FRIDAY, January 22nd
Fighting Illini Gym Jam, Huff Hall, 7 p.m., Free
Do you like Olympic sports? Do you like free things? If the answer to both of these is yes, you should be at Huff Hall on Friday night for the University of Illinois’ 17th-ranked Womens Gymnastics squad as they take on #3-ranked Michigan. I hate Michigan, and if it takes gymnasts to get me fired up, so be it. There will also be free admission, food (for the first 1,000 fans), and headphones (for the first 250 fans). (BH)
Art Gallery Reception: Beth Darling, Common Ground Food Co-op, 7-9 p.m., free
Beth Darling is a local painter and CG’s current artist showing “Tablescapes” which has been in the Common Ground Gallery since November, and will be taken down after this event. This is an opportunity to meet the artist, view her art, and enjoy some refreshments and wine free of charge. See more on the Facebook event page. (SL)
The Great Cover Up, The Accord, $10, 8 p.m.
Although the 25th annual Great Cover Up started on Thursday night, there’s two nights lined up this weekend (and a few next week) to catch. Mike Ingram, Brother Embassy and more are slated for Friday, and Honcho Overload (back together), Wrist, and plenty of others will perform on Saturday. The Great Cover Up is kind of the best event in town in a lot of respects, so this year should be no different. Plus, it is a charity event — so that should feel good as well. (PS)
Yonder Mountain String Band, The Canopy Club, ($20 in advance, $25 at the door), 8 p.m.
This is probably going to be one of the best chances this year to experience world-class bluegrass in C-U. Yonder Mountain String Band has been stretching and redefining the genre of bluegrass for years and we are lucky to have to them back at the Canopy Club again this year along with promising newcomers, Trout Steak Revival. (JK)
The Thing, The Art Theater Co-op, 10 p.m. on Friday and Saturday
Sci-fi classic The Thing opens this Friday at the Art. From the film description: “Antarctica: an extraordinary continent of awesome beauty. It is also home to an isolated outpost where a discovery full of scientific possibility becomes a mission of survival when an alien is unearthed by a crew of international scientists. The shape-shifting creature, accidentally unleashed at this marooned colony, has the ability to turn itself into a perfect replica of any living being.” (RP)
SATURDAY, January 23rd
Archery competition, Leonhard Center, Champaign, 9 a.m.-3 p.m., $3 adults/kids free
Interested in archery? Want to see some bad-ass’s shoot arrows at targets? Then go watch over 400 elementary, middle, and high school archers from all over the state compete at the Leonhard center. (SL)
What is Yoga?, the Urbana Free Library, 9:30-10:30 a.m., free
Andrew Nunberg, who is trained in Art of Living meditation, will offer an introduction the physical and philosophical aspects of yoga. This talk is geared toward new practicioners and those unfamiliar with yoga. (RP)
Visit local natural areas, anytime, anywhere.
It’s cold, I know. However, there is still something beautiful about being in natural areas when it is this cold and quiet. Braving the cold is also a great way to develop mental toughness. So go check out some of the local natural areas like Busey Woods or Meadowbrook Park or take a drive out to Homer Lake. (JK)
Inaugural Open House & Celebration, Main Street Belly Deli, Homer, 11:30 a.m. – 6 p.m., free
Main Street Belly Deli is celebrating its first birthday, and will be offering up a variety of samples and tastings from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., as well as live entertainment all day. If you need a reason to leave your house this weekend, or a means to entertain the kids, this is a good bet. Although if your kids are sensitive to sugar, proceed with caution. Photo by Jessica Hammie. (JH)
For Colored Girls Who Have Considered Suicide / When the Rainbow is Enuf, Parkland Theatre’s Second Stage, 2400 W. Bradley, Champaign, $12, 2 p.m. or 7 p.m.
There’s only one weekend to see this powerful, poetic presentation of strength and identity from multiple cultural perspectives. Portrayed in the round, in order to facilitate player connections with audience members, this should be a truly memorable and moving theatre experience for all attendees. (RK)
Champaign-Urbana March for Bernie, 3-5 p.m., University of Illinois Main Quad
If you’re like me, then the only person who is running for president who makes any sense when they speak is Bernie Sanders. In a cacophony of candidates, he seems to talk the most sensibly. On Saturday, his local chapter will be holding a march to rally support for one of the most exciting presidential candidates I can remember. (BH)
SUNDAY, January 24th
Make reservations for Bayern Stube‘s Hunter’s Feast, February 26th through March 12th
Hunter’s Feast kicks off in about a month, but you’ll need to make your reservations soon. Give the restaurant a call (217) 784-8304 to do so. The Hunter’s Feast celebrates game meat; you’ll have opportunities to enjoy wild game sausages, wild boar sausages, venison medallions, and hasenpfeffer (rabbit stew). Photo by Jessica Hammie.(JH)
Jane Eyre (National Theatre Live), Art Theatre Co-Op, 126 W. Church St., Champaign, $18, noon.
Acclaimed director Sally Cookson brings an imaginative vision to life as she presents this classic story in truly new and inventive ways. The trailer was enough to pique my interest, and Sunday matinees are a thing of beauty. Invest some time in the arts, nurse your cocktail, and find out what it meant to be a subversive feminist in the ninteenth century. (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.