CATsNAP benefit raises money to address cat overpopulation and pet healthcare

Photo: PhotoNews Media/Clark Brooks

URBANA - Vocalists Elena Negruta and Ingrid Kammin preform a classical piece at the The CATsNAP Benefit Concert on Sunday afternoon at the Rose Bowl Tavern. The three-hour fundraiser also featured performances from the Church Street Ramblers, the Peter Tijerina Quintet, and Tania Arazi Coambs Trio. CATsNAP is a local cat shelter whose mission is to reduce pet overpopulation and improve the welfare of animals in Champaign County. The organization offers referrals for a low income spay/neuter service, assists with pet adoptions, and provides educational material to help pet owners care for their furry family members.

Urbana's Canopy Club offering "Fee-Free" weekend starting Friday

URBANA -- The University of Illinois' popular campustown live music venue has released a list of more than 25 upcoming acts this fall.

Starting Friday, September 2nd at midnight through Monday, September 5th at 11:59 pm online purchase of tickets for any of the upcoming shows will not include any additional fees during the venue's Fee-Free Weekend. Concert-goers and live music fans can use the code "FEEFREE" in the promo code box during checkout to skip paying administrative fees.

The Canopy Club has been the home of live music, entertainment, and nightlife in east central Illinois since 1998. Each month there is a show to fit nearly any music fan's taste from rock and roll to hip-hop as well as EDM, jazz, and house music.

The club's upcoming concert schedule includes:

Sat, Sep 3 - DJ Zay Latin Night ft. Gianni Blu
Wed, Sep 7 - PUP
Thu, Sep 8 - Megalodon
Sat, Sep 10 - Lines of Loyalty
Tue, Sep 13 - Black Carl! & Saka Rush Hour Tour
Thu, Sep 15 - RAGS AND RICHES
Fri, Sep 16 - Latin Night:Freakitona w/ DJ Zay
Sat, Sep 17 - DOGMA and Friends
Sun, Sep 18 - The Frank White Experience (A Tribute To The "Notorious B.I.G.")
Tue, Sep 20 - Nightrain (Guns n Roses Tribute)
Fri, Sep 23 - Ignition House: Dubvision
Sat, Sep 24 - MisterWives
Thu, Sep 29 - Maddy O'Neal w/ zoska
Fri, Sep 30 - Show Up & Show Out - Pride Fest Party
Sun, Oct 2 - Falling Through April / Hazen
Fri, Oct 7 - 22 & good 4 u
Sat, Oct 8 - Boombox Cartel
Fri, Oct 14 - Borgore
Sat, Oct 15 - Dropsixx w/ Emperors & Angels
Sun, Oct 16 - Mac Saturn
Thu, Oct 20 - Blunts & Blondes
Fri, Oct 21 - UH2BT Presents: K-POP DJ Night
Sat, Oct 22 - Smoakland
Wed, Oct 26 - Kingdom Collapse
Thu, Oct 27 - Autograf
Fri, Nov 11 - Here Come The Mummies

For more informationk about upcoming concerts and events, visit the Canopy Club website here.

Wheelhouse owners to take over Atkins Golf Club restaurant

Restaurateurs Abbie and Ryan Rogiers, owners of the Wheelhouse located inside the Main Street Station at 109 N. Main in St. Joseph, will launch a new restaurant operation at the Atkins Golf Club in December.

The couple will use their fine dining expertise to manage and run "Homegrown" at the University of Illinois Division of Intercollegiate Athletics' golf course in east Urbana's Stone Creek Subdivision. The Rogiers, who have owned the popular St. Joseph dining location since 2017, plan to extend their high-quality farm-to-table meals to the new venture.

Homegrown will feature organic ingredients grown on a plot of land in the Stone Creek Subdivision. Daily menu items will include marcoot creamery herb and garlic cheese curds, buttermilk chicken wings, Cuban Rueben, grass-fed beef stew, and a 16-oz. ribeye.

Full-service dining is set to open in early December. The exact date of the grand opening will be announced in November.

The restaurant is currently hiring cooks, hosts, and wait staff. Homegrown will host a job fair on Tuesday, November 2 from 3-6 p.m. at 2600 Stone Creek Blvd. No appointment is necessary. Prospective employees may stop at any time during those hours. For more information about employment opportunities or reservations, email info@eatathomegrown.com.

It's back, the German Christmas Market returns to Riggs

Last week, Riggs Beer Company announced the brewery will host its second annual German Christmas Market. This November would have been the third installment had it not been for the state's Covid-19 mitigations mandates.

The market will host local vendors who will be selling homemade candles, local honey, decorative holiday wreaths, beer soap, and more from huts surrounding the beer garden. There will also be traditional German cuisine such as bratwurst, crepes, potato pancakes and warm drinks - hot spiced wine and hot cocoa - in addition to Riggs award-winning beer.

The market will be open on Thursday and Fridays from 4 to 8 pm, and Saturdays and Sundays from 2 to 7 pm.

Riggs Beer Company is located at 1901 S. High Cross Road in Urbana. For more information call (217) 718-5345.