Books & Authors
Contemporary Fiction Group Apr 25, 6-7pm, Group discusses popular fiction and nonfiction meets fourth Wednesday of month in Carnegie Room South. Lincoln Library, 326 S. Seventh St.
Gillum Ferguson: Illinois in the War of 1812 Apr 28, 12pm, Author talks about War of 1812 along Illinois frontier. Free. Book signing follows talk. 965-5443. Books on the Square, 153 East Jackson, Virden, 217-965-5443.
Legendary Illinois Legislators Apr 25, 12-1:30pm, Authors David Joens and Ed Wojcicki discuss their new books on major figures in Illinois history and politics. Free. Brown bag. 206-7094. UIS Public Affairs Center (PAC), One University Plaza, 217-206- 6073.
Poets in the Parlor Apr 21, 2pm, Kevin Stein, Illinois Poet Laureate. ‘Poetry’s Afterlife.’ Limited seating. Vachel Lindsay Home State Historic Site, 603 S. Fifth St, 217- 524-0901.
Pondicherry Lodge/ Sherlock Holmes Society Apr 21, 9am-11am, Discussion of Part 1 of A Study in Scarlet. 546-8387. Barnes and Noble Booksellers, 3111 S. Veteran’s Pkwy, 546-8387.
Quiddity Open House Apr 25, 7pm, Select your favorite poem from an issue of Quiddity to share. Food, music and beverages. Brinkerhoff Home, 1500 N. Fifth St, 525-1420.
Spoken Word Marc Kelly Smith Apr 20, 6:30-9:30pm, Host of legendary Green Mill Poetry Slam in Chicago and creator of poetry slam movement. The Pharmacy, 401 South Grand Avenue West, 217-652-3273.
Theater & Comedy Charlotte’s Web Apr 20-22, 27-29, 7pm Fri-Sat, 2pm Sun, April 20-22 and 27-29, Wilbur the pig, Charlotte the spider and a girl who understands what animals say to each other. $8-$12. Hoogland Center for the Arts, 420 S. Sixth St.
Comedian Mike Armstrong Apr 20-21, 8pm Fri and 7:30pm Sat, Cop turned comedian and Bob & Tom favorite. Mason City Limits Comedy Club, 114 E. Chestnut, Mason City, 482- 5233.
I Do! I Do! Apr 20-22, 27-29, 8pm Fri-Sat; 2pm Sun, April 20-22, 27-29, Tony
nominated musical comedy. Hoogland Center for the Arts, 420 S. Sixth St.
Late Nite Catechism! Apr 20-22, 8pm Fri-Sat, 2pm Sun, Apr 13-15, 20-22, Direct from a recordbreaking 19-year run in Chicago. The Legacy Theatre, 101 E. Lawrence, 800- 838-3006.
Lend Me A Tenor Apr 26-28, Jacksonville Theatre Guild medcap screwball comedy. 245-1402. Jacksonville Theatre Guild, 210 W. College Ave, Jacksonville.
Little Shop of Horrors Apr 27-28, 7pm, Lanphier High School production. $8, $5 K-12 students. , 800- 838-3006. The Legacy Theater, 101 W. Lawrence Ave.
Ralphie May - Too Big to Ignore Tour Apr 20, 8pm, One-of-the-most popular comedians in the country voted one of Variety’s 10 Comics to Watch. Sangamon Auditorium, UIS, 1 University Plaza, 217-206-6160, 800-207-6960.
Reefer Madness the Musical Apr 19-22, 8pm Fri-Sat, 2pm Sat-Sun, Five shows of this raucous musical comedy. 11:59 April 19. Adult audiences.
Pipe Dreams Studio Theatre, 1099 W. Wood St , Decatur, 217-725-0279.
Shorts Optional Apr 22, Short play festival featuring student-directed productions from area colleges. 786-4942. Lincoln’s New Salem State Historic Site, 15588 History Lane, Petersburg, 217-632-4000.
Waiting for Godot Apr 20-21, 8pm, 3pm Sun, Five performances by LLCC Theatre. $13, 632-5440. (Also, free forum of panelists on Apr. 14, 6:30 p.m. “There God in Godot?”), Lincoln’s New Salem State Historic Site, 15588 History Lane, Petersburg.
Young Frankenstein Apr 21, 8pm, Musical based on Mel Brooks movie. Sangamon Auditorium, UIS, 1 University Plaza, 217-206- 6160, 800-207-6960.
Music: General Events Illinois Symphony Orchestra Apr 20, 10am and 12:30pm, “Play Me A Story!” Donato Cabrera, conductor. Sangamon Auditorium, UIS, 1 University Plaza, 217-206-6160, 800- 207-6960.
Jeffrey Foucault and Lydia Loveless Apr 28, 8pm, WUIS Bedrock 66 Live concert. Hoogland Center for the Arts, 420 S. Sixth St, 217-523-2787.
Juvae Jazz Society Concert Apr 28, 5-8pm, Dave Bennett and his all stars. $20, students free with paying adult. 546- 1363. Decatur Club, 158 W. Prairie Ave, Decatur, 217-429- 4200.
MacMurray College Choir Spring Sing Apr 20, 7:30pm, MacMurray College Annie Merner Chapel , College Avenue and Clay St, Jacksonville.
Music Under the Dome Apr 22, 4pm, Jacksonville native Luke McQuillan performs original songs and familiar standards. Jacksonville Public Library, 201 West College Ave, Jacksonville, 243-5435.
Paradises Lost Apr 26-29, 7:30 Thu-Sat, 3pm Sun, World Premiere of new opera, based on Ursula K. Le Guin’s novella, by University of Illinois composer Stephen Andrew Taylor, originally from Taylorville, IL. Krannert Center for the Performing Arts, Tryon Festival Theatre, 500 South Goodwin Avenue, Urbana.
Springfield Choral Society Apr 28-29, 7pm Sat, 4:30pm Sun, “Two by Four,” music lavishly constructed for double choir. (Sunday at St. Joseph’s Catholic Parish, Chatham.) $12. 787-4868. St. Agnes Church, 245 N. Amos St.
Springfield Classical Guitar Society Concert Apr 28, 8pm, Jeffrey Rogers, Florida-based Springfield native. $12. 726-8991. Faith Evangelical Lutheran Church, 2313 Whittier Ave, 217-522- 7331.
Springfield Jazz Society Spring Brunch Apr 29, 11am-3pm, John Sluzalis and his All-Star Big Band, LLCC Jazz Band with Jane Hartman, honoring Gene Haas. $25, $10 music only. Reservations encouraged. 971- 9067. Knights of Columbus Hall Council 364, 2200 S. Meadowbrook Rd.
UIS Amnesty International Concert Apr 20, 7-11pm, Performers include Tom Irwin, The Transatlantic, Boon, Hessian Revival. Snacks, drinks for sale. Main quad. 618-979-6260. University of Illinois at Springfield, 217-206-6073.