Books & Authors

Book Signing May 02, 11:30am-1:30pm, Margaret Herr of Springfield signs copies of her book, ‘Fritz the Donut-Tailed Dog.’ The Sly Fox Bookstore, 123 N. Springfield St (Route 4), Virden, 217-965-3641.

Spoken Word Poetry Open Mic May 15, 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 Costaki Economopoulos May 03-04, 8pm Fri, 7:15 and 9:30 Sat, Played the prestigious Montreal Just for Laughs Festival and everywhere else. $15. Mason City Limits Comedy Club, 114 E. Chestnut, Mason City, 482-5233.

Costuming Workshop May 04, 3-5pm, Designer behind Hoogland’s Cats and Man of La Mancha, Dave Shaw. Free. RSVP, [email protected]. Hoogland Center for the Arts, 420 S. Sixth St, 217- 523-2787. Les Liaisons Dangereuses May 03-04, 10-11, 8pm, $12-$10. Mature themes. Advance tickets recommended, 217-786-2762. Lincoln Land Community College, 5250 Shepherd Rd, 217-786- 2200.

Mary and Myra May 14, 7pm, Play reading about Mary Todd’s legal battle against being declared insane. $12. Tickets online presidentlincoln.illinois.gov. Abraham Lincoln Presidential Museum, 212 N. Sixth St, 217-782-5764. Proof May 03-05, 8pm Fri-Sat, 2pm Sun, Springfield Theatre Centre presents story of mathematical genius and mental illness. Hoogland Center for the Arts, 420 S. Sixth St, 217-523-2787.

Rock of Ages May 13, 7:30pm, Mix of 28 rockin’ 80s tunes and love story. $60-$50. Sangamon Auditorium, UIS, 1 University Plaza, 217-206-6160, 800-207-6960. The Little Mermaid Jr. May 10-12, 7pm Fri-Sat, 2pm Sun, Adopted from 2008 Broadway production and led by Hoogland kids and teens. $10- $20. Hoogland Center for the Arts, 420 S. Sixth St, 217-523-2787.

Music: General Events

Bells In Motion Spring Concert May 05, 4pm, Handbell pops music, “In the Mood” and classical selections from Beethoven and Dvorak. $10. Douglas United Methodist Church, 501 S. Douglas Avenue, 638-2063.

Come Let Us Be Bold With Our Songs May 04, 2pm, David Tell, Native American Flutes. Vachel Lindsay Home State Historic Site, 603 S. Fifth St, 217-524-0901. Elvis Gospel Sing

May 03, 7pm, With Scott Wattles. Mary Bryant Home fundraiser. $10. 217-791- 1385. St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, 1 Bachrach Court, Decatur, 217-423-6955.

Illinois Symphony Orchestra May 04, 8pm, Led by worldrenowned guest conductor Stefan Sanderling. $50-$20. Sangamon Auditorium, UIS, 1 University Plaza, 217- 206-6160, 800-207-6960.

Instructional Jam Session May 04, 10am-12pm, Clayville, Route 125, Pleasant Plains, 626-1024. Jacksonville Symphony Orchestra May 04, 7:30pm, Season Finale concert with pianist Jade Simmons. $15. Tickets available at door. Illinois College Rammelkamp Chapel, 1101 W. College Ave, Jacksonville, 217-245-1181.

LLCC Recital Series May 12, 4pm, ‘Music of the Lincoln Era’ The Lincoln Troubadours. Free. LLCC Trutter Center, 5250 Shepherd Road, 217- 786-2200. Leon Redbone May 10, 8pm, Legendary master guitarist and crooner. $39, $25. Sangamon Auditorium, UIS, 1 University Plaza, 217- 206-6160, 800-207-6960. Prairie Grapevine Folklore Society Concert May 14, 7:30pm, Bill Staines, nationallyknown and acclaimed New England folksinger and songwriter. Abraham Lincoln Unitarian Universalist Congregation, 745 Woodside Rd, 217-585-9550.

Sangamon Valley Youth Symphony May 04, 10:30am, Symphony, concert and preparatory orchestras and junior and starter string ensembles. $10-$5. 753- 8000. Sangamon Auditorium, UIS, 1 University Plaza, 217-206- 6160, 800-207-6960.

