FRIDAY, February 19th
Celebrate a belated National Wine Day, all weekend, see below, prices vary
Thursday was National Wine Day. Oh, you missed the memo? No worries, dear reader. C-U has many places to procure wine: Sun Singer, Bar M, Nando Milano, bacaro, Art Mart. Stop by one of the aforementioned spots for a meal and a glass, or just pick up a bottle or two and drink them on your couch. Photo by Sam Logan. (JH)
Friday Forum: A Conversation with Opal Tometi, Co-founder of the National Black Lives Matter Movement, University YMCA, 12 p.m., free
As part of its Friday Forum series “Breaking Down Racism,” the University YMCA will host a conversation with Opal Tometi, who introduced the world to the Twitter hashtag and launched the Black Lives Matter Movement, along with Alicia Garza and Patrisse Cullors. With personal perspective as a first generation American and an experienced community organizer, Tometi will reveal raw insights on the adversities inflicted by social injustice, anti-black bias and uninformed views on immigration, educating audiences to organize and stand together to transform society into a world where the lives and contributions of all individuals are recognized equally. (RP)
Pink Floyd Laser Show, Staerkel Planetarium, Parkland College, 9:30 p.m., $8
It’s been over 5 years since the Planetarium went digital, and it’s no coincidence that it has been that long since the last laser show. Spend a night indulging in nostalgia with a double-feature of Dark Side of the Moon and The Wall accented by a full-dome laser that has been rented to make this possible. Sure, there are other laser shows this month, but really, this is the one you have been waiting for. (RK)
SATURDAY, February 20th
Find and test out a new recipe, Champaign Public Library or Urbana Free Library, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. or 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., respectively, free (plus cost of ingredients)
It’s always fun (to me, at least) to wander the aisles of CPL looking for new books to read. I’m often drawn to the new cookbooks, because why not try to discover something new? Many are terrible, but you might be surprised. Flip through the pages to find a different way to prepare your chicken, or make a dessert for your gluten-free friend. Photo by Jessica Hammie. (JH)
Give a little: A benefit for R.A.C.E.S., Exile on Main St., 1-4 p.m., $5 suggested donation
R.A.C.E.S. is a local rape crisis center that has been doing great things in our community for a long time. Due to the state budged impasse they are now facing closure. Come out and suport a great cause. There will be music from Jiggy & the Source, Bookmobile, Klevah, and New Souls. (JK)
Figure One art gallery closing reception, Figure One, Downtown Champaign, 5-8 p.m., free
“This Fair and Fecund Place” includes two fine art print portfolios “All’s Fair at theFair” organized by Guen Montgomery and “Agritopia” organized by Emmy Lingscheit, Michael Barnes and Sarah Smelser. “All’s Fair at the Fair”, opens with a futuristic skyline and a happy country couple approaching the glittering World’s Fair in their horse-drawn cart. “Agritopia” invites participants to engage visually and conceptually with agricultural practices across the globe, and also to imagine how food production might look in the future as new technologies emerge to meet the demands of 8 billion people. (SL)
Mardi Gras at the Speakeasy, Mike n Molly’s, 7 p.m., $10
This year’s Mardi Gras at the Speakeasy Event, hosted by the Archaeology Student Society, benefits the installation of a permanent archaeology exhibit at the Orpheum Children’s Museum. Performers will include Veronica Bleaus (the self-proclaimed worst drag queen in the Midwest), Defy Gravity, Carnivale Debauche, and more. (RP)
Coco Butter Kids CD Release Party, Cowboy Monkey, 9 p.m., cover
Join Coco Butter Kids as well as Bristle and The Villens for some hardcore rocking out to the sounds of a washboard, a stomp box, and more. CBK is celebrating the release of a new CD. They go on at 11:30 p.m. (RP)
El Ten Eleven, Shallou, Snayl, The Accord, 8 p.m., $12
Come out to The Accord on Saturday night an soak in the good vibes brought to you by post-rock duo El Ten Eleven . Opening for them will be Shallou and Snayl. (JK)
SUNDAY, February 21st
Public critique of amature photo contest, Lincoln Square Mall, 1-2 p.m., free
There is a large local, amature photography contest, Best in Show, on display atLincoln Square Mall and the judges are going to publicly critique the photos this Sunday. There are a lot of wonderful photographs of local, regional, and international photography available for viewing (and purchase). If you’re at all interested in photography this event will be fun to attend. Go early so you can browse through all of the great pieces of work on display! (SL)
A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Tryon Festival Theatre, Krannert Center, 3 p.m., $29.
The most accessible Shakespeare play provides a gateway to opera. Ol’ Shakey’s sex romp comedy about catty fairies in a love-hate relationship and the way they toy with “these mortals”, but sung. In English. Try something new, or appreciate an old favorite. Either way, enjoy an afternoon at the opera. (RK)
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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.