FRIDAY, October 7th
Urbana First Fridays, Downtown Urbana, 4:30 p.m. to midnight, prices vary
Imbibe Ubrana has put together the First Fridays program in seemingly no time, and its great. Stroll through Downtown Urbana, grab a bite to eat, check out the special things happening at each location. There are a bunch of businesses participating. Stop by Crane Alley for raspberry beignets (oh, OK), or grab some free food tastings at Common Ground. For more info, check out the event’s Facebook page. Image from Facebook. (JH)
White Reaper, The Accord, 7 p.m., $8 advance/$10 door
It’s possible that my favorite moment of Pygmalion 2015 was the energetic and just crazy White Reaper set at Channing Murray. The small venue was so hot from all the moshing and dancing that it was hard to think straight, so all you could really do was keep on moshing and/or dancing. These Polyvinyl boys are bringing their punchy songs back to C-U on Friday and locals punkers Bookmobile! and Kowabunga! Kid are tagging along, in addition to the Dry Look. It’ll be a show so full of exuberance that you might not be able to contain yourself. (JM)
Prince Dance Party, Urbana-Champaign Independent Media Center, 7 – 11 p.m., donations
As part of Imbibe Urbana’s (second) First Fridays, the IMC is hosting a dance party featuring the one and only Prince. Lumen Events will have a Prince-themed pop-up bar, including purple cocktails, crafts brews, and fine wine. At 7, doors open for some pre-Prince spinning, and then the dancing begins. Bring a couple bucks to donate to the IMC for its arts and social justice missions. (RP)
SATURDAY, October 8th
Learn to screen print, Weiskamp, 312 S Neil St, Champaign, Illinois 61820, 10 a.m.-5 p.m, free.
This first intro session is designed for folks who have never screen printed before. It will cover the technical aspects of setting up your art for screen printing. Matt Harlan, host of the workshop, will describe all ways to turn your art into a screen print ready design, including how to save and format your art files. Bring any and all art questions for this two hour intro session! More info on the Facebook page. (SL)
Illini Football vs. Purdue, Memorial Stadium, 2:30 p.m., prices vary
I know, I know. It’s pretty hard to be excited about Illini football right now, but if we’re ever going to win a Big Ten game, it’s going to be against Purdue. So pour yourself a beer, and get ready, because the fan base will either be mildly pumped up or majorly deflated after this one. (BH)
Hip-Hop Showcase, Champaign Public Library, 3-5 p.m., FREE
Maybe you’re a long-time fan, or maybe you’ve never given hip-hop a chance, but Saturday you’ll have a no-risk, all-reward chance to hear what C-U has to offer. CJ Run, babynoface and Ausar Bradley will be performing 30 minute sets each in the big meeting room at CPL for FREE. Expand your mind and horizons by stopping by and taking a moment to really listen. (RK)
Contra Dance at Kalyx Center, 442 E 1300 North Rd., 7-11 p.m., $5
Ever seen contra dance? How about the Kalynx Center? Both are an experience. One that you should not miss out on. Head out of town for the evening (and maybe camp?) for a night of dancing, music, and wildnerness. Find out more on the website. (SL)
Tengger Cavalry, The Accord, 9 p.m., $12 advance/$15 door
I’m not afraid to say that Tengger Cavalry scare me, and I mean that in a good way. This “Mongolian folk metal” act includes low, muttered vocals known as throat singing, the horse-head fiddle Morin Khuur, the Tibetan Horn, and other native instruments that come together to make a sound that is unlike any other and definitely foreboding. The group is enjoyable year round, but it’s October, and ‘tis the season for everything spooky. (JM)
SUNDAY, October 9th
Brunch, Watson’s, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., prices vary
Watson’s is kicking off Sunday brunch this weekend, and if you’re one of the lucky ones who will be dining, congrats! Based on the enthusiasm I’ve witnessed on social media, I’m inclined to believe there will be a line of folks waiting at the door. It’s going to be delicious. Bring all your friends. Image from Facebook. (JH)
Dontrell, Who Kissed the Sea with talkback session, Krannert Center, 3 p.m., $25 or less.
Next weekend promises to be glutted with even more theatre, so see if you can squeeze in this experience now. A talkback with artists, scholars, and a faculty host can really add to one’s understanding and processing of the play. I loved the emotion and the imagery in this show, but I really wanted someone to talk about it with after it was done — it’s a lot to take in. (RK)
The Birth of a Nation + panel discussion, The Art Theater Co-op, 7 p.m., tickets $8 and up
The Art Theater is featuring The Birth of a Nation, Nate Parker’s acclaimed film about Nat Turner’s slave revolt, beginning this week. On Sunday, the film screening will be accompanied by a panel discussion featuring Malaika Mckee-Culpepper (Department of African American Studies, UIUC), Charisse Burden-Stelly (Department of African American Studies, UIUC), Robert King (Men Against Rape and Sexual Assault and the Breakfast Club), and Lou Turner (Department of African American Studies, UIUC). The discussion will be moderated by Sundiata Cha-Jua (Department of African-American Studies, UIUC). (RP)
Cherub, The Canopy Club, 8 p.m., $35, 18+
I really don’t usually like to post about EDM, because quite frankly I just don’t understand it’s massive explosion among young people over the past 10 years, but from what limited knowledge I have, Cherub is one of the groovier bands out there in the genre — plus, they’re playing on a Sunday night. Like you’ve got anything better going on… (BH)
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