Books & Authors

Soup and Stories: Adversities Are Your Ally Feb 7, 11:45am-1pm Wed. Presentation by Casandra Austin, consultant, speaker and author of Unclothed: Memoir of a Naked Soul. Free to students with ID, $3 for non-students. 786-2241. Menard Hall. Lincoln Land Community College, 5250 Shepherd Road, 786-2200.

Theater & Comedy

Comedian Dale Jones Feb 2-3, 9:30pm Fri-Sat, 7:30pm Sat. Seen on NBC’s “Last Comic Standing,” Comedy Central and heard on XM radio. $16, $18. donniebs.com. Donnie B’s Comedy Club, 3455 Freedom Dr., 391-JOKE.

Comedian John Evans Feb 2-3, 8-9:45pm Fri-Sat. A “Bob and Tom Show” favorite. Has opened for legends such as George Carlin, Dave Chapelle, Mitch Hedberg and Lewis Black. $12.50. mclimits.com. Mason City Limits Comedy Club, 114 E. Chestnut, Mason City, 482-5233.

Comedian Troy Davis Feb 9-10, 8-9:45pm Fri-Sat. A clean, funny and original comic. $12.50.

mclimits.com. Mason City Limits Comedy Club, 114 E. Chestnut, Mason City, 482- 5233.

Comedy Hypnotist Jeff Harpring Feb 3, 7:30pm Sat. An interactive comedy performance where audience volunteers become part of the show by undergoing hypnosis. $15. hcfta.org. Hoogland Center for the Arts, 420 S. Sixth St., 523-2787.

Jeff Oskay Feb 2, 7pm Fri. Featuring comedian Jeff Oskay, a writer on the nationally syndicated “Bob and Tom Show.” $15 online, $20 at door. eventbrite.com. Firefi ghters-Postal Lake Club, 940 W. Lake Shore Dr., 622-0099.

The Lion King: Children’s Ballet Feb 3, 1-2pm Sat. Eighty local dancers, ages 5-15, tell the story of family, growing up, love and destiny. Presented by Springfi eld Dance Theatre. $15 adults, $12 children. hcfta.org. Hoogland Center for the Arts LRS Theatre 1, 420 S. Sixth St., 523-2787.

The True Adventures of Aladdin Feb 9-11, 7pm Fri-Sat, 2pm Sun. Presented by Springfi eld Theatre Centre. Written and directed by Gil and Ann Opferman. $12. springfi eldtheatrecentre. com. Hoogland Center for the Arts, 420 S. Sixth St., 523-2787.

Music: General Events

A Night at the Movies Pops Concert Feb 3, 7:30pm Sat. Concert by the Illinois Symphony Orchestra. Tickets. ilsymphony.org. Sangamon Auditorium, UIS, 1 University Plaza, 206-6160.

From Russia with Love Feb 9, 7:30-9pm Fri. Winter concert by the Sangamon Valley Civic Orchestra. $10 adults, $5 students, free to ages 12 and under. hcfta.org. 753-8000. Hoogland Center for the Arts, Theatre 3, 420 S. 6th St., 523-2787.

Kenny Humble Trio Feb 1, 12-1:30pm Thu. An African American History Month kickoff event. Free. A. Lincoln Commons, Lincoln Land Community College, 5250 Shepherd Road, 786-2200.

Millikin-Decatur Symphony Orchestra Feb 3, 7:30pm Sat. Masterworks concert featuring the music of Mozart along with Millikin student winners of the concerto and aria competitions. $10-20. kirklandfi nearts.com. Kirkland Fine Arts Center, 1184 W. Main St., Decatur, 424- 6318.

Music at the Museum: Michael Johnathon Feb 8, 7-9pm Thu. Concert by Michael Decatur, 423-7000.

Hold Me Opening Reception Feb 1, 5:30-8pm Thu. Exhibition showcases multimedia artworks by Chicago artist Erin Hayden. On display through Feb 22. Free. uis.edu/visualarts/gallery. UIS Visual Arts Gallery, HSB 201, One University Plaza, 206-6506.

Metamorphosis Opening Reception Feb 2, 5-7:30pm Fri. Three fl oors of activities including live music, collage making, screen printing demonstration and more. Madden Arts Center, 125 N. Water St., Decatur, 423-3189.

Open Studio Feb 5, 6:30-9:30pm Mon. 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 eld@gmail. com. The Pharmacy Gallery and Art Space, 711 S. Fifth St., 801- 810-9278.

Opening Art Reception Feb 3, 6-8pm Sat. Opening reception for “Small Mysteries” by Michael Onken. Gallery talk at 6:30pm. On display through Feb 25. Free. David Strawn Art Gallery, 331 W. College Ave., Jacksonville, 243-9390.

Paperworks Feb 1-9. Featuring 2D and 3D work from Joan Burmeister, Teri Zee and Carolyn Owen Sommer. On display through Mar 1. Free. springfi eldart.org. SAA Collective Gallery, 420 S. Sixth St., 544- 2787.

Robert Middaugh: Machines Inherit the Earth Feb 1-9. 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 Feb 5, 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.

