SPlog

The Embassy Tavern in downtown Urbana will close at the end of the month, according to an article published in The News-Gazette. It’s sad news for one of C-U’s better townie bars. Rumors have also …

Those who have been to a Delayney party know he can throw down on the decks. But for a different and more relaxed side of the locally famous DJ, head out to Mike ‘N Molly’s …

Film Screening & Discussion: The Price of Pleasure: Pornography, Sexuality, and Relationships.  Discussion with Ross Wantland, sexual assault educator at the University‘s Women’s Resources Center will follow the film. Sponsored by the Women’s Resources Center and Men …

Don’t let anyone fool you into saying that Unofficial is about anything other than binge drinking. It’s not about getting an early start for St. Patrick’s Day, nor is it about academically minded students wanting …

Looking for something to do tonight? Us too! Wanna meet up at Skateland and play skee ball? … Hello? Okay, consider these options instead. + Bill Ayers is giving a free talk about his time …

Tonight is the Community Shares Share-a-Meal event. Participating local restaurants include: Luna in Downtown Champaign, Siam Terrace in Downtown Urbana and Kennedy’s at Stone Creek. These local restaurants have agreed to contribute a portion of …

Break out the bong and dive in the pool, Michael Phelps. moe. drummer Vinnie Amico makes a quick stop in town tonight at The Canopy Club, appearing with the infamous Willie Waldman Project, known for …

Despite being outscored 25–19 in the three-game series, Illinois went into Baton Rouge and won two out of three from the top-ranked Tigers. Here are the recaps from Illinois Baseball Report: Friday: Illinois 3, LSU …

School reform activist and education scholar Bill Ayers — whose name will forever be linked to the 2008 presidential campaign — will be a Unit One/Allen Hall Guest-in-Residence from March 9–12. Each night of his …

It’s not quite as exciting as watching Kobayashi downing hot dogs, but … (Note: there is some language in this that is not safe for work!)

We posted our song “Downtown Your Heart” a couple weeks ago; here’s another song for you. We’ll be playing live on WEFT 90.1 at 10 p.m. tonight (and streaming live online at weft.org) and at …

Feeling lucky? Well, do ya punk?

With apologies to Alan Moore …

Talking with Smile Politely editor Doug Hoepker earlier this week, I figured that this bit of trivia might be of passing interest to the next generation of Champaign-Urbana indie media-makers. Blue is the operative color …

Get your dip of custard now and summer will arrive sooner.

Here’s a quick rundown of new beers making the rounds in C-U, for all you connoisseurs of fine brews. Mike & Molly’s Now on tap: Great Divide Fresh Hop, De Ranke XX Bitter, and Southern …

Whoever is selecting the album of the day recently at Allmusic.com has been picking some great stuff! One the heels of You’d Prefer An Astronaut a few days ago comes Shiner’s The Egg (which, conincidentally, …

Here’s “Low Ways” by Cameron McGill & What Army, from their show last night at Cowboy Monkey:  

Video of Cameron McGill is on the way, but here’s a video of Brooks Ritter at Cowboy Monkey last night. Unless he’s one of those guys with really elliptical song titles, this one is probably …

I saw this sign in the window at Hallmark in Lincoln Square. It had been reported that they would be leaving for Savoy this month, but the sign said otherwise. Upon entering, I asked the …

If you’re feeling antsy to spend some quality time out and about on what should be a pleasant evening — it’s going to be in the low to mid ’50s, but windy — here are …

Here’s a nice capsule preview of the Illinois baseball team from Big Ten Hardball, courtesy of Illinois Baseball Report.

Here’s a recap of last Friday’s Dubstep Massacre at Cowboy Monkey from The World on Fire, via Brian Mertz.

Billboard on South Neil near Savoy:   I guess the logic would be that if you have a sea-worthy boat within the borders of C-U, you may as well give it to charity.

Following in the very large footsteps of the Ghetto Big Mac (video below) is the McGangBang, the newest fast-food craze to sweep the internet.  For $2.16, you too can create a sandwich that includes a …

Sad news for downtown Champaign video game developer THQ, of which Volition is a subsidiary. The company is laying off 86 employees (including 39 full-timers) from its quality-assurance facility, beginning May 1. The layoffs will …

Library Journal magazine recently ranked public libraries, and our very own Champaign Public Library earned a 3 star rating, putting it in elite company with just 255 other “star libraries” out of 7,115 that were …

At the end of Cumberland Road in Jabez, Kentucky, Bobby Lee Charles lives a quiet and simple life. Since his wife passed, it’s just been him alone in the hundred year old farmhouse built by …

The Interreligious Dialogue Series continues this evening, where representatives from the Buddhist, Christian, Jewish, and Muslim traditions will share their thoughts on the topic of “Life After Death.” “In this session, we will share our …

These great big globs are one of my favorite things to look at in town.  

“Champaign Tomorrow” is the city’s update to its Comprehensive Plan. This document guides growth and development in Champaign over the next 20 years.  We need your input.  What kind of place do you want to …

Thursday night, Chicago songwriter and Parasol recording artist Cameron McGill plays the Cowboy Monkey with his backing band, And What Army. McGill’s new album, Warm Songs for Cold Shoulders, drops on April 28. Here are …

Want to recreate the ambiance of The Canopy Club in your own home? You’re in luck! (And for only $150!)

Today at the Ubben, the 5-foot-11 local boy got one down. Only a handful of his Illini witnessed it. The others expressed incredulity at the claim. It happened. I saw it.

Gross food? Possibly. But where else you gonna get a corn dog on the run, now? It appears that Wienerschnitzel on Country Fair Dr. and Springfield Ave. has closed its doors.

Name the location where this photo was taken, and win some pride of hometown knowledge…

Hate puppycams? Then don’t click on this link.

Everyone really should have a pair of “please go away pants,” especially if they’ve only been worn for a few hours. (In this recurring post, we’ll be suggesting items for sale on Champaign-Urbana’s Craigslist that …

What if I told you that the company that invented Agent Orange, artificial sweeteners, Posilac (milk-cow/bovine growth hormone), GMOs, etc. was coming to Champaign to enlighten us about their new “green revolution?” Well, it doesn’t …

Every Thursday in March, the Blind Pig will feature a different brewery on draught. March 5: Dogfish Head (60 Minute IPA, 90 Minute Double IPA, Indian Brown Ale, and Palo Santo Marron) March 12: Bells …

For those of you who lived through the industrial rock revolution that was birthed in Chicago, the name Martin Atkins should be familiar. He help found Pigface, Killing Joke, and Public Limited Ltd. and performed …

For SERIOUS people, only! (In this recurring post, we’ll be suggesting items for sale on Champaign-Urbana’s Craigslist that you really shouldn’t have to live without.)

Is your book collection weighing you down? Do you have a home library that is threatening the structural integrity of your abode? Champaign-Urbana has many great places to donate books. One of the neediest is …

Everyone’s favorite chart-topping singer-songwriter from Mechanicsville, Virginia, Jason Mraz, plays the Assembly Hall on May 2. Tickets went on sale this Saturday for 36 big ones, each. In case you’re scratching your head, wondering, “Have …

The East Central Illinois Task Force made a rather impressive bust in Hoopeston that hauled in around 540 pounds of cannabis, aka The Motherload.

Grammy-nominated songstress Sara Bareilles played Foellinger on Sunday, and Cody Bralts was there with a camera in hand to document the evening.  

The brand new CoMMoN Theatre Project will present their first production, Closer by Patrick Marber, March 13–15 in the loft space above Boltini.  CoMMoN was founded by Cara Maurizi, Matt Fear, Mathew Green, and Niccole …