FRIDAY, June 19th
Go to a county fair, 523 1/2 South Jefferson Street, Cerro Gordo, IL, 6 p.m.-1 a.m., free
County fair season is here and although this fair isn’t directly in your backyard, it is only a short distance away. Smell the corn dogs, funnel cakes, and vinegar fries. Hear the roar of the tractor, scream of the kids on a ride, and the carnival music. See the bright colors, lights, and people. It is going to be a good time. (SL)
Discuss art with real artists, Figure One, 116 N. Walnut, Champaign, 6 p.m., free
Figure One is located between the Blind Pig (big pig) and Cakes on Walnut. It is agallery managed by U of I students, TAs and professors. The current installment, Timeshare, will be discussed by artists starting at 6 p.m. If you’ve never been to the gallery before, this is a great time to go. And talking with the artists will bring you new insight into their work. Highly recommended. Check out more here. (SL)
Windmills, Cantalouper, Tigerbeat, Mike N Molly’s, 9 p.m., free
It’s not every day there’s a cool, free show at MNM’s. Two local indie/emo bands and one from Columbia, and good times in the beergarden, for free. It’s for free. (MR)
Go see Rear Window at the Art Theater Co-op!, 10 p.m.
There are a lot of good new movies playing at the local cineplex. The new Mad Max is great, and Jurassic World is about as much fun as you can have with giant dinosaurs. But there are other movies. Older movies. Movies in which grown-ups where pajamas and neckties (not at the same time). One of my all-time favorite of these is the late night show at the Art this weekend.
Per the Art website: “When professional photographer J.B. “Jeff” Jeffries (James Stewart) is confined to a wheelchair with a broken leg, he becomes obsessed with watching the private dramas of his neighbors play out across the courtyard. When he suspects a salesman may have murdered his wife, Jeffries enlists the help of his socialite girlfriend (Grace Kelly) to investigate the highly suspicious chain of events. One of Alfred Hitchcock’s very best efforts, Rear Window is a crackling suspense masterpiece also ranks as one of cinema’s most trenchant dissections of voyeurism. As in most Hitchcock films, the protagonist is a seemingly ordinary man who gets himself in trouble for his secret desires – ultimately leading to one of the most memorable and gripping endings in all of film history.” Seriously, it’s one of Hitchcock’s best, one of Jimmy Stewart’s best, just… one of the best ever. Go. See. Showing Friday and Saturday night. (MG)
SATURDAY, June 20th
Ice Cream, El Oasis, 510 N Cunningham, Urbana, 11:30 a.m.-9 p.m., about $5
Here’s the truth: C-U doesn’t have much in the way of ice cream selections. That ice milk place? No, thank you. El Oasis is the closest thing we have to an ice cream shop, so go there, and eat some delicious ice cream. Lactose intolerant? No problem. Check out the popsicles, or the water-based sorbets. It’s a Mexican ice cream shop, so the flavors are more exciting than vanilla, chocolate, strawberry. I’m a fan of the mamey, avocado, and queso. (JH)
Have a picnic, West Side Park, or any park of your choosing, all day, prices vary
The rain has made the start of summer miserable. This weekend will be warm but but dry-ish, so why not enjoy the numerous and lovely parks available in our community whilst eating delicious food. Check out carry out from Black Dog in Champaign, or pizza, or a little cheese and charcuterie from Art Mart or Cheese & Crackers. (JH)
Crochet Corner, Room 106, Main Library, 1408 W. Gregory Drive, Urbana, 1-4 p.m., free
Winter is coming. To survive it, you’ll definitely need a set of crocheted Stark dolls (as featured on geekalerts.com). But they cost a fortune, and you’re thrifty as well as crafty. Learn this skill from the masters (or maesters?) at the University Main Libary on Saturday afternoon. (AH)
Death/Death/Death Fest, Thee DeathTower, 3 p.m., $5-10
The folks at Thee DeathTower are hosting a DIY fest of punk and metal bands, local and from around the area. I’d predict hilights will be Earth Witch, Asthma (Springfiled), ACKER and The Marathon Guitarkestra. There’s music going on all day, and you can drop by whenever—just ask a punk for the address. (MR)
Robbie Fulks, Bobby Bare Jr., The Fights, Rebecca Rego & The Trainmen, Chachi and the Banditos, Loose Cobra (Tolono), 4 p.m., $15
Although the Hogchute Opry might’ve been the first-best way to kick off the summer in and around Champaign-Urbana for live music, this might be the second-best way. This weekend at the Loose Cobra in Tolono (113 E. Main Street, for all of you looking to find your way out there), there will be a couple of stellar Bloodshot Records acts gracing us with their presence. Robbie Fulks is the headliner, and Bobby Bare Jr. will accompany (Bare performed a few months back at the Cobra as well). Not only that, the show features a trio of awesome locals. Don’t miss it this weekend — pay attention to the Facebook page for shuttle information as well. Just be safe getting to and from the Cobra if you’re coming from C-U — don’t be a dummy if you’re planning on having a few. (PS)
Rockin’ Out For LeahStrong, Memphis on Main, 7 p.m., $5
If you’re looking to stay in Champaign-Urbana for the evening, rather than travel for my previous recommendation, you might consider stopping in for this show at Memphis on Main on Saturday evening. This is a benefit show for Leah Kirby, who is battling cancer, and there’s a good group of bands here to help out in that effort. Waterfowl, Finer Feelings, Penny Horses, Walt Falbo, and Bill Kirby will all do their thing for the benefit show. If you’re unable to make it, they’ve made a site available for donations here. (PS)
SUNDAY, June 21st
Snapping pictures of bees, Pollinatarium (606 W. Windsor Road, Urbana), 1-4 p.m., free (but wear sunscreen and that stuff can cost)
Sunday is Father’s Day, and you know what Dad wants more than a tie? You got it, bee pics.
The first annual BeeBlitz is almost upon us, and it promises to be both fun and educational. Come out to the Pollinatarium and take pictures of honey bees and bumble bees doing what they do best: landing on flowers. Then be sure to upload your pictures to BeeSpotter to create a crowdsourced overview of what species of bees are present in our environment. (AH)
Call your dad. It’s Father’s Day.
This post doesn’t apply to everybody. I don’t know what your personal relationship might be with your dad. But mine was and is awesome. (Both the relationship and the guy. Seriously. Thanks, Dad.) And so, if you think fondly of your dad, give him a call and tell him. Or call your grandfather. Or your uncle. Or your mom. Or whoever took care of you and deserves a shout-out for giving you love and support. And if you’re a dad, and your kids are too little to know what’s up, go give them a hug and buy them some ice cream and don’t tell them why. Just do it to be a good dad. The photo accompanying this post isn’t of my father. This is a picture of Tom Selleck. But it’s the thought that counts. (MG)
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