FAIRS & FESTIVALS

Community Involvement Fair Mar 4, 10am-2pm Sat. Hosted by Springfield Call 2 ACTion. Free. springfieldcall2action.org. 622-7929. Laurel United Methodist Church, 631 S. Grand Ave. W., 525-1866.

Illinois Products Expo Mar 4-5, 10am-5pm Sat; 10am-3pm Sun. Featuring 70+ Illinois companies offering free samples and products for sale. agr.state.il.us. Orr Building, Illinois State Fairgrounds, 801 Sangamon Ave., 725-8047.

SPOKEN WORD

Poetry Out Loud State Contest Mar 10, 2-5pm Fri. Student finalists from Illinois high schools recite memorized works of poetry. Winners advance to national competition. springfieldartsco. org. 753-3519. Hoogland Center for the Arts, 420 S. Sixth St., 523-2787.

THEATER & COMEDY

Chicago: The Musical Mar 13-14, 7:30pm. Broadway musical about fame and fortune features showstopping songs and astonishing dancing.

Has received six Tony Awards and one Grammy. $62+. sangamonauditorium.org. Sangamon Auditorium, UIS, 1 University Plaza, 206-6160.

Comedian Midnight Swinger Mar 3-4, 7:30pm Fri-Sat, 9:30pm Sat. Musical action mixed in with comedy. $15, $17. donniebscomdyclub.com. Donnie B’s Comedy Club, 3455 Freedom Dr., 391-JOKE.

Comedian Mike Armstrong Mar 3-4, 8-9:30pm Fri-Sat. A “good” cop turned comedian. Regular guest on “The Bob & Tom Show.” $15. mclimits.com. Mason City Limits Comedy Club, 114 E. Chestnut, Mason City, 482-5233.

Cotton Patch Gospel Mar 3-5, 10-12, 8pm Fri-Sat, 4pm Sun. Directed by Ken Bradbury. $16, $18. hcfta. org. Hoogland Center for the Arts, 420 S. Sixth St., 523-2787.

Driving Miss Daisy Mar 4-5, 10-11, 2pm Sun, 7:30pm Fri-Sat. Play set in 1948-1973 about the relationship between an elderly white Southern Jewish woman and her African-American chauffer. $10 adults, $5 students. playhouseonthesquare.net. Playhouse on the Square, 68 E. Central Park, Jacksonville, 491-3977.

MUSIC:

GENERAL EVENTS

Millikin Men Irish/Celtic Salute Mar 9, 6pm and 7:30pm. millikin.edu. Kirkland Fine Arts Center, 1184 W. Main St., Decatur, 424-6318.

Millikin University Symphonic Wind Ensemble Mar 5, 4pm Sun. Concert features the music of Arranger Staff Sergeant Scott

Ninmer. Free. kirklandfinearts.com. Kirkland Fine Arts Center, 1184 W. Main St., Decatur, 424-6318.

Pianist Avguste Antonov Mar 8, 12:15-12:45pm Wed. Part of the Brown Bag Concert Series. BYO lunch or purchase at door for $5. Free. lincolnschurch.org. 528-4311. First Presbyterian Church, 321 S. Seventh St., 528-4311.

Vienna Boys Choir Mar 5, 7pm Sun. Concert by quintessential boys’ choir of Vienna’s Imperial Chapel features 100 choristers ages 9-14, divided into four touring choirs. $30+. sangamonauditorium.org. Sangamon Auditorium, UIS, 1 University Plaza, 206- 6160.

Winter Concert Mar 4, 7-8pm Sat. Concert features the Sangamon Valley Sinfonia Orchestra and Sangamon Valley Youth Symphony. $10 adults, $5 students, free to ages 12 and under. hcfta.org. 753-8000. Hoogland Center for the Arts, Theatre 3, 420 S. 6th St., 523-2787.

DANCE Dance Mar 3, 7-9pm Fri. Drop-off event designed to help develop independence in individuals of all abilities. Free. springfieldparks.org. 585-2941. Erin’s Pavilion, Southwind Park, 4965 S. Second St., 753-0702.

