We love our kids but who doesn’t need an adult night out on the town every once in a while to remind us that being a grownup can be fun!
Whether you’re looking for a date-night atmosphere or just a fun afternoon with friends, we’ve rounded up a list of the top places for adults to go in Champaign-Urbana and beyond in May.
Thanks to the Community Foundation of East Central Illinois for presenting this list of top grownup things to do in May.
The foundation will present the workshop “Raising Kids to be Generous Adults” at 7 p.m. on May 9 at the Champaign Public Library. There are so many things we want for our children – good health, meaningful work, great life partners, and loyal friends. We also want our children to be active and generous participants in their communities and the world. In this workshop, we will consider early influences, family values, and activities to encourage generosity. Together, we will explore ways to build generosity in our children through their formative years while diversifying their experiences and strengthening their family bonds.
For more information or to register, click here. Learn more about the Community Foundation of East Central Illinois here and here.
Cinco de Mayo concert at Rose Bowl Tavern: The patio is open at Rose Bowl! Celebrate Cinco de Mayo with Los Texano’z, a regional Tejano and Norteño band, mixing country polka, bluegrass and rock roots. May 5 from 8-11 p.m.
Elevating Women Birders with Tiffany Kersten: Hear nationally known speaker and birder Tiffany Kersten at 7:30 p.m. on May 8 at Allerton Park in Monticello. Her talk will be part of an Elevating Women Birders event that begins at 4 p.m. and will include a bird banding demonstration and discussion with Aerin Tedesco on her record bird-spotting Champaign County Big Year.
Raising Kids to Be Generous Adults: The Community Foundation of East Central Illinois will sponsor a discussion on topics related to raising kids to be generous with their time, resources, attitudes and approaches. May 9 at 7 p.m. at Champaign Public Library.
Deborah Strauss and cantor Jeff Warschauer in concert: The third concert in a series that brings the Violins of Hope project — featuring violins salvaged from the Holocaust — to C-U. Internationally renowned klezmer musicians Deborah Strauss (violin, accordion, vocals, dance) and cantor Jeff Warschauer (guitar, mandolin, vocals) are sweet and soulful performers who draw from klezmer, Yiddish, Hasidic and liturgical music and culture, adding their own original compositions and song settings. May 11 at 7 p.m. at Spurlock Museum.
Comedian Ben Bailey at The Canopy Club: Ben Bailey drove the hit series “Cash Cab” for more than 500 episodes, earning multiple Daytime Emmy awards. He’s appeared on numerous shows including “The Tonight Show” and “The Today Show.” May 11 at 8 p.m.
The Two Popes at the Virginia Theatre: The Arthouse Experience Film Series features a documentary about Pope Benedict and the future Pope Francis meeting to discuss a new path for the Catholic church. May 31 at 7 p.m.
Forest Therapy with Eileen Gebbie: It requires a bit of a drive — to Douglas-Hart Nature Center in Mattoon — but it will be worth the effort. Forest therapy is inspired by the Japanese practice of forest bathing, a response by the Japanese medical community to rising stress-related illnesses in the 1980s. When we go to the woods, our blood pressure goes down, our heart rates steady, and we benefit from immune-boosting aerosols from trees. Over a slow walk, Association of Nature and Forest Therapy Guides leader Eileen Gebbie will offer you a series of invitations to bring your full senses present in the moment. May 25 at 10 a.m. Get more details here.
Barn Bash at Hudson Farm: The third annual concert benefits the Urbana Parks Foundation and features music by The Boat Drunks on May 12. The fun includes a cash bar, food trucks and great music. Tickets ($20) are available here.