Fairs & Festivals

Bridal Expo Jan 21, 12-1pm Sun. Featuring vendors specializing in photography, dresses, fl owers and more. Free if preregistered; $5 at door. wjofm.com. 245-5119. Hamilton’s, 110 N. East St., Jacksonville, 675-2720.

Books & Authors

Poets in the Parlor and Open Mic Jan 21, 2-4pm Sun. Open mic event followed by featured poet Tim Hunt. Free. vachellindsay.org. Vachel Lindsay Home State Historic Site, 603 S. Fifth St., 524-0901.

Pondicherry Lodge Sherlock Holmes Society Jan 20, 9-11am Sat. Discussion of The Adventure of the Norwood Builder.

Free. sherlock.lolopop.org. 546-8387. Scheels, 3801 S. MacArthur, 726- 6330.

Third Thursday Reading Series Jan 18, 6-8pm Thu. Featuring local playwright Tim Crawford, who will debut his new one-act titled “Superhero Problems.” Free. twelvewinters.com. Sherman Public Library, 2100 E. Andrew Road, Sherman, 496-2496.

Winter Book and Bake Sale Jan 20, 9am-3pm Sat. Hosted by Friends of the Chatham Area Public Library. chathamlib.org. Chatham Area Public Library, 600 E. Spruce, Chatham, 483-2713.

Theater & Comedy

Friendship Comedy Tour Jan 20, 8pm Sat. Headlined by

Jorge Machaen and Matt Linville. Also featuring Jeff Tolbert, Buddah Eskew and host Tim Laffey. $10. jorgecomedy.com. Capital City Bar & Grill, 3149 S. Dirksen Pkwy, 529-8580.

Jerry Seinfeld Live Jan 18, 7pm and 9:30pm. America’s premier comedian, Jerry Seinfeld, performs his signature stand-up routine. sangamonauditorium.org. Sangamon Auditorium, UIS, 1 University Plaza, 206-6160.

Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat Jan 21-19, 8pm Fri-Sat, 2pm Sun. 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.

Stand-Up Comedy Night

Jan 18, 7pm Thu. $10 per person. Hand of Fate Brewing Company, 107 E. Douglas St., Petersburg, 691-1098.

Music: General Events

Getting from Good to Great Jan 20, 11am-2pm Sat. Songwriting workshop hosted by Music Row professional Sally Barris. Reservations. $40. programs@springfi eldartsco. org. 753-3519. Hoogland Center for the Arts Club Room, 420 S. Sixth St., 523-2787.

Passing Notes: Stories and Songs Jan 20, 7-9pm Sat. An evening of stories and songs from Sally Barris, Amy Benton and Tom Irwin. $20. hcfta.org. Hoogland Center for the Arts Club Room, 420 S. Sixth St., 523-2787.

UIS Band Jan 22, 4-5:50pm Mon. Open to all students, faculty, alumni and community members. uis. edu. 206-6240. University of Illinois at Springfi eld, 206- 6073.

UIS Orchestra Jan 18, 5:40-7:30pm Thu. Open to all students, faculty, alumni and community members. uis.edu. 206- 6240. University of Illinois at Springfi eld, 206-6073.

Dance Country Music Dance Jan 19, 7:30-10:30pm Fri. Featuring live music by White Lightning Band. $5 cover. 789- 4725. VFW 10302 Northenders, 2349 Stockyard Road, 523- 7523.

Dance for Hope

Jan 19, 7:30-10:30pm Fri. West coast swing dances every third Friday of the month. danceforhope3111.com. Normandy Hill Plaza, 3111 Normandy Road, Suite 104, 522-9106.

Moscow Festival Ballet - Sleeping Beauty Jan 19, 8pm Fri. Timeless Russian ballet classics performed by Russia’s leading dancers. $19+ youth, $33+ adults. sangamonauditorium.org. Sangamon Auditorium, UIS, 1 University Plaza, 206- 6160.

Art & Architecture Canvas and Cocktails Jan 19, 7-9:30pm Fri. Featuring artist Heng Swee Lim’s work as inspiration. Preregistration. $15 members, $25 non. springfi eldart.org. Springfi eld Art Association, 700 N. Fourth St., 523-2631.

IPPS Pastel Paintings Jan 18, 5-6:30pm Thu. Featuring paintings covering many themes by more than 20 members of the Illinois Prairie Pastel Society. Free. illinoisprairiepastelsociety. org. 483-9030. SIU School of Medicine Library, 801 N. Rutledge.

Mom’s Night Out: Inner Diva Collage Jan 20, 8:30-10pm Sat. Unwind and show your diva side through collage. An Our Vibrant Community event. $15. rhiannon@ ourvibrantcommunity.com. 331-2027. DH Brown’s, 231 E. Monroe St., 525-0381.

