Spoken Word SPW Poetry/Open Mic Feb 18, 6-8pm Wed. 217-725-9058. Robbie’s, 4 S. Old State Capitol Plaza, 217-528-1901.

Theater & Comedy Abe Lincoln & the Civil War Feb 5, 7pm Thu. Live, theatrical performance. Dave Ehlert portrays Abraham Lincoln as he fi ghts slavery and war in the pre-and-post Civil War days. Free, open to public. Lincoln Library, 326 S. Seventh St., 217-753- 4900.

Comedian Midnight Swinger Feb 13-14, 8pm Fri, 7:30pm Sat. Vegas-style show featuring comedy, music and crazy style. $15, $17. Donnie B’s Comedy Club, 625 E. Saint Joseph Street, 391-JOKE.

Comedian Rob Little Feb 6-7, 8pm Fri, 7:30pm Sat. Seen on Comedy Central and CMT. $14, $16. Donnie B’s Comedy Club, 625 E. Saint Joseph Street, 391-JOKE. Forever Plaid Feb 7-8, 2pm, 8pm Sat-Sun. A new production of the musical tribute to the close-harmony male vocal groups that were all the rage during the 1950s and 1960s. $16, $18. Hoogland Center for the Arts, 420 S. Sixth St., 217-523- 2787.

Music: General Events Illinois Symphony Orchestra’s Love Notes Concert Feb 14, 7:30pm Sat. Tchaikovsky’s “Romeo & Juliet Fantasy Overture,” selections from Bizet’s seductive “Carmen Suites” led by Daniel Hege and Rachmaninoff’s “Second” with pianist Di Wu. Sangamon Auditorium, UIS, 1 University Plaza, 217-206-6160. Juke House Feb 6, 8-11pm Fri. Friday night dance. VFW Post #755, 2211 Old Jacksonville Road, 217-546-9515.

Made for Music Concert Series: Ben Bedford Feb 14, 7pm Sat. Beautiful music in an architectural setting geared towards live music. Featuring local singer/ songwriter Ben Bedford. $12, danathomas.org or by calling 744-3598 Dana-Thomas House, 301 E. Lawrence, 217-782-6776. Rickey and the Path Finders Feb 7, 7pm Sat. Live Christian music from seasoned central Illinois performers. Rock, country, blues, praise, worship. 217-871-1509. Holy Ground Coffeehouse, 304 W. Allen, 652-0423.

Solid Rock Feb 7, 7pm Sat. Music by Solid Rock, a popular Southern gospel quartet. Refreshments at 6pm. Love offerings accepted. 523-7631. First Baptist Church, 301 South Grand Ave. West, (217) 523-7731.

Dance Jacksonville Rotary’s Valentine’s Dinner and Dance Feb 13, 5:30-10pm Fri. Cocktails 5:30, full prime rib meal (or veg. meal) at 6:30pm. Tables of up to 8. DJ Troy Armstrong, live auction, silent auction. Tickets $35 at jaxrotaryvalentine2015. brownpapertickets.com 217-248- 1272. Hamilton’s, 110 N. East St., Jacksonville.

Old Fashioned Square and Round Dance Feb 8, 2:30-5:30pm Sun. Jim Davis, caller. Music by Judy, Fiddlin’ Phil Fry and Friends. $15 couple. 652- 3499. Jacksonville Moose Lodge, Jacksonville.

Art & Architecture Ego Vs. Alter Ego Exhibition Feb 5-28, 8:30am-4:30pm Mon-Fri, 10am-2pm Sat. U.S. debut of mixedmedia Romanian artist, Ilie Vaduva.

Exhibit explores the psychology of (NOBLE). UIS Public Affairs Center (PAC), One University Plaza, 217-206-6073. APL New Volunteer Orientation Feb 7, 10-11:30am Sat. Minors (under 16) must be accompanied by parent/guardian. 15 spots. Register at volunteer@ apl-shelter.org. Questions to Anne, 544-7387 x227. Animal Protective League, 1001 Taintor Road, 544-7387. Backgammon Club Feb 18, 6pm Wed. Every Wed. Online, new and experienced players welcome. 622-9447. Capital Teletrack, 1766 Wabash Ave., 217-546-2111.

