Free youth orchestra concert this Sunday in Urbana

Members of the East Central Illinois Youth Orchestra performed at Smith Recital Hall in Urbana during their 2022 Winter Concert. The orchestra will perform again this Sunday.

Photo: PhotoNews Media/Clark Brooks

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URBANA - The East Central Illinois Youth Orchestra will perform its annual Winter Concert this Sunday, Jan. 19, at 7 p.m. at Smith Music Hall on the University of Illinois campus.

Orchestra members are the top classical student instrumentalists in the area. The musicians, who hail from Champaign, Urbana, Mahomet, Monticello, and Danville, go through a rigorous audition process for their chairs.

Sunday's program features the overture to Giuseppe Verdi's opera Nabucco, a medley from the musical Les Misérables, Norwegian Dances by Edvard Grieg, Andante Festivo by Jean Sibelius, and the first movement of Antonín Dvořák's Eighth Symphony.

The CUYO focuses on providing young musicians in the Champaign-Urbana area with opportunities to perform in an orchestral setting. It serves middle school and high school students, offering them a chance to enhance their musical skills, work with experienced conductors, and perform a diverse repertoire of classical and contemporary works.

"This is challenging music for the students, and they’ve worked hard since mid-September to bring it to performance level," Kevin Kelly, music director for the youth orchestra, said. "You will be impressed and entertained!"

Admission to the event is free and begins promptly at 7 p.m. Smith Music Hall is located on the University of Illinois campus at 805 S. Mathews Ave.

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Urbana home to the new Night Market at the Square

Photo: Sentinel/Clark Brooks

A shopper browses earrings at a booth at the Night Market at the Square in the southeast lot at Lincoln Square Mall. Market attendees enjoyed a variety of offerings including chocolates, ice cream, custom pork rinds, and popcorn from vendors, while Samba Soul provided live music entertainment at the free event on Thursday. Night Markets will be held every Thursday for the next five weeks, showcasing local artists, craftsmen, and food vendors. Next week, Panc8s will be the featured band for the event, which is sponsored by The Market and the Urbana Arts and Culture.

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It doesn't get any more DeLIXcious than a Night Market at the Square

Photo: Sentinel/Clark Brooks

Jill Van Voorst, owner of DeLIXcious, talks to customers about her custom-made chocolates at the Night Market at the Square. The Market teamed up with Urbana Arts and Culture to create a new weekly outdoor event from 6 - 9 pm until October 10. While produce vendors will be limited weekly, the event features arts and crafts vendors, food trucks, snack booths, and live music starting at 7 pm every Thursday. Works of art, DeLIXcious' selection included Milk Chocolate Hazelnut, Peanutbutter Salted Caramel, Vanilla Buttercream, Expresso Ganache, and Salted Caramels. The booth will return in two weeks on Thursday, September 19.

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Samba Soul take the stage at Urbana's Night Market

Photo: Sentinel/Clark Brooks

Vivian Felicio performs with Samba Soul at Urbana's first Night Market at the Square at Lincoln Square Mall Thursday evening. Playing select classical Brazilian and contemporary songs from Elis Regina, Joao Gilberto, and other popular Brazilian musical artists, the five-member band entertained over a thousand shoppers and area residents, enjoying the mild weather and outdoor market. In addition to Felicio, the band includes George Turner on guitar, bass player Armand Beaudoin, saxophone player Chip McNeil, and the talented Ricardo Flores on drums. Night Markets will be held every Thursday for the next five weeks. The market will include live music, food trucks, and vendors offering food and artwork. Next week's entertainment features Panc8s.

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Singing the blues

URBANA - Lead singer Ben Jenkins belts out soulful notes while singing with the Wise Guys at the 6th Annual Prairie Crossroads Blues Festival on Saturday. Also appearing on stage during the day were Rory Book and The Volumes, Cobalt Blues Band, and Funky Mojo Daddy. Over 200 music lovers filled the parking lot next to Bunny's Tavern, enjoying Jenkins and his fellow musicians on a beautiful fall day.

