Fairs & Festivals

Cheeseburgers In Paradise Jul 27, 12pm Sun. Wine margaritas and a Jimmy Buffet cover band. 217- 635-9900. Hill Prairie Winery, 23753 Lounsberry Rd, Oakford, 217-635-9900. Christian County Fair Jul 22-27. Gate admission is free. Grandstand admission. Christian County Fairgrounds, 700 W. Spresser St, Taylorville. Decatur Celebration Aug 1-3, 5-9:30pm Fri. Family street festival. Free entry. Downtown Decatur, 160 E. Main St, Decatur, 423-4222.

Farmers Picnic July 21-Aug. 2, 4-9pm Thu, 4pm-1am Fri, 7am-1am Sat. Carnival daily, parade on Saturday at 10 a.m. Ice cream socials and more. Mt. Auburn. Girard Festival Days Jul 25-27, TBA. Three days of good ole fashioned fun with rides, games, contests and more in the city park. 217- 685-0149. Girard. Logan County Fair Jul 27-Aug. 3, 8am-12am. Carnival and concerts daily. 732-3311. Logan County Fairgrounds, 1408 Short 11th St, Lincoln.

Books & Authors New Jim Crow Reading Group Jul 30, 5-6:30pm Wed. Free group that will read and discuss book over the course of a few months. 847-341-0591. Lincoln Library, 326 S. Seventh St., 217- 753-4900.

Theater & Comedy All Shook Up Jul 24-26, 8:30pm Thu. The Muni, 815 East Lake Dr, 793-MUNI. America Assassination Jul 26, 2:30-5:30pm Sat. 7:30pm, Urban community where characters share stories through up-tempo rhythms, music, humor and poetry. $20. Mysterious King Joe, a UFO, Tourist Guide and hope for a town without any. 417-771-0444. Hoogland Center for the Arts LRS Theatre 1, 420 S. Sixth St., 217-523-2787.

Genesis – The Musical Aug. 1-3, 5-10, 7:30pm, 2pm Sundays. Written by Ken Bradbury and Roger Wainwright. Tickets at J’ville County Market and Passavant Hospital Gift Shop. Playhouse on the Square, 68 E. Central Park, Jacksonville, 217-491- 3977.

The Civil War Musical Jul 24-27, 8pm Thu. Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum presents production with 27 performers, six musicians, gospel, folk, country, rock and R&B. $12-$10. $5 lawn, bring blanket/chair. Tickets at presidentlincoln.illinois.gov or 217- 558-8934. Union Square Park, 212 N. Sixth St.

The Music Man Jul 24-26, 8-10:30pm. $13-$8. 217-632-5440. Theatre in the Park, Lincoln’s New Salem State Historic Site, 15588 History Lane, Petersburg, 217-632-5440.

Your Swash is Unbuckled Jul 25-26, 8pm, Nine short stage combat plays by Jeff Goode presented by LLCC Theatre. $5 cash/check only. Lincoln Land Community College, 5250 Shepherd Rd, 217-786-2200.

Music: General Events Cow Bop Jul 26, 8pm Sat. Cowboy-bebop band with swinging grooves, thrilling riffs, sweet and hot vocals and western sensibilities. $18-$16. Hoogland Center for the Arts, 420 S. Sixth St., 217-523- 2787.

Marina V. and Nick Jul 25, 8pm Fri. Abraham Lincoln Unitarian Universalist Congregation, 745 Woodside Rd, 217-585-9550. Artist on the Plaza Jul 24, 12-1pm. Tuesdays and Thursdays, free outdoor performances. 753-3519. Old State Capitol, 1 Old State Capitol Plaza, 217-785-9363.

Duel Piano Aug 2, 7pm Sat. Featuring Mark Gifford and Damien Kaplan. $12. $10, $8 for students in advance. 217-629-7202 or 217-629-8260. Riverton High School Auditorium, 841 N. Third St, Riverton.

Dance All About Wednesday Dance Jul 30, 6:30-10pm Wed. Line dance at 8. Beginners lesson 6:30-7. Intermediate 7-8. $5. 217-836-1438. VFW Post #755, 2211 Old Jacksonville Road, 217-546-9515.

Dance Jul 25, 8-11pm Fri. Kevin Turner 7/25. Free dance lessons by Pat Lyttaker 7 p.m. $10. VFW Post #755, 2211 Old Jacksonville Road, 217-546-9515.

Salsa Nights Jul 26, 9pm-12:45am Sat. Last Sat. of each month. $3. Abe’s Southside Cafe & Pub, 3751 S. Sixth St., 217-529-5511.

Art & Architecture

Group Photography Exhibit Jul 25, 5-7pm Fri. Lou Fremgen, Tom Handy, James Hawker, Greg Laun and John Record, “Next Friday” photographers, have first show together in their new gallery. Free. Gallery 1227, 1227 S. Pasfield Ave.

