FRIDAY, April 17th
bacaro lunch, 11 a.m.-2 p.m., bacaro
This Friday lunch at bacaro is a beauty — porchetta sandwiches. Slow roasted pork shoulder stuffed with garlic fennel, rosemary, and sage with lemon/orange aioli and a salad. Sure it’s a little pricier than you’d expect to dole out for a lunch, but the track record bacaro has with their lunches is impeccable. It’s a perfect way to ring in a spring weekend. (TP)
Record Store Day (weekend), 5 p.m.-the whole weekend, Exile on Main, Error, and more
The magical weekend that comes around once a year is here — Record Store Day. Although you know, deep down, that you should buy records on a consistent basis, you might not do so. That’s totally fine, just make it up throughout this weekend, as there are show and deals happening throughout this weekend at Exile on Mail Street, Error Records, Record Swap and more.
Live music out the wazoo — and good limited edition buys that you can pick up. (PS)
Stone Soup, Common Ground Food Co-op, 6-7:30 p.m., $5 suggested donation
This newly-revamped program will benefit Prosperity Gardens this time around. The Co-op will provide some snacks, and Nicole Bridges will “talk about the work that Prosperity Gardens is doing and what they are up to next.” Bring a few dollars to support the local community garden. (JH)
The Drowsy Chaperone, Parkland College Theatre, 7:30 p.m.
Directed by J.W. Morrissette and featuring a story by the creators of Slings & Arrows, this might just be the feel-good show of the year. Parkland College Theatre says: “In a loving send-up of the frivolous musicals of the Jazz Age, past and present hilariously collide in this tuneful and masterfully meta musical! A die-hard musical theatre fan is playing his favorite cast album, The Drowsy Chaperone, on his turntable, and as he listens, the musical literally bursts to life in his apartment, telling the story of a vivacious Broadway starlet trying to find her true love! Throw in a not so bright hostess, two gangsters posing as pastry chefs, a misguided Don Juan, an intoxicated chaperone, and you’ve got an evening of musical comedy gold!” (MG)
Not About Nightingales, Krannert Center for the Performing Arts, 7:30 p.m.
Tennessee Williams’ 1938 prison drama is as timely and powerful now as it would have been then. (The play was shelved and forgotten until the late 1990s.) Now director Tom Mitchell and his extraordinary cast weave an impressive narrative of prison inmates who go on hunger strike to protest their inhumane treatment. This production is the culmination of a lengthy endeavor by Mitchell and Illinois Theatre to present the early works of a master playwright. Presented in the Studio Theater. (MG)
Sinfonia da Camera: Romanticism and Beyond, Krannert Center for the Performing Arts, 7:30 p.m.
Sinfonia celebrates Romanticism and Post-Romanticism with repertoire spanning more than 100 years and multiple continents. Serenade No. 1 by Brahms represents the symphonic master’s first venture into the idiom, and Shostakovich’s Piano Concerto No. 2, one of the composer’s most popular works, will feature Ian Hobson as conductor and soloist. To close the program and the season, Sinfonia performs Rachmaninoff’s Symphonic Dances, charting the composer’s late style with fascinating instrumental colors and interesting harmonies. (RP)
The Chemicals Record Release Party, Mike N Molly’s, 9 p.m., $7
t’s a bittersweet night at Mike N Molly’s. The Chemicals are releasing a record on Heirship Records and if you haven’t had a chance to check it out, you need to do so. One of the most quality live acts in Champaign-Urbana is bringing it in a very intimate environment. Unfortunately, this is the last show the Chemicals will be playing with Andrew Davidson on the drums. If you’re a fan of local music, you need to get out there and see this band with their classic lineup intact. (TP)
SATURDAY, April 18th
Middle Market, Lincoln Square Mall, 8 a.m-1 p.m.
The final Middle Market of the season is here. The warmer weather of late (and some creative indoor growing) means there are slightly more options for fresh produce. Earlier this month there were plenty of options for sweet treats, and after some consideration I settled on a small cake from newbie Hopscotch: Cakes and Confections. It made a delicious, albeit unconventional, breakfast that morning. If you’re not into sweets, you can pick up some locally made crafts, or some beautiful flowers. (JH)
Pop-Up Adventure Playground, 2 p.m., 807 S. Fair St., Champaign, free
The adventure playground movement is coming to Champaign-Urbana, and this Saturday the second local pop-up will take place in Champaign. The concept of an adventure playground is that children construct their own playground with available materials and little intervention from parents. Children of all ages and their caregivers are welcome. There Will Be Mud. (RP)
Ebertfest (in some capacity), The Virginia Theatre, 2-9 p.m., price varies
If you haven’t had an opportunity to check out any films within the realm of the amazing Ebertfest lineup, you should allot some time this weekend to make that happen. A couple of films that I’m interested in checking out on Saturday include Ida and the Motel Life, which happen at 2 p.m. and 5 p.m. respectively. You’ll be able to space some things around that, but I’m planning on hitting one of them at the very least. There’s a whole slew of films — see you at the movies. (PS)
Pop Goes the Culture Comedy Show 2, Vintage Villains in Danville, 8 p.m.
If you’re up for a trek to Danville, you can catch some comedy featuring our old pal Ripper the Clown! Vintage Villains & Ripper the Clown present: Pop Goes the Culture Comedy Show 2, live at Vintage Villains in Downtown Danville. Doors open at 7; show starts at 8. Featuring an eclectic mix of the area’s best comedians, including: Rich Wentz, Charlie Hester, Allen Lewis, DJembe Jake, Shawna B., and Aaron Martin. The event will be hosted by Ripper the Clown. Check out the video preview here. Tickets are just $8.00 at the door. Advance tickets are available online here or at Vintage Villains in Downtown Danville (126 N. Vermilion). Seating will be limited, so get your seats reserved asap! All ages venue, however content may be adult and/or R-rated, so 17 and up, please. (MG)
Acker (Record Release Party), Marathon, Big TV, ZXO, Mike N Molly’s, doors at 8 p.m., show at 9 p.m., $5
It’s a great weekend for local record release shows. This Acker show celebrates the release of their new album Sea Songs. Pick up a copy on some shiny Record Store Day-caliber vinyl wile you check out Marathon, Big TV and ZXO (in full-band formation for the first time). (MR)
Rob Mazurek and Black Cube SP, Krannert Center, Stage Five, 9:30 p.m., free
Chicago jazz cornet and trumpet player Rob Mazurek is joined by Sao Paulo Underground musicians to form Black Cube SP, playing the explosive psychedelia found on their 2014 album Return The Tides. (MR)
SUNDAY, April 19th
Visit Larry Kanfer’s spring open house, 2503 S. Neil St., 12-4 p.m., free
Larry’s open house started Thursday but runs until Sunday. Look, Larry’s photographs are off the charts good and a lot of them have Champaign-Urbana as the subject. Viewing them online is one things but in person is a whole new experience. (SL)
Go watch Penguins of Madagascar for free, Savoy 16 movie theaters, 9-10 a.m.
If your kids aren’t old enough to go to Ebertfest yet but you still want to enjoy a movie with the little one, take them out to Savoy 16 for a freebie. No it won’t be an indie-cult-classic movie but it will probably still be fun and it is free! (SL)
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