Holiday Happenings

St. Patrick’s Day Parade Mar 11, 12pm. Annual St. Patrick’s Day parade featuring marching band competition, fl oats and more. springfi eldirish.org. 787-3007. Downtown Springfield.

Fairs & Festivals

Eighth Annual Holistic Fair Mar 11-12, 10am-5pm Sat-Sun. Learn to de-stress, relax, energize and heal the mind, body and spirit with demonstrations on healthful living and wellness. Hosted by Visions by JDR. visionsbyjdr.com. 698-2776. Illinois State Fairgrounds Illinois Building, 801 Sangamon Ave., 782-6661.

Books & Authors

Master Storyteller Sue O’Halloran Mar 9, 1-2pm Thu. Stories for adults focused on family, a sense of place, and how the past affects the present and future. Celebration of Irish American Heritage Month. susanohalloran.com. Lincoln Library, 326 S. Seventh St., 753- 4900.

Pondicherry Lodge Mar 18, 6:30pm Sat. Sherlock Holmes Society of Central Illinois hosts a viewing and discussion of Dressed to Kill. Bring a light snack or beverage to share.sherlock.lolopop.org. Adjoining Homes of Betty Washko and Bill and Mary Denham, 36 and 40 Westwood Terrace, 546-8387.

SPW Open Mic Mar 15, 6-8pm Wed. A Springfi eld Poets and Writers event. Hosted by Théa Chesley, third Wednesday of every month. Free. 544-3611. Robbie’s, 4 S. Old State Capitol Plaza, 528-1901.

Third Thursday Reading Series Mar 16, 6-8pm Thu. Featured author is poet Lisa Higgs, author of Unintentional Guide to the Big City. Monthly event also includes an open mic, writing and publishing news and more. Free. twelvewinters.com. Sherman Public Library, 2100 E. Andrew Road, Sherman, 496-2496.

Spoken Word Poetry Out Loud State Contest Mar 10, 2-5pm Fri. Student fi nalists from Illinois high schools recite memorized works of poetry. Winners advance to national competition. springfi eldartsco. 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 show-stopping songs and astonishing dancing. Has received six Tony Awards and one Grammy. $62+. sangamonauditorium.org. Sangamon Auditorium, UIS, 1 University Plaza, 206- 6160.

Comedian John Ragin Cajun Morgan Mar 10-11, 9:30pm Fri-Sat, 7:30pm Sat. Seen on Showtime, MTV and Comedy Central. $15, $17. donniebscomedyclub. com. Donnie B’s Comedy Club, 3455 Freedom Dr., 391-JOKE.

Cotton Patch Gospel Mar 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 10-11, 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.

Jesse and Justin Tuttle Mar 11, 8-9:30pm Sat. Fast-paced and energetic identical twins with differing comedy styles who head C-U Comedy in Champaign. $12.50. mclimits.com. Mason City Limits Comedy Club, 114 E. Chestnut, Mason City, 482-5233.

Just Jokin’ J-Ville Mar 18, 8-10pm Sat. Two-hour show featuring 10 hilarious comedians. $10 at door. American Legion Post 279, 903 W. Superior, Jacksonville, 243- 5145.

Murder Mystery Dinner Mar 17-19, 6:30pm Fri-Sat, 1pm Sun. Theme is “Good Deeds, Deadly Deeds.” Presented by the Springfi eld Theatre Centre. $30. hcfta.org. Hoogland Center for the Arts, 420 S. Sixth St., 523-2787.

Spotlight on Ice Mar 18-19, 2pm Sat-Sun, 7pm Sat. Springfi eld Figure Skating Club presents Spotlight on Ice “Broadway Rhythms.” sfsc4u. com. Nelson Center Ice Arena, Lincoln Park, 1601 N. Fifth St., 525-2589.

The Wizard of Oz Mar 17-19, 7pm Fri, 7pm Sat, 2pm Sun. Presented by the Hoogland Kids, Teens and Juniors. hcfta.org. $10, $14, $16. Hoogland Center for the Arts, 420 S. Sixth St., 523-2787.

