Friday, April 19th
Help this food writer do some research, your favorite restaurant, all weekend, prices vary
A while back, we asked you for your favorite spicy bites in C-U. There were plenty of broad suggestions — especially Thara Thai — but I’m looking for specific items. Do you have a favorite spicy sandwich? Or drink? Or dessert? Is there something unique that you haven’t seen covered on SP? Let me know: [email protected]. Thanks in advance! (JH) Photo of torta ahogada at Maize by Jessica Hammie
Participate in the Streetfest Against Violence, New Covenant Fellowship, 4 to 7:30 p.m., free
New Covenant Fellowship, in partnership with the Ministerial Alliance of C-U, are hosting the 2nd annual event, aimed at raising awareness about local gun violence issues and those organizations that are tackling those issues. There will be music, speakers, a blood drive, and the CBPB food truck will be there with snacks for sale. (JM)
Go see the Helgesen Quintent at The Iron Post at 5 p.m.
Every Friday, there’s jazz at the Post starting at 5. I went for the first time last week, and it’s well worth the $2 cover. The music is fantastic, the atmosphere is casual and happy (but if you want to dress up no one will make you feel stupid), and you can get a ton of reasonably priced food and drinks there too (menu pics here). This is easily going to become a regular haunt of mine, let’s hang. (NL) Photo from Facebook
iVengan a bailar! at Latin Dance Night, Krannert Center for the Performing Arts Lobby, 9:30 to 11:30 p.m., free (with cash bar)
Dancing is a great way to say TGIF. Join special guest DJ Noize for a night of Reggaeton, bachata, cumbia, salsa, merengue, and more. Can you think of a more inspiring place to dance than the KCPA lobby floor? Parking is free and the drinks at the Stage Bar make for tasty refreshments. (DD)
Saturday, April 20th
Eat a Hopscotch cinnamon roll, Hopscotch Bakery, 7:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., $4 (plus tip your barista please and thanks)
Have you had one of these babies? They are quite the tasty treat. They’re huge enough to share, but also there is no shame in eating one alone. Get there early before they’re sold out. Give it a quick zap in the microwave to warm it up so it is extra gooey. (JH) Photo by Jessica Hammie
Shop, eat, and enjoy the Sakura, Japan House, 11 to 1:30 p.m., free (except for the shopping of course)
Japan House has been on Sakura watch for the past several weeks, and after all of the rain and warm weather there are things happening! To celebrate, they are having a Sakura Viewing Pop-Up this weekend. There will be several local vendors on hand for perusing, and Matcha Cafe will be open and serving some delightful matcha treats. There are scheduled tours at 11 and 12, but the house will be open for browsing the whole time. Be sure to watch our Instagram Story as Japan House will be taking it over for the event. (JM) Top photo from Facebook
Pay tribute to Willie Nelson, Rose Bowl Tavern, 7 p.m.
There are so many options for you to celebrate tonight, and it’s so tempting to make a bunch of bad Willie Nelson lyric jokes here, but in order to maintain the integrity of the music section, I’ll abstain (I’m very brave). Suffice to say, this is the place to be this Saturday night, if you want to see some of your favorite local artists paying tribute to Willie. Come for the music and the free popcorn, stick around after the show for a set by DJ Strick Lee. (NL)
Check out Studiodance II and see what the Dance at Illinois students are up, Krannert Center for Performing Arts, 7:30 p.m. to 9:00 p.m., $10-$17
Some of the most innovative explorations in dance happen right here in our own backyard. Studiodance performances are a great (and affordable) way to experience modern dance and support up-and-coming dancers and choreographers. If you go to the Friday night performance, you can stick around after and show off your own moves at Latin Dance Night at the KCPA Lobby. (DD) Photo from Facebook
Sunday, April 21st
Dine at Golden Harbor, 11:30 a.m. to 3 p.m.; 4:30 to 8:30 p.m., about $22 per person,
It’s Easter, and there are plenty of opportunities to go out for an expensive brunch. But if you do not celebrate or care about this Christian holiday, I propose you avoid those brunch crowds and treat yourself to Golden Harbor. It’ll be about the same price, but you’ll get three times as much food. My new favorite dish is sliced beef stone hot pot with added garlic (9202, add garlic). It’s delicious. (JH) Photo by Jessica Hammie
Go take a walk, after you eat, at your chosen local park or forest preserve, free
After you gorge yourself on Golden Harbor, or brunch, or family dinner, or Reese’s Peanut Butter Eggs, get outside and get some sunshine and exercise. The weather forecast looks to be glorious, so don’t go home and take a nap, take advantage of days like these. They can be rather sporadic during spring months. Luckily, we have numerous options for revelry in the outdoors: Meadowbrook, Homer Lake, Lake of the Woods, Hessel to name a few. Want to bring your doggo along? We gave some good dog walking suggestions in a previous article. Anyway, get out and enjoy. (JM) Photo by Sam Logan
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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.