WHAT: U of I Sesquicentennial Kick-Off with Funkadesi
WHERE: Krannert Center (free)
WHEN: Tuesday, Feb. 28 at 3 p.m.
The global sounds of the multiple award-winning group Funkadesi will be present to celebrate the 150th anniversary of the passage of the legislative act that created the University of Illinois in 1867. There will be a formal program at 3 p.m. in Foellinger, and a 5 p.m. reception performance in KCPA’s lobby. See the site for more information.
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WHAT: Fat Tuesday Celebration
WHERE: Esquire Lounge (probably no cover)
WHEN: Tuesday, Feb 28
There’s not a whole lot of info on this event, other than it’ll be a Mardi Gras celebration with dixieland music, gumbo, drink specials, and other fun in theme with the holiday. Mostly, it’s safe to say that Esquire can get the job done when it comes to a good time. Keep an eye on the event page as further details unfold.
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WHAT: Big Gigantic with Brasstracks ($29)
WHERE: Canopy Club
WHEN: Tuesday, Feb. 28 at 9 p.m.
Boulder-based duo Big Gigantic are a mixed bag of music, pulling from an assortment of genres including funk, hip-hop, electronica, jazz, and more. They’ve played the festival circuit extensively and love playing live, striving to make each show a unique experience. A portion of the proceeds from the show will go to A Big Gigantic Difference Foundation, which supports local charities.
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WHAT: Tchami with Mercer and Wildfoxx
WHERE: Canopy Club ($22 in advance/$25 at the door)
WHEN: Wednesday, March 1 at 9 p.m.
French artist Tchami specializes in future and deep house brands of EDM and dubstep. He’s worked alongside big artists like Skrillex and Diplo to refine his sound, and he and a couple friends are sure to get you moving.
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WHAT: Music In Action: A Benefit Concert for Planned Parenthood
WHERE: The Accord ($10 suggested donation)
WHEN: Friday, March 3 at 7 p.m.
The page for this event says it best: “This is a monstrous collective effort by a huge slice of the Champaign-Urbana area’s music scene to use the power of music & performance to bring the community together.” Two dozen of C-U’s finest artists and bands will come together in solidarity for this always important cause, which needs all the help they can get, and even moreso lately. A silent auction will feature all sorts of items, and proceeds from the entire evening will go to benefit Planned Parenthood. Visit the page for the full lineup and more info.
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WHAT: Jana Kramer
WHERE: The City Center (tickets start at $18)
WHEN: Friday, March 3 at 7 p.m.
Pop country artist Jana Kramer is known for her television role as Alex Dupre on One Tree Hill, and she’s recently decided to try her hand at the world of music. You might have heard her music featured on the drama, and she’s ready to give you more of it at this show.
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WHAT: Urbana First Fridays
WHERE: Downtown Urbana (admission is free)
WHEN: Friday, March 3 starting at 4 p.m.
Imbibe Urbana’s last First Friday of winter has a welcoming spring theme, including the Community Supported Agriculture Fair at the Urbana Civic Center, demos from Delight Flower Farm, and more. There will also be the usual myriad of fun events, with food and drink specials and live music. Visit the page for more information.
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WHAT: Neoga Blacksmith / The Bashful Youngens / Jared Grabb
WHERE: Loose Cobra (no cover)
WHEN: Saturday, March 4 at 8:30 p.m.
Partake in some of Loose Cobra’s “standard drinking” as some local and visiting folk music faves entertain you with their tunes. There’s no cover, and plenty of friendly people (as always) at this Tolono staple.
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WHAT: Girls Rock! C-U Benefit Show
WHERE: Ghost Planet ($3-$7 sliding donations)
WHEN: Saturday, March 4 at 7 p.m.
Spread the word about GR!CU. The organization is and should be supported by musicians of all genres, and this show celebrates that. It’ll feature hip-hop, hardcore, indie and noise music all going to benefit the cause, because there should be women in every type and facet of music. Stop by and do your part to help out.
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WHAT: Papadosio
WHERE: Canopy Club ($15)
WHEN: Saturday, March 4 at 9 p.m.
The eclectic group Papadosio can aptly be described as space rock, and they’ll bring their heady jams to Canopy this weekend, accompanied by pysch-soul band Jaw Gems.
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WHAT: Unofficial St. Patty’s Show
WHERE: Fourth Street Records (206 S. 4th St., Champaign) (donations suggested)
WHEN: Saturday, March 4 at 2 p.m.
The annual splitting headache that is Unofficial is this weekend. I’ll jump on the grumpy locals bandwagon and suggest avoidance. Instead, attend a daytime non-campus event like this showcase of local singer-songwriters. It’s BYOB and located less than a mile from the Union, so if you are so inclined, feel free to catch the show and then stroll on down the road afterwards to enjoy the best of both worlds.
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WHAT: Trouble Chasin / Mother Nature / Lil Ze / Rel Jay
WHERE: Cowboy Monkey ($10)
WHEN: Saturday, Mar 4 at 9:30 p.m.
There’s no denying that the hip-hop outfit Mother Nature is a force to be reckoned with, and Trouble Chasin’ are formidable themselves. Watch them and a few other great acts light it up at Cowboy Monkey.
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WHAT: Tractor Kings / We The Animals
WHERE: Saturday, March 4 at 9 p.m. (no cover)
WHEN: The Brass Rail
Those rare Brass Rail shows are mandatory, guys. This one has some local alt-country, dark rock, cheap beer, and no cover. You are required to stop by.
WHAT: Beats Beneath at Blips and Chitz, Vol. 2
WHERE: Blips and Chitz ($5)
WHEN: Saturday, March 4th at 8 p.m.
Blips and Chitz recently tried out something new with a DJ and electronica show, and this is the second session. Four DJs will spin hot sets that speak to the versatility of Blips and Chitz, whose organizers continually strive to show that this is not a one-note DIY venue.
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WHAT: King of the Coast, The Threads, Lime Forest, Simoriah
WHERE: Canopy Club ($7)
WHEN: Sunday, March 5 at 9 p.m.
This mostly local band showcase features different shades of rock music, specifically rock and roll. A couple of these acts are new on the scene with fresh releases to share, and it always pays to support new artists in the thriving music community.