Books & Authors

Book Talk Nov 30, 11am. Local author Louise Jett talks about her new book Carlinville and signs copies. The Sly Fox Bookstore, 123 N. Springfi eld St (Route 4), Virden, 217-965-3641.

Book Talk Dec 2, 7pm. Springfi eld author Sarah Hathaway Thomas talks about her two books and her Lincoln biographer father Benjamin Thomas. Books on the Square, 153 East Jackson, Virden, 217-965-5443.

Book Talk/Signing Dec 3, 6pm. Kevin Peraino, former foreign correspondent for Newsweek, Lincoln in the World: The Making of a Statesman and the Dawn of American Power. Free, reservations required, presidentlincoln.illinois.gov. Abraham Lincoln Presidential Museum, 212 N. Sixth St, 217-782-5764.

Book Talk/Signing Dec 7, 3pm. Local author Mary Hackett discusses her new biography of amazing life of Jacksonville native Bill Walton. 217-243-5435. Jacksonville Public Library, 201 West College Ave, Jacksonville, 904-630- 2665.

Facing Fear in Your Fiction Dec 8, 2pm. Explores primal fears and how writers can weave those fears into their narratives. Dr. Ted Morriseey, educator and fi ction writer. $10-$5. Register vachellindsay@ gmail.com. Dana-Thomas House, 301 E. Lawrence, 217-782-6776.

Theater & Comedy

Annie Dec 6, Through Dec 15. 8pm Fri- Sat, 2pm Sun. Dec. 6-8 and 13-15. Springfi eld Theatre Centre. $15-$18. Dinner option. Hoogland Center for the Arts, 420 S. Sixth St, 217-523- 2787.

Comedian James Irvin Berry Nov 29, 7:30pm. $13-$15. Donnie B’s Comedy Club, 625 E. Saint Joseph Street, 391-JOKE.

Comedian Zan Aufderheide Nov 29, Through Nov 30. 8pm. $12.50 Mason City Limits Comedy Club, 114 E. Chestnut, Mason City, 482-5233.

The Importance of Being Earnest Dec 6, Through Dec 8. 8pm. Dec. 6-7, 13-14, 8pm and Dec. 8 at 2pm. $12. LLCC James S. Murray Gallery, Upper level, Menard Hall, 217-786-2219.

Uh Oh, Here Comes Christmas Dec 7, Through Dec 15. 7:30pm. Playhouse on the Square, 68 E. Central Park, Jacksonville, 217-491- 3977 .

Music: General Events

Advent Concert Dec 1, 4pm. Blessed Sacrament choirs, Seraphim, orchestra including several from Springfi eld symphony. Vivaldi “Magnifi cat.” $10. Blessed Sacrament Church, 1725 S. Walnut Street, 528-7521.

Bells in Motion Christmas Concert Dec 8, 4pm. Bells in Motion ringing your favorite Christmas music. $10, $5 children. 217-652-7009. Third Presbyterian Church, 1030 N. Seventh St, 528-0457.

Christmas Extravaganza - Sons of The Father Dec 7, 7pm. Gospel music. Homemade cookies and candies. Love offering. 217-539-4221. The Barn, Rural route, Tower Hill.

Elvis, Neal Diamond Christmas Show Dec 8, 7pm. Live from Branson, Elvis and Neal Diamond Christmas show. $15-$18. Donnie B’s Comedy Club, 625 E. Saint Joseph Street, 391- JOKE.

Judy Carmichael Dec 6, 8pm. Grammy-nominated classic swing music and stride pianist and vocalist. Sangamon Auditorium, UIS, 1 University Plaza, 217-206- 6160.

Land of Lincoln Chorus Dec 6, Through Dec 7. 6:30pm dinner, 7pm show. Musical tribute to Veterans past and present. $15-$20. Tickets 217-953-0225 (day), 217-871- 9731 or online. Little Flower Parish Center, 900 Stevenson Drive.

Michel Chatara-Morse Dec 1, 4pm. Free concert with classical guitarist. 217-243- 5435. Jacksonville Public Library, 201 West College Ave, Jacksonville, 904-630-2665.

Sangamon Valley Community Orchestra Holiday Celebration Dec 11, 7:30pm. Music Director and Conductor Eugene Power with Bizet’s Carmen Suite No 1, Copland’s Variations on a Shaker Melody, Anderson’s Sleigh Ride and A Christmas Festival. Free. 217- 753-8000. Hoogland Center for the Arts, 420 S. Sixth St, 217- 523-2787.

