HOLIDAY HAPPENINGS

Mardi Gras Celebration Feb 21, 6-11pm Sat. Live music by After Sunset, Cajun dinner, games, auctions and dancing. Hosted by Chatham Area Chamber of Commerce. $75 couples/$45 singles. 217-483-6450. Sangamon Prairie Reception Center, 8855 State Route 4, Chatham, 217-483-7999.

Romantic Carriage Rides through Washington Park Feb 13-14, 4-8pm Fri, 11am-2pm Sat. Carriage seats 4-6. $60 per half hour ride, 30 minute slots. Preregistration required, call 501-4235 or email [email protected] 217-501- 4235. Washington Park, 217-753-6225.

BOOKS & AUTHORS ArtLiterations Feb 19, 5-7pm Thu. Celebration of art, authors and aesthetically pleasing sounds. Hosted by Prairie Art Alliance. Music by Julie Hulvey, discussion of work by artist Jeff Williams, reading by author, editor Jim Warner. Free to public. Prairie Art Alliance Gallery in the Hoogland, 420 S. Sixth St., 217-544-2787. Book Signing Feb 19, 12-2pm Thu. Author John Spencer signs copies of recently published book, Round Prairie Inferno. Free to public. 217-522-9742. Prairie

Archives Antiquarian Booksellers, 522 E. Adams.

Poets in the Parlor: Janice Harrington Feb 22, 2-3pm Sun. Poetry reading by Janice N. Harrington. An accomplished poet and author of children’s books whose work appears regularly in American literary magazines. Free to public. Vachel Lindsay Home State Historic Site, 603 S. Fifth St., 217-524- 0901. Shelterbelt: Natalie Shapero Feb 19, 7-8pm Thu. Reading by poet Natalie Shapero. Natalie has been published in The Believer, The New Republic, Poetry, The Progressive and elsewhere. Free to public. UIS Lincoln Residence Hall Great Room, Vachel Lindsay Dr., 217-206-6600.

Springfield Comic Book Convention Feb 15, 10am-4pm Sun. Huge variety of comic books new and old, plus toys and collectibles. Free to public. 309- 657-1599. Route 66 Hotel & Conference Center, 625 E. Saint Joseph St.

SPOKEN WORD

SPW Poetry and Open Mic Feb 18, 6-8pm Wed. Springfield Poets and Writers event hosted by Thea Chesley third Wednesday of each month. Sign up to read poetry, prose, non-fiction, etc. Listeners welcome. Free to public.

217-725-9058. Z Bistro, 220 S. Sixth St., 217-522-4049.

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

MUSIC:

GENERAL EVENTS

BAM (Mike Lewis) Feb 13, 8pm Fri. Friday night dance. VFW Post #755, 2211 Old Jacksonville Road, 217-546-9515.

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.

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, dana-thomas.org or by calling 744-3598 Dana-Thomas House, 301 E. Lawrence, 217-782-6776. New Salem Harmony Feb 12, 1:30pm Thu. Special Lincoln’s birthday performance by composer and musician Mark Mathewson, joined by Erich Schroeder and Steve Staley. Free with museum admission. Abraham Lincoln Presidential Museum, 212 N. Sixth St., 217- 782-5764.

Worship with Levi Vincent Feb 21, 6-8pm Sat. An evening of popular and contemporary Christian worship music with musician/songwriter Levi Vincent. Free. 217-391-7587. Edgar’s Coffee House, 87 W. Plummer, Chatham, 217-391-7628.

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.

ART & ARCHITECTURE

Art Exhibit Closing Reception Feb 19, 5-6pm Thu. Collected artworks by Rosemary and Rod Buffi ngton. Rosemary, an active pastel painter, taught art for 37 years at New Berlin High School. Rod, a mixed-media artist, is a former Springfi eld Art Association Director. Last professional exhibit in Becker Gallery. Free, open to public. Benedictine University at Springfi eld, 1500 N. Fifth Street, 217-525-1420.

Remembering Lincoln Exhibition Through May 10, 8:30am- 5pm Mon-Sat, 12-5pm Sun. Exhibition featuring rarely seen objects honoring the member of our 16th President. Illinois State Museum, 502 S. Spring St., 217- 782-7386.

FILM & TELEVISION

No Evidence of Disease Feb 12, 7:30-9:24pm Thu. A film by Andrea Kalin. Cancer surgeons form a rock band, patients become fans. Watch as music transforms lives. Tickets, $12 online at tugg.com/events/12958. AMC Showplace Springfield 12, 3141 Mercantile Dr. Force Majeure Screening Feb 22, 4pm Sun. Part of 24th Annual Molly Schlich Independent and International Film Series. French dramedy nominated for the Golden Globe for Best Foreign Language Film. Proceeds benefit Michael Victor II Art Library. $8 per ticket, $4 students with ID. 217-523-2631. AMC Parkway 8, 3025 Lindbergh Boulevard, 888- 262-4386.

