If you’re feeling antsy to spend some quality time out and about on what should be a pleasant evening — it’s going to be in the low to mid ’50s, but windy — here are a few suggestions, off the top of our heads:
Krannert Uncorked, the free wine tasting (tonight sponsored by Friar Tuck), is from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. in the center’s lobby.
Buzz achieved, you could grab a bite to eat at nearby Black Dog or Xinh Xinh, or check out the new digs of The Great Impasta.
Post dinner, head over to the Champaign Library to hear Abe Lincoln scholar John A. Lupton talk about forensic methods used to authenticate Lincoln documents. The hour-long talk starts at 7 p.m. and is free. Or, if that’s not your cup o’ tea, consider listening to University of Minnesota prof Roderick Ferguson discuss the 1960s and 1970s student movements around race and gender, through the context of the writings of black feminist Toni Cade Bambara. This free talk takes place at the Knight Auditorium in Spurlock Museum, at 7:30 p.m.
Those seeking the stage could just stick around the Krannert Center to take in the musical comedy How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying, which starts at 7:30 p.m. Tonight is also the debut of the Station Theatre’s new dark comedy, Whitey. (Check back next week for our review.) Reservations are recommended for this 8 p.m. performance.
For a night cap Cameron McGill plays the Monkey, and given the warmer temps maybe they’ll prop open the front door and turn on an outdoor heater or two so you can sit outside and listen to the tunes.
Or, if you really want to enjoy the outdoors tonight, maybe you should just disregard the previous paragraphs, stop by Old Time Meat & Deli on your way home from work and pick up some salmon fillets on sale, fire up the grill for the first time this year, kick back with a couple cold ones, and toss some Allen Toussaint on the stereo.