The theme of this year’s fundraising event will be The Life and Times of Robert Allerton, and it will be an immersive 1920’s experience. Guests are encouraged to wear 1920’s vintage dress or spring cocktail …
You might remember Boswell Hutson’s byline here at Smile Politely as recently as August 2017. Hutson is from Monticello, but lives now in Champaign, and was a part of this here magazine for a good …
The 2018 School of Art + Design Bachelor of Fine Arts Exhibition, known to many as the BFA Show, opens with a reception this Saturday, May 5th at Krannert Art Museum. (See the event on …
Thank the universe that spring has decided to show up. Even though the allergens and wind make being outside just about unbearable, the sunshine has me thinking happy-ish thoughts. It’s the kind of weather that …
The manuscript contains instructions for making the philosopher’s stone, a substance with a long and legendary story dating back to the middle ages, and a substance that was sought after by many, including Sir Isaac …
The legendary Pat Benatar is heading through Champaign for a show with her husband, Neil Giraldo, on June 15th at the Virginia Theatre. Billed as Pat Benatar & Neil Giraldo: A Very Intimate Acoustic Evening, the …
As a kick-off to spring, the Homer Lake Interpretive Center and Champaign County Audubon Society are teaming up to host the 10th Annual Bird Migration Festival on Saturday, May 12th. Learn about local birds, see them upclose, and …
Here is the press release from the district: Champaign, Ill. — After a thorough review of the proposal submitted by the Steering Committee of the North Champaign Academy, the Champaign Unit 4 School District Board …
The event will honor six teachers from Unit 4 and six from District 116, chosen from over 250 nominations. From the press release: Urbana, IL – April 30, 2018- Excitement is building as the 2018 …
If you haven’t yet tried The Cabin, The Lost Temple, or Calling all Heroes, get yourself in there and try them now! They will be closing this summer for renovations. Check out our write ups …
Yesterday marked the first day of National Small Business Week, and there are a variety of events taking place all week via the Small Business Development Corporation (and EDC). Check out the full slate here.
From the press release: DANCING 50: MOVING FORWARD/LOOKING BACK Urbana, IL—In 1969, the Department of Dance officially became a part of the College of Fine and Applied Arts, moving into our home in Krannert Center …
The Urbana Park District is hosting the event in honor of National Kids to Parks Day. Check in at 8:30 a.m. at Anita Purves Nature Center, then complete the trek to Douglass Park where there …
V. Picasso has a new spring menu, with a lot of vegetarian options. Check out the menu below, and keep scrolling to see photos of some of the new dishes. Grilled mushrooms Roasted asparagus Clam …
Celebrate the long awaited arrival of Spring with the Whites of Spring celebration in downtown Monticello. Enjoy a sampling of wines and other refreshments while exploring the shops and restaurants of Monticello from 5:30 to …
From the press release: Jay Goldberg Events and Prime Social Group Announce That The Signature “PRIME Music Festival” Will Expand to Urbana, IL PRIME Music Festival will touchdown in Champaign County Fairgrounds on September 14th …
Every summer, the Champaign Park District offers free concerts in the park at Hessel, and the first one happens May 5th from 2 to 5 p.m. and will feature the Edison Middle School Jazz Band. …
From the press release: Champaign Urbana Ballet Presents The Sleeping Beauty May 4-5, 2018 Champaign, IL – Just as spring awakens, so does The Sleeping Beauty! Prepare to be swept off your feet and into a magical …
Now that spring has begrudgingly arrived (I think/hope), I’m thinking about nice weather, warmth and sunshine on my skin, and ice cream. El Oasis is one of my favorite ice cream locales in C-U. The …
Champaign-Urbana’s Shad Khan is a very wealthy individual. One of the wealthiest humans on the planet in fact. This isn’t news, he being a version of the American Dream. He owns the Jacksonville Jaguars, and Fulham …
May is C-U Bike Month, and the Cities of Champaign and Urbana are joining with MTD, the Champaign County RDC, the UIUC, and Champaign County Bikes to encourage folks in the community to encourage safe …
Serra Ventures is a venture capital firm located in here Champaign-Urbana, and are currently a tenant at Research Park. They will soon move to the new development on the north side of Downtown Champaign located …
In light of our recent article about ICE arresting undocumented immigrants in the area, specifically in Urbana, which is a designated sanctuary city, we thought it might be helpful to examine exactly what that designation …
It has been a few years since Overload surfaced as a game being developed by Mike Kulas’ game studio. Read back about it, as Emilio took a dive into what the game was shaping up …