Photo: Sentinel/Clark Brooks

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On Stage: Soulja Boy Tell 'Em Big Draco coming to Canopy Club

URBANA - A stop on his The SODMG Tour promoting his latest album release Swag 6, Soulja Boy Tell 'Em Big Draco is set to perform at the Canopy Club on September 27 at 9 pm.

The Urbana show is in the middle of a five-day swing by Soulja Boy that starts in Mechanicsburg, PA, on Tuesday, September 24. The next night he will be in Louisville, followed by a quick stop in Nashville at the Main Stage before his Friday night performance at the Canopy Club. After that, he is on his way to Minneapolis before a two-day schedule break.

Born in Chicago in 1990, DeAndre Cortez Way, July 28, 1990, moved to Atlanta when he was six years old. At the age of 14, he moved to live with his father in Batesville, Mississippi, where he explored and developed his musical chops while building a network of music connections.

The now 34-year-old music veteran performer quickly became a leader, using grassroots social media and digital marketing strategies to grow his popularity. Thanks to several groundbreaking online promotional strategies he pioneered in 2004, Soulja Boy took the next step, moving back to Atlanta, booking live performances, and expanding his network and knowledge of the music business even further.

After hooking up with Atlanta producer Mr. Collipark, also known as DJ Smurf back in the day, he transitioned from a local wunderkind to a hip-hop household name. Under the roof of Interscope and Collipark Music imprint, Soulja Boy Tell Em rose to number one on the pop music charts for seven non-consecutive weeks on the Billboard Hot 100 chart.

“Crank That” is still remembered as a prominent dance song from the 2000s. The cut earned a Grammy nomination for Best Rap Song in 2007. In addition to the Grammy Award nomination, Soulja Boy has earned three BET Awards and four Teen Choice Award nominations.

He also has a platinum album to his credit titled Souljaboytellem.com. Released on March 23, 2007, it peaked at #5 on Billboard 200 and sold 125,000 in the first week. The album was certified Platinum on June 16, 2007, and has sold over 1.5 million copies in the US & over 3.1 million copies worldwide as of May 2008.

Early tickets are on sale now, in advance for $25-29.50. Concertgoers can also buy tickets at the door for $35.

Upcoming Canopy Club shows

K-Squared Presents: CU in the 2000s - Sat, Aug 3 - Canopy Club - More Info

Reign of Z w/ Beautiful Skeletons - Fri, Aug 16 - Canopy Club - More Info

Deeper Purpose - Sat, Sep 7 - Canopy Club - More Info

Slacker University (Fall Fest) - Thu, Sep 12 - Canopy Club - More Info

PYGMALION 2024:
ROYEL OTIS w/ Friko - Thu, Sep 19 - Canopy Club - More Info

PYGMALION 2024
: X AMBASSADORS w/ Rosie Tucker - Fri, Sep 20 - Canopy Club - More Info

PYGMALION 2024
: CupcakKe w/ Queen Key - Sat, Sep 21 - Canopy Club - More Info

Soulja Boy - Fri, Sep 27 - Canopy Club - More Info

Emo Nite - Sat, Sep 28 - Canopy Club - More Info

Andy Frasco & The U.N. - Sun, Oct 6 - Canopy Club - More Info

MARAUDA - Thu, Oct 10 - Canopy Club - More Info

K-Pop Night - Fri, Oct 18 - Canopy Club - More Info

TVBOO - Thu, Nov 14 - Canopy Club - More Info

Riot Ten - Fri, Dec 6 - Canopy Club - More Info

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Youth Orchestra to perform on Sunday

Members of the East Central Illinois Youth Orchestra performed at Smith Recital Hall in Urbana during their Winter Concert 2022. The 2024 concert will be performed this Sunday at 7 p.m. Admission is free.

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URBANA - More than three dozen of the best orchestra students in Champaign-Urbana and the surrounding area will perform at the East Central Illinois Youth Orchestra Winter Concert at Smith Music Hall in Urbana.

"It’s going to be cold on Sunday. What better antidote than an evening of heartwarming music?" asks music director Kevin Kelly. "The talented students of the orchestra have been working hard since mid-September on a challenging and worthy program."

