BOOKS & AUTHORS

Author/Scholar Christian McWhirter Apr 23, 6pm Wed. Talk on impact of music during war. Sign his new book, “Battle Hymns: The Power and Popularity of Music in the Civil War.” Reservations http://bit.ly/McWhirter-Tix or 217-558- 8934. Abraham Lincoln Presidential Museum, 212 N. Sixth St, 217-782-5764.

Poets in the Parlor Apr 19, 2pm. Dan Guillory, professor emeritus Millikin University, “A Celebration of Poetry.” Free. Vachel Lindsay Home State Historic Site, 603 S. Fifth St, 217-524-0901.

Quiddity Issue 7.1 Release Gala Apr 22, 7-9pm Tue. Author Carlos Matos. Presentation and discussion. Free. 217- 525-1420. Brinkerhoff Home, 1500 N. Fifth St. Classics Book Group Apr 21, 12-1:30pm. Bicentennial Room, third fl oor. Angle of Repose by Wallace Earle Stegner. Lincoln Library, 326 S. Seventh St., 217-753-4900.

THEATER & COMEDY

Best of the Midwest Comedy Showcase Apr 19, 8-9:45pm Sat. Best up and coming comedians from Chicago, St. Louis, Indianapolis and central Illinois. Free. 217-482-5233. Mason City Limits Comedy Club, 114 E. Chestnut, Mason City, 482-5233.

Comedian Christine Stedman Apr 18-19, 7:30pm and 9:30pm Fri- Sat. Seen on Nickelodeon’s Funniest Mom. $13-$15. 217-391-5653. Donnie B’s Comedy Club, 625 E. Saint Joseph Street, 391-JOKE.

Complete Works of Shakespeare Abridged Apr 24, 7:30-9pm Thu. Three men attempt the enormous feat of mastering all of Shakespeare’s plays in 90 minutes. Features student actors. Illinois College Sibert Theatre, McGaw Fine Arts Center, Jacksonville, 217-245-3000.

Songs for a New World Apr 18-19, 17, 8pm Fri-Sat, 8pm Thu. Neither play or revue but closer to theatrical song cycle. $25. The Legacy Theatre, 101 E. Lawrence, 800-838-3006. Student-directed Plays Apr 18-19, 25-26, 8pm Harold Pinter’s “The Dumb Waiter,” directed by A.J. O’Shea, and William Saroyan’s “Hello Out There,” directed by Amy Cantrall. $5. Lincoln Land Community College, 5250 Shepherd Rd, 217-786-2200.

The Jungle Book Apr 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. How I Learned to Drive Apr 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 Miracle at the Cross Apr 17, 7pm-12am Thu. Song, readings and liturgical dance. 217-726-5988. Fresh Visions Community Church, 2400 North Grand Ave E, 492-1007. Open Mic and Acoustic Circle Apr 22, 6-8pm Tue. Everyone welcome. Alcohol-free venue. 217-391-7628. Edgar’s Coffee House, 87 W. Plummer, Chatham, 217-391-7628. Open Mic Night Apr 22, 6-7:30pm Tue. 217-391-7628. Edgar’s Coffee House, 87 W. Plummer, Chatham, 217-391-7628.

The Concert That Shook The Establishment Apr 26, 7:30-9pm Sat. University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign vocal artist Ollie Watts Davis re-creates Marian Anderson’s historic performance at Lincoln Memorial. $10-$12. Must have e-ticket. 217-558-8934. Abraham Lincoln Presidential Museum, 212 N. Sixth St, 217-782-5764.

UIS Chamber Recital Apr 18, 7pm Fri. University of Illinois at Springfi eld, 217-206-6073.

Prairie Grapevine Folklore Society Concert

Apr 22, 7:30pm. Chris Vallillo and Rocky Maffi t. $10 donation, $5 students, $25 families. Abraham Lincoln Unitarian Universalist Congregation, 745 Woodside Rd, 217-585-9550.

DANCE All About Dance Apr 23, 30, 6:30-10pm Wednesday nights. Lessons then open dance. 217-836-1438. VFW Post #755, 2211 Old Jacksonville Road, 217-546-9515.

Dance Apr 18, 8-11pm Friday night. Kevin Turner. $10. VFW Post #755, 2211 Old Jacksonville Road, 217-546-9515.

ART & ARCHITECTURE Hundredth Gala Celebration Apr 26, 6pm Sat. Victorian dinner with Lincoln and Edwards family interpreters, fi esta in studio with live demo art. Or enjoy dinner and art trivia. $185-$60. 217-523-2631. Springfi eld Art Association, 700 N. Fourth St, 217-523-2631.

Nature: Art of God Apr 17-19, 22-26, 12-7pm Tue-Sat. Pat Kreppert (acrylic/ oil painting), Tracey Maras (pastel), Poppy Vincent (jewelry). Prairie Art Alliance Gallery in the Hoogland, 420 S. Sixth St., 217- 544-2787.

