Friday, February 18th
Photo by Alyssa Buckley.
Drink some wine, wherever, all day
Today is Drink Wine Day, and it’s a Friday this year, so cheers! Whether you get your wine at Art Mart, Analog, or order it at a restaurant, sip up. (AB)
Photo by Jessica Hammie.
Shovel and/or salt your sidewalk, all weekend, free
Did you see this Opinion article we published earlier this week? It outlines the importance of clearing your sidewalk in winter weather. If you cannot, perhaps you can ask a neighbor (or their kids) for help. (JH)
Log onto CUDO’s Virtual Jackbox Game Night, online, 6 p.m., free
Get your TGIF on at the Champaign Urbana Design Organization’s virtual game night-style happy hour with some of C-U’s most creative minds. Get more info here. (DD)
Saturday, February 19th
Photo by Robin Kravets.
Count some birds, your backyard, any time, free
This weekend is the Great Backyard Bird Count, an annual global event that brings bird experts and amateur observers together to help scientists learn more about bird populations. It happens in February because it’s just before a major migration time for many bird species. All you need to do is spend some time observing the feathered friends that flit in and out of your yard for a period of time, then submit your count any time between February 18th and 21st. If you’d like to venture out of your yard, Anita Purves Nature Center is inviting folks to observe in the Habitat Garden and Busey Woods, then add to their running count. You can also share photos of the birds you spot with Urbana Park District or Anita Purves Nature center on social media. (JM)
Explore Hidden Stories: The History of African Americans in Champaign County, online, 12 to 1 p.m., free
Did you know that The Champaign County African American Heritage Trail is currently under development? Sponsored by the Visit Champaign County Foundation, along with Angela M. Rivers and Dr. Barbara Suggs Mason, who co-chair the committeee of community volunteers planning for the Trail, this event will amplify some of the many untold stories of African Americans in Champaign County. (DD)
Image from Rose Bowl Tavern’s Facebook page.
Rock out to some Zeppelin, Rose Bowl Tavern, 7 p.m., free
“No Stairway! Denied!” Ian Shepherd and Friends lead a Led Zeppelin filled evening at the Rose Bowl Tavern. Featuring a great lineup of musicians paying tribute to one of the biggest rock bands in history. Performers include Kayla Brown, Curb Service, Anthony Gravino, Ryan Groff, and many more. Check out the Facebook page for the full lineup. (SW)
STRANGE FRUIT – WAA BlackVoices (excerpt) from David Lieberman Artists Reps on Vimeo.
Watch Spectrum Dance Theater: Strange Fruit, KCPA, 7:30 p.m., $25 or less
Spectrum Dance Theater’s Strange Fruit is a modern dance performance that explores the racial terrorism and legacy of lynching in America. It’s a heavy subject, but one that reverberates from the recent past into today. The movements of the dancers are haunting and beautiful. It’s a way to honor those murdered, and hopefully inspires introspection and awe at the possibilities of human movement through dance. You can watch a clip of the performance above. (JH)
Sunday, February 20th
Photo by Remington Rock.
Get a Smith Burger lunch, Triptych Brewing, noon to 3 p.m., $6-10
The green burger food truck will be parked at Triptych on Sunday. Make plans to catch some burgers, fries, and tots from Smith Burger. Check them out on Facebook for their full weekend schedule, and read our review of the Smith Burger food. (AB)
Photo from Champaign Public Library Facebook page.
Check out Celebrating the Year of the Tiger, Champaign Public Library, 12 to 6 p.m., free
The lobby of the Champaign Public Library has been home to a number of stunning art installations by artist Adriane Binky Donley, and this month’s is no exception. Donley and her assistants Yu Wendy Wu and Minghan Ma created a beautiful display in honor of the Lunar New Year and the Year of the Tiger. It will be there through the end of the month, so be sure to see it live and in person soon. While you’re there you can stock up on some books to cozy up with this cold February weekend. (JM)
Support local hip hop, Canopy Club, 8 p.m., $5-8
A night of hip hop featuring DJ Fatmack, Lukane, Skeuwep, Moe Pesci, and more awaits you at Canopy Club this Sunday. Lots of talented performers here, so come out and support some local rap. (SW)
Top photo: Bethel African Methodist Episcopal Church, c. early 1900s. Courtesy of Doris K. Wylie Hoskins Collection, at the Museum of the Grand Prairie, Mahomet, Illinois. Photo, cropped, from the Champaign Public Library’s Facebook page.
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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.