Community members, U of I students celebrate Carnaval at Krannert

Community members, U of I students celebrate Carnaval at Krannert

URBANA — Wednesday marked the beginning of Lent — a season of fasting, penance and sacrifice.  But before the austerity began, many took part in one last day of excess with food, drink, music and dancing: what’s referred to by some as Fat Tuesday, others as Mardi Gras, and still more as Carnaval. In the…

Graphic for Saturday night's concert

Sinfonia da Camera to perform Beethoven and Dvorak Saturday night

URBANA — Sinfonia da Camera, the chamber orchestra in-residence at the University of Illinois, holds its first concert of the year Saturday night at Krannert Center for the Performing Arts in Urbana. The program will feature two popular 19th century works, Beethoven’s Symphony No. 6 in F major, known as the “pastoral” symphony, and the…

Fred White, drummer for the band Earth, Wind & Fire, has died

Fred White, drummer for the band Earth, Wind & Fire, has died

Fred White, who played drums for the era-defining and genre-defying band Earth, Wind & Fire, has died at the age of 67, his brother and the band announced on social media. “Our family is saddened today with the loss of an amazing and talented family member, our beloved brother Frederick Eugene ‘Freddie’ White,” wrote his…

Holiday displays – including the Satanic Temple’s – return to Illinois Capitol

Holiday displays – including the Satanic Temple’s – return to Illinois Capitol

SPRINGFIELD – The Satanic Temple of Illinois debuted a new display in the Illinois Capitol rotunda Tuesday, taking its place next to the annual Christmas and Hanukkah displays. For Christmas, that means the Springfield Nativity Committee has once again placed a manger scene featuring Mary, Joseph and Jesus. It was dedicated in a Nov. 30…

Plaque dedicated marking the Springfield site of Obama’s presidential announcements
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Plaque dedicated marking the Springfield site of Obama’s presidential announcements

It was fitting that the weather was cold for a ceremony Wednesday, dedicating a plaque that commemorates former President Barack Obama’s key campaign moments at the Old State Capitol in Springfield. Obama launched his White House bid on Feb. 10, 2007. He spoke to thousands who braved freezing temperatures to see and hear the then-U.S….