BOOKS & AUTHORS

Classics Book Group Jan 09, 12-1pm, Meets October through May in the Bicentennial Room. Brave New World by Aldous Huxley. Lincoln Library, 326 S. Seventh St, 217-753- 4900.

Writers Workshop Jan 12, 7pm, Second Thursday of the month at new artist coop. The Pharmacy, 401 South Grand Avenue West, 217-652-3273.

SPOKEN WORD

Poetry Open Mic Jan 18, 6-8pm, Bring poetry to read - or just sit back and listen. Springfield Poets & Writers. 725-9058. Robbie’s, 4 S. Old State Capitol Plaza, 217-528-1901.

THEATER & COMEDY

Chess Jan 13-15 & 20-22, 8pm Fri-Sat, 2pm Sun, Based off book by Richard Nelson, complex rock opera about romantic rivalries, competitive gamesmanship, super power politics and international intrigues. Hoogland Center for the Arts, 420 S. Sixth St.

Comedian John Roy Jan 06, 7:30pm and 9:30pm Fri-Sat, Chicago comic. Donnie B’s Comedy Club, 2937 W. White Oaks Dr, 391joke.

Treasured Stories by Eric Carle Jan 13, 7pm, Mermaid Theatre of Nova Scotia’s much-anticipated new production brings together three of Carle’s most beloved tales. Evocative music, stunning visual effects and innovative puppetry. Sangamon Auditorium, UIS, 1 University Plaza, 217-206-6160, 800-207-6960.

MUSIC: GENERAL EVENTS

Elvis 77th Birthday Tribute Concert Jan 07, 7pm, Elvis Himselvis, Rick Dunham and his full band to benefit the Mary Bryant Home. $15. Hoogland Center for the Arts, 420 S. Sixth St, 217-523-2787.

Todd Snider w/ Ashleigh Flynn Jan 14, 8pm, Hoogland Center for the Arts, 420 S. Sixth St, 217-523-2787.

DANCE

Dance Jan 06, 7-9pm, Free dance first Friday of every month for individuals of all abilities. Semi-formal dress attire. Erin’s Pavilion, Southwind Park, 4965 S. Second St, 217-753-0702.

Line Dance & Swing w/ DJ Marilyn Ferry Jan 05, 12, 8-10pm, Every Thursday open dancing. (Line dance lessons, 7-8 p.m.), The Doghouse, 2937 W. White Oaks Drive, 836-1438.

Open Country Dance Jan 06, 7-11pm, Prairie Land Dance Club, 650 Matilda St, Illiopolis, 217-428- 1560.

The GROOVE WCS Dance Jan 14, 7-11pm, Steve Hendren, host and DJ. Lesson at 7 p.m. Dance 8 p.m. Prairie Land Dance Club, 650 Matilda St, Illiopolis, 217-428-1560.

ART & ARCHITECTURE

A Year in Review

Jan 06-07, Works of PAA, 25 years of history of First Night, and collages and posters from HCFA resident arts groups. H.D. Smith Gallery, 420 S. Sixth St.

Flatlands Exhibit Opening Jan 06, 5-8pm, Celebration of Central Illinois’ terrain. Music by Pete Sander. Refreshments and hors d’oeuvres. Prairie Art Alliance Gallery II, 2 S. Old State Capitol Plaza, 544-2727.

Gallery Hours Jan 09-10, 15, 17, 4-6pm Tue-Sat, 1- 3pm Sun, Sue Sommers Watercolors. Opening reception is January 7, 6-8 p.m. David Strawn Art Gallery, 331 W. College Ave, Jacksonville, 243-9390.

On and Of Paper: ISM Selections Jan 05-18, 8:30am-5pm Mon-Sat, 12- 5pm Sun, Through April 2012, exhibit of all things paper. Illinois State Museum, 502 S. Spring St.

Restoration and Conservation Exhibit Opening Jan 07, 09-14, 16-18, 10am-5pm Mon-Fri, 10am-3pm Sat, Through Jan. 27, Paintings and objects original to the Edwards family. Opening reception Jan. 7, 5:30-7:30 p.m. Springfield Art Association, 700 N. Fourth St, 523-2631.

The Heart is a Lonely Hunter Jan 13-14, 17-18, 10am-5pm Tue-Fri, 10am-3pm Sat, Jan 13-Feb 1, Mary Miller, ceramics/painting; Sheri Ramsey, Pastel. Reception Jan. 14, 5:30-7:30 p.m. H.D. Smith Gallery, 420 S. Sixth St, 544-2787.

The Pharmacy Studios Open House Jan 14, 5-9pm, Public invited to view two studio locations, meet artists and learn their processes through demos. The Pharmacy, 401 South Grand Avenue West, 217-652-3273.

CHILDREN’S CORNER

Imagination Station Jan 18, 4pm, Come use your imagination to explore new places and discover some classic books. Jacksonville Public Library, 201 West College Ave, Jacksonville, 243- 5435.

