FRIDAY, December 9th
Quick Self Defense class, Main Quad, 2 p.m. – 5 p.m., free
Go to the Main Quad for a quick refresher on self defense taught by a member of the U of I police department. They will be serving sandwhiches, providing free whistles and mini flashlights for participants. Go out and learn to protect yourself! More information on the Facebook page. (SL)
CORRECTION: Apparently this was a mistake on our end, and the event is only conceptual in nature and not affiliated with UIPD. Apologies! (PS)
Wine and Spirits Tasting, Harvest Market, 5-7 p.m., free
If you’ve not been to the new market in Champaign this might be a good opportunity to go check it out. Sample some free booze on the second floor where you’ll find wine, craft cocktails and recipes you can take home to your holiday parties. Here are some of the drinks you can try: Ketel One Mule, Smirnoff Peppermit hot chocolate, Casa Nobal organic margarita and many more. Check out more info on their Facebook event page. (SL)
A Charlie Brown Christmas, Parkland College Theatre, Champaign, 7:30 p.m., $9 (kids)-$15 (adults)
It’s the last weekend to take your kids (or just your inner child) to see a live performance of the show you remember from childhood. See the first incidence of “the Snoopy dance”, watch Charlie recover from holiday-exhaustion and rediscover the true meaning of Christmas: love for humanity, and root for that poor little tree trying to hold up its one sad ornament. Then meet & greet the cast in costume after the show! (RK)
SATURDAY, December 10th
Holiday Pop-up shop, Norden (206 W Main St, Urbana), 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., prices vary
Norden is hosting a holiday pop-up, featuring a bunch of really lovely products designed and made by them. There are a bunch of different things that would make perfect gifts for friends and family; I’m particularly enamored of the earrings. They are just too damn cute and fun. Stop by, check it out. Then swing by Flying Machine for a rosemary mocha. Photo from Facebook. (JH)
Illini Basketball vs. Central Michigan, 2 p.m., State Farm Center, Prices Vary
No, it’s not the non-conference barn-burner we would have been used to 10 years ago, but it is a team that will probably (sadly) be competitive against our beloved Illini. CMU has the leading scorer for the whole country right now, so that’ll be interesting at least. Even if we do end up getting our clocks cleaned. (BH)
Open Scene Fundraiser, IMC Gallery, Urbana, 2-4 p.m., FREE (but donate!)
Open Scene is IMC’s grant-funded initiative to create a youth-arts center in downtown Urbana. To qualify for the full grant, they need to raise $5,000 and so are holding an art auction with performances by local musicians including a set by J. Tune. Stop by, look at some art, place a bid, help your town fuel the arts and give kids a better start. (RK)
An Acoustic Christmas, Prairie Glass House, 7 p.m., ($25)
This is one of the area’s first holiday-themed concerts of the year, and it’ll be a good one. Rebecca Rego & The Trainmen will headline this stripped-down acoustic evening of music at Prairie Glass House, accompanied by Bashful Youngens and Kurt Bielema. Prairie Glass House is a gorgeous building located in the heart of the “Big Grove” forest, and if you’ve never been there, this would be the perfect time. The ticket price also gets you appetizers and a drink, and it’s well worth it for this local talent with a scenic view. (JM)
Elsinore with Abnormous, Namorado, and Sunjacket, The Accord, 8 p.m., $10 advance/$13 at the door
This is Elsinore’s last gig before spring, as they are going into hibernation for the winter to work on their new album. They’ve been able to tide us over this year by releasing a couple new songs, which I’m sure they’ll play. Abnormous also have an album in the works and are bound to drop a new track, and the two visiting bands each have fresh releases to try out on us. Who doesn’t love new tunes? (JM)
SUNDAY, December 11th
Drink something warm, All day long, one of our fine local cafés, prices vary
Word on the street is that we’re going to get some snow accumulation this weekend, which means that it’ll be a perfect time for ingesting a warm beverage at one of C-U’s many fine local coffee shops. Whether you stop by Flying Machine, Kopi or one of our mighty fine establishments, it’ll probably be just the right thing for a wintry weekend. (BH)
Christmas Drag Brunch, CityView at Illinois Terminal, 10:30 a.m., $25
The Up Center of Champaign County is presenting a holiday drag show and brunch buffet. The event is catered by Dish Passionate Cuisine, and includes: bacon, potatoes, eggs, Italian sausage pie with gravy, brisket, scones, fresh fruit, salad, and mimosas. The last event looked like a blast, and I’m sure this one will be a good time. Get your tickets here. Photo from The Up Center’s website. (JH)
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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.