FAIRS & FESTIVALS

Chatham Jaycees Oktoberfest Sep 13, 11am-11pm Sat.

German music, food, beers. Dress in Lederhosen or Dirndles to win Mr. or Mrs. Oktoberfest. Family friendly, kid’s games till 5. Traditional Oktoberfest games 5-7, Leaving Ashland 7-11. 217-414-9637. Chatham VFW, 501 W. Mulberry Street, Chatham, 217-483-4613.

Humpfest Sep 17, 4:30-10pm Wed. Live camel rides, kid’s carnival activities, fashion show, live music by 2nd Chance Band. Rain or shine. Family friendly till 6:30. District 23 Parking Lot, 1413 South MacArthur Blvd.

BOOKS & AUTHORS ArtLiterations Sep 18, 5-7pm Thu. Artists E. Vern Taylor, Pam Allen and James Johnston, music by Ocean State, novelist and short story writer Ted Morrissey. Free. Prairie Art Alliance Gallery in the Hoogland, 420 S. Sixth St., 217-544-2787. Authors Reading and Book Signing Sep 12, 7-8pm Fri. Eric Shonkwiler

reading from his novel, Above All Men, joined by Amy Sayre Baptista, James Warner and Aubrie Cox. Wildfl our Artisan Bakery/Cafe, 256 W. Main St, Decatur.

Carl Volkmann Little Free Library Dedication Sep 14, 1-4pm Sun. Speaker District #186 Superintendent Jennifer Gill, refreshments, local authors with their books. Street parking or in lot north of home. Rain moves event into McClernand Elementary School gym. Carl Volkmann Little Free Library, 816 N. Fifth Street.

SPOKEN WORD Springfield Poets and Writers Open Mic Sep 17, 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

Hamlet Sep 12-14, 8pm Fri-Sat, 2pm Sun.

Shakespeare’s great work starring Aasne Vigesaa. $18, $16 seniors and students.

Hoogland Center for the Arts, 420 S. Sixth St., 217-523-2787.

Jekyll and Hyde Sep 11-13, 18-20, 7:30pm. $6-$14. The Muni, 815 East Lake Dr, 793-MUNI.

MUSIC: GENERAL EVENTS

Bluegrass Music Sep 12-13, 6-10pm Fri-Sat. Bluegrass musicians play in outdoor theater. Traditional, folk and bluegrass musicians invited to participate in weekend impromptu jam session. Lincoln’s New Salem State Historic Site, 15588 History Lane, Petersburg, 217-632-4000.

Capital City Men’s Chorus Sep 14, 5:30-7pm Sun. New members welcome. Rehearsals every Sunday. tccmc.org. Laurel United Methodist Church, 631 South Grand Ave W, 217- 525-1866.

John O’Conor Sep 14, 4pm Sun. Irish pianist. $20. Kirkland Fine Arts Center, 1184 W. Main St, Decatur, 424-6318.

Music in the Park Sep 14, 4-7pm. Free Celtic music with Skibbereen, Elk Pipes and Nat Radwine. Bring a chair or blanket. Free. Washington Park Playground, 1021 South Grand Ave, 217-753-6225. Sinatra at Washington Park Gazebo Sep 13, 5pm Sat. Free one-hour performance by Springfi eld’s own Phil Steinberg. Washington Park, 217-753-6225.

Springfield Municipal Band Sep 11, 6:30-8pm Thu. Free. Donations accepted for Wounded Warriors Project and Land of Lincoln Honor Flight. 217-789- 2974. Douglas Park, 400 N. Macarthur Blvd. The Hit Men Sep 13, 7:30pm Sat. Features former stars of Frankie Valli and The Four Seasons. $25-$35. Kirkland Fine Arts Center, 1184 W. Main St, Decatur, 424-6318.

DANCE Dance Sep 12, 8-11pm, BAM (Mike Lewis) 9/12, Donna Weghorst 9/19, Kevin Turner 9/26. $10. VFW Post #755, 2211 Old Jacksonville Road, 217-546- 9515.

Rockballet Sep 13-14, 8pm Sat, 2pm Sun. Springfi eld Ballet Company with live music by band, Downstate. $16- $30. springfi eldballetco.org. Sangamon Auditorium, UIS, 1 University Plaza, 217-206-6160.

