FRIDAY, MAY 9
Have a beer, Triptych Brewing, 1703 Woodfield Dr, Savoy, $1(taster) – $17 (growler)
Triptych has just tapped a few new, spring and summer appropriate brews: Kölsch, a light German ale, Hibiscus Saison a Belgian ale, and the Seven Saints 7th, an American brown. I’ve had the Seven Saints 7th, and it is beautiful. They also still have the Honey Basil Blonde. Nothing says “I love you, mom,” like a Triptych growler. (JH)
Artist’s Talk: Laura Wennstrom + (Re)Sew Quilting Bee, Figure One, 116 N. Walnut, Champaign, 5-9 p.m., free
Laura Wennstrom will give a free public lecture on her work for visitors to engage with. Afterwards, attendees will be invited to continue collectively re-sewing the deconstructed quilts that make up (Re)Reticulation, one of Figure One’s current shows. (RP)
Other Desert Cities, The Station Theatre, 8 p.m.
Final weekend! Show closes Saturday! In this finalist for the 2012 Pulitzer Prize for Drama, Brooke Wyeth (played by Kate Riley) returns home to Palm Springs after a six-year absence to celebrate Christmas with her parents (Steven M. Keen and Caroline Kodes-Atkinson), her brother (Joel Higgins), and her aunt (Joi Hoffsommer). Brooke announces that she is about to publish a memoir dredging up a pivotal and tragic event in the family’s history — a wound they don’t want reopened. Directed by Kay Bohannon Holley. (MG)
Sho’nuff 2! featuring Young Boogie & Young Club, Cowboy Monkey, 9 p.m., no cover until 11 p.m.
Mike Ingram strikes again! You are invited to “another night of jams,” featuring Young Boogie and Young Club, along with DJ Mingram. If you were at the first Sho’nuff, you know how amazing this event will be. (KP)
SATURDAY, MAY 10
Huge Plant Sale, Lincoln Square Mall, Urbana, 7 a.m.-12 p.m.
Three organizations — Grand Prairie Friends, the C-U Herb Society, and Common Ground Co-Op — are joining forces for a massive plant sale. Each organization has special deals and will offer tons of variety in annuals, perennials, herbs, vegetable plants, and more. (RP)
Mutt Strutt, Hessel Park, 8 a.m.
The Champaign County Humane Society is hosting an event on Saturday to help raise some money for upkeep with their animals they have in the shelter. The Mutt Strut is a walk event to raise money to help provide shelter and care for homeless animals. Check out the link above to see how you and your furry friend can participate on Saturday morning. (PS)
Seven Years at Seven Saints, Seven Saints, 32 E Chester Street, Champaign, 11 a.m.–2 a.m.
Swing by Seven Saints to help celebrate its seventh birthday. There will be a drink specials, including a specially-made 7%, 7-hops, 7-malts brew by Triptych Brewing. A slider trio of favorites will also be on special. (JH)
The ILLIAC Spring Festival, Downtown Urbana (Main and Race Streets), 12 p.m., free
The inaugural ILLIAC Spring Festival is here, which features a couple of touring acts, Those Darlins and Their / They’re / There, as well as a bunch of locals. Sun Stereo, Swords, Barrowe, Emily Otnes & The Weekdays, Bones Jugs N Harmony, and Jack Anthony & The Desperadoes, plus DJs spinning between sets. There will be food trucks, booze, and a bunch more to take in on a Saturday afternoon in Downtown Urbana. It’s also very cheap — at the cost of nothing. Free festival? Make it out and see some music, people. (PS)
An Evening of Romance, Milo’s Restaurant, 6-9 p.m.
Listen to smooth jazz, played by Bryce Anderson, and enjoy a romantic three course dinner. Milo’s in Urbana features fresh, often local fruits and vegetables; delicious entrees for carnivores and vegetarians alike; housemade soups; welcoming and casual atmosphere with all the trappings of fine dining. Be sure to call for reservations at (217) 344-8946 (KP)
A Twist of Fate, Parkland College Theatre, 7 p.m.
“A Twist of Fate,” a joint concert by the Parkland Chorus, Parkland Chamber Singers and the Parkland Concert Band, will be held Saturday at 7 p.m. at the Parkland College Theatre. This concert is free and open to the public. The Parkland Chorus is conducted by Barbara Zachow, with Sunny Choo as accompanist. The ensemble will perform selections from The Creation by Franz Joseph Haydn; Derry Air, a traditional Irish melody arranged by David Mooney; Celebration Songs from die Fledermaus by Johann Strauss, II; and Ain’t Misbehavin’ by Thomas “Fats” Waller, arranged by Larry Shackley, among other selections. (MG)
SUNDAY, MAY 11
Duke of Uke & His Novelty Orchestra, The Iron Post, 7 p.m., $10
It’s Mother’s Day on Sunday, and perhaps your mom really enjoys some quirky, bubbly folk music? This might be your ticket then. Duke of Uke & His Novelty Orchestra will take the stage on Sunday night at the Iron Post for a show, and after “a winter of hibernation”, the band is ready to go for a show this weekend. Take your mom out for a drink and some music — the start time isn’t even late in the evening, so you can pull it off. (PS)
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