Smile Politely
@smilepolitely.com
Champaign-Urbana’s Culture Magazine
At one point, one of the event organizers said, “the most beautiful thing about line dancing is that we learn by doing it together,” and that felt like the thesis of the night.
Boot scootin’ boogie the night away at Queer Line Dancing night - Arts
I was unfortunately too young to experience the country line dancing craze of the 90’s, but this past summer, after the release of Chappel Roan’s “The Giver,” I got really into watching videos of line...
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November 26, 2025 at 6:03 PM
At one point, one of the event organizers said, “the most beautiful thing about line dancing is that we learn by doing it together,” and that felt like the thesis of the night.
Blurred Horizons was the second installment in Immaterial Books’ “Fields of Visions” series, featuring photographers whose styles differ dramatically yet converse fluidly as you moved from one grouping to the next.
A wine bar, a crowd, and a fresh glimpse at Central Illinois - Arts
An enthusiastic crowd gathered on Friday, November 21st, for the opening of Blurred Horizons: Contemporary Photography in Central Illinois at Analog Wine Bar in Urbana. Guests moved through the space ...
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November 26, 2025 at 5:58 PM
Blurred Horizons was the second installment in Immaterial Books’ “Fields of Visions” series, featuring photographers whose styles differ dramatically yet converse fluidly as you moved from one grouping to the next.
The City of Champaign is once again offering up to two hours of free parking at the Hill Street parking deck this December. The effort is to encourage residents and visitors to frequent downtown businesses and restaurants.
Park for free in Downtown Champaign - SPlog
The City of Champaign is once again offering up to two hours of free parking at the Hill Street parking deck this December. The effort is to encourage residents and visitors to frequent downtown busin...
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November 26, 2025 at 4:46 PM
The City of Champaign is once again offering up to two hours of free parking at the Hill Street parking deck this December. The effort is to encourage residents and visitors to frequent downtown businesses and restaurants.
Same as last year, performances will occur at Fire Doll, Rose Bowl Tavern, The Space, Loose Cobra, and Exile on Main Street.
Derailed Fest by Pretzle Records returns December 3-7 - SPlog
Derailed Fest, the spin-off of Railfest (previously held at the Brass Rail), will be presented by the local indie record label Pretzle Records once again. This year, Derailed Fest will be held from De...
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November 26, 2025 at 4:45 PM
Same as last year, performances will occur at Fire Doll, Rose Bowl Tavern, The Space, Loose Cobra, and Exile on Main Street.
As easy as it is to stay in, don’t make anymore excuses and head out on the town for a little holiday sparkle. Here are a few festive things to do soon.
Much ado about holiday events - SPlog
Hello, it’s me. I am back again with another round of holiday activity suggestions. Listen, I get it; as if there’s not enough to do this time of year other than just make it out ...
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November 26, 2025 at 4:44 PM
As easy as it is to stay in, don’t make anymore excuses and head out on the town for a little holiday sparkle. Here are a few festive things to do soon.
Let Me Fly is a homegrown musical about communication, courage, and connection. It is about the beauty and difficulty of learning to understand one another.
Meet Let Me Fly, the musical Champaign-Urbana will be talking about - Arts
The first time I saw the musical that would eventually become Let Me Fly, it wasn’t even called that yet. It went through two early titles, A Special Kind of Life and then A Kind ...
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November 26, 2025 at 4:40 PM
Let Me Fly is a homegrown musical about communication, courage, and connection. It is about the beauty and difficulty of learning to understand one another.
The Palace of Versailles in France is now displaying robes created over 300 years ago by Inohka, or “Illinois People” — Native American tribes whose homeland include Illinois.
Historic Native American robes — the subject of a U of I project — displayed at Versailles - SPlog
The Palace of Versailles in France is now displaying robes created over 300 years ago by Inohka, or “Illinois People” — Native American tribes whose homeland include Illinois. The robes are a focus of...
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November 25, 2025 at 6:39 PM
The Palace of Versailles in France is now displaying robes created over 300 years ago by Inohka, or “Illinois People” — Native American tribes whose homeland include Illinois.
Kathleen reviews this recent performance at Krannert Center, as these six performers of BCAS were very much in their element for this piece.
Bang on a Can All Stars and LA Master Chorale offered meditations on nature and climate change - Music
On Tuesday November 18th, the Bang on a Can All Stars (BCAS) and Los Angeles Master Chorale (LAMC) performed David Lang’s before and after nature in the Colwell Playhouse at Krannert Center for the Pe...
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November 25, 2025 at 6:37 PM
Kathleen reviews this recent performance at Krannert Center, as these six performers of BCAS were very much in their element for this piece.
