SPlog

Triptych Brewing was named the Best Brewery by patrons at this year’s Taste of C-U.  Congrats to our friends at Triptych!

Per a press release from The Art Theater Co-op: The Art Theater Co-op has partnered with Restorative CU and other community organizations for a special 25th anniversary screening of Do the Right Thing, Spike Lee’s …

Tune in tonight to Smile Politely Radio to hear a city update from the one and only Don Gerard, Mayor and Liquor Commissioner extraordinare.  Smile Politely Radio airs each Friday at 5:30 p.m. on WEFT …

From a press release: Visit the historic Springer Cultural Center in downtown Champaign to see award-winning art on display at the State Town & Country Amateur Art Show, now in its 58th year! The free, …

Per a press release from Krannert Center for the Performing Arts: Announcing KCPA’s Opening Night Party, Featuring Tiempo Libre, Mariachi Sol de México® de José Hernández, and Samba Soul Friday, September 12, 2014 6 p.m.: …

Join the Champaign Center Partnership and area businesses for the Midtown Sundaze, a fun and FREE family event in the Boneyard Creek Second Street Basin on Sunday, September 14th from 2-4 p.m. Families are encouraged …

Join us on Friday, September 12th at 8 p.m. at the Busey Bank parking lot in Urbana for the final Summer Movie Night of 2014. @urbanalove and the Urbana Public Arts Program present UP, the …

At this year’s installment of the Pygmalion Festival, there will be a pretty interesting airstream experience on site via The Hope We Seek. Their platform publishes “influential storytelling experiences that combine literary fiction, music, and …

From the press release: Press Conference: Professor Salaita to Speak for First Time About Losing Tenured Position Over Gaza Tweets Urbana-Champaign, IL –Professor Steven Salaita, faculty and students of the University of Illinois at Urbana–Champaign (UIUC), …

September is here, the students are back, and we have a month packed with fun stuff. So let’s get started because I can be longwinded. This coming Friday night, the 12th of September, we teamed …

Here at Smile Politely Radio, we’re gearing up to chat with Ann Callis, the Democratic contender for Rep. Rodney Davis’s congressional seat. And we’re curious: if you could ask Ann Callis one question, what would …

On Saturday, October 18th, join the American Cancer Society at Meadowbrook Park for the Making Strides Against Breast Cancer 5K. The event is a great way to honor breast cancer survivors, raise awareness about what we …

The East Central Illinois Master Naturalists invite you to participate in the 21st Annual National Public Lands Day (NPLD), the nation’s largest single-day volunteer effort for public lands. Last year nearly 175,000 volunteers worked at …

Join us tonight on Smile Politely Radio as we chat with local baked goods celebrity James Kyung, the mastermind behind Pandamonium Doughnuts. Smile Politely Radio airs each Friday at 5:30 p.m. on WEFT 90.1 FM …

At August’s Taste of C-U event, patrons were asked to vote for their favorite food vendors. The votes have finally been tallied: Caribbean Grill was named the Best Food Vendor. I think this is a …

Join us on Thursday, October 2nd as we’ll be hosting Carol Ammons and Kristin Williamson, candidates for the State Representative IL-103 seat. You might recall our Mayoral debate from the end of June, and although …

Isabelle Collazo—a Chicago-based dance artist, choreographer, and teacher—is a director and choreographer for an emerging interdisciplinary collective known as The Blueprinting Project, which recently received funding from the Urbana Arts Council to show their inaugural …

A few weeks ago we told you about the Urban Gardens Company, and its local produce delivery.  UGC’s farm stand at 3009 S Prospect Ave, Savoy is now open daily from 9 a.m. to a …

The IDEA Garden is one of the gems of C-U, and many of its blooms have been hitting their peak these past couple weeks. Don’t miss the chance to take them in before the weather starts …

In a recent article in the New York Times, Jodi Flaws, a bioscientist at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, was featured in Deborah Blum’s article “In Plastics and Cans, a Threat to Women.” Always …

Midwest Mandeng Celebrates West African Drum and Dance September 12-14 in Urbana Urbana, IL—Brace yourselves Central Illinois for the first ever Midwest Mandeng— Urbana’s first ever West African drum and dance festival happening this September …

Check out the video below, recently released by Unit 4 Schools celebrating the beginning of another school year starting up. ​   Here’s the information from the release:   This year, our Unit 4 alumni …

From a Station Theatre press release: Celebration Company Awards Three Scholarships to Local Actors Annual scholarships awarded to multifaceted, motivated young talent (Urbana, IL) – The Celebration Company at the Station Theatre announced the recipients …

