FRIDAY, November 20th
Grilled lamb gyro, bacaro, 113 N Walnut St, Champaign, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. (or sold out), $15
This week’s lunch is lamb gyro, served on a pita with house tzatziki sauce, sun dried tomatoes, and red onion, served with a side of potato chips and a fancy soda. These lunches are always amazing, so go fill your face with flavor. (JH)
Explore Homer Lake at Night, Interpretive Center, Homer Lake Forest Preserve, 2573 S. Homer Lake Road, 6:30-8:30 p.m., $2 (pre-registration required)
Exploring the midwest landscape during the day is one thing but going at night is another. It definitely adds an element of spookiness to the experience. But you will also get to enjoy creatures of the night in an educational way as you will be lead by one of the fine guides at the Homer Lake Forest Preserve. Call (217) 896-2455 or email cwalsh@ccfpd.org for more info and registration. (SL)
Champaign Ladies Amateur Wrestling (CLAW), Bookmobile!, Los Despeinados, JORTS, The Highdive, $12 advance/$15 door, 8 p.m.
In what will end up being CLAW’s biggest throw-down to date, Friday night at the Highdive will be transformed into an arena for some wrastlin’ and music. Eight new wrestlers, three bands, and a shitload of fun will be had, no doubt about it. Best to order your ticket in advance, as this one will likely fill up quickly. Whether you’ve seen a CLAW match prior to this one or not, it’s one hell of a way to get your weekend started. (PS)
Art Theater Secret Screening, 10 p.m., free
Every so often the Art Theater puts on a free, secret film screening. This Friday, they are putting on yet another. The Art Theater has given some clues about the film on their Facebook event page (linked above) (BC):
Hop on the big orange couch for a trip back to the early 90s! Our night begins with a everyone’s favorite cat/chihuahua duo, then puts on a flannel shirt for a visit with two like-named brothers, explores the margins of live hip-hop comedy, teaches you scatalogical French, and then scares you right out of your knickers in time for bed.
SATURDAY, November 21st
Get a hot beverage, Aroma, Cafe Kopi, Flying Machine Coffee, all day, about $4
Because the weather forecast is calling for “rain/snow/wind,” which sounds disgusting. On second thought, maybe you should stay inside and have something delivered. Check out Siam Terrace/My Thai, Manolo’s, or Papa Del’s. Photo by Jessica Hammie. (JH)
CU Tango with Tangotta, Krannert Center for the Performing Arts, 1 p.m., free
CU Tango will be hosting a dance event during the day this Saturday in the Krannert commons. The event, hosted by Mileh Sener and CU Tango, is free to the public and welcomes beginner to advanced dancers to strap on their Tango shoes and spin, shimmy, and slide through the Krannert commons. Tango, a relic of Argentinian poverty class culture, has been practiced for over 100 years. Come experience this historic, ultra-romantic dance while being serenaded with the hauntingly beautiful violin of Tangotta. (BC)
The Snow Queen by Champaign Park District’s Youth Theatre, Virginia Theatre, 2 p.m., $12 adults/$10 kids under 12.
Before Elsa and Anna, there were Gerda and Kay: two kids who loved each other in an entirely platonic way, strongly enough for the young woman to risk her life to save the boy who had turned cruel and heartless. Some young actors explored new sides of themselves while putting on the OG Frozen, and we get a chance to observe this new (old) musical. Go see some real girl power downtown. (RK)
Basement Gallery’s Mental Greatness, Blind Pig 120 N. Walnut St., Champaign, 5:30 p.m.-?, free
Make your reservation for the alluring, mysterious, Basement Gallery adventure, then show up at the Big Pig before 7:30 p.m. on Saturday. After hobnobbing with curator Grace Savina, you (and 49 others) will be led to an undisclosed location, taken to the basement, and… shown a lot of cool art about what it feels like to live with a mental diagnosis. Chances are, nine of you will really identify. (RK)
Heartland Jazz Orchestra, Iron Post, 6 p.m., cover
This weekend’s cold weather makes it the perfect time to kick back with some jazz and cheap beer at the coziest venue in town: the Iron Post. The fact that it’s the Heartland Jazz Orchestra makes it even better. (RP)
Fighting Illini Volleyball vs. Indiana University, Huff Hall, 7 p.m., $6
Continuously the University of Illinois’ least-underwhelming team, the volleyball squad, takes on Indiana on Saturday in what will surely be a great game from the 22nd-ranked Illini team. Plus, it’s an excuse to root against Indiana – who doesn’t love that? (BH)
We The Animals, Sunjacket, Boycut, Grand Ambassador, Mike N Molly’s, 8 p.m., $7, 19+
A couple of Champaign’s best indie-pop outfits, We The Animals and Boycut, combine to bring a unique brand of show to Mike N Molly’s on a Saturday. Word on the street is that it’s also Grand Ambassador’s MnM’s debut, so it should only be fitting that they are welcomed to one of Champaign-Urbana’s finest establishment with open arms and an eager crowd. (BH)
SUNDAY, November 22nd
Rebecca Rego & The Trainmen, indi go Gallery, 1 p.m., donation
On Sunday afternoon, take a stroll Downtown Champaign, grab something to eat and/or drink, and stop in at indi go to check out Rebecca Rego & The Trainmen. They’re going to be performing, as well as raising some more funds for their recently announced Kickstarter campaign to fund their new record. They’re about halfway to their goal at this point with just over a week to go. Check out our post about it a while back, and donate a few bucks while you’re at it on Sunday. (PS)
Tamir Rice Vigil, 3:30-5:30 p.m., Douglass Park
There’s a lot going on right now, folks. Take some time out of your weekend to join Black Lives Matter Champaign-Urbana in remembering and commemorating the death of Tamir Rice. Attendees will be outside under the Douglass Park Pavilion briefly before moving indoors to the Douglass Annex for refreshments and discussion. (RP)
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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.