Fairs & Festivals

2018 Home Expo Feb 23-25, 3-8pm Fri, 9am-6pm Sat, 10am-5pm Sun. Featuring the latest trends in home building and remodeling from more than 120 local vendors. Hosted by the Springfi eld Area Home Builders Association. $6 admission. Free to ages 12 and under. springfi eldareahba.com. Bank of Springfield Center, 1 Convention Center Plaza, 800-745-3000.

Winter Time Firkin Festival Feb 24, 11am Sat. Winter craft beer festival features local breweries with casks of their specialty craft beers. Ages 21+ only. $5, includes complimentary glass and fi ve tickets. Obed & Isaacs, 500 S. Sixth St., 670- 0627.

Winter Wine Festival Feb 23, 7pm Fri. Offerings from more than 15 Illinois wineries, food and wine pairings, and live local entertainment. Hosted by the Illinois Grape Growers and Vintners Association. $20 advance; $25 at door. illinoISwine.com. 726-8518. Crowne Plaza Hotel, 3000 S. Dirksen Pkwy, 529-7777.

Books & Authors

Springfield Comic Book Convention Feb 25, 10am-4pm Sun. Large variety of comic books (new and old) plus toys and collectibles. Free. epguides.com/comics. 309-657-1599. Route 66 Hotel & Conference Center, 625 E. Saint Joseph St., 529-6626.

Theater & Comedy

A Little Night Music Feb 23-25, 8pm Fri-Sat, 4pm Sun. Tony-Award winning play by Stephen Sondheim, Hal Prince and Hugh Wheeler based off Ingmar Bergman’s comedy of manners, Smiles of a Summer Night. $18, $20. hcfta.org. Hoogland Center for the Arts, 420 S. Sixth St., 523-2787.

And Then There Were None Feb 23-25, 7:30pm Fri-Sat, 2pm Sun. Stage adaptation of a dark tale by Agatha Christie. Presented by Theatre 7. theatre7.tix.com. Decatur Civic Center, 1 Gary K Anderson Plaza, Decatur, 422-7300.

Comedian and Hypnotist Doug Thompson Feb 23-24, 9:30pm Fri-Sat, 7:30pm Sat. One of the top hypnotists in the nation. $16, $18. donniebs. com. Donnie B’s Comedy Club, 3455 Freedom Dr., 391-JOKE.

Comedian Uncle Larry Reeb Feb 23-24, 8-9:45pm Fri-Sat. Featuring Larry Reeb, a strong, distinct and classic character with sarcastic attitude and sardonic wit. $12.50. mclimits.com. Mason City Limits Comedy Club, 114 E. Chestnut, Mason City, 482-5233.

Ron White Feb 22, 8-10pm Thu. Blue Collar Comedy Tour phenomenon, charttopping Grammy-nominated comedian, and feature fi lm actor Ron “Tater Salad” White. Admission. sangamonauditorium.org. Sangamon Auditorium, UIS, 1 University Plaza, 206-6160.

Music: General Events

A Tribute to Benny Goodman: The Julian Bliss Septet Feb 23, 8pm Fri. British clarinet virtuoso Julian Bliss leads his sevenpiece ensemble through music made famous by Benny Goodman in the 1930s and 1940s. $28+. sangamonauditorium.org. Sangamon Auditorium, UIS, 1 University Plaza, 206-6160.

Brown Bag Concert Feb 28, 12:15-12:45pm Wed. Featuring musicians Chet Lord- Remmert (cello) and Ashley Rescot (violin). BYO lunch or purchase one for $5. Free. lincolnschurch.org. First Presbyterian Church, 321 S. Seventh St., 528-4311.

Illinois Symphony Chamber Orchestra Feb 23, 7:30pm Fri. “Rock Me Amadeus” featuring Ruth Marshall on violoncello. Tickets. ilsymphony. org. First Presbyterian Church, 321 S. Seventh St., 528-4311.

Open Mic with a Mission Feb 24, 6-8pm Sat. Piano available. In support of the Boys and Girls Club of Central Illinois. hopeforspringfi eld. org. Hope Presbyterian Church, 2211 Wabash Ave., 546-6951.

Voices in Praise Concert Feb 25, 6pm Sun. An evening of praise and worship brought to you by UIS Voices in Praise and Epic Praise student club. Free. uis.edu. 206- 6333. UIS Brookens Auditorium, One University Plaza, 206-6073.

Winter Concert Feb 27, 7-8pm Tue. Sangamon Valley Youth Symphony concert features the Sinfonia Orchestra. $10 adults, $5 students, free to ages 12 and under. svys.org. 753-8000. Hoogland Center for the Arts, 420 S. Sixth St., 523- 2787.

Dance Black History Month Ebony Dance Feb 24, 9pm-12am Sat. Co-sponsored by the African- American History Month Committee and the Open Door Mentorship program. Free. LLCC Trutter Center, 5250 Shepherd Road, 786-2200.

Cinderella Feb 24, 1pm, 3pm and 6pm Sat. A child-friendly ballet featuring young, local artists. Presented by the Springfi eld Youth Performance Group. $10, $15. hcfta.org. Hoogland Center for the Arts, 420 S. Sixth St., 523-2787.

