Friday, November 30th
Do some donating, places and times vary, prices vary
With winter upon us, this is the time of year when many local organizations start collecting items for those in our community that need a bit of assistance. Whether it’s blankets, winter clothing, toiletries, or food, it’s always a good idea to share the resources you have with others. A few I’ve seen over the past few weeks: Krannert Center and Cunningham Township are collecting winter outerwear. The former for Unit 4 and District 116 students and the latter for those who seek the services of the Township. The Up Center is putting together care kits for homeless teens, and Seven Saints is partnering with Daily Bread Soup Kitchen on their Backpack Project. (JM)
The Nutcracker, Krannert Center for the Performing Arts, 7:30 p.m., $21-$45
Nothing kicks off the winter holiday season like the Champaign Urbana Ballet’s annual performance of The Nutcracker. Share this tradition with the young dancers in your life or as a nostalgic gift to your inner child. (DD) Photo from Krannert Center’s Facebook page
Saturday, December 1st
Put some festive into your coffee, Columbia Street Roastery, 9 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., $10-ish
ICYMI: Hanukah begins next week, and Christmas decorations have been in our faces for weeks now. No reason to fight it; you might as well lean into it. Stop by CSR to pick up some coffee or tea for gift-giving or for treating yourself and houseguests to festive flavors of the season, which does not exclusively mean pine tree. CSR has a bunch of funky flavors and regular coffee to please everyone. (JH) Photo by Jessica Hammie
Check out Walnut Street Tea Company’s Holiday sale, 115 S Walnut, Champaign, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., prices vary
Looking to expand your tea knowledge and supply? Walnut Street Tea Company is having their largest sale of the year featuring over 500 teas, as well as more than 20 local vendors selling tea, coffee, chocolate, candy, and other little noms and bits, and jewelry. More info is on Facebook. (JH)
Recognize World AIDS Day, The Art Theater, 12 p.m., free
Krannert Art Museum, the Department of Gender and Women’s Studies, and the LGBT Resource Center are bringing a series of films commissioned by the organization Visual AIDS to The Art Theater. The films will highlight societal issues surrounding the ongoing HIV/AIDS epidemic. A panel discussion will follow. (JM)
Have a lovely holiday experience Downtown Champaign, times vary, prices vary
If you have kiddos, stop by the Orpheum Snow Globe from 1 to 5 p.m., then maybe do a little local shopping (our shopping guide can help give you some direction). To top off the day,
from 3 to 6 p.m. you can take a trolley ride through Campustown, Midtown, and Downtown. It’s $5 a person and you get hot chocolate, cookies, and carols sung by the CUTC Dickensian singers. Catch the trolley in front of Emmanuel Memorial Episcopal Church. (JM)
Bill Kirchen’s Honky Tonky Holiday Show, Rose Bowl Tavern, 7:30-10:30 p.m. $15-$20
Should you find yourself without any plans on Saturday night, you should go spend a few hours at the best honky tonk in Champaign-Urbana: The Rose Bowl. Downtown Urbana’s gem is hosting guitarist Bill Kirchen and Caleb Cook Band for this holiday show on Saturday night. Sure, the cost of entry is a little steep if you’re just wanting to check out something you’re unsure of, but the drinks are cheap, and the bar is kind of the best around. (PS) Photo by Patrick Singer
Sunday, December 2nd
Rolston String Quartet, Krannert Center for the Performing Arts Foellinger Great Hall, $5-$55, 3 p.m.
The 2016 First Prize winner of the prestigious Banff International String Quartet Competition and the winner of Chamber Music America’s 2018 Cleveland Quartet Award, the Rolston String Quartet, perform this Sunday at Krannert Center. This show will be served up Salon Style in the Great Hall, so if you’re looking for a change of pace, hit this early afternoon show late this weekend. (PS) Photo from Krannert Center’s website
A Mozart Matinée, featuring the Community Light Opera of Champaign, Faith United Methodist Church, 3 p.m., free
Community Light Opera (CLO) is a non-profit organization that is dedicated to offering young performers an opportunity to grow. Showcasing current undergraduate and graduate students as well as alumni and emerging artists, this program will feature arias and vocal works from Mozart as well as the composer’s one-act opera, Der Schauspielddirektor. (DD)
A Performance from Rational Dress Society and poetry by Shaya Robinson and Rachel Lauren Storm, Independent Media Center, 7:30-9 p.m., donations requested
Guitar/vocals/flute/violin/percussion trio Rational Dress Society will serve up original music and covers followed by readings from local poets Shaya Robinson and Rachel Lauren Storm. Come at 6 p.m. and enjoy the awesomeness that is Drag Queen Story Hour. (DD) Photo from Rational Dress Facebook page
Top photo from Champaign Center Partnership Facebook page
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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.