From an afternoon with the Philharmonia Orchestra to Chappell Roan night, Champaign-Urbana has it all. The sprawling community is home to many venues hosting a wide array of entertainment options.
Luckily, you don’t have to look too far to find the right place for you.
The Krannert Center for the Performing Arts is located at the heart of campus and is known for its varied show and performance offerings.
Julieanne Ehre, assistant director for programming and engagement, shared how KCPA works to cater to University students.
“We’re bringing major artists from around the world to Champaign-Urbana, so students have the opportunity to see world-class artists performing here,” Ehre said.
Get The Daily Illini in your inbox!
Recently, KCPA has brought in well-known acts like Mandy Patinkin and hosted the more local Champaign-Urbana Symphony Orchestra, showing there’s an event for everyone.
However, Ehre said that it’s not just about the professionals. KCPA is home to student shows, too. Choirs, theater and dance are all present.
“In past years, the students of the Krannert Center Student Association have organized an event called ‘Push4Art’ that theyʼve done thatʼs been really fun,” Ehre said. “They also can advise us on what programming would appeal to students.”
There are options beyond traditional venues as well. Urbana hosts a huge alternative music scene, with house shows offering a more intimate and laid-back environment.
These venues are known for featuring indie artists and student performers, and most are student-run — like the recently opened Grandma’s House.
Joya Weissman, junior in LAS and Social Work and co-founder, shared how Grandma’s House began.
“While we all love the punk atmosphere of the other houses, we wanted to create a space where people who hadn’t been to a show before or who wanted something calmer could still enjoy live music,” Weissman said.
Another founder, Julia Spainhour, junior in ACES, highlighted the diversity of venues in the C-U area.
“I appreciate that each venue has its own unique vibe, while still carrying that irreplaceable feeling of an Urbana house show,” Spainhour said. “We are also big fans of music venues in the area that aren’t house shows, including Rose Bowl Tavern, Canopy Club and the City Center.”
House shows have become a staple of Urbana culture. Even newer Illini are drawn to these spaces, like Alyssa Thomas, freshman in Media.
“Urbana has always been so special to me because of the musical culture it has,” Thomas said. “And you meet the coolest people ever when you are out around Urbana.”
For other students, these entertainment venues across campus are also canvases of self-expression. Tony An, junior in Information Sciences, shared his experience as a performer.
As a member of two bands and the University Chorus, An had the chance to be on stage at both venues. He’s sung in KCPA’s Foellinger Great Hall at the annual Carol Concert and performed at The Canopy Club.
“The music culture here — it’s great,” An said. “Krannert always has really interesting shows going on.”
That inclusive spirit is also found at The Canopy Club, a multipurpose venue close to the Main Quad, where An performed with his band Sadless.
“(The Canopy Club is) really good for live music, for DJ, for parties, that kind of thing,” An said. “And they’re definitely the best venue in this area. They have really good lighting; they have really good sound tech — just everything.”
Attending music shows or performances can be a great way to make connections and have fun at the same time.
This was the case for Jennifer Yañez, junior in Media, who transferred from a Chicago community college this spring. She found her social rhythm through The Canopy Club and KCPA almost right away.
“For Canopy, I thought it’d be more like a bar, but it’s not — it’s live music, it feels like a concert,” Yañez said. “It’s always themed too, which I love.”
Yañez discovered KCPA through a Lunar New Year event she attended with the GLOBE program.
“It was very cool,” Yañez said. “They had dancers, musicians. It was like a two-hour event. I didn’t know we had that kind of venue here.”
Yañez recommends both venues for students who enjoy live music and want to step beyond college bars.
“If you like dancing and concerts, go to Canopy,” Yañez said. “For more variety — music, galleries, performances — Krannert has it all.”
KCPA also often offers student tickets for $10 or less for certain performances, and many events are free. Its open lobby and on-site café make it a natural hangout spot between classes. Ehre emphasized that student involvement is central to KCPA’s mission.
“It’s so important because, actually, the students just voted to renew the fee that goes to Krannert Center to help support our programming here,” Ehre said.
Lastly, she emphasized how places like KCPA are trying to draw in more students with their programming.
“Everyone’s so busy and caught up in their own thing, but this is such a great resource to take advantage of, and everybody is welcome here,” Ehre said. “We really want to make sure that all students feel that Krannert Center is a cultural home for them.”
You’ll find your place in the crowd. C-U’s venues match every student’s beat, no matter how unique.