Free Films: Route 66’s Best Feb 12, 6:30-8pm Thu. Showing of films from Route 66 Film Festival. Feb. 12 films are: Con quièn sueòa Berta? (2014), A Man on the Edge (2014), No Love Lost (2013), Same Time Same Place (2013), Things I Have Learned About Sex and Dogs (2013). Free to public. 217-725-9058. Z Bistro, 220 S. Sixth St., 217-522-4049.

The Skeleton Twins Screening Feb 17, 7pm Tue. Part of SAA’s 24th annual Molly Schlich Independent and International Film Series. New Zealand film about twins who are reunited after coincidentally cheating death on the same day. $8, $4 students with ID. AMC Parkway 8, 3025 Lindbergh Boulevard, 888-262-4386.

CHILDREN’S CORNER

Dr. Dolittle, Jr. Feb 13-15, 20-22, 7pm Fri-Sat, 2pm Sun. Musical about a wacky but caring doctor who can talk with animals. $12. Hoogland Center for the Arts, 420 S. Sixth St., 217-523-2787.

Junior Collector’s Day Feb 21, 1-3pm Sat. Explore the collections of local kids and teens. Ages 8-15 can display a collection and meet other young collectors. Free, preregister by Feb. 16. 217-782-0061. Illinois State Museum, 502 S. Spring St., 217- 782-7386. Satur-Play! - Pumping Heart Feb 14, 11am-3pm Sat. Science experiments and art projects for ages 3-10 and families. Create a model heart and learn the importance of pumping blood in the human body. Free. 217-782- 5955. Illinois State Museum, 502 S. Spring St., 217-782-7386. Story Time at the Museum Feb 12, 21, 10:30am Thu, 10:30am Sat. Enjoy a story read by a civil war soldier. Crafts, treats. Free with museum admission. Abraham Lincoln Presidential Museum, 212 N. Sixth St., 217- 782-5764.

Super Saturdays at the Museum Feb 14, 11am-3pm Sat. The Underground Railroad, used by many slaves fleeing slavery, had a route that ran through Springfield. Learn about this time in history and those who helped free thousands of slaves. Ages 3-8 and families. Free. 217-782-6044. Illinois State Museum, 502 S. Spring St., 217-782-7386.

NATURE

Orchid Show and Sale Feb 14-15, 12-4pm Sat- Sun. Prairie State Orchid Society orchids, books, fertilizer, pots, bark and other growing supplies. Free to public. Washington Park Botanical Garden Exhibit Hall, 1740 W. Fayette Ave., 217-546- 4116. Great Backyard Bird Count Feb 14, 9am-12pm Sat. Help count birds at feeders at Sanctuary. No birding experience necessary. Adults, children welcome. Warm drinks and snacks provided. Adams Wildlife Sanctuary, 2315 East Clear Lake Ave., 217-544-2473. Maple Syrup Time Demonstrations Feb 21-22, 1-1:45pm Sat-Sun. Garden staff and volunteers guide visitors through the process of making maple syrup. Meet inside Garden’s Nature Center. Free. Lincoln Memorial Garden, 2301 E. Lake Shore Dr., 217-529-1111.

ENVIRONMENT Designing a Sustainable Springfield Feb 24, 6:30pm Tue. Architects Larry Quenette (Renaissance Architects) and Michele and Jeff Sommers (Square Root Architecture + Design) share how their success and ideas in green design might translate into sustainable design for Springfield’s downtown. Free to public. Lincoln Library, 326 S. Seventh St., 217- 753-4900. Meet a Snowy Owl Feb 19, 6pm Thu. Jacques Nuzzo discusses field marks, behavior, habitats calls and rehabilitation of the snowy owl. $5, first-come, first-served due to limited seating.

Adams Wildlife Sanctuary, 2315 East Clear Lake Ave., 217-544- 2473. Sustainable Connections at Driftwood Eatery Feb 18, 5:30-7pm Wed. Enjoy a cocktail with others who share interest in urban sustainability, connected technology and supporting sustainable practices in Springfield. 217-652-7489. Driftwood, 11 Old Capitol Plaza West, 217-572-1906.

LECTURES & MEETINGS Association of Information Technology Professionals Feb 17, 5:30-8pm Tue. “Wearable Technology for Health and Fitness” by Jayme Noelke, Dick’s Sporting Goods. Program free at 6:45pm, meal $15. 217-971-7005. Top Cats Chill and Grill, 1822 Stevenson Dr., 217-529-4005.

Birth of a White Nation Feb 19, 6:30pm Thu. ECCE Speaker Series. Dr. Jacqueline Battalora presents findings of local groups working to dismantle racism and addresses the legal, social and political categorization of people as either white people or non-white people. Free. 217-206- 8507. UIS Brookens Auditorium, One University Plaza, 217-206- 6073.