The program starts at 7 p.m. and will include Richard Wagner’s Prelude to the opera Die Meistersinger, Eine kleine Nachtmusik by Mozart, and Sibelius’s Karelia Suite. The orchestra will also perform Johann Strauss Jr.’s Emperor Waltz, and Borodin’s Polovtsian Dances from the opera Prince Igor.

The concert free to the public. Those who wish to make a much appreciated donation can do so through The Conservatory of Central Illinois.

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Jam packed weekend planned for Urbana's Folk & Roots Festival

URBANA - The 15th annual CU Folk & Roots Festival kicks off tomorrow at 5 pm at the Krannert Center for the Performing Arts.

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Louie Pappas plays a saxophone solo during the second set of the Hot Club Urbana's show during the band's rendition of Christmas is Coming in December of 2021. Listen to the entire live performance recorded by Sean Kutzko for Chambana Jazz here. The group will perform at Cloud Mountain Kombucha on Saturday from noon to 2 pm.

Photo: PhotoNews Media Archives

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Featuring more than 50 performances at various venues throughout Urbana, this year's festival artists include Adeem the Artist, Dom Flemons, Eddie Barbash + KASA and Friends, Son Monarcas, Tee Dee Young, Anika Emily, Allie Jean, Arco & Aire, Bandoneon Massacre, Big Daddy Pride & the East Side Five, Bill Kirby, Black Eyed Lillies, Brian Krumm and His Barfly Friends, Cajun Strangers, Camellia Moon, Cole Bridges, Congress of Starlings, Derrick Streibig, Fox Crossing, The Gospel of Qui, Hannah Rose and the Sweet Nothings, Hooten Hallers, Hot Club of Urbana, Jaik Willis, Jean Rene Balekita, John Coppess, Kate Campbell, Keith Hall and The Creepin' Grass, Los Texano'z, Meadowhawk, Merry Travelers Duo, Mr. Dave, The Paw Paws, Sixth Street Brass Band, Spencer and Rains, Tumbleweeds, Tyler Lance Walker Gill, and The Young and the Fretless.

The event schedule is online at CU Folk & Roots master schedule and will be updated live with additional performances, venue changes, and last-minute events.

All-access festival tickets are $50, with single-day and single-venue tickets available at The Cohen Building at 136 W. Main Street in downtown Urbana.

The festival will also host dances, instructional sessions, jam sessions, and song circles. A family-oriented event, there are other activities such as storytelling, instrument-making, and other children's programs during the three day event.

For more information visit the Folk & Roots website at https://folkandroots.org/

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CATsNAP benefit raises money to address cat overpopulation and pet healthcare

Photo: PhotoNews Media/Clark Brooks

URBANA - Vocalists Elena Negruta and Ingrid Kammin preform a classical piece at the The CATsNAP Benefit Concert on Sunday afternoon at the Rose Bowl Tavern. The three-hour fundraiser also featured performances from the Church Street Ramblers, the Peter Tijerina Quintet, and Tania Arazi Coambs Trio. CATsNAP is a local cat shelter whose mission is to reduce pet overpopulation and improve the welfare of animals in Champaign County. The organization offers referrals for a low income spay/neuter service, assists with pet adoptions, and provides educational material to help pet owners care for their furry family members.

The LowDown Brass Band drops new single at Canopy Club on Friday

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Photo: Provided/by Alan Maniacek

The Lowdown Brass Band will perform live at the Canopy on Friday. Their big brass sound over a soulful, funky beat is sure to entertain all ages.

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URBANA - On Friday, LowDown Brass Band will co-headlining the stage at the Canopy Club with another windy city act, Mungion. LowDown, a seven-piece Chicago-based brass ensemble, has a Tower of Power sound layered over distinct, familiar underlying rhythms of soul, blues, funk, and reggae.

The Canopy show will be the debut of their newest single Call Me, a song about the world we live in, "... where secret agendas, governments, and corporate greed seek to separate and divide." Call Me has that late 70s horn swagger gliding over the familiar Chicago house beat of the 80s.

Inside their 2008 self-titled debut, the band described themselves as"... the New Orleans hump with a Chi-town bump." There is no better way to describe their finger popp'n, booty-waggin' party sound in this release of Be The One Tonight.