Senior Art Exhibit Apr 21-25, 28-30, 8am-11pm Mon-Fri, “Appropriately Titled” April 21-May 15. Reception May 8, from 5:30 to 8 p.m. Also at Access Gallery. UIS Visual Arts Gallery, HSB 201, One University Plaza, 217-206-6506.

Student Art Show Reception Apr 17, 5:30pm Thu. LLCC James S. Murray Gallery, Upper level, Menard Hall, 217-786-2219.

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.

CHILDREN’S CORNER Coop’s Corner Apr 20, 27, 12-4pm Sun, Quaker Steak & Lube, 1121 West Lincolnshire Blvd, 217-787-5823.

Easter Eggstravaganza Apr 19, 11am-1pm Sat. Toddlers through age 12. Rain or shine. Games, light lunch for children following event. Free. Woodside United Methodist Church, 3519 Sheffi eld Rd, 217-529-2736. Goals Indoor Sports Dodgeball Egg Hunt Apr 19, 7-8pm Sat. Ages 8-13. Register at 7. Games begin 7:30. Two grand prizes. $3. Goals Indoor Sports, 3604 North Peoria Road, 217 789-GOAL. Illustration Contest Deadline April 18. Illustration contest for kindergarten through 6th grade sponsored by Vachel Lindsay Association and home. Prizes. vachellindsay.org/ programs. Vachel Lindsay Home State Historic Site, 603 S. Fifth St, 217-524-0901. Lunch with the Easter Bunny Apr 20, 12-4pm Sun. Quaker Steak & Lube, 1121 West Lincolnshire Blvd, 217-787-5823.

Parents Night Out Apr 18, 6-10pm Fri. Ages 5-13. Dodge ball, soccer, kick ball, hula hooping, obstacle courses, wiffl e ball. Pizza, drinks included. Bring tennis shoes, sweat shirt, water bottle. $25. Goalsindoorsports. com. 217-789-4625. Goals Indoor Sports, 3604 North Peoria Road, 217 789-GOAL.

Recycled Play Day Apr 19, 1-3pm Sat. Families help construct and decorate giant playhouse out of repurposed cardboard. Visit playhouse through April 24. Free. Illinois State Museum, 502 S. Spring St, 217-782-7386.

SCIENCE Friday Night Star Parties Apr 18, 25, 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 State of Grassland Birds in Illinois Apr 17, 7-8pm Thu. Springfield 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 19, 26, 10am and 2pm. Register elkharthistoricalsociety.

org. $10. 217-899-2238. Elkhart. Sangamon Valley Group of the Sierra Club Apr 22, 6:30am-8pm Tue. Building a Sustainable Trails Community, Loren Easter, Central Illinois Trails Association. Lincoln Library, 326 S. Seventh St., 217-753-4900.

ENVIRONMENT ECCE Speakers Series Apr 22, 7pm Tue.

“Consumerism, Society and our Ecological Future.” Tim Kasser, professor of psychology at Knox College. Free. UIS Brookens Auditorium, One University Plaza, 217-206-6073. Earth Fair Apr 26, 10am-2pm. Free, allages event includes activities, information and music. 789- 2255. Lincoln Park, Fifth St and Sangamon Ave, 217-544-1751.

Party for the Planet Apr 26, 10am-6pm. Animal programs, games, activities, crafts, repurpose/reuse sale and more. Regular admission. Henson Robinson Zoo, 1100 E. Lake Shore Dr, 217-585-1821.

LECTURES & MEETINGS Chatham Jaycees Meeting Apr 17, 8-9pm Thu. 217-414-9637.

VFW Post #4763, 501 W. Mulberry, Chatham, 217-483-4613.

Heads Up Group Apr 20, 2-4pm Sun. Support group for those with a head injury. 217-523-2587. Springfi eld Center for Independent Living, 330 S. Grand Ave. West, 217-523-0427.

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.

Springfield ICON Monthly Meeting Apr 28, 7-9pm Mon. Green Summit: Springfi eld Bicycle Club, Jim Johnston of Sustainable Springfi eld, Vera Garrett of Springfi eld Community Garden. 217-528-9803. First Church of the Brethren, 2115 Yale Boulevard, 217-523-5212.

Tea Seminar: Black Tea Apr 19, 1-2:30pm. Edgar’s Coffee House, 87 W. Plummer, Chatham, 217-391-7628.

BULLETIN BOARD Ani-Mall Pet Expo Apr 26, 10am-4pm Sat. Exposition Building. Admission: Donation to Animal Shelters. 217-467-2831. Illinois State Fairgrounds, 801 Sangamon Ave, 217-782-1698.

