Thursday, May 9th
Get organic with Pete ‘Afro D’ Shungu & Friends, Gallery Art Bar, 7 p.m., free
The Gallery Art Bar is the place to be right now. Featuring works by May’s artist of the month, Kofi Bazzell-Smith, the bar will host an evening of music, dancing, art, and serve their fabulous signature cocktails and mocktails. (AP)
Dance to a folk music fusion, Rose Bowl Tavern, 8 p.m., $15
Join Larry & Joe at the Rose Bowl Tavern for an evening that promises to blend Venezuelan and Appalachian melodies into a soulful folk experience. Bring your dancing shoes as their dynamic performances are known to turn a regular night into an impromptu dance party filled with rich stories and cultural rhythms. (DP)
Friday, May 10th
Learn about gut microbiomes, 607 Institute for Genomic Biology Meeting Room, 1206 West Gregory Drive, Urbana, noon, free
Dr. Larry Smarr will be giving a free lunchtime talk about the dynamics of gut microbiomes. Gut microbiomes are a hot topic in health and wellness conversations (usually from influencers spewing a bunch of bunk). While you might not understand every single thing Dr. Smarr talks about, you can at least learn from an expert in the field. (JH)
Get sucked into supermassive black holes (metaphorically), Staerkel Planetarium at Parkland College, 8 to 9 p.m., $8
Staerkel’s newest full dome film is Cosmic Mashup, which explores “how the merging of galaxies activate[s] galactic centers.” So no, you will not literally get sucked into a black hole, but you will definitely learn something that will blow your mind. We are all just tiny specks of dust in this massive, infinitesimal multiverse! (JH)
Saturday, May 11th
Get out of town for dinner, places outside C-U, hours and prices vary
It is the U of I’s Graduation Weekend, and if you’re not graduating or celebrating a graduate, get the heck out of town this weekend. All restaurants in Champaign-Urbana will be so very busy. Why not try some restaurants worth a drive? Horsch Radish serves delicious German food in Gibson City. Mahomet’s Chophouse on Main has a menu of salads, fish, pork chops, and more. For a farm-to-table experience, check out The Wheelhouse in St. Joe. (AB)
Buy some plants, Sola Gratia Farm, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., prices vary
Are you planting a garden this year? Sola Gratia Farm will have a bunch of veggie, fruit, herbs, and flower starter plants. Starter plants are much easier than starting your garden from seeds, and it’s a little late in the season for that, anyway. This weekend will be perfect for doing outdoor chores and projects, like planting a garden. The sale continues through May 19th. (JH)
Listen to Lovely Lo-Fi on WEFT, your house or car or wherever you are, 6 to 8 p.m., free
WEFT premieres a new show, Lovely Lo-Fi, Saturday evening. Hosted by Mellie Lia, this show will feature lo-fi and lo-fi hip hop, including artists like Raimu, Hisohkah, l’Outlander, and Lenny Loops. It’s perfect background music for reading, studying, or generally relaxing. Listen here. (JH)
Sunday, May 12th
Buy mom some crepes, Pekara Bakery & Bistro, 8 a.m. to 3 p.m., $9.95
Mom doesn’t want to cook on Mother’s Day — which is this Sunday, by the way. If you haven’t made a rez yet, don’t fret. Get mommy some crepes. For mamas who like sweet breakfast, order my favorite: the chocolate-covered strawberry. The super thin crepe has sliced strawberries amongst gobs and rivers of Nutella, and it is delicious. For mothers who prefer savory, go for the chicken pesto crepe (eggs, roasted lemon-herb chicken, provolone, red onion, and pesto) or the veggie. Don’t forget a side of diced potatoes, maybe some bacon, or one of their cute cookies for Mother’s Day snack later. Take mom to the bistro at the corner of Springfield and Prospect, or put in a pre-order and serve breakfast in bed without any of the cooking or pan-washing. (AB)
Snag a deal, strum a steal, Rose Bowl Tavern, 11 a.m., free
Dive into the 4th Annual Cheap Instrument Sale at Rose Bowl Tavern, where a treasure trove of musical gear awaits at irresistible prices. Whether you’re a budding musician or a seasoned pro, this is your chance to snag both instruments and unique finds like raw honey, all while supporting the musical community. (DP)
Audition for Lizzie: The Musical, Station Theatre, 6 to 10 p.m., free
I am psyched about this play, opening next August at Urbana’s Station Theatre. Auditions for Lizzie: The Musical are Sunday evening at the Station Theatre. Growing up, I was obsessed with all things Lizzie Borden. No, I am not a crazed murderess, nor am I a fan of murders or mysteries even though I’m one of the most obnoxious Anglophiles you’ll ever meet. It’s this story — and set to music with a rock band? What could be more fun? Read here for audition details and to sign-up for your audition time. (AP)
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.