Friday, August 11th
Get a basket of onion rings, Smith Burger Co at Collective Pour, 5 to 9 p.m., $8.50
Do you like fried onions? Go out for these onion rings at Smith Burger Co at Collective Pour. These rings were so good. From smashburgers to sharables, the whole menu from the green food truck is available at Smith Burger Co’s new-ish dine-in location. Collective Pour bar offers craft beer, whiskeys, and cocktails, if you want to have some beverages with your meal. For more about the food at the Downtown Champaign bar, check out my review of Smith Burger Co’s dine in location that published on Wednesday. (AB)
Enjoy some art and wine, Analog, 5 to 6:30 p.m., free, but you can buy drinks
Analog Wine Bar is hosting an opening reception this Friday for an art exhibition. Leafless Trees will feature paintings and prints by Jori Bassett, Logan Ingold, and Jo Urban. The displayed artwork will depict landscapes and animals, and be available for perusing through the 26th. (SSO)
Celebrate a local band and their new album, Rose Bowl Tavern, 8:30 pm., $15 suggested donation
Decadents have been a stalwart of the C-U rock scene for 10 years now, and what better way to celebrate than to watch them perform new and old songs at Rose Bowl on Friday night. Lost in Translation will be available for purchase as a cassette-shaped USB stick as well as physical vinyl. Be one of the first to get yours at the show. (DP)
Saturday, August 12th
Eat amazing French toast, Sam’s Cafe, 6 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., $8.40 cash
Start your weekend with the most amazing French toast. Sam’s Cafe has French toast slices with a crispy batter and powdered sugar like a funnel cake. The diner is cash-only, so bring cash-money for your breakfast; there is no ATM inside the restaurant. (AB)
Take a tour of the Idea Garden, 2000 S Lincoln Ave, Urbana, 10 a.m., free
Champaign County Master Gardeners will give a guided tour of the lovely Idea Garden on S Lincoln in Urbana. You can ask questions about the plants, the design, and anything else related to the flora within. (JH)
Tune up your bike, Champaign County Restore, 10 a.m., free
The Habitat Restore is hosting a bicycle tune up clinic. There will be tools and experts on-site to teach you how to do minor adjustments and make small repairs. Bring your bike in and learn to fix things like a dropped chain, brakes, or shifting. Parts will not be provided. (LKG)
Ruin your childhood, Defy Gravity, 6 p.m., $25
Defy Gravity is hosting their summer instructor showcase with the theme “Ruin Your Childhood.” Performances include nods to childhood favorites, such as roller-skates, the Tooth Fairy, Bop it, and Ouija Boards. The show is for ages 18+, and attendees must have proof of vaccination and wear a mask. (SSO)
View the Perseid meteor shower, Sugar Creek Shelter at Middle Fork River Forest Preserve, 8:30 p.m. to midnight, free
Head to the darkest spot in Champaign County to see this meteor shower. Dave Leake, president of the Champaign-Urbana Astronomical Society will give a little run down of what the meteor shower is and what to expect, then you’ll be able to sit back, relax, and enjoy the show. Bring a lawn chair (and bug spray). (JH)
Enjoy a taste of the Hogchute Opry right here in Urbana, Rose Bowl Tavern, 3 p.m., $20 suggested donation
From 3 p.m. to past midnight, the organizers of the Hogchute Opry and Rose Bowl Tavern collaborate to bring you Hog Bowl IV. This day of music features eight bands and even hints at some special guests. (DP)
Watch a movie on the football field, Memorial Stadium, 7 p.m., free
Busey Bank and Illinois Athletics are hosting their annual FamILLy Night at Memorial Stadium. Beginning at 5:30 p.m. there will be U of I football players there to sign autographs, then the Super Mario Bros. movie will begin at 7 p.m. (JM)
Sunday, August 13th
Learn about Molas, Spurlock Musuem of World Cultures, 1 p.m., free
In Panama, the Kuna (Tule/Guna) women are well known for the colorful, multi-layered cloths they hand-sew, called molas. These panels are decorated with detailed patterns and then sewn onto women’s blouses. At Spurlock Sunday the crafts will be based on mola designs, including coloring pages and paper cutting. There will also be molas on display. (LKG)
See an outdoor show, Connie Link Ampitheatre in Normal, 7 p.m., $5-10
The Coalescence Theatre Project, which aims to “utilize theatre to understand, acknowledge, and dismantle all forms of systemic oppression as we explore identity and our place in a global community,” will be putting on Once On This Island at the Connie Link Ampitheatre. Bring chairs and/or a blanket, and maybe some money for concessions. Maybe grab dinner in Uptown Normal beforehand at Fiala Brothers or Medici or any number of dining options. (JM)
All event information is accurate to the best of our abilities, but sometimes we make mistakes and sometimes event information, times, prices, etc., change after we look them up. Whenever possible, we’ve provided a link to the original event page; you should always double-check the source before you make any firm plans. Thanks for your understanding.