Holiday Happenings

Springfield Holiday Farmers Market Mar 16, 9am-1pm Sat. A one-stop shop for holiday feasts and winter meals. Free admission. 217-528-1563. The State House Inn, 101 E. Adams St., 217-528-5100.

St. Patrick’s Catholic School 6th Annual Blarney Bash Mar 15, 5:30-8:30pm Fri. Party and auction. st-patrick. org. LRS Hangar, 1200 Capital Airport Dr., 217-523-8159.

Spoken Word

Poetry Open Mic Mar 20, 6-8pm Wed. Sign up to read some poetry, prose, non-fi ction or just relax and listen at this Springfield Poets & Writers monthly event. springfieldpoetsandwriters.com. 217-725-9058. Robbie’s, 4 S. Old State Capitol Plaza, 217-528-1901.

Theater & Comedy

$5 Friday Yuk-Off Comedy Showcase Mar 15, 8-9:45pm Fri. St. Patrick’s Day comedy showcase hosted by Jeff Tolbert. $5 cash only at the door. Mason City Limits Comedy Club, 114 E. Chestnut St., Mason City, 217-482- 5233.

Animal Protective League’s Annual Comedy Night Mar 21, 7:30pm Thu. Featuring Christine Stedman and opening act Ted Denson. $22 VIP, $20 general seating. All proceeds benefi t the animals of APL. apl-shelter.org. Donnie B’s Comedy Club, 3455 Freedom Dr., 217-391- JOKE.

Matt Holt Mar 15, 7:30 and 9:30pm. VIP seating $20, general $18. Donnie B’s Comedy Club, 3455 Freedom Dr., 217-391- JOKE.

Murder Mystery Dinner: Drew Stroud’s The RatTrap Mar 15-16, 22-23, 6pm Fri-Sat, 6pm Fri-Sat. Enjoy a fun-fi lled 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.

The Sound of Music Mar 27, 7:30-9:30pm Wed. Spirited, romantic and beloved musical tells the story of Maria and the von Trapp family. Sangamon Auditorium, UIS, 1 University Plaza, 217- 206-6160.

Theatre in the Park Auditions Mar 23, 9am-3pm Sat. Auditions for the outdoor summer theatre’s six productions in 2019. theatreinthepark.net. Sherman United Methodist Church, 2336 E. Andrew Road, Sherman, 217-496-2338.

Uncle Larry Reeb Mar 16, 7-8:30pm Sat. $15 online or cash only at the door. Mason City Limits Comedy Club, 114 E. Chestnut St., Mason City, 217-482-5233.

Music: General Events

Brass Quintet from the Illinois Symphony Orchestra Mar 14, 12pm Thu. A brass quintet from the Illinois Symphony Orchestra will perform music written or influenced by Jewish composers and culture. Free. ilsymphony.org. Temple Israel, 1140 Governor St., 546-2841.

Brown Bag Concert Mar 20, 27, 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” may be purchased at the door for $5. Free. lincolnschurch.org. 217- 528-4311. First Presbyterian Church, 321 S. Seventh St., 217-528-4311.

Carillon Winter Concerts Mar 17, 20, 24, 27, 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. 217-546-3853. Thomas Rees Memorial Carillon, 1740 W. Fayette Ave., 217-546-3853.

French Connections Concert Mar 22, 7:30pm Fri. A concert by the Illinois Symphony Orchestra. Featuring Clayton Penrose-Whitmore on violin. Admission. ilsymphony.org. First Presbyterian Church, 321 S. Seventh St., 217-528-4311.

Irish Music Mar 14, 6pm Thu. Local talent, Bill Grant and Tim Kelly, will be performing tunes to celebrate the coming of St. Patrick’s Day. psold.com. Prairie Skies Public Library Pleasant Plains, 555 Buckeye Road, Pleasant Plains, 217-626-1553.

McKinney, Hennessy and O’Hare Irish Song Fest Mar 14, 7pm Thu. Irish folk songs, along with traditional Irish-American songs and story songs. $12. hcfta.org. Hoogland Center for the Arts, 420 S. Sixth St., 217-523-2787.

Music at the Museum Series Mar 14, 7-9pm Thu. Awardwinning singer-songwriter Wil Maring and virtuose guitarist/ fiddler Robert Bowlin combine music genres to present oldtime and bluegrass, jazz and blues, and celtic and country. $10, $8 museum members and children under 12. illinoisstatemuseum.org. 217-558-6696. Illinois State Museum, 502 S. Spring St., 217- 782-7386.

