Smile Politely

Weekender: July 31-August 2

While we encourage you to check out what’s happening around C-U this weekend, please use precautions to help prevent the spread of COVID-19. If you are out and about, please wear a mask, social distance, wash your hands, and most importantly, respect the people around you, especially the employees that work at these establishments.

Friday, July 31st

Learn about Prairie Skies, your backyard, 7 p.m., free

Staerkel Planetarium is taking it’s Prairie Skies series online so that you can get a narrated tour of the summer sky from your own home. Grab your device and head out to your yard to see what stars, planets, and constellations you can see in the sky above your home. It’s free, just follow the Zoom link on the event page

Help the Prompting Theatre’s documentary win the Easterseals Awareness Challenge, through August 2nd, free on YouTube

The Prompting Theatre, a local troupe of actors with intellectual and developmental disabilities, has created and entered a short behind-the-scenes documentary in the Easterseals Disability Film Challenge. Behind the Scenes celebrates their 25-year history. Watch the film on YouTube, like, share, and comment to help them win the Awareness Challenge Award. (DD) 

Saturday, August 1st

Attend at cheese tasting, World Harvest, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., free

Every Saturday World Harvest offers a free cheese tasting. It’s the perfect opportunity to try something new, get a snack while you shop, and learn about different cheeses. (JH)

A large caramel iced latte in a plastic to-go cup with a plastic straw sits on a wooden table outside Aroma Cafe. Photo by Stephanie Wheatley.

Photo by Stephanie Wheatley.

Grab a coffee, local C-U businesses, hours vary, prices vary

Skip the chains and buy your coffee local this weekend. Stephanie shared 5 great local iced lattes, and each of these places offers a variety of coffee. Go wild and pick up coffee for a friend, too, and drop it off on their porch this Saturday morning. Everyone can use a little random act of kindness (and some caffeine). (AB)

A basket of fries with a thick, light brown batter sit next to a plastic side cup of white dipping sauce on parchment paper. Next to the basket of fries are two pints of beer on a scratched, wooden pub table. Photo from Murphy's Pub Facebook page.

Photo from Murphy’s Pub Facebook page.

Try some pickle fries, Murphy’s Pub, 11 a.m. to 2 a.m. $5.83

Murphy’s is frying up some spicy pickle fries that pair well with beer. If fries and beer don’t say weekend, I don’t know what does. They offer indoor and outdoor seating, and the whole menu looks like weekend grub. (AB)

Kilborn Alley, Rose Bowl Tavern, 7 to 10 p.m., $10

The weather is supposed to be lovely on Friday night, so if you’re looking for a socially-distanced hang and live music, Rose Bowl’s show is your ticket. Mind you, you must email them to reserve your spot at rosebowltavern@gmail.com, they’ll give you more details about group sizes and what’s possible. Wear masks, respect their crew, and enjoy the patio. (PS)

Photo from Chicago Farmer’s Facebook page.

Chicago Farmer, Pour Bros, 8 to 11 p.m., free

Chicago Farmer is performing a rare free show, so stop by Pour Bros for a cold one and to catch the tunes. (PS)

Sunday, August 2nd

Visit Curtis Orchard, 11 a.m to 6 p.m., free (but bring money because you know you’ll want to buy things)

Curtis Orchard opened a couple of weeks ago, giving us another opportunity to go enjoy some outdoor activities and buy local produce and treats. Try out the corn maze, find this year’s new kittens, and then make sure to grab some fresh fruits and veggies. They have both peaches and apples available now, as well as a bunch of other items. And obviously you should have a cider slush and bring some donuts home. (JM)

A white dog with a long fur, pointy ears and a long snout looks into the camera. It’s mouth is open to appear as if it is smiling. Behind it is a dog that resembles an akita or a husky, with its tail curled up. It is walking but its head is turned away from the camera. In the background is a gate to keep the dogs in one area. Image from The Dog Den’s Facebook page.

Image from The Dog Den’s Facebook page.

Check out The Dog Den, 31 E Kenyon Rd Champaign, 4 to 6 p.m., free

The Dog Den has a new facility and is celebrating with a grand opening. You’ll be able to see the space and meet the staff before deciding on sending your pooch to daycare or boarding. (JH)

Image from the Southbend Civic Theatre website. 

Join Nathan and Julie Gunn online for Shelter in Place: A Living Room Vaudeville, 6:30 p.m., $19.99 to livestream

If you’ve got to stay in, you might as well invite some of our most talented local musicians to join you (virtually). Nathan and Julie Gunn are bringing this evening of humor and cabaret performance to you via the South Bend Civic Theatre’s (virtual) stage. The streaming fee allows you 24-hour acess. Available online through August 9th. Find out more here. (DD)

Top photo from Prairie Skies 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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