Here are 3 things to do for the weekend of March 1-3, 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.
Two arty parties: Lining up with First Friday, Eaton Gallery throws open the doors on a new collection of 21 paintings, each of instruments owned by friends and band mates of Herb Eaton—including Brian Choban’s flugelhorn. Choban’s quartet plays from 6-8 p.m. as part of the opening reception. From 5-7 p.m., McLean County Arts Center celebrates solo shows by Tracey Maras and Phil Smith, simultaneously launching the annual amateur exhibition—its 97th! Awards will be handed out Saturday at 1 p.m. Everything is free, unless you want to take some art home. While you’re out arting around, stop by University Galleries, which launches a new show today inspired by nature.
Women to the front: Coffeehouse in Normal hosts the inaugural Gender Envy Festival, a two-night joy bomb of Central Illinois bands—all fronted by women or non-binary folks. The line-up skews toward indie rock (including Peoria’s Emily the Band and The Blank Stairs and Sweet Melk from Champaign) with a few curveballs like jazz singer/songwriter Maria Rodriguez. 6 p.m. Friday and Saturday; $10 cover each night.
A quick stop at home: Chicago Farmer & the Fieldnotes round the bend on their 20th anniversary tour the same way they started it: with a one-day stop in Bloomington at the Castle Theatre before getting back out on the road for 26 more stops around the country. Back together after a 5-year break, indie folk trio The Last Revel opens. 8 p.m. Saturday (doors at 7 p.m.); tickets $20 online, $23 at the door.
