What to do and bands to watch in Fort Collins this month!

From side-splitting comedy to concerts by big-name musicians and even a storybook slumber party, there are plenty of events worthy of a spot on your calendar going on in the Choice City.

Theater, music and comedy at the Lincoln Center

Lincoln Center Exterior

Exceptional entertainment at the Lincoln Center continues in February. The Vitamin String Quartet will be in town performing music from the hit show Bridgerton on Feb. 6. Catch SWEAT, a 2017 Pulitzer Prize-winning theater performance until Feb. 10. The Black Opry Revue, a way to enjoy black country music artists, will perform on Feb. 16. The Zikr Dance Ensemble returns on Feb. 18 with a performance entitled "Invocation". Opera Fort Collins presents The Marriage of Figaro, an opera written by Mozart, on Feb. 23-24. The month concludes with the New York Gilbert & Sullivan Players showcasing Gilbert and Sullivan's comedic operas.

LOL all night long

Fort Collins Comedy Fort Performer

The February lineup at The Comedy Fort gets underway with the return of rising star Caleb Synan on Feb. 2 and 3. Open Mic nights are set for Feb. 5, 12, 19 and 26 this month. Chanel Ali, as seen on Girl Code and Dash & Lily, performs on Feb. 9 and 10. Nurses: Off The Charts!, an interactive show where guests are encouraged to share their hilarious healthcare stories, will be on Feb. 11. Akeem Woods returns on Feb. 16 and 17, with a performance from BlueStocking Burlesque after his set on Feb. 16. The following weekend, Feb. 23 and 24, catch stand-up comedian Nate Craig. Liz Miele, a well-featured NYC comic, closes the month out with a performance on Feb. 29.

Rhythms at the Rat

The Magic Rat

Magic Rat, located in Old Firehouse Alley adjacent to The Elizabeth Hotel in Old Town, offers swinging sounds on tap weekly, from big-name artists to local late-night jam sessions. Well Chuned performs on Feb. 2, while Delta Sonics is set for Feb. 3. Catch Carlos Barata on Feb. 8, West Side Joe & The Men of Soul on Feb. 9, and Sasha Stone on Feb. 10. The Songwriter in the Round event returns Feb. 14. Post Paradise, a local indie rock band, performs Feb. 16. Crescent City Connection returns on Feb. 17. Blue River Grass, a mix of jazz, blues, and blue grass, performs Feb. 22. Milquetoast & Co, a Denver based group, performs on Feb. 24. Christine Alice, a Colorado native, rounds out the month with a performance on Feb. 29. Check the calendar for all the details.

Live Music at 830 North

bowling Chipper's Lanes

830 North hosts weekly concerts as part of Live Music at Chippers sponsored by Mishawaka Amphitheatre. See Tumbledown Shack as a part of Workingman's Wednesdays on Feb. 7. On Feb. 8, witness jam band magic by The Hyms with Major Flavor, the Skratchmen. Catch SkiiTour with Joey Trouble & Wefunk 247 on Feb. 10. Blast N Scrap, along with Mishawaka, present Robot Tennis Club, Social Contract and Black Mople on Feb. 14. Electronic/Bass bands stein, squim, and Zach Mosa perform on Feb. 21. Sauce K, a hip-hop artist, performs Feb. 24, and Sneezy, a funk and soul band from Chicago, performs Feb. 29.

See you at the Sundance

Along with dance lessons, bingo, open mic nights and family nights, Sundance Steakhouse & Saloon hosts live acoustic performances on Friday and Saturday nights. Brett Hendrix kicks of the Sundance February concert lineup with a performance on Feb. 2. Logan Mize returns to Colorado on Feb. 3. The Flat River Band plays on Feb. 9. Estin & The 86'd take the stage on Feb. 17. The following weekend, Josh Roy performs on Feb. 23 and 24. Sundance will also be hosting an annual poker fundraiser for Kawasaki Kids on Feb. 24.

