Holiday Happenings

Holiday Lights at the Zoo Dec 23, 5-8pm Wed. $3.50 adults, $2.25 children. hensonrobinsonzoo. org. Henson Robinson Zoo, 1100 E. Lake Shore Dr., 585-1821.

Old Capitol Holiday Walks Dec 23, 5-8pm Wed. Unique shopping, Santa House, entertainment, festive holiday decor and more. Free. 217- 544-1723. Downtown Springfield.

Twelfth Annual Holiday Interfaith Breakfast Dec 25, 8:30am-12pm Fri. Hot breakfast, open to public. All faiths welcome. $6 adults, $.25 children ages 12 and under. Proceeds support Senior Services of Central Illinois. Temple B’rith Sholom, 1004 S. Fourth St., 525-1360.

Theater & Comedy

Best of Midwest Comedy Showcase Dec 26, 8-10pm Sat. The best upand-coming comedians from central Illinois, Chicago, St. Louis. $5, $6. mclimits.com. Mason City Limits Comedy Club, 114 E. Chestnut, Mason City, 482-5233.

Comedian Christine Stedman Dec 26, 9:30am Sat. Finalist in Nick and Nite’s “Funniest Moms” contest. Seen on Comedy Central and “Bob and Tom”. $13, 15. donniebscomedyclub. com. Donnie B’s Comedy Club, 3455 Freedom Dr., 391-JOKE.

Comedian Dr. Gonzo Dec 31, Jan 2, 8-10pm Thu, 8-10pm Sat. Dr. Gonzo headlined comedy clubs and opened for major rock’n’roll acts until 1999. He returns to comedy after teaching English at Lincoln College and owning/running a restaurant in Mason City for 11 years. $15. mclimits.com. Mason City Limits Comedy Club, 114 E. Chestnut, Mason City, 482-5233.

Comedian Tim Slagle Jan 9, 8-9:30pm Sat. 25-year comedy veteran with slight political spin. Writer and regular contributor to Liberty Magazine and BigHollywood. com. $12.50, $15 VIP. mclimits.com. Mason City Limits Comedy Club, 114 E. Chestnut, Mason City, 482-5233.

Music: General Events

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.

29th Annual First Night Springfield Dec 31, 1-11:15pm Thu. Family-friendly alcohol-free event features musical, theatrical performances and activities to celebrate the arts. Fireworks at 8pm. Afternoon activities free. Admission for evening events. springfi eldartsco.org. 217-753- 3519. Downtown Springfield.

Erik Lyons Acoustic Dec 23, 8:30-11pm Wed. A Very Christofi lakos Christmas. Soccer World, 2700 W Lawrence Ave. #S, 787-8300.

ISO’s Around the Town Concert Series Jan 12, 12pm Tue. Hour-long concert featuring Illinois Symphony Orchestra Harp Recital: Chen-Yu Huang. Free. ilsymphony.org. 217-522- 2838. Dana-Thomas House, 301 E. Lawrence Ave., 782- 6776.

Dance New Years’ Eve Dance Dec 31, 6pm Thu. Dinner and dance: $60 per couple in advance or $100 at door. Dance only: $30 per couple advance or $40 at door. 217- 825-9251. VFW Post #755, 2211 Old Jacksonville Road, 546-9515.

Art & Architecture

Holiday Wednesday Dec 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 23, 31, 12-7pm Wed, 5-9pm Thu. Prairie Art Alliance Gallery in the Hoogland, 420 S. Sixth St., 544-2787.

Neo-Surrealism: Third Eye Exhibit Dec 24-26, 31, 11am-6pm Thu-Sat, 217-720-2222. The Pharmacy Gallery & Art Space, 711 S. 5th St., 801-810-9278.

Shifting Sands: Springfield’s Architectural Legacy Jan 8-9, 12-14, 5:30pm Fri-Sat, 9am-5pm Tue-Thu. Springfi eld Art Association, 700 N. Fourth St., 523-2631.

The Best Gifts Dec 23, 31, 12-7pm Wed, 5-9pm Thu. Prairie Art Alliance Gallery in the Hoogland, 420 S. Sixth St., 544-2787.

Film & Television

Film Series Preview Party Jan 6, 7pm Wed. For the 25th Annual Molly Schlich Independent and International Film Series. Purchase your series pass, view trailers and Oscar-nominated short fi lms. Free. springfi eldart.org. Springfi eld Art Association, 700 N. Fourth St., 523-2631.

Nature

Springfield Audubon Annual Meeting/Potluck Jan 10, 2-5pm Sun. Membership meeting at 2pm, program “Cuba: Its birds and people” at 3pm, potluck at 4pm. Free. to public. Adams Wildlife Sanctuary, 2315 E. Clear Lake Ave., 544-2473.

Lectures & Meetings

Camera Club Jan 7, 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.

GriefShare Jan 5, 12, 6:30-8:30pm Tue, 6:30-8:30pm Tue. 13-week program utilizes video seminar series, workbook and sharing time as participants work through their stages of grief. Register, 899-9418 or j.oest@ att.net. griefshare.org. Trinity Lutheran School, 515 S. MacArthur, 787-2323.

Illinois Specialty Crops, Agritourism, and Organic Conference Jan 6, 8-7, 10am-5pm Wed, 9am-4pm Fri-Thu. 309-557- 3662. Crowne Plaza Hotel, 3000 S. Dirksen Pkwy, 529- 7777.

