FRIDAY, June 17th
Radiohead: A Moon Shaped Pool Listening Event, Exile on Main St., noon-9 p.m., Free.
Downtown Champaign’s favorite record store, Exile on Main St., will be streaming exclusive content from Radiohead, including a special 2-hour live set of performances from their latest tour. For Radiohead fans, this one is a must. (BH)
Check out a new restaurant, Wood N’ Hog Barbecue, 904 N 4th St, Champaign, 11 a.m-8 p.m., prices vary
Wood N’ Hog just opened this week. While there are sure to be some hitches in service, it’s a promising endeavor. There are plenty of meaty options, but do keep in mind that it’s a brand new restaurant and it’s likely that things will sell out, or only be available in limited quantities. Image from Facebook. (JH)
Styx and Cheap Trick, The new Grange Grove at Memorial Stadium (tickets start at $43), 7:30 p.m.
There’s still time to catch the enjoyable ostentation of Styx and Cheap Trick at the opening concert of Memorial Stadium’s brand new Grange Grove tonight. Whether you love or hate the swagger of 70’s stadium rock, these guys know how to put on one hell of a show, and they are the perfect lineup for a grand opening. Get ready to watch two music icons bust it open in an iconic setting. General Admission tickets at $43 plus fees, with students getting a $5 discount. (JM)
Mind over madness, (a cabaret), Institute 4 Creativity 111 S. Walnut St., Champaign, 9 p.m., $20 cash at the door.
Ever felt kinda crazy? Ever want to sing about it, and/or hear someone sing about it? (That might just be the crazy talking) A full swing band will accompany Katie Flynn as she performs original songs about being bonkers and digging it. Only squares celebrate Mental Health Awareness Month in May — us insiders know being batshit is a year-round endeavor. Oh yeah, rated R-ish. (RK)
Turn It UP!, The Accord, 7 p.m., $10 advance/$15 cash at the door
If there’s one party I’d go to on Friday night, it would be The UP Center’s Turn It Up event, which doubles as a fundraiser for the organization, and will feature music from New Souls, The Autocorrect, Isaac Arms and more. Hanging out for a good cause; what could be better? (BH)
SATURDAY, June 18th
Champaign Flea Market, 601 North Country Fair Drive, Champaign, 8 a.m. – 2 p.m.
This is the first of four flea markets in C-U. This year’s location features indoor bathrooms, air conditioning, a concession stand, and free parking. Shop local crafters, antiques, garage and yard sale items, and home based businesses. Gather up your cloth shopping bags and head out to check out all of the treasures! (SL)
Champaign County Master Gardeners’ Garden Walk, 9 a.m.-4 p.m., $10/advance and $12/day of
The Champaign County Master Gardeners invite you to experience some serious garden envy this Saturday. The walk features nine gardens in Champaign, Philo, Tolono, and Urbana. Tickets can be purchased at the University of Illinois Extension Office at 801 North Country Fair Drive in Champaign as well as at the following Garden Centers: Country Arbors, Danville Gardens Too, Illini FS, Praire Gardens, and Ropp’s Flower Factory in Mahomet. (RP)
Juneteenth celebration, Douglass Park, 504 E. Grove St., Champaign, 12-3 p.m., FREE
Juneteenth (6/19) is the day chosen to celebrate the Emancipation Proclamation, and the abolition of slavery. Douglass Branch Library and Champaign Park District have collaborated once again to bring a day of fun, food, free stuff and togetherness for all the citizens of C-U. There will be things to do for people of all ages, including live music and DJs, crafts, the awesome water features, food trucks, and a raffle. Most importantly, it’s a great way to spread joy, love, and celebration — things that truly make America Great. (RK)
Uncork Urbana Wine Festival, Main and Race Streets, 1-9 p.m., $15 in advance / $20 day of
The Uncork Urbana Wine festival celebrates the diverse and delicious wines that the state of Illinois has to offer. Illinois wine-lovers can enjoy an afternoon/evening of wine tasting, live music, and food. Admission includes 5 tasting tickets and a souvenir wine glass. (RP)
Buy dad this unique gift for father’s day, Sipyard, 204 W Main St, Urbana, 4-6 p.m. (SL)
Sipyard is a happening place. And this Saturday, in conjunction with Delight Flower Farm, they are hosting a beer drinking, hop plant buying snack eating event. If your dad loves beer, is a brewer or even has a green thumb he’ll appreciate the uniquness of a hop plant living in his backyard. Plus you can have a cold beer and a snack while you’re shopping. More about the event here and more about Delight Flower Farm here. (SL)
Street Fest, 7 p.m.-12 a.m., Neil and Main Streets, Downtown Champaign, free
The Champaign Parks District’s Street Fest promises visitors local music, food trucks, and food and drink from a variety of Champaign venues. Also on hand will be face painting, sidewalk chalking, and balloon animals to bring out the kid in you. (EJ)
Sunjacket, Boycut, Christy Hays. The Fights, Cowboy Monkey, 9 p.m., $7
Cowboy Monkey’s lineup this Saturday features a handful of bands whose wide variety of sounds still manage to coalesce harmoniously. Chicago’s Sunjacket headline with brooding, subdued alternative rock that is deftly juxtaposed with the sound of their tourmates, C-U’s synthpop outfit Boycut. Originally from Tuscola, Christy Hays is a Texas musician whose poignant vocals and forlorn lyrics form a thoughtful type of alt-country that is of its own class. Add folky C-U favorites The Fights to the mix, and you’ve got a world of sounds all under one roof. (JM)
SUNDAY, June 19th
Pick some blueberries, Goosecreek Blueberries, 755 E 1950 N, Monticello, anytime, $2.50 per pound
Why buy grocery store blueberries when you can pick your own, locally grown ones? At $2.50 per pound, it’s cheaper than the grocery store (generally), and I’m sure they taste better. Buckets and bags are provided. Bring cash to pay. Think of all the pies you can make. And cobbler. And crisp. And jelly. Or jam. Really, the possibilities are endless. For more info, check out Goosecreek’s Facebook page. Image from Facebook. (JH)
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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.