Shinedown, Bush May 07, 7-11pm, Hard rock band from Jacksonville, Florida. Prairie Capital Convention Center, 1 Convention Center Plaza, 800- 745-3000.

Tatsuya Nakatani Duo, End Times Trio May 05, 6:30-9pm, Avantgarde jazz with contemporary percussionist who performs around the world. Donations accepted. The Pharmacy, 401 South Grand Avenue West, 217- 652-3273. The Big Event May 11, 7pm, Food, drinks, dancing and music by Brooke Thomas and the Blue Suns. Benefits Family Service Center. $45. 528-8406. Illini Country Club, 1601 S Illini Rd, 217-528- 8406.

The Chosen Ones in Concert May 10, 6:30pm, Fairview Baptist Church, 2001 N. 21st Street, 217- 741-1817. Dance

All About Country Dance May 03, 7-10pm, Line dancing, two step, waltz, swing. Free lesson at start of dance w/ DJ Marilyn Ferry. $6. Decatur Moose Lodge, 3190 N Woodford Street, Decatur, 217-836-1438. All About Dance May 08, 15, 6:30-10pm, Every Wed. hour line dance lessons before dance. $5. VFW Post #755, 2211 Old Jacksonville Road, 836-1438.

All About Sunday Dance May 05, 12, 5-8pm, Sundays, free dance lessons included. $10. VFW Post #755, 2211 Old Jacksonville Road, 836-1438. Dance May 03, 10, 8-11pm, Mike Lewis Band. $10. VFW Post #755, 2211 Old Jacksonville Road, 217-546- 9515.

Art & Architecture

Amateur Photography Display May 02-15, 12-4pm Mon-Fri, 12-5pm Sat-Sun, Winners photos and other entries on display May 1-19. Free. Washington Park Botanical Garden, 1740 W. Fayette Ave, 217-546-4116.

Art Installation - In the Middle May 02-04, 06-11, 13-15, 9am- 8pm Mon-Thu, 9am-4pm Fri-Sat, Betsy Dollar, artist and SAA executive director, depicts many roles of a woman at midlife. Chatham Area Public Library, 600 E. Spruce, Chatham, 483-2713. Artists Sought For MacArt Fest. Info and entry online. Barn Colony Artists May 03-04, 06-11, 13-15, 8:30am-4:30pm Mon-Fri, 10am- 2pm , May 3-10, display of works by local member organization. Anne Lloyd Gallery of the Madden Arts Center, 125 N. Water, Decatur, 217-423-3189.

Botanicals May 02-04, 06-11, 13-15, 10am-5pm Mon-Fri, 10am-3pm Sat, Juried exhibition with thirty regional artists celebrating the botanical world. Springfield Art Association, 700 N. Fourth St, 217-523-2631.

Collective Exit May 02, 06-09, 11am-6pm, Exhibition of senior student artists. Reception May 2, 5:30 p.m. UIS Visual Arts Gallery, HSB 201, One University Plaza, 217- 206-6506. Gallery Exhibit May 04-05, 07-12, 14-15, 1-3pm Sun, 4-6pm Tue-Sat, May 4-26, Digital photography and digital imaging from Kathy Jamison and Jeff Newman. Reception May 4, 6:30 p.m. David Strawn Art Gallery, 331 W. College Ave, Jacksonville, 217-243-9390.

Kitchens in Bloom Tour May 05, 12-4pm, Tour five homes in the Washington Park area with Junior League of Springfield. $15-$20 at locations in town or 1400 Illini Road day of tour. Various locations, 544-5557.

Upper Story Tour May 02, 5-8pm, Self-guided tour of business, residential and historic buildings. $15- $8. downtownspringfield.org. Downtown Springfield.

Film & Television

Burn May 08, 7pm, Action-packed documentary about Detroit, told through eyes of Detroit firefighters. Adult themes. The Legacy Theatre, 101 E. Lawrence, 1-800-838- 3006.

