Friday, March 31st
Donate your formal wear and fancy pants (and shoes), 1422 S Neil St, Champaign, 4 to 8 p.m., free
Do you have old prom, bridesmaid, or other fancy/formal wear taking up space in your closet? Donate it to kids who will put it to good use. Mike Ingram is organizing this again this year, and it’s a great way to clean out your closet and give kids who don’t have resources for expensive prom wear an opportunity to find something that makes them feel amazing. This year they are also accepting menswear, so if you or your dude(s) have blazers, shoes, and/or suits, drop them off. You can also drop off your donated items at Farren’s during normal business hours. (JH)
Rally for queer and trans youth, McKinley Church, 5:30 p.m., free
It’s as crucial as ever to show support to queer and trans young people (and adults too) as they are being used as political pawns in so many places in the U.S. right now. We are fortunate to live in a generally welcoming community, with the support of Uniting Pride, but it’s still so important to acknowledge, champion, and come alongside these young people. There will be lots of speakers, and the event will center LGBTQ+ people under 25. (JM)
Have a laugh at Five Lesbians Eating a Quiche, The Station Theatre, 7:30 p.m., $10-$15
The Station Theatre is presenting Five Lesbians Eating a Quiche, a comedy opening this weekend and running through Sunday, April 9th. The witty play depicts the antics that occur after a bomb threat interrupts a small town’s annual quiche breakfast. The play is directed by Kendall Jeonson, and tickets are available at The Station Theatre’s website. (SO)
See Dance at Illinois Downtown, Krannert Center at the Virginia, 7:30 p.m., $10-$20
Taking place at the historic Virginia Theatre, Dance at Illinois Downtown will feature a number of performances including a contemporary African dance with live music performed by local drummers, a solo inspired by research on queer, Black vernacular dance, and a contemporary ballet performance that intersects with Cunningham Technique. Tickets are available for Friday and Saturday evening. (SO)
Groove with Mhondoro Rhythm Success, Rose Bowl Tavern, 8:30 p.m., $10-$15
Mhondoro Rhythm Success is an uplifting Zimbabwean pop music ensemble based in C-U. The band’s music features danceable grooves and multi-layered melodies that are sure to get you moving. Don’t miss your chance to see this talented band perform live, and bring your dancing shoes! Suggested cover of $10-$15. (DP)
Explore the College of Engineering Open House, U of I campus, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., free
This annual event draws thousands of people from all over the country. This year’s theme is “The Future, Today” with the goal to “inspire future generations to become involved in engineering and reimagine the future”. There are over 200 exhibits including a jump lab, a wind tunnel, a robobrawl, and a lego lab. There will be food trucks on site and exhibits throughout the campus, running all day long. (LKG)
Saturday, April 1st
Get your baby goat fix, Prairie Fruits Farm and Creamery, 10 a.m., $25 per ticket
Get your baby goat fix at Prairie Farms Creamery for their yearly Babies and Brunch event. This has been an annual tradition for us each spring. My kids love meeting all the new baby goats and watching them play. It is also an amazing opportunity for all of us to get some fresh air, see the other animals, and get delicious food too. Tickets must be purchased in advance. (LKG)
Experience a pow-wow, Spurlock Museum, 4 p.m., free
Spurlock Museum, in partnership with American Indian Studies, is opening a new exhibit this weekend, Welcome to the Pow-wow: An Intertribal Pow-wow Experience. Join them for a celebration that will include a reception and performance by Bizhiki Culture and Dance Company. (JM)
Eat some books, Edible Book Festival, Martinelli’s Market, 5 p.m., free
Sponsored by the University Library, The Edible Book Festival is this Saturday at Martinelli’s Market in Champaign. Starting at 5 p.m., check out the cakes inspired by books, and at 6 p.m., the judges will announce the winners. The event is a fundraiser for the Wesley Food Pantry. Learn more here or check it out on Facebook. (AB)
Have a night of folk and bluegrass, Rose Bowl Tavern, 7 p.m., $10 adv, $15 door
Julie and John Pennell are a performing duo as well as songwriters. John has performed with numerous bluegrass bands, including Vassar Clements and an early Union Station featuring Alison Krauss. They are joined by Dawna Nelson and Brian Wilkie for an evening of folk, bluegrass and acoustic music performed by local legends and some of the best around. Advance tickets are $10. (DP)
Sunday, April 2nd
Take a walk in the woods to learn about birds, Anita Purvis Nature Center, 7:30 a.m., free
The Champaign County Audubon Society hosts a bird walk through Crystal Lake Park or Busey Woods. The 90 minute walk is free and guided by people who know lots of stuff about birds. (JH)
Get a cookie, San Miguel Panaderia, 8:30 a.m. to 8:30 p.m., $2
If you made it to the weekend, you deserve a cookie. San Miguel Panaderia sells some of my favorite baked goods in town. Matt reviewed the Urbana bakery on Wednesday, and he loved this cookie. He wrote that it was “twice as thick as what you’d find at an area grocery store.” For $2, you probably deserve two. (AB)
Watch Illini Women’s Tennis, Atkins Tennis Center, 11 a.m., free
The Illini Women take on Michigan, and it’s a “pack the house” match. So why not help make that happen? Tennis is such a fun and fast-paced sport to watch, and it’s always good to remember that there are sports here beyond basketball and football. (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.