If you have been to a drag show event around Champaign-Urbana, there’s a very good chance you’ve seen the performer Spank Knightly, known off-stage as Jess Schlipf. Way before they ever got into drag, Schlipf …
Today is National Old-Fashioned Day. In my drinky opinion, there’s no better whiskey cocktail than the old-fashioned. It’s simple: whiskey, sugar, bitters, and orange — and a cherry, pretty please. Since the cocktail is a …
During her 82 years of life so far, Marilynn Dean Cleveland has created more than 1700 pieces of art. When I learned her choice of media included popcorn and bottle caps, I was intrigued, to …
The Overture is a rundown of live music and performances happening in and around Champaign-Urbana each week. All of the information is as accurate as we can publish; however, all shows and performances are subject …
Champaign’s own WEFT community radio has a new station manager, Eric Bohlen, a prodigal son of Champaign with a family legacy connected to WEFT. In an exclusive interview, Bohlen shared his excitement about his homecoming, …
Do you have weekend plans yet? If not, we have a few suggestions.
You may have seen this graphic circulating in your social media feeds recently. It was created by journalist Erin Reed, a trans woman, for the Los Angeles Blade. It depicts the level of anti-trans legislation …
Within the heart of the ever-evolving hip-hop scene, there’s a creative force making waves: Half House Studios. At its helm are Joshua Harris (a.k.a. Mousepad) and David Counter (a.k.a. Whiptrip6), whose story is one of …
When I sat down on Zoom to discuss the upcoming Krannert Center for the Performing Arts‘ 2023-2024 season (the complete season schedule can be found below) with KCPA Director Mike Ross, the first thing I …
Three years ago, we published an article lamenting how three years after the 2017 closure of the iconic Chester Street Bar (C Street), Champaign-Urbana still lacks a dedicated queer performance space. So now six years …
Have you ever gotten riled up about something and wish you had a platform to talk about it (more than just your own social media feeds)? Have you ever thought “I really wish someone was …
Summer is in full swing, and Pride month is underway, meaning there are so many options for entertainment this weekend.
I had heard a lot about Summer Camp Music Festival. Most of the time, people talk to me about the incredible vibe there. I’ve been to other music festivals, and I agree that if you …
This summer I’m making it a point to get out of town every once in a while and explore the surrounding area. I’ve lived in Champaign-Urbana for enough years after graduating from the University of …
Located right across the street from Alma Mater on the University of Illinois Quad, Cocomero has been a steady presence of Campustown for a long time. Initially offering mostly self-serve frozen yogurt, they now serve …
Did you know that we send out a weekly digest? It’s a little taste of articles and SPlogs we’ve published throughout the week, plus a preview of what’s to come the following week. Maybe you’ll …
It’s the unofficial start of summer! We hope you have a long weekend ahead of you, and can try out some of these suggestions.
When I think of locations for Pride celebrations, Vermillion County doesn’t immediately come to my mind. But in the heart of Danville, a new group is working hard to bring the LGBTQIA+ community a place …
As the weather gets nicer, I’ve been spending more time at bars and restaurants, especially in the patios and beer gardens. However, I noticed some of the chairs in these outdoor spaces are less than …
If we have a craving for tarts in Champaign-Urbana, we’ll be able to find a bakery or two with tarts on the menu, but Tasty Tart bakery’s whole thing is tarts. It’s the only place …
This year’s Boneyard Arts Festival introduced me to a lot of fantastic artists from the Champaign-Urbana area. One of the highlights of my visit to the ReGroup Art Collective showing was the stunning large mixed …
Finding a satisfying restaurant lunch that costs less than $10 is hard — especially in this economy. But, dear hungry readers, here are five delicious cheap lunches in Champaign-Urbana. For more inexpensive mid-day eating possibilities …
It’s going to be a stunning weekend, and we have plenty of options for you to get out and enjoy it.
