Friday, October 11th
Eat mango with sticky rice, your favorite Thai restaurant in C-U, all weekend, about $6
I love some mango with sticky rice. It’s a perfectly sweet dessert that feels like a cozy hug. You can find it at Thara Thai and Sticky Rice and Siam Terrace. Sure, you could share it with someone, or, you could just eat the entire thing yourself. (JH) Photo by Jessica Hammie
Hear the Writers of Oya present Poets in the Park, The Lake House In Crystal Lake Park, 5 to 6 p.m., free
Writers of Oya, a writing and spoken word program for middle school girls of color developed by local poet Ashanti Files, has been spreading the power of poetry to express and heal through workshops at Urbana Middle School. Now participants will be sharing their work in this their first poetry slam, which will also include a reading by Urbana Poet Laureate Will Reger. Come support this important program and get inspired by the power of poetry and the talents of our local youth. (DD) Photo from Facebook event
Flaunt your flannel, Hessel Park, 5 to 9 p.m., free
Although you certainly don’t need to wait until fall to break out your flannel shirts, wearing one in October is especially of-the-season. On Friday, celebrate your beloved torso garment at Flannel Fest 2019. You can watch demonstrations such as log rolling, axe throwing, and speed carving from the Timberwork’s Lumberjack Show and enjoy food from local food trucks. And naturally, wear your flannel! (SP)
Watch drag and dance, The Red Herring, 8:30 to 11:30 p.m., free entry (donations optional)
The Red Herring, known for its music and wholesome vegetarian food, will be hosting an evening that boasts both. The evening will start with a drag show featuring local performers, followed by a dance party until 11:30 p.m. Hors d’oeuvres and craft refreshments will be sold by Red Herring and no alcohol will be permitted/sold. (SP) Photo from Facebook event page
Saturday, October 12th
Eat some fall foods, all weekend, prices vary
What are your favorite fall foods? Apples? Pumpkins? Beer and cider? Take a day trip out and around town(s) to collect your favorite fall flavors. Maybe go pumpkin picking, get some apple cider and apple cider doughnuts, or go for a wine tasting. (JH) Top photo by Jessica Hammie
Road trip to Tuscola for the Odd Market, Tuscola Odd Fellows Lodge #316, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Edgy art fair and gourmet food and live music. This is my kind of fall festival. This line-up has too many of my favorite artists and makers to list here. So follow the Facebook event for sneak peeks. Plus, you can feel good about shopping hard because 100% of the proceeds go to charity. Enjoy the trip out of town and get a head start on your holiday shopping. Want to know the history behind the Odd Fellows and the Odd Market? Check our preview from last year. (DD) Photo from Facebook event
Get educated about prison systems, Independent Media Center, 7 to 9:30 p.m., free but donations accepted
Hear Dr. Rebekah Buchanan, Associate Professor and Director of English Education at Western Illinois University talk about her experiences visiting Norwegian prisons, where the focus is on restoration and those awaiting trial are not held indefinitely because they can’t afford bail. The event is co-sponsored by the Champaign County Bailout Coalition, a local organization that helps individuals who cannot afford low bond amounts. Any donations will support their work. (JM)
Go see a vampire movie, The Virginia Theatre, 7 pm, $5
I probably haven’t seen The Lost Boys since I was approximately 11 years old, back in the days when it was a goal to watch as many R-rated horror movies I could get away with. This one is an ultimate 80’s classic. I mean, you’ve got Jami Gertz, Kiefer Sutherland, and the quintessential casting requirement of any late-80’s teen movie…the Coreys. Doors open at 6 p.m. Also The Virginia Theatre has Dots, which always makes me very happy. (JM) Photo from the Facebook event
Emily Anne Band and The Merry Travelers, Rose Bowl Tavern, doors at 7 p.m., $10 cover
The Rose Bowl is having a jam-packed night of music on Saturday, and these two Urbana-based bands are on the bill. The Merry Travelers, a folk-rock-with-a-bit-of-jam-band band, goes on around 9 p.m., while the female-led, multi-faceted country influenced Emily Anne Band goes on around 11 p.m. Check out the full event in the link above. (BH)
Sunday, October 13th
Brunch at Everyday Kitchen, 10:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., prices vary
Have you tried brunch at Everyday Kitchen? I wrote about it a while back; it’s quite good. This weekend the restaurant is celebrating the U of I’s Homecoming and its first year anniversary with some special dishes. If you’re looking for a new place to check out while visiting, or a hip brunch spot, this is it. (JH) Photo by Jessica Hammie
Go see Elephant’s Graveyard, Parkland’s 2nd Stage, 3 p.m., $16-18
Here’s your last opportunity to see this Parkland Theater production, a rather ominous and tragic story of a circus come to town. Be forewarned, it’s not for the faint of heart or children, due to it’s graphic elements. You can read our review of opening night here, and reserve your tickets here. (JM) Photo by Bryan Heaton, from Parkland Theatre Facebook page
Papashoy Klezmer Band, The Iron Post, 6 p.m to 8 p.m., $5 cover
If you’ve never had the experience of being musically transported to Eastern Europe (or any of the small Yiddish enclaves of major cities), you should really check out Papashoy Klezmer Band at The Iron Post this sunday. Dancing to their bittersweet melodies is highly encouraged. (BH)
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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.