Chambana Proud

Episode 64: Placemaking for All

As warmer weather approaches, outdoor dining and live music are on the horizon in #chambana. Terri & Carly talk with Lacey from the City of Champaign on the new Downtown Plaza and how this public space will be available for all to enjoy, with more development to come. Tune in to learn more, and plan for the busy weekend ahead!
This episode is sponsored by Krannert Center for the Performing Arts and supported by Busey Bank.
 
Show links:
Krannert Center for Performing Arts: https://krannertcenter.com/
Busey Bank: https://www.busey.com/
Downtown Champaign Plaza: https://engagechampaign.org/downtownplaza
Ebertfest: https://ebertfest.com/2025-films
Christie Clinic Illinois Race Weekend: https://illinoismarathon.com/
Fighting Illini Baseball: https://fightingillini.com/sports/baseball
Misery: https://monticellotheatre.org/tickets/
Country Arbors Nursery Garden Party: https://www.facebook.com/events/2523087254703075
Chambana Proud: https://www.chambanaproud.com/
Experience Champaign-Urbana Calendar of Events: https://www.experiencecu.org/events/calendar-of-events

What’s Happening in Chambana: April 17–20

Heading into the holiday weekend, Carly & Terri share various fun ways to get out this weekend in the Champaign-Urbana area. Live theatre, fashion with plants, plant sales, and all the Egg Hunts you can imagine are all on tap. Tune in to plan your weekend!
 
This episode is sponsored by Krannert Center for the Performing Arts and supported by Busey Bank.
 
Show links:
Krannert Center for Performing Arts: https://krannertcenter.com/
Busey Bank: https://www.busey.com/
Parkland Theatre presents The Wedding Singer: https://www.parkland.edu/Audience/Community-Business/Parkland-Presents/Theatre/Events/Theatre-Season/2024-2025-Theatre-Season/The-Wedding-Singer
A Botanical Excursion Into Fashion: https://www.champaignforests.org/events/details/a-botanical-excursion-into-fashion
Nite Lite Egg Pursuit: https://champaignparks.org/event/nite-lite-egg-pursuit/
Hudz Family Fun Zone: https://www.facebook.com/events/1417284722983370
Monticello at Forest Preserve: https://www.facebook.com/events/1016799786997191
Eggstravaganza: https://champaignparks.org/event/eggstravaganza-egg-hunt/
Spring Plant Sale: https://www.delightflowerfarm.com/events/spring-plant-sale-1
Chambana Proud: https://www.chambanaproud.com/
Experience Champaign-Urbana Calendar of Events: https://www.experiencecu.org/events/calendar-of-events

Episode 63: A Pint of Science

What do you really know about what scientists do and how it impacts our daily lives? University of Illinois plant scientist, Katie, shares with Carly and Terri that a worldwide event, Pint of Science, is coming to Champaign-Urbana this May and that we’re guaranteed to walk away with some brilliant new knowledge. Stay tuned in to make your weekend plans around the Champaign-Urbana area!
This episode is sponsored by Krannert Center for the Performing Arts and supported by Busey Bank.
 
Show links:
Krannert Center for Performing Arts: https://krannertcenter.com/
Busey Bank: https://www.busey.com/
Vegan Chef Challenge: https://veganchefchallenge.org/champaign/
Pint of Science: https://pintofscience.us/events/urbana-champaign
Allerton Trail Races: https://runallerton.weebly.com/
2025 School of Art & Design Master of Fine Arts Exhibition: https://kam.illinois.edu/exhibition/2025-school-art-design-master-fine-arts-exhibition
Industrial Donut’s 6th Birthday Celebration: https://www.facebook.com/events/954096323500231
Plant Appreciation Day: https://champaignparks.org/event/plant-appreciation-day/
Egg Hunt with a Splash: https://www.urbanaparks.org/calendar/events/egg-hunt-with-a-splash
Christie Clinic Illinois Race Weekend Volunteers: https://illinoismarathon.com/get-involved/volunteer/
Chambana Proud: https://www.chambanaproud.com/
Experience Champaign-Urbana Calendar of Events: https://www.experiencecu.org/events/calendar-of-events

What's Happening in Chambana: April 4–6

This weekend brings an abundance of big events! Get out and explore campus and the community for the Engineering Open House, Boneyard Arts Festival, University of Illinois Mom’s Weekend, and the Festival of Quilts. Start your weekend with the Urbana Park District’s MLK March for Peace.
 
