The Insider Best Bets

02.12 | FEBRUARY

February 1
The legend of the King is more alive than ever in “Elvis Lives, the Musical.” Presented by the University Concert Series, the show features four Elvis tribute performers, a live band, dancers and back-up singers. Put on your blue suede shoes, grab a friend and head to Jesse Hall on the MU campus for an evening that will have you “All Shook Up.” The show begins at 7 p.m. and tickets range from $19 to $29. Visit www.concertseries.org or call 573-882-3781 for more information.

February 2
Buckle up when Lewis Black comes to town, because this comedy show is not for the faint of heart. Black’s heavy reliance on sarcasm hilariously exposes the absurdities of everyday life, American culture and politics in his show, “In God We Rust.” Doors open at 7 p.m., and the evening of laughs begins at 8 p.m. at the Missouri Theatre Center for the Arts, 203 S. Ninth St. Visit www.motheatre.org or call 573-875-0600 for ticket details.

February 3–5, 10–11
Watch an evening of complicated love and trickery at “Lady Windermere’s Fan,”the first play by Oscar Wilde. Follow Lady Windermere as the actors of Stephens College tell her story of marital trouble that turns comical when her long-lost mother becomes involved. The show begins at 7:30 p.m. each night, except for the 2 p.m. matinee on Feb. 5, at Macklanburg Playhouse, 100 Willis Ave. Tickets are $14 for general admission and $7 for students and seniors. Visit www.stephens.edu/performingarts or call 573-876-7199 for more information.

February 4
Bring out your best black and gold spirit for the famous Border Showdown. The Mizzou Men’s Basketball team will tip-off against the University of Kansas Jayhawks at 8 p.m. in Mizzou Arena, 1 Champions Drive. Visit www.mutigers.com or call 573-884-7297 for more information.

February 6–12
If you’re one of those people who has to be the first to try something new, then the Mizzou New Play Series is a must-do for February. Enjoy seven plays in seven days with this series of fresh material from the Missouri Playwrights Workshop. This event is free and open to the public, and takes place at the Corner Playhouse at University Avenue and Hitt Street on the MU campus. Go to theatre.missouri.edu/mpw to read more about the series.

February 9
Celebrating its 100th birthday at the Missouri Theatre Center for the Arts, 203 S. Ninth St., the Pro Arte Quartet will fill the hearts of audience members with beautiful music. The quartet has played around Europe, Asia and the United States, including at the White House. Presented by the University Concert Series, the performance will begin at 7 p.m. and tickets start at $9. Visit www.concertseries.org or call 573-882-3781 for details.

February 9–12, 16–19, 23–26
Join Percy Talbott on her musical journey out of prison and into life in rural Wisconsin in Columbia Entertainment Company’s performance of “The Spitfire Grill.” Talbott discovers the complexity and power of close relationships as she works at the grill. Filled with folk and bluegrass music, the show exposes how an entire town can rediscover itself. Shows begin at 7:30 p.m. Thursday through Saturday and 2 p.m. on Sunday at Columbia Entertainment Company, 1800 Nelwood Drive. Find ticket info at www.cectheatre.org, or call 573-474-3699.

February 10–12
Make a splash of a weekend at the USA Swimming Missouri Grand Prix. The Student Recreation Center on the MU campus will host the third of seven stops that make up the Grand Prix Series. With past participants including Michael Phelps and Dara Torres, the event offers athletes a chance to compete against swimming’s best. Preliminary races start at 9 a.m. each day and finals begin at 5:30 p.m. Ticket prices vary, so visit www.missourigrandprix.com or call 573-884-5600 for more information.

February 11
You may have thought film took a turn when sound was added, but nothing compares to the combination of silent film and a rock concert. Come to Jesse Hall on the MU campus for an exhilarating night of “Vox Lumiere – The Phantom of the Opera,” presented by the University Concert Series. Singers, dancers and musicians will perform live in front of the original silent film, giving a whole new meaning to the cinema experience. The show begins at 7 p.m. and tickets start at $19. Visit www.concertseries.org or call 573-882-3781 for more information.

