FRIDAY, October 31st
Snag a last minute pumpkin to carve from Danville Gardens Too, 1413 N. Prospect Ave, Champaign, open from 9 a.m.-5 p.m.
There are a dozen places to buy pumpkins from this year and you’ll likely easily find a oval, orange, vegetable to care into a nice jako-lantern. But if you want to be a real hit with the kids (and parents) head over to Danville Gardens Too near Dos Reales on Prospect Avenue. Trust me, they have some truly spooky pumpkins to pick from that will make you feel like you might catch a flesh eating zombie disease just by picking one up! And they’re usually on sale by now so stop by and grab one. Do it for the kids! Pictured on the left are my pumpkins from DGT last year. (SL)
Challenging Gender Norms: A Conversation with Janet Mock, University YMCA, 1001 South Wright Street, Champaign, 12 p.m., free
Janet Mock is a writer, speaker, cultural commentator, prominent advocate for trans women’s rights and the New York Times bestselling author of Redefining Realness: My Path to Womanhood, Identity, Love & So Much More. Currently, she travels the country speaking about her book and her mission of celebrating self-definition and championing girls and women from all walks of life. Check out her talk to kick off your Halloween weekend. (RP)
Hap.pen.stance Halloween Party, Figure One Gallery, 7-10 p.m., $5-$10
If you don’t have plans for Halloween yet, check out Figure One’s Hap.pen.stance Halloween Part. Figure One will kick off its Hap·pen·stance series with a Halloween Party featuring the musical stylings of local DJ’s Kirkwood West and Reed Richards. Come dressed as your favorite artist and compete for best costume. Ticket sales benefit Figure One. (RP)
Venus in Fur, The Station Theatre, 8 p.m.
Thom Miller and Laura Anne Welle star in this hilarious and sexy play by David Ives. Under the direction of Gary Ambler, this play examines the relationship between a frustrated writer/director and a very unusual actress. A last-minute audition leads to a tense and provocative battle of the sexes. Tickets are available by calling The Station at 217-384-4000 or by visiting the Station website. $15 on Fridays and Saturdays. (MG)
That’s No Moon, Blackstone Rngrs, Jorts, Mike ‘N Molly’s, $5 without costume/$3 with costume, 9 p.m.
The first of several Halloween shows — two locals That’s No Moon (pop-rock) and Jorts (a new electro project from a few locals) are joined by Blackstone Rngrs (dreampop/shoegaze — along those lines). They’ll be tucked away upstairs at Mike ‘N Molly’s. This evening is complete with a costume contest — “only three goddamn dollars if you where a costume” — so have at it. (PS)
The Curses, Kilborn Alley, Cowboy Monkey, $5, 9:30 p.m.
If you’re looking for some live music this Halloween night in 2014, check out Cowboy Monkey on Friday night as an option. The Curses, appropriately titled for this particular holiday, will head things up with local blues-rock staple Kilborn Alley. Two bands providing a couple of hours of live music that won’t necessarily spook you too much, but you could get cursed somehow at a Curses show. (PS)
Boos and Bleaus: A Halloween Freak Show, Boltini Lounge, 10 p.m.
Reknowned drag queen Veronica Bleaus, “the worst drag queen in the Midwest,” will be making a special Halloween appearance this weekend at Boltini. She is ready to judge your Halloween duds, so watch out. (RP)
Rocky Horror Picture Show, The Art Theater Co-op, Midnight
It’s an audience participation celebration brimming with antici…(Say it!)…pation! Join the fine folks at the Art Theater Co-op this Halloween night for some leather-clad, fishnet-stockinged goodness. Before we had The Room, this was perhaps the ultimate cult film, featuring mind-blowing performances by Tim Curry, Susan Sarandon, Barry Bostwick, Meat Loaf, and, of course, Richard O’Brien as Riff Raff. Get dolled up and go downtown! (MG)
SATURDAY, November 1st
Last outdoor market of the season, Urbana’s Market at the Square, corner of Lincoln & Vine, Urbana, 7 a.m.-noon
It’s hard to believe the season is coming to an end, but you still have one more opportunity to shop the outdoor market. You’ll find some end of the season greens, potatoes, apples, and plenty of squash. You can also pick up breakfast at one of the food trucks, or grab a doughnut from one of the doughnut vendors. Don’t forget to grab some local meat (throw it in the freezer!) and local honey. (JH)
Yoga for kids, Amara Yoga & Arts, 300 S Broadway Ave Unit 156B, 10:30 a.m.-11:15 a.m., $14
After a long weekend of dressing up, collecting and eating candy while possibly causing some neighborhood mischief, your kids are going to have built up some tension and are going to need a release before they head back to school on Monday. Consider yoga for kids, a yoga class taught by Kathryn Fitzgerald who is an Illinois Certified Elementary Ed. and Art teacher. (SL)
All Stouts Day, Seven Saints, 32 E Chester Street, Champaign, noon-2 a.m.
Bells is making an appearance at Seven Saints this Saturday, and is bringing the following stouts: Kalamazoo Stout, Java Stout, Double Cream Stout, Cherry Stout, 2013 Expedition Stout, 2014 Expedition Stout, and a special release from the brewery tap room called Cinnamon Sunrise Stout (double cream stout aged in Traverse City whiskey barrels with cinnamon and vanilla). If you’re even remotely interested in any of them, I highly suggest you stop by around 5 p.m., as the Bells representative will be on hand to talk about the beer. Photo from Facebook. (JH)
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