FRIDAY
Me and you and a did-jer-i-du: Head to B. Lime Green Store (12 E. Washington, Champaign) from 6 to 7 p.m. to meet the folks from Tree Thump and check out the didjeridus that they make and play.
Taste a bunch of food: It’s a good time for everyone who chooses to attend, and while it’s not by any means a true sampling of what C-U has to offer, it’s a nice microcosm. Plus, this year features a little something new: us! That’s right, Smile Politely will be out in full effect to bring our message of online mayhem to the masses. But you are here, reading this now, so why stop by our tent? Well, we’ll be giving away a ton of great prizes via raffle including season passes to the Orpheum Children Science Museum, massages from G2, tickets to Iron and Wine, and even a full-on pass to Pygmalion Music Festival. We are seriously doubting that there are any other media companies in town who can step to that.
Fridays with Morrie: If you think that Friday nights in Champaign during the summer have to only consist of drinking beer in a bar, think again. Krannert Center continues to deliver the goods even when most students are out of session. Together with the Department of Theatre, the Center is presenting an American classic, Tuesdays with Morrie, that tells the tale of Brandeis University professor Morrie Schwartz, who inspired a former student to collaborate with him during his final days while suffering from Lou Gehrig’s Disease. Needless to say, it’s worth your time.
SATURDAY
More food!: Yep! The Taste continues on Saturday, and we’ll still be there, ready to give out what we believe will be some of the best booth prizes in the nation. OK, the town.
Irma Vep is an open book, as far as I’m concerned: Once you’ve eaten your fill, head over to Krannert for the Summer Studio Theater’s performance of The Mystery of Irma Vep. The show starts at 7:30 p.m., and tickets are $10 for U of I students and $18 for the general public.
World’s Flotation Morning: Easily the show of the night, World’s First Flying Machine headlines a jam-packed lineup at The Canopy Club, including performances with Flotation Walls (from Chicago), Vizio (the new project from C-U guitar maniac Tommy Griscom), Jared Bartman (from Princeton) and Good Night and Good Morning (SP.com’s favorite local slowcore band). Woosh! Cover is $7 and the beer, as always, will be cold.
Learn how to fish: For real. Lake of the Woods is going out of their way to “lure” (sorry, couldn’t help it) a whole new generation of young people to pick up fishing and stay with it. The State of Illinois fishing license will not be needed for this particular event, and they are even providing the bait! Email [email protected] for more information.
SUNDAY
Eat one last empanada: Manolo’s Pizza will be out at Taste of Champaign-Urbana this year for the first time, and we are proud to be able to endorse this completely unique item. They will be serving chicken, beef and veggie ‘nadas all weekend long, and they’ll be set up close enough to us that you can sign up to win any number of great giveaways, and still enjoy the food.
Lonesome, heartsick and Driftin’: The Whip welcomes J.B. Beverley & The Wayward Drifters to The Rose Bowl for a 7 p.m. honky tonk show. It’s a 7 p.m. show, and tickets are $10. If you have the good fortune to be in Saybrook on Saturday night, they’re playing a show at the Shady Nook Pub, as well.