Friday, June 3rd
Grab a beer with the Champaign Ski and Adventure Club, 25 O’Clock Brewing, 5 to 8 p.m., free, plus the cost of beer
Champaign Ski and Adventure Club is a non profit dedicated to “making the joys of outdoor adventure available year-round to those of us living in the flatlands of Central Illinois.” This Friday’s happy hour is a chance for you to meet some of the members and learn more about what the group offers. Based on their Facebook page, it’s a lot of fun outdoor stuff like paddling, camping, and hiking, probably all things you should do with a buddy. Think of this as a happy hour to meet potential friends! (JH)
Go to the first Friday Night Live of the summer, Downtown Champaign, 6 to 8 p.m., free
It is going to be absolutely perfect weather for the return of Friday Night Live this weekend. There will be live music at three different street corners in Downtown Champaign: Neil and Park, Market and Taylor, and Neil and Church, and you’ll find a little of everything from blues to rock to soul to indie to R&B. Wander around, grab a seat on a patio for a drink or dinner, and enjoy the first of many fun Fridays downtown. (JM)
Album cover by Kamila Glowacki.
Hear Nectar’s new album live, Exile On Main Street, 8 p.m., $5 suggested donation
Nectar has dropped a fantastic new album, which they’ll be playing live in full on Friday. This is the rescheduled date. You can read our review of the record here. Joining them and opening up the evening is Soft and Dumb, whose newest song “Be Better” seems to get stuck in my head every day. (SW)
Photo from the Staerkel Planetarium Facebook page.
Check out a Pink Floyd Light Show, Staerkel Planetarium, 9 p.m., $6
Parkland’s Staerkel Planetarium is hosting light shows again, and this Friday you can chill out to a light show of Pink Floyd’s 1973 classic Dark Side of the Moon. Will it be a little trippy? Yes, probably. Grab a friend and head to the planetarium; you can buy tickets in person. (JH)
Saturday, June 4th
Walk the Downtown Urbana Art Walkabout, Downtown Urbana, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., free
Get out and tour Downtown Urbana’s art spots, including Cinema Gallery, Bohemia, The Gilbert Gallery, Tom Brewer Gallery, NORDEN Design Studio, Urbana Museum of Photography, International Galleries, Beard Culture, Art Coop and Pipapo. Be sure to check out UMoP’s latest exhibition, Old News: The Archives. (DD)
Photo by Jessica Hammie.
Drink some (a lot) of soda, Main Street in Mahomet, 10 a.m. to 7 p.m., $5-50
Last year the Homer Soda Fest became the Mahomet Soda Fest. While the location has changed, you can still taste more than 100 different sodas, eat some food, listen to great local bands, and find activities for the kids. Tasting tickets are $5 for 9 samples, or just spend $25 for a wristband (unlimited tastings) and a souvenir glass. You’re sure to go home with a nice sugar buzz. (JM)
Photo by Alyssa Buckley.
Have a fun night at Toast to Taylor, Taylor Street, 2 to 10 p.m., free to attend
This Saturday, go check out Toast to Taylor, a street party toasting to Taylor Street in Downtown Champaign. Grab a beer at Blind Pig and enjoy some live music. Shop the makers and artists’ work along Taylor Street. Get a burger at Farren’s or some nachos from Cowboy Monkey. (AB)
Sunday, June 5th
Photo from Champaign Is Also A Band’s Facebook page.
Pay tribute to a local legend, Rose Bowl Tavern, 3 p.m., donations encouraged
A large lineup of musicians are coming together to play the songs of the late, great Angie Heaton. Outside at the Rose Bowl, performers include Kurt Bielema, Matt Talbott, Sweetmelk, and many, many more. Read our preview of the event before you go. (SW)
Attend Pride Official Pre-Party, NOLA’s Rock Bar, 4 p.m. to 2 a.m., no cover
This Sunday, make plans to attend the Pride Official Pre-Party (POP) at NOLA’s Rock Bar. The event will feature multiple performances throughout the day plus good drinks and food on the menu. There’s a family-friendly portion of the event from 4 to 7 p.m. with a Youth Drag Show, non-alcoholic mocktails, and more. At 7 p.m., the bar will require guests to be 18+. There are shows all night long featuring drag queens and kings. Check out the menu online in advance. I like the broccoli bites and the black raspberry sour cocktail. This weekend, there’s even a drink called Pride punch which is made with Smirnoff grape, blue curacao, cranberry juice, and lemon lime soda. (AB)
Dance and Mingle at Queer Tango, The Literary, 7 p.m., free
The Literary is kicking off Pride month with an event that will “create safe spaces of improvisation unburdened by presumptions of gender roles.” Live music by Heyni Solera & Rodrigo Avalos, featuring their new album Bach & the Bandoeon: Tango meets Classical, promises the perfect mashup. (DD)
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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.