THE CALENDAR

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 Deadline is Friday at noon prior to when the paper comes out on newsstands.

Dates, times and locations are subject to last-minute changes, so we suggest calling before attending the event.

BOOKS & AUTHORS

Book Signing: Carl Greenwood Dec 02, 10:30am-1pm, Greenwood shares his experiences from the Chosin Reservoir campaign and presents his book, Once Upon a Lifetime. Reservations encouraged. Korean War National Museum Denis J. Healy Freedom Center, 9 South Old State Capitol Plaza, 217-523-7230.

Under the Influence: Music that Inspires Expression Contest Libraries in “Big Read” seek poems, stories, video or art about music’s influence on your life. Deadline Jan. 7, 2011.

influencecontest.org.

SPOKEN WORD

Expressions in the Dark Dec 03, 9:30pm, Poets, comedians, musicians open mic. $10. Route 66 Hotel & Conference Center, 625 E. Saint Joseph St.

Poetry Open Mic Dec 15, 6-8pm, Bring poetry to read - or just sit back and listen. Sponsored by Springfield Poets & Writers. 725-9058. Robbie’s, 4 S. Old State Capitol Plaza, 217-528-1901.

THEATER & COMEDY

Comedian Jessica Kirson Dec 03-04, 7:30pm and 9:30pm Fri- Sat, Funny lady who performed on the Late Late Show. Donnie B’s Comedy

Club, 2937 W. White Oaks Dr, 391-joke.

Comedian Saleem Muhammed Dec 03-04, 8pm Fri, 7:15pm & 9:30pm Sat, On Tonight Show twice. Has lots of confidence and the material to back it up. Mason City Limits Comedy Club, 114 E. Chestnut, Mason City, 482-5233.

Dead Man’s Cell Phone Dec 08-11, 7:30pm Wed-Sat, and 2pm Sat, Whimsical, sometimes dangerous, shocking and funny play reveals what may happen when you answer someone’s cell phone. $8. 424-6318. Pipe Dreams Studio Theatre, 1099 W. Wood St , Decatur.

Grease Dec 07, 7:30-10pm, New production direct from Broadway starring Laverne and Shirley’s Eddie Mekka (Carmine ‘the big ragu’ Ragusa) as DJ Vince Fontaine. $55-$45. Prairie Capital Convention Center, 1 Convention Center Plaza, 800-745-3000.

Legally Blonde Dec 06, 7:30pm, Hilarious film is now a smash hit musical. Follows sorority star Elle, an underestimated blonde, as she puts down the credit cards and hits the books after her boyfriend dumps her for a more serious girl. Sangamon Auditorium, UIS, 1 University Plaza, 217- 206-6160, 800-207-6960.

MUSIC: GENERAL EVENTS

Acoustic Lunch Dec 02-03, 07-10, 14-15, 12-1pm, Thu

- Stacie Taylor; Fri - Dennis Darling; Mon - Matt Eck; Tue - Kathryn Raistrick; Wed - Thistle and Thyme. Trout Lily Cafe, 218 S. Sixth St.

Brown Bag Concert Series Dec 08, 12:15-12:45pm, Julie McClarely, piano. Free lunchtime concerts on Wednesdays during Advent.

First Presbyterian Church, 321 S. Seventh St, 528-4311.

Brown Bag Concert Series Dec 15, 12:15-12:45pm, Tiffany Williams, soprano. Free lunchtime concerts on Wednesdays during Advent.

First Presbyterian Church, 321 S. Seventh St, 528-4311.

How the West Was Sung Dec 10-11, 6pm, The Land of Lincoln Chorus performs. pre-show at 6:30pm with Chris Camp, Whip Guy. Dinner, costume contest. $15. Tickets, 871-9731.

Info 415-2112. Little Flower School Activity Center (south of school), Stevenson Dr.

Sam and Tom Lacy Dec 05, 12, 12-3pm, For more info call 713-2800. Gambinos Louisiana Restaurant, 923 W. Spresser, Taylorville.

Sonny Burgess with Mars Attacks Dec 04, 8pm, One of the rock and roll recording artists for Sun Records. WUIS Bedrock Series. $20, $15 pre-sale. Hoogland Center for the Arts, 420 S. Sixth St, 217-523-2787.

Soup & Song Dec 08, 12pm, Soup/dessert lunch. Entertainment by Evans & Marilyn Brittin. Open to the public. St. John’s Lutheran Church, 2477 W. Washington St, 793-3933.

Soup & Song Dec 15, 12pm, Soup/dessert luncheon. Entertainment by Riverboat Two. Open to the public. St. John’s Lutheran Church, 2477 W. Washington St, 793- 3933.

Tim Zimmerman and The King’s Brass Dec 06, 7pm, $10 adult, $5 high school. For tickets call 793-3933. St. John’s Lutheran Church, 2477 W. Washington St.

Uncle Kracker Dec 10, 7-11pm, Country artist with special guests Frankie Ballard and Ty Stone. Prairie Capital Convention Center, 1 Convention Center Plaza, 800- 745-3000.