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Smile Politely Champaign-Urbana's Online Magazine: providing the inside scoop of what's happening around C-U. http://smilepolitely.com

As part of Humanities Research Institute at Illinois Interseminars Series, Elena Guzman will be on campus next week to d...
01/11/2024

As part of Humanities Research Institute at Illinois Interseminars Series, Elena Guzman will be on campus next week to deliver a multi-media presentation in the Levis Faculty Center.

Indiana University Anthropology Professor in African American and African Diaspora Studies, Elena Guzman, will be on campus at the University of Illinois next week to deliver a multi-media presentation in the Levis Faculty Center. The ...

The Minutes presents biting satire and an unflinching challenge to the comfortable beneficiaries of those histories, lea...
01/11/2024

The Minutes presents biting satire and an unflinching challenge to the comfortable beneficiaries of those histories, leavened with enough humor to make the proverbial medicine go down smoothly.

After watching Heartland Theatre Company’s production of The Minutes last month, I issued afive-word missive: “Go see it. Trust me.” I recommend The Station Theatre’s production of thesame play with equal passion and fervor. In ...

The holiday has Alyssa craving something sweet, and so this week, she's thirsty for the turtle milkshake at Flesor's Can...
31/10/2024

The holiday has Alyssa craving something sweet, and so this week, she's thirsty for the turtle milkshake at Flesor's Candy Kitchen.

Flesor's Candy Kitchen makes a scrumdiddlyumptious chocolate-turtle milkshake in Tuscola, Illinois. Read more about the Greek confectionary.

The new Cloud Mountain Kombucha space is anticipated to open next year. Co-owner Aimee Baumgartner said, “Our new locati...
31/10/2024

The new Cloud Mountain Kombucha space is anticipated to open next year. Co-owner Aimee Baumgartner said, “Our new location is coming soon in the late winter or early spring of 2025. We’ll have an expanded menu, expanded hours and expanded fun.”

Urbana’s Cloud Mountain Kombucha is opening a new location on Griggs Street in between 25 O’Clock Brewing and the new Baldarotta’s sandwich shop. The new taproom will have indoor and patio seating, plus a bigger ...

This weekend is your last chance to cast your vote early, before election day, Tuesday, November 5th. There are a mounta...
31/10/2024

This weekend is your last chance to cast your vote early, before election day, Tuesday, November 5th. There are a mountain of Halloween events and activities, plus arts and music.

Baroque Artists of Champaign Urbana, lead by Director Dr. Sarah Riskind, convenes for their next performance this weeken...
31/10/2024

Baroque Artists of Champaign Urbana, lead by Director Dr. Sarah Riskind, convenes for their next performance this weekend.

Baroque Artists of Champaign-Urbana is truly an enterprise of the community, as its members are from all areas of it, town and gown alike. The collaborative chamber choir has an interesting story they were established ...

Chophouse on Main's passion for protein was evident in the plentiful menu options, plus many cocktail options to chose f...
31/10/2024

Chophouse on Main's passion for protein was evident in the plentiful menu options, plus many cocktail options to chose from as well.

Chophouse on Main in Mahomet serves big portions of comfort food in a cozy restaurant space with two levels.

Illinois Public Media brought home four Mid-America Emmy Awards, including one for Best Magazine Program for Prairie Fir...
30/10/2024

Illinois Public Media brought home four Mid-America Emmy Awards, including one for Best Magazine Program for Prairie Fire.

Remember that post from September where I gushed all over WILL-TV for getting all those Emmy nominations? Of course you do and now let’s pop open the champagne because they won! Our own Illinois Public ...

At this time, no opening date has been set, but the owner says the restaurant will serve ramen and Japanese stir-fry dis...
30/10/2024

At this time, no opening date has been set, but the owner says the restaurant will serve ramen and Japanese stir-fry dishes, anticipating an opening in the next few months.

A new restaurant called Ittonken will open soon on Neil Street. The restaurant will serve ramen and Japanese stir-fry dishes.

Prepare yourselves for frights beyond the comprehension of mortal beings in this edition of A Building, A Feeling, and A...
30/10/2024

Prepare yourselves for frights beyond the comprehension of mortal beings in this edition of A Building, A Feeling, and A Latrine.

Well dear readers, it’s OCTOBER, which means it’s time to “get spooky with it” once again. Prepare yourselves for frights beyond the comprehension of mortal beings in this edition of A Building, A Feeling, and ...

It's yard waste season, and our Editorial Board looks at options and resources, whether you’re leaving the leaves or not...
30/10/2024

It's yard waste season, and our Editorial Board looks at options and resources, whether you’re leaving the leaves or not.

It’s time to collect the leaves and sticks and other yard waste detritus in your yard. City yard waste collections are underway, and will continue through November. As we wrote last year, year-round yard waste ...

To celebrate this year’s holiday, Champaign Park District will have a ton to do inside of this Saturday's event, complet...
30/10/2024

To celebrate this year’s holiday, Champaign Park District will have a ton to do inside of this Saturday's event, complete with Calavera (sugar skull) painting, an alter that people can bring offerings to, food trucks, and more.

On Saturday, November 2nd, Champaign Park District is helping the community celebrate Dia de los Mu***os with this event at Martens Center. The Day of the Dead holiday is traditionally celebrated on November 1-2 to ...

Loose Cobra once again proved itself to be a gem for hearing outstanding live music and enjoying great, hand-crafted dri...
30/10/2024

Loose Cobra once again proved itself to be a gem for hearing outstanding live music and enjoying great, hand-crafted drinks.

