Fairs & Festivals

Art Spectacular Sep 9-10, 10am-5pm Sat, 10am- 4pm Sun. Up to 50 professional artists with artwork in a variety of mediums plus music, food and more. Ranked in “Best 100 Art Shows in the Country” by Sunshine Artist magazine. Free admission to art fair; Kids’ Place costs $2 per child. carillon-rees.org. 787-3532. Washington Park Botanical Garden, 1740 W. Fayette Ave., 546-4116.

Fall Farm Day Sep 10, 12-5pm Sun. Pumpkin and face painting, farm tours, barnyard games, popcorn wagon rides. Food available for purchase. Free. gailspumpkinpatch.com. Gail’s Pumpkin Patch, 1709 2000th Ave., Beason, 447-3409.

Fall Festival Sep 10, 11am-5:30pm Sun. Live music, food and drinks for purchase, raffl es. St. Frances Cabrini Parish, 1020 N. Milton Ave., 522-8555.

Hope-A-Palooza Sep 9, 10am-3pm Sat. Featuring giant infl atables and games, train rides, a kids’ zone, food trucks and live music by The Shenanigans. Free. Hope Learning Academy - Springfi eld, 15 E. Hazel Dell Lane, 585-5437.

Traditional Music Festival Sep 9-10, 10am-4pm Sat-Sun. Midwest performers entertain on instruments such as mountain dulcimers, bones, autoharps, fi ddles, banjos and guitars. lincolnsnewsalem.com. Lincoln’s New Salem State Historic Site, 15588 History Lane, Petersburg, 632-4000.

Books & Authors

Author Dennis Hetzel Sep 9, 1-3:30pm Sat. Discussion and book signing featuring Dennis Hetzel, author of the new politicalbaseball thriller Season of Lies.

barnesandnoble.com. Barnes and Noble Booksellers, 3111 S. Veterans Pkwy, 546-9440.

Book Sale Sep 8-9, 3-7pm Fri, 9am-3pm Sat. Hosted by Friends of the Sherman Public Library. Free admission. shermanlibrary. net. Seaney’s Greenhouse, 100 Corvette Dr., Sherman, 496-2496.

Theater & Comedy

Ben Vereen Sep 9, 7:30pm Sat. Broadway legend Ben Vereen performs his one-man show titled Steppin’ Out With Ben Vereen. $10-40. millikin.edu. Kirkland Fine Arts Center, 1184 W. Main St., Decatur, 424- 6318.

Music: General Events

Bluegrass Music Sep 8-9, 6-10pm Fri-Sat. Bluegrass musicians play live in the outdoor theater. Traditional, folk and bluegrass musicians invited to participate. lincolnsnewsalem.com. Lincoln’s New Salem State Historic Site, 15588 History Lane, Petersburg, 632-4000.

Mark Mills and Friends Sep 7, 5-7pm. Local musician performs with friends at the Thursday Farmer’s Market. markmillsmusic. com. Illinois State Fair Lincoln Stage, Springfi eld.

Phil Steinberg Sep 9-10, 12-1pm Sat, 11am- 12pm Sun. Local vocalist performs the “Songs of Sinatra” at the Art Spectacular in Washington Park. 698- 5662. Thomas Rees Memorial Carillon, 1740 W. Fayette Ave., 546-3853.

Dance

Country Dance Sep 8,13, 7-10:30pm Fri. Country dance session. $5 per person. pldc.org. Prairie Land Dance Club, 650 Matilda St., Illiopolis, 428-1560.

Dance for Hope Sep 8, 7:30-10:30pm Fri. Ballroom dance every second Friday of the month. danceforhope3111.com. Normandy Hill Plaza, 3111 Normandy Road, Suite 104, 522- 9106.

Groove West Coast Swing Dance Sep 9, 7pm-12am Sat. West coast swing dance session. $5 per person. pldc.org. Prairie Land Dance Club, 650 Matilda St., Illiopolis, 428-1560.

Kevin Turner Sep 8, 8-11pm Fri. Playing the Friday Night Dance. VFW Post #755, 2211 Old Jacksonville Road, 546-9515.

Stingray Alley Sep 8, 7:30-10:30pm Fri. 789- 4725. VFW 10302 Northenders, 2349 Stockyard Road, 523-7523.

Art & Architecture

Downtown Shop Hop Sep 9, 1-3pm Sat. Guided downtown shop hop and art walk to 12 specialty shops downtown. Free. studioon6thart.com. 494- 4134. Studio on 6th, 215 S. Sixth St., 522-8006.

Interconnectivity Opening Reception Sep 8-9, 6-9pm Fri-Sat. Exhibition features artwork that interprets the term interconnectivity along with music by Timothy Donavan Russell. Free. thepharmacygallery. com. The Pharmacy Gallery and Art Space, 711 S. Fifth St., 801- 810-9278.

Moonlight Market Series Sep 13, 6-9pm Wed.

