Holiday Happenings St. Patrick’s Day Parade Mar 14, 12pm Sat. Annual St. Patrick’s Day parade featuring marching band competition, prizes for best fl oat and local music. Free, $1 per wristband to drink. Downtown Springfi eld.

Fairs & Festivals 17th Annual Illinois Products Expo Mar 7-8, 10am-5pm Sat, 10am-3pm Sun. Free food samples and products for sale from more than 70 Illinois companies, plus Illinois Wine Garden. $5, children 10 and under free. Orr Building, Illinois State Fairgrounds, 801 Sangamon Ave., 217-725-8047.

Books & Authors Annual Book Sale Mar 7-6, 5-8pm Fri, 10am-4pm Sat. $5 to get in door Fri, open to public Sat. Rochester Public Library, 1 Community Drive, Rochester, 498-8454. Poets in the Parlor: Monica Berlin and Beth Marzoni Mar 8, 2-3pm Sun. Accomplished poets/writers/professors read from Parlor Press reissue of their collaborative collection. Their collection of poems, No Shape Bends the River So Long, won the 2013 New Measure Prize. Free to public. Vachel Lindsay Home State Historic Site, 603 S. Fifth St., 217-524-0901.

Writing Chicago: A Literary Reading Mar 6, 7pm Fri. Fiction writer, poet Stuart Dybek reads from his new collection of stories, Paper Lantern and previous collections, I Sailed with Magellan, and The Coast of Chicago. Free to public. 217-206-8507. UIS Brookens Auditorium, One University Plaza, 217- 206-6073.

Theater & Comedy Comedian JR Brow Mar 13-14, 8pm Fri, 7:30pm Sat. Standup comedian who performs with guitar in hand. Seen on Comedy Central and the “Bob and Tom Show.” $13, $15. 217- 391-5653. Donnie B’s Comedy Club, 625 E. Saint Joseph Street, 391-JOKE. Comedy Open Mic Mar 6, 8:30-10pm Fri. Free show featuring the best up coming comedians from central Illinois, Chicago and St. Louis. Mason City Limits Comedy Club, 114 E. Chestnut, Mason City, 482-5233.

Disney’s Tarzan the Musical Mar 6-8, 13-15, 7pm Fri-Sat, 2pm Sun. Based on Disney’s epic animated musical adventure and Edgar Rice Burrough’s Tarzan of the Apes. Music by Phil Collins. $16, $18. Hoogland Center for the Arts, 420 S. Sixth St., 217-523- 2787.

Fancy Nancy: The Musical Mar 13-14, 18, 7pm Wed-Sat, 2pm Sat-Sun,. Off-Broadway musical based on the popular Fancy Nancy children’s books. $15 advance, $20 day of show. atthelegacy.com. The Legacy Theatre, 101 E. Lawrence, 800-838-3006.

Gabriel Iglesias Mar 5, 5pm Thu. One of America’s most successful stand-up comedians. Milikin University’s 2015 Goodheart Event. Free for Milikin students and staff, $25 public. Kirkland Fine Arts Center, 1184 W. Main St., Decatur, 217-424-6318.

The Untamed Shrews Mar 6-7, 8pm Fri, 7:30pm Sat. A bawdy variety show consisting of standup, improv and music by two very funny women. Not for the faint of heart. $18, $16. Donnie B’s Comedy Club, 625 E. Saint Joseph Street, 391-JOKE.

Zeta Phi Beta Dinner Theater Mar 15, 4-7pm Sun. Featuring “storyteller with attitude” Linda Gorham. Proceeds support scholarships for Springfi eld area youth. $40 in advance, $50 at door. 217-529-6310. Northfi eld Inn Suites and Conference Center, 3280 Northfi eld Dr., 217-523-7900.

Music: General Events

Don Smith Mar 6, 8pm Fri. Friday night dance. VFW Post #755, 2211 Old Jacksonville Road, 217-546-9515.

