From our BEST Arts of the decade feature: I’ve done my fair share of gushing about Champaign-Urbana Adventures in Time and Space here on Smile Politely, and that is not without merit. In my experience …
Posts by Patrick Singer:
BEST new restaurants of the decade: #9, Nando Milano
From our BEST new restaurants of the decade feature: Nando, named for a now 13-year-old dachshund you see in the logo, moved into Downtown Champaign in 2016 as a second location. The original is in …
BEST House Show Space of the decade: The Velvet Elvis
From our BEST Music of the decade feature: Not to paint with a broad brush, but The Velvet Elvis was different than a lot of venues you might consider a “house” venue. Meaning, it did …
BEST Restaurateur of the decade: Jin Park
From our BEST Food + Drink of the decade feature: It should be clear to you by now that Jin Park is laser focused on making sure to find smart ways to elevate Champaign-Urbana’s dining scene. …
BEST Park Renovation of the decade: Hessel Park
From our BEST Culture of the decade feature: We have not yet compiled a list of the best parks in Champaign-Urbana, but when we do, Hessel Park will be a top contender. This park has …
BEST Artist of the decade: Deke Weaver
From our BEST Arts of the decade feature: Deke Weaver’s Unreliable Bestiary performances are clever, moving, humorous, and devastating. They are transformational: You are not the same person at the end of the performances as you were …
BEST new restaurants of the decade: #8, Kohinoor
From our BEST new restaurants of the decade feature: Let me preface this by saying I seriously mourned the loss of Escobar’s. It was a favorite date night spot, and their sangria was something to …
BEST New Music Organization of the decade: Girls Rock! C-U
From our BEST Music of the decade feature: The future prospects of this amazing upstart chapter of Girls Rock! is, in some ways, representative of what the next decade of music and learning might look …
BEST Time to go Shopping of the decade: Saturday morning at Urbana’s Market at the Square
From our BEST Food + Drink of the decade feature: You may recall that this was an entry in WORST 2017, and suffice to say that it went over about as well as a lead balloon. …
BEST Cultural Advocate of the decade: Sam Smith of Krannert Center
From our BEST Culture of the decade feature: The list of things that Sam Smith does here and abroad is astounding. When he’s not bridging the gaps in Champaign-Urbana’s long history of campus / community …