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

HOLIDAY HAPPENINGS

Singing Valentines Feb 12-14, Fri-Sun. For your sweetie, a rose and two songs sung by a tuxedoed quartet from Land of Lincoln Chorus. $50. landofl incolnchorus.com. 217- 953-0225. Various locations.

Symphony of Chocolate Feb 14, 2-4pm Sun. Sample chocolates, chocolate fountain, hear beautiful music from The Debbie Eddy Flute Choir and The Sound Celebration Chorus. oursaviors-church.org. Our Savior’s Church and School, 2645 Old Jacksonville Road, 546-4531.

Valentine’s Murder Mystery Weekend Feb 13-14, 1-4pm Sat, 6-9pm Sun. Three dinner times to choose from; different murder mystery at each dinner. $50 per person. 870-932-0505. The Inn at 835, 835 S. Second St., 523-4466.

BOOKS & AUTHORS

Civil War Fathers and WWII Sons Feb 12, 1-2pm Fri. Tim Pletkovich, author of Civil War Fathers: Sons of the Civil War in World War II. Free. chathamlib.org. Chatham Area Public Library, 600 E. Spruce, Chatham, 483- 2713.

SPW Open Mic Feb 17, 6-8pm Wed. A Springfi eld Poets & Writers event, hosted by Thèa Chesley, third Wednesday of every month. Free. springfi eldpoetsandwriters.com. 217- 725-9058. Robbie’s, 4 S. Old State Capitol Plaza, 528-1901.

THEATER & COMEDY

Annie Feb 13, 3pm Sat. The world’s best-loved musical featuring book and score by Tony Award-winners Thomas Meehan, Charles Strouse and Martin Charnin. Admission. sangamonauditorium.org. Sangamon Auditorium, UIS, 1 University Plaza, 206-6160.

Blather, Blarney and Balderdash Feb 13-15, 20-22, 7pm Fri-Sat, 2pm Sun. Three hilarious, action-packed Irish folk and fairy tales about three crazy leprechauns and shepherd Fin O’Grady. Presented by Springfi eld Theatre Centre. $16, $18. hcfta.org. Hoogland Center for the Arts, 420 S. Sixth St., 523-2787.

Comedian Buzz Sutherland Feb 12-13, 7:30pm Fri-Sat. Seen on Comedy Central, HBO and “The Late Late Show”. $15, $17. donniebscomedyclub. com. Donnie B’s Comedy Club, 3455 Freedom Dr., 391-JOKE.

Comedian Carmen Morales Feb 12-13, 8:30-10pm Fri, 8-9:30pm Sat. Featured in Gilda’s LaughFest Comedy Festival, The World Series of Comedy, Women of Comedy Festival, $12.50 cash at club or prepay online with cc at mclimits.com. Mason City Limits Comedy Club, 114 E. Chestnut, Mason City, 482-5233.

Comedy Hypnotist: Jeff Harpring Feb 13, 8pm Sat. Audience volunteers experience onstage hypnotism. $15. hcfta.org. Hoogland Center for the Arts, 420 S. Sixth St., 523- 2787.

MUSIC:

GENERAL EVENTS

British Regiments Feb 11, 7:30-9:30pm Thu. Featuring the Band of the Royal Marines with the pipes, drums and highland dancers of the Scots Guards. Admission. sangamonauditorium.org. Sangamon Auditorium, UIS, 1 University Plaza, 206- 6160.

Dual Pianos Feb 12, 7pm Fri. Musically talented, comedic duo consisting of Damien Kaplan and Mark Gifford. Free-will offering. St. John’s Lutheran Church, 2477 W. Washington St., 793- 3933.

Jim Harris & Tad O’Brien Feb 17, 12:15-12:45pm Wed. Harpist Jim Harris and classical guitarist Tad O’Brien. BYO lunch or purchase one for $5 at door. Free. lincolnschurch.org. First Presbyterian Church, 321 S. Seventh St., 528-4311.

SVYS Civic Orchestra Concert Feb 14, 4-6pm Sun. Conducted by Matthew Sheppard. “Moulin Rouge”, “La Bohème”, Beethoven’s 9th Symphony, more. $15 adults, $10 students, free ages 12 and under. svys. org. 217-753-8000. The Legacy Theatre, 101 E. Lawrence, 800- 838-3006.

Three Little Birds Feb 15, 7pm Mon. Based on a story for children by Cedella Marley. Music, lyrics by Bob Marley. For ages 4 and older. Admission. sangamonauditorium.org. Sangamon Auditorium, UIS, 1 University Plaza, 206-6160.

DANCE

14th Annual Valentine’s Dinner and Dance Feb 12, 5:30-10pm Fri. Hosted by Jacksonville Rotary Club. Cocktail reception 5:30pm, prime rib dinner 6:30pm, plus dancing, live auction, silent auction. $35 per person, tables of 8. Preregister, 248-1272 or jacksonvillerotary.org. Hamilton’s, 110 N. East St., Jacksonville.

A Country Dance Feb 12, 17, 7-10:30pm Wed, 7-11pm Fri. $5. pldc.org. Prairie Land Dance Club, 650 Matilda St., Illiopolis, 428-1560.

