HOLIDAY HAPPENINGS
(Also see page 16.)

1850s-style Community Carol Sing Dec 7, 6pm. Join Abraham and Mary Todd Lincoln for special music, worship and carol sing. Free. 217-528-4311. First Presbyterian Church, 321 S. Seventh St., 528-4311.

A Christmas in Venice Dec 5, 7pm. California band mixing rock ‘n’ roll with storytelling and harmonies. $39. The Legacy Theatre, 101 E. Lawrence, 800-838-3006. Candlelight Tours Dec 6, 5-8pm. Open house tours every Friday evening except Christmas week. Special events each evening. DeWitt County Museum, 219 E. Woodlawn, Clinton, 217-935-6066.

Christmas Parade Dec 5, 5:30pm. Through downtown with Santa.217-732-2929. Downtown Lincoln, Lincoln.

Christmas Parade Dec 7, 12pm. Home town holidays parade. 728-2684. Sullivan Square, www.sullivanil.us.

Food Drive Dec 5, Through Dec 31. 8:30am-5pm Mon-Fri, 12-5pm Sun. Illinois State Museum, 502 S. Spring St, 217-782- 7386.

A Historic Christmas Dec 14, 1-5pm. Seasonal music, poetry

performances, refreshments, children’s make and take craft. Kevin Purcell 1 p.m. Vachel Lindsay Home State Historic Site, 603 S. Fifth St, 217-524-0901. (Also at Iles House, Lincoln Home, Edwards Place and Governor’s Mansion.)

Santa Visits in Williamsville Dec 7, 10am. Santa and Mrs. Claus. Bring camera. 217-652-0423. Williamsville Community Center, 141 West Main, Williamsville, 217-566-3806.

Vietnam Christmas Remembrance Dec 7, 1pm. State Sen. Sam McCann, master of ceremonies, and Christmas music by Lincoln Barbershop Chorus. 217-782-2717. Illinois Vietnam Veterans Memorial, Oak Ridge Cemetery,

BOOKS & AUTHORS

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 [email protected]. Dana-Thomas House, 301 E. Lawrence, 217-782-6776.

Writing the Holidays Dec 15, 2pm. Focused writing exercises and discussion of published examples. Led by Meagan Cass, UIS creative writing professor. $10-$5. Register [email protected]. Dana- Thomas House, 301 E. Lawrence, 217- 782-6776.

SPOKEN WORD

Springfield Poets and Writers Open Mic Dec 18, 6-8pm. Every third Wed. sign up to read some poetry, prose, nonfi ction. Listeners welcome. Food available for purchase. 217-725-9058. Robbie’s, 4 S. Old State Capitol Plaza, 217-528-1901.

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 Mark Sweeney Dec 6, 7:30pm. $13-$15. 217-391- 5653. Donnie B’s Comedy Club, 625 E. Saint Joseph Street, 391-JOKE.

Comedian Steve Caminiti Dec 6, Through Dec 7. 8pm Fri, 7:15 Sat. Mason City Limits Comedy Club, 114 E. Chestnut, Mason City, 482-5233.

The Importance of Being Earnest 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 Brown Bag Concert Series Dec 11, Through Dec 18. 12:15pm. Free concerts, $5 lunches available. 217-528-4311. First Presbyterian Church, 321 S. Seventh St., 528-4311.

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. 217-391-5653. Donnie B’s Comedy Club, 625 E. Saint Joseph Street, 391-JOKE.

Illinois Chamber Orchestra Dec 13, 6pm and 8pm. Finzi; Britten with William Burden, tenor and Stephen Hanrahan, horn; Elgar: Introduction and Allegro. First Presbyterian Church, 321 S. Seventh St., 528-4311.

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.

Mannheim Steamroller Christmas, by Chip Davis Dec 16, 7:30pm. Beloved Christmas music along with dazzling multimedia effects. Sangamon Auditorium, UIS, 1 University Plaza, 217-206-6160.

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.

