Fairs & Festivals

Abe Fest Jul 19-20, 5pm-12am Fri, 2pm-12am Sat. A two-day festival with eight bands lined up and food vendors at the ready. Tickets will be available for food and drink purchases. $10 each day at the gate. Old State Capitol, 1 Old State Capitol Plaza, 217-785-7960.

Bounce House Festival Jul 20, 11am-5pm Sat. Ten large bounce houses, gaming trailer, face painting and food vendors including fair food, snow cones and ice cream. $7 wristband required for unlimited access to all bounce houses. Sherman Village Park, 1200 Rail Fence Rd., Sherman, 217-496-2621.

Chatham Jaycees Sweet Corn Festival Jul 19-20, 4pm Fri, 8am Sat. Food, drinks, music, sports and the Illinois Championship Cow Chip Throw. Free. Chatham Community Park, 731 S. Main St., Chatham.

Summer Fest Jul 20, Sat. Lake Press Club, 13 Club Area, 217-529-1221.

Books & Authors

Sherlock Holmes Society of Springfield Jul 20, 9am Sat. Discussion about The Problem of Thor Bridge. Public is invited. 546-8387. sherlock.lolopop.org. Scheels, 3801 S. MacArthur Blvd., 217-726-6330.

Spoken Word

Poets in the Parlor Jul 21, 2-4pm Sun. Nate Logan. Free. Vachel Lindsay Home State Historic Site, 603 S. Fifth St., 217-524-0901.

Theater & Comedy

All Shook Up Jul 18-20, 8pm Thu-Sat. Directed by Karla Wilhelm and Ginny Racette, this musical comedy is built around a number of songs made famous by Elvis Presley. $15, seniors $13 and ages 12 and under $10. theatreinthepark.net. Theatre in the Park, Lincoln’s New Salem State Historic Site, 15588 History Lane, Petersburg, 217-632-5440.

Blind Stein Jul 20, 8pm Sat. $10+. Donnie B’s Comedy Club, 3455 Freedom Dr., 217-391-JOKE.

Hairspray - The Musical Jul 24-28, Wed-Thu 7pm; Fri-Sat 8pm; Sun 2pm. In 1962 Baltimore, Tracy Turnblad, a big girl with big hair and an even bigger heart, has only one desire - to dance on the Corny Collins Show. $25 advance; $30 day of show. atthelegacy.com. The Legacy Theatre, 101 E. Lawrence, 800-838-3006.

Thoroughly Modern Millie Jul 18-21, 8:30pm Thu-Sun. It’s 1922, and small-town girl Millie Dillmount has just arrived in New York City, ready to make her dreams come true. Based on the 1967 Academy Awardwinning film.themuni.org. The Muni, 815 E. Lake Dr., 217-793-MUNI.

Music: General Events

Andrew Heathwaite Jul 20, 27, 10am-12pm Sat. Children’s music. A part of SAAC’s Music at the Market series. Old Capitol Farmers Market, Fourth and Adams streets, 217-544-1723.

Levitt AMP Springfield Music Series Jul 18, 25, 6-8:30pm Thu. Indie rock with Liz Cooper and the Stampede opened by Kate Laine. Free. downtownspringfield.org 217-544-1723. Y Block, Fourth and Jackson streets, 217-789-2000.

Mary Bryant Home Singers Jul 24, 12-1pm Wed. SAAC’s Artist on the Plaza. Free. Old State Capitol Plaza, between Sixth and Fifth streets at Adams, Spero Chamber Chorale Jul 21, 4-5pm Sun. Free. Westminster Presbyterian Church, 533 S. Walnut St., 217-522-4415.

Spero Chamber Chorale Jul 20, 7-8pm Sat. Free. St. Francis of Assisi Church, 4875 LaVerna Road.

Violin and piano performance Jul 19, 4:30pm Fri. Fleming Academy of Performing Arts will present a violin and piano performance. Free. 217-787-6556. flemingacademy.com. Kidzeum of Health and Science Children’s Museum, 412 E. Adams St., 217-971-4435.

Art & Architecture

Art Show and Book Signing Jul 18, 5-7pm Thu. Art by local and resident artists. Authors John Knoepfle, Tami Odimayo and Kathryn Ransom will be available for book signing. Free. Hickory Glen Senior Living, 1700 W. Washington St., 793-0431.