Children’s Corner

Kids Good Grief Camp May 05, 12-4pm, Kids 6-12 who have lost a loved one. Led by licensed counselor with Hollywood the Healing Dog. Sponsored by Staab Funeral Home and Crossroads Counseling Center. $10. Erin’s Pavilion, Southwind Park, 4965 S. Second St, 483- 1224.

Story Time at the Museum May 13, 10-10:30am, Preschoolers ages 3-5 and their caregivers hear engaging stories and learn about museum objects. 782-5993. Illinois State Museum, 502 S. Spring St, 782-5993. Super Saturdays at the Museum May 11, 11am-3pm, “Blue Stems & Blue Gills: State Symbols.” Free activities for ages 4-8 and family. Illinois State Museum, 502 S. Spring St, 782-6044.

Science

Paul Mickey Science Series Lecture May 08, 7-8:30pm, Dr. Chris Widga, ISM assistant curator of Geology, “The Big Deal about Big Game: Early Paleoindian Use of Plesitocene Megafauna.” Illinois State Museum Research & Collections Center, 1011 E. Ash St, 785-0037.

Star Program May 03, 7-10pm, Talk by Dr. John Martin followed by telescope gazing from 8-10 p.m. Free. Register by phone. Lincoln Memorial Garden, 2301 E. Lake Shore Dr, 217-529-1111.

Nature

Dr. Dolittle Day May 11, 10am-6pm, Free admission, turtle races, animal programs, artists and poets and more. Henson Robinson Zoo, 1100 E. Lake Shore Dr, 217- 585-1821. Herb Plant Sale May 04, 8am-12pm, Master Gardeners of University of Illinois Extension. Plants $3-$7. Illinois State Fairgrounds, 801 Sangamon Ave, 782-4617.

Prairie Wildflower Sale May 11-12, 9am-4pm Sat, 1-4pm Sun, Over two dozen varieties of your favorite garden wildfl owers. Most $5. Lincoln Memorial Garden, 2301 E. Lake Shore Dr, 217-529-1111.

Sangamon Valley Iris Society Iris Show May 11, 12-4pm, Free and open to the public. Washington Park Botanical Garden, 1740 W. Fayette Ave, 217-546-4116.

Springfield Civic Garden Club Meeting May 06, 9:15-11:30am, Inside look and info from nationally accredited flower show judges. Westminster Presbyterian Church, 533 S. Walnut Street, 217-522-4415. Springfield Civic Garden Plant Sale May 04, 8am-12pm, Member’s perennials, shrubs and houseplants. Tech Town. Illinois State Fairgrounds, 801 Sangamon Ave, 782-1698.

World Taxidermy and Fish Carving May 07, 10-11, 6-10pm Fri, 10am-12pm Sat, Huge competition showing the fi nest wildlife art and covered by major media outlets. $10, $5 kids. Crowne Plaza, 3000 S. Dirksen Pkwy, 985-320- 5222.

Lectures & Meetings LGBTQ yOUTh Group May 03, 10, 6-10pm, Every Friday for LGBTQ youth and allies ages 13-17. Phoenix Center, 109 E. Lawrence Ave, 217-528-5253.

Lincolnland Depression Era Glass Club Meeting May 06, 6-8pm, Westmoreland Baker’s Dozen Plates by Rob Rister. Lincoln Library, 326 S. Seventh St, 793-0565.

Springfield Parental Alienation Advocacy Group Meeting May 06, 6-8pm, First Monday of month. Mezzanine level, conference room 3. Hilton Springfield, 700 E. Adams, 217-793-3586. Women Entrepreneurs - Central IL May 08, 5:30-7pm, “Caring for Ourselves.” $30- $22. Register by May 5, [email protected]. 725-8500. Bella Milano, 4525 Wabash Ave, 217- 547-0011.

Bulletin Board

Family FUNDay May 04, 9am-3pm, Lake Springfield Christian Assembly, 1674 Lick Creek Lane, Chatham, 217- 529-2625.

Adopt-A-Pet Anniversary Reception May 5, 2-4pm, Celebrate 30 years with friends and staff of no-kill animal shelter. Magnuson Grand Hotel & Conference Center, 19067 W. Frontage Road, Carlinville. 835-2538.