Opening Reception: Swietlan Nick Kraczyna Aug 2, 6-8pm Sat. Etchings, prints and mixed media. On display through Aug. 17. David Strawn Art Gallery, 331 W. College Ave, Jacksonville, 217-243-9390.

Paint the Street Jul 26, 3-10pm Sat.

Springfield Art Association block party with music and food. Free admission. ($30-$35 to paint square.) 217-523-2631. Downtown Springfield.

Film & Television Chicago Jul 27, 5pm Sun. Oscar-winning movie musical. Drinks and snacks for purchase. Third floor theater. Hoogland Center for the Arts, 420 S. Sixth St., 217-523- 2787. Movies in the Park Jul 25, dusk. “Gravity (PG-13).” Free. Bring chair or blanket. Washington Park Botanical Garden, 1740 W. Fayette Ave, 217-546-4116.

We Will Not Conform Jul 29, 7:30pm Tue. Fully interactive experience where audiences will actively engage in conversation with Beck on America’s public education. AMC

Showplace Springfield 12, 3141 Mercantile Dr.

Children’s Corner Babaloo Jul 29, 10-11am Tue. One-man musical comedy act for kids. Jacksonville Public Library, 201 West College Ave, Jacksonville, 217-243-5435.

Back to School Bash Aug 4, 6-6:45pm Mon. Join Scheels, genHkids and Springfield Police Department. Prizes. Free. Scheels, 3801 South MacArthur, 217-726-6330.

Bob Steffan Summer Film Fest Jul 29, 10-10:30am and 2-2:30pm. “The Magic School Bus: Gets Lost in Space.” Recommended for children ages 3-8. Free. 217-782-5993. Illinois State Museum, 502 S. Spring St, 217-782-7386.

Community Ag Day Jul 24, 4-7pm Thu. Learn more about where food comes from, pet farm animals, climb on farm equipment, activities for kids. Free. 217-691-8235. Sugar Creek United Methodist Church, 1022 New City Road, Chatham, 622-7953.

Ecology Day Camp Jul 28, 9:30am-3:30pm Mon. Week-long free Harry Potterthemed day camp for ages 5-12. Nature projects, arts and crafts, scientifi c demos, games, songs, scavenger hunts, growing food, recycling and more. Register by leaving contact info at ECo2014register@aluuc. org. Abraham Lincoln Unitarian Universalist Congregation, 745 Woodside Rd, 217-585-9550. Satur-Play! Gelatin Printmaking Jul 26, 11am-3pm Sat. Find out what types of things make great textures. Ages 3-10 and family. Free. 217-782-5955. Illinois State Museum, 502 S. Spring St, 217-782-7386.

Nature Poetry for the Birds Jul 26, 8:30am Sat. Short bird walk, snack, creative writing activity for ages 6-10, with adult. Bring binoculars if you have. RSVP required, tzeman@ illinoisaudubon.org. Adams Wildlife Sanctuary, 2315 East Clear Lake Ave, 217-544-2473.

Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation Banquet Jul 26, 5:30-11pm Sat. Dinner and live auction. Tickets 544- 1313. 217-638-8569. Knights of Columbus 364, 2200 S. Meadowbrook Road, 217-787- 2360.

Sangamon Valley Iris Society Plant Sale Jul 26, 1-4pm Sat. Iris plants for sale, join the society. Washington Park Botanical Garden, 1740 W. Fayette Ave, 217-546-4116.

Environment

GreenBuilt Home Tour Jul 26, 10am-4pm Sat.

Features sustainably-built, energy-efficient “green” homes. Most all homes are in Chicago, but there is one home built by David Cation local that you can tour. greenbuilthometour.org. $10 suggested donation. 312-245- 8300. Wesley Chapel Project, 5885 Wesley Chapel Road, Chatham, 217-585-1014.

Lectures & Meetings Computer Security Seminar Aug 2, 9am-12:30pm Sat. $35, $49 couple. Register 217-524- 6749 or [email protected]. Capital City Training Center, 130 W.

Mason. Springfield ICON Monthly Meeting Jul 28, 7-8:30pm Mon. Springfi eldICON.org. 217- 528-9803. First Church of the Brethren, 2115 Yale Boulevard, 217-523-5212. Springfield Social Club Jul 30, 5:30-8:30pm Wed. Collecting backpacks with school supplies for Start Smart Back to School. The State House Inn, 101 E. Adams St.

The Rotary Club of Springfield Jul 28, 5:30-7pm Mon. Krystal Connolly on Illinois Assistive Technology Program. 217-793- 1710. Maldaner’s, 222 S. Sixth St., 217-522-4313.

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

Beer School Aug 2, 10-11am Sat. Tour brewery, learn about beer making process, sample a few of brews. Free class limited to 20 participants. Phone to register. Obed & Isaacs, 500 S. Sixth St, 217-670-0627.

Capitol Con Jul 26, 9am-6pm Sat. Gaming convention to benefit Springfield High School World War II Memorial Scholarship Fund. www.sps186. org/capcon. Springfield High School, 101 S. Lewis St., 217- 525-3100.