Women of Ireland Mar 11, 7:30pm Sat. Featuring an all-female lineup of today’s leading Irish step dancers plus former lead dancer of Riverdance Anthony Fallon. $30-50. millikin. edu. Kirkland Fine Arts Center, 1184 W. Main St., Decatur, 424- 6318.

ART & ARCHITECTURE Art Critiques Mar 4, 12-2pm Sat. Facilitated critiques in a positive, constructive and supportive environment. Free. springfieldart.org. SAA Collective Gallery, 420 S. Sixth St., 544- 2787.

Art Together: Lego Portraits Mar 11, 10-11:30am Sat. An artsy bonding event. $25 for adult and child to paint a Lego portrait. Hosted by Our Vibrant community. rhiannon.gurley@gmail.com. 331- 2027. Twisted Deli, 330 S. Grand Ave., 679-4896.

Attention to Detail Specialty Tour Mar 4, 10:15am-12:15pm Sat. Led by longtime volunteer Frank Marchant. Donations. Dana- Thomas House, 301 E. Lawrence Ave., 782-6776.

Glass and Wood Specialty Tour Mar 4, 1:15-3:15pm Sat. Led by longtime volunteer Frank Marchant. Reservations. Donations. Dana-Thomas House, 301 E. Lawrence Ave., 782-6776.

Learn Sign and Color Mar 8, 7-8:30pm Wed. Learn basic sign and body language. $8 includes sign language alphabet coloring sheet. Registration. Rhiannon@ourvibrantcommunity. com. 331-2027. Track Shack, 233 E. Laurel St., 522-0444.

Make and Take Shamrock Necklace Mar 3, 5-8pm Fri. Refreshments provided. Free. studioon6thart. com. Studio on 6th, 215 S. Sixth St., 522-8006.

Safe Harbor: Work by Diaz Lewis Opening Reception Mar 2, 6:30-8pm Thu. Opening reception for exhibition by Alejandro Figueredo Diaz-Perera and Cara Megan Lewis. On display through Apr 13. Free. uis. edu. UIS Visual Arts Gallery, HSB 201, One University Plaza, 206- 6506.

Shifting Sands Part II Mar 10, 5:30-7:30pm Fri. Exhibition features photographs of 40 Springfield historic buildings from the 19th and 20th centuries. Talk at 6pm. Hosted by the Sangamon Valley Collection of the Lincoln Library. springfieldart.org. Springfield Art Association, 700 N. Fourth St., 523-2631.

The Chuck Thurow Gift Mar 2-15, 9am-4:30pm Mon- Sat, 12-4:30pm Sun. Exhibition features more than 100 contemporary artworks given to the ISM by Chicago collector and arts advocate Chuck Thurow. On display through May 7. Admission. 524-5744. Illinois State Museum, 502 S. Spring St., 782-7386.

The Legacy of Glenn Bradshaw Mar 3, 5-7:30pm Fri. Posthumous art exhibition features watercolors by Glenn Bradshaw and live jazz by The Perrilles Project. Speech by the late artist’s son at 6pm. On display Mar 3-28. Free. Anne Lloyd Gallery of the Madden Arts Center, 125 N. Water St., Decatur, 423-3189.

FILM & TELEVISION Film 101 Mar 11, 12-2pm Sat. Learn the basics and gain a wealth of information about independent films. $25. 621-7037. Lincoln Library, 326 S. Seventh St., 753- 4900.

May Allah Bless France! Mar 2, 7pm Thu. Film six of six in the Tournees Film Festival, which features new French films. Free. ic.edu. Illinois College Icebox Theatre, Kirby Learning Center, Jacksonville, 245-3000.

Short Films Mar 9, 6:30-8pm Thu. View award-winners and favorites from past Route 66 Film Festivals. Free. Food available for purchase. route66filmfestival.net. 544-3611. Z Bistro, 220 S. Sixth St., 522- 4049.

CHILDREN’S CORNER Junior Naturalists Mar 4, 9am-12pm Sat. Ages 5-8 discover the beauty of spring via hands-on activities, games and outdoor investigation. All three sessions: $40 members, $45 non. Individual sessions: $15 members, $18 non. Registration, lincolnmemorialgarden.org. Lincoln Memorial Garden, 2301 E. Lake Shore Dr., 529-1111.

