Middle-earth Fellowship Sep 08, 10am, Second Sat. of each month discussing “The Hobbit.” [email protected], hobbit in subject line. Barnes and Noble Booksellers, 3111 S. Veteran’s Pkwy, 546-9440.

THEATER & COMEDY

Man of La Mancha Aug 31, Sep 01-02, 8pm Fri-Sat, 2pm Sun (7pm Aug. 2, Gala production in association with Over the Moon Productions. Hoogland Center for the Arts, 420 S. Sixth St, 217-523-2787.

Prairie Dreams: The Story of Clayville and Its People Sep 02, 08-09, Sunday matinees, Saturday evening, Play about early days of historic stagecoach inn, west of Springfield by Tara McClellan McAndrew. $8-$13, 206-6160. Clayville, Route 125, Pleasant Plains, 626-1024.

Spring Awakening Sep 07-09, 8pm Fri-Sat, 2pm Sun, Tony-award winning electrifying fusion of morality, sexuality, and rock and roll about teens coming of age. $18-$20. The Legacy Theatre, 101 E. Lawrence, 1-800-838- 3006.

To Kill a Mockingbird Aug 30-31, Sep 01, 8- 10:30pm, Drama based on Harper Lee’s book. Free 7 p.m. Pre-show. $13-$8. Theatre in the Park, Lincoln’s New Salem State Historic Site, 15588 History Lane, Petersburg, 217- 632-5440.

MUSIC: GENERAL EVENTS

An Enchanted Evening Sep 09, 5-8pm, Elkhart Historical Society presents music, finger food, drinks. $30. Reservations 947-2238. Cro’Hurst Mansion on Elkhart Hill, Cro’Hurst Drive, Elkhart.

Artist on the Plaza Aug 30, Sep 04, 06, 11, 12- 1pm, Tuesdays and Thursdays, free outdoor performances. 753-3519. Old State Capitol, 1 Old State Capitol Plaza, 217- 785-9363.

Bossa Azul Sep 01, 08, 11:30am-12:30pm, Playing every Saturday. Golden Frog Cafe, 218 S. Sixth, 299- 6576.

Chris Talley Trio Bluegrass Concert Sep 08, 5:30-7:30pm, Free concert. Whiteside Park, Jacksonville Street, Whitehall, 217-248-4600.

Concert in the Cornfield Sep 08, 7pm, Thompson Square with opening act Chris Cagle, CMA 2002 Top New Male Vocalist Nominee. $20, $17 in advance. S. Main, South Jacksonville.

Dave Sinclair Labor Day Celebration Sep 03, 4pm, Music and ice cream social. Virginia town square, 452-7786.

Ernie Haase & Signature Sound Sep 07, 7pm, Acclaimed gospel music group. $30-$27. Hoogland Center for the Arts, 420 S. Sixth St, 217-523-2787.

Lincoln Troubadour Concerts Aug 30-31, Sep 01, 12:30pm, 1:30pm and 4pm, A cappella music performers present Civil War era songs arranged in eight-part harmony. Old State Capitol, 1 Old State Capitol Plaza, 217-785-7960.

Prairie Voices Aug 31, 5pm, Fridays during summer (except Aug. 17), Illinois poetry and prairie music by Kevin Purcell and Aasne Vigesaa. Free. Old State Capitol, 1 Old State Capitol Plaza, 217-785-7960.

Robert Sampson Oldies Concert Sep 07, 5:30-8:30pm, Sampson sings and performs favorite “oldies” on keyboard and guitar. Bring your lawn chair. Free. Whiteside Park, Jacksonville Street, Whitehall, 217-248-4600.

Sha-Boom In Concert Sep 08, 6-9pm, Nine piece rock ‘n’ roll nostalgia band performing the greatest hits of the 50s, 60s and 70s. Free. Roodhouse Park, Franklin Street, Roodhouse, 217-971- 4445.

Springfield Municipal Band Sep 11, 6:30pm, Free concert. Bring a chair or blanket. Douglas Park, 400 N. Macarthur Blvd.

Symphony on the Square Sep 01, 6pm, Free Labor Day Concert by the Illinois Symphony Orchestra on the lawn. Old State Capitol, 1 Old State Capitol Plaza, 217-785- 9363.

DANCE

All About Dance Sep 05, 12, 7-10pm, Every Wed. open dance preceded with hour line dance lessons with DJ/instructor Marilyn Ferry. $5. VFW Post #755, 2211 Old Jacksonville Road, 836- 1438.

Dance Aug 31, 8pm, Kevin Turner playing 50s, 60s and 70s. Dances every last Friday of each month. VFW Post #755, 2211 Old Jacksonville Road, 217-546-9515.

Dance Sep 07, 7-9pm, Free dance first Friday of every month for individuals with disabilities. Semi-formal dress attire. Erin’s Pavilion, Southwind Park, 4965 S. Second St, 217-753-0702.

Irish Dance Thursdays in September, 5:15- 5:45pm, Try Irish Dance. Free workshops for all ages and all abilities. 217-381-3822 or [email protected]. Red School Mall, 1275 Wabash Avenue, lower level.

ART & ARCHITECTURE

Art Spectacular at the Carillon Sep 08-09, 10am-5pm Sat, 10am-4pm Sun, Juried Fine Art Fair featuring original artwork, music, food, demos, kids art sale and more. Accessible. Washington Park Rees Memorial Carillon, Fayette Rd, 753-6219.

