FAIRS & FESTIVALS
Fiesta Fun at The Plaza May 05, 10am-4pm, Bounce house, music, vendors. Chatham TNT Open House with tumbling, dance and cheer demos. The Plaza, 420 N. Main St, Chatham, 553-6318.
Liturgical Arts Festival of Springfield May 05-08, Free multi-faith interdenominational festival celebrating creative, artistic spirit of area’s diverse and multi-cultural residents. Various locations.
BOOKS & AUTHORS Brown Bag Book Discussion Series May 02, 12pm, Twelve Steps to a Compassionate Life by Karen Armstrong. First meeting, then Wednesdays through June 6. Lincoln Library, 326 S. Seventh St, 217-753- 4900.
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.
THEATER & COMEDY
Agatha Christie’s The Mousetrap May 04-06, 8pm Fri-Sat; 2pm Sun, When an idyllic young couple convert an old English manor into a guest house, a murder-mystery is the last thing they expect. Hoogland Center for the Arts, 420 S. Sixth St, 523-ARTS.
Charlotte’s Web Apr 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 Cowboy Bill Martin Apr 27-28, 7:30pm and 9:30pm, Opened for many greats such as Larry the Cable Guy. Donnie B’s Comedy Club, 2937 W. White Oaks Dr, 391-joke.
I Do! I Do! Apr 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. 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. The Legacy Theatre, 101 E. Lawrence, 800- 838-3006.
MUSIC: GENERAL EVENTS
An Evening with Elvis & Friends Apr 28, 7pm, 6pm doors open, Seven tribute artists bringing to life music of Elvis, REBA, Rod Stewart, Tom Jones and the Blues Brothers. $15. 972- 8606. Lincoln Square Theatre, 141 N. Main, Decatur.
An Evening with Joe Bonamassa May 08, 8pm, Lauded as one of the world’s greatest guitarists and emerging blues-rock star and charismatic singer/songwriter. Sangamon Auditorium, UIS, 1 University Plaza, 217-206-6160, 800-207-6960.
Central Illinois Young Musicians’ Concert May 06, 4pm, Solo presentations of award-winning performances. Free. First Presbyterian Church, 321 S. Seventh St, 528-4311.
Illinois Symphony Orchestra May
05, 8pm, “Titanic and Terrific.” Kenneth Raskin, conductor, and Adam
Neiman, piano. Sangamon Auditorium, UIS, 1 University Plaza, 217-
206-6160, 800-207-6960.
Jacksonville Symphony Orchestra May 05, 7:30pm, Season Finale Concert. Illinois College Rammelkamp Chapel, 1101 W. College Ave, Jacksonville, 217- 245-1181.
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.
LLCC Recital Series May
06, 4pm, Russel Brazzel, classical guitarist, and Kamen Petkov,
violinist. Free. 786- 2319. LLCC Trutter Center, 5250 Shepherd Road,
217-786-2200.
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.
Sangamon Valley Youth Symphony May
05, 1:30pm, Spring Concert featuring Concerto Competition Winner as
soloist. 753-8000. Sangamon Auditorium, UIS, 1 University Plaza,
217-206-6160, 800-207-6960.
Springfield Choral Society Apr
28-29, 7pm Sat, “Two by Four,” music lavishly constructed for double
choir. (Sunday 4:30pm 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.
The Haymarket Festival: Occupy History May 01, 6-10pm, Black Sheep Cafe, 1320 S. Eleventh St, 847- 428-0562.
UIS Spring Showcase Concert Apr 27, 7:30pm, Features UIS Chorus, Band and Chamber Ensemble. UIS Studio Theatre, One University Plaza, 217-206- 6160.
University of Illinois- Springfield Chorus Apr 29, 4pm, Free concert featuring range of styles and languages with focus on contemporary composers. LLCC Trutter Center, 5250 Shepherd Road, 217-786-2200.
DANCE All About Dance w/DJ Marilyn Ferry Apr
26, May 03, 7-10pm, Every Thursday open dancing. (Line dance lessons,
7-8 p.m.), The Doghouse, 2937 W. White Oaks Drive, 836-1438.
Dance May 04,
7-9pm, Free dance first Friday of every month for individuals with
disabilities. Semiformal dress attire. Erin’s Pavilion, Southwind Park,
4965 S. Second St.
Dances Apr 27, 28 and May 2, 7pm, Friday, Saturday and Wednesday. All dancers welcome. Prairie Land Dance Club, 650 Matilda St. 217-428-1460.