LGBT yOUTh Group Dec 25, 6-10pm Fri. Phoenix Center, 109 E. Lawrence Ave., 528-5253.

North Grand Improvement Association Meeting Jan 7, 6:30-7:30pm Thu. Monthly meeting fi rst Thursday of the month. Public welcome. avenueassociation.com. Goodenow (Former Lincoln Library), 719 N. Grand Ave. E., 638-1938.

Sertoma Club Jan 4, 12pm Mon. Noon, fi rst and third Monday of every month. More information, 546- 2782. 217-494-2099. Hibachi Grill Supreme Buffet, 2309 S. MacArthur Blvd., 698-6033.

Single and Parenting Jan 9, 6:30-8:30pm Sat. Single parents discover practical strategies in the areas of parenting, fi nancial management. relationship issues, emotional guidance, and more to make positive changes in their families. $20. singleandparenting. org. 217-685-8099. Trinity Lutheran Grade School, 515 S. MacArthur Blvd., 787-2323.

Strategic Hourglass Solutions Jan 13, 10-11am Wed. Free seminar on organizing personal records so documents are found quickly and easily. 217-299-1366. Edgar’s Coffee House, 87 W. Plummer, Chatham, 391-7628.

Bulletin Board

Remembrance Ceremony Dec 31, 7pm Thu. Names will be read of community members that died in 2015. Reception with hot chocolate, coffee, cookies to follow. mtpulaskiil.com. Mt. Pulaski Courthouse, 113 S Washington St., Mount Pulaski.

Women’s Personal Defense Seminar Jan 9, 10:30-11:30am Sat. Led by professor Mark Commean, head instructor and owner of Gracie Humaita. Free.scheels.com. Scheels, 3801 S. MacArthur, 726-6330.

Health Adopt-A-Day Blood Drive Dec 24, 6am-1:30pm Thu. Adopted by Outback Steakhouse. Free. cicbc.org. Central Illinois Community Blood Center, 1999 Wabash Ave., 241-1139. Adopt-A-Day Blood Drive Dec 28, 10am-5pm Mon. Adopted by Bob Evans. Free. cicbc.org. Central Illinois Community Blood Center, 1999 Wabash Ave., 241-1139.

Adopt-A-Day Blood Drive Dec 30, 7am-6pm Wed. Adopted by Wings Etc. Free. cicbc.org. Central Illinois Community Blood Center, 1999 Wabash Ave., 241-1139.

FREE HIV Testing Dec 23, 28-30, 12-3pm Mon- Wed. Phoenix Center, 109 E. Lawrence Ave., 528-5253.

GROW in Illinois Mental Health Dec 24, 31, Jan 7, 14, 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.

Adopt-A-Day Blood Drive Jan 4, 10am-5pm Mon. Adopted by Hickory River. Central Illinois Community Blood Center, 1999 Wabash Ave., 241-1139.

Faith & Philosophy

Blue or White? Dec 27, 10:30-11:30am Sun. Listen to poetry and music to uplift spirits, clear minds and laugh. Led by Penny Wollan-Kriel. Free. aluuc.org. Abraham Lincoln Unitarian Universalist Congregation, 745 Woodside Road, 585-9550.

Candlelight Christmas Eve Service Dec 24, 6-7pm Thu. Carols and celebration of the birth of Jesus Christ. Free. churchbywatersedge.com. 217-361-3343. Chatham Community Center, 109 W. Mulberry St., Chatham, 483- 2488.

Christ. Community. Coffee. Dec 27, 9-10am Sun. First United Methodist Church, 2941 S. Koke Mill Road, 793-9760.

Christmas Day Divine Service Dec 25, 10am Fri. Sacrament of Holy Communion will be celebrated. trinity-lutheran. com. Trinity Lutheran Church, 220 S. Second St., 522-8151.

Christmas Eve Candlelight, Communion Services Dec 24, 4pm, 6pm, 8pm. Traditional services at 4pm, 6pm. Contemporary serive at 8pm. Services include special music by members of congregation and Ken Gennicks’ devotion. Athens Christian Church, 1411 E. Route 29, Athens, 636-8463.

Christmas Eve Service Dec 24, 6-7pm Thu. Services feature poetry, readings, holiday songs and the ritual lighting of candles. Refreshments to follow. Free. aluuc.org. Abraham Lincoln Unitarian Universalist Congregation, 745 Woodside Road, 585-9550.

Christmas Eve Services Dec 24, 7pm, 11pm. 7pm service suited for families will small children and early bedtimes. 11pm service more traditional. trinity-lutheran. com. Trinity Lutheran Church, 220 S. Second St., 522-8151.

Functional Inefficiency Jan 3, 10:30-11:30am Sun. Presented by Peter S. Wenz, UIS Professor Emeritus of Philosophy. Free. aluuc.org. Abraham Lincoln Unitarian Universalist Congregation, 745 Woodside Road, 585-9550.

Sports & Fitness Jr. Blues Legal Professionals Nght Jan 5, 7:05-9:30pm Tue. Jr. Blues versus the Janesville Jets at Legal Professionals Night. Admission. jrblues. com. Nelson Center Ice Arena, Lincoln Park, 1601 N. Fifth St., 525-2589.

The Harlem Globetrotters Jan 1, 7pm Fri. Exhibition basketball team combines athleticism, theater and comedy. $23.50-$90.50. springfi eldpc3.com. Prairie Capital Convention Center, 1 Convention Center Plaza, 800- 745-3000.

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

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