Fairs & Festivals

2019 WE-CI Women’s Showcase Mar 13, 4-7pm Wed. An inaugural event celebrates businesses and nonprofit organizations owned and operated by women. Exhibits, spotlight sessions, free appetizers and cash bar. Registration is open to non-members. Free. weci.wildapricot.org. Erin’s Pavilion, Southwind Park, 4965 S. Second St., 217-585-2941.

Theater & Comedy

19th Annual Murder Mystery Dinner Theater Fundraiser Mar 8-9, 6-8pm Fri-Sat. Inhumane Resources: Death By Hiring Squad by local author Ryan Byers. $25, Sat. matinee $15. Get reservation form online or at the library cafe. chathamlib.org. Chatham Area Public Library, 600 E. Spruce, Chatham, 217-483-2713.

A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum Mar 8-10, 2pm Fri, 8pm Sat, 2pm Sun. This slapstick farce is regarded by many as a high point in the history of Broadway musical comedy. $18/$20. hcfta.org. Hoogland Center for the Arts, 420 S. Sixth St., 217-523- 2787.

Comedian Michael Brown Mar 9-8, 8-9:30pm Sat, 7-8:30pm Fri. Michael proved his comedy mettle by performing in The World Series of Comedy and took the 2nd place in the 2010 Arkansas’ Funniest Person Contest. Prepay online or $12.50 cash only at the door. Mason City Limits Comedy Club, 114 E. Chestnut St., Mason City, 217-482-5233.

Dale Jones Mar 8-9, 7:30pm-9pm and 9:30pm-11pm. VIP $20, general seating $18. donniebs.com. Donnie B’s Comedy Club, 3455 Freedom Dr., 217-391-JOKE.

Larry Smith Mar 9, 9pm Sat. Featuring Zach Boblitt and Betsy Edwards and guest host Richard Bailey. $10. Godfather’s Pizza, 1549 S. Dirksen Pkwy., 217-522- 4886 or 217-871-1509.

Murder Mystery Dinner: The RatTrap Mar 8-9, 6pm Fri-Sat. Enjoy a fun-filled evening and see if you can solve the case. Cash bar available. Tickets must be ordered by noon of Wednesday before the performance. Admission. springfieldtheatrecentre.com. Hoogland Center for the Arts, 420 S. Sixth St., 217-523-2787.

Summer of Love March 7, 7pm Thu, 8pm Fri and Sat, 2pm Sun. Woven around a songbook of classic 60s hits by some of the most influential artists of the love generation. $25 in advance; $30 day of show. The Legacy Theatre, 101 E. Lawrence, 800-838-3006.

Music: General Events

Brown Bag Concert Mar 13, 12:15-12:45pm Wed. The Brown Bag Concert series features a variety of musical artists during Lent. The audience is invited bring their own lunch and enjoy the concerts or “Brown Bag Lunches” maybe purchased at the door for $5. Free. lincolnschurch.org. First Presbyterian Church, 321 S. Seventh St., 217-528-4311.

Carillon Winter Concerts Mar 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.

Jazz at Lincoln Center Concert Mar 7, 6:30pm Thu. Four generations of master pianists took to the stage of jazz at Lincoln Center to celebrate the full range of jazz piano today. Free. jaxpl.org. Jacksonville Public Library, 201 W. College Ave., Jacksonville, 217-243- 5435.

Dance Dance for Hope Mar 8, 7:30-10:30pm Fri. Ballroom dance night every second Friday of the month. $8 per person. Free admission to one dance of your choosing during your birth month. danceforhope3111.com. Normandy Hill Plaza, 3111 Normandy Road, Suite 104, 217-522-9106.

Art & Architecture

Annual IPPS Member’s Exhibition Mar 9, 10am-3pm Sat. Through March 30. The annual member’s exhibition. Free. illinoisprairiepastelsociety.org Springfi eld Art Association, 700 N. Fourth St., 217-523-2631.

