Books & Authors

Book Reading Apr 23, 6:30pm, Julie Titone, “Boocoo Dinky Dow: My short, crazy Vietnam War.” Lincoln Library, 326 S. Seventh St, 753-4900.

Mary Jo Bang Apr 12, 6pm, Poet and National Book Award Winner will read followed by reception and book signing. UIS Brookens Auditorium, One University Plaza, 217-206-6073.

PondicherryLodge/Sherlock Holmes Society Apr 20, 9am, “Chapters IX-XV of The Hound of the Baskervilles.” Barnes and Noble Booksellers, 3111 S. Veteran’s Pkwy, 546-8387.

Successful Literary Publishing and Promotion Apr 15, 4pm, Novelist and Editor Joanna Beth Tweedy gives tips and how-to on getting your work out to public. Free. Brinkerhoff Home, 1500 N. Fifth St, 217-525-1420 ext. 235.

Spoken Word

Imagine Foundation’s Poetry Variety Show Apr 11, 6:30-8:30pm, Features Oba William King, Sean Posey and Jocelyn Young. Studio 41, 41 South Central Park, Jacksonville, 473-2726.

Poetry Open Mic Apr 17, 6-8pm, Bring poetry to read, or just sit back and listen. Springfield Poets & Writers. 725-9058. Robbie’s, 4 S. Old State Capitol Plaza, 217-528-1901.

Theater & Comedy

3-Legged Tale Apr 22, 7pm, ThÈ‚tre de l’OEil poetic reflection on cycle and rebirth of life through puppetry. $19. Sangamon Auditorium, UIS, 1 University Plaza, 217- 206-6160, 800-207-6960.

Always ... Patsy Cline Apr 12-14, 18-21, 8pm Thu-Sat, 2pm Sun, Stars Lori Ann McCabe as Patsy Cline and Sandra Fritz as Louise Seger, a fan whose friendship with Cline is the basis for the show. $18-$20. The Legacy Theatre, 101 E. Lawrence, 1-800-838-3006.

Awake and Sing Apr 11-13, 7:30pm Thu-Sat, 2pm Sun, Ordinary Americans struggling to survive and even hold on to their dreams in depression-era New York. $14-$10. UIS Studio Theatre, One University Plaza, 217-206-6160.

Children of a Lesser God Apr 20, 25-27, 7:30pm, Apr 28 , 2pm, True story of deaf actress and her hearing husband. $7. Illinois College Sibert Theatre, McGaw Fine Arts Center, Jacksonville, 245-3471.

Comedain Dan Chopin Apr 12-13, 7:30pm and 9:30pm, Nationally-touring comedy club headliner for over 15 years. $13-$15. Donnie B’s Comedy Club, 625 E. Saint Joseph Street, 391-joke.

Comedian Mark Knope Apr 12, 8pm Fri, 7:15pm Sat, Born again bachelor and veteran comedian. $12.50- $13.50. Mason City Limits Comedy Club, 114 E. Chestnut, Mason City, 482-5233.

Comedian Open Mic Night Apr 17, 8pm, Local and up-and-coming comics across the U.S. Register by 6:30 p.m. Free. Donnie B’s Den, 625 E. Saint Joseph Street, 391-5653.

Directing Workshop Apr 13, 3-5pm, Springfi eld director Leigh Steiner presents directing for the stage. Free. RSVP hooglandeducation@ gmail.com. Hoogland Center for the Arts, 420 S. Sixth St, 217- 523-2787.

West Side Story Apr 12-14, 7:30pm Fri-Sat, 2pm Sun, Three performances. $8-$5. Glenwood High School, 1501 Plummer Boulevard, Chatham, 483-2424.

What Will Be Your Legacy? Apr 19-20, 6:30pm, One-act play. Elderly farm couple wrestles with future of land in family for fi ve generations. Free. RSVP, thelandconnection. org/play. University of Illinois Extension, 700 S. Airport Drive.

Winnie the Pooh Apr 12-14, 19-21, 7pm Fri-Sat, 2pm Sun, Springfi eld Theatre Centre production. $8-$12. Hoogland Center for the Arts, 420 S. Sixth St, 217-523-2787.

Music: General Events

Celebrate Spring Recitals Apr 13, 4:15pm, Aeolian String Duo. Birdsong Books & Vintage Shoppe, 111 Governor Oglesby Street, Elkhart.

Celtic Woman Apr 21, 3pm, Singing sensations newest show. $71, $41. Sangamon Auditorium, UIS, 1 University Plaza, 217-206- 6160, 800-207-6960.

