FRIDAY, January 19th
The Harlem Globetrotters, State Farm Center, 7 p.m., $20
It’s the Harlem Globetrotters, baby! Sweet Georgia Brown! Big dunks! Full-court shots! Silky smooth passing! Shenanigans! Come out to witness this national treasure, the only show like it in the world. (DT)
Fun Home, The Station Theatre, 8 p.m., $15/ticket
Catch the opening weekend of The Station Theatre’s production of Fun Home. Featuring local actors and artists, this musical is based on the graphic novel memoir of Alison Bechdel and her experience reflecting on her childhood, her relationship with her father, her coming out, and her father’s death. Tickets are selling quick, so be sure to make a reservation in advance! (KF)
Photo from website.
SATURDAY, January 20th
Check out Japan House, 2000 South Lincoln Ave., times vary, $5-10
There are several opportunities to enjoy Japan House this weekend. Saturday is the first of a series of open houses offered in 2018. “A Look at Japan House from the Inside” includes a tour, Japan House history lesson, and the opportunity to shop their collection of handmade and imported items. Space is limited, so reservations are recommended. There is a suggested donation of $5. This is also a tea ceremony day, with seatings at 2 p.m. and 3 p.m. Make reservations here. (JM)
Celebrate Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., The Krannert Center, 10a–12p, free
This event marks the culmination of the week of events celebrating Dr. King’s legacy. Associate Chancellor Assata Zerai, Champaign resident Dawn Blackman Sr., and Dr. Kemal Nance will speak, and students from the International Prep Academy will give a dance performance. The winners and honorable mention recipients of the MLK Creative Expressions Contest will also be presented. (DT)
Gallery Opening, IMC, 2 to 5 p.m., free
Head on out the IMC on Saturday afternoon to check out their gallery opening of “People of Speech Part I” by Nika Lucks. According to the Facebook event, “In this showcase of Black and Brown people who live in the Urbana-Champaign area, Nika explores the power of words by having each subject claim a word that they believe best describes themselves.” Refreshments will be served. (KF) Photo from Facebook
Let your kids take their teddy bears for a check up, Champaign Public Library, 3to 3:45 p.m., free
Champaign Public Library and the UIUC Veterinary Student Outreach Program are teaming up for this adorable event. Kids (or adults, I suppose) bring their favorite stuffed creatures to the library for vet students to do a check up: vitals and whatnot. Spoilers: “everyone will go home healthy with a sticker and a lollypop.” This is not only something to do with the kids in the dead frigidity of winter, but also a means by which you can address some of your kids’ fears of the doctor. Photo from Facebook (JH)
Rod Tuffcurls and the Bench Press, The Canopy Club, 9 PM
Never really been a fan of cover bands, but this band does it so well. Plus the whole show is basically a drinking game. You’re not going to want to miss this one. (DS)
SUNDAY, January 21st
Eat doughnuts, drink mimosas, Alto Vineyards tasting room, 4210 N Duncan Rd, Champaign, 10:30 to 11:30 a.m., $5, reservations needed
Alto Vineyards will host Ryan Dubnicek, a member of the Renzaglia family (owners of Alto Vineyards), will be on hand to talk about the vineyard and its wines. If you’re interested in that sort of history, and learning more about wine, grab a friend and have some drinks and sweets. (You can read about a recent, similar event we covered here.) Seats are limited, so reserve yours by phone at 217-356-4748 or email champaign@altovineyards.net. More info on Facebook. Photo by Merry Thomas (JH)
Art Nerd Club’s Inaugural Meeting, Pizza M, 1 p.m., free
If you’re looking for someplace to share the art you’ve been working on, the Art Nerd Club is the club for you. It’s brand new and plans to meet once a month to “foster community among artists and provide each other with friendly critique and peer review.” To attend their first ever meeting, bring a piece you’ve been working on, “big, small, finished, unfinished, recent, not-so-recent. Whatever you want.” The group will spend about 15 minutes with each piece. So finish up that painting or dust off those old sketches and come show them off. (KF)
Get primed for the primary, Champaign Public Library, 2-4 p.m., free
Want to know what’s going down this March in the 2018 primary election? The People’s Agenda is hosting a Primary Primer to get you up to speed on the races, the candidates, the process, AND there will be candidates for a variety of positions there to talk to. You can see the full list here. (JM)
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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.