CHAMPAIGN, IL (CHAMBANA TODAY)- Happy Spring! We’re kicking off April with a handful of activities in the Champaign-Urbana area including dog happy hour, art shows, and more.
1. Champaign Vegan Chef Challenge: Join us April 1-30 for an entire month of NEW vegan options all over Champaign! During this time, restaurants throughout the Champaign, IL area will feature special vegan menu items. Diners have the opportunity to go visit restaurants, enjoy meals, vote, comment, and post photos of the delicious vegan meals they have ordered. This month-long event brings all diners—not just vegans, together to appreciate the remarkable talents of Champaign chefs. For more information: veganchefchallenge.org/Champaign
2.CU BIPOC Artist Collective: Cultivating Community through the Arts: The CU BIPOC Artist Collective in partnership with the Urbana Free Library (UFL) will host a special gallery showcase featuring the collective work of local Black, Indigenous, and People of Color artists. This exhibition will show at the Artist of the Corridor Gallery Space at The Urbana Free Library from April 1-June 30, 2024. Join us on Friday, April 12th from 4-5:30pm at UFL for an opening reception where you can learn more about the collective and meet the artists featured in the showcase. All events are free and open to the public.
3. Boneyard Arts Festival: Presented annually every spring by 40 North | 88 West, the Boneyard Arts Festival is a four-day event showcasing the broad range of creative activity flourishing in our community. Its goal is to bring together local artists, businesses and organizations for a special event showcasing the art of Champaign County. More than a traditional arts walk, the Boneyard is a unique countywide celebration that takes place in a wide variety of venues (over 90!) — both traditional (theaters, cafes, galleries & museums) and non-traditional (salons & retail stores) — and features the work of literally hundreds of artists. Sculptors, weavers, painters, photographers and other visual artists join musicians, actors, dancers, poets and performers of all kinds in sharing their creativity throughout Champaign, Urbana, U of I Campus, Rantoul, Homer, Mahomet, St. Joseph and Sidney. The festival stimulates cultural, economic, social and educational growth by providing an opportunity for people of every age, background and interest to participate.
4. International Plant Appreciation Day: Make your own plant terrarium with us! This is a FREE drop-in program.
5. Yappy Hour: Bring along a furry friend and join us for an afternoon of locally crafted brews and unique pet creations by local artisans! This outdoor event will also include food trucks and pet adoptions. All well-behaved, leashed pets are welcome to attend. This event was envisioned by a group of driven University of Illinois Recreation, Sport and Tourism students as part of a class project. By joining the event you can support their pursuit of turning their academic knowledge into real life events.
For more events check out our April Activities Guide.