Polina Feb 4, 6, 1pm and 4pm Sun, 7pm Tue. The fourth 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

Illinois Presidents Super Saturday Feb 3, 11am-3pm Sat. Children ages 5 and up (and their families) enjoy crafts and activities while learning about Illinois presidents. Free with museum admission. illinoisstatemuseum.org. 558- 6696. Illinois State Museum, 502 S. Spring St., 782-7386.

PAW Patrol: Race to the Rescue Feb 6-7, 6-8pm Tue-Wed. Family-friendly live show featuring PAW Patrol. $19+. sangamonauditorium.org. Sangamon Auditorium, UIS, 1 University Plaza, 206-6160.

Lectures & Meetings Adult Children of Alcoholics Feb 6, 5:15pm Tue. Weekly meetings every Tuesday. New attendees welcome. wisetruth@ yahoo.com. Discovery Club, 313 W. Cook St., 544-9049.

Breakfast Optimist Club Feb 2, 9, 7am Fri. Every Friday. 546-5021. Peace Lutheran Church, 2800 W. Jefferson St., 546-7646.

Capital Area Woodworkers Club Feb 6, 6:30-8pm Tue. Monthly meeting. Dinner and social hour followed by a program on easy-to-build, quick and low-cost projects for the novice woodworker. Free. cawspi.org. 416-1819. MCL Cafeteria, 2151 Wabash Ave., 787-8706.

Celebrate Recovery Feb 2, 9, 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 Numismatic Association Meeting Feb 8, 7-9:30pm Thu. Monthly business meetings open to anyone interested in collecting coins or paper money. Free. 899- 9996. Knights of Columbus Hall Council 4175, 2801 West St., 528-5740.

CoDA Wednesday Warmth Feb 1, 8, 6-7:30pm Thu. Every Wednesday. Co-Dependents Anonymous 12-step fellowship of men and women whose common purpose is to develop healthy relationships. coda.org. 760- 212-4593. Memorial’s Center for Learning and Innovation, 228 W. Miller, 545-6314.

Confessions of a Former White Supremacist Feb 1, 7-9pm Thu. Presentation by Joseph Pearce, who outlines his journey from racist revolutionary to rejection of that ideology. An ECCE Speaker Series program. Free. uis.edu. UIS Brookens Auditorium, One University Plaza, 206-6073.

Grief Recovery Program Feb 7, 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 Feb 6, 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.

Single and Parenting Feb 3, 6:30-8:30pm Sat. Fourweek program features video presentations, group discussions, and personal Bible studies about relationships and parenting. Free. trinity-lutheran.com. 685-8099. Trinity Lutheran School, 515 S. MacArthur, 787-2323.

The US Healthcare System(s) Feb 1, 7:30pm Thu. World Affairs Council Central IL presentation titled “The U.S. Healthcare System(s): Time for International Comparative Policy Analysis” by Dr. Jerry Kruse. Free. mywacci. org. UIS Student Union, One William Maxwell Lane, 206-6581.

Bulletin Board Crime Stoppers Trivia Night Feb 3, 4:30-10pm Sat. Ninthannual event features live music by Dave Littrell plus emcees John Spalding and Joe Crain. Trivia prepared by Trivia Workshop begins at 7pm. BYO food and snacks. $10 per person, 10-person max per team. cashfortips.us. 622-9547. Bank of Springfi eld Center, 1 Convention Center Plaza, 800- 745-3000.

Get it Wright Trivia Night Feb 3, 7-10pm Sat. Sponsored by the Dana-Thomas House Foundation. No outside food or beverages. $10 per person or $100 per table (seats 8-10). Dana-Thomas.org. 416-4955. Panther Creek Country Club, 3001 Panther Creek Dr., 546- 4431.

HIV/AIDS Awareness and Testing Feb 7, 9-11am Wed. Sponsored by the LLCC Black Student Union. Free. A. Lincoln Commons, Lincoln Land Community College, 5250 Shepherd Road, 786-2200.

New Volunteer Orientation Feb 1, 5:30pm Thu. Learn about volunteer opportunities available and what information volunteers need to know about the library and museum. PresidentLincoln.illinois.gov. 558-8872. Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library, 112 N. Sixth St., 558-8844.

Protest: As American As Apple Pie Feb 6, 6pm Tue. Panel discussion explores the history of protests in the US from a legal and social perspective. An ECCE Speaker Series program. uis.edu. 206-8507. UIS Brookens Auditorium, One University Plaza, 206-6073.

History Paul Mickey Science Series Lecture Feb 7, 7-8:30pm Wed. Presentation by Timothy P. Townsend titled “The Illinois Freedom Project: For a Vast Future Also.” Free. illinoisstatemuseum.org. 558- 6696. Illinois State Museum, 502 S. Spring St., 782-7386.

Auditions Revenge: Treasure Island Feb 4-5, 7-9pm Sun-Mon. Open to college students and community members. Featuring leading roles for women and men plus exciting sword fi ghts throughout. llcc.edu. Lincoln Land Community College, 5250 Shepherd Road, 786-2200.

Faith & Philosophy Religion Renewed Feb 2, 7-8pm Fri. Elevated topics on various spiritual subjects, plus discussion. Free. 546-9171. Springfi eld Baha’i Center, 1131 S. Eighth St., 544- 9595.