Loose Cobra in Tolono held the 2024 edition of the annual Oktstonerfest on Saturday, October 26th, beginning quintessentially at 4:20 p.m. The lineup, primarily featuring stoner metal, included several bands from Champaign-Urbana including Edna, Redleg, ...

With a little less dust and a little more rail, The Brass Rail still manages to fit in while still standing out on its b...
29/10/2024

With a little less dust and a little more rail, The Brass Rail still manages to fit in while still standing out on its busy little corner of downtown.

The Brass Rail, the oldest bar in Champaign, reopened late last year after the death of its long-time owner required the sale of the downtown institution. If you remember the old bar — I must ...

Champaign-Urbana’s outdoor farmers market season ended last Saturday, but The Land Connection's Winter Farmers Market se...
29/10/2024

Champaign-Urbana’s outdoor farmers market season ended last Saturday, but The Land Connection's Winter Farmers Market series begins this Saturday.

Champaign-Urbana’s outdoor farmers market season ended last Saturday, but The Land Connection’s Winter Farmers Market series begins this Saturday. Happening every week between now and the launch of 2025’s outdoor market season, we won’t miss ...

"It is tremendously important that people take an active part in politics and become advocates for themselves and others...
29/10/2024

"It is tremendously important that people take an active part in politics and become advocates for themselves and others. We must act. We must protest even when the powers that be aim to stifle our voices. We must place pressure on our congresspeople and our institutions. And we must vote."

It goes without saying that the past several years of American politics have been extremely tumultuous. In the current climate, it is easy to feel hopeless, especially for those of marginalized identities who have been ...

Illini Dancesport Ballroom Team is hosting this free session at Illini Union's Courtyard Cafe, with a newcomer's session...
29/10/2024

Illini Dancesport Ballroom Team is hosting this free session at Illini Union's Courtyard Cafe, with a newcomer's session afterwards.

While it doesn’t come as much surprise since there are so many students and organizations on campus doing interesting things, this might be the first time you’re hearing about the University of Illinois’ Ballroom Dance ...

You'll see Parkland College alum Mark Carlson behind the plate tonight in Game 3 of the World Series.
28/10/2024

You'll see Parkland College alum Mark Carlson behind the plate tonight in Game 3 of the World Series.

You may or may not be watching this year’s MLB World Series matchup between the New York Yankees and the Los Angeles Dodgers, but there’s a likelihood that some folks from Champaign-Urbana will recognize this ...

Take time now to research your choices and find a convenient early voting location. Whether you vote early or on Electio...
28/10/2024

Take time now to research your choices and find a convenient early voting location. Whether you vote early or on Election Day, exercise your right and vote.

Last week, I shared a special moment with my son, who came home from school to cast his early ballot with me. Gone are the days of required Election Day scrambles – that familiar rush ...

Zakir Hussain with Rahul Sharma, Deer Tick, Mynabirds, Emily How, and many more highlight this week in live music.
28/10/2024

Zakir Hussain with Rahul Sharma, Deer Tick, Mynabirds, Emily How, and many more highlight this week in live music.

The Overture is a rundown of live music and performances happening in and around Champaign-Urbana each week. All of the information is as accurate as we can publish; however, all shows and performances are subject ...

On Halloween, we’re all down for some candy, but candy’s everywhere. What about local treats? Alyssa went in search of o...
28/10/2024

On Halloween, we’re all down for some candy, but candy’s everywhere. What about local treats? Alyssa went in search of off-beat Halloween eats and found some hauntingly delicious food and drink.

From literal bones on a tray to a co**se cocktail, here are four spooky tastes of Champaign-Urbana, Illinois.

Experience Champaign-Urbana has gathered some titles together and a list of best places for find the films produced loca...
28/10/2024

Experience Champaign-Urbana has gathered some titles together and a list of best places for find the films produced locally.

Central Illinois is brimming with film talent and a bourgeoning film industry. The fine folks at Experience CU have gathered some titles together and a list of best places for find the films produced locally. ...

In addition to being a world-class orchestra with award-winning performances, recordings, and tours under their belt, LP...
26/10/2024

In addition to being a world-class orchestra with award-winning performances, recordings, and tours under their belt, LPO is particularly committed to mentoring the next generation of orchestral musicians and classical music-lovers.

On Tuesday October 15th, the London Philharmonic Orchestra gave a concert in Foellinger Great Hall at Krannert Center for the Performing Arts, as part of the Great Hall Classical Series. The LPO is currently touring ...

Baldarotta's Porketta & Sicilian Sausage is opening their new sandwich shop + deli + gelateria location on Griggs Street...
26/10/2024

Baldarotta's Porketta & Sicilian Sausage is opening their new sandwich shop + deli + gelateria location on Griggs Street.

Take a look inside the brand-new Baldarotta's Sandwich Shop + Deli + Gelateria on Griggs Street in Urbana.

What Mary hopes you take away from this exhibition is: curiosity to learn more, to look beyond the surface of the images...
24/10/2024

What Mary hopes you take away from this exhibition is: curiosity to learn more, to look beyond the surface of the images Wilson provides, and to find the art’s message provocative and worthy of deep thought long after leaving it.

As you walk into The Museum of Le***an Dreams at the Krannert Art Museum, you are immediately transported into a world where history, gender, and sexuality intersect in Self Portrait (She Was Framed), a study ...

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