5/1&8 Plant Sale: Treat Mom to greens, pinks...

Go Green and support PARC's Greenhouse Project at their Plant Sale this Saturday, May 5th and next Saturday, May 8th from 8am-Noon, located in PARC's front parking lot on Townline Rd. in Peoria. For more info: call 309.689.3750 or e-mail bstone@arcpeoria.org

Your stop for Tomatoes, Peppers, Herbs, Impatiens, and Petunias!

Tell 'em Numéro sent ya!

Happy Friday Happy Hour! EASTER BUNNY

Okay, so I know we're pushing the season a bit :) but at the end of the day this sweet little concoction will leave you all smiles.

Easter Bunny

1 1/2 oz Dark Creme de Cacao
1/2 oz Vodka
1 tsp Chocolate Syrup
1 tsp Cherry Brandy

Shake up the Cacao and Vodka with a handful of ice, then strain the mixture over ice in a small old fashioned glass. Float the Cherry Brandy and Chocolate Syrup on top. If you try it, let us know what you think!

4/30 Peoria Ballet Event: Tasting on the Green

Have any plans on Friday? No? Then get outside and support a great cause this Friday, April 30th from 6pm-8pm at WeaverRidge, for only $25 per person you can sample fine wine and craft beers and test your golf skills in various fun challenges. Also enjoy 25% off dining at WeaverRidge with your paid ticket. Call 309.690.7990 for tickets now!

Tell 'em Numéro sent ya!

Peoria Theater: Your stop for Indie films

For those of you who don't know about Peoria Theater, it is a one of the country's few theaters dedicated to lesser known/non-mainstream films, documentaries and foreign films with a full bar! It is located in the heart of Peoria in Landmark Plaza, open Tuesday-Sunday. They offer inexpensive entertainment, unique food & snacks, and drink specials. Also Peoria Theater can provide non-traditional rental space for any party, event, fundraiser, meeting or gathering.

This is a great place to have a movie-based party!

APPLE'S BAKERY: Who's up for Cupcakes!?

Mmmmm....Don't you wish the Internet was scratch'n'sniff? Well if you want this image to be a reality, hop on over to Apple's Bakery on Knoxville to sample all of their eye candy delights. At Apple's there are over 15 varieties of cookies, a tantalizing selection of cheesecakes, brownies, breakfast goodies, pies, and incredibly fresh specialty breads.

And not only does Apple's offer sweet treats, they have a delicious selection of entrees, wraps, sandwiches, soups, and salads.

Baked goods make great Mother's Day gifts and they are always good at showing someone that you care about them. Visit Apple's in person or on the web! Apple's is open M-F 6am-6pm, Sat 6am-2pm, closed Sundays.

Tell 'em Numéro sent ya!

NEW MUSIC: Liam Finn and Eliza Jane

In December of 2008 our CD of the Month featured I'll Be Lightning by Liam Finn, a New Zealand artist and son of the famed Neil Finn, he creates multi-layered tracks in which he plays the majority of the instruments himself and loops the sounds on stage. It's amazing to watch and the sound is electric. Just last year he released an EP with Eliza Jane Barnes, who provides beautiful backup vocals, called Champagne in Seashells. This five song little dynamo delivers an entertaining mix. Check it out. PS. the cover art rocks.

Track 1 - Plane Crash - is a great slow burn building up to a frenzy of sound mimicking the song title's senario.

Track 2 - Won't Change My Mind - an easy going melodic track that slows things down. Liam and E.J.'s vocals harmonies work quite well together floating with the music. The song then pulls a switch at the end with strange synths, sound effects, and a xylophone which make it sound like a cross between a '60s lounge and a fun house carnival ride.

Track 3 - Long Way to Go - possesses an infectious funk beat that may rock you out of your chair, complete with dirty guitars, heavy bass and a multi-layering of indistinguishable instruments.

Track 4 - Honest Face - catchy lyrics.

Track 5 - On Your Side - Eliza shines here, taking center stage and accented by Liam's sweetly sad vocals, I just wish the song was longer.

Fulfill Your Pet's Health Needs at Preckshot

Movie Monday: DATE NIGHT

This past week a friend and I went out for girl's night and we happened to see Date Night, where a couple take another couple's dinner reservation and it leads them on an adventure that they never bargained for. Let me say that the pairing of Tina Fey and Steve Carrell is a comedic match made in heaven. Their interactions as a 'been married forever' couple is believable, sweet and hilarious. We particularly enjoyed the antics between the two in the restaurant when they make up pretend conversations between other diners. This movie is definitely relatable to couples that feel that everyone's life is more exciting than their own, but then they come to appreciate that they really have a good thing going.

