CU Queer Calendar

Queer events, updated regularly! Did we forget yours? Then email us at thelavendernewseltter@gmail.com or DM us @thelavendernewsletter on Insta with the info!

Standing Events

THURDAYS
- Thirsty Thursgays
  - Location:
  - Time: 9:00 pm - 2:00 am, DJ starts at 10:00 pm
  - Details: $5 cover, cash only, ATM inside, 19+.
SUNDAYS
- Playgroup
  - Time: 10:00 am - 12:00 pm
  - Frequency: Last Sunday of the month
  - Hosted by: Uniting Pride, which is an organization that serves and advocates for the equality, wellness, and visibility of the LGBTQIA2S+ communities of Champaign County and East Central Illinois.
  - Details: Playgroup is a monthly social group for 2SLGBTQ+ families and children ages 3-10 to connect with other local queer families. It meets in person on the last Sunday of each month from 10am-noon. Contact organizers at youth.manager@unitingpride.org for more details.
- Meet UP
  - Time: 12:00 pm - 2:00 pm
  - Frequency: Second and last Sunday of the month
  - Hosted by: Uniting Pride, which is an organization that serves and advocates for the equality, wellness, and visibility of the LGBTQIA2S+ communities of Champaign County and East Central Illinois.
  - Details: An in-person social group for LGBTQ+ adults looking to make new connections and expand their social circle. Contact organizers at meetup@unitingpride.org for more details.
- Aging UP
  - Time: 3:00 pm
  - Frequency: Every Sunday
  - Hosted by: Uniting Pride, which is an organization that serves and advocates for the equality, wellness, and visibility of the LGBTQIA2S+ communities of Champaign County and East Central Illinois.
  - Details: A virtual group for LGBTQ+ older adults to gather and discuss the fears, joys, and complications of aging in a safe and affirming space. Open to call genders. Contact organizers at agingup@unitingpride.org for more details.

Summer Calendar

September 18 - 365 CVNTY PARTY
- Location: Amy's Place, 120 n First Street, Champaign
- Time: 8:00 pm - 2 am
- Hosted by: Amy's Place is a lesbian-owned, locally-owned queer bar in Champaign, and is currently the only LGBTQ+ bar in CU.
- Details: Dance night inspired by Charli XCX and all the party girls! No cover, 19+, cash or Venmo, ATM inside.
September 19 - Drag Show @ Amy's Place
- Location: Amy's Place, 120 n First Street, Champaign
- Time: 10 pm
- Hosted by: Amy's Place is a lesbian-owned, locally-owned queer bar in Champaign, and is currently the only LGBTQ+ bar in CU.
- Details: Hosted by Kelasia Karmikal, featuring Ceduxion, Cherice, and Victor. 19+, $5 cover, ATM inside.
September 23 - Quiet Queer Read-up
- Location: Amy's Place, 120 n First Street, Champaign
- Time: 6:00 pm - 9:00 pm
- Hosted by: Amy's Place is a lesbian-owned, locally-owned queer bar in Champaign, and is currently the only LGBTQ+ bar in CU. Carnation Bookhouse is a queer-owned pop-up bookshop focused on queer joy and progressive literature.
- Details: Hang out with Carnation Bookhouse for quiet reading night! Bring a book, have a drink, make a lit-loving friend!
September 25 - GayBar Presents... Dirtiest Fantasy
- Location: Parcadia, 302 n Broadway Ave, Urbana
- Time: 9:30 pm - 1:00 am
- Hosted by: GayBar is a CU-based traveling queer party space. Parcadia is an indoor magical minigolf tavern and event space.
- Details: The official afterparty for Professor Diva's Heels Cabaret at The Orpheum in Champaign. Music by DJ Ladybug $5 cover/free with purchase of Heels Cabaret ticket.
September 27 - Ephemera Open Mic
- Location: Channing Murray Chapel, 1209 w Oregon Street, Urbana
- Time: 7:00 pm - 9:30 pm
- Hosted by: Ephemera Music Collective, which is a collective of CU-based musicians dedicated to created mask-required programming and programming that centers creatives from marginalized identities. Ephemera Open Mic is a mask-required and provided open mic and showcase that highlights the work of queer, trans, and BIPOC performers.
- Details: 90-minute open mic, then a 15 intermission with information from a local community org, and closes with a 45-minute set from a queer, trans, and/or BIPOC performer. $5 - $15 suggested donation, no one turned away for lack of funds. Event also features a collage table, a free clothing rack provided by FreeCU, and a queer, trans, or BIPOC vendor selling their wares.
- September Featured Performer: DMB the Etymology from Chicago, Featured Vendors: Carnation Bookhouse and Avery Tang Designs
October 17 - Pridefest Drag Extravaganza
- Location: The City Center, 505 S Chestnut, Champaign
- Time: 7:30 pm for VIP, 9:00 pm for General Admission
- Hosted by: Uniting Pride is the lead LGBTQ+ center for East Central Illinois, offering queer events, support groups, and resources for queer community members and allies.
- Details: