Smile Politely

The Overture: January 8-14

Derrick Philips
The picture captures a moment on a stage bathed in blue and purple lighting. Four individuals are present. The person on the left is clad in a white shirt. The individual on the right is dressed in a black shirt. The person in the center sports a black jacket and a necklace. The individual on the far right is wearing a white shirt and a necklace. The atmosphere appears to be that of a live performance.
Cypher Saturdays

The Overture is a rundown of live music and performances happening in and around Champaign-Urbana each week. All of the information is as accurate as we can publish; however, all shows and performances are subject to change at any time. Thank you for understanding.

Did we miss something this week? Have a show coming up you think we should know about? Email us at [email protected] with the details.

Monday, January 8th

The Tumbleweeds

► Rose Bowl Tavern // tips in bucket // 5:30 p.m.

The Tumbleweeds bring their signature blend of country and folk to the Rose Bowl Tavern. 

The Urbana Hootenanny

► Rose Bowl Tavern // tips in bucket // 8 p.m.

The Urbana Hootenanny is a Monday tradition at Rose Bowl where local musicians jump onstage to jam country, folk, and bluegrass tunes with each other.

Tuesday, January 9th

Three musicians are performing in a room with a cozy atmosphere. The person on the left is seated at a black grand piano, wearing dark clothing. In the middle, another individual is playing a double bass, dressed in light-colored attire. On the right, there’s someone with curly hair, engrossed in playing the drums while wearing a black t-shirt. The setting appears to be an intimate live music venue with wooden floors and walls adorned with framed pictures. A grand piano is positioned to the left where a musician is playing. A double bass player stands in the center of the image. To the right, a drummer plays energetically on a drum set. The room has chairs arranged for an audience, but no audience is visible. Above them hangs a blue sign that reads “THE IRON POST”. There’s ambient lighting that gives off warm tones illuminating the space.
Jim Pryor Trio on Facebook

Jim Pryor Trio

► Rose Bowl Tavern // tips in bucket // 5 p.m.

The Jim Pryor Trio offers a mesmerizing jazz experience with a blend of classic and contemporary styles. 

This image shows a group of men playing musical instruments under a white tent. There are several people in the picture, including one person playing a guitar, another playing drums and two more standing nearby. The background is an outdoor setting with a car parked on the street. Everyone is wearing red clothing and there appears to be some stage equipment set up as well.
Prairie Sharks on Facebook

Prairie Sharks

► Rose Bowl Tavern // tips in bucket // 7:30 p.m.

Catch the Prairie Sharks for an evening of vibrant melodies and infectious rhythms. 

Wednesday, January 10th

A person is seated, wearing a dark blue suit jacket with a white shirt underneath. A green flower lapel pin adorns the left side of the jacket. The individual is holding a golden, well-used saxophone on the table in front of them.
Reginald Lewis on Facebook

Reginald Lewis & Friends

► Rose Bowl Tavern // tips in bucket // 5 p.m.

Reginald Lewis & Friends are set to charm the audience with their soulful jazz and blues. 

Thursday, January 11th

The image is a black and white photo of a person with long curly hair wearing a cowboy hat and a button-down shirt. They are standing against a black background. The person is wearing a black cowboy hat with a silver band and a black button-down shirt with silver buttons. Their hair is long and curly, falling over their shoulders.
Clayton Burke on Facebook

EDITOR’S PICK: Americana Happy Hour ft. Clayton Burke

► Rose Bowl Tavern // tips in bucket // 5 p.m.

This week’s Americana Happy Hour features a house favorite, Clayton Burke. 

Chip McNeill Jazz

► Houlihan’s // free // 6 p.m.

Chip McNeill brings his jazz ensemble to Houlihan’s for a night of smooth, improvisational jazz. 

On stage, a man 3 people are immersed in a musical performance, each playing a guitar and singing into a microphone. The stage is adorned with string lights and a neon sign, creating a vibrant atmosphere. The audience, dressed in casual attire, is seated at tables and chairs, while some stand to enjoy the performance. The backdrop consists of a brick wall, decorated with various posters and signs, adding to the ambiance of the venue.
Bonnie Newberry

Gloria Roubal’s Writers in the Round: ft. Susan Williams, Brandon T. Washington and Jake Tatar

► Rose Bowl Tavern // tips in bucket // 7:30 p.m.

