Books & Authors Accepting Teen Poetry/Art Springfi eld Poets and Writers international anthology of work from teens, grades 6-12. Deadline March 1. Sponsored by Vachel Lindsay Association. springfi eldpoetsandwriters.com.

Natasha Trethewey Feb 07, 6:30pm, Public reading by nation’s poet laureate. Union Theater. Free, reservations required online. (Private dinner tickets $50.), Abraham Lincoln Presidential Museum, 212 N. Sixth St, 217-782- 5764.

WUIS This I Believe Essay Contest Jan 31, For senior high school students. WUIS 91.9 Public Radio, One University Plaza, 217-206-9847.

Winter Writing Workshop Feb 09, 9am-4pm, Join local instructors who will lead you to pull words from the “dead feeling of winter.” $50. Lincoln Memorial

Garden, 2301 E. Lake Shore Dr, 524- 0901.

Spoken Word Poetry Out Loud - Regional Contest Feb 07, 3pm, Public invited to hear high school students recite memorized poetry. Hoogland Center for the Arts, 420 S. Sixth St, 217-523- 2787.

Theater & Comedy ART Feb 08-10, 8pm Fri-Sat, 2pm Sun, Friends question the nature of art and test their friendship in this play by Dynamic Patterns Theatre. Club room. $15. Hoogland Center for the Arts, 420 S. Sixth St, 217-523-2787. Comedian Buzz Sutherland Feb 08-09, 8pm Fri, 7:15pm & 9:30pm Sat, 100-percent clean, 200-percent funny. $12.50. Mason City Limits Comedy Club, 114 E. Chestnut, Mason City, 482-5233.

Comedian James Ervin Berry Feb 01-02, 8pm Fri, 7:15pm Sat, Observational humor emphasized with educated homespun feel. $12.50- $13.50. Mason City Limits Comedy Club, 114 E. Chestnut, Mason City, 482-5233.

Comedian Vince Morris Feb 01-02, 7:30pm and 9:30pm , One of the hottest up-and-coming comedy veterans today. $13-$15. Donnie B’s Comedy Club, 625 E. Saint Joseph Street, 391-5653.

Flat Stanley, Jr. The Musical Feb 08-10, 7pm Fri-Sat, 2pm Sun, Springfi eld Theatre Centre production. $8-$12. Hoogland Center for the Arts, 420 S. Sixth St, 217-523-2787. Happy #@*$ Valentine’s Comedy Showcase Feb 07, 8:30pm, Some of the best of central Illinois’ upcoming and established comics. $5. Donnie B’s Comedy Club, 625 E. Saint Joseph Street, 652-6868. Love Letters

Feb 08-10, 8pm Fri-Sat, 2pm Sun, Actors Don and Linda Schneider bring a lifetime of letters to life in this awardwinning play. $16-$20.

The Legacy Theatre, 101 E. Lawrence, 1-800-838-3006.

Love, Loss and What I Wore Feb 01-03, 6:30pm Fri-Sat, 12:30pm Sun, Dinner and funny theatrical stories bore from memories triggered by clothing and accessories. $40. Hoogland Center for the Arts, 420 S. Sixth St, 217-523-2787.

Play Reception and Reading Feb 02, 1-4pm, Staged reading of The Track Home: The Musical with 24 actors including 11 children, 2-4 p.m. Free. Hoogland Center for the Arts, 420 S. Sixth St, 217-523-2787.

Technical Workshop Feb 09, 3-5pm, Stage managers and technicians show you the ropes. Free. RSVP hooglandeducation@ gmail.com. Hoogland Center for the Arts, 420 S. Sixth St, 217-523-2787.

The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn Feb 03, 2pm, Performed by Classical Theater Project in Toronto. Pre-show family activities begin at 1 p.m. Sangamon Auditorium, UIS, 1 University Plaza, 217-206- 6160, 800-207-6960.