Lenten Brown Bag Concert #3 Mar 11, 12:15-12:45pm. Free. Lunch available for $5 or bring your own. First Presbyterian Church, 321 S. Seventh St., 528-4311. Sing Irish Songs with Land of Lincoln Barbershop Chorus Mar 17, 7:30pm Tue. Open to all men. Past members encouraged to attend. More information, 415-2112. Hoogland Center for the Arts, 420 S. Sixth St., 217- 523-2787.

That’s Life! A Toast to Sinatra! Mar 7, 8pm Sat. Lee Lessak, Scott Coulter and John Boswell celebrate Frank Sinatra’s 100th Birthday. Dessert reception to follow. $25 advance, $30 day of. atthelegacy.com. The Legacy Theatre, 101 E. Lawrence, 800- 838-3006. UIS Music Spring Recital Mar 6, 7-8:30pm Fri. Performances by UIS Chorus, A Capella Group plus honorable mention soloists from the UIS Music Soloist Competition. Free, open to public. University of Illinois at Springfi eld, 217-206- 6073.

Art & Architecture Meet the Artists Mar 6, 5-8pm Fri. Meet watercolor/acrylic artist Christy Freeman and sea glass/Czech glass/Chinese glass jewelry artist Debbie Broughton. Wine, appetizers, door prizes. Free to public. Studio on 6th, 215 S. Sixth St., 217-522-8006.

Mystic Harmony and 6 x 6 Painting Raffle Reception Mar 7, 5:30-7:30pm Sat. On display through Apr. 23. Mixed-media artwork by Toni Wrightsman, Tess Sakolsky, Delinda Chapman. 6x6 painting to be unveiled for raffl e. Free. Prairie Art Alliance Gallery in the Hoogland, 420 S. Sixth St., 217- 544-2787. Pretty Thoughts Exhibition On display March 5 until March 26, Mon-Fri 10am-6pm. Paintings by Lacuna Artist Lofts in Chicago artist in residence, Mauricio Ramirez, featuring stylized graffi ti letters, images from the artists past and abstract elements. In conjunction with the Pro-Text Partnership. Free to public. UIS Visual Arts Gallery, HSB 201, One University Plaza, 217-206-6506.

Pro-Text Addendum Opening Reception Mar 6, 5:30-7:30pm Fri. An expansion on the Illinois State Museum exhibition with additional works by central Illinois artists. Multi-media show that showcases text as a visual, narrative element. Exhibit runs March 6 to April 4, 9am- 5pm Mon-Fri, 10am-3pm Sat. Springfi eld Art Association, 700 N. Fourth St., 217-523-2631.

Pro-Text Progressive Reception Mar 13, 4-8pm Fri. A progressive partnership by four Springfi eld art venues featuring exhibitions that examine the use of text in art. Particpating venues are University of Illinois Springfi eld Student Gallery from 4-6pm; Lincoln Land Community College from 4-6pm; Illinois State Museum from 5:30-8pm and Springfi eld Art Association from 5:30-8pm. Free to public. More information, museum.state.il.us.

Pro-Text: When Words Enter Visual Art On display Mar. 8 to Sept. 13. 8:30am-5pm Mon-Sat, 12-5pm Sun. An exploration of the ways artists combine language in visual art. Featuring emerging and mid-career Illinois contemporary artists plus work from the ISM’s Fine Art Collection. Free to public. Illinois State Museum, 502 S. Spring St., 217-782-7386.

Remembering Lincoln Exhibition On display Mar. 8 to Sept. 13, 8:30am-5pm Mon-Sat, 12-5 Sun. Exhibition featuring rarely seen objects honoring the memory of our 16th President. Illinois State Museum, 502 S. Spring St., 217- 782-7386.

Salvage & Selvage Opening Reception Mar 6, 5-7:30pm Fri. Part of First Friday Gallery Walk. Touring exhibit by eight Fiber Arts Coalition members. Fiber arts with a contemporary edge creating using non-traditional materials. Free to public. Anne Lloyd Gallery of the Madden Arts Center, 125 N. Water St., Decatur, 217-423-3189.

