The buzz calendar is a compilation of events happening in the Champaign-Urbana area. Follow our top picks every Monday and Thursday for ideas on what to do on any night of the week, from where to eat to what to watch.
Want to submit an event? Email [email protected].
Feb. 22
Jon Ebel Meet & Greet
6-8 p.m.
110 N Neil St, Champaign, IL 61820-4023, United States
Free, 19+
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Join Quality Bar to have drinks and a discussion with Jon Ebel, candidate for Congress in Illinois’ 13th district.
Beyond the Landscape
9 a.m.- 8 p.m. (Feb 22-25)
405 E. John St
Free, all ages
Artists’ Alley at The McKinley Foundation and Presby Hall is proud to present “Beyond the Landscape” an exhibition of paintings and drawings by Lori Fuller. It features acrylic paintings and colored pencil drawings inspired by the natural landscape. This exhibit offers a detailed look at the textures, rhythms, and unique color palette found in nature and examines our interaction with our natural environment.
Trivia Night – Books to Prisoners Fundraiser
7-10 p.m.
Pizza-M, 208 W. Main St, Urbana
$5, all ages
Books to Prisoners is a local nonprofit that gets books into the hands of inmates around Illinois. There will be five rounds of trivia and prizes for first and second place teams, as well as lots of raffle drawings throughout the night! Teams of 6 players or smaller will be eligible for round and overall prizes.
The Cii La’cole Soul Showcase
9 p.m.
The Canopy Club, 708 S. Goodwin Ave, Urbana
$5, 18+
Cii La’Cole is a neosoul artist with a flare of jazz, blues, and gospel. Her music connects with the audience on an emotional and spiritual level. She has taken the stage at The Canopy Club by storm in the past, and if you missed it make sure you check her out this time! This is not a show to miss!
Feb. 23
2018 Oscar Shorts
5 p.m.
The Art Theater, 126 W Church St, Champaign
$6.50-$8.25, PG
Take a glimpse at the Oscar-nominated films and predict which one is going to win. The films featured at the event will include three categories: Animated, Live Action and Documentary.
Art Remastered at KAM
7-9 p.m.
Krannert Art Museum and Kinkead Pavilion 500 E Peabody Dr, Champaign
Free, PG
Six local musicians (CJ Run, Sharon Li, Teddy Lerch, N. M. Garcia, Keegan Gulick and Olivia Tasch) will showcase their musical skills by performing in response to the original artworks exhibited in the museum.
Peruvian Cooking Night: Demo & Tasting
7:30-8:30 p.m.
Asian American Cultural Center, 1210 W Nevada St, Urbana
Free, all ages
Get a taste of authentic Peruvian dishes Causa Limeña and Quinua Atamalada. The tasting will be paired with Peruvian music and the chance to try Peruvian Cajon, a Peruvian percussion instrument. Vegan menus will also be offered.
Den of Thieves
7-9 p.m.
Stock Pavilion, 1402 W. Pennsylvania Ave, Urbana
$5-$7, all ages
Join NRP for our first show of the semester, Den of Thieves! The show is directed by Liam Dwyer and Courtney Cosby.
Girls Next Door
7 p.m.
The Canopy Club, 708 S. Goodwin Ave, Urbana
$6-$10, 18+
Girls Next Door is the University of Illinois’ first female a cappella group. Composed of 13 women, each are diverse in background and interests, but share a passion for music. They perform music from almost every genre, and are compelling and dynamic. They captivate the audience and appeal to people of all ages.
Peruvian Cooking Night: Demo & Tasting
7:30-8:30 p.m.
Asian American Cultural Center, 1210 W. Nevada St, Urbana
Free, all ages
A demonstration will be done on how to prepare two typical Peruvian dishes: Causa Limeña and Quinua Atamalada. During the tasting, there will be Peruvian music and the opportunity to try Peruvian Cajon (a percussion instrument). If you are vegan, a vegan alternative will be offered.
Feb. 24
Give a Little: Benefitting Jubilee Cafe
1-4 p.m.