Exhibit Walk and Talk Jul 19, 2-2:30pm Fri. Join a curator at the for a guided Walk & Talk of the art exhibit, Urgent Care: Stuck In That Awkward Stage Between Birth and Death. $5 ages 19-64. 217-782-6044. Illinois State Museum, 502 S. Spring St., 217-782-7386.

Women’s Art Alliance Through Aug. 29. A look back at the history of the Woman’s Art Alliance in its fi rst 10 years. Works by many of the over 70 women who exhibited in the first 10 years of the organization will be on display. Free. Springfield Art Association, 700 N. Fourth St., 217-523-2631.

Children’s Corner

Horse Camp Jul 22, 29, 8am-4pm Mon. Activities include horse care, riding lessons, games, crafts, hay rack rides, nature hikes and daily trail rides. Learn to groom, saddle, and ride. Fees. riversidestable.com. Riverside Stables Horse Camp, 2310 Chinchilla Lane, 217-522-7702.

Kidzeum's One Year Birthday Celebration Jul 20, 10am-5pm Sat. Celebrate with us at our summer birthday bash featuring all types of fun events. The party will last all day. Museum admission. Kidzeum of Health and Science Children’s Museum, 412 E. Adams St., 217-971-4435.

LLCC College for Kids Jul 22-25, 8:30am-12:30pm Mon. For students who have completed grades K-8. $145 or $195 for the culinary session for grades 4-7. 217-786-2432. llcc.edu. Lincoln Land Community College, 5250 Shepherd Road, 217-786-2200.

PAVE on Broadway July 22-Aug 3, 9am-4pm Mon. Kids entering 3rd-9th grades will experience what it takes to stage a live production. Finale is a free performance. Doors open 7:30-5:00 daily. $335 per session. 217-414-8905. Springfield Theatre Centre, 420 S. Sixth St., 217-523-2787.

Taking Shape Family Event Jul 20, 11am-3pm Sat. Discover what amazing shapes can be found in art and science. Make art on museum porch walls, take part in a collaborative art piece and learn about 3D printing. Ages 5+. Museum admission. 217-782-6044. Illinois State Museum, 502 S. Spring St., 217-782-7386.

Science

Exploring Wetlands Field Trip Jul 25, 8am-5pm Thu. Students entering grades 7-9 will travel to Dickson Mounds Museum and Emiquon Preserve for a day filled with authentic science opportunities. Free with advanced registration. illinoisstatemuseum.org. 217-782-6044. Illinois State Museum, 502 S. Spring St., 217-782-7386.

Environment

Sunset Tours at Nipper Jul 21, 7-8:30pm Sun. Experience the sanctuary at sunset. Bring a friend. It’s a great way to share the special features of central Illinois and land conservation efforts of The Friends of the Sangamon Valley. Free. 217-525-1410. Nipper Wildlife Sanctuary, 9560 Withers Road, Loami.

Lectures & Meetings

Alateen and Al-Anon Jul 21, 28, 6:30pm Sun. Two separate group meetings that take place at the same time and location, but in different rooms. 502-6777. spi-alanon.weebly.com. Real Life Church, 2701 Hermitage Rd.

Sex Addicts Anonymous Jul 22, 6-7pm Mon. A 12-step meeting for those seeking freedom from addictive or compulsive sexual behavior. Confidentiality assured. Email [email protected] or phone 217-306-7335 for meeting location.

Springfield Breakfast Optimist Club Jul 19, 26, 7am Fri. Meets every Friday. Visitors are welcome. 217-546-5021. Peace Lutheran Church, 2800 W. Jefferson St., 217-546-7646.

Bulletin Board

APL Pet Adoptions Jul 20, 27-28. Cats 11am-4 pm. Dogs 12-3 pm. All animals will be spayed or neutered, microchipped and have received all age-appropriate vaccinations by the time of adoption.aplshelter.org. PetSmart, 3183 S. Veterans Pkwy, 217-698-3091.

Fighting Fraud Jul 18, 12:15-1pm Thu. Senior Services of Central Illinois, 701 W. Mason St., 217-528-4035.

Rail Improvement Project Open House Jul 22, 4-7pm Mon. Learn about the relocation of all passenger and freight traffic from Third Street to Tenth Street and updates on the construction segments, and also see the planning and design of the new centralized public transportation hub. 217-789-2000. Bank of Springfield Center, 1 Convention Center Plaza, 800-745-3000.