Language Linguistics Jan 11, 4pm, Learn German during January. Jacksonville Public Library, 201 West College Ave, Jacksonville, 243- 5435.

Super Saturdays at the Museum Jan 14, 11am-3pm, “Gems to Jewels.” Free, thematic activities especially recommended for children ages 4-8. Illinois State Museum, 502 S. Spring St, 782- 6044.

SCIENCE

Paul Mickey Science Series Lecture Jan 11, 7-8:30pm, Dr. Jonathan Reyman, ISM Curator of Anthropology, “The End of Time: Maya, Aztec, Pawnee, and Pueblo Views of the “End of the World.”, Illinois State Museum Research & Collections Center, 1011 E. Ash St, 785-0037.

NATURE

Springfield Audubon Society Jan 15, 2pm, Business meeting followed at 3 p.m. by hour program “Amazing Birds,” by Bob Andrini, Kane County Audubon Chapter president. Adams Wildlife Sanctuary, 2315 East Clear Lake Ave, 217-544-2473.

Winter Workshop Jan 08, 1-3pm, Wade Kammin, Wild Birds Unlimited, backyard bird feeding info and tips on winter bird identification. Free. Adams Wildlife Sanctuary, 2315 East Clear Lake Ave, 217-544-2473.

ENVIRONMENT

Illinois Specialty Crops, Agritourism and Organic Conference Jan 11-13, 9am-5pm, Crowne Plaza, 3000 S. Dirksen Pkwy, 309-557-2107.

LECTURES & MEETINGS

AWC Meeting Jan 11, 11:30am networking, 12pm lunch/program, ‘Achieving Better Work- Life Balance.’ $21-$16. RSVP by Jan. 9 [email protected]. Sangamo Club, 227 E. Adams St, 544-1793.

Breakfast Optimist Club Jan 06, 7am, Every Friday. Visitors welcome. For more info 546-5021. Atonement Lutheran Church, 2800 W. Jefferson St.

Lecture on Early Springfield Scandal Jan 10, 5:30-7pm, Find out more about Houghan’s House, aka Edwards Place where Houghan concealed a scandalous secret. Springfield Art Association, 700 N. Fourth St, 523-2631.

Lincolnland Depression Era Glass Club Jan 09, 6-8pm, Program: Fenton Christmas Glass. Carnegie room. Lincoln Library, 326 S. Seventh St, 546-6795. Q.U.I.L.T.S. Jan 09, 7pm, Second Monday of each month. All skill levels welcome. springfieldquilts.com. Atonement Lutheran Church, 2800 W. Jefferson St, 217-546- 7646.

Springfield Camera Club Jan 12, 7pm, Meets second and fourth Thursday each month. 546-5021. First Christian Church, 700 S. Sixth St, 217- 528-3407.

Springfield Vegetarian Association Jan 10, 6:30pm, Video, “Boosting Weight Control.” Stars Neal Barnard. Free. Carnegie Room. 787-0014. Lincoln Library, 326 S. Seventh St, 217-753- 4900.

Starting Your Business in Illinois Jan 05, 6-8pm, Workshop includes preparing business plan, financing your business, legal forms (proprietorship, partnership, corporation), registering a business name, taxes and more. Call 544-7232 for required registration. Also held Jan. 18, 1:30-3:30 p.m. LLCC Capital City Training Center, 130 W. Mason, 217-786-2200.

Women Entrepreneurs - Central Illinois Jan 11, 5:30-7pm dinner, ‘Today’s

Banking for Business Owners.’ $30-$22. Register by Jan. 6. 725-8500 or [email protected]. Dublin Pub at Vinegar Hill Mall, 107 W. Cook St, 217-679-1775.

BULLETIN BOARD

BBBSWCI 50th Anniversary Gala Jan 13, 6-11pm, Big Brothers Big Sisters of West Central Illinois “Casino Royale.” The Boulevard Band, silent auction, food and celebrity bartenders. All proceeds help children in West Central Illinois. Tickets at BBBS Jacksonville Office, Farmers State Bank, BoS of Jacksonville, Jacksonville Chamber of Commerce, County Market. Hamilton’s, 110 N. East St, Jacksonville, 243-3821.

Couponing 101 Jan 08, 2pm, The myths, questions, howto’s and more. Admission. Space limited.

Reservations 732-8687 or [email protected]. Chad’s Blind, 1230 Fifth St, Lincoln.

First Fridays Downtown Jan 06, 5-8pm, Stroll, shop eat downtown. Exhibitions, live music, great deals and fun surprises. Every first Friday. 544-1723. Downtown Springfield.

Giant Flea Market Jan 15, 8:30am-4:30pm, Indoor market. $1.25, age 12 and under free with adult. Illinois Building. 529-6939. Illinois State Fairgrounds, 801 Sangamon Ave, 782- 8886.

Greater Springfield Home & Builders Show Jan 13-15, 5-9pm Fri, 10am-6pm Sat, 12-5pm , Orr Building. $5 adults. 515-491-4150. Illinois State Fairgrounds, 801 Sangamon Ave.

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