HOLIDAY HAPPENINGS

Christmas Auction

Dec 10, 5pm Sat. Food available for purchase. Clementine Memorial Church, 2075 N. 11th St., 638-1648.

Holiday Party

Dec 12, 5:30-8pm Mon. Hosted by ICON. Guest speaker Mercy Davison, city planner of Normal. $30. Advance tickets, icon2016.eventbrite.com. 217-528-9803. Maldaner’s, 222 S. Sixth St., 522-4313.

Candlelight Tours

Dec 16-17, 5-8pm Fri-Sat. 1940’s-style Christmas features boughs and other natural materials; each room is decorated in the style of its earliest periods. No charge. Elijah Iles House, 628 S. Seventh St., 492- 5929.

BOOKS & AUTHORS

Book Signing

Dec 10, 11-1pm Sat. Pastor Margaret Phillips signs her book The Biggest Slide Out of This World. The Sly Fox Bookstore, 123 N. Springfi eld St., Virden, 965-3641.

Coffee House Writing Rituals

Dec 9, 16, 9:30-11:30am Fri. Social hour meet and greet designed to cultivate inspiration for writers. Second and third Fridays of month. $5-10 donation. 217- 899-5247. Edgar’s Coffee House, 87 W. Plummer, Chatham, 391-7628.

SPW Open Mic

Dec 21, 6-8pm Wed. 217-725-9058. Robbie’s, 4 S. Old State Capitol Plaza, 528-1901.

THEATER & COMEDY

A Tuna Christmas

Dec 9-11, 8pm Fri-Sat, 2pm. Hilarious comedy where two actors play all of the residents in the tiny town of Tuna, Texas. In association with Playhouse on the Square. $18 adults, $16 seniors and students. hcfta.org. Hoogland Center for the Arts, 420 S. Sixth St., 523-2787.

Comedian Chris Boom Boom Johnson

Dec 9-10, 7:30pm Fri-Sat, 9:30pm, Fri- Sat. $14, $16. donniebscomedyclub. com. Donnie B’s Comedy Club, 3455 Freedom Dr., 391-JOKE.

Comedian Ryan Singer

Dec 9-10, 8-9:30pm Fri-Sat. Selected by LA Weekly as one of the “10 LA Comics to Watch” in 2014. Frequent guest on “WTF with Marc Maron Podcast” and the “Bob and Tom Show.” $15 cash only at club or prepay online. mclimits.com. Mason City Limits Comedy Club, 114 E. Chestnut, Mason City, 482-5233.

Comedian Steve Kramer Dec 16-17, 9:30pm Fri, 7:30pm Sat, 9:30pm Sat. Heard on the “Bob and Tom Show,” XM Radio, HBO and late night TV. $14, $16. donniebscomedyclub. com. Donnie B’s Comedy Club, 3455 Freedom Dr., 391-JOKE.

It’s A Wonderful Life

Dec 9-10, 6pm Fri-Sat. Theatre 7 performs the stage-play adaptation of Frank Capra’s iconic holiday classic fi lm. Limited seating; advance tickets required by Dec 7. $45 includes dinner and performance. The Decatur Club, 158 W. Prairie Ave., Decatur, 429-4200.

The Best Christmas Pageant Ever

Dec 8-10, 7:30pm Thu-Sat. Presented by Playhouse on the Square. Directed by Laurie McCoy and Kim Shafer. $10 adults, $5 kids. playhouseonthesquare.net. Playhouse on the Square, 68 E. Central Park, Jacksonville, 491-3977.

The Music Man Jr.

Dec 9-11, 7pm Fri-Sat, 2pm Sun. Iconic musical follows fast-talking traveling salesman Harold Hill. Presented by Springfi eld Theatre Centre. Admission. hcfta.org. Hoogland Center for the Arts, 420 S. Sixth St., 523-2787.

MUSIC: GENERAL EVENTS

Capital Area Concert Band

Dec 20, 7pm Tue. Intergenerational band with 50- plus members performs holiday concert featuring Christmas carols and newer seasonal songs. Free. Trinity Lutheran School, 515 S. MacArthur, 787- 2323.

Handel’s Messiah

Dec 10, 7:30-9:30pm Sat. Springfi eld Choral Society performs Handel’s Messiah, with orchestra. $15. springfi eldchoralsociety.org. 217-787-4868. Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception, 815 S. Sixth St., 522-3342.

Rudolf Zuiderveld

Dec 21, 12:15-12:45pm Wed. Complimentary lunchtime organ concert by Rudolf Zuiderveld. Free. BYO lunch, or purchase one at door for $5. First Presbyterian Church, 321 S. Seventh St., 528-4311.