The position has been vacant since 2007. From the press release: Urbana Mayor Diane Marlin announced today that Carol J. Mitten will assume duties as City Administrator in early June of this year. Ms. Mitten …
Quality Beer is turning 7, and hosting an anniversary/birthday party on Saturday, April 28th. The bar will have a bunch of different stuff on tap, as well as a special tap of Founders CBS at …
From the press release: “No One Is Alone”—in the woods or at Urbana High School, where 75 students are banding together to present “Into The Woods” April 25-29 “It seems like a good time for a …
The Illinois Marathon brings loads of people and activity and commerce to our community every year, and it also brings some traffic headaches. The City of Urbana has announced it’s road closings for April 28th: …
As we made mention back in March, a couple of very popular Korean acts are coming through Champaign — San E and Mad Clown — and that show is this Friday at the City Center. …
There have been a lot of changes in Downtown Urbana recently. Flying Machine Coffee moved out (Avionics is in Champaign), as did Pizza M, and the space became Cafeteria & Company. See You CD & …
Farmers’ market season is upon us, so hooray for fresh local items, and shopping for said items outside. The Land Connection will be kicking off this year’s market on May 15th from 3:30 to 6:30 …
Looks like Common Ground Food Co-op‘s experiment with selling CBD cookies last Friday was successful, and the store will continue to offer them all the time. CBD is cannabidiol, a chemical compound found in the …
Since we have experienced 382 months of winter this year, you may not have gotten a chance to do any yardwork. Therefore, the City of Champaign has given you some extra time to get it …
Just in time for Mother’s Day, the C-U Herb Society will be hosting their annual, fundraising plant sale on Saturday, May 12th at Lincoln Square Mall. The sale will be offering a variety of herbs and …
Ah Lincoln Square Mall, always a hotbed of discussion in Downtown Urbana. Here’s your chance to be heard: the City has launched “What’s in Your Square?” — which is seeking public input and feedback for …
We have had many opportunities to highlight the horribly racist actions of Dennis Toeppen, most recently because of a Suburban Express email that alluded to passengers on his buses “not feeling like they were in …
The City of Urbana’s lunchtime Food Truck Rally series is back for 2018. The lunchtime event (11 a.m. to 2 p.m.) happens on the last Tuesday of each month, starting this Tuesday, April 24th and …
Erin Erdman of Page Roasting Company will be taking over our Instagram Story this Wednesday, April 25th. Follow us at @SmilePolitely on Instagram to follow Erdman as she goes through a day in her shoes at …
C-U Folk & Roots Festival returns October 18-20 for their 10th anniversary, and they’ve revealed that Robbie Fulks will headline this year. Fulks headlined their very first festival back in 2009. Beyond that, Fulks is …
Psych outfit ZXO have released a couple of new tracks, “Silver Parade” and “Blinding Ray”, their first new releases since LP1 came out at the end of 2017. Stream the tracks below, and check out the album …
At least that’s what this Facebook post seems to be implying: Photo from Facebook
I was heading towards Maize on Green Street earlier today and noticed the newly reconstructed viaduct dons a new look. This is part of the MCORE project to reconstruct Green Street. As you travel east …
Josh Hartke has announced his resignation from Champaign County Board effective April 30th. HIs term wasn’t supposed to end until November of 2020. Hartke served District 6 residents. Read his resignation letter below: April 20, …
Audiofeed Music Festival is back in 2018 on July 5-7 at the Champaign County Fairgrounds, and they’ve announced their full lineup today, which features previously-announced As Cities Burn, Aha Gazelle, Gungor, and dozens more. A …
This Is It Furniture originated in Springfield, but Mike Namoff’s furniture store exists on South Mattis in Champaign. The Simpsons exists in a Springfield, somewhere in the virtual world. Just recently, This Is It’s semi-famous free …
Maybe it’s one of those days where no matter what you eat, you just aren’t satisfied. Perhaps you’re just extra hungry. Check out these spots for some quick bites to ease your need to munch. …
Farrell was a well known local artist and graphic designer who was tragically killed in 2016. The 5K will benefit the Matthew C. Farrell Memorial Fund and Scholarship, set up shortly after his death. …
What’s CBD? It’s short for Cannabidiol, and it’s one of the compounds found in the cannibis plant. It’s said to have some health benefits, but without the psychoactive THC found in marijuana. The cookies, made from …
We’ve all driven by the somewhat raggedy B-22 lot at the corner of Goodwin and University in Urbana. It sits in a space just on the edge of the university and long stretch of gas …
