FRIDAY, JUNE 8
Danville Dans home vs. Quincy, 6:30 p.m., $6
The home opener for the Dans’ 25th season was actually on Tuesday, but tonight’s the first weekend game of the season. Check out the 2012 Dans roster here. Tickets are still just 6 bucks, but that’s your best summer baseball option within an hour of C-U at the moment.
If you’re not familiar with the Dans, they’re a summer wood-bat baseball team who features players from primarily Division I college programs. The players stay with host families in and around Danville and mostly work part-time jobs in addition to playing a full schedule of baseball games. It’s just like that classic Freddie Prinze, Jr., vehicle Summer Catch, except in East-Central Illinois. (JG)
And since you’ll already be in Danville, this would be a perfect chance to get a taste of the original John Steinbacher favorite: Custard Cup. Oh, sure. You’re already asking: “Wait, why would we drive into the deep part of the Dirty D for something we can get on Kirby Ave. in Champaign?”
Well, the reason is simple: it tastes different. Chalk it up to different water, different machines, asbestos in the walls, who knows? But it definitely tastes different, and the vibe there is totally different as well.
Personally, I like the one in Champaign better. But perhaps you’d think differently? Absolutely worth a stop to see for yourself. (SF)
Gospel Music, Megan Johns Band, Pamala Machala at Mike ‘N Molly’s, $5, show at 9:45 p.m.
If you like indie pop this is the ticket for the weekend. Owen Holmes aka Gospel Music stops through town, and he brings his Kill Rock Stars worthy tweepop with him. Check out “This Town Doesn’t Have Enough Bars For Both Of Us” if you need any further convincing. Megan Johns will be good to go as she played last night with Sonny Stubble in the same venue, so no rest for her between shows. (PS)
SATURDAY, JUNE 9
Auction of the Week: Lovington Community School District Auction, 445 E. Church, Lovington, 10 a.m.
Lovington is located about 50 miles from C-U. You can drive down to Arcola, get some Taco Tako, and then head west to Lovington to pick from among (all sic’d, pro tips in bold):
“1978F250 truck with snow blade- flat bed needs work,2001 Chevy Impala-4 door- bad transmission,truck tool boxes, 2 sides and 1 back; lawn aerator,lawn seeder,garden trailer,barrel mover,concrete parking bumpers,11-3’by24′ round concrete barriers,gym floor,2- scorers tables each sit three, weight equipment,sports equipment,2- metal backboards, 2- sqaure and glass backboards,stage curtains-purple,Panther mats,2 scoreboards,Panther wall tapestry,(Furniture:glass door cabenets,several tv’s and stands, computers tables and chairs, metal lockers,metal chairs with attached desk,wooden cabinets,book shelves, antique desk,older desk,old wooden spinning wheel wheel,2-27 drawer metal cabinets,library tables,piano,overhead projectors,white board,small table, old 2 piece desk,Kitchen items;lunch tables,metal kitchen cabinets,salad bar,commercial pizza oven,stainless steel tables, stainless steel 3 hole sink, stainless steel rack,tall upright freezer,tall upright refrigerator,kitchen stoves,microwave oven,refrigerator;Miscellaneous items; security lights bathroom sinks,fire extiguishers,classroom doors,30ft flag pole,projector screens,stools,light fixtures,exit signs, fire escapes tunnels,speaker podium,window air conditiners,science ware,world globes,books, bike rack,photo enlargers,Washington and Lincoln bust 30 inches tall each,several metal folding chairs, popcorn machine,10 by 20concession stand,padded panther chairs,panther banners,drinking fountains,and other small misc. items;ALUMNI-all baseballs, basketball,softballs,vollyball uniforms,band uniforms,year books and other misc”
(JG)
Hit up Sholem Pool; 11:00 am – 7:00 p.m.; $6 for residents; $9 for non-residents
Just east of here, into Indiana and Ohio, they are experiencing chilly June weather — like in the 60s and whatnot. Ugh. But not us! We’re gonna hit 90 degrees on this particular weekend, with a full boomin’ sun. Well, at least, that is what the weather forecast had on Monday morning, as I type this out. See my screenshot here:
So, let’s just assume it’s going to stay that way all week.
Sholem Pool is an easy way to spend a perfectly warm and desirable Saturday afternoon in Champaign. A couple of water slides, a lazy river, and just enough overweight people to remind yourself that, it’s TRUE: you look great.
Price is a little steep for you folks living in the People’s Republic of Urbana or in the Cherry-Pickin’ Tax Dodgin’ Village of Savoy, but hey — you ain’t got shit there any way, so you know, deal with it, and come on over to where people chip in and get the goods*.
(*Urbana gets a pass here; the new Crystal Lake Pool looks like it’s going to tear it up.)
(SF)
Revisit your record collection, free, all day.
As one of the music editors here at SP I have to say that this weekend is pretty damn light when it comes to the tunes. I mean, a lot of the local acts are gearing up for summer touring season and sometimes a bright beautiful weekend like this one will slip through the cracks. That said, go learn guitar like you always said you would. Or, better yet, because we all know the former isn’t really an option despite the fact you spent hundreds on that guitar in your prime, go crack open that collection of vynl that has been adorning your living room and revisit some old favorites. It’s about time your records saw the light of day rather than acting like the sad reminder to your friends that you use to be cool, you used to have taste in music. I’m not buying it. You’re still kinda cool. Open your windows, crack a beer, play ’em loud. You know exactly what you’ve been missing. (CC)
SUNDAY, JUNE 10
Wil Maring and Robert Bowlin in concert at the Champaign Public Library, 2 p.m., free
From the event announcement: “Vocalist Wil Maring and virtuoso guitarist and fiddler Robert Bowlin combine their talents to create beautiful original acoustic music that straddles the boundaries of bluegrass, folk, and country music. Bowlin, a two-time winner of the National Fingerpicking and Flatpicking Guitar contest, has accompanied such legendary artists as Bill Monroe, Maura O’Connell, Kathy Mattea, and the Osborne Brothers.” (JG)