Chanticleer Apr 14, 7pm, Grammy-award winning 12-member male ensemble. $47, $42, $28, Sangamon Auditorium, UIS, 1 University Plaza, 217-206-6160, 800-207-6960.

Dave Bennett and his All Stars Apr 20, 4-7pm, Casual dress, food available. 546-1363. Decatur Club, 158 W. Prairie Ave, Decatur, 217-429-4200.

Illinois Symphony Orchestra Apr 13, 8pm, “Virtuosic Vibe,” with innovative violinist Nicolas Kendall. $50-$20. Sangamon Auditorium, UIS, 1 University Plaza, 217-206-6160, 800-207- 6960.

LLCC Recital Series Apr 14, 4pm, ‘Perspectivas Cubanos’ Millikin University Latin Jazz Project. LLCC Trutter Center, 5250 Shepherd Road, 217-786- 2200.

Marina V Concert Apr 19, 8pm, One night only for this phenomenal talent. $15. Abraham Lincoln Unitarian Universalist Congregation, 745 Woodside Rd, 585-9550.

Music Under the Dome Apr 14, 4pm, Harpeth Rising, classically trained young Americana musicians. Jacksonville Public Library, 201 West College Ave, Jacksonville, 243-5435.

Prairie Grapevine Folklore Society Concert Apr 16, 7:30pm, The Orpheus Mandolin Orchestra, central Ill. acoustic group. Abraham Lincoln Unitarian Universalist Congregation, 745 Woodside Rd, 454-0178.

Springfield Classical Guitar Society Concert Apr 20, 8pm, Zane Forshee, Spanish guitar. $12. 726-8991. Faith Evangelical Lutheran Church, 2313 Whittier Ave, 217- 522-7331.

Dance

A Country Reunion Apr 13, 7pm, Potluck and open dancing. $5. (Country dance Apr. 12, 17.) Prairie Land Dance Club, 650 Matilda St, Illiopolis, 428-1560.

All About Sunday Dance Apr 14, 21, 5-8:30pm, Sundays, free dance lessons included. $10. VFW Post #755, 2211 Old Jacksonville Road, 836-1438.

Dance Apr 12, 19, 8-11pm, Mike Lewis Band. $10. VFW Post #755, 2211 Old Jacksonville Road, 217-546- 9515.

Dance the Night Away Apr 13, 7-10pm, Featuring The Music Men. $15. KC Hall, 2200 S. Meadowbrook.

Mix It Up Tax Relief Dance Apr 13, 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

Accordion Book Workshop Apr 13, 10am-12:30pm, Betsy Dollar, Springfield Art Association executive director, leads parentchild bookmaking workshop. Register by phone. Chatham Area Public Library, 600 E. Spruce, Chatham, 483-2713.

Amateur Photography Contest Deadline April 19 for May display. Call or stop by for entry form. Washington Park Botanical Garden, 1740 W. Fayette Ave, 217-546-4116.

Art Installation - In the Middle Apr 13, 15-20, 22-24, 9am-8pm Mon-Thu, 9am-4pm Fri-Sat, Betsy Dollar, artist and SAA executive director, depicts many roles of a woman at midlife. Reception Saturday, April 13, 1-3 p.m. Chatham Area Public Library, 600 E. Spruce, Chatham, 483-2713.

Illinois Artisans Program April 11 deadline. museum. state.il.us/artisans. Illinois State Museum, 502 S. Spring St, 217- 782-7386.

Personalities Paint Apr 20, 6-9pm, Paintings by local celebrities who are not artists. Live art auction and exhibition. $25. Springfi eld Art Association, 700 N. Fourth St, 217-523-2631.

Rendered in Black and White Apr 11-13, 15-16, 10am-5pm Mon-Fri, 10am-3pm Sat, Drawing media featuring local artists. Reception Apr. 13, 5:30 p.m. Springfi eld Art Association, 700 N. Fourth St, 217-523- 2631.

Saturday Mornings at 603 Apr 13, 10-11am, ‘Washing the Dust of Daily Life Off Our Souls,’ Linda Norbut Suits on Art-in- Architecture program. Vachel Lindsay Home State Historic Site, 603 S. Fifth St, 217-524-0901.

Spring Exhibit and Luncheon Apr 12-13, 10am-2pm, Hundreds of hand-made arts and crafts on display. (Luncheon 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. is $8.) 217-787-0617. Springfield Ceramics and Crafts Club, 2626 S. Pasfield St.

Children’s Corner

Astronomy for All Apr 11, 7pm, Virtual journey through cosmos and look through large telescope outside. Jacksonville Public Library, 201 West College Ave, Jacksonville, 243-5435.