Super Saturday Mar 4, 11am-3pm Sat. Free thematic activities for children ages 5 and up. Activities take 30-40 minutes to complete and feature crafts and educational games. Admission. 782-0061. Illinois State Museum, 502 S. Spring St., 782-7386.

SCIENCE

Civil War Tech Mar 4, 10-11am Sat. Ages 8-12 merge science and history through experiments, artifacts, games, presentations from scientists and scholars and ALPLM exhibits. Free. Reservations. alplmfoundation.tix.com. Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library, 112 N. Sixth St., 558-8844.

NATURE Maple Syrup Time Demonstrations Mar 4-5, 11-12, 1-2pm Sat-Sun. Naturalists lead groups to tap trees, collect flowing sap, and cook it down into pure maple syrup. Free. lincolnmemorialgarden.org. Lincoln Memorial Garden, 2301 E. Lake Shore Dr., 529-1111.

Mark McDonald of Illinois Stories Mar 9, 6:30-8pm Thu. Showing of Illinois Stories “Plant Sale 2016” episode and discussion of the background and process of series production. Free. ill-inps.org. 971- 1615. Adams Wildlife Sanctuary, 2315 E. Clear Lake Ave., 544- 2473.

LECTURES & MEETINGS

AARP Chapter 195 Mar 13, 1pm Mon. Entertainment by The Mob on the Run with Carolyn Quinlan at 1pm. Business meeting from 2-3pm. Purchase lunch for $6. 529-9763. VFW Post #755, 2211 Old Jacksonville Road, 546-9515.

Breakfast Optimist Club Mar 3, 10, 7am Fri. Every Friday. Visitors welcome. 546-5021. Atonement Lutheran Church, 2800 W. Jefferson St., 546-7646. Central Illinois Numismatic Association Mar 9, 7pm Thu. Monthly meeting. Knights of Columbus Hall Council 4175, 2801 West St., 528-5740.

Financial Peace University Mar 5, 12, 12:30-2:30pm Sun. Dave Ramsey and team walk you through the basics of budgeting, dumping debt, planning for the future and more. $100, includes all materials and lifetime FPU membership. Registration, fpu. com. 521-3276. Riverside Baptist Church, 1250 W. Mound Road, Decatur, 875-7272.

GriefShare Mar 8, 15, 6:30pm Wed. 14- week program built around video seminars, a support group and a workbook. Registration, 414-0126. griefshare.org. Athens Christian Church, 1411 E. Route 29, Athens, 636-8463.

GriefShare Mar 13, 6-8pm Mon. 10-week seminar designed to help those who have lost someone significant in their lives. 971-1615. First United Methodist Church, 2941 S. Koke Mill Road, 793-9760.

Illinois History Forum Mar 9, 12-1pm Thu. Discussion topic is “Springfield Architecture: Exhibit Discussion on Shifting Sands: Springfield’s Architectural Legacy.” Moderated by Erika Holst and Curtis Mann. Free. PresidentLincoln.illinois.gov. 558- 8844. Springfield Art Association, 700 N. Fourth St., 523-2631.

Single and Parenting Mar 2, 9, 6-8:30pm Thu. 13- week program teaches practical strategies regarding parenting, financial management, relationship issues, emotional guidance and more. Free; light meal and childcare provided at no cost. singleandparenting.org. 685-8099. Trinity Lutheran School, 515 S. MacArthur, 787-2323.

BULLETIN BOARD Game Night Mar 8, 5:30-6:30pm Wed. Drop-off event designed to help develop independence. Featuring group games for ages 5-99 that involve some physical activity. Free. springfieldparks.org. 585-2941. Erin’s Pavilion, Southwind Park, 4965 S. Second St., 753-0702.

Ladies Night Out Mar 3, 5-11pm Fri. Music, games and entertainment, including an “Ultimate Diva Performance” by Mahogany Knight. $5. 629-7077. Crowne Plaza Hotel, 3000 S. Dirksen Pkwy, 529-7777.