Country Dance Feb 23, 7-11pm Fri. $5 per person. pldc.org. Prairie Land Dance Club, 650 Matilda St., Illiopolis, 428-1560.

Country Music Dance Feb 23, 7:30-10:30pm Fri. $5 cover. 789-4725. VFW 10302 Northenders, 2349 Stockyard Road, 523-7523.

Cowboy Kicks Line Dancing Event Feb 24, 7-10pm Sat. Enjoy a night of line dancing in support of Bright Star Equestrian Centre. $20 per person includes pizza buffet. brightstarequestriancentre.com. 502-3390. Route 66 Hotel & Conference Center, 625 E. Saint Joseph St., 529-6626.

Dance for Hope Feb 23, 7:30-10:30pm Fri. All styles of dance every fourth Friday of the month. danceforhope3111.com. Normandy Hill Plaza, 3111 Normandy Road, Suite 104, 522- 9106.

Prairie Ballroom Dance Feb 24, 7-11pm Sat. $5 per person. pldc.org. Prairie Land Dance Club, 650 Matilda St., Illiopolis, 428-1560.

Art & Architecture Canvas + Cocktails: 90s Art Feb 23, 7-9:30pm Fri. Paint 90s-style art on an 11x14 canvas. BYO wines, cheeses, desserts. Ages 21+. $15 SAA members, $25 non. springfi eldart.org. Springfi eld Art Association, 700 N. Fourth St., 523-2631.

Paperworks Feb 22-24, 27-28. 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.

Toy Box - Inspiration Through Play Feb 22-28. Featuring artwork by working artists across Illinois. On display through Mar 4. $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 Frantz Feb 25, 27, 1pm and 4pm Sun, 7pm Tue. The seventh 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.

Masaan Feb 22, 6-9pm Thu. First fi lm of the “Through a Different Lens: Cultural Perspectives through Film” fi lm series. Free. LLCC Trutter Center, 5250 Shepherd Road, 786-2200.

Children’s Corner

Cookies and Characters Bash Feb 24, 10am-2pm Sat. Pose for pictures with Spider-Man, Poppy, Chase from Paw Patrol and Mickey Mouse. Free. 725-9036. Lincoln Park, Fifth Street and Sangamon Avenue, 544-1751.

Doll-i-Day: Under the Sea Feb 25, 1-4pm Sun. Bring a favorite doll or stuffed animal and enjoy hair, nail-painting and make-up stations, plus a photo booth, movies, games, crafts, food and more. $25. 245-6000. Hamilton’s, 110 N. East St., Jacksonville, 675-2720.

LEGO Contest Feb 24-25, 1-4:30pm Sat, 11am- 3:30pm Sun. Ages 5-12 can put their LEGO building skills to the test at the 2018 SAHBA Home Expo. Registration required. Free to children under 12. 698-4941. Bank of Springfi eld Center, 1 Convention Center Plaza, 800- 745-3000.

Project HOWL: Rep Prep Feb 24, 1-3pm Sat. Ages 10-12 learn about animals and their ecosystems and help enrich the lives of animals on zoo grounds. Registration. $13 residents and members, $15 non. springfi eldparks.org. Henson Robinson Zoo, 1100 E. Lake Shore Dr., 585-1821.

Rube Goldberg Competition Feb 24, 9am-3pm Sat. View outlandish machines created by area fi fth graders. Free. Menard Hall, Lincoln Land Community College, 5250 Shepherd Road, 786-2200.

Nature Maple Syrup Time Demonstrations Feb 24-25, 1-2pm Sat-Sun. Join Garden naturalists for the annual maple tree tapping. Free. lincolnmemorialgarden.org. Lincoln Memorial Garden, 2301 E. Lake Shore Dr., 529-1111.

Lectures & Meetings 10th Annual Disability to Possibility Conference Feb 24, 8am-12:30pm Sat.

Featuring keynote speaker Dr. Patrick Schwarz, numerous breakout sessions and a community resource fair. Registration. Free. sps186. org. 525-3060. Southeast High School, 2350 E. Ash St., 525- 3130.

Adult Children of Alcoholics Feb 27, 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 23, 7am Fri. Every Friday. 546-5021. Peace Lutheran Church, 2800 W. Jefferson St., 546-7646.

Celebrate Recovery Feb 23, 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.

Celebrating Culture and History Feb 27, 11:30am-1:30pm Tue. A “Lunch and Learn Series” presentation by Elizabeth Alexander and Nell Clay, board members of the Central Illinois African American History Museum. $23 per person, includes hot buffet lunch. uis. edu. 206-6058. UIS Student Union, One William Maxwell Lane, 206-6581.

GriefShare Feb 27, 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 Feb 28, 1:30pm Wed. Monthly meetings held last Wednesday of the month. Speaker is Alan Lowe, director of the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum. St. John’s Lutheran Church, 2477 W. Washington St., 793-3933.

