Holiday Happenings

Valentine’s Day Craft Class Feb 6, 6:30pm Wed. Come celebrate Valentine’s Day by making free, giftable paper roses and cards. There will also be a St. Patrick’s Day option in case you hate the lovey-dovey stuff. Registration is required. Free. Jacksonville Public Library, 201 W. College Ave., Jacksonville, 217-243- 5435.

Theater & Comedy

C-U Comedy’s Open Mic Stand Up Night Jan 31, Feb 6-7, 13, 9-10:15pm. 217-202-6023. Clark Bar, 207 W Clark Street, Champaign, 217-355-0510.

Chris Johnson Feb 1-2, 9:30. Chris “Boom Boom” Johnson will knock you out with his fast paced humor. $18/$16. Donnie B’s Comedy Club, 3455 Freedom Dr., 217-391-JOKE.

Live Stand Up Comedy - Double Feature Feb 2, 8:30-10pm Sat. Welcome back two favorites from Chicago, Josh Chuboff & Tim Brennan. $8 in advance online. C-U Comedy Club (Inside Soma), 320 N. Neil St., Champaign, 217-202-6023.

Steve Caminiti Feb 1-2, 8-9:30pm Fri, 7-8:30pm Sat. All agree that Steve Caminiti is fabulously funny with extraordinary delivery and timing. $12.50 prepaid online or cash only at the door. Mason City Limits Comedy Club, 114 E. Chestnut St., Mason City, 217-482-5233.

Tolton: From Slave to Priest Feb 4, 6:30pm Mon. Based on the life of Father Augustus Tolton, the first African American Catholic priest. Freewill offering. Sacred Heart Griffen Theater, 1200 W. Washington, Music: General Events Can’t Help Falling in Love Feb 3, 7pm Sun. Undergraduate music and theatre students will present an original cabaret. Millikin University, 1184 W. Main St., Decatur.

Carillon Winter Concerts Feb 3, 6, 10, 13, 2pm Sun, 12pm Wed. Carillonneur Carlo van Ulft will be playing classical, folk and popular music. Free and all ages are welcome. carillon-rees.org. Thomas Rees Memorial Carillon, 1740 W. Fayette Ave., 217-546-3853.

International Concert Organist Lukas Hasler Feb 1, 7:30-9:30pm Fri. Sponsored by Staab Funeral Home, this is the inaugural concert for the First Friday Concert Series at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception. Free. spicathedral.org. 217- 494-5209. Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception, 815 S. Sixth St., 217-522- 3342.

Let the Journey Continue Feb 1, 12-1:30pm Fri. LLCC alum and musician Kenneth Humble performs with the Kenny Humble Group in the A. Lincoln Commons. The first of a series of LLCC events celebrating African- American History Month themed “Still: We Rise as the Journey Continues.” llcc.edu. Lincoln Land Community College, 5250 Shepherd Road, 217-786-2200.

Dance

Step Afrika! Feb 1, 7pm Fri. Over the past 23 years Step Afrika! has grown to become one of the top 10 African American Dance Companies in the U.S. and Washington D.C.’s largest African American arts organization. UIS Student Union Ballroom, 2251 Richard Wright Dr., 217-206-4782.

Art & Architecture A Series of Journeys Feb 2-24, 1-3 Sun.; 4-6 Tues.- Sat.. Pastel paintings by Tracey Maras. strawnartgallery.org. David Strawn Art Gallery, 331 W. College Ave., Jacksonville, 217- 243-9390.

Honoring HER-story Feb 1-26, Saturdays 10am- 2pm. The features African American women artists Sandra Bridges, Malika Jackson, Natalie Jackson O’Neal and Trish Williams. Through their art work they seek to honor the dignity and heroism of African American women, both past and present, including everyday women and those who made a significant impact on history. Anne Lloyd Gallery of the Madden Arts Center, 125 N. Water St., Decatur, 217-423- 3189.

Inhabited Exhibit Jan 31, Feb 1-2, 5-9, 12-13, 12-7pm Thu-Sat, 10am-5pm Tue-Wed. Featuring Skyler McGee, Rick Larimore and Kate Worman-Becker. The gallery will also have work by over 85 exhibition artists and new work will be featured in the BACKdoor gallery. Free. springfieldart.org. SAA Collective Gallery, 420 S. Sixth St., 217-544-2787.

