Amasong
Amasong is an award-winning amateur chorus with an enthusiastic local following. The group performs folkloric, women-oriented, and classical music. This year Amasong is celebrating 18 years of singing. Amasong provides an opportunity for lesbians and feminist women to gather together in the pursuit of choral excellence. The group's repertoire draws most heavily upon folk music from various world traditions, music written by women, and other music reflecting women's experiences. Amasong accepts women at varying levels of experience and ability.
Central Illinois English Country Dancers
The Central Illinois English Country Dancers are a group of people who enjoy English Country dance and music as a social and recreational activity. The group was founded in 1995 and holds dances at the Phillips Recreation Center approximately monthly. In addition, the group holds a more formal ball twice a year. All dances are taught and there is always live music provided by the Flatland Consort. Partners, costumes and experience are not required, and all lovers of English Country dance and music are welcome. CIECD asks for a nominal admission fee, generally $2.00 at monthly dances - slightly more at the balls - to help cover costs.
Champaign-Urbana Songwriter's Collective
The Champaign-Urbana Songwriter's Collective meets the first Wednesday of each month at 8:00 p.m. at the IMC. Whether you are a working musician or you are just beginning to dream of someday sharing a song on stage - ALL are welcome. The collective likes to support any age and any genre of songwriter. Some stalwart members of the collective will be sharing songs and talking about their craft in this songwriter-in-the-round session, but in the spirit of the group, please feel free to join us on stage and offer one of your own songs!
Champaign-Urbana Storytelling Guild
Founded in 2001, in Champaign, Illinois, the Champaign-Urbana Storytelling Guild consists of a group of local storytellers that meets once a month to share stories and ideas. Guild members are at all levels of storytelling ability, from beginner through professional. From the start, the Guild has been involved with local special events, regularly scheduled bookstore concerts and Tellebration! Through these efforts, Guild members have the opportunity to obtain experience along with exposing the public to the "magic" and art of storytelling.
Community Center for the Arts
The Community Center for the Arts (C4A) was established in the fall of 2006. It started with 3 teachers and about 30 students. At that point the Center gave private lessons and ran the Bow-Dacious String Band. Since then C4A has grown to over 200 students with 12 teachers who offer a variety of individual and group music opportunities for kids and adults. The Center also has a growing visual arts program, with drawing classes for kids and adults. The mission of C4A is to help make the arts accessible to everyone, and to serve people who invest themselves in the arts as students, performers, artisans, and appreciators.
Illini Folk Dance Society
The Illini Folk Dance Society is a recreational dance group devoted to the preservation and enjoyment of traditional folk dances from around the world. We primarily dance for our own enjoyment, but also occasionally perform or teach for community groups. We meet once or twice weekly (always on Tuesdays, and some Saturdays) throughout the year, and we welcome beginners -- no previous experience is required. We especially encourage beginning dancers to show up on Tuesdays, when we usually provide teaching for the first hour.
Prairie Crossroads Blues Society
The Prairie Crossroads Blues Society is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization founded in 2010 with the intended purpose to promote, preserve and educate all about blues music. As an affiliate of the Blues Foundation, Prairie Crossroads Blues Society is working towards achieving its established goals and objectives. Monthly meetings are held on the 3rd Wednesday at 7:30 p.m. at the Champaign Public Library, 200 W. Green Street, Champaign. We encourage all in the community to join with us to help preserve this great American heritage known as “The Blues.”
Sacred Harp Singers
Sacred Harp (shape note) Singers invite you to experience and join them in their powerful, a capella, 4-part harmony, community sing. Loaner books are available.
Swing Society
The Swing Society at The University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign is a Registered Student Organization (RSO) with the purpose of promoting the education and enjoyment of the various swing dance styles within the community of Champaign-Urbana. We hold dances, organize workshops and offer lessons teaching East Coast Swing, Charleston, and Lindy Hop, and hold an annual exchange known as the Champaign-Urbana Lindy Exchange (CULX).
Urbana Country Dancers
The Urbana Country Dancers (UCD) is a non-profit, educational and recreational organization dedicated to the enjoyment, study, teaching, preservation and evolution of American traditional dance, music and song. The group hosts dances on a bi-weekly basis to live music with featured callers in an atmosphere friendly to singles, couples, groups, and families. All dances are taught (walked-through) prior to dancing. UCD, an affiliate of the Urbana Park District, holds special events throughout the year including barn dances, a Jan Jam dance weekend, workshops, potlucks and theme nights. Dances are generally held on the first and third Fridays of the month from 8-11pm at the Phillips Recreation Center in Urbana.