Chambana Proud

Episode 78: From Seed to Spirit—Illinois Spirits Made from the Ground Up

A 5th generation, certified organic farm in Paxton, is shaping our palates to taste the difference in their homegrown spirits. Silver Tree Beer & Spirits, a sibling-owned distillery, is keeping it entirely local, down to the barrels that age their whiskey. Listen as Terri talks to Dallas Glazik to learn about the beginning of the business, the distillation process, and how we can experience their various offerings.
 
Stay tuned in to plan your perfect weekend in the Champaign-Urbana area, with art fairs, antiques, robots, cover bands, and inspiring short films.
 
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/
Silver Tree Beer & Spirits: https://www.silvertreebeerspirits.com
Country Spirit Antique Show: https://www.facebook.com/events/1809886313108481
The Great Cover Up: https://rosebowltavern.com/
Craft League of CU Annual Art Show: https://www.craftleaguecu.com/annual-art-fair-info
Robotics Robot Day: https://robotics.illinois.edu/
CU International Film Festival: https://www.cuiff.org/
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: October 31–November 2

From the University of Illinois Dad’s Weekend to spooky and cultural celebrations, there’s a lot happening this Halloween Weekend. Tune in as Carly and Terri do a run down of some of this weekend’s to-do activities, and hear Carly’s opinion on whether Terri should go through a haunted house. (Hint: the answer is absolutely not.)
 
Check out these events and more at experiencecu.org.
 
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/
Edgar Allan Poe Speakeasy: Chapter Two: https://www.thevenuecu.com/promotionsandevents
U of I Dad’s Weekend: https://newstudent.illinois.edu/parents/dads-weekend
Champaign-Urbana Winter Farmers Market: https://www.thelandconnection.org/champaign-urbana-winter-farmers-market/
Dia de Los Muertos Celebration: https://champaignparks.org/event/dia-de-los-muertos-celebration/
Haunted Houses: https://217fear.com/index.html, https://www.facebook.com/nightmareatfoxhill
Chambana Proud: https://www.chambanaproud.com/

Episode 77: Creating a New Vision for the Illinois Arboretum

The Illinois Arboretum, a campus and community favorite, has a new visionary. Terri & Carly sit down with Derek Peterson, who, alongside an incredible team, made Allerton Park & Retreat Center a must-visit destination. Derek, leading the same team, will bring a brilliant vision to the Arboretum to create a cohesive space filled with experiences as diverse as the ecosystems found within. Tune in to learn about their short- and long-term plans.
 
Stay tuned in to plan your weekend in the Champaign-Urbana, with everything from CU Pride Fest, to fall vibes at Flannel Fest, and so much more.
 
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 Arboretum: https://arboretum.illinois.edu/
Allerton Park & Retreat Center: https://allerton.illinois.edu/
Fade: https://stationtheatre.com/
Savoy Recreation Center Fall Carnival: https://savoyil.recdesk.com/Community/Calendar
Flannel Fest: https://champaignparks.org/event/flannel-fest/
Pride Fest: https://www.unitingpride.org/2025-schedule.html
Rocky Horror Picture Show 50th Anniversary: https://thevirginia.showare.com/eventperformances.asp?evt=1044
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: October 17–19

Another fall weekend is here, filled with events to spread across the area to enjoy. Terri & Jordan share some of this week’s top picks:
1: CU Jazz Festival
2: Odd Market & Tattoo Fest
3: 16th Annual DisAbility Resource Expo
4: Sinfonia da Camera: Love Triangle
5: Fighting Illini Men’s Basketball (yes! They’re back!)
 
Check out these events and more at experiencecu.org.
 
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/
CU Jazz Festival: https://www.cujazzfest.org/
Odd Market & Tattoo Fest: https://www.oddmarket.org/
16th Annual Disability Resource Expo: https://www.disabilityresourceexpo.org/
Sinfonia da Camera: Love Triangle: https://krannertcenter.com/events/sinfonia-da-camera-love-triangle
Fighting Illini Men’s Basketball: https://fightingillini.com/sports/mens-basketball/schedule
Chambana Proud: https://www.chambanaproud.com/
Experience Champaign-Urbana Calendar of Events: https://www.experiencecu.org/events/calendar-of-events

Episode 76: Getting Lost in Your Community Bookstore

What started as a feminist bookstore has become a three-story building, filled to the brim with used books and local history gems. Jane Addams Book Shop in downtown Champaign is a beloved stop for readers young and old, who find treasures among the inventory of over 70,000 books! Tune in to hear about the story of this shop and some of Judy’s favorite picks.
Stay tuned to plan your weekend out and about in 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/
Jane Addams Book Shop: https://www.janeaddamsbooks.com/
Delight Flower Farm Fall Bulb Sale: https://www.delightflowerfarm.com/events/fall-bulb-sale-2025
Fighting Illini Football vs. #1 Ohio State: https://fightingillini.com/
C-U Small Press Fest: https://illinoislibraries.wixsite.com/smallpressfestcu/2025-events
Fungi Festival: https://www.urbanaparks.org/fungifest
Comedian Brian Hicks at Yellow & Company: https://yellowandcoevents.com/buy-tickets
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: October 2–5