So Gong Dong is a great new restaurant straight in the heart of Campustown and brings its own fresh take on Korean food.
So Gong Dong brings Korean cuisine to Campustown - Food & Drink
In recent years, I have found Korean food to be quite comforting. In my year living in New York City for graduate school, I often found myself working in Korea Town with the comforts of ...
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November 25, 2025 at 6:36 PM
So Gong Dong is a great new restaurant straight in the heart of Campustown and brings its own fresh take on Korean food.
The Burrito Lab first opened in 2024 and drew popularity for its free guacamole. Now the casual Mexican restaurant will launch a mobile restaurant with a simplified menu of burritos, bowls, and walking tacos with complimentary guac.
The Burrito Lab is opening a food truck - SPlog
University Avenue restaurant The Burrito Lab is opening a food trailer. The Burrito Lab first opened in 2024 and drew popularity for its free guacamole. Now the casual Mexican restaurant will launch a...
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November 25, 2025 at 6:34 PM
The Burrito Lab first opened in 2024 and drew popularity for its free guacamole. Now the casual Mexican restaurant will launch a mobile restaurant with a simplified menu of burritos, bowls, and walking tacos with complimentary guac.
There are dozens of markets and festive events popping up in the coming weeks.
Holiday markets are here - SPlog
I’ve already waxed poetic about the importance of shopping locally this holiday season, but I truly do mean it. There are ample opportunities to keep that dollar close to home when it comes to gifting...
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November 25, 2025 at 6:33 PM
There are dozens of markets and festive events popping up in the coming weeks.
Baroque Artists of Champaign-Urbana will welcome folks to sing along to festive holiday choruses–even sitting in groups by vocal part–or just listen along. No singing abilities needed, just good, old fashioned holiday spirit.
Enjoy Baroque Artists of C-U’s last performance of 2025 - SPlog
Join BACH in Messiah Sing-along to close out the year of the choral group’s performances. The event will welcome folks to sing along to festive holiday choruses–even sitting in groups by vocal part–or...
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November 25, 2025 at 6:32 PM
Baroque Artists of Champaign-Urbana will welcome folks to sing along to festive holiday choruses–even sitting in groups by vocal part–or just listen along. No singing abilities needed, just good, old fashioned holiday spirit.
From a restaurant with literally 1,000+ menu items to an Urbana food hall with seven concepts, here’s Alyssa's list of eleven restaurants for when the party has dietary restrictions.
Restaurants for when the party has multiple dietary restrictions - Food & Drink
Champaign-Urbana is a great destination, and whenever people visit, they’ve got to eat. Catering to guests with dietary restrictions can be tricky. Turns out, some people are deathly allergic to certa...
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November 25, 2025 at 5:19 PM
From a restaurant with literally 1,000+ menu items to an Urbana food hall with seven concepts, here’s Alyssa's list of eleven restaurants for when the party has dietary restrictions.
The store offers a selection of Middle Eastern, African, and Asian groceries. Previously, the space was Bombay Market, which has since relocated to University Avenue with Mama’s Kitchen.
Desi Bazaar now open on Bradley Avenue - SPlog
Champaign-Urbana’s newest grocery store called Desi Bazaar is now open on Bradley Avenue. The store offers a selection of Middle Eastern, African, and Asian groceries. Previously, the space was Bombay...
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November 25, 2025 at 2:23 AM
The store offers a selection of Middle Eastern, African, and Asian groceries. Previously, the space was Bombay Market, which has since relocated to University Avenue with Mama’s Kitchen.
This is a packed guide, but really it barely scratches the surface. Think locally first this season, and keep your joys as simple as you need to obtain those warm, fuzzy feelings.
The 2025 guide to shopping locally - Culture
Yes, it’s time. The yearly inundation of purchasing pressure. It feels a little icky to say how to spend your own hard-earned money when there’s so much food insecurity, housing crises, and much other...
www.smilepolitely.com
November 25, 2025 at 2:13 AM
This is a packed guide, but really it barely scratches the surface. Think locally first this season, and keep your joys as simple as you need to obtain those warm, fuzzy feelings.
A bright spot in the local culinary scene, Siam Terrace restaurant has been part of Urbana’s dining landscape for years.
Siam Terrace is Urbana’s getaway for Thai food - Food & Drink
Thai cuisine is beloved across the world for its ability to transform humble ingredients into dishes characterized by bold, punchy flavors. With classics like pad Thai, green curry, and mango sticky r...
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November 24, 2025 at 5:06 PM
A bright spot in the local culinary scene, Siam Terrace restaurant has been part of Urbana’s dining landscape for years.
From now to December 19, donate new or gently used winter clothing to Bakelab for their Baked in Warmth community winter clothing drive.