Music: General Events

Blues at the Crossroads 2: Muddy & The Wolf Feb 02, 8pm, Celebrating two legends with The Fabulous Thunderbirds, James Cotton, Bob Margolin, JJ Grey, Jody Willams and Kim Wilson. $50, $45. Sangamon Auditorium, UIS, 1 University Plaza, 217- 206-6160, 800-207-6960.

Capital City Men’s Chorus Feb 03, 10, 5:30-7pm, Any male 18 years or older invited to join. Sunday rehearsals starting Feb. 3, with May 19 concert. Laurel United Methodist Church, 631 South Grand Ave W.

Join UIS Chorus Feb 05, 12, 7-9:15pm Tuedays, Community members invited. Performance April 19, 7:30 p.m. University of Illinois at Springfi eld, 206-6570.

LLCC Recital Series Feb 10, 4pm, ‘An Afternoon of Blue Grass Music,’ The River Ramblers. Free. LLCC Trutter Center, 5250 Shepherd Road, 217-786-2200.

PSO Valentine Concert Feb 09, 7pm, Peoria Symphony Orchestra featuring pianist Jade Simmons. $26-$11.

Peoria Civic Center, 201 SW Jefferson Ave, Peoria, 309- 671-1096. Paul Collins Beat/The Gilligans Feb 09, 8pm, WUIS Bedrock 66 Series. $24. Hoogland Center for the Arts, 420 S. Sixth St, 217-523-2787.

Dance Dance Feb 01, 08, 8-11pm, Music each Friday. $10 cover. VFW Post #755, 2211 Old Jacksonville Road, 217-546- 9515.

Art & Architecture Art Exhibit Jan 31, Feb 01-13, 9am-5pm, On display through March. Local artist Carolyn Owen Sommer, “The Colors of My Life.”, Illinois Presbyterian Home, 2005 W. Lawrence, 546-5622. Art Reception Feb 02, 6-8pm, Local artist Joan Turnere-Burmeister. Prairie House Custom Frames, 2833 S. Sixth St, 217-523- 4415.

Artist John Romang Jan 31, Feb 01, 04-07, 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. Artrageous First Friday Feb 02, 5:30-8pm, “Heart smart” food, fun and fashion. Promoting awareness for women’s fi ght against heart disease. The Blue Door Gallery, 214 South 6th St, 217-753- 0262.

Comic Fest Feb 01, 5-8pm, Come dressed as a character. Demos, activities and more. New exhibit, Art of the Comic Book, through Feb. Madden Arts Center, 125 N. Water St, Decatur, 217-423-3189.

Contrast of Medium

Jan 31, Feb 01-02, 04-09, 11-13, 10am-5pm Tue-Fri, 10am-3pm Sat, Jan. 11-Mar. 2, Jennifer Davis, Lynn Hotes. H.D. Smith Gallery, 420 S. Sixth St, 544-2787.

Guns and Butter Jan 31, Feb 04-07, 11- 13, 11am-6pm Mon-Thu, Installation through Feb. 21. Chicago-based Industry of the Ordinary performance Jan. 31, 2 p.m. Reception 6:30-8 p.m. Lecture in Brookens Auditorium 5:30 p.m. UIS Visual Arts Gallery, HSB 201, One University Plaza, 217-206-6506.

Installation Wars Jan 31, Feb 01-02, 05-09, 12-13, 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.

Reflections from Salisbury Jan 31, 8am-9pm Mon-Thu, 8am-4pm Fri, 12, Through Jan. 31, Pastel drawings by acclaimed local artist, George Colin. Charles E. Becker

Library. Closed for Christmas break. Benedictine University at Springfi eld. Scholastics Art Show Jan 31, Feb 01-02, 04-09, 11-13, 10am-5pm Mon-Fri, 10am-3pm Sat, Through Feb 22, Artwork of 7-12 grade students from 21 Illinois counties. Springfi eld Art Association, 700 N. Fourth St, 523-2631.