Featuring locally made goods by artists, craftsmen and makers. obedandisaacs.com. 217-522-3123. Jackson Street, Between Sixth and Seventh streets.

Opening Reception for 2017 Faculty Exhibition Sep 7, 5:30-8pm Thu. Exhibiting artists include Brytton Bjorngaard, Shane Harris, Allison Lacher, Mike Miller and Jeff Robinson. On display through Sep 21. uis.edu/visualarts/ gallery. UIS Visual Arts Gallery, HSB 201, One University Plaza, 206-6506.

Pastel Society Show Sep 8, 5:30-7:30pm Fri. Annual member show features 24 new works by IPPS artists, live music plus wine and hors d’oeuvres. Free. illinoispaririepastelsociety.org. 483-9030. Chatham Area Public Library, 600 E. Spruce, Chatham, 483-2713.

Visual Immersion Opening Reception Sep 9, 6-8pm Sat. Gallery talk by visual artists Bernie White Hatcher and Mary Ellen Strack at 6:30pm. On display through Sep 24. David Strawn Art Gallery, 331 W. College Ave., Jacksonville, 243-9390.

Children’s Corner

Babysitting Clinic Sep 9, 9am-12pm Sat. Boys and girls ages 11 and up learn how to care for babies and what to do in case of emergency. Registration required. 788-3333. Memorial’s Center for Learning and Innovation, 228 W. Miller, 545-6314.

Kids Night Out Sep 9, 6:30-9:30pm Sat. Activities include swimming, art, games dance and more. Bring your swim suit and money for concessions. $10 members, $20 pubic. springfi eldymca.org. YMCA, 701 S. Fourth St., 544- 9846.

Leaf ID Hikes Sep 10, 1:30-3pm Sun.

Naturalist-led leaf identifi cation and collection hikes to assist students with leaf collection projects. Identify and collect more than 25 leaves. Free to members, $5 non. lincolnmemorialgarden.org. Lincoln Memorial Garden, 2301 E. Lake Shore Dr., 529-1111.

Science

Friday Night Star Parties Sep 8, 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

Raising Monarchs Sep 9, 9-11am. Veteran Monarch raisers provide education and answer questions about raising Monarch butterfl ies. Hosted by Central Chapter INPS. Free. ill-inps.org. Adams Wildlife Sanctuary, 2315 E. Clear Lake Ave., 544-2473.

Lectures & Meetings

AARP Chapter 195 Sep 11, 11am Mon. Annual picnic. Business meeting at 2pm. Reservations required. 529- 9763. VFW Post #755, 2211 Old Jacksonville Road, 546-9515.

Adult Children of Alcoholics Sep 12, 5:15pm Tue. Weekly meeting. New attendees welcome. [email protected]. Discovery Club, 313 W. Cook St., 544-9049.

Cybersecurity and Privacy Protection Seminar Sep 11, 13, 8:30am-12:30pm Wed. Understand potential computer security issues and learn advice and steps to protect computers and other devices. $95 per person; $47.5 for veterans. llcc.edu. 241-8881. Capital City Training Center, 130 W. Mason St., 782-1086.

Finances 50+ Sep 12, 6-8pm Tue. AARPhosted program teaches ages 50+ how to take charge of credit and debt. Free. RSVP. local.aarp. org. AARP Springfi eld Offi ce, 300 W. Edwards St., 877-926-8300.

Financial Peace University Sep 13, 6:30-7:30pm Wed. Nineweek Dave Ramsey program takes participants through the basics of budgeting, dumping debt, planning for the future and more. $102.30. daveramsey.com. Athens Christian Church, 1411 E. Route 29, Athens, 636-8463.

GriefShare Sep 12, 6:30pm Tue. Nondenominational grief-recovery program utilizes video seminars, a workbook and a support group environment. Two-hour sessions weekly for 13 weeks. $15. 899- 9418. Trinity Lutheran School, 515 S. MacArthur, 787-2323.

GriefShare Grief Recovery Program Sep 13, 6:30-8pm Wed. A 14- week program built around video seminars, a support group and a workbook. Cost of book. griefshare.org. Athens Christian Church, 1411 E. Route 29, Athens, 636-8463.

Law Mart Sep 13, 6pm Wed. Riaz Tejani explores how for-profi t law schools expose the limits of market-based solutions to inequalities in legal education and access to justice. An ECCE Speaker Series presentation. Free. uis.edu. UIS Brookens Auditorium, One University Plaza, 206-6073.

North End Association Take Two Sep 11, 6-6:45pm Mon. Open to anyone with an interest in improving the North End and promoting North End pride. Free. 502-682-6165. Fulgenzi’s Pizza and Pasta, 1168 E. Sangamon Ave., 544-8520.

REBOOT Recovery Course Sep 13, 6-7:30pm Wed. Program helps helps combat veterans and their families heal from the moral and spiritual wounds of war. Free. athenschristian.net. Athens Christian Church, 1411 E. Route 29, Athens, 636-8463.

