Holiday Happenings
Chatham Holiday on the Square Nov 17, 10am-2pm, Toys for Tots fundraiser with vendors, Santa, free hot chocolate and cookies. Bring camera, and unwrapped toys to donate. Chatham town square, 101 W. Mulberry, Chatham, 415-3126.
Christmas According to Hollywood Nov 09, 5:30pm, Favorite Christmas movies and some little known facts. $25. Reservations, 947-2238. Wild Hare Cafe, 104 Governor Oglesby St, Elkhart, 947-2100.

Christmas in the Park Nov 16-17, 4-8pm Fri and 9am-3pm Sat, Holiday bazaar with decorations and more. Country Place Condo Clubhouse, 1/2 mile east of Toronto Road and 1/2 mile north of North Cotton Hill Road, 217-626-1738.

Christmas on Vinegar Hill Nov 17-18, 8am-5pm Sat, 12-4pm Sun, Follow wooden Christmas trees to homes, churches and businesses with crafts and baked goods. Maps at all locations and courthouse. Mt. Pulaski.

Ghosts of the Library Through Jan. 2, exhibit of 13 Santa Claus fi gures from around world. Museum admission. Abraham Lincoln Presidential Museum, 212 N. Sixth St, 217-782-5764.

Holiday Decorating Seminars Nov 10, 17, 10am, Free 45-minute seminars Nov. 3-Dec 8. (Except Dec. 1 Make & Take, $30 must also buy materials.), GreenView Nursery, 3000 W. Jefferson, (217) 787-4700.

Holiday Hall Exhibition and Sale Nov 09-10, 12-17, 19-21, 10am-5pm M-F, 10am-3pm Sat, Nov. 9-Dec. 17 (closed Thanksgiving). Unique exhibition featuring more than 45 regional artists. Springfi eld Art Association, 700 N. Fourth St, 217-523-2631.

Home Decor Seminar Series Nov 10, 1pm, Free and no registration required to learn holiday decor techniques. Prizes, refreshments. Scheels, 3801 South MacArthur , 726- 6330.

Hope for the Holidays Nov 18, 2-4pm, Discover ways to cope with the holidays after the loss of a loved one. Candle lighting service, holiday remembrance for your home, STAR project for kids. RSVP requested. Free. Staab Polk Memorial Home, Chatham, 8855 State Route 4, Chatham, 217-483-9292.

Lincoln Memorial Garden Holiday Market Nov 17-18, 9am-5pm Sat, 1-4 Sun, Art and craft items created by Springfi eld Civic Garden Club members. Lincoln Memorial Garden, 2301 E. Lake Shore Dr, 217-529-1111.

Memorial’s Festival of Trees Nov 17-21, 10am-8pm M-W, Fri- Sat, 10am-5pm Sun, More than 150 trees, swags and wreaths decorated by area designers. $5-$3. Illinois State Fairgrounds, 801 Sangamon Ave, 217- 788-4301.

SHS Shop A Palooza Nov 16, 6pm-9pm, For SHS Vocal Music Program. $1 admission. Springfi eld High School, 101 S. Lewis St, 217-553-6562.

TMH Holiday Extravaganza Nov 16-17, 9am-5pm Fri, 9am-2pm Sat, Art and Craft Fair with bake sale, lunch, books, raffl es and over 40 miscellaneous vendors. Taylorville Memorial Hospital Auditorium, 201 E. Pleasant St, Taylorville, 824-3331.

Thanksgiving Thankfulness Nov 15, 10am-12pm, Craft for one preschooler and one of their grown-ups. $40 includes snack and supplies. Urban Sassafras, 200 Broadway, 670-2391.

Tree Lighting Ceremony Nov 08, 12pm, Salvation Army kicks off their Red Kettle Drive on the Holiday Stage in the food court. Tree lighting at noon. White Oaks Mall, 2501 Wabash Ave, 217-787-8560.

Twice Giving Christmas Nov 17, 9am-3pm, Unique, handcrafted items by artisans worldwide. Benefi ts crafters. Midwest Mission Distribution Center, 1022 New City Road, Chatham, 625-7783.

Fairs & Festivals

Veterans Day Parade Nov 10, 10am, Parade travels from Dewey Park to Community Park. 245-5119. Dewey Park, Dewey Dr, South Jacksonville.

Books & Authors

Book Discussion and Signing Nov 14, 6:30pm, James Wright, “Those Who Have Borne the Battle: A History of America’s Wars and Those Who Fought Them.” Free, registration required, 558-8934. Abraham Lincoln Presidential Museum, 212 N. Sixth St, 217-782-5764.

Middle-earth Fellowship Nov 10, 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.

PondicherryLodge/Sherlock Holmes Society Nov 17, 9am, Chapters I - VII of The Sign of Four. Barnes and Noble Booksellers, 3111 S. Veteran’s Pkwy, 546-8387.

