Fairs & Festivals

Decatur Celebration Aug 02-04, 5-11pm Fri, 10am- 11pm Sat, 11am-, Family street festival with music, food, arts and crafts, film fest, (parade Sat. 10 a.m.) and more. decaturcelebration.com. Downtown Decatur, 160 E. Main St, Decatur, 423- 4222.

Girard Festival Days Jul 26-28, Three days of good ole fashioned fun. Girard Township Park, Old Route 66, one block east of Route 4, Girard. Logan County Fair Jul 31, Aug 01-05, 8am-12am, Carnival and concerts daily. 732-3311. Logan County Fairgrounds, 1408 Short 11th St, Lincoln.

Books & Authors

Poets in the Parlor Jul 27, 2-4pm, Brian Jackson reads from his new book, “From Delancey West,” published by BlazeVOX [books]. Refreshments. Free. Vachel Lindsay Home State Historic Site, 603 S. Fifth St, 217-524-0901.

Spoken Word

Pharmacy Open Jul 25, 7:30pm, Fourth Thursday of month, poetry, prose, song, stand-up and more. 7 p.m. sign-up. The Pharmacy, 401 South Grand Avenue West, 217-652- 3273.

Theater & Comedy

Bleacher Bums Jul 26-28, Aug 02-04, 8pm Fri-Sat, 2pm Sun, Cubs fans won’t want to miss this comedy set at Wrigley Field. (Ballparkthemed dinner available, $15) $18-$17. Hoogland Center for the Arts, 420 S. Sixth St. 217-523-2787.

Godspell Jul 25-28, Aug 01-04, 7:30 Thu-Sat, 2pm Sun, Parables based on Gospel of Matthew interspersed with contemporary musical score. Jacksonville Theatre Guild, 210 W. College Ave, Jacksonville, 245-1402.

Leaving Iowa Jul 25-27, 8pm, Comedy about family and family vacations. $13-$8. Free preshow 7 p.m. Theatre in the Park, Lincoln’s New Salem State Historic Site, 15588 History Lane, Petersburg, 217-632-5440.

Nix Nought Nothing Jul 25-28, 7:30pm Thu-Sat, 2pm Sun, Children’s play. $10, $5 kids. Playhouse on the Square, 68 E. Central Park, Jacksonville, 217-491-3977 .

Peter Pan Aug 02-04, 07, 8:30pm, Aug. 2-4, 7-11, classic tale. The Muni, 815 East Lake Dr, 793-MUNI.

The Journey Home: The Finale Jul 27, 7pm, Ben Viele and Alexander Rodriguez of LA’s radio show Happy Hour with Ben and Alexander return to Ben’s hometown with Broadway favs and popular hits to benefit American Cancer Society. Finale performance of nationwide tour includes check presentation. Hoogland Center for the Arts, 420 S. Sixth St. 217-523-2787.

Theatre in the Park Aug 04, 1-4pm, Excerpts and musical performances from the show “Little Women.” Barnes and Noble Booksellers, 3111 S. Veteran’s Pkwy, 546-9440.

Music: General Events

Artist on the Plaza Jul 25, 30, Aug 01, 06, 12-1pm, Through Aug. 29, Tuesday and Thursday free outdoor performances. 753-3519. Old State Capitol, 1 Old State Capitol Plaza, 217-785-9363.

Break Every Chain Tour Aug 04, 7:30pm, Featuring Kristine DiMarco from Jesus Culture Music. $12. Calvary Temple, 1730 W. Jefferson St, 546-9700.

Carillon Concerts Jul 25, 30-31, Aug 01, 06-07, 7pm Tue-Thu, Sun and 3pm Sun, Carillonneur Robin Austin plays wide variety of classical, folk and popular songs. Free. Thomas Rees Memorial Carillon, 1740 W. Fayette Ave. 217-546-3853.

Clarinet Ensemble Aug 03, 10-10:45am, Free clarinet ensemble. Dana-Thomas House, 301 E. Lawrence, 782- 6776.

