EIU Media Relations

EIU, community partner events: August 28 through September 6, 2026

(Charleston, IL) – The following public events are scheduled at Eastern Illinois University and in the Charleston community during the week of August 28 through September 6, 2026.

Friday, August 28

• 12:05 to 12:50 p.m. – Yoga for Every Body!
  • EIU Campus Recreation hosts Yoga for Every Body in the Dance Studio at McAfee Gym. All skill levels are welcome.
• 6 to 9 p.m. – Game Night at Christian Campus House
  • Christian Campus House hosts a night of games, fellowship and fun at 2231 4th St.
• 8 to 10 p.m. – EIU Observatory Open House Night
  • The EIU Observatory will host an open house beginning at 8 p.m. Visitors can view Venus, the moon and the Ring Nebula through telescopes, followed by Saturn rising around 10 p.m. The Observatory is located just south of the baseball stadium near the intramural fields. Parking is available in EIU's W Lot.

Saturday, August 29

• 7:30 to 10:30 a.m. – Farmers Market on Courthouse Square
  • Local growers will gather from 7:30 to 10:30 a.m. on Charleston's historic downtown square.
• 7:30 p.m. – Une Soirée au Cabaret: An Evening at the Cabaret
  • The SHARP Dance Company presents an evening inspired by the cabarets of early 1900s France at Doudna Fine Arts Center. The performance features original choreography by Artistic Director Diane Sharp-Nachsin, live vocals, immersive visual art and a blend of pastiche, parody and wit. General admission is $30; senior/EIU employee admission is $25; and student/youth admission is $15.
    • 9 p.m. – Une Soirée au Cabaret VIP Party: VIP ticket holders can join performers following the cabaret for a private party in the Doudna Fine Arts Center Black Box featuring additional singing and dancing. Tickets are $50, with limited availability.

Sunday, August 30

• 10:30 a.m. – Worship Service at Christian Campus House
  • Christian Campus House hosts its weekly worship and community service across from Lawson Hall on 4th Street.
    • Noon – Newcomer Lunch
      Christian Campus House hosts a lunch following its worship service, providing an opportunity for newcomers to get to know the organization through food and fellowship.
• Noon – EIU Men's Soccer vs. St. Thomas
  • EIU Men's Soccer hosts St. Thomas at Lakeside Field as part of a doubleheader with EIU Women's Soccer.
• 3 p.m. – EIU Women's Soccer vs. Purdue Fort Wayne
  • EIU Women's Soccer hosts Purdue Fort Wayne at Lakeside Field as part of a doubleheader with EIU Men's Soccer.
• 5 to 7 p.m. – Beyond the Letters: An Exploration of NPHC and NALFO Chapters
  • EIU's Fraternity and Sorority Life hosts an opportunity for students to learn about the history, culture, traditions and impact of organizations represented within the National Pan-Hellenic Council and National Association of Latino Fraternal Organizations. The event will be held in the FSL Community Center in the Martin Luther King Jr. University Union.
• 5 to 9 p.m. – Writing Center Online-Only Appointments
  • Free Writing Center appointments are available to EIU students at any stage in the writing process. Appointments can be booked at www.eiu.edu/writing.

Monday, August 31

• 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. – EIU Writing Center Appointments
  • Free in-person and online Writing Center appointments are available to students. Appointments can be booked at www.eiu.edu/writing, or students can drop in to the Center on the third floor of Booth Library.
• 1 to 5 p.m. – Couture Models Fundraiser & Field Day
  • Couture Models hosts a day of activities and snacks on the Library Quad.
• 5 to 6 p.m. – Bite Size Study Night: Be an Empowered Researcher
  • Booth Library, Academic Success and the Writing Center host a one-hour study session in the Collaboration Commons on the third floor of Booth Library. Snacks and assistance will be available.
• 6 to 7 p.m. – Prayer Walk
  • Christian Campus House hosts a campus prayer walk for the upcoming academic year.
• 6 to 7 p.m. – EIU Asian Pacific Islander Association Meeting
  • The EIU Asian Pacific Islander Association hosts its weekly meeting in Coleman Hall. Topics vary and include Asia-Pacific cuisine, culture, history and language.

