BOOKS & AUTHORS

Book Signing and Talk Jan 16, 6:30pm, Michael Lind, ‘Land of Promise: An Economic History of the United States’ Reservations, 558-8934. Abraham Lincoln Presidential Museum, 212 N. Sixth St, 217-782-5764.

Book Signing and Talk Jan 17, 6:30pm, David Von Drehle visits the Presidential Museum to discuss ‘Rise to Greatness: Abraham Lincoln and America’s Most Perilous Year’ Reservations, 558-8934. Abraham Lincoln Presidential Museum, 212 N. Sixth St, 217-782-5764.

Contemporary Fiction Group Jan 16, 6-7pm, Group discusses popular fi ction and nonfi ction meets fourth Wednesday of month in Carnegie Room South. Lincoln Library, 326 S. Seventh St, 217-753-4900.

PondicherryLodge/ Sherlock Holmes Society Jan 19, 9am, Chapters VIIII - XII of “The Sign of Four.” 546-8387. Barnes and Noble Booksellers, 3111 S. Veteran’s Pkwy, 546-8387.

Springfield Writers Group

Jan 19, 1-4pm, Theme is the creative process. Phone 753-2137 for info and directions. Winter Book and Bake Sale Jan 19, 9am-3pm, More than 250 boxes of books priced to sell. Friday 6-8 p.m. for Friends (can join at door). Blood drive. Chatham Area Public Library, 600 E. Spruce, Chatham, 483- 2713.

SPOKEN WORD Poetry Open Mic Jan 16, 6-8pm, Bring poetry to read, or just sit back and listen. Springfi eld Poets & Writers. 725-9058. Robbie’s, 4 S. Old State Capitol Plaza, 217-528- 1901.

THEATER & COMEDY Capitol Steps Jan 23, 7:30pm, Satirical humor from group featured on NBC, CBS, ABC and PBS. 245-3069 or [email protected]. Illinois College Rammelkamp Chapel, 1101 W. College Ave, Jacksonville, 217-245- 3000. Comedian Open Mic Jan 16, 7pm, Register by 6:30 p.m.

Free to public. Donnie B’s Den, 625 E. Saint Joseph Street, 679-5620.

Comedian/Actor Micheal Winslow Jan 11-12, 7:30pm and 9:30pm , The man of 10,000 sound effects! $18-$20. Donnie B’s Comedy Club, 625 E. Saint Joseph St., 391-5653.

Hedwig and the Angry Inch Jan 11-12, 17-19, 8pm, Critically acclaimed off-Broadway rock musical about song stylist, her band and sex change gone bad. $20. The Legacy Theatre, 101 E. Lawrence, 1-800-838- 3006.

The Fantasticks Jan 11-13, 18-20, 8pm Fri-Sat, 2pm Sun, Funny and romantic musical about a boy, a girl, two fathers and a wall. Hoogland Center for the Arts, 420 S. Sixth St, 217-523-2787.

MUSIC: GENERAL EVENTS Mountain Dulcimer for Beginners Jan 12, 19, 10am-12pm, With retired communications professor Peter Ellertsen. Loaner dulcimer or info, 793- 2587. Clayville, Route 125, Pleasant Plains, 626-1024. Music Under the Dome Jan 20, 4pm, Fiddler Dennis Stroughmatt playing vibrant French Creole and Cajun music. Free. Jacksonville Public Library, 201 West College Ave, Jacksonville, 243-5435.

Prairie Grapevine Folklore Society Concert Jan 16, 7:30pm, Bryan Bowers, nationally-known autoharp virtuoso. $10-$5 donation. Abraham Lincoln Unitarian Universalist Congregation, 745 Woodside Rd, 217-585-9550.

Springfield Classical Guitar Society Concert Jan 12, 8pm, Kamen Petkov and Russel Brazzel, Violin-Guitar Duo. $12. 726-8991. Faith Evangelical Lutheran Church, 2313 Whittier Ave, 217-522- 7331.

Time for Three Jan 19, 8pm, Groundbreaking, category-shattering trio on violins and double bass. $45- $35. Sangamon Auditorium, UIS, 1 University Plaza, 217-206- 6160, 800-207-6960.