This episode is sponsored by Krannert Center for the Performing Arts and supported by Busey Bank.
 
Show links:
Krannert Center for Performing Arts: https://krannertcenter.com/
Busey Bank: https://www.busey.com/
MLK March for Peace: https://www.urbanaparks.org/calendar/events/mlk-march-for-peace
Engineering Open House: https://eohillinois.org/
Boneyard Arts Festival: https://boneyardartsfestival.org/
Mom’s Weekend: https://calendars.illinois.edu/list/8069
Festival of Quilts: https://cunningham.org/get-involved/events/festival-of-quilts/
Chambana Proud: https://www.chambanaproud.com/
Experience Champaign-Urbana Calendar of Events: https://www.experiencecu.org/events/calendar-of-events

Episode 62: Be Kind

Glass-blower and owner of Prairie Fire Glass, Jim Downey, took a serendipitous path to discover his creative outlet in life. Terri & Carly talk with him about these happy accidents and why being kind gives back tenfold. Enjoy this light-hearted conversation, plan a day-trip to Monticello, and plan your weekend events in this week’s episode.
This episode is sponsored by Krannert Center for the Performing Arts and supported by Busey Bank.
 
Show links:
Krannert Center for Performing Arts: https://krannertcenter.com/
Busey Bank: https://www.busey.com/
Prairie Fire Glass: https://prairiefireglass.com/
Make It Monticello: https://makeitmonticello.com/
Small Shop Stroll: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61572920242443
Meadowbrook: A History Walking Tour: https://www.facebook.com/events/1515626589123558
Illini Get Pickled Pickleball Tournament: https://secure.qgiv.com/for/picbal
41st Annual Lincon Square Train Show: https://www.illinoisterminaldivision.org/show/show.htm
Babies and Brunch: https://www.exploretock.com/prairie-fruits-farm/event/533130/babies-and-brunch
Chambana Proud: https://www.chambanaproud.com/
Experience Champaign-Urbana Calendar of Events: https://www.experiencecu.org/events/calendar-of-events

What's Happening in Chambana: March 21-23

As spring break starts to wind down, Carly & Terri share some ideas for enjoying a University of Illinois gem while students are away, as well as several other community events in the Champaign-Urbana area. With locally-made games, youth theatre, live music, and a film screening, you’ll enjoy a perfect early spring weekend!
 
This episode is sponsored by Krannert Center for the Performing Arts and supported by Busey Bank.
 
Show links:
Krannert Center for Performing Arts: https://krannertcenter.com/
Busey Bank: https://www.busey.com/
Spring Break at Krannert Art Museum: https://kam.illinois.edu/event/spring-break-krannert-art-museum-were-open
CPD Youth Theatre Presents: The Lightening Thief: The Percy Jackson Musical: https://champaignparks.org/series/cpd-youth-theatre-presents-the-lightning-thief-the-percy-jackson-musical/
CUDO Plays Season 11 Grand Exhibition : https://www.cudoplays.com/events/season11-grand-exhibition
Saturday Music with Keith & Kathy Harden: https://www.facebook.com/events/1157358299107293/
9 to 5: The Story of a Movement: https://champaign.org/event/9-to-5-the-story-of-a-movement-12084405
Chambana Proud: https://www.chambanaproud.com/
Experience Champaign-Urbana Calendar of Events: https://www.experiencecu.org/events/calendar-of-events

Episode 61: In Chambana Weather We Trust

Spring feels like it’s here! But is it? Will winter weather return? Will it feel like summer for the rest of March? Carly sits down with Andrew Pritchard, aka Chambana Weather, to discuss his passion for meteorology, how he got into this work, and the community’s inherent trust in his predictions. While storms are predicted for Friday, Terri & Carly run down the weekend events so you can get out and enjoy all our community has to offer.
Stay tuned for a weekend of fun events throughout the Champaign-Urbana area.
 
This episode is sponsored by Krannert Center for the Performing Arts and supported by Busey Bank.
 