Free African Drumming Lessons Apr 12, 19, 5pm, Fridays in April for ages 3-12. RSVP by phone. Fashion Afrique, 414 E. Monroe St. 217-544-1289.

Poetry Hour Apr 20, 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.

Recycled Play Day Apr 20, 1-3pm, Families can help construct and decorate giant playhouse out of repurposed cardboard. Illinois State Museum, 502 S. Spring St, 782-5993.

Super Saturdays at the Museum Apr 13, 11am-3pm, “Wildlife in Danger” Free activities for ages 4-8 and family. Illinois State Museum, 502 S. Spring St, 782- 6044.

Things that Fly - Art Class Apr 18, 10am, Ages 2-5 and group-up. Craft hot air balloons and butterflies with snack. $40. Register online. Urban Sassafras, 200 Broadway, 670-2391.

Science

Friday Night Star Parties Apr 12, 19, 8-10pm, Fridays in April. Enter southeast corner, Brookens Library. Free. Weather question, 206-8342 at 7 p.m. or UIS Observatory on Twitter. University of Illinois at Springfield, 217-206-6073.

Gem, Mineral and Jewelry Show Apr 19-21, 9am-6pm Fri-Sat, 10am-4pm Sun, Demos, exhibits, auctions, kids activities including fossil dig. Free parking, kids free. $5. Macon County Fairgrounds, Route 121 NW, Decatur, 233- 1164.

Nature

Cachet Club of Springfield Geranium Sale Place your order by Apr. 16, 546- 3067. $2.25. Pick up May 2, 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Little Flower School Activity Center (south of school), Stevenson Dr.

Wildflower Nature Walks Apr 13, 20, 9am, 10:30am, 1:30pm, 3pm, Reservation forms online at elkharthistoricalsociety. org. $10, $20 walk/lunch/lecture. Elkhart.

Environment

Community Shred Event Apr 20, 10am-12pm, Donate case of non-perishable canned goods, get five boxes of records shred. Recycling cardboard, noncontrolled prescription drugs in original vials and plug-in electronics. Salvation Army Parking Lot, Ninth and Washington.

High Tunnel Tour Apr 23, 2pm, Tour with Professor Bill Harmon and his students to explore season extension principles and vegetable growing practices. Free. Lincoln Land Community College, 5250 Shepherd Rd, 786-4993.

Recycling Day and Food Drive Apr 13, 9am-1pm, Electronics collection. Document shredding until 11 a.m. Cash donation or non-perishable food. 525-1464. Springfield Township, 3298 Terminal Ave.

Recycling Event Apr 20, 9am-1:30pm, Computers, printers, TVs, cell phones, speakers, cords and cables and small electronics. Jacksonville High School, Jacksonville.

The Great Transition Apr 22, 7pm, Dr. Bruce Hull, Virginia Tech, examines demographic, market, governance and environmental transitions. Free. UIS Brookens Auditorium, One University Plaza, 217-206- 8507.

Wind Power and Endangered Species Apr 23, 6:30-8pm, Sangamon Valley Sierra Club presents Keith Shank, Illinois Department of Natural Resources. Lincoln Library, 326 S. Seventh St, 220-6206.

Lectures & Meetings

Heads Up Group Apr 21, 2-4pm, Support group for those who have a head injury. Springfield Center for Independent Living, 330 S. Grand Ave. West, 217-523-2587 v/tty.

IWIL’s April Luncheon Apr 18, 11:30am-1pm, Diane Newell, vice president of Human Resources, Bunn-o- Matic, shares ideas on how you can become a better mentor or what to look for when searching for one. $23. Sangamo Club, 227 E. Adams St, 217-528-2323.

LGBTQ yOUTh Group Apr 12, 19, 6-10pm, Every Friday for LGBTQ youth and allies ages 13-17. Phoenix Center, 109 E. Lawrence Ave, 217-528-5253.

Locating Private Foundation Funding Apr 16, 2-4pm, Free workshop for nonprofits to help them find funding. Registration required. UIS Brookens Library, One University Plaza, 217-206-6633 info, 217- 206-6605 .

Seminar: Commercial Lending Apr 16, 6:30-8:30pm, Monthly meeting of INVINT, Innovation Viability Network. $5 nonmembers. SIU School of Medicine, 801 N. Rutledge, 545-6397.

Springfield Camera Club Apr 18, 7-8:30pm, Gadgets. First Christian Church, 700 S. Sixth St, 546-5021 or 523-8081.

