FRIDAY, January 29th
No Vacancy: New Work by Brittany Krohmer, East Wall Gallery (2109 Griffith Dr., Champaign), 5-8 p.m., free
See some art this weekend. “No Vacancy” by Brittany Krohmer is a series of charcoal drawings that explore the construction of childhood identity, secrets, and play. The event kicks off a new semester at U of I’s MFA South Studios. (RP)
Learn to dance the Contra, Phillips Recreation Center, 505 W. Stoughton St., Urbana, 7:30-11 p.m., $4-$5
No partner or experience needed. Bring soft-soled, non street shoes. $5; students and seniors, $4. New dancer orientation, 7:30 p.m.From the Contra website: “Contra dance is a traditional American dance. It is similar to square dance, is derived from English Country dance and has been done in this country since the 1700’s. The phrase can also refer to an evening of traditional dancing which can include square, circle and couple dances as well as contra dances.” (SL)
The Great Cover Up, The Accord, $10, 8 p.m.-1 a.m.
The 25th installment of the annual Great Cover Up continues tonight, as some of the best performances are still to come. Beat Kitchen have historically been one of the best GCUP acts, and with Abnormous, T.R.U.T.H, Church Booty and others — you’ll enjoy yourself. Check out all the information on set times and other acts at the link above. (PS)
SATURDAY, January 30th
Co+op Explorer’s Viva Local event, Common Ground Food Coop, 10 a.m. to noon, free
Your little ones can make a valentine for local farmers, producers, and vendors while snacking on healthy stuff. Sounds like a nice opportunity to entertain the kids while you pick up some groceries. (JH)
Visit Plant Mode’s pop up record shop, Furniture Lounge 11 University Avenue
Plant Mode is a local plant shop nessled in the back of the Furniture Lounge in Downtown Champaign. Usually all you can find are some dope plants for your home, but today you can find records. So all you botonists grab your audiophile friends and head down to Plant Mode for some shopping. (SL)
Closing Reception for String Exhibition by Peggy Flavin, IMC Gallery 202 S. Broadway Ave., Urbana, 6-8 p.m., free
For the past month, there has been an amazingly intricate installment of 3D string art at the IMC Gallery, by artist Peggy Flavin, but SP was on hiatus so we missed writing about it. Saturday night it is coming down, and you won’t be able to see this structure that “might look fun to crawl under or climb in like a ninja”. The word ninja makes it mandatory. (RK)
Champaign Swarm vs. Windy City Groove, Parkland College, 7 p.m.
Go check out C-U’s very own professional sports team on Saturday night. The Champaign Swarm are a member of the Midwest Professional Basketball Association and they play their home games over at Parkland College. They have struggled a bit this season, not unlike the Illini, but the Swarm did just win their first game of the season this past weekend against the St. Louis RiverSharks. (JK)
Louis The Child, The Canopy Club, 8 p.m., $10
I’m not usually one for EDM, but Louis The Child have been steadily taking Chicago’s DJ scene by storm of late, and have rolled that momentum in a steady stream of tours and shows. This Saturday, they stop by Canopy for only ten bucks. You can’t beat that. (BH)
Expressions III, Institute 4 Creativity, 8:30 p.m., $5
This event will showcase local multimedia art with a shared theme of experimental and phsychedelic expression. There will be live video projection and manipulation on all walls as well as live painting, and live electronic music from local electronic acts Vibraspore, TwoLeggedZoo, JORTS, and Snayl. (JK)
The Victory Lap: Beyonce + Michael, The Accord, 11 p.m., Free
No, this isn’t your normal concert listing in the Weekender. This is a night of nothing but Michael Jackson and Beyonce dance hits. Name something better. You can’t. (BH)
SUNDAY, January 31st
Make your Valentine’s Day dinner reservation, anywhere, all weekend
If you’re into celebrating this Hallmark Holiday, you might want to make your dinner reservations now. V. Picasso is offering a special menu in addition to its regular one, but like all overblown holiday celebratory feasts, it’ll cost you ($55 per person; $85 per person with wine pairing). Miga‘s offering a seven course tasting menu for $85 each, plus an additional $35 for wine pairings. Break out the wallet, or get to planning the romantic dinner at home. Oh, and don’t forget the flowers. Photo by Jessica Hammie. (JH)
Brewing Basics Workshop: Mead, Cider, and Beer, Chapel of St. John the Divine (1011 S. Wright St., Champaign), 1-4 p.m., lecture free, hands-on workshop $15
Winter, like all the seasons, is a time for beer. This lecture and hands-on workshop gives you the chance to acquaint yourself with how beer is made. Co-sponsored by the Makerspace and the Society for Creative Anachronism, this event gives you the chance to learn how to make mead, cider, and beer, and take some beverages home with you for later drinking. (RP)
Winter War (Gamer’s Convention), Hawthorne Suites 101 Trade Center Dr, Champaign, 2:30-6 p.m., free
While this event lasts all weekend and makes all kinds of board, card, miniature and RPG gaming opportunities available, there are 2 great reasons to go after 2 p.m. on Sunday: it’s free to play the games being showcased, and CUDO Plays will have an entire room full of newly-invented games to test play. Check out the full schedule, and if you want, you can still register at the desk beginning at noon on Friday. (RK)
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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.