FAIRS & FESTIVALS

Springfield St. Patrick’s Day Parade Mar 17, 12pm, Reviewing stand and family friendly area is Sixth Street. More details at springfieldirish.org. Downtown Springfield.

BOOKS & AUTHORS

Author Book Signing Mar 24, 2-4pm, Authors Kathleen H. Wheeler and Jean Ferratier read from Chicken Soup for the Soul: Family Caregivers. Barnes and Noble Booksellers, 3111 S. Veteran’s Pkwy, 546-9440.

Book Talk Mar 28, 7pm, David A. Joens, IL State Archives director discusses “From Slave to State Legislator: John W. E. Thomas, Illinois’ First African American Legislator.” Free, but reservations required. Abraham Lincoln Presidential Museum, 212 N. Sixth St, 217-782- 5764.

Classics Book Group Mar 19, 12-1pm, Meets October through May in the Bicentennial Room. Count of Monte Cristo by Alexandre Duma. Lincoln Library, 326 S. Seventh St, 217-753-4900.

Pondicherry Lodge/ Sherlock Holmes Society Mar 24, 6:30pm, Film night at private homes. ‘The Many Faces of Sherlock Holmes.’ 546-8387 or 620-0042 for directions.

SPOKEN WORD

Poetry Open Mic Mar 21, 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.

THEATER & COMEDY

Avenue Q Mar 16-18, 8pm Fri-Sat and 2pm Sun, For mature audiences.

Hoogland Center for the Arts. 523-2787.

Comedian Dan St. Paul Mar 23, 8pm, One night only. Mason City Limits Comedy Club, 114 E. Chestnut, Mason City, 482-5233.

Comedian Jeremy Nunes Mar 24, 7:30pm, Dawson native’s CD release performance. Mason City Limits Comedy Club, 114 E. Chestnut, Mason City, 482-5233.

Comedian Kenny Smith Mar 16-17, 7:30pm and 9:30pm, Oneof-the-best comedians around. Donnie B’s Comedy Club, 2937 W. White Oaks Dr, 391-joke.

Comedian Open Mic Mar 21, 7pm, Register by 6:30 p.m. Free to public. The Doghouse, 2937 W. White Oaks Drive, 698-0918.

Hairspray Mar 24-25, Illinois College Sibert Theatre, McGaw Fine Arts Center, Jacksonville.

I Ought to be In Pictures Mar 22-24, Jacksonville Theatre Guild three-character comedy-drama about struggling Hollywood screenwriter whose daughter arrives from NY. 245- 1402. Jacksonville Theatre Guild, 210 W. College Ave, Jacksonville.

SHG’s Spring Musical, Grease Mar 22-25, 7:30pm Thu, Sock Hop Sunday at noon for kids. SHG Dominican Hall Theatre, 1200 W. Washington, 787- 1595.

Stoops Mar 16-18, 23-25, 8pm Fri-Sat, 2pm Sun, Springfield Theatre Centre production of front porch comedy by Ken Bradbury. $12-$18. Hoogland Center for the Arts, 420 S. Sixth St.

The Yellow Wallpaper Mar 24, 7pm, Final two performances of compelling 1892 drama. March 24 and April 14. Register by phone. Free. Vachel Lindsay Home State Historic Site, 603 S. Fifth St, 217-524-0901.

Xanadu Mar 23-24, 7:30pm Fri-Sat, 2pm Sat, Greek muse descends to Venice Beach 1980 to inspire artist with first Roller Disco, but she falls in love with him. Sponsored by Blackburn College. $7-$10. Hoogland Center for the Arts, 420 S. Sixth St.

MUSIC: GENERAL EVENTS

Baroque Band Mar 23, 7:30pm, Chicago’s period-instrument orchestra back by popular demand. $15. 245- 3069. Illinois College Rammelkamp Chapel, 1101 W. College Ave, Jacksonville, 217- 245-3000.

Fleming Academy St. Patrick’s Coffeehouse Concert Mar 16, 7pm, Concert and dessert. Tickets at academy and door. 787-6556 for tickets and info. Trinity Lutheran School, 515 S. MacArthur.

Girls Night Live with Mandisa Mar 15, 7pm, Concert features Mandisa, Laura Story and Britt Nicole. Tickets girlsnightlive.com or 1-866-440-7880. Abundant Faith Christian Center, 2525 Taylor Ave, 585-4000.

Illinois Chamber Orchestra Mar 16, 7:30pm, “Fresh and Fortuitous.” Rei Hotoda, conductor. St. Agnes Church, 245 N.

Amos St, 217-793-1330.

Jacksonville Symphony Orchestra

Mar 17, 7:30pm, Spring Concert. Illinois College Rammelkamp Chapel, 1101 W. College Ave, Jacksonville, 215-245-1181.

Jay Einhorn Mar 17, 7pm, Singer-songwriter and clinical psychologist. elephantinthedark.com. Unity of Springfield, 417 Cordelia, 523- 5897.

Lenten Brown Bag Concert #4 Mar 21, 12:15-12:45pm, Theron Strike, organ. First Presbyterian Church, 321 S. Seventh St, 528- 4311.

Lessons From the Divas Mar 21, 11:30am-12:30pm, Actress/singer Joanna Maddox pays tribute to Tina Turner, Diana Ross and Whitney Houston in song and dance. LLCC Trutter Center, 5250 Shepherd Road, 217-786-2200.

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