The Eddy Flute Choir

Dec 14, 12:15-12:45pm Wed. Free lunchtime concert in honor of Advent. Bring your own lunch or purchase one at door for $5. lincolnschurch.org. First Presbyterian Church, 321 S. Seventh St., 528-4311.

Winter Winds Concert

Dec 16, 7:30pm Fri. Illinois Symphony Chamber Orchestra performs Telemann’s depiction of “Don Quixote,” Hindemith’s delightful “Concerto for Woodwinds and Harp” and Beethoven’s “Second Symphony.” $5-20. ilsymphony. org. First Presbyterian Church, 321 S. Seventh St., 528-4311.

DANCE

BAM

Dec 9, 8-11pm Fri. Playing the Friday night dance. VFW Post #755, 2211 Old Jacksonville Road, 546-9515.

The Nutcracker

Dec 10-11, 2-4pm Sat- Sun, 8pm Sat. Springfi eld Ballet Company’s 42nd annual production of the holiday classic. Featuring elaborate scenery, colorful costumes, exquisite dancing and beautiful music. $18- 30. springfi eldballetco.org. 217-544-1967. Sangamon Auditorium, UIS, 1 University Plaza, 206-6160.

ART & ARCHITECTURE

Decorate Ugly Sweater Cookies

Dec 13, 7-8:30pm Tue. Hosted by Our Vibrant Community. No bake, no mess. Register by Dec 10. $25. Questions, Rhiannon@ ourvibrantcommunity.com. 217- 331-2027. Boones Saloon, 301 W. Edwards St., 679-3752.

LARGE WORKS/small works Opening

Dec 10, 5:30-7:30pm Sat. Featuring artworks by the SAA Collective juried artists. Plus cider and cookies. Free. springfi eldart.org. SAA Collective Gallery, 420 S. Sixth St., 544- 2787.

Moodscapes

Dec 8-Jan 13. New photography exhibition by David Brodsky, award-winning graphic designer and photographer. Free. brodskyphotoart.com. Sangamo Club, 227 E. Adams St., 544- 1793.

Paint Nite

Dec 12, 19, 7-9pm Mon. No experience necessary. All supplies provided. $25-45. paintnite.com. Omar’s Latin Fusion Restaraunt, 6901 Preston Dr., 415-5568.

Paint Nite

Dec 14, 21, 7-9pm Wed. No experience necessary. Ages 21+ only. All supplies provided. $25-45. Registration required, paintnite.com. Fire and Ale, 35 Illini Boulevard, Sherman, 496- 2236.

FILM & TELEVISION

Irving Berlin’s White Christmas

Dec 18, 7:30pm Sun. Screening of the classic holiday fi lm on the silver screen. $10 at door, $5 with food bank donation. atthelegacy.com. The Legacy Theatre, 101 E. Lawrence, 800- 838-3006.

It’s A Wonderful Life

Dec 16, 7:30pm Fri. View the classic holiday fi lm on the silver screen. $10 at door, $5 with food bank donation. atthelegacy. com. The Legacy Theatre, 101 E. Lawrence, 800-838-3006.

The Nightmare Before Christmas

Dec 17, 7:30pm Sat. Screening of Tim Burton’s Nightmare Before Christmas (1993). $10 at door, $5 with food bank donation. atthelegacy.com. The Legacy Theatre, 101 E. Lawrence, 800-838-3006.

Through a Different Lens Film Series

Dec 8, 6-9pm Thu. Unique fi lms and discussion. Free. llccfoundation.org. LLCC Trutter Center, 5250 Shepherd Road, 786-2200.

NATURE

Milkweeds and Monarchs

Dec 8, 6:30-8pm Thu. Long-term trends in Midwestern milkweeds and their relevance for Monarchs presented by Greg Spyreas. Hosted by the Central Chapter of the Illinois Native Plant Society. Free. ill-inps.org. 217-971-1615. Adams Wildlife Sanctuary, 2315 E. Clear Lake Ave., 544-2473.

LECTURES & MEETINGS

Breakfast Optimist Club

Dec 9, 16, 7am Fri. Every Friday. Visitors welcome. 217-546- 5021. Atonement Lutheran Church, 2800 W. Jefferson St., 546-7646.

Informational Travel Meeting

Dec 12, 6-7pm Mon. Hosted by Senior Services of Central Illinois. Informational meeting on 2017 travel (two trips). Reservations, [email protected] or 503-4629. ssoci.org. Senior Services of Central Illinois, 701 W. Mason, 528-4035.

League of Women Voters Springfield

Dec 14, 5:30-7pm Wed. General meeting. New members welcome. INCIL, Myers Building, Fifth Floor, Room 501, 1 W. Old State Capitol Plaza.

