Fairs & Festivals

7th Annual Holistic Fair Apr 16-17, 10am-5pm Sat-Sun. Hosted by Visions by JDR. visionsbyjdr.com. 217-698-2776. Orr Building, Illinois State Fairgrounds, 801 Sangamon Ave., 725-8047.

The Elegant Women’s Expo Apr 16, 10am-3pm. Pampering, fashion, shopping, live entertainment, wine tastings, wedding and event area, wellness section, demonstrations, more. $3 in advance, $5 at the door. springfi eldwomensexpo.com. Prairie Capital Convention Center, 1 Convention Center Plaza, 800-745-3000.

Books & Authors Pondicherry Lodge Apr 16, 9am. Meeting of the Sherlock Holmes Society of Springfi eld and west central Illinois. Discussion of The Cardboard Box. Public welcome. sherlock.lolopop.org. 217-546-8387. Scheels, 3801 S. MacArthur, 726-6330. SPW Open Mic Apr 20, 6-8pm. 217-725-9058. Robbie’s, 4 S. Old State Capitol Plaza, 528-1901.

Spoken Word Donner-Reed Party Expedition 170th Anniversary Apr 14, 7-9pm. Riverton Village Hall, 1200 E. Riverton Road, Riverton, 629- 6353.

Theater & Comedy Comedian Stewart Huff Apr 15-16, 8:30-10pm Fri, 8-9:30pm. 15-year comedy veteran has been a fi nalist in 2006 Boston Comedy Festival and a performer in the HBO Las Vegas Festival. $12.50 cash only at club. Prepay online, mclimits.com. Mason City Limits Comedy Club, 114 E. Chestnut, Mason City, 482-5233.

Dale Jones Apr 15-16, 7:30pm, 9:30pm Fri- Sat. Seen on Comedy Central “Last Comic Standing,” as well a regular on “Bob and Tom.” $18 20. donniebscomedyclub.com. Donnie B’s Comedy Club, 3455 Freedom Dr., 391- JOKE.

Mrs. Lincoln Fights Back Apr 15-17, 8pm Fri-Sun. Drama. Written by Richard Caufi eld Goodman. Directed by Ed Smith. Pre-shows at 7pm. $15 adults, $13 seniors, $10 children under 12. theatreinthepark. net. Theatre in the Park, Lincoln’s New Salem State Historic Site, 15588 History Lane, Petersburg, 632-5440.

On Golden Pond Apr 15-17, 8pm Fri-Sat, 2pm. 1979 play by Ernest Thompson about aging couple Ethel and Norman Thayer who summer on a lake called Golden Pond. Presented by Springfi eld Theatre Centre. $16, $18. hcfta.org. Hoogland Center for the Arts, 420 S. Sixth St., 523-2787.

The Last Smoker in America Apr 15, 17-16, 7:30pm Fri-Sat, 2pm. $11 advance, $12 at door. Tickets, 424-6318. pdtheatre.org. Pipe Dreams Studio Theatre, 1099 W. Wood St., Decatur.

Music: General Events

Fifth House Ensemble-Journey Apr 16, 8pm. Concert features new arrangement of the entire musical score to the video game titled Journey while audience members take turns playing through different sections of the game. $44+. sangamonauditorium. org. Sangamon Auditorium, UIS, 1 University Plaza, 206-6160.

Millikin-Decatur Symphony Orchestra Season Finale Apr 16, 7:30pm. Program features feature Millikin Union of Choirs and special guest artists Janice Chandler- Eteme (soprano) and Leon Williams (baritone). $13-16.50. kirklandfi nearts. com. Kirkland Fine Arts Center, 1184 W. Main St., Decatur, 424-6318.

Rust A’Cappella Choir Apr 15, 7-9pm. One of America’s most renowned choirs featuring broad repertoire of modern and traditional classical, semi-classical, spirituals, opera, contemporary and traditional gospel selections. $10. ubc-springfi eld. org. Union Baptist Church, 1405 E. Monroe St., 544-8115.

The Doyle and Debbie Show Apr 16-17, 8pm Sat, 2pm.

Hilarious parody lampoons and idolizes country music’s tradition of iconic duos and their subsequent battle of the sexes. $35 advance, $40 day of. atthelegacy.com. The Legacy Theatre, 101 E. Lawrence, 800-838-3006.