ART & ARCHITECTURE Art Exhibit Sep 13, 6-9pm Sat. “Delivery” The Pharmacy, 401 South Grand Avenue West, 217-652-3273.

Art Exhibit Sep 11-12, 15-19, 22-24, 9am-5pm Mon-Fri, “Inspirations from Nature,” Christy Freeman. Closing reception Oct. 16, 5-7 p.m. Charles E. Becker Library, Benedictine University at Springfi eld, 1500 North Fifth St, Art Exhibit Sep 11-12, 15-18, 8am-4pm Mon-Thu. Paintings of Japanese artist Hiromi Katayama. LLCC James S. Murray Gallery, Upper level, Menard Hall, 217-786- 2219. Art Exhibit: Filler Sep 11, 15-18, 11am-6pm Mon- Thu. Installation project from Springfi eld native Jeff Robinson, Visual Arts Gallery director UIS instructor. UIS Visual Arts Gallery, HSB 201, One University Plaza, 217-206-6506.

Art Spectacular Sep 13-14, 10am-5pm Sat, 10am-4pm Sun . Two-day juried art show with 50 artists.

Kids’ place $1.25, demos, food, music and more. 787-3532. Washington Park, 1740 W. Fayette Ave.

Artist Talk Sep 12, 10-11am Fri. Internationally recognized artist Carla Bengston will speak about her newest project “Machine Dreams.” UIS Brookens Auditorium, One University Plaza, 217-206-6073.

DEMO Project Opening Reception Sep 12, 6-8:30pm Fri. Carla Bengtson, University of Oregon art department head. On dispaly through Oct. 1. 217-523-6231. DEMO Project, 732 N. Fourth St., 217-206-6506.

Free Downtown Art Walk Sep 13, 11:30am-1pm Sat. Tour seven galleries/shops. Free snacks. Meet at Studio on 6th. Reservations by phone appreciated but not required. Free. Studio on 6th, 215 S. Sixth St., 217-522-8006.

Get Knotty With Us Sep 13, 12-5:30pm Sat. Learn the art of tying a scarf with Joan Gardner and Cindy Trainor. 217- 753-0262. The Blue Door Gallery, 214 S. Sixth St, 217-753-0262.

Inspired Journeys Through Oct. 9, 12-7pm Tue- Sat, James Johnston (paintings, prints, photographs), Pam Allen (jewelry) and E. Vern Taylor (painting, pastels). Prairie Art Alliance Gallery in the Hoogland, 420 S. Sixth St., 217-544-2787.

On the Prairie Exhibition Opening Sep 12, 5:30-7:30pm Fri. Bronzes by late Springfi eld artist, Marshall Mitchell. On disply though Oct. 4. Springfi eld Art Association, 700 N. Fourth St, 217-523-2631.

FILM & TELEVISION Free Short Films Sep 11, 6:30-8pm Thu. Second Thursday each month the best of past Route 66 Film Festival fi lms. Free. 217-725-9058. Z Bistro, 220 S. Sixth St., 217-522-4049.

Wisconsin’s Mining Standoff Sep 16, 7-8pm Tue. Documentary about controversial proposal to dig an open-pit iron mine in Wisconsin, followed by 13-minute fi lm “Sinking the Heartland” about longwall coal mine south of Springfi eld run by the same corporation. Free. Capital City Bar & Grill, 3149 S. Dirksen Pkwy, 529-8580.

CHILDREN’S CORNER Costume Character Sep 12, 7pm Fri. Hear a Curious George story and have your picture taken with the characater. Barnes and Noble Booksellers, 3111 S. Veteran’s Pkwy, 546- 9440. Kidzeum at the Farmers Market Sep 13, 1pm Sat. Family friendly entertainment, chef demos and music. Corner of Adams and Fourth. Downtown Springfi eld.

Mad Mud Dash Sep 13, 1-5pm Sat. Hurdle your kids (and yourself) over walls, slither through mud, leap through tires, and listen to music. Register genhkids.org. $20, adults free. Mud Farm, 5200 North Walnut (Rt 29 just north of the airport), 217- 691-0592.

Natural Art and Play Sep 18, 10am Thu. Screen printing, miniature acorn dolls for ages 2-5 and grown-up. $40. Register online. Urban Sassafras, 200 Broadway, 217-670-2391.