Classical Guitar Series Jul 29, 7pm, Regional classical guitarist, Philip Hemmo, followed by Springfield-area guitarists. Free. Lincoln Library, 326 S. Seventh St, 217-753- 4900.

Concerts in the Park Jul 28, 6-7pm, Jacksonville Pilot Club sponsors free music at bandstand Sundays, June- Aug. LLC Chorus. Bring a lawn chair. 478-2015. Jacksonville Community Park, 1201 S. Main, Jacksonville.

Eddy Flute Choir Jul 28, Aug 04, 1pm, Classical, folk and sacred selections. 726- 6667. Dana-Thomas House, 301 E. Lawrence, 217-782-6776.

Eddy Flute Choir Jul 29, Aug 05, 12pm, 1pm and 2pm, Free Monday concerts throughout summer of classical, folk and sacred selections. 726- 6667. Old State Capitol, 1 Old State Capitol Plaza, 217-785- 9363.

Ken Bradbury’s Hootenanny Aug 03, 8pm, Concert with Ken Bradbury and Barry Cloyd. Entertaining songs and personalities. $13-$8. Theatre in the Park, Lincoln’s New Salem State Historic Site, 15588 History Lane, Petersburg, 217-632-5440.

Mitch McVicker: Underneath Tour Aug 02, 7pm, Dove Award winning artist. Donations accepted. Koke Mill Christian Church, 475 S. Koke Mill Road, Springfield, 217-787-0828.

Music in the Park Jul 28, 4-7pm, Blues and bluegrass with The Blue G’s and The Debbie Ross Band. Bring a chair or blanket. Free. Iles Park, Sixth St and Ash St.

Prairie Voices Jul 31, Aug 01-02, 5-6pm, Musical performance from the Illinois prairie and poems from Illinois prairie poets. Old State Capitol, 1 Old State Capitol Plaza, 785-9363.

PrayseFest Aug 03, Free nondenominational contemporary christian music for local charity. Bring chairs. 217- 473-9422. Jacksonville.

Rock the Arts Music Festival Jul 27, 4-10pm, Music, public art and kids activities, food/drink. Outside and inside. $5-$3. Kids 12 and under free. Prairie Art Alliance Gallery II, 2 S. Old State Capitol Plaza, 217-544-2727.

Songsalive: Songwriting 101 Jul 27, 6-8pm, Guest speaker, Mary Lemanski. Listen or get a critique. $5. Must register songsalive.org/events.htm. The Pharmacy, 401 South Grand Avenue West, 217-652-3273.

Springfield Municipal Band Concerts Jul 30, Aug 06, 7:30pm, Playing every Tuesday, except July 2. Douglas Park, 400 N. Macarthur Blvd.

Dance

All About Country Dance Aug 02, 7-10pm, Line dancing, two step, waltz, swing. Free lesson at start. $6. Decatur Moose Lodge, 3190 N Woodford Street, Decatur, 217-836-1438.

All About Dance Jul 31, 6:30-10pm, Every Wed. dance lessons before dance at 8 p.m. $5. VFW Post #755, 2211 Old Jacksonville Road, 836-1438.

Dance Jul 26, 8-11pm, July 26 - Kevin Turner. $10. VFW Post #755, 2211 Old Jacksonville Road, 217-546- 9515.

Salsa Nights Jul 27, 9pm-12:45am, Last Sat. of each month. $3. Abe’s Southside Cafe & Pub, 3751 S. Sixth St. 217- 529-1862.

Art & Architecture

Art Reception Aug 01, 6-8pm, New works on paper by Michael Houser. Prairie House Custom Frames, 2833 S. Sixth St, 217-523-4415.

Norway: Marilynn and Dean Madden Collection Jul 25-27, 29-31, Through July 31, exhibit highlights the art of rosemaling, Norway’s national folk painting. Anne Lloyd Gallery of the Madden Arts Center, 125 N. Water, Decatur, 217-423-3189.