In an interesting turn of events, Mayor Don Gerard’s campaign manager, Matthew Duco, as stepped down. Here’s an official statement from Gerard: Matthew Duco has stepped down as my campaign manager as we agreed it …

The Celebration Company at the Station Theatre announces OPEN AUDITIONS for Venus in Fur by David Ives directed by Gary Ambler Casting 1 man & 1 woman, ages 18+ No preparation necessary; auditioners will read …

I just heard on the radio that WBGL is giving away free car washes and oil changes to single moms on September 20th. To be eligible you must visit www.wbgl.org and sign up by September …

I saw this happen after the game today and thought it was, well, sweet. During the game both the football team and the band perform but rarely do they interact. I liked this because they …

Last weekend, newbie reporter for WCIA Maggie Hockenberry visited the Urbana Sweetcorn Festival on Friday night, long before anyone had actually come out to explore all of the fun and eat all of the corn, …

Pumpkin has returned to Einstein’s, and this month when you come in and say the secret phrase “smile it’s pumpkin” you receive a free regular coffee with your purchase! pumpkin muffin, pumkin bagel, pumpkin latte, …

Putting on an event the size of the Urbana Sweetcorn Festival is no small feat and it couldn’t be done without the help of hundreds of volunteers. Our community is incredible when it comes to …

Urbana’s Market at the Square is excited to launch their first ever Instagram photo contest beginning September 1st and continuing through the end of the month (September 30, 2014).  The winner of the contest will …

Join us tonight on Smile Politely Radio as we get the scuttle on Champaign-Urbana’s 5th Annual Pride Festival.  The Uniting Pride Center is hosting this year’s Pride Festival in downtown Champaign on September 6th. Smile …

Stop by and check out our new baby at Aroma Cafe. Now pulling perfect shots of espresso, our brand new shiny espresso machine is a welcome upgrade behind the counter. What should we name her? …

Join us for the opening reception of A Little Touched, But Otherwise Alright, an exhibition of works completed during the Summer Artist Residency Program. The opening will be held on September 5th, 2014 from 5-8 …

From August 29th through December 23rd, With the Grain: Japanese Woodblock Prints from the Postwar Years be on display at Krannert Art Museum. Per the KAM website: “Printmaking flourished in Japan during the Allied Occupation (1945–52), …

Dear Home is excited to announce the debut of our new line of handmade vintage notebooks this Saturday, from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. as part of the Urban Outfitters — UO Marketplace. Our handmade vintage notebooks are …

Yesterday, a large group of University faculty, students, and staff met outside the Swanlund Administration Building to protest the revocation of Steven Salaita’s job offer.  Leaders of the group later reported that Chancellor Wise agreed …

Almost every Thursday evening, Krannert Center for the Performing Arts presents Krannert Uncorked. The concept is simple, local vendors present a FREE tasting complimented by cheese, crackers, and food to nosh on (also FREE) and …

From a press release: On Saturday, September 6th, from 2-5 p.m., artist Alberto Aguilar will be the debut artist in a brand-new art space — a little hut in the backyard of Urbana resident Albert …

The second annual C-U Oktoberfest will take place Saturday, October 11 at 3 p.m. Admission is $5, and all proceeds benefit the Developmental Services Center. Food and drink information is not yet available, but here’s …

I went out during the storm yesterday and took this shot of a lightning strike over the City of Champaign building. Whenever I photograph lightning, it gives the clouds a purple tint. Awesome.

Heirloominous Farm and Slow Food Champaign Urbana are teaming up for a tapas style dinner party at Prairie Fruits Farm on Thursday, August 28th. Tickets are $40 plus $3.19 for processing. Purchase them here.  Here’s the …

If you hadn’t noticed yet — due to a specific set of circumstances for visiting their site — The News-Gazette has launched their brand new website with a full redesign. Check it out, as it is much …

Dodd’s Park now has an 18 hole frisbee golf course complete with baskets and concrete pads to throw off of. It opened last Wednesday. The course starts near the softball fields. It is most easily …

Jesus Christ, this is so hard to watch. First off, what line of people is she talking about behind her?  And for the love of all things, Maggie, why not just take a bite of …

We just received notification that Champaign Cycle is one of America’s Best Bike Shops. Check out the listing here. Congratulations! The National Bicycle Dealers Association is proud to announce that your shop has been named …

Join us tonight on Smile Politely Radio as we chat with Matt Duco, an attorney and Mayor Don Gerard’s campaign manager, about the Champaign mayoral race, the City of Champaign, and other local political races …

Truly garage sale prices, folks. From furniture to bikes to many other reusable, quality household items, find great stuff at a fraction of the cost and support one great cause. $2 admission. U of I …