It’s a beautiful time of year around Champaign-Urbana! If you’re lucky enough to be around the C-U for Fall Break, there are plenty of exciting events for everyone to enjoy. From participating in holiday festivities to cheering on the Illini, make sure to check out these events happening around town next week:

Join the Junior League of Champaign-Urbana for the 2019 Festival of Trees on November 22nd-24th at the Hilton Garden Inn Champaign. Over 100 trees and wreaths will be on display, so you can get into the holiday spirit. Purchase raffle tickets and enter for a chance to win all of the vignettes on display or place a silent bid on select trees and packages. Special events include the Family Winter Ball on Friday and breakfast with Mrs. Clause and Santa on Saturday. Image result for buddy the elf gif

Holiday Card Photo Op at the Virginia Theater

The Virginia’s beautifully decorated Mezzanine Lobby is opening on Monday, November 25 for photographs this holiday season, free of charge! Bring your camera or arrange to have a professional photographer meet you at the theatre to capture a special memory for the whole family. Drop by or call the box office (217-356-9063) to reserve your 15-minute slot (space is limited). Related image

Parkland Jazz Combo Concert

The Parkland Jazz Combo will be performing Monday, Nov. 25 at 7 p.m. at Parkland College Theatre’s Second Stage. Led by Kevin Hart, the ensemble will perform selections from artists such as Frank Foster, Pat Metheny, Charlie Christian, Paul Desmond, and Jeff Lorber. This concert is free and open to the public. Image result for the aristocats orchestra gif

Fighting Illini Men’s Basketball

Stop by the State Farm Stadium to cheer on a promising Illini Men’s Basketball team, as they play against the Lindenwood University Lions! Join the Orange Krush on Tuesday, Nov. 26 at 7 p.m. I-L-L!

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Fighting Illini Volleyball

Check out the Fighting Illini Volleyball team versus the Northwestern Wildcats before they head to the NCAA Tournament. You can watch them play in Huff Hall on Wednesday, Nov. 27 at 7:30 p.m. Go Illini!

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Pathways of Light

Take a little trip off-campus and come out to the Aikman Wildlife Adventure Park in Arcola, IL with your family to enjoy a stroll through a lovely pathway of Christmas lights. Start your Christmas shopping early by purchasing gift certificates for your family or friends, and experience one of their animal adventures. A plus: Iced sugar cookies and hot cider will be available! The Pathways of Light will be open during Fall Break on Nov. 29 and Nov. 30, starting at 5:00 p.m. Image result for christmas lights gif

Written by: Morgan

Edited by: Nicole

Happy Movember!

Movember is an annual event (involving mustaches and beards, of course) meant to raise awareness of men’s health issues. Movember aims to increase early cancer detection, battle the struggles of mental health and suicide, and reduce the number of preventable deaths. Check out their website here: https://us.movember.com/.

In honor of Movember, let’s take a look at some books in the UGL’s collection that involve everything facial hair!

One thousand beards: A cultural history of facial hair

A history of facial hair that documents its ebs and flows in our culture! The book showcases different styles, has information on self care, and shows pictures of famous beards!

Mustache shenanigans: Making Super Troopers and other adventures in comedy

A history and description of Jay Chandrasekhar’s experiences and perspectives when creating Super Troopers (1 and 2). Part humorous memoir and part film study!

Hair: Styling, culture and fashion

An exploration of hair styling, culture, and fashion. The book offers an examination of the social importance of hair, wherever it grows, and examines the different self-expressions and social identities that form from the expression of our hair!

Plucked: A history of hair removal

Examines the different forms of hair removal throughout the decades, from homemade lye depilatories to diode lasers and prescription pharmaceuticals. The book questions why we remove hair (an astonishingly American belief), and examines the unsettling lengths that Americans will go to when removing hair!