Around Town - April 2024

Chasing Tornadoes: It’s Not What You Think! at Parkland College
       Date & Time: Friday, April 5, 7:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.
       Location: Planetarium, Parkland College, Champaign
       Details: Learn about tornadoes with meteorologist Andrew Pritchard. Tickets $2 at the door.  Part of the Kaler Lecture Series.

Hip-Hop Orchestra at Bloomington Center for the Performing Arts
       Date & Time: Friday, April 5, 7:30 p.m.
       Location: Bloomington Center for the Performing Arts, Bloomington
       Details: Experience Thee Phantom & the Illharmonic Orchestra, combining the energy of Hip-Hop with live orchestral accompaniment.

Yo-Yo Ma and Kathryn Stott at Krannert Center for the Performing Arts
        Date & Time: Saturday, April 6, 7:30 p.m.
        Location: Krannert Center for the Performing Arts, Urbana
        Details: Enjoy a concert featuring cellist Yo-Yo Ma and classical pianist Kathryn Stott.

Nurtured in Nature: Spring BIPOC Hiking Event
        Date & Time: Sunday, April 7, 11:00 a.m.
        Location: Homer Lake’s Salt Fork Center, Homer
        Details: Join Black people outside for a guided spring hike. Free event with extended trail options.

National Library Week at Champaign Public Library
        Date & Time: Sunday, April 7, 12:00 p.m.
        Location: Champaign Public Library
        Details: Kick-off National Library Week with a variety of events including free tax help, storytimes, tours, and more. Show your library card for free MTD rides from 4/7-4/13.

Eclipse Viewing Party
       Date & Time: Monday, April 8, 12:30 p.m.
       Locations: Urbana Free Library and Champaign Public Library, Effingham Performance Center   

Hip-Hop Orchestra at Bloomington Center for the Performing Arts
       Date & Time: Friday, April 5, 7:30 p.m.
       Location: Bloomington Center for the Performing Arts, Bloomington
       Details: Experience Thee Phantom & the Illharmonic Orchestra, combining the energy of Hip-Hop with live orchestral accompaniment.

Crafty Adults | Blackout Poetry
        Date & Time: Wednesday, April 10, 6:00 p.m.
        Location: Champaign Public Library
        Details: The Rare Book and Manuscript Library will be at the library to discuss blackout poetry and the Gwendolyn Brooks poetry collection. 

Cultivating Community Through Arts - Boneyard Arts Festival Opening Reception
        Date & Time: Sunday, April 7, 4:00 p.m.
        Location: Urbana Free Library
        Details: Sponsored by the CU BIPOC Arts Collective

A.I.M. by Kyle Abraham Presents Repertory Works
        Date & Time: Friday, April 12, 7:30 p.m.
        Location: Krannert Center for Performing Arts, Urbana
        Details: MacArthur "Genius" award-winner Kyle Abraham brings his unique choreography and internationally renowned dance company, A.I.M, to perform a repertory of new works.

University of Illinois Black Chorus Moms Day Concert
        Date & Time: Saturday, April 13, 7:30 p.m.
        Location: Foellinger Great Hall, Urbana
        Details: Kick-off National Library Week with a variety of events including free tax help, storytimes, tours, and more. Show your library card for free MTD rides from 4/7-4/13.

Celebration of Life for William Patterson
        Date & Time: Sunday, April 14, 3:00 p.m.
        Location: Krannert Center for Performing Arts, Urbana
        Details: The public is invited to remember the Urbana native and STEM educator who passed away unexpectedly in early April.

Joy is Our Superpower: Healing and Therapy with Communities of Color
        Date & Time: Tuesday, April 16, 11:00 a.m.
        Details: Dr. Hector Adames and Dr. Nayeli Chavez-Dueñas will be presenting a public Zoom lecture. Click here for more information.

OPEN MIKE EAGLE w/ $imba P & A$AVV
        Date & Time: Friday, April 19, 9:00 p.m.
        Location: Canopy Club 708 S. Goodwin Ave., Urbana 

Cultural talk featuring US poet laureate Joy Harjo, a member of the Muscogee Creek Nation and Jenny L Davis, professor of American Indian Studies and Anthropology.
        Date & Time: Tuesday, April 23, 7:30 p.m.
        Location: Krannert Center for Performing Arts, Urbana

College of Music Jazz Ensemble Concerts
        Date & Time: April 23-30, 7:30 p.m.
        Location: Krannert Center for Performing Arts, Studio Theatre Urbana
        Details: Nightly concerts including jazz trombone, guitar, Latin, Brazilian and vocal performances. Click here for more information.