SPlog

Just in case you are unfamiliar, Ninth Letter is a collaborative arts and literary project produced by the Graduate Creative Writing Program and School of Art & Design at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, and …

Come join us in the gallery lounge for an evening of fun and the opportunity to support the Giertz Gallery at Parkland College. Each ticket includes selecting a beautiful handmade cup thrown by our very …

This Thursday, December 3rd, a reception at Krannert Art Museum will begin at 5pm to introduce a new exhibition: Documenting Inequality, in the Link Gallery.  The show’s title comes from the name of a course that …

Take advantage of free tickets and an innovative and compelling take on Shakespeare’s Henry V this Thurs through Sunday, Dec 3-6 at 7:30 at the Armory Free Theatre, Thursday being a preview with possible rehearsing. …

If you’re like me, you left your bike outside a couple of years ago for the entire Winter, and come Spring, it was ruined. Completely ruined. Even if you’re not an idiot like me, Neutral …

Per Facebook, The Red Herring Vegetarian Restaurant is publishing a cookbook: We’re answering the request of so many Red Herring fans over the years by producing a cookbook! We are going to release a seasonal …

Starting Friday, November 27th, Black Dog Champaign will close at 10 p.m. on Friday and Saturday.  Starting Monday, December 7th, the restaurant will have the following hours: Monday through Sunday, 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. You …

In the perpetual shit-storm that is University of Illinois athletics, it appears as things are, yet again, going to get worse before they get better. According to ESPN, interim Head Coach Bill Cubit has been …

UAB (3-1) All-time: 1-1 (last: UAB 59 – 52 Illinois, 11/24/1984) Tip-off: 7:30 p.m. (in Niceville, FL, for the Emerald Coast Classic) TV: CBS Sports Network You’re still paying attention? Then congratulations on caring about …

At this point, everyone hopefully knows that Volo provides super-fast internet, but they’re also good at quenching another one of our human needs in the winter: hot cocoa. This coming Saturday, November 28th, at the …

One of the principal joys of coming home for the holidays is reading the local paper – in my case, that means the Monticello Journal-Republican. While this usually just includes brushing up on high school …

If you love Espresso Royale Coffee (or any of their other drinks/food), prepare yourself for perhaps their most remarkable deal yet. This Black Friday, on November 27th, Espresso will be giving out a $25 gift card completely …

Champaign Surplus would like to wish everyone a Happy Thanksgiving! We are so thankful to be part of such a great community. Once you’ve shared good food and laughs with the family on Thanksgiving, rest …

Cassel Heating and Cooling are at it again. Last time I checked in with this company they were giving away a free heater to a family in need. This time they are collecting socks to …

Per Facebook, Sun Singer now has a handful of craft beers on tap.  Now you can have your grilled cheese supreme with wine and beer. 

It’s official: The name for the new craft beer bar in Downtown Champaign (34 Main Street) will be Barrelhouse 34. We posted some information about it as they were in the process of hiring a GM …

After many years as a staple of Midtown Champaign — Le Shoppe announced today via Facebook they will be closing their doors after 26 years of business. Although there’s no specific date set at this …

Champaign-Urbana’s Ray Spooner has completed his ride across the country to raise money for ALS, per People Magazine, as of November 19th. It’s been a bumpy road to say the least. You can read all about it …

This Friday, November 27th, Sipyard will host a tap takeover (starting at 11 a.m.). Per its Facebook page:  Enjoy post-Thanksgiving with Southern Hopishere, a special collaboration between Triptych Brewing and Arcade Brewery. Only one keg …

Chicago State (3-1) All-time: 0-11 (last meeting: Illinois 77–53 Chicago St., 11/22/13) Tip-off:  7 pm in Springfield TV: ESPN 3 (streaming) After four games, Chicago State is averaging 96.75 points per game. With Illinois’s defense …

Despite the fact that Champaign is a non-partisan electorate for city offices, Mayor Feinen is a known Republican. Because of the overwhelming amount of attention that potential refugees from Syria have been given from the …

According to its Facebook page, Nando Milano (204 N Neil Street, Champaign) is opening on Monday, November 30th. You can make your reservation here. Right now it looks like the restaurant will be open Monday …

Chattanooga (2-0) All time: 0-1 (Chattanooga 75-63 Illinois, second round 1997 NCAA Tournament) Tip-off: 7:30 pm in Springfield TV: Big Ten Network The Mocs most recent game is no comparison for Illinois (a 94-55 drubbing …

