SPlog

October is National Manufacturing Month, and the Champaign County Economic Development Corporation is hosting several tours of local manufacturing companies: Inprentus 51 E Kenyon Rd Champaign October 10th, 2 to 4 p.m. The company, based …

Because I am obviously a person who is always up-to-date on trends and things, this is the first year I’ve ever heard anything about Inktober, and apparently it has been happening since 2009.  Anyway, Café …

If you’re craving more drag after C-U Pride last weekend, Parkland is offering you another opportunity.  Parkland Pride, an LGBTQ+ student club at Parkland College, will host a drag show Thursday, October 10th from 7:30 …

**Update: This event has been postponed due to illness. We will update when it has been rescheduled.  The One Book One Campus selection for this academic year is Heads of the Colored People by Nafissa Thompson-Spires, …

The Champaign-Urbana Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated and The Church Of The Living God invite you to a Community Mental Health and Wellness Fair at The Love Corner, 312 E. Bradley in …

It’s almost time for Fur Ball 2019, Champaign County Humane Society’s annual gala and fundraiser. On October 11th, you can put on your fancy clothes and head to the I-Hotel to enjoy cocktails and a …

The Idea Store is ready for their quarterly donation break so they have a chance to organize all the things they have now. From October 6-21 they are asking that you hang on to your …

We’re quite lucky to have so many resources in town related to eating and sourcing locally. But what if you’re lacking in some of the skills needed to make a nice meal for yourself? Common …

Champaign-Urbana Adventures in Time and Space is about to close one of their oldest games, Artificial Intelligence, which is located at their Race Street location. Here’s the description from the website: You and your team …

I mean this is ridiculous, right? But here we are, buying into it. If it means we can celebrate our local eats and put some money into our local economy, I’m here for it. What …

Chicago-based guitarist David Chiriboga will be bringing the best of Flamenco to town this Monday evening. And best of all, it’s free and open to the public.  So let the power of Flameno cure your case …

All Elite Wrestling is taking the pro wrestling world by storm, and it just so happens that AEW has direct ties to Champaign-Urbana via the Kahn family. Tony Khan, son of famed entrepreneur Shad Kahn, …

Illinois Program for Research in the Humanities is hosting an evening with Carrie Chandler, Emily McKown, and Olivia Tasch, members of Girls Rock! C-U, at Levis Faculty Center on October 16th at 7:30 p.m. They will …

It’s something our community has been sorely lacking for a long time now, and Austin’s Place and C-U at Home, with the help of United Way of Champaign, will be making it a reality.  Beginning …

Lodgic Everyday Community, a concept of Moose International, opened their flagship location here in Champaign exactly a year ago, and now they are going to be expanding into two more markets.  From Moose International C.E.O. …

Singer/keyboardist/arranger Sara McDonald is bringing her 22-piece chillharmonic orchestra to Allen Hall this Saturday night and it’s free. So dare to cross the town/gown divide over to Allen Hall and sample this indie-rock-electronic-jazz hybrid ensemble McDonald …

October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month, and State Senator Scott Bennett is sponsoring a cell phone drive throughout the month to support victims of domestic violence. From the press release: Bennett has partnered with Courage …

Maize on Green Street is celebrating eight years of business. It’s been a delight for all of us who have the distinct pleasure and privilege of eating the food. To help celebrate, here’s some Maize …

C-U’s first Black and African Arts Festival happened Friday and Saturday, and we were there to capture some moments. You can read more about the festival in our preview article.  Photos by Kwamé Thomas

The fall’s installment of Hogchute Opry Harvest has been announced for Saturday, October 19th, and you can check out the details below (as well as over at the Facebook event linked above). This is part …

Champaign Outdoors will be hosting Andrew Pritchard of Chambana Weather (who also happens to do our monthly weather column) to discuss his storm-chasing adventures on Thursday, October 10th from 6 to 7 p.m. Hint: it …

Sounds sexy, doesn’t it.  It may not be a glamorous task, but it’s one that could go a long way to help reduce all that street flooding that happens when we get a ton of …

If you’ve ever wanted to explore the connection between movement and visual art, Jennifer Monson’s upcoming dance workshop is one you won’t want to miss. In “Movement as a Means to Experience Art—Move to See/See …

The BNAACC has a brand new beautiful building at 1212 W. Nevada, and they are inviting the public to come check it out during their grand re-opening and 50th anniversary celebration. There are a slew of …