Tech Safety Forum Mar 10, 7-9pm Fri. Forum titled “Tech Safety and The Dark Side of Digital Technology” presented by the Springfield East/ West Circuits of The Central Illinois District-Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod. Free. Trinity Lutheran School, 515 S. MacArthur, 787- 2323.

Trivia Night Mar 4, 6-10pm Sat. Riverton Village Library Ninth Annual Trivia Night. Reservations, Riverton Knights of Columbus, 335 S. 4th St., Riverton, 629-9018.

FOOD In His Hands Orphan Gala Mar 2-3, 6:30pm Thu-Fri. Learn how to help orphans and enjoy music and dinner. Reservations. inhishandsorphans.org. Rochester Christian Church, 325 S. Walnut, Rochester, 381-6006.

Slow Food Springfield Mar 9, 6-8pm Thu. Behindthe-scenes tour of Hand of Fate Brewing Company with brewmaster Michael Allison followed by a guided, three-beer tasting. Ages 21+. $5.45 per SFS member, $10.60 per nonmember. slowfoodspringfield.org. 618- 525-0975. Hand of Fate Brewing Company, 107 E. Douglas St., Petersburg, 691-1098.

POLITICS

International Women’s Day Celebration Rally Mar 8, 11:45am-12:45pm Wed. Speakers include Illinois State Comptroller Susana Mendoza and State Rep. Carol Ammons. Hosted by Action for a Better Tomorrow, Springfield Chapter- Women Rising-Illinois and Illinois Women Moving Forward. Free. Illinois State Capitol Building, First Floor Rotunda, Capitol Avenue and Second Street, 782-2099.

HISTORY 34,000 Pillows Mar 2, 5:30pm Thu. Alejandro Figueredo Diaz-Perera and Cara Megan Lewis lecture on their latest project, 34,000 Pillows, developed in response to the Congressional “detention-bed mandate.” Free. UIS Brookens Auditorium, One University Plaza, 206-6073.

Does Leadership Have a Gender?

Mar 8, 6pm Wed. Samantha Drew Gordon suggests ways that women can lead and achieve respect in traditionally male environments. Free. UIS Brookens Auditorium, One University Plaza, 206-6073.

The US Immigrant Population: Myths vs Facts Mar 7, 4pm Tue. Panel discussion designed to dispel the myths associated with immigration and give the audience a clearer understanding of the subject. Free. UIS Brookens Auditorium, One University Plaza, 206-6073.

HEALTH DBSA Central Illinois Support Group Mar 7, 6:30-8pm Tue. 816-8523. First Christian Church, 700 S. Sixth St., 528-3407.

FAITH & PHILOSOPHY Affirming the Acceptance of One Another Mar 12, 10:30-11:30am Sun. Presentation by Rev. Martin Woulfe. aluuc.org. Abraham Lincoln Unitarian Universalist Congregation, 745 Woodside Road, 585-9550.

What Comes After Innocence? Mar 5, 10:30-11:30am Sun. Presentation by Larry Golden and recent Illinois Innocence Project exoneree Charles Palmer. aluuc. org. Abraham Lincoln Unitarian Universalist Congregation, 745 Woodside Road, 585-9550.

SPORTS & FITNESS

Chicago Cubs Trophy Tour Mar 8, 2:30-4pm Wed. See and take pictures with the 2016 World Series Trophy. Free. PresidentLincoln.illinois.gov. 558-8844. Abraham Lincoln Presidential Museum, 212 N. Sixth St., 782-5764.

Cloud Tectonics Mar 4-5. By Jose Rivera. Admission. 245-3471. Illinois College, 1101 W. College Ave., Jacksonville, 245-3000.

Fight For Air Climb Mar 12, 8am-1:30pm Sun. Participants stair climb 532 steps to the top of the tallest building in Springfi eld. Registration fee; $100 fundraising minimum to climb. ClimbWyndham.org. 787-5864. Wyndham Springfi eld City Centre, 700 E. Adams St., 979-3992.

Fish Fest Mar 4, 9am-5pm Sat. Meetand-greets with fi shing professionals, Crappie seminars, knife sharpening, kids activities and more. Free admission. experience.scheels.com. Scheels, 3801 S. MacArthur, 726-6330.

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

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