WHAT: AC Slater, Mielo, Krucial, Jay Lugz
WHERE: The Canopy Club ($13)
WHEN: Wednesday, December 2nd at 9 p.m.
I know – being back to work or school after Thanksgiving is a bit of a letdown. By the time Wednesday comes, it’s a struggle to have any energy left at all. Luckily, Canopy has you covered this week with all the EDM your heart desired to cure the post-Thanksgiving blues.
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WHAT: The Phantom Broadcast, Vaya, Feral States, Fiona Kimble
WHERE: Mike N Molly’s ($7)
WHEN: Thursday, December 3rd at 7:30 p.m.
The Phantom Broadcast have been buzzing lately, including an album release show a couple of weeks ago at The Canopy. This week, they’re back with another headliner – this time in Downtown Champaign. Openers Feral States are also one of the most unique bands C-U has to offer, so make sure you get there on time to catch them.
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WHAT: The Masquerade
WHERE: The Canopy Club ($5)
WHEN: Thursday, December 3rd at 9:00 p.m.
If Wednesday’s cover at Canopy is steep, might I interest you in a cheaper option on Thursday? Dancing, of course, is still included.
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WHAT: UI Wind Orchestra
WHERE: Krannert Center: Foellinger Great Hall ($4-$10)
WHEN: Thursday, December 3rd at 7:30 p.m.
One of the School of Music’s most impressive orchestras, the UI Wind Orchestra is set to take the stage on Thursday at Krannert. For $10 and endless culture, you really can’t beat having Krannert in your back yard.
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WHAT: Flash Back Friday: Hip-hop happy hour and live arts showcase
WHERE: The Canopy Club ($7 after 10 PM)
WHEN: Friday, December 4th at 9 p.m.
Though I don’t recognize any names on this lineup as local emcees, seeing hip-hop at Canopy on a Friday night always makes me happy and is more-than-likely worth checking out. Especially when it’s free before 10 PM.
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WHAT: Sammy Kershaw
WHERE: The City Center ($20)
WHEN: Friday, December 4th at 7:00 p.m.
For the more twang-inclined, Sammy Kershaw will be at The City Center at Fat City on Friday. Doors open at 7 with a DJ to precede the music, so come out early and have a few beers before Kershaw destroys the stage.
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WHAT: Coco Butter Kids
WHERE: The Iron Post
WHEN: Friday, December 4th at 8:00 p.m.
I don’t know much about Coco Butter Kids, admittedly, and I also can find very little about this show online. But I do like this song by Chance The Rapper that’s almost identical, so they are definitely connecting with me on some level.
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WHAT: The Dirt Poor, Barking Cat, The Inn Keepers
WHERE: Mike N Molly’s ($7)
WHEN: Saturday, December 5th at 9:00 p.m.
The Dirt Poor are fairly established locally, and will certainly bring an exciting set to Mike N Molly’s, but what I’m also excited about is the inclusion of The Inn Keepers on this bill. This semester, they’ve solidified a memorable spot in the sea of Champaign-Urbana bands. This Saturday is the night to see why.
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WHAT: UI Concert Jazz Band
WHERE: Krannert Center: Studio Theatre ($4-$10)
WHEN: Friday, December 4th at 7:30 p.m.
Much like the UI Wind Symphony, the UI Concert Jazz Band is one of the foremost ensembles in the country right now. Plus, they’ll be playing in the immensely-intimate Studio Theatre.
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WHAT: The Claudettes, Chachi + The Bandidos
WHERE: The Iron Post
WHEN: Saturday, December 5th at 9:00 p.m.
Chachi and The Bandidos were set to win the Champaign-Urbana band basketball tournament in may before a gnarly injury took out an integral player. If they’re as awesome at music as they are on the court (spoiler: they are), this show should be really cool in the intimate confines of The Iron Post.
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WHAT: Decadents
WHERE: Cowboy Monkey ($5)
WHEN: Saturday, December 5th at 9 p.m.
Whether you’re an established fan, someone who has seen Decadents has been performing fairly consistently around town, or just recognize their frontman as that guy from sports talk radio in C-U, Decadents has probably crossed your understanding of the C-U live musical lexicon at one point or another. This Saturday, they’re dropping their third album, Hard Folk, which, by name alone, should be enough to pique your interest.
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WHAT: Sinfonia Da Camera: Messiah and Mozart
WHERE: Krannert Center: Foellinger Great Hall ($39-$40)
WHEN: Saturday, December 5th at 7:30 p.m.
Need to get in the holiday spirit? Is there a better way than Sinfonia da Camera at Krannert this weekend? The answer is no. There’s not a better way.
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WHAT: Annual Carol Concert 2015
WHERE: Krannert Center: Foellinger Great Hall ($4-$10)
WHEN: Sunday, December 6th at 3:00 p.m.
If for some reason you can’t catch Sinfonia da Camera (though you totally should), Krannert is also hosting its annual Carol Concert on Sunday afternoon, in a very rare, non-night component of this week’s Overture.