I hesitate to say that Red Bicycle is permanently closed, because there are hopes to remain a wholesaler (to send ice cream to Common Ground and Harvest Market, for example). As for the regular consumer …

On Saturday, October 5th, from 4 p.m. to 9:30 p.m., local blues dance organization, BluesCENTRAL, will be hosting their Fallin’ Into Blues blues dancing festival at the Lincoln Square Mall in Urbana. This even is …

Traveling north on County Road 2400 East from 1000 North, you have only about a mile left to blink regularly; because if you blink after that, you’ll miss it. As its name suggests, this little-known …

In this community conversation event, they will be trying to answer the question:  “How can we create spaces and programs for teens to thrive?” Saturday, October 14th from 1 to 4 p.m., organizations and individuals …

This annual lecture series, named after U of I astronomer James Kaler, begins October 4th with the topic “Nature and Nurture: Examining How Diverse Organisms Adapt to Changes in their Everyday Environment.” The lecture will …

It doesn’t seem like a fair question, so I’ll reframe: What are your top five favorite desserts in C-U? There are so many options! I’ve had delicious cheesecake at Nando Milano. I love the tres …

Although there will be a new version of the beloved KAM’s at First and Green in the near future, the Campustown bar at 618 E. Daniel Street is closing for good on October 20th. This is …

I mean, look at it. It’s gorgeous. The weather is cooler in the evenings, and now it’s dark at 7 p.m., which I think means it’s officially pot roast season. This one is available until …

Sure, it is only September. But that means just two months until it’s acceptable to listen to holiday music and drink peppermint mochas, and just two months until the 19th Annual Champaign Center Parade of …

Triptych Brewing was recently profiled by Steve Pratten about their process, and how they like to get involved with the community and put forth collaborative beers. PYGMALION kicks off tomorrow, and PYGMALION Pilsner is now …

Illinois Theatre and the College of Education are present Gandhi, King and Our World Today, an evening of honoring the work of Mahatma Ghandi on October 2nd from 7:30 to 9 p.m. at Spurlock Auditorium.  First, …

Pride Fest is happening this weekend, and it’s a rather important one. It’s the 10th anniversary of the local event, which has become the largest downstate Pride celebration. This year also recognizes the 50th anniversary …

Urbana Boulders will be hosting their 4th annual Boneyard Boulder Cup on November 16th, an indoor climbing competition that is open to all age and all skill levels — no really, there are different divisions based …

Our humble Chambana has long been a force in the maker movement. We’ve got Madefest and Sleepy Creek Arts & Music Festival this weekend and then, on October 5th, the Heartland Maker Fest, is coming …

Last week, I stopped by Common Ground Food Co-op for a few grocery items, and since it was lunchtime, I picked up lunch for myself and my husband. I ordered a bacon, egg, and cheese …

Back in May, Governor JB Pritzker, the Illinois Department of Public Health, the Chicago Department of Public Health, and the AIDS Foundation of Chicago introduced the Getting to Zero Illinois (GTZ-IL) plan, aimed at ending …

Over the summer, the Krannert Art Museum staff was hard at work installing a number of exciting new exhibitions and now it’s time for the official reveal. The opening night festivities include a welcome by …

The primary election is six months away, and the presidential election is more than a year away, but the League of Women Voters want to make sure people are getting registered to vote. Along with …

If you’re ready to be one of those people who gets to go in the special, shorter line at the airport and skip the whole shoe-removal, portioning out liquids, taking your laptop out of the …

Orpheum Children’s Science Museum, along with with Forced Perspective Entertainment, transformed the museum’s auditorium into a board gamer’s paradise on Saturday. The 12 hour inaugural Tabletop Central gaming convention drew in more than 150 gaming …

Well, 34 years ago yesterday (September 22nd) if we want to be technical about it. Inspired by Live Aid, Willie Nelson, Neil Young, and John Mellencamp created Farm Aid, and held the massive concert event …

Community Choices has announced that Larry Plotter and The Wizards of Death, a magical murder mystery dinner, is coming to the Lake of the Woods Pavillion on October 19th.  Come in your finest witches’ hat …

The University of Illinois’ School of Architecture is hosting a Women’s Reunion and Symposium September 26th through 28th. Did you know that in 1878 the U of I was the first institution in the U.S. …

The University of Illinois Black Chorus has announced its fall concert, “Yet With a Steady Beat since 1619,” which will feature “spirituals, recitations, hymns, anthems, traditional and contemporary gospel songs and include songs written by …