FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 21
Raw Exhibition: Opening Night, indi go Artist Co-Op, 6-8 p.m, free
University of Illinois Art + Design students will be displaying new creative pieces without boundaries. Food (sushi) and DJ as well. (JK)
Wait Until Dark, Parkland College Theatre, 7:30 p.m.
If you haven’t yet seen JW Morrissette’s production of this Frederick Knott suspense classic, you have only this weekend to make it so. This is a tense, well-acted, greatly entertaining performance featuring Cara Maurizi as Susy Hendrix, a blind woman who must outwit a trio of career criminals. Solid entertainment and highly recommended for lovers of theatre and things with the flavor of Hitchcock. (MG)
Stand-up Comedy Showcase, The Iron Post, 120 S Race St, Urbana, 9 p.m., $6
If the return to freezing temperatures has left you feeling depressed, The Iron Post is hosting a showcase of local and traveling comedy, featuring Mat Alano-Martin, Bob Nugent, Nick Martin, and Andrew Voris. The show promises to be a “battle against political correctness and normalcy,” so it’s bound to be a good time. (RP)
Stock up on Wine, Corkscrew, 203 N. Vine St., Urbana, all weekend, as much money as is necessary
The bad news is Corkscrew is looking for a new location; the good news is they’re offering good discounts on booze. Wine, spirits, and beer are 15% off, and wine by the case is 20% off. (RP)
SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 22
Champaign-Urbana Smørrebrød Project (CUSP), Corkscrew Urbana, 3-6 p.m., $5-$8 per plate
A few weeks ago we told you about the next CUSP pop-up. If you’re already a smørrebrød enthusiast, well done. Not sure what the heck to expect, why not check it out? You can try a plate and decide for yourself. Oh, and a dollar from each plate will benefit the Eastern Illinois Food Bank. (JH) Editor’s note: This event has been cancelled.
Insect Film Festival, Foellinger Auditorium, 7 p.m., Free
The 31st Annual Insect Film festical will have have face painting, a bug petting zoo, a raffle and an art contest along with the films. There will be two Disney short films as well as to full length films. You can find more information about the festival here. (AB)
Earth Witch, Roomrunner, Multicult, Withershins, Error Records, 8 p.m., $5
This is what we call a bill full of rock ‘n roll music, and it’s happening on Saturday at Error Records. All of these bands have been fairly busy recently, and Withershins released their first new track from their upcoming LP earlier this week. You can hear it here, and it’s called “Mt. Fuji In Blue”. They’ll be performing a bunch of new material from that new album, and I haven’t even talked about the other bands performing yet. Roomrunner and Multicult are both from Baltimore, and Earth Witch is a local sludge/Sabbath-esque outfit. So, there’s that for a Saturday evening, folks. (PS)
The Clean House, The Station Theatre, 8 p.m.
Smile Politely contributor Katie Baldwin Prosise makes her directorial debut with this production of Sarah Ruhl’s play. Nominated for a Pulitzer back in 2005, this play features a cast of local actors including Debbie Richardson, David Barkley, and Jodi Prosser. Per the Station website: “this extraordinary romance and unique comedy introduces theatre-goers to Matilde, a Brazilian maid who hates cleaning; her employer Lane, a driven American doctor; Lane’s surgeon husband Charles; and Lane’s unhappily idle sister, all living in ‘metaphysical Connecticut.’” (MG)
SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 23
Tacos/Tequila/Margaritas, Wedge Bar, 415 N Neil, Champaign, 11 a.m. to 11 p.m., $2 tacos, $2 tequila shots, $4 traditional margaritas
I know we’ve told you about this deal before. In fact, I reviewed Wedge last fall. But with this slight upturn in temperatures, I’ve been thinking of warmer times and places. So go eat some spicy tacos, and take a few shots of tequila, and think of the summer and when you’ll be able to sit on that lovely patio. (JH)
The Apache Relay, The Lonely Wild, Promised Land Sound, The Highdive, 8 p.m., $10
Indie rockers The Apache Relay are stopping through C-U on a Sunday night for a show this week. They have their new LP ready to go, and are releasing that into the world this upcoming April, so I would imagine a lot of their material they perform on Sunday will be from that. The Lonely Wild have performed here in C-U at late as this past August, and are making their way through. If you missed them then, here’s a second chance. (PS)
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