Paul Wirth knows Kung fu

In CU WAKA Kickball news, fewer people were injured in this week’s game at the new location of Eisner Park in Champaign. The gravel field in Urbana that the games were previously held on drew much blood. I criminally failed to mention in my last column that these kickball games are held by local musicians and fans alike. Keep an eye out in next week’s column or at openingbands.com for info on the next game so you can come out and participate or just watch the epic battle between Nate Jones and Todd Hunter.

The Canopy Club, in Urbana, will host Corn Desert Ramblers tonight. This bluegrass outfit will hit the stage at 9 p.m. and play all night, so drop by and have a drink and an empanada.

Neighbors the Iron Post and Embassy Tavern will both host 7 p.m. shows tonight. The Post has Jazz Tapestry (guess what they play) for $3, while Embassy has Robert Russel (solo acoustic) for free. Embassy will also host the return of Keith Harden on Friday night at 9 p.m. for $3.

The Highdive is the new home for Friday’s show (moved from Cowboy Monkey) featuring Bound Stems, The Chemicals, Tunnels, and Royal Electric. Bound Stems (Flameshovel Records), from Chicago, will play Lollapalooza next weekend, but you can catch them right here in town without having to deal with hassle of the city. Showtime is at 9:45 p.m., $5. Instead of hosting the aforementioned show, Cowboy Monkey will host a free show featuring DJ Mambo Italiano with Chad Dunn sitting in

on percussion.

On Saturday evening, the streets of downtown Urbana will morph into something I imagine will be similar to the dance scene from The Matrix: Reloaded. Well, without all of the debauchery and with Paul Wirth in the role of Neo. At 5 p.m., at the corner of Race and Elm, a free world-beat concert will kick off, featuring the sounds of Recycled Rhythms, Big Grove Zydeco, and Mhondoro.

If you’re not feeling worldly, you can go to the Cowboy Monkey and check out Mad Mardigan, MsF, Brian Deer, and Ezra Furman and the Harpoons, all of whom will play after a preview of John May’s new film Someday. Cover is $5, and music starts at 9:30 p.m.

The Iron Post series, 7 to 9 p.m. Sundays, run by Triple Whip’s Jane Boxall, is back in action this week with Lynn O’Brien, the Feed, and Royal Electric, $3.50.

Head to www.myspace.com/kaisercartel to check out the Brooklyn band, who will play at Cowboy Monkey next Thursday with the Beauty Shop, Darling Disarm (full-band acoustic) and another special guest.

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

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