Pied Piper Architectural Tour Aug 07, 5:30pm, Free professionally-guided architectural tour. Meets outside. 544-1723. Lincoln-Herndon Law Office, 112 North Sixth St.

Sacrosanct Exhibition Jul 27, 29-31, Aug 01-03, 05-07, 10am-5pm Mon-Fri, 10am-3pm Sat, Amanda Greive and Thom Whalen’s reliquaries and double sided paintings exploring their commonalities. Reception July 27, 5:30-7:30 p.m. Springfield Art Association Gallery of Art, 700 N. Fourth St, 217-523-2631.

Film & Television

Chosin Jul 27, 7pm, Brian Iglesias documentary about Chosin Reservoir Campaign, decisive battle in Korean War. Illinois State Museum, 502 S. Spring St, 217- 782-7386.

Free Films Jul 25, 7pm, Route 66 Film Festival presents short films from its past festivals. Z Bistro, 220 S. Sixth St, 217-725-9058.

Children’s Corner

Bob Steffan Summer Film Fest Jul 30-31, 10am and 2pm, “Growing Up Wild: Spouts Ahoy.” Ages 3-8. Free. Illinois State Museum, 502 S. Spring St, 782- 5993.

Build a Rubber Band Car Jul 30, 11am, Kids 7 and up, learn fun physics facts while building and playing with rubber band-driven cars. Kits limited. 546-6353. Barnes and Noble Booksellers, 3111 S. Veteran’s Pkwy, 546-9440.

Children’s Program Jul 29, 10am, (Also at 1 p.m. at Pleasant Plains library.), Prairie Skies Public Library District, 125 W. Editor St, Ashland, 217-476- 3417.

Free Eco-Kids Day Camp Jul 29-31, Aug 01-02, 9:30am- 3:30pm, Week-long for kids 5-12 with activities, crafts, lunch, snacks, T-shirt. Phone to register. Abraham Lincoln Unitarian Universalist Congregation, 745 Woodside Road, 546-5834.

Mixed Media Art Class Aug 01, 10am, Ages 6-9 for kids only. $40. Urban Sassafras, 200 Broadway, 670-2391.

Science Tree Trunk Exhibit Jul 25-31, Aug 01-07, 8:30am- 5pm Mon-Sat, 12-5pm Sun, Through Aug. 25, remnants of the devastating 1925 Tri-State tornado. Illinois State Museum, 502 S. Spring St, 217-782-7386.

Nature

Central Illinois Daylily Society Plant Sale Aug 03, 12-3pm, Chance to purchase beautiful and unusual daylilies. Washington Park Botanical Garden, 1740 W. Fayette Ave, 217-546-4116.

Family Camp Out Jul 26, 5pm, Dinner, night hike, activities and breakfast in morning. $15, $10 child. Reservations required. Henson Robinson Zoo, 1100 E. Lake Shore Dr, 217-585-1821.

Land, Water, Life: Protecting Our Future Jul 26, 7pm, Dessert fundraiser for Friends of the Sangamon Valley with Ed Collins, Natural Resources. $50, $75 couple. FSV, PO Box 13352, Springfield, 62701. 525- 1410. Maldaner’s , 222 S. Sixth St, 525-1410.

Sangamon River Cleanup Jul 27, 9am-12pm, Canoe or walk from South Fork Nature Reserve to Wheeland Park, Riverton. Bring gloves and wear long pants. Bags provided, T-shirt to first 50 volunteers. Registration required, 525-1410, [email protected]. South Fork Nature Preserve, Bakutis Road, Rochester, 525- 1410.

Sangamon Valley Iris Society Plant Sale Jul 27, 1-4pm, Sangamon Valley Iris Society has many varieties of hybridized iris for sale. Washington Park Botanical Garden, 1740 W. Fayette Ave, 217-529-8014.

Wed. Morning Pickup Party Jul 31, Aug 07, 9-10am, Weather permitting, help pick up trash. Bags, long-handled trash grabbers, gloves available. Adams Wildlife Sanctuary, 2315 East Clear Lake Ave, 217-544-2473.

