Books & Authors

Book Signing Feb 11, 11am-1pm, Author Gary E. Babbs, Carlinville, signs copies of his Juvenile Fiction book, Let Your Light Shine. 888-361-9473. The Sly Fox Bookstore, 123 N. Springfield St (Route 4), Virden, 217-965-3641.

Book Signing Feb 12, 1:30pm, Author Michael Burlingame and photographer Robert Shaw, "Abraham Lincoln Traveled This Way: The America Lincoln Knew." Abraham Lincoln Presidential Museum, 212 N. Sixth Street, 782-5764.

Writers Workshop Feb 09, 16, 7pm, Second Thursday of the month at new artist coop. (Book Club, Feb. 12, 7pm.) The Pharmacy, 401 South Grand Avenue West.

Poetry Open Mic Feb 15, 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.

Speak Easy Feb 11, 6:30-10pm, Spoken word set featuring actor and comedian LaRoyce Hawkins. Music, live art. $5. 220- 3398. All About Wine, 1305 Wabash Ave, 546-9463.

Theater & Comedy

Cirque du Soleil: Quidam Feb 15-19, 3:30pm Fri-Sat, 7:30pm Wed-Sat, 1pm and 5pm Sun. Eight amazing athletic performances that you won’t want to miss. $30- $95. Prairie Capital Convention Center, 1 Convention Center Plaza.

Comedian James Ervin Berry Feb 10-11, 8pm Fri, 7:15pm & 9:30pm Sat, Boy-next-door charm creates an instant connection with mainstream audiences nationwide. Mason City Limits Comedy Club, 114 E. Chestnut, Mason City, 482-5233.

Comedian Mike Pace Feb 10-11, 7:30pm and 9:30pm Fri-Sat, Veteran who has been on HBO, TBS, PBS and more will make you laugh. (Comedian Open Mic Feb 15, 7pm, Register by 6:30 p.m.) Donnie B’s Comedy Club, 2937 W. White Oaks Dr, 391-joke.

Dear Edwina Junior Feb 16-18, Jacksonville Theatre Guild production about thirteen year-old who tackles world’s problems. 245-1402. Jacksonville Theatre Guild, 210 W. College Ave, Jacksonville.

Den of Thieves Feb 16-18, 8pm, Welcome to the world of UNorganized crime. For mature audi ences. $10. The Legacy Theatre, 101 E. Lawrence.

Heritage Feb 17-19, 24-26, 8pm Fri-Sat, 2pm Sun, Presentational style play set in late 1790s to 1860s, sharing stories of women that may have influenced Lincoln. $12-$18. Hoogland Center for the Arts, 420 S. Sixth St.

The Queen of Bingo Feb 11-12, 8pm Sat, 2pm Sun, In tradition of hilarious Harvey Korman and Tim Conway sketches from the old Carol Burnett Show, two sister explore the world of bingo. $25. Hoogland Center for the Arts, 420 S. Sixth St.

Music: General Events

Barry Cloyd Coffee House Feb 11, 7pm, Masterful storytelling and music. Refreshments during coffee house. Unity of Springfield, 417 Cordelia, 217-523-5897.

Behind the Hits: Songwriters for St. Jude Feb 12, 7pm, Country songwriters Kent Blazy, Cory Batten and Nate Barrett. Cocktail hour starts at 6 p.m. $15. Hoogland Center for the Arts, 420 S. Sixth St, 217-523-2787.

History of Blues Program Feb 19, 2-4pm, Fernando Jones, blues musician, presents history of the blues genre in narration and musically with his group, My Band. Free. bit.ly/ismblues12. Illinois State Museum, 502 S. Spring St, 782- 5993.

LLCC Recital Series Feb 19, 4pm, ‘Brass, Strings, and Double Reed Things’ Blackwater Strings and Brick House Brass. Free. 786-2319. LLCC Trutter Center, 5250 Shepherd Road, 217-786-2200.

Nathan Carls and the upStandard Citizens Feb 14, 8pm, Romantic music for Valentine Day. $13-$12. Hoogland Center for the Arts, 420 S. Sixth St, 217-523-2787.

Prairie Grapevine Concert Feb 21, 7:30pm, Stringband Music and Song with the Sangamo Stemwinders. $10, $9 seniors, $5 students, $25 for family. Abraham Lincoln Unitarian Universalist Congregation, 745 Woodside Rd, 217-585-9550.

Ruth Moody Band Feb 11, 8pm, Singer/songwriter and founding member of internationally renowned, Billboard-charting trio The Wailin’ Jennys goes solo. Sangamon Auditorium, UIS, 1 University Plaza, 217-206-6160, 800-207- 6960.

Sangamon Valley Community Orchestra Feb 15, 7:30pm, “Music from the New World.” $10-$5. Hoogland Center for the Arts, 420 S. Sixth St, 217-523-2787.

T-Pain, Gym Class Heroes Feb 09, 5:30pm, Hip-hop crossover sensation and evereclectic Gym Class Heroes. Special guests Outasight, Grieves & Budo and Cris Cab. $25-$35. Prairie Capital Convention Center, 1 Convention Center Plaza, 800- 745-3000.

ValenDine Feb 11, 5-10pm, cocktails, dinner and music of Sande Hackel Orchestra. $50 couple. $25 dancing only. Register by Feb. 8, 422-5911. Hickory Point Golf Course Club House, 727 Weaver Road, Forsyth, 217-422-5911.

Dance

Ballet Folklorico de Antioquia, Columbia Feb 19, 3pm, Authentic music, ritualistic dance, and physical theater accentuated with brilliantly-colored and scintillating costumes. Sangamon Auditorium, UIS, 1 University Plaza, 217-206-6160, 800-207- 6960.

Kuumba Dance Troupe Feb 13, 12-1pm, Young Christians in Action, youths ages 9-22 who express their creativity and praise to their creator through dance. A. Lincoln Commons. Lincoln Land Community College, 5250 Shepherd Rd, 217-786-2200.

Salsa Nights Feb 11, 9pm-12:30am, Valentine’s Day with door prize and rose for all ladies who attend (while supplies last). $3. Abe’s Southside Cafe & Pub, 3751 S. Sixth St, 217-529-5511.

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