Pilobolus Apr 29,
7pm, Extraordinary dance company with a body of over 100 choreographic
works. Sangamon Auditorium, UIS, 1 University Plaza, 217- 206-6160,
800-207-6960.
Salsa Nights Apr 28, 9pm-12:30am, Last Sat. of each month. $3. Abe’s Southside Cafe & Pub, 3751 S. Sixth St.
Senior Adult Musical Program Apr 29, 3-5:30pm, Night of free musical entertainment and dance for those 55 and older. Rochester Junior High School, Route 29, Rochester, 217-498- 7179. Two Step West Coast Swing w/ DJ Marilyn Ferry Apr 30, May 07, 7-9pm, Mondays, Line and Swing Dancing with lessons. Parquet Room, RTUC. Millikin University, 1184 W. Main St, Decatur, 836- 1438. Dance Apr 27, 8pm, Kevin Turner playing 50s, 60s and 70s. Dances every last Friday of each month. VFW Post #755, 2211 Old Jacksonville Road. 546-9515.
ART & ARCHITECTURE
After 5 Live: Kelly Sibthorp May 04, 5-7:30pm, Photography by Millikin student. Complimentary refreshments by Lock, Stock, and Barrel. Blue Connection, 117 N. Water St, Decatur, 428-0112.
Amateur Photograph Display May 01-09, 12-4pm Mon-Fri, 12-5pm Sat-Sun, Through May 20, see winners in this annual competition of photos of the park. Washington Park Botanical Garden, 1740 W. Fayette Ave.
Around Each Corner - Expressions in Color Apr 26-27, May 01-04, 08-09, 10am-2pm Tue-Fri, On display Apr. 3-May 18, vivid watercolor paintings by Illinois artist, Bret Steinhaus. Robert Morris Gallery, 607 E. Adams, 522- 8977.
Art in the Garden Apr 28, 9am-3pm, 4-6pm reception, Celebrate central Illinois’ diversity of talent in juried exhibition along Garden’s trails. Lincoln Memorial Garden, 2301 E. Lake Shore Dr, 217- 529-1111.
Artist in Residence Apr
28, May 01-05, 08-09, 10am-4pm Tue-Sat, Through May 11, exhibit of
winning poetry, prose, and artwork from SIU School of Medicine SCOPE
literary magazine. (Opening presentation Apr. 28, 2 p.m.), Vachel
Lindsay Home State Historic Site, 603 S. Fifth St.
Chocolates & Champagne on the Square Apr
27, 6-8pm, Sales drive for art gallery plus Soujourn fundraiser. Bring
donations, food, blankets, toiletries, etc. Music by Micah Walk. Free.
Prairie Art Alliance Gallery II, 2 S. Old State Capitol Plaza, 544-
2727.
Cosmos Apr 26-28, May 01-05, 08-09, 10am-5pm Tue-Fri, 10am-3pm Sun, April 6-May 12, George King, pastel; Michelle Smith, drawing. H.D. Smith Gallery, 420 S. Sixth St, 544-2787.
Downtown Revitalization Town Hall Meeting May 07, 6-7:30pm, Sustainable Design Assessment Team wants your input to make downtown more alive and vibrant. Theater 3. Hoogland Center for the Arts, 420 S. Sixth St, 525-1173 ext. 209.
Ed Martin Gallery Show Apr 26-28, 4-6pm Tue-Sat, 1- 3pm Sun, Through April 28, New series and large scale work. David Strawn Art Gallery, 331 W. College Ave, Jacksonville, 217- 423-3189.
Exhibit Opening May
05, 07-09, 4:30-6:30pm, Through June 2, Liturgical and Sacred Art
Juried Exhibit. Opening reception May 5, 4:30- 6:30 p.m. Springfield Art
Association, 700 N. Fourth St.
Gallery Hours Apr
26-27, 4-6pm Tue-Sat, 1- 3pm Sun, Kelly Eddington - Watercolors. David
Strawn Art Gallery, 331 W. College Ave, Jacksonville, 243-9390.
Gallery Hours May 06, 08-09, 4-6pm Tue-Sat, 1-3pm Sun, Through May 27,