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.

PondicherryLodge/ Sherlock Holmes Society Feb 16, 9am, “Chapters I - VIII of The Hound of the Baskervilles.” 546-8387. Barnes and Noble Booksellers, 3111 S. Veteran’s Pkwy.

Springfield Comic Book Convention Feb 10, 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.

Springfield Writers Meetup Group Feb 13, 6-8pm, Bi-weekly critique session held for this week only at cafe. Join group online to RSVP. Centrum Cafe, 1370 Toronto Road, 217-529- 6010.

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

Performing Poetry Feb 09, 1-4pm, Instructors Kevin Purcell and Aasne Vigesaa. Register, VachelLindsay@gmail.com. Vachel Lindsay Home State Historic Site, 603 S. Fifth St, 217-524-0901.

Poetry Open Mic Feb 20, 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.

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.

Almost, Maine Feb 14-16, 7:30pm Thu-Sat, 2pm Sun, Play about inhabitants of fi ctional town, and love as charming, devastating, sweet, unsatisfying, fulfi lling, and most of all, unexpectedly hopeful. $7. Illinois College Icebox Theatre, Kirby Learning Center, Jacksonville, 245-3471.

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 John Roy Feb 08-09, 7:30pm and 9:30pm, First Star Search champion. $13-$15. Donnie B’s Comedy Club, 625 E. Saint Joseph Street, 391-joke.

Flat Stanley, Jr. The Musical Feb 08-10, 15-17, 7pm Fri- Sat, 2pm Sun, Springfield 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 award-winning play. $16-$20. The Legacy Theatre, 101 E. Lawrence, 1-800-838-3006.

Portuguese Rodeo Clown Company Feb 15-16, 8pm, Five-member cast puts on two-hour show they invent as they go. $15. Hoogland Center for the Arts, 420 S. Sixth St, 217-523-2787.

Professional Magic and Variety Show Feb 10, 2pm, Sponsored by Byrd Family-Bellatti Tent of Circus Fans Assn. Benefits Salvation Army. $7-$9. 217- 243-1685. Routt Catholic High School, 500 E. College Avenue, Jacksonville, 217- 243-8563.

Shakespeare Program Feb 16, 2pm, Kevin Bry presents. Free. Old State Capitol, 1 Old State Capitol Plaza, 785-7960.

Shrek The Musical Feb 14, 7:30pm, Terrific score of 19 all-new songs, laughs, dancing and breathtaking scenery in this Broadway Series show. $58- $42. Sangamon Auditorium, UIS, 1 University Plaza, 217- 206-6160, 800-207-6960.

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 Marvelous Wonderettes Feb 15-17, 8pm Fri-Sat, 2pm Sun, Stars Sara Baltusevich, Elizabeth Eckert, Cassie Poe and Teri Wells. $18-$20. The Legacy Theatre, 101 E. Lawrence, 1-800-838-3006.

MUSIC:

GENERAL EVENTS

Campbell Brothers Feb 16, 8pm, Pedal and lap steel guitars, rhythm, electric guitars and gospel vocals. $39, $25. Sangamon Auditorium, UIS, 1 University Plaza, 217- 206-6160, 800-207-6960.

Chicago Bar Association Chorus and Orchestra Feb 16, 7pm, Lincoln-era folk songs and spirituals and narrative readings. Free, donation $10, $15 family. Old State Capitol, 1 Old State Capitol Plaza, 217-785-7960.

Join UIS Chorus Feb 12, 19, 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 Bluegrass Music’ The River Ramblers. Free. LLCC Trutter Center, 5250 Shepherd Road, 217-786-2200.

Mountain Dulcimer for Beginners Feb 09, 10am-12pm, With retired communications professor Peter Ellertsen. Loaner dulcimer or info, 793- 2587. Clayville, Route 125, Pleasant Plains, 626-1024.

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.

Peterson Family Band Feb 15, 7pm, Bluegrass music with young family from Branson, MO. $5. West Side Christian Church, 2850 Cider Mill Lane, 217-529-2625.

Prairie Grapevine Folklore Society Feb 19, 7:30pm, Springfi eldarea acoustic duo, Rachel Rambach and Matt with folk songs. $10-$5. Abraham Lincoln Unitarian Universalist Congregation, 745 Woodside Rd, 217-585-9550.

Valentine Day Dinner Concert Feb 14, 6:30pm, Nathan Carls and the upStandard Citizens perform standard love songs. Gourmet dinner. $40. Hoogland Center for the Arts, 420 S. Sixth St, 217-523-2787.

DANCE

Dance Feb 08, 15, 8-11pm, Feb. 1, Mike Lewis. Feb. 8 and 22, Kevin Turner Band. Feb. 15, Angel Brown Ensemble. $10. VFW Post #755, 2211 Old Jacksonville Road, 217-546-9515.

Mix-It-Up Un-Valentine Dance Feb 16, 7-11pm, Music with Variety, Dance 4 Fun, all types of dancers. $10. VFW Post #755, 2211 Old Jacksonville Road, 217-652-2128.