Sangamon Valley Youth Symphony Winter Concert Dec 7, 4pm. Symphony, concert and preparatory orchestra and junior strings ensemble with Strauss’s On the Beautiful Blue Danube, Bizet’s Farandole, Mozart’s Eine Kleine Nachtmusik (fi rst movement) and more. $10, free for students. 217-753- 8000. Springfi eld High School, 101 S. Lewis St.

The Alley Cats Dec 4, 7:30pm. Christmas show. Hoogland Center for the Arts, 420 S. Sixth St, 217-523- 2787.

UIS Music Fall Showcase Dec 6, 7:30pm. Free performance with refreshments served afterward. Donations welcome. Sangamon Auditorium, UIS, 1 University Plaza, 217-206-6160.

Vespers Concert Dec 7, Through Dec 8. 3pm and 7pm Sat-Sun. Four performances of beloved annual holiday tradition. $10- $6. Millikin University, 1184 W. Main St, Decatur.

Dance

All About Dance Dec 4, Through Dec 18. 6:30pm. Line dance lessons every Wednesday. 217-836- 1438. VFW Post #755, 2211 Old Jacksonville Road, 217- 546-9515.

Magic Mike Dancers Dec 4, 7:30pm. Donnie B’s Comedy Club, 625 E. Saint Joseph Street, 391-JOKE.

Salsa Nights Nov 30, 9pm-12:45am. Last Sat. of each month. $3. Abe’s Southside Cafe & Pub, 3751 S. Sixth St., 217-529-5511.

Art & Architecture

Art Reception, Silent Auction Conclusion Dec 2, Through Dec 12. 11am-6pm Mon-Thu. Bid until closing reception and auction conclusion Dec. 12 from 5:30- 7 p.m. UIS Visual Arts Gallery, HSB 201, One University Plaza, 217-206-6506.

Beaux Arts Ball Nov 30, 5:30pm-12am. Royal Court reception, dinner, live and silent auction and dancing. $125. Dancing only $5 after 9 p.m. 523-2631. Crowne Plaza, 3000 S. Dirksen Pkwy, 217- 529-7777.

First Friday Events Dec 6, 5pm. Illinois Artisan demos, refreshments, live music, tour second fl oor galleries. Illinois State Museum, 502 S. Spring St, 217-782-7386.

Photography Opening Reception Dec 7, 6pm. Local photographer Christine Samoore. No cover. Frank Trompeter Quartet 16mm fi lm strips follows (cover). Prairie House Custom Frames, 2833 S. Sixth St, 217-523-4415.

Quilts, Canvas and Women Artists Dec 5, 11:30am. Angela Goebel Bain, Civil War quilters: Loyal Hearts of Illinois. Channy Lyons, Skirting Convention: Women Artists in Illinois, 1840- 1940. $20 lunch included. Reservations uiaa.org/uis or 206-7395. UIS Public Affairs Center (PAC), One University Plaza, 217-206-6073.

Film & Television

RiffTrax Live: Santa Claus Conquers the Martians Dec 5, 7pm. Laugh your way into the holidays. AMC Showplace Springfi eld 12, 3141 Mercantile Dr.

Rockumentary Series Nov 29, 7:30pm. Filmage: The Story of Descendant/All (Nov. 29), Broadway Idiot (Dec. 6). $10 each. The Legacy Theatre, 101 E. Lawrence, 800-838- 3006.

Children’s Corner

Holiday Food Drive Nov 29, 1pm. No More Victims II Benefi t Show/Food, Coat and Blanket Drive for the homeless. Hobo the Clown and balloon animals, crafts for kids, vendors, fl ea market, Santa visit, dinner. Free. 217-720- 2821. Mama’s Kitchen, 1031 S. 11th St., 217-525-6262.

Holiday Stories Dec 5, 10:30am. Stories and a holiday craft for all ages. Lincoln Library, 326 S. Seventh St, 217-753-4900.

Kids’ Night Out Dec 6, 6:30-9:30pm. “Colors of Winter.” Ages 6-10. $20- $35. 782-5993. Illinois State Museum, 502 S. Spring St, 217-782-7386.

Make an Ornament Dec 9, 6pm. Ages 4-12, make ornament to take home and one to hang on Scheels Kids Klub tree. Free Ferris wheel ride. Scheels, 3801 South MacArthur, 217-726-6330.

Story Time at the Museum Dec 9, 10-10:30am. Ages 3-5 and their caregivers with special readers. 782-5993. Illinois State Museum, 502 S. Spring St, 217-782-7386.