There were definitely parts where they could have pushed it a bit more for laughs but overall it had good humor. The car chase was priceless as was Carrell's annoyance at Mark Wahlberg's apparent lack of shirt. In the thick of it all Fey and Carrell's characters show that they do have some chops when it comes to getting to the bottom of things and taking on those that are out to get them. Several stars such as Mark Ruffalo and Kristin Wiig make amusing cameos.

So for all you couples out there this is a movie truly made for a great date night! And be sure to stay until the end of the credits, there are bonus outtakes!

New Music: LCD Soundsystem

LCD Soundsystem is a band that seems to stand alone in its unbelievable coolness. Their punchy, disco-punk style has made them somewhat iconic in the world of indie dance music and their most recent album This Is Happening, due out May 18th, captures all the dance-hall, irreverent yet sophisticated fun that LCD Soundsystem is known for. If the rumors are true that this is the last album the band will release, they have created quite an impressive swan song. To listen to the album streaming for free, visit NPR Music.

THRIFTY THURSDAY: LS HOME Sale, Junction City

NOW through May 9
Mitchell-Gold+Bob Williams
20% off special order upholstery

Now that spring is here, are you looking to revamp and refresh your home? Simple touches make all the difference. LS HOME has a full range of interior design services. They have talented designers on staff to assist you. Whether it be new construction or renovation, it is their goal to create interiors that fit your lifestyle. By using their knowledge and expertise of classic and contemporary interiors, they are able to create an individual look for every client.

Visit the store showroom to experience their unique collection of furniture, accessories, lighting, art and antiques. Check out their website for more ideas here.

LS Home | 5901 N. Prospect Rd. Peoria, IL 61614 | 309.691.0707

Tell 'em Numéro sent ya.

Whatcha Eatin' Wednesday: Water Street

Grilled Asparagus Quiche a la Water Street Wines, Café, & Coffees.

This delectable little delight is made fresh daily by Chef Aaron Hellman and Cook Chris Karte. It sports tasty caramelized onions and smoked gouda cheese. Enjoy this dish for lunch or dinner!

Tell them you saw it in Numéro!!

2nd Annual Bradley Visual Culture Symposium

April 22, 2010
Mark your calendars for this Thursday, check out the symposium at Bradley University

The theme of the symposium is reflected in the title, "Differentiating Space: Identifying the Local in Visual Culture". Our speakers are asked to address differences in Midwestern art and design practices that are tied to the unique relationship between urban, suburban, and rural sites in Mid-America. Panelists will be asked to think about visual culture as indistinguishable from ideologies of place. Some questions that will be asked and discussed are:

-How can the character and visual culture of the Midwest be reclaimed and redefined by those who live and work here?
-Is it possible to create a counter-narrative to that which privileges the national or global over the local?
-What other sorts of inland attributes are common that need more reflective appraisal?
-What does your experience of the Midwest offer that contextualizes art, design, education, and audience in a different way?

IVSC SYMPOSIUM SCHEDULE
April 22, 2010

1:30pm Panel Discussion
Panelists: Buzz Spector, Justine Nagan, Clifton Meador, Patricia Olynik, Preston Jackson
Moderator: Paul Krainak Auditorium B51, Baker Hall

3:00pm Lecture: Justine Nagan Auditorium B51, Baker Hall

4:00pm Reception Heuser Art Center

5:00pm Lecture: Buzz Spector Horowitz Auditorium, 126, Caterpillar Global Communications Center

8:30pm Film Screening "Typeface" by Justine Nagan Auditorium, Bradley Hall

The Symposium is free and open to the public.

We met Angela from The Office!

 (From left: Abbi, Alli, Angela, Dennis and Nicole)

The Numéro staff took a field trip to Eureka College last night to see Angela Kinsey who plays Angela Martin on the hit show The Office. Despite her rather unpleasant personality on the show, in real life Kinsey is a funny and effervescent woman who shared plenty of hilarious anecdotes about growing up in Texas and Indonesia (!), her career as a comedian and being a mother.  She also fielded questions about her experiences on The Office such as whether she prefers Andy or Dwight (Dwight.) and what the deal is with Sprinkles the cat.