St. Jude Valentine’s Dinner Dance Feb 16, 6pm-12am, Prime rib, chicken, drinks, DJ and dancing. $100 couple. Tickets by phone. Little Flower School, 900 Stevenson Drive, 217-341- 2048.

ART & ARCHITECTURE

Art Exhibit Feb 07-20, 9am-5pm, On display through March. Local artist Carolyn Owen Sommer, “The Colors of My Life.”, Illinois Presbyterian Home, 2005 W. Lawrence, 546-5622.

Artist John Romang Feb 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.

Contrast of Medium Feb 07-09, 11-16, 18-20, 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.

Gallery Exhibit Feb 07-10, 12-17, 19-20, 4-6pm Tue-Sat, 1-3pm Sun, Through Feb. 24, Maeve Young Erickson’s encaustic paintings. David Strawn Art Gallery, 331 W. College Ave, Jacksonville, 243-9390.

Graphic Design Group Show Opening Feb 15, 5-7pm, Millikin students mixed media work on display, student portfolios and artist meet and greet. Blue Connection, 117 N. Water St, Decatur, 217-428- 0112.

Group Exhibition Feb 07-20, 8am-9pm Mon- Thu, 8am-4pm Fri, 12, Through Mar. 6, local artists explore technology in our lives. Reception Feb. 7, 4:30-6 p.m. Charles E. Becker Library, Benedictine University at Springfi eld, 1500 North Fifth St.

Guns and Butter Feb 07, 11-14, 18-20, 11am- 6pm Mon-Thu, Installation through Feb. 21. Chicago-based Industry of the Ordinary. UIS Visual Arts Gallery, HSB 201, One University Plaza, 217-206- 6506.

Installation Wars Feb 07-09, 12-14, 12-7pm Tue-Fri, 10am-2pm Sat, Eight artists compete by creating installations. Prairie Art Alliance Gallery II, 2 S. Old State Capitol Plaza, 544-2727.

Scholastics Art Show Feb 07-09, 11-16, 18-20, 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

At the River I Stand Feb 20, 6:30pm, Documentary on 1968 Memphis Sanitation Workers strike and Dr. Martin Luther King assassination. Lincoln Library, 326 S. Seventh St, 217-753-4900.

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.

Sing Your Song: Harry Belafonte Feb 19, 7pm, Free Liberty Brew & View screening of the new documentary. Capital City Bar & Grill, 3149 S. Dirksen Pkwy, 529-8580.

CHILDREN’S CORNER

CWLP Every Drop Counts Poster Contest For fi rst, second and third graders in Springfi eld via teachers. Deadline Mar. 1. 787- 2070 ext. 2088. cwlp.com.

Happy Hearts Feb 14, 10am, Age 2-5 and grown-up. Includes snack, story and art. Register in advance online. $40. Urban Sassafras, 200 Broadway, 670-2391.

KidsFest Feb 16, 10am-4pm, Games, activities, crafts, entertainment and more. $3, kids 3 and under free. Prairie Capital Convention Center, 1 Convention Center Plaza, 800- 745-3000.

Poetry Hour Feb 16, 10am, Monthly reading to entertain and educate. Vachel Lindsay Home State Historic Site, 603 S. Fifth St, 217-524-0901.

Scheels Kids Klub- Presidential Journey Feb 18, 6-7pm, Answer clues to fi nd out something new about U.S. Presidents on display. Meet 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

Great Backyard Bird Count Open House Feb 16, 9:30am-12pm, No bird ID experience necessary. Indoor activities for children planned. Adams Wildlife Sanctuary, 2315 East Clear Lake Ave, 217-544- 2473.

Maple Syrup Time Feb 16-17, 1pm, 2pm and 3pm, Public demos four weekends in Feb. and March. Dress warm. Begins with brief orientation in Nature Center. Lincoln Memorial Garden, 2301 E. Lake Shore Dr, 217-529-1111.

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.

Winter Botany Workshop Feb 16, 1-3pm, Fran Harty, The Nature Conservancy, “Seven Step Program for Identifying a Twig in Winter.” Free. Adams Wildlife Sanctuary, 2315 East Clear Lake Ave, 217-544-2473.

ENVIRONMENT

Composting Symposium Feb 20, 12pm, Learn from experts, focus on small and large scale composting. $25 before Feb. 5. Lincoln Land Community College, 5250 Shepherd Rd, 786-2407.

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 Meeting Feb 19, 6pm, Attendance does not commit or guarantee a spot on trip. Habitat for Humanity of Sangamon County ReStore, 1514 West Jefferson, 217-523- 2710.

Springfield Camera Club Feb 14, 7-8:30pm, Discussion of Facebook use by the club. First Christian Church, 700 S. Sixth St, 546-5021, 523-8081.

Women Entrepreneurs - Central IL Feb 13, 11:30am-1pm, Effects of the new tax laws on small business. $17-$22. Register by Feb. 8, reservations@we-ci.org. 725-8500. Indigo Restaurant, 3013 Lindbergh Blvd, 217-726- 8436.

BULLETIN BOARD

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

Abate of Illinois Motorcycle Show Feb 17, 10am-4pm, $10 admission. Prairie Capital Convention Center, 1 Convention Center Plaza, 800- 745-3000.