BAM Feb 12, 8-11pm Fri. Friday night dance. VFW Post #755, 2211 Old Jacksonville Road, 546-9515.

St. Valentine’s Dance Feb 13, 9pm-12:45am Sat. Great Latin Music by DJ Michael Orama. Dress to impress. $3. [email protected]. Omar’s Latin Fusion Restaraunt, 6901 Preston Dr., 415-5568.

ART & ARCHITECTURE

Brown Bag Lecture Feb 12, 12pm Fri. Ruthann Mazrim presents on the Precisionists, a group of popular, early 20th-century artists. Coffee, snacks provided. BYO lunch. Free. springfi eldart.org. Springfi eld Art Association, 700 N. Fourth St., 523-2631.

Mid-Central Illinois Scholastic Art Feb 11-13, 16-20, 22-24, 9am- 5pm Mon-Fri, 10am-3pm Sat. View the work of many talented junior high and high school students from across the Central Illinois area. Free. aartandwriting. org. Springfi eld Art Association, 700 N. Fourth St., 523-2631.

refleXions exhibit Feb 11-14, 16-21, 23-24, 10am-5pm Tue-Wed, 12-7pm Thu-Sat. Woodwork by Brian Allen, photography by Ginny Lee and paintings/drawings by Greg Walbert. Also new art in various mediums from PAA’S 85 exhibiting artist members. Free. prairieart.org. Prairie Art Alliance Gallery in the Hoogland, 420 S. Sixth St., 544-2787.

Rock Music Canvas & Cocktails Feb 12, 7pm Fri. Choose from a variety of rock album covers and create the image on a 12x12 canvas. BYO food, drink. 21+. $10 SAA members, $20 non. Reservations, springfi eldart.org. Springfi eld Art Association, 700 N. Fourth St., 523-2631.

The Pharmacy Group Exhibit Feb 11-13, 18, 12-6pm Thu-Sat. Works by 20 artist members featuring both representational and abstract art in various media. Free. thepharmacygallery.com. The Pharmacy Gallery & Art Space, 711 S. 5th St., 801-810- 9278. FILM & TELEVISION

Free Films - Best Of Route 66 Feb 11, 6:30-8pm Thu. Drink, dine and enjoy award-winning and audience favorite short fi lms from recent Route 66 Film Festivals. Free. route66fi lmfestival.net. 217-725-9058. Z Bistro, 220 S. Sixth St., 522-4049.

Molly Schlich Film Series Feb 14, 16, 1pm, 4pm Sun, 7pm Tue. Sixth fi lm in series is Labyrinth of Lies. German fi lm, set in the country more than a decade after World War II. $8 adult, $4 students. springfi eldart. org. 217-523-2631. AMC Parkway 8, 3025 Lindbergh Boulevard, 888-262-4386.

CHILDREN’S CORNER

Centennial Junior Ranger Activities Feb 13-14, 1-3pm Sat-Sun. Play with 1860s-era reproduction toys and complete children’s activities to earn a Junior Ranger badge. Lincoln Home Visitors Center, 426 S. 7th St., 492-4150.

Family Day at the ALPLM Feb 14, 10am-1pm Sun. Interactive games, stories, more with with Springfi eld Jr. Blues players. Free. jrblues.com. 217- 525-2589. Abraham Lincoln Presidential Museum, 212 N. Sixth St., 782-5764.

NATURE Great Backyard Bird Count Feb 12, 9am-12pm Fri. Help count birds at feeders. No bird identifi cation experience necessary. Adults, children welcome. Refreshments provided. Free. illinoisaudubon.org. Adams Wildlife Sanctuary, 2315 E. Clear Lake Ave., 544-2473.

Prairie State Orchid Society Display and Sale Feb 13-14, 12-4pm Sat, 12- 3pm Sun. Exotic tropical orchids displayed in juried competition. Orchid experts on hand to answer questions, sell orchids. Free admission. springfi eldparks. org. Washington Park Botanical Garden Exhibit Hall, 1740 W. Fayette Ave., 546-4116.

The Power of Native Plants Feb 11, 6:30-8pm Thu. Presentation by Bill Ruppert, owner/manager of the St. Louis offi ce of National Nursery Products. Hosted by the Central Chapter of the Illinois Native Plant Society. ill-inps.org. 217-971- 1615. Adams Wildlife Sanctuary, 2315 E. Clear Lake Ave., 544- 2473.

LECTURES & MEETINGS

A Showcase Symposium: Black Lives Matter Feb 15, 6pm Mon. UIS students connect the Black Lives Matter movement to ECCE themes. Creative presentations include rap, lecture, slam poetry, slides, more. Free. UIS Brookens Auditorium, One University Plaza, 206-6073.

Abraham Lincoln’s Birthday Banquet Feb 12, 6-10pm Fri. Speaker Dr. Bernice King, CEO of the King Center and daughter of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and Coretta Scott King. Tickets, $85. abrahamlincolnassociation. org. 866-865-8500. President Abraham Lincoln Hotel & Conference Center, 701 E. Adams, 544-8800.

