Friday, February 3rd
Listen to music at the CU Folk and Roots winter festival, Rose Bowl Tavern, all weekend, free but donations suggested
CU Folk and Roots has a weekend-long mini festival that started on Thursday. Today, Friday, and Saturday will feature several performances and two jam sessions. Visit the CU Folk and Roots website for specifics. (JH)
Attend a lecture about syphilis, Staerkel Planetarium, 7 p.m., $2
Yes that’s right. I am recommending an event focused on a sexually transmitted infection. Do many people still get syphilis? I bet I would learn the answer. You’ll everything you wanted to know about it from Parkland Professor of Microbiology Chelsea Lloyd. The event is part of the Kaler Science Lecture Series. (JM)
Saturday, February 4th
Have a cozy lunch, Silvercreek, 11 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., $14
Visit Champaign County’s Restaurant Week ends on Saturday, so make plans to swing by Silvercreek for their delicious lunch special. For $14, the lunch includes a soup, an entrée with a side, and a cookie. The food is awesome, and the dining room is beautiful. Read my review of Wednesday’s lunch at Silvercreek to learn all about that tasty burger. (AB)
Learn about The Healing Project, The Literary, 4 p.m., free but there will be beverages for purchase
This week we featured an interview with Dora Watkins, a PhD student in social work and founder of The Healing Project, an organization dedicated to healing collective trauma through art and activism. They are hosting their launch event at The Literary…maybe swing by and see what it’s all about? (JM)
Check out Cirque Zuma Zuma, Kirkland Fine Arts Center at Millikin University, 7:30 p.m., $15-$25, depending on the seat
Decatur might seem like a far away place, but it’s not so far, just 45 minutes or so. Maybe you need a little something to get yourself out of town — Cirque Zuma Zuma is a great excuse. The acrobatic performance is described as “African Cirque du Soleil” and the videos are very cool. In fact, the group was on America’s Got Talent. Grab some dinner and drinks before the show at Door 4. (JH)
Take a free swing dance class, Illini Union Room 314, 8 p.m., free
Very many years ago, I took one of these free classes offered by the Illini Swing Society and I was hooked! Show up, learn a few moves, then stick around for their spring dance. It’s really fun, and you don’t need to have any experience to jump in. (JM)
Sunday, February 5th
Buy some canna-sweets, nuEra, noon to 7 p.m., $10.37
Valentine’s Day is coming up. Our local dispensaries always have cannabis-infused treats, but these are special for Valentine’s Day. You can’t love anyone if you don’t love yourself, so why not show some love to yourself this weekend with these Marsh Mellow love bites? You can eat all five (50 mg), but I like to go for 2-3 and ride that lovely high out. (AB)
Practice your archery, Stock Pavilion at the University of Illinois, 3 to 5 p.m., free
Bring your own gear, or borrow some from Caer Gwyn, the group organizing these Sunday archery practices. Note: there are only so many loaners, so arrive early, and if you’re bringing your own, “there is a 45-pound draw weight limit for all bows used [and] all arrows must be wood shafted.” All levels welcome. Caer Gwyn is the East-Central Illinois arm of the Society for Creative Anachronism. (JH)
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.