Holiday Happenings

Burning Bowl Service Jan 7, 10am Sun. Presentation titled “Releasing the Old Negatives.” Unity of Springfi eld, 417 Cordelia, 523-5897.

Holidays at the White House Jan 4-7, 10am-5pm Thu-Sun. Exhibition depicts how past presidents and their loved ones enjoyed the holidays in the White House. On display through Jan 7. illinois.gov. 558-8844. Abraham Lincoln Presidential Museum, 212 N. Sixth St., 782-5764.

Theater & Comedy

Heywood Banks Jan 5-6, 8-9:45pm Fri-Sat. Songwriter-comic-singer-poet-musician Heywood Banks. Has been featured in Rolling Stone and People magazines and is a frequent guest on the “Bob and Tom” radio show. $20. mclimits.com. Mason City Limits Comedy Club, 114 E. Chestnut, Mason City, 482-5233.

Joke Lab Jan 11, 7:30pm Thu. Featuring stand-up comedy by experienced performers. Free. Capital City Bar & Grill, 3149 S. Dirksen Pkwy, 529-8580.

Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat Jan 12-14. Presented by Springfi eld Theatre Centre. Directed by Bill Bauser, Jr. springfi eldtheatrecentre.com. Hoogland Center for the Arts, 420 S. Sixth St., 523-2787.

Music: General Events

Chris Vallillo and Rocky Maffit Jan 11, 7-9pm Thu. Performance of “Oh Freedom!” by Chris Vallillo and master percussionist Rocky Maffi t. $10 adults, $8 museum members and children under 12. illinoisstatemuseum.org. 558-6696. Illinois State Museum, 502 S. Spring St., 782-7386.

Elvis B-Day Show Jan 6, 3pm. New show highlights country music hits from Elvis Himselvis, featuring Rick Dunham and the DTCB band plus dancers. $17, $15 (seniors and children under 12). hcfta.org. Hoogland Center for the Arts, 420 S. Sixth St., 523-2787.

Dance

Country Music Dance Jan 5, 12, 7:30-10:30pm Fri. $5 cover. 789-4725. VFW 10302 Northenders, 2349 Stockyard Road, 523-7523.

Art & Architecture

Art is Exceptional Opening Reception Jan 12, 5:30-7:30pm Fri. Featuring artworks created by students of District 186. Curated by teacher Elizabeth Marcy. On display through Jan 26. Free. springfi eldart.org. Springfi eld Art Association, 700 N. Fourth St., 523-2631.

Open Studio Springfield Jan 8-9, 15-16, 6:30-9:30pm Mon- Tue. Figure drawing session featuring a clothed model on Mondays. Life drawing session featuring a live nude model on Tuesdays (parent/guardian sign-in required for under 18). Easels, drawing boards and clips provided; bring your own or make use of community drawing materials. All welcome. $15; $10 high school students. Open.Studio. Springfi [email protected]. 789-9787. The Pharmacy Gallery and Art Space, 711 S. Fifth St., 801-810-9278.

Paperworks Opening Reception Jan 12, 5-7pm Fri. Featuring new artworks by Teri Zee, Carolyn Owen Sommer and Joan Burmeister. On display through Mar 1. Free. springfi eldart.org. SAA Collective Gallery, 420 S. Sixth St., 544- 2787.

Robert Middaugh: Machines Inherit the Earth Jan 4-17, 9am-4:30pm Thu- Wed. Exhibition features 20 artworks ranging in date from 1964-2005. On display through Feb 11. $5 for adults; free admission to children, seniors, veterans. illinoisstatemuseum. org. 558-6696. Illinois State Museum, 502 S. Spring St., 782- 7386.

Film & Television

Mystery Movie Monday Jan 8, 7pm Mon. See one movie from a variety of genres on the fi rst Monday of every month, Jan-Apr. Post-fi lm discussion to follow. Five movies for $40. atthelegacy.com. The Legacy Theatre, 101 E. Lawrence, 800- 838-3006.

SAA Film Series Preview Party Jan 10, 7pm Wed. Preview party and ticket-pickup event features a screening of an Illinois-made fi lm, titled Rogers Park. Free. springfi eldart.org. Springfi eld Art Association, 700 N. Fourth St., 523-2631.

The Salesman Jan 14, 16, 1pm and 4pm Sun, 7pm Tue. The fi rst fi lm of the Molly Schlich Independent and International Film Series. $8 adults, $4 students with ID. springfi eldart.org. 523-2631. AMC Parkway 8, 3025 Lindbergh Boulevard, 888-262-4386.

