Holiday Happenings
First Night Dec 31, 1-4pm and 5-11:15pm.
Afternoon free activities for kids at Springfi eld High School. Evening music, dance and more at various downtown locations. springfi eldartsco.org. Various locations, downtown Springfield.
Public Menorah Lighting Dec 29, 5:30pm Thu. Lighting of 7-foot-tall menorah accompanied by a buffet of traditional, fresh Hanukkah foods. Mayor Jim Langfelder will light fi rst candle. White Oaks Mall, 2501 Wabash Ave., 787-8560.
Theater & Comedy Comedian Blind Stein Dec 30, 7:30pm Fri. Hilarious comic, has toured all over the US. $14, $16. donniebscomedyclub.com. Donnie B’s Comedy Club, 3455 Freedom Dr., 391- JOKE.
Comedian Dr. Gonzo Dec 31, 8-10pm Sat. Local comedian back on the scene after semi-retirement in 1999. $15 cash only at club. mclimits. com. Mason City Limits Comedy Club, 114 E. Chestnut, Mason City, 482-5233.
Pre-New Year’s Eve Comedy Bash Dec 30, 6:30pm, 9:30pm Fri. Featuring Damon Williams, Just Nesh, Eli Hamilton and music by DJ Petey Westraw. Ages 21+. $35 advance, $40 at door. eventbrite.com. 217-488-9804. Crowne Plaza Hotel, 3000 S. Dirksen Pkwy, 529- 7777.
Music: General Events Elvis’s Birthday Bash Jan 7, 7pm Sat. Presented by local performer Rick Dunham featuring Elvis Himselvis and the DTCB Band. Admission. hcfta.org. Hoogland Center for the Arts, 420 S. Sixth St., 523-2787.
Sarah Hawbecker Concert Dec 31, 7:30pm Sat. Organ/Pops concert by Sarah Hawbecker. Free to public. Central Christian Church, 650 W. William St., Decatur, 428-4336.
Dance BAM Dec 31, 8pm Sat. Playing the Friday Night Dance. New Year’s Eve party. RSVP. VFW Post #755, 2211 Old Jacksonville Road, 546-9515. Salsa Nights Dec 31, 9-12:45pm Sat. Dance Salsa, a mixture of Rumba, Mambo, Latin, Jazz and other genres. Also dance Merengue and Bachata. $3 cover. Omar’s Latin Fusion Restaraunt, 6901 Preston Dr., 415-5568.
Art & Architecture Moodscapes Dec 29-Jan 13. New photography exhibition by David Brodsky, awardwinning graphic designer and photographer. Free. brodskyphotoart. com. Sangamo Club, 227 E. Adams St., 544-1793.
Film & Television
Molly Schlich Film Series Preview Party Jan 4, 7pm Wed. Enjoy popcorn and drinks while watching trailers for the eight films part of this year’s film series. Free. springfieldart.org. Springfield Art Association, 700 N. Fourth St., 523-2631.
Nature
Annual Stone Soup Hike Jan 1, 10-12am Sun. Hike through the nature preserve while the soups cook. Bring something to throw in the soup pot, a hot drink, and your own table service. Free. svgsierraclub.org. Carpenter Park Nature Preserve Pavilion, Cabin Smoke Trail off North Business Route 55 (Peoria Road), Sherman, 544-1751.
Lectures & Meetings AARP Chapter 195 Jan
9, 1pm Mon. Speaker Rich Saal, photography editor of the State
Journal-Register, at 1pm. Business meeting from 2-3pm. Purchase lunch
for $6. 217-529-9763. VFW Post #755, 2211 Old Jacksonville Road,
546-9515.
Breakfast Optimist Club Dec
30, Jan 6, 13, 7am Fri. Every Friday. Visitors welcome. 217-546-5021.
Atonement Lutheran Church, 2800 W. Jefferson St., 546-7646.
Capital Area Woodworkers Club Meeting Jan
2, 6:30-8pm Mon. Regular monthly meeting. Scheduled program TBD. Free
to visitors. cawspi.org. 217-553-0097. MCL Cafeteria, 2151 Wabash Ave.,
787-8706.
Overeaters Anonymous Jan 2, 9, 5:30pm Mon. 12-step meeting. Mondays. 217-369- 0386. Unity of Springfi eld, 417 Cordelia, 523-5897.
Overeaters Anonymous Dec
31, Jan 7, 10am Sat. 12-step meeting. Saturdays. 217-369-0386. First
United Methodist Church, 2941 S. Koke Mill Road, 793-9760.
Sertoma Club Jan
2, 16, 12pm Mon. Noon, first and third Monday of every month. More
information, 546- 2782. Hibachi Grill Supreme Buffet, 2309 S. MacArthur
Blvd., 698-6033.
Winter Nutrition Retreat Jan 7, 9:30-4:30am Sat. 217- 721-4042. Lake of the Woods, 109 S. Lake of the Woods Road, Mahomet, 586-3360.
Bulletin Board APL Pet Adoptions Dec 31, 11am-2pm Sat. 217- 544-7387. Petsmart, 3183 S. Veterans Pkwy, 698-3091.
Auditions Open Auditions: Historical Fiction Jan
7-8, 2-4pm Sat-Sun. Roles for fi ve women and three men. Auditions
consist of cold readings from script. Prepared monologues and resumes
appreciated but not required. edwardsplace.org. Springfi eld Art
Association, 700 N. Fourth St., 523-2631.
Health DBSA Central Illinois Support Group Jan 10, 6:30-8pm Tue. 217- 816-8523. First Christian Church, 700 S. Sixth St., 528- 3407.
Faith & Philosophy A Course in Miracles Jan 3, 10, 6pm Tue. 217- 415-5823. Abraham Lincoln Unitarian Universalist Congregation, 745 Woodside Road, 585-9550.
Sports & Fitness Springfield Jr. Blues Hockey Jan
3, 6:05-9:05pm Tue. Springfi eld Jr. Blues ice hockey takes on the
Minnesota Magicians. $8 adults, $5 for ages 12 and under. jrblues. com.
Nelson Center Ice Arena, Lincoln Park, 1601 N. Fifth St., 525-2589.
The Harlem Globetrotters Jan
1, 7pm Sun. Exhibition basketball team combines athleticism, theater
and comedy. Admission. springfi eldpc3.com. Prairie Capital Convention
Center, 1 Convention Center Plaza, 800- 745-3000.
Winter Classic Celebration Game Jan
2, 6:05-9:05pm Mon. Springfi eld Jr. Blues ice hockey takes on the
Minnesota Magicians. $8 adults, $5 for ages 12 and under. jrblues. com.
Nelson Center Ice Arena, Lincoln Park, 1601 N. Fifth St., 525-2589.
More events, more details in our online calendar at illinoistimes.com.
Searchable by date, venue, genre, name and more.
