Friday, February 22nd
Support black-owned restaurants, see list below, all month, prices vary
February is Black History Month. As a country we choose to forget our painful histories. It’s important to look back at the centuries of pain and trauma and struggle. But it’s equally as important to look at the now and look forward, to support and celebrate the black community as members and allies. For a number of reasons, mostly structural and institutional, we don’t have a heck of a lot of black-owned restaurants in C-U. That makes it so much more important to support the few we do have: Caribbean Grill, Wood N’ Hog, Neil St. Blues, Smackin’ Food Truck (let me know if I’m forgetting any!). Make a point of incorporating these restaurants in your eating rotations, not just this month, but all the time. (JH) Photo by Matthew Macomber
Enjoy a slice of tres leches, Rick’s Bakery, 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Saturday, 7 a.m. to 5 p.m., about $4
Tres leches cake is top three favorite cakes for me, and Rick’s makes a great one. You can usually buy it by the slice in the bakery, and if you haven’t had it, you should. It’s full of milk (ahem, three of ‘em), so obviously this is a cake only for those who can indeed digest it. You’ll also find some other tasty bites at Rick’s; there are savory options, too. Check out our reviews of the sweet and the savory for some suggestions. (JH) Photo by Jessica Hammie
Party like an 80’s artist at 40 North’s annual late-night fundraiser, Untitled 2019, Orpheum Children’s Science Museum, 7:30 to 11:30 p.m., $45
This event has it all. A John Hughes theme with film-inspired food (Hello, Pretty in Pink cupcakes), adult beverages, and you wearing your best 80’s getup while enjoying or purchasing amazing local art. Proceeds benefit all of the 40 North programs we don’t want to live without (Boneyard Arts Festival, ACE Awards, the Eric Show, Friday Night Live, Sky Gallery, MTD ART). (DD)
Saturday, February 23rd
Have a brownie, Hopscotch Bakery, 7:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. and Sunday 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., about $5
Hopscotch makes some delicious, fudgy brownies. They are the perfect item if you’re seriously craving some chocolate. What’s fantastic about Hopscotch is that it is open every day, so you can get a treat on a Saturday afternoon, or even on a Sunday. There is nothing wrong with visiting the bakery for brunch on Sunday and ordering a brownie as your meal. (JH) Photo by Jessica Hammie
Do some maple sugaring, Homer Lake Forest Preserve, 10 to 11:30 a.m. or 12:30 to 2 p.m., $5
Fresh maple syrup seems like something that’s only available from places like Michigan and Vermont, but it turns out you can tap some maple trees right here in Champaign County. Homer Lake Forest Preserve has a 200 year old Sugar Maple Grove, and they are hosting two weekends of Maple Sugar Days, starting this weekend. You’ll learn some science and history, learn how to tap the trees, and take home a sample. You have to register here or here in order to take part. (JM) Photo from Facebook
Give a Little!, Exile on Main Street, $5 suggested donation, 1-4 p.m.
Mike Ingram, zzo, Prevalence, and Aquila are all lined up to perform for this benefit show at Exile on Main Street on Saturday afternoon. Rattle the Stars is an organization that helps prevent suicide and challenge the stigmas surrounding mental health in young people, and in addition to music, there will be readings by Elizabeth Majerus and Emily Kerlin. (PS)
Experience Vietnamese Culture, Lincoln Hall, 5 to 7 p.m., free
We are so fortunate to have students representing a multitude of cultures on U of I’s campus, and so many student groups that put together programming to share with the campus community and beyond. Here’s an example of that. There will be dance and other performances, as well as original productions based on Cinderella and The Story of Tám and Cám. A free Vietnamese dinner will follow at the University YMCA. (JM)
Face your fear of insects at the 36th Annual Insect Fear Film Festival, Foellinger Auditorium, 6 to 11 p.m., free
If you’re looking for a good scream, the University of Illinois 36th Annual Insect Fear Film Festival has you covered. This year’s theme is none other than those hard-core destroyers: termites. The festival line up includes a series of short films, the 2005 feature-film Alien Apocalypse (TV-14), and a lot of insect-related activities, including an insect art contest. (DD)
Kurt Vile, The Sadies, The Castle Theatre in Bloomington, $27-$30, 8 p.m.
Seeing the ramblin’ man Kurt Vile and his band the Violators is always a good time. He’s heading through nearby Bloomington to perform at the Castle on Saturday night. If you’re looking for a great indie rock show to hit that’s close to C-U, consider heading over there to check out his new material live from his newest record Bottle It In. (PS) Photo from Kurt Vile’s website
Sunday, February 24th
Watch a silent film with a live orchestra, Foellinger Auditorium, 3 p.m., free
This is a rather unique opportunity. The Sousa Archives and Center for American Music at U of I is sponsoring a viewing of the 1930 film Borderline, a silent film that explores both interracial and LGBT relationships. Talk about being ahead of its time! Even better, there will be a live orchestra directed by Renée Baker, a rather accomplished composer who has created a score for the film. She will stick around for a discussion after. (JM)
Be Gay Draw Comics with cartoonist Melaine Gillman, Allen Hall, 7 to 8 p.m., free
Melaine Gillman kicks off their weeklong Unit One/Allen Hall residency with a discussion of writing, drawing, and publishing LGBTQ comics and graphic novels. Gillman is also a senior lecturer at the Comics MFA Program at the California College of the Arts. See the Facebook event for the full list of residency week events. (DD)
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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.