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Dates, times and locations are subject to last-minute changes, so we suggest calling before attending events.

BOOKS & AUTHORS

Authorpalooza Dec 12, 10am-2pm Sat. Local authors Larry and Donna Mahan (10- 12), C. Ed Traylor (11-1) and Taylor Pensoneau (12-2) greet fans and sign books. The Sly Fox Bookstore, 123 N. Springfi eld St. (Route 4), Virden, 965-3641.

Poets in the Parlor: An Hour of Winter Day Dec 12, 2-3pm Sat. Local poets Adam Clay, Lisa Higgs, Liz Huck, Kimberly Moore, Mark Russillo, Tracy Zeman and others read their favorite poems of the winter. Free. vachellindsay.org. Vachel Lindsay Home State Historic Site, 603 S. Fifth St., 524-0901.

SPOKEN WORD

SPW Poetry/Open Mic Dec 16, 6-8pm Wed. 217-725-9058. Robbie’s, 4 S. Old State Capitol Plaza, 528-1901.

THEATER & COMEDY

Comedian Pete George Dec 11-12, 7:30pm Fri-Sat. Seen on late night shows and in comedy clubs all across the US. $13, $15. donniebscomedyclub.com. 217-391- 5653. Donnie B’s Comedy Club, 3455 Freedom Dr., 391-JOKE.

Rock of Ages Dec 11-13, 8pm Fri-Sat, 2pm Sun. Rock musical set in 1980s Hollywood. Features songs from Journey, Bon Jovi, Poison, Europe plus other popular rock bands. Presented by Springfi eld Theatre Center. $18, $16. hcfta.org. Hoogland Center for the Arts, 420 S. Sixth St., 523-2787.

MUSIC: GENERAL EVENTS

2015 Advent Brown Bag Concert #3 Dec 16, 12:15-12:45pm Wed. Featuring Matthew Nall, piano. Free admission. Bring lunch or purchase at door for $5. lincolnschurch.org. First Presbyterian Church, 321 S. Seventh St., 528-4311.

2015 Advent Brown Bag Concert #4 Dec 23, 12:15-12:45pm Wed. Featuring Rudolf Zuiderveld, organ. Free admission. Bring lunch or purchase at door for $5. lincolnschurch.org. First Presbyterian Church, 321 S. Seventh St., 528-4311.

An Evening with Chris Mann Dec 18, 8pm Fri. One of the most sought-after, versatile singers today. Seen on NBC’s “The Voice” and in the Broadway touring production of The Phantom of the Opera. Admission. UIS Studio Theatre, One University Plaza, 206-6160.

Baroque Fire Dec 18, 7:30-9:30pm Fri. Illinois Symphony Orchestra performs Corelli’s “Christmas Concerto”, Handel’s “Concerto Grosso in B-fl at”, Telemann’s “Suite in D”, Haydn’s “Symphony No. 59”. $20. ilsymphony. org. 217-206-6160. First Presbyterian Church, 321 S. Seventh St., 528- 4311.

Holiday Jazz Dec 12, 7:30pm Sat. Seasonal concert by the Millikin University Faculty Jazz Sextet, joined on stage by guest vocalist and Millikin alumni Angel Spiccia Slykas. $15-25 adults, $5 students. millikin.edu/kirkland. Kirkland Fine Arts Center, 1184 W. Main St., Decatur, 424-6318.

The Dual Piano Christmas Show Dec 18-20, 7:30pm Fri-Sat, 2pm Sun. Mark and Damien sing and play Broadway to Classical; swing to jazz and more. $18 adults, $16 seniors and students. hcfta.org. Hoogland Center for the Arts, 420 S. Sixth St., 523-2787.

DANCE

BAM Dec 11, 8pm Fri. Playing the Friday night dance. VFW Post #755, 2211 Old Jacksonville Road, 546-9515. Illinois Chapter Po.L.K. of A. Dance Dec 13, 2-5:30pm Sun. Band is Fred and Button Box Club. $13, includes appetizers. illinoischapterpolkofa.org. 217-679-0175. Riverton Knights of Columbus, 335 S. 4th St., Riverton, 629-9018.

Solstice: A Concert of Dance Dec 11-12, 7:30pm Fri, 2pm Sat. $10 admission. Albert Taylor Theatre, Millikin’s Shilling Hall, Decatur, 424- 6318.

ART & ARCHITECTURE

Color with Friends Dec 15, 6:30-8:30pm Tue. Coloring club featuring custom coloring page drawn by a local artist, TBA. $5. Reservations by Dec 13 at tinyurl.com/o2tcozc. Arlington’s Restaurant, 210 S. Broadway, 679-6235.

