FRIDAY, February 17th
Malcolm X movie by Spike Lee, Virginia Theater, 7 p.m., 202 minutes runtime, $5
Think about it: it’s black history month, Spike Lee is one of the best directors of our time, the movie is at the Virginia Theater, and it’s only $5 to go. This is a no-brainer activity for this Friday night. The movie is rated PG-13 so you could even bring some of the kids along. Denzel Washington is the lead actor. (SL)
The Unreliable Bestiary:BEAR, Station Theatre, Urbana, 8 p.m., $15
Deke Weaver and Jennifer Allen have hinted at the feeling of a winter-lodge gathering with “close storytelling about the end of the world, all of us huddled with warmth, wine, and cake around a big old table of scrap.” There will be cubs, too. So finish up your Field Guide Map by watching videos #5 & #6 — the weather should be nice on Friday — and get to the Station in time to welcome spring. (RK)
Emily Blue and Church Booty with Tell Mama, Cowboy Monkey, 8 p.m., $7
Tara Terra’s Emily Blue has recently taken her talents to Chicago, but she’ll be back in town on Friday for a show with some other fun local acts. She’ll play alongside the huge family of funky partiers Church Booty, as well as the jazz and soul stylings of Tell Mama. All three acts are larger than life, so come watch them flaunt it, and maybe do a little butt-shaking of your own. (JM)
SATURDAY, February 18th
Backyard Bird Count, Anita Purves Nature Center, Urbana, free, 9 a.m. – 4 p.m.
The local Audubon Society is hosting this event in order to help with bird conservation by essentially asking people to go on hikes and count birds. There is a hike at 10 am. and 3 p.m. This event is annual and based on the weather forecast, it is going to be a great day to get out and hike. See more on the website. (SL)
Watch Illinois (probably) lose to Iowa, 1 p.m., a bar of your choice, free
All right, so the season is pretty much over, barring a long run in the Big Ten Tournament. Things get especially tough when they take their lackluster version of basketball on the road to Iowa City this weekend, where they will almost certainly lose. Oh well. I like to watch sports. (BH)
Take an afternoon walk, whenever, perhaps at a park?, free
It’s gonna be a great weekend, folks. Right now, it’s looking like partly sunny and 63 degrees on Saturday, which will make a great day for a stroll in the park. Just try not to thing about the existential dread of climate change, and you’ll be fine. (BH)
Play some games with your family, Dr. G’s Brainworks,dd Market Place Mall, 1 to 3p.m., free
If you don’t already know, board games are cool again. For real. There are all these incredible and interesting and beautifully designed games available for people of all ages. Cooperative games are having a moment, especially for the kiddos. Dr. G’s is awesome, and the employees are really nice and super knowledgable. The family game time is an opportunity to try new games, or you can bring your own and make some new friends. Photo from Facebook. (JH)
Julien Baker with Thunder Dreamer, The Accord, 8 p.m., $15 in advance / $20 at the door
The Pygmalion Show Series presents Julien Baker, a singer-songwriter from Memphis whose plaintive, vulnerable lyrics sound as if they’re coming from a well-seasoned musician, though she is just 21. Her debut release, 2015’s Sprained Ankle, plays like you’re being let in on a secret. Make sure to catch this show and witness another Matador Records newbie fly up towards indie stardom. (JM)
An Intimate Evening with Carnivale Debauche, Defy Gravity, Champaign, 8 or 10 p.m., $15 for one show or $25 for both.
The always unique burlesque show of Champaign is appearing in this smaller venue with the members of Defy Gravity as an opening act. No matter what your tastes, these troupes of dancers will tantalize you. So while Valentine’s Day may be over, there’s no reason to spend the rest of the winter cold. Pre-sale tickets available online. (RK)
SUNDAY, February 19th
Play a round of golf, Lake of the Woods, a tee time that makes sense
Per some information in their newsletter, Mahomet’s Lake of the Woods will be open starting on Friday. Golf in February? Uh, yes. It is supposed to be upwards of 70 degrees on Sunday. Get your sticks out. (PS)
Lake of the Woods is opening for play on Friday, February 17, 2017! So dust off your clubs, book your tee time and hit the links.
Click here to view our golf rates and fees. Be sure to book your tee times online and keep an eye out for Internet Specials throughout the season!
Attend a seed swap, Common Ground Food Co-op, 2-3 p.m., free but registration/RSVP requested
Are you interested in trying to grow some of your own veg and flowers this spring and summer? Common Ground has you covered: “Got seeds? Need seeds? Come trade and adopt vegetable, herb, and flower seeds with your fellow local gardeners.” I’m no green thumb, and even I can manage to grow a few things each summer, so don’t be afraid. Get the seeds, put them in the dirt, add water and sunshine. I’m sure that there will be some knowledgable folks in attendance who are more than happy to share tips, too. Image from Facebook. (JH)
Write and/or shoot photos for us, anywhere you can access a computer, the cost is your time
If you’re interested, or have thought about in the slightest, in contributing to the magazine in any capacity — drop us a line. We’re always looking for writers and photographers to help move this thing along as we’re in year 10 of SP’s existence in 2017. Crazy, right? It only happens because of readers like you. (PS)
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All event information is accurate to the best of our abilities, but sometimes we make mistakes and sometimes event information, times, prices, etc., change after we look them up. Whenever possible, we’ve provided a link to the original event page; you should always double-check the source before you make any firm plans. Thanks for your understanding.