MONDAY, March 18
WHAT: Youth Time
WHERE: UP Center of Champaign County
WHEN: Every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday, 3:00–6:00 p.m.
Youth Time is open time for youth in the UP Center meeting space. During this time, the UP Center meeting space will be open for youth in middle school and high school (13–17) to use to socialize, do homework, relax, or just spend time together. There will be an adult staff member in the space, but otherwise this time is reserved for youth only.
Youth groups Play It UP and Talk It UP will continue from 6:30–7:30, but the UP Center will now be open to youth before group from 3–6 p.m. Please join us!
For more information, please contact Maggie.
WHAT: Bi Mix UP
WHERE: The UP Center of Champaign County
WHEN: Monday, Mar. 18, 7:00-8:30 p.m.
Bi Mix UP 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: Nekromancy
WHERE: Chester Street Bar
WHEN: Monday, Mar. 18, 9:00 p.m.-2:00 a.m.
Every Monday, DJs SorceryKid, Rasclin, and Hivemind, craft 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, March 19
WHAT: Mpowerment Meeting
WHERE: Green Street Center
24 E. Green St., Suite 14
Champaign
WHEN: Tuesday, Mar. 19, 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, Mar. 19, 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 Bowersox-Johnson.
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WEDNESDAY, March 20
WHAT: Brother II Brother Meeting
WHERE: Green Street Center
24 E. Green St., Suite 14
Champaign
WHEN: Wednesday, Mar. 20, 6:00–8:00 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: Trans UP
WHERE: The UP Center of Champaign County
WHEN: Wednesday, Mar. 20, 7:00–8:30 p.m.
Trans UP is a group for members of the transgender community to come together in a safe space to discuss our lives and socialize.
Topics for discussion can relate to the coming out process, transitioning, becoming comfortable with ourselves, and living as a trans person in general society, dating, and more — all while developing friendships and networking within the community.
A private changing room is available adjacent to meeting space. Privacy and confidentiality are respected and appreciated.
For more information, please contact Jena Decker.
WHAT: Boys Nite Out
WHERE: Boltini Lounge
WHEN: Wednesday, Mar. 20, 9:00 p.m.
Every Wednesday is Boys Nite Out at Boltini Lounge. DJ Randall Ellison is at the decks spinning Hi-NRG, dance pop, disco house, and oldskool, gay club anthems.
WHAT: Karaoke Party!
WHERE: Emerald City Lounge
WHEN: Wednesday, Mar. 20, 9:00–11:00 p.m.
Emerald City hosts Karaoke every Wednesday. Doors open at 5:00. Order some great food, enjoy the drink specials, and at 9:00 p.m. join in on the fun and show everyone what you’ve got!
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THURSDAY, March 21
WHAT: Play It UP
WHERE: The UP Center of Champaign County
WHEN: Thursday, Mar. 21, 6:30–7:30 p.m.
Play It UP is a social group for LGBTQA middle and high school youth. Play it UP is peer-led, adult-supported, and an official program of The UP Center. The facilitators of the group include two board members and the youth seat on the Board of Directors.
Youth involved in Play it UP organize monthly social events for LGBTQA youth to engage in, including movie nights, putt-putt, bowling, etc.
Information shared at Play it UP is strictly confidential, including youths’ presence at the group.
For more information, please contact Peggy.
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FRIDAY, March 22
WHAT: Oz the Great and Powerful Tribute
WHERE: Emerald City Lounge
WHEN: Friday–Saturday, Mar. 22–23, 5:00 p.m.–2:00 a.m.
Emerald City will serve “themed specials” while Oz the Great and Powerful is showing in C-U. Specials include $1 off all Emerald City Themed Martinis and free desert when you bring in your theater ticket.
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SATURDAY, March 23
WHAT: Saturday Night Royals
WHERE: Emerald City Lounge
WHEN: Saturday, Mar. 23, 11:00 p.m. – 2:00 a.m.
Join Emerald City Lounge every Saturday for a Royal Event. You’ll enjoy the Best and Brightest Stars of Drag that Downstate Illinois has to offer.
Call (217) 398-8661 or email for information on the featured headliner and reservations.
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SUNDAY, March 24
WHAT: Sunday Night Drag Shows
WHERE: Chester Street Bar
WHEN: Sunday, Mar. 24, 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.
ANNOUNCEMENTS
The UP Center is preparing for its Fourth Annual Turn It UP! fundraiser and variety show
The event will be held on Friday, April 12, at 88 Broadway.
They are currently looking for a diverse group of performers. Performances in the past have included a wide variety of musicians, spoken word artists, comedians, and more. If you are interested in performing, please email the UP Center by March 22, 2013.
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Nominations Needed for the 2013 LGBTA Awards
The LGBTA Awards, sponsored by the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Resource Center, were created to celebrate the achievements of the LGBTA campus community at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. All students, staff, and faculty are encouraged to nominate their peers, students, colleagues, and co-workers for one of the awards listed below.
Nominations must be submitted only by those affiliated with the university via this link. Note: please scroll down the page to find the nomination form.
Recipients selected for an award by the LGBTA Awards Committee will be honored with a Certificate of Recognition at the Lavender Graduation & Awards Ceremony on May 1, 2013 at 5:00 p.m.
The deadline for nominations is 5:00 p.m., Friday, April 5, 2013.
Nominations are being accepted for the following awards:
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Distinguished Service Award
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Faculty/Staff Leadership Award
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Emerging Leader Award
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Ally Award
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Unsung Advocate Award
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Student Organization Award
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Outstanding Student Research Award
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BridgeBuilding Award
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Catalyst Award
For more information, go here.
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Are you an LGBTQA student graduating this year (May ’13/Dec ’13)? If you are interested in participating in Lavender Graduation on May 1, 2013 at 5:00 p.m., please email your full preferred name, degree title, and major to the LGBT Resource Center. They must receive your information by April 19, 2013 in order for your name to appear in the program.
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The UP Center of Champaign County is currently searching for potential films to show at their annual Reel It UP event in June. They are looking to show one film per Tuesday of the month, and are in need of diverse film choices related to the LGBT community (family friendly, political, erotic, racially diverse, kinks, sub-culture, etc.). Films that are feature-length (60 min., 120 min. max) and made in 2011 or earlier are preferred.
If you are a filmmaker or know someone who might be interested in having the UP Center show his/her film for free or at discounted price, please contact Tencia for more information.
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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.