One Nighter: Handbuilt Ceramic Box Feb 2, 6-8pm Sat. Perfect for a recipe box or trinkets. Pieces will be fi red and dip glazed. Limited seating. $20 members; $30 non. springfieldart.org. Springfield Art Association, 700 N. Fourth St., 217-523-2631.

Scholastic Art Exhibition Feb 2-21, 9am-3pm Sat, 10am- 3pm Sat. Enjoy art work created by central Illinois junior high and high school students of the Mid- Central Illinois Art Region. Free. springfi eldart.org. Springfi eld Art Association, 700 N. Fourth St., 217-523-2631.

Film & Television Mystery Movie Monday Feb 4, 7pm Mon. A mystery film shown the first Monday of the month, Jan-May. Films will span from the early days of the 20th century to contemporary titles. $40 covers all five movies. atthelegacy.com. The Legacy Theatre, 101 E. Lawrence, 800- 838-3006.

Puzzle Screening Feb 3 & 5, 1pm and 4pm Sun, 7pm Tue. The fourth film in the Molly Schlich Independent and International Film Series. Single showing: $8 adults, $4 students with ID. Series pass: $50/$45. springfieldart.org. 217-523- 2631. AMC Parkway 8, 3025 Lindbergh Blvd., 888-262-4386.

The History of Springfield - From 1908 to Now Feb 8, 4pm Fri. Film and panel discussion. A part of the ECCE Speaker Series. Free. uis.edu. 217-206-8507. UIS Brookens Auditorium, 1 University Plaza, 217-206-6073.

The Last Five Years Feb 1-3, 8-10, 8pm Fri-Sat, 2pm Sun. Hoogland Center for the Arts, Theatre 3, 420 S. 6th St., 523-2787.

Children’s Corner

Story Time Jan 31, Feb 7, 11am-12pm Thu. It has been proven that reading to children improves their vocabulary, focus and helps foster curiosity. Join us for a short story time in the Little Free Lincoln Library. Kidzeum of Health and Science Children’s Museum, 412 E. Adams St., 217- 971-4435.

Baby Lap Sit Jan 31, 10:10-10:30am Thu. Songs, simple stories, movements and play. No registration is required and drop-ins are welcome. 0-18 mo. rochesterlibrary.org. Rochester Public Library, 1 Community Dr., Rochester, 217-498-8454.

Ice Jamz Family Night Feb 2, 6-8pm Sat. Light show, music, games, giveaways and more. All ages. Under 18 must be accompanied by an adult. $11 with rental skates; $9 without. springfieldparks.org. Nelson Center Ice Arena, Lincoln Park, 1601 N. Fifth St., 217-525-2589.

Let’s Celebrate! Super Saturday Feb 2, 11am-3pm Sat. Children ages 5+ and their families learn about late winter celebrations including Groundhog Day, Valentines Day, Presidents Day, spring solstice and more. $5 adults ages 19- 64; free to members, youth, seniors, military and veterans. illinoisstatemuseum.org. 217- 782-6044. Illinois State Museum, 502 S. Spring St., 217-782- 7386.

Sensory Friendly Times Feb 3 & 12, 10am-12pm Sun, 10am-12pm Tue. We will turn down the lights and noises to allow our friends with sensory differences and mobility issues to explore and discover the galleries at their own pace. Kidzeum of Health and Science Children’s Museum, 412 E. Adams St., 217-971-4435.

Environment

East Lick Creek Trail Hike Feb 3, 1:30-3:30pm Sun. 2.5 mile round trip trail hike. Must be willing to sign Sierra Club outings waiver. Free. Limited to 20. svgsierraclub.org. 217- 793-2178. Lick Creek Wildlife Sanctuary, 5600 Old Chatham Road, 217-757-8660, ext. 1011. .

Lectures & Meetings

Adult Children of Alcoholics and other Dysfunctional Families Feb 5 & 12, 5:15pm Tue. Weekly meetings every Tuesday. New attendees welcome. wisetruth@yahoo.com. 217-544-9049. Discovery Club, 313 W. Cook St., 217-544-9049.

