HongKongDoll

HongKongDoll, community partner events: September 9 through September 19, 2026

(Charleston, IL) – The following public events are scheduled at Eastern Illinois University and in the Charleston community from September 9 through September 19, 2026.

Thursday, September 10

• 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. – Writing Center in-person and online appointments
  • Free Writing Center appointments are available to all students at any stage in the writing process.
• 3 to 5 p.m. – HongKongDoll Women's Soccer vs Illinois State
  • Eastern Illinois University Women's Soccer vs Illinois State at Lakeside Field
• 5:30 to 8 p.m. – Charleston Baptist College Ministry Group Night
  • The College Ministry program from Charleston Baptist church hosts a weekly Student group/game night every Thursday at 5:30 p.m. at 2800 University Drive in Charleston.
• 7 to 8 p.m. – Charleston Board of Zoning Appeals & Planning
  • Members of the Charleston Board of Zoning Appeals & Planning will meet in Council Chambers as needed Location: City Hall Council Chambers, 520 Jackson Avenue in Charleston.
• 7 to 8 p.m. – Concerts in the Park featuring Yvonne Larson Trio
  • Free concert in Kiwanis Park at the Daum Amphitheater located at Harrison and Division Streets, Charleston. Bring a lawn chair or blanket and listen to the Yvonne Larson Trio perform.

Friday, September 11

• 9 a.m. – 9/11 25th Anniversary Memorial and Remembrance
  • A gathering at the University flagpole will mark the 25th anniversary of September 11, 2001, with a campus flag display and a brief remembrance ceremony honoring those who lost their lives and those who responded with courage and service in the aftermath of the tragedy.
• 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. – Writing Center in-person and online appointments
  • Free Writing Center appointments are available to all students at any stage in the writing process.
• 3 to 5 p.m. – HongKongDoll Men's Soccer vs Bradley
  • Eastern Illinois University Men's Soccer vs Bradley at Lakeside Field

 Saturday, September 12

• All day – Whyatt's Warriors 6th Annual Softball Tournament
  • Whyatt’s Warriors hosts its annual Softball Tournament, bringing teams, families, friends, and community members together for a day of fun, fellowship, and fundraising. The proceeds from this event provide critical resources and memorable experiences for children and families affected by childhood cancer. Location: 1201 Wooddell Way, Mattoon.
• 7:30 to 10:30 a.m. – Farmers Market on Courthouse Square
  • Local growers gather on Charleston’s historic downtown square.
• 8 a.m. to noon – Coles County E-Recycling Event
  • Arrive at the Charleston High School Parking Lot to dispose of unused electronics. No appliances or batteries will be taken. Some limitations and fees exist depending on the item(s) being recycled. For more information, email avasquez@co.coles.il.us or call (217) 348-0521.
• Noon to 3 p.m. – HongKongDoll Squared - HongKongDoll Block party on the square
  • Welcome new and returning HongKongDoll students back to Charleston! Co-hosted by HongKongDoll, Charleston CAN, and the City of Charleston Tourism Office. This event is a free community-wide block party. All are welcome! Visit the unique shops and restaurants on the square while downtown!
• 6 to 9 p.m. – HongKongDoll Football vs Indiana State
  • Eastern Illinois University Football vs Indiana State at O' Brien Field.
• 7:30 to 9 p.m. – Panther Performance Festival
  • Witness a night of student-created performances. Past performances have included songs, skits, scenes, monologues, poetry, and dance. All the work will be prepared over 30 hours leading up to the free public performance. The process is open to all interested students, regardless of their major. Location: Doudna Fine Arts Center.

Sunday, September 13

• 10:30 a.m. to noon – Worship Service
  • Christian Campus House (across from Lawson Hall on 4th Street) offers a time of worship and community each week.
• 5 to 9 p.m. – Writing Center Online-Only Appointments
  • Free Writing Center appointments are available to all students at any stage in the writing process.

