FAIRS & FESTIVALS

Springfield St. Patrick’s Day Parade Mar 16, 12pm, Reviewing stand and family-friendly area is Sixth Street. More details at springfi eldirish.org. Downtown Springfi eld.

BOOKS & AUTHORS

Springfield Writers Meetup Group Mar 13, 6-8pm, Visit website and RSVP for bi-weekly critique session. Third fl oor, Bicentennial Room. Lincoln Library, 326 S. Seventh St, 217-753- 4900.

SPOKEN WORD

Poetry Open Mic Mar 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 - State Contest Mar 08, 1pm, Hear students compete who have memorized poetry. Hoogland Center for the Arts, 420 S. Sixth St, 217-523-2787.

THEATER & COMEDY

Comedian Kevin Pollack Mar 08-09, 7:30pm and 9:30pm, Film actor and stand-up comedian. Donnie B’s Comedy Club, 625 St. Jopesh St. 391-5653.

Comedian Lawrence Thomas Mar 08-09, 8pm Fri, 7:15pm Sat, Sketch player on Fox Sports The Best Damn Sports Show Period. $12.50-$13.50. Mason City Limits Comedy Club, 114 E. Chestnut, Mason City, 482-5233.

Smokey Joe’s Cafe Mar 08-10, 15-17, 8pm Fri-Sat, 4pm Sun, Musical theater featuring 40 of the greatest songs ever recorded. $17-$18. Hoogland Center for the Arts, 420 S. Sixth St, 217-523-2787.

The Ugly Duckling and the Tortoise and the Hare Mar 15, 7pm, Unforgettable theatrical experience with electroluminescent puppetry. $19. Sangamon Auditorium, UIS, 1 University Plaza, 217-206- 6160, 800-207-6960.

MUSIC: GENERAL EVENTS

An Evening with Janis Ian and Livingston Taylor Mar 16, 8pm, Folk music icon known for song “At Seventeen” with James Taylor’s brother. $42, $37. Sangamon Auditorium, UIS, 1 University Plaza, 217-206-6160, 800-207-6960.

Capital City Men’s Chorus Mar 10, 17, 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.

Childhood in the Garden of Verses and Music Mar 10, 4pm, Sherri Mitchell and Anna Ferraro from The Poetry Group perform Stevenson poems set to Robert Schumann music. Free. Jacksonville Public Library, 201 West College Ave, Jacksonville, 243- 5435.

Feast For the Senses 2 Mar 16, 8pm, 6:30 dinner, David Cain, Paul Wertico and others accompanied by gourmet dinner. $75 meet and greet, dinner, concert. $30-$15 concert only. Hoogland Center for the Arts, 420 S. Sixth St, 217-523-2787.

Music of Paris Mar 17, 4pm, The Westminster Choir; Dale Thomas Rogers, organist and conductor; Chen Yu Huang, harp and others. Westminster Presbyterian Church, 533 S. Walnut Street, 217- 522-4415.

Open Mic with a Mission Mar 09, 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.

Prairie Grapevine Concert Mar 19, 7:30pm, Rick Thum; Dulcimer player; folk singer. $15-$4. Abraham Lincoln Unitarian Universalist Congregation, 745 Woodside Rd, 217- 585-9550.

The Event Mar 15-16, 6:30-9:30pm Fri, 9:30am- 10pm Sat, Singers and dancers from 20 high school and junior high show choirs compete. $10, kids fi ve and under free. Glenwood High School, 1501 Plummer Boulevard, Chatham, 483-2424.

The Good Lovelies Mar 09, 8pm, Funny, upbeat, witty on-stage banter and threepart harmony folk music. $39, $25. Sangamon Auditorium, UIS, 1 University Plaza, 217-206-6160, 800- 207-6960

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6pm Mon-Thu, Nationally juried exhibition explores impact that digital devices have had on intimacy. Reception Mar. 7 5:30 p.m. UIS Visual Arts Gallery, HSB 201, One University Plaza, 217- 206-6506.

FILM & TELEVISION

I Am a Visitor in Your World Mar 19, 7pm, Free documentary on cancer patient. Menard Hall room 2207. Lincoln Land Community College, 5250 Shepherd Rd, 217-786-2200.

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

PaleyFest Mar 07, 13, 8pm, Live interactive events. On Thurs. The Walking Dead. The Big Bang Theory on Wed. AMC Showplace Springfi eld 12, 3141 Mercantile Dr.

CHILDREN’S CORNER

Celebrate Spring Art Projects Mar 14, 10am, Ages 2-5 and grown-up. Includes snack. Register in advance online. $40. Urban Sassafras, 200 Broadway, 670-2391.

Junior Collector’s Day Mar 09, 1-3pm, Explore collections of area children ages 8-15. Free, open to public. Illinois State Museum, 502 S. Spring St, 782-0061.

Kids Rock! Mar 09, 9:30am-12pm, Lots of activities and live music from Scribble Jim and Scribble Jayne from Scribble Monster. $6. Macon Resources, 2121 Hubbard Avenue, Decatur, 217- 875-1910.

