Friday, August 24th
Eat at Thara Thai, 912 Bloomington Rd, Champaign, 11 a.m. to 9:30 p.m.
It’s been a while since I’ve eaten at Thara Thai. I used to go there all the time, but as new restaurants have opened, I’ve gone exploring. Last week a friend and I decided to go there for lunch because we both hadn’t been in a while, and let me just say that we are brilliant for making the decision (though arguably less brilliant for not visiting in some time). The food was delicious. We went during lunch on a weekday, and were able to take advantage of lunch specials ($9), so it was incredibly affordable, too. Regular prices are around $12, give or take, depending on what you order obviously. Go there this weekend. I promise you won’t be disappointed. (JH) Photo by Jessica Hammie
Friday Night Live, Downtown Champaign, 6 to 8 p.m., free
It’s the last Friday Night Live of the season, so go downtown and live it up. This one will be unique, as the City of Champaign has created a Downtown Festival District for this one evening, allowing you to carry your beverage out and about (as long as it’s purchased from a participating establishment). Dine on a patio, stroll with your beer, listen to some tunes, and soak up one of the last weekends of summer. (JM) Photo from Facebook
Pop-Up Gallery, 105 S. Walnut, 5 to 9 p.m., free
While you’re downtown, check out some art and music in the alley behind Furniture Lounge. There will be artwork from Greg Stallmeyer, Kelly Hieronymus, Carol Farnum, and Gary Keeler, as well as music by Garrett and the Geezers and JAM. (JM)
Saturday, August 25th
Mini golf, Old Orchard, 10 a.m.-12 a.m., $6+
A couple of weeks ago I went to Old Orchard’s mini golf course for the first time. Yes, I know — I’ve lived here for quite a while and this was my first time doing this. Instead of being ashamed I’m laying it out here for you. Perhaps you’re like me, and haven’t been before. This is a fun time, and pretty inexpensive, and a fun activity for a weekend. $6 gets you 18 holes (Orange course was recommended for us), and there are snacks and cold ones in the clubhouse as well. Bring a friend. (PS) Top photo by Patrick Singer
Tito Carrillo Sextet, Melvin Knight and the Amber Sky, The Front Porch in Philo, 6:30 p.m., free
I wrote about this in the Overture, but wanted to mention it again here. Tito Carrillo is a highly talented jazz musician here in town, and he’ll be performing with one of the best talents in C-U, Melvin Knight (aka Crofton Coleman) and his band.Do yourself a favor and listen to Melvin Knight’s Shades of Us, which came out recently. (PS) Photo from the Facebook event
Go see 2001: A Space Odyssey, The Virginia Theatre, 1 or 7 p.m., $8
The Virgina has procured a copy of the iconic film in 70mm, and there have been showings all this week. You still have four chances: Friday and Saturday at 7 p.m. and Saturday and Sunday at 1 p.m. If you weren’t aware, the film has ties to C-U in the form of the evil computer HAL 9000, who claims to have it’s origins in Urbana. It’s quite enjoyable to see films at The Virginia, and this is a great one to watch or rewatch on the big screen. You can purchase tickets online or at the box office. (JM)
Sunday, August 26th
Take a little road trip, towns around C-U, all weekend, prices vary
Students move back in this weekend, which means C-U is about to get a little more crowded, and traffic this weekend will be annoying. Now’s the perfect time to take a road trip to avoid some C-U congestion. Consider venturing out to Dewey’s Drive In (Farmer City), or up to Rantoul for burgers, or out to Sleepy Creek Vineyards. You could even take a trip to Arthur, and follow the same path Sheena outlines in her recent article. (JH) Photo by Sheena Spikes
Register voters, the Quad, 12 to 4 p.m., free
If you’d rather just throw yourself into the sea of students, here’s your opportunity. Sunday is Quad Day, and that means the quad is going to be a mass of students signing up for things like the Illini Smite Club or the Beekeeping Club. It’s also a great opportunity to get students registered to vote here in C-U, and oh man do we need them to vote. The People’s Agenda is looking for volunteers for this task, and you can sign up here. (JM)
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All event information is accurate to the best of our abilities, but sometimes we make mistakes and sometimes event information, times, prices, etc., change after we look them up. Whenever possible, we’ve provided a link to the original event page; you should always double-check the source before you make any firm plans. Thanks for your understanding.