Friday, April 29th
Try a BBQ chicken pizza from Flour and Fire, Downtown Champaign, 11 to 1:30 p.m., $12
The pizza food truck will be parked in Downtown Champaign for lunch on Friday, and the BBQ chicken pizza is the pizza to try. The BBQ chicken pizza has smoked chicken, bacon, and cheese over a barbecue sauce base with a swirl of cool ranch on top. Read what Nina thought about this pizza and three others in her review of the pizza truck this week. (AB)
Photo by Steve J. Sherman.
Attend a unique, interactive concert, Independent Media Center, 5:30 p.m., free
Theremin player Rob Schwimmer is bringing an interactive performance to the IMC this Friday. He also performs the Haken Continuum, an instrument created by Dr. Lippold Haken, a professor of Electrical and Computer Engineering at the University of Illinois. This will be a truly unique concert, with instruments that you won’t see every day. (SW)
Enjoy the Dance at Illinois Senior Dance Concert, Krannert Center Dance Rehearsal Space (Room 2500), 7 p.m., free
Experience the work of Dance at Illinois graduating seniors live and in person.The concert will feature choreography from Jordan Brookins, Kennedy Cowan, Hélena Gorgo, Nia Khan, Alex Kinard, and Elyana London. (DD)
Saturday, April 30th
Music for a cause, Rose Bowl Tavern, 1 p.m., donations enouraged
The Rose Bowl is hosting a benefit concert, organized by the Slavic Reference Service who is partnering with Doctors Without Borders. The event will feature a lineup of local musicians, with the goal of raising money to help support relief efforts in conflict areas such as Ukraine, Afghanistan, Yemen, and more. (SW)
Screenshot detail from the Facebook event page.
Check out the UIUC Student Film Festival, Spurlock Museum, 5 to 9 p.m., free
Screen student films and TikToks, and listen to panel discussions about those films. There will be door prizes and a food truck, so grab a friend and check out what the U of I students have been making. Doors are at 5 p.m.; the screenings start at 6 p.m. The event is sponsored by the Department of Media and Cinema Studies. (JH)
Photo still from the trailer, taken from the Station Theatre Facebook page.
Join the opening weekend crowd for Borderline, Station Theatre, 7:30 p.m., $10 – $15
In a recent SPlog, Michael noted that Andrew Siañez de-la O’s Borderline blends “the mythical stories of old with issues at the border of the United States and Mexico.” A compelling example of the Celebration Company’s commitment to diverse narratives, you can check out the trailer here. (DD)
Have a few laughs, Lodgic Everyday Community, 8 p.m., $20-125
Sometime we just need to laugh in the face of all the stress and despair, right? Hangover Comedy is offering just the thing. The Hangover Comedy Jam features headliner Chris Harvey, with opening acts Ray Hensley and special guest Shorty Doo Wop. Jessie Tuttle headlines the event. There will be a cash/credit bar and light snacks. (JM)
Sunday, May 1st
Work on mindfulness with Mandala, Soul Care Urban Retreat Center, 1 to 3 p.m., $40
Once a month through July, Soul Care is offering a Mandala Art PLAYshop. According to their website, you’ll “learn how to practice mindfulness, tap into your healing through art & creativity, and deepen your connection with yourself through movement, meditation, and floorwork.” You’ll also leave with activities for practice at home. (JM)
Photo by Alyssa Buckley.
Grab a French martini and swing dance, Hamilton Walker’s, 7 to 9 p.m., $10
The Illini Swing Society is hosting a swing dance on Sunday night at Hamilton Walker’s. There’s no cover for the event, but dancers are encouraged to order food and drinks from the Downtown Champaign steakhouse. Made with vodka, pineapple juice, and Chambord, this cocktail is my absolute favorite cocktail at HW’s. If you’re there for the dance, give the French martini a try. (AB)
Screenshot from the KCPA website.
Attend Christian McBride’s Movement Revisited program, KCPA, 7:30 p.m., $15-$25
Christian McBride is a seven-time Grammy award winner, the Artistic Director of the historic Newport Jazz Festival and the TD James Moody Jazz Festival, Co-Artistic Director of the National Jazz Museum in Harlem, and Artistic Advisor of the New Jersey Performing Arts Center. He’s a big deal. He’ll be performing with local musicians, including the U of I Concert Jazz Band, narrators, and a community choir. McBride is a big deal, and this show will be incredible. Get your tickets online. (JH)
Top photo by Julie McClure.
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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.