Poinsettia Give-Away Dec 29, 8am-3pm members, 12-3pm non-members, Be sure to bring your own container to transport your new poinsettia in. Washington Park Botanical Garden, 1740 W. Fayette Ave, 217-753-6228.
Shelbyville Festival of Lights Dec 22-31, Jan 01-02, 6-9pm Sun-Thu, 6-10pm Fri-Sat, Forest Park, off of 9th St, Shelbyville.
The Yellow Wallpaper Dec 30-31, 6pm and 8pm, Four free performances of the compelling 1892 drama starring Aasne Vigesaa and directed by Kevin Purcell. Reservations required by Dec. 16. 524-0901, voice mail. Vachel Lindsay Home State Historic Site, 603 S. Fifth St.
Winter Holiday Show 12-4pm Mon-Fri, 12-5pm Sat-Sun, Through Dec 26, Closed Christmas and Christmas Eve Conservatory filled with poinsettias amongst tropical collection for a stunning holiday display. Free. 753-6228. Washington Park Botanical Garden, 1740 W. Fayette Ave.
Xmas ARTicles Gift Shop Dec 22-25, 9am-4pm Mon-Wed and Fri, 9am-7pm, Through Dec. 30, Christmas shoppe full of original art and fine crafts from over 50 artists. Anne Lloyd Gallery of the Madden Arts Center, 125 N. Water, Decatur.
Books & Authors
Accepting Teen Poetry Submissions Accepting poetry and art from teens, grades 6-12, for international poetry anthology. Contributors receive two books. pwlf.com or www.adonisdesignspress.com. Springfield Poets and Writers.
Classics Book Discussion Group Jan 10, 12-1pm, Meets October through May in the Bicentennial Room. Great Expectations by Charles Dickens. Lincoln Library, 326 S. Seventh St, 753-4900.
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.
Theater & Comedy
Comedian Chris Smith Dec 25, 8:30pm, St. Louis native returns to Midwest for one show Christmas night. Donnie B’s Comedy Club, 2937 W. White Oaks Dr, 391-joke.
Comedian Chris “Boom Boom” Johnson Dec 31, Jan 01, 7:30pm and 9:30pm Fri-Sat, New Year’s Eve weekend shows not to miss. Donnie B’s Comedy Club, 2937 W. White Oaks Dr, 391-joke.
Comedian Heywood Banks Jan 07-08, 8pm Fri, 7:15pm & 9:30pm Sat, Songwriter-comicsinger-poet-musician who has become a cult hero and a pop icon with shows that appeal to everyone. Mason City Limits Comedy Club, 114 E. Chestnut, Mason City, 482-5233.
Comedian Peter Hefty and Friends Jan 07-08, 7:30pm and 9:30pm Fri-Sat, Hefty’s talent soars with the help of his puppet friends. Donnie B’s Comedy Club, 2937 W. White Oaks Dr, 391-joke.
New Years Eve Comedy Show Dec 31, 7:30pm & 10pm, Homan from Comedy Central’s Premium Blend headlines two shows on New Years Eve. Mason City Limits Comedy Club, 114 E. Chestnut, Mason City, 482-5233.
Music: General Events
Acoustic Lunch Dec 22-24, 12-1pm, Thu - Stacie Taylor; Fri - Dennis Darling (Dec. 24), Hippie Viejo (Dec. 31); Mon - Matt Eck; Tue - Kathryn Raistrick; Wed - Thistle and Thyme. Trout Lily Cafe, 218 S. Sixth St.
Brown Bag Concert Series Dec 22, 12:15-12:45pm, Rudolf Zuiderveld, organist, leads Christmas Carols. Free lunchtime concerts on Wednesdays during Advent. First Presbyterian Church, 321 S. Seventh St, 528- 4311.
Millikin University Choir Jan 09, 7pm, Central Baptist Church, 501 S. Fourth St.
Soup & Song Dec 22, 12pm, Soup/dessert luncheon. Entertainment by Jane Hartman Trio. St. John’s Lutheran Church, 2477 W. Washington St, 793- 3933.
Dance
Country Dancing Dec 22, 7-10pm Wed, 7-11pm Fri, Open dance Wed and Fri. www.pldc.org. Prairie Land Dance Club, Matilda St, Illiopolis, 791-0840.
New Year’s Eve Salsa Nights Dec 31, 9pm-1:30am, Southside Pub, 3751 S. Sixth St, 217-529- 5511.
West Coast Swing Dance Dec 22, 6:45-9:30pm, Weekly dance. www.dancingdates.com. Aqua Club, 1 Club Area.
Art & Architecture
Gallery Opening for Kevin Veara and Toni Freesen Jan 08, 6-8pm, David Strawn Art Gallery, 331 W. College Ave, Jacksonville, 243-9390.
January Gallery Hours Jan 09, 11, 1-3pm Sun and 4- 6pm Tue, On exhibit is Kevin Veara, paintings/illustrations and Toni Freesen, acrylic paintings. David Strawn Art Gallery, 331 W. College Ave, Jacksonville, 243- 9390.
L. Brent Kington: Mythic Metalsmith Dec 22-31, Jan 01-12, 8:30am- 5pm Mon-Sat, 12-5pm Sun, Through Jan 12, Exhibit of southern Illinois artist whose artistic footprint on the world of metalsmithing and blacksmithing is profound with objects borrowed from private and museum collections. Free. 524-5744. Illinois State Museum, 502 S. Spring St.
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