Springfield Social Club Apr 24, 5:30-8:30pm, Collecting bottled water and granola bars for Alpha Kappa Alpha 5K Run/Walk. Cousin Eddies Bar and Grill, 1951 W. Monroe, 217-679-5777.

Bulletin Board

APL Pet Adoptions Apr 13-14, 11am-2pm Sat, 11am- 3pm Sun, Dogs and cats available for adoption on Sat. (Sunday features cats at Petsmart.), Ace Hardware, 1600 Wabash Ave, 217-787-5100.

Adopt-A-Pet Adoptions Apr 13, 12-3:30pm, Rescued dogs and cats, spayed or neutered, micro-chipped, vaccinated. 835- 2538. Petsmart, 3183 S. Veterans Pkwy, 217-698-3091.

Association of Information Technology Professionals Apr 16, 5:30-8pm, Timothy Welch, Bank of Springfield. Community Banking in a Global Environment. $17. Brick House Grill and Pub, 3136 W. Iles Ave, 628-3697.

Backgammon Club Apr 17, 24, 6pm, Every Wed. with Sangamon Valley Backgammon Association. 622-9447. Capital Teletrack, 1766 Wabash Ave, 217-546-2111.

Craft Show Apr 13-14, 10am-5pm Sat, 10am-4pm Sun, Illinois Building main floor. $2, kids 12 and under free. 618-628-7878. Illinois State Fairgrounds, 801 Sangamon Ave, 782-8886.

Dog Days of Spring Through April 30, get your dog portrait to benefit the APL. Reservations at 217-698-6000. Animal Protective League, 1001 Taintor Rd, 544-7387.

Giant Flea Market Apr 21, 8:30am-4:30pm, $1.25, age 12 and under free with adult. Illinois Building. 529-6939. Illinois State Fairgrounds, 801 Sangamon Ave, 782-8886.

Heart of Illinois Education Fair Apr 13, 9am-12pm, BetterInvesting website and magazine seminar. $20. Ramada Inn, 3281 Northfield Drive, 546- 1185.

Heroes Breakfast Apr 19, 8-10am, Nine local heroes honored for heroic act or lifetime of service. $30. redcross. org/icac. Crowne Plaza, 3000 S. Dirksen Pkwy, 217-787-7602.

International Quarter Horse Show Apr 18-21, 8am, Coliseum. Free admission. 618-397-1388. Illinois State Fairgrounds, 801 Sangamon Ave, 782-8886.

LaPetite Delta Academy Finale Apr 21, Sacred Heart-Griffin High School, 1601 W. Washington.

Lanphier Baseball Craft Fair Apr 13, 10am-2pm, Benefits Lanphier boys baseball program. Lanphier High School, 1300 N. 11th St, 899-1428.

Mice Races - Central Illinois Force Girls Softball Apr 20, 6pm, Races, drawing, auction, roulette wheel, lottery tree, barrel of booze raffle. Ticket includes beer, soda and snacks. $20. Sherman Athletic Club, 420 Crossing Dr. Sherman, 725-1630.

Multicultural Festival Apr 16, 7-8:30pm, Dancing, fashion show, info about countries, authentic food and more. $2, $5 family. Illinois College Bruner Fitness & Recreation Center, Edgehill Rd, Jacksonville, 245-3571.

Springfield Christian Women’s Connection Apr 17, 11am-12:45pm, “Window dressing.” “Window of opportunity.” Register by Apr. 12. $12. Northfield Inn Suites & Conference Center, 3280 Northfield Dr, 787-8246.

Starting Your Business in Illinois Apr 17, 6-8pm Thu, 1:30pm Wed, Call Illinois Small Business Development Center, 544-7232 to register. Capital City Training Center, 130 W. Mason.

Student Arts & Research Symposium Apr 11-12, 5-10pm Thu, 9am- 10pm Fri, Students’ research and creative activities via short talks, poster presentations, art exhibits and music performances. Free. University of Illinois at Springfi eld, 217- 206-6073.

Politics

Undocuqueer: I Exist! Apr 18, 4-6pm, Artist Julio Salgado leads discussion on personal experiences with undocumented and queer youth in both mediums of art and social justice efforts. LRH great room. University of Illinois at Springfi eld, 217-206-8507.

History

Camp Butler Stories Exhibit Opening Apr 13, 6:30-9pm, Features artifacts and documents. Dr. Michael Burlingame speaks. $40, ileshouse.org. Elijah Iles House, 628 S. Seventh St, 217- 492-5929.