Free Downtown Artisan Walk & Where is Abe Book Signing Dec 12, 11:30am-1pm Sat. Free guided Downtown Shop Hop and Art Walk to 10 specialty shops plus book signing featuring local children’s author Carla Mayernick and her children’s book “Where is Abe?” Free. studioon6thart.com. Studio on 6th, 215 S. Sixth St., 522- 8006.

Gifted Dec 11, 6-8pm Fri. Art exhibit and event in which all 120 exhibited works will be given away, for free, to attendees via raffl e-like structure. Free. demoprojectspace@gmail. com. DEMO Project, 732 N. Fourth St., 206-6506.

Holiday Wednesday Dec 16, 23, 6-8pm Wed. Affordable artworks by Pharmacy member artists. Free admission. pharmacygallery.com. 217- 720-2222. The Pharmacy Gallery & Art Space, 711 S. 5th St., 801-810-9278.

LARGE WORK and small work Dec 10-12, 15-19, 22-23, 12- 12-7pm Tue-Sat. Prairie Art Alliance Gallery in the Hoogland, 420 S. Sixth St., 544-2787.

Millikin Senior BFA Exhibitions Dec 14-18, 12-5pm Mon-Fri. A variety of outstanding works by Millikin senior BFA students in partial fulfi llment of their degree requirements. Free to public. Perkinson Art Gallery, Kirkland Fine Arts Center, 1184 W. Main St., Decatur, 424- 6318.

Neo-Surrealism: Third Eye Exhibit Dec 10-12, 17-19, 11am-6pm Thu-Sat. 217-720-2222. The Pharmacy Gallery & Art Space, 711 S. 5th St., 801-810-9278.

The Best Gifts Dec 22-11, 15, 16-19, 23, 12-7pm Tue-Sat. Prairie Art Alliance Gallery in the Hoogland, 420 S. Sixth St., 544-2787.

FILM & TELEVISION

Downton Abbey Preview Party Dec 15, 6-8:30pm Tue. Light refreshments, early screening. $5. Limited seating, reserve your spot. 483-7887 ext 224. networkknowledge.tv. 217- 483-7887. Panther Creek Country Club, 3001 Panther Creek Dr., 546-4431.

It’s a Wonderful Life Dec 18, 7pm Fri. Continuing the tradition of Christmas Classics on the grand screen. $10. AtTheLegacy.com. The Legacy Theatre, 101 E. Lawrence, 800-838-3006. Meet Me in St. Louis Dec 19, 7pm Sat. Continuing the tradition of Christmas Classics on the grand screen. $10. AtTheLegacy.com. AtTheLegacy.com. The Legacy Theatre, 101 E. Lawrence, 800-838-3006.

CHILDREN’S CORNER

Make a Cookie with Mrs. Claus Dec 21, 6-7pm Mon. Decorate Christmas cookie for Santa, listen to Christmas story read by Mrs. Claus herself. Hosted by Scheels Kids Klub. Free. scheels.com/events. Scheels, 3801 S. MacArthur, 726-6330.

NATURE

Bobcats in Illinois Dec 17, 7-8pm Thu. Dr. Christopher N. Jacques from Western Illinois University discusses the natural history of bobcats and their current status in Illinois. Free. Adams Wildlife Sanctuary, 2315 E. Clear Lake Ave., 544-2473.

LECTURES & MEETINGS

BEST and Parent Support Group Dec 17, 6-7:30pm Thu. Support group for those with a disability and their parents. Free. scil.org. 217-523- 2587. Springfi eld Center for Independent Living, 330 S. Grand Ave. West, 523-0427.

Camera Club Dec 17, 7pm Thu. First and third Thursday of the month. Visitors always welcome. More info, 546-5021 or hrm1935@ aol.com. First Christian Church, 700 S. Sixth St., 528- 3407.

Chatham Kiwanis Club Meeting Dec 18, 6:15pm Fri. Every Thursday. 217-725-6467. Chatham Area Public Library, 600 E. Spruce, Chatham, 483- 2713. Flash Fiction Writing Workshop Dec 13, 2-3pm Sun. Consider the unique possibilities of short short stories. Bring laptop or notebook. Led by Meagan Cass, author of Range of Motion. $10. Preregistration, [email protected]. Vachel Lindsay Home State Historic Site, 603 S. Fifth St., 524-0901.

LGBT yOUTh Group Dec 11, 18, 6-10pm Fri. Phoenix Center, 109 E. Lawrence Ave., 528-5253.

NAMI (National Alliance on Mental Illness) Dec 16, 7pm Wed. Meetings held each month on fi rst Saturday and third Wednesday of month. For families, caregivers, friends and those with mental illness. 217-341- 3125. First Christian Church, 700 S. Sixth St., 528-3407.

Springfield Social Club Dec 16, 5:30-8:30pm Wed. Please bring unwrapped, new toys for Toys for Tots. Donnie B’s Comedy Club, 3455 Freedom Dr., 391-JOKE.