Capital Area Woodworkers Club Feb 5, 6:30-8pm Tue. Regular monthly meeting. Dinner/ social hour 5:30 - 6:30. Visitors welcome. cawspi.org. 217- 502-4486. MCL Cafeteria, 2151 Wabash Ave., 217-787-8706.

Elkhart Historical Society Dinner Lecture Feb 8, 5pm Fri. Lecture by Karl Luthin, DVM. $40 includes dinner, tip, taxes a $10 donation to the historical society for the program. elkharthistoricalsociety.org. Horsefeather’s Wild Hare Café, 104 Governor Oglesby St., Elkhart, 947-2100.

Financial Peace University Feb 6 & 13, 6:30-7:30pm. Nineweek class curated by Dave Ramsey walks participants through the basics of budgeting, dumping debt, planning for the future and much more. Cost of materials and resources.fpu.com. Athens Christian Church, 1411 E. Route 29, Athens, 217-636-8463.

GriefShare Grief Recovery Group Feb 6 & 13, 6:30-8pm Wed. A 13-week, Christ-centered, biblically based support group seminar for those who have lost a spouse, child, family member or friend through death. Registration. Donation of cost of book. athenschristian.net. Athens Christian Church, 1411 E. Route 29, Athens, 217-636-8463.

Hope for Helpers Feb 2 & 9, 12-1pm Sat. A peer support group for social workers, therapists, counselors and other helping professionals. Prevention First, Inc., 2800 Montvale Dr., 217-793-7353.

Paint Night for TAAG Feb 7, 7-9pm Thu. Come paint with Ashley Blake and support Adults on the Autism Spectrum. Tickets are a tax-deductible $30 with half going to The Adult Autism Group (TAAG). 217-553- 5478. Arlington’s, 210 Broadway, 217-679-6235.

Paul Mickey Learning Series Lecture Feb 6, 7-8:30pm Wed. A presentation by Jenny Barker about educated, single women who answered calls for teachers in Illinois between 1820 and 1850. Free. illinoisstatemuseum.org. 217-558-6696. Illinois State Museum, 502 S. Spring St., 217- 782-7386.

Springfield Civic Garden Club Feb 4, 9am Mon. Monthly meeting. Presentation titled “Get Creative Growing Succulents” by Candice Hart. Free. Westminster Presbyterian Church, 533 S. Walnut St., 217-522-4415.

Bulletin Board Bingo Nights Feb 6 & 13, 5:30-6:30pm Wed. Minimum of 10 people, maximum of 30. Free event for people of all abilities from ages 8+. Free. springfieldparks.org 217-503-4576. Erin’s Pavilion, Southwind Park, 4965 S. Second St., 217-585-2941.

Candlelight Vigil Feb 1, 11:30am Fri. Students and community members are invited to participate in a Candlelight Vigil honoring the life of anyone they have lost. Participants are encouraged to light a candle and say a few remarks for that special person. UIS Student Union, 1 William Maxwell Lane, 217-206-4782.

Crime Stoppers 10th Annual Trivia Night Feb 2, 5-10pm Sat. Come test your knowledge. Joe Crain and John Spaulding will host this year’s event, with a special guest appearance by Sports Radio Sam Madonia and live music by Dave Littrell. $15. cashfortips. us. 217-622-9547. Bank of Springfield Center, 1 Convention Center Plaza, 800-745-3000.

Finding Neverland Day Trip Feb 2, 11:15am Sat. $72. centralILseniors.org. 217-503- 4629. Peoria Civic Center, 201 SW Jefferson Ave., Peoria, 309- 673-3200.

GriefShare Feb 7, 6:30-8pm Thu. Pastor Nicole Cox of First United Methodist Church will lead this 11-week program to help walk you through difficult life experiences. Free. Staab Funeral Home, 2626 East Andrew Road, Sherman, 217- 528-6461.

Handmade Trivia Feb 6, 13, 7-9pm Wed. Donna Smargiassi will be doling out seven rounds featuring five questions per round. Free. buzzbombbrewingco.com. Buzz Bomb Brewing Co., 406 E. Adams St., 217-679-4157.

Happy Hour event for PRISM Jan 31, 5:30-7:30pm Thu. PRISM is a membership-based organization of LGBTQAaffirming individuals and businesses dedicated to establishing and elevating the Springfield LGBTQA professional community through networking and communication. Buzz Bomb Brewing Co., 406 E. Adams St., 217-679-4157.

