Middle-earth Fellowship Dec 08, 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, 546-9440.

THEATER & COMEDY

Annie the Musical Nov 30, Dec 01-02, 07-09, 7:30pm Fri-Sat and 2pm Sun, Classic musical about orphan girl whose luck turns for the better. $13-$8. Sophie Leschin Theatre, 1201 S. Main St, Jacksonville, 245-1402.

Comedian Pat Godwin Nov 30, Dec 01, 7:30pm and 9:30pm, Seasoned veteran. $17-$15. Donnie B’s Comedy Club, 625 E. Saint Joseph Street, 391-joke.

Ventriloquist Marc Rubben Nov 30, Dec 01, 8pm Fri, 7:15pm and 9:30pm Sat, Unique monologue and onstage audience participation. $15. Mason City Limits Comedy Club, 114 E. Chestnut, Mason City, 482-5233.

MUSIC: GENERAL EVENTS

Hee Haw Dec 07-08, 6pm, Land of Lincoln Chorus with southern chicken dinner. Tickets, 953-0225 days. $15-$20. Little Flower School Activity Center (south of school), Stevenson Dr.

Illinois Chamber Orchestra Dec 07, 7:30pm, Fabulous French fairy tales celebrating Claude Debussy’s 150th Birthday. St. Agnes Church, 245 N. Amos St, 217-793-1330.

Layton Howerton Family Concert Dec 2, 7pm, Singer songwriter and folk artist Layton Howerton on Star-lite Mint Christmas Tour. Free. Chatham Presbyterian Church, 1835 E. Walnut. 483- 4204.

LLCC Madrigal Singers Dec 05, 4pm, Free. Cathedral Church of St. Paul, 815 S. Second St, 217-544-5135.

LLCC Madrigal Singers Dec 05, 7pm, Free performance. Old State Capitol, 1 Old State Capitol Plaza, 217-785-9363.

LLCC Recital Series Dec 02, 4pm, “My Grown- Up Christmas Wish” and other holiday favorites by The Jane Hartman Trio. Free. LLCC Trutter Center, 5250 Shepherd Road, 217-862-2000.

Mark Gifford’s Holiday Sing-a-long Concert Dec 02, 6:30-8pm, With Mark Gifford, Damien Kaplan and Joe Kath. Free, donations accepted. Parkway Christian Church, 2700 Lindbergh Blvd, 217-787-3445.

Martina McBride Dec 12, 7-9pm, Joy of Christmas: favorite Christmas classics by CMA seven-time Female Vocalist of the Year. Prairie Capital Convention Center, 1 Convention Center Plaza, 800-745-3000.

Soup & Song Dec 05, 12pm, Soup/dessert lunch. Ed Clark Trio. Open to public. $5 donation. St. John’s Lutheran Church, 2477 W. Washington St, 793-3933.

Soup & Song Dec 12, 12pm, Soup/dessert luncheon.Sangamon Brass Quintet. Open to public. $5 donation. St. John’s Lutheran Church, 2477 W. Washington St, 793-3933.

The Joy of Christmas Dec 09, 4pm, The Capital City Men’s Chorus. $10. 622-9917. Laurel United Methodist Church, 631 South Grand Ave W.

UIS Fall Music Showcase 2012 Nov 30, 7:30pm, UIS Chorus, Band, and Chamber Ensemble. 206-6240. UIS Studio Theatre, One University Plaza, 217-206- 6240.

DANCE A Country Dance Nov 30, 7-10pm, $5. Prairie Land Dance Club, 650 Matilda St, Illiopolis, 428-1560.

All About Country Dance Nov 30, 7-10pm, Line dancing, two step, waltz, swing, etc. Free lesson at start of dance w/ DJ Marilyn Ferry. $6. Decatur Moose Lodge, 3190 N Woodford Street, Decatur, 217-836-1438.

Dance Nov 30, 7-10pm, Kevin Turner plays. VFW Post #755, 2211 Old Jacksonville Road, 217-546- 9515.

Mix It Up Dance- Jingle Bell Rock Dec 01, 7-11pm, Music with Variety, Dance 4 Fun, all types of dancers. $10. VFW Post #755, 2211 Old Jacksonville Road, 217-652-2128.

ART & ARCHITECTURE

Art Reception Dec 01, 6-8pm, Local photographer Christine Samoore. Prairie House Custom Frames, 2833 S. Sixth St, 217-523-4415.

Carpe Diem Art Show Nov 30, Dec 01-02, 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.

Eat, Pray, Love Nov 29-30, Dec 01, 04-08, 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 Dec 01-02, 04-09, 11-12, 4-6pm Tue-Sat, 1-3pm Sun, Marla Helton & Stu Fabe - fi ne art gourds. David Strawn Art Gallery, 331 W. College Ave, Jacksonville, 243-9390.

Holiday Exhibit Dec 07, 5-8pm, Free admission to the public, and snacks available. Prairie Art Alliance Gallery II, 2 S. Old State Capitol Plaza, 544-2727.

Kids Art Contest Reception Dec 06, 6-8pm, See work from winning entries. Basement. Old State Capitol, 1 Old State Capitol Plaza, 217-785-9363.