With school, work, family and nursing a mean post-Super Bowl hangover, who has the time to find out about the best shows happening in Champaign-Urbana? No need to fear, because the editors at Smile Politely have taken care of it.
WHAT: Nomo, Zach May and the Maps
WHEN: Thursday, February 11 @ 9:30 p.m.
WHERE: Canopy Club ($8 Adv.)
It’s a little bit of world music for your Thursday night, as “Michicago”‘s Nomo joins forces with locals Zach May and the Maps for a polyrhythmic experience.
WHAT: Hot Cops, Dr. Manhattan, The Fantastic Plastics, and The Private Thoughts
WHEN: Friday, February 12 @ 9 p.m.
WHERE: Cowboy Monkey ($5)
It’s Chicago’s always-entertaining Dr. Manhattan and three locals, one you know (Hot Cops), one operating under a new name (The Fantastic Plastics is the new Tyson and the Friction), and one that’s nearly brand new (The Private Thoughts, featuring remnants of several local bands of years past).
WHAT: Corn Desert Ramblers
WHEN: Friday, February 12 @ 10 p.m.
WHERE: Bentley’s ($4)
The Corn Desert Ramblers are usually in residence at the Rose Bowl in Urbana, but they make a rare excursion to Champaign for a show at Bentley’s. It’s a rootsy mix of country and bluegrass, originals and covers, that will pass your Friday night pleasantly.
Our mistake. CDR played last weekend. At Bentley’s this weekend: David Howie Acoustic Jukebox at 9 p.m. on Friday 2/12, and Billy Galt at 8 p.m. Saturday 2/13. Both shows are 21+ w/ no cover.
WHAT: Roses and Sake, The Blueheels, Little Boy Junior
WHEN: Friday, February 12 @ 6:30 p.m.
WHERE: Canopy Club ($7)
It’s a night for straightforward rock music at Canopy, as Madison’s The Blueheels will strike a Cars-ish vibe, and locals Roses and Sake and Little Boy Junior aim to please.
WHAT: Jason and the Punknecks, The Burninators, Roberta Sparrow
WHEN: Friday, February 12 @ 10 p.m.
WHERE: Mike ‘N Molly’s ($5)
Jason and the Punknecks bring some hardcore honky-tonk to Mike ‘N Molly’s on Friday night. The Burninators and Roberta Sparrow will warm things up with a little punk edge.
WHAT: Lookbook, Blah Blah Blah, Santah
WHEN: Saturday, February 13 @ 10 p.m.
WHERE: Mike ‘N Molly’s ($TBA)
Minneapolis’ Lookbook were in town late last year at the Courtyard and made a good impression, and here they are again. Chicago’s Blah Blah Blah sound a lot like the Smiths, but bear little physical resemblance, and Santah is currently in negotiations to add an indeterminate number of H’s to the end of their name.
LOOKING AHEAD…
2/17/10
The Highdive – Scott Miller, TBA (Doors @ 7 p.m. – show @ 8 p.m., $10 Adv., 19+)
Canopy Club – Tim Be Told, Dustin Keele, With the Morning (7:30 p.m., TBA, 18+)
2/18/10
Canopy Club – Retribution Gospel Choir, New Ruins (9 p.m., $8 Adv., 18+)
2/19/10
Bentley’s – Everett Thomas and Stacy Ingram (6 p.m., no cover)
Bentley’s – DJ’s Tim Hayden and Melanie Sheckels (10 p.m., $2 cover)
2/20/10
Bentley’s – The Sugar Prophets (9 p.m., $4 cover)
The Highdive – State Radio, TBA (Doors @ 7 p.m. – show @ 7:30 p.m., $15 Adv., 19+)
Canopy Club – RJD2, Kenan Bell, Happy Chichester (7 p.m., $13 Adv., 18+)
Mike ‘N Molly’s – White Mystery, The Fresh Kills (10 p.m., $5, ?)
2/24/10
Canopy Club – Joe Pug, TBA (7 p.m., $10 Adv., 18+)
2/25/10
Krannert Center – Moscow State Radio Symphony Orchestra
2/26/10
Bentley’s – Private Thoughts and Say It With A Smile (10 p.m., $4 Cover)
Springer Cultural Center – Jane Boxall ~ marimba (12 noon, free)
2/27/10
Cowboy Monkey – The Lesser Birds of Paradise, World’s First Flying Machine, Carl Hauck, My Dear Alan Andrews (Doors @ 9 p.m., Show @ 9:30 p.m., $5, 19+)
Bentley’s – The Impalas (9 p.m., $4 Cover)
Canopy Club – Cold Cave, Hair Police (9 p.m., $8 Adv., 18+)
Independent Media Center – Claudia Schmidt (8 p.m., $TBA, All Ages)
3/2/10
Krannert Center – Abraham Inc.
Mike ‘N Molly’s – A Sunny Day in Glasgow, TBA (9 p.m., $7)
3/5/10
Assembly Hall – Martina McBride, Trace Adkins
Mike ‘N Molly’s – The Daredevil Christopher Wright, TBA (10 p.m., $TBA, ?)
3/12/10
The Highdive – Band of Heathens (Doors 7 p.m. – show @ 8 p.m., $12 Adv., 19+)
3/13/10
The Highdive – Feudin’ Hillbillies (Doors 7 p.m. – show @ 8 p.m, $7 Adv., 19+)
Mike ‘N Molly’s – Mittens on Strings, Pet Lions (10 p.m., $5, ?)
3/16/10
Krannert Center – Danu
The Highdive – The Tossers, TBA (Doors @ 8 p.m. – show @ 9 p.m., $12 Adv., 19+)
3/18/10
Krannert Center – San Francisco Symphony
3/30/10
Krannert Center – What it Is! Featuring Mavis Staples, Booker T. JJ Grey
The Highdive – St. Vincent (Doors @ 8 p.m. – show @ 9 p.m., $13 Adv., 19+)
4/5/10
Canopy Club – Bassnectar (9 p.m., $17 Adv. – on sale 1/16, 18+)
4/7/10
The Highdive – Japandroids, Love is All (Doors @ 7 p.m. – show @ 8 p.m., $12 Adv., 19+)
4/10/2010
Krannert Center – Schleswig-Holstein Festival Orchestra
4/15/10
Krannert Center – Joshua Bell
4/24/10
Krannert Center – James Farm
5/5/10
Krannert Center – Ozomatli
7/23/10
Canopy Club – Central Illinois Metalfest 2010
7/24/10
Canopy Club – Central Illinois Metalfest 2010