MONDAY, December 10
*This meeting has been canceled*
WHAT: 
Look UP
WHERE: The UP Center of Champaign County
WHEN: Monday, Dec. 10, 6:00–7:00 p.m.
Look UP is a group for LGBTQ and ally individuals to discuss the intersections between LGBTQ identity and Christianity in a safe, supportive environment. Discussion topics include: gay bible studies, responding to hate/discrimination, finding LGBTQ-affirming congregations, and other topics important to those in attendance.
For more information, please contact Mada.
WHAT: Nekromancy
WHERE: Chester Street Bar
WHEN: Monday, Dec. 10, 9:00 p.m.–2:00 a.m.
Every Monday, DJ SorceryKid, and DJ Hivemind craft a continuous audio-visual mixshow of the latest and the greatest in dark alternative and underground dance music.
Doors: 9:00 p.m.
Cover: $2.00
Age: 19+
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TUESDAY, December 11
WHAT: Parkland Pride Meeting
WHERE: Parkland Community College (Room C-218)
WHEN: Tuesday, Dec. 11, Noon–1:00 p.m.
Parkland Pride is Parkland Community College’s LGBTA Student Organization that promotes social connections and campus awareness. Campus visibility and fun are our goals. Join us if you support LGBT Rights and LGBT Issues!
For more information, please contact Tanino.
WHAT: Mpowerment Meeting
WHERE: Green Street Center
24 E. Green St., Suite 14
Champaign
WHEN: Tuesday, Dec. 11, 6:00–9:00 p.m.
Mpowerment is a local social and HIV prevention group for young gay/bisexual men. Meetings are open to all young gay and bisexual men interested in becoming involved.
For more information, please contact Carrie Keenan.
WHAT: Man UP: Men’s Social Group
WHERE: The UP Center of Champaign County
WHEN: Tuesday, Dec. 11, 7:00–9:00 p.m.
Man UP is for adult men, ages 26 and up. A movie is shown, followed by discussion.
For more information go here, or contact Kevin.
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WEDNESDAY, December 12
WHAT: Brother II Brother Meeting
WHERE: Green Street Center
24 E. Green St., Suite 14
Champaign
WHEN: Wednesday, Dec. 12, 6:00–8:00 p.m.
B II B is a social group for young men of color who have sexual or loving relationships with other men. The goal is to create a strong positive and healthy community for men of color in Champaign-Urbana.
For more information, please email Rage.
*This show has been canceled*
WHAT: God-Des & She Concert
WHERE: Emerald City Lounge
WHEN: Wednesday, Dec. 12, 9:00 p.m.
The fantastic hip-hop duo return to Champaign, to rock your pants off. They’ll be performing old favorites, plus songs from their upcoming fourth album, United States of God-Des and She. There will be a meet and greet after the show.
We’ve talked about God-Des & She quit a bit here at Smile Politely, so if you’d like more information about them (and why wouldn’t you?), check it out here and here.
Tickets: $10 presale, $12 at the door
Doors: 8:00p.m.
Age: 19+
*This event may have been canceled*
WHAT: LGBTQ People of Color Mixer Event
WHERE: Emerald City Lounge
WHEN: Wednesday, Dec. 12, 9:00–11:00 p.m.
See new faces and make new friends! This mixer is hosted by Blend UP and Infusions, and will take place during the God-Des & She concert happening that night.
For more information, go here or contact Lance.
WHAT: Boys Night Out
WHERE: Boltini Lounge
WHEN: Wednesday, Dec. 12, 9:00 p.m.
Every Wednesday is Boys Night Out at Boltini Lounge. DJ Randall Ellison is at the decks spinning Hi-NRG, dance pop, disco house, and oldskool, gay club anthems.
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THURSDAY, December 13
WHAT: Rainbow Study Hall
WHERE: Illini Union (Room 209)
WHEN: Thursday, Dec. 13, 11:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m.
Every semester, Pride hosts Rainbow Study Hall so that everyone can get together with their LGBTQA friends, hang out, de-stress, and get some homework done. There will be plenty of tables and chairs, unlike that pesky UGL, so come on out to Rainbow Study Hall, hang out with us, and let’s tackle these finals!
WHAT: Play It UP
WHERE: The UP Center of Champaign County
WHEN: Thursday, Dec. 13, 6:30–7:30 p.m.
Play It UP is a social group for LGBTQA middle and high school youth. Play it UP is peer-led, adult-supported, and an official program of The UP Center. The facilitators of the group include two board members and the youth seat on the Board of Directors.
Youth involved in Play it UP organize monthly social events for LGBTQA youth to engage in, including movie nights, putt-putt, bowling, etc.
Information shared at Play it UP is strictly confidential, including youths’ presence at the group.
For more information, please contact Peggy Weyer.
WHAT: Open Mic Night
WHERE: Emerald City Lounge
WHEN: Thursday, Dec. 13, 8:00–11:00 p.m.
Join us for Mike Solomon‘s One Night Stand at Emerald City! Michael hosts Open Mic Night every Thursday. Stop in early for half price appetizers and drink specials until 7:00 p.m.
If you’re interested in performing on open mic night, call Emerald City at (217) 398-8661.
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SATURDAY, December 15
WHAT: Winter Concert: Tree of Life
WHERE: McKinley Presbyterian Church
WHEN: Saturday, Dec. 15, 7:30 p.m. | Sunday, Dec. 16, 4:00 p.m.
Trees illustrate the glorious seasons of our lives. Featuring music of Hildegard von Bingen, Sarah Hopkins, Ysaye Barnwell, Stephen Hatfield, and other composers who write for and about women, Amasong will remind us that women have a right to the tree of life in all its bloom and beauty!
Suggested donation: $15–25 (More if you can, less if you can’t).
Amasong is Champaign-Urbana’s premier lesbian/feminist chorus. There will be sign interpreted for the hearing impaired. For more information, go here.
WHAT: Christmas Extravaganza
WHERE: Emerald City Lounge
WHEN: Saturday, Dec. 15, 10:00 p.m.
Celebrate Christmas early with Emerald City Lounge. This Saturday’s holiday show features:
- Kelasia Karmikal
- Acession Carrington
- Kia Mann
- Holden Ryder Gently
- TySwagg
- Brooklyn Styles
- Kalexus Carrington
- Freddie Fahrenheit
- McSchwaga Gently
- Devin Graberass
As always, VIP tables are available and include ticket and wait service. Call 552-9445 to reserves yours.
~~*~~
SUNDAY, December 16
WHAT: Read UP: An LGBTQ Book Club
WHERE: The UP Center of Champaign County
WHEN: Sunday, Dec. 16, 3:00–4:30 p.m.
Read UP is an LGBTQA book club. Participants get together on a monthly basis to discuss a book on LGBTQ issues or with LGBTQ themes. Group members take turns choosing the book of the month.
This month’s book is The Absolutist, by John Boyne.
For more information, go here.
WHAT: Sunday Night Drag Shows
WHERE: Chester Street Bar
WHEN: Sunday, Dec. 16, 11:30 p.m.–2:00 a.m.
C-Street hosts drag shows every Sunday, with different performers every week. The first Sunday of every month is Open Talent Night, hosted by Ceduxion Carrington, so anyone who wants to sing, dance, or give drag a try can compete for a cash prize.
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Disclaimer: This is not a comprehensive list of all LGBTQ events in our community. Please always feel free to email me or post other events/updates/corrections in the comments.
Except on rare occasions, all language is taken directly from event pages and websites, and only minimally edited.