IWIL Monthly Luncheon Feb 19, 11:30am-1pm Thu. Speaker Sarah Phalen, President and CEO of Illinois National Bank. “My Path to the World of Executive Leadership: Life is a marathon, not a sprint.” Members $18 by Feb 13, $23 for non-members or walk-ins. Sangamo Club, 227 E. Adams St., 544-1793.

Sertoma Club Feb 16, 12pm Mon. Noon, first and third Monday of every month on first floor next to Bennigans. 217- 494-2099. Hilton Springfield, 700 E. Adams, 217-789-1530.

Springfield Chapter DAR Meeting Feb 21, 11:30am Sat. Luncheon and meeting honors Good Citizen Award Recipients. Reservations by Feb 18, 741-7463 or [email protected]. Panther Creek Country Club, 3001 Panther Creek Dr., 546-4431. Springfield Civil War Roundtable Meeting Feb 19, 7-8:30pm Thu. Program: “Southern Reflections On the Civil War” by member Rick Kasa. Free to public. 546-8065. 217-679- 1880. Grand Army of the Republic Museum, 629 S. Seventh St., 217- 522-4373.

Women of Brazil Feb 17, 7:30pm Tue. Dr. Beth Wiediger discusses the gender inequality and challenges facing women in Brazil, who make up 51 percent of the population. Free to public. 217-206-8507. UIS Brookens Auditorium, One University Plaza, 217-206-6073.

BULLETIN BOARD 16U Wolfpack Baseball Trivia Night Feb 21, 7-10pm Sat. Cash prizes. Silent auction. Outside food permitted, snacks for purchase. Doors at 6:30pm. $100 per table of 10. Knights of Columbus Hall Council 4175, 2801 West St., 217- 528-5740 . APL New Volunteer Orientation Feb 18, 6-7:30pm Wed. 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 Rd.

APL Pet Adoption Feb 13, 4-8pm Fri. Cats available from 4-8pm and dogs available from 5-8pm as part of the PetSmart Charities National Adoption Weekend. 217-544- 7387. Petsmart, 3183 S. Veterans Pkwy, 217-698-3091.

APL Pet Adoption Feb 14, 11am-4pm Sat. Cats and dogs available 11am-4pm at PetSmart; Cats available 10am- 1pm at Lowes on Dirksen; Cats available 11am-3pm and dogs available 11am-2pm at Ace Hardware on Wabash.

APL Pet Adoption Feb 15, 11am-4pm Sun. Cats and dogs available as part of the PetSmart Charities National Adoption Weekend. 217-544- 7387. Petsmart, 3183 S. Veterans Pkwy, 217-698-3091. Springfield Christian Women’s Connection Luncheon Feb 18, 11am-1pm Wed. Program “Hope for a Country in Crisis.” Rose Connolly portrays Civil War personality Mrs. Belle Reynolds. Speaker Lori Boruff of Aledo. $15. 787-8246. 217-787-1870. Sangamon Prairie Reception Center, 8855 State Route 4, Chatham, 217-483-7999. Starting Your Business in Illinois Feb 18, 1:30-3:30pm Wed. Illinois Small Business Development Center workshop on preparing a business plan, financing, 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. UIS English Department Trivia Night Feb 20, 7-10pm Fri. Cash prizes for top finishers. Cash bar. Proceeds support academic and cultural endeavors of UIS English Department students and faculty. $10 each for table of 10. UIS Public Affairs Center (PAC), One University Plaza, 217-206-6073.

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 81st Annual National American Legion Pilgrimage to the Tomb of Abraham Lincoln Feb 12, 10am Thu. 10am. Pilgrimage departs Hilton Springfield for journey to Abraham Lincoln’s Tomb. Ceremonies and wreath placing from inside Mr. Lincoln’s Tomb, at 10:30am. Oak Ridge Cemetery, Springfield, Illinois. Oak Ridge Cemetery, 1441 Monument Ave., 217-789-2340.

Sangamon County Historical Society Program Feb 17, 5:30pm Tue. Michael Lelys, executive director of the Oak Ridge Cemetery dicusses the historic site, which is the largest municipal cemetery in Illinois. Free, open to public. Lincoln Library, 326 S. Seventh St., 217- 753-4900. You Can’t Touch My Hair Feb 18, 4-7pm Wed. Video and panel discussion hosted by the Kinky and Curly Natural Hair Empowerment Club. Free, open to public. Conference room G. UIS Public Affairs Center (PAC), One University Plaza, 217-206-6073.

SPORTS & FITNESS Pink Out Basketball Game Feb 14, 1-5pm Sat. UIS women’s and men’s basketball teams take on Rockhurst University at 1pm and 3pm, respectively. Admission $3, $1 K-12. Half-off admission for those wearing pink. Free admission for cancer survivors. UIS Recreation and Athletic Center, 217-206-6073.

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

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