Five days. Over 70 bands. 100 plus speakers. 40 or more authors and 42 vendors. 30 venues. 150 staff. 80 sponsors. Literally hundreds of other what-have-yous.
Needless to say, it takes a lot to put this shindig together, now in our 11th year. And as such, there’s a cost to attend some of the bigger productions.
But, for those of you who aren’t sold, or don’t like the bands, or just don’t have the cash on hand to throw down, we really want to make sure that you know that there’s a ton of events and shows that are completely free to attend.
Here is a list! Please join us, and check out the schedule to plan your weekend, whether you are buying a pass or a ticket to a show or not.
The weather seems to be simply perfect. Fingers crossed.
FREE!!!
WEDNESDAY SEPTEMBER 23:
Krannert Art Museum :: 6:30 p.m. – 11:30 p.m ::
500 E. Peabody Champaign (MUSIC + LIT)
THURSDAY SEPTEMBER 24:
Research Park EnterpriseWorks :: 8:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
60 Hazelwood Dr. Champaign (TECH)
Research Park Atkins Building :: 8:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
1800 S. Oak Champaign (TECH)
TECH CRAWL :: 4:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m. ::
Downtown Urbana :: Goose Alley (TECH)
Sipyard :: 5:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m. ::
204 W. Main St. Urbana (TECH)
Cafeteria & Co. :: 5:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m. ::
208 W. Main St. Urbana (MUSIC + LIT)
FRIDAY SEPTEMBER 25:
Krannert Center for the Performing Arts LOBBY :: 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. ::
500 S. Goodwin Ave. Urbana (TECH)
Krannert Center for the Performing Arts Studio Theatre :: 6:30 p.m. – 10:30 p.m. ::
500 S. Goodwin Ave. Urbana (LIT)
SATURDAY SEPTEMBER 26:
The MADE Fest :: 12:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m. ::
Corner of Market + Main Champaign (MADE)
bacaro :: 11:00 a.m. – 1:15 a.m. ::
113 N. Walnut Champaign (TECH)
Exile on Main St. / Dandelion :: 12:30 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. ::
100 N. Chestnut Champaign (MUSIC + LIT)
Blind Pig Brewery :: 12:30 p.m. – 6:00 p.m. ::
120 N. Neil Champaign (TECH + LIT)
Circles :: 5:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m. ::
114 N. Neil St. Champaign (LIT)
Cowboy Monkey :: 5:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m. ::
6 E. Taylor St. Champaign (LIT)
Memphis on Main :: 4:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. ::
55 E. Main St. Champaign (LIT)
Mike N Molly’s :: 4:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. ::
105 N. Market St. Champaign (LIT)
SUNDAY SEPTEMBER 27:
The MADE Fest :: 12:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m. ::
Corner of Market + Main Champaign (MADE)
Exile on Main St. / Dandelion :: 11:30 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. ::
100 N. Chestnut Champaign (MUSIC)
Cowboy Monkey :: 10:00 p.m. – 2:00 a.m. ::
6 E. Taylor St. Champaign (MUSIC)
It’s probably worth noting here that on Sunday night at Cowboy Monkey, one of my very favorite bands in the world is performing. They are called Truly, and I last saw them in this very same room in 1995 when it was called The Blind Pig. I stood outside with my friend, Mike Zolfo, because we weren’t old enough to get in.
Here is a song you should hear. It’s amazingly good:
I literally can’t WAIT.