SPlog

From their Facebook page: Despite the address change, it will still be called 51 Main. They plan serve food, just a small menu in the beginning, and expect to open by mid-March.

The last phase of the MCORE campustown improvement project will be starting this March, and the folks in charge would like to tell you more about it at an open house tomorrow, February 27th, from …

Attention writers of poetry, fiction, and non-fiction: Ninth Letter, the arts and literacy project produced by the Creative Writing Program and School of Art + Design at University of Illinois, is taking submissions for their …

Want to know a bit more about the folks that are on the ballot for April’s municipal election? The League of Women Voters, NAACP, and the News-Gazette will host two evenings of forums at the …

When spicy food is really good and spicy, you’ll get a high from the endorphins your brain releases. It’s pretty great. Good spicy is more than just a burning sensation in your mouth; there are …

Have you had an opportunity to check out their new space/new games yet? It’s well worth your time and money. Over the past several months they’ve been slowly shifting their business over to the space …

The historic Rose Bowl Tavern, located at 106 N. Race Street in Downtown Urbana, will undergo an ownership change starting on March 1st. Steve Campbell has transfered ownership over to Charlie Harris, Marten Stromberg, and …

DJ Belly has been a DJ in town for quite some time now, and he’s been recording/releasing material under the moniker Aesop. The side project has released a new mix series, AfterHours Vol. 1, which you can …

WILL and Uni have had a long partnership in producing documentaries, and tonight they will air the lastest radio documentary they’ve created together: Beyond Opening the Gates: Diversity and Inclusion at the University of Illinois.  From …

The Art Theater in Downtown Champaign has launched a fundraising campaign to raise $25,000 in the next 25 days. The single screen cinema states that they need to raise the funds “immediately to remain open”. …

The next installment of the Mahomet Craft Beer Festival is Saturday, April 20th from 2 to 6 p.m. Additional details are forthcoming, but you can expect to find the following breweries on site: 25 O’Clock …

In a rather painful clip, a young whippersnapper named Spencer, representing Young America’s Foundation, shares incredulous chuckles with the blonde lady from Fox & Friends about the audacity of universities teaching about things like gender …

You might not recognize Aaron Muñoz right away, but after a little digging, you’ll realize that the actor portrays Barb’s dad, Mr. Holland, in Stranger Things. Muñoz has also been featured in The Walking Dead, and as the Daily Illini points …

Whether the 80’s were a time you actually lived through, or something you experienced secondhand through music, TV, and film, you know that they were “extra” before “extra” was even a thing. Big hair, bright …

Champaign Center Partnership is a non-profit organization dedicated to promoting local business in the Downtown, Midtown, and Campustown areas. They invite local businesses to become Partnership members, so they can take advantage of the added …

I’ve seen Owl Prowl events come up over and over again in my social media feeds, and they always seem to fill up super quickly. So what is an owl prowl? In the case of …

Smile Politely is looking for those interested in photography and videography to join our team as the Multimedia Content Editor for the magazine. The ideal candidate will not merely be passionate about these things, but …

If you liked what you read in my recent interview with local artist Patricia Monigold, you won’t want to miss the chance to meet her tomorrow night, at the artist reception for her new exhibit, …

Lodgic Everyday Community will be starting their first series of book club meetings, and have chosen the book The Leadership Challenge (6th Ed.) by James M. Kouzes and Barry Z. Posner as the first selection. This …

Allerton’s annual beer enthusiast event is coming up March 16th, and there are lots of ways to be involved. If you’re are just here for the learning and tasting, then all it takes is $5 …

Eric J. Garcia, interdisciplinary artist and illustrator, will launch his book tour for Drawing on Anger at the School of Art + Design with a free public lecture Monday, February 25th at 5:30 p.m. at Krannert …

We already got a look into what it is like being on the road with The Dry Look (see Tour Diarie part one and two, and now they’ve begun the process of recording their debut …

Per a Facebook post today, Enchantment Alley has announced they are moving out of their location on Neil Street to 123 W. Main Street in Urbana, or Main Street Plaza.   Photo from Facebook

Destihl has just announced that it will build and open a new, larger restaurant space in southwest Champaign at the Carle at the Fields complex. Set to open in the summer of 2020, the restaurant …

Nando has established every other Tuesday from 6 to 8 p.m. as Date Night. Jim Pryor will be playing the piano, and according to their Facebook event if you let your server know that you’re …

