FRIDAY, September 8th
Animal Encounters, Orpheum Children’s Science Museum, 11 a.m., free
Every Wednesday and Friday, kids can go to the Orpheum Children’s Science Museum and meet turtles, a tarantula, Madagascar hissing cockroaches, bearded dragons, and a corn snake. It’s a great chance for children to see animals they’re not going to encounter every day. (DT)
Take in some nature and jazz, Meadowbrook park, 5:30-7:30 p.m., free
The Urbana Park District is offering up their 13th Annual Jazz Walk at Meadowbrook Park. Explore the paths throught the Wandell Sculpture Garden and hear the sounds of local jazz soloists and combos along the way. Seems like a relaxing way to kick off the weekend. (JM)
Cheer on the Illini Volleyball team, Huff Hall, 7 p.m., $7-16
The undefeated Illini are taking on #4 Stanford (the defending national champions) as part of the Big Ten/Pac-12 Challenge at Huff Hall this weekend. Illinois volleyball games are always packed, loud, and really fun to watch. This is the annual Stuff Huff game, so the students and Spike Squad will be out in full force. Probably wouldn’t hurt to snag tickets online ahead of time. (JM)
Bone Thugs N Harmony, The Canopy Club, 8 p.m., $30-35
Hip hop legends Bone Thugs N Harmony are back through Urbana at Canopy Club on Friday night. Check out Sam’s photos from a couple of years ago when they visited last to get a glimpse of what you’re in for if this is what you want to do on Friday night. (PS)
SATURDAY, September 9th
Fresh veggies and more, Urbana’s Market at the Square, 7 a.m.-12 p.m.
Go to the corner of Illinois and Vine in Urbana for the weekend farmer’s market. September’s a great month for fresh produce, and the weather’s going to be perfect (a heavenly high of 75 degrees) to stroll around and pick up some local meat, wine, honey, and more. Bring a friend and make a morning of it! When you’re done, eat local at one of the many great downtown Urbana eateries, or grab a cuppa at Flying Machine. (DT)
Take a ride out of town for food, all day, prices vary
There are a bunch of places outside of C-U that are worth visiting, especially on a beautiful day. You can check out Sleepy Creek Vineyards in Fairmount, or newbie The Wheelhouse in St. Joe, or the Homer Soda Company in Homer. Bayern Stube in Gibson City makes for a fun date night, and Harvest Moon Drive-In will only be open for a little while longer. Photo by Chelsea Fisher (JH)
Greatest Midwest Food Town celebration, all day, price varies
Visit Champaign County is spearheading this celebration of Champaign-Urbana’s win in the “Greatest Midwest Food Town” competition by Midwest Living magazine. Check out all the events happening throughout the day here. (PS)
Grease Sing-a-long, The Art Theater, 2 p.m. or 7 p.m., $10 per peson
When I was in 7th grade, almost my entire grade was obsessed with Grease. It was a weird thing, but I suppose in some ways that was one of the last times I was not particularly interested in what everyone else thought about my taste in music, or maybe I was, because everyone else was into it, so it was cool? I don’t know. I do know that Grease is quite entertaining, and it’s an opportunity to explain to your kids what an abortion is. Plus, it’s John Travola before he got really weird. Photo from Facebook. (JH)
Pizza, Politics, & Petitions
Petition season starts in September. Come by Democrats HQ (110 S Neil St) and pick up petitions for any democratic candidates you would like to help get on the ballot. A quick training on how to gather petitions signatures will be provided (along with pizza!) This event is being hosted by State Rep. Carol Ammons and will go from 2 – 4 p.m. (CR)
SUNDAY, September 10th
Visit Triptych and try new beer, 1703 Woofield Drive, Savoy, 12-8 p.m., price varies
Shameless plug ahead: But if you don’t know this already, our company does PYGMALION, which is happening in a few weeks. However, this is less about the festival and more about how good the custom brew that Anthony Benjamin and his crew brewed up for it.
This year’s brew is called PYNK — and it is a play on their popular Dank Meme brew. Guava and passionfruit, y’all. This is good shit. Not only that, but if you haven’t had their Fiesta Forever brew they put together for Maize, you need to get on that. It is spectacular. (PS)
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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.