Books & Authors Poetry Workshop Apr 12, 1-4pm Sat. Lisa Higgs will explain a variety of poetic forms, such as the sonnet, ghazal and haibun. $15. Register [email protected]. Vachel Lindsay Home State Historic Site, 603 S. Fifth St, 217-524-0901. Shelterbelt: Dorothy Allison Apr 11, 7-8pm Fri. Award-winning author reads her work. UIS Brookens Auditorium, One University Plaza, 217- 206-6073. PondicherryLodge/Sherlock Holmes Society Apr 12, 9am Sat. Discussion of The Reigate Squires. sherlock.lolopop. org. 546-8387. Barnes and Noble Booksellers, 3111 S. Veteran’s Pkwy, 546-9440.

Spoken Word

A Night of Poetry Apr 10, 6:30-8:30pm, original poetry and song, plus an open mic. Madden Arts Center, Anne Lloyd Gallery, Decatur, 217-423-3183. Springfield Poets and Writers Open Mic Apr 16, 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. The Vineyard Christian Open Mic Apr 12, 7-9pm Sat. All forms of talent encouraged. Godfather’s Pizza, 1549 S. Dirksen pkwy, 217-522-4886 or 217- 871-1509.

Poetry Variety Show Apr 10, 6-8:30pm. All kinds of poetry readings and performances. Free. 217-473-2726. On The Rox, on the square downtown, Jacksonville.

Theater & Comedy A Dash of Rosemary Apr 11-13, 7:30pm Fri-Sat, 2pm Sun. $13. 217-245-1402. Jacksonville Theatre Guild, 210 W. College Ave, Jacksonville, 245-1402. Comedian Saleem Apr 11, 8-9:30pm Fri. Boston Comedy Festival winner and on The Tonight Show and Last Comic Standing. $12.50. Mason City Limits Comedy Club, 114 E. Chestnut, Mason City, 482-5233. Dinner Theater Apr 13, 4pm Sun. D. Kucha Brownlee, performer. Tapestry of fanciful folktales enhanced by audience participation. $40. Tickets, 217-816-3855. Northfi eld Inn Suites and Conference Center, 3280 Northfi eld Dr., 217-523-7900.

Enchanted April Apr 11-13, 8pm Fri-Sat, 2pm Sun.

Two frustrated London housewives decide to rent a villa in Italy for holiday away and recruit two very different English women to share the cost and experience. $16-$18. Hoogland Center for the Arts, 420 S. Sixth St., 217-523- 2787.

Songs for a New World Apr 11-12, 17-19, 8pm and Apr 13 and 19, 2pm. Neither play or revue but closer to theatrical song cycle. $25. The Legacy Theatre, 101 E. Lawrence, 800-838-3006.

The Jungle Book Apr 11-13, 18-19, 7pm Fri-Sat, 2pm Sun and April 19. Springfi eld Theatre Centre play of classic tale of Indian boy raised in the jungle by animals. Hoogland Center for the Arts, 420 S. Sixth St., 217-523-2787.

We’re Going on a Bear Hunt Apr 16, 7pm Wed. Book comes to the stage in a one-hour show. Kids’ tickets 50 percent off. Sangamon Auditorium, UIS, 1 University Plaza, 217-206-6160. How I Learned to Drive Apr 11-13, 17-19, 7:30pm, 2pm Sun. Play about unfl inching look at “the gifts we receive from people who hurt us.” $14-$10. UIS Studio Theatre, One University Plaza, 217-206-6160.

Music: General Events A Joyful Noise Open Mic  Apr 12, 6-9pm Sat. Worship bands and singers welcome. Amps, drums, keys and other gear provided. Capital City Bar & Grill, 3149 S. Dirksen Pkwy, 529-8580.

Bedrock 66 Live! Apr 11, 8pm Fri. Former Viceroys front man, Scott Miller with Micah Walk. Donnie’s Homespun, 107 West Cook Road, 323-782-9000.

Millikin-Decatur Symphony Orchestra Apr 12, 2-3pm Sat. “The Orchestras Greatest Hits.” Free. Decatur Civic Center, 1 Gary K Anderson Plz, Decatur.

The Gershwin Project starring Peter Nero Apr 11, 8pm Fri. Two-time Grammy Award winner performs songs such as “Embraceable You,” “Rhapsody in Blue,” “Someone to Watch Over Me,” “S’Wonderful” and “They Can’t Take That Away.” Sangamon Auditorium, UIS, 1 University Plaza, 217-206- 6160.