Poetry Hour Mar 16, 10am, Third Sat. aimed to kids. Different readings to entertain and educate. Vachel Lindsay Home State Historic Site, 603 S. Fifth St, 217-524- 0901.

Story Time at the Museum Mar 11, 10-10:30am, “March to the Music.” Ages 3-5 and their caregivers. Free no registration required. Illinois State Museum, 502 S. Spring St, 782-5993.

Sugar Creek UMC Easter Egg Hunt Mar 16, 10am-12pm, Games, prizes, entertainment, photo-op and more. Freewill donation. Sugar Creek United Methodist Church, 1022 New City Rd, Chatham, 483-2270.

Super Saturdays at the Museum Mar 09, 11am-3pm, “Illinois Women from A to Z.” For ages 4-8 and families. Free, no registration required. Illinois State Museum, 502 S. Spring St, 782-6044.

NATURE

Exotic Indoor Plant Event Mar 09, 10am-3pm, Orchid society members answer questions, repot orchids upon request, repotting stations for indoor houseplants and advice on getting plants ready for transitioning outdoors for spring. GreenView Nursery, 3000 W. Jefferson, (217) 787-4700.

Maple Syrup Time Mar 09-10, 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.

Springfield Civic Garden Club Mar 19, 11:30am, Annual business meeting, lunch and guest designer, Yoshiko Mitchell, demonstrating Japanese art of fl ower arranging. $24. Reservations by Mar. 8. SCGC. [email protected]. Panther Creek Country Club, 3001 Panther Creek Dr, 546-4431.

LECTURES & MEETINGS

1st Thursday Speakers Series Mar 07, 6:30-8:30pm, “Architecture” with local experts on local architectural topics. $7. Pre-registration required 786- 2785 or llcc.foundation@llcc. edu. LLCC Trutter Center, 5250 Shepherd Road, 217-786-2200.

Essential P.T. Barnum Mar 12, 7pm, Legendary circus master, brings story of his big top life. Jacksonville Public Library, 201 West College Ave, Jacksonville, 243-5435.

LGBTQ yOUTh Group Mar 08, 15, 6-10pm, Every Friday for LGBTQ youth and allies ages 13-17. Phoenix Center, 109 E. Lawrence Ave, 217-528-5253.

Sex Addicts Anonymous Mar 07, 11, 14, 18, 7:30pm Mon and 6:30pm Thu, For those seeking freedom from addictive sexual behavior. Meeting info, springfi [email protected]. Confi dentiality assured. Various locations.

Springfield Camera Club Mar 07, 7-8:30pm, Photo critiques. First Christian Church, 700 S. Sixth St, 546-5021 or 523-8081.

Starting Your Business in Illinois Mar 07, 1-3pm, Free at Girard Public Library. Preregister 217- 685-0149. Girard.

Women Entrepreneurs - Central IL Mar 13, 5:30-7pm, Membership event, free for interested guests. $25-$22. Register by Mar. 8, [email protected]. 725- 8500. The Inn at 835, 835 S. Second St.

BULLETIN BOARD

APL Pet Adoptions Mar 09-10, 11am-2pm, Dogs and cats available. (Also Sun. at Petsmart, cats 11 a.m.-3 p.m.) 544-7387. Ace Hardware, 1600 Wabash Ave, 217-787-5100.

Alpaca Show Mar 16-17, 7am-10pm, Free family event, alpaca competition show, vendors. 217-632-2590. Illinois State Fairgrounds, 801 Sangamon Ave, 782-8886.

Association of Information Technology Professionals Mar 19, 5:30-8pm, Paul Brown, “Team Collaboration on a Time Critical Project.” $17, Brickhouse Grill and Pub, 3136 W Iles Ave, 628-3697.

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

Bookfair Mar 10, 1-5pm, Benefi ts Gateway Foundation Springfi eld, nonprofi t alcohol and drug abuse treatment provider. Barnes and Noble Booksellers, 3111 S. Veteran’s Pkwy, 546-9440.

Bootlegging Pub Crawl Tour Mar 09, 16, 8-10pm, $12, cash only. Reservations, 217-502- 8687. Begins at Lincoln family statues, Sixth and Adams St. Downtown Springfi eld.

Craft, Art and Vendor Show Mar 09, 2-5pm, More than 40 vendors. Little Flower School, 900 Stevenson Drive, 217-725- 7232.

FCCG Annual Breakfast Fundraiser Mar 14, 7:30-8:30am, Speaker Brian McFadden, Sangamon County Board Administrator. Union Baptist Church, 1405 E. Monroe St, 626-1004.

Just Between Us Mar 20, 7pm, Free workshop for parents and daughters, ages 8 and up, on confi dence and selfimage. RSVP, 546-6353. Barnes and Noble Booksellers, 3111 S. Veteran’s Pkwy, 546-9440.

Medical Innovators Program Mar 07, 5:30-8pm, Eleven Sangamon County physicians, surgeons and researchers honored for their work to improve community health care. 726-5106. Dove Conference Center, Prairie Heart Institute, 619 E. Mason St.

