Friday, March 18th
Photo by Alyssa Buckley.
Enjoy Green Street food, Campustown, all day, prices vary
Before all the students return from spring break, catch lunch or dinner in Campustown while the Green Street restaurants are less crowded. Grab a delicious sushi roll from Sakanaya, or enjoy Shawarma Joint’s made-to-order gyro pitas and rice bowls. Consider a romantic dinner at NAYA. Maybe check out Yogi’s the bulgogi fried rice, or get some dumplings at Mid Summer Lounge. Pick up an Oreo cake from Moment Bakery. Visit one of the newer restaurants on Green Street: Rice Bowl, Pho Noodle Station, Sushi Man, and Kung Fu Taste, (AB)
Have a jazzy happy hour, NOLA’s, 5 to 7 p.m., no cover
Why not start your weekend off in a laid back sort of way? The Blue Funk All-Stars will be playing while you enjoy some tasty beverages. Happy hour specials include $6 Manhattans, Old Fashioneds, and martinis, and $4 Hurricanes. (JM)
Saturday, March 19th
Photo from the Krannert Art Museum website.
Enjoy a quiet museum visit, Krannert Art Museum, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., free
Did you know Krannert Art Museum remained opened during spring break? Take your time and enjoy the many great exhibitions that have opened this year. Plan your visit here. (DD)
Learn about the voting process, Champaign Public Library, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., free
The Champaign County Clerk’s office is holding a series of voter education workshops, where you’ll learn about the vote by mail process and voting centers. For more information, visit the County Clerk’s website. (JH)
Photo from Mama Meta’s Canteen’s Facebook page.
Have a Congolese lunch, Mama Meta Canteen, 1 to 4 p.m., $4-15
The newest restaurant in town serves African-inspired cuisine with an American twist. Check out Mama Meta’s Canteen’s grand opening this Saturday. You can order online in advance. The new Congolese restaurant is a ghost kitchen, so orders are picked up curbside or you can have your food delivered. (AB)
Grab an instrument (or bring your voice) and jam, Channing Murray Foundation, 7 p.m., free
Ayla McDonald and Sophie Kish have worked with the CU Folk and Roots Festival in past years, and now they have organized a regular folk jam circle at the Channing Murray Foundation, this Saturday being the inaugural jam. Bring a song to share and an instrument if you like, and bask in the joy of sharing music with the community. (SW)
Sunday, March 20th
Celebrate the Vernal Equinox with a sculpture and nature walk, Meadowbrook Park, anytime, free
Honor the changing of the seasons by getting back in touch with nature and with your own creative spirit. Get inspired by the art and the promise of spring flowers. (DD)
Photo provided by Japan House.
Forest Bathe, Japan House, 4 to 6 p.m., free
Japan House is hosting pianist Jenny Han and cellist Satoshi Kamei as part of Shinrin Yoku, or forest bathing. You can walk and explore the grounds to stumble upon Han and Kamei. There will be vendors and the Matcha cafe opens at 4 p.m. (JH)
Attend an artist talk, Allerton Mansion, 7 to 8 p.m., free (but there will be a cash bar)
Simiya Sudduth, a multi-disciplinary artist and educator, is one of Allerton’s artists-in-residence for Spring 2022. She is in the process of creating a mural in the Greenhouse Café, which you can go see before her artist talk at 7 p.m. on the Library Terrace of the mansion. A cash bar will open at 6:30 p.m. Be sure to register here. After the talk, stroll through the gardens on the last night of Shamrockin’ Glow. You’ll enjoy Irish tunes while seeing basking the green glow of the lighted features. (JM)
Photo by Keshia Murdoch from Landon Wordswell’s Facebook page.
Catch some hip-hop, Canopy Club, 8 p.m., $7
Emcee and producer duo Landon Wordswell and The Don Avelar bring their thought provoking lyricism alongside their trap/Latin beats. Joining them on the bill is DJ Belly, Modest, and Patterns of Chaos. (SW)
Top photo provided by Allerton Park and Retreat Center.
_____
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.