Krannert Center Uncorked Returns for Fall 2025
Grab your friends and your dancin’ shoes! Krannert Center is happy to announce the return of Krannert Center Uncorked, our free Thursday night concert series that presents the best musicians in Champaign-Urbana and throughout central Illinois.
“Uncorked is a social event of its own now, like a free Thursday happy hour where everyone is welcome,” Director Mike Ross said. It’s a place where friends can gather, enjoy a beverage from the Stage 5 Bar, and listen to great local music across many genres from bluegrass and folk to rock, jazz, and everything in between.
Regulars will notice a slight change in the Uncorked format this fall: performances will shift from a two-set, two-hour show from 5-7pm to a single set from 5:30-7pm.
Here's the lineup for this semester's Uncorked series:
Oct 2: Dennis Stroughmatt & Creole Stomp
Originally from southern Illinois, Dennis Stroughmatt grew up in the shadow of the French Creoles of Vincennes, Indiana. He became immersed in French Creole culture in Lafayette, Louisiana, where he worked at the famous Vermilionville Folklife Village, learning Creole fiddle tunes from the masters.
Dennis Stroughmatt's Creole Stomp is a powerhouse Louisiana-style band that serves up tradition with side of entertaining swamp-pop, blues and honky-tonk. This performance also kicks off the 17th annual CU Folk and Roots Festival, held all weekend in downtown Urbana.
(Note: this Uncorked will be from 7pm-8:30pm)
Oct 16: Emily Kuhn Jazz Quintet
Trumpeter and educator Emily Kuhn brings her quintet down from Chicago to Stage 5. Their blend of jazz includes plenty of new original material as well as from Kuhn’s recent release, “Ghosts of Us.” The album draws inspiration from the natural world, science fiction, and the Covid-19 pandemic.
Her quintet features Meghan Stagl (piano, vocals), Erik Skov (guitar), Kitt Lyles (bass), and Gustavo Cortiñas (drums).
Oct 23: The Afro-Caribbean Jazz Collective
Let by guitarist Jose Guzman, The Collective's repertoire reflect Guzman's musical heritage with rhythms from Puerto Rico and Cuba, mixed with the sophistication of modern jazz. Their third album, "Fiesta at Caroga," has been making waves in the jazz world. This will be a VERY lively evening!
Nov 6: Freedom Coalition
Positive energy… that’s at the core of Freedom Coalition’s music. Whether you like R&B, Soul, Jazz, Pop, or Gospel, Freedom Coalition’s mission is to bring love, joy, unity and peace through music. Led by drummer John “JT” Thomas, this five-piece delivers the goods with excellent vibes.
Nov 13: Mariachi Libertad
Influenced by polka and waltzes, the roots of Mariachi music go back to the 1700s and evolved over time throughout western Mexico. It took on national prominence in the early 20th century and was recognized in 2011 by UNESCO and an Intangible Cultural Heritage.
Mariachi Libertad is Champaign-Urbana’s first community Mariachi group. Led by renowned C-U musician Edgar Gutierrez, Mariachi Libertad works hard to spread the music, joy, and culture of Mexico here in east-central Illinois.
With so much great talent in the Champaign-Urbana music community, Krannert Center Uncorked is the place to be on select Thursdays this fall. Uncorked will continue in the Spring, so there will be plenty of party going on at Krannert Center. Come Be Here and take part!