While the Illini are away this weekend, the community is bursting with activities. Terri & Carly run down just a few of the many ways to get out and enjoy all fall has to offer. Urbana will be hopping with live music at the CU Folk & Roots Festival, joining up with more fall fun at the Urbana Fall Fusion Festival. Mahomet breaks out the pumpkins for their inaugural Fall for Mahomet Festival. Beckman Institute takes their Open House to downtown Champaign for a STEM Crawl for all ages; and the community comes together to walk and run for those we cherish at the Run to Remember. Enjoy these events and so much more in and around Champaign-Urbana 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/
Folk & Roots Festival: https://folkandroots.org/
2025 Run to Remember: https://illinoismarathon.com/races/run-to-remember/
Beckman STEM Crawl: https://beckman.illinois.edu/outreach/beckman-stem-crawl
Fall for Mahomet Festival: https://www.facebook.com/events/4112072835780198
Urbana Fall Fusion Festival: https://40north.org/our_programs/urbana-fall-fusion-festival/
Chambana Proud: https://www.chambanaproud.com/
Experience Champaign-Urbana Calendar of Events: https://www.experiencecu.org/events/calendar-of-events

Episode 75: Collaboration, Community, and Just Really Cool Art

Known for Friday Night Live and the Boneyard Arts Festival, 40 North, the Champaign County Arts Council, never stops with programming and collaborations. Kelly and Elsie share upcoming events with this weekend's Saturday Night Live: Homecoming Edition, followed by the Urbana Fall Fusion Festival next weekend. Learn about the community partnerships that help this dynamic duo keep our cities vibrant and provide opportunities for artists and cultures of all kinds.
Don’t miss the round up of this weekend’s events—it’s a busy one!
 
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/
40 North: https://40north.org
Illinois Homecoming: https://homecoming.illinois.edu/
Pokey Lafarge: https://rosebowltavern.com/
Weekend Train at Monticello Railway Museum: https://www.mrym.org/schedule
Downtown Champaign Historic Buildings Tour: https://www.champaigncountyhistory.org/event-details/downtown-champaign-historic-buildings-tour-1
Live Comedy at Alto Vineyards: https://www.cucomedy.com/
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: September 18–21

While it may not feel autumnal outside, fall festival season remains in full swing! Terri & Jordan share a few of the many ways to spend your weekend in the Champaign-Urbana area. From live music at Pygmalion, German celebrations at Riggs Beer Company, a streetfest in Paxton, a comic book & toy fair, and a look back at the first Farm Aid, this weekend is bursting with opportunities to get out.
 
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/
Pygmalion: https://thisispygmalion.com/
Riggs Oktoberfest: https://www.riggsbeer.com/events/riggs-oktoberfest-2/
Swine ‘N Dine: https://www.paxtonswinendine.com/
Champaign Comic Book Toy Show: https://www.facebook.com/events/1861368144695898
Songs of Solidarity: The 1985 Farm Aid Concert Exhibit Opening: https://www.spurlock.illinois.edu/events/event.php?ID=2603
Chambana Proud: https://www.chambanaproud.com/
Experience Champaign-Urbana Calendar of Events: https://www.experiencecu.org/events/calendar-of-events

Episode 74: The Hidden Gem of Downtown Champaign

Champaign-Urbana is bursting with artisans, but the craftsmanship on display at Roberts: The Fine Art of Jewelry is a new level of brilliance. Carly and Terri talk with Cindy Westfall, who leads the custom design work, about her process in creating just the right piece. Pro tip: if you’re shopping for jewelry for the holidays, get started now.
Stay tuned in for a full weekend of events, including Urbana Park District’s Meadowbrook Park Jazz Walk, West Side Arts, the Flatlands Dance Film Festival, Haunts & Legends of the University of Illinois, and the final Toast to Taylor Street of the season.
 
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/
Robert’s: The Fine Art of Jewelry: https://www.robertsjewelrychampaign.com/
Flatlands Dance Film Festival: https://www.spurlock.illinois.edu/events/event.php?ID=2609
Meadowbrook Park Jazz Walk: https://www.urbanaparks.org/calendar/events/meadowbrook-park-jazz-walk
Haunts & Legends of the University of Illinois: https://www.champaigncountyhistory.org/event-details/haunts-and-legends-of-the-university-of-illinois
Toast to Taylor Street: https://www.facebook.com/toasttotaylor
West Side Arts: https://40north.org/our_programs/west-side-arts/
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: September 4–7

The season of fall festival officially starts this weekend! Terri and Carly run down highlights from Krannert Center’s much-anticipated ELLNORA Guitar Festival to Arcola’s Broomcorn Festival. Whether you’re into gaming, interested in bats (the flying kind!), want an outdoor concert with The Brat Pack, or want to hear the iconic Phantom of the Opera music on the pipe organ, your weekend will be filled in 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/
ELLNORA: The Guitar Festival: https://krannertcenter.com/ellnora
Paxton Main Street Final First Friday Concert Series: https://www.paxtonmainstreet.com/event/first-fridays-summer-concert-series-3/
Tabletop Central: https://tabletopcentral.com/
Central Illinois Bat Festival: https://www.urbanaparks.org/bat-festival
The Phantom of the Opera featuring the Wurlitzer Pipe Organ: https://thevirginia.showare.com/eventperformances.asp?evt=1057
Chambana Proud: https://www.chambanaproud.com/
Experience Champaign-Urbana Calendar of Events: https://www.experiencecu.org/events/calendar-of-events