DANCE Dance Jan 11, 18, 8-11pm, Mike Lewis. Every Friday. VFW Post #755, 2211 Old Jacksonville Road, 217-546-9515.

ART & ARCHITECTURE

3T: Glaze Jan 17, 6pm-12am, Art show and sale, music, food (restaurant is open). All ages. Donnie’s Homespun, 107 West Cook Road, 217-691-1301.

Artist John Romang Jan 14-18, 21-23, 8am-4pm Mon-Fri, Jan. 14-Feb. 7, ‘Illumination’ resin works lit from within. LLCC James S. Murray Gallery, Upper level, Menard Hall, 217-786-2219. Gallery Exhibit Jan 12-13, 15-20, 22-23, 4-6pm Tue-Sat, 1-3pm Sun, Jan. 12-27. Folk Artist Steve Meadows. Opening reception Jan. 12, 6-8 p.m. David Strawn Art Gallery, 331 W. College Ave, Jacksonville, 243-9390.

Installation Wars Jan 10-12, 15-19, 22-23, 12-7pm Tue-Fri, 10am-2pm Sat, Eight artists compete by creating installations during January that you can vote on. Reception Feb. 1. Prairie Art Alliance Gallery II, 2 S. Old State Capitol Plaza, 544-2727. Contrast of Medium Jan. 11-Mar. 2, 10am-5pm Tue- Fri, 10am-3pm Sat, Jennifer Davis, Lynn Hotes. Reception Jan. 12 from 5:30-7:30 p.m. H.D. Smith Gallery, Hoogland

Center for the Arts, 420 S. Sixth Street. 544-2787..

The Stories Behind the Faces Jan 10-12, 14-19, 21-23, 10am-5pm Mon-Fri, 10am-3pm Sat, Free exhibit of local and national artists accompanied by stories about the artist and subject. Springfi eld Art Association, 700 N. Fourth St, 217-523-2631.

FILM & TELEVISION Busted: A Citizens Guide to Police Encounters Jan 22, 7pm, Invaluable info from fun fi lm followed by lively discussion moderated by defense attorney Michael Costello and ACLU. Free. Capital City Bar & Grill, 3149 S. Dirksen Pkwy, 217-652-2639. Molly Schlich Film Fest Jan 13, 1pm and 4pm, Jan 15, 7pm, “Beasts of the Southern Wild.” $8-$4. Parkway 8 Cinema, 3025 Lindbergh Blvd. 523-2631.

CHILDREN’S CORNER Good Morning Games Jan 17, 10am, Art, story and snack. Age 2-5 and grownup. Register in advance online. $40. Urban Sassafras, 200 Broadway, 670-2391.

Scheels Kids Klub - Mad Scientist

Jan 21, 6-7pm, Girl Scouts of Central Illinois help explore with experiments and hands on activities. Scheels, 3801 South MacArthur , 217-726-6330. Story Time at the Museum Jan 14, 10-10:30am, “Winter Animals” for ages 3-5 and their caregivers. Free. Illinois State Museum, 502 S. Spring St, 782-5993.

Super Saturdays at the Museum Jan 12, 11am-3pm, “Museum Beach Party.” Ages 4-8. Ongoing free activities. Illinois State Museum, 502 S. Spring St, 782-6044.

NATURE Backyard Bird Winter Workshop Jan 20, 1-3pm, Wade Kammin of Wild Birds Unlimited. Free. Adams Wildlife Sanctuary, 2315 East Clear Lake Ave, 217-544- 2473.

Springfield Audubon Society Meeting Jan 13, 2-4:30pm, Business meeting followed by program with Richard Escutia, master falconer and his birds, followed by potluck. Jan 17, 6-7:30pm, Raptor Focus with Illinois Raptor Center, Part 1. $5 at door. (Part 2 is Feb. 12, Part 3 March 21.), Adams Wildlife Sanctuary, 2315 East Clear Lake Ave, 217-544- 2473.