Rain: A Tribute to the Beatles Mar 19, 7:30-9:30pm Tue. RAIN brings the greatest hits of Abbey Road to life, plus all your early Beatles favorites. $35-$75. sangamonauditorium.org. 217-206-6160. Sangamon Auditorium, UIS, 1 University Plaza, 217-206-6160.

Dance Cirque Mechanics: 42FT-A Menagerie of Mechanical Marvels Mar 17, 7-9pm Sun. The latest invention from the creative minds of Cirque Mechanics. $19- $59. sangamonauditorium.org. Sangamon Auditorium, UIS, 1 University Plaza, 217-206-6160.

Dance for Hope Mar 15, 7:30-10:30pm Fri. West Coast Swing dance night every third 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.

Prom It Forward Mar 24, 1-3pm Sun. This is a great way to help high school girls who may not be able to afford their dream dress purchase gently used formal dresses and accessories for their perfect prom night. 544- 9846. springfieldymca.org. Downtown YMCA, 701 S. Fourth St., 217-544-9846.

Art & Architecture

Annual IPPS Member’s Exhibition Mar 16, 23, 10am-3pm Sat. Through March 30. The annual member’s exhibition. Free. illinoisprairiepastelsociety.org Springfield Art Association, 700 N. Fourth St., 217-523-2631.

Crepusculum Exhibition Reception Mar 15, 5-7pm Fri. Featuring M. E. Tumulty, Joe Ciaccio, and Leslie Stalter. Free. springfieldart.org. 217-523- 2631. SAA Collective Gallery, 420 S. Sixth St., 217-544-2787.

Flora and Fauna Mar 18, 8am-4pm Mon. Paintings by Amy Denny and Kevin Veara. Through Apr. 11. llcc.edu. LLCC James S. Murray Gallery, 5250 Shepherd Road, 217-786-4967.

Jan Villarreal’s Oils on Canvas Mar 14-17, 19-24, 27, 10am-3pm Tue-Sun. Her subjects range from still lifes to landscapes and fl orals. Free.wildharecafe-elk-il.com. Horsefeather’s Wild Hare CafÈ, 104 Governor Oglesby St., Elkhart, 947-2100.

Jeanine Coupe Ryding Exhibition Mar 27-14. 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.

One Nighter: Handbuilt Animal Planters Mar 16, 6-8pm Sat. Instructor Barbie Sutheard will show you basic hand-building techniques to construct your very own planter with animal features. Seating limited to 10. $20 members; $30 non. springfieldart.org. 217-523-2631. Springfield Art Association, 700 N. Fourth St., 217-523-2631.

Sing Muses Exhibition Mar 17, Sunday 12-4:30pm.. 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. 217- 558-6696. Illinois State Museum, 502 S. Spring St., 217-782-7386.

The Genius of Frank Lloyd Wright Mar 23, 1-2:30pm Sat. Timothy Totten’s engaging storytelling is a fast-paced, fact-filled journey through the life of Frank Lloyd Wright. Free. dana-thomas.org. 217-788-9452. Illinois State Museum, 502 S. Spring St., 217- 782-7386.

The Ides of Art Mar 15, 7-11pm Fri. Claudia Knight and Devin Larson bring back their unique art show. Buzz Bomb Brewing Co., 406 E. Adams St., 217-679-4157.

Vision - Art Show Mar 22-23, 6-9pm Fri-Sat. VISION is the fi rst show in their new space. It is a collaborative exhibition by the group. 801-810- 9278. The Pharmacy Gallery and Art Space, 623 E. Adams St., 801- 810-9278.

We Are Illinoisans Exhibition Mar 14-27. 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.

Film & Television

Born Into Brothels: Calcutta’s Red Light Kids Mar 19, 6pm Tue. Part of the “Tuesday Nights at the Movies” film series hosted by the Lincoln Land Community College Arts and Humanities Department. Free. Menard Hall, Room 2209, Lincoln Land Community College, 5250 Shepherd Road, 217-786-2200.

Movie Matinee for Adults Mar 16, 3pm Sat. Won’t You Be My Neighbor? Free. jaxpl.org. Jacksonville Public Library, 201 W. College Ave., Jacksonville, 217- 243-5435.

