Friday, December 14th
Shop for locally made goods, Ivy House Studios & Gallery, 5:30 to 9:30 p.m.
Check more items off your gift giving list with some locally made artwork and crafts. You can find the full list of participating artists on the Facebook event. A bonus: 20% of all sales will be donated to CASA. (JM) Photo from Facebook
Take Care, Dr. Responsible, Independent Media Center, $5-$7 (donations if you’re unable to do this amount), 8 p.m.
Take Care release their excellent (and long awaited) self-titled record today, and they are celebrating with their album release show at the IMC in Urbana. I wrote about it in our best albums of 2018 column, which we put out earlier this week. If you’re interested in learning more about Dr. Responsible, check out this article from back in 2015. (PS)
Latin Dance Night, Urbana Dance Company, $5, doors open at 7:45 p.m.
There’s nothing better for than a sizzling salsa to start off your winter weekend. Beginner bachata lessons with Yoel Cortes-Pena start at 8 p.m. Dance to the sounds of DJ Sebastian from 8:30 to 11 p.m. (DD) Photo from Facebook
Saturday, December 15th
Taste some coffee, Columbia Street Roastery, 24 E Columbia St, Champaign, 10 a.m., free
CSR does a monthly coffee cupping, where you can taste some coffee and learn more about which flavors to look for and identify, and how to brew it. You can also taste coffee from around the world. It’s a lot of fun, and it’s free. There are only 15 spots available, so do sign up by calling 217-352-9713. (JH) Top photo by Jessica Hammie
Learn pyrography, C-U Woodshop Supply, 1 to 4 p.m., $75
No, this is not a class about how to set things on fire. Pyrography is the art of decorating wood by using a heated metallic point. For $75 you get three hours of instruction on the techniques and proper equipment use, and you’ll create a wood-burned ornament in the process. I don’t know, seems like kind of a cool skill to learn. (JM)
NoiseFest, The Loose Cobra, 4:20-11:20 p.m., donations
This is the most Loose Cobra-ey Loose Cobra event. They’re hosting Indiana NoiseFest — in Illinois! — on Saturday with a slew of acts. Remod, Ex-Cathedra, Elcano, James Mauck, AmishRobots, Karthik Kakarala, Hemisaurus, and IJ Morrison will perform. They note that “music” starts at 4:20, which is amazing. Look at that flyer — so good. (PS)
Attend Happy Hour, Everyday Kitchen at Lodgic, 1807 S Neil St, Champaign, 5-7 p.m., $6 cocktails and half price shareables
Have you been to Everyday Kitchen yet? We’ll have a full review next week, but, spoilers — it’s pretty good. This is the perfect time to check it out for yourself, and who doesn’t love a happy hour Thursday through Saturday? That’s awesome. I’m partial to the chicken crunchers, and the sweet potato rounds are also quite tasty. (JH) Photo by Jessica Hammie
Heirship Records Farewell Fest, Canopy Club, $8-$10, 6 p.m.
As Heirship Records calls it quits, this is their going away party of sorts featuring a ton of bands that existed on the label. I, for one, love the variety of acts and the reunion set components involved. Withershins, Evil Tents, and Hot Cops! are in the reunion set category, so they will perform alongside Mother Nature, Grandkids, Terminus Victor, Motes, and Windmills. Quite the show to go out on, so check this out at Canopy Club on Saturday night. (PS)
Sunday, December 16th
UFLive! presents Carl Johnson and the New Orleans Jazz Machine, Urbana Free Library, 2 p.m., free
Take a break from your holiday to-dos and enjoy the Urbana Free Library’s annual holiday concert, featuring local Dixieland sextet, the New Orleans Jazz Machine, led by Carl Johnson on clarinet. (DD)
Watch some cool chemistry stuff, 100 Noyes Laboratory, 2 p.m., free
Holiday Magic has become kind of a must do holiday activity in C-U. It’s fun, it’s free, and if you have kiddos it’s a great way to show them how cool science can actually be. Note: this is immensely popular and it’s first come first seated. So get there early if you want to make sure to claim a spot! You are also encouraged to bring donations for Eastern Illinois Foodbank. (JM) Photo by Scott Wells
A Very Merry Dragmas, 51 Main, 8 to 11 p.m., cover charge
This divalicious line up is sure to chase your holiday blues away. Enjoy performances by Gigi Mayonae, Karma Carrington, Ceduxion, Marina Knight, Spark Knightly, Lola Carter, and River Rogue. (DD)
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All event information is accurate to the best of our abilities, but sometimes we make mistakes and sometimes event information, times, prices, etc., change after we look them up. Whenever possible, we’ve provided a link to the original event page; you should always double-check the source before you make any firm plans. Thanks for your understanding.