Lutheran High School Open House Feb 5, 6:30-8:30pm Thu. Open to public. Refreshments, tours at 6:30pm, program 7pm. Meet teachers, pose questions to student panel. 217-546-6363.

Lutheran High School, 3500 W. Washington St.

PechaKucha Night- Volume 18 Feb 5, 7:20pm Thu. Locals give interesting and inspiring presentations. Doors open 6pm. $8. 217-789-2377. Hoogland Center for the Arts, 420 S. Sixth St., 217-523-2787.

Singing Valentines Feb 13-14, 9am-9pm, Fri-Sat. For your sweetie, a rose and two songs sung by a tuxedoed quartet from Land of Lincoln Chorus. Order online or by phone. 217-953-0225. Various locations.

Starting Your Business in Illinois Feb 5, 18, 6-8pm Thu, 1:30- 3:30pm Wed. Illinois Small Business Development Center workshop on preparing a business plan, fi nancing, legal forms, registering a business name and taxes. No cost. Registration, 217-544-7232. LLCC Capital City Training Center, 130 W. Mason, 217-786-2200.

The Law and Community

Feb 7, 4:30-6:30pm Sat. Hosted by Saint Paul AME Church and Lincoln Land NOBLE chapter. Panel discussion on understanding rights and guidelines for interacting with law enforcement offi cials. Free to public. St. Paul AME Church, 1130 S. 16th, 217-522-4796.

The Ritz Take II Feb 7, 5:30-11pm Sat. A black-tie affair hosted by CORAL. 3-course dinner, dancing, cash bar. $50 per plate, purchase by Jan 25. Tickets, more info: 741- 4603 or 494-1687. Hoogland Center for the Arts, 420 S. Sixth St., 217-523-2787. Trivia Night - Cathedral Church of St. Paul Feb 6, 7-11pm Fri. Dress to impress Mardi Gras theme. Table decorations encouraged. $10 per person, 8 per table max. BYO food, snacks. Cathedral Church of St. Paul, 815 S. Second St., 544-5135.

Food Home Brewing Coffee Seminar Feb 7, 1-2pm Sat. Taste coffees and learn home brewing techniques as presented by coffee house general manager. Free. 217-391-7587. Edgar’s Coffee House, 87 W. Plummer, Chatham, 217-391-7628.

Politics Capital Area Libertarians Business Meeting Feb 12, 7-7:30pm Thu. Passing of by-laws, new member installation, planning 2015 events and elections. Free to public. Boones Saloon, 301 W. Edwards, 217-679-3752.

History The Siege of Petersburg Feb 5, 6:30pm Thu. Presentation by historians Mark DePue and Bob Davis. Covers June 1864 through winter 1864-1865 with special attention to the Battle of the Crater. Free to public. Union Theater. Abraham Lincoln Presidential Museum, 212 N. Sixth St., 217-782-5764.

Volunteer Recruitment Open House Feb 7, 10am Sat. Historic site staff and volunteers present information about available volunteeer positions such as Tour Docents, Visitor Center volunteers, Trails and Rails volunteers. Free to public. Lincoln Home Conference Center, 406 S. 8th St., 492- 4241.

Health Get Covered Sangamon County Feb 9-10, 15, 9am-5pm Tue- Sun, 9am-5pm Thu-Mon.

Springfi eld Urban League, Inc., 1551 E. Madison Street, (217) 522-0407.

GROW in Illinois Mental Health Feb 5, 12, 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.

Sports & Fitness Fight For Air Climb Feb 8, 7am-1:30pm Sun. Climb 32 fl oors or do the ultimate climb taking 32 fl oors as many times as you can in one hour, both to benefi t American Lung Association. 217-787-5864. Hilton Springfi eld, 700 E. Adams, 217-789-1530.

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

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