Last year, I wrote a whole column about chairs (mostly patio chairs) at restaurants and other places around town, specifically calling out those that were uncomfortable, inaccessible to different body types, and just generally crappy. …
It’s been a minute since Smile Politely covered this convention for all things history, horror, and true crime in our interview with the mastermind behind the event, Brian Ward. Since then, there have been some …
Welcome back, students! Here’s what’s happening this weekend.
Take advantage of the last weekend of a student-free campus by dining on Green Street. Lots of dancing, live music, and theatre offer more options for entertainment this weekend.
Sangamon River Forest Preserve, located north of Champaign, is a prairie and forest oasis offering a classic experience of the Central Illinois landscape. I discovered this forest preserve in autumn 2020, looking for a nearby …
Just where does this summer think it’s going so fast? As I’m writing this monthly weather review, the first shot of cooler, less humid air is on its way to Central Illinois courtesy of an …
It’s a weekend of celebrations: sunflowers, farmers markets, the blues, and CU Days.
And just like that, it’s August. We still have a couple weeks left before schools start (or just one week if you have K-12 kids). Eek out the last bits of pool time and all …
Lots of potential for dancing and live music this weekend, plus an art fair, mid-summer produce, and hot dogs.
We here at Smile Politely love a good mural. I’ve written about many of them myself in this very column. However, there’s tons of big blank walls around town that still cry out to be …
Our suggestion this weekend is to try something new-to-you: food, music, activities, interests, friends. Find specifics in this late July edition of the Weekender.
Central Illinois is my Narnia. That’s not me being hyperbolic. The prairie, the corn and soybean fields. The community. All stitched together with the threads of Midwest nice, scraps of stories told around campfires and …
Sip (and maybe spill) the tea this weekend. There are also a ton of amazing live music and theater events.
I made a summer resolution this year to check out more family-friendly events and spaces outside of Champaign-Urbana. I’m sure that I’ve heard about Balloons over Vermilion before, but it wasn’t really on my radar …
Nurtured in Nature is a new BIPOC outdoor wellness program, organized and directed by Tomas Delgado and facilitated by Healthy Champaign County, that invites Champaign-Urbana’s BIPOC community members to spend some time on easy hikes, …
Middle Fork River Forest Preserve is probably best known for being Illinois’ first International Dark Sky Park. There is a campground, and it’s also home to a camping area, several hiking trails, and an impressive …
Hello, July; hello, summer. This is my absolute favorite time in Champaign-Urbana, save for the humidity and corn sweat — I find both deeply offensive. Nevertheless, there is plenty to do and enjoy in C-U …
This weekend check out The Illiac, a free concert in Hessel Park featuring Sinfonia da Camera’s first outdoor performance. Plus sweet corn, peaches, books, and comedy.
After a hot and dry spring and summer last year, it’s been nice to see the shift toward a stormier pattern in 2024 — our crops and gardens are happier for it. Still, we’re a …
Last year, Allerton Park hosted their inaugural adult summer camp, Camp Lost Garden. Some friends of mine went and raved about what a fantastic experience it was. So the second I saw the email that …
It’s the last weekend of Pride month — get out and enjoy it! Plus short films, Riggs Fest, and more.
Today, a rally for divestment is not an uncommon sight on the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign campus, whether it be the recent encampment calling for divestment from “organizations or corporations that profit from or …
Oof, it’s a hot one! There are lots of indoor events happening this weekend to keep you cool, plus live music, theater, and ice cream.
Summer temps and sunnier weather have arrived, and the trails are starting to dry out after a rainy spring. This means it’s time to visit Heron View Forest Preserve, one of the six Champaign County …
This weekend our twin cities celebrate Juneteenth (which is June 19th) and Father’s Day. There’s plenty to do on this hot summer weekend.
A busy June weekend with art, theater, soda, and more.
With spring finally settling in here in the Champaign-Urbana area, many of us want to get outside and enjoy nature. Champaign County has six amazing forest preserves that are perfect for exploring year-round. I try …
Allegra Raff of Raff Co Clothing has been sewing and making things since she was young, but she always struggled with the idea of being an artist. After school and work in the graphic design …
Happy Pride Month! There are lots of things to do this weekend as we welcome the start of June.
Allerton Park and Retreat Center is well known for its events. They have Holiday GLOW in the winter, peonies in the spring, various artists in residence, and an ever-changing calendar of activities. When I saw …
Underwater hockey is a sport that may fly under the radar for even the most dedicated sports fans. I sat down with the president of the University of Illinois’ Underwater Hockey Club, Luka Bettich, to …
It’s the official unofficial start of summer, and our editors have plenty of suggestions for you for this long weekend.
It is common knowledge that American cities were effectively gutted in the second half of the 20th Century. Fewer people are aware of what was lost specifically, or when. Particularly in Champaign-Urbana, some would say …
Every Spring, the peony garden at the Allerton Park and Retreat Center explodes into an ombre palette of colors ranging from whites to dark magentas. The garden has over 50 different varieties of peony flowers …
This spring, LeRoy Elementary School’s 460 scholars socked away 4,000 quarters. They scribbled down questions like “What celebrities have you met?” and “Have you always been in a wheelchair?” And they eagerly awaited a visit …
Spring is here! The peonies are in bloom, outdoor live music returns, and there’s plenty of parking in and around Green Street eateries.
I first started going to Sarah Nuku’s dance classes during the winter when I was in a slump. I don’t love the gym and dancing for an hour seemed like way more fun than lifting …
A special weekend for moms and graduating University of Illinois students. If you are not interested in those activities, our editors have plenty more suggestions.
Welcome to May! This weekend has plenty on offer, including shopping, live music, arts, and cicada-free outdoor activities.
Good news friends, we made it to May. Bad news: This is the month that not one, but two cicada broods will be emerging from the ground in the millions. I cannot wrap my brain …
Look, I was hoping to have some unifying theme this month, but it just wasn’t in the cards. All I got for you this B/F/L is some horizontal stripes and some funky little freaks. Let’s …
Lucas Zelnick is a stand-up comedian who challenges his privileged upbringing through his material. He’s quickly making a name for himself in the comedy world. With over 600k followers across Instagram and TikTok and 28 …
It’s marathon weekend, everyone! Lace up your sneakers, or slip on your flip flops to cheer on those who have spent a lot of time preparing their bodies for hours of running. Plus there are other things happening this weekend, too.
There is nothing more inspiring than talking to people who really love what they do. I spoke with Azlan Guttenberg Smith, Fiona Munro, and Dustin Bacon who work with Solidarity Gardens in various ways. These …
Right now, Altgeld Hall’s Romanesque design is barely visible, and its iconic chimes are unable to be heard as a long awaited renovation process is underway. This marks almost 70 years since the last major …
So many things to do this weekend, including Ebertfest’s 25th anniversary, vegan “burgers,” live music, and celebrating 4/20, if that’s your thing.
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 …
When I was growing up in Urbana in the 90s and aughts, Lincoln Square was considered a place where businesses go to die. It had its mainstays, of course, but for the most part it …
The International Game Developers Association (IGDA) is an organization that connects people who are part of every facet of the gaming industry. Champaign-Urbana has their own chapter that is open to developers, but also to …