Hand Building Animal Planters Mar 9, 6-8pm Sat. Hand building with B-mix clay. Pieces will be fired and dip-glazed. Limited seating. $20 members; $30 non. springfieldart.org. SAA Collective Gallery, 420 S. Sixth St., 217-544-2787.

Inhabited Mar 7, 12-7pm Thu. 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.

Jan Villarreal’s Oils on Canvas Mar 7-10, 13, 10am-3pm Wed-Sun. Oil on canvas work by Jan Villarreal is on display. Her subjects range from still lifes to landscapes and fl orals. Free. wildharecafe-elk-il.com. Horsefeather’s Wild Hare Cafe, 104 Governor Oglesby St., Elkhart, 947-2100.

Jeanine Coupe Ryding Exhibition Mar 7-13, 9am-4:30pm Wed- Mon, 12-4:30pm Sun, 9am- 4:30pm Sat-Thu. Through May 13. Features a selection of relief prints, artist books and collages from the last 10 years by the Evanston artist. $5 adults ages 19-64. illinoisstatemuseum.org. Illinois State Museum, 502 S. Spring St., 217-782-7386.

Oil Painting with Jason Wolters Mar 12, 5:30-7:30pm Tue. For high school and adult learners of all levels. Class limited to 8 students. $40 members, $45 non. strawnartgallery.org. David Strawn Art Gallery, 331 W. College Ave., Jacksonville, 217- 243-9390.

One Nighter: Abstract Mosaic Trivet Mar 8, 6-8pm Fri. Create a functional hot plate or a tile mosaic art piece. Limited seating. $20 members; $30 non. springfieldart.org. SAA Collective Gallery, 420 S. Sixth St., 217-544-2787.

Pottery with Kirby Drennan Mar 7, and 7-9pm.. Explore hand-building, use of the wheel, glazing and firing. Class limited to 8 students. $55 members, $60 non. strawnartgallery.org. David Strawn Art Gallery, 331 W. College Ave., Jacksonville, 217-243-9390.

Sing Muses Exhibition Mar 7-13. This exhibition looks at artwork from the museum’s permanent collection that narrates a story for us. Artists include Stanley Bly, Henry Darger, Glen C. Davies, Nicole Gordon, George Klauba, Shirley Mann, Nancy Plotkin, Filemon Santiago and Kevin Veara. $5 adults 19-64. illinoisstatemuseum.org. Illinois State Museum, 502 S. Spring St., 217-782-7386.

We Are Illinoisans Exhibition Mar 7-13, 9am-4:30pm Thu- Sat, 12-4:30pm Sun, 9am- 4:30pm Mon-Wed. An exhibition highlighting immigrants to Illinois from the 18th century to today through photos, objects, and life stories. Museum admission. illinoisstatemuseum.org. 217-558-6696. Illinois State Museum, 502 S. Spring St., 217-782-7386.

Children’s Corner

Story Time Mar 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.

Camp Ondessonk’s Saturday Spectacular Mar 9, 1-8pm Sat. A week of summer camp condensed into eight hours of fun for ages 6-14. $35 with up to $5 off with $1 for each donated canned good. bssbruins.org. Blessed Sacrament School, 1725 S. Walnut St.

Day trip to Peoria Playhouse Children’s Museum Mar 10, 11:30am-4:30pm Sun. On this day trip, kids ages 5-13 will be able to explore, learn and use their imagination at this fun interactive museum. $20 residents; $25 non. springfieldparks.org. Erin’s Pavilion, Southwind Park, 4965 S. Second St., 217-585-2941.

Happy Birthday Dr. Seuss Story Time Mar 12, 10-11am Tue. Join your favorite Dr. Seuss characters for a celebration of the author’s birthday with stories and a craft. Museum admission for adults 19-64. Illinois State Museum, 502 S. Spring St., 217-782-7386.