Satur-Play! Sep 13, 11am-3pm Sat. Route 66 Racetrack. For ages 3-10. Free. 217-782-5955. Illinois State Museum, 502 S. Spring St, 217- 782-7386.

Super Saturdays at the Museum Sep 13, 11am-3pm Sat. Enjoy engaging crafts and activities based on theme voted upon by visitors. Ages 3-8 and families. Free. 217-782-6044. Illinois State Museum, 502 S. Spring St, 217- 782-7386.

SCIENCE Friday Night Star Parties Sep 12, 19, 8-10pm. Fridays. 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

Demonstration Garden Programs Sep 11, 18, 5:30pm Thu. Half hour free programs. What to Do With Leaves (Sept. 11), Creating a Prairie Garden Demo (Sept. 18), Straw Bale Gardening (Sept. 25). University of Illinois Extension Sangamon- Menard Unit, 2501 N. Eighth St, Illinois State Fairgrounds, Bldg #30.

Fall Leaf Hikes Sep 14, 1:30pm Sun. Two Sundays, naturalists lead hikes. $5. Advance registration required. Lincoln Memorial Garden, 2301 E. Lake Shore Dr, 217-529-1111. Labyrinth Walk Sep 12, 6:30pm-12am Fri. Jubilee Farm, 6760 Old Jacksonville Rd, 787-6927.

Springfield Audubon Society Sep 18, 7pm Thu. Arvin Pierce, ACBees Apiaries, talks about joys and challenges of keeping honeybees. View an observation hive with live bees. Adams Wildlife Sanctuary, 2315 East Clear Lake Ave, 217-544- 2473.

LECTURES & MEETINGS ACLU Annual Dinner Sep 20, 6-9pm Sat. RSVP before Sept. 13, number of guests and payment: Margaret Fenley, 105 Cartwright Drive, Springfi eld, IL 62703. $35. 217-789-1200. University of Illinois at Springfi eld, 217-206- 6073. Association of Information Technology Professionals Sep 16, 5:30-8pm Tue. Esteban Cruz, LLCC CIO, IT security, privacy and legal issues. Free, $15 meal. 217-971-7005. Top Cats Chill and Grill, 1822 Stevenson Dr, 217-529-4005.

Constitution Day Program Sep 17, 12pm Wed. “Free Speech Under Fire: Does the First Amendment Apply to Higher Education?” with LLCC Professor Anthony DiMaggio and editor John K. Wilson. Free. LLCC Trutter Center, 5250 Shepherd Road, 217-786-2200. Springfield Social Club Sep 17, 5:30-8:30pm Wed. Collecting $5 gift cards (Walmart, Target, Old Navy or Kmart) or school supplies for Douglas School. Lake Pointe Grill, 1386 Toronto Rd, 217- 953-4378.

BULLETIN BOARD

Constitution Day Event Sep 17, 7pm Wed. UIS Associate Professor Emerita Kathryn Eisenhart on slavery in today’s world and the past. Free. UIS Brookens Auditorium, One University Plaza, 217-206-6073. Constitution Day lecture Sep 17, 12-2pm Wed. For information, call 786-2414. LLCC Trutter Center, 5250 Shepherd Road, 217-786-2200. Fall Antique and Vintage Telephone Show Sep 13, 10am-2pm Sat. Approximately 100 tables of phones and equipment spanning entire history of telephone industry on display and for sale. Free. Route 66 Hotel & Conference Center, 625 E. Saint Joseph St.

International Day of Peace Gathering Sep 19, 7:30-7:50am Fri. Iles Park, Sixth St and Ash St.

ISA Harvest Dinner Celebration Sep 14, 5pm Sun. Features fabulous chefs, delicious locally produced food, live music and more. $85. 217-528-1563. The Inn at 835, 835 S. Second St, 217-523-4466.

Soup & Stories: Tower of Refuge Sep 15, 12-1pm Mon. R.H. Stephens Room. Presentation and light lunch. $3 nonstudents. 786- 2241. Lincoln Land Community College, 5250 Shepherd Rd, 217- 786-2200.

Wendy’s Family Fun/Craft Fair Sep 13, 10am-3pm Sat. Multiple vendors, exotic animals, face painting, balloon artist, raffl es, food and more. Special guest Wendy. Wendy’s Restaurant, 1250 Toronto Road , 217-529-9455 . Women’s Symposium Sep 18, 7:30am-5:30pm Thu. Nationally known speaker Marilyn Sherman and informative breakout sessions during day. $125. iwil.biz. Prairie Capital Convention Center, 1 Convention Center Plaza, 800-745-3000.

