FRIDAY, July 8th
Abnormous + Church Booty w/ Love In The Dark, The Accord, 8 p.m., $10/door, 19+
If I know one thing about local music over the past couple of years, it’s that Abnormous and Church Booty know how to rock a crowd. After the week the world has had, we could all use some dancing, I’m sure, and this is as good of place as any to do it. (BH)
Eat pasta, your choice, but consider The Bread Co., bacaro, or Nando Milano, all weekend, prices vary
Scientists just figured out that eating pasta doesn’t make you gain weight. Yay! So go ahead and enjoy that dish of pasta this weekend. Consider making your own with some fresh veggies. Whip up some garlic scape pesto. Or, order that dish from your favorite restaurant. I’m a fan of Bread Co’s pasta with pesto; it’s delish. Nearly every restaurant in town has some sort of pasta on the menu, so eat up! Photo by Jessica Hammie. (JH)
OUTSIDE at the Research Park, 60 Hazelwood Dr., Champaign, 6:30 p.m., free
Bone Jugs will kick the night of music off at 6:30 p.m. followed by Son Jarocho who play a style of Mexican son music from Veracruz mixed with Caribbean sounds. The event will contribute to fund expansion of monarch butterfly habitats in Champaign County through a partnership with the Prairie Rivers Network. Check out the Facebook page for more information. (SL)
Junior Stopka, Soma Ultralounge, 8 p.m., $8 in advance online
As part of its Summer Stand-up Comedy Series, C-U Comedy welcomes Junior Stopka of NBC’s Last Comic Standing and Comedy Central. He will be joined by Donny Townsend, Andrew Cline, and Brice Solano. You can reserve tickets online here. (RP)
The Underwerewolves & Slick Lisp, Exile on Main St., 7 p.m., free
The Underwerewolves make hilarious novelty rock that has a hint of They Might Be Giants. It’s also very reminiscent of video game music and thus bound to entice the kids. Their EP Felicia vs. Stegotron is a three-song soundtrack to a comic of the same name, also put out by the band, about a crime-fighting turtle. Feel free to wear your cape, regardless of age. This show is another free, all-ages set at Exile that is sure to make ‘em laugh. It might also make ‘em punch the air and exclaim “POW! POW!” (JM)
SATURDAY, July 9th
IMC Mural Unveiling, Broadway & Elm, Urbana, 12-2 p.m., FREE
Maya Bauer has been working for months on a mural to celebrate the spirit of Urbana’s Independent Media Center, and its mission to be a community center. It is officially being declared complete, and to celebrate there will be music, dancing, firetrucks and a bouncehouse. The idea is to create a carnival atmosphere in the heart of downtown Urbana. Hang around after the Market and celebrate with your fellow townsfolk. (RK)
Tour de fruit bicycle tour, 3-6 p.m., Neutral Cycle, 624 S 5th St, Champaign, free
Tour de Fruit Round 2 will take you to the edge of town for an interactive 13 milewild food bike ride. On the way you’ll pass by several local forests to look at examples of native forest succession. The ride will include one long break you’ll get a close view of a variety of edible, medicinal, and dye plants. Both native and invasive species will be discussed during the trip. Be prepared for a 3 hour round trip with plenty of extra water and sunscreen. At the end of the ride you’ll enjoy a dessert made with locally-foraged ingredients courtesy of The Red Herring Vegetarian Restaurant. More information on the Facebook page. (SL)
From the Front Lines of Global Peacemaking, Channing Murray Foundation, 7 p.m., free
The Channing Murray Foundation is hosting Kathy Kelly, a two-time Nobel Peace Prize nominee, humanitarian and American peace activist, who has spent a lifetime standing in solidarity with the victims of global violence and resisting the forces that perpetuate war and conflict around the world. As a co-founder and leader of Voices for Creative Non-Violence, Kathy is committed to the use of active non-violence as a means of speaking truth to power, both military and economic. From being on the ground in Bagdad during “shock and awe” to sending over 75 delegations to Iraq and Afghanistan, as well as emergency contingents to Gaza and Bahrain, Voices for Creative Non-Violence has been present with some of the people most forgotten and most affected by war in the Middle East. (RP)
Adult Swim, Crystal Lake Aquatic Center, 8-10 p.m., $5
Sure, those slides are there for the kids, but sometimes you want to relax in a pool without all the noise. If you don’t have kids, great! show up. If you do, your kids are invited to a pajama party in the Purves Nature Center (additional $3 per kid, registration requested). Enjoy the cool of twilight and the pool, and slide that slide all by your grown-up self. No booze is allowed, which is probably for the best. (RK)
The Kickback, The Accord, 9 p.m., $8 advance/$10 door
Chicago’s indie pop band The Kickback are on the cusp of stardom and poised to make a big breakout. The band has gathered buzz through the support of big name music critics, and their first LP was produced by Jim Eno, the drummer of Spoon. Frontman Billy Yost is quite the charismatic fellow and tends to spearhead entertaining shows. The Inn Keepers and King of the Coast will also be there in support of the band, making for another solid night of music at The Accord. (JM)
SUNDAY, July 10th
Wash your dog, Prairie Farm, 2202 W Kirby Ave, Champaign, 1 to 3 p.m., $5 donation
Nothing says summer like a filthy, stinky, muddy pooch. Fetch! Pet Care of Champaign is partnering with the Champaign Park District’s Prairie Farm to offer doggie baths. Donate to your dog-related charity of choice instead of paying the Prairie Farm admission. Keep your pup on a leash. Image from Facebook. (JH)
Marathon + Melkbelly w/ Wallow, Independent Media Center, 202 S. Broadway, Urbana, 8 p.m., $5, All Ages
The IMC is back in the game as far as being a venue for live shows, and while I’ve heard good things about the place, I have never experienced it for myself. What better time to check it out than a Sunday night for only a fiver? Seems like a good deal to me. Plus, it’s always great to have another all-ages venue in town. (BH)
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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.