Film & Television Best of RiffTrax Live Jan 31, 7:30pm, Hands of Fate on Jan. 24 and Plan 9 from Outer Space on Jan. 31. AMC Showplace Springfi eld 12, 3141 Mercantile Dr.

Molly Schlich Film Series Feb 10, 12, 1pm and 4pm Sun, 7pm Tue, “Headhunters.” Norwegian with English subtitles. $8-$4. AMC Parkway 8, 3025 Lindbergh Boulevard, 523-2631.

One Mic Stand Comedy Show Feb 02, 09, 11:30pm, WRSP-TV FOX, 217-523-8855.

Children’s Corner Kids Klub- Valentines Day Project Feb 04, 6-7pm, Meets in

training center. Scheels, 3801 South MacArthur , 217-726- 6330. Story Time at the Museum Feb 11, 10-10:30am, “Fabulous Folktales.” Ages 3-5 and caregivers. Illinois State Museum, 502 S. Spring St, 782-5993.

Super Saturdays at the Museum Feb 09, 11am-3pm, “Mosaics, Murals and More: African American Artists.” Ages 4-8. Free ongoing activities. Illinois State Museum, 502 S. Spring St, 782-6044.

Science

Paul Mickey Science Series Lecture Feb 13, 7-9:30pm, Brad Koldehoff, “The Ancient City Under Present-Day East St. Louis: The Results of the New Mississippi River Bridge Project.” Free and open to public. Illinois State Museum Research & Collections Center, 1011 E. Ash St, 785-0037.

Nature

Prairie State Orchid Society Display and Sale

Feb 09-10, 12-4pm Sat, 12- 3pm Sun, Exotic tropical orchids displayed in juried competition. Buy and learn from experts. Free. Washington Park Botanical Garden, 1740 W. Fayette Ave, 217-546-4116. Springfield Civic Garden Club Feb 04, 9:15-11:30am, “Having Spring Fever?” Jennifer, owner of Fridayz Gift & Florals. SCGC-IL.org. Westminster Presbyterian Church, 533 S. Walnut Street, 217-522-4415.

Lectures & Meetings AAUW Diversity Event Feb 07, 7pm, Sister Cities Association of Springfi eld on our current partnerships in Japan and Mexico. Free. American Lung Association, 3000 Kelly Lane, 529-4165. Guatemala Trip Interest Meeting Feb 05, 6pm, Attendance does not commit or guarantee a spot on trip. Habitat for Humanity of Sangamon County ReStore, 1514 West Jefferson, 217-523- 2710.

Lincolnland Depression Era Glass Club Meeting Feb 04, 6-8pm, Collectors Night. Members bring a favorite

piece of Depression glass. Lincoln Library, 326 S. Seventh St, 793-0565. Women Entrepreneurs - Central IL Feb 13, 11:30am-1pm, Effects of the new tax laws on small business. $17-$22. Register by Feb. 8, [email protected]. 725-8500. Indigo Restaurant, 3013 Lindbergh Blvd, 217-726- 8436.

Bulletin Board

A High Tea Feb 10, 3pm, Prepared by David Radwine, Sangamo Club; Michael Higgins, Maldaners; Mark Forinash, Café Moxo; Patrick Groth, Incredibly Delicious and more. RSVP by Feb. 4 – 727-7223, ext. 18. $20-$25. Temple B’rith Sholom, 1004 S. Fourth St, 525-1360.

APL Pet Adoptions Feb 02-03, 11am-4pm Sat, 12-3pm Sun, Dogs and cats available for adoption on Sat. (Sunday features cats, but dogs available.), Petsmart, 3183 S. Veterans Pkwy, 217-698-3091.

African-American History Month Feb 01, 08, 11, 13, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Kickoff with Brandon Thornton, a.k.a. Xplicit, national spoken word artist. Lincoln Land Community College, 5250 Shepherd Rd, 217-786-2200.

