WILL CALL: What’s Happening in Central Illinois Jan. 22 – Jan. 25
A heavy metal tribute band, a performance with puppets, a musical theatre celebration, and more are all happening in central Illinois this weekend.
-
-
New exhibit showcases Illinois’ role with the Underground Railroad
A new exhibit shares how people in Illinois, including east central Illinois, helped with the Underground Railroad. Journey to Freedom: Illinois’ Underground Railroad runs through March 29.
-
Here are the books Illinois students loved the most in 2025
Every year, Illinois students vote on the Readers’ Choice Awards for the books they loved the most. WNIJ education reporter Peter Medlin spoke with English teacher and award chair Nichole Folkman about the books that won in 2025.
-
Local film competition challenges participants to make a movie in 48 hours
Filmmakers and creatives can participate in Champaign Movie Maker’s 48 Hour Film Competition this weekend.
-
WILL CALL: What’s Happening in Central Illinois Jan. 15 – Jan. 18
A puzzle competition, celebrations of movies, and more are all happening in central Illinois this weekend.
-
WILL CALL: What’s Happening in Central Illinois Jan. 8 – Jan. 11
The Harlem Globetrotters 100 Year Tour, dancing, a screenwriting workshop, and more are all happening in central Illinois this weekend.
-
Corporation for Public Broadcasting votes itself out of existence
Congress acted last summer to defund its operations at the encouragement of President Donald Trump. Its board of directors chose Monday to shutter CPB completely instead of keeping it in existence as a shell.
-
WILL CALL: What’s Happening in Central Illinois Jan. 1 – Jan. 4
Winter runs, ice skating, a one-act play and more are all happening in central Illinois this weekend.
-
WILL CALL: What’s Happening in Central Illinois Dec. 25 – Dec. 28
Live music, dancing, celebrating local community and more are all happening in central Illinois this weekend.
-
WILL CALL: What’s Happening in Central Illinois Dec. 18 – Dec. 21
Winter lights, solstice celebrations, plays and more are all happening in central Illinois this weekend.
-
Affable comedy acting legend Dick Van Dyke turns 100 years old
Van Dyke was born in West Plains, Missouri, in 1925, and grew up “the class clown” in Danville, Illinois, while admiring and imitating the silent film comedians.
-
WILL CALL: What’s Happening in Central Illinois Dec. 11 – Dec. 14
Plays, book signings with authors, winter lights and more are all happening in Central Illinois this week.
-
Hardy’s Reindeer Ranch celebrates 30 years and represents Illinois on Good Morning America
Hardy’s Reindeer Ranch in Rantoul, recently featured on Good Morning America, is celebrating its 30th anniversary this year.
-
WILL CALL: What’s Happening in Central Illinois Dec. 4 – Dec. 7
The Nutcracker ballet, a holiday parade, community dances, and more are all happening in Central Illinois this week.
-
Ebertfest and beyond: How the C-U film sphere moves forward after the loss of a giant
CHAMPAIGN — Ebertfest began in 1999 as a star-studded, red-carpet affair showcasing the overlooked indie film darlings in Hollywood at the Virginia Theatre in Champaign. It continued in that legacy for more than two decades. This fall, Ebertfest organizers said they won’t be coming back – although there’s some discussion of a possible encore in…
