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.

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

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