Smile Politely
@smilepolitely.com
Champaign-Urbana’s Culture Magazine
Lyric Theatre at Illinois has never been shy about going big, and their production of Anastasia embraces a very grand sense of scale.
Lyric Theatre's Anastasia goes big and beautiful - Arts
Lyric Theatre at Illinois has never been shy about going big, and their production of Anastasia embraces a very grand sense of scale. Before a single note of Ahrens and Flaherty’s shimmering score fil...
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November 19, 2025 at 10:08 PM
Lyric Theatre at Illinois has never been shy about going big, and their production of Anastasia embraces a very grand sense of scale.
Rose Bowl Tavern's weekly event offers an opportunity to jam with other musicians, listen to a great collection of local acts, and be a part of our homegrown music community.
The Urbana Hootenanny is more than just an open mic - Music
Rose Bowl Tavern’s open mic/open stage night, The Urbana Hootenanny, is much more than just an open mic night. Yes, you can sign up to play your open mic set of three songs, but it ...
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November 19, 2025 at 10:06 PM
Rose Bowl Tavern's weekly event offers an opportunity to jam with other musicians, listen to a great collection of local acts, and be a part of our homegrown music community.
Ted’s Café at the Beckman Institute has re-opened after a two-year hiatus for a renovation, and Angela pays a few visits to try out some of the menu.
A taste of the menu at Ted's Cafe - Food & Drink
Ted’s Café at the Beckman Institute has re-opened in 2025 after a two-year hiatus for a renovation. The café was named after Beckman’s founding Director, Ted Brown, a proponent of community offered by...
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November 19, 2025 at 10:04 PM
Ted’s Café at the Beckman Institute has re-opened after a two-year hiatus for a renovation, and Angela pays a few visits to try out some of the menu.
The 300th anniversary of The Four Seasons, Vivaldi’s enduring popularity, and the international reputation of the ensemble as interpreters of Baroque music drew a large and enthusiastic audience.
Les Arts Florissants Celebrate 300 years of Vivaldi - Music
On Saturday November 15th, Les Arts Florissants played their comprehensive program of Vivaldi’s The Four Seasons and related works in Foellinger Great Hall. The 300th anniversary of The Four Seasons, ...
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November 19, 2025 at 10:03 PM
The 300th anniversary of The Four Seasons, Vivaldi’s enduring popularity, and the international reputation of the ensemble as interpreters of Baroque music drew a large and enthusiastic audience.
After more than 20 years as a literal cornerstone of Downtown Champaign, Guido's Bar & Grill will close permanently later this month. Mahomet’s Chophouse on Main closed earlier this year hoping to relocate somewhere new and turns out, the old Guido’s will be that new home.
Guido's Bar & Grill closing; Chophouse on Main opening in 2026 - SPlog
After more than 20 years as a literal cornerstone of Downtown Champaign’s Main Street, Guido’s Bar & Grill will close permanently later this month. Chief Operating Officer of CRS Hospitality Kevin Hil...
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November 19, 2025 at 9:37 PM
After more than 20 years as a literal cornerstone of Downtown Champaign, Guido's Bar & Grill will close permanently later this month. Mahomet’s Chophouse on Main closed earlier this year hoping to relocate somewhere new and turns out, the old Guido’s will be that new home.
MTD joins the group of big cities with their own merch lines, like LA, NYC, and Chicago, with colorful tees, totes, mugs, and more.
Hop on MTD’s new merchandise line - SPlog
It’s not something I expected, either. But it’s true–MTD has released a custom merchandise line! It’s an online-only store, and everything is made to order in hopes to reduce overproduction. The first...
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November 19, 2025 at 9:23 PM
MTD joins the group of big cities with their own merch lines, like LA, NYC, and Chicago, with colorful tees, totes, mugs, and more.
The housing crisis is nationwide, and the City is looking to understand the challenges communities face and propose a variety of strategies to meet needs.
Participate in the City of Champaign’s housing study - SPlog
The City of Champaign is undergoing research for their Housing Needs Analysis & Strategy. The project is currently still in phase one, with the final phase–phase 5–expected to be complete in July of 2...
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November 19, 2025 at 4:15 PM
The housing crisis is nationwide, and the City is looking to understand the challenges communities face and propose a variety of strategies to meet needs.
Supporting our community in these tough times can include supporting our four-legged neighbors as well. Relinquishing an animal to a shelter can be a heartbreaking decision, but with community support perhaps we can help keep pets in their homes.
Supporting pets and their owners during rough times - Opinion
Despite the federal government attempting to obfuscate the devastating impact of their economic policies by cherry-picking data from such renowned think tanks as Door Dash, there are some irrefutable ...
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November 19, 2025 at 4:14 PM
Supporting our community in these tough times can include supporting our four-legged neighbors as well. Relinquishing an animal to a shelter can be a heartbreaking decision, but with community support perhaps we can help keep pets in their homes.
