Friday, July 27th
D.O.S.E. Foundation Ribbon Cutting, 202 S. Broadway #21A Urbana, 10 a.m., free
Local performer Kcn Tazea is the spearhead behind this wonderful new organization dedicated to equity in the arts. Pushing and striving to battle imbalances in opportunity, the organization recognizes a need which we all must do more to bring light to. To begin their mission, the organization is starting the Black Cardboard Project which will provide 7th and 8th grade black students spaces to be heard in the theatre community. There is work to be done in order to breach disparities in our culture and community and the C-U community should be proud to welcome those dedicated this mission. (AB)
Attend a corn festival, Warrensburg, 4-10 p.m. and Saturday, 7 a.m. to 11 p.m., free admission
Did you think that Urbana was the only town that had a corn festival? Ha! You were mistaken. Warrensburg has one, and it’s Thursday, Friday, and Saturday. There will be corn, there will be food, there will be Christian rock. It will likely be an experience similar to that of the Homer Soda Festival and/or Urbana’s Sweetcorn Festival. More info is available on the festival’s website. (JH)
INTER-PYGMALION, 51 Main, 6:30 p.m.-12 a.m., panel and reading are free, Speedy Ortiz show is $15-$18
PYGMALION’s event INTER-PYGMALION takes place tonight at 51 Main, featuring a variety of components you’d see at the festival in September. There’s a show late, headlined by Speedy Ortiz (which we interviewed earlier this week) with local outfit Spandrels, a panel discussion about the Future of Tech in C-U (at 8 p.m.), and a reading with lead singer Sadie Dupuis of Speedy Ortiz and Amy Sayre Baptista (at 6:30 p.m.) (PS) Top photo by Shervin Lainez
Ride your bike under the full moon, Meadowbrook Park, 7:15 p.m.
Prairie Cycle Club is hosting this moonlight bike ride to Sidney, where participants will get some ice cream from Sidney Dairy Barn. The ride starts at 7:15 p.m. in the Windsor Road parking lot at Meadowbrook. Everyone is invited, so grab a friend. Riders are responsible for their own safety, and it’s Illinois law to have a light if you’re riding at night. Additional details — important ones — are available on Facebook. (JH) Photo from Facebook
Saturday, July 28th
Get some cider and donuts, Curtis Orchard, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., prices vary
Just cause it’s July doesn’t mean you can’t indulge in some fall treats. Curtis Orchard opened for the season last week, and it’s actually a great time to go, before the the craziness begins. This weekend will have some chilly mornings, so you could even light an apple spice candle and throw on a sweater and pretend it’s October while you eat your apple-y things. (JM) Photo from Facebook
Learn about archaeology, Orpheum Children’s Science Museum, 7 to 8:30, free
This latest installment in the Science for All series will feature Dr. Jacob Skousen, Visiting Research Archaeologist from the Illinois State Archaeological Survey. He’ll be talking about artifacts from Native American groups found in Allerton Park, and the continuing investigations there. More info can be found on the Orpheum’s website. (JM)
PechaKucha, Krannert Center for the Performing Arts, 8:20 p.m. (door 7:20 p.m.), free
Don’t miss this Saturday’s PechaKucha Night. Of course, there are many reasons to get excited about this event given its creative origins, communal engagement, and zany speed, but on top of these opportune attributes, the event is free, publicly oriented, and brings a fun zip to process and design. Find out more about the event here and find out more about PechaKucha events in general by visiting their site. (AB) Photo from Facebook.
Elsinore, ZXO, Moon Ruin, Seven Saints, 9 p.m., $7
Elsinore’s Ryan Groff has been extremely active as of late, playing shows pretty much anywhere that will have him and his guitar and lovely voice, though this time around, Elsinore comes out of hibernation to play their first show since December 2016. That’s wild. One of the best bands in the local scene, ZXO, jumps in here, as well as Moon Ruin who will open it up. Doors at 8 p.m., show at 9 p.m. (PS)
Sunday, July 29th
Interfaith Alliance Summer Picnic, Crystal Lake Park, 4 to 6:30 p.m., free
Earlier this week, we shared a bit about the Interfaith Alliance and the work they do in the community. Every interaction I’ve had with the group — from their Thanksgiving program right after the 2016 election to conversations with some of the faith leaders — has left me with hope for the future. Whether your a faith-type person or not, I think it’ll be a refreshing community event. If you’re able, sign up to bring a dish. I’m sure you’d be welcomed regardless. (JM)
Khamsin, Idle Threat, Marathon, Old Home, Blips and Chitz, 7:30 p.m., $7
I wrote about this one in the Overture this week, but I wanted to mention it again here in the Weekender. Four bands, $7, house show, Sunday night — feels like a fun time to me if you perhaps took off Saturday night, and still want to check out some live music this weekend. Khamsin and Idle Threat are on tour from Nashville, and joined by a few locals in a cool house show spot. Message for address, as always. (PS)
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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.