Tonight on Smile Politely Radio we’ll chat about the future of the Champaign County Historical Museum, which is in danger of closing its doors for good. We’ll talk about the history of the museum itself, …
40 North recently put out their call for 2015 ACE Awards nominations. The ACE (arts, culture, and education) Awards are presented annually by 40 North as part of National Arts and Humanities Month, and honor the …
Heirship and Undercut hit us with a lovely surprise today — a star-studded show at the Institute 4 Creativity taking place September 10th and benefitting The UP Center of Champaign County. The money raised will …
On Thursday, September 3rd, bacaro is hosting a Bordeaux wine dinner with Claude Gaudin, founder of Vitigestion. Make your reservation here, or call 217-358-6982. And check out the menu: The Tasting Menu 85 USD Grilled …
Preparations are underway for Krannert Art Museums’ Fall 2015 Opening. Thursday, August 27th (tomorrow) from 6-9 p.m., get an early glimpse at four new exhibitions, and enjoy the company of other art lovers, and/or the cash bar …
Over the course of almost 25 years, Silvercreek has become a staple in Downtown Urbana, alongside sister restaurant The Courier Cafe. The Boneyard Creek, once a favorite spot for overgrown weeds and weed smokers, has …
KAM CTC@TST Giertz Miner CUTC Springer Spurlock ATC-O F1 REOOFF** You recognize these names? Know these acronyms by heart? If you’re already in the know, and going to be these places anyway, you might as …
SZA is hot right now — and she’s playing at the HighDive September 16th. Provided you are 19 or older and RSVP, admission is only $3. Click here to RSVP (admission not guaranteed — it’s …
Finding time to learn an instrument in this day and age is tough. No matter your age, you’re busy. School, work, family, friends, obligations and all of that good stuff eat into your free time …
Caribbean Grill debuted its food truck at last weekend’s Taste of C-U. This Wednesday will be the final Lunch To Go at Refinery. After this week, you can find the food truck around town. Check …
Wesley United Methodist Church invites you to join us for our Sunday School Kickoff this Sunday from 9:30-10:30 a.m. on our front lawn at 1203 W. Green St. in Urbana. We’ll be celebrating a new …
Check out this week’s specials at Old Time Meat and Deli: Additionally, the store is hiring, so if you’re looking for some work, inquire within.
Outside of the Urbana Sweetcown Festival, the International Beer Tasting & Food Truck Showcase was the longest running event in Downtown Urbana. Today, Jay Goldberg Events & Entertainment announced that they will not be hosting …
Polyvinyl is an independently owned and operated record label based in Champaign. With a catalog of more than 300 releases from over 100 artists — including American Football, Braid, Rainer Maria, of Montreal, Xiu Xiu, …
After an over two-year run as a record store and DIY show venue, Error Records is closing its doors. We’re sad to see it go, but it looks like the shop itself will remain at …
Per the Champaign Room: Tomorrow @IlliniAthletics WILL officially announce the naming of Lou Henson Court at the renovated @StateFarmCenter #Illini #TheHall — Ryan Baker (@RyanBakerMedia) August 23, 2015 Per @RyanBakerMedia, #Illini will announce the naming …
I love looking through the crafts at the Taste. This year, Robin’s booth, Willey Pottery, really caught my eye. She has hand crafted oil burning lamps made from stoneware clay. I think they’re beautiful, old-timey, …
I read on Facebook that Seaboat in Champaign is closing down after 20 years of service. I called the restaraunt today to find out if this was true. I spoke with an employee who filled …
ELLNORA: The Guitar Festival, the biennial guitar festival at Krannert Center for the Performing Arts, is just a few weeks away. Yesterday, fest organizers announced a special pre-festival concert featuring local bands from Champaign’s musical …
New student orientation took place at Memorial Stadium today, and just like that, summer is over and we’re nose-to-nose with the school year – well, some of us, anyway. Here’s to a great fall.
