Smile Politely

The Rainbow Connection: July 2–8

MONDAY, July 2

WHAT: Bi Mix UP

WHERE: The UP Center of Champaign County

WHEN: Monday, July 2, 7:00–8:30 p.m.

The Bi Mix UP group is an ongoing adult support/social group for members of the community who identify as bisexual or bi-questioning. Topics include dating, navigating relationships as bisexuals, coming out, and bi-phobia.

For more information, please contact Matt.

WHAT: 8, the Play

WHERE: The Station Theatre

WHEN: Monday, July 2, 8:00 p.m. | Tuesday, July 3, 8:00 p.m.

The Station Theatre is staging Dustin Lance Black’s verbatim theatre play, 8 on Monday and Tuesday night. Both shows are already sold out, but I’m putting this here anyway, because this play is important and meaningful and amazingly good. Also, even if it wasn’t all of those things, it would still be performed beautifully because, well, the Station Theatre.

Smile Politely’s coverage of this play can be found here.

WHAT: Nekromancy

WHERE: Chester Street Bar

WHEN: Monday, July 2, 9:00 p.m.–2:00 a.m.

Every Monday, DJ SorceryKid, crafts a continuous audio-visual mixshow of the latest and the greatest in dark alternative and underground dance music.

Doors: 9:00 p.m.
Cover: $2.00
Age: 19+

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TUESDAY, July 3

Rainbow Lemonade Stand offers a welcoming, open environment to LGBT and Ally communities to socialize. Whether you’re here for a meeting, with friends or to study, we welcome all!

WHAT: Mpowerment Meeting

WHERE: Green Street Center
              24 E. Green St., Suite 14
              Champaign

WHEN: Tuesday, July 3, 6:00–9:00 p.m.

Mpowerment is a local social and HIV prevention group for young gay/bisexual men. Meetings are open to all young gay and bisexual men interested in becoming involved.

For more information, please contact Carrie Keenan.

WHAT: Man UP: Men’s Support Group

WHERE: The UP Center of Champaign County

WHEN: Tuesday, July 3, 7:00–9:00 p.m.

Man UP is geared towards adult men, ages 26 and up. We meet in a peer support setting with focused discussions on topics such as the coming out process, developing friendships within the community, dating, and more.

For more information go here, or contact Kevin.

WHAT: Circuit Pulse

WHERE: Chester Street Bar

WHEN: Tuesday, July 3, 9:00 p.m.–2:00 a.m.

Featuring:

Circuit Pulse is Champaign-Urbana’s weekly club night featuring all electronic dance music with a circuit party vibe. Every Tuesday features a non-stop mix of:

  • Hi-NRG
  • Eurodance
  • Club House
  • Vocal Trance
  • Italo House
  • French House
  • Hard Trance
  • Progressive Trance
  • Jungle
  • DnB
  • Hard House
  • Scouse House
  • Bassline House

Great drink specials and no cover charge.

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WEDNESDAY, July 4

WHAT: Brother II Brother Meeting

WHERE: Green Street Center
              24 E. Green St., Suite 14
              Champaign

WHEN: Wednesday, July 4, 6:30–9:00 p.m.

B II B is a social group for young men of color who have sexual or loving relationships with other men. The goal is to create a strong positive and healthy community for men of color in Champaign-Urbana.

For more information, please email Rage.

WHAT: Boys Night Out

WHERE: Boltini Lounge

WHEN: Wednesday, July 4, 9:00 p.m.

Every Wednesday is Boys Night Out at Boltini Lounge. DJ Randall Ellison is at the decks spinning Hi-NRG, dance pop, disco house, and oldskool, gay club anthems.

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THURSDAY, July 5

WHAT: Talk It UP

WHERE: The UP Center of Champaign County

WHEN: Thursday, July 5, 6:30–7:30 p.m.

Talk It UP is a peer-run LGBTQ support group for middle and high school youth. LGBTQ youth can expect an atmosphere of acceptance, support, and confidentiality while meeting other LGBTQ youth. The group is co-facilitated by two UP Center board members (one teacher, one social worker); however the group is led by the youth participants.

Topics for the youth group are decided by the youth present.

For more information, please contact Peggy.

WHAT: Open Mic Night

WHERE: Emerald City Lounge

WHEN: Thursday, July 5, 8:00–11:00 p.m.

Join us for Mike Solomon‘s One Night Stand at Emerald City! Michael hosts Open Mic Night every Thursday. Stop in early for half price appetizers and drink specials until 7:00 p.m.

If you’re interested in performing on open mic night, call Emerald City at (217) 398-8661.

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SUNDAY, July 8

WHAT: Sunday Night Drag Shows

WHERE: Chester Street Bar

WHEN: Sunday, July 8, 11:30 p.m.–2:00 a.m.

C-Street hosts drag shows every Sunday, with different performers every week. The first Sunday of every month is Open Talent Night, hosted by Ceduxion Carrington, so anyone who wants to sing, dance, or give drag a try can compete for a cash prize.


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Disclaimer: This is not a comprehensive list of all LGBTQ events in our community. Please always feel free to email me or post other events/updates/corrections in the comments.

Except on rare occasions, all language is taken directly from event pages and websites, and only minimally edited.

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