FRIDAY, August 26th
Cooking with herbs workshop, Allerton Park, 10 a.m. – 12 p.m., $5 pre-registration required
For all you early birds that love tasty herbs, here is your event. Join Kay Carnes, Master Gardener and Mid-American Gardener panelist out at beautiful Allerton for a workshop on growing herbs and a tour of the Illinois Herb Association certified herb garden. She’ll teach you how to grow herbs properly in the local climate and how to cook with the spices in a variety of recipes. More on the website. (SL)
Sweetcan festival, Sipyard, 4 p.m. to 2 a.m., prices vary
As the folks at Sipyard put it, “Hundreds of ice cold cans from Triptych Brewing, Founders Brewing Co., and Stone Brewing. Take a breather from the Sweetcorn festivities and grab a cold one on our patio (Curbana) or inside the beer garden.” Sweetcorn is a particular type of intense, and Sipyard can be your refuge. And the beer is better than Miller Lite. Image from Facebook. (JH)
Caleb Cook EP Release Party, Loose Cobra, 6:30-9 p.m., free
The Caleb Cook band is release its EP, so this is a good weekend to head down to the Loose Cobra, listen to some local honky tonk sounds, and throw back some cheap beers. Copies of the EP will be available for $5. (RP)
CJ Run @ Friday Night Live, Main & Chestnut, 7 p.m., free, all ages
One of the best local music acts to essentially come out of nowhere this past year was CJ Run, an excellent emcee. If you haven’t seen them yet, I’m sure you won’t be disappointed. Plus it’s outside and free on a Friday, so there’s not really an excuse if you even remotely like hip-hop. (BH)
Grateful Dead Tribute feat. Sunshine Daydream, Cowboy Monkey, 9 p.m., $7
Even if you don’t dig the ‘Dead, there is no denying the appeal of the hippie ethos – I mean, what’s wrong with peace and love? Come celebrate these sentiments on Friday with a Grateful Dead tribute band. If it’s nice out, you could even frolick in the beer garden. It’s still summer, after all. (JM)
Late Night Punk Rock Karaoke, The Accord, FREE, 19+, Doors at 9 p.m.
Similar to Chance the Rapper or ice cream, karaoke is a universally good thing. This Friday, the good people at The Accord will be throwing a more alternatively-themed version, but I’m sure it’ll be just as much, if not more fun than the original version. Plus it’s crazy amounts of free. (BH)
SATURDAY, August 27th
C-U Across the Prairie, departure point: Parasol Records (303 W. Griggs, Urbana), 7 a.m., registration fee
The Prairie Cycle Club’s signature event, C-U Across the Prairie, happens this weekend. Choose a ride between 15 and 100 miles, register here, and show up ready for a bagel breakfast, entry into drawings, and lots of time on the open roads. Online registration ends today, August 26. (RP)
Eat barbecue, listen to music, Strawberry Fields, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., $6.99
Strawberry Fields is having a party, and you’re invited. There will be live music at the store, and you can grab a dish of food for only $7. Choose from a brat, Italian sausage, burger, or veggie kabob, and it’ll be served with salad, sweet corn, and a beverage. Downtown Urbana will be busy this weekend, so get the early start. (JH)
A Ballerina’s Tale with panel discussion at Flatlands Dance Film Festival, Spurlock Museum, 1 p.m., $5 (students)-$10 (civilian).
I do not know a lot about dance, but I do know the first male African-American principal dancer of A.B.T. was named in 1969, and it was 2015 before the same company named Misty Copeland its prima ballerina. The discussion following will be held with Endalyn Taylor, principal dancer of Dance Theatre of Harlem beginning in 1993, who know teaches at Dance Illinois. I think this will be an enlightening, and beautiful way to spend your afternoon for just a few dollars. (RK)
SUNDAY, August 28th
8 Ball pool tournament, Jupiter’s Downtown Champaign, 12 p.m., $20 entry
Check out this BAC rules, double elimination, 100% payback, $300 addded garauntee pool tournament at one of them gems of Downtown Champaign. Add in a crisp, delicious, BBQ chicken thin crust pizza and a cold brew from the tap and you’ve got yourself a nice little Sunday afternoon. Check out more info on the facebook page. (SL)
Lavender, Monterrey, & three more bands, Blips and Chitz, 7 p.m., $5
Although we may have had to say goodbye to catching shows at Institute 4 Creativity, the spirit of those gigs lives on. Show houses like Blips and Chitz will be working with I4C’ers to keep bringing us the good stuff. The bands for Sunday’s show are different flavors of emo and experimental music. (JM)
Matsuri! a Japanese Festival at Japan House, 2000 S. Lincoln Ave., Urbana, 2-7 p.m., FREE.
Taiko drums, Tsugaru-shamisen performances, martial arts demonstrations, bonsai, Ikebana, and food! Word on the street is that organizers have learned from last year’s turnout and are ready for the enthusiastic crowds. One big development is that food/drink/activity tickets are available for pre-purchase online. This is one place where I think the “convenience fee” is actually worth it. I am definitely braving it, because I do not want to miss the chance to try on samurai armor, and watch fireworks! (RK)
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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.