Smile Politely

The Overture: February 21-26

Black and white photo of Thotcrime on stage performing. The singer is on the right, a guitar player on the left in a jumpsuit and facemask.
Thotcrime

The Overture is a rundown of live music and performances happening in and around Champaign-Urbana each week. All of the information is as accurate as we can publish; however, all shows and performances are subject to change at any time. Thank you for understanding.

Did we miss something this week? Have a show coming up you think we should know about? Email us at [email protected] with the details.

TUESDAY, February 21st

Vine Street Syncopators

Esquire Lounge // free // 5 p.m.

Esquire is joining in on the Fat Tuesday party with some jazz from Vine Street Syncopators.

New Orleans Jazz Machine

Rose Bowl Tavern // free // 5 p.m.

Come celebrate Fat Tuesday at Rose Bowl with some accompanying jazz from New Orleans Jazz Machine.

Dennis Stroughmatt stands outside in a yard, holding a fiddle and gazes off to the left of the screen. He has long curly hair and wears a black embroidered western shirt.
Dennis Stroughmatt on Facebook

Dennis Stroughmatt

Rose Bowl Tavern // free // 7:30 p.m.

Dennis Stroughmatt is an incredibly talented award winning fiddle player and an expert in French Midwest Creole music and history, so it only makes sense that he’d be closing out Fat Tuesday.

WEDNESDAY, February 22nd

Vine Street Syncopators

Rose Bowl Tavern // free // 5 p.m.

More jazz at Rose Bowl on Wednesday with the Vine Street Syncopators. Come hear some piping hot jazz that will get your toes tapping.

THURSDAY, February 23rd

Stone and Snow

Rose Bowl Tavern // free // 5 p.m.

Beautiful vocal harmonies and thoughtful songwriting, Stone and Snow are a talented folk duo who bring their wonderful songwriting abilities to Rose Bowl on Thursday night for Americana Happy Hour. 

So Tuff So Cute poses for a studio portrait. The black haired woman on the right wraps her arms around the blonde haired woman on the left. They look into the camera, wearing glittery makeup.
So Tuff So Cute on Facebook

So Tuff So Cute

Canopy Club // $10 // 9 p.m.

Described as the “Spice Girls of EDM,” this duo will bring a party to Canopy Club.

FRIDAY, February 24th

Chip Stephens Organ Trio

► Rose Bowl Tavern // free // 5 p.m.

Not your typical jazz trio. Organ, guitar, and drums mix together to create some great tunes.

Dan Hubbard

Pour Bros // free // 7 p.m

Friday at Pour Bros, americana singer-songwriter Dan Hubbard performs his originals with his powerful and resonating voice.

THØTCRIME, Karat’s Gold, J.U.G., Dumbed Down

C4A // free // 7:30 p.m

Community Center for the Arts is back with another killer show, with these four hard hitting bands.

Nick Dittmeier and the Sawdusters, Emily Anne Band

Rose Bowl Tavern // $10 suggested cover // 9 p.m.

Indiana-based singer/songwriter Nick Dittmeier and his band The Sawdusters will be playing some killer tunes, with Emily Anne Band opening the night up.

SATURDAY, February 25th

People Music

Rose Bowl Tavern // free // 2 p.m.

Are you a person? Do you like music? If you answered yes to both of those questions, you’ll love People Music, with dueling keyboards and a great rhythm section to back them up.

Black and white action shot of Edward David Anderson performing on stage. He plays acoustic guitar, mouth open as he sings into the microphone. Fog surrounds him.
Edward David Anderson on Facebook

Edward David Anderson

Cafeteria and Co // $10 adv, $15 door // 7 p.m.

Singer-songwriter Edward David Anderson plays after hours at Cafe and Co in downtown Urbana. This is also the first concert organized by the newly formed Right Here Music.

Sammy and the Coaltraine

Pipa’s Pub // free // 7 p.m.

Country group Sammy and the Coltraine stop by Pipa’s to play some originals and covers. 

Them Coulee Boys

Rose Bowl Tavern // $10 adv, $15 door // 8:30 p.m.

Folk/rock/americana outfit Them Coulee Brothers come to us from Wisconsin, joined by special guests Harvest Sons from Peoria.

Modern Drugs

Loose Cobra // $10 // 9 p.m.

Power pop band Modern Drugs is just about finished recording their first full length album; hopefully they will share some new songs. Curb Service opens at 9 p.m., Modern Drugs to follow.

SUNDAY, February 26th

New Music Mosaic

Rose Bowl Tavern // free // 4 p.m.

New Music Mosaic is made up of C-U’s emerging composers and their recent works. This Sunday’s performance includes new works by Mikeila McQueston, William F. Montgomery, Ralph Lewis, Jack Langdon, Patrick Wu, Sami Seif, and Joshua Iyer.

Silverweed

Rose Bowl Tavern // free // 7 p.m.

Silverweed plays originals and covers, ranging from Grateful Dead to Bob Dylan. Expect some great improvisation and jamming. 

Lviv National Philharmonic Orchestra of Ukraine

Krannert Center // $48 // 7:30 p.m.

This Lviv National Philharmonic was formed in 1902 in the medieval city of Lviv, Ukraine. They’ll be performing Stankovych, Bruch, and Dvořák.

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