Chambana Proud

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

Episode 71: Krannert Center—The Intersection of Education and Art

Podcast Description:
Champaign-Urbana is home to one of the finest performing arts centers on a university campus in the country. Terri & Carly sit down with the Director, Mike Ross, to learn why the Krannert Center for the Performing Arts is so unique in its space, and why this drives excellence in education and performance. Learn about the upcoming season and the importance of supporting the arts locally and nationwide.
 
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/
Beautiful: The Carole King Musical: https://thevirginia.showare.com/eventperformances.asp?evt=1054
Irish Fest: https://allerton.illinois.edu/events/irish-fest-2025/
Paxton Main Street First Fridays Concert Series: https://www.paxtonmainstreet.com/event/first-fridays-summer-concert-series-4/
Crystal Lake Park Art Fair: https://40north.org/our_programs/crystal-lake-park-art-fair/
Garlic Harvest & Faux Braiding Workshop: https://www.facebook.com/events/1496866015026723/1502446244468700/?event_time_id=1502446244468700
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: July 25–27

Summer is really heating up in Chambana! Keep it cool this weekend with a Summer Splash at Lake of the Woods, followed by live music, movie night at Sholem Aquatic Center, Yin Yoga at Prairie Farm, RC Fest in Tuscola, and Shakespeare in Crystal Lake 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/
Summer Concert Series: Occasional Cajun Band & Summer Splash: https://www.champaignforests.org/events/details/summer-splash-2025
Movie Night at Sholem: https://champaignparks.org/event/movie-night-at-sholem-nacho-libre/
RC Fest: The Grand Finale: https://www.rcfest.net/
Starling Shakespeare Co. presents Hamlet and the Comedy of Errors: https://www.urbanail.gov/community-development-services/page/arts-culture-calendar-events
Yin Yoga at the Farm: https://champaignparks.org/event/yin-yoga-at-the-farm/2025-07-27/
Chambana Proud: https://www.chambanaproud.com/
Experience Champaign-Urbana Calendar of Events: https://www.experiencecu.org/events/calendar-of-events

Episode 70: They’ll Get You There

Whether you’re getting to school, to work, or getting out of the rain, you can always depend on the C-U MTD. Terri & Carly sit down with this critical community service to get the full scope of what they provide—and no surprise, it’s more than you know! The organization has built a foundation of trust with its ridership and is a key component of our often-touted short commute time. You don’t want to miss this discussion! Stay tuned in to make your weekend plans with everything from live music, a triathlon, theatre, the Champaign County Fair, and Drag Bingo!
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/
MTD: https://mtd.org/
Champaign County Fair: https://www.champaigncountyfair.cc/fair-schedule.html
John R. Miller with special guest Rebecca Rego at Rose Bowl Tavern: https://rosebowltavern.com/
The C-U Triathlon: https://champaignparks.org/event/c-u-triathlon/
Gypsy: A Musical Fable: https://www.cudramamakers.com/
Drag Bingo at Alto Vineyards: https://altovineyards.net/events-champaign/drag-bingo
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: July 11–13

From a large agricultural show to a scavenger hunt of theatre costumes and props, this weekend in the Champaign-Urbana area is full of fun and surprises. Tune in to this week’s episode of Chambana Proud as Terri & Carly run down a few ways you can spend your summer 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/
Historic Farm Days: https://www.historicfarmdays.com/
Reds, Whites, & The Blues: https://allerton.illinois.edu/events/reds-whitestheblues-2025/
Postmark Urbana: https://40north.org/our_programs/postmark-urbana/
Pink Floyd’s Dark Side of The Moon: https://www.parkland.edu/Audience/Community-Business/Parkland-Presents/Planetarium/Events/Calendar?trumbaEmbed=view%3Devent%26eventid%3D1249494233
Mahomet Auto Fest: https://www.visitmahomet.com/new/index.php/events/auto-fest
Chambana Proud: https://www.chambanaproud.com/
Experience Champaign-Urbana Calendar of Events: https://www.experiencecu.org/events/calendar-of-events

Episode 69: Sullivan, Your Summer Destination

Your outdoor adventures for summer are set. Terri & Carly sit down with Laurrie from the Sulliivan Chamber & Economic Development to talk about opportunities for boating, kayaking, fishing, hiking, mountain biking, and more. Keep tuned in to plan your 4th of July weekend 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/
Sullivan Chamber & Economic Development: https://www.sullivanchamber.com/
Little Theatre on the Square: https://www.thelittletheatre.org/
Chambana Proud Episode with Little Theatre on the Square: https://chambanaproud.podbean.com/e/episode-41-9-shows-13-weeks/
Rantoul 4th of July Fireworks: https://rantoulchamber.com/events/
Homer Freedom & Music Festival: https://www.facebook.com/events/669808945462968
Champaign County Freedom Celebration: https://july4th.net/
Sparks in the Park: https://tuscola.org/sparks25
CobraFest: https://www.facebook.com/events/1460043801836761
Friday Night Live: https://40north.org/our_programs/friday-night-live/
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: June 27–29

A busy summer weekend is on tap (pun intended)…kicking off with Riggs Fest! Terri & Carly run down family-friendly events from rocket launches with the Champaign Park District to the MLK Jettie Rhodes Day Celebration to Tolono Fun Days. Don’t miss the CU Pride Fest from Uniting Pride at Rose Bowl Tavern, and get your 4th of July celebrations started with the Arthur Freedom Celebration & Fireworks!
 
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/
Riggs Fest: https://www.facebook.com/events/1183395886083054/?acontext=%7B
Great Annual Rocket Launch: https://champaignparks.org/event/great-annual-rocket-launch/
MLK Jettie Rhodes Day Celebration: https://www.urbanaparks.org/calendar/events/mlk-jettie-rhodes-day-celebration
CU Pride Fest presented by UpCenter: https://www.rosebowltavern.com/#calendar-1
Tolono Fun Days: https://tolonofundays.org/
Arthur Freedom Celebration & Fireworks: https://illinoisamishcountry.com/wp/illinois-amish-country-and-arthur-area/arthurs-freedom-celebration-and-fireworks/
Chambana Proud: https://www.chambanaproud.com/
Experience Champaign-Urbana Calendar of Events: https://www.experiencecu.org/events/calendar-of-events