Night at the Museum Overnight Mar 8, 6:30pm Fri. This is a rare opportunity to see what happens in the museum after everyone has gone home. Fee includes admission, activities, evening snack and breakfast. Open to families and groups with children ages 7-11. $45 members or groups of 10+; $50 non. illinoisstatemuseum.org. Illinois State Museum, 502 S. Spring St., 217-782-7386.

Sensory Friendly Times Mar 12, 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.

Washington Park Preschool: What’s Cooking? Mar 11, 5:30-6:30pm Mon. 217-546-3970. Washington Park Preschool, 1400 Williams Blvd., 217-546-3970.

Zoo Tot Class Mar 7, 9, 10-11am Thu, 3-4pm Sat. Each class includes stories, animal visits, cool crafts, games and more. Advance registration is required, and classes fill quickly. $9 residents, $11.50 non ($6 per each additional student). springfieldparks.org. Henson Robinson Zoo, 1100 E. Lake Shore Dr., 217-585-1821.

Nature

Russel Allen Garden Day Mar 9, 8am Sat. Key note speaker Julia Ossler, assistant professor at Lincoln College, will provide a program on revitalizing monarch habitat in rural landscapes. $18 at the door. web.extension.illinois.edu. Lincoln College, 300 E. Keokuk (Lincoln building), Lincoln, 855- 328-6392.

Environment

Building a Bicycle-Friendly Community Mar 13, 6:30-8pm Wed. Kevin Greene with Sustainable Springfield, Inc. will discuss efforts to make Springfield a bicycle-friendly community. Co-sponsored by Sustainable Springfield. Free. 217-793- 2178. Lincoln Library, 326 S. Seventh St., 217-753-4900.

Lectures & Meetings

AARP Chapter 195 Meeting Mar 11, 11am Mon. Sue Litterly of the U. S. Postal Service will speak. Lunch is available for $6 around noon. Business meeting around 2:00 p.m. 529-9763. The public is invited. VFW Post #755, 2211 Old Jacksonville Rd., 217-546-9515.

Adult Children of Alcoholics and other Dysfunctional Families Mar 12, 5:15pm Tue. Weekly meetings every Tuesday. New attendees welcome. [email protected]. 217- 544-9049. Discovery Club, 313 W. Cook St., 217-544-9049.

Hope for Helpers Mar 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.

Bulletin Board

Bingo Nights Mar 13, 5:30-6:30pm Wed. Min. of 10 people, max. of 30 people. Free event for people of all abilities ages 8+. springfieldparks.org Erin’s Pavilion, Southwind Park, 4965 S. Second St., 217-585-2941.

Glo Bingo Mar 9, 7pm Sat. Adults over 21 only. Cash bar. Proceeds benefi ts Habitat for Humanity of Sangamon County. Doors open at 5:30. $20 in advance, $35 at the door. habitatsangamon.com. Prairie View Reception Center, 8855 State Route 4, Chatham, 217- 483-7999.

Handmade Trivia Mar 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.

Out of the Barn Spring Market Mar 9, 9am-4pm Sat. Plenty of vendors. Vintage, old and new, farmhouse, decor, re-purposed, handmade items, clothing boutiques, wood, furniture, upcycled, sweet treats. $4 at the door; under 16 free. Crowne Plaza Springfield, 3000 S. Dirksen Pkwy, 217- 529-7777.

United State and Mexico: Partnership Tested Mar 12, 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.

Young at Heart Mar 12, 9:30-11:30am Tue. Featuring a program, short devotion and complimentary lunch. Open to all area seniors. Free. athenschristian.net. Athens Christian Church, 1411 E. Route 29, Athens, 217-636- 8463.

Politics

Meet the Candidates Mar 7, 5pm Thu. All candidates on the ballot are invited and encouraged to participate. Free. Light refreshments will be served. Hosted by Springfield-Decatur Area Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. Bank of Springfield Center, 1 Convention Center Plaza, 217- 741-1695.