Wil Maring Concert Apr 11, 7-9pm Fri. Highly acclaimed songwriter with Forrest Oconnor. $20. Ahh Yoga, 1051 Wabash Ave, 725-2373.

Illinois Chamber Orchestra Apr 11, 6pm and 8pm. Tan Dun: Concerto for Pipa and Strings

with Wu Man, Pipa. Strauss: Metamorphosen for 23 Solo Strings. First Presbyterian Church, 321 S. Seventh St., 528-4311.

Dance Dance Apr 11, 8-11pm. Free dance lesson with Pat Lyttaker at 7:30. BAM. $10. VFW Post #755, 2211 Old Jacksonville Road, 217-546-9515.

Art & Architecture Artist’s Night Art Presentation Apr 15, 5-7:30pm Tue. Openhouse art show. Free admission.

Silles, 5 W. Old State Capitol, 217-503-8428. Felted Easter Egg Workshop Apr 12, 1-4pm Sat. Taught by artist Terry Moore. $25-$35. Edwards Place, Springfi eld Art Association, 700 N. Fourth St., 217-523-2631.

Third Thursday Art Show Apr 17, 6pm-12am Thu. Free, open, all ages art show with local acoustic music and one band at end of night. 217-691- 1301. Donnie’s Homespun, 107 West Cook Road, 323-782- 9000.

Film & Television Free Film Apr 10, 6:30-8pm Thu. Second Thursday each month, Route 66 Film Festival fi lms. “The Shape of Rex.” Free. 217-725-9058. Z Bistro, 220 S. Sixth St., 217- 522-4049.

Children’s Corner Breakfast with the Easter Bunny Apr 12, 8-10am Sat. Continental breakfast. Hunts for kids 12 and under. Reservations and prepayment required. $10- $14.50. Henson Robinson Zoo, 1100 E. Lake Shore Dr, 217- 585-1821. Eager for Earth Day Apr 10, 10am-12pm and Apr 12, 9-11am Sat.. Ages 2-5 and grown-up. Take home art and snack. $40. Urban Sassafras, 200 Broadway, 217-670-2391.

LABC Easter Egg Hunt and Petting Zoo Apr 12, 10-11am Sat. Lincoln Ave Baptist Church, 951 Lincoln Avenue, Jacksonville, 243- 6436.

Story Time Apr 11, 7pm Fri. Come meet Clifford the Big Red Dog and hear a Clifford story. Free, no reservation required. Barnes and Noble Booksellers, 3111 S. Veteran’s Pkwy, 546-9440. Story Time at the Museum Apr 14, 10am Mon. Ages 3-5 and caregivers. “Our Earth.” Free. 217-782-5993. Illinois State Museum, 502 S. Spring St, 217-782-7386.

Story Time with David Lee Apr 12, 10-11am Sat. Crafts, story reading and free cookies for kids. 217-391-7628. Edgar’s Coffee House, 87 W. Plummer, Chatham, 217-391-7628.

Easter Egg Hunt Apr 12, 10:30am-12pm Sat.

Kids up to 5th grade. Magician, games, prizes, crafts. Free but request nonperishable for food pantry. 217-483-2270. Sugar Creek United Methodist Church, 1022 New City Road, Chatham, 622-7953. Super Saturdays at the Museum Apr 12, 11am-3pm Sat. Ongoing activities for ages 3-8. “What’s the Buzz. Where are the Bees?” Free. 217-782-6044. Illinois State Museum, 502 S. Spring St, 217-782-7386.

Science Friday Night Star Parties Apr 11, 18, 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 Springfi eld, 217-206-6073.

Nature Central Illinois Prairie Ridge State Natural Area Trip Apr 12, 6am-3pm Sat. Illinois Audubon Society sponsored. Meet at restaurant Friday night at 6 p.m. Limited seats. 217- 544-2473. Joe’s Italian Pizza, 1552 W. Jefferson St, 217-787- 6005. Neighborhood Gardens Meeting Apr 12, 1pm Sat. First meeting and registration. 217-523-2269.

Springfi eld Art Association, 700 N. Fourth St, 217-523-2631.

