Friday, March 22nd
Last chance to visit a quiet Campustown for a meal, Friday and Saturday, prices vary
Spring break is drawing to a close, but there are still a couple more days of an unpopulated Campustown. Have you had the dumplings at Mid-Summer Lounge? Maybe lunch at Salad Meister? (JH) Photo by Patrick Singer
Check out the latest accessory designs from the NORDEN design team and stay for happy hour-style fun at Cafeteria & Co., 5 to 8 p.m., free to attend, bring $ for accessories, food, and drinks
If you like your Friday happy hour with a side of shopping (window, or otherwise), this is the event for you. Check out the collab space while you’re there. (DD)
Check out Hoffer and Wild and pour yourself a beer, Pour Bros., 8:30 p.m., cost varies
Pretty harmonies from Alex Hoffer and Colleen Wild blend over quality, folky guitar, and make this duo a pleasure to listen to. Plus at Pour Bros, you get all the fun of being your own bartender, without ever having to change your own keg. Listen before you go here. (NL) Photo from Facebook
Saturday, March 23rd
Go watch some basketball with other people who are excited about basketball, locations, times, and prices vary
It’s the opening weekend of the NCAA tournament, and even though I’m not quite as invested in college basketball as I used to be (sigh…Illini) I DO enjoy getting caught up in the March Madness. I fill out a bracket, using all of my extensive sportsball knowledge, so that I have teams to root for, and I also l like to watch the games at a local place with eats and drinks. We’ve got a plethora of options with multiple TVs — Jupiter’s, Billy Barooz, Guido’s, Black Dog, Watson’s, or maybe hit up Murphy’s or Legends on campus with the students still gone. (JM)
Learn about wine, cheese, and chocolate, Phillips Rec Center, Urbana, 5 to 6 p.m., register here
Urbana Parks is hosting Sip, Savor, and Science, a tasting class that will explore how wine, cheese, and chocolate pair together, and the heart healthy benefits to consuming them. The class is led by Leia Flure, a registered dietitian. Register for the class here. (JH) Photo from Facebook
Dance it out at Dance Music Therapy, Independent Media Center, 7 to 11 p.m., free
This safe, friendly, and inclusive dance party will make you glad you spent spring break in Chambana. Featuring music from DJs TDM, Terrance, and KamaMau spinning a range of music including deep house, disco, classic house, Afrobeat, world music, and, if you’re lucky, some hip hop. Go and dance like no one’s watching. (DD) Photo from IMC Facebook page.
Sunday, March 24th
Study the art of Shodo (Japanese caligraphy) with Professor Emeritus Shozo Sato, Japan House, 12 noon to 2 p.m., $15-$25
Japan House founder and tea master Shozo Sato takes beginners and intermediate students of Shodo through an exploration of Japanese caligraphy. All materials will be provided. Class size limited to 10 students. Sato is a legend among students of Japanese arts and culture. Don’t miss this chance to see him in action. (DD)
Watch The Godfather Part II then eat a big Italian meal, GQT Savoy 16 and Nando Milano/Manzella’s/Timpone’s/Pizzeria Antica, movie at 2 or 7 p.m., $8 to $11 per person, food prices vary
The Godfather Part II is most certainly one of the best movies of all time, and there’s no doubt that after watching it you’ll be craving some seriously good Italian/Italian-American food. (Especially because the movie is over 3 hours long). Savoy 16 does Flashback Cinema each week, and it’s a fun way to see classics and old favorites on the big screen. Though we don’t really have a New York/New Jersey red sauce joint in town, you can still find some pretty good Italian food to scratch that itch. (JH) Photo by Jessica Hammie
Learn about your Muslim neighbors, Champaign Public Library, 2 to 4 p.m., free
The Muslim American Society of Urbana Champaign does a “Know Your Muslim Neighbor” each year, and this one is centered around the Islamic month of Ramadan, which will begin in May. This is a wonderful family activity that is certainly bridge building in this era of wall building and fear and hate fueled violence. (JM)
Watch Evie Ladin and Keith Terry are bring the rhythm, The Iron Post, 7 p.m.
The CU Folk and Roots Festival is presenting Evie Ladin and Keith Terry this Sunday at The Iron Post. Ladin and Terry put on a stellar show, playing neo-traditional bluegrass and folk tunes, complete with percussive dancing. Not sure what percussive dancing looks like? Check them out here before you head to the Post this Sunday. (NL) Photo from Facebook
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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.