Springfield ICON Feb 26, 6:30pm Mon. Monthly meeting. Topics TBA. Free. springfi eldicon.org. 528-9803. First Church of the Brethren, 2115 Yale Boulevard, 523-5212.

Bulletin Board

African-American Food and Vendor Day Feb 24, 10am-2pm Sat. Featuring samples of food, displays exhiiting the ware of African-American entrepreneurs and “Saxophone and African- American Poetry Improvisations” by Virgil Rhodes, J.D. Free. A. Lincoln Commons, Lincoln Land Community College, 5250 Shepherd Road, 786-2200.

APL Pet Adoption Feb 25. Cats available 12-4pm. Dogs available 12-3pm. aplshelter.org. 544-7387. Petsmart, 3183 S. Veterans Pkwy, 698- 3091.

APL Pet Adoption Feb 24, 11am-3pm Sat. Cats and dogs available. apl-shelter. org. 544-7387. Farm and Home Supply, 3030 Wabash Ave., 546- 6680.

Fashion Show Feb 28, 12-1pm Wed. Fashion show featuring African-inspired designs. Free. Hosted by IDOT. Illinois Department of Transportation, 2300 S. Dirksen Parkway.

SMTD Public Comment Open House 8 Feb 22, 4-6pm Thu. Public open house for redesigned bus route system. Free. smtd.org. 522-6087. Grandview Municipal Building, 2377 E. Reservoir St., 528-7624.

Trivia Night Feb 23, 7-10pm Fri. Topics include general science, history, English and more. Hosted by LLCC Chemistry Club in support of LLCC Chemistry Club. $10 per person, up to 10 per team. llcc.edu. 786-2383. Lincoln Land Community College, 5250 Shepherd Road, 786-2200.

Food African American Cuisine Feb 23, 11am-1:30pm Fri. Featuring African-American cuisine from Nickey’s Southern Style Kitchen. Hosted by IDOT. $7 per plate. Illinois Department of Transportation, 2300 S. Dirksen Parkway.

Springfield Winter Farmers Market Feb 24, 9am-12pm Sat. Seasonal farmers market features 16 local vendors selling a wide variety of fresh and/or locally grown products. ilstewards.org. 528-1563. Third Presbyterian Church, 1030 N. Seventh St., 528-0457.

History

Illinois History Forum Feb 23, 12pm Fri. Historian Timothy Mason Roberts leads a discussion of his book titled “This Infernal War: The Civil War Letters of William and Jane Standard.” Free. PresidentLincoln.illinois.gov. Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library, 112 N. Sixth St., 558-8844.

Woodlawn Farm Underground Railroad Tours Feb 24, 10am-4pm Sat. Take a fi rsthand look at one of Jacksonville’s Underground Railroad sites. $4 adults, $4 students. jacksonvilleil.org. 243-5678. Woodlawn Farm, Old Route 36, three miles east of Jacksonville, Jacksonville.

Health CCHC Program Feb 28, 10am Wed. Presentation by the Cass County Health Clinic. Prairie Skies Public Library District - Ashland, 125 W. Editor St., Ashland, 476-3417.

Fight For Air Climb 2018 Feb 25, 8am-1pm Sun. Athletic and fundraising challenge where participants stair climb 532 steps to the top of the tallest building in Springfi eld. $25. climbwyndham. org. 787-5864. Wyndham Springfi eld City Centre, 700 E. Adams St., 979-3992.

Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction Feb 26, 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 Feb 23, 7-8pm Fri. Various topics on spiritual subjects. Discussion. Free. 546-9171. Springfi eld Baha’i Center, 1131 S. Eighth St., 544-9595.

Spiritual Lessons of the #MeToo Feb 25, 10:30-11:30am Sun. A presentation by Rev. Martin Woulfe. Free. aluuc.org. Abraham Lincoln Unitarian Universalist Congregation, 745 Woodside Road, 585-9550.

Sports & Fitness Firearm Related Injury Care Feb 24, 4-6pm Sat. Learn how to help in the event of a fi rearm-related injury. $30. immediatethreats.com. MTM Arms, 1001 High Prairie Dr., Athens, 636-8000.

Golf Custom Fitting Event Feb 28, 2-7pm Wed. Custom club fi ttings with Callaway golf representatives. Registration. Free. experience.scheels.com. Scheels, 3801 S. MacArthur, 726-6330.

Hockey with Bishop Paprocki Feb 28, 7-10:30pm Wed. Hockey game featuring Bishop Paprocki vs Chicago Blackhawks alum Grant “Granny” Mulvey. Open skate on ice to follow game. $7 adults, $5 ages 5-13. cc.dio.org. 321-8304. Nelson Center Ice Arena, Lincoln Park, 1601 N. Fifth St., 525-2589.

Sports Photography for Beginners Feb 22, 6:45-8:45pm Thu. Bring your camera, telephoto lens and an extra battery and enjoy two hours of hands-on shooting experience at a Jr. Blues hockey game. Registration. $69. cccamera.com. 546-4005. Nelson Center Ice Arena, Lincoln Park, 1601 N. Fifth St., 525- 2589.

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

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