Governor’s Prayer Breakfast May 02, 7:30am, Dr. Tom Jones, ambassador-atlarge, Habitat for Humanity International. $20. 206- 7642 by April 26. Crowne Plaza, 3000 S. Dirksen Pkwy.

Fat Ass 5K Run and Street Party May 10-11, 9am-3pm, Preview party Friday. Race Saturday. Proceeds to charity. Seventh Street, Adams and Washington. fatass5k.com. Downtown Springfield.

15th Annual Senior Celebration May 15, 9am-2pm, Illinois State Fairgrounds, 801 Sangamon Ave, 787-9234. Atlanta Rt. 66 Cruise-In May 11, 10am-4pm, Classic cars, vintage music, food, 50/50 drawing, hourly drawings and more. 217-648-5077. 103 SW Arch St. Atlanta.

BEST (Emplowered and Successful Teens) and Parent Transition Support Group May 08, 5:30-7:30pm, YMCA, 701 S. Fourth St, 217-523-2587 v/tty.

Backgammon Club May 08, 15, 6pm, Every Wed. with Sangamon Valley Backgammon Association. 622- 9447. Capital Teletrack, 1766 Wabash Ave, 217-546-2111.

Chatham Mayor’s Prayer Breakfast May 02, 7-8am, Kevin Elliott, Fellowship of Christian Athletes, keynote speaker. 483-6450 for free ticket. Chatham Presbyterian Church, 1835 E. Walnut, Chatham, 483-4204.

Family Fun Day May 04, 9am-12pm, Bounce house, storyteller, face painting, Ronald McDonald, recycling drive, shred event and more. Ronald McDonald House, 610 N. Seventh Street, 528-3314. NIAHAC Arabian Horse Show May 10-12, 8am-9pm Fri-Sat, 8am-5pm Sun, Coliseum. Free. 815-389-0120. Illinois State Fairgrounds, 801 Sangamon Ave, 782-1698.

Prom Red Carpet Runway May 04, 4pm, Reigning Miss Logan County and Lisa the FIX96 Prize Girl. Logan County Courthouse, 601 Broadway St. Lincoln.

RWO Wrestling Wars May 10, 7-9:30pm, Sons of Glory and more. $10 ages 8 and up. Nelson Center Ice Arena, Lincoln Park, 1601 N. Fifth St, 217-525-2589.

Rotary Club Spring Open House May 06, 5:30-6:30pm, Learn about Rotary Club of Springfi eld. Free. RSVP 312-919-7781. Hoogland Center for the Arts, 420 S. Sixth St. Springfest May 04, 10am-8pm, Plant sale, craft fair 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Route 66 cruise-in 1-5 p.m.; Leaving Ashland 5:30-7:30 p.m. Food for purchase. 529-9725. Disabled American Veterans Chapter 15, 25 Club Area.

Food Nearly High Tea: Down on the Farm May 05, 2-4pm, Must register by May 1. $50. Jubilee Farm, 6760 Old Jacksonville Rd, 217-787- 6927.

History

Battle of Chancellorsville May 02, 7pm, Dr. Mark DePue, historian and director of library’s Oral History Program. Free. Reservations required. Abraham Lincoln Presidential Museum, 212 N. Sixth St, 217-782-5764.

Home Tours May 05, 08, 12, 15, 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.

Illinois Vietnam Veterans 24- Hour Vigil May 04-05, 11am and 6pm Sat and 10:30am Sun, 25th memorial dedication and special ceremonies. Illinois Vietnam Veterans Memorial, Oak Ridge Cemetery, 782-2717.

Meet a Boy in Blue May 04, 11am, 1pm and 3pm, Interpreter discusses key battle explaining uniform, weapons, equipment of Civil War soldiers. Old State Capitol, 1 Old State Capitol Plaza, 785-7960. Mother’s Day Tea May 11, 2-3:30pm, Victorian tea, including sweets, savories and presentation on summer socials. $25. Edwards Place, Springfi eld Art Association, 700 N. Fourth St. 217-523-2631.

Health Car Seat Inspections May 10, 1:30-4pm, Also health info and free bike helmets to pre-K children while supplies last. County Market, 210 E. Carpenter Street, 545-9112.