Friday, March 4th
Visit La Michoacana Express, 1508 N Cunningham Ave, Urbana, all weekend, open at 11 a.m., prices vary
La Michoacana Express is a Mexican ice cream shop that also sells a variety of other snacks. You can get ice cream and popsicles, of course, but you can also try a mangonada, which is sorbet and fresh mango with a sweet-spicy-tangy sauce on it. In previous seasons, the shop has served agua frescas and smoothies. (JH)
Photo by Alyssa Buckley.
Try a thali lunch, Kohinoor, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., $14.99
This sampler platter of Indian entrees is only served weekdays for lunch for dine in customers. It’s a delicious way to warm up on one of these cooler days. If you haven’t had a chance to make it to the cozy restaurant, this Friday might be a good reason to check it out. Earlier this week, I wrote about this dish and four others that are perfect comfort food this March. (AB)
Photo from the Krannert Center for the Performing Arts website.
Go see Studiodance, Krannert Center for the Performing Arts, 7 p.m. and 9 p.m., tickets $10-$40
Dance at Illinois grad students Jakki Kalogridis, Bevara Anderson, and Sarah Marks Mininsohn will be premiering their capstone choreography projects and local dance fans, you should be there to show your support. According to the website, “these powerful performances will address a range of themes including the philosophy of absence, the many forms of love within the black agape, and the rhythms of intimacy.” (DD)
Hear some exciting bluegrass, Rose Bowl Tavern, 8:30 p.m., free
If you’re looking for some high energy bluegrass, this is the band for you. River Valley Rangers is a stringband that is sure to get your feet stomping with their high energy style, and lighthearted, fun personalities. (SW)
Saturday, March 5th
Photo by Matthew Macomber.
Pick up a Saturday morning doughnut, Carmella’s, 6 a.m. to 3 p.m., 99 cents
Carmella’s Creme on Springfield Avenue in Champaign opens at 6 a.m. everyday, and Saturday morning is the perfect excuse to treat yourself (and maybe your family or roommates) to some doughnuts. The prices are affordable, and the doughnuts are really good. Food + Drink writer Matt recommends the the white frosted yeast doughnut in his review. (AB)
Monarch and Pollinator Fair, McKinley Foundation, 1 to 5 p.m., free
McKinley Foundation and the Sierra Club Prairie Group are hosting this info session about monarch butterflies and how to cultivate habitats for them here in C-U. It’s a family friendly event, and you’ll leave with some planted milkweed so you can attract monarchs at your house. (JH)
Watch some speed skating, U of I Ice Arena, 1:30 to 7:30 p.m., free (?)
Did you catch any speed skating during the Olympics? It’s a pretty exciting sport to watch. Each year, the Land of Lincoln Short Track Championships come to the U of I Ice Arena. No entry fee is mentioned on the website, but make sure you have some cash on you just in case. There are competitors from younger than seven years old to adults, and the racing happens all day long. There are races on Sunday morning as well, if you want to get up early. Maybe you’ll be inspired to pick up a new sport! (JM)
Sunday, March 6th
Photo by Mara Thacker.
Try a new trail, locations vary, anytime during daylight hours, free
Have you seen the first couple of Walkin’ in the Woods articles we’ve published? Writer Mara Thacker has been sharing details about hiking trails in the area, as a person who is not some sort of hiking professional (Read: regular folks can tackle these trails). So far she’s written about Lake Mingo Trail in Kennekuk Cove County Park and the KRR Loop at Kickapoo State Park. It’s looking like it will be a sunny and spring-like day — perfect for spending a couple of hours outside. (JM)
David Moore Smith, Hilton Head #1. Acrylic on canvas. © David Moore Smith. Image (cropped) from the Springer Cultural Center website.
Stay in your jammies and explore The Allure of Light and Shadow, hosted by Springer Cultural Center, available online through March 26th, free
Painter David Moore Smith’s collection of work explores the power of well-articulated light and shadow. In addition to a virtual tour through these dramatic landscapes, the artist’s talk and other accompanying content is bound to interest and inform artists working in this vein. (DD)
Image from Canopy Club’s Facebook page.
Vote on who should join Summer Camp 2022, Canopy Club, 7 p.m., $7
This is the new date for the event that was originally scheduled for February 17th. Essentially a battle of the bands, artists perform and listeners vote as to who the best act is. Winner gets a spot on the Summer Campy Music Festival 2022 lineup. Lots of great acts competing this year, so come show your support. (SW)
Top photo by from the La Michoacana Express Facebook page.
______
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.