Friday, June 15th
Eat some burgers, all over C-U, all weekend, prices vary
Did you see our post earlier this week asking for your favorite burger(s) and burger joints? We’re working on an article about the best burgers, and all of your responses have inspired me to eat a whole bunch of burgers. Check out the comments section of our post on Facebook for inspo; some oft-mentioned spots include Farren’s (duh), Black Dog, Bunny’s, and Crane Alley. (JH) Photo by Guido’s burger by Justine Bursoni
Go see Grease, Parkland Theatre, 7 p.m., $12.50-14.50
Come, we know you know all of the words to this classic. Anyone else perform Greased Lightning in their basement as a kid? Maybe that was just me. Anyway, this show is always fun, and this one from the C-U Theatre Company is cast with loads of talented area high schools students (you know, actual high schoolers playing high schoolers). You have this weekend and next to check it out, and you can purchase tickets here. (JM)
Saturday, June 16th
Juneteenth, Douglass Park/Douglass Branch Library, 12 to 3 p.m., free
Every year the Champaign Park District and Champaign Public Library team up to offer a pretty amazing local celebration of Juneteenth, which recognizes the day slaves were freed in Texas, the last state to do so. It’s super kid-friendly with performances, games, prizes, balloons, face painting, inflatables, free pizza, and more. (JM) Top photo by Stephen Kemp
Attend a tea ceremony, Japan House, 2 to 3 p.m., $10
Japan House regularly hosts traditional Japanese tea ceremonies; they’re a treat. Consider attending this weekend — tickets are only $10, and you’ll learn about the art and history of this ceremony. Reservations are required, so get your ticket soon. Please note that you’ll be required to remove your shoes and wear white socks (they have some if you don’t). More info is on Facebook. (JH) Photo from Facebook
Find a new summer hat, Rumours Hat Shoppe, 1 to 5 p.m., free (unless of course you find one you like)
Britt Von Decker, a milliner from Chicago, formerly of C-U, will be having a trunk show at Rumours. Expect lots of summer-y options for pool lounging. You’ll also have the opportunity to purchase past season designs at discount prices. Even better? you can enjoy a free drink while you shop. We talked with Von Decker the last time she set up shop at Rumours, you can read up here. (JM)
Watch (or participate in) a pinewood derby, Quality, 4 p.m., free (car kits $5)
You can sign up to race your little wooden car at Quality. If that’s not your thing, you can just watch. Entry is free, and there will be some prizes for winners. Triptych is the event sponsor, so there will be a bunch of Triptych on tap. (JH)
CobraFest, The Loose Cobra, 5 p.m. $10-$15 donation
The first volume of this summer show series at Tolono’s Loose Cobra has arrived — tomorrow, a bunch of awesome bands will grace a couple of stages to perform as a part of CobraFest. Here is the rough schedule per their press release:
- 16 Tons (5:00)
- Bardo (5:55)
- Terminus Victor (6:45)
- Our Landmark (7:40)
- The Dry Look (8:30)
- Lonely Trailer (9:25)
- ZXO (10:15)
Set times are always subject to change, so keep your eye on the Facebook event linked above just in case. The Cobra is located at 113 E Main Street in Tolono, so get out there, drink some drinks of your choice (or not, just enjoy the tunes). (PS)
Eli Amariah, The Bashful Youngens, Spandrels, DJ Silkee, Sordrise, Cowboy Monkey, 7 p.m., $7
This week, the inaugural Girls Rock! C-U summer camp took place, and if you’re looking for a fun way to support the camp and the participants (and stay in town, opposed to going to Tolono as I mention above), here’s a show fro you. The campers will get to perform in front of a live audience on Saturday. The campers’ performances will be followed by these local acts, made up of members of the bands that are helping make the camp possible. (PS)
Sunday, June 17th
Watch the World Cup, various places, 10 a.m. or 1 p.m., prices vary
The U.S. is sadly not a part of this sporting event, but it’s still fun to be a part of that time every four years when everyone cares about soccer. Illini Union Courtyard Café is showing all of the games, as is The Bread Company (during regular hours). I’m sure many of your favorites drinking type establishments will have it on some screens as well. On this particular day there’s also a 7 a.m. game, but just enjoy that at home in your jammies. (JM)
Visit the newest iteration of the Icehouse, 4-11 p.m., price varies on how much you drink
The Icehouse is an awesome neighborhood bar located on Prospect and Vine(-ish) in Champaign. They’ve reopened under new management, and if you’re looking for somewhere to hang on Sunday afternoon, here’s an option for you. Champaign-Urbana needs more places like the Icehouse, but not too many, you know? Just enough, though there are plenty of neighborhood bars to choose from. Choose this one on Sunday. (PS) Photo from the Icehouse’s Facebook page
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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.