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 of those other no school activities — Staying up late! Sleepovers! Drinking too much on a Tuesday night! — before reality sets in for those on an academic schedule. For those of us who are like, “Uh, yeah, I have a real job, all year,” summer still applies and you deserve fun summer things, too. My suggestion for the non-academic calendar folks is to take off a Friday or two, if you can, and do the no school activities (especially after schools are in session).
If you don’t have a plan for the rest of this month, I’ve pulled together some potentially fun things you can add to your calendar. Enjoy!
Support former Illini in the Olympics
Coming home with some hardware.
— Illinois Men’s Tennis (@IlliniMTennis) August 3, 2024
So proud of you, @RajeevRam!#Illini | #HTTO | #OlympiansMadeHere pic.twitter.com/j0uOzhIR0u
The Olympics continue through August 11th (and Paralympics begin August 28th), and there are a decent amount of former Illinois students and student-athletes competing. Illinois Athletics has a really helpful website where they highlight former Illini. For instance: Rajeev Ram, who played tennis at Illinois twenty years ago, just won another Olympic medal in doubles, this time taking silver in men’s doubles with Austin Krajicek, who also played college tennis.
Even though the International Olympic Committee is corrupt complicated, these athletes have literally dedicated their lives to a sport, and it’s really fun to see them succeed, or fail, if you’re a hater (we all have a little in us, it’s normal).
Learn about flying puppies — I mean bats
Champaign County Forest Preserve District is hosting a program where you can learn about and then see bats, in action, in real life, at the covered bridge at Lake of the Woods. Now, you might not know this already, but bats are adorable, and look like little puppies. Bat babies are called pups. Facts!
Bats are essential to our ecosystems, the only mammals that can fly, and at Bats at the Bridge you’ll learn about them and why they are important, then get to see them head out for a night of munching bugs. Registration is required, suggested for ages ten and up.
Bats at the Bridge
Museum of the Grand Prairie
Lake of the Woods
Mahomet
Th Aug 22nd, 6:30 to 8 p.m.
$3, registration required
Relax by candlelight
Green Yoga Spa is leading a relaxing candlelight yoga session at Fire Doll Studio. Tickets are on a sliding scale, $11-$33, so you can pay what makes sense for your budget. Because this class is for beginners and advanced yoga students alike, it’s a great way to try some group yoga without investing a ton of time or money. Personally, it sounds like a really nice way to unwind and stretch away the Sunday scaries. Fire Doll Studio is such a lovely place that smells great. Why not do something nice for yourself?
Candlelight Yoga
Fire Doll Studio
29 E Main St
Champaign
Su Aug 25th, 6 to 7 p.m.
Register here, prices vary
Attend Dark History and Horror Con
Dark History and Horror Con has been taking place in Champaign County for a decade. It’s a convention that celebrates the genre of horror across media (literature, podcasts, film, television), broadly, but also makes space for the paranormal and creepy, as well as some other pop culture things. A few years ago, I attended a screening of Mallrats (neither horror nor paranormal) featuring a panel with Jeremy London afterward. Dark History and Horror Con offers space for people with similar interests to geek out over the things they love. It’s affordable ($22 for the weekend) and it’s close to home (Orpheum Champaign).
Dark History & Horror Con
Orpheum Champaign
346 N Neil St
Champaign
Sa Aug 31st + Su Sept 1st, 11 a.m.
$22 for the weekend; other ticket options available