Dance Illinois Chapter Po.L.K. of A. Dance Apr 17, 2-5:30pm. Band is Fred and Button Box Club. $9 members, $10 non. illinoischapterpolkofa.org. Riverton Knights of Columbus, 335 S. 4th St., Riverton, 629-9018.

Little Shop of Horrors Apr 15, 17-16, 7:30pm Fri-Sat, 2pm. Presented by Millikin Theatre and Dance. $16-18. Albert Taylor Theatre, Millikin’s Shilling Hall, Decatur, 424-6318.

Art & Architecture Brown Bag Lecture Apr 15, 12pm. Lecture by Larry Shiner focuses on fi ve new art museums. Bring a snack/ lunch or enjoy SAA-provided treats. Free. springfi eldart.org. Springfi eld Art Association, 700 N. Fourth St., 523-2631.

Creative Expressions, Table Setting Luncheon Apr 15-16, 10am-2pm Fri-Sat. Exhibits of handmade jewelry, quilting, ceramics, weaving, copper enameling, stained glass, knitting, crocheting, glass etching, fused glass, painting, plus bake sale, Italian lunch, more. Free admission. pringfi eldceramicsandcraftsclub.org. 217-494-2939. Springfi eld Ceramics and Crafts Club, 2626 S. Pasfi eld St.

Illinois Prairie Pastel Society Show Apr 14-23, 9am-5pm Mon- Fri, 10am-3pm Sat. Exhibition celebrates the 10th anniversary of the IPPS. Includes works by local artists Don Ramsey, Karen Nachtwey, Tracey Maras and others. On display April 15-23. Free. illinoisprairiepastelsociety. org. Springfi eld Art Association, 700 N. Fourth St., 523-2631.

Images of Illinois Exhibit Apr 14-21, 10am-5pm Tue- Wed, 12-7pm Thu-Sat. View work of 2016 Images of Illinois photography contest entrants and winners. On display through Apr 21. Free. prairieart.org. Prairie Art Alliance Gallery in the Hoogland, 420 S. Sixth St., 544- 2787.

Joyful Evolutions Apr 14-21,10am-5pm Tue-Wed, 10am-3pm Thu-Sat. Juried artist exhibit features paintings by Midge Langfelder, jewelry by Beverly Brekke-Bailey and paintings by Jim Edwards. On display through Apr 21. Free.prairieart.org.

Lindsay Paint Party: The Wedding of the Rose and Lotus Apr 16, 2-5pm. Local artist Kristen Jurgens leads participants in painting interpretations of Lindsay’s “The Wedding of the Rose and the Lotus.” $35. vachellindsay.org. 217-761-7348. Vachel Lindsay Home State Historic Site, 603 S. Fifth St., 524-0901.

Roasted: Hot Pots + Pork Apr 16, 3-9pm. Glaze premade ceramic pot; see it being fi red in outdoor Raku kiln. Plus hog roast, live music, ceramic activities, cash bar. $25 adult glazing pot, $10 child glazing pot; $10 for event with dinner but no pot. springfi eldart.org. Springfi eld Art Association, 700 N. Fourth St., 523-2631.

Film & Television Free Films - Best Of Route 66 Apr 14, 6:30-8pm. 217-725- 9058. Z Bistro, 220 S. Sixth St., 522-4049.

Yellowstone National Park and Manzanar National Historic Site Videos Apr 16, 2-3pm. Showing of two fi lms. One on Yellowstone National Park’s scenic wonders, the other on the relocation of Japanese Americans to the Mazanar retention camp during WWII. Lincoln Home National Historic Site, 413 S. Eighth St., 391-3221.

Children’s Corner Junior Ranger Activity Station Apr 16, 1-4pm. Kids earn a Centennial Junior Ranger badge by completing fun, hands-on activities. Lincoln Home National Historic Site, 413 S. Eighth St., 391-3221.

Nature

Spring Gardening, A Time To Get Your Hands Dirty Apr 19, 6:30pm. Presentations by U of I Master Gardners Pam Catalani and Karen Grant plus Clovers 4-H Club on till versus layered gardens, container gardens and community gardens.

