Friday, April 21st
See a film at Ebertfest, The Virginia Theatre, times vary, $15-$20
The annual film festival named for acclaimed film critic and Urbana native Roger Ebert is taking place this weekend at the Virginia Theatre. Highlights include a Saturday-evening showing of Forrest Gump with special guest Mykelti Williamson and a Friday-evening screening of In and of Itself featuring the film’s creator and star, Derek DelGaudio, and Director Frank Oz. You can read more about this year’s festival in our recent interview with festival organizers, Chaz Ebert and Nick Kohn. Tickets are available on the Ebertfest website or at the Virginia Theatre. (SO)
Check out an International Cooking Show, online, 2 p.m., free
The International Cooking Show is a live show that features global cuisine, and this will be the last episode of the semester. Back in November, Alyssa chatted with the organizers. This installment will feature sopa de maní, a Bolivian peanut soup, prepared by Raissa Gonzalez. Register for the event here. (JM)
Enjoy music, dancing, and food with Salsa del Norte, Unit One/Allen Hall, 7:30 p.m., free
Salsa Night featuring Salsa del Norte is a night of free live music, delicious food, and dancing with Salsa del Norte, the dynamic group that is revolutionizing Latin American musical traditions by blending together a plethora of styles, including Salsa, Latin Jazz, Reggaeton, and many more, all in an effort to honor the diverse cultures that have helped shape this vibrant genre of music. Free parking is available across the street. (DP)
Saturday, April 22nd
Clean up Boneyard Creek, various locations, 9 a.m. to noon, free
Saturday is Earth Day, so why not do something that directly impacts the environment here in C-U? Boneyard Creek Community Day is opportunity to do just that. Volunteers will gather at Scott Park in Champaign, then disperse to locations along Boneyard Creek. Online registration has closed, but you can still show up at Scott Park and sign up on the spot. They will even give you pizza for your efforts! (JM)
Learn to dance swing / lindy hop, Channing Murray Foundation, 10 a.m. until late, but specific times for your level, $55
If you have taken a swing class before, sign up for the day-long workshop (10 a.m.) with Dee Daniels Locke and Christian Frommelt. There will be three classes (plus a lunch break). If you have no experience, you can attend the evening’s drop-in beginner lesson at 7 p.m. There will be live music for both the workshop and the evening drop in; specific times and details are on the registration page. (JH)
Buy some books at the iSchool’s Annual Book Sale, Center for Children’s Books, noon to 6 p.m., free, but you can buy things
This weekend is the 21st anniversary of the Center for Children’s Books‘ Annual Book Sale. There will be thousands of new children’s and youth books for sale in every genre, ranging in price from $1-5. The sale will take place on Sunday from noon to 6 p.m., but there is a pre-sale on Saturday. Check out our recent SPlog about the event for more information. (SO)
Buy some flowers and plants, 1472 CR 500 East, 12-3 p.m., free
Celebrate earth day by picking up some flowers and gifts during Delight Flower Farm’s spring plant sale. The farm is going all out with plants, flowers, local artists and food vendors such as Berries & Flour, Stitchqueer, Medicine Baskets, Funtime Bootleg Toys, Piper Pottery, Humbleweed Farm, Donita Jacobson, Feral Florals, and more. You can see the full list of vendors on their event site. And make sure to check out some of the other plant sales going on around the community this weekend. (LKG)
Perfect your calligraphy skills, Martinelli’s Market, 4 to 7 p.m., $75
Creative Handlettering with Amanda is running this three-hour workshop. The price includes instruction, a workbook, and brush pen. Attendees will also receive a 50% off pastry coupon for the deli. You’ll be able to make your own inspirational placards and impress your friends with beautiful cards. (JH)
Have a beer and eat gyro nachos, Marrakesh Grill at Triptych, 5 to 7 p.m., $7.99 for the nachos
The gyro nachos by Marrakesh Grill food truck are really good — and so are the wings and the gyros. The truck will be at Triptych Brewing this Saturday night, and if you’re looking for something to do this weekend, make it beers and gyros. The Savoy microbrewery just celebrated their ten year anniversary (read my interview with the four owners). If you can’t stay, you can order both to go. (AB)
Re-experience the many hit songs of the BoDeans, Castle Theatre, 8 p.m., $30
Time to turn back the clock and relive some of those classic BoDeans hits at The Castle Theatre on April 22nd, with Steve Poltz as their special guest. Get ready to sing along, dance, and reminisce about the good ol’ days when their music was the soundtrack to our lives. (DP)
Sunday, April 23rd
See the nationally ranked Illini Men’s Golf team, Atkins Golf Course, 7:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., free
The Fighting Illini spring collegiate tournament will be the inaugural golf event at the newly renovated Atkins Golf Club (formally Stone Creek). It will also be the first event the men’s team has played in the Champaign-Urbana area in thirteen years. There will be nine other teams in attendance and this will be the only home event the team will play this season. On Saturday, rounds one and two will go from 7:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. and on Sunday round three will be from 8:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. The event will have free parking on site and food can be purchased at the Homegrown restaurant. (LKG)
Eat firecracker chicken, Siam Terrace, noon to 9 p.m., $15.99
This dish of battered and fried chicken with vegetables and peanuts is from Siam Terrace, and it was the favorite dish of Rashmi’s review of the Downtown Urbana restaurant. She wrote, “It was the right balance of flavor, spice, and salt with the satisfying crunch of deep-fried chicken. This dish would go as a stand-alone item, or it can be used to bring its bold flavors to both carb-forward dishes like noodles or the fried rice.” Order online or dine in at the restaurant. (AB)
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.