Chambana Proud

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

Episode 73: A Pop of Color Amongst the Sea of Corn

Head to the farmers market every week and your eyes will feast on the colorful bouquets on display at the Delight Flower Farm tent. Diving deeper on this farm, Terri and Jordan talk with Maggie Taylor about how it started, its steady growth, and the sustainable efforts that continue to feed our rich land.
 
Stay tuned in to find ways to celebrate this Labor Day weekend, from Fighting Illini Football to all things cheese at the Arthur Cheese Festival!
 
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/
Delight Flower Farm: https://www.delightflowerfarm.com/
Fighting Illini Football: https://www.fightingillini.com
Candlelight Serenade: Symphony Edition: https://www.urbanaparks.org/calendar/events/candlelight-serenade-at-the-lake-house-2853046791
Arthur Cheese Festival: https://arthurcheesefestival.com/wpcheese/
SkateFest: https://www.urbanaparks.org/news/come-out-to-skatefest-august-30-at-preston-williams-elementary-school
Champaign Labor Day Parade: https://www.facebook.com/ChampaignCLC/
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: August 22–24

School is back in session, and with it, events are popping up all over #chambana! Celebrate the history of agriculture in Rantoul, enjoy the final Friday Night Live of the season, head to Mahomet for their annual music festival, check out a new sweetcorn festival at Riggs Beer Company, and get more music under the summer sky at The ILLIAC at Hessel Park!
 
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/
Half Century of Progress: https://www.halfcenturyofprogress.com/
Mahomet Music Festival: https://www.mahometmusicfest.com/home
Friday Night Live: https://40north.org/our_programs/friday-night-live/
Riggs Sweetcorn Festival: https://www.riggsbeer.com/events/sweetcorn-festival/
The ILLIAC: https://theilliac.com/
Chambana Proud: https://www.chambanaproud.com/
Experience Champaign-Urbana Calendar of Events: https://www.experiencecu.org/events/calendar-of-events

Episode 72: Welcome to Champaign-Urbana

Moving to a new community is hard. Making friends, connecting with resources, finding local events and businesses, and ways to volunteer—it can all be overwhelming. Zelda Gardner, a member of the Chambana Welcome Crew, talks to Carly & Terri about her experience in helping newcomers settle into the area. She shares how her passion for the community has not only helped her roll out the red carpet for new residents, but it’s also helped reignite her desire to explore, meet new people, and foster engagement in Champaign-Urbana.
 
Stay tuned in to plan a weekend full of events in the greater 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 Welcome Crew: https://makeitcu.com/cwc/
Mission Impossible: The Final Reckoning: https://union.illinois.edu/weekend-films
Mexica Archeastronomy: https://www.parkland.edu/Audience/Community-Business/Parkland-Presents/Planetarium/Events/Calendar?trumbaEmbed=view%3Devent%26eventid%3D1252050598
Pens to Lens: https://penstolens.com/
Toast to Taylor Street: https://www.toasttotaylor.com/
Contra Dance at Sola Gratia: https://www.solagratiacsa.com/events/contra-dance
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: August 7–10

As summer starts to wind down, Carly and Terri run down a full weekend of events to hold on to the spirit of the season. From the Champaign Park District’s CU Days to a movie on the Quad with Chambana Moms. Don’t miss Piatt County’s Quilt Festival, Prairie Crossroads Blues Fest, and the return of Fighting Illini Women’s Soccer.
 
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/
Fighting Illini Women’s Soccer: https://fightingillini.com/sports/womens-soccer/schedule
Christie Clinic Presents Kids on the Quad: https://www.facebook.com/events/1986796112128435/?acontext=%7B
Champaign-Urbana Days: https://champaignparks.org/event/champaign-urbana-days-cu-days/2025-08-08/
Piatt County Quilt Festival: https://quiltguilds.com/event/piatt-county-quilt-festival-in-cisco-il/: https://www.facebook.com/events/1263075758636767
7th Annual Prairie Crossroads Blues Fest: https://www.facebook.com/events/1263075758636767
Chambana Proud: https://www.chambanaproud.com/
Experience Champaign-Urbana Calendar of Events: https://www.experiencecu.org/events/calendar-of-events