Refreshments. pspld.com. Prairie Skies Public Library, 555 Buckeye Road, Pleasant Plains, 626-1553.

Roots of Nature Workshop Apr 16, 9am-3pm. Theme is “Nature’s Music: The Sounds Animals Make and Why” with award-winning environmental educator David Stokes. $40 includes lunch, snacks. Registration. springfi eldaudubon. org. Adams Wildlife Sanctuary, 2315 E. Clear Lake Ave., 544- 2473.

Spring Bird Hikes Apr 16, 8-9:30am. Kevin Veara leads visitors throughout Garden in search of spring migratory birds. All skill levels welcome. All hikes begin at Nature Center. Free. lincolnmemorialgarden.org. Lincoln Memorial Garden, 2301 E. Lake Shore Dr., 529-1111.

Woodland Wildflower and Tree Sale Apr 16-17, 8:30am-4pm Sat, 1-4pm. Choose from 14 different shade-loving woodland wildfl owers and 15 bare root trees and shrubs. Free admission. lincolnmemorialgarden.org. Lincoln Memorial Garden, 2301 E. Lake Shore Dr., 529-1111.

Environment

Mushroom Program Apr 19, 1-3:30pm. Dr. Andrew Miller, Illinois Natural History Survey mycologist, on the large variety of fungi that occur throughout Illinois. Walk in woods to follow presentation. Free. lincolnmemorialgarden.org. Lincoln Memorial Garden, 2301 E. Lake Shore Dr., 529-1111.

Party for the Planet Apr 16, 10am-4pm. Celebrate and learn how our actions impact the Earth. Admission. springfi eldparks.org. Henson Robinson Zoo, 1100 E. Lake Shore Dr., 585-1821.

Lectures & Meetings

A History of Beer Brewing Apr 19, 5:30pm. Roy Mayfi eld, founding president of Reisch Brew Crew, discusses breweriana, the collecting of beer memorabilia. Hosted by Sangamon County Historic Society. sangamonhistory.org. 217-525-1961. Lincoln Library, 326 S. Seventh St., 753-4900.

Fiction about African American and Bi-Racial Experience in Contemporary America Apr 15, 7pm. Award-winning fi ction writer Danielle Evans reads from her debut collection of short stories, Before You Suffocate Your Own Fool Self. Free. UIS Brookens Auditorium, One University Plaza, 206-6073.

Fifth Annual Student Technology, Arts and Research Symposium Apr 14-15, 4-7pm Thu, 9am- 9pm. UIS undergraduate and graduate students present their research and creative activities through short talks, poster presentations, art exhibitions and musical performances. Free to public. uis.edu. 217-206-8358. University of Illinois at Springfield, 206-6073. National Alliance on Mental Illness Apr 20, 7pm. Meetings held each month on first Saturday (1pm) and third Wednesday (7pm) of the month. For families, caregivers, friends and those with mental illness. First Christian Church, 700 S. Sixth St., 528-3407.

The Future of the Past: Museums Apr 19, 11:30am-1:30pm. Russell Lewis, executive vice president of the Chicago History Museum, on the future of preserving and managing historical collections. UIS Professor Emeritus Larry Shiner on art museum design in the 21st century. $23 per person. Registration, uis.edu/ advancement/alumni. UIS Public Affairs Center (PAC), One University Plaza, 206-6073.

The Rotary Club of Springfield Apr 18, 5:30-7pm. Presentation by Sangamon County State’s Attorney John Milhiser. Complimentary for prospective Rotarians. springfieldilrotary.org. 217-793-1710. Maldaner’s, 222 S. Sixth St., 522-4313.

Bulletin Board Family Discovery Day Apr 16, 10am-3pm. Free classes and online experiences in searching for and finding ancestors from Rootstech Conference sponsored by Family Search. Free. Sack lunch provided. lds.org/ familydiscoveryday. 618-635- 3144. Springfield Family History Center, 3601 Buckeye Dr., 529- 7930.

Free Shredding Event Apr 16, 9-11am. Safely discard out-of-date paper items. Bring a non-perishable food item to help the Central Illinois Food Bank. Free. Ameriprise Financial, 2621 Montega Dr., 787-2435.