Springfield Comic Book Convention Nov 11, 10am-4pm, Comic books, new and old, toys and related collectibles. No admission. 309-657-1599. Route 66 Hotel & Conference Center, 625 E. Saint Joseph St.

Vachel Lindsay Birthday Celebration Nov 10, 11am-4pm, Lindsay Repertory Group performs at 11:30 a.m. Silent fi lms and Vachel and his mother portrayed at 1 and 2 p.m. Vachel Lindsay Home State Historic Site, 603 S. Fifth St, 217-524-0901.

Theater & Comedy

Cinderella Nov 09-11, 7:30pm Fri-Sat, 2pm Sun, Magical classic. $12-$19.50. (Nov. 11, noon, Cinderella Tea Party, lower level Richard’s Treat University Center. $12.), Kirkland Fine Arts Center, 1184 W. Main St, Decatur, 424- 6318.

Comedian Claude Stuart Nov 09-10, 7:30pm and 9:30pm Fri-Sat, Rapid-fi re, madman-stage style with crowd interaction. $13-$15. Donnie B’s Comedy Club, 625 E. Saint Joseph Street, 391-joke.

Comedian Nick Griffin Nov 09-10, 8pm Fri, 7:15 & 9:30pm Sat, Seen on Late Show with David Letterman, Conan O’Brien, The Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson and Comedy Central. $15. Mason City Limits Comedy Club, 114 E. Chestnut, Mason City, 482-5233.

M*A*S*H Nov 09-11, 16-18, 8pm Fri-Sat, 2pm Sun, Nov. 9-11, 16-18, Springfi eld Theatre Centre production. Hoogland Center for the Arts, 420 S. Sixth St, 217- 523-2787.

The Heavens are Hung in Black Nov 08-11, 15-18, 7:30pm, Thu- Sat, 3pm Sun, Nov 8-11, 15-18, Abe writes the Emancipation Proclamation. Directed by Phil Funkenbusch. $18-$10. 558-8934. Abraham Lincoln Presidential Museum, 212 N. Sixth St, 217-782-5764.

West Side Story Nov 21, 7:30pm, Classic Tony Award-winning musical. Sangamon Auditorium, UIS, 1 University Plaza, 217-206-6160, 800-207-6960.

i.e. improv Nov 14, 4pm, LLCC’s Theatre Club improvisational performance group. Room 0015, Sangamon Hall South. $2. Lincoln Land Community College, 5250 Shepherd Rd, 217-786- 2200.

Music: General Events

25th Greater Downstate Bluegrass Festival Nov 09-11, 2:30 & 7pm Fri, 10:30am Sat, 10a, Awardwinning artists from across the nation performing six concerts. Workshops, guitar show, vendors, jam area. Daily/weekend fees. 243-3159. Crowne Plaza, 3000 S. Dirksen Pkwy.

A Night in Treme Nov 16, 8pm, Music and stories of musicians, chefs, Mardi Gras Indians and ordinary New Orleanians trying to rebuild their lives. Sangamon Auditorium, UIS, 1 University Plaza, 217-206- 6160, 800-207-6960.

Acoustic Open Mic Night Nov 10, 6-8:30pm, Song, poetry, short stories. Sign up on arrival. Some instruments available. $3 cover donation. Hope Presbyterian Church, 2211 Wabash Ave, 546-6951.

Alan Jackson Nov 10, 7pm, Country superstar. $39-$59. Prairie Capital Convention Center, 1 Convention Center Plaza, 800- 745-3000.

Davina & The Vagabonds Nov 17, 8pm, WUIS’ Bedrock 66 Live concert series. $24. Hoogland Center for the Arts, 420 S. Sixth St, 217-523-2787.

Hitsville Live: Sounds of Motown Nov 16, 8pm, Produced by and starring Glenn Leonard, original lead singer for The Tempations. $25-$30. The Legacy Theatre, 101 E. Lawrence, 1-800-838- 3006.

Illinois Symphony Orchestra Nov 17, 8pm, 7pm preshow, “Holidays in the Heartland.” With guest Broadway superstar Christiane Noll. Sangamon Auditorium, UIS, 1 University Plaza, 217-206-6160, 800-207- 6960.

Jacksonville Symphony Orchestra Nov 10, 7:30pm, Pops concert. $15, children and students free. Tickets available at door. Illinois College Rammelkamp Chapel, 1101 W. College Ave, Jacksonville, 217-245-1181.

Lonesome River Band Nov 10, 1pm, Crowne Plaza, 3000 S. Dirksen Pkwy.

Mark Gifford Barton Organ Concert Nov 09, 7:30pm, Free theater organ concert and 1928 Laurel & Hardy silent movie with organ accompaniment. Springfi eld High School, 101 S. Lewis St, 217-523-8609.

