Smile Politely

Weekender: November 1-3

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 1

Eat a salad, Anywhere, all day

After chowing down on Halloween candy last night (and probably this morning), your body is craving some nutrients. Eat a salad! There are plenty of delicious salad options in town, but a few favorites include: Country Fried Chicken or Greek salads at Seven Saints, Shredded Brussels Sprouts salad at Destihl, or the Grilled Chicken Strawberry salad at Farren’s. Common Ground also has a lovely salad bar. (JH)

C-U Folk & Roots Festival, various locations around Urbana, $30 for a fest pass, 5 p.m.

It’s November, which means the first weekend of the month is the C-U Folk & Roots Festival in Urbana. Tons of artists are lined up for the festival again this year, which seemingly continues to grow each and every year. Incorporation of local artists alongside touring acts makes this community event happen, and not only that, there are dozens of other things going on (91 activities, at last count). Music all around and fun to be had in Urbana. You can find out all the information you’ll need here, as well as the general website linked above. Get Rooted! (PS)

4000 Years of Choice, indi go Gallery, 6–9 p.m., $10

All weekend indi go Gallery will be featuring the artwork of Heather Ault, whose pro-choice images teach people about the history of abortion and contraception through positive, affirming messages. The show’s opening reception is this Friday. A $10 ticket gets you champagne and door prizes; proceeds benefit the Illinois Choice Action Team, a group of volunteers committed to advancing NARAL Pro-Choice America’s mission. (RP)

Chris Cringle Craft SaleUniversity of Illinois Assembly Hall, Friday 3–9 p.m. & Saturday 9 a.m.–5 p.m., $5 admission (children 6 and under free)

You can get a head start on holiday shopping this weekend by visiting one of the Midwest’s largest craft shows on Friday or Saturday. The event will take place in Assembly Hall on campus, where visitors will be able to explore over 140 booths on all three levels of the facility. The $5 admission comes with free parking, entry for door prizes, and coat and package check. (RP)

SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 2

Last time to visit Urbana’s Market at the Square, Illinois and Vine, 7 a.m.

Saturday morning is the last Urbana farmer’s market of the season. Be sure to stop by (especially if you haven’t yet this year) and stock up on plenty of produce, dairy products, jams, soaps, and other homemade goods. The Urbana farmer’s market is held at Lincoln Square from 7 a.m.-12 p.m. (JK)

Woodpecker Hike, Homer Lake, 3 p.m.

Champaign County Forest Preserve will be hosting a guided hike at Homer Lake on Saturday. The guided tour will focus on the seven different woodpecker species found in Homer Lake, including the pileated woodpecker. Binoculars will be provided. Registration for the walk is required. Call (217) 896-2455. $2 per person. Dress for the weather. Want more info? Check out the Forest Preserve District’s website. (JK)

 

Swords‘ Depth album release show, Cowboy Monkey, $5 before 11 p.m./$7 after, 10 p.m.

This is going to be a good one, folks. Not only is this bill pretty stacked, featuring one of the best emcees in town Swords releasing his new album Depth, but he’s got a handful of others to accompany him. His backing band the Shady Perrys, Jarrel Young & Misfit Music, Secondary Modern, Pauly Walnuts and DJ Belly will join in on the party as well. Do yourself a favor when you’re there—pick up a copy of Depth. It’s one of the best local albums of 2013. Yep. Believe it. (PS)

TEENAGE MUTANT NINJA TURTLES, The Art Theater Co-op, 10 p.m.

Everyone’s favorite wisecracking, pizza-eating, katana-wielding turtles are back and playing all weekend at the Art. Okay, no, it’s not a very good movie, but it’s fun as hell, and nostalgia isn’t about quality. All those cartoons you loved when you were a kid? They don’t hold up. Those toys you played with? Lame. Your favorite outfit when you were 12? Embarrassing. So let’s all be embarrassed together and enjoy some heroes on the half-shell. Turtle power! (MG)

SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 3

Brunch, Downtown Champaign or Downtown Urbana

The clocks turn back an hour Sunday morning, and what better way to spend that extra hour than by eating delicious brunch foods? There are plenty of local options for your cravings and budget; we’ve featured coffee and doughnuts this week alone. Check out The Brunch Hunt for some suggestions. (JH)

THE TEMPESTKrannert Center, 3 p.m.

Check out a fine, atmospheric production of Shakespeare’s The Tempest. And, before the show begins, enjoy a conversation with director Robert Anderson at 2:00 p.m. It’s rare to get a behind-the-scenes look at a show like this, so take advantage. As for the play itself: gorgeous set, beautiful language, and some truly great performances. Visit the Krannert website for ticket info, and enjoy the show! (MG)

 

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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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