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A seasoned touring band, LowDown has opened for Galactic and Bon Jovi, did a stint on NPR's Tiny Desk, and is a steady act on the Jazz festival circuit. The group has built impressive gig credentials performing at The Montreal Jazz Festival and Lagunitas Beer Circus.

A staple in and around Chicago, they have filled the airwaves at the Chicago Jazz Fest, Chicago's Do-Division Fest, and Wicker Park Fest.

This summer, the seven muscians have a packed calendar with performances at the Victoria Jazz Fest, the Edmonton Jazz Fest in July, and Saskatoon Jazz Fest.

While the band plays mostly original songs, LowDown does a darn good job of putting their spin on classics like Foxy Lady by Jimmy Hendrix in this Wayne's World parody.

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The show kicks off with Champaign's very own Afro D & Global Soundwaves is a socially-conscious hip hop/jazz/funk band that will open for the two acts. The doors open at 7am. Ticket prices are $10 in advance and $15 at the door. Tickets are available online here.

Urbana's Canopy Club offering "Fee-Free" weekend starting Friday

URBANA -- The University of Illinois' popular campustown live music venue has released a list of more than 25 upcoming acts this fall.

Starting Friday, September 2nd at midnight through Monday, September 5th at 11:59 pm online purchase of tickets for any of the upcoming shows will not include any additional fees during the venue's Fee-Free Weekend. Concert-goers and live music fans can use the code "FEEFREE" in the promo code box during checkout to skip paying administrative fees.

The Canopy Club has been the home of live music, entertainment, and nightlife in east central Illinois since 1998. Each month there is a show to fit nearly any music fan's taste from rock and roll to hip-hop as well as EDM, jazz, and house music.

The club's upcoming concert schedule includes:

Sat, Sep 3 - DJ Zay Latin Night ft. Gianni Blu
Wed, Sep 7 - PUP
Thu, Sep 8 - Megalodon
Sat, Sep 10 - Lines of Loyalty
Tue, Sep 13 - Black Carl! & Saka Rush Hour Tour
Thu, Sep 15 - RAGS AND RICHES
Fri, Sep 16 - Latin Night:Freakitona w/ DJ Zay
Sat, Sep 17 - DOGMA and Friends
Sun, Sep 18 - The Frank White Experience (A Tribute To The "Notorious B.I.G.")
Tue, Sep 20 - Nightrain (Guns n Roses Tribute)
Fri, Sep 23 - Ignition House: Dubvision
Sat, Sep 24 - MisterWives
Thu, Sep 29 - Maddy O'Neal w/ zoska
Fri, Sep 30 - Show Up & Show Out - Pride Fest Party
Sun, Oct 2 - Falling Through April / Hazen
Fri, Oct 7 - 22 & good 4 u
Sat, Oct 8 - Boombox Cartel
Fri, Oct 14 - Borgore
Sat, Oct 15 - Dropsixx w/ Emperors & Angels
Sun, Oct 16 - Mac Saturn
Thu, Oct 20 - Blunts & Blondes
Fri, Oct 21 - UH2BT Presents: K-POP DJ Night
Sat, Oct 22 - Smoakland
Wed, Oct 26 - Kingdom Collapse
Thu, Oct 27 - Autograf
Fri, Nov 11 - Here Come The Mummies

For more informationk about upcoming concerts and events, visit the Canopy Club website here.

ECIYO to host spring concert on Sunday

Urbana -- The East Central Illinois Youth Orchestra will present this year's spring concert at Monticello High School's auditorium this Sunday.

The May 15 concert will be free and starts at 7:00 pm.

"The kids have worked long and hard during a challenging time, and the results will be very much worth hearing," said Kevin Kelly, Music Director for the East Central Illinois Youth Orchestra. "If you have the evening free, I hope you’ll consider attending."

The young musicians who will perform on Sunday are the top high school classical instrumentalists in the area. The student-musician group, who audition individually for their chair, consist of 49 students from Champaign, Urbana, Mahomet, Monticello, and Danville.

In addition to classical pieces from Bach, Tchaikovsky, and Mozart, concert-goers will hear new work by Aaron Rosenstein, a member of the orchestra.

