Friday, February 11th
Photo by Alyssa Buckley.
Try a Smashy McSmashface burger, Weird Meat Boyz Kitchen, 4 to 9 p.m., $8
This week, the Weird Meat Boyz Kitchen opened inside Collective Pour in Champaign, serving burgers, hot dogs, and more. The Smashy McSmashface has double three ounce beef patties (ground in house) and smashed to crispy perfection, American cheese, house-pickled red onion, house-pickled jalapeño, and a super special sauce on a griddled potato bun. The menu includes this weirdly-named burger plus a kimchi burger, a haut dog (made in house) with unlimited toppings for $6, waffle fries, chicken nuggets, and more. Read our interview with the Weird Meat Boyz and owner of Collective Pour to learn about the new restaurant. (AB)
Check out prairie’s winter skies, Staerkel Planetarium at Parkland College, 6:30 p.m., $6 adults/$5 kids
Staerkel’s Friday night programming talks you through what you can see in the sky at this time of year. You’ll hear some stories about the stars. The show is intended for all audiences, so bring the kiddos, too. Tickets are available in person 30 minutes before the start of the show. (JH)
Image from Uniting Pride Facebook page.
Join the Love Fest and support Uniting Pride, The Station Theatre, 7:30-9:30 p.m., $40
If your love language is theatre and you want to support LGBTQ+ communities in Champaign County, this cabaret-style fundraiser is where you need to be on this pre-V-day weekend. Enjoy a night of love songs from throughout musical theatre history, and maybe even sponsor a performer or dedicate a song to someone special (or your own fabulous self). A second performance is scheduled for Saturday, February 12th, 7:30-9:30 p.m. (DD)
Head to the Rose Bowl for Winter Weekend, Rose Bowl Tavern, 8 p.m., $10
The CU Folk and Roots Winter Weekend is here to warm you up and give you a taste of the festival that is usually held in the fall. The fest technically started on Thursday, but there are shows happening Friday and Saturday, so still plently of time to catch some great bands. (SW)
Saturday, February 12th
Stop by the February pop-up shop, The Recreation Club, 2-6 p.m., prices vary
This two-day event brings some new names to Rec Club’s list of featured artists. Shop work from @pastel_moonrise_pottery, @conscious.curation.co, @butter.stitch, @immaterialbooks, @funafraid; plus @carlybennytattoo will be offering flash tattoos. Also, open 2-6 p.m. on Friday, February 11th. (DD)
Photo from Facebook event page.
Enjoy Valentine Glow, Allerton Park, 5 to 9 p.m., $10 suggested donation per car
Did you love the lights at Allerton during the holidays? This weekend you can check out the Valentine’s Day version with your significant other, your besties, or yourself. Take a walk and admire the lighted features, then head over to the meadow where you’ll find a bar and some fires to warm you up inside and out. If you want to go all out, see about staying overnight at the park. (JM)
Image from Still Shine’s Facebook.
Get some drinks and listen to bluegrass, NOLA’s, 7 p.m., $7
Summer Camp Saturday’s at NOLA’s brings Still Shine, the progressive bluegrass and Americana band. The group has played with many renowned artists including Billy Strings, Chicago Farmer, and Way Down Wanderers, just to name a few. This is a great price for a band that will blow you away. (SW)
Sunday, February 13th
Get some bread on sale, Pekara Bakery & Bistro, 8 a.m. to 3 p.m., prices vary
All bread is 50% off and day-old pastries are $2 until sold out on Sundays at Pekara. It’s a great way to stock up on bread for French toast, bread crumbs, or skip on dinner and enjoy a smörgasbord of discounted baked goods. (AB)
Photo from the Fighting Illini Women’s Tennis Facebook page.
Watch some women’s tennis, Atkins Tennis Center, noon, free
The undefeated Illini (7-0) take on Missouri (2-2). Parking at Atkins is free, and the crowd is likely to be small but lively. (JH)
Stroll and eat s’mores, Crystal Lake Park, 3 to 5 p.m., free
Bring some friends and enjoy the winter sights at Crystal Lake Park, which publisher Seth Fein ranked in the top five parks in Champaign-Urbana. After your walk there will be a fire, s’mores, and hot chocolate at The Lake House patio. (JM)
Top photo from Urbana Park District Facebook page.
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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.