Jessica Knight and Brandon Carnes of Looming Perhaps contrary to accepted wisdom, a lot actually happens in Springfield during any given week. In “You had to be there,” a new recurring feature on the Faingold at Large blog, I will take on the role of reader’s surrogate as I report on musical, theatrical, artistic, or […]
Scott Faingold
Scott Faingold is a journalist, educator and musician. He has been director of student media at University of Illinois Springfield, founding editor of Activator magazine, a staff reporter for Illinois Times and co-host of Old School Bleep, a music-centered podcast.
Posted inArts & Culture
Monty Python to perform live on Wabash Avenue Today
The surviving members of Monty Python, beloved and venerable British comedy troupe (OK, Terry Gilliam originally hails from Wisconsin) recently reunited for a series of stage shows in the UK. Today marks the final show in that sold-out run. Local fans of the silly-walking, cheese-shopping, Spanish Inquisitioning, dead-parroting, cross-dressing satirists are being afforded a […]
Posted inArts & Culture
Black Flag are playing in town this weekend. Or are they?
What does Black Flag mean to you? Your answer may influence how excited you should get about the Black Flag concert happening this Saturday at Donnie’s Homespun. To characterize this band’s membership policy as a “revolving door” is to risk understatement. Black Flag released its incendiary debut, the Nervous Breakdown EP, in 1978, thereby launching […]
Posted inArts & Culture
Tonight: Romance of Sorcery at DEMO Project
Tonight, check out Springfield expatriate artist Stephen Linksvayer’s show, “Romance of Sorcery,” the latest offering from the always innovative DEMO Project.The IT exclusive video below takes you inside the gallery space as the show was being prepared, and features Linksvayer’s thoughts on his influences and materials, and bears witness as the artist chances upon a […]
Posted inArts & Culture
Two guys make a movie
Cast and crew of Seriously Trippin’ from left: Martin Miller, Kammy Robinson, Gabe Owusu, Tanesha Morrison, Ozland Banks, Talina Spencer, Shawn Williams, Mario Taylor, Fontaine Krushall, Eik Williams, Daton Vaughn, Bian Parga, Rodney Haley. PHOTO BY PATRICK YEAGLE Springfield resident Ozland Banks has been independently shooting videos and doing graphic design work for years but […]
Posted inArts & Culture
Tomorrow: Alejandro Escovedo at Donnie’s
A punk progenitor, an alt-country pioneer, a roots rocker and an acoustic troubadour walk into a bar. The bar is Donnie’s homespun and the punchline is they are all one musician, the legendary Alejandro Escovedo, back in Springfield tomorrow night under the auspices of the invaluable Bedrock 66 concert series. This show will be solo, […]
Posted inArts & Culture
Tonight: SOHO Rain Check
“And if it rains both days I could still owe people thousands of dollars.” So spoke Springfield SOHO Fest founder and executive director Eric Welch at the conclusion of IT’s June 5 cover story about the musical festival’s tenth anniversary celebration last weekend. Welch’s words were sadly prophetic. While it fortunately did not rain […]
Posted inArts & Culture
Video: New DEMO Project exhibit opens tonight
Tonight is the opening reception for “Hillbilly/Invisibility: On Love and Servitude,” new work by Chicago-based artist Maggie Crowley. This is the latest exhibit at DEMO Project (732 N. Fourth Street), an alternative space located on the premises of the Springfield Art Association. Watch the IT exclusive video below for a glimpse of Crowley’s art along […]
Posted inArts & Culture
Video: The Pharmacy Gallery takes “Flight” on Saturday
The Pharmacy – Springfield’s innovative, independent artist collective – is ready to unfurl its latest group show this Saturday from 6 p.m. until 9 p.m. In the video below, Pharmacy artist Adam Pershbacher walks us through the gallery space at the corner of S. Grand and Monroe as the show was being prepared, offering offhand […]
Posted inArts & Culture
Video: Yogi Beara brings stripped down rock to SOHO Annex
Yogi Beara is the name of Springfield power duo Keagan Cross (guitar) and John Peters (drums) who will be performing at 7 pm Saturday at the Alamo on SOHO Festival’s annex stage. Check out their hot jam “New York” in the Illinois Times exclusive video below and hear the boys talk about what makes them […]
Posted inNews
SOHO turns 10
“SOHO is a vehicle to expose Springfield to its own unique talent” Twenty years ago, Eric Welch had a vision. “I was 21 years old,” he recalls, “and I’d started going out to the bars and seeing local bands that I was thrilled by. Then I would go downtown to all these music festivals – […]
Posted inSpecial Issues
Regional theater offers summer options galore
Get happy feet with Footloose at New Salem’s Theatre in the Park in June. As ever, area theater companies are putting their best feet forward this summer, offering a large variety of productions, running the gamut from Disney to Mel Brooks, from historical drama to operetta, from horror to comedy, from epics to miniatures. Rest […]