BULLETIN BOARD APL Pet Adoptions Jan 12-13, 11am-4pm Sat, 12-3pm Sun, Dog and cats available (Also Sat. until 2 p.m. at Ace Hardware, Wabash.) 544-7387. Petsmart, 3183 S. Veterans Pkwy, 217-698-3091. Adopt-A-Pet Adoptions Jan 12, 12-3:30pm, Rescued dogs and cats, spayed or neutered, micro-chipped, vaccinated. 835-2538. Petsmart, 3183 S. Veterans Pkwy, 217-698-3091. Adult Workshops Jan 12, 3-5pm, Hoogland Center for the Arts, 420 S. Sixth St, 217-523-2787.

Craft and Vendor Show Jan 19, 12-4pm, Proceeds benefi t families in need. SHG West Campus, 1615 West Washington Street, 217-725- 7232.

Masquerade Ball Jan 11, Sponsored by Jacksonville Main Street, fun formal night out. 245-6884. Hamilton’s, 110 N. East St. Jacksonville.

Robert Burns Dinner Jan 19, 5:30pm, Semi-formal gathering including dinner, band and dancing. $25-$30. Tickets, 483-3777. Camelot Banquet Center, 1550 Recreation Drive, 217-726-5292.

Springfield Christian Women’s Connection Jan 16, 11am-12:45pm, Mini O’Beirne Crisis Nursery. Reservations by Jan. 16. $12. 787-8246. Northfi eld Inn Suites & Conference Center, 3280 Northfi eld Dr, 787-8246.

The Elegant Bridal Expo Jan 13, 12-4pm, Prizes, fashion show, vendor presentations and more. Hilton Springfi eld, 700 E. Adams, 217-679-0204.

HISTORY 50 Shades of History Jan 15, 12pm, Free bi-monthly lunchtime book discussions. Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library, 112 North Sixth St, 217-558-8844.

Abe and Oscar Jan 10, 7pm, “Lincoln” fi lm discussion with Chicago Tribune fi lm critic Michael Phillips and DePaul University art professor Mark Pohlad. Free. Reservations required, 558-8934. Abraham Lincoln Presidential Museum, 212 N. Sixth St, 217-782-5764.

Blue to Brown Jan 12, 1-4:30pm, Display of weapons, web gear, uniforms and artifacts showing change in U.S. Army uniforms. 2 p.m. and 3 p.m. Historians Richard Schachtsiek and Don Ferricks discuss evolution of Army mission and equipment. Illinois State Military Museum, 1301 N. MacArthur Blvd, 761-3910.

AUDITIONS Awake and Sing

Jan 22-23, 6pm crew, 7pm acting, Cold readings; open to all. UIS Theatre Program April production. UIS Studio Theatre, One University Plaza, 217-206- 6613.

FAITH & PHILOSOPHY

Islam, Shariah and Jihad Jan 20, 12-1pm, Comparative cultures/beliefs of Islam, Shariah and Jihad, Dr. Ali Nizamuddin. Unity of Springfi eld, 417 Cordelia, 523- 5897. Second Saturday Sow with Pearl Blind Jan 12, 2:30-5pm, Featuring Christian recording artist and open mic. Decatur Public Library, 130 N Franklin St, Decatur, 260-804-0049.

SPORTS & FITNESS Blacklight Dodgeball Jan 19, Teams of six. Benefi ts American Cancer Society via Relay Team CGMS. $6, $30 team, $2 spectators. 473- 7481. A-C Central High School

Gymnasium, W. Buchanan St. Ashland, 473-7481.

Boating on Rivers and Lakes Jan 12, 10am-12pm, Land of Lincoln Power Squadron. Register, 836-1723. Scheels, 3801 South MacArthur, 217- 726-6330.

Capital City CrossFit’s IceBreather Classic Jan 19, 8am-3:30pm, Capital City CrossFit, 1615 W. Jefferson Street, 217-726-3817.

Frozen Open Bocce Ball Tourney Jan 20, 11am, $40 team of four, due at least fi ve days prior to event. Fee includes chili and hotdogs. Prizes. Walnut Street Winery, 309 S. Walnut St, Rochester, 498-9800.

National Skating Month Event Jan 12, 10am-1:30pm, Watch skaters demonstrate skills. Take part in 20-minute skating lesson. Free public skate from 11:30-1:30. sfsc4u.com. Nelson Center Ice Arena, Lincoln Park, 1601 N. Fifth St, 217-652-5226.

More events, more details in our online calendar at illinoistimes.com.

Searchable by date, venue, genre, name and more.