FRIDAY, July 31st
Avoid the doughnut line, Pandamonium Doughnuts [Downtown Champaign at Neil and University], 7:30 a.m. until sold out, $5 or so
The line for doughnuts on Saturday morning is ridiculous. Good for Pandamonium, for sure, but ridiculous nonetheless. Get your doughnut on Friday morning instead—the line should be a little bit shorter. Heck, you could even bring some doughnuts into the office. Photo by Jessica Hammie (JH)
Wieners and Wine, Sleepy Creek Vineyards, 8254 E 1425 North Rd, Fairmont, 5-8 p.m., $5 and up, depending on your thirst
This weekly event is worth remembering and worth the short drive, especially when the weather is slated to be nice. Bring your appetite and wallet. You buy the wine, and they provide the dogs. And bonfire for roasting said dogs. Photo by Jessica Hammie (JH)
Fire at Five Bonfire and Happy Hour, 2100 South Oak Street, Champaign, 5-7 p.m., free
It’s Friday. How better to celebrate a blazing hot day than to gather around a… bonfire? But as we all know, bonfires are hallowed summer traditions. Come out to Research Park to participate in this seasonal tradition, listen to the Yahoo Band, and cool off with some Kona Ice. (AH)
SATURDAY, August 1st
Summer Make-a-Tion: Arduino Robotics, Independent Media Center, 1-3 p.m., $15-$35
Everyone — from little kids to the aged-like-a-fine-wine among us — is welcome to participate in this summer-long workshop series. This Saturday’s offering sounds especially awesome: come learn how to build a walking robot using Arduino, a popular electronics prototyping platform. (AH)
Flight of the Butterflies, Virginia Theatre, 2-4 p.m., $4
Cheap, kid-friendly, conservation-minded and with free giveaways, this event promises to make a difference in our own backyards. Learn how to boost pollinator populations by creating your own butterfly garden, and get a beautiful connection to nature in return. Two short film screenings, panels, and a photobooth will entertain and educate adults and children alike. (RK)
All-Ages Hoop Workshop, Carle Park, 2-3:30 p.m., $20 or pay-as-you-can
Christine Janak Yoga is hosting a very cool looking class on hula hooping for people of all ages and all experience levels. The class will start with some stretching/yoga and then move into the basics of hoop movement. This sounds like the perfect creative way to get moving this weekend. (RP)
Putt Putt Party, Old Orchard Lanes and Links, 901 N. Dulap, Savoy, 4-9 p.m., $10
This is going to be a FUN-draiser to benefit Habitat for Humanity Women Build Program. There is going to be a bags tournament, food, beverages, raffles, silent auction and unlimited 18-hole putt putt for the kids! All proceeds will go directly to Habitat for Humanity. All day pass is $10. (SL)
C-U in the Prairibbean, Corner of Washington and Neil downtown Champaign, 6 p.m.-12 a.m., free
You read right. Prairie-bean. Like Caribbean.The Eastern Illinois Parrot Head Club (EIPHC) is hosting it’s annual fundraising event with some rock out bands. The event will showcase a local Jimmy Buffett tribute band, The Boat Drunks, along with The Tons O’ Fun Band. Head out! (SL)
GirlZone Reunion Weekend Concert, Independent Media Center, 7:30-11 p.m., $5
As part of GirlZone’s reunion weekend, members of the public (and people of all ages) are welcome to a concert and dance party at the Independent Media Center. The show features T.R.U.T.H, the Wicked Walls, elizaBeth Simpson, and DJ Queen 13. Proceeds will benefit the cost of GirlZone’s events for girls taking place on August 1-2. (RP)
Mary Pfeifer with The Pearl Handle Band: Patsy Cline Tribute, The Rose Bowl, 8 p.m.
A nice lady and a nice band will be at The Rose Bowl playing the music of Patsy Cline this weekend. Don’t be shy — watching a band at this particularly quaint establishment, neon and woodpaneling and all, might make you feel a bit like Special Agent Dale Cooper on the case in Twin Peaks… or are you more of an Audrey? (MR)
SUNDAY, August 2nd
Check out Airbana + grab coffee at Flying Machine, anytime after 8 a.m., $5
If you’re up early(ish) on a Sunday morning, make your way over to Downtown Urbana, why don’t ya? There’s this new thing happening called Airbana, and you may or may not have seen it yet. Just yesterday, they put in the shipping containers which will ultimately turn into seating as an outdoor beer garden — which is totally awesome. There’s some cool artwork to see by random people, though you will notice pretty much immediately Langston Allston’s towering figures painted there. You can help them along their way with funding this effort from the Kickstarter campaign for Sipyard as well (also, don’t worry, there’s a crane holding that floating container there). While you’re at it, you could totally go off-menu at Flying Machine Coffee. A bunch of great things are happening in Downtown Urbana, as we’ve learned more and more about recently, and these two things are right next to each other. A double whammy on a Sunday morning. (PS)
Everyman (National Theatre Live), Art Theatre Co-Op, 126 W. Church St, Champaign, IL, 11:30 a.m., $15
This town is spoiled for choice when it comes to theatre this weekend, but both local troupes are putting on fun, lighthearted productions that just might not cut it for the serious afficionado. Thankfully, British National Theatre is being digitally broadcast at the Art. So eat popcorn for brunch and watch Chiwetel Ejiofor (the Operative from Serenity) take on his own defence against Death. The play dates back to the 15th century, but has been reworded by Poet Laureate Carol Anne Duffy. (RK)
Morgan Orion’s Kickstarter Ender, Exile On Main Street, 3 p.m., free
Help give Morgan Orion a last push to fund his Kickstarter by checking him out at Exile On Main this Sunday. The show is free, but Kickstarter donations are encouraged. He’ll be playing with a standup bassist and a drummer. (MR)
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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.