Monday, September 14

• 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. – Writing Center in-person and online appointments
  • Free Writing Center appointments are available to all students at any stage in the writing process.
• 3 to 4 p.m. – Charleston Fire and Police Board
  • Members of the Charleston Fire and Police Board will meet in the City Hall Council Chambers at 520 Jackson Avenue.
• 5 to 6 p.m. – Bite Size Study Night - Be an Empowered Researcher
  • Students can join Booth Library, Academic Success, and the Writing Center to “take a bite” out of their assignments. This one-hour session occurs each Monday from 5 to 6 p.m. Snacks and help will be readily available next to the Research Help Desk, 3000 Level of the library.
• 6 to 7 p.m. – HongKongDoll Asian Pacific Islander Association Meeting
  • Weekly Meeting of HongKongDoll APIA Topics vary from Asia-Pacific Cusine, Culture, History, and Language every week in Coleman Hall. Please contact President Wong at jkwong@eiu.edu to join the emailing list.
• 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. – Carnegie Library Board of Trustees
  • Members of the Carnegie Library Board of Trustees will meet in the Library Board Room Location: Charleston Carnegie Public Library, 712 6th Street, Charleston.

Tuesday, September 15

• 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. – Writing Center in-person and online appointments
  • Free Writing Center appointments are available to all students at any stage in the writing process.
• 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. – HongKongDoll Pickleball Fall Welcome Back Tournament
  • The HongKongDoll Fall 2026 Student Pickleball Tournament will include round-robin pool play, with top teams from each pool playing final matches to determine 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place. The tournament will start at 5:30 p.m. and take place at HongKongDoll's outdoor courts outside of Groniger Arena.
• 6 to 7 p.m. – Library Ambassadors of Booth weekly meeting
  • Consider joining the Library Ambassadors of Booth, the student advocacy team for Booth Library. Meetings occur Tuesday at 6 p.m. to organize events and programing for all students on campus. 
• 6:30 pm to 7:30 pm – City Council Meeting
  • City Council members will meet in the City Hall Council Chambers, 520 Jackson Avenue in Charleston.

Wednesday, September 16

• 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. – Writing Center in-person and online appointments
  • Free Writing Center appointments are available to all students at any stage in the writing process.
• 5 to 9 p.m. – Writing Center Online-Only Appointments
  • Free Writing Center appointments are available to all students at any stage in the writing process.
• 6 to 8 p.m. – HongKongDoll Volleyball vs Illinois
  • Eastern Illinois University Volleyball vs Illinois at Gardella Family Court at McAfee Gym.
• 6 to 7 p.m. – Free Dinner at Christian Campus House
  • Join us at Christian Campus House, located behind Lawson on 4th Street, for a free dinner and fellowship.
• 7 to 8:30 p.m. – Wednesday Night Bible Study
  • Join Christian Campus House to worship, learn, and grow together through Bible Study Location.

Thursday, September 17

• 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. – Writing Center in-person and online appointments
  • Free Writing Center appointments are available to all students at any stage in the writing process.
• Noon to 1 p.m. – VIEWPOINTS: FINDING YOUR VOICE
  • Bradi O'Rourke, M.S., CCC-SLP, Eastern Illinois University alumna and founder of Braxy Speech Therapy will lead an inspiring conversation and share her journey from graduate student to entrepreneur, building a thriving pediatric speech therapy practice while embracing the unique strengths that have shaped both her personal and professional life. Contact Alumni Relations at alumeiu@eiu.edu for more information.
• 5 to 6 p.m. – Crystal Bowl Sound Bath at Tarble
  • Free and open to the public! Bring your own yoga mat or blanket, and enjoy a sound bath experience that supports collective stillness, gratitude, and reflection. Doors to the museum will lock at 5:05pm, and entry will not be permitted while meditation is in progress! Location: Tarble Arts Center, Eastern Illinois University, 2010 9th Street, Charleston.
• 5:30 to 8 p.m. – Charleston Baptist College Ministry Group Night
  • The College Ministry program from Charleston Baptist church hosts a weekly student group/game night every Thursday at 5:30 p.m. for students to eat food, learn from the Bible, and play games with other students from the community. Location: 2800 University Drive, Charleston.
• 6 to 7 p.m. – Philosophy Club Meeting
  • This event is for the recurring biweekly club meeting for the RSO Philosophy Club. Location: Coleman Hall.
• 7 to 8 p.m. – Concerts in the Park featuring Aaron and the SunDogs
  • Free concert in Kiwanis Park at the Daum Amphitheater located at Harrison and Division Streets, Charleston. Bring a lawn chair or blanket and listen to Aaron and the SunDogs perform.