Champaign Cycle was just chosen by the National Bicycle Dealers Association as one of the best bike shops in the country. The criteria for winning the award is that 50% of shops’ total sales are …
Defy Gravity is a brand new aerial fitness and dance studio on Green St. between Neil and Locust. The studio hosts classes and lessons for people of all fitness levels and they specialize in aerial …
We’re getting corny tonight on Smile Politely Radio as we talk with Jessica Snyder, the Interim Executive Director of the Urbana Business Association, about what to expect from this year’s Sweet Corn Festival. Prepare to …
The Champaign County Historical Museum posted the following message, regarding its possible closure, on its Facebook page: We have often mentioned in this column that our members are our most valuable resource, and the largest …
Dates for two Oktoberfests have been announced. C-U Oktoberfest, organized by the Developmental Services Center, will happen in Downtown Champaign 3 p.m. to midnight on Saturday, October 10th. Check out SP’s reviews of the 2013 …
From the press release: “Fly Champaign-Urbana” Unveiled as New Brand of University of Illinois – Willard Airport Airport Celebrates with Fighting Illini Partnership and Social Media Promotion SAVOY, Ill. (Aug. 19, 2015) – Fly Champaign-Urbana …
Students have returned. So, how about a refresher on “How To Use Crosswalks” as one cannot drive across Campustown or walk from point A to B without witnessing pedestrians and drivers alike demonstrating their confusion …
The title is pretty self-explanatory to a point. Big Grove Tavern is hosting a special dinner tomorrow where they’ll be serving dishes using just about every part of a whole lamb. It’s part of the …
Thrash aliens GWAR are playing Canopy Club in all their blood-spurting glory on Monday, November 2nd with Born of Osiris and Battlecross. The show is part of a newly-announced second leg of the band’s 30 …
Parkland Theatre and the Station Theatre have both announced audition dates for fall productions: The Station gets first billing, because you only have two days to prep for The Open House. Open auditions begin at 7 …
Steam Industries is no longer located in Downtown Champaign — as the sign in their now former window states. They previously occupied the space next to Soma (322 N. Neil, to be exact). They’ve relocated …
The Champaign Park District is hosting a Pie Run this Saturday, August 22nd, at 6 p.m. at West Side Park. It is a 3.14 mile course for runners to maneuver while dodging flying cream pies …
If you were an athlete in your youth and you had a good time, there’s probably a coach you think of that had a positive impact on your life. I can’t name every teammate that …
Centennial, Central, and Urbana high schools have joined forces, sharing grant funding to show students the professional opportunities afforded by an interest in the arts: curator, museum educator, gallery installer, event planner, and caterer will …
If you follow hip-hop in Champaign-Urbana, chances are that you’ve heard of Frank Leone, a rapper/producer who has performed locally fairly frequently. The central Illinois/Chicago-based emcee has always had a taste for production and stepping out …
Polyvinyl Records is auctioning off limited edition test pressings of some of their records on ebay. The auction will benefit the American Humane society, as 10% of each winning bid will be donated to the …
There are many different foods to be eaten in Downtown Champaign: pizza, wings, salads, tapas, brunch, and more. However, I find that we are lacking a dedicated ice cream joint. I know you can get …
On Friday night in Toronto, Champaign native and City of Champaign employee Nichole Millage (#13) had three kills and an ace in the final USA vs. Brazil match to bring home the GOLD for the …
Our friends over at Krannert Center have an amazing festival — ELLNORA: The Guitar Festival — that’s happening September 10-12. Tickets and festival passes are on sale tomorrow, August 15th, starting at 10 a.m. Check …
The University of Illinois Admissions Office has hired a gigantic and terrifying rodent to help students move in, ride on the MTD buses, and apparently, blog. It’s called Sassy the Squirrel and it has its …
We’re used to hearing politicians on the same side of the ballot say fairly nice things about one another — ie. you won’t REALLY hear any Dems criticize the Hillary Clinton Campaign and, of course, …
Tonight on Smile Politely Radio, Rebecah and guest-co-host Cope Cumpston (author of the ever-popular Abecedarian Amble series) will talk BEER. More specifically, the Inaugural Champaign Craft Beer Festival, which takes place on August 22 at …
The Sipyard is coming for ya’ll, ya’ll. Photo credit: Norden
Big Ten Network analyst, University of Illinois alum, and Pygmalion TECH panelist Taylor Rooks made a valiant attempt at eating a raw egg on live TV. Typically, instead of eating them, Illini are used to …
Bacaro’s Sunday brunch adventure, The Gravy Train, has come to an abrupt end. This summer’s endeavor was apparently only a test, and the Gravy Train will be stationed some time. Do follow the Facebook page for …
Yori Q, the Korean restaurant now occupying the former Kamakura space (715 South Neil Street, Champaign), is open. Check out the hours, above. Image from Facebook.
Hey these are pretty cool! We’re pretty pumped about getting our hands on them at ELLNORA this year in September. Check the ELLNORA schedule and mark your calendar. A photo posted by Krannert Center …
The Phyllis Wise resignation and subsequent release of her personal emails with other high-ranking officials at the U of I have been major stories in local and state news this week. Academe Magazine has done …