Springfield Civic Garden Club Sep 11, 9am Mon. Monthly meeting features speaker Kathi Rose “Floral Design Symposium.” Free. 563-940- 5735. Westminster Presbyterian Church, 533 S. Walnut St., 522- 4415.

Womens Overseas Service League Sep 12, 12:30-1:30pm Tue. Monthly meeting. Open to military women who have served overseas. wosl.org. 891-8719.

American Legion Post 32, 1120 Sangamon Ave., 522-3110.

Bulletin Board

Celebrity Bartenders Sep 7, 4:30-7:30pm Thu. Featuring John Milheiser, Mylas Copeland, Jim Langfelder, Chris Kolb, Dave Haney, Mark Vance and Sam Montalbano. In support of the Walk to End Alzheimer’s. Free admission. 547-1300. The Corner Pub and Grill, 3271 W. Iles Ave., 546-3600.

Cruise 11 to Remember 9-11 Sep 10, 8am Sun. Ride honors and shows respect to fi rst responders and veterans. $11 vehicle entry fee. 791-1385. Decatur Central Park, Decatur.

Lake Council Party Sep 10, 12-6pm Sun. 60th anniversary celebration. lakespringfi eld.org. Aqua Club, 1 Club Area.

Volunteer Information Session Sep 12, 5:30pm Tue. Learn about available volunteer opportunities and what volunteers need to know about the ALPLM. Registration. PresidentLincoln. illinois.gov. 558-8872. Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library, 112 N. Sixth St., 558-8844.

Food

Downtown Jacksonville Farmers Market Sep 13, 4-7pm Wed. Every Wednesday May-Oct. Sponsored by Jacksonville Main Street. jacksonvillemainstreet.com. 245- 6884. Downtown Jacksonville, Central Park, Jacksonville, 243- 5678.

Friends of the Market Street Dinner Sep 7, 6-9pm Thu. Celebrate the bounty of the Old Capitol Farmers Market under the fall constellations at community tables. $75. downtownspringfi eld.org. 544- 1723. Old State Capitol Plaza, between Sixth and Fifth streets at Adams.

Illinois Products Farmers Market Sep 7, 4-7pm Thu. Every Thursday. Shopping, health and wellness information, special focuses and more in a street party atmosphere. SNAP cards accepted. Free. agr.state.il.us/ nightmarket. Illinois State Fairgrounds, The Shed, 801 Sangamon Ave.

Jacksonville Farmers Market Sep 7, 9, 12, 7am-12pm. Every Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday through Oct. jaxfresh.org. Lincoln Square, Jacksonville.

Old Capitol Farmers Market Sep 9, 13, 8am-12:30pm. Shop local produce, meats, cheeses and more. Entertainment on Saturdays includes chef demonstrations, live performances, activities and more. Free admission. downtownspringfi eld.org. Downtown Springfi eld, Inc., 3 W. Old State Capitol Plaza, 544- 1723. Shrimp Boil Sep 9. lakespringfi eld.org. Lake Press Club, 13 Club Area, 529- 1221.

Faith & Philosophy

Changing the World, One Wall at a Time Sep 8, 7-8pm Fri. 55-minute documentary on denial of education for Baha’is in Iran. Discussion. 546-9171. Springfi eld Baha’i Center, 1131 S. Eighth St., 544-9595.

Cowboy Church Sep 10, 5pm Sun. Held the second Sunday of each month. Meal at 5pm; music at 6pm. Clementine Memorial Church, 2075 N. 11th St., 638-1648.

GriefShare Sep 11, 6-8pm Mon. Ten-week seminar for those who have lost someone signifi cant in their lives. Free. 971-1615. First United Methodist Church, 2941 S. Koke Mill Road, 793- 9760.

Sports & Fitness

Historic Bicycle Ride Sep 9, 1-3pm Sat. Eightmile tour by bicycle of Lincoln sites and other historical sites in Springfi eld. Complimentary post-ride snacks. Free. spfl dcycling.org. 698-7626.

Noll Law Offi ce, Lincoln Depot, 903 E. Monroe St., 414-8889.

Prairie Star 5K Run/Walk Sep 9, 8:30am Sat. $8 UIS students, $13 for faculty, staff, alumni and community. uis. edu. 206-7103. UIS Recreation and Athletic Center, 2171 University Dr., 206-6073.

UIS Prairie Star 5K Sep 9, 8:30-10:30am Sat. Scenic route takes runners/ walkers North on University Drive and through the heart of the UIS campus. $8 UIS students; $13. uis.edu/ campusrec. 206-7103. University of Illinois at Springfi eld, 206-6073.

Workout in the Park Sep 7, 6-7pm Thu. Hosted by HSHS Central Illinois, Springfi eld Park District, FitClub and Scheels. Free. springfi eldparks.org. Washington Park Gazebo, South Grand Avenue entrance.

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

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