Backgammon Club Feb 06, 13, 6pm, Every Wed. with Sangamon Valley Backgammon Association. 622-9447. Capital Teletrack, 1766 Wabash Ave, 217-546- 2111. Basic Home Maintenance Feb 05, 6-8pm, Tuesdays for seven weeks open to Sangamon County residents at least age 18. Register 523- 6960. TSP-Hope, Inc. 1507 E. Cook St. Field and Stream Deer/ Turkey Expo

Feb 01-03, 2-9pm Fri, 9am-7pm Sat, 9am-4pm , Three days. $13-$4. Prairie Capital Convention Center, 1 Convention Center Plaza, 800- 745-3000.

Lundi Gras Party Feb 11, 5:30-8:30pm, Throw beads. Frank Parker’s Jambalaya Jam Band plays. Special beads for those in costume. Free. Brewhaus, 617 E. Washington St, 725-9058.

PechaKucha Night Feb 07, 7:20pm, 6:20 doors open, Local creatives make six-minute, 40-second presentations (20 slides, 20 seconds each) on creative topics. Tickets, pechakuchaspringfi eld@gmail. com. City Nights Theater, 3149 S. Dirksen Pkwy.

Mountain Dulcimer for Beginners Feb. 02, 09, 10am-12pm, With retired communications

professor Peter Ellertsen. Clayville Historic Site. Loaner dulcimer or info, 793-2587. Relay For Life of Sangamon County Kickoff Jan 31, 6-8pm, Sign up or learn more. Food, fun, team fundraising tips, support for survivors and caregivers. South Side Christian Church, 2600 S. MacArthur, 523-4503.

Springfield Collegiate Career Fair Feb 12, 11am-3pm, For students and alumni. 206- 6508. University of Illinois at Springfi eld, 217-206-6073.

Springfield Newcomers Trivia Night Feb 02, 7pm, Sponsoring the Family Service Center. Doors open at 6 p.m. $10. Reservations, 697-8271. St. Joseph’s Church, 700 E. Spruce St, Chatham, 697-8271.

Winter Wine Festival Feb 01, 6-10pm Fri, 7am-12pm Sat, Friday night, $25 includes fi ve tasting tickets. $50 Fri. festival, Saturday breakfast and workshop. 529- 7777. Crowne Plaza, 3000 S. Dirksen Pkwy.

Food Making Chocolate Truffles Feb 01-02, 6:30pm Fri, 9am Sat, Must register by Jan. 29. $45. Jubilee Farm, 6760 Old Jacksonville Rd, 217-787- 6927.

Super Bowl Fish Fry Feb 03, 1-4pm, Trails End Saloon, 6445 Old Route 54, Curran, 483-7078.

History Abraham Lincoln Symposium Feb 12, 10am, Sponsored by the Abraham Lincoln Association. Old State Capitol, 1 Old State Capitol Plaza, 785-7960. Civil War Quilters: Loyal Hearts of Illinois Jan 31, Feb 01-13, 8:30am- 5pm Mon-Sat, 12-5pm Sun, Through Sept. 8, exhibit featuring quilts and objects by Illinois women. Illinois State Museum, 502 S. Spring St, 217-782-7386.

Lincoln Birthday Celebration Feb 09, 10am-4pm, Children’s area, scavenger hunt at 1 p.m. refreshments, speakers and tours. Mt. Pulaski Courthouse, 113 S Washington St, Mount Pulaski.

Lincoln Birthday Celebration Feb 09, 12-5pm, Tours, refreshments, Lincoln interpreter Gary Simpkins, Civil War Ladies presentations. Postville Courthouse State Historic Site, 914 Fifth St, Lincoln, 217-732-8930.

Lincoln Lecture Feb 12, 10am, Bryon C. Andreasen, Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum, ‘Lincoln in the Movies: A Historical Perspective.’ Free. LLCC Trutter Center, 5250 Shepherd Road, 217-786-2200.

Veterans Pilgrimage Feb 09, 12, 2:30pm Sat, 10:30am Tue, Pilgrimage of the Veterans of Foreign Wars on Sat. with eulogy. Tuesday addresses at 11 a.m. Lincoln Tomb State Historic Site, 1500

Monument Ave, 782-2717.