Environment

Electronics Recycling Jul 27, 8am-1pm, Midwest Computer Processing. 726-5100 ext. 213. Sojourn Shelter & Services, Inc. 1800 Westchester Blvd.

Lectures & Meetings

Citizens Club of Springfield Policy Breakfast Jul 26, 7:30am coffee, 8am program, Kidzeum. Rachael Thomson, president. Hoogland Center for the Arts, 420 S. Sixth St. 217-523-2787.

Neighborhood Association Meeting Jul 25, 7-9pm, Mark Mahoney and Lori Williams speaking about possible plans for Lawrence intersections. Douglas United Methodist Church, 501 S. Douglas Avenue, 787-6823.

Springfield Lecture Series Jul 26, 9:30am, David W. Jamieson, Ph.D. ‘Strategic Human Resources.’ Register by July 25. springfield.ben.edu or 525-1420, ext. 3519. Chiara Center, 4875 LaVerna Rd, 523-0901.

Springfield Social Club Jul 31, 5:30-8:30pm, Collecting pens/pencils, construction paper and folders for Hope Institute. Coz’s Pizza and Pub, 4441 Ash Grove Drive, 217-726-7700.

Bulletin Board

Backgammon Club Jul 31, Aug 07, 6pm, Every Wed. with Sangamon Valley Backgammon Association. 622- 9447. Capital Teletrack, 1766 Wabash Ave, 217-546-2111.

Bar-B-Cue Jul 28, 12-7pm, Clown, swimming, door prizes, Bob Remack Band, DJ Brad Schroeder. Free admission. 787-2360. Knights of Columbus Hall Council 364, 2200 S. Meadowbrook Road.

CINA Summer Coin Show Jul 28, 9am-4pm, 70 dealer tables, buying and selling old coins, paper money, bullion. Numismatic exhibits. $1. Northfield Inn Suites & Conference Center, 3280 Northfield Dr, 217- 899-9996.

Car Show Jul 27, 9am-12pm registration, Cool Cruisers Car Club and New Berlin Fire Dept. at Water Tower Park. 528-1590. New Berlin, New Berlin.

First Fridays Downtown Aug 02, 5-8pm, Every first Friday stroll, shop eat downtown. Exhibitions, live music, great deals and fun surprises. 544-1723. Downtown Springfield.

Guys Vs Dolls Jul 25, 5-7pm, See which bar tending team can raise more money for Girls on the Run. Brickhouse Grill and Pub, 3136 W Iles Ave, 217-546-2745.

Lego Architecture Event Jul 26, 7pm, Adults, teens discuss design inspiration, learn about scale, and build model. RSVP in store or 546-6353. Barnes and Noble Booksellers, 3111 S. Veteran’s Pkwy, 546-9440.

Oldsmobile Club of America’s National Meet Jul 25-27, 9am-5pm Wed-Sat, More than 350 Oldsmobiles in parking lot and inside hotel. Free to view. 685-0140. Crowne Plaza, 3000 S. Dirksen Pkwy.

PechaKucha Night Aug 01, 7:20pm, 6pm doors open, Local creatives make sixminute, 40-second presentations (20 slides, 20 seconds each) on creative topics. $5. Food and drink available for purchase. Hoogland Center for the Arts, 420 S. Sixth St. 217-523-2787.

Powerlight Abe Lincoln Car Show Spectacular Aug 03, 10am-6pm, Air Evac helicopter, Brandt consolidated Justin Allgaier #31 Nationwide series show car, Hoosier tire drag racing car, Sangamon County sheriff Land Assault vehicle, State Police Rollover vehicle, 17 replica movie cars, 12 specialty vehicles and more. Free. Knight’s Action Park and Caribbean Water Adventure, 1700 Knights Recreation Dr, 217-546-8881.

Roots to Rooftop Jul 28, 1-4pm, Tour Springfield area community gardens, urban agriculture and a roof-top garden. 782-4617, [email protected], Various locations.