"The kids have worked long and hard during a challenging time, and the results will be very much worth hearing," Kelly added.

This week at the Rose Bowl Tavern: Goth Night!

There is a diverse line-up and music this week at the Rose Bowl Tavern in downtown Urbana. Get your Marilyn Manson on for Goth Night this Thursday and don't miss New Souls on Friday.

There is lots of great jazz with the Jeff Helgesen Quintent, the Andrew Danforth Quintet and tomorrow night's Jazz Jam. Here is this week's live entertainment line-up:

The Rose Bowl Tavern now offers regular jazz shows, jam sessions and a comedy open mike night. For more information on upcoming shows, special hours and promotions, visit their website at www.rosebowltavern.com and on Facebook at @RoseBowlTavern. Located at 106 N Race Street, there's plenty of free parking after 5pm in the city lot just outside the side entrance on the north side of the building.

Classical musicians give winter concert

Members of the East Central Illinois Youth Orchestra performed at Smith Recital Hall in Urbana on Sunday. The orchestra, made up of 49 students from the local area, including Champaign, Urbana, Mahomet, Monticello, and Danville, delighted parents and guests pieces from Verdi, Malcolm Arnold, and Dvorak at the music building on the University of Illinois campus. Here, the cello section plays during the Hungarian Dance No.5 in G Minor by Johannes Brahms conducted by Kevin Kelly at the Winter Concert 2022.

Photo: PhotoNews Media/Clark Brooks

Youth orchestra to perform on campus this Sunday

The East Central Illinois Youth Orchestra will perform a concert at Smith Recital Hall in Urbana this Sunday, January 16, at 7pm.

The orchestra is made up of 49 students from the local area including Champaign, Urbana, Mahomet, Monticello, and Danville. Each student must audition for a spot in the program run by The Conservatory of Central Illinois. The young musicians are among the top high school classical instrumentalists in the area.

"We’ve been preparing since mid-September, with weekly rehearsals on Sunday afternoons at the Krannert Center," said Kevin Kelly, Conductor and Program Director. "The orchestra plays professional-level music from the standard orchestral repertoire, which presents expressive and technical challenges and tremendous learning opportunities for talented, highly motivated student musicians."

The program includes Giuseppe Verdi Overture to The Force of Destiny, Camille Saint-Saëns Danse Bacchanale from Samson and Delilah, and Brahms' Hungarian Dance No. 5 in G Minor and No. 6 in D Major.

"This particular program has two selections drawn from operas—by Verdi and Saint-Saëns—two influenced by national styles of particular countries—the Irish dances of Arnold and the Hungarian dances of Brahms—and a movement from a celebrated symphony by Dvořák, who was a protege of Brahms," Kelly said. "Some of the tunes will be quite familiar to classical music fans, but all of it can easily be enjoyed by even the novice listener."

The concert is free to the general public and proof of vaccination or negative COVID test is required for admission.

The musicians for Sunday's program include:

Violin: Noel Chi, co-concertmaster, Jenna Shin, co-concertmaster, Elijah Song, co-concertmaster, Sierra Freund, assistant concertmaster, Emily Duong, Sarah Guo, Andrew Kim, Maggie Li, Wesley Lu, Swarup Majumder, Elan Pan, Shreyas Singh, Bruce Tang, Maya Viswanathan, Max Wang, Renee Wang, Emily Wilson, James Yan, and Dan Yang.

Viola: Sarah Kim, principal and Advait Rajmane.

Cello: Yelim Kim, principal, Ellie Kim, Sarah Su, Jeana To, Firmiana Wang, and Jason Yan.

Bass: Kalah Weber, principal and April Vanichtheeranont.

Flute: Grace To, principal, Hewitt Friedman, Elizabeth Su, and Jonas VisGirda.

Piccolo: Jonas VisGirda.

Oboe: William Ding, principal, and Ioelle Lee.

Clarinet: Benjamin Chang, co-principal, Stefania Dzhaman, co-principal, and Teo Percoco.

Bassoon: Christian Deck.

Horn: Owen Robinson, principal, and Mason Miao.

Trumpet: Gabe Difanis, co-principal, and Aaron Rosenstein, co-principal.

