Friday, June 7th
Eat wieners, drink wine, Sleepy Creek Vineyard 5-8 p.m., prices vary
Sleepy Creek’s wieners and wine is a family-friendly way to get out of the house on a nice evening and have a glass of wine. In short: you buy the wine, they provide the dogs and toppings, and the bonfire over which you’ll roast your meat. (JH) Top photo by Rachael McMillan
Eat wild edibles, Home Lake Forest Preserve Interperative Center, 6 to 7:30 p.m., $5
No, not those edibles. These edibles are the vegetation that naturally occurs in the wild which you can eat. Homer Lake Forest Preserve will provide a naturalist to take participants on a hike to explore and taste the edibles of the season. You can register on the event’s website. (SP) Photo from Wikimedia Commons
Check out artwork from local artists, plus music by Ryan Groff all while drinking good wine, at Analog, 5 pm to 9 p.m.
Friday night adult beverages. Check. Soundtrack provided by talented local musician. Check. Chance to see work by four talented and clever local artists. Done and done. You know I’m excited to have a new gallery space in Urbana and I hope you are too. These four artists are sure to bring it for this inaugural exhibit. Free admission. Bring $ for wine and art. (DD) Photo from Facebook event page.
Saturday, June 8th
Get a treat from Art Mart, eat it in your car, F + Sa 7 a.m. to 8 p.m; Su 7 a.m. to 5 p.m., about $3
Because sometimes that’s what you need to do to reward yourself for getting through the damn day. (JH) Photo by Jessica Hammie
Shop for art at a “grassroots artisans’ bazaar, Lawn d’Arts, 1011 S. Elm Blvd, Champaign, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., bring $ to shop
Whisical ceramic artist Cory McCrory is this year’s guest artist and let’s show her Chambana-style support. Enjoy work from McCrory, Jill Miller of Hooey Batiks, Melissa Mitchell of ACME Elfworks, Joan Jach, Pat Enstrom of Bad Bear Pottery, Kayla E. Johnson, Erinn Dady, Eli Brown, photographer Fraya Replinger, and Cindy Sampson. Plus, wordsmith Jim O’Brien will be there behind his typewriter. (DD)
Wear Orange, Douglass Park, 2 to 5 p.m., free
We all have orange in our wardrobes, so throw some on and head out to Douglass for the afternoon. Wear Orange is a national event that honors those who have been affected by gun violence, and we are certainly not immune to the epidemic here in C-U. The local chapter of Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense in America is joining with the CU Area Project/TRUCE for a family friendly cookout to recognize survivors and victims of gun violence in our community. There will be music, spoken word, kids’ activities, crafts, and inspiring words from survivors. (JM)
Keep the community celebration going at Queering UP the Park, Hessel Park, 5 to 9 p.m., free
As long as you are in community support mode, head across town to another picnic, this time one that celebrates the LGBTQ+ community. June is Pride month, and The UP Center is hosting a family picnic at Hessel for the occasion. Bring your dinner and your blankets and chairs. enjoy a lovely summer evening, and meet some new friends. (JM)
Play well with others, with Urbana Pops Orchestra, Urbana High School, 7 p.m., free, but donations welcome
If you love a collab as much as I do, this is the musical event for you. UPO joins Transit Brass, the talent winners of the Chambana Music Competition, and members of the Into the Woods cast. They’ll have you humming into next week. (DD) Photo from UPO Facebook page.
Pour your own beer and check out a new concert series, Pour Bros., 8:30 p.m., free (except for cost of beer)
Pour Bros. Taproom is helping to fill in Champaign’s live music venue gap with a much-appreciated Artist Alley Concert Series. This week, you can see The Unemployed Architects starting at 8:30. Attendees of the show are welcome to bring their own food, as Pour Bros. doesn’t have a kitchen. If you want to hear the Bloomington-based band before you go, check out this link. (NL)
Sunday, June 9th
Feast at Golden Harbor, 11 a.m. to 8 p.m., about $22/person
Golden Harbor is among my favorite restaurants in C-U because the food is always delicious. I try to try something new each time, but I’m not always successful; it’s hard to try new things when the things you already love and crave are right there. The best way to eat at GH is to grab some friends. Everyone picks one dish, and you eat everything family style. My new favorite thing is veggie pan fried noodle stirfry (number 93) — it’s fantastic. (JH) Photo by Jessica Hammie
Unwind with casual jazz on Sunday, Rose Bowl Tavern, 5-7 p.m., no cover
Kavi Naidu is back in town, and bringing original compositions to Urbana this Sunday. The quintet comprises Naidu himself (tenor sax/flute), Ethan Evans (trombone), Chris Hartley (guitar), Kev Cruse (drums), and Crystal Rebone (bass). Rose Bowl’s laid back atmosphere combined with no cover on this show means that there are no barriers to anyone coming if you want to check out a C-U jazz gem this weekend. (NL) Photo from Facebook event page
Bust out your Disney knowledge, Barrelhouse 34, 7 p.m., $20 per table of four
I am all about the themed trivia nights, because I know going in that I will actually have a shot at writing down correct answers, and this is some themed trivia I can get on board with. I’d like to say that my Disney knowledge is solely because of my children, but alas, it is not. From my repeated viewings of Pollyanna and The Parent Trap, to coming of age during the Disney animated film resurgance (The Little Mermaid, Beauty and the Beast, etc.), to being ridiculously excited about the new Lion King this summer, yes, I love Disney. If you do too, go have some drinks and show off your knowledge — may I recommend their Moscow Mules? They are delightful. Guarantee yourself a table by emailing TwinCityTrivia@gmail.com. (JM)
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