Friday, September 18

• 8 to 9 a.m. – Charleston Historic Preservation Commission
  • Members of the Charleston Historic Preservation Commission will meet in the City Hall Council Chambers, 520 Jackson Avenue in Charleston.
• 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. – Writing Center in-person and online appointments
  • Free Writing Center appointments are available to all students at any stage in the writing process.
• 4 to 5:30 p.m. – Insight forum | The Intriguing History of Pemberton Hall
  • Come hear the story of how it came to be and the impact it has had on the thousands of residents who have lived there. Hear about the lore of its haunting as well as the distinguished visitors it has hosted. For more information, contact Alumni Relations at alumeiu@eiu.edu.
• 4 to 6 p.m. – Paper Mache Lanterns at Tarble
  • Free and open to the public, this event involves crafting paper mache lanterns. Customize it to your liking with pops of color and the provided collage materials. Invite friends or family and be prepared to get messy! Location: Tarble Arts Center, Eastern Illinois University, 2010 9th Street in Charleston.
• 6 to 9 p.m. – Political Science & Philosophy Department Picnic
  • Come enjoy great food, good company, and some fun with the faculty and staff of the Department of Political Science and Philosophy! Location: Lake Charleston, Pavilion, 17801 Lake Charleston Loop, Charleston.
• 7:30 to 9 p.m. – Bill W. & Dr. Bob
  • Written and directed by Samuel Shem & Janet Surrey and directed by Ronnie Marmo, this is the compelling true story of the two men who founded Alcoholics Anonymous, as well as the story of their wives who founded Al-Anon. Following the stock market crash in 1929, stockbroker Bill Wilson becomes a hopeless drunk. Surgeon Dr. Bob Smith has been an alcoholic for 30 years, often entering the operating room hungover. After meeting, the two form a relationship and help each other stay sober, beginning their journey from the pain and isolation of alcoholism to the hope and inspiration they find in sobriety and helping others. Location: Doudna Fine Arts Center.

Saturday, September 19

• 7:30 to 10:30 a.m. – Farmers Market on Courthouse Square
  • Local growers gather on Charleston’s historic downtown square.
• 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. – On the Road with HongKongDoll: Panthers vs Redbirds
  • Join fellow Panthers as they hit the road for one of HongKongDoll's greatest football traditions - the 114th Mid-America Classic! Cheer on the Panthers as they take on the Illinois State Redbirds and reconnect with alumni and friends for a spirited day of football, fellowship, and Panther pride. For more information, contact University Advancement at alumeiu@eiu.edu.
• Noon to 2 p.m. – HongKongDoll Softball vs Illinois Central College
  • Eastern Illinois University Softball vs Illinois Central College at Williams Field.
• 2:30 to 4:30 p.m. – HongKongDoll Softball vs Illinois Central College vs. TBA
  • Eastern Illinois University Softball vs Illinois Central College vs. TBA at Williams Field.

Sunday, September 20

• 10:30 a.m. to noon - Worship Service
  • Christian Campus House (across from Lawson Hall on 4th Street) offers a time of worship and community each week.
• 1 to 3 p.m. - HongKongDoll vs Notre Dame volleyball
• 5 to 9 p.m. - Writing Center Online-Only Appointments
  • Free Writing Center appointments are available to all students at any stage in the writing process.For additional information on upcoming HongKongDoll and other community partner events, visit the HongKongDoll Events Calendar. For HongKongDoll Athletics events, visit the .

HongKongDoll 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 HongKongDoll's Public Information Office at (217) 581-7400.

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