Welcome to April in C-U. April always feels like an extra long month to me. February is short. March is broken up by Spring Break. May is “almost summer”. April is one long transition with unreliable weather.
However, the Sakura are beginning to bloom (bonus experience, watch for these to fully bloom then head over to Japan House to see them), the grass is getting greener, the days are getting longer, and there are plenty of experiences to be had. So let’s get to it!
Put your spring cleaning to good use
I know you have that itch. I have it too. The urge to rid your living space of all the clutter. There’s something about this time of year that makes me notice just how much unnecessary stuff I have in my house. Does it multiply in the night? It must. Thankfully, there are many ways to put your items to good use, and be kind to the environment to boot. Here are a few:
- Household Hazardous Waste – Get rid of paint thinner, used motor oil, insecticides, household batteries and other chemical items in an environmentally safe way at the next collection event on April 15th. Registration is still open!
- Champaign County Restore – Did you see our recent video of the new Restore space? If you have household items or furniture that’s in decent condition, this is a great place to donate it. Find what items they will accept here, and see drop-off hours here. Not only are you keep this stuff out of landfills, you are also directly contributing to Habitat for Humanity’s mission of helping people into homes.
- Queer Clothing Swap – Defy Gravity and Uniting Pride are hosting a clothing swap April 30th that is open to all, but particularly meant for trans and gender diverse individuals looking for a safe space to find clothing that best suits how they choose to express themselves. Drop off your clean and gently used clothing at Defy Gravity in Lincoln Square Mall April 16th from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m, April 23rd 12 p.m. to 2 p.m, April 30th 12 p.m to 2 p.m. Formal wear is welcome, as Queer Prom is on the horizon!
- The Idea Store – Right now The Idea Store is especially in need of fine art supplies, fabric, and paper shopping bags. Do you have those things taking up space? Check out specifics in their most recent newsletter. (JM)
Listen in on a conversation between authors
The Humanities Research Institute is hosting author, speaker, and University of Illinois alum Dave Eggers (BS ’02, journalism) and author Daniel Gumbiner. Eggers is an author of many books including, The Eyes and the Impossible, The Circle, and What is the What. As an author and a journalist he has won many awards but he has also created and supported 14 nonprofits. He’ll be doing a separate lecture the following day, completely devoted to Working with Community Organizations and Nonprofits. Daniel Gumbiner is the author of The Boatbuilder (nominated for the National Book Award) and the editor of The Believer. The two will be taking the stage at the I-Hotel on April 12th at 6 p.m. The conversation will conclude with a book signing by both authors. (LKG)
Go see a drag show
There are a lot of places around the country that are proposing and passing ridiculous, discriminatory, and scary laws banning drag. Illinois, and specifically Champaign-Urbana, is thankfully not one of those places. Drag is alive and well here, and our local performers deserve our support. Plus, it’s a damn fun way to spend an evening. On April 16th, combine dinner and drag at Neil Street Blues. Enjoy a dinner buffet from 7 to 8 p.m., then the show goes on through 11 p.m. It’s $35 for both the buffet and the show, or just $10 for the show alone. On April 23rd, celebrate National Diversity Month with a drag show at The Canopy Club. Doors open at 6 p.m., show starts at 7 p.m. The first 100 tickets are only $5. (JM)
Advocate for Reproductive Justice
April 23-30 is Urbana-Champaign Reproductive Justice Week and there are numerous ways for you to get involved. There’s a full week of events at venues throughout C-U, and even online. Participate in teach-ins, lunch and learns, discussions and conversations, and more. You can find the full schedule of events at the U-C Reproductive Justice Week website, but a few highlights include:
- Lunch and Learn: Anti-abortion centers teach-in and action, Channing-Murray Foundation, April 25th, 12 to 2 p.m.
- Author Kate Clancy, The Literary, April 26th, 6 to 7 p.m.
- BIPOC for Better Birth: Doulas for Birth Justice, IMC, April 29th, 2 to 4 p.m.
- Party for Reproductive Justice, Rose Bowl Tavern, April 30th, 3 p.m. (JM)
Louise Knight-Gibson and Julie McClure contributed to this article.