Sound Celebration Chorus USO Tour Nov 10, 3:30-4pm Sat, Sounds of the 1940s for Veterans Day on landing between fi rst and second fl oors. Scheels, 3801 South MacArthur , 726-6330.

Springfield Classical Guitar Society Nov 10, 8pm, Philip Hemmo, well-known teacher and performer, most recently at University of Arizona. Faith Evangelical Lutheran Church, 2313 Whittier Ave, 217-522- 7331.

Stanley Jordan Nov 09, 8pm, Guitar virtuoso playing classical masterpieces, pop-rock hits, jazz forays and ultramodern improvisational works. Sangamon Auditorium, UIS, 1 University Plaza, 217-206-6160, 800-207-6960.

The King’s Brass Nov 10, 7pm, Tim Zimmerman and The King’s Brass in concert. $10-$5. Advanced tickets required by phone. St. John’s Lutheran Church, 2477 W. Washington St, 793-3933.

Thomas Murray, organist Nov 09-10, 7:30pm Fri-Sat, Yale University organist and professor of music. Free Master class Thurs. and free concert Sat. 245-3069 or fas[at]ic.edu. Illinois College Rammelkamp Chapel, 1101 W. College Ave, Jacksonville, 217-245-3000.

Dance

A Country Dance Nov 14, 7-10pm, All dancers welcome. Lessons 7-8 p.m. $5. Prairie Land Dance Club, 650 Matilda St, Illiopolis, 428-1560.

A WCS Dance Nov 10, 7pm-12am, www.pldc. org. $5. Prairie Land Dance Club, 650 Matilda St, Illiopolis, 217- 428-1560.

All About Country Dance Nov 16, 8-11pm, Free lesson at start. DJ Marilyn Ferry. $6. VFW Post #755, 2211 Old Jacksonville Road, 836-1438.

Dance Nov 09, 7-10pm, Mojo Cats, VFW Post #755, 2211 Old Jacksonville Road, 217-546-9515.

Art & Architecture

Artist in Residence Reception Nov 17, 2-4pm, Art by local artist and Flyover Zone host Hugh Moore. Vachel Lindsay Home State Historic Site, 603 S. Fifth St, 217-524-0901.

Brown Bag Art Talk Nov 16, 12pm, UIS professor Mike Miller, “Gerhard Richter.” Free. Michael Victor II Art Library, SAA, 700 N. Fourth Street, 523- 2631.

Carpe Diem Art Show Nov 09-11, 16-18, 12-4pm Fri-Sun, Through Dec. 2, eclectic display of local art. Featured artist Kevin Atterberry, Petersburg. Prairie Palette Art Gallery, on the square, Petersburg, 217-971-7431.

Dark Gypsy Jubilee Nov 10, 7pm , Vendors, belly dancers, artists and fortune tellers! 18 and over. $5 suggested donation. The Imagine Foundation At the Asa Talcott House, 859 Grove St, Jacksonville, 473-2726.

Eat, Pray, Love Nov 08-10, 13-17, 20-21, 10am-5pm Tue-Fri, 10am-3pm Sat, Linda Post Lucas (Multiple Media) - Mary Ellen Strack (Oil & Pastel) Evie Wilson (Watercolor & Acrylic/Calligraphy). H.D. Smith Gallery, 420 S. Sixth St, 544- 2787.

Gallery Exhibit Nov 11, 13, 18, 20, 4-6pm Tue-Sat, 1-3pm Sun, Pam Hamilton – acrylic and mixed media paintings; Ken Glass – wood turnings. David Strawn Art Gallery, 331 W. College Ave, Jacksonville, 243-9390.

Group Art Exhibition Nov 10, 6-9pm, Pharmacy member artists show and sell their work. The Pharmacy Warehouse, 1022 S. Pasfi eld, 217-652-3273.

Look Who’s Painting Nov 09, 6:30-9:30pm, Twentyone local personalities create art for auction. $25. Reserve tickets by phone. Bogart’s, 2142 Old State Rd, Jacksonville, 217-243- 3821.

Photography Exhibit Nov 08-21, 8am-4pm Mon- Thu, 12-5pm Sat-Sun, John Sevigny’s “Happyland,” photos from Central America. Charles E. Becker Library, Benedictine University at Springfi eld, 1500 North Fifth St.

Roger Shimomura Nov 08, 12-15, 19-21, 10am- 6pm Mon-Thu, Through Dec. 1, “America Behind Barbed Wire,” prints by internationally renowned artist. UIS Visual Arts Gallery, HSB 201, One University Plaza, 217-206-6506.

Film & Television

Central Illinois FilmCommission Meeting Nov 15, 7pm, Third Thursdays in Highland room. “Marlboro Man” Mr. Bob Petit speaks about his 11 year career. 725-1187. Hilton Springfi eld, 700 E. Adams.