Open Studio Springfield Jan 22-23, 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.

Paint ‘Illinois is HOME’ Blocks Jan 18, 7-8:30pm Thu. Paint blocks in any color and font, with Illinois as home. An Our Vibrant Community event. $20. rhiannon@ ourvibrantcommunity.com. 331-2027. DH Brown’s, 231 E. Monroe St., 525-0381.

Robert Middaugh: Machines Inherit the Earth

Jan 18-24. 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.

Toy Box - Inspiration Through Play Jan 18-24. Featuring artwork by working artists across Illinois. On display through Feb 11. $5 for ages 19-64; free for members, children, seniors and veterans. illinoisstatemuseum. org. 558-6696. Illinois State Museum, 502 S. Spring St., 782-7386.

Film & Television

Columbus Jan 21, 23, 1pm and 4pm Sun, 7pm Tue. The second 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.

The Shack Jan 21, 6:30-8:30pm Sun. Discussion of The Shack, a book and fi lm that tells the story of a father spiraling into depression after a family tragedy. Free. trinity-lutheran. com. Trinity Lutheran School, 515 S. MacArthur, 787-2323.

Lectures & Meetings Adult Children of Alcoholics Jan 23, 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 19, 7am Fri. Every Friday. 546-5021. Peace Lutheran Church, 2800 W. Jefferson St., 546-7646.

Capital City Toastmasters Jan 24, 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 19, 6:30-8:30pm Fri. A Christ-centered recovery program for hurts, habits and hangups. livingfaithbaptist.org. Living Faith Baptist Church, 7575 W. Outer Road, Sherman, 496-2590.

Central Illinois Civil War Roundtables Jan 18, 7pm Thu. Address by Mr. Linn Haramis titled “I Will Fight No More Forever: The Nez Perce War, 1877.” Free. Schnucks, 2801 Chatham Road, 698-2980.

Grief Recovery Program Jan 24, 6:30-8pm Wed. A 13-week, Christ-centered, biblically-based support group seminar. Cost of book. athenschristian.net. Athens Christian Church, 1411 E. Route 29, Athens, 636-8463.

GriefShare Jan 23, 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.

Retired State Employees Association Jan 24, 1:30pm Wed. Monthly meetings held last Wednesday of the month. Speaker is Senator Andy Manar. St. John’s Lutheran Church, 2477 W. Washington St., 793-3933.

Sex Addicts Anonymous Jan 18, 20, 6pm Thu, 9am Sat. A 12-step program for those seeking to be free from addictive or compulsive sexual behaviors. 306-7335 or springfi [email protected] for additional information. Confi dentiality is assured.

Springfield Backgammon Club Jan 24, 6pm Wed. First time is free; $5 per entry after that. sangamonvalleybackgammon. com. 622-9447. Capitol Teletrack, 1766 Wabash Ave., 546-2111.

Bulletin Board APL Pet Adoption Jan 20, 11am-3pm Sat. Cats and dogs available. apl-shelter. org. 544-7387. Petco, 2721 S. Veterans Parkway, 793-7387.

APL Pet Adoption Jan 21. Cats available 12- 4pm. Dogs available 12-3pm. apl-shelter.org. 544-7387. Pet Supplies Plus, 1895 E. Sangamon Ave., 528-7301.

Politics

Action Illinois Anniversary Party and Awards Jan 20, 6-9pm Sat. Honoring Comptroller Susana Mendoza, State Senator Andy Manar and Springfi eld alderwoman Kristin DiCenso. Plus DJ, appetizers, cash bar. $35 per person. 652- 8432. The State House Inn, 101 E. Adams St., 528-5100.

Auditions Open Auditions/Crew Interviews Jan 21-22. Auditions and interviews for “Six Characters In Search Of An Author” to be performed April 13-15 and 19- 21. Callbacks on Jan 23. uis. edu. UIS Studio Theatre, One University Plaza, 206-6160.

Health Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction

Jan 22, 6-8pm Mon. Eight-week program uses mindfulnessbased meditation techniques to complement traditional medical and psychological treatments. Hosted by SIU Psychiatry. $400, includes materials. siumed.edu. 545-7663. Simmons Cancer Institute, 315 W. Carpenter, 545-0798.

Faith & Philosophy Religion Renewed Jan 19, 7-8pm Fri. 546-9171. Springfi eld Baha’i Center, 1131 S. Eighth St., 544-9595.

The Social Gospel Jan 21, 10:30-11:30am Sun. Presentation by Rev. Martin Woulfe. Free. aluuc.org. Abraham Lincoln Unitarian Universalist Congregation, 745 Woodside Road, 585-9550.

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

Searchable by date, venue, genre, name and more.