Springfield Uketopians Dec 14, 1pm. Second Saturday of the month for ukulele players. No experience necessary. 217-788- 8084. Cafe Moxo, 411 E. Adams St, 217-788-8084.

The Alley Cats Dec 5, 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 afterwards. 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

A Country Dance Dec 6, Through Dec 27. 7pm. Wed. and Fri. $5. Prairie Land Dance Club, 650 Matilda St, Illiopolis, 217-428-1560.

All About Country Dance Dec 6, 7-10pm. Decatur Moose Lodge, 3190 N Woodford Street, Decatur, 217-877-0143.

All About Dance Dec 11, Through Dec 18. 6:30pm. Wednesdays. 217-836- 1438. VFW Post #755, 2211 Old Jacksonville Road, 217-546- 9515.

Holiday Dance Dec 6, 7pm. Free dance for individuals of all abilities, all ages. Semi-formal dress attire. 585-2941. Erin’s Pavilion, Southwind Park, 4965 S. Second St, 217-753-0702.

POLKA Dance Dec 8, 2pm. Alley Kats Band. $13 with appetizers. 217-726-7039. Riverton KC Hall, 401 S. Fourth St, Riverton.

Solstice: A Concert of Dance Dec 12, Through Dec 14. 7:30pm. Collection of student and faculty choreographed works. Albert Taylor Theatre, Millikin’s Shilling Hall, Decatur, 217-424-6318.

The Nutcracker Dec 14, Through Dec 15. 2pm. Springfield Ballet Company. $28- $18. Sangamon Auditorium, UIS, 1 University Plaza, 217-206-6160.

West Coast Swing Dance Dec 7, 7pm. $5 dance, $5 lesson. 217-428-1560. Prairie Land Dance Club, 650 Matilda St, Illiopolis, 217-428-1560.

ART & ARCHITECTURE

Art Reception, Silent Auction Conclusion Dec 5, 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.

Figuratively Speaking Series Dec 12, 6:30pm. Eleanor Spiess- Ferris (painter) will talk about the symbolism and surrealism in her fi gurative collages and paintings. Exhibition open until 8:15 p.m. 217-782-7440. Illinois State Museum, 502 S. Spring St, 217- 782-7386. Figurism: Narrative and Fantastic Figurative Art Dec 5, Through Mar 2. 8:30am. Historical and contemporary body-based art by over fi fty artists from ISM collection. 217- 782-7440. Illinois State Museum, 502 S. Spring St, 217-782-7386.

First Friday Events Dec 6, 5pm. Wear your favorite argyle sweater, have your image taken with vintage Polaroid camera (fi rst 15 in argyle receive free), Instagram photo hunt challenge, exhibit, trunk show, jazz. Illinois State Museum, 502 S. Spring St, 217-782-7386.

L. Philip Trutter Commemorative Exhibit Dec 5, 10am-3pm Tue, Wed, Thu. Through July 2015, Trutter’s artwork including one-of-a-kind handmade puzzles, interview excerpts of his thoughts on growing up in Springfi eld, his art and architecture. LLCC Trutter Center, 5250 Shepherd Road, 217-786-2200.

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 Dec 6, 7:30pm. Broadway Idiot. $10 each. The Legacy Theatre, 101 E. Lawrence, 800- 838-3006.

CHILDREN’S CORNER

DSI Santa House Dec. 4, 5, 11, 18, 5-8 p.m.; Dec. 7, 1-4 p.m.; Dec. 14 and 21, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Free photo and candy cane. Old State Capitol Plaza, Between Sixth and Fifth Sts at Adams.

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

Joy to the World Kiddo Class Dec 12, 10am. Ages 2-5 with grown-up. $40. 217-670-2391. Urban Sassafras, 200 Broadway, 217-670-2391.

Joy to the World Kiddo Class Dec 14, 9am. Ages 2-5 and grown-up. $40. 217-670-2391. Urban Sassafras, 200 Broadway, 217-670-2391.

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.