Story Times Nov 28, 11am Mon and Sat, 10:30am Thu. Mondays for 0-18 months. All ages on Thursday and Saturday. Includes craft. Lincoln Library, 326 S. Seventh St, 217-753- 4900.

Science

Paul Mickey Science Series Lecture Dec 11, 7pm. “The Secret Lives of Paleoindians: Early Social and Ritual Systems in the Western Great Lakes.” Free. Illinois State Museum Research & Collections Center, 1011 E. Ash St, 785-0037.

Lectures & Meetings

BEST and Parent Group Dec 11, 5:30pm. Group for teens with a disability and parents. 217-523-2587. YMCA, 701 S. Fourth St.

Capital City Toastmasters Dec 4, Through Dec 11. 12pm. Wednesdays. 217- 524-4683. Illinois Department of Transportation, 2300 S. Dirksen Parkway.

Edu-Talk Dec 6, 6pm. All educators welcome. Mowie’s Cue, 1277 Toronto Road, 217-529-7616.

Encore Entrepreneurship Dec 5, 4:30pm. Sponsored by SCORE. Free. Register by phone. 217-793-5020. Springfi eld Senior Center, 701 W. Mason St, 528-4035.

Holiday Flair ... from Burlap to Bling Dec 2, 9:15-11:30am. Eldon Haab, owner and operator, Forget Me Not Flowers, suggestions to add one’s own personality to today’s holiday celebrations. scgc-il. org. Westminster Presbyterian Church, 533 S. Walnut Street, 217-522-4415.

LGBTQ yOUTh Group Nov 29, 6-10pm. Every Friday for LGBTQ youth and allies ages 13-17. Phoenix Center, 109 E. Lawrence Ave, 217- 528-5253.

Local Chapter National Stuttering Association Dec 3, 7-8:30pm. First Tuesday of month, chapter meeting. Hope Presbyterian Church, 2211 Wabash Ave, 546-6951.

McBrian Lincoln Toastmasters Nov 28, 6pm. Weekly meeting dedicated to helping individuals improve leadership and communication skills. 416-5127. Our Savior’s Lutheran School, 2645 Old Jacksonville Rd, 217-546- 4531.

Millikin ISE Speaker Series Dec 5, 6pm. Keynote speaker Dr. Richard Lohr, D.C.”Challenges and Opportunities of Business Ownership.” Leighty-Tabor Science Center, Room 208. 217-424-6392. Millikin University, 1184 W. Main St, Decatur.

Post-traumatic Stress in Children and Adolescents Dec 4, 8:30am. $50-$60. Register MHCCI.org. 217- 788-3333. Erin’s Pavilion, Southwind Park, 4965 S. Second St, 217-753-0702.

Rotary Club of Springfield Dec 2, 5:30pm. “Imagining a New Face for Downtown Springfi eld” by the Sustainable Design Assessment Team. 217-793-1710. Maldaner’s , 222 S. Sixth St, 217-522-4313.

Sex Addicts Anonymous Nov 28, 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 Parental Alienation Advocacy Group Meeting Dec 2, 6-8pm. First Monday of month. Mezzanine level, conference room 3. 217-793- 3586. Hilton Springfi eld, 700 E. Adams, 217-789-1530.

The Rotary Club of Springfield Dec 9, 5:30pm. Rugby: A New Olympic Sport by the Springfi eld Celts Rugby Football Club. 217-793-1710. Maldaner’s, 222 S. Sixth St, 217-522-4313.

Women Entrepreneurs - Central IL Dec 11, 11:30am. “Legal issues affecting small businesses.” $25-$17. Register reservations@we-ci. org. 622-0189. The Inn at 835, 835 S. Second St.

Bulletin Board

AARP Smart Driver Dec 2, Through Dec 3. 12pm. Hosted by Sangamon County Sheriff’s offi ce for drivers 50 years or older. 753-6855 for reservations. Sangamon County Complex, 200 S. Ninth St.

Backgammon Club Dec 4, 6pm. Every Wed. with Sangamon Valley Backgammon Association. 622-9447. Capital Teletrack, 1766 Wabash Ave, 217-546-2111.

First Fridays Downtown Dec 6, 5-8pm. Every fi rst Friday stroll, shop eat downtown. Exhibitions, live music, great deals and fun surprises. 544-1723. Downtown Springfi eld,

Holiday Book Drive Through Nov. 30, drop off new books for birth to age 12 to Chatham Public Library, Chatham Presbyterian Church, Rochester Elementary 2-3, Rochester High School, Trinity Lutheran Preschool- Auburn, Sherman Elementary, Williamsville Library, Williamsville Methodist Church, State Journal Register, Safe School Program and Bridge Club of Springfi eld.

