FAIRS & FESTIVALS
Arts and Music Festival Aug 05, 3-10pm, Live music, local artists and free food while supplies last, all to benefit Special Olympics of Springfield. Children’s activities 3-6 p.m. Crows Mill Pub, 1220 Toronto Road, 217-529-2769 .
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.
Downhome Music Festival Aug 04, 2-10pm, Live music outdoor on the streets. Family friendly with children’s entertainment. Food available. Corner of Washington and Seventh. Downtown Springfield.
Illinois State Fair Aug 09-15, So much to do we can’t list everything. Food, entertainment, exhibits and so much more. 782-6661. Illinois State Fairgrounds, 801 Sangamon Ave.
Logan County Fair Aug 02-05, 8am-12am, Jul 31-Aug. 5, Carnival and concerts daily. 732-3311. Logan County Fairgrounds, 1408 Short 11th St, Lincoln.
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.
Middle-earth Fellowship Aug 11, 10am, Second Sat. of each month discussing “The Hobbit.” dpbnlb@yahoo.com, hobbit in subject line. Barnes and Noble Booksellers, 3111 S. Veteran’s Pkwy.
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.
Used Book Sale Aug 11, 9:30am-12:30pm, Friends of the Library second Saturdays through August. 424-2900. Decatur Public Library, 130 N Franklin St, Decatur.
SPOKEN WORD
Back to School Spoken Word Competition Aug 11, 4-7pm, Open to students 4-18 year old. African-American Cultural & Genealogical Society hosts. Call for application, 429-7458.
Open Mic Aug 15, 6-8pm, Come read your work or listen. Food for purchase. Hosted by Springfield Poets and Writers. 725- 9058. Robbie’s, 4 S. Old State Capitol Plaza, 217-528-1901.
THEATER & COMEDY
Damn Yankees Aug 03-05, 09-12, 8-10:30pm, Aug. 3-5, 9-12, 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.
Disney’s Beauty And The Beast Aug 10-12, 15, 8:30pm, Classic tale of magic spells broken by true love. $8-$14. The Muni, 815 East Lake Dr.
Insane with Power Aug 02-04, 7:30pm, 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 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.
Portuguese Rodeo Clown Company Aug 03-04, 8pm, Watch five actors, on stage without a script, invent a comedy show from nothing audience suggestions. $15. , 523-2787.