National Alliance on Mental Illness

Dec 21, 7pm Wed. Meetings held each month on fi rst Saturday (1pm) and third Wednesday (7pm). For families, caregivers, friends and those with mental illness. First Christian Church, 700 S. Sixth St., 528-3407.

Overeaters Anonymous

Dec 12, 19, 5:30pm Mon. 12- step meeting. Mondays. 217- 369-0386. Unity of Springfi eld, 417 Cordelia, 523-5897.

Overeaters Anonymous

Dec 10, 17, 10am Sat, 10am Sat. 12-step meeting. Saturdays. 217-369-0386. First United Methodist Church,

2941 S. Koke Mill Road, 793- 9760.

Sertoma Club

Dec 19, 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.

Young at Heart

Dec 13, 9:30am Tue. For seniors and retired friends. Blood pressure checks, concert by Athens High School Choir and more. Athens Christian Church, 1411 E. Route 29, Athens, 636-8463.

BULLETIN BOARD

APL Pet Adoptions

Dec 10, 11am-4pm Sat. Cats and dogs available. aplshelter.org. 217-544-7387.

Petsmart, 3183 S. Veterans Pkwy, 698-3091.

APL Pet Adoptions

Dec 11, 12-4pm Sun. Cats available. apl-shelter.org. 217- 544-7387. Petsmart, 3183 S. Veterans Pkwy, 698-3091.

APL Pet Adoptions

Dec 17, 11am-4pm Sat. Cats available. apl-shelter.org. 217- 544-7387. Petsmart, 3183 S. Veterans Pkwy, 698-3091.

Tree of Lights

Dec 10, 12-5:30pm Sat. Tree lighting at 5:30pm plus readings of special poems, refreshments and more. aplshelter.org. Animal Protective League, 1001 Taintor Road, 544-7387.

PFLAG Monthly Meeting

Dec 19, 7pm Mon. Abraham Lincoln Unitarian Universalist Congregation, 745 Woodside Road, 585-9550.

Springfield Christian Women’s Connection Luncheon

Dec 14, 11am-1pm Wed. “Holiday Memories” luncheon. Speaker Ruth Catlett presents “Trouble in River City.” $15. 217-522-5318. Northfi eld Inn Suites and Conference Center, 3280 Northfi eld Dr., 523-7900.

Wreaths Across America

Dec 17, 11am-12pm Sat. Ceremony in honor of grave decorating at Camp Butler and other national cemeteries. Free admission. Donations for wreaths accepted. 415- 6464. wreathsacrossamerica. org. Camp Butler National Cemetery, 5063 Camp Butler Road, 492-4070.

FOOD

Springfield Vegetarian Association

Dec 13, 6:30-8pm Tue. Speciesism video presentation examines the social justice issue of eating animals for food. Free. 217-546-9171. Lincoln Library, 326 S. Seventh St., 753-4900.

HISTORY

Christmas at the Front

Dec 10, 4-8pm Sat. Military Museum living historians discuss how soldiers celebrated Christmas during four confl icts. Plus holiday carols by local choirs, hot chocolate, cider, cookies and more. Free. il.ngb.army. mil/museum. Illinois State Military Museum, 1301 N. MacArthur Blvd, 761-3910.

HEALTH

Cancer Companions

Dec 12, 6:30-8pm Mon. Nine-week session hosted by Bringing Hope to the Journey, a ministry to current or former cancer patients, their loved ones, friends and co-workers. oursaviors-church.org. Our Savior’s Church and School, 2645 Old Jacksonville Road, 546-4531.

DBSA Central Illinois Support Group

Dec 13, 20, 6:30-8pm Tue. 217-816-8523. First Christian Church, 700 S. Sixth St., 528- 3407.

FAITH & PHILOSOPHY

A Course in Miracles

Dec 13, 20, 6pm Tue. 217- 415-5823. Abraham Lincoln Unitarian Universalist Congregation, 745 Woodside Road, 585-9550.

Labyrinth Walk

Dec 16, 7-9pm Fri. Abraham Lincoln Unitarian Universalist Congregation, 745 Woodside Road, 585-9550.

The Spirituality and Poetry of William Butler Yeats

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

Winter Solstice Celebration

Dec 21, 6:30-8pm Wed. Prayer and simple meal in celebration of the Solstice. Registration required. $18 per person. jubileefarm.info. Jubilee Farm, 6760 Old Jacksonville Road, 787-6927.

SPORTS & FITNESS

JL Memorial 8K Challenge

Dec 10, 8-10am Sat. 8K run/ walk to honor and remember the sacrifi ces of our veterans. Registration, jlm8kchallenge. com. The Rail Golf Course, 1400 South Club House Dr., Springfi eld, 525-0365.

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