The back and forth weather we had to endure in March really did a number on me. But after a beautiful weekend, I’m energized and ready to spend more time outside. Planting flowers and plants …
Andrea Hunt considers herself a dreamer and artist at heart. After a painful divorce, she funneled her creative passions and independent spirit into floral design. The CU Flower House is a bit like a phoenix, …
Every time I walk into La Casa Cultural Latina at 1203 West Nevada in Urbana, the small but numerous rooms are bursting with music and students. Friends call to one another across the crowded hallway …
Enjoy plenty of food, arts, music, and edutainment this weekend.
Next Monday, April 8th, we’ll get to witness a total solar eclipse and parts of Illinois will be in the path of totality. The next one won’t be until 2045, so I reached out to …
The Beckman Institute for Advanced Science and Technology at the University of Illinois Open House is well-known in Champaign-Urbana as a way for the community to connect with researchers, students, and science. Lexie Kesler is …
Nathan Tolbert is a lead research software engineer at the National Center for Supercomputing Applications (NCSA) at the University of Illinois, and for the past 15 years he has also been developing indie games in …
If you are needing some help making plans for this last weekend in March, we have some ideas!
A few weeks ago, I stood in the gym of CU Jiu Jitsu, holding a big foam sword. Across from me was Matthew Currey, co-owner of Tempered Mettle Historical Fencing. Currey, also holding a foam …
Over one hundred years after it existed, the history of a student organization at the University of Illinois is still being reevaluated. The organization’s name was Ku Klux Klan, or KKK, the same as the …
We have a jam-packed Weekender for you. Enjoy!
Folks, we made it. March is finally here and bringing with it college basketball postseason games and a chance for us true sporting fans, gambling addicts, and washed-up athletes to distract ourselves from work and …
The Vermillion County Conservation District hosted their Maple Syrup Festival in Forest Glen Preserve on March 17th. In preparation for the festival, 500 sugar maple trees were tapped to collect the sap that was cooked …
Whether you’re taking in some Big Ten basketball, donning your green for St. Paddy’s Day, or enjoying the waning days of Spring Break, there are plenty of options for weekend fun.
The Bengali Student Organization wanted to celebrate International Mother Language Day by gathering together a group of students from various language backgrounds to celebrate their culture, identity, and language and asking, “what does your language …
Joy Okumu is a pediatric nurse at Carle Health, board member with the Pediatric Nursing Certification Board, and an innovator of the hair care project at Carle, an initiative that is teaching healthcare providers about …
Do you have plans for this first weekend of spring break? We have a few ideas for you.
There are so many holidays during the month of March: the beginning of Ramadan, Holi, St. Patrick’s Day, Easter, basketball tournaments, and Spring Break (the last two are admittedly not holidays, but worth celebrating all …
The inaugural UI Con happened at the Illini Union last weekend. For those unfamiliar, UI Con is a comic convention for fans to dress up, gather with other fans, learn from experts, compete in contests, …
Prairie Play Playground had its final play date last weekend. The old wooden play structure is slated for demolition to make space for the new playground going in late 2024. There is still time to …
We have some ideas for how to spend this extra day in February, and the rest of the weekend.
Back in December, Illinois Public Media announced the launch of a brand new radio station that “elevates Black voices, music, and culture throughout central Illinois, and online, with the power of public media.” Illinois Soul, …
In our last interview together, we got to know more about historian and editor, Ryan A. Ross. In it, he gave us a seriously in-depth look at the history of Homecoming at the University of …
A recent string of sinus surgeries stranded Alex Gentner on dry land for two months — the longest stretch of time he’s gone between scuba dives in a decade. Since 2007, Gentner has suited up and …
In the last decade and a half, comics and comics-adjacent culture have become mainstream. Even if you don’t know what anime is, or the names of indie comics publishers, you’ve probably seen a Marvel Cinematic …
Food and Drink editor Alyssa and I were chatting earlier this year about places to go in Champaign-Urbana that have a certain vibe — a place you can go with a distinct feeling and can …
Let us help you plan your weekend.
The Insect Fear Film Festival is put on every year by the Entomology Graduate Students Association. It’s a unique way to interact with insects that might seem scary and it makes them a little more …
Downstate Third Act (a branch of Third Act) is an organization working to protect the planet and support a vigorous democracy for people over the age of 60. Pat Simpson is a retired academic who …
The Sankofa RoboBuilders did not win the FIRST Lego League Qualifier competition held on the University of Illinois campus back in December. But that’s only if you have a very strict definition of “winning.” When …
Need some help planning your weekend? Our editors have you covered.
I have a love-hate relationship with Valentine’s Day. On one hand I have always enjoyed using this day as a way to show the people in my life how much they mean to me and …
Here in the capitalist hellscape we all live in, it can be hard to find cheap, fun, outings to do with your Valentine. There’s The Great Outdoors of course (which is often free), though it’s …
There is no shortage of cool things to do this weekend. Let our editors help you plan.
Black History Month is here! I was actually a little overwhelmed at all there was to do in Champaign-Urbana this month and it was hard to narrow it down to just five. From a holiday …
It’s finally February, which is a much better month than January. Here are some suggestions for starting the month out right.
Janice Weldon has lived in Champaign for most of her life. She’s a self taught artist, mother, and digital illustrator with a love for skating. feralFLORALS was created as a result of encouraging her kids …
Now that we’ve all thawed, get out there and do some stuff!
Janice Harrington has lived in Champaign-Urbana since the 1980s, working at both the Urbana Free Library and the Champaign Public Library. Currently she is a Professor of English at the University of Illinois and an …
Let our editors help plan your weekend.
I feel like I should apologize in advance because January and February are not my best months. The sun is still setting early, you have to wear a million layers when you go outside, and …
Whether you want to hunker down or brave the winter weather, we have plenty of options for your weekend.
Here we are at the end of another year. How will you choose to celebrate? A subdued gathering? A nice meal? Pizza and beer? A late-night dance party? No matter what your style, there is …
This month, the whole BFL is devoted to the Lincoln Building in downtown Champaign. A stately edifice with a long history. A BUILDING The Lincoln Building (44 E. Main St. Champaign) Right on Main Street, …
Last week, I provided an overview and update of the 2023-24 University of Illinois men’s basketball team. This week, I’m profiling the 2023-24 women’s squad. Despite a slower than expected start for the Illini women …
Malik Dillard started Groom Culture knowing he wanted it to be a familiar but unique atmosphere. By combining his experience from management jobs and college, he has created a place that feels like you’ve just …
I’ve had some very cool experiences this year with my “let’s do this” series. I’ve gone rock climbing in Urbana, foraged at Allerton Park, I tried stretch therapy, and I learned more about myself when …
When I first took this position as Culture Editor, I kept asking myself: What exactly is the best way to sum up the culture of Champaign-Urbana? Where should I start? It turns out, what makes …
I came across Anthony Luis Najera’s page on Instagram and was immediately drawn to the positivity, joy, and colors throughout the XO by ALN brand. Najera seems to be a person who draws others in. …