HISTORY Governor Duncan’s Neighborhood Walking Tour Sep 13, 11am Sat. Visit two or three interesting homes with lunch in Duncan Mansion. $30. Tickets 217-243-5390. Governor Duncan Mansion, 4 Duncan Pl, Jacksonville, 245-2626.

Patriotic Music for Constitution Week Sep 17, 7-8pm Wed. Thomas Rees Memorial Carillon, 1740 W. Fayette Ave., 217-546-3853.

The Fiery Trial: Civil War Stories by Candlelight Sep 13, 6-9pm Sat. Follow candle lit path to vault, listen to Lincoln funeral procession story. (Also, Elijah Iles House, Lincoln Home, Illinois State Military Museum, Old State Capitol, Dana-Thomas House adn Vachel Lindsay Home.) Lincoln Tomb State Historic Site, 1500 Monument Ave, 782-2717.

HEALTH Adaptive Yoga Sep 14, 21, 1:30-2:30pm Sun. In chair stretching and relaxation. Bring own water bottle. 217-381- 2358. Heritage Free Will Baptist Church, 3436 S. Douglas Ave , (217) 691-8968. Be Aware Wellness Fair Sep 13, 10am-1pm Sat. Cosponsored by Mia Ware Foundation, Passavant Area Hospital, and the Jacksonville Area Chamber of Commerce. Jacksonville Community Park, 1201 S. Main, Jacksonville.

Beginning Yoga Sep 17, 24, 7:30-8:30pm Wed. Bring your own yoga mat, water bottle and pillow or block. 217- 381-2358. Heritage Free Will Baptist Church, 3436 S. Douglas Ave , (217) 691-8968. DBSA Central Illinois Sep 16, 23, 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.

GriefShare Grief Recovery Program Sep 16, 23, 6:30pm. Tuesdays for 13 weeks with video seminars, support group and workbook. Register 217-414- 0126 or griefshare.org. Athens Christian Church, 1411 E. Route 29, Athens, 217-636-8463. Laugh Yoga Sep 14, 4-5:30pm Sun. Springfi eld Healing Laughter Club meets every second Sunday of the month. 217-381- 2358. First Christian Church, 700 S. Sixth St, 217-528-3407.

NAMI Springfield Monthly Support Group Sep 17, 7pm Wed. Third Wednesday month. 217-341- 3125. First Christian Church, 700 S. Sixth St, 217-528-3407.

FAITH & PHILOSOPHY Father Roy Bourgeois Sep 18, 10-11:30am Thu. Advocate for women’s ordination in the Roman Catholic Church, and his subsequent excommunication from the church. 217-953-0613. Abraham Lincoln Unitarian Universalist Congregation, 745 Woodside Rd, 217-585-9550.

Father Roy Bourgeois Sep 17, 7:30-9pm Wed. Advocate for women’s ordination in the Roman Catholic Church, and his subsequent excommunication from the church. 217-953-0613. Illinois College Rammelkamp Chapel, 1101 W. College Ave, Jacksonville, 217-245-3000. Frank Voltz Sep 20, 7pm Sat. Harpist. Free concert. Springfi eld Bible Church, 2060 Westchester Blvd, 787- 3254.

Glen Gobel Sep 13, 7pm Sat. Southern Gospel Artist. Freewill offering. First Baptist Church, 301 South Grand Ave. West, (217) 523- 7731.

Gospel Sing Fundraiser Sep 14, 4-7:30pm Sun. Clementine Memorial Church, 2175 N. 11th St., 217-652-0423.

Pink Smoke Over the Vatican Sep 13, 4:30-6:30pm Sat. After Mass, documentary about women who have been ordained as priests in the Roman Catholic Church despite their status. Free. 217-953-0613. Congregational United Church of Christ, 520 West College, Jacksonville, 245- 8213.

Stories of Racial Healing Sep 12, 7:30-9pm Fri. Presentation followed by discussion. Ideas from Baha’i faith discussed. All welcome. 217-546-9171. Springfi eld Bahá’í Center, 1131 S. Eighth St, 217-544-9595.

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

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