State of Grassland Birds in Illinois Apr 17, 7-8pm Thu. Springfi eld Audubon Society: Dr. Jeff Walk, Director of Science, Nature Conservancy in Illinois. Free. Adams Wildlife Sanctuary, 2315 East Clear Lake Ave, 217-544- 2473. Wildflower Nature Walks Apr 12, 19, 10am and 2pm. Register elkharthistoricalsociety. org. $10. 217-899-2238. Elkhart. Woodland Wildflower Sale Apr 12-13, 9am-4pm Sat, 1-4pm Sun. Two dozen varieties of native trees and garden wildfl owers. Experienced staff on hand. Lincoln Memorial Garden, 2301 E. Lake Shore Dr, 217-529-1111.

Environment

Sons of the Sangamon - Friends of the Sangamon Valley Fundraiser Apr 12, 7-9pm Sat. 217-525- 1410. Tom Irwin and Ben Bedford. Lincoln’s New Salem State Historic Site, 15588 History Lane, Petersburg, 217- 632-4000.

Lectures & Meetings Association of Information Technology Professionals Apr 15, 5:30-8pm Tue. Paul Brown (faculty advisor) and EIU AITP Student Chapter present experiences at National Collegiate Conference. Free program, meal $15. 217-971-

7005. Top Cats Chill and Grill, 1822 Stevenson Dr, 217-529- 4005. Central Illinois Numismatic Association Apr 10, 7pm Thu. Monthly meeting with public invited. Knights of Columbus Hall Council 4175, 2801 West St, 217-528-5740 . Computer Security Seminar Apr 12, 9am-12:30pm Sat. Computer novice to expert level. $35. 217-524-6749. LLCC Capital City Training Center, 130 W. Mason, 217-786-2200.

Springfield Chapter DAR Apr 19, 11:30am Sat. Our DAR Ties,” Pamela Bork, Illinois State Regent. About $16.00. Reservations (at least a week before), 217-741-7463. Illini Country Club, 1601 S Illini Rd, 217-546-4614.

Springfield Civil War Roundtable Meeting Apr 17, 7-8:30pm Thu. Dale Phillips, Superintendent of Lincoln’s Home, “Ben Butler and New Orleans.” 217-679-1880. Grand Army of the Republic Museum, 629 S. Seventh St, 217-522-4373.

Bulletin Board Backgammon Club Apr 16, 23, 6pm. Every Wed. Online, new and experienced players welcome. 622-9447. Capital Teletrack, 1766 Wabash Ave, 217-546-2111.

Bowl for Kids Sake Apr 11, 6pm-12am Fri. Big Brothers Big Sisters of West Central Illinois. www.BigMagic.org or 217-243-3821. The Bowl Inn, 224 N. East Street, Jacksonville, 217-243-3838.

Clash at the Capitol Rodeo Apr 11-12, 7pm Fri-Sat. Two-day rodeo with bull riding, barrel racing and specialty acts. $15, $6 kids 6-13. 217-454-6127. Illinois State Fairgrounds, 801 Sangamon Ave, 217-782-1698.

Driver Safety Class Apr 15, 12:30-4:30pm Tue. Eight-hour class on April 15-16 for age 50 and older. $15- $20. Call 217-498-84554 for reservations. Rochester Public Library, 1 Community Drive, Rochester, 498-8454.

EGGstravaganza Craft and Vendor Fair Apr 12, 9am-2pm Sat. More than 50 crafters with handmade items, vendors, bake sale and silent auction. trinity-lutheran. com. Trinity Lutheran School, 515 S. MacArthur, 217-787- 2323.

Memorial Hospice Gala Apr 12, 5pm Sat. Dinner, music, auctions, entertainment featuring keynote speaker, Steve Ford. Benefi ts Sharing Wishes. 217-788-4700. Crowne Plaza Hotel, 3000 S. Dirksen Pkwy,

217-529-7777. Paper Shredding Event Apr 12, 10am-12pm Sat. Complimentary from Steve Koch. Ameriprise Financial, 2621 Montega Dr., 217-787-2435.

Peter Kareiva Apr 11, 1:30-10pm Fri. Chief scientist and a vice president for The Nature Conservancy. University of Illinois at Springfi eld, 217-206-6073.

