OUTSIDE at the Research Park
Krannert Center for the Performing Arts once again joins forces with Fox/Atkins Development, LLC and the University of Illinois to present a free, live performance in the popular OUTSIDE at the Research Park series. The 2017 OUTSIDE concert will also be an official University of Illinois Sesquicentennial event. OUTSIDE plays upon a simple concept: great music, fresh food, and a green state of mind in an open, relaxed environment.
Bassist Jared Manker (Mank) and guitarist Sara Siders (Sass), better known as the duo Mank N Sass, will rev things up with a mighty set of acoustic funk and gritty blues starting at 6:30pm. At 7:30pm, legendary guitarist Elvin Bishop will swing his axe with the newly formed Elvin Bishop Big Fun Trio, comprised of bassist Bob Welsh Jr. and drummer Willy Jordan. Bishop—a founding member of the Paul Butterfield Blues Band and a collaborator of John Lee Hooker and The Allman Brothers—slides through his latest musical incarnation with an appealing mixture of rowdy blues, R&B classics, and down-home, feel-good vibes.
Special event amenities will include a Green Fair featuring UI Extension units, Allerton Park & Retreat Center, and the Urbana Business Association; children’s activities from Soccer Planet; a bike raffle from Champaign Cycle; the Traveling Science Center; and tasty food options from Kona Ice, Chesters BBQ, Hendrick House, Cracked, Dragons Fire, and Piato. While you're here, pick up a paint brush and help decorate the first panel of the ELLNORA | The Guitar Festival 2017 mural. More panels will be unveiled leading up to the festival.
The performance space and seating area are located just south of the Atkins Building at the corner of First Street and St. Mary’s Road in Champaign. Free parking is available in the lot south of the Caterpillar Building at 1901 South First Street.
This year's community partner will be the University of Illinois Extension.
This performance will last approximately two hours and 35 minutes, and includes a 20-minute intermission.
