FRIDAY, JULY 11
Autumn Berry Inspired Doughnuts by Pandamonium Doughnuts, Busey BankParking Lot at 114 South Race Street, Urbana, 5:30 p.m.
Neutral Cycle and Urbana Love present this weekend’s Free Summer Movie Night featuring the film Breaking Away. Bring a chair and your dinner (Pizza M, perhaps?) and grab a doughnut for dessert. These doughnuts are a local food lover’s dream, and they’re beautiful, too. (JH)
Two movies of epic importance, The Art Theater Co-op
This weekend, two very important films will be playing at the beloved Art Theater Co-op in downtown Champaign. First off, you can catch documentarian Steve James’ film on the life of beloved film critic Roger Ebert, Life Itself. The film, produced by Martin Scorcese, has received raves, and this is your chance to see it on the big screen just a few yards from the lobby mural where Ebert is depicted alongside Groucho Marx, Humphrey Bogart, and many more representatives of classic cinema. Then, by golly, you can hang out for the late show and watch Jaws. It might not have the same local significance as Life Itself, but… Well, it’s my favorite movie, and you can’t really deny how much fun it would be to revisit this unquestionably good summer blockbuster. Go treat yourself to a double-feature. (MG)
Orphans, The Station Theatre, 8 p.m.
Lyle Kessler’s taut, edgy three-man show about two hard-luck brothers and the gangster who acts as a father figure to them will continue this weekend at the Station. Director Timothy O’Neal (a first-timer at the Station) has a great cast with Lincoln Machula, Maxwell Tomaszewski, and Coy Benning Wentworth. The play runs Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, and all shows begin at 8 p.m. Reservations can be made by calling 217-384-4000, or by reserving online. You can read Kelsey’s review of the production here. (MG)
The Chemicals, Ghost Wolves, Me Jane, The 92s, Mike ‘N Molly’s, $7, 8 p.m.
The Chemicals are releasing their first record in a quite some time, and they’re doing so with a pretty solid release show at Mike ‘N Molly’s on Friday night. You can hear the whole record exclusively over in the SPlog, so you can preview it before you head out and catch their set tonight. They’re joined by The Ghost Wolves, Me Jane, and the 92s. Solid from top to bottom, especially for this price. (PS)
Duke of Uke & His Novelty Orchestra with Pageant & Jonathan Timm, Pizza M, 9-11:30 p.m., $7
Sometimes you need to chill the fuck out and listen to some ukulele. And you have your chance this Friday. Energetic and unabashedly romantic, the Duke of Uke and His Novelty Orchestra is an orchestral funk-pop ensemble, featuring 4-part vocal harmonies, ukulele, violin, tuba, saxophones, electric bass, and drums. Two other bands join this fine ensemble for a mere $7. (RP)
SATURDAY, JULY 12
Second Saturday Board Games, Urbana Free Library, 2-5 p.m., free
Beat the heat and join folks at the Urbana Free Library for a relaxing afternoon of board games. They have staff and volunteers standing by for demonstrations and info on how to play if need be. (RP)
Mariposa Music Festival, Downtown Champaign, 6 p.m., free
There’s plenty going on in Downtown Champaign on a regular Saturday afternoon/evening, but this isn’t a regular weekend evening. There will be live music in the streets of Downtown Champaign, specifically at Chester and Walnut and Main and Neil, as Braid, PHOX, Cornmeal, Jessica Lea Mayfield, Common Loon, Moonrise Nation, The Curses, and Paul Cebar Tomorrow Sound perform on two stages. You’ll be able to see all of those bands — for the cost of zero dollars. Check out the full schedule at the Facebook even linked above, and head out like you usually would. This time — you can see music, good music, for free. (PS)
SUNDAY, JULY 13
Performing in the Park, Spalding Park, Champaign, 12-3 p.m., free
This activity boasts “Youth Theater performing, Dance Arts performing, face painting, water inflatable’s, pottery demonstration, to a variety of foods, and more.” Sounds like a nice relaxing afternoon with not so average summer park activities worth checking out. (SL)
Rent a Gun, High Caliber Training Center, 1414 Triumph Dr., Urbana, 12-6 p.m., $30+ per hour
Take a trip out to the north side of Urbana to rent a firearm, ammo, and take aim down an OSHA certified range for some target practice. The range is indoors and rents rifles, hand guns, and shotguns. The range also offers courses in courses in various subjects and a membership. Open to the public. Have fun and be safe! (SL)
Dinner from new menu, Silvercreek, 402 N Race Street, Urbana, 5-10 p.m., $7-$32
Silvercreek has a new summer dinner menu. Starters and salads range in price from $7 to $19, entrées $15 to $32. Items include seared diver scallops with a ginger pear puree, Champagne-poached pear salad, and candied walnuts ($29), grilled flank steak with black bean cassoulet, arugula, and a smoked tomato salsa ($21), and elote shrimp cocktail ($8/$14). (JH)
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All event information is accurate to the best of our abilities, but sometimes we make mistakes and sometimes event information, times, prices, etc., change after we look them up. Whenever possible, we’ve provided a link to the original event page; you should always double-check the source before you make any firm plans. Thanks for your understanding.