Brittany Webb
Staff Writer
Spring Break is almost here, and many students will be heading out of town for a much needed break. For those students who are not planning on traveling, there are many events happening here in Champaign-Urbana and the surrounding area.
The Lincoln Library and Museum in Springfield, Ill., is one viable option for those choosing to stay local this year. .
“I think we are going to do a day in Springfield and check out the historical sites and Lincoln museum,” LPN major Cindy Webb said.
The museum features life size exhibits of various significant places from Lincoln’s life, including Lincoln’s childhood home as well as the box in the Ford’s theater. Webb explained that her 17 year old daughter went in 5th grade, and they have been wanting to take their younger daughter.
Allerton Park is a 20 minute drive west from Parkland. The park contains 14 formal gardens, a 10-acre meadow and hiking trails, all of which will be open to the public during Spring Break. Allerton also hosts a Spring Break concert, which will take place from 7p.m. to10p.m., March 27. The event will feature The Ton’s O’ Fun Band, which is made up of ten musicians and three vocalists. The band will be playing a set in the mansion. The cover charge is $10 per person and it will be held in the Allerton Mansion.
For those who don’t own a car, or simply don’t want to travel outside of Champaign-Urbana, there is plenty for students to do. Student favorite and local staple, Jarling’s Custard Cup, will be opening March 20.
“I think I can speak for a large population of Champaign-Urbana when I express how excited we are for that,” Matt Feinberg, a freshman in Business at Parkland, said.
Jarling’s has many flavors of custard treats, including vanilla, chocolate and strawberry, as well as other treats such as Snowstorms, which are similar to Dairy Queen’s blizzards.
A popular venue for shows and events on the University of Illinois campus, Krannert Center for the Performing Arts, is hosting the University’s Wind Symphony on March 20 at 7:30p.m. A group comprised of both undergraduate and graduate students, the ensemble consistently puts on exceptional performances with beautiful music. Tickets range from $4 – $10 and anyone is welcome to attend.
The Krannert Art Museum is within walking distance from the Krannert Center for the Performing Arts and currently has five exhibits open for the public to view. One exhibit called “MetaModern”, curated by Judith Hoos Fox and Ginger Gregg Duggan, is closing on March 28, which gives students a chance to check it out during the break. William Wegman’s exhibit, “Artists Including Me: William Wegman”, walks through the history of art with references to famous artists such as Leonardo da Vinci and Piet Mondrian. The museum is always free to the public and is open from 9a.m. to 5p.m. Monday through Friday.
The Virginia Theater, a historical theater in downtown Champaign, is having a Robin William’s tribute week. Movies run from 7p.m. until 9p.m. March 23-27, and include “The Birdcage”, “Good Morning, Vietnam”, and “Dead Poets Society.” Tickets are $4 per show, and can be purchases at the door. The theater is also hosting the popular band Foreigner on March 29 at 7:30p.m.
Right here at Parkland College, there is a show at the Planetarium called “Black Holes: The Other Side of Infinity”. The National Center for Supercomputer Applications (NCSA) provided some of the animations, which is one of the reasons the Planetarium was able to get the show, explained the Director of Staerkel Planetarium Dave Leake. The show uses computer generated images to illustrate the science of black holes. The show will be held on Friday and Saturday March 20 and 21 from 8p.m. to 9p.m. Tickets are $5 for adults and $4 for students, seniors and children under 12 and are available at the door.
“The Black Holes [show] itself is probably 23 minutes long but we like to give people at least a 45 minute experience,” Leake said. “Personally I like to show people how they can point to a spot in the sky (Cygnus X-1) where we think there is a black hole.”
Spring break is a great time to explore Champaign-Urbana and the surrounding area but, for some students, it is also a great time to just relax.
“As far as many college students are concerned, it’s probably just nice to catch up on some much needed sleep,” Feinberg said.
More information on the above events can be found on the University of Illinois website, and the Staerkel Planetarium website.
