Smile Politely

Weekender: August 30-September 2

Friday, August 30th

Try some pizza, drink some wine, Analog, 5 to 8 p.m., prices vary

The folks at Analog have been working on a pan pizza recipe, and this Friday and into September any glass of wine purchase will come with a slice of pizza, while supplies last. Here’s an opportunity to have a little snack with your drink, and provide some feedback on what is and isn’t working with Analog’s pizza recipe. (JH) Photo from Analog’s Facebook page

Check out the Flatlands Dance Film Festival, Spurlock Museum, 7 p.m. $10 for general admission and $5 for students and seniors

Fans of dance and film will love this two-day festival of dance-themed films and panels brought to you by Dance at Illinois. Flatlands 2019 kicks off with the full-length film, La Chana. Come back on Saturday for the winners of the Flatlands Short Films Competition Program, highlighting sixteen short dance films from a variety of different countries. And don’t miss the free two-hour workshop on the genre of screendance. (DD) 

Emily Blue, The Fantastic Plastics, Blackbird, $8-$10, 7:30 p.m.

Emily Blue spent many years in this music scene before venturing to Chicago to continue her music career up north, and you might remember her other band Tara Terra as well. She’s performing on Friday night at Blackbird in Downtown Urbana on her “Call Me Back” tour, which hits a variety of cities in the midwest. (PS) Photo from the Facebook event

Saturday, August 31st

Head to Urbana’s Market at the Square, Illinois & Vine, Urbana, 7 a.m. to noon, prices vary

On this holiday weekend, stop by the market on Saturday morning to pick up a bunch of yummy produce and locally sourced meats for your end of summer celebration. This is prime bounty time at the market, so you’ll have plenty of options from which to choose. (JH)

Go get some ice cream, all over C-U and beyond, all weekend, probably about $5/person

But where should you go, you ask? How about one of the following: Red Bicycle Ice Cream, Sidney Dairy Barn, Dewey’s, Grovestone, Prairie Fruits Farm at Urbana’s Market at the Square and/or the farm itself, and I guess Jarling’s if you like ice milk. (JH) Photo by Jessica Hammie

Celebrate Pour Bros.’ one-year anniversary, Pour Bros. Taproom, 12 p.m. to midnight, prices vary

The bar that boasts 28 self-serve beers, ciders, meads, and wines is celebrating their first anniversary since opening in downtown Champaign. Pour Bros. Taproom will be releasing a special tap list and have specialty drink tents on their patio this Saturday during their 1st Anniversary Celebration. Stop by for a your favorite drink (or three) and wish them happy birthday! (SP) Top photo by Steven Pratten

Root for your fave members of Champaign Ladies Amateur Wrestling (CLAW) at the Battle for the Belt, Canopy Club, 7 p.m., $15, must be 18+

Nothing says holiday weekend like an amateur wrestling match, am I right? And this event is bringing it all, music from Aquila and DJ Baub, plus laughs from CU Broad Comedy. Talk about an end-of-summer blow out!  Get tickets online. (DD) Photo from the Facebook event

Sunday, September 1st

Go eat all the cheese, and maybe a corndog, Arthur Cheese Festival, 10 a.m to 5 p.m., free to attend

Take a Sunday drive down to Amish country and visits the Arthur Cheese Festival, happening all weekend. You can watch the Cheese Carving Championship, hear some live music, enjoy some free cheese, and load up on fair food before coming home to lay down and deal with the stomachache you’ve developed. The festival is also happening Saturday and Monday if one of those days suits your scheduling. You can see the full schedule of events here. (JM)

Watch some Illini Volleyball, Huff Hall, 1 p.m., $10-15

Last season, the volleyball team had an amazing run, finishing their season in the Final Four of the NCAA Championships. This Sunday is your opportunity to celebrate with the team. You can have your picture taken with the trophy, see the banner unveiling, and receive a free banner replica poster. Team member will be signing autographs after the match. Get your tickets here. (JM) Photo by Scott Wells

Prairie Jam 2019, Rose Bowl Tavern, free, 7 p.m.

Apparently, this group of humans get together every Sunday of Labor Day weekend to play music together, and even though Prairie Jam got its start in someone’s house in the 80s, they’re doing this thing at Rose Bowl on Sunday evening. It’ll be a bunch of covers mixed with some original music from a variety of musicians, and definitely an option for your weekend. (PS)

Monday, September 2nd

Get some candy (or have your kids do it) at the Labor Day parade, Lincoln Square Mall to Prairie Park, Urbana, 10 a.m., free

Enjoy your Labor Day by watching the annual Labor Day parade, sponsored by the AFL-CIO of Champaign County. The parade will begin at Lincoln Square mall and will finish at Prairie Park in Urbana, where a picnic will immediately follow. The parade will include floats from several local organizations and the picnic will feature games, speakers, and entertainment. (SP) Photo from Facebook event page

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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.

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