Thursday, March 21st
Learn from Charlene Teters, Plym Auditorium in Temple Buell Hall, 5:30 p.m., free
Alumna Charlene Teters returns to the U of I campus to receive the School of Art + Design’s 2024 Distinguished Alumni Award. Teters is an artist, writer, activist, and educator. She is a member of the Spokane Nation. During her time here, she initiated protests against the U of I’s former mascot. This activism was documented in the 1997 documentary, In Whose Honor?. Come listen to Teters reflect on her career and her experiences. It’s not to be missed. (JH)
Experience art visually and sonically, Krannert Art Museum, 6:30 p.m., free with registration
At the Krannert Art Museum’s Art Remastered event, HUM’s Matt Talbott will perform a fusion of his music and Super 8 film in the East Gallery, curated by Kamila Glowacki. This unique melding of visual art and music is free with registration, providing an immersive cultural experience (DP)
Watch E.T. The Extra Terrestrial, The Virginia Theatre, 7 p.m., $7
This classic Spielberg movie creeped me out so much as a kid, but not because of the lumpy alien and his long, knobby fingers. At first it was the music, but as the movie progressed it was the frogs, and then the absolutely terrifying government officials. I don’t think I’ve rewatched this film since I was a child, so this will be a nice way to face my fears. (JH)
Go to a drag show, Illini Union, 8 p.m., $10-$15
The Illini Union Board is hosting their annual drag show, and it will surely be a good time. Grab tickets at the Rec Room or Quad Shop, and head to the I-rooms on the first floor Thursday night for a great way to kick off your weekend. (JM)
Friday, March 22nd
Pick up some wine for a relaxing weekend, Art Mart, 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., prices vary
If a lazy weekend at home is on the agenda this weekend, why not stop by Art Mart to pick up some wine? The croissant-home goods store also stocks an impressive selection of wine. Hundreds of different bottles are available, and if you chat with Todd or Kelsea, they can recommend a bottle for your taste and budget. Or, you can email Todd and he’ll pick out wines and set them aside for a later pickup. My favorite budget red wine is the Tilia malbec ($9.99), and my favorite bubbles is the Cuvée Manekineko brut ($24.99), a delicious dry sparkling wine with a cute lucky cat on it. (AB)
Participate in Smile Politely’s March Tournament, all weekend, free
Earlier this week we launched our March Tournament, a revisit of the very first one we did, which is the food and drink of Champaign-Urbana. We’re in our second round, and you can vote now. In the meantime, catch up on all of our March Tournament excitement here. (JH)
Get an ice cream waffle cone with a topping, Sidney Dairy Barn, 2 to 7 p.m., $6.75
The roadside ice cream shop Sidney Dairy Barn is now open for the season. I went by last weekend and had a waffle cone of the chocolate with some Heath bar on top, and it was good even when it was 40 degrees, so imagine how delish it will be when it’s 67 this Friday. (AB)
Laugh off the week with Orlando Leyba’s standup comedy, 3 Ravens, shows at 6:30 and 9:15 p.m., $25+
Fresh off of his appearance on this season’s America’s Got Talent, Orlando Leyba will be delivering his high octane humor at Monticello’s 3 Ravens Food and Spirits. This weekend marks the finale of 3 Ravens’ comedy series. Leyba, who has also shown off his comedy on Jimmy Fallon’s Tonight Show and HBO’s Adorable, has a knack for humor through rich storytelling. He’s here both Friday and Saturday with a couple of shows each night. (AP)
Attend the Artists Against AIDS fundraiser, Independent Media Center, 7 to 10 p.m., $50
The Greater Community AIDS Project will host its annual VIP fundraiser reception on Friday ahead of the free art fair at the IMC on Saturday, March 23 from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Tickets for the Friday fundraiser include two drinks, appetizers, and desserts, plus early access to the art on display. Proceeds from the event benefit the Greater Community AIDS project of East Central Illinois. (AP)
Shuffle and swing to some jazz-flavored country music with Sweet Megg, Rose Bowl Tavern, 8:30 p.m, $10 cover
Sweet Megg croons her way around the stage at Rose Bowl Tavern, along with Two Shoes for a unique performance. Sweet Megg is a Nashville resident via New York and Paris, so this night will be an entertaining mix of New York jazz and Nashville country music. (DP)
Saturday, March 23rd
Let your dogs have some Easter fun, William Smith Park, 10:30 a.m., free
Why should kids have all the fun? The Savoy Recreation Center is hosting a doggie easter egg hunt. There will be two hunts, one for dogs weighing less than 25 pounds and then a hunt one for dogs weighing more than 25 pounds. Dogs will be encouraged to sniff out eggs full of treats. Bring a basket or bag, and a leash. (LKG)
Take your kids to a soccer event, Soccer Planet, 4 to 6 p.m., free
Busey Bank is hosting Spring into Soccer at Soccer Planet, an event that will include soccer (obviously), games, crafts, and an egg hunt. They will have food while supplies last. RSVP for the event here. (JM)
Visit India (sort of), Foellinger Auditorium, 5 p.m., free
The Indian Graduate Student Association is hosting their annual Discover India event, one of their biggest of the year. The goal of the event is to showcase the diverse and unique cultures of India. There will be an exhibit of Indian instruments, live performances, a fashion show, and a DJ playing Indian beats. (LKG)
Ride your bike to Philo Tavern, meet in the Meadowbrook Park north parking lot, 6:15 p.m., free
The Prairie Cycle Club is hosting the Full Worm Moon / Paschal Moon bicycle ride from Urbana to Philo. Everyone is welcome, and everyone is responsible for their own safety, which is to say, wear your helmet, and get a light for the ride home. The bike ride will take place right at sunset, so it will be gorgeous. (JH)
Catch the last Sinfonia da Camera performance of the season, Krannert Center for the Performing Arts, 7:30 p.m., $10-$40
Sinfonia da Camera is debuting a brand new orchestration of Mussorgsky’s Pictures at an Exhibition at their final performance of the season. Arrive early for a lecture before the concert at Stage 5 in the lobby, with composer-in-residence David Canfield and music director Ian Hobson. You’ll want to keep an eye on our Instagram stories that day, as Sinfonia takes over to give us a behind-the-scenes look at performance day. (JM)
Check out Neptune’s Core, Gallery Art Bar, 8 p.m., $10
Head over to Gallery to see this young (they’re all under 20 years old!) but sophisticated band from Chicago. Get a sense of what to expect by reading this preview interview from Alejandra. This INTER-PYGMALION show will also feature Fiona Kimble and Venus Overdrive. Tickets available through Eventbrite. (JM)
Sunday, March 24th
Learn how to feed baby goats, Prairie Fruits Farm and Creamery, 2 to 3:30 p.m., free
All of the babies have been born, and now Prairie Fruits Farm is looking for some volunteers to feed them. That sounds like a very cute and fun volunteer gig. Just look at that face! They are hosting an orientation on Sunday, which you can sign up for here. Can’t make it? There’s also one on Tuesday. (JM)
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.