Health

Adult CPR/AED Training Feb 12, 5:30-8:30pm, American Red Cross, 1045 Outer Park Dr # 1, 1-800-733- 2767. Adult & Pediatric CPR/AED Training Feb 09, 8:30am-12pm, American Red Cross, 1045 Outer Park Dr # 1, 1-800-733- 2767.

Connection Support Group Feb 02, 1-2:30pm, First Sat. each month. National Alliance on Mental Illness Support Group for persons with mental illness. First Christian Church, 700 S. Sixth St, 891-5570. Empowered and Successful Teens and Parent Transition Support Group Feb 13, 5:30-7:30pm, YMCA, 701 S. Fourth St, 217-523- 2587 v/tty.

Forever Strong Exercise Class Jan 31, Feb 01, 04-08, 11- 13, 11:15am Tue,Thu; 1pm Mon,We, Fri, For Seniors to help strengthen muscles from head to toe using weights, bands, balls and tubes while in sitting position. $3. Walkins welcome. 757-6620.

FitClub South, 3631 S. Sixth St, 217-787-8348.

Free Public Seminar Jan 31, 5:30-7pm, Dr. Julie Silver, ‘Hope, Resilience, a Happy Life: Thoughts on Surviving and Thriving,’ Register 545-3837. Simmons Cancer Institute, 315 W. Carpenter, 217-545-0798.

Funnercise Exercise Class for Seniors Jan 31, Feb 04, 06-07, 11, 13, 5:45pm, High impact aerobic exercise on Mondays, Wednesdays and Thursdays. $3, walk-ins welcome. 757- 6620. Christ the King Parish Center, 1930 Barberry. GROW in Illinois Mental Health Jan 31, Feb 07, 6:30pm, 12-step support program for emotional, mental health issues, coping or addictions. Thursdays. 816-1083. Laurel United Methodist Church, 631 South Grand Ave W. Go Red With Scheels Feb 02, 1-3pm, Presented by American Heart Association, free health screenings, food and fitness demos. Second floor training center. Scheels, 3801 South MacArthur , 217- 726-6330. NAMI Support Group Feb 02, 1-2:30pm, First Sat. of month, National Alliance on Mental Illness support group for family and friends of persons with mental illness. First Christian Church, 700 S. Sixth St, 891-5570.

Faith & Philosophy ALUUC Diamond Jubilee Celebration Feb 10, 10:30am, Festive service reflecting. Discussion led by Rev. Martin Woulfe. Abraham Lincoln Unitarian Universalist Congregation, 745 Woodside Rd, 585-9550.

Hello Darkness: Spirituality of Paul Simon Feb 03, 10:30am, Discussion by Rev. Martin Woulfe. Abraham Lincoln Unitarian Universalist Congregation, 745 Woodside Rd, 585-9550.

Sports & Fitness Battle of the Nations Feb 08-09, 9am-5pm, Livestock Center - upstairs ring. $5. 801-8038. Illinois State Fairgrounds, 801 Sangamon Ave, 782-8886.

Drop-In Derby Feb 03, 8-10pm, First and third Sunday for ages 18 and up. Helmet required. $5, $3 skate rental. Skateland South, 1500 Recreation Dr, 546- 4543. Proving Ground Pro Championship Wrestling Feb 09, 7:30pm, Three championships decided with stars such as TaDarius Thomas, Dysfunction and Mr. 450. $10. Bogart’s, 2142 Old State Rd, Jacksonville, 217- 245-5757. Springfield Bicycle Club Feb 02, 09, Learn about the club’s local and out-of-town rides and events for all skill levels. spfldcycling.org. Various locations, 793-9622.

Springfield Junior Blues Games Feb 01-02, 7pm Fri-Sat, The Blues take on Michigan Friday and Saturday. Nelson Center Ice Arena, Lincoln Park, 1601 N. Fifth St, 217-525-2589.

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

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