Champaign Urbana Ballet Presents The Nutcracker: A Behind-the-Scenes Look with IPM News

Champaign Urbana Ballet Presents The Nutcracker: A Behind-the-Scenes Look with IPM News

As the holiday season approaches, the Nutcracker ballet takes center stage in Champaign Urbana. Illinois Public Media’s Kimberly Schofield and Owen Henderson sat down with Kay Greene, the Executive Director of the CU Ballet, and Kevin Burnside, a lead soloist, to talk about this year’s production. They discussed what goes into making this classic ballet…

‘Woman Warrior’ Unveils Four Generations of Japanese American History in Illinois
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‘Woman Warrior’ Unveils Four Generations of Japanese American History in Illinois

URBANA —The Spurlock Museum in Urbana will host a one-woman show on December 2, following its successful run in Chicago. This performance delves into the Japanese-American experience in Illinois, spanning four generations. Connie Shirakawa, the creator and performer of ‘Woman Warrior,’ initially believed she had no stories to share. However, as she delved into the…

Here’s where to find tree-lighting ceremonies around central Illinois
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Here’s where to find tree-lighting ceremonies around central Illinois

CHAMPAIGN — As the holiday season approaches, many towns and cities are gearing up for their annual Christmas tree-lighting ceremonies. From Danville to Charleston, there are plenty of events to choose from. Here are some of the upcoming events: Danville’s Lighting of the Old Oak Tree: The Danville Girls Chorus, the San Ramon Valley High…

WILL Call: What’s happening in Champaign-Urbana Nov. 16-19

WILL Call: What’s happening in Champaign-Urbana Nov. 16-19

“12 Angry Jurors” at Centennial High School, Champaign Date & Time: Evening Performances: November 16th, 17th, and 18th at 7 p.m. | Matinee: Sunday, November 19th at 2 p.m. Details: A play about 12 ordinary people deliberating on the guilt or innocence of a young man accused of murdering his father. Based on the 1950s…

WILL Call: What’s happening in Champaign-Urbana Nov. 9-11

WILL Call: What’s happening in Champaign-Urbana Nov. 9-11

Thursday, November 9 25th Annual Salute to Veterans Concert at Danville High School in Danville Time: 6 p.m. at the DHS auditorium. Details: Join the DHS Music Department for a night of music and honor. Performances by the Wind Ensemble, Orchestra, and Madrigals will be featured. A special Armed Forces Salute will recognize each military…

WILL Call: What’s happening in Champaign-Urbana Nov. 2-5

WILL Call: What’s happening in Champaign-Urbana Nov. 2-5

  Thursday, November 2 Roald Dahl’s Willy Wonka Jr. presented by Champaign Park District Youth Theatre at the Virginia Theatre in Champaign November 2nd and 3rd at 7PM November 4th at 12pm and 7pm Musical WROL (Without Rule of Law) at Station Theatre in Urbana 730p, continues through November 5th OH interview, KJS saw Friday,…

1920s roar to life in Lippa musical’s ‘wild, wild party’ at Krannert Center

1920s roar to life in Lippa musical’s ‘wild, wild party’ at Krannert Center

URBANA — Prohibition-Era decadence dominates the stage in Andrew Lippa’s musical “The Wild Party,” as attendees flirt, dance and fight in a debaucherous celebration hosted by the tempestuous couple Queenie and Burrs. IPM reporter Owen Henderson spoke with Danny Yoerges and Rachel Rizzuto, the husband and wife team directing the show, about Lyric Theatre at…

Student filmmaker sheds light on influential Illinois politician in new documentary
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Student filmmaker sheds light on influential Illinois politician in new documentary

DANVILLE — “Uncle Joe Cannon” is a student-produced documentary that revisits the life of a prominent 19th-century Illinois politician. Joseph Cannon spent 46 years in the U.S. House of Representatives representing Illinois — including eight years as Speaker of the House. Even when he led the Republican Party for years, he made it a point…

WILL Call: What’s happening in Champaign-Urbana Oct. 26-31

WILL Call: What’s happening in Champaign-Urbana Oct. 26-31

Look below for information on arts and entertainment around central Illinois. Listen to Kimberly Schofield and Owen Henderson 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, October 26 CU Jazz Festival…everywhere all weekend Opening night party at Krannert…

Celebrating ’90s Hip-Hop on stage in Urbana – a deep dive with director Aaron Muñoz

Celebrating ’90s Hip-Hop on stage in Urbana – a deep dive with director Aaron Muñoz

Urbana – The Realness: a break beat play is a theatrical production focusing on 90s hip-hop culture, set to be staged this November in Urbana. Directed by Aaron Muñoz and organized by Illinois Theatre, the play aims to represent the stories and experiences of this era in hip-hop. The Realness: a break beat play. opens…

Station Theatre’s ‘WROL (Without Rule of Law)’ spotlights preteens’ hopes and fears during societal collapse.

Station Theatre’s ‘WROL (Without Rule of Law)’ spotlights preteens’ hopes and fears during societal collapse.

URBANA — A play described as a combination of children’s author Judy Blume and the movie “Rambo” opens at the Station Theatre in Urbana tomorrow night, Oct. 26.  “WROL (Without Rule of Law)” by Michaela Jeffery focuses on a group of eighth-grade girls who have lost trust that adults know how to run the world….

More than half of non-Spanish-speaking U.S. Latinos have been shamed, a recent study finds
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More than half of non-Spanish-speaking U.S. Latinos have been shamed, a recent study finds

  More than half of non-Spanish-speaking Latinos in the U.S. say they’ve been shamed by other Latinos for not speaking the language, according to a recent study from the Pew Research Center. The survey aimed to gain insights into U.S. Hispanics’ perspectives on the Spanish language. It included over 3,000 adults from around the nation and…

Three photos comprise the image. On the left, a white man in a suit and tie plays an upright bass. In the middle, a man in a fedora is silhouetted in profile, playing the tenor saxophone. On the right, a Black man wears a blazer and plays the alto saxophone.
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CU Jazz Festival to honor local legend Morgan Powell with special performance by close friends

URBANA — The ninth CU Jazz Festival takes place this weekend with a variety of shows and events around Champaign-Urbana. One of those performances will celebrate the memory of a local jazz legend this weekend. Morgan Powell, a former professor at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign School of Music, was revered as a trombonist in the…

RENT takes the stage in downtown Champaign: Illinois Theatre explores relevance of iconic musical in contemporary times

RENT takes the stage in downtown Champaign: Illinois Theatre explores relevance of iconic musical in contemporary times

Champaign – With the Colwell Playhouse under construction at the Krannert Center for the Performing Arts, Illinois Theatre’s fall production of ‘RENT’ will take the stage at the Virginia Theatre. IPM’s Owen Henderson and Morning Edition host Kimberly Schofield had the opportunity to sit down with the show’s director, Lisa Gaye Dixon, and music director,…