Thursday, June 20th
Do an indoor activity to beat the heat, all over C-U (suggestions below), all weekend, prices vary
I’m partial to blacklight mini golf (indoors, Arrowhead Lanes), but maybe you prefer one of C-U’s favorite pizzas and bowling (Old Orchard). There is also axe throwing, pool (Jupiter’s), or grabbing some books or DVDs from our local libraries. Regardless, remember to stay hydrated! (JH)
Continue the Juneteenth celebration with Syleena Johnson, Krannert Center for the Performing Arts, 6 p.m., free
The Juneteenth celebration continues at Krannert Center Uncorked for a special Krannert Uncorked featuring Grammy-nominated R&B artist Syleena Johnson. The event includes a cash bar, promotional giveaways, and music by Illinois Soul. (DP)
Friday, June 21st
Attend a ballroom summer course, Krannert Center for the Performing Arts Drama Rehearsal Room, 2 to 4 p.m., $15 (payment details in the flyer above)
HITNHOMEBOY presents the first in the Black and Brown LGBTQIA+ Ballroom 101 Summer Course Series. “Runway 101: The Fundamentals” features guest artist Julian Everett, who is from Seattle and a star in the category of European Runway. Participants will learn “ballroom awareness, perfecting that runway strut, and trying out your skills in a fun battle zone for a prize (similar to a ballroom competition).” (JH)
Ride a bike to ice cream, Sidney Dairy Barn, 7:30 p.m., bring money for ice cream
Get your bike and ride to the roadside ice cream shop Sidney Dairy Barn with other C-U people. Meet up at Meadowbrook Park at 7:35 p.m. before a 7:45 p.m. bicycle departure to Sidney Dairy Barn. The event is family friendly. For some Sidney Dairy Barn content, check out this review. (AB)
Saturday, June 22nd
Support Habitat for Humanity with the Bike to Build Rodeo, Habitat ReStore, 9 a.m. to noon, free
Habitat’s Bike to Build Rodeo will feature a rodeo course, arts and crafts, a bike sale, music from DJ Silkee, and more. It will be fun for all ages, and you’re supporting a good cause. (JH)
Learn about bees, Pollinatarium and Meadowbrook Park, 9 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., free
Bee Blitz 2024 kicks off bright and early at the Pollinatarium. Attendees will begin by looking for and photographing bumble bees — they’re so cute! Continue on to Meadowbrook Park’s Sensory and Herb Garden, and return to the Pollinatarium for some air conditioned reprieve and downloading of photos. More details here. (JH)
Eat onion rings, Smith Burger Co., 11 a.m. to 9 p.m., $10
Saturday is National Onion Ring Day. Celebrate with onion rings from the king of rings: Smith Burger Co. The food truck and outpost inside Collective Pour both sell the delicious crispy rings of onion. I love the exterior’s salty, gritty crunch and how the batter stays on the onion, so every bite has both crunchy deliciousness and soft onion. They’re good with Smith Burger’s western sauce, but I love to add their housemade ranch, too. (AB)
Listen to Jessica Lynne’s reading, Krannert Art Museum, 1 to 2 p.m., free (register here if you want the livestream)
Join writer and critic Jessica Lynne for a reading from her essay collection in progress, which blends art criticism and elements of memoir to tell a story about the many ways that love — in all its forms — has shaped her life as a Black Southerner. The reading will be followed by a conversation between Lynne, Jen Everett, and Blair Ebony Smith. (AP)
Celebrate Pride with music and drag, Downtown Champaign, 4 p.m., free
Toast to Taylor Street celebrates Pride Month with a stellar musical lineup followed by a drag show presented by United Pride. Enjoy music from Sass, Haki n Dem, and kittens Incorporated followed by a freestyle fashion show, Katie Flynn, and a fabulous lineup of drag performers. (DP)
Engage with Jen Everett, Queer Archives and Bearing Witness, Urbana-Champaign Independent Media Center, 5 to 6:30 p.m., free but registration required
Starting with a framework built around stewardship, participants will discuss record-keeping, preservation, and the creative process of collecting and archiving materials and texts. Please be mindful that this workshop was conceived as an offering for Black, queer, and other marginalized people as their histories are at a heightened risk of suppression and erasure. Registration is free and participation is limited. (AP)
Sunday, June 23rd
Get twisted with the Brothers Grimm Spectaculathon, Parkland’s Second Stage, 2 p.m., $10-$18
Twin City Theatre Company presents the 2024 Stars of Tomorrow Student production, The Brothers Grimm Spectaculathon by Don Zolidis and directed by Chandra Galloway. The fairy tales of the Brothers Grimm are turned on their heads in this fast-paced, rollicking ride as two narrators and several actors attempt to combine all 209 stories ranging from classics like Snow White, Cinderella, and Hansel and Gretel to more bizarre, obscure stories like The Devil’s Grandmother and The Girl Without Hands. A wild, free-form comedy with lots of audience participation and madcap fun. Recommended for ages 10+. (AP)
Experience African culture, various Urbana venues, 3 p.m., free
The Ngoma African Music and Culture Festival offers a rich celebration of African heritage with numerous events throughout Urbana. Attendees can enjoy a drumming session and mini-concert at the Community Center for the Arts, a fashion show at Lincoln Square Mall, and a street fair on Gregory Street with performances by Laeticia Kyungu and Michel Bakenda. Additionally, the festival will feature traditional African cuisine, art exhibits, and family-friendly activities. (DP)
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.