ScareFest Road Trip Apr 12, 12-3:30pm and 4-8pm, Apr 13, 10am- 4pm. Horror and paranormal convention. Delebrity meet and greet, costume contests gruesome magic show, Circus Envy, horror-themed circus exhibit. Free. Prairie Capital Convention Center, 1 Convention Center Plaza, 800-745-3000. Springfield Christian Women’s Connection Apr 16, 11am-12:45pm Wed. Reservations by Friday, April 11. $15. 787-8246 or rkgulley@ sbcglobal.net. 217-787-8246. Knights of Columbus Hall Council 364, 2200 S. Meadowbrook Rd.

Springfield Luncheon Optimist Club Meetings Apr 14, 21, 11:45 2nd Mon, 6pm 3rd Mon. Public welcome. 217-725-9814. MCL Cafeteria, 2151 Wabash Ave, 217-787-8706.

Easter Baskets Apr 12, 10am-1pm. Easter baskets with house robe and seven healthy drinks for less fortunate. Must show proof of need and ID. 1x-5x robes and volunteers needed. Freedom in Holiness Mission, 1430 Loveland Ave, 217-522-2527. Multicultural Festival Apr 11, 6-8:30pm. Dancing, fashion show, info about countries, authentic food, music and more. Free. 245-3571. Illinois College Bruner Fitness & Recreation Center, Edgehill Rd, Jacksonville, 217-245-3000.

Spring Lawn and Garden Sale Apr 12-13, 8am-5pm Sat, 9am- 4pm Sun. Learn all that’s new for spring. Exposition Building. Free. 528-3033. Illinois State Fairgrounds, 801 Sangamon Ave, 217-782-1698. Walk a Mile In Her Shoes Apr 12, 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, 217-744-2560.

Politics Presentation by John Tinker Apr 14, 3pm Mon. His experience in regards to the US Supreme Court case Tinker v. Des Moines School District. UIS Public Affairs Center (PAC), One University Plaza, 217-206-6073.

History Anniversary of Lincoln’s Murder Apr 12, 9:45am Sat. Military processional. At 10 a.m., addresses by commander in chief of the Military Order of the Loyal Legion of the United States, and Ken Freshley, commander in chief of the Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War. Lincoln Tomb State Historic Site, 1500 Monument Ave, 782-2717.

Hammer Inn Apr 12-13, 9am-5pm Sat- Sun. Blacksmithing demos at maintenance building. Keynote speakers and expert blacksmiths who describe and discuss blacksmithing. Lincoln’s New Salem State Historic Site, 15588 History Lane, Petersburg, 217- 632-4000.

One Destiny Apr 14-15, 17-19, 1:30pm Mon-Tue, 1:30pm Thu-Sat. One-act play. Tickets free with museum admission. Abraham Lincoln Presidential Museum, 212 N. Sixth St, 217-782-5764.

Health NAMI Springfield Monthly Support Group Apr 16, 7pm Wed. Third Wednesday month. 217-341- 3125. First Christian Church, 700 S. Sixth St, 217-528-3407.

Soul Symposium Apr 12, 9am-5pm Sat. $125, snacks, soup and sandwich luncheon, hot tea and bottled water. theedgeofperception.com. Trailhead Healing Arts Center, 802 S. Grand Ave. West, 217-698- 8177.

The Art of the Journal Apr 14, 10-11:30am Mon. Adults learn the art of keeping a sketchbook journal to express one’s self. Bring sketchbook, pencil, eraser. $25. Phone to register. Jubilee Farm, 6760 Old Jacksonville Rd, 787-6927.

DBSA Central Illinois Apr 15, 22, 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. Faith & Philosophy Anticipation Apr 13, 6pm Sun. Atterberry Community Baptist Church, 13922 Greeley St., Petersburg, 217-632- 3169. Baha’i Devotional Program Apr 13, 12-1:30pm Sun. “God’s Education Plan for Humankind.” All welcome; come as you are. 217- 546-9171. Springfield Bahl Center, 1131 S. Eighth St, 217-544-9595.

Bar Church Springfield Apr 16, 23, 6:30-8:30pm Wednesdays with music, entertainment, drinks and short talks. barchurchspringfield.com. Stella Blue, 221 S. Fifth St, 217- 789-8988. Good Friday Way of the Cross for Peace and Justice Walk Apr 18, 12pm Fri. Two-hour prayerful walk. 217-652-3567. Supreme Court of Illinois Building, 200 E. Capitol.

Water Wisdom Apr 13, 10:30-11:30am Sun. Water wisdom through poetry and singing. Abraham Lincoln Unitarian Universalist Congregation, 745 Woodside Rd, 217-585-9550.