May is Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) Heritage Month. In Champaign-Urbana, we have many ways to celebrate and honor Asian and AAPI communities. Asian Americans make up about 6% of the state’s population, and …
A few years ago, Smile Politely’s Editorial Board published an article about five cuisines we need in Champaign-Urbana. Five is the tip of the iceberg; there are many cuisines that are not well represented in …
When I walked into the 2023 Edible Book Festival at Martinelli’s Market, I was immediately struck by the beautiful four-foot-tall cake submitted by Field of Sweets. For April’s edible book competition, Tiara Winfield, the owner …
The Overture is a rundown of live music and performances happening in and around Champaign-Urbana each week. All of the information is as accurate as we can publish; however, all shows and performances are subject …
It’s U of I graduation weekend and Mother’s Day weekend, so take that into consideration when making plans!
This Editorial Board has spoken at length about the importance of showing up to vote in local elections. It’s a thread that ran through our recent editorial with our thoughts on the consolidated election in …
For non-dancers, ballroom dancing typically calls to mind one of two images: 1) Dancing with the Stars, meaning men in tailcoats and women in sparkly dresses and feathers, or 2) the kind of dancing your …
It’s the last week to visit Red Herring before the restaurant closes for the summer, and there is something about walking downstairs to get to a restaurant that has always felt cool to me. Like, …
The Overture is a rundown of live music and performances happening in and around Champaign-Urbana each week. All of the information is as accurate as we can publish; however, all shows and performances are subject …
This weekend is jam packed with things to do. Let our editors help you plan.
Every now and again, we love to poke the cat, er, bear, and address a topic that seems like it should be straightforward, but that we know may get some backlash. However, we do pride …
There are a lot of special events that are unique to Champaign-Urbana, but the annual Matsuri Festival at Japan House stands out because of its celebration of Japanese culture, incredible food, and amazing activities. Because …
April is typically thought of as the big month for the arts in Champaign-Urbana, thanks to both Ebertfest and Boneyard Arts Festival. But as May ushers in better weather and the end of the school …
The Overture is a rundown of live music and performances happening in and around Champaign-Urbana each week. All of the information is as accurate as we can publish; however, all shows and performances are subject …
It’s another big event weekend in C-U, with lots of folks running various distances, but there are also a wide variety of ways to enjoy your weekend that don’t involve cardio.
The official 2023 consolidated election results are in. Most of the high-profile races were in Champaign. We took a look at the results and made some observations. More people voted in this general election than …
The award-winning cheese by Prairie Fruits Farm & Creamery is a staple for cheeselovers in Champaign-Urbana and nationwide. Owned by married couple Wes Jarrell and Leslie Cooperband, Prairie Fruits Farm is more than very cute …
This weekend saw the return of Ebertfest, the Champaign-Urbana film festival founded by acclaimed film critic and Urbana-native Roger Ebert along with his wife Chaz Ebert. The four-day festival is held annually at the Virginia …
The Overture is a rundown of live music and performances happening in and around Champaign-Urbana each week. All of the information is as accurate as we can publish; however, all shows and performances are subject …
See some movies, buy some plants, do a little dancing…we have a wide variety of suggestions for your weekend.
Happy 4/20 to all who celebrate the high holiday of April 20th, a day marked by relaxing with cannabis. If you’re looking to join in the chillest of celebrations, here in Champaign-Urbana, we can choose …
If you’re looking for a place to wear your darkest clothing and listen to your favorite creepy music, you might want to mark the monthly Bat Factory on your calendar. Held at Urbana’s Rose Bowl …
Ahead of this year’s Ebertfest, I corresponded with Co-Founder and Producer, Chaz Ebert, and Festival Director, Nate Kohn, to learn more about this year’s lineup, past Ebertfests, and how the festival has changed – or …
The Overture is a rundown of live music and performances happening in and around Champaign-Urbana each week. All of the information is as accurate as we can publish; however, all shows and performances are subject …
It’s Boneyard Arts Festival weekend, so be sure to get out there and support artists. We also have some suggestions for non-art things.
Last week, the City of Urbana announced the next phase in the process of developing a new comprehensive plan. The last comprehensive plan was put out in 2005, so an update is due. Examine Urbana …