Music: General Events

Joe Bonamassa Mar 15, 8pm Wed. Blues-rock guitar icon Joe Bonamassa. On tour in support of his latest solo album, Blues of Desperation. $78. sangamonauditorium.org. Sangamon Auditorium, UIS, 1 University Plaza, 206-6160.

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

Steve Hess and Southern Salvation Mar 18, 7pm Sat. Love offering. southernsalvation.com. Springfi eld First Seventh-Day Adventist Church, 3168 W. Jefferson St., 787-7089.

Dance

BAM Mar 10, 8-11pm Fri. Playing the Friday night dance. VFW Post #755, 2211 Old Jacksonville Road, 546-9515.

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 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.

Nature and Wildlife Photography Show Mar 9-10, 13-17, 9am- 5pm Mon-Fri. Show titled “Welcome to the Garden”. On display through Apr 30. Free. wavetailart.com. 720-8654. Illinois Presbyterian Home, 2005 W. Lawrence, 546-5622.

Pop-Up Art Show Mar 11, 10am-5pm Sat. Handmade art and fi ne crafts. Presented by Kings of Hospitality Productions. Free. The Inn at 835, 835 S. Second St., 523- 4466.

Sarah Smelser Artist Reception Mar 16, 5:30-7:30pm Thu. Reception for “Questions We Ask Each Other: Recent Works by Sarah Smelser”. Exhibition on display through Mar 30. llcc. edu/art. LLCC James S. Murray Gallery, Upper level, Menard Hall, 786-2219.

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

Two Exhibition Openings Mar 10, 6-8:30pm Fri. Openings for “Weight of Light,” a group exhibition, and “Succulent Succulent,” a solo project from Melissa Oresky. On display though Apr 6. demoprojectspace. com. DEMO Project, 732 N. Fourth St., 523-2631.

Childrens Corner

Heroes in Training Mar 11, 6-8pm. Kids build blinking circuits, transform into their favorite hero or villain, and play heroic games. Plus meet superheroes from comic books, blockbuster fi lms and the community. Pre-registration required. cmofi l.org. 423-5437. Children’s Museum of Illinois, 55 South Country Club Road, Decatur, 423-KIDS.

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

Short Films Mar 9, 6:30-8pm Thu. View award winners and favorites from past Route 66 Film Festivals. Free. Food available for purchase. route66fi lmfestival.net. 544-3611. Z Bistro, 220 S. Sixth St., 522-4049.

Science Friday Night Star Parties Mar 17, 8-10pm Fri. Presentation and viewing of skies hosted by John Martin. Free. Weather questions, 206-8342 at 7pm or UIS Observatory on Twitter. UIS Brookens Library, One University Plaza, 206-6633.

Nature Maple Syrup Time Demonstrations Mar 11-12, 1-2pm Sat-Sun. Naturalists lead groups to tap trees, collect fl owing 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.

Russel Allen Garden Day Mar 11, 9am-12:30pm Sat. Gardening presentations and displays by area plant and gardening societies. Hosted by the University of Illinois Extension Logan County Master Gardeners. Registration: $10 advance or $12 at door. web. extension.illinois.edu/lms. 732-8289. Lincoln College, 300 E. Keokuk, Lincoln, 855-328- 6392.

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 10, 17, 7am Fri. Every Friday. Visitors welcome. 546-5021. Atonement Lutheran Church, 2800 W. Jefferson St., 546-7646.

Brown Bag Lecture Series Mar 15, 12-1pm Wed. “Furnishing the early Illinois home” presented by Erika Holst. BYO lunch. Free. illinoisstatemuseum.org. 782- 0061. Illinois State Museum Research & Collections Center, 1011 E. Ash St., 785-0037.

Central Illinois Numismatic Association Mar 9, 7pm Thu. Monthly meeting. Knights of Columbus Hall Council 4175, 2801 West St., 528-5740 .

CIDR’s Snowmobile Club Mar 15, 7:30pm Wed. Meetings every third Wednesday of the month. iasc.com. 306-4751. Bunkers Bar, 220 Old Route 36, Illiopolis, 486-5100.