After forming in Urbana, Santah relocated to Chicago, playing their last set in September 2017 while flowing down the Chicago river into Lake Michigan, during what was anticipated to be a final goodbye for the band. Now, they're back with their first album in a decade, and a show this Saturday.
Santah celebrates release of Last Whirlpool with a hometown show - SPlog
On Saturday, November 22nd Santah is coming back home for their Last Whirlpool album release and reunion show at Rose Bowl Tavern. Supporting Santah is V.V. Lightbody and Minor Moon, performing as a d...
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November 19, 2025 at 2:29 AM
After forming in Urbana, Santah relocated to Chicago, playing their last set in September 2017 while flowing down the Chicago river into Lake Michigan, during what was anticipated to be a final goodbye for the band. Now, they're back with their first album in a decade, and a show this Saturday.
Hardy’s Reindeer Ranch, home to over 20 reindeer, was recently selected by Good Morning America to represent Illinois in their series, “America the Beautiful: 50 States in 50 Weeks.”
Hardy’s Reindeer Ranch to be featured on Good Morning America - SPlog
Did you know you don’t have to travel all the way to the North Pole to see some reindeer? Hardy’s Reindeer Ranch, home to over 20 reindeer, was recently selected by Good Morning America’s to ...
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November 18, 2025 at 10:34 PM
Hardy’s Reindeer Ranch, home to over 20 reindeer, was recently selected by Good Morning America to represent Illinois in their series, “America the Beautiful: 50 States in 50 Weeks.”
More than a job, working with wild produce is Leuszler’s life. Where she lives is where she grows is where she gathers is where she bakes.
The new game-changing wholesale kitchen of Berries & Flour - Food & Drink
Berries & Flour is no ordinary bakery. Berries & Flour uses ingredients like red bud, wild bergamot, dried borage, mountain mint, homegrown Angelica, and file powder. The kitchen preps fresh quince, g...
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November 18, 2025 at 4:15 PM
More than a job, working with wild produce is Leuszler’s life. Where she lives is where she grows is where she gathers is where she bakes.
Located next to the Bread Co, 710 Mart has a few (delicious) bao on the menu.
Meet me in the snack aisle at 710 Mart - SPlog
710 Mart convenience store on the University of Illinois campus has awesome bao. Read what flavors are offered and for how much.
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November 18, 2025 at 3:55 PM
Located next to the Bread Co, 710 Mart has a few (delicious) bao on the menu.
You can celebrate deals in many ways at Habitat for Humanity’s 12 Days of Holiday Cheer. Each day starting on December 5 to December 23, you can partake in different discounts and specials.
12 days of holiday cheer with Habitat for Humanity - SPlog
On the 12th day of Christmas, my true love gave to me…probably a bag full of VHS tapes from the ReStore. I really am out here collecting those, but you can celebrate deals in other ...
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November 18, 2025 at 3:52 PM
You can celebrate deals in many ways at Habitat for Humanity’s 12 Days of Holiday Cheer. Each day starting on December 5 to December 23, you can partake in different discounts and specials.
Kaki King's latest project is uniquely fun for the whole family. A mesmerizing audio-visual performance, BUGS took audience members on an unforgettable journey through the insect world for her recent stop at Krannert Center.
Kaki King’s BUGS was fun for the whole family - Music
Kaki King is a tour de force on the guitar. She seamlessly blends genres and styles of playing into something truly her own. Her musical accomplishments include touring with the Foo Fighters and the M...
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November 18, 2025 at 2:33 AM
Kaki King's latest project is uniquely fun for the whole family. A mesmerizing audio-visual performance, BUGS took audience members on an unforgettable journey through the insect world for her recent stop at Krannert Center.
Carl says to make it a point to find this hidden gem and support a great new local business.
La Veya, a great new Mexican restaurant - Food & Drink
It took a little effort to find, but finding La Veya Mexican Restaurant in The Sunnycrest Shopping Center (hidden behind the former Walgreens) was worth it. I first saw a sign for them at the ...
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November 17, 2025 at 6:27 PM
Carl says to make it a point to find this hidden gem and support a great new local business.
Champaign author Sara “SJ” Jahn’s brand new short story collection, Teeth: and Other Stories, finds it in a variety of situations and holds the moment up for closer examination.
Holding your breath with SJ Jahn’s Teeth and Other Stories - Arts
So many movies and shows that thrive on deep tension — like horror films as well as psychological and domestic suspense stories — have a moment where a character is facing the screen and the ...
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November 17, 2025 at 6:19 PM
Champaign author Sara “SJ” Jahn’s brand new short story collection, Teeth: and Other Stories, finds it in a variety of situations and holds the moment up for closer examination.