Exile on Main Street 100 N Chestnut St, Champaign
$5 encouraged, all ages
Listen to music, poetry, and shop for vinyls at Exile on Main Street and hip clothes at Dandelion to help support Jubilee Cafe, a volunteer-based café that caters to college students and local residents with food insecurity.
Queering Faith: poetry, stories, theology
7-9:45 p.m.
UCC Campus Ministry – UIUC, 805 S 6th St., Champaign
Free, all ages
Get yourself engaged in the discussion of the relationship between faith and LGBTQ+ identity, and learn sexual identity is more than the binary of male and female. Register to get a free ticket at https://queeringfaith.eventbrite.com/.
Battle of the Books
11 a.m.-4 p.m.
Champaign Public Library, 200 W Green St, Champaign
Free, all ages
Students in grades 3 to 5 are encouraged to participate in this competition to test their book knowledge. Get copies of the required books at the Douglass Branch and Main Library. Teams for the competition will be decided upon your registration. Every participant will get a prize book. To see the list of Battle books visit: bit.ly/cpl-battle-books-2018-pdf
Land of Lincoln Short Track / Heartland Racing Series #5
12-3 p.m. (Feb 24-25)
University of Illinois Ice Arena, 406 E Armory Ave, Champaign
Free, all ages
Experience the hype for the Pyeongchang Olympics by watching short track matches organized by the 2017-18 Heartland Racing Series, and pay tribute to Bonnie Blair Cruikshank and Katherine Reutter Adamek, Olympic medalists whose hometown is Champaign.
CU 1-to-1 Art Mart Wine Tasting Fundraiser Event
4-6 p.m.
1705 S Prospect Ave, Champaign
Free, all ages
Jazz music, wine tasting and fundraising are all combined at this event. Join this event to support UIUC alumni in their post-secondary schooling with financial insecurity.
27th Annual Alumni-Student Career Conference
9:45 a.m.-8 p.m.
University of Illinois College of Law, 504 E Pennsylvania Ave, Champaign
Free, all ages
Interested in having a career in law? Mingle with members of the College of Law community to get advice from distinguished alumni. Get full details at https://calendars.illinois.edu/detail/5714?eventId=33253131
Owl Prowl for Kids
6-8 p.m.
Anita Purves Nature Center, 1505 N. Broadway Ave, Urbana
$9-$14, all ages
This program is a special opportunity for kids to explore Busey Woods at night in search of wild owls. There will be a short presentation indoors then hit the trails! After the hike, meet the nature center’s resident screech owls, dissect an owl pellet, and warm up with hot cocoa. Dress for wet, cold and slippery conditions. Hikes are on non-paved or boardwalk trails–please no strollers. Register now by calling 217-367-1544 or online at https://apm.activecommunities.com/urbanaparks/Activity_Search/6106.
35th Annual Insect Fear Film Festival
6-11 p.m.
Foellinger Auditorium, 709 S. Mathews Ave, Urbana
Free, all ages
The Department of Entomology is happy to announce the 35th Annual Insect Fear Film Festival. This year’s theme is “Ticks”. Exhibits and activities include exotic insect displays from around the world, the insect petting zoo, balloon insects, face painting, and entries from the annual insect art contest. Art contest awards start at 7 pm and films at 7:30 pm.
Feb. 25
Time Machine: UIUC Student Life
1-3:30 p.m.
Spurlock Museum, 600 S. Gregory St, Urbana
Free, all ages
The Spurlock Time Machine travels through thousands of years of history, and this week is exploring UIUC student life, with a special presentation by Ryan Ross, Coordinator, History and Traditions Programs at Illinois Alumni. The event is co-sponsored by Student Life and Culture Archives and Illinois Alumni.
Big Gigantic
9 p.m.
The Canopy Club, 708 S. Goodwin Ave, Urbana
$32.50, 18+
Big Gigantic is duo based in Boulder, Colorado composed of Dominic Lalli and Jeremy Salken. They play a combination of jazz, hip-hop, funk, and electronic music by bringing together drums and saxophone with electronic beats. They are joined this weekend by Shallou and Shae District.
