Friday, July 12th
Join the Lunch Bunch Craft Club and do origami, Spurlock Museum, 11:30 to 1:30 p.m., free
This ingenious new club encourages gives us an excuse to step away from our desks, learn new things, get creative, and relax. It’s a great way to take a break, learn a craft, and meet new people. Drop in for as long as you like. You might even have some cool new desk art to show off when you return to work refreshed for the rest of the afternoon. (DD) Photo from Facebook event page
Enjoy a special release beer: OATS! #2, Big Thorn Farm, 3 to 8 p.m., $15/750mL bottle
Big Thorn is releasing OATS! #2, an oat-malt beer soured with lactobacillus from freshly-milled oats. It’s only being released on the farm and will not be distributed, so if this is something you want to try, best get to the farm to do so. In addition to the bottles, it will be on draft this weekend, while it lasts. (JH) Top photo by Jessica Hammie
Chill, and have someone else grill, Common Ground Food Co-op, 5 to 7 p.m., $5
Common Ground is hosting monthly chill and grill events, in which they make the food, and you eat the food. Hang out on the porch with your plate ($5 for one protein and two sides). You’ll have a meat and veggie option (hot dogs), potato salad, and macaroni and black bean salad. Specifics are on the Facebook event page. (JH)
Learn the art of flower arranging from the pros at Delight Flower Farm, Anita Purves Nature Center, 5:30 to 7:30 p.m., $23 for residents
Another opportunity to explore a Zen-like craft and make something beautiful to gift to a friend or yourself. Participation fee includes flowers and vase, along with light snacks and refreshments. I’m sensing a theme here: chill environment, easy-paced learning, a craft that marries natural form and artistic vision. There’s no better way to unwind from your week than to explore a satisfying art form that engages so many of your senses. Call 217-367-1544 to register. (DD) Photo from Facebook event
Witness the ancient martial art of Taekgyeon, HMD Academy Savoy, 6 to 8 p.m., free
You can witness perhaps the oldest martial arts tradition of Korea this Friday at HMD Academy in Savoy. Grandmaster Jeon Kyung-hwa, along with several of his instructors from Korea, will be hosting a performance of Taekgyeon, a “soft” martial art meant to throw off opponents by executing several flowing movements often performed to music. Grandmaster Jeong was designated a “living culture asset of the second generation” by the Korean government in 1995. Taekgyeon was practiced during the Joseon dynasty (1392-1897) and is similar to Tai Chi and Tae Kwon Do. (SP)
Watch dueling pianos with dinner & drinks, Hudson Farms, 6 to 11:30 p.m., $35-55
Hudson Farms in Urbana is hosting a night of live music, dinner, drinks, and a DJ to cap it all off. If you have ever witnessed dueling pianos, you surely were taken aback by the sheer talent and passion these players exhibit as they play off of one eachother and involve the audience. A dinner buffet by Piato’s Catering will kick off the evening, included with your ticket purchase (drinks not included). VIP, Upper level, and bleacher seats are available at different price points and Hudson Farms asks that you leave the kids at home. For the evening schedule and to purchase tickets, visit the Facebook event page. (SP) Photo from the Facebook event page
Saturday, July 13th
Check out Andalyn Hodge’s pop-up art show at Common Ground Food Co-op, 9 a.m. to 12 noon, free
This incredibly talented and enterprising 13-year-old artist will be selling her work on the Co-op porch to build an art school college fund. From what I’ve seen you’re sure to find something for yourself or for a friend. Bring locally-made art into your home while helping to support this artist’s educational journey. Sounds like a win-win to me. And even if you can’t If you can’t swing the money for a purchase, stop by to wish her luck and tell her how amazing she is. (DD) Photo from Facebook event page
Dance it out at Dance Music Therapy’s Summer in the Park event at the Lake House at Crystal Lake Park, 2 p.m. to 10 p.m., free and family-friendly
DMT is taking it outside for the earlier, family-friendly event. DJs Terrance, TDM, and KamauMau will be spinning everything from deep house and world beats to funk and soul. Grab your sunscreen, lots of water, and some friends and get those endorphins going. Read our write up about this great local event series here. (DD)
Hit up Midwest Beer Fest, Barrelhouse 34, 4 p.m. to 12 a.m., prices vary depending on how much you want to drink
If you are a craft beer connessiour, and enjoy sampling what our local area and just beyond has to offer, then this is the event for you. You can check out the full line up of breweries here. There will food trucks for your dining needs, and it also happens to be the Champaign Park District’s Street Fest that evening, and you will be able to mosey over there with your beers and listen to the live music. (JM) Photo by Rebecca Wells
New Souls, Pour Bros. Taproom, 8:30 p.m., free
This week’s installment of Pour Bros.’ Artist Alley Summer Series features New Souls, which is a blend of funk, soul, and hip hop. The trio is by Mike Ingram, Cii’ LaCole Stewart, and Brandon T. Washington, and you can see them for free — read up on the series from Nicole’s interview here. (PS)
Sunday, July 14th
Go see big scary dinosaurs on the big screen, Savoy 16, 2 p.m., $6.50 to $8
I really love it when oldies but goodies come back to the big screen so that we can enjoy them in their full glory all over again. And there’s nothing better suited for big screen viewing than Jurassic Park. Yes we’ve had the recent incarnations of the franchise, but nothing compares to the original. I saw it in the theater as a teenager, where the only available seats were in the second row, and ohmigod was that T-rex scene terrifying. It’ll be hot outside, so go sit in the cool of a dark theater and watch some rogue dinos terrorize some folks. If you go to the matinee, you’ll save a couple of bucks. (JM) Image from Facebook event page
Test your outdoors knowledge, Champaign Outdoors, 3 to 5 p.m., $10
Champaign Outdoors is hosting their first ever trivia event to benefit the Connecting Classes with Nature program at the Urbana Park District. The program helps bring more area school classes to learn about nature at Anita Purves and tour natural areas at Meadowbrook and Busey Woods. There will be prizes. You can get your tickets here. (JM)
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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.