FRIDAY, JULY 15
Cherry Jam Presents Dan Hubbard at Cherry Alley, 4 p.m., Free
Dan and Kyle will perform an acoustic show at Cherry Alley at the Urbana Free Library
This show is free and open to the public. 90 minute set. (TN)
Benefit for the Litchford Family at Mike ‘N Molly’s, 6 p.m., $5 suggested donation
For all the in-fighting and small-time drama that comes along with being part of a music scene, it’s moments like these that remind us that there is a familiar sense of understanding and love that exists above it all. Michael Litchford was well known amongst those who like to rock in Champaign-Urbana, and had as infectious a smile and laugh as you could find anywhere. He was diagnosed with a neurological cancer four months ago, and it was aggressive enough that it took his life just that quickly. He leaves behind an adoring wife and two kids, and as such, it’s all of our responsibilities to lift them up as best we can together.
Tons of great bands will hit the stage that night, including: Dottie and the Rail, Evil Tents, Chemicals, Cheaper Hits, Lonely Trailer, and Take Care. Donation is a mere $5, but for Chrissakes put an extra sawbuck in the pot if ya can.
There will also be a silent auction, with 100% proceeds to the Litchford Family, and Murph, being the class act that he is, will donate 10% of the bar sales to the family as well. So, seriously, drink up, and toast one to Mike, together, as a community. (SF)
Danville Dans at home vs. Nashville Outlaws, 6:30 p.m., $6
Friday night at the park is Red Shirt Friday to show support for the troops. Bring out your red shirts, have no fear, get all patriotic and enjoy a ballgame. (JS)
Dan Hubbard and The Humadors at Memphis on Main, 8:30 p.m., $?
After playing at the Cherry Jam, Dan and company will open for someone. The Facebook event page (linked above) says Verona Red, but the Memphis on Main website says The Hot Slugs. They’re tearing me apart! (TN)
Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara at the Art Theater, 10:30 p.m.
SATURDAY, JULY 16
ISDA & CO Trunk Show at Circles Boutique, 11 a.m. – 7 p.m.
I’ve never been to Circles Boutique, but their store and selection look lovely. I’m not familiar with ISDA & CO., but their clothes look comfortable and pretty. So hey, if you need new clothes and you’ve got two X chromosomes, Circles is the place to be this Saturday! (TN)
Harry Potter & The Deathly Hallows Part 2 at Harvest Moon Drive In, Dusk, $6
You probably already saw it when it opened at midnight. And then the next day in 3-D. Now give it a shot at the drive-in. I heard talk of a teaser trailer for The Dark Knight Rises. Intense. (JS)
Danville Dans at home vs. Nashville Outlaws, 6:30 p.m., $6
The forecast foresees a good evening for baseball, with mostly sunny skies and cooling down from a high of 87. And these kids came all the way from Nashville to play, so it would be too bad if you didn’t take the opportunity to see them. They may not get this far north again for years.
Blithe Spirit at Krannert, 7:30 p.m. Fri/Sat/Sun, $18
Quoth Percy Bysshe Shelley:
Hail to thee, blithe Spirit!
Bird thou never wert,
That from Heaven, or near it,
Pourest thy full heart
In profuse strains of unpremeditated art.
How could you not want to see a play based upon a stanza like that? Beautiful. And it’s a comedy to boot. Tickets are only $18, you paint-huffing philistine. Hup to, now. Before it’s too late. (CDC)
SUNDAY, JULY 17
Classic Bike Show at Champaign Cycle (506 S. Country Fair, Champaign), 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., Free
It’s a summer bicycle gathering for enthusiasts. If you want to learn more about cycling or talk about bicycles with others then this is for you. (JS)
Decatur Park Singers (Showtunes) at Hessel Park, 6 p.m. Free
Not sure how you feel about hanging out in the park on a sunny Sunday listening to some old-timey music, but it sounds all right to me. Here’s some video of performances of 2009, back before Glee was cool (wait, is Glee cool now or is it just omnipresent? This is all very confusing). Regardless, lawn chair + thermos filled with your beverage of choice + some Seaboat during and Custard Cup afterward = a mellow evening. (JG)
Friends of Theatre Celebration at Krannert Studio Theatre, 6:30 p.m., Free with ticket to Blithe Spirit
This seems like a no-brainer if you’re already heading to see Blithe Spirit anyway (previewed above): “At this inaugural soiree, enjoy conversation and cucumber sandwiches on the set of Summer Studio Theatre’s Blithe Spirit with the cast, crew, director Peter Davis, and Summer Studio Theatre producer Tom Mitchell. Summer Studio Theatre actors and friends will entertain with songs by Noël Coward and preview upcoming activities for the Friends of Theatre.” (JG)