FRIDAY, February 6th
Eat some vegan (and gluten-free) desserts, Dancing Dog Eatery & Juicery, 126W Main Street, Urbana, 10 a.m.-8 p.m., about $5
The folks at Dancing Dog have been posting vegan food porn (it exists!) all week. The food looks amazing. If you’re looking to round out your dessert with lunch or dinner, that’s available, too. And revisit our review from November. Photo from Facebook. (JH)
Carnival of Rock, Krannert Center for the Performing Arts Stage 5, 5 p.m.
Here’s a pretty cool event happening at Krannert Center around Happy Hour — the Carnival of Rock. Bands will be performing, including Seventeen Sisters and the always-entertaining Sun Stereo, carnival games will be there to play, and you can learn about volunteer opportunities in the community. Check out all the information at the Facebook page (linked above), and stop by. It’s free, after all. (PS)
Painting Is Dead?! Exhibition Opening and Reception, Figure One Gallery, 116 N. Walnut, Champaign, 5-8 p.m., free
Figure One is opening its latest exhibition, which explores contemporary notions of painting, this Friday. The exhibition features work by Patrick Earl Hammie, Chris Kienke, Jason Middlebrook, Jenny Morgan, Harvey Opgenorth, Ebony G. Patterson, and Maja Ruznic. (RP)
Danville Dashers vs Steel City Warriors, David S. Palmer Arena, 7 p.m., $9
The Hanson Brothers, from cult classic film Slap Shot, return to the Palmer Arena for the first time in a few years. The Paul Newman film’s fictional hockey league was named the Federal Hockey League, which is coincidentally the one the Dashers participate in. Look forward to a Dashers W, as they’ve won 6 in a row and face a struggling Steel City squad. More importantly, hang out with the Hansons and see what kind of antics they’re up to. I’m assuming foil will be involved… (TP)
SATURDAY, February 7th
Volunteer with Daily Bread Soup Kitchen, time and location TBA
Last night, some brave folks slept in boxes in downtown Champaign to raise awareness about homelessness in our town. Awesome. Now perhaps you’re feeling inspired and want to contribute. Helping the DBSK is an incredible experience. They give free meals to the poor all through the week and they also do a lunch van on the weekend. Email jeffcarns@yahoo.com about volunteering. Read more here. (SL)
Colab’s AMA Saturdays, 10 a.m.-2 p.m., free
If you’re not entirely sure what the coworking space in Urbana known as Colab does, feel free to stop by on Saturday morning/afternoon and check it out. The space will be open, things are happening, and food/snacks will be available in some way, shape or form. Between Colab, Norden, Adjacency, and other projects that they have going there, you’ll be able to check out some very cool things happening in Downtown Urbana. They’ll be doing these every Saturday throughout the month of Februrary. (PS)
Bondville Sausage Supper, 100 W. Chestnut Bondville, IL, 4:30-7:30 p.m., adults $10, children 5-12 $5, under 4 years old free
Since I was a kid I’ve been making the short drive down Springfield Avenue, west, to the small town of Bondville for their annual sausage supper. The sausage comes from local farmers who raise pigs. The money goes to the the church. This is right for you if you’re brave enough to delve into some real local, midwest culture or you’re hungry for some home cooked sausage. See you there! (SL)
33 Variations, The Station Theatre, 8 p.m., $15
If you haven’t made your reservations yet, this is the final performance of the Station’s production of Moisés Kaufman’s chamber piece. The play, which was researched with music faculty at the University of Illinois, concerns a musicologist struggling to finish her work on Beethoven as her health deteriorates. The production boasts a strong cast that includes Chris Taber, Christopher Terrell, Randy Offner, and Malia Andrus. The News-Gazette called the Station’s production a “delight of the musical senses.” I don’t know what that means. BUT, the play features live in-house accompaniment by the accomplished and talented Stephanie Swearingen, who is something of an underappreciated treasure in the Champaign-Urbana theatre/music community. ALSO, HEY YOU KNOW WHAT? THIS THING IS SOLD OUT. SO, IF YOU DON’T HAVE RESERVATIONS YET, YOU CAN *ahem* Sorry for the yelling. If you don’t have a reservation yet, you still have the option to show up around 7 p.m., get on the waitlist, and see if anything opens up. First come, first served. Wait list patrons are seated at 10 til 8. (MG)
Penny Horses, Kenna Mae Reiss, Walt Falbo & the Falbonauts, The Iron Post, 9 p.m., $4
When was the last time you went to a show at the Iron Post? A while? Probably. Here’s a good opportunity to change that for the better. Penny Horses are one of the better new-ish bands in town, and they put on a great live show. They’re joined by Kenna Mae Reiss, who is a staple over at the Iron Post, and Walt Falbo & the Falbonauts. Downtown Urbana on a Saturday night — you have it in you, I know you do. (PS)
RiF
F RAFF, Chanel West Coast, Evan Nash, Roosevelt The Titan, Canopy Club, doors at 8 p.m., show at 9:30 p.m., $20 advance, $25 at the door
When Danny Brown graced the Canopy Club last spring, surely it was on the good people’s minds… when is RiFF RAFF going to come through? Well, friends, now is the time. There isn’t much to say about the guy that couldn’t be better explained by his Vine page, so I’ll just leave it at that. (MR)
SUNDAY, February 8th
Ariel Quartet, Foellinger Great Hall, 3 p.m.
Part of the Salon Series, the Ariel Quartet are winners of the Cleveland Quartet Award for emerging artistry. From KCPA: “Given biennially, the award honors and promotes a rising young string quartet whose artistry demonstrates that it is in the process of establishing a major career. Originally formed in Israel, the Ariel Quartet (Alexandra Kazovsky and Gershon Gerchikov, violin; Jan Grünig, viola; and Amit Even-Tov, cello) moved to the United States in 2004 to study at the New England Conservatory’s Professional String Quartet Training Program, and in 2006 the quartet won the grand prize at the Fischoff National Chamber Music Competition.” (MG)
Make your Valentine’s Day plans, wherever you see fit, whatever your budget can handle
Valentine’s Day is a few weeks out, but it’s on a Saturday this year, so if you’re into the wine and dine thing, you might want to get moving on those plans. Call your favorite restaurant to see about making a reservation, order your flowers, call your babysitter, put together a menu and shopping list if you’re cooking—just do what you need to do. If you’re really looking to impress, make a reservation for bacaro’s sparkling wine and chocolate tasting ($100 per person, Saturday, February 14th, 12-2 p.m.). Or you can just swing by your local Walgreens/CVS and pick up a card. (JH)
Exposed! February Edition, Soma Ultralounge, 6-10 p.m., free
Exposed! is back at it with another evening of free entertainment. This month’s show features Pens to Lens films as well as live music by Code: RED Experience (including a presentaiton of their newly record EP). (RP)
Our Lady, Aviator, 50 Year Storm, Euriah, Thee DeathTower, 8 p.m., $5
It hasn’t been too long since Our Lady played Thee DeathTower but when they do, it’s never unwelcome. This gig wouldn’t be a bad way to spice up your Sunday night with some emo and some hardcore. Also, do note that Kid Rock is on the flyer. (MR)
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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.