Show links:
Krannert Center for Performing Arts: https://krannertcenter.com/
Busey Bank: https://www.busey.com/
Chambana Weather: https://www.chambanaweather.net/
Illinois Public Media: https://will.illinois.edu
IHSA Boys State Basketball: https://legendsplayhere.com/ihsa-boys-basketball/
Pie Day Celebration at The Brown Bag: https://www.facebook.com/events/1643903879584508
Patrick’s Day Festival at Savoy Recreation Center: https://www.facebook.com/events/1549743952328396
Bee Lucky Fairy Garden Workshop: https://www.thehivemahomet.com/workshops
90’s Daughter St. Patrick’s Day Party: https://www.facebook.com/events/569698372570479
Chambana Proud: https://www.chambanaproud.com/
Experience Champaign-Urbana Calendar of Events: https://www.experiencecu.org/events/calendar-of-events

What's Happening in Chambana: March 7–9

This episode, Terri & Carly share a wonderfully diverse set of events for all in the Champaign-Urbana area featuring theatre from Champaign-Urbana Theatre Company, Fighting Illini Sports, Literacy for all, an outdoor collaboration between Champaign County Forest Preserves and Uniting Pride, and world-class musicians and composers on campus. Tune in and make your weekend plans!
 
This episode is sponsored by Krannert Center for the Performing Arts and supported by Busey Bank.
 
Show links:
Krannert Center for Performing Arts: https://krannertcenter.com/
Busey Bank: https://www.busey.com/
CUTC presents Little Women: https://www.facebook.com/events/1154375309579268/1165180265165439
Fighting Illini Spring Sports: https://fightingillini.com/calendar
Read Across America at Lincoln Square: https://www.urbanaparks.org/calendar/events/free-read-across-america-at-lincoln-square
OUTside in Champaign Forests: https://www.champaignforests.org/events/details/outside-in-champaign-forests-march-2025
The Enchanted Viola: https://calendars.illinois.edu/detail/45/33514288
Chambana Proud: https://www.chambanaproud.com/
Experience Champaign-Urbana Calendar of Events: https://www.experiencecu.org/events/calendar-of-events

Episode 60: Illinois Soul Inspiring & Empowering Communities

With one year in the books, Illinois Soul has become a force in inspiring and empowering our community. Terri & Carly chat with Jill Clements from this new station from Illinois Public Media that serves the adult African American audience. Learn about the beginnings of this station, their programming, and how they are bringing people together.
Stay tuned for a weekend of fun events throughout the Champaign-Urbana area.
 
This episode is sponsored by Krannert Center for the Performing Arts and supported by Busey Bank.
 
Show links:
Krannert Center for Performing Arts: https://krannertcenter.com/
Busey Bank: https://www.busey.com/
Illinois Soul: https://will.illinois.edu/illinoissoul
Illinois Public Media: https://will.illinois.edu
Taste of Language: https://calendars.illinois.edu/detail/4193?eventId=33508086
Leaves: https://twincitytheatreco.ludus.com/index.php
Free Walker’s Book Club: https://www.urbanaparks.org/calendar/events/free-walkers-book-club
Champaign-Urbana’s Anime and Comic Convention: https://www.ui-con.org/
Star Gazing at Sola: https://www.solagratiacsa.com/events/stargazing-at-sola
Chambana Proud: https://www.chambanaproud.com/
Experience Champaign-Urbana Calendar of Events: https://www.experiencecu.org/events/calendar-of-events

What’s Happening in Chambana: February 20–23

Coming out of a week of cold weather, it’s finally time to get out and about in C-U. Whether it’s hairy, scary tarantulas at the 42nd Annual Insect Fear Film Festival, a Black Joy celebration, one-act plays, Fighting Illini Women’s Gymnastics, or tapping maple trees, Terri & Carly share ways to celebrate the diversity of our community this weekend.  
 
This episode is sponsored by Krannert Center for the Performing Arts and supported by Busey Bank.
 
Show links:
Krannert Center for Performing Arts: https://krannertcenter.com/
Busey Bank: https://www.busey.com/
Black Joy Social with Open Mic, Step Performance & Choir: https://www.parkland.edu/Main/About-Parkland/Newsroom/Parkland-Events?trumbaEmbed=view%3Devent%26eventid%3D1239604963
Playwright Showcase: A Night of Original One-Act Plays: https://monticellotheatre.org/tickets/
42nd Inest Fear Film Festival: https://publish.illinois.edu/uiuc-egsa/ifff/#41st%20IFFF
Illini Women’s Gymnastics Senior Night: https://fightingillini.com/sports/womens-gymnastics/schedule
Sap to Syrup: Exploring Maple Tapping in Central Illinois: https://www.champaignforests.org/events/details/sap-to-syrup-exploring-maple-tapping-in-central-illinois-2025
Chambana Proud: https://www.chambanaproud.com/
Experience Champaign-Urbana Calendar of Events: https://www.experiencecu.org/events/calendar-of-events