Urbana
FOOD & DRINK
Flyover Film Studios is an economic game-changer for Central Illinois
By now, most of us have heard that Flyover Film Studios has set up shop in part of the former Chanute Air Force Base in Rantoul. Back in February, it was announced that Governor Pritzker was awarding $10 million in grants for soundstage and film studio development in the state. While The Fields in Chicago is getting the lion’s share of the development funds, Flyover Film Studios is poised to change the artistic and economic landscape here in East Central Illinois.
Top of the Morning, May 31, 2024
Want to purchase today’s print edition? Here’s a map of single-copy locations. On Fridays, we’ll spotlight the men and women serving up cold ones and conversation in our neck of the woods. Let us know about your favorite bartender by emailing ltaylor@news-gazette.com. Gabrielle Beaver didn’t think she...
The Beat set to debut in Downtown Champaign this weekend
The Beat, a brand new, but somewhat controversial, initiative in Downtown Champaign, aims to expand late-night entertainment options on weekends throughout the summer. Launching its first performances this Friday and Saturday May 31st and June 1st, the initiative brings high expectations and good music. The lineup includes DJ Carlos Wesjile and DJ Silkee on Friday, followed by Haki N Dem and DJ BJ Clark on Saturday. By offering a diverse range of musical acts, The Beat hopes to attract a wide audience and energize the local nightlife scene, making it a key player in Champaign’s cultural landscape.
Baldarotta's looking to move to former Best of Africa space
URBANA — The restaurant judged to have the best sandwiches around in five straight News-Gazette People’s Choice contests may be serving up porkettas and Sicilian sausages in a different space down the road. Baldarotta’s Porketta & Sicilian Sausage, currently located inside Urbana’s Lincoln Square Mall, has announced plans...
The Urbana Pops Orchestra to celebrate 15th season with a special concert
The Urbana Pops Orchestra (UPO) is celebrating its 15th season with a special concert titled Rags to Rhapsody on Saturday, June 15th, at 7 p.m. at Urbana High School. This free event will feature an eclectic mix of performances, including selections from the musical Ragtime, a preview of Oliver!, and Gershwin’s “Rhapsody in Blue” played by Kavinder Patel, a talented sophomore from Urbana High School. Adding a unique twist, the concert will also include a live orchestral score accompanying Buster Keaton’s 1920 silent film One Week, showcasing UPO’s innovative use of multimedia to enhance the concert experience.
Yoga in the Park returning to Urbana this summer
URBANA, Ill. (WCIA) — Free Yoga in the Park is returning to Meadowbrook Park in Urbana every Saturday throughout the summer. The hour-long sessions are led by expert yoga instructors and will take place at 9 a.m. at the Garden Pavilion off Race Street. In previous years, classes would meet at the PrairiePlay Pavilion. However, […]
Leal Elementary creates mural recognizing dual-language students
URBANA (WCIA) — A school in Urbana has a new mural in their hallways. This is Leal Elementary’s first mural in four years. This year, they wanted to design something that would commemorate the dual-language students who will no longer be attending the school next year. The mural is created with flags from different countries […]
Pour Bros. to hold festival in honor of late manager
CHAMPAIGN — The Champaign bar whose manager was killed in a fatal shooting earlier this year is now holding a festival in his name. The Brandon Hardway Memorial Beer and Spirits Festival will take place from 2 to 8 p.m. on Saturday outside the Pour Bros. Craft Taproom in downtown Champaign. The event will feature beers from 18 different breweries, a charity raffle and live music.
Meet the new owner of Hopscotch Bakery
Hopscotch Bakery + Market has a new owner: Jenny Kim. She’s a big fan of Hopscotch and hopes to keep all of the neighborhood spot‘s charm in the John Street bakery’s next chapter. Seven years ago, Hopscotch opened their Champaign brick-and-mortar location in 2017, after first operating as a pastry vendor at the farmers market, and the cute corner bakery continues to be a destination for coffee, tea, croissants, breakfast sandwiches, quiche, tartine, and other beautiful baked goods.
Rose Bowl Tavern hosts a stellar return for Kangaroo Court and friends
With spring in full swing and the white tent back in the parking lot of Rose Bowl Tavern, it was only fitting that Kangaroo Court made a return to Urbana on a beautiful Saturday night. The drinks were flowing as servers wound their way from table to table, talking with a crowd that was still enjoying the last bit of sunshine before the show began. By the time the first band took the stage, nearly every table was filled along with several other people standing and waiting for things to begin.
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