Super Saturdays at the Museum Dec 14, 11am-3pm. Winter craft day for ages 3-8. 217-782-6044. Illinois State Museum, 502 S. Spring St, 217-782-7386.

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. 217-785- 0037. 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 11, 12pm. Wed. 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.

Heads Up Group Dec 15, 1pm. Support group for those with a head injury. 217- 523-2587. Hibachi Grill Supreme Buffet, 2309 S. MacArthur Blvd., 217-698-6033.

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

McBrian Lincoln Toastmasters Dec 5, 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.

Sex Addicts Anonymous Dec 5, 7:30pm Mon and 6:30pm Thu. For those seeking freedom from addictive sexual behavior. Meeting info, springfi eldsaa@ gmail.com. Confi dentiality assured.

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 [email protected]. 622-0189. The Inn at 835, 835 S. Second St.

BULLETIN BOARD

Backgammon Club Dec 11, 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.

Instrument Drive Dec 14, 8pm. Illinois Independent Arts Association drive for Washington Middle School during concert. Donnie’s Homespun, 107 West Cook Road, 323-782-9000.

Korbel-a-thon Dec 8, 1pm. Celebration of life for Springfi eld couple’s dog in support of APL. Three bands, balloon release, pet gift shop. $5.691-0740. Donnie’s Homespun, 107 West Cook Road, 323-782-9000.

Leadership Workshop Dec 7, 9am. For ages 9-13, put on by Boy Scout Jared Small as Eagle project. Caldwell Mansion. Special guest speaker and Eagle Scout, Dr. Saadiq El-Amim. 217- 483-7370. Caldwell Masion, 6711 State Route 4, Chatham.

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

Holiday Farmers Market Dec 14, Through Dec 14. 9am-1pm. Everything you need for your holiday dinner. Artisan’s Building. 528-1563. Illinois State Fairgrounds, 801 Sangamon Ave, 217-782-1698.

POLITICS

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

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.

Connection Support Group Dec 18, 7-8:30pm. Third Wednesday. National Alliance on Mental Illness Support Group for persons who have a mental illness. 891-5570. First Christian Church, 700 S. Sixth St, 217-528-3407.

DBSA Central Illinois Dec 10, 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 Dec 5, 12:30-1:30pm. Various exercises and fi tness routines for cancer patients. Register by phone. Free on Thursdays. Simmons Cancer Institute, 315 W. Carpenter, 217-545-0798.

Free Testings Dec 5, 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 Dec 5, 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 11, 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.

NAMI Support Group Dec 18, 7-8:30pm. Third Wed., National Alliance on Mental Illness for family and friends of persons with mental illness. 891- 5570. First Christian Church, 700 S. Sixth St, 217-528-3407.

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

FAITH & PHILOSOPHY

Baha’i Devotional Program Dec 8, 12pm. Practicing Race Unity. Speaker Al Daniels and a short fi lm. Springfi eld Illinois Baha’i Center, 1131 S. Eighth St, 217-544-9595.

Holiday Youth Pageant Dec 15, 10:30am. Free. Abraham Lincoln Unitarian Universalist Congregation, 745 Woodside Rd, 217-585-9550.

Sunday Public Praise & Worship Dec 8, 9:30am-12:30pm. 217- 364-5273. Body of Christ Church, 213 N. Main, Buffalo.

The Spirituality of Salsa Dec 8, 10:30am. Guest speaker - Julio Barrenzuela. Abraham Lincoln Unitarian Universalist Congregation, 745 Woodside Rd, 217-585-9550.

White Gifts Service Dec 15, 10am. New toys, canned food, nonperishablefood, winter clothing wrapped in white tissue paper for charity. Special program by kids about season. First Congregational Church, 2100 Bates Ave, (217) 546-7170.

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,

Santa-Themed 5K Dec 14, 9am. $35. sangamonceo.com/santa5k. Illinois State Fairgrounds, 801 Sangamon Ave, 217-782-1698.

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