Sublime Light Opening Reception Mar 5, 5:30-8:30pm Thu. Abstract paintings by Lyle Salmi, associate professor of painting, drawing and printmaking and chair of the Art Department at Millikin University. Exhibit runs through Mar. 18, 11am-6pm Mon-Thur. Free, open to public. UIS Visual Arts Gallery, HSB 201, One University Plaza, 217-206-6506.

The Travelers Opening Reception Mar 6, 6-8:30pm Fri. By Bloomington resident and selfdescribed nomad Arjan Zazueta.

Paintings representing central Illinois. On display Saturdays from 1-4pm or by appointment through April 4. Free to public. 217-523-2631. DEMO Project, 732 N. Fourth St., 217-206-6506.

Watercolor Awash Opening Reception Mar 7, 6-8pm Sat. Paintings by watercolor artist Brenda Beck Fisher. Gallery Talk, 6:30pm. Exhibit on display March 8-29, 4-6pm Tue-Sat, 1-3pm Sun. Free, open to public. David Strawn Art Gallery, 331 W. College Ave., Jacksonville, 217-243-9390.

Film & Television Free Films: Route 66’s Best Mar 12, 6:30-8pm Thu. Awardwinning short fi lms from 2014 Festival. 217-725-9058. Z Bistro, 220 S. Sixth St., 217-522-4049. The Internet’s Own Boy Mar 12, 7-9pm Thu. A Liberty Brew & View event. A personal story about the effects of ignoring technology and its relationship to our civil liberties. Speaker, auction to follow. Free to public. Capital City Bar & Grill, 3149 S. Dirksen Pkwy, 529-8580.

Children’s Corner

Junior and Senior Naturalist Program Mar 7, 9am-4pm Sat. Opportunities for young naturalists to explore the ever-changing landscape at the Garden. Juniors (age 5-8) meet 9am to noon, seniors (age 9-12) meet 1-4pm. Members $40 for all three series or $15 per program. Non $15 per program. Lincoln Memorial Garden, 2301 E. Lake Shore Dr., 217-529-1111.

Kids Klub: Dr. Seuss’s Birthday Mar 9, 6-7pm Mon. A Seuss party that is sure to be a ball. Crafts and games hosted by Thing One and Thing Two, plus birthday treats, party favors and a ferris wheel ride. Free. Scheels, 3801 South MacArthur, 217-726-6330.

Story Time at the Museum Mar 9, 10-10:30am Mon. Celebrate Women’s History Month with stories of women who accomplished amazing things, just be by being themselves. Ages 3-5 and caregivers. Free. 217- 782-5993. Illinois State Museum, 502 S. Spring St., 217-782-7386. Zooper Edventures: Lion’s Pride Mar 7, 1-3pm Sat. Theme-related games, crafts, zoo discovery walk and fun learning. Ages 5-6. $10 members/residents, $12.50 non. Henson Robinson Zoo, 1100 E. Lake Shore Dr., 217-585-1821.

Nature

Maple Syrup Time Demonstrations Mar 7-8, 14-15, 1, 2:30pm Sat- Sun. Garden staff and volunteers guide visitors through the process of making maple syrup. Meet inside the Gardens’ nature center. Lincoln Memorial Garden, 2301 E. Lake Shore Dr, 217-529-1111.

Lectures & Meetings

Civil Liberties and Human Rights Discussion Mar 12, 11:30am-1:30pm Thu. UIS professor emerita of Legal Studies, Kathryn Eisenhart, J.D., on principles of civil liberties and human rights. Rabbi Barry Marks, spiritual leader of Temple Israel, on Holocaust remembrance and commemoration in light of recent anti-Semitism. $20 includes lunch, program. Preregister, uiaa. org/uis. 217-206-7395. UIS Public Affairs Center (PAC), One University Plaza, 217-206-6073.