GriefShare Mar 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 signifi cant 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 “Springfi eld Architecture: Exhibit Discussion on Shifting Sands: Springfi eld’s Architectural Legacy.” Moderated by Erika Holst and Curtis Mann. Free. PresidentLincoln.illinois. gov. 558-8844. Springfi eld Art Association, 700 N. Fourth St., 523-2631.

NAMI Springfield Mar 15, 7pm Wed. Meetings fi rst 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.

Single and Parenting Mar 9, 16, 6-8:30pm Thu. 13-week program teaches practical strategies regarding parenting, fi nancial 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.

Springfield SD186 Facilities Master Planning Process Mar 15, 6-7:30pm Wed. Give input on District 186 facilities to help build a plan for a preferred future. Free. sps186.org. 525- 3024. Lanphier High School, 1300 N. 11th St., 525-3080.

Bulletin Board Game Night Mar 15, 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. springfi eldparks.org. 585- 2941. Erin’s Pavilion, Southwind Park, 4965 S. Second St., 753- 0702.

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

Food Breakfast Buffet Mar 12, 8am-12pm Sun. Supports Law Enforcement Torch Run for Special Olympics Illinois. $10 adults, $5 ages 6-12. Knights of Columbus 364, 2200 S. Meadowbrook Road, 787- 2360.

Pancake and Sausage Breakfast Mar 11, 7-11am Sat. Pancake and sausage (or oatmeal) breakfast plus bake sale featuring homemade baked goods. 1stcob.net. First Church of the Brethren, 2115 Yale Boulevard, 523-5212.

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, threebeer tasting. Ages 21+. $5.45 per SFS member, $10.60 per nonmember. slowfoodspringfi eld. org. 618-525-0975. Hand of Fate Brewing Company, 107 E. Douglas St., Petersburg, 691- 1098.

History Grant’s March to War Mar 16, 7-8pm Thu. Mr. Lincoln’s Hometown Civil War Roundtable hosts a presentation by Greg Olson, reporter and photographer for the Jacksonville Journal-Courier. Free. Illinois State Military Museum, 1301 N. MacArthur Blvd, 761-3910.

Irish Exhibit Mar 17, 12-1pm Fri. New exhibition pays tribute to the hundreds of Irish sons who fought bravely in the Korean War. Free. kwnm.org. Korean War National Museum Denis J. Healy Freedom Center, 9 South Old State Capitol Plaza, 523-7230.

Trivia Night Mar 18, 7-9pm Sat. Emceed by Mark McDonald. In support of the Sangamon County Historical Society. $10 per person; $100 per table of ten. Registration. sangamonhistory.org. 525- 1961. Christ the King Parish Center, 1930 Barberry Dr., 546- 3527.

Health DBSA Central Illinois Support Group Mar 14, 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.

Cowboy Church Mar 12, 5pm Sun. Held the second Sunday of each month. Meal at 5pm; music at 6pm. Clementine Memorial Church, 2075 N. 11th St., 638-1648.

Labyrinth Walk Mar 17, 7-9pm Fri. Abraham Lincoln Unitarian Universalist Congregation, 745 Woodside Road, 585-9550.

Peacemaking in a Post-Truth World Mar 18, 8:30am-3pm Sat. Seminar in the application of René Girard’s mimetic theory to praying with and preaching the Judeo-Christian texts. $40. Registration. springfi eldop.org/ bible-strategies. Sacred Heart Convent, 1237 W. Monroe St., 787-0481.

Sports & Fitness 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.

Prairieland Punishers Roller Derby Mar 18, 5:30-9:30pm Sat. Double header features Decatur’s Prairieland Punishers vs Cedar Rapids’ Roller Girls and Springfi eld’s Midstate Mayhem vs the Twin City Dead Ringers. $15 VIP, $10 adults and $5 kids 12 and under. punishersderby.com. 883-3511. Decatur Civic Center, 1 Gary K Anderson Plaza, Decatur.