Once again, Gloria Roubal invites her songwriting friends up on stage at Rose Bowl stage to share music and stories.

Friday, January 12th

Erik Lund’s Jazz Friends

► Rose Bowl Tavern // tips in bucket // 5 p.m.

Erik Lund’s Jazz Friends promises an evening of classic jazz tunes with a modern twist. 

The Impalas

► Huber’s West End Store // free // 7 p.m.

The Impalas bring their unique blend of rock and blues to Huber’s West End Store. 

The stage is set with various instruments, including drums, guitars, and a bass guitar. A wooden panelled wall forms the backdrop, adding a rustic charm to the scene. In the foreground, a guitar and a bass guitar rest on stands, ready to be played. The band members, dressed in casual attire, contribute to the relaxed yet energetic atmosphere of the performance.
The K-Tels on Facebook

The K-Tels

► Rose Bowl Tavern // $10 suggested cover // 8 p.m.

The K-Tels, a dynamic band known for their lively performances, take the stage at the Rose Bowl Tavern. Their music is a blend of classic hits and original compositions.

Saturday, January 13th

The image features a textured, beige background with various texts and logos indicating an event. There is a large circular stamp-like design on the left side, containing text that announces an event in Downtown Urbana on Saturday, January 13th from 12-4 PM. On the right side, there’s another logo for “Postmark Urbana”, described as a monthly post-market showcase of art, food, and fun. The background has a textured beige color resembling an old paper or cardboard. A large red circular stamp-like design is prominent on the left side with texts “Downtown Urbana” and “Jan Sat 13 12-4PM”. There’s another logo on the right side labeled “Postmark Urbana”, indicating it as a monthly post-market showcase. Texts “Good Times Delivered” are at the top of the image in capital letters. At the bottom right corner are logos for 40 NORTH and urbana arts grants program.
Postmark Urbana

PostMark Urbana

► Cafeteria & Company // free // noon

Head to Cafeteria and Company to get your map for January’s PostMark Urbana, then enjoy live music from Jake Fava at noon and Hannah Yonan (folk/alt rock) at 2 p.m.

A band is performing on a stage. The stage is lit with purple and pink lights. There are four people in the band, one playing the keyboard, one playing the guitar, one playing the drums, and one playing the bass. They are all dressed in casual clothes and are sitting on stools or chairs. The stage has a wooden floor and there are empty chairs in the foreground.
New Orleans Jazz Machine

New Orleans Jazz Machine

► Rose Bowl Tavern // tips in bucket // 3 p.m.

The New Orleans Jazz Machine brings the spirit of New Orleans to Urbana. Their performance is a lively tribute to the heart and soul of jazz.

Henhouse Prowlers with Carrie Sue and the Woodburners

► The Castle Theater // $18 // 8 p.m.

This Saturday, the Castle Theater features the dynamic bluegrass sounds of Henhouse Prowlers and the soulful folksy tunes of Carrie Sue & the Woodburners. Don’t miss this opportunity to enjoy a vibrant blend of music styles in a lively atmosphere.

5 hip hop artists on stage performing. You can see a few rows of people in the crowd and the backdrop for the stage is windows.
Cypher Saturdays

EDITOR’S PICK: Cypher Saturdays

► The Canopy Club // $10 to $15 // 10 p.m.

Cypher Saturdays at The Canopy Club is a night of hip-hop and rap battles, showcasing local talent and raw, energetic performances.

A band is performing on a stage, illuminated by bright lights. One person is playing a keyboard, wearing a light-colored shirt. Another is on the drums, and two guitarists are present; one in a dark outfit and another in a light-colored shirt with dark pants. In the foreground, an audience member raises their hands in appreciation. The setting appears to be a live music venue with banners in the background indicating “KING’S” and “LIVE MUSIC”. The stage is brightly lit, enhancing visibility. An audience member with raised hands appears to be enjoying the performance.
Birds of a Feather on Facebook

Birds of a Feather: Phish Tribute

► Rose Bowl Tavern // $10 to $15 // 8 p.m.

Birds of a Feather offers a tribute to Phish, recreating their iconic sound and improvisational style. It is a must-attend for Phish fans and jam band lovers alike.

Sunday, January 14th

Occasional Cajun Band

► Rose Bowl Tavern // tips in bucket // 4 p.m.

The Occasional Cajun Band brings a taste of Louisiana to Urbana. 

Music Editor

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