Friday, May 6th
Check out the Circular Fashion Expo, Siebel Center for Design, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., free
The Circular Fashion Expo is a new opportunity “meant to highlight the forefront of circular fashion initiatives at UIUC.” From 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. is an open expo, with workshops and presentations. At 5 p.m. there is a runway event. More info is available on the event’s website. (JH)
Record shop at Polyvinyl, Polyvinyl Record Co., 2 to 7 p.m., free
On May 6th, an exciting shopping experience is headed to Champaign. Paved Paradise is a traveling pop-up record store, making stops in cities all over the Midwest and East Coast. On Friday, they will be setting up shop in the parking lot of Polyvinyl Record Co., so come by and flip through some records while listening to some music. (SW)
Be at the first Rose Bowl patio show of the season, 8 to 10 p.m., no cover
Rose Bowl Tavern was granted use of the parking lot north of the bar for this outdoor season, and Friday is the patio season kickoff. Kilbourn Alley Blues will be performing, and table reservations are available for a limited number of tables. Maybe head downtown a bit earlier to hit up Crane Alley, Sakura, Masijta Grill, or your favorite spot for dinner before the show. Of course you can also bring food to the Rose Bowl! (JM)
See the Pink Floyd Light Show, Staerkel Planetarium, 9 p.m., $6
Musical light shows are back after a two year hiatus. Lay back, relax, and enjoy a fulldome Starlight Productions video featuring Pink Floyd’s Dark Side of the Moon. Just a note: If you have motion sickness, this probably isn’t for you. It’s general admission, pay at the door. (JM)
Saturday, May 7th
Catch the first day of the outdoor market, Lincoln Square, 7 a.m. to noon, free to attend
The farmers’ market season begins this weekend. This Saturday, catch the first outdoor farmers’ market of 2022 in Urbana. Go early if you want first dibs on all the goods, but if you sleep in, the vendors and farmers will be there until noon. (AB)
Explore the interdependencies within art and science, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Cafeteria & Co, free
Featuring work created by artist Julia Pollack, in partnership with IGB scientists, Art of Science 12.0: Interdependencies invites viewers to “experience a world of connections, newly brought to light by science and conveyed through art.” (DD)
Get a free comic, G-Mart, 11 a.m. to 6 p.m., free
It’s free comic book day, and G-Mart is your hook up for free comics. Each person can receive up to five free comics; if you visit the store dressed in a costume, you can get ten. I imagine that it’s only while supplies last, so perhaps it’s best to arrive early. G-Mart has lots of other stuff to check out if comics are exactly your thing — though you could always ask for recommendations. (JH)
Order a cucumber gimlet, Farren’s Pub, 11 a.m. to 10 p.m., $8
Made with cucumber mint vodka, lime juice, simple syrup, and soda water, the cucumber gimlet at Farren’s Pub in Downtown Champaign is what bartender Terry Boyer recommends. Grab one of these before Toast to Taylor’s first Saturday night event or sit at one of Farren’s outdoor tables and have a few. (AB)
Come support the hard working students at Parkland, Parkland College B1 Lot, 12 p.m., free
Did you know Parkland College has a record label? Did you know they also put on a yearly music festival? Come hang out this Saturday in the B1 parking lot of Parkland, and catch some great local acts like Anika Emily, Modern Drugs, Moe Pesci, Melvin Knight, and more. There will be food trucks and the event is open to all ages. (SW)
Sunday, May 8th
Zoom with the Glass Room Poets, 2-4 p.m., free,
Poets Robert Manaster, Emily Kerlin, Elizabeth Majerus, James Engelhardt, Matthew Murrey, and John Palen will share their work, and you won’t want to miss it. Invite your mom too! Register here. (DD)
Go for a bike ride, Anita Purves Nature Center, 2 to 4 p.m., free
Join the Champaign-Urbana Cyclists for a Sunday ride honoring mothers and all of those who nuture children. Meet in the parking lot at Anita Purves, then bike through Crystal Lake Park, Carle Park, and grab a treat at BakeLab. Make sure you wear a helmet and dress for the weather. (JM)
Top photo by Alyssa Buckley.
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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.