African-American History Month Feb 08, 11, 13, 18, 20, 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.

Association of Information Technology Professionals Feb 19, 5:30pm 8pm, “Technology in Project Management,” Mike Cordum, PMP. $18. Brickhouse Grill and Pub, 3136 W Iles Ave, 628- 3697.

Backgammon Club Feb 13, 20, 6pm, Every Wed. with Sangamon Valley Backgammon Association. 622- 9447. Capital Teletrack, 1766 Wabash Ave, 217-546-2111.

Craft, Art and Vendor Show Feb 09, 1-5pm, More than 20 vendors, raffl e and baby contest. Free, donations go to woman’s shelter. Route 66 Hotel & Conference Center, 625 E. Saint Joseph St, 217-725- 7232.

Giant Flea Market Feb 17, 8:30am-4:30pm, Indoor market. $1.25, age 12 and under free with adult. Illinois Building. 529-6939. Illinois State Fairgrounds, 801 Sangamon Ave, 782-8886.

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. 789-2377. City Nights Theater, 3149 S. Dirksen Pkwy.

Singing Valentines Feb 14, 9am-3pm, Samuel Music Company will deliver Singing Valentines within city limits. Order by Feb. 11, $25. 787-7788.

Singing Valentines Feb 14, 9am-9pm, For your sweetie, a rose and two songs sung by a tuxedoed quartet from Land of Lincoln Chorus. Order online or by phone. 217- 953-0225.

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

Vintage Market Feb 09, 9am-2pm, Five fun and funky dealers-home decor, clothing, jewelry and more. prairievintage@gmail.com. Incredibly Delicious, 925 S. Seventh St, 217-528-8548.

POLITICS

Monitoring Governance and Human Rights in Gambia Feb 20, 7pm, Dr. Alieu Taal, senior faculty member, University of The Gambia. Free. UIS Brookens Auditorium, One University Plaza, 217-206- 8507.

HISTORY

Abraham Lincoln Symposium Feb 12, 10am, Sponsored by the Abraham Lincoln Association. Old State Capitol, 1 Old State Capitol Plaza, 785- 7960.

Black History Month Feb 20, 12-1pm, “The March on Washington,” Dr. Wesley Robinson-McNeese. Food samples, artifacts display. Pearson Museum, second fl oor. SIU School of Medicine, 801 N. Rutledge, 217-545-7334.

Black History Month Events Feb 09-10, 13, 16, 20, 206- 6333. University of Illinois at Springfi eld, 217-206-6073.

Black History Month Events Feb 12, 20, Feb 12, 4:40-7pm, Free fi lm on Black history topic. Fourth fl oor conference room. 545-7334. SIU School of Medicine, 801 N. Rutledge, 545-2155.

Civil War Quilters: Loyal Hearts of Illinois Feb 07-20, 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.

Civil War Sundays Feb 10, 17, Say ‘Civil War Sunday’ when buying one ticket and get another of equal or lesser value. Email address required. Abraham Lincoln Presidential Museum, 212 N. Sixth St, 217-782-5764.

From Maid to Millionaire Feb 13, 7pm, Dr. Rhondda Robinson Thomas on neglected stories of African-American domestics. Free. UIS Brookens Auditorium, One University Plaza, 217-206-8507.

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.

Naturalization Ceremony Feb 15, 2pm, New citizens being sworn in to the United States. Old State Capitol, 1 Old State Capitol Plaza, 785-7960.

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.

AUDITIONS

Auditions Workshop Feb 16, 10am kids, 1pm adults, Learn how to register and prepare for Muni auditions, show directors and staff speaking, sign-up. TheMuni. org.793-MUNI. Hoogland Center for the Arts, 420 S. Sixth St, 217-523-2787.

HEALTH

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.

GROW in Illinois Mental Health Feb 07, 14, 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.

Hope for Families Support Meeting Feb 09, 1:30-3:30pm, For families with children suffering from attachment disorders and trauma-related mental health issues. Board room. YMCA, 701 S. Fourth St, 638-3439.

FAITH & PHILOSOPHY

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

Second Saturday Sow Open Mic Feb 09, 2:30-5pm, Singing, poetry readings, etc. to celebrate Christ. Decatur Public Library, 130 N Franklin St, Decatur, 260-804-0049.

SPORTS & FITNESS

Bat Demo Day Feb 18, 6-7pm, Bring gently used baseball and softball equipment to donated to Boys and Girls Club. Scheels, 3801 South MacArthur , 217-726- 6330.

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

Boating on Rivers and Lakes Feb 16, 1-3pm, Hosted by Land of Lincoln Power Squadron. Register, 836-1723. Gander Mountain, 2371 Chuckwagon Drive, 217-726-8219.

Drop-In Derby Feb 17, 8-10pm, First and third Sunday for ages 18 and up. Helmet required. $5, $3 skate rental. Skateland South, 1500 Recreation Dr, 546-4543.

Fight for Air Stairclimb Feb 16, Run/walk up 32 stories. Register online. 787-5864. Hilton Springfi eld, 700 E. Adams.

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.

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

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