FRIDAY, February 27th
Friday lunch special, bacaro, 11 a.m., $15 
It’s beef stroganoff today. I can’t really think of a more hearty and good meal to eat on a day that’s absolutely freezing. From the bacaro Facebook page: “Beef sirloin slow cooked with mushrooms, beef stock, herbs and barrel aged Worcestershire sauce served over egg noodles with sour cream and paprika.” I want to eat that right now. (TP)
Hatch Trashion Show, Lincoln Square Mall, 6 p.m., free
Hatch, a creative-reuse arts festival produced by the I.D.E.A. Store, is in its third season, and one of its main events is happening this Friday. Local design aficionados have created outfits from previously used materials, a.k.a. trash, and they’re ready to show off what they’ve created. (RP)
The Sparrow, Parkland College Theatre Second Stage, 7:30 p.m.
Directed by Gary Ambler, this imaginative and original drama tells the story of Emily Book (played by Karen Hughes), a shy and guarded teenage girl who returns to her small town high school ten years after a tragic accident rocked the community. When a cheerleader’s life is threatened in a dangerous stunt at the homecoming basketball game, Emily reveals her true powers, saving a life in a stunning display of heroism. Thus, Spring Farm’s own darling superhero, “The Sparrow,” is born. The Sparrow taps into the fundamental aching of adolescence — fearing that we’re somehow different while hoping that we’re somehow special. Read the SP review of this show here, and get tickets now. (MG)
Floyd Collins, The Station Theatre, 8 p.m.
Based on real events and directed by Kyle A. Thomas, this lesser-known but very engaging musical is set in 1925 when, while chasing a dream of fame and fortune by turning a Kentucky cave into a tourist attraction, Floyd Collins himself became the attraction when he got trapped 200 feet underground. Alone but for sporadic contact with the outside world, Floyd fought for his sanity and his life as the rescue effort above exploded into the first genuine media circus. WIth Americana music and singing, this haunting musical – one of the most acclaimed in recent years — tells the transcendent tale of a true American dreamer. Read the SP review of this sophisticated and engaging musical here, and get your tickets. OH, AND IT’S A MUSICAL. (MG)
Toupée, Gnargoyle, Downer’s Groove, The Dingbats, Dingbat Dungeon, 8 p.m., $5
If you missed out on Kowabunga! Kid and Broken Prayer at the Dungeon last weekend, you’re either not a punk or shame on you. Luckily you’ve got a chance to redeem yourself by checking out Chicago’s Toupée with three locals, Gnargoyle, Downer’s Groove and Dungeon house band The Dingbats who are playing their first show ever. (MR)
SATURDAY, February 28th
Go pick up a new record, Exile on Main, all weekend, price varies
I was just in Exile on Main Street the other day watching Damien Jurado perform in front of bunch of lucky folks, and realized the huge wall of new records that they have stocked. I realized quickly that I haven’t been in there as recently as I’d hoped, so you should pay a visit over there and pick up a new record or two. You might be surprised as to how much you’ll walk out of there with. (PS)
Eat some apps, Crane Alley, 115 W Main Street, Urbana, 11 a.m. to 2 a.m., $10-$20
I recently had a variety of appetizers at Crane Alley. They were delicious. You should eat them, too. Pictured here, clockwise from top: cheese plate, sweet potato fries, hangar steak frites. (JH)
Poetry Reading by Caleb Curtiss and Charlotte Pence, Cafeteria & Co., 6:30 p.m., free
Two local poets will be reading from their new books this Saturday. Caleb Curtiss will be reading from his chapbook A Taxonomy of the Space Between Us, and Charlotte Pence will be reading from her first full length collection, Many Small Fires. Come for the poetry, stay for the beer, pizza, and conversation afterward. (RP)
Undercurrent, Cowboy Monkey, 10 p.m.
Undercurrent with selectors DJ Belly, Ricky Wells, Forrest Bump, and Rachel Z will be happening this Saturday in Downtown Champaign. All genres/underground is what it is being billed as, but you can certainly expect this crew to mix up something quite good — that’s a guarantee. I’m not totally certain if there is a cover charge or not, but keep your eye on the Facebook event (linked above) for the latest. (PS)
SUNDAY, March 1st
Capital One Cup – Chelsea vs. Tottenham, Tumble Inn, 10 a.m. 
The biggest soccer match of the week is on at 10 a.m. It’d be dumb of me to not suggest watching this at a local establishment after writing this. Anyway, TI opens early and it’d be a great spot to belly up to the bar and watch a little football. If you need a primer for what’s happening in this match, check that out here. But it’ll be a high drama affair, perfect for a mid-day cold one. (TP)
Go see a free movie, Savoy 16 Theaters, 10 a.m.
Boxtrolls is playing this week. And when I say free, I mean free. Like you don’t have to pay a dime. Unless you want popcorn. But otherwise free. How many things are free? Nothing! Go soak up the free-ness. (SL)
Go see the State Symphony Orchestra of México, Follinger Great Hall, Krannert Center, 3 p.m., free
Any student from pre-school to graduate school gets in free along with their parent or teacher. I am loving the freebies this weekend and this should probably be on your list. Judging by the photo along with the post it is going to be a powerful singing performance. Pencil it in and find a student. (SL)
Dream Ritual, Looming, Krelboyne, Wir Konnen, $avage Boy, Error Records, doors at 7:30 p.m., show at 8 p.m., $5
Dream Ritual are a noisy, grungy, shoegazy explosion of a band from Springfield, Missouri that wound up on LA hardcore label 6131. Looming are an awesome pop punk band from Springfield, Illinois. You live in Champaign or Urbana or the surrounding area and are going to see them both at Error Records. (MR)
Plan your Urbana Restaurant Week adventure, all over Urbana, March 2-8, $10, $20, or $30
Next week we’ll publish my Restaurant Week guide, but until then, you can check out the Urbana Business Association’s website for a list of participating restaurants and menus. (JH)
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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.