Loss of a Spouse Feb 11, 6:30pm Thu. Special GriefShare session helps participants learn to grieve for their spouse while honoring their memories as a couple. Free. Pre-registration, [email protected]. 217-899-9418. Trinity Lutheran School, 515 S. MacArthur, 787- 2323.

BULLETIN BOARD

2016 Career Connections Expo Feb 16, 11:30am-2:30pm Tue. Annual event hosted by the career services offi ces at UIS, Lincoln Land Community College and ITT Technical Institute. 217- 206-6508. UIS Recreation and Athletic Center, 206-6073.

Springfield Christian Women’s Connection Luncheon Feb 17, 11am-12:45pm Wed. “Past, Present and Future” luncheon. Special Feature: Mike Burke, Civil War historian. Speaker: Viki Scherer. $15. 787- 8246. [email protected]. 217-787-1870. Sangamon Prairie Reception Center, 8855 State Route 4, Chatham, 483-7999.

Starting Your Business in Illinois Feb 17, 1:30-3:30pm Wed. Learn about preparing a business plan, business fi nancing, legal forms, registering a business name and taxes. Hosted by Illinois Small Business Development Center at LLCC. Free. Registration, 544- 7232. Capital City Training Center, 130 W. Mason.

FOOD

Dinner with the Mafia Feb 13-14, 4-6:15pm Sat, 6-8:15pm Sun. Italian-style Murder Mystery Dinner. $38. Capone’s Hideout, 201 W. Illinois St., New Berlin. 488-6121.

Family Service Center’s Annual Trivia Night Feb 13, 7-10:30pm Sat. Emcee Russ Friedewald. BYO snacks, drinks available for purchase. $10 per person. Max teams of 10. service2families.com. 217-528- 8406. Knights of Columbus 364, 2200 S. Meadowbrook Road, 787-2360.

Peaceable Kingdom: The Journey Home Feb 15, 6:30-8pm Mon. Awardwinning documentary gives rare glimpse into both the moral struggles of farmers and the emotional lives of farm animals. Sponsored by the Springfi eld Vegetarian Association. Free. 217-546-9171. Lincoln Library, 326 S. Seventh St., 753-4900.

HISTORY

4-H and the Union Baptist Church Youth Mime Unspoken Ministry Feb 15, 12-1pm Mon. A. Lincoln Commons, Lincoln Land Community College, 5250 Shepherd Road, 786-2200.

8th Annual Lincoln Lecture Feb 12, 9am Fri. Historian Erika Holst on the infl uence Mary Todd Lincoln and her sisters had over a rough looking country lawyer who became President of the United States. Free. Trutter Center, Lincoln Land Community College, 5250 Shepherd Road, 786-2200.

Lincoln’s Birthday Ball Feb 12, 1-4pm Fri. Civil War attire not required but appreciated. Free to public. Old State Capitol, 1 Old State Capitol Plaza, 785- 9363.

Sangamon County Historical Society Program Feb 16, 5:30-7pm Tue. Program: “My Home. My History”. Mary Alice Davis on china pieces in the autumn leaves pattern, Roger Whitaker will shows his collection of telegraph keys. Free. sangamonhistory.org. 217-525- 1961. Lincoln Library, 326 S. Seventh St., 753-4900.

Stepshow Feb 12, 7pm Fri. A showcaseof student talent. Learn the role Greek organizations play in society and higher education. Free. uis.edu/diversitycenter. Student Life Building, University of Illinois at Springfi eld, 206- 6073.

HEALTH

Are You Curious About Medical Cannabis?

Feb 17, 1:30-3pm Wed. Kirsten Velasco, Patient Advocate for Illinois Women in Cannabis (NFP) will answer all of your questions about medical cannabis. Open Q and A to follow. Free. chathamlib. org. Chatham Area Public Library, 600 E. Spruce, Chatham, 483- 2713.

FAITH & PHILOSOPHY

Why Not You Today Women’s Conference with Sonya Jones Feb 13, 9am-2pm Sat. Inspirational women’s conference with Sonya Jones, Season 16 fi nalist on NBC’s “The Biggest Loser”. $25. sonyajones44.com. Calvary Church, 501 West Hazel Dell Road, 546-9700.

SPORTS & FITNESS

Jr. Blues Fans vs. Food Feb 12, 7:05-9:30pm Fri. Springfi eld Jr. Blues versus the Fairbanks Ice Dogs. $1 off walkup ticket price when you bring a canned good (up to 4). Admission. jrblues.com. Nelson Center Ice Arena, Lincoln Park, 1601 N. Fifth St., 525-2589.

Jr. Blues Game Feb 13, 7:05-9:30pm Sat. Springfi eld Jr. Blues versus the Fairbanks Ice Dogs. Admission. jrblues.com. Nelson Center Ice Arena, Lincoln Park, 1601 N. Fifth St., 525-2589.

Our Savior Shamrocks 5k Fun Run & Walk Feb 12, 7-8am Fri. 217-243- 5678. Our Savior’s Lutheran School, 2645 Old Jacksonville Road, 546-4531.

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

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