Backgammon Club Apr 23, 30, 6pm. Every Wed. Online, new and experienced players welcome. 622-9447. Capital Teletrack, 1766 Wabash Ave, 217-546-2111.

Beginning Genealogy: Finding and Preserving Your Lithuanian Heritage Apr 26, 2pm Sat. PowerPoint slides will be presented by genealogist and historian Bill Cellini Jr., of Chicago. $5 donation. RSVP [email protected]. St. Agnes Church, 245 N. Amos St, 217-793-1330.

Citizen Club Policy Breakfast Apr 25, 8-9am Fri. The 2015 Lincoln Funeral Coalition, Katie Spindell - President. Hoogland Center for the Arts, 420 S. Sixth St., 217-523-2787.

Kelly Miller Circus Apr 25, 4:30pm and 7:30pm. Mt. Pulaski.

Lunch and Learn Apr 24, 11:30am-1:30pm Thu. “Selecting Great Performances,” Robert Vaughn, UIS Sangamon Auditorium dirctor, Eric Thibodeaux-Thompson and Dathan Powell, UIS professors on student theatre program. www. uiaa.org/uis. UIS Public Affairs Center (PAC), One University Plaza, 217-206-6073. Springfield Luncheon Optimist Club Meetings Apr 21, 11:45 2nd Mon, 6pm 3rd Mon. Public welcome. 217- 725-9814. MCL Cafeteria, 2151 Wabash Ave, 217-787-8706.

UIS Lunch and Learn Apr 24, 11:30am-1:30pm Thu. “Selecting Great Performances.” $20 with lunch. Reservations requested. uiaa.org/uis. 206- 7395. UIS Public Affairs Center (PAC), One University Plaza, 217- 206-6073.

Illinois Quarter Horse Assoc. Spring Show Apr 17, 18-19, 8am-6pm. Coliseum. Free admission. Illinois State Fairgrounds, 801 Sangamon Ave, 217-782-1698.

Springfield Pride Drag Race Apr 25, 8pm. Drag performers compete. Debbie Ross live performance. $15, $100 table for four VIP. Hoogland Center for the

Arts, 420 S. Sixth St., 217-523- 2787.

HISTORY Grand Re-opening Apr 26, 10am Sat. Music, remarks, ribbon cutting, living history presentations. Tours $2. Lincoln Heritage Museum, 300 Keokuk S, Lincoln, 217-732- 3155. One Destiny Apr 17-19, 1:30pm Thu-Sat. One-act play April 9, 14-15, 17- 19. Tickets free with museum admission. Abraham Lincoln Presidential Museum, 212 N. Sixth St, 217-782-5764.

HEALTH GROW in Illinois Mental Health Apr 17, 24, 6:30pm Thu, 6:30pm Thu. 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.

SIU Med School Presents Genetics and Infertility Apr 18, 8:30am Fri. SIU School of Medicine, 801 N. Rutledge, 545-2155.

SIU School of Medicine IVF Anniversary Reception

Apr 21, 5-7:30pm Mon. Learn how SIU’s Center helped local news anchor Stacy Skrysak and her family journey through infertility, pregnancy and realization of their family dream. Simmons Cancer Institute, 315 W. Carpenter, 217-545-0798.

Women’s Power Lunch Against Cancer Apr 25, 11am Fri. Hall of Fame Speaker Kathleen Passanisi whose therapeutic humor featured in New York Times and nationallyknown publications. $50. 217- 545-2955. siumed.edu/cancer. President Abraham Lincoln Hotel & Conference Center, 701 E. Adams, 217-544-8800. DBSA Central Illinois Apr 22, 29, 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 Bar Church Springfield Apr 23, 30, 6:30-8:30pm Wed, 6:30-8:30pm Wed. Wednesdays with music, entertainment, drinks and short talks. barchurchspringfield.com. Stella Blue, 221 S. Fifth St, 217-789-8988. Church Women United in Springfield Apr 22, 9:30am Tue. Sally Schaefer, Liturgical Arts Festival of Springfi eld. 217-629-8881. First Christian Church, 700 S. Sixth St, 217-528-3407. Easter Service Apr 20, 6:30am, 9am, 10:30am. Choral and instrumental music performed at Easter services.

Trinity Lutheran Church, 220 S. Second St, 217-522-8151.

Easter Services Apr 20, 8am, 9:15am, 10:30am. Athens Christian Church, 1411 E. Route 29, Athens, 217-636-8463.

Easter Sunday: Jesus, Christ and John Shelby Spong Apr 20, 10:30-11:30am Sun. Founder and evolution of Christianity and early Unitarians and Transcendentalists. 217-585- 9550. Abraham Lincoln Unitarian Universalist Congregation, 745 Woodside Rd, 217-585-9550. Good Friday Service Apr 18, 6pm Fri. Athens Christian Church, 1411 E. Route 29, Athens, 217-636-8463.

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.

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

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