Vachel Lindsay 131st Birthday Celebration Open House Nov 06, 10am-4pm, Join the free celebration of Springfield’s most well-known poet of all time with live entertainment and refreshments. Vachel Lindsay Home State Historic Site, 603 S. Fifth St, 217-524-0901.
SPOKEN WORD
Expressions in the Dark Nov 05, 9:30pm, Poets, comedians, musicians open mic. $10. Route 66 Hotel & Conference Center, 625 E. Saint Joseph St.
Springfield Poets and Writers Poetry Open Mic Nov 17, 6-8pm, Public invited to read poetry or sit back and listen. 725-9058. pwlf.com. Robbie’s, 4 S. Old State Capitol Plaza.
THEATER & COMEDY
Altar Boyz Nov 11-14, 8pm Thu-Sat, 2pm Sun, Foot-stomping, roof-raising, musical comedy about fictitious Christian boy band on last night of their “Raise the Praise” tour. $16. Hoogland Center for the Arts, 420 S. Sixth St.
Comedian Don Reese Nov 05-06, 8pm Fri, 7:15pm & 9:30pm Sat, Friendly ghoulishness mixed with sparks-flying timing, creates comedy that is uniquely and utterly his - “The Cleveland Plain Dealer.” Mason City Limits Comedy Club, 114 E. Chestnut, Mason City, 482-5233.
Comedian Scotty K Nov 05-06, 7:30pm and 9:30pm Fri-Sat, Two shows each night both Friday and Saturday. Donnie B’s Comedy Club, 2937 W. White Oaks Dr, 391 joke.
Dear Edwina Junior Nov 05-07, 12-14, 7pm Fri-Sat, 2pm Sun, Nov. Springfield Theatre Centre presents a musical featuring advice-giver extraordinaire, Edwina Spoonapple. Hoogland Center for the Arts, 420 S. Sixth St.
Medea by Euripides Nov 04-07, 7:30pm, Thu- Sat 2pm Sun, Compelled by the betrayal of her beloved husband, Medea exacts revenge in ways too terrible to imagine. Reservations. 245-3471. Illinois College Sibert Theatre, McGaw Fine Arts Center, Jacksonville.
No Exit Nov 05-07, 8pm Fri-Sat, 2pm Sun, LLCC Theatre Program presents a ground-breaking existentialist drama in which characters find themselves in a comfortable room for eternity. Features 3D installation by LLCC art department. Trutter Center. 786- 4942. Lincoln Land Community College, 5250 Shepherd Rd.
Spring Awakening Nov 14, 7pm, Groundbreaking fusion of morality, sexuality and rock & roll that awakened Broadway like no other musical in years. Winner of eight Tony Awards. Parental discretion advised. Sangamon Auditorium, UIS, 1 University Plaza, 217-206- 6160, 800-207-6960.
The Incredible Speediness of Jamie Cavanaugh Nov 05, 7pm, Play about bullying, peer pressure, learning disabilities and the struggle to fit in. UIS family series with free 6 p.m. activities. $19 adults, $11 youth. Sangamon Auditorium, UIS, 1 University Plaza, 217-206-6160, 800-207-6960.
The Nerd Nov 05-07, 7:30pm Fri-Sat, 2pm Sun, Glenwood High School fall play is the Larry Shue comedy. $5, $3 student/senior. Glenwood High School, 1501 Plummer Boulevard, Chatham.
MUSIC: GENERAL EVENTS
144th Army Band Concert Nov 06, 4-5pm, 144th Army National Guard Band presents veterans tribute concert with Old State Capitol Chorale. Old State Capitol, 1 Old State Capitol Plaza, 217-785-7960.
Awake Tonight Nov 11, Winter Wonder Slam 2010 presents Awake Tonight tour, Tobymac and Skillet with special guest Shonlock. More info tba. winterwonderslam.com. Prairie Capital Convention Center, 1 Convention Center Plaza, 800- 745-3000.
Ellis Paul Nov 12, 8pm, Singer songwriter from Massachusetts. Bedrock 66 Live Bonus Show!, Hoogland Center for the Arts, 420 S. Sixth St, 217-523-2787.
Illinois Symphony Orchestra Nov 13, 8pm, Latin American sounds in “Fiery Fun” with guest artists Lidia Kaminska, bandoneon, and Jason Vieaux, guitar. Sangamon Auditorium, UIS, 1 University Plaza, 217-206-6160, 800-207-6960.
Jacksonville Symphony Orchestra Nov 13, 7:30pm, Popular St. Louis vocalist Tom Heitman dazzles with his interpretations of Frank Sinatra’s greatest hits. The Sinatra Songbook pops concert also includes audience favorite, pianist Carolbeth True and her trio. Illinois College Rammelkamp Chapel, 1101 W. College Ave, Jacksonville, 245-1181.
Music Under the Dome Nov 07, 4pm, Capitol Chamber Singers featuring local musicians Julie Walker-Hood and Diane Dietz. Jacksonville Public Library, 201 West College Ave, Jacksonville, 217-243-5435.
Prairie Grapevine Concert: Cooper & Nelson Nov 06, 7:30pm, Long-popular Chicago-area duo, Phil Cooper and Margaret Nelson present entertaining renditions of old English, Scottish and Irish ballads through excellent instrumentation and Margaret’s beautiful voice. Abraham Lincoln Unitarian Universalist Congregation, 745 Woodside Rd, (217) 454-0178.
Sangamon Valley Community Orchestra Nov 17, 7:30pm, Winter Concert, program of classics and seasonal music. $5 adult, students admitted free. Hoogland Center for the Arts LRS Theatre 1, 420 S. Sixth St.
DANCE
Central IL Singles and Couples Dance Nov 12, 8-11pm, Bobby Remack plays. $10. 546-9515. VFW Post #755, 2211 Old Jacksonville Road.
Civil War Era Dance Nov 13, 2pm, The Central Illinois Civil War Dance Society Performers perform ten dances to period music. 367-4470. Old State Capitol, 1 Old State Capitol Plaza, 217-785-9363.
Paul Taylor Dance Company Nov 07, 7pm, Regarded as the world’s greatest living choreographer, Taylor and his company have been advancing modern dance for 55 years. Sangamon Auditorium, UIS, 1 University Plaza, 217-206-6160, 800-207- 6960.
West Coast Swing Dance Nov 10, 17, 6:45-9:30pm, Weekly dance. www.dancingdates.com. Aqua Club, 1 Club Area.
West Coast Swing/Country Dancing Nov 05-07, 10, 12-14, 17, 3-5pm Sun, 7pm Wed and Fri, Every Wed, Fri and Sun and first Saturday of month is Loves to Dance 7-11 p.m. Ballroom with Kathy Hampstead 7-11 p.m. Nov. 20 and Dec 18. Prairie Land Dance Club, Matilda St, Illiopolis, 217-791-0840.