Professional Etiquette Across Cultures Mar 10, 4:30pm Tue. Panel discussion by UIS College of Business Management faculty and staff members regarding the do’s and dont’s of professional ettiquette among various cultures. Free to public. 217-206-8507. UIS Brookens Auditorium, One University Plaza, 217-206-6073.

Bulletin Board APL Pet Adoption Mar 7-8, 11am-4pm Sat, 11am- 3pm Sun. Cats and dogs available 11am-4pm Sat. Cats available 11am until 3pm, dogs available noon until 3pm Sun. 217-544-7387. Petsmart, 3183 S. Veterans Pkwy, 217-698-3091.

SAHBA Home Expo Mar 6, 4-8pm Fri, 9am-7pm Sat, 10am-3pm Sun. 217-698-4941. Prairie Capital Convention Center, 1 Convention Center Plaza, 800- 745-3000.

UIS PAR Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony Mar 9, 5:30pm Mon. Induction of Robert Secter, Deborah Peterson and Chuck Abbott into UIS Public Affairs Reporting Program Hall of Fame. $50. 217-206-7163. The Inn at 835, 835 S. Second St., 217-523-4466.

War on Poverty Panel Discussion Mar 12, 6-7:30pm Thu. Threepart panel discussion explores the past, present and future of the War on Poverty. Final event in War on Poverty Forum. Public reception 5:30-6pm. iacaanet.org. 217-206-6079. UIS Public Affairs Center (PAC), One University Plaza, 217-206-6073.

History

Lincoln’s Ghost Walk: Legends & Lore Mar 10, 7:30pm Tue. Strange stories surrounding Lincoln’s life and death. Factual history walking tour of Lincoln sites suited for all ages. $15-$8, free under 7. Old State Capitol Plaza, 6th and Adams, in front of Lincoln Herndon Law Offi ce. springfi eldwalks.com Old State Capitol Plaza, Between Sixth and Fifth Streets at Adams.

Auditions 2015 Muni Adult Auditions Mar 7-8, 14, 8am-5pm Sat- Sun. Ages 13 and up. All ages, abilities, sizes needed for 2015 season. Must register in advance for hour-long audition. Online registration form, more information at TheMuni.org. Hoogland Center for the Arts, 420 S. Sixth St., 217-523-2787.

Health GROW in Illinois Mental Health

Mar 5, 12, 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.

Faith & Philosophy Cultural (Mis)Appropriation Mar 8, 10:30-11:30am Sun. Presentation by Paul Oakley about what happens when majority cultures appropriate aspects from minority cultures. Free, open to public. Abraham Lincoln Unitarian Universalist Congregation, 745 Woodside Road, 217-585-9550.

Joe Arview Mar 8, 10am Sun. Live concert with country Gospel singer from southern Illinois. Public invited. 217-525-1978. Edinburg Baptist Church, 416 Ricks St., Edinburg , (217) 623-4437. The Dowd Family Mar 7, 7pm Sat. Southern gospel concert featuring beautiful family harmony. Refreshments at 6pm. First Baptist Church, 301 South Grand Ave. West (217) 523-7731.

World Day of Prayer Mar 6, 1:30pm Fri. Hosted by Church Women United in Springfi eld. Open to public. 217- 629-8881. St. John AME Church, 1529 E. Capitol Ave., 217-533- 3969.

Sports & Fitness

Midwestern Adult Sectional Figure Skating Championship Mar 6-8, 4pm Fri, 9am-8:30pm Sat, 9:30am-2pm Sun. A United States Figure Skating Association event, hosted by Springfi eld Figure Skating Club. Over 100 skaters registered, including 10 members from SFSC. Free, open to public. Nelson Center Ice Arena, Lincoln Park, 1601 N. Fifth St., 217-525-2589.

SCHEELS Fish Fest Mar 7, 9am-5pm Sat. Meet and greet with Mark Menendez, Bassmaster elite pro tournament angler, kids activities, and vendors. Free. Scheels, 3801 South MacArthur, 217-726-6330.