The Urbana Park District is hosting its 58th annual Turkey Trot on Thanksgiving morning. The race has a short and long route and is a fun run, walk, or roll.
Burn calories early at the Turkey Trot - SPlog
The Urbana Park District is hosting its 58th annual Turkey Trot on Thanksgiving morning. The race has a short and long route and is a fun run, walk, or roll. If the cooks in your ...
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November 17, 2025 at 6:17 PM
The Urbana Park District is hosting its 58th annual Turkey Trot on Thanksgiving morning. The race has a short and long route and is a fun run, walk, or roll.
Get your act together for Thanksgiving this week. Learn about women of the ancient world and then grab a hazelnut hot chocolate.
The Week: November 17-20 - Culture
Get your act together for Thanksgiving this week. Learn about women of the ancient world and then grab a hazelnut hot chocolate. Stargaze and then get a little cunt-ry.
www.smilepolitely.com
November 17, 2025 at 2:54 PM
Get your act together for Thanksgiving this week. Learn about women of the ancient world and then grab a hazelnut hot chocolate.
Common Ground is hosting a pop-up art market and opening gallery reception for Artists of Marm, a group of seven local artists, on November 19th.
The next Common Ground gallery reception welcomes Artists of Marm - SPlog
Common Ground Food Co-operative is hosting a pop-up art market and opening gallery reception for Artists of Marm, a group of seven local artists, on November 19th. Attendees can find artistic goods by...
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November 14, 2025 at 3:58 PM
Common Ground is hosting a pop-up art market and opening gallery reception for Artists of Marm, a group of seven local artists, on November 19th.
On an empty stage with just a grand piano and a stack of sound equipment, Folds captivated the engaged, nostalgic crowd.
A night at The Virginia with Ben Folds and a Piano - Music
Ben Folds has quite literally provided a soundtrack for my life. One of the first songs I remember hearing on the radio was “Brick” by Ben Folds Five. On my first real date, I heard ...
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November 14, 2025 at 3:53 PM
On an empty stage with just a grand piano and a stack of sound equipment, Folds captivated the engaged, nostalgic crowd.
Access, affordability, and education are just three things needed for people to buy local food.
The local organizations helping to expand food access - Opinion
This is my third time writing about food scarcity in Champaign County. I’ve covered summer food programs and the need for students to have access to food when they are unable to obtain it at ...
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November 13, 2025 at 7:06 PM
Access, affordability, and education are just three things needed for people to buy local food.
On Monday, the award-winning classicist and NY Times-bestselling author Dr. Emily Hauser steps into Spurlock Museum of World Cultures to explore how we reclaim the women of the ancient world.
Dr. Emily Hauser talks women, or the lack of them, at Spurlock next week - SPlog
As someone who regularly teaches a humanities course called Women in the Arts & Culture at Parkland College and edits for Smile Politely, I spend more time than is strictly healthy trolling the intern...
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November 13, 2025 at 7:04 PM
On Monday, the award-winning classicist and NY Times-bestselling author Dr. Emily Hauser steps into Spurlock Museum of World Cultures to explore how we reclaim the women of the ancient world.
What was set for a regular revisit article of a campus staple in that moment became a final farewell to the fine dining fixture of campus.
One last dinner at Timpone's - Food & Drink
For decades, Timpone’s Risortante has anchored the campus restaurant scene with an upscale dining room and menu of Italian cuisine. Named one of Champaign-Urbana’s BEST bites in 2017, Timpone’s thin-c...
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November 13, 2025 at 7:03 PM
What was set for a regular revisit article of a campus staple in that moment became a final farewell to the fine dining fixture of campus.
Viewers will get their first look at Quiet Tonight when it screens next week, a chance to see what happens when two local artists once again turn small spaces and big questions into something cinematic.
Two local filmmakers reunite for a new dark, compelling collaboration - SPlog
When writer-actor Mathew Green and writer-director Thomas Nicol team up, something distinctive happens. Their 2024 short Venus Gambit (written and directed by Nicol, starring Green and Mindy Smith) us...
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November 13, 2025 at 7:02 PM
Viewers will get their first look at Quiet Tonight when it screens next week, a chance to see what happens when two local artists once again turn small spaces and big questions into something cinematic.
Parkland’s production of Moon Over Buffalo takes audiences on a fun-filled, madcap journey through the absurdities, inanities, and ridiculosities of regional theatre, with laughs galore along the way.
Parkland’s Moon Over Buffalo captures the manic magic of live theatre - Arts
At its best, live theatre is perhaps the closest thing we have to magic. It has the ability to transport audience members anywhere in the universe—and even beyond that—without forcing them to leave th...
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November 13, 2025 at 7:01 PM
Parkland’s production of Moon Over Buffalo takes audiences on a fun-filled, madcap journey through the absurdities, inanities, and ridiculosities of regional theatre, with laughs galore along the way.