Trombone: Roman Di Girolamo, principal and Jack Minor, and Nick Wurl (guest).

Tuba: Owen Ericson.

Piano: D. J. Wang.

Timpani: Elianna Lee.

Percussion: Jason Kim

Mateo Sanchez & Friends set to play at the Rose Bowl in Urbana

The Rose Bowl Tavern now offers regular jazz shows, jam sessions and a comedy open mike night. Located at 106 N Race Street, there's plenty of free parking after 5pm in the city lot just outside the side entrance on the north side of the building.

For live music this week, check out the father and son duo Jake & Jackson on Tuesday, Mateo Sanchez & Friends on Friday, and then close out the week with Chachi & Falbo on Sunday. Check out some of the other great shows, too. No cover most nights. Check out the Rose Bowl's website for nightly admission.

Here's this week's live entertainment line-up:

For more information on upcoming shows, special hours and promotions, visit their website at www.rosebowltavern.com and on Facebook at @RoseBowlTavern.

K-Tels, Mango Pods along with Sean Kutzko & Friends play at the Rose Bowl this week

The Rose Bowl Tavern is the quintessential and longest-running entertainment hotspot in downtown Urbana. Open since 1946 and under new ownership since 2019, the bar now offers live shows across several genres. While you may catch a country or Bluegrass performance a couple of times a week, the Rose Bowl now offers regular jazz shows, jam sessions and a comedy open mike night. Located at 106 N Race Street, there's plenty of free parking after 5pm in the city lot just outside the side entrance on the north side of the building.

Here's this week's live entertainment line-up:

For more information on upcoming shows, special hours and promotions, visit their website at www.rosebowltavern.com and on Facebook at @RoseBowlTavern.

This week at Urbana's Rose Bowl

The Rose Bowl Tavern is the quintessential and longest-running entertainment hotspot in downtown Urbana. Open since 1946 and under new ownership since 2019, the bar now offers live shows across several genres. While you may catch a country or Bluegrass performance a couple of times a week, the Rose Bowl now offers regular jazz shows, jam sessions and a comedy open mike night. Located at 106 N Race Street, there's plenty of free parking after 5pm in the city lot just outside the side entrance on the north side of the building.

Here's this week's live entertainment line-up:

For more information on upcoming shows, special hours and promotions, visit their website at www.rosebowltavern.com and on Facebook at @RoseBowlTavern.

Christmas time is here

Members of the Hot Club of Urbana play a song from Vince Guaraldi's Charlie Brown Christmas at their Christmas show at the Rose Bowl Tavern in Urbana on Saturday, December 18. Piano player Rob Sweedler and his brothers, Jeff on bass and Ben playing violin, along with drummer Will Andresen and Louie Pappas on guitar, flute and saxophone, played their final show of the year with a jazzed up selection of holiday songs. Performing in front of an intimate crowd of about 40 guests, the band performed holiday favorites like Greensleeves, Skating and Christmas Time is Here.

Photo: PhotoNews Media/Clark Brooks

Louie Pappas plays a solo during the second set of the Hot Club Urbana's show during the band's rendition of Christmas is Coming. Listen to the entire live performance recorded by Sean Kutzko for Chambana Jazz here. Photo: PhotoNews Media/Clark Brooks

Violinist Ben Sweedler and his brother Jeff, on the bass, play God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen during the first set of the Hot Club Urbana's Christmas show at the Rose Bowl. Photo: PhotoNews Media/Clark Brooks

This week at the Rose Bowl Tavern

The Rose Bowl Tavern is the quintessential and longest-running entertainment hotspot in downtown Urbana. Open since 1946 and under new ownership since 2019, the bar now offers live shows across several genres. While you may catch a country or Bluegrass performance a couple of times a week, the Rose Bowl now offers regular jazz shows, jam sessions and a comedy open mike night. Located at 106 N Race Street, there's plenty of free parking after 5pm in the city lot just outside the side entrance on the north side of the building.

Here's this week's live entertainment line-up:

For more information on upcoming shows, special hours and promotions, visit their website at www.rosebowltavern.com and on Facebook at @RoseBowlTavern.