Friday, February 25th
Stop by to view Shannon Percoco’s Finding Beauty exhibit, Illini Union Art Gallery, before 6 p.m., free
Leave work early and head over to the Illini Union’s art gallery to explore Percoco’s lush and vibrant work. Enjoy this oasis of color before it closes on February 28th. Time spent finding beauty, now more than ever, is time well spent. (DD)
Watch Illinois Women’s Gymnastics, Huff Hall, 7 p.m., free
The women are taking on Rutgers, and the first 300 fans will get a free t-shirt. Also, it’s 2000s music night. Yes, the 2000s is now a decade “from the past” that “the kids” use as a theme night. And yes, I know that this was two decades ago so logically it makes sense. I can still feel sad about it while I enjoy some Destiny’s Child and Britney Spears. (JM)
Image from Rose Bowl Tavern’s Facebook page.
Come hear a variety of music at Rose Bowl Tavern, 8 p.m., $10
For $10, you get bang for your buck. Melvin Knight has a voice like butter. His 2018 album Shades of Us was number 4 on our BEST albums of the 2010s, blending jazz, soul, and funk. Joining him are C-U faves Merry Travelers and Sweetmelk. J’Lyn Hope will also be playing her first official show, so there is sure to be lots of excitement in the air during this show. (SW)
Saturday, February 26th
Photo from the Allerton Park Bird Club Facebook page.
Take a hike and look for birds, Allerton Park, 9 to 11 a.m., $5
Head to Allerton Park for a brisk Saturday morning bird hike. You’ll keep an eye and ear out for woodpeckers and owls, among other birds. Space is limited and binoculars are available on a first come, first served basis. Additional information is available here. Follow the Allerton Park Bird Club here. (JH)
Photo by Jessica Hammie.
Eat some cake, Rick’s Bakery, 9 a.m to 5 p.m., $4 for a slice, or splurge on a whole cake
Rick’s makes some very, very delicious cakes. I recently ordered a whole strawberry shortcake cake (vanilla cake, whipped cream frosting, strawberries in the middle), and it was perfectly simple and light and yummy. Not too cloying or heavy, leftovers made an excellent breakfast and/or afternoon snack. I’m also in love with the tres leches, so if that’s available in the case, I highly recommend it. (JH)
Visit the Louise Fishman exhibition before it closes, Krannert Art Museum, 10 a.m. to 4 pm., free
A Question of Emphasis: Louise Fishman Drawing has been a significant exhibit to say the least. According to the curator’s notes on the KAM website, it is “the first career spanning exhibition and publication of Fishman’s works on paper from 1964 to the present. The project includes more than 100 works from the artist’s archive that have rarely been exhibited alongside significant institutional and private loans.” If you haven’t seen it, this is the last day to do so. Plan your visit here. (DD)
Photo by Elaine Sine.
Grab a beer, a snack, and play a board game, Cafeteria & Co, 6 p.m., free but bring money for snacks and drinks
The comfy cafe in Urbana is hosting a board game event this Saturday night. Cafeteria & Co has a late night snack menu worth trying and a beer list. There are games available to play for free, and you can order plenty of good snacks and drinks. Follow the cafe on Facebook and check out the game night event page here. (AB)
Hear some wonderful and historic classical music, Krannert Center, 7:30 p.m., $30
Founded in 1944, post WWII, The Polish Wieniawski Philharmonic Orchestra is headed out on its first US tour. There is much history with this orchestra, which you can read about on Krannert’s website. The prgoram will feature music by Brahms, Tchaikovsky, and Beethoven. (SW)
Image from Facebook event page.
Attend That’s What She Said, The Virginia Theatre, 7:30 to 10:30 p.m., $40
This will be the 7th installment of the event, which brings together women from the community to share their stories. You’ll hear ten women speak, and the proceeds from your ticket will support the work of YWCA of the University of Illinois. Find the full list of speakers at the She Said Project website. (JM)
Sunday, February 27th
Photo by Alyssa Buckley.
End the weekend with a Butters cocktail, Punch! Bar and Lounge, 4 p.m. to 10 p.m., $12
This drink is a quintessential winter cocktail that will warm you up. Made with rum, herbal liqueur, cinnamon, orange, allspice, and honey, Butters is also served with a side of cold chai butter that you can add to the drink. I loved it (and wrote about it on Thursday), and you probably would, too. (AB)
Celebrate BLACKentine’s Day, Boomerang’s Bar and Grill, 7 to 9 p.m., no cover but bring money for donations, drinks, and food
Soul on Sunday is celebrating Blackness and love in their February event. S.O.S. brings together musicians and poets to perform for donations that will go to Salt and LIght. (JM)
Top photo by Jorge Murga.
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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.