Mobile Security Mar 08, 8:15am-3:15pm, Perspectives of 12 speakers who are forerunners in their fi elds. Preregister online. $42. 206-8246. UIS Public Affairs Center (PAC), One University Plaza, 217-206-6073.

Spring Events Mar 08-10, 2pm Fri, 2:30pm Satm 12:30 Sun, Fraud Prevention Fri. Bingo Sat. Irish Fest Sun. RSVP by phone. Montvale Estates, 2601 Montvale Drive.

Spring In The Village Vendor and Craft Show Mar 09, 8am-3pm, 18 vendors. Williamsville Community Center, 141 West Main, Williamsville, 652-7957.

Springfield Christian Women’s Connection Mar 20, 11am-12:45pm, Marsha Lenski of Macon. “Once Upon a Dream.” Register by Mar. 15. $12. 787- 8246. Northfi eld Inn Suites & Conference Center, 3280 Northfi eld Dr, 787-8246.

Springfield Train Fair Mar 17, 10am-4pm, Early Bird from 9-10 a.m. $10. Rest of day $5, kids 10 & under free. Orr Building. 801-7479. Illinois State Fairgrounds, 801 Sangamon Ave, 782-8886.

Starting Your Business in Illinois Mar 07, 20, 6-8pm Thu, 1:30- 3:30pm Wed, Call Illinois Small Business Development Center, 544-7232 to register. Capital City Training Center, 130 W. Mason.

Strength In Numbers Mar 19, 7:30-11:30am, Jeff Milchin, co-founder of American Independent Business Alliance. Free, INB Conference Center, Fourth and Jackson, 217-525- 1173.

FOOD

Pancake and Sausage Breakfast Mar 16-17, 8am-12pm, Phone reservations required. $8, $5 kids under 12. Lincoln Memorial Garden, 2301 E. Lake Shore Dr, 217-529-1111.

Dinner at Bistro Verde Mar 18, Reservations due for Slow Food Springfi eld fourcourse meal held March 22, 6 p.m. at Bistro Verde. $44-$59. ann.hamilton1@comcast. net. Lincoln Land Community College, 5250 Shepherd Rd, 691-5035.

POLITICS

The United States and Asia Mar 19, 7:30pm, Robert M. Hathaway, author and Asia program director at Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars, Washington, D.C. Free. UIS Brookens Auditorium, One University Plaza, 217-206-8507.

HISTORY

50 Shades of History Mar 19, 12pm, Free bi-monthly lunchtime book discussions. Mar. 19, May 21, July 17, Sept. 17, Nov. 19. Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library, 112 North Sixth St, 217-558-8844.

Civil War Quilters: Loyal Hearts of Illinois Mar 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.

Illinois Reading Council Public Event Mar 13, Free. Old State Capitol, 1 Old State Capitol Plaza, 785- 7960.

VIP Dred Scott Reception Mar 07, 5-6:30pm, Join Lynne Jackson, great granddaughter of Dred and Harriet Scott, for preview party. $10. Springfi eld and Central Illinois African- American History Museum, 521 E. Washington Street, 528-2725.

AUDITIONS

The Muni Auditions Mar 09, Adults March 2, 3 and 9. Children’s auditions held March 16. TheMuni.org. Hoogland Center for the Arts, 420 S. Sixth St, 217-523-2787.

HEALTH

Connection Support Group Mar 20, 7-8:30pm, Third Wednesday. National Alliance on Mental Illness Support Group for persons who have a mental illness. First Christian Church, 700 S. Sixth St, 891- 5570.

Emergency Preparedness Workshop for People with Disabilities Mar 13, 2-4pm, Free but reservations required. Springfi eld Center for Independent Living, 330 S. Grand Ave. West, 217-523-2587 v/tty.

Free Testings Mar 07, 11-14, 18-20, 12-3pm Mon-Fri, Free HIV, hepatitis C, gonorrhea and chlamydia testing. Weekdays or by appointment. Phoenix Center, 109 E. Lawrence Ave, 217-528- 5253.

GROW in Illinois Mental Health Mar 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.

NAMI Support Group Mar 20, 7-8:30pm, Third Wed. National Alliance on Mental Illness for family and friends of persons with mental illness. First Christian Church, 700 S. Sixth St, 891-5570.

Springfield Ovarian Cancer Support Group Mar 07, 5:30pm, Patients, spouses and support folks invited. RSVP SpOCSGroup@ gmail.com by March 6. MCL Cafeteria, 2151 Wabash Ave, 217-787-8706.

FAITH & PHILOSOPHY

After Five Christian Women’s Club Dinner Mar 19, 6:30-8pm, Speaker and vocalist. $15. Reservations by Mar. 16, 417-501-6449. Northfi eld Inn Suites & Conference Center, 3280 Northfi eld Dr.

SPORTS & FITNESS

Drop-In Derby Mar 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.

Kids First Youth Baseball Registration Mar 09, 12-3pm, $60 for season. Ages 5-17. Scheels, 3801 South MacArthur , 217-801-7036.

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

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