She was gracious enough to let us take a group photo with her, too! (Alli was not informed that everyone would be smiling and not doing the “Angela face.”)

NEW MUSIC: Wolfmother + Cosmic Egg

Wolfmother is back with their second studio album Cosmic Egg and despite their long hiatus they manage to serve up the same face-melting, gritty, classic rock inspired sound that defined their self-titled debut. "California Queen" sounds like a Led Zeppelin cover--it sounds to unapologetically vintage but Wolfmother still never sounds dated. They've struck a fine balance between honoring the bands who defined classic rock and bringing their own modern influence to their music. This is a great album to play in the car with the windows down as you air-drum on the steering wheel. Not that we do that...

Get it at Co-Op Records, tell 'em Numéro sent ya.

Review by Allison West.

Special from Natural Concepts!!

Hey stop by and visit our friends at Natural Concepts Salon and Day Spa this month for your beauty care needs. They are running a special, mention that you saw their ad in Numéro and get a free shampoo and blowout. Go ahead and pamper yourself!

Tell 'em Numéro sent ya.

Fun Friday: ROCKSTARS!

A bus full of prominent rock stars was on its way to Bradley University this afternoon. Unfortunately, it crashed and all of them died painful deaths.

Thankfully, the Acting II class was on hand to pretend to be these musicians for an appreciative audience.

Every semester, Acting II does an activity called Rock Star, in which the students must study and emulate a famous musician and then perform an act to a song written by said rocker. This year's performance included appearances by P!nk, Steven Tyler, Jimi Hendrix, Prince, Marilyn Manson, and my personal favorite: MC Hammer. I have a video of him, but it is unfortunately 44 Megabytes too big to load into Blogger. I'll link it when I get it to work with Facebook.

Hurrah!


Rock Star is a time-honored tradition at Bradley, and a good way for anyone to pass an afternoon. Admission was free, but the department was accepting donations for the senior showcase later this year.

Happy Friday: MICMACS

Newsflash, Jean-Pierre Jeunet, mastermind behind Amélie and Delicatessen has unleashed another gem, though I have not seen it yet, the trailer is incredibly fun. Jeunet has a knack for the ensemble of oddballs and penchant for casting great faces, so full of character that you smile even before they begin to speak.

THRIFTY THURSDAY: FREE Concert + Hello Industry

Local band Hello Industry will be hosting a concert this evening on ISU's Campus, 495 W. Beaufort St, Normal, IL 61761, CVA Rm 149

8:30pm

FREE! (what could be more thrifty!)

Visit their site and you'll discover that "Hello Industry is a conscious alternative rock band. Think Queen meets Depeche Mode at a Radiohead concert. It’s highly emotive, high-substance music for people who are sick of mediocrity." Check back here soon for a review of one of their concerts!

Whatcha Reading: Baba Yaga Laid an Egg by Dubravka Ugresic

Dubravka Ugresic has written a cultural gem in Baba Yaga Laid an Egg. This story weaves together the mysticism of fairy tale, the rich history of the Slavic culture and the tenderness of a mother-daughter relationship. Ugresic is an imaginative and thoughtful writer whose post-modern style is tempered by her sensitivity to her characters.

Review by Allison West.

NEW MUSIC: The Living Sisters + Love To Live

I don't know about you, but I'm a big fan of The Bird and the Bee, the California duo of Inara George and Greg Kurstin. I just became aware of Inara's side project, The Living Sisters, a trio of harmonic and melodious songbirds that hearken to an age ago past mid-century, with influences from country to jazz to pop. Each "sister" is acclaimed in their own right, EIeni Mandell has 7-albums under her belt and won the best songwriter award with Elliot Smith in 2003. Becky Stark can be heard in the band Lavender Diamond and recently sang on The Decemberist's latest. And Inara, well her voice melts and sweeps me off my feet every time. Therefore I invite you to be swept off to sunshine on this overcast day with The Living Sisters.

EGG is April's Theme, No Foolin'!

Here's what you'll find in this month's Eggs-ellent issue. It's chuck full of fabulous project articles, interviews and more...

• Hatching a Great Idea - By Dina Emser
• Put an Egg in Your Nest - By Erik Johnson
• Revenge of the Nerds - By Allison West
• A Fresh Take on Egg Decorating - By Nicole Blackburn
• The Eggs-tradordinary Egg - By Sandra Rossetti Mitchell

Pick an issue of Numéro up today, click here for a list of locations. Happy Reading!