from Minneapolis). After departing Champaign for Chicago, Brad used his band Big Hello as a vehicle for his songs, and now he has the Handcuffs. When he’s not doing the original thing, he is also the current drummer for ’80s hit-makers The Romantics. The Handcuffs are seeing songs from their new record land in TV shows like Gossip Girl, but if you’re not a CW fan, you can always check out myspace.com/thehandcuffs for audio and video and all of that. Friday’s show will start at 9 p.m., and you need to fork over $5 at the door.

Post Historic and Sunset Stallion are both a part of the budding pantheon of artists busting out of the campus area, and they’ve grown to the point of being able to commandeer the Canopy Club on a Friday night. It’s a big move, so fans of the bands should make sure to make it out if possible so that similar things can continue to happen. The two acts will share the stage with On Again Off Again and Jennifer Hedstrom. Start time is 10 p.m., and there is a $7 cover charge. Get there earlier (7 p.m.) to catch sketch comedy from Fishing with Dynamite.

But wait, there’s more! The locals continue on Saturday (following the Greencards at 6 p.m.) with sets from Roses and Saké, Santa, World’s First Flying Machine and Empyrean Soul. This show starts at 10 p.m., and the cover is $7 at the door (or get a ticket early for $5!).

Sunday is Mother’s Day, so don’t go forgetting to make a phone call at the very least, especially if you were one of those little shits who used to say something like, “When is Kid’s Day?” every Mother’s Day. Another good idea? Get a picture of your mom puking and/or passed out during Mom’s Day and have it framed. Or if your mom likes sleek indie-pop and Asians, take her to Canopy Club to see Asobi Seksu.

Bentley’s will once again pull out a nice, quiet show on Sunday evening (7 p.m.), this week featuring such luminaries as Angie Heaton (unless she gets called up to the Roller Derby majors), Cody Sokolski (who will probably just sleep at the bar after the Delta Kings finish on Saturday night) and Jason Bentley (relation? I have no idea). The plan is for the show to be free, which means more alcohol!