Children’s Corner

From Bluestems to Bluegills Super Saturday Jan 6, 11am-3pm Sat. Children ages 5 and up (and their families) enjoy crafts and activities while learning about the offi cial state symbols of Illinois. Free with admission. illinoisstatemuseum. org. 558-6696. Illinois State Museum, 502 S. Spring St., 782- 7386.

Environment

Energy Efficiency for Home/Office Jan 10, 6:30-8pm Wed. Sierra Club meeting features a presentation by Tina Marie Williamson about new advanced energy technologies and the availability of energy and costsaving programs. Free. 899- 9996. Lincoln Library, 326 S. Seventh St., 753-4900.

How to Become a Bicycle- Friendly Business Jan 17, 6:30-8pm. Free. More info: maryfrancesartist@ hotmail.com. Carnegie Room South, Lincoln Library, 326 S. Seventh St., 753-4900.

Lectures & Meetings AARP Chapter 195 Jan 8, 11am Mon. Presentation by Hickory Glen Senior Living at 1pm. Business meeting at 2pm. Lunch available for $6. VFW Post #755, 2211 Old Jacksonville Road, 546-9515.

Adult Children of Alcoholics Jan 9, 16, 5:15pm Tue. Weekly meetings every Tuesday. New attendees welcome. wisetruth@ yahoo.com. Discovery Club, 313 W. Cook St., 544-9049.

Breakfast Optimist Club Jan 5, 12, 7am Fri. Every Friday. 546-5021. Peace Lutheran Church, 2800 W. Jefferson St., 546-7646.

Capital City Toastmasters Jan 10, 17, 12-1pm Wed. Every Wednesday. Develop public speaking and leadership skills. 131-3356. toastmastersclubs. org. Illinois Department of Transportation, 2300 S. Dirksen Parkway.

Celebrate Recovery Jan 5, 12, 6:30-8:30pm Fri. Christ-centered recovery program for hurts, habits and hangups. livingfaithbaptist.org. Living Faith Baptist Church, 7575 W. Outer Road, Sherman, 496-2590.

CIDR’s Snowmobile Club Jan 17, 7:30pm Wed. Meetings every third Wednesday of the month. iasc.com. 306-4751. Bunkers Bar, 220 Old Route 36, Illiopolis, 486-5100.

GriefShare Jan 16, 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.

Illinois Specialty Crop and Organics Conference Jan 10-12, 8am-5pm Wed- Fri. Premiere trade show and educational conference for specialty crops, agritourism and organic farmers. Featuring 70+ exhibitors, nearly 100 speakers offering 75 workshops, and more. Registration. specialtygrowers.org. 309-557- 3619. Crowne Plaza Hotel, 3000 S. Dirksen Pkwy, 529-7777.

Springfield Backgammon Club Jan 10, 17, 6pm Wed. First time is free; $5 per entry after that. sangamonvalleybackgammon. com. 622-9447. Capitol Teletrack, 1766 Wabash Ave., 546-2111.

Stamp Collecting Club Jan 15, 7pm Mon. Meets third Monday of each month. 546- 5021. Carpenters Union Hall, 211 W. Lawrence Ave., 528- 7571.

Bulletin Board

PEERS Social Skills Training Program Jan 15. 16-week program covers topics to help adults with autism. Hosted by Puzzle Solvers of Central Illinois, Inc. Free, but preregistration required. dana@ dynamicbehavioralservices.com. 381-8487. Memorial’s Center for Learning and Innovation, 228 W. Miller, 545-6314.

Food

Pancake and Sausage Breakfast Jan 14, 8am-1pm Sun. $5 adults, $3 children, free to children under age 4. 725- 8413. St. Joseph the Worker Church, 700 E. Spruce St., Chatham, 483-3772.

Politics Sangamon DSA Meeting Jan 9, 6-7pm Tue. Discussion of local politics, plus offi cer elections. Free. sangamondsa. org. 320-566-9420. AFSCME Council 31, 615 S. Second St.

Auditions And Then There Were None Jan 4, 6:30-8:30pm Thu. Open auditions for 11 male and female characters. Theatre 7, 131 N. Water St., Decatur, 423- 2107.

Faith & Philosophy

Frank Lloyd Wright’s Organic Aesthetic Jan 7, 10:30-11:30am Sun. Program presented by Tracy McCaffrey. Free. aluuc.org. Abraham Lincoln Unitarian Universalist Congregation, 745 Woodside Road, 585-9550.