Illinois State University Wind Symphony_23 (2).JPG (copy)

The Illinois Symphony Orchestra will be hosting “Star Wars & Beyond, The Best of John Williams” from 7:30 to 9:30 p.m. Saturday in ISU's Concert Hall in the Center for the Performing Arts. Vince Lee will serve as the orchestra’s conductor at this performance.

Sticking around Bloomington-Normal this weekend before traveling for spring break?

If so, here are five events happening in the area to keep you busy:

Attend a comedy show

Casper Brewing Company will be hosting the Midwest Comedy Tour at 7:30 p.m. Friday.

Featuring Austin Robertson, Becky Thompson and special guests, the night will consist of music, improv and stand-up comedy.

Attendees must be 21 or older to attend. Tickets cost $15 and can be purchased online.

Casper Brewing Company is located at 3807 Ballybunion Road in Bloomington.


Visit the St. Patrick’s Day Parade in Uptown Normal

The Town of Normal will host its annual Sharin’ of the Green Parade 1 to 3 p.m. Saturday in Uptown Normal.

The parade will begin at the corner of School Street and North Street, moving east down North Street through Uptown Circle to Linden Street.

Community members are invited to further celebrate St. Patrick’s Day and Irish heritage by donating to Children’s Home & Aid — a resource for families in McLean County and surrounding areas.

Those interested can donate online.


Check out music by a Tom Petty tribute duo

Not Petty — an acoustic Tom Petty tribute duo — will perform hit songs by Tom Petty & the Heartbreakers Saturday as part of its tour.

The event will take place from 7 to 10 p.m. at CRAFTED, located at 1101 Airport Road in Bloomington.


Listen to an Illinois Symphony Orchestra performance

The Illinois Symphony Orchestra will be hosting “Star Wars & Beyond, The Best of John Williams” from 7:30 to 9:30 p.m. Saturday.

The orchestra will perform music created by John Williams — a master film score composer. Vince Lee will serve as the orchestra’s conductor at this performance.

The orchestra will perform in the Concert Hall of the Center for the Performing Arts.

Tickets can be purchased online.


Join a 5k run or 1-mile walk to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day

The St. Patrick’s Day 5k and 1-mile fitness walk will be held at 1 p.m. Sunday at the VFW Bloomington.

Participants can register for the walk/run online or at the event until 12:30 p.m. Sunday. The VFW Bloomington is located at 1006 E. Lincoln St. #1.

Proceeds from the St. Patrick’s Day Run will go toward Veterans Helping Veterans.

ERIN GESSERT is a News and Features Reporter for The Vidette. Gessert can be contacted at eggesse@ilstu.edu. Follow Gessert on Twitter at @erin_gessert


IF YOU SUPPORT THE VIDETTE MISSION of providing a training laboratory for Illinois State University student journalists to learn and sharpen viable, valuable and marketable skills in all phases of digital media, please contribute to this most important cause. Thank you. 

(0) entries

Sign the guestbook.

Keep it Clean. Please avoid obscene, vulgar, lewd, racist or sexually-oriented language.
PLEASE TURN OFF YOUR CAPS LOCK.
Don't Threaten. Threats of harming another person will not be tolerated.
Be Truthful. Don't knowingly lie about anyone or anything.
Be Nice. No racism, sexism or any sort of -ism that is degrading to another person.
Be Proactive. Use the 'Report' link on each comment to let us know of abusive posts.
Share with Us. We'd love to hear eyewitness accounts, the history behind an article.