Children’s Corner

Story Time Mar 21, 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.

Butterfly Day Mar 14, 10am Thu. Learn what butterfl ies are native to Illinois, what plants are great for them and make a coffee fi lter butterfl y from 2-4pm to celebrate World Butterfl y Day. Featuring a story time at 11am. Kidzeum of Health and Science Children’s Museum, 412 E. Adams St., 217-971-4435.

Seussical the Musical Mar 15, Fri 7pm; Sat 2pm and 7pm; Sun 2pm.. Watch as the powers of friendship, loyalty, family and community are challenged and emerge triumphant in this fun and funny production where Dr. Seuss characters come to life. $12-$28. hcfta.org. Hoogland Center for the Arts, 420 S. Sixth St., 217-523- 2787.

Spotlight on Ice Mar 23, 2pm Sat-Sun, 7pm Sat. Featuring special guest Camden Pulkinen, 2018 US National Junior Champion. Presented by Springfield Figure Skating Club. $12 adults, $7 children 12 and under. On ice reserved: $23 front row, $18 other rows. sfsc4u.com. Nelson Center Ice Arena, Lincoln Park, 1601 N. Fifth St., 217-525- 2589.

Storm Safety and Weather Day Mar 23, 10am Sat. Learn about Joe Crain and what he does to help out community in our WKID Weather Station. Learn how to make your own cloud in the jar. kidzeum.org. Kidzeum of Health and Science Children’s Museum, 412 E. Adams St., 217-971-4435.

Nature

Enhancing Environmental Education Mar 14, 6:30-8pm Thu. Abbie Enlund of the Environmental Education Association of Illinois will discuss helping educators teach their students about native plants and the environment. illinps.org. 217-971-1615. Adams Wildlife Sanctuary, 2315 E. Clear Lake Ave., 217-544-2473.

Mushroom Workshop Mar 16, 1-3pm Sat. Learn how to grow your own oyster and shiitake mushrooms and get what you need to get started. $20 members; $25 non. Registration. 217-525-1410. Nipper Wildlife Sanctuary, 9560 Withers Road, Loami.

Short-eared Owls Mar 21, 6-7:30pm Thu. 217- 544-2473. Adams Wildlife Sanctuary, 2315 E. Clear Lake Ave., 217-544-2473.

Lectures & Meetings

AAUW Work Smart Salary Negotiation Workshop Mar 20, 4-6pm Wed. AAUW Work Smart helps you negotiate your salary for a new job, raise, or promotion. You will gain confidence in your negotiation style. RSVP. uis.edu. UIS Student Union, 1 William Maxwell Lane, 217-206-4782.

Adult Children of Alcoholics and other Dysfunctional Families Mar 19, 26, 5:15pm Tue. Weekly meetings every Tuesday. New attendees welcome. wisetruth@yahoo.com. Discovery Club, 313 W. Cook St., 217-544-9049.

Central Illinois Numismatic Association Meeting Mar 14, 7-10pm Thu. Monthly business meeting followed by an auction. Meetings are open to the public. 217-793-2178. Knights of Columbus Hall Council 4175, 2801 West St., 217-528-5740.

Disadvantaged Business Enterprises Conference Mar 25-26, 12:30pm Mon, 4pm Tue. The conference provides educational and skill-building workshops, and best practices and networking opportunities to DBE firms and contractors from across the state. $50. 217-782- 3030. President Abraham Lincoln Hotel & Conference Center, 701 E. Adams, 217-544-8800.

Hope for Helpers Mar 16, 23, 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.

Springfield ICON Mar 25, 6:30-8:30pm Mon. Topics TBA. Free. springfieldicon.org. 217-528-9803. First Church of the Brethren, 2115 Yale Boulevard, 217-523-5212.

Bulletin Board

6th Annual Trivia Night Mar 23, 6pm Sat. Hosted by the Sangamon County Historical Society. Mark McDonald will be the emcee. Food available for purchase. $10 per person, $100 for table of 10. sangamonhistory. org. 525-1961. Christ the King Parish Center, 1930 Barberry Dr., 546-3527.

8th Annual Breakfast Fundraiser Mar 21, 7:15-8:30am Thu. 217-626-1004. Westminster Presbyterian Church, 533 S. Walnut St., 217-522-4415.