The Land Connection, Urbana’s Market at the Square, Common Ground Food Co-op, and Urbana Business Association’s Market in the Square are collaborating to host this year’s CSA Fair on Saturday, March 16th in Lincoln Square Mall.  …

It’s been 30(!) years since the famed Flyin’ Illini took Illinois into the Final Four, a feat that wouldn’t happen again until 2005 when we inched just one step closer to the elusive championship. In …

This weekend you have the opportunity to view a newly discovered silent film from 1930, Borderline. The screening will happen at Foellinger Auditorium at 3 p.m. on Sunday, February 24th. Admission is free. Check out this …

Talk about a 10 year challenge — Black Dog Urbana looks great! The secret to preventing the onset of wrinkles must be copious amounts of smoked meats.  Happy Birthday, Black Dog!   Top photo by Jessica …

From the press release: BEND THE ARC:CU jewish action February 17, 2019 CHAMPAIGN—Bend the Arc:CU and CU Progressives are sponsoring a rally and march on Monday, February 18, to protest the president’s declaration of a …

Last summer, we shared that Fernando’s would be opening a restaurant space in Midtown Champaign. Things have shifted, and now Fernando’s will open a restaurant at 612 Daniel in Champaign. The location is ideal for …

More news about Nafissa Thompson-Spires’ rise to fame has come up today: Amazon Studios has hired playwright Antoinette Wandu to adapt Thompson-Spires’ short story Wash Clean The Bones into a film. You can read more about that …

Local artists: sigh a sigh of relief and take the weekend to finalize your application for an Urbana arts grant. The deadline has been extended to Monday, February 18th at 5 p.mm. For applications and …

Have you been to Dumpling Noodle BBQ yet? The Champaign restaurant is only a few months old, but it’s quickly become a go-to for the eponymous items. (The pork noodle soup made our Best of 2018 …

Illinois Public Media is seeking submissions by local filmmakers for the 8th annual PBS Online Film Festival. Here are the details: Film must be 3-15 minutes in length Not more than 3 years old Can …

Doesn’t everyone want to relive their prom night? Okay maybe you don’t want to relive it, but maybe you want a redo. There aren’t many opportunities anymore to get put on fancy clothes and party …

That’s right: Hendrick House is joining the robust list of available CSA options in C-U. Food from Hendrick House and Betsy’s Bistro is always great, and that’s in no small part because of the produce. …

Thanks to 40 North, and the creativity of local artists, the words “Paper Trail” can now conjure up inspiring images of creative applications of fibrous products, rather than disturbing thoughts of recent federal investigations.  Now …

Apparently folks have been extra generous as of late with their donations to The Idea Store, and the staff and volunteers need a donation time out to process. So they’re taking it, from February 17th …

Miga has a few specials for Valentine’s Day, and they sound quite delicious. These fish specials are perfect for sharing, so ask a date (and maybe grab some after dinner mints).  Miga 301 N Neil …

If you’re a planner, mark these dates for these countywide electronics recycling events on your calendar.  The spring collection will be Saturday, May 18th (online registration opens Monday, April 8th). The fall collection will be …

Mark your calendars for September 5-7, 2019. Those are the dates of KCPA’s ELLNORA: The Guitar Festival, a huge music event that happens every two years. From the press release: The Guitar Festival at Krannert …

Yes, flowers seem like kind of a cliché Valentine’s gift, but have you ever received flowers from someone you care about and not appreciated them? No. And if you stop by Fleurish, it is not going …

There’s still time to get in on this year’s Urbana Public Arts Grant Program. Find out how you can get the support you need to make your art a reality. Applications are due Friday, February …

Cafe Kopi‘s food menu is surprisingly robust. I always think that it’s pretty limited, but it’s not; there are hot and cold options, open- and closed-faced sandwiches, and wraps. (Also soups and salads).  I recently …

Have you made your Valentine’s Day dining plans yet? Either with your significant other or your pals or yourself? Well if sushi is your thing, Sakanaya is making it a touch easier to enjoy their …

If you’ve never tried out Urbana Boulders, or bouldering in general, Wednesdays are a great time to give it a shot.  First timers receive 1/2 off a day pass on Wednesdays, making it $6 ($5 …

After December’s installment at Huawei, Champaign County Economic Development Corporation will hold their next TechMix event on Thursday, February 28th.  Here’s the information from the Facebook event: TechMix! at Singleton Law Firm, P.C. Thursday, February …