CINA Summer Coin Show Jul 27, 9am-4pm. Seventy dealer tables with U.S., foreign, ancient coins, books for collectors, paper money. $1. 217-899- 9996. Northfield Inn Suites and Conference Center, 3280 Northfield Dr., 217-523-7900.

Citizens Club Policy Breakfast Jul 25, 7:30am Fri. Chris Hembrough, President and CEO, The Greater Springfield Chamber of Commerce. Hoogland Center for the Arts, 420 S. Sixth St., 217- 523-2787. First Anniversary Party Jul 24, 5-8pm Thu. Aids Helping Paw Project senior dogs. Drinks, hors d’oeuvres, raffles and door prizes. $25. adonais-animalsrescue.org, click on donate.

352-228-0015. It’s All About Wine, 1305 Wabash Ave, 546-9463.

Flow Blue Collectors Club Table Sale Jul 27, 10am-12pm Sun. Free and open to public during the group’s convention. Crowne Plaza Hotel, 3000 S. Dirksen Pkwy, 217-529- 7777.

Free School Supplies Jul 28-29, 9am-5pm. Springfield Township provides to applicants meeting Federal Poverty Guidelines who have been township resident for six months. Call July 28-29 to see if your child qualifies, 525-1464. Springfield Township, 3298 Terminal Ave. Ice Cream Social Jul 27, 1-4pm Sun. Free Cold Stone Creamery Ice Cream Social with music and games for children. Island Grove United Methodist Church, 16128 Old Jacksonville Road, New Berlin. K of C Bar-B-Cue Jul 27, 7pm Sun. Food and drinks, bake sale, door prizes, raffle for cash prizes, clown, musical entertainment, free swimming. Free admission. Knights of Columbus 364, 2200 S. Meadowbrook Road, 217-787- 2360.

Powerlight Abe Lincoln Supercruise and Car Show Spectacular Aug 1-2, 7pm Fri, 8am-6pm Sat. Friday car parade and movies. Saturday Air Evac helicopter flyover and landing, Brandt consolidated Justin Allgaier show car, hot air balloon demo, replica movie cars, specialty vehicles and more. Free. 217-416- 5042. Knight’s Action Park and Caribbean Water Adventure, 1700 Knights Recreation Dr, 217-546- 8881.

Roots to Rooftop Tour Jul 27, 1-4pm Sun. Main info site. Also see a school garden, rooftop garden, urban farm and community gardens. Free. 217-782-4617. Illinois Executive Mansion, 410 E. Jackson.

Springfield Indian Artifact Show Jul 26, 8am-2pm Sat. Displays of arrowheads, spear points, hardstone tools, and pottery made and used by the earliest Americans. Vendors. Free. 217- 529-8691. Route 66 Hotel & Conference Center, 625 E. Saint Joseph St.

History Sherman’s March Jul 29, 7pm Tue. Historian Mark DePue on Sherman’s “March to the Sea.” Union Theater. Reservations at presidentlincoln.illinois.gov or

217-558-8934. Abraham Lincoln Presidential Museum, 212 N. Sixth St, 217-782-5764.

Vietnam Encampment Jul 26, 10am-4:30pm Sat. Living Historians will establish Fire Base Castle on the museum grounds to display equipment, uniforms and weapons used in Southeast Asia and during the Vietnam era. Illinois State Military Museum, 1301 N. MacArthur Blvd, 761-3910.

Why Truman Didn’t Drop Nuclear Bombs Lecture Jul 24, 11:30am-1pm Thu. Chamber of Commerce Ribbon Cutting. Dr. Devine examines Truman’s decisions not to use nuclear weapons in Korea. Korean War National Museum Denis J. Healy Freedom Center, 9 South Old State Capitol Plaza, 217-523-7230.

Health Student Physicals Aug 4, 11am-6pm Mon. For students having diffi culty accessing physicals and immunizations. Free, no appointment necessary. 525-7911. Washington Middle School, 2300 E. Jackson Street, 217-525-7911.

Sports & Fitness Gus Macker 3-on-3 Basketball Jul 26-27, Prairie Capital Convention Center, 1 Convention Center Plaza, 800- 745-3000.

Iron Abe Olympic Triathlon Jul 26, 7:30am. 9/10-mile lake swim, 24.8-mile bike from lake to lake and 6.2-mile run on lake roads. 217-341-1309. Lake Springfi eld Beach House, 100 Long Bay Dr., 757-8660. Junior Open Tennis Tournament Jul 26, 9am Sat. Ages from 18 to 12 in sanctioned two-day tourney. usta.com. Washington Park, South Grand and MacArthur, 217-753-6225. Stoneman Sprint Triathlon Jul 26, 8am. 500-yard lake swim, 12-mile bike and 3.1- mile run along lake roads. 217- 341-1309. Lake Springfi eld Beach House, 100 Long Bay Dr., 757-8660.