History

A Time to Remember Mar 9, 6pm Sat. Cocktails at 6pm. Reservations $100 per person. Black tie is optional and 1915 Edwardian-style attire is welcome. Authentic dishes of the period. Open to the public. performance. millikin.edu/millikinhomestead. Millikin University, 1184 W. Main St., Decatur, 217-424- 6211.

Family History Workshops Mar 13, 6-7pm Wed. Join Erika Holst for two introductory workshops on family history— Family History 101 and Dating Old Photos by Clothing. Attend one or both. $10-20. illinoisstatemuseum.org. Illinois State Museum, 502 S. Spring St., 217-782-7386.

Genealogical Tea Mar 9, 2-4:30pm Sat. Beginning genealogy/family history, DNA and a short history of Auburn. Refreshments. $20 in advance; $15 at the door; ages 13-18 $5. 217-303-4395. wimmerfriends.com. Holy Cross Hall, 125 E. Washington St., Auburn, 217- 241-6635.

The Frost Trade Bead Collection Mar 7, 12-1pm Thu. The Frost Trade Bead Collection is part of the Tales from the Vault Program. Moderated by Brooke Morgan, Curator of Anthropology. Free. Donations accepted. illinoisstatemuseum.org. 217-558-6696. Illinois State Museum Research and Collections Center, 1011 E. Ash St., 217-785-0037.

Health

Colon Cancer Screens Mar 12, 9-11am Tue. March is Colon Cancer Awareness Month. Stop by to receive your “FIT KIT” provided by the Regional Cancer Partnership. centralilseniors.org. 217-528-4035. Senior Services of Central Illinois, 701 W. Mason St., 217-528-4035.

Healthy Cooking Demo Mar 7, 6-7pm Thu. Watch a nutritionist and chef whip up simple, healthy snacks. Free. st-johns.org/go217. Joslin Diabetes Center, 1118 Legacy Pointe Dr., Know the 10 Signs: Early Detection Matters Mar 11, 12-1:30pm Mon. Hear from people who have Alzheimer’s disease and fi nd out how to recognize the signs in yourself and others. Includes complimentary lunch. Registration.alz.org/illinois. 217-726-5184. St. John’s Lutheran Church, 2477 W. Washington St., 217-793-3933.

Stop Smoking, Start Living Mar 13, 6pm Wed. A sixweek support group program to empower individuals to enjoy a smoke-free life. $60 suggested donation. st-johns.org/stopsmoking. 544-5483. St. John’s Children’s Hospital, 800 E. Carpenter, 217-757- 6394.

Faith & Philosophy

Celebrate Women’s History Mar 10, 4:30-6:30pm Sun. Tahirih: Poet, martyr, women’s advocate. Kathryn Harris portrays Elizabeth Keckley, Mary Todd Lincoln’s seamstress. Refreshments. springfieldbahai.org. 217- 546-9171. Springfield Baha’i Center, 1131 S. Eighth St., 217-544-9595.

Death Cafe Mar 12, 10:30am-12pm Tue. Drink tea, eat cake and discuss death. As strange as such a gathering might seem, our aim is to increase awareness of death in order to help people make the most of their lives. $10 includes refreshments. deathcafe.com. Chiara Center, 4875 Laverna Road, 217-523-0901.

Sports & Fitness

Indoor Archery Ministry Mar 11, 6-8pm Mon. Shoot for fun or for competition. Three-D targets with ASA scoring. All ages are welcome. athenschristian.net. Athens Christian Church, 1411 E. Route 29, Athens, 217-636- 8463.

SPI TRI Spring Social Mar 9, 5-8pm Sat. An annual spring gathering and membership drive. Connect with local and aspiring triathletes and friends. Support area multi-sports. Food, drinks and live music. Sommer, 700 Lismore Lane, 217-622-5252.