Springfield Urban League Awards Dinner Dec 6, 5:30pm. Social hour 5:30 p.m. with live band, dinner 6:30 p.m., live band 8:30-10:30 p.m., keynote speaker Daymond John, of ABC’s Shark Tank. 217-789- 0830 ext 1100. Crowne Plaza, 3000 S. Dirksen Pkwy, 217- 529-7777.

Food

Springfield Vegetarian Association Dec 3, 6:30pm. “The Journey of a Mad Cowboy (The plain truth from a former cattle rancher who won’t eat meat!)” video featuring Howard Lyman. 217-546-9171. Lincoln Library, 326 S. Seventh St, 217-753- 4900.

Politics

World Affairs Council of Central Illinois Dec 9, Through Dec 9. 7:30pm. Steven Livingston, Middle Tennessee State University. UIS Brookens Auditorium, One University Plaza, 217-206- 6073.

History

Vietnam Christmas Remembrance Dec 7, 1pm. The 66 soldiers still listed as POW or MIA in southeast Asia will be remembered at a special ceremony. Ornaments will be hung by family and friends bearing the name. Members of the general public may also bring a weatherproof ornament to hang on the tree. 217-782- 2717. Illinois Vietnam Veterans Memorial, Oak Ridge Cemetery.

Vietnam Memorial Christmas Remembrance Dec 7, 1pm. Also at the war memorials. Lincoln Tomb State Historic Site, 1500 Monument Ave, 782-2717.

Health

Connection Support Group Dec 7, 1-2:30pm. First Sat. each month. National Alliance on Mental Illness Support Group for persons with mental illness. 891-5570. First Christian Church, 700 S. Sixth St, 217-528-3407.

DBSA Central Illinois Dec 3, 6:30-8:30pm. Tuesdays. For those affected by mood disorder, friends/family. Fellowship Hall, lower level. 414-7368. First Christian Church, 700 S. Sixth St, 217- 528-3407.

Fitness for You Nov 28, 12:30-1:30pm. Various exercises and fi tness routines for cancer patients. Register by phone. Free on Thursdays. 217-545-0798. Simmons Cancer Institute, 315 W. Carpenter, 217-545-0798.

Free Testings Nov 28, 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 Nov 28, 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, 217-525-1866.

GROW in Illinois Mental Health Dec 4, Through Dec 18. 2:30pm. Wednesdays, 12-step support program for emotional, mental health issues, coping or addictions. 217-816- 1083. Salvation Army Corps Community Center, 530 N. Sixth Street, 525-2196.

Laugh Yoga Dec 8, 4pm. Second Sunday of the month. First Christian Church, 700 S. Sixth St, 217- 528-3407.

Pilates Dec 4, 11am-12pm. Free to cancer patients through Side- By-Side Program. Register by phone. Wednesdays. 217- 545-0798. Simmons Cancer Institute, 315 W. Carpenter, 217-545-0798.

Faith & Philosophy

My Favorite Scriptures Dec 1, 10:30am. Rev. Martin Woulfe has studied various scriptures from different traditions. Abraham Lincoln Unitarian Universalist Congregation, 745 Woodside Rd, 217-585-9550.

Sunday Public Praise & Worship Dec 1, 9:30am-12:30pm. 217-364-5273. Body of Christ Church, 213 N. Main, Buffalo.

Thanksgiving Service Nov 28, 10:30am. Hour-long service includes Bible lesson, hymns of thanksgiving and expressions of gratitude. Childcare provided, no collection taken. First Church of Christ, Scientist, 601 S.

Second St. Sports & Fitness

Run Run Santa 5K Dec 7, 6:45am. Packet pickup, on-site registration at 6:45 a.m., J&B’s Sports Bar and Grill. Register atrunrunsanta. webconnex.com/registration. 217-899-5323. Petersburg Square, N. Seventh St. at W. Douglas Ave., Petersburg.

Springfield Jr. Blues Home Game Dec 6, 7:05am. $12-$8 217- 525-2589. Nelson Center Ice Arena, Lincoln Park, 1601 N. Fifth St, 217-525-2589.

Ultimate Springfield - Ultimate Frisbee Nov 28, 5-8pm Thursdays. Every Thursday, new players always welcome – no experience required. 618-719- 1221. Jefferson Park, 300 S. Oxford.

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