Big Grove Tavern just won the 2015 Golden Beet Award for Restaurants and Institutions, which recognizes those that are paving the way for a local food system develop here in Illinois. The winner is selected …

We’re happy to host the exclusive stream for Marathon‘s new record, Sanctuary, before the official release tomorrow at the Art Theater. You can stream the whole thing below, and check out the event page to …

Shaya Robinson joins guest host Cope on the show this evening to discuss Krannert Art Museum’s SPEAK Cafe. SPEAK (Song, Poetry, Expression, Art, and Knowledge) Cafe is an open-mic public space for hip-hop, activism, and …

The Indendent picked up the story about the horrific (and short-lived) “white student union,” contributing to U of I’s continued tailspin in the national and international spotlight. From the news coverage: Students at an American …

This Friday at Franklin Middle School, employees from software and computing giant, Wolfram, will be visiting STEM classes as part of “coding Fridays”. The event is an ongoing partnership between Wolfram and Unit 4 schools …

Today on Facebook, many Parkland College students have been posting about an evacuation and closing of the facilities. According to News-Gazette reporting it was a bomb threat posted on social media. I spoke with Parkland …

Here’s your feel-good story of the day, which was featured on Today earlier this week. Jason Yue, an Engineering student at the U of I, took his dorm chef Eric (not sure what the last name is, …

We don’t know who the moron is who created this Facebook page, but the University doesn’t have any affiliation with it (as if that was ever in question), that much we know. UPDATE: 6:55 p.m.: By the …

Don’t miss your opportunity to attend another rare but exciting foray into The Basement Gallery this Saturday, November 21st. The exhibition, Mental Greatness, features artists with mental illnesses who have chosen to share their journeys in life. …

Nando Milano Champaign is set to open soon, and is looking for help. Here’s the job description. In the meantime, check out Chef Alessio putting together his first bolognese (in Champaign, at least). Image from Facebook.   

Thanksgiving is only a few days away and everyone is thinking about travel plans and food, but please take a moment to consider coming to the “Fill the Banks” blood and food drive the days …

The University of Illinois Extension program is offering an event to help those tending small farms put their acres to good use.  Taking place at 4-H Memorial Camp in Monticello, Small Acres will provide useful …

It’s delicious. An indulgent semi-sweet stout, it pairs perfectly with cake, or is dessert all on its own. It’s on tap ($5) at The Blind Pig Brewery now, so get your glass while it lasts. 

Providence (1-0) All-time: Providence 2-0 Illinois Tip-off: 6 pm in Providence, RI TV: Fox Sports 1 Going to Providence is about one thing for Illinois: stopping Kris Dunn. In their opener, Harvard hung around almost …

Watson’s Shack & Rail in Downtown Champaign is now hiring, which means the restaurant will open soon-ish. This is excellent news, all around, especially for chicken lovers.  Check out the job posting on Craigslist. 

Everyone’s favorite Summer camping music festival, Summer Camp Festival, has announced that early bird tickets are going on sale this Friday, November 20th. Generally, this means they will be sold at a discount before the official …

Black Dog’s two locations now have two separate phone numbers, so update your phone contacts: Black Dog Urbana (217) 344-9342; Black Dog Champaign (217) 954-0465.

I’m not always one for theatrics and these types of extra entertainment at sporting events — but I saw this posted on the Illini Football Facebook page and thought it was pretty cool.  It’s a …

Prairie Fruits Farm will host an open house this Wednesday, November 18th from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. The following will be available for purchase: cheese, gelato, crackers, caramels, jams, pickles, and Chef Alisa’s famous …

  For those of us wondering what exact use the upended shipping container in Sipyard serves, artist Sara Paige took the opportunity to convert this unique space into something inspiring. Far Away Longing is her unique art …

Parkland College Art and Design professor Chris Berti has curated 2015 State of the Art: Ceramics Invitational, an exhibition that features ceramic artists from across the country. The exhibit runs from November 16th (today) through February …

Over the weekend, Klevah dropped a new track, along with a handful of release tidbits. For those of you who don’t know, Klev is half of Mother Nature, the hip-hop duo that is sending waves …

CUDO Plays’ annual game-design competition is in full swing, but each month they take a night off to explore a unique and interesting game that is unrelated to the contest. Sometimes a new game can …

Sun Singer is currently doing some construction to expand their restaurant. I spoke with an employee there, and they’re expanding their dining area to the space next door. The renovations should be complete in early …

Quicket Solutions, a U of I EnterpriseWorks startup, was named a 2015 finalist for the Amazon Web Services City on a Cloud Challenge.   The team traveled to New York City, New York and competed, …