Mrs. Beard Event Apr 17, 4pm. Singing, dancing, memories, snacking, praise in honor of Mrs. Betty Jean Beard. Free to all. St. Paul AME Church, 1130 S. 16th, 522-4796. Public Observation Night Apr 20, 8-10pm. Free to public. Requarth Observatory, Leighty- Tabor Science Center, Millikin University, off Fairview Avenue, Decatur.

Springfield Christian Women’s Connection Luncheon Apr 20, 11am-1pm. Speaker Joan Vidliak on “The Adventures and Misadventures of Being a Wife and Mother of Six daughters.” Special feature: Heidi Cadle from The Dress Barn. $15. 217-787-1870. Sangamon Prairie Reception Center, 8855 State Route 4, Chatham, 483-7999. Springfield Jaycees Lawnmower Clinic Apr 16, 9am-1pm. Lawnmowers serviced at reasonable prices. $50-60. 217-341-2969. O’Reilly Auto Parts West Jefferson, 1501 West Jefferson, 793-1872. Starting Your Business in Illinois Apr 20, 1:30-3:30pm. Learn about preparing a business plan, business financing, 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.

Walk a Mile In Her Shoes Apr 16, 9:30am-3pm. Men walk one mile in women’s high heel shoes to take a stand against sexual violence and raise money for Prairie Center Against Sexual Assault. $35 individuals, $25 teams of 5 or more members. firstgiving.com/pcasa. Prairie Center Against Sexual Assault, 3 W Old State Capitol Plaza, 744-2560.

Food MasterChef Springfield Apr 17, 4-8pm. Five-course meal, silent auction, live viewing of the cook-off competition featuring chefs Chefs Stephane Perrin, TJ Martin and Mark Andrews. $60. masterchefspringfield.eventbrite. com. 217-993-7051. Concordia Village, 4101 W. Iles, 793-9429.

History Annual Lincoln Tomb Ceremony Apr 16, 10am. 60th Annual Lincoln Tomb Ceremony commemorating the 151st anniversary of President Lincoln’s death. Sponsored by SUVCW and MOLLUS. Luncheon to follow. suvcw.org. 636-274-4567. Lincoln’s Tomb State Historic Site, 1500 Monument Ave., 782-2717.

Life of a Citizen Soldier Apr 16, 2-3pm. Three retired citizen soldiers present an informal account of aspects of their service of duty between 1950 -1970. Free. kwnm.org. Korean War National Museum Denis J. Healy Freedom Center, 9 South Old State Capitol Plaza, 523-7230.

Secret Spaces Tours Apr 16, 12pm, 2pm.. Curator of collections Erika Holst leads visitors on rarely seen tour of attic and cellars plus collections and storage areas. $15. edwardsplace.org. Edwards Place, Springfield Art Association, 700 N. Fourth St., 523-2631.

Auditions Theatre in the Park Open Auditions Apr 16, 8:30am-2pm. Auditionees interested in Hello Dolly!, Cats and My Heart’s Home are asked to register online for a time slot for a small group audition. Registration, theatreinthepark. net. 217-632-5440. First Congregational Church, 2100 Bates Ave., 546-7170.

Health UIS Health and Wellness Fair Apr 20, 10am-1pm. Theme: “Healthiest Nation 2030, Let’s make America the healthiest nation in one generation”. Free. nphw.org. 217-206-6676. UIS Recreation and Athletic Center, 206-6073.

Faith & Philosophy The Poetry & Spirituality of Vachel Lindsay Apr 17, 10:30-11:30am. Rev. Martin Woulfe shares insights and poetry from Springfield’s second most famous son, Vachel Lindsay. Free. aluuc.org. Abraham Lincoln Unitarian Universalist Congregation, 745 Woodside Road, 585-9550.

Sports & Fitness Relay For Life Apr 16, 6pm-12am. Walk in teams to fight cancer in support of the American Cancer Society. [email protected]. Illinois College Bruner Fitness & Recreation Center, Edgehill Road, Jacksonville, 245-3000.

SBC Season Kickoff Party Apr 15, 5-8pm. Learn about the Springfield Bicycle Club’s 2016 plans, including a rider development program, the Cycling Challenge series, group rides, bike education opportunities, more. Free. spfldcycling.org Casey’s Pub, 2200 S. Meadowbrook Road, 241-7101.