June Events

Although campus seems empty, that doesn’t mean there isn’t plenty to do this summer in good old Champaign-Urbana! This is only a selection of the bundles of events that will keep your social life sizzling this summer.

Photo Courtesy of UGL Media Commons

Photo Courtesy of UGL Media Commons

Photo Courtesy of Illini Union

Photo Courtesy of Illini Union

Copa America and UEFA Viewing at the Illini Union – June 3-26 and June 10-July 10 – Free

If you thought the Union would be deserted over the summer, think again! Visit the Courtyard Cafe in the Illini Union during these major soccer tournaments to see your favorite–and least favorite–teams duke it out on the field.

Photo Courtesy of Illini Union

Photo Courtesy of Illini Union

Eye in the Sky on the Quad – Thursday June 9, 9pm – Free

After a day of frollicking in the sun, enjoy a June night on the Quad with your friends and Alan Rickman! The Illini Union will be showing this film that explores ethics during war. With a 95% rating from Rotten Tomatoes and a pricetag of $0, there’s no excuse not to give it a chance.

Photo Taken from Facebook Event

Photo Taken from Facebook Event

The Princess Bride at the Virginia Theater – Monday June 13 and Tuesday June 14, 7pm – $4

Always wanted to see Wesley on the big screen? As you wish! This classic spoof on the Romantic Comedy movie genre is just one movie being shown as part of the Virginia Theater’s ROMCOM16 series. Climbing the Cliffs of Insanity would be better than missing this!

Photo Taken from Urbana Business Association Facebook

Photo Taken from Urbana Business Association Facebook

Uncork Urbana Wine Festival – Saturday June 18, 1-9pm – Admission $15 online, $20 at the gate (includes 5 tastings and souvenir glass)

For the 21 and up crowd, be sure to check out the Uncork Urbana Wine Festival this month. The festival features wine tasting, food trucks, and live music in downtown Urbana. Nab your tickets a couple days early to save $5 on admission!

Photo Taken from Champaign Parks Website

Photo Taken from Champaign Parks Website

StreetFest – Saturday June 18, 7pm-Midnight – Free

This annual live music event also features food and drinks from all your favorite local spots. Enjoy the great June weather with bands The New and Slightly Used, Sun Stereo, and Jim Markum Swing Band. If you can’t make it in June, StreetFest will be back with new bands on July 16.

Photo Taken from Lola's Brush

Photo Taken from Lola’s Brush

Wine Bottle Painting at Lola’s Brush – Wednesday June 22, 6-8pm – $20

Paint a wine bottle and get a little tipsy at this BYOB event at Lola’s Brush in Champaign. Admission includes materials. If you can’t make it on this day, don’t fret! There are BYOB painting events at Lola’s throughout the summer, including a couple’s paint and wine glass painting.

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October Events

October is the spookiest month, to misquote a famous author, and there’s a huge variety of seasonal events going on around Champaign-Urbana. Though we typically aim to provide you all with something to do each week, this month we’re going to share events that are date specific, as well as some that are happening throughout the month. If you like to be scared, we’ve got some haunted houses. If you like to have things a bit less blood-curdling, we’ve got corn mazes and other fall themed events. There’s a little something for everyone!

Photo taken from Curtis Orchard

Photo taken from Curtis Orchard

Curtis Orchards – All Month
Curtis Orchards is the perfect place to really get in the fall mood. Whether you have a hankering for some apples or pumpkins, want to play some mini-golf, or listen to some great roots music, Curtis Orchards is a local favorite for autumnal fun. There’s also the Country Store to satisfy your need for fudge, along with some award-winning apple cider. Our mouths are watering just thinking about it.
http://curtisorchard.com/

Photo taken from the Art Theater Co-op

Photo taken from the Art Theater Co-op

Rocky Horror Picture Show at the Art Theater Co-op- October 16-17
It’s astounding! If you’ve never seen the Rocky Horror Picture, it’s an absolute must for the month of October and for the rest of the year. If you’ve never been to a live-cast performance, then you are doubly responsible for going to see what all the fun is about. The stars and highlights of this film are too innumerable to list here, so make your way over to the Art for an experience you won’t soon forget.
http://www.arttheater.coop/rocky-horror-picture-show/

Photo taken from Hardy's Reindeer Ranch

Photo taken from the Hardy’s Reindeer Ranch

Corn Maze at Hardy’s Reindeer Ranch in Rantoul- All Month
Corn mazes are an essential autumn experience and a great way to spend a Saturday. This particular maze at Hardy’s Reindeer Ranch in nearby Rantoul is shaped like a giant eagle carrying an American flag. If that isn’t a recipe for an amazing day, we don’t know what is. For those of you with a taste for horror, there is also the option to do the maze at night with a flashlight. If those aren’t reason enough to go and do this, there’s a giant pumpkin cannon. Sold.
http://www.reindeerranch.com/maze.html

