Here are 3 things to do for the weekend of Feb. 16-18, 2023, curated by WGLT's Lauren Warnecke. You can find more coverage on our Datebook - Arts & Music page or by subscribing to WGLT's Weekend Scoop email newsletter, which goes out every Friday.
Jazz UpFront and on the square: The McLean County Museum of History’s Black History Month offerings continue with a panel discussion raising up Black musicians and highlighting safe spaces where jazz thrived. Bloomington-Normal Black History Project chair and blues drummer Andrew “Blaze” Thomas leads the discussion at 1 p.m. Saturday; venture to Jazz UpFront for a special jam session featuring Gary Muhammad beginning at 3 p.m. Saturday. Free; details at mchistory.org.
Barber and Beethoven on ‘warring elements’ at ISO: Conductor Tania Miller and violinist Timothy Chooi unite south of their native border for Chooi’s interpretation of Samuel Barber’s gorgeous “Violin Concerto.” It’s hardly their first time working together; Miller, a candidate for the Illinois Symphony’s open music directorship, has known Chooi since he was a teenager. It’s an apt pairing for this stunner of a program that highlights three composers impacted by war at the heights of their careers. 7:30 p.m. Saturday at the ISU Center for Performing Arts; tickets $21-$63 at 309-438-2535 and ilsymphony.org.
Last chance for Alumni Spectacular: University Galleries’ extravaganza featuring work by more than 180 alumni concludes this weekend. The cherry on top? An interactive fiber sculpture workshop inspired by Normal-based mixed-media artist Jan Brandt. Head to Brandt’s gallery near One Normal Plaza for an extra special dose of local art highlighting works by local printmaker Lisa Lofgren and painter Hannah Songer. Fiber workshop is 12-2 p.m. Saturday; registration required. Jan Brandt Gallery is open upon request. Call 309-287-4700 for an appointment. University Galleries and Jan Brandt Gallery are free to the public.
