Smile Politely

The Rainbow Connection: August 20–26

MONDAY, August 20

WHAT: Bi Mix UP

WHERE: The UP Center of Champaign County

WHEN: Monday, Aug. 20, 7:00–8:30 p.m.

The Bi Mix UP group is an ongoing adult support/social group for members of the community who identify as bisexual or bi-questioning. Topics include dating, navigating relationships as bisexuals, coming out, and bi-phobia.

For more information, please contact Matt.

WHAT: Nekromancy

WHERE: Chester Street Bar

WHEN: Monday, Aug. 20, 9:00 p.m.–2:00 a.m.

Every Monday, DJ SorceryKid, crafts a continuous audio-visual mixshow of the latest and the greatest in dark alternative and underground dance music.

This Monday, DJ Rasclin will be standing in for DJ SorceryKid.

Doors: 9:00 p.m.
Cover: $2.00
Age: 19+

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TUESDAY, August 21

WHAT: Mpowerment Meeting

WHERE: Green Street Center
              24 E. Green St., Suite 14
              Champaign

WHEN: Tuesday, Aug. 21, 6:00–9:00 p.m.

Mpowerment is a local social and HIV prevention group for young gay/bisexual men. Meetings are open to all young gay and bisexual men interested in becoming involved.

For more information, please contact Carrie Keenan.

WHAT: Man UP: Men’s Support Group

WHERE: The UP Center of Champaign County

WHEN: Tuesday, Aug. 21, 7:00–9:00 p.m.

Man UP is geared towards adult men, ages 26 and up. We meet in a peer support setting with focused discussions on topics such as the coming out process, developing friendships within the community, dating, and more.

For more information go here, or contact Kevin.

WHAT: Circuit Pulse

WHERE: Chester Street Bar

WHEN: Tuesday, Aug. 21, 9:00 p.m.–2:00 a.m.

Circuit Pulse is Champaign-Urbana’s weekly club night featuring all electronic dance music with a circuit party vibe. Great drink specials and no cover charge.

Featuring:

Every Tuesday features a non-stop mix of:

Hi-NRG
Eurodance
Club House
Vocal Trance
Italo House
French House
Hard Trance
Progressive Trance
Jungle
DnB
Hard House
Scouse House
Bassline House

Great drink specials and no cover charge.

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WEDNESDAY, August 22

WHAT: Gal UP

WHERE: UP Center of Champaign County

WHEN: Wednesday, Aug. 22, 6:00–7:00 p.m.

Gal UP is a social/support group for women of any sexual orientation to meet and discuss aspects of our daily lives, such as coming out, being an ally, creating friendships, networking in our community, job-related issues, spiritual/religious concerns, and other topics that members want to talk about. The group is a relaxed, safe environment where women can socialize and steer the direction as interests present themselves.

Feel free to invite any woman you think might be interested.

For more information go here, or contact Maggie.

WHAT: Brother II Brother Meeting

WHERE: Green Street Center
              24 E. Green St., Suite 14
              Champaign

WHEN: Wednesday, Aug. 22, 6:30–9:00 p.m.

B II B is a social group for young men of color who have sexual or loving relationships with other men. The goal is to create a strong positive and healthy community for men of color in Champaign-Urbana.

For more information, please email Rage.

WHAT: Boys Night Out

WHERE: Boltini Lounge

WHEN: Wednesday, Aug. 22, 9:00 p.m.

Every Wednesday is Boys Night Out at Boltini Lounge. DJ Randall Ellison is at the decks spinning Hi-NRG, dance pop, disco house, and oldskool, gay club anthems.

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THURSDAY, August 23

WHAT: Play It UP

WHERE: The UP Center of Champaign County

WHEN: Thursday, Aug. 23, 6:30–7:30 p.m.

Play It UP is a social group for LGBTQA middle and high school youth. Play it UP is peer-led, adult-supported, and an official program of The UP Center. The facilitators of the group include two board members and the youth seat on the Board of Directors.

Youth involved in Play it UP organize monthly social events for LGBTQA youth to engage in, including movie nights, putt-putt, bowling, etc.

Information shared at Play it UP is strictly confidential, including youths’ presence at the group.

For more information, please contact Peggy.

WHAT: Open Mic Night

WHERE: Emerald City Lounge

WHEN: Thursday, Aug. 23, 8:00–11:00 p.m.

Join us for Mike Solomon‘s One Night Stand at Emerald City! Michael hosts Open Mic Night every Thursday. Stop in early for half price appetizers and drink specials until 7:00 p.m.

If you’re interested in performing on open mic night, call Emerald City at (217) 398-8661.

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FRIDAY, August 24

WHAT: Blend UP

WHERE: The UP Center of Champaign County

WHEN: Friday, Aug. 24, 7:00–9:00 p.m.

Blend UP is a discussion group for same-gender loving people of color in the Urbana-Champaign community. This group is geared toward meeting the social and support needs of LGBTQ people of color in Champaign-Urbana. We welcome men, women, and transgender folks of all identities to join us.

Discussion topics include:

  • Family
  • Relationships
  • School
  • Work
  • Defining yourself

Blend UP is for young adults and adults (ages 18 and up). For more information contact Lance.

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SATURDAY, August 25

WHAT: Emerald City’s Got Talent

WHERE: Emerald City Lounge

WHEN: Saturday, Aug. 25, 10:00 p.m.–2:00 a.m.

Emerald City is hosting a talent show. Come out and see all kinds of local talent: singing, drag, stripping, juggling, magic acts, comedy, and more.

This Saturday is the first of regular monthly talent shows at Emerald City. The prize for first place is $75, and booking as special entertainment for following month.

For more information, call Amy at (217) 552-9445.

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SUNDAY, August 26

WHAT: Sunday Night Drag Shows

WHERE: Chester Street Bar

WHEN: Sunday, Aug. 26, 11:00 p.m.–2:00 a.m.

C-Street hosts drag shows every Sunday, with different performers every week. The first Sunday of every month is Open Talent Night, hosted by Ceduxion Carrington, so anyone who wants to sing, dance, or give drag a try can compete for a cash prize.

August 26, Ceduxion and Holden Ryder Gently celebrate Holden’s birthday with a special party.

 


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Disclaimer: This is not a comprehensive list of all LGBTQ events in our community. Please always feel free to email me or post other events/updates/corrections in the comments.

Except on rare occasions, all language is taken directly from event pages and websites, and only minimally edited.

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