Surviving the Holidays Dec 12, 10am-12:30pm Sat. A GriefShare seminar for people facing the holidays after a loved one’s death. Free. 217- 522-1134. Athens Christian Church, 1411 E. Route 29, Athens, 636-8463.

TranSupport Group Dec 17, 6:30-8:30pm Thu. Phoenix Center, 109 E. Lawrence Ave., 528-5253.

Victim/Survivor Support Group Dec 17, 6-7pm Thu. Mothers Against Drunk Driving. 217- 523-6233 x7760. MADD Illinois, 2070 W. Monroe St. #B.

BULLETIN BOARD

Candlelight Tours Dec. 19, 6-8pm Sat. See main level rooms decorated in 19th and early 20th century fashions, bathed in the warm glow of candlelight. Docents will discuss Christmas celebrations in the 1830s, 1850s, 1890s and 1910s. Light refreshments. Elijah Iles House, 628 S. Seventh St., Springfi eld, 492-5929.

PFLAG Dec 21, 7-8:30pm Mon. Abraham Lincoln Unitarian Universalist Congregation, 745 Woodside Road, 585-9550. Springfield Christian Women’s Connection Luncheon Dec 16, 11am-12:45pm Wed. “O, come all ye faithful” luncheon. Speaker Dorothy Smith. Music by Erv Smith. $15. [email protected]. 217-787-8246. Northfi eld Inn Suites and Conference Center, 3280 Northfi eld Dr., 523-7900.

Starting Your Business in Illinois Dec 16, 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. Free. Registration, 544-7232. LLCC Capital City Training Center, 130 W. Mason, 786-2200.

Winter Commencement 2015 Ceremony Dec 13, 2pm Sun. Tickets required. Kirkland Fine Arts Center, 1184 W. Main St., Decatur, 424-6318.

HEALTH Depression/Bipolar Disorder Support Group Dec 15, 22, 6:30-8pm Tue. Support for those affected by a mood disorder, including friends and family. Free. 217- 761-4710. First Christian Church, 700 S. Sixth St., 528- 3407.

FREE HIV Testing Dec 10-11, 14-18, 21-23, 12-3pm Mon-Fri. 217-528- 5253. Phoenix Center, 109 E. Lawrence Ave., 528-5253. GROW in Illinois Mental Health Dec 10, 17, 6:30pm Thu. 12-step support program for emotional, mental health issues, coping or addictions. Thursdays. 816-1083. Laurel United Methodist Church, 631 S. Grand Ave. W., 525-1866.

FAITH & PHILOSOPHY

Blue Christmas Service Dec 20, 6-7pm Sun. Holiday service for those who are experiencing grief during the holiday season. Reservations, questions to program. [email protected] by Dec 13. Free. aluuc.org. Abraham Lincoln Unitarian Universalist Congregation, 745 Woodside Road, 585-9550. Christ. Community. Coffee. Dec 13, 20, 9-10am Sun. First United Methodist Church, 2941 S. Koke Mill Road, 793-9760.

Holiday Youth Pageant: ‘A Holiday Lawsuit’ Dec 13, 10:30-11:30am Sun. Annual holiday pageant. Free. aluuc.org. Abraham Lincoln Unitarian Universalist Congregation, 745 Woodside Road, 585-9550.

Live Nativity Dec 11-12, 7-9pm Fri- Sat. Event features holiday lights, choirs of angels, beautiful displays, period dressed actors, live animals. Free. oursaviors-church. org. Our Savior’s Church and School, 2645 Old Jacksonville Road, 546-4531.

What War on Christmas?

Dec 20, 10:30-11:30am Sun. Insights by Rev. Martin Woulfe. Free. aluuc.org. Abraham Lincoln Unitarian Universalist Congregation, 745 Woodside Road, 585-9550.

SPORTS & FITNESS

Jr Blues Teddy Bear Toss Dec 18, 7:05-9:30pm Fri. Versus Topeka Roadrunners. Teddy bear toss for Toys for Tots. Advance tickets: $8 adult, $5 children 12 and under. jrblues.com. 217-652-7516. Nelson Center Ice Arena, Lincoln Park, 1601 N. Fifth St., 525-2589.

Jr. Blues Holiday Skate

Dec 19, 7:05-9:30pm Sat. Versus Topeka Roadrunners. Visit with Santa. Holiday Skate with team to follow game. Admission. jrblues. com. Nelson Center Ice Arena, Lincoln Park, 1601 N. Fifth St., 525-2589.

Springfield Figure Skating Club Annual Holiday Exhibition Dec 13, 1-2pm Sun. Exhibition skating show, see Santa, more. Free ice skating and skate rental afterwards for those who donate canned goods. Nelson Center Ice Arena, Lincoln Park, 1601 N. Fifth St., 525-2589.