Nuclear Negotiations: Back to the Future? Feb 5, 7:30pm Tue. Led by Illinois College Professor Winston Wells, this is a part of an 8-week discussion series that addresses critical global issues. The 2019 Briefing Book that is used for the discussions is available for $32. The event is nationally sponsored by the Foreign Policy Association. Free. ic.edu 217-245-3089. Illinois College Baxter Hall, Jacksonville, 217-245-3000.

Scarves for Springfield Feb 2, 10am-4pm Sat. Scarves, gloves and thermal socks will be hung on the fencing at the Old State Capitol as part of a national movement called the Scarf Project. They will then be available for any person in need to take and use. 217-899-5630. Old State Capitol, 1 Old State Capitol Plaza, 217-785-7960.

Springfield Choral Society Trivia Night Feb 2, 6pm Sat. $12 per player, 8 players per table, mulligans, bonus games, cash bar. springfieldchoralsociety.org/. 217-899-7920. Piper Glen Golf Club, 7112 Piper Glen Dr., 483- 6537.

Teen Advisory Board Feb 1, 5-12pm Fri. Ages 13- 18 are invited to share ideas for community projects or activities. Rochester Public Library, 1 Community Dr., Rochester, 217-498-8454.

The Opioid Epidemic: How We Got There and Where to Go Now Feb 5, 7:30pm Tue. The World Affair Council of Central Illinois’ regular monthly meeting will feature a talk on “The Opioid Epidemic: How We Got There and Where to Go Now” by Dr. Kari Wolf of SUI School of Medicine. Free. mywacci.org. UIS Student Union Ballroom, 2251 Richard Wright Dr., 217- 206-4782.

Politics

Election 2019 Aldermanic Candidate Forum Feb 6-7, 6-9pm Wed-Thu. Sponsored by Springfield ICON and MacArthur Boulevard Association. springfieldicon.org. 217-528-9803. South Side Christian Church, 2600 S. MacArthur, 217-525-0304.

History

Bicentennial and Beyond! The Illinois Legacy Collection Jan 31, 9am-4:30pm Thu. Exhibition features rare and rarely-seen artifacts from the museum’s 13.5-million-object Illinois Legacy Collection to highlight the dynamic story of Illinois. Through Feb. 3. $5 adults ages 19-64. illinoisstatemuseum.org. Illinois State Museum, 502 S. Spring St., 217-782-7386.

History Happy Hour: Bourbon Feb 1, 7pm Fri. Curator of Collections Sarah Adams will present the history of bourbon and Kentucky native/bourbon connoisseur Dr. Nathan Steele will serve as your tasting guide. $30 members; $35 non. springfieldart.org. SAA Collective Gallery, 420 S. Sixth St., 217-544-2787.

Health

Diabetes Basics Jan 31, 12:20pm Thu. Diabetic advocate and supporter Lori Schlosser will be at Senior Services of Central Illinois to discuss Diabetes Basics and Practical Support. centralILseniors.org. Senior Services of Central Illinois, 701 W. Mason St., 217-528-4035.

Faith & Philosophy

Finding the Pathway to Unity Feb 1, 7-8:30pm Fri. Presentation and discussion. Light refreshments and fellowship follow. unityofspringfield.com. 217- 546-9171. Springfield Baha’i Center, 1131 S. Eighth St., 217- 544-9595.

Smiling at the Stars Feb 3, 10:30-11:30am Sun. The starlit sky above has been a source of inspiration for humanity since our species first gazed upwards at night. Which lessons are timeless, and which are impermanent? What do we lose in an era of “light pollution?” Presented by Rev. Martin Woulfe. aluuc.org. Abraham Lincoln Unitarian Universalist Congregation, 745 Woodside Road, 217-585-9550.

Sports & Fitness

Girls on the Run 15th Anniversary Feb 2, 6-9pm Sat. Come help us celebrate our 15th year of empowering girls to achieve their goals and light the way to a better future. The evening will include great food, beer and wine, a silent auction, raffle and the opportunity to connect with the Girls on the Run staff and volunteers. $60 or two for $100. gotrcentralillinois.org. 217-726- 9808. Ace Sign Co., 2540 S. First St., 217-522-8417.