Fairs & Festivals

Arts and Music Festival Aug 05, 3-10pm, Live music, local artists and free food all to benefit Special Olympics of Springfield. Children’s activities 3-6 p.m. Crows Mill Pub, 1220 Toronto Road, 217-529-2769 .

BBQ, Blues & Cruise Festival Jul 28, 10am-11pm, Amateur BBQ cook-off, blues music, Classic Car Cruise and Show, Bring Your Hog to Taylorville Motorcycle Ride and Show and more. Christian County Fairgrounds, 700 W. Spresser St, Taylorville.

Decatur Celebration Aug 03-05, 5-11pm Fri, 10am- 11pm Sat, 11am-, Family street festival. Show stages, food, arts and crafts, music, film festival, (parade Sat. 10 a.m.) and more. decaturcelebration.com. Downtown Decatur, 160 E. Main St, Decatur.

Logan County Fair Jul 31, Aug 01-05, 8am-12am, Jul 31- Aug. 5, Carnival and concerts daily. 732- 3311. Logan County Fairgrounds, 1408 Short 11th St, Lincoln.

Macoupin County Fair Jul 26, Tractor pull, demolition derby, livestock competition, food and carnival. Free, $5 parking per car. 854-9422. Macoupin County Fairgrounds, 21368 Rte. 4, Carlinville.

Books & Authors

Discussion and Book Signing Aug 02, 6:30pm, Bestselling author Stephen L. Carter, “The Impeachment of Abraham Lincoln.” Union Theater. Free, reservations required, 558-8934. Abraham Lincoln Presidential Museum, 212 N. Sixth St, 217-782-5764.

Saturday Mornings at 603 Aug 04, 10am, Graham Murdock, author of Blackberry Rain, about growing up in Children’s Home of Winston-Salem, North Carolina. Vachel Lindsay Home State Historic Site, 603 S. Fifth St, 217- 524-0901.

Theater & Comedy

Damn Yankees Aug 03-05, 9-12, 8-10:30pm, Musical about player who sells his soul to devil. Free pre-show at 7 p.m. $13-$8. Theatre in the Park, Lincoln’s New Salem State Historic Site, 15588 History Lane, Petersburg, 217-632-5440.

Easily Amused Teen Improv Troupe Jul 27, 7pm, Hoogland Center for the Arts, 420 S. Sixth St, 217-523-2787.

Insane with Power Jul 26-28, Aug 02-04, 7:30pm (July 29 2pm), The Less Is More Independent Theatre Company presents play. Must be 21 years or older, except on July 29, 2 p.m. Family Funday. Catch 22, 11 W. Old State Capitol Plaza.

Misfits the Musical Jul 26-29, Aug 02-05, 7:30pm, 2pm Sun, Comedy from the team of Ken Bradbury and Roger Wainwright. Jacksonville Theatre Guild, 210 W. College Ave, Jacksonville.

Once On This Island Jul 26-29, 8:30pm, Young peasant girl used by island gods to settle their argument about which is stronger – love or death. $8-$14. The Muni, 815 East Lake Dr.

The Lighter Side of Springfield History Jul 27-29, Comedy about funny events and people from Springfield’s past, written by Tara McClellan McAndrew. Hoogland Center for the Arts, 420 S. Sixth St.

The Portuguese Rodeo Clown Company Aug 03-04, 8pm, Two shows of improv based on audience suggestions. $15. Hoogland Center for the Arts, 420 S. Sixth St. 523-2787.

Music: General Events

Artist on the Plaza Jul 26, 31, Aug 02, 07, 12-1pm, Tuesdays and Thursdays, free outdoor performances. 753-3519. Old State Capitol, 1 Old State Capitol Plaza.

Bossa Azul Jul 28, Aug 04, 11:30am- 12:30pm, Playing every Saturday. Golden Frog Cafe, 218 S. Sixth, 299-6576.

Carillon Concerts Jul 29, Aug 01, 05, 08, 7pm Wed and Sun, 3pm Sun, Local sub Carillonneur Jim Rogers plays free weekly concerts this summer. Washington Park Rees Memorial Carillon, Fayette Rd.

Carnival of Madness Jul 31, 5pm-12am, Rock out with Evanescence, Chevelle, Halestorm, Cavo and New Medicine. $39. Prairie Capital Convention Center, 1 Convention Center Plaza, 800-745-3000.

Gospel Music Fest Aug 04, 11am-6pm, Several groups singing 15-30 minutes each. Bring your lawn chairs for outside event in the Kilbourne Fire Department Pavilion. Free. Kilbourne Community Center, Walnut and Fourth St , Kilbourne.

James Armstrong Live Aug 04, 7pm-12am, Nationally renowned blues musician. Sponsored by Illinois Central Blues Club. $10-$12. Capital City Bar & Grill, 3149 S. Dirksen Pkwy, 217-303-3120.

Let Us Be Bold With Our Songs Jul 28, 2pm, ‘Music Honoring Vachel’ by Jim and Susie Miller of Manitowoc, Wisconsin accompanied by Marilynn Dunlap. Vachel Lindsay Home State Historic Site, 603 S. Fifth St, 217-524-0901.

Music in the Park Jul 29, 4-7pm, Free concert by Debbie Ross Band. Bring chair or blanket. Southwind Park, 4965 S. Second St, 217-753-0702.

Springfield Municipal Band Jul 31, Aug 07, 7:30pm, Free concert. Bring a chair or blanket. Douglas Park, 400 N. Macarthur Blvd, 217-789-2974.

Summer Concert in the Park Jul 29, Aug 05, 6pm, Jacksonville Pilot Club sponsors free music at the bandstand Sundays, June through Aug. 478-2015. Jacksonville Community Park, 1201 S. Main, Jacksonville.

The Boat Drunks Jul 29, 2-5pm, Jimmy Buffet tradition with the music of The Boat Drunks along with cheeseburgers and wine margaritas. Hill Prairie Winery, 23753 Lounsberry Rd, Oakford, 217-635-9900.

Winds on the Prairie Flute Concert Jul 30, Aug 06, 1pm and 3pm, Through Aug. 27, visit Representative Hall and enjoy patriotic concert by Debbie Eddy Flute Choir. 785-9363. Old State Capitol, 1 Old State Capitol Plaza.

Dance Dance Jul 27, 8pm, Kevin Turner playing 50s, 60s and 70s. Dances every last Friday of each month. VFW Post #755, 2211 Old Jacksonville Road.

In the Mood Swing-Era Dance Jul 27, 8-11pm, Kevin Turner. (Dinner available for purchase 5- 7:30 p.m.) $10. VFW Post #755, 2211 Old Jacksonville Road, 217-546-9515.

Salsa Nights Jul 28, 9pm-12:30am, Last Sat. of each month. $3. Abe’s Southside Cafe & Pub, 3751 S. Sixth St.

Art & Architecture

Artefactual Aug 01-04, 06-08, 8:30am- 4:30pm Mon-Fri, 10am- Aug. 1- 31, Sculptures of St. Louis artist Snail Scott. Reception Aug. 1, 5- 7 p.m. Anne Lloyd Gallery of the Madden Arts Center, 125 N. Water, Decatur.

Artrageous First Friday Aug 03, 5:30-8pm, Pam Martin, demonstrating the art of polymer clay. Food. The Blue Door Gallery, 214 South 6th St, 217-753- 0262.