The Assembly Hall was pitch black and silent when I walked in, except for an illuminated stage and Alexander Dobrynin, who plays the flying man in Cirque du Soleil's “Alegria.”

Not only is Dolly Parton a signer, songwriter, Broadway show producer, she has now been a business partner in Dollywood for 25 years. Read what Dolly has to say about her involvement in the March 18 e3. The amusement park is much more than I expected.

Pat Phillips

Richard J. Leskosky has sent us his review for "Green Zone," starring Matt Damon,  which he gave two stars.

"The film veers unsuccessfully between politics and action, slowing for lectures and becoming hard to follow in chases," he writes in his capsule. "Most characters are stick figures at best, and plot turns are incongruous."

Check out the review in Thursday's e3 entertainment magazine.

— Tony Mancuso

Check out Wednesday's Food pages, where Lynda Zimmer writes about her experience watching chef Benjamin Grice's class last week on tapas. It seems we're on the cusp of a tapas craze here in East Central Illinois, what with V. Picasso opening last year.

We'll have some recipes, including Baby Potatoes with Aioli, Chili Lime Shrimp with Sherry and Empanadillas. Sounds awesome!

If you didn't get enough of all things Irish Wednesday (recipes) or Thursday (bands, entertainment, etc.), check out Sunday's paper.

Between the Stacks columnist Kelly Strom offers up several books with Irish ties on our books page, and Online Editor Michael Howie shares his trip to Ireland on our travel page.

Enjoy!

— Features Editor Tony Mancuso

How have you decorated your kids’ rooms?

Whether you did it yourself or hired a professional, we would like to see the results, take some pictures and share the outcome with our readers.

Please contact Lynda Zimmer at zimmer@news-gazette.com or 351-5224.

Head to Allen Hall this weekend to see Beat Kitchen. It's free!
 - Meg Thilmony

Friday, March 12

7 p.m.

Main Lounge of Allen Hall

Free and open to the public

We’re Not In Kansas Anymore…
THE WIZARD OF OZ Travels Over the Rainbow to CHAMPAIGN!

Tickets On Sale Now
 

The greatest family musical of all time, THE WIZARD OF OZ, is touching down in Champaign as NETworks Presentations brings this national treasure to the Assembly Hall Star Theatre April 8, 2010 at 7:30 p.m.

March 8, 2010

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

CHAMPAIGN — The Assembly Hall will introduce a pilot alcohol sales program this month at select shows targeted toward adults. Alcohol sales will be limited to beer and wine. The pilot program will occur at the following events:

Cirque du Soleil’s Alegria – March 17-21

Cabaret, part of the WCIA 3 Broadway Series – April 24