Bear’s First Birthday Party Mar 16, 11am-2pm Sat. Kenai and Klondike are turning 1 year old. Henson Robinson Zoo, 1100 E. Lake Shore Dr., 217-585- 1821.

Bingo Nights Mar 20, 27, 5:30-6:30pm Wed. Min. of 10 people, max. of 30 people. Free event for people of all abilities ages 8+. springfieldparks.org 217-503- 4576. Erin’s Pavilion, Southwind Park, 4965 S. Second St., 217- 585-2941.

Board Game Night Mar 14, 7-9pm Thu. Free. buzzbombbrewingco.com. Buzz Bomb Brewing Co., 406 E. Adams St., 217-679-4157.

Coin Show - Central Illinois Numismatic Association Mar 24, 9am-4pm Sun. Fifty dealers fill 72 tables with coins, paper money, tokens, medals and bullion. Dealers both buy and sell items. Early bird entry at 7am, $20. General entry $1 from 9am-4pm, ages 16 and under are free as are CINA members. 217-793-2178. Northfield Inn, Suites and Conference Center, 3280 Northfi eld Dr., 217-523- 7900.

Credit Coaching Workshops Mar 19, 12-1pm Tue. Sangamon County Community Resources is offering a free, monthly credit coaching workshop over to anyone who lives in Sangamon County. Local fi nance professionals will present the information and work with participants to obtain their credit report, assist them in interpreting it and suggesting methods to improve the score. Free. 535-3100. Sangamon County Department of Public Health, 2833 South Grand Avenue East, 217-535-3100 or 888-217-3505.

Gateway to Equality: Black Women and the Struggle for Economic Justice in St. Louis Mar 25, 6pm Mon. With Keona K. Ervin. A part of the ECCE Speaker Series. Free. uis.edu. 217-206-8507. UIS Brookens Auditorium, 1 University Plaza, 217-206-6073.

Get it Wright Trivia Night Mar 16, 7-10pm Sat. Unique trivia event to support the Dana-Thomas House Foundation. Food and beverages available for purchase. $10. dana-thomas.org. 217-788-9452. Panther Creek Country Club, 3001 Panther Creek Dr., 217-546- 4431.

Handmade Trivia Mar 20, 27, 7-9pm Wed. Donna Smargiassi will be doling out seven rounds featuring fi ve questions per round. Free. buzzbombbrewingco.com. Buzz Bomb Brewing Co., 406 E. Adams St., 217-679-4157.

Happy St. Patrick’s Day Mar 15, 11:30am-1pm Fri. Featuring an Irish feast and musical entertainment by Buckhart Road. centralILseniors.org. Senior Services of Central Illinois, 701 W. Mason St., 217- 528-4035.

Heads Up Group Mar 17, 2-4pm Sun. Individuals with traumatic head injuries. 217-523-2587. Springfi eld Center for Independent Living, 330 S. Grand Ave. W., 217-523- 2587.

Historic Fashion Show Mar 23, 1pm Sat. Featuring a wide range of fashion primarily from the 19th-20th centuries in an experience similar to the fi rst fashion parades in salons of 19th century Paris. $10 members, $15 non. edwardsplace.org. Edwards Place, Springfi eld Art Association, 700 N. Fourth St., 217-523-2631.

March Trivial Mania Mar 21, 10:30am-12pm Thu. Ads from the 1950’s and 1960’s for Picture this Trivia and trivia questions from music, tv shows and movies for Fabulous Fifties Trivia. centralilseniors.org. Senior Services of Central Illinois, 701 W. Mason St., 217-528-4035.

PFLAG monthly meeting Mar 18, 7-8:30pm Mon. PFLAG meets on the third Monday of every month, offering support to members of the LGBTQ community, their families and friends. Free and snacks provided. aluuc.org. 217-801-2698. Abraham Lincoln Unitarian Universalist Congregation, 745 Woodside Road, 217-585-9550.

Trivia Night Mar 23, 6-10pm Sat. 5th Annual Trivia Night and Auction. $20. stanthony.il.goarch.org. 217- 652-9798. VFW Post #755, 2211 Old Jacksonville Rd., 217- 546-9515.

UIS English Department Trivia Night Mar 22, 6-11pm Fri. Annual Trivia Night. $100 per table or $15 per person. uis.edu. UIS Field Station at Lake Springfield, 1 Club Area, 217-206-8616.

