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].
March 1
Education Community Advisory Panel Meeting
5:30-6:30 p.m.
407 E University Ave, Champaign
Free, all ages
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Voice your opinions about education at this meeting. Education Community Advisory Panels will consider any concerns from community members and assist in developing legislation on your behalf.
2018 Oscar Shorts
5 p.m.
The Art Theater, 126 W Church St, Champaign
$6.50-$8.25, PG
Get a glimpse of 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.
You Can’t Take It With You
7-9 p.m. (Mar. 1-2)
Champaign-Urbana Theatre Company, 2400 W. Bradley Ave., Champaign
$12.50, all ages
Champaign-Urbana Theatre Company presents the romance You Can’t Take It With You, directed by Jessica Elliott, to kickstart its 2018 season. Tickets are on sale at http://cutc.org.
Photos for Employees of Illini Media Company
10 a.m. – 7 p.m. (Thursday- Friday), 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. (Saturday), 12-5 p.m. (Sunday)
512 East Green Street, Third Floor, Champaign
Free (for employees only), all ages
Still haven’t got your senior pictures taken, even though you will graduate soon? Get free pictures of yourself. You can both make an appointment or just drop in.
Mindfulness in Leadership
5:30-7:30 p.m.
University of Illinois LGBT Resource Center, 323 Illini Union, 1401 W. Green St, Urbana
Free, all ages
As a leader, it’s important to recognize when you and your team need to re-center, refocus, and reflect. Join the LGBT Resource Center and special guest Araceli Diaz, Assistant Director in La Casa Cultural Latina, for a guided session on mindfulness as a key part of successful leadership practice.
The Get Down
6-7:30 p.m.
Illini Union, 1401 W. Green St, Urbana
Free (for employees only), all ages
This University of Illinois Hip Hop Collective will be performing some original songs from students as well as some covers of your favorite jams. The show is completely free and will take place right in the middle of campus, so grab your friends and come support local artists!
Twelfth Night, Or What You Will
7:30-9 p.m. (Mar. 1-3)
Krannert Center for the Performing Arts, 500 S. Goodwin Ave, Urbana
$10-$25, all ages
Featuring a shipwreck, lost siblings, false identities, gender confusion, and star-crossed love, this production from Illinois Theatre is sure to excite every aficionado of Shakespeare.
March 2
Westview’s International Night
5:30-7:30 p.m.
Westview Elementary School, 703 S Russell St, Champaign
Free, all ages
Set up a table with your ethnicity’s cultural artifacts and informative boards to exhibit your family’s cultural heritage. Performances that represent special regions’ cultures will also be presented.
2018 Gryphon Lecture: For the Love of Harry Potter
7-9 p.m.
The Center for Children’s Books, 501 E Daniel St, Rm 24, Champaign
Free, all ages
Share your obsession with the novel Harry Potter with other fans including Marianne Martens, who will be delivering the 2018 Gryphon lecture, “For the Love of Harry Potter: Growing up with Fan Fiction, Festivals, and Charitable Works.” The event will also be recorded and streamed online at: http://bit.ly/2sJ182C.
Yoga at the Museum
12 p.m.
Champaign Krannert Art Museum and Kinkead Pavilion, 500 E Peabody Dr, Champaign
Free, all ages
These free classes at Krannert teach participants seated and standing poses, breath awareness, and relaxation techniques. Participants should bring their own yoga mats and wear comfortable clothing. Classes are limited to 20 participants on a first-come, first-serve basis.
You-Can Training
12:30-4:30 p.m.
Champaign Public Library, 200 W Green St, Champaign
Free, all ages
Contribute to making safer community by learning the impacts of violence on our community and how to effectively address trauma caused by crimes. This session is open to anyone.
Urbana First Friday: Caribbean Dance Party
5-7 p.m.
Lumen, 142 Lincoln Square, Urbana
$5, all ages
Take a trip to the Islands and come out to After Dark @ Spark to a Family Dance Party! Learn some Latin dance moves with Glow by Lola and create fun crafts and cultural activities with the Spurlock Museum!
LabEscape Anniversary Celebration
5-9 p.m.
LabEscape, 300 S. Broadway 115 A, Urbana
Free, all ages
LabEscape is a non-profit outreach activity of the University of Illinois Department of Physics and is the world’s only science-based Escape Room! There are two exciting scenarios, at both Novice level and a Challenge. There will be lots of cool things to play with in the lobby, free gifts and contests. Come say hello, eat some cake, and test your wits with a free 15-minute escape!
March 3
Insect Petting Zoo
3-3:45 p.m.
Champaign Public Library, 200 W Green St, Champaign
Free, all ages
Dogs are not the only pets that deserve petting. Insects do, too! Get to know fascinating insects from the UIUC Entomology Graduate Student Association.
All Breed Cat Show
10 a.m.-4 p.m. (Mar 3), 9 a.m.-3 p.m. (Mar 4)
Wyndham Garden Hotel, 1001 W. Killarney St, Urbana
$3-$5, all ages
Come see the agility cats compete against the clock in the custom obstacle course. Cats will be available for adoption – but the big attraction are all the pedigreed cats vying for top honors.
Game Night
6-8 p.m.
Espresso Royale Coffee, 1117 W. Oregon St, Urbana
Free, all ages
Join International Illini at Espresso Royale for a game night! Feel free to bring your own games or just show up ready to play. They will be on the upper level at the big table.
Porn and Chicken
9 p.m.
The Canopy Club, 708 S. Goodwin Ave, Urbana
$10-$12, 18+
Transcendent production trio Porn and Chicken erupted into the Chicago scene with their now infamous Monday night Porn and Chicken parties, which feature live music, burlesque, smut, and a chicken wing buffet. Porn and Chicken continue to thrill listeners with their captivating live show, original music production, remixes, and even collaborations with a few EDM icons.
Art+Feminism Wikipedia Edit-a-thon
1-5 p.m.
Link Gallery, 408 E. Peabody Drive, Champaign
Free, all ages
Although Wikipedia has helped you cram for finals, it is a source of irritation for feminists, as it is fraught with severe gender imbalances. Bring your laptop to make changes in articles that only cater to men’s interests and perspectives. Sign up at https://outreachdashboard.wmflabs.org/courses/University_of_Illinois/Art_and_Feminism_Wikipedia_Edit-a-thon,_Urbana-Champaign?enroll=AF%2F
March 4
Sunday Morning Bird Walks
7:30-9 a.m.
Urbana Park District, 505 Stoughton, Urbana
Free, all ages
Birding is an adventure at any age! Walk with Champaign County Audubon Society leaders and search for birds in Busey Woods and Crystal Lake Park. Learn and practice basic bird watching and identification techniques. Meet in the Anita Purves Nature Center parking lot.
Winter Tales: American Indian Storytelling
1-2:15 p.m.
Spurlock Museum, 600 S. Gregory St, Urbana
Free, all ages
The Spurlock Museum invites everyone to its annual Winter Tales concert, a celebration of American Indian storytelling. The 2018 featured teller is SleepyEye LaFromboise of the Sisseton Wahpeton Dakota and Tonawanda Seneca tribes.
