FRIDAY, January 30th
Friday lunch: shepherd’s pie, bacaro, 11 a.m.-2 p.m., $15
This will probably be the best thing you’ll eat all weekend AND it has a shot to be the best friday lunch at bacaro so far. Ground lamb, peas, black olives, and a crust of mint mash? Come on. It’s a must eat. Go there and give them $15, have a fancy soda, heave gigantic spoonfuls of warm lamb and mashed potatoes into your gullet, and then make sure you can block out some time to take a nice mid-afternoon nap. (TP)
Treat yourself to some carrot cake, Destihl, 301 North Neil Street, Champaign, 11 a.m.-11 p.m., about $10
The work week is long, and winter is hard. You deserve to have some carrot cake. Destihl’s is amazingly delicious. It’s portioned for sharing, but I won’t tell if you don’t. And carrot cake counts toward your daily vegetable serving, right? (JH)
The Superior State, Career Woman, Eric Christian Stanley, Mike N Molly’s, 8 p.m., $7
Aron Stromberg’s project, The Superior State, will take the stage on Friday night at MNMs with a few others. If you haven’t done so already, check out Superior State’s Four Walls EP from last year, which was one of the better local releases of the year. (PS)
Illini Hockey vs. Oklahoma University, Illini Ice Arena, 7:30 p.m., $9/$5
The #13 Illini take on the #6 Oklahoma Sooners at the Big Pond on Police and Firefighter Appreciation Night. The Illini are fighting for a spot in the national tournament and a win on Friday night would be a big help to their cause. If you haven’t been out to a game yet this season, this is going to be a matchup you’ll want to see. Essentially, these two teams despise one another and it’s been a rivalry that’s been marinating for a few seasons. (TP)
SATURDAY, January 31st
Pop Goes the Culture comedy show, Danville, 7 p.m., $6
Our old pal Ripper the Clown will host this comedy event Chris Hightower, Charlie Hester, Rick Omundson, Allen Lewis, and DJembe Jake at Vintage Villains in Danville. Doors open at 7 p.m., and the show starts at 8 p.m. And, while Vintage Villains is an all-ages venue, this show will contain adult material. See this promo video for more info on Vintage Villains (located at 126 N. Vermillion St. in Danville), and get some comedy in your head. (MG)
Bean sprouts at B-Won, Neil St. Champaign, Dinnertime; Free with dining in
There’s more than a half dozen Korean joints from which to choose, but B-Won has always been the top choice for me. If you go, when you sit down, you will be greeted with a tumbler of hot Jasmine tea (or I think so?) and an array of small salads. Kim Chi, pickled broccoli, rancid fish, etc are all among the possibilites. But on most occasions, they serve a vinagar bean sprout that I could eat by the handful. Ask for more, and they will bring it. I think they have a five-gallon bucket back there.
But don’t tell CUPHD. They wouldn’t know what food preparation meant if it were buried underneath their floors, fermenting, the way it’s supposed to be done. (SF)
GongLab Soundhealing, Amara Yoga & Arts, Lincoln Square, 7 p.m., $30
If you’re like me, the title of this thing just makes me want to go. “GongLab?” Awesome. So it “sounds” like they will be hitting some sweet gongs and leading the group in guided meditation. However, it is kind of costly so if you’re the least bit interested you should probably read what they have to say about it here. (SL)
C-U Symphony Orchestra Concert, Foellinger Great Hall, Krannert Center for the Performing Arts, 7:30 p.m., variable price
The C-U Symphony is continuing its season with Stravinsky’s Petrushka and Beethoven’s Piano Concerto No. 5 in E-flat Major. Check out the performance, including the solo stylings of Ran Dank, this Saturday. (RP)
Urbana House Show x2, Urbana, $5 each
There are two kinds of shows that happen in houses in Urbana: punk shows that stress DIY ethics and house parties that are more laid-back. How can you tell the difference? The former kind costs a $5 donation for touring bands’ gas money and the latter costs $5 for a refillable cup of keg beer (and maybe some cash for the bands if there’s some left-over). There are two of the latter kind of shows going on Saturday night, if you know where to find them (or message the event admins). (MR)
Paradigm Shift Presents: Eve EP Release Show, The Canopy Club, 10 p.m. $5 advance, $7 door
Local hip hop artist T.R.U.T.H., of the collective Paradigm Shift has a new EP and is releasing it Saturday at Canopy Club with a stacked lineup of rappers, poets, and singers including Randall Mance, Onyema Grace OG, Brent Murray, Chasin’ Treezz, DeShawnMusic, Phalonna Stewart, Josi Green, TheGr8Thinkaz and of course, the rapper herself. Come out and snag a copy of this followup to Luxocracy. (MR)
SUNDAY, February 1st
Community Yoga, Reflect Yoga on North Neil, 10:30-11:30 a.m., $20
Last week I checked out Reflect Yoga with Sam Logan for an upcoming Smile Politely story. The space was beautiful with lots of big windows to let in the sunshine. This is the perfect place to get your weekend yoga on, especially if you’re feeling stiff from January’s on-again, off-again winter weather. Community classes are $20 drop-in, or you can buy a pass at variable rates. (RP)
33 Variations, The Station Theatre, 2 p.m., $10
It’s Super Bowl Sunday! What are you going to do? Why, go to the theater, of course! For a special change of pace, the Station will present an afternoon matinee of its current production of Moisés Kaufman’s 33 Variations. Featuring a cast that includes Chris Taber, Randy Offner, Christopher Terrell, and Malia Andrus, this play was originally workshopped at the U of I and features on-stage accompaniment by Stephanie Swearingen on piano. (MG)
Meet the Vanishing Woman, 2 p.m., Urbana Free Library
A special African American History Month performance! Per an Urbana Free Library press release: “Experience one of the greatest escapes of the Underground Railroad. Actress Jennifer Goran will portray Ellen Craft, who escaped slavery in 1848 by posing as a white man. The program also features Doug Peterson, author of The Vanishing Woman, on which this production is based. For adults and children in grades 4 and up. Learn more about the performance here.” A fascinating story, and there’s nothing like live storytelling—especially when it can reach a young audience and transmit the knowledge of history in a compelling way. (MG)
Host a Superbowl gathering, your house, 5-10 p.m., free-ish
Alright, I don’t care about American football. I care about having an excuse to hang out with friends and dip crackers and veggies into something creamy. With plenty of delivery available (hello, Papa Del’s!), you should supplement with a lovely a crudité. Stop by Common Ground for some fresh, organic veggies and some Prairie Fruits Farm cheese. Pick some some of the Co-op’s hummus and some crackers, and you have yourself a party. Friends optional. (JH)
Frame a photograph, anytime
You likely have some photograph on your phone that you think, “that would look great on my wall.” I am here to give you the nudge to go out and try and make that dream come true! My suggestions? First go to a resale shop like the Salvation Army, Habitat for Humanity, or Goodwill to pick up a frame. Look for one with a mat board in it. Next, print a photo to fit the frame. Use Meijer, they have the best prints locally. If you don’t have a photo to frame, go take one! Some of my favorite spots are the city building from the Blind Pig beer garden, West Side Park, Meadowbrook Park, or any street with an old school lamp. Have fun and show me what you come up with! (SL)
———
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.