February 12
There aren’t many pianists that can tickle the keys the way Chucho Valdes does in his combination of classical, jazz and Cuban music. A four-time Grammy winner and three-time Latin Grammy winner, Valdes will be making his second Columbia appearance as part of the “We Always Swing” Jazz Series. Don’t miss out on Chucho Valdes and The Afro-Cuban Messengers at the Missouri Theatre Center for the Arts, 203 S. Ninth St. Doors open at 6 p.m. and the show begins at 7 p.m. Tickets prices vary, so visit www.wealwaysswing.org or call 573-449-3001.

February 15–18
You’re invited to Claire’s baby shower at the Stephens College performance of “Beautiful Bodies.” Celebrate with the mommy-to-be and her five best friends as they discuss the struggles of womanhood and discover more about their friendship than they ever knew. Bring along your closest girlfriends for a witty and comical evening. The show begins at 7:30 p.m. at the Warehouse Theatre, 100 Willis Ave. Tickets are $8 for general admission and $6 for students and seniors. Visit www.stephens.edu/performingarts or call 573-876-7199 for more information. This show is rated PG-13 for mild language.

February 16
Support the Columbia College Men’s Basketball team in their fierce battle against Missouri Baptist University. The competition begins at 7:30 p.m. at the Southwell Complex on the Columbia College campus. Visit www.columbiacougars.com or call 573-875-7433 for more information.

February 18
It’s the tastiest fundraiser this side of the Pecos, and you’ll have a rip-roaring good time at the Rootin’ Tootin’ Chili Cookoff. The annual competition runs from 4 to 7 p.m. at the Holiday Inn Expo Center. Last year’s event featured 50 teams who cooked up more than 350 gallons of chili and raised more than $65,000 for the Boys & Girls Club. Tickets are just $10 and available at www.rtchilicookoff.com or from the Boys and Girls Club at 573-823-1157.

February 18–19
There’s nothing more perfect than chocolate and wine to make an evening with your significant other extra special. Start a tradition out of the two by spending a weekend at seven wineries on the Chocolate Wine Trail. Enjoy pairings such as White Chocolate Blondie Brownies with Vignoles at Stone Hill Winery and Mocha-Coffee Crusted Pork Medallions with Chocolate Raspberry Sauce with Three Saints Pinot Noir at Dierberg Star Lane. Tickets are $30 per person and include a souvenir wine glass. Tickets usually sell out fast, so purchase yours at www.visithermann.com or by calling 800-932-8687.

February 20
Cheer on the women of the Stephens College basketball team as they take on Central Methodist University. The Stars and the Eagles will tip off at 7 p.m. in Silverthorne Arena on Dorsey Street. Visit www.stephens.edu or call 573-876-7212 for more information.

February 23
A frequent performer with the “We Always Swing” Jazz Series, Benny Green is the perfect pianist to warm the swanky soul of Columbia. This time collaborating with Peter Washington and Kenny Washington, Green’s musical prowess will have you snapping and tapping along all night. The performance begins at 7 p.m. in the Reynolds Alumni Center on the MU campus, and tickets range from $17 to $32. Join other guests for a pre-concert hors d’oeuvres reception at 5 p.m. for $15. Visit www.wealwaysswing.org or call 573-449-3001 for more information.

February 25
It will be no ordinary catfight when the Tigers of the Mizzou Women’s Basketball team battle it out against the Kansas State Wildcats. Tip-off is at noon at Mizzou Arena, 1 Champions Drive. Visit www.mutigers.com or call 573-884-7297 for more information.

February 25
Come listen to “Images of Hungary” performed by the Columbia Civic Orchestra. The local volunteers will play the compositions of Liszt, Bartok and Kodaly, as well as the premiere of Stephanie Berg’s “Motive and Reflection.” The evening begins at 7 p.m. at the Missouri Theatre Center for the Arts, 203 S. Ninth St. Visit www.motheatre.org or call 573-875-0600 for more information.

Save The Date

March 1–4
Clear your calendar for a weekend of smart entertainment as the ninth annual True/False Film Festival takes over The District. Featuring inquisitive documentaries from local, national and international filmmakers, the festival also brings live music, a parade and parties galore. The 2012 festival has expanded to seven venues, but tickets for the films go fast, so purchase them soon. More information about tickets and weekend passes can be found at www.truefalse.org.

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