Rock out at the Aggie

Aggie Theatre Concert

The historic Aggie Theatre, a live music institution in Fort Collins for over 100 years, plays host to several great shows this month, including Mipso on Feb. 2, Rachael & Vilray on Feb. 4, AYYBO on Feb. 7, RJD2 on Feb. 8 and Steely Dead on Feb. 9. Mid-month, catch Minnesota on Feb. 15, SABAI on Feb. 16, GRIEVES on Feb. 17 and The High Hawks' album release show on Feb. 18. Mir Fontane + Caleborate perform Feb. 21. Josh Meloy and Trenton Fletcher take the stage on Feb. 22. DRRTYWULVZ takes the stage on Feb. 23, followed by INTHEWHALE on Feb. 24. Little Stranger & DENM close out the month on Feb. 29.

Six years of fun at Washington’s

Washington's Window

Washington’s, a historic 900-person venue in Old Town Fort Collins, hosts big names all month long. Lettuce performs on their Vibe Tour on Feb. 8. On Feb. 15, catch Dopapod. An Evening with Yo La Tengo is now scheduled for Feb. 17. Mighty Poplar, one of the finest bluegrass bands, closes the month out on Feb. 18.

Intimate shows at The Armory

Concerts-at-the-Armory

The Armory (sister venue to Washington’s) hosts nationally known musicians in an intimate 200-capacity (seated) listening room. Lydia Loveless kicks the month off on Feb. 2 followed by a performance by Steve Poltz on Feb. 3. Daniel Rodriguez performs on Feb. 4. An Evening with Rising Appalachia, the string band rendition, is on Feb. 6. Jeremie Albino performs on Feb. 16. The next week, catch An Evening with Tim O'Brien Band on Feb. 21. Eddie 9V takes the stage on Feb. 22, and the month is rounded out by Marcia Ball and CJ Chenier & The Red Hot Louisiana Band on Feb. 29.

Slumber Party at New Belgium Brewing

New Belgium Brewery

New Belgium Brewing hosts its Lost in the Woods: Storybook Slumber Party on Feb. 10. Spend an evening lost in enchantment sipping sours, dancing, and eating classic slumber party bites in the Foeder Forest from 8 p.m. to midnight. Age 21 and over. Tickets are $75 and include food, beer, and a bottle of La Folie.

More than a movie theater: The Lyric

Along with indie film and visual art, see live music at the Lyric Cinema, a mainstay in Old Town Fort Collins for a decade. The Lyric opened a new 10,000-square-foot building on North College in late 2017. Along with screening a wide variety of indie films, this creative hub features arcade games, a concession stand and a café and bar. This month, you can also catch live music on a few evenings. Ducki performs with Juney & Chloe Corbin on Feb. 2. A Brassy Mardi Gras Party takes place on Fat Friday, Feb. 9. See Shtonk Brass Band and Pappy Long Legs. Tickets are $18 in advance. The Horsetooth Fest Showcase 53:14, a local music video experiment, will be held on Feb. 13. Check out The Lyric's calendar for more February events and their movie schedule.

Fort Collins Book Fest takes place throughout Feb.

The Fort Collins Book Fest “One Community, Many Stories,” takes place throughout February at venues around Fort Collins. The Fort Collins Book Festival gets underway on Feb. 1 and continues through the end of the month. The packed schedule includes readings, writing workshops, author talks, panel discussions, children and teen activities, and social activities. The complete schedule for the free, all-ages event is available at www.FoCoBookFest.org.

Downtown Lights Continue

Downtown LightsDowntown Fort Collins is the place to be for twinkling lights. Every night through Valentine's Day, the lights will be turned on in Old Town Fort Collins. Twenty-two blocks of downtown are illuminated with thousands of strands of lights in alleyways, along sidewalks, and among treetops. The impressive display of low-energy and sustainable LED lights can be enjoyed anywhere along College Avenue, the northern boundary of Laporte Avenue, and continuing south to Magnolia Street. Trees are lit along Walnut Street, Linden Street, Pine Street, Old Town Square, Oak Street Plaza, and Mountain Avenue as well.