Friday, September 20th
Attend an Immigration Justice Panel, University YMCA, 12 p.m., free
University YMCA does a Friday Forum series every spring and fall, and this semester the theme is Womxn Rise Up. In conjuction with Welcoming Week, this Friday’s forum will feature Dr. Gio Guerra Perez (check out our interview with her here), Dr. Korinta Maldonado, and Gloria Yen on the topic of Immigration Justice. Seems like a great opportunity to learn more about local immigration activism, as we hear more and more about it on the national stage. (JM)
Experience a powwow, Krannert Center for the Performing Arts, 7:30 p.m., ticket prices vary
This weekend is a great one for exploring an often-overlooked musical culture in the United States: the music of Native American tribes. Head to Krannert Center for the Performing Arts at 7:30 p.m. and check out the Bizhiki Culture & Dance Company. This powwow exhibition will include both traditional music and dance as well as contemporary dance stylings. More info on the KCPA website. (BH)
Feel the beat in the Global Exchange Afterglow with Cheick Hamala Diabaté, Krannert Center for the Performing Arts, Stage 5, 9:30 p.m., free
Since you’ll already be at KCPA, stick around a free concert by Grammy nominated artist Cheick Diabaté and his band. Mixing the traditional griot traditions from his native Mali and modern rhythms, instruments, and sounds, Diabaté and his band are sure to get you moving. Expand your horizons before heading our for a night on the town. (BH) Photo from Facebook event page
Saturday, September 21st
Check out Prairie Gardens Fall Festival, Prairie Gardens, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., prices vary
The garden store does this every year, and it’s a family-friendly way to get some home and garden shopping done while entertaining the children. There will be pony rides, a petting zoo, face painting, and a straw maze, as well as food trucks (Dragon Fire, Sidney Dairy Barn, Weiner Wagon, Wayne’s Kettle Corn). More info is available on the Prairie Gardens website. (JH)
Get your game on, Orpheum Children’s Museum, 10 a.m. to 10 p.m., prices vary
Tabletop Central is a new gaming convention that will be held this Saturday at the Orpheum Children’s Science Museum. The inaugural event invites anyone with an interest in board and card games and RPGs (role playing games) to join in. The convention will offer a board game library with over 200 different games, raffles, and gaming events. Registration is currently only available for day-of and a complete schedule can be found here. (SP) Photo from Facebook page
Shop for handmade jewelry (and yummy treats) at the Autumn Pop-Up Shop, Hopscotch, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., prices vary
Local jewerly artist Crystal Hartman will be showcasing, and selling, her gorgeous handmade jewelry and artwork at Hopscotch this Saturday. Hartman’s unique botanical, sculptural jewelry is first carved in local beeswax and then cast into recycled silver, bronze, and gold; which makes it green as well as gorgeous. So treat yourself or a friend to something pretty, and save money for some of those glorious baked goods and beverages we’ll all been eyeing on Hopscotch’s Insta. (DD) Photo from Facebook event page
Uptown Concrete Cornhole tournament, Loose Cobra/Uptown Concrete in Tolono, 1-6 p.m., $30 per team
The second annual cornhole tournament — or bags, depending on what you are used to calling it — is taking place this Saturday in Tolono south of C-U. Triptych will have beer on site for sipping, and La Paloma Food Truck will be there serving up tacos. Grab a partner and enter. If you’re interested in just hangin’, that’s all good too. There will be DJs, live music, and more afterwards from 6-8 p.m. (PS)
Experience BELONGING(S), Urbana Free Library, 3 to 5 p.m., free
Celebrate the stories of immigrants in our community by taking in the latest Artists of the Corrider exhibition, BELONGING(S), a collection of photography, short stories, and artifacts from local immigrants. At 3 p.m. there will be a ceremony honoring the Immigrant Welcome Awards recipients, and there will be food, music, kids’ activities, and more, then you’re invited to explore the new exhibit. (JM) Photo from Facebook event
Attend the Artisan Cup & Fork, Bluestem Hall, Urbana, 6 to 9 p.m., $75
The fourth annual fundraiser for The Land Connection will feature six chefs paired with local/regional farmers. The results are six dishes featuring locally sourced meat, produce, grains, and dairy. It’s a great way to support a fantastic organization and eat some fancy food. Ticket information is available here. (JH) Top photo by Brittany Busboom
Visit Drytown, A Living Room Vaudeville, Krannert Center for the Performing Arts, 7:30 p.m., tickets range from $10 to $60
Join musical power couple Nathan and Julie Gunn for a look back at Drytown, California, the gold-mining-town-turned-summer-theatre-destination where Julie grew up, and where she and her family would join the Claypippers performance troupe. The Gunns will share a “living-room style cabaret” that features music and storytelling. Club-style seating is first-come, first served. Bar service and snacks available during the performance. (DD)
Leslie Stevens, The Bashful Youngens, Emily Anne, Rose Bowl Tavern, 9 p.m., $10-$13
Los Angeles singer-songwriter Leslie Stevens recently released her album Sinner, and this is one of the first dates you’ll be able to catch her on post-album release. She’s joined by local staple The Bashful Youngens, as well as Emily Anne Band, at the cozy Rose Bowl on Saturday night. (PS) Leslie Stevens (top) photo by Julia Brokaw, The Bashful Youngens (bottom) photo by Anna Longworth
Sunday, September 22nd
All Africa soccer game, U of I turf fields at Stadium and First, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., free
The University of Illinois Center for African Studies is hosting the 2nd annual All Africa Soccer Game(s) on Sunday, and all soccer fans and players are welcome to come watch and/or play. They are breaking up the games by age…so 18 and under players will play between 11 and noon, over 18 players will play from noon to 1, then the 1-2 p.m. games will be an all ages free-for-all. (JM)
Attend the grand opening of The Yellow Canary Cafe, Lincoln Square Mall food court, 11 a.m. to 6 p.m., prices vary
This new eatery will feature soul food, and from the images I’ve seen on Instagram, I’m excited to give it a try. The ribbon cutting is at 11 a.m., and food service begins at noon. Grab a friend and bring your appetite. (JH) Photo from Facebook event page
Get some drinks, play trivia, yada yada yada, Barrelhouse 34, 7 to 9 p.m., prices vary
I know I am not alone in saying I grew up watching Seinfeld almost nightly, and with the buzz over Netflix acquiring the streaming rights to the beloved show, it is clear Seinfeld’s popularity has not waned since its original run. Test your Seinfeld knowledge this Sunday at Barrelhouse 34 as they host this themed trivia night. Teams of 4 are available for $10 and seating without a reservation is $5/person the night of the event (available seats not guaranteed). Email TwinCityTivia@gmail.com to reserve your table. (SP)
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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.