The National Circus and Acrobats of the People’s Republic of China at Krannert – October 21 at 7pm
Though it may not fall in with the whole theme of spookiness and fall fun we have going so far, this event is too awesome to pass up. As the event description says, these acrobats are “among the world’s most acclaimed athletes.” We don’t have much else to say because this seems so cool in and of itself, but if you need more convincing, just look them up on YouTube. It’s amazing.
http://krannertcenter.com/performance.aspx?id=20157211038494912817410782

Photo taken from Bone Saw Mill

Photo taken from the Bone Saw Mill

Haunted Houses at Bone Saw Mill- All Month
And you were here thinking we’d end this blog without mentioning a haunted house in the month of October. This one actually features two different haunts this year including “The Freak Show: Field of Fears” and “The Haunt at Bonesaw Mill”, so those of you seeking a scare are in for quite the treat.
http://freakshowillinois.com/

Did we miss anything? Let us know on Facebook (Undergraduate Library @ UIUC) or Twitter (askundergrad)!

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Keeping Warm and beating the Polar Vortex

Fellow UGLers, it seems like the polar vortex is bringing us down. Do you find yourself at home, wrapped in a blanket, and looking out the window thinking, “There is nothing to do?” Have no fear; the UGL is here to give a couple of suggestions to keep warm on campus this winter.

The UIUC greenhouse is full of tropical plants.

The plant Biology Greenhouse. Courtesy of the UIUC Plant Biology Greenhouse Center

Make sure to check out the plant biology greenhouses right here on campus! The extreme weather is no reason why you should not enjoy some nature. Be sure to check out what events and open hours they have.

We’re all counting down the days until summer, but in the mean time, check out what the recreational centers have to offer. The ARC offers a climbing wall, swimming pools, and -wait for it – the best part, a 35-person sauna. That ought to warm you right up.

The 35-foot indoor climbing wall at the ARC. Photo courtesy of the UIUC Recreational Center

CRCE also offers a hot tub, an indoor swimming pool, and a 12-person spa. This sounds like the perfect way to relax on the cold days up ahead.

CRCE Pool  has a waterslide and a weird volcano fountain thing

CRCE Swimming Pool. Photo Courtesy of the UIUC Recreational Center

If swimming or rock climbing isn’t your cup of tea, there are always exercise machines and you are sure to build up a sweat.

The Illini Union holds many events throughout the school year. Past events have been trivia nights, ballroom dancing events, and much more. Also, the Union has a recreational room in the basement. The UGL always supports a good underground attraction. Grab a friend and go bowling for the night! Check out the Union calendar here.

Sometimes, you can bowl with everything lit by blacklights.

Bowling at the Illini Union Rec Room. Photo Courtesy of the Illini Union

The campus observatory holds open house hours. It is the perfect opportunity to take advantage of a clear night sky, while observing from indoors. Be sure to bring a friend and a thermos of hot chocolate.  For more information, visit the observatory webpage.

The Campus Observatory holds open house hours. Photo Courtesy of the UIUC Campus Observatory

So there you have it, Club UGL, just a couple of things around campus where you can keep warm while having some fun. Also, don’t forget that the UGL and other campus libraries are (usually) warm, so come see us to stay toasty while studying.

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Be a game changer: register to vote

It may not be a major election year, but if you’re new to Champaign County, or have never registered to vote, consider stopping by the UGL this week where the Champaign County Clerk’s office will be set up all week from 2 PM-8 PM, answering your voting questions and helping you register.

If you’ve just moved to Champaign or Urbana, you should consider registering to vote. While there may not be a presidential bid on the line, you can still make your voice heard in local elections. Registering is quick and simple, as long as you have a few necessary things: your driver’s license as well as basic information: address, phone number, previous voting address, and any prior name(s). Look for the table set up next to our research desk (that little cafe table on the first floor where you can find the friendly librarians in the vests).

If you don’t want to register in Champaign County–maybe there’s something big happening back home–you can stop in anyway and find out information about absentee voting. They can also answer general questions about voting like requirements to register, what to do if your address has changed since you last registered, and elections coming up in the next year. More information is also available on the County Clerk’s website.

If you miss the registration drive at the UGL, don’t worry! We’ve still got you covered. Set up in the lobby of the lower level (next to the soda machine) is a computer where you can register to vote any time. Get involved in creating change in the world. Start by registering to vote.

Friendly voting computer

Register to vote at the drive this week, or use our convenient registration station!

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