Submit calendar listings at www.illinoistimes.com or e-mail to [email protected] or send them to:

Calendar P.O. Box 5256 Springfield, IL 62705 Dates, times and locations are subject to last-minute changes, so we suggest calling before attending the event.

FAIRS & FESTIVALS

Springfield Mardi Gras Feb 11-16, Put on your costume and join Springfield Mardi Gras and its partners in a celebration of Carnival Season with events Feb. 11- 16. Kick off with Mardi Gras Party at Remy’s Feb. 11 and continue with Mardi Gras-themed Uptown Friday Night at Robbie’s on Feb. 12, featuring New Orleans area native Roger Kimball and his band - red beans and rice on the menu. Feb. 16, free face painting and more for children at Trout Lily Café from 5:30-6:30pm, followed by familyoriented sidewalk parade led by Frank Parker’s New Orleans Marching Band. Costumes encouraged, and participants urged to join the parade around downtown. Second Line Downtown Pub Crawl begins Feb. 16 at Robbie’s 7:30 p.m. March with Frank and band, in and out of downtown pubs, with revelry and beads for over-21 crowd. Schedule available after Feb. 10 at participating pubs. For more info call 725-9058.

BOOKS & AUTHORS

Accepting Teen Poetry Submissions Now accepting poetry and artwork submissions from teens, grades 6-12, for international teen poetry anthology. Contributors receive two books. For more info or complete rules, visit www.adonisdesignspress.com or www.pwlf.com.

Book Reading with Jeff Biggers Feb 18, 7pm, Award-winning journalist and cultural historian Jeff Biggers reads from his new book, Reckoning at Eagle Creek:The Secret Legacy of Coal in the Heartland. Hosted by Sierra Club. City Nights Theater, 3149 S. Dirksen Pkwy.

Classics Book Discussion Group Feb 15, 12-1pm, Meets the third Monday, October through May in the Bicentennial Room. For info call 753- 4900 ext 206. Lincoln Library, 326 S. Seventh St.

Marc Aronson Feb 11, 6pm, Nationally renowned author of Race: A History Beyond Black and White presents a program held in observance of Lincoln’s Birthday and African American History Month. Free and open to public. For more info call 524-0901. Vachel Lindsay Home State Historic Site, 603 S. Fifth St.

Springfield Comic Book Convention Feb 14, 10am-4pm, Variety of comic books new and old, as well as toys and related collectibles for sale. Open to public, free. For more info call 309-657- 1599 or www.epguides.com/comics. Route 66 Hotel & Conference Center, 625 E. Saint Joseph St.

Standing on the Shoulders of Giants Feb 11, 6pm, Free program is “The Influence of Romare Bearden’s Visual Art on August Wilson’s Drama,” presented by Dr. Jeannie Zeck, associate professor of English at MacMurray College. She discusses how African- Americans Wilson and Bearden influenced each others artistic works. Benedictine University at Springfield.

THEATER & COMEDY

An Evening with Garrison Keillor Feb 15, 7:30pm, Host and writer of ‘A Prairie Home Companion’ and ‘The Writer’s Almanac,’ heard on public radio stations across the country. His books include Lake Wobegon Days, The Book of Guys and Love Me. $45. For more info or tickets call 206-6160. Sangamon Auditorium, UIS, 1 University Plaza.

Rent Feb 12-14, 19-21, 8pm Fri-Sat, 2pm Sun, Springfield Theatre Centre presents Jonathan Larson’s rock musical. Young bohemian artists struggle to make it in New York City in the age of the AIDS epidemic. Directed by Carly Shank. $13 adults, $12 senior/child. For more info or tickets call 523-2787. Hoogland Center for the Arts LRS Theatre 1, 420 S. Sixth St.

The Midnight Swinger Feb 12-13, 7:30pm and 9:30pm Fri-Sat, Two shows each night. For more info or tickets call 391-5653. Donnie B’s Comedy Club, 2937 W. White Oaks Dr.

MUSIC: GENERAL EVENTS

Band of the Irish Guards - Royal Regiment of Scotland Feb 11, 7:30pm, United States debut. This band plays for Mounting of The Queen’s Guard and state ceremoni-