Friday, March 2nd
Eat some fried chicken, Watson’s, all weekend, about $15
Some snafus have caused a KFC fried chicken shortage in the UK, and that had me thinking about the fact that I personally feel very lucky that I live in a place that has fried chicken options beyond kluck/cluck/not chicken (just kidding; it’s real chicken, so they say). Stop by Watson’s this weekend for some chicken, or if you don’t eat chicken, try the tried tofu sandwich — it’s one of my favorites. Since this weather has me thinking about spring, I suggest washing it all down with a Watson’s Wabbit cocktail. (JH) Photo from Facebook
Urbana First Fridays, 100 S. Race St. in Urbana, 4–11:45 p.m., free
It’s the first Friday in March, which means it’s First Friday in downtown Urbana. Head that way to enjoy a free pizza and beer tasting at Pizza M, and participate in this month’s Culture Crawl featuring Balinese Gamelin music and dance at the Urbana Free Library, congolese and salsa music at the IMC, and more. Check their Facebook event for details. (DT)
Paige Hernandez’s Liner Notes, Krannert Center for the Performing Arts, 7:30 p.m., $10-$25
Paige Hernandez’s Liner Notes “uncovers the stories behind some of music’s biggest hits”, and to get a preview of what is to come, go over to Krannert Center’s website and watch some of the awesome videos they’ve posted about this. (PS)
Twelfth Night, or What You Will, Krannert Center for Performing Arts, 7:30 p.m., $25/standard ticket
Check out Illinois Theatre’s latest production, a Shakespearean classic adapted to take place in a “fictional tropical coastal place that draws on imagery of late 19th century New Orleans, old Havana and a variety of Caribbean settings,” says director Matthew Arbour in SP’s preview of the play. A fun romantic comedy full of mistaken identities, this play is just plain enjoyable and perfectly welcoming for anyone who might be intimidated by hours of Shakespeare. (KF)
Saturday, March 3rd
The Big Feed, Harvest Market, all weekend
Harvest Market’s Big Feed event is back, and will feature a bunch of producers in the store with a lot of samples, including meat, cheese, booze, coffee, olive oil, greens, and chocolate. The specifics of which vendors are attending which days are available here. (JH) Photo from Facebook
Hinamatsuri, Girls Day, Japan House, 3 p.m., $16-20
Hinamatsuri means Japanese Doll Festival, and it’s a traditional Japanese holiday. Attendees will participate in a tea ceremony as well as learn Origami, Ikebana (flower arranging), and Kanzashi (decorative hair ornaments). This event is meant for girls and women ages 13 and older, and tickets can be purchased here. Japan House will also be offering similar activities at Broadway Food Hall during Urbana First Fridays, and that event is free and for all ages. (JM)
George Shingleton, Loose Cobra, 7 p.m., free
George Shingleton is a country artist from Nashville by way of West Virginia, and he’s stopping through at the one and only Loose Cobra in Tolono this Saturday. There will be an opener of some sort, but that hasn’t been announced yet, so keep your eye on the Facebook event for the latest details in regards to this one. Just listen to this dude sing, whoa. (PS)
Show Us Your Pokeballs!, C-U Comedy Club (inside Soma), 8 p.m., $10
“Comedy for nerds, by nerds” troupe Show Us Your Pokeballs! is taking the stage at the C-U Comedy Club on Saturday. Jokes should span a ton of geek culture, and buying your tickets ahead of time will reserve you a table. Cash only at the door! (DT)
Sunday, March 4th
Sunday Morning Bird Walk, Anita Purves Nature Center, 7:30 a.m. to 9 a.m., free
Attend the Urbana Park District’s Bird Walk and search for birds in the Busey Woods and Crystal Lake Park. Learn the basics of bird watching and identification techniques from Champaign County Audubon Society leaders. Bring your own binoculars or rent some from the nature center (during the week) for a refundable deposit of $15. If this week doesn’t work for you, try it next week! They’ll be hosting bird walks every Sunday morning through May.
(KF) Photo from Facebook.
Bend the Arc: CU Democratic Primary Town Hall, Champaign Public Library, 2:30 to 4:30 p.m., free
Take this final opportunity to hear from the Democratic candidates for IL-13 before the March 20th primary. Besty Londrigan, Erik Jones, Jon Ebel, and David Gill will all be present. Also, in honor of Purim, there will be hamantaschen to snack on. (JM)
Yndi Halda, Staghorn, ZXO, Urbana Champaign Independent Media Center, 7 p.m., $8
This is a highlight of the week in Urbana — UK outfit Yndi Halda is a mix of math rock and hazy ambient/post rock, so this, plus Staghorn (a band whose members now all live in C-U), and the always-good psych outfit ZXO — you’re gonna have yourself a good one here. (PS)