Death Day Ceremony Apr 13, 10-11am, 148th anniversary of Abe’s death commemorated by Sons of Union Veterans of Civil War and Military Order of the Loyal Legion of the United States. Lincoln Tomb State Historic Site, 1500 Monument Ave, 782-2717.

Home Tours Apr 20-21, 24, 12-4pm, Tour Springfi eld’s oldest home. Opening day of new exhibit, Camp Butler: A Civil War Story. Elijah Iles House, 628 S. Seventh St, 217-492-5929.

Into the Fire Film Screening/ Discussion Apr 15, 6pm, U.S. women who joined the Republican side in the Spanish Civil War. Free. UIS Brookens Auditorium, One University Plaza, 217-206-8507.

Old School Museum Opening Apr 19-20, 10am-4pm, Weekends through Oct. (Also open Sundays 1-4 p.m.) Free. Old School Museum, 110 E. Cherry St. Winchester, 473- 5519.

St. John the Baptist Chapel Tours and Program Apr 14, 21, 1-3:30pm, Selfguided tours before and after 1:30-2:30 p.m. program. Elkhart.

Stephen A. Douglas Bicentennial Birthday Celebration Apr 21, 2pm, Winchester Elementary School Chorus, speakers, re-enactor and refreshments. Free. Old School Museum, 110 E. Cherry St. Winchester, 473-5519.

Health

Connection Support Group Apr 17, 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.

Free Head and Neck Cancer Screenings Apr 17, 4-7pm, Free fi ve minute painless screen. Simmons Cancer Institute, 315 W. Carpenter, 217-545-7133.

Free Testings Apr 11-12, 15-19, 22-24, 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 Apr 11, 18, 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 Apr 17, 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.

SCI Women’s Power Lunch Apr 12, 11am, Internationallycelebrated mystery writer Sara Paretsky. $50. Register by phone or siumed.edu/cancer. President Abraham Lincoln Hotel & Conference Center, 701 E. Adams, 545-2955.

The Basics of Alzheimer’s Disease Apr 13, 11am-12:30pm, Memory loss, dementia and Alzheimer’s disease. Free. Register by phone or walk-ins welcome. Lincoln Land Community College, 5250 Shepherd Rd, 217-726-5184.

Sports & Fitness

Abe’s Mini Triathlon Apr 20, 12pm, Perfect for new triathletes. 100-yard indoor heated pool swim, 5-mile bike, 1-mile run. abestriseries. com. Porta High School, 17651 Bluejay Road, Petersburg, 217- 341-1309.

Championship Bull Riding and Barrel Racing Apr 12-13, 7pm, Also, Trick and Roman Rider Dusti Lynn Crain. Coliseum. $15, $25 weekend, children $6 and free. 267-8756. Illinois State Fairgrounds, 801 Sangamon Ave, 782-8886.

Learn to Skate Academy Apr 13, Group lessons taught by professional skating instructors. 753-2800. Nelson Center Ice Arena, Lincoln Park, 1601 N. Fifth St, 217-525-2589.

Pioneer Sprint Triathlon Apr 20, 1pm, 300-yard indoor heated pool swim, 13-mile bike and 3.1-mile run through pioneer cemetery. abestriseries. com. Porta High School, 17651 Bluejay Road, Petersburg, 217- 341-1309.

Run With a Mission 5K Run/ Walk, Kid’s Fun Run Apr 13, 8am, 9:10am Kids Fun, South Side Christian Church hosts to benefi t mission work in Haiti, Kenya and England. Scheels, 3801 South MacArthur , 217-494-4134.

Running with the Mustangs Apr 13, 8am, 5K and Kid’s Run. GetMeRegistered.Com - Running with the Mustangs. New Holland-Middletown School.

Scheels Golf Demo Day Apr 20, 1-5pm, Try out the latest in drivers and clubs. Knight’s Action Park and Caribbean Water Adventure, 1700 Knights Recreation Dr, 217-726-6330.

Springfield Celts Rugby Apr 13, 1pm, Celts verses Principia College. Kennedy Park, 3101 J David Jones Parkway, 299-0163.

Team Warrior Concepts Mixed Martial Arts Event Apr 20, 6pm, Exposition Building. $30. 698-8040. Illinois State Fairgrounds, 801 Sangamon Ave, 782-8886.

Tough Luck Outdoors Bullseye Bash Apr 13, Menard Archers 3D Club, State Park Road, Petersburg.

Walk a Mile In Her Shoes Apr 20, 9:30am-3pm, Men march in high heels to raise awareness about sexual assault. $35-$25. Prairie Center Against Sexual Assault, 3 W Old State Capitol Plaza, 744-2560.

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

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