FRIDAY, August 7th
Visit campus while you still can, all weekend
So, the U of I students will be filtering back into Champaign-Urbana soon enough. That’s totally fine and great — but if you’re needing/wanting to go to Campustown for any particular reason, you better get on it. Whether that be to eat, shop, or just hang out on the Quad or something, go enjoy the weather and do some stuff while you’re over there. Eat at Sakanaya, the line will be much longer towards the end of the month. Have a beer at Murphy’s or Firehaus (ah, what the hell! It’s just one beer!). Visit a clothing store you might not otherwise go out of your way to go to (Apricot Lane, Ragstock, Urban Outfitters, etc). Espresso is right there as well — buy some coffee and go walk around. Calm before the storm, for sure, but still some good things to go see and do. (PS)
Go visit a big(ger) city
One of the great benefits of living in Champaign is that you are near other mega metropolis areas. Being so close makes for short drives and awesome weekend trips. Consider Chicago (2.5 hrs.), Indianopolis (2 hrs.), St. Louis (3 hrs.). Pick one and go for it. You could even forget your favorite mixtape at home, turn around, and head out on the road again with enough time to still catch a Cubs game or tour a museum. (SL)
Finals, all day, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, $ your soul (and a hefty tuition bill)
Finals begin for the end of the summer term. Study hard, do well, and afterwards celebrate being at the number #1 party school in the country. (AH)
C-U Days, 6-9 p.m. on August 7th and 11 a.m.-8 p.m. on August 8th, Douglass Park, free
C-U Days, sponsored by the Champaign Park District, offers the community a selection of family-friendly events to take on this weekend. Entertainment, food, vendors, and inflatables will be present. And on Friday, C-U Days offers a new event: a lip-syncing contest featuring DJ Fireproof. Directions and a full schedule of events are available here. (RP)
1/2 off wine by the glass, V. Picasso, 4 p.m. to 6 p.m., double your budget, ’cause you get two for the price of one!
Welcome back, happy hour. You should celebrate the end of the week with a glass of wine, perhaps sipped outside. Photo by Jessica Hammie. (JH)
Friday Night Live, corners of: Walnut & Chester, Neil & Park, and Neil & Church, 6-8 p.m., free
When good weather and Friday Night Live mix, downown just seems to come allive in a unique and great way. Check out local bands like Pet Roxx, DeShawn and Tara Terra across three different free outdoor street spaces. (BH)
Urochromes, Cruelster, Garter, Wolf Luv, Dingbat Dungeon, 7 p.m., $5
Perhaps one of the more buzzed-about bands in the nationwide DIY punk scene is Ohio’s Cruelster. They also happen to have the wilded out minute-long straight hardcore jams to back up the hype. Urochromes are also playing, all the way from Massachusetts, along with Garter and Wolf Luv. (MR)
SATURDAY, August 8th
Buy ya-self somethin’ nice, Joseph Kuhn & Co. Clothing and Accessories for Men, 33 E Main St, Champaign, IL 61820, 9 a.m.-6 p.m.
You may have a pre-concieved notion that Kuhn’s is too expensive for your pay grade. And if you’re like me, most of it is. However, they always have a sale. Wonder in there and see what you can find marked down to sometimes 75% off. It is worth a browse and you’ve got to look sharp. (SL)
C-U Day Talent and Fashion Show, Douglass Park, 2-4 p.m., free
Poets and tumblers. Can there be a better combination? If you do nothing else during C-U Days, be sure to hit up the talent and fashion show. There are bound to be some awesome getups just begging to be Instagrammed. (AH)
Second Saturday Cinema, The Art Theater 126 W. Church St, Champaign, 2:30pm, $8.25
Champaign Public Library hosts a discussion group that meets to watch films at the Art Theatre and then have conversation over snacks and drinks at a local restaurant afterwards. This month’s film will be Irrational Man, Woody Allen’s latest, starring Joaquin Phoenix, Parker Posey and Emma Stone. (Rated R) (RK)
Marathon, Wei Zhongle, Jake Metz, Institute 4 Creativity, 9 p.m., $5
Heady experimental group Wei Zhongle has been around for a while now, but continues to put out unique music year after year. Well paired with Marathon and Jorts’ Jake Metz, they’ll get a proper welcome to C-U. (MR)
The Claudettes with Chachi and the Bandidos, The Iron Post, 9 p.m., cover
Local favorites Chachi and the Bandidos will be joining Chicago band The Claudettes for an evening featuring the sounds of blues, ragtime, punk, and classic country. Get there early for a seat near the stage. The Post’s dirt-cheap beer will make the evening even better. (RP)
SUNDAY, August 9th
Fund Sipyard, your couch, all day, $25
A beer garden. In Urbana. Can’t you picture yourself sipping a cold brew, surrounded by interesting art and all your friends? You can make it happen by contributing to the Sipyard Kickstarter. Photo from Facebook. (JH)
Guys & Dolls matinee, The Harold & Jean Miner Theatre at Parkland College, 2400 W. Bradley Ave., 2:30pm, $8-$14.
This is the last weekend to catch one of the most beloved musicals in America, put on by CUTC with snappy tunes, stylish choreography, and singing gangsters. Mara enjoyed herself, so grab a seat after brunch and let the good times roll. (RK)
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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.