FRIDAY, September 16th
Solidarity with Standing Rock Protectors, 5-7 p.m., Scott Park, free
Thousands of Native Americans from over 100 tribes are camped on the banks of the Cannonball River in North Dakota near the Standing Rock Sioux (Dakota/Lakota) Reservation in a peaceful attempt to halt construction of the Dakota Access oil pipeline, a 1200 mile long pipeline running from the Bakken oil fields in North Dakota to southern Illinois. This event is a local solidarity action featuring Indigenous speakers and an open mic. (RP)
Pygmalion FOOD, 5 p.m. to midnight (and Saturday, 4 p.m. to midnight), $4 and $8 for food
The newest addition to the Pygmalion Festival is FOOD, and this weekend is its inauguration. Bacaro, Black Dog, Farren’s, Maize, Watson’s, and the Pop Stop will be on hand with food. Triptych will be on site serving up brews. This is the only food festival in C-U to focus exclusively on food, and that’s super exciting. Plus, we all get to try some tasty, off the menu bites from some of the best places in town. (JH)
NCSA’s 30th Anniversary Post-Party: Days of Future Past, The Accord, 7 p.m., free
NCSA is turning 30 years old this year, and in partnership with The Pygmalion Festival, they’re celebrating with a down-memory-road type discussion with Larry Smarr (CalTech), Donna Cox, and Ed Seidel (both of NCSA) — you’ll be there to grab food, and see some music, so hit this one in the middle. Get yr mind blown. (PS)
Triplets of Belleville silent movie with live orchestra, Krannert Center Colwell Playhouse, 7 p.m., $10-$20
There is something entirely incomparable about watching a silent film with live accompaniment, but it is incredibly rare to see the composer and original musicians perform. Sure, that’s because most silent films are 90 years old, but this touching story slid into the Oscars just 15 years ago. If you’ve never seen Triplets on the big screen, take this opportunity to do so, it will be one to remember forever. (RK)
Pygmalion MUSIC, Downtown Champaign (at The Accord and Memphis On Main), the evenings of both Friday and Saturday, FREE
The first leg of Pygmalion MUSIC starts this Friday and continues through Saturday. The artists this weekend consist of many local favorites and a few great touring bands as well. It’ll be rock to folk to DJ’s to singer-songwriters, and everything in between. This is a perfect way to get a sampling of the best local bands and artists in the area all at once, and guess what? It’s all FREE. Check out the schedule for the complete line-up on each day, and make sure to grab your tickets for next week. (JM)
SATURDAY, September 17th
Autumn berry doughnut, Pandamonium Doughnuts, Urbana’s Market at the Square,7 a.m. to noon, about $3
Autumn berry harvesting is in full effect, and the immediate benefit of that is the collaboration between Autumn Berry Inspired and Panadmonium Doughnuts. Check out the market this weekend, and get yourself an autumnberry dought: it’s the perfect combo of sweet and tangy. The doughnut proper is sweet, and the autumnberry glaze is an earthy, tangy, berry topping that matches perfectly. The pepitas on top add a little crunch. Photo from Facebook. (JH)
Beer Run, Crystal Lake Park, 12 – 4 p.m., $30 for an individual ticket/$100 for a group of 4
So Beer Run is a (non-traditional) 5k combined with a sort-of Easter egg hunt, involving copious amounts of beer. Individual and team runners will spread through Crystal Lake Park in search of beer mugs hidden throughout. The end of the race will be celebrated by filling those mugs with local brews from places like Triptych, Riggs, and lots more. Although the race may only burn off a couple of those beverages, it sounds like a win-win to me. Check out the website for more info and sign up. (JM)
WEFTfest 35th Birthday Street Fest, outside WEFT Community Radio (113 N. Market, Champaign), 2-6 p.m., freeSUNDAY, September 18th
Urbana Art Expo, Urbana Civic Center 108 E. Water St., Urbana, 10 a.m. – 5 p.m., FREE entry.
Entry is free, sure, yeah. The rest depends on your measure of impulse-control. Last year was really fun, with an indoor space set up to chat with the artists and look at their offerings. You can talk as little or much as you like, because often you can slip through unnoticed, making it relatively pressure-free, but still with the opportunity to investigate further if you like. (RK)
Join the Climate Control Action team, Channing Murray Foundation, 3 p.m. – 5 p.m.
Care about climate change but not sure how to take meaningful action to thwart it? Head out to the U of I organization kickoff to find out how to be involved in any capacity for the campaign to change the climate here in C-U. (SL)
Drag Queens of Comedy show, Chester St. Bar, 11 p.m., $5
Don’t want the good times to stop just because pride is over? Me either! Chester Street Bar is now featuring a drag queen comedy show. Drag is already entertaining but throw in some laughs and you’ve got a really dynamic show. Check out the Facebook event page for more information. (SL)
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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.