Tuesday, September 1

• 9:30 to 10 a.m. – AlertEIU Monthly Test
  • EIU will conduct its monthly AlertEIU test communication. Students and employees should receive an email alert. Campus community members also are encouraged to sign up for AlertEIU text notifications at www.eiu.edu/alerteiu/.
• 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. – EIU Writing Center Appointments
  • Free in-person and online Writing Center appointments are available to students. Appointments can be booked at www.eiu.edu/writing.
• 12:05 to 12:50 p.m. – Yoga for Every Body!
  • EIU Campus Recreation hosts Yoga for Every Body in the Dance Studio at McAfee Gym. All skill levels are welcome.
• 5 to 7 p.m. – Couture Models Tryouts
  • Couture Models hosts tryouts in the University Ballroom of the Martin Luther King Jr. University Union. No previous experience is necessary.
• 5:30 to 8 p.m. – SBLH Hospice Binga
  • Sarah Bush Lincoln Health Center hosts a fundraiser at the Mattoon Eagles Club, 1917 Oak Ave., Mattoon. Admission tickets are $10, with raffle tickets available for $5 each or three for $10. Proceeds support an endowment for SBL Willow Breeze Hospice House.
• 6 to 9 p.m. – Craft Night at Christian Campus House
  • Christian Campus House hosts an evening of crafts and community.
• 6 p.m. – Library Ambassadors of Booth Weekly Meeting
  • The Library Ambassadors of Booth meet in the fourth-floor classroom of Booth Library. Everyone is welcome to learn more about the student advocacy organization.
• 6:30 p.m. – Charleston City Council Meeting
  • Charleston City Council members will meet in City Hall Council Chambers.
• 7:30 p.m. – An Evening of Flute Music by Iranian Composers
  • EIU flute professor Rebecca Johnson and EIU graduate Meysam Ghodraty will present music by Iranian composers in the Recital Hall at Doudna Fine Arts Center. The concert is free and open to all audiences.

Wednesday, September 2

• 1:30 to 2:30 p.m. – Coffee & Consults
  • The Faculty Development and Innovation Center will meet with faculty and staff for troubleshooting, technical support, brainstorming and conversation at the Java Beanery & Bakery in the Martin Luther King Jr. University Union. The sessions will continue Wednesdays through Dec. 9.
• 5 to 9 p.m. – EIU Writing Center Online-Only Appointments
  • Free Writing Center appointments are available to students at any stage in the writing process. Appointments can be booked at www.eiu.edu/writing.
• 6 to 7 p.m. – Free Dinner at Christian Campus House
  • Christian Campus House, located behind Lawson on 4th Street, will host a free dinner and fellowship.
• 7 to 8:30 p.m. – Wednesday Night Bible Study
  • Christian Campus House hosts a weekly Bible study focused on worship, learning and fellowship.
    

Thursday, September 3

• 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. – EIU Writing Center Appointments
  • Free in-person and online Writing Center appointments are available to students. Appointments can be booked at www.eiu.edu/writing.
• Noon to 4 p.m. – Red Cross Blood Drive
  • The American Red Cross will host a blood drive in the Martin Luther King Jr. University Union.
• 6 to 8 p.m. – Welcome to Booth BINGO
  • The Library Ambassadors of Booth host Welcome to Booth BINGO in the West Reading Room of Booth Library. The event will feature games, raffle prizes, snacks and information about Booth Library.
• 6 to 9 p.m. – Indoor Field Day with Christian Campus House
  • Christian Campus House hosts an evening of old-school games, including dodgeball and freeze tag, at McAfee Gym.
• 7 p.m. – Concerts in the Park featuring Solidgold Oldies
  • Bring a lawn chair or blanket to Kiwanis Park Daum Amphitheater for a free outdoor concert featuring Solidgold Oldies. The concert is sponsored by Consolidated Communications/Fidium Fiber.
• 7:30 p.m. – Dr. Katherine Benson Guest Pianist Recital
  • American pianist Dr. Katherine Benson will perform a solo recital in the Recital Hall at Doudna Fine Arts Center. The concert is free and open to all audiences.

Friday, September 4

• 12:05 to 12:50 p.m. – Yoga for Every Body!
  • EIU Campus Recreation hosts Yoga for Every Body in the Dance Studio at McAfee Gym. All skill levels are welcome.
• 3:45 p.m. – EIU Women's Cross Country: Walt Crawford Open
  • EIU Women's Cross Country competes in the Walt Crawford Open 6K in Charleston.
• 4:30 p.m. – EIU Men's Cross Country: Walt Crawford Open
  • EIU Men's Cross Country competes in the Walt Crawford Open 8K in Charleston.

Saturday, September 5

• 7:30 to 10:30 a.m. – Farmers Market on Courthouse Square
  • Local growers will gather from 7:30 to 10:30 a.m. on Charleston's historic downtown square.
• 10 a.m. – Saturday Story Series at Lincoln Log Cabin
  • Lincoln Log Cabin State Historic Site hosts its monthly Saturday Story Series. The free program features a historically themed children's book followed by activities and crafts for children ages 5-10. All youth must be accompanied by an adult.
• 3 p.m. – EIU Men's Soccer vs. Northern Illinois
  • EIU Men's Soccer hosts Northern Illinois at Lakeside Field.

Sunday, September 6

• 10:30 a.m. – Worship Service at Christian Campus House
  • Christian Campus House hosts its weekly worship and community service across from Lawson Hall on 4th Street.

For additional information on upcoming EIU and other community partner events, visit the EIU Events Calendar. For EIU Athletics events, visit the EIU Athletics calendar.

EIU prepares students to accomplish their life goals through a combination of quality academics, personal relationships, and both on-campus and online learning opportunities. For more information about Eastern Illinois University, including its broad array of academic and career readiness programs, community-based services and opportunities, visit eiu.edu or call EIU's Public Information Office at (217) 581-7400.

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MEDIA QUICKLINKS
Eastern Illinois University — eiu.edu
EIU Calendar — eiu.edu/calendar
EIU Athletics Calendar — eiupanthers.com/calendar