FRIDAY, June 30th
Reds, Whites, and Blues Concert, Allerton Park and Retreat Center, Gate House Lawn, 6 p.m., $5/person or $10/family
This is just the second concert in Allerton’s summer concert series, aimed at helping families celbrate the 4th of July. Blues bands will be performing while a collection of red and white wines will be at your disposal, several foodtrucks will also be on location to give everyone something to much on. The concert will be on the Gate House Lawn, making lawn chairs and blankets a must have to spawl out on the grass. (RG)
Pinecar, Watson’s Shack and Rail, 10:30 pm, 19+
Pinecar, a project by So Long Forgotten’s Todd Reese, graces Watson’s Chicken on Neil St. with his presence on Friday evening, featuring one of the most diverse Facebook descriptions I’ve ever read:
“[Pinecar] will be doing about 90 mins of classic country covers and current hip hop material”
This sounds rad. Sign me up. Plus it’s free. (BH)
SATURDAY, July 1st
Eat a sandwich, Silvercreek, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., $10
Have you ever had Silvercreek’s Trainwreck sandwich? Look at this thing. Go ahead, look. It’s layers of smoked ham and turkey breast, applewood smoked bacon, cheddar and Swiss cheeses, lettuce, sprouts, tomato, and avocado aioli on a housemade bun. It’s massive, and it looks delicious. This weekend is long, and I can think of no better way to spend an afternoon than in a food coma. Photo from Facebook. (JH)
Have some beer, Triptych Brewing, hours vary, about $6
I was recently out of town and had the opportunity to try some beer local to that place. Some were good. Some were bad. It gave me a new appreciation for the superior quality of our local brews. Treat yourself on this holiday weekend to some of Triptych’s best: Pretty Nice Little Saturday, Prairie Peach Picnic, These Aren’t the Blueberries You’re Looking For. Grab some foods and head to the brewery with friends and games. Drink. Enjoy. Photo by Patrick Singer. (JH)
Mom Jeans. w/ Graduating Life, Kayak Jones, Old Sport, Euriah, Shortly, Blips and Chitz, 6 p.m., $10
Tons of touring bands in on this one, two coming from California (Mom Jeans and Graduating Life) and one from Colorado (Old Sport). All of the bands sport an emo/alternative sound, which pairs nice with our locals Euriah. One can only hope that this is the most packed a basement in Champaign has ever been. $10 is such a steal for a show like this. (RG)
Etumu Elmari party, Exile on Main St., 100 N. Chestnut St., Champaign, 6 – 9 p.m., FREE
This local musician is closing out a kickstarter campaign in style — at a great venue with formidable opening acts and cupcakes for anyone still there at 9 p.m. While the goal has been reached and she’ll be publishing an EP called “Lagoon” soon, there’s still time to contribute and get your own copy. As for the event, Isaac Arms, Rogue Tendency, and D. Clea will all take the stage before the headliner, and you’ll still be done early enough to have a great Saturday night out. (RK)
SUNDAY, July 2nd
Watch a free movie, Art Theatre Co-Op, 11:30 a.m., FREE
Back for its second year is the brilliant initiative to give kids (of all ages) the chance to experience beautiful, intelligent, international films for free: Smart Kids II. All you have to do is wake up before noon on the weekend. The first film of this fest is The Secret Life of Arietty, Studio Ghibli’s adaptation of the British children’s book The Borrowers. West by way of East, but using the English voice cast which includes Will Arnett and Carol Burnett. (RK)
Sarah Shook & the Disarmers, Rose Bowl Tavern, 3 p.m., $10 in advance or $15 at the door
Sarah Shook is on her first big tour after finding much success from her newest album Sidelong, recently released from Bloodshot Records in Chicago. Shook is very fitting for the Rose Bowl, boasting a country mixed with a some punk rock type of sound. Having interviewed Shook, I know she still holds a job back in North Carolina at a bar I hope to be a lot like the Rose Bowl. Tickets are cheap, buy a few and make her feel at home. (RG)
C-U Invisible General Meeting, Champaign Public Library, 3 pm
If you’re interested in continuing to resist the Trump agenda, but in an educated and organized manner, stop by Indivisible’s general meeting on Sunday to see ways that you can organize right here in central Illinois. (BH)
MONDAY, July 3rd
Spindependence 2017, Seven Saints Courtyard, 12 p.m.
Come check out Seven Saints fairly new courtyard (the old Mike N’ Molly’s beer garden), eat a ton of BBQ, and listen to DJ after DJ. Currently, the lineup consists of more than 20 DJs and more to be announced. Come enjoy the day before the 4th of July with Seven Saints, guaranteed to be a good time. (RG)
TUESDAY, July 4th
Dreamcatcher, Alto Vineyards Champaign, 2 p.m., free
Want a more quiet alternative of celebrating your 4th of July? Head over to Alto Vineyards Champaign, where you can enjoy music provided by Dreamcatcher, of course, some of Alto’s variety of wines, and some BBQ from Momma D’s Smokehouse.
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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.