WILL Call: What’s Happening in Central Illinois Aug. 21 – Aug. 27

People on tractors and golf carts in a field.
The Half Century of Progress Farm Show features vintage farming demonstrations and runs this Thursday through Sunday.


Listen to Kimberly Schofield and Steve Morck talk about weekend events on IPM News AM 580 and FM 90.9 – Wednesdays at 6:45 and 8:45 a.m., and Thursdays at 5:44 p.m.

Thursday, August 21

Parkland Theatre Audition Workshop
Time: 
6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.
Location: Harold and Jean Miner Theatre, Parkland College, Champaign, IL
Details: Hear from acting instructors Mike O’Brien and Amy Stoch during this two-hour workshop for tips on audition etiquette and preparation. This free event is open to the community.
https://shorturl.at/9FNch

Jazz Explorations w/ Multimedia Projections
Time: 
8:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m.
Location: Gallery Art Bar, Urbana, IL
Details: Listen and view musicianship and artistry in the beer garden.
https://www.facebook.com/events/751746234453022

Friday, August 22

Half Century of Progress Farm Show
Time:
7:00 a.m.
Location:
Rantoul National Aviation Center, Rantoul, IL
Details:
Experience what farming and agriculture was like 50 years ago and beyond, including field demonstrations, a daily parade, tractor pull and more. Kicked off Thursday morning, runs through Sunday, Aug. 24.
https://www.halfcenturyofprogress.com/schedule.html

Mahomet Music Festival
Time:
5:00 p.m.
Location: Main St, Downtown Mahomet, IL
Details: Two-day festival featuring live music, including Paxton native Gina Miles, the winner of The Voice Season 23, food and more. Also on Saturday, Aug. 23 at 9:00 a.m.
http://mahometmusicfest.com

Saturday, August 23

Dump & Run: BIG SALE
Time: 8:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.
Location: Stock Pavilion, Urbana, IL
Details: Presented by the YMCA, shop the community recycling program and one of the largest garage sales in the Champaign-Urbana area. Also on Sunday, August 24 at 11:00 a.m. Visit website for admission costs and the “free sale” event information.
http://universityymca.org/dump_and_run

Moon Over Buffalo Auditions
Time: 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Location: Harold and Jean Miner Theatre, Parkland College, Champaign, IL
Details: Auditions for this comedic play where much goes wrong on and off stage. Performances begin November 6.
https://www.parkland.edu/Audience/

SOAR Open House
Time:
2:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.
Location:
Defy Gravity, Lincoln Square Mall, Urbana, IL
Details:
Parents and kids can explore the fitness studio and try moves on aerial apparatuses with instructors.
http://defygravitycu.com

The ILLIAC
Time: 3:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.
Location: Hessel Park, Champaign, IL
Details: Celebrate the end of summer and the start of the new semester at UIUC with live music, including Sinfonia da Camera, The Marching Illini, The Soul Syndicate, and Bandoneon Massacre.
http://theilliac.com

Sweetcorn Festival
Time: 12:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.
Location: Riggs Beer Company, Urbana, IL
Details: Enjoy boiled sweetcorn that’s grown right next to the brewery, buy some to take home and listen to live music. Also on Sunday, August 24 at 12:00 p.m.
https://www.riggsbeer.com/calendar/

Sunday, August 24

Quad Day After Party
Time: 4:00 p.m.
Location: The Canopy Club
Details: New UIUC students and the community are welcome to this multi-stage, multi-genre, micro-fest full of music in and around Canopy Club.
https://wl.eventim.us/event/quad-day-after-party/660190?afflky=CanopyClub

Squeezebox Sunday
Time: 3:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.
Location: Rose Bowl Tavern, Urbana, IL
Details: The 4th annual fundraiser for CU Folk & Roots Festival, including four bands with accordions, a big yard sale and no cover.
https://rosebowltavern.com/

Some of the groups mentioned here may be financial supporters of Illinois Public Media, but they do not influence who is included on this list.

If you have information about upcoming events, email us before Mondays at 8:00 a.m. at will-call@illinois.edu

Kimberly Schofield

Kimberly Schofield is the host of Morning Edition and covers arts and entertainment for Illinois Newsroom. When she is not covering the arts, she is performing in plays and musicals or running the streets of CU.