WHAT: Urbana Hootenanny Five Year Anniversary Celebration
WHERE: Rose Bowl (free)
WHEN: Monday, March 20 at 8 p.m.
Every Monday evening, the Rose Bowl hosts their Urbana Hootenanny – an acoustic open stage event with a folk/roots/country theme. The event has been going strong for quite some time and tonight, they’ll celebrate their fifth anniversary. The schedule will switch back and forth between 40-60 minute sets from scheduled artists and 30 minutes of traditional open stage time. Some artists scheduled to perform are Rebecca Rego and Eric Fitts, The Fights, and Dewclaw. Celebrate five years of this staple community event, and maybe do a little strumming yourself.
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WHAT: The Miseducation of Hip Hop: MVMNT with Mother Nature
WHERE: Independent Media Center (free)
WHEN: Friday, March 24 at 6 p.m. (Student showcase is Sunday, March 26 at 2 p.m.)
The IMC have been doing great things lately with their Open Scene youth media arts project. This weekend they’ll bring you MVMNT with Mother Nature, a workshop, concert, and showcase hosted by the women of C-U’s hip-hop powerhouse. Participants will be invited to use their knowledge of hip-hop to create a unique piece of art. Friday will be the initial session and Sunday will be the chance for students of the class to showcase their work. Check out the event page for more information.
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WHAT: Airacobra / Ashland / Jordan and Jill
WHERE: Cowboy Monkey ($7)
WHEN: Friday, March 24 at 9 p.m.
Take in a sort of hodge-podge show in a great way with the outrageous metal licks of Airacobra juxtaposed with the sounds of pop act Ashland and melodic singer-songwriter covers from Jordan and Jill.
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WHAT: Retirement Party with Nectar, Spooky Poo, and Finding Flowers
WHERE: Blips and Chitz ($5 donation for touring bands)
WHEN: Friday, March 24 at 8 p.m.
Chicago band Retirement Party are touring for their January release and local pop-punk act Nectar just dropped an EP. Everyone else on this emo-pop-acoustic bill has released music within the last six months, so this show all around will help keep you flush with fresh tunes.
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WHAT: Matthew Curry
WHERE: The City Center ($10)
WHEN: Saturday, March 25 at 8 p.m.
Bloomington’s Matthew Curry is only 21 years old and has already played alongside the likes of Peter Frampton, The Doobie Brothers, and The Steve Miller Band. His immense talent for the guitar was established very early on, and he was barely 18 when he signed to a solid label and hit the road. He’s brought his blues and rock and roll stylings to all sorts of festivals and has also toured internationally. Suffice it to say that this young star is really one to watch.
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WHAT: MusiCares Fundraiser
WHERE: Cowboy Monkey (donations)
WHEN: Saturday, March 25 at 7 p.m.
This fundraiser show is in the names of Paul Sabuco and Greg Hill, two local musicians who recently passed on. The MusiCares organization helped both of them in their time of need. Several bands will be playing to honor their memory. Visit the page for the full lineup and more information.
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WHAT: Condor & Jaybird / Kowabunga! Kid / Bookmobile / Attic Salt
WHERE: Blips and Chitz ($5 suggested donation for touring bands)
WHEN: Saturday, March 25 at 9 p.m.
A full-force pop punk show is on the menu for Saturday at B&C. Kowabunga! Kid are swinging back through town as they move along with their tour and Bookmobile! are expected to give us a new release this summer. Condor & Jaybird have got a rock and roll feel, and Attic Salt are some of the best pop punk that Springfield has to offer right now.
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WHAT: Charlie King
WHERE: Independent Media Center ($15, student admission $10)
WHEN: Saturday, March 25 at 7 p.m.
Charlie King has always kept humor in mind when crafting his folk music, and he’s been doing it like that for half a century. His musical tales have been told by acts like Pete Seeger and Arlo Guthrie. He’ll be bringing his stories and experience to the IMC to help keep the venue stuffed with great music for the weekend.
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WHAT: We The Animals
WHERE: Champaign Public Library (free)
WHEN: Sunday, March 26 at 2 p.m.
CPL has been shaking things up lately and booking shows that one may not consider “typical” for a library, such as this one, featuring rockers We The Animals. A gig like this with a killer rock band in a new setting in the middle of a Sunday is rare, and it’s free. You’re pretty much required to go.
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WHAT: Twoleggedzoo with Bath Naps, Snayl, and Luke Bergkoetter
WHERE: Blips and Chitz ($5 donation for touring bands)
WHEN: Sunday, March 26 at 8 p.m.
Get ready for a spacey Sunday evening with experimental electronica, ambient, drone, and loop jams, and even a vibraphone set. It’ll get you nice and zen for the week ahead.