Travelogue Destination: Azerbaijan Jul 25, 7-8:30pm, Local Thomas Estabrook shares his recent travel experience. Free. Jacksonville Public Library, 201 West College Ave, Jacksonville, 217-243-5435.

History

Lincoln, Colored Warriors and the Spirit of Freedom Aug 03, 9am-5pm, Civil War re-enactors, Hari Jones, African- American Civil War Memorial, Washington, D.C. and more. Free. Old State Capitol, 1 Old State Capitol Plaza, 217-414-5016.

Meet John James Audubon Aug 02, 11am-2pm, Brian “Fox” Ellis brings John James Audubon alive, 11 a.m. auditorium then guided tour 1-2 p.m. “Birding in the Museum with Audubon.” Illinois State Museum, 502 S. Spring St, 782-5993.

Health

Fitness for You Jul 25, Aug 01, 12:30-1:30pm, Various exercises and fitness routines for cancer patients. Register by phone. Free on Thursdays. Simmons Cancer Institute, 315 W. Carpenter, 217- 545-0798.

Free Testings Jul 25-26, 29-31, Aug 01-02, 05-07, 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 Jul 25, Aug 01, 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.

Learn to Meditate Jul 27, 11am-1:30pm, With Eva and Juliet. $25 includes light snack, drinks and handouts. Register online. Info, 494-9140. Ahh Yoga, 1051 Wabash Ave, 725-2373.

OCD Self-Help Group Jul 29, 6:30-8pm, Last Monday of month in library. 217-522- 8446. SIU School of Medicine, 801 N. Rutledge, 545-2155.

Personal Assistant Employers Group Jul 30, 3-4:30pm, Springfi eld Center for Independent Living, 330 S. Grand Ave. West, 217- 523-2587 v/tty.

Workplace Wellness Downtown Jul 30, 10am-1pm, Free screening and tests. Also info on smoking cessation, fi nancial wellness and more. PNC Lobby, One Old State Capitol Plaza North, 217-960-5724.

Faith & Philosophy

City on a Hill Quartet Jul 27, 6pm, Gospel music. Love offering. Second Church of God, 2670 East Division St. Decatur, 217-428-6161.

Class Leaders Day Jul 28, 10:45am, Message presented by Mrs. Eve Blackwell-Lewis, Esq. of Springfi eld. St. Paul AME Church, 1130 S. 16th, 217-522- 4796.

Linking Neil Peart to UUism Jul 28, 10:30am, Jerrid Foiles points out humanistic themes of drummer/lyricist and how they relate to UU. Abraham Lincoln Unitarian Universalist Congregation, 745 Woodside Road, 585-9550.

Sports & Fitness

Iron Abe Olympic Triathlon Jul 27, 7:30am, 9/10-mile lake swim, 24.8-mile bike from lake to lake and 6.2-mile run on lake roads. Lake Springfi eld Beach House, 100 Long Bay Dr, 217- 341-1309.

Junior Open Tennis Tournament Jul 27-28, Two day singles and doubles contest for 18 to 12 year olds. springfi eldtennis.org. 691-1328. Washington Park, South Grand and MacArthur, 217-753-6225.

Route 66 Half Iron Distance Triathlon Jul 27, 1.2-mile lake swim, 56-mile bike on fast course along historic Route 66 and 13.1-mile run on lake roads and across UIS campus. triharderpromotions.com. Lake Springfi eld Beach House, 100 Long Bay Dr, 757-8660.

Stoneman Sprint Triathlons Jul 27, 7:30am and 8am, For more info springfi eldtrifest.com. Lake Springfi eld Beach House, 100 Long Bay Dr, 757-8660.

Wham Bam Thank Ya Ma’am Softball Tournament Jul 27, 8am-8pm, Men’s slow pitch softball tournament abiding by NSA rules. Spartan Park, Iron Bridge Road, Chatham, 217-416-0012.