Food Irish Lunch Mar 24, 11am-1pm Sun. Irish beef stew, soda bread, apple cake and choice of beverage. $15.99 and reservations required. 217-947-2238. elkharthistoricalsociety.org. Wild Hare Cafe, 104 Governor Oglesby St., Elkhart, 217-947-2100.

Politics Citizens Club Policy Breakfast Mar 22, 8-9am Fri. “Illinois State Update” with Senators John Cullerton and Bill Brady, and Springfield Convention and Tourism Bureau’s Scott Dahl. Coffee reception at 7:30. hcfta.org. Hoogland Center for the Arts, 420 S. Sixth St., 217-523- 2787.

DSA Social Mar 20, 6-8pm Wed. Come have some drinks, play some pool and chat about it with the Sangamon County Democratic Socialists of America. 815-570-9348. The Gin Mill, 235 S. 5th St., 217-523- 3050.

History Brown Bag Lecture Mar 20, 12-1pm Wed. Archaeologist and author Michael McNerney will discuss the results of over 22 years of field surveys and research on the humanoid-shaped, frontier-period folk gravemarker discovered in Pope County. Free. 217-558-6696. Illinois State Museum Research and Collections Center, 1011 E. Ash St., 217-785-0037.

Illinois History Forum Mar 14, 12pm Thu. Experts in their fields will lead each discussion, giving the audience opportunities to ask questions and share their observations. Each forum focuses on a different book or museum exhibit. Reservations are not required and participants may bring lunch. Free. 217- 524-6045. Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library, 112 N. Sixth St., 217-558-8844.

Middle Passage Exhibit Grand Opening Mar 23, 5:30pm Sat. The Middle Passage refers to the horrifi c, forced journey of millions of captive Africans shipped to the Americas as part of the Transatlantic slave route. spiaahm.org. Springfield and Central Illinois African- American History Museum, 1440 Monument Ave., 217-391-6323.

Museum After Hours - The Art of Tatoos Mar 22, 5pm Fri. View the infl uence of tattoo artists from prehistory to modern times with a special exhibition of objects and artwork. Ages 21+. $10 members, $15 non. 782-0979. Illinois State Museum, 502 S. Spring St., 217-782-7386.

Noah Brooks, Friend of Lincoln Mar 17, 1:30-2:30pm Sun. Historian and Lincoln scholar, James Cornelius, will interview author Wayne C. Temple about his his work, Lincoln’s Confi dant. Chili and light refreshments. Free. Books on the Square Springfield, 427 E. Washington St., 217-965-5443.

Health Connect Mar 16, 9am-5pm Sat. Come together in community to work on healing past hurts that may be choking out your true identity and purpose. A full day retreat. $99 includes catered lunch, snacks and all materials. chiaracenter.org. 217-801-7464. Chiara Center, 4875 Laverna Road, 217-523-0901.

Diabetes Basics Mar 19, 12:20-1pm Tue. Join diabetic advocate Lori Schlosser as she shares her favorite things to manage blood sugar. centralilseniors.org. Senior Services of Central Illinois, 701 W. Mason St., 217-528-4035.

Faith & Philosophy

Celtic Spirituality Revisited Mar 17, 10:30-11:30am Sun. What are some of the enduring lessons of Celtic spirituality and how are Celtic paganism and Christianity alike? aluuc.org. Abraham Lincoln Unitarian Universalist Congregation, 745 Woodside Road, 217-585-9550.

Finding the Pathway to Unity Mar 15, 7-8:30pm Fri. Presentation and discussion. Light refreshments and fellowship follow. 217-546-9171. Springfield Baha’i Center, 1131 S. Eighth St., 217-544- 9595.

Joy! A Spirituality of Vocations Mar 14, 6-8pm Thu. The fi nal presentation of the Food and Faith series. Presentation by Rachel Otwell. RSVP required. $20. chiaracenter.org. Chiara Center, 4875 Laverna Road, 217-523-0901.

Vigils at St. Paul Cathedral Mass with Contemporary Music Mar 16, 6pm Sat. A new weekly service with contemporary Christian music is being added on Saturdays at 6 PM. Cathedral Church of St. Paul, 815 S. Second St., 217-544-5135.

Sports & Fitness

Indoor Archery Ministry Mar 18, 25, 6-8pm Mon, 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.