Donate to Bakelab’s winter clothing drive - SPlog
From now to December 19, donate new or gently used winter clothing to Bakelab for their Baked in Warmth community winter clothing drive. Donations are accepted at both Bakelab and the Brewlab location...
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November 24, 2025 at 5:05 PM
From now to December 19, donate new or gently used winter clothing to Bakelab for their Baked in Warmth community winter clothing drive.
Deep End ultimately asks viewers to consider water as more than a physical space. It invites reflection on what water has carried — families, journeys, wounds, joy, and the stories that survived against the odds.
Bridgewater goes beneath the surface at the University YMCA - Arts
Deep End, the newest exhibition at the University YMCA’s Murphy Gallery, is a study of all that water can hold. In artist Jameel Bridgewater’s hands, water becomes a place of possibility and fear, saf...
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November 24, 2025 at 5:04 PM
Deep End ultimately asks viewers to consider water as more than a physical space. It invites reflection on what water has carried — families, journeys, wounds, joy, and the stories that survived against the odds.
Happy Thanksgiving to all who celebrate. Things might be quieter in town this week, but there are plenty of things to do on your day(s) off and with out of town visitors.
The Week: November 24-27 - Culture
Happy Thanksgiving to all who celebrate. Things might be quieter in town this week, but there are plenty of things to do on your day(s) off and with out of town visitors.
www.smilepolitely.com
November 24, 2025 at 3:15 PM
Happy Thanksgiving to all who celebrate. Things might be quieter in town this week, but there are plenty of things to do on your day(s) off and with out of town visitors.
There are different memberships to take advantage of, and eventually even half season memberships at Indian Acres. Plus, you could make plans for a summer job and apply to be a day camp director.
It’s not too early to think about pool time - SPlog
At least I never think it’s too early–summer is the best! Well, it’s really only great when there are opportunities to cool down in a pool…Indian Acres is launching their memberships on November 27, w...
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November 21, 2025 at 11:50 PM
There are different memberships to take advantage of, and eventually even half season memberships at Indian Acres. Plus, you could make plans for a summer job and apply to be a day camp director.
A mere 40 minutes away in Downs, Carolyn and co. went to Kickapoo Tea Room and Boutique for a tea party.
Kickapoo Tea Room, an elegant tearoom in Downs - Food & Drink
My friends and I avidly viewed all the Downton Abbey episodes and movies reveling in the English tea. We have a fascination with the United Kingdom, specifically high tea, and with Downton Abbey concl...
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November 21, 2025 at 11:48 PM
A mere 40 minutes away in Downs, Carolyn and co. went to Kickapoo Tea Room and Boutique for a tea party.
There should be limited responsibilities between Thanksgiving and the end of the year. This should be a time to nest, read books, make and eat soups, and develop a hobby you’ll forget about come spring.
Welcome to soup season - SPlog
You know how a lot of European businesses are closed in August? I feel like we should adopt a similar practice. There should be limited responsibilities between Thanksgiving and the end of the year. I...
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November 21, 2025 at 9:27 PM
There should be limited responsibilities between Thanksgiving and the end of the year. This should be a time to nest, read books, make and eat soups, and develop a hobby you’ll forget about come spring.
Request your favorite holiday song, and you’ll be serenaded by a group of mostly student volunteers.
Call this number to hear some holiday tunes - SPlog
While actually using the phone to make calls can be intimidating for those in the millennial generation and younger, calling the University of Illinois Housing’s Dial-A-Carol is worth it, I promise. R...
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November 21, 2025 at 6:31 PM
Request your favorite holiday song, and you’ll be serenaded by a group of mostly student volunteers.
The way Hamilton Walker’s orchestrated the evening was beyond impressive.
A November wine and dine at Hamilton Walker's - SPlog
Hamilton Walker’s in Downtown Champaign knows how to throw a dinner party. The swanky steakhouse has a menu of steaks, seafood, comfort plates, and specials, but on occasion, Hamilton Walker’s also ho...
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November 20, 2025 at 6:43 PM
The way Hamilton Walker’s orchestrated the evening was beyond impressive.
An Enemy of the People, written in 1882, reminds us that many of the dangers currently plaguing our society are not uniquely modern inventions.
Heartland Theatre's An Enemy of the People shows how easily we become the mob - Arts
“When you’re fighting for truth and justice, don’t wear your good pants.” I was raised to believe that “right” and “wrong” could be easily identified. Then I grew up. As it turns out, the world ...
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November 20, 2025 at 6:41 PM
An Enemy of the People, written in 1882, reminds us that many of the dangers currently plaguing our society are not uniquely modern inventions.