Use Less Energy and Save More Money Jul 24, 12:15-1pm Wed. The Ameren Illinois Energy Efficiency Program offers cash incentives, discounts, and rebates, all designed to help you enjoy a more comfortable, energyefficient lifestyle. Free. Senior Services of Central Illinois, 701 W. Mason St., 217-528-4035.

Food

Old Capitol Farmers Market Jul 20, 24, 27, 31, 8am-12:30pm Wed & Sat. Farmers and artisans accept cash for products. If you prefer to pay by credit card, visit the Market Booth to purchase cash tokens. There is an ATM on the Market St. Free. Old Capitol Farmers Market, Fourth and Adams streets, 217-544-1723.

History

5th Annual Backpack Drive Through July 31 donate a new, sturdy backpack and receive free admission to the Presidential Museum. Each backpack donated is one free admission. Backpacks will go to students of District 186. Free admission rain check vouchers will be valid through Dec. 31. Abraham Lincoln Presidential Museum, 212 N. Sixth St., 217-558-8844.

Abe and Mary Quite Contrary Walking Tour Jul 23-24, 30-31, 10-11am Tue-Wed. A 1.5 mile, 60-minute tour that takes you on a journey through time as we explore beautiful, historic, downtown Springfield. Free. Abraham Lincoln Presidential Museum, 212 N. Sixth St., 217-558-8844.

Casting a Historic Vote: Suffrage in Illinois Jul 21, 2-3:30pm Sun. Jeanne Schulz Angel will explain the paths walked by female leaders in our state. Part of the Standing on Her Shoulders series. Free. 217-558-6696. Illinois State Museum, 502 S. Spring St., 217-782-7386.

French Indochina War Encampment Jul 20, 9am-5pm Sat. A living history event recreating the 1954 siege of Dien Bien Phu. Talk to historians about the battle and how it later led to the US involvement in Indochina. Free. Illinois State Military Museum, 1301 N. MacArthur Blvd., 217-761-3910.

Auditions

Auditions Jul 20, 10am-2pm Sat. Auditions for the play Blurred Lines. Rehearsals and shows will be at the Salem on Seventh Theater in Petersburg. 252-367-2898. Hoogland Center for the Arts, 420 S. Sixth St., 217-523-2787.

Lucky Stiff Auditions Jul 23, 12am Tue. Open auditions for the musical comedy Lucky Stiff. Scheduled performance dates are Oct 11-13 and 18-20. Theatre 7, 131 N. Water St., Decatur, 217-423-2107.

Health

Glucose and Blood Pressure Screens Jul 24, 9:30-11:30am Wed. Provided by SIU School of Medicine. Senior Services of Central Illinois, 701 W. Mason St., 217-528-4035.

Faith & Philosophy

Discovering My Next Assignment Jul 21, 10:30-11:30am Sun. Some people are blind from birth and others lose vision as they age. The Education Center helps change the lives of individuals who are blind or visually impaired. With guest speaker Peggy Dyson. Free. Abraham Lincoln Unitarian Universalist Congregation, 745 Woodside Road, 217-585-9550.

Finding the Pathway to Unity Jul 19, 7-8:30pm Fri. Presentation and discussion. Light refreshments and fellowship follow. Free. 217-546-9171. Springfield Baha’i Center, 1131 S. Eighth St., 217-544-9595.

Sports & Fitness

Kids Triathlon Jul 20, 8:30-11am Sat. Race for children ages 5-6 includes 50-meter pool swim, a 0.6 mile bike ride and 0.25 mile run. Race for children 6-13 includes a 100-meter swim, a 1.25 mile bike ride and a half-mile run. $20+. 217- 622-5252. Nelson Center, 1601 N. Fifth St., 217-525-2589.

SCHEELS Run Bike Club Jul 18, 25, 5:45-8pm Thu. All levels of riders and runners are welcome. All ages welcome. 17 or under must have a parent present. Free. Scheels, 3801 S. MacArthur Blvd., 217-726-6330.

St. Louis Cardinal Kid’s Camp Jul 23, 12:30-5:30pm Tue. Learn baseball fundamentals from former St. Louis Cardinals players. Ages 7-13. $85. Rotary Park, Iles Avenue and Archer Elevator Road.