Artefactual Aug 30-31, 8:30am-4:30pm Mon-Fri, 10am Sat, Sculptures of St. Louis artist Snail Scott. Anne Lloyd Gallery of the Madden Arts Center, 125 N. Water, Decatur, 217-423-3189.

Artrageous First Friday Sep 07, 5:30-8pm, Joan Gardner demonstrates silk fabric dying techniques. The Blue Door Gallery, 214 South 6th St, 217-753-0262.

Gallery Exhibit Sep 08-09, 11-12, 4-6pm Tue- Sat, 1-3pm Sun, Sept 8-30, Thomas Trausch - Watercolor and Oil Paintings. David Strawn Art Gallery, 331 W. College Ave, Jacksonville, 243-9390.

Heavy Hitters Sep 07, 11-12, Graffiti and street art from around the world. Reception Sept. 7, 5-8 p.m. with outdoor activities. Anne Lloyd Gallery of the Madden Arts Center, 125 N. Water, Decatur, 217-423-3189.

Holding Hands With History Aug 30-31, Sep 01, 04-08, 11- 12, 10am-3pm Tue-Sat, Through Sept. 21, watercolor paintings by Kay Smith, Artist Laureate of Illinois. National Museum of Surveying, Inc. 521 E. Washington, 217-523-3130.

Luminous Ground: Artists with Histories Aug 30-31, Sep 01-12, 8:30am-5pm Mon-Sat, 12-5pm Sun, Through Jan. 2013, view the work of eleven older Illinois artists, ages 78 through 90. Illinois State Museum, 502 S. Spring St, 217-782-7386.

Old Southtown Art Bazaar Sep 01, 2-11pm, Outdoor, flea market style artisan showcase with live painting, glass blowing demos, music and skateboarding. Free. Artifacts Gallery, 1107 S. Grand Ave, 217-303-2244.

Paul K. Riemer Retrospective Aug 30-31, Sep 01, 10am-5pm Mon-Fri, 10am-3pm Sat, Through Sept. 1. Award-winning sculpture work. Springfield Art Association, 700 N. Fourth St, 217-523-2631.

Pied Piper Architectural Tour Sep 05, 5:30pm, Free professionally-guided architectural tour. Meets outside. 544-1723. Lincoln-Herndon Law Office, 112 North Sixth St.

Poets, Painters and Performers Exhibit Opening Sep 07, 5-8pm, Free opening reception for works on display from this collaboration of the arts using the theme of compassion. Prairie Art Alliance Gallery II, 2 S. Old State Capitol Plaza, 544-2727.

The History of The Division Aug 30, Sep 03-06, 10-12, 8am-4pm Mon-Thu, Through Sept. 14, artwork of Matthew Schultz and personal artifacts from past 150 years of men in group. (Reception Sept. 7, 6 p.m. includes lecture of The Division’s history, room 2209.), LLCC James S. Murray Gallery, Upper level, Menard Hall, 217-720-9140.

Through the Looking Glass - Featured Artist Exhibit Aug 30-31, Sep 01, 04-08, 11- 12, 10am-5pm Tue-Fri, 10am- 3pm Sat, Linda Morrison, watercolor and drawing; Rick Taylor, acrylic & oil/digital art. H.D. Smith Gallery, 420 S. Sixth St, 544-2787.

Vignettes - Claire Hedden Aug 30, Sep 03-06, 10- 12, 11-6 Mon-Thu, Sculptural works from nationally known artist and Mclean County Arts Center curator. Reception Sept. 6, 5:30 p.m. UIS Visual Arts Gallery, HSB 201, One University Plaza, 206-6506.

Washington Park Historic Photography Display Aug 30-31, Sep 01-03, 12-4pm Mon-Fri, 12-5pm Sat-Sun, Free exhibit Washington Park photographs dating as far back as 1902. Washington Park Botanical Garden, 1740 W. Fayette Ave, 217-546-4116.

FILM & TELEVISION

Citizens Club Program: Zero-Waste Vision Sep 05, 12, 6am, 2pm, 11pm, 58-minute filming of excellent Citizens Club program on waste and recycling. Access-4 Public Access Station, 726- 8410.

Foreign & Independent Film Series Sep 07, 7pm, The Girl Who Kicked the Hornet’s Nest. Free. UIS Brookens Auditorium, One University Plaza, 206-6665.

Rochester Movies in the Park Sep 02, dusk, Watch the free film Lorax. Sponsored by the Village of Rochester. 498-7192. Rochester Community Park, Rochester.

CHILDREN’S CORNER

Grandparents Day Sep 09, 1-5pm, Take-home craft, special activity, tour “Luminous Ground: Artists with Histories” exhibition with family-friendly guide. Free. Illinois State Museum, 502 S. Spring St, 782-5993.

Super Saturdays at the Museum Sep 08, 11am-3pm, “Make a Splash: Illinois Waterways.” Kids ages 4-8. 782-6044. Illinois State Museum, 502 S. Spring St, 782-6044.

Wonderous Wednesday Storytime Sep 05, 12, 11am, With Miss Alana, plus activity. Barnes and Noble Booksellers, 3111 S. Veteran’s Pkwy, 546-9440.

SCIENCE

Paul Mickey Science Series Lecture Sep 12, 7-8:30pm, Dr. Michael Nassaney, Western MichiganUniversity, “Public Archaeology at Long Lost Trading Post in Southwest Michigan: The Continuing Saga of the Fort St. Joseph Investigations.”, Illinois State Museum Research & Collections Center, 1011 E. Ash St, 785-0037.