FRIDAY, April 14th
Celebrate National Grilled Cheese Day, any of these places, all weekend
Earlier this week was National Grilled Cheese Day, which, like all other completely stupid food holidays, is totally worth celebrating. Recently we published an article rounding up some of the more unique grilled cheese sandwiches cheese melts in town; feel free to use it as a guide. Otherwise, pick up some good bread from Pekara or Mirabelle, and some good cheese from your favorite store, and make your own. Photo by Kristin D’Antonio. (JH)
Dan Durley, Single Player, Julia Roskopf, Square Donuts, Casa de Sasha (House Show), 7 p.m., $5 donation
If you’ve been around town for a hot minute, you undoubtedly recognize Dan Durley’s name. The frontman of The 92’s is putting out a solo record this year, and much to the delight of Chambana music lovers, he will be joined by local mainstays Single Player and relative scene newcomers Square Donuts. What’s not to love? (BH)
Peter Frampton acoustic tour (make-up show), The Virginia Theater, 8 p.m., tickets start at $47.50
If you meant to attend the Frampton show in March but couldn’t make it, you now have another chance. The late March show apparently came to an end after an electrical malfunction, but the rock and roll star managed to reschedule very quickly, so good on him. All technical issues have been addressed and they should be good to go. And it’s not on a Thursday night this time, so you have no excuse not to see Frampton come alive. (sorry, I had to.) (JTM)
Nite Light Egg Pursuit, Hessel Park, 8:10 p.m., $10
You’re never too old for an Easter egg hunt. Bring your flashlight and register on site beginning at 7:15. There will be hundreds of prize-filled eggs, and if you grab special bronze, silver, and gold eggs you can score special prize packages. The event is sponsored by the Champaign Park District and Lite Rock 97.5. This is for ages 18+ so leave the kids at home. They get plenty of stuff anyway. Photo from Facebook. (JEM)
SATURDAY, April 15th
World Harvest reopening, 306 W. Springfield, Urbana, 8 a.m.
In case you missed the news, World Harvest and Strawberry Fields are merging into one location — located where Strawberry Fields exists currently. This Saturday, the World Harvest component of the store opens officially. Don’t forget about their sale as well, but you can get out there and see how things look for the new merger. (PS)
Breakfast with the baby goats, Prairie Fruits Farm, 9 a.m. to noon, prices vary
Prairie Fruits Farm’s Spring Open House is one of the most beloved events in C-U, and for good reason. It’s adorable! And delicious! There are only a couple more opportunities to have breakfast on the farm and visit the baby goats this season, so plan accordingly. Despite dishing out advice of arriving early, PFF has expressed that it might be better/less busy if you arrive a little later. Photo by Jessica Hammie. (JH)
Fun with Photons, Electrical and Computer Engineering Building, 306 N. Wright Street, Urbana, 10-11:15 a.m., free
Photonics…it’s how our smart phones send pictures to Facebook and how information travels on the internet. Join Ken D. Choquette, ECE professor, for Saturday Engineering for Everyone to learn more about how Photonics have revolutionized the way we communicate, and see a semiconductor laser being developed by University of Illinois researchers. I guarantee you’ll leave the session much smarter than you were before. (JEM)
Sidney Dairy Barn opening, 311 W Main Street, Sidney, 2-7 p.m.
If you’re looking to get your fix of ice cream, check out Sidney Dairy Barn, which is opening for the season this weekend. These are the hours for both Saturday and Sunday, so take your pick and get some sweetness in your life as Spring is upon us. (PS)
One Voice: Songwriting Sessions, 3-5 p.m., C-U Independent Media Center, Free
Have you ever wanted to write some songs but have a problem getting the ball rolling? Welcome to the world of every musician ever, I assume. Instead, the good folks over at One Voice have crafted a free workshop this Saturday to help with that. (BH)
Storytelling Festival, the Center for Children’s Books 501 E. Daniel Street, 5 p.m., $5 ($3 for students)
This two-hour show focuses on the art of telling a good tale, whether it’s a traditional folktale from around the world, a book re-told in an entertaining manner, or a personal anecdote. Usually, there’s a good selection of students who took a particular class at iSchool (GSLIS) and repeat performers who just love what they do. Everybody’s got that one friend who can hold court at the bar — this is like that, but in a classroom, and in the past there have been post-performance snacks. (RK)
Go for a walk/run outside, somewhere scenic, anytime, free
Whether you’re training for next week’s marathon or just taking a stroll, the eighty degrees and partly sunny forecast for Saturday is a tantalizing taste of summer that obligates even the biggest homebody to step out. Crystal Lake, Meadowbrook, and the Arboretum are all great park options. You could also just do a lap around your own neighborhood and take in the sights and sounds of spring at home. The return of great weather never gets old. (JTM)
SUNDAY, April 16th
Procrastinate your taxes, your house probably, the last minute, free unless you owe.
It’s a Sunday where most folks are busy doing something either religious or pagan or both. It’s also the reason you have until Tuesday to mail your taxes. Sure, it might be nice out, but time is really running out. Are you going to have time to finish Monday night? Are you sure? OK, well, if you’re sure then I guess you should go find and eat some hard-boiled eggs instead. (RK)
Shop local meats online
Joy of Illinois Farms is a local farm that has “limited quantities of a wide variety of products including broiler chickens, geese, turkeys, eggs, lambs, ducks, and goat kids. Their animals are humanely raised on pasture and are free of synthetic hormones and antibiotics.” They’re located just west of Champaign and can be found on Facebook. (SL)
Go see a drag show…on Easter, Chester Street Bar, 63 Chester St., Champaign, 11 p.m. – 12 a.m., free
What better way to celebrate an end to your day full of family that you don’t really like than going out to Chester St. to enjoy some drinks and enjoy a drag show. Plus dance away the night to some sweet sounds and drown out your sorrow of having to attend another service and have to answer questions about why you’re not married yet. (SL)
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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.