Fairs & Festivals

Illinois State Fair Aug 8, 7am Thu. Children up to 12 free ages 13-59 $10 seniors 60+ $3. Illinois State Fairgrounds, 801 Sangamon Ave., 217-782-6661.

Loco-Motion Cruise-In/Show Aug 18, 12-3pm, Sun. Registration at begins at 11am. $10 donation to enter your vehicle. Trophies awarded to favorites. Door prizes. Free admission. Chatham Railroad Museum, 100 N. State St. Chatham, 217-483-7792.

Spoken Word

Artext - Art and Poetry Show Aug 9-10, 6-9pm Fri-Sat. Exchanges and inspirations between visual artists and poets. Artwork by members of The Pharmacy Gallery and Art Space, poetry by members of Springfield Poets and Writers and area writers. Free. The Pharmacy Gallery and Art Space, 623 E. Adams St., 801-810-9278.

Theater & Comedy

Belly Laffs Comedy Aug 10, 8pm Sat. Godfather’s Pizza, 1549 S. Dirksen Pkwy., 217-522-4886 or 217-871-1509.

Decatur Municipal Band Aug 14, 6-9pm Wed. The Devon Lakeshore Amphitheater, 620 E. Riverside Dr., Decatur, 217- 619-8025.

The Pirates of Penzance Aug 8-10, 8pm Thu-Sat. A comic opera in two acts. Theatre in the Park, Lincoln’s New Salem State Historic Site, 15588 History Lane, Petersburg, 217-632-5440.

Wizard of Oz Aug 8-11, 8:30pm Thu- Sun. L. Frank Baum’s classic novel comes to life. themuni.org. The Muni, 815 E. Lake Dr., 217-793-MUNI.

Music: General Events

Chicago 6 Band Aug 10, 6-10pm Sat. $10- $50. devonamphitheater.com. The Devon Lakeshore Amphitheater, 620 E. Riverside Dr., Decatur, 217-619-8025.

Cowboy Randy Aug 10, 10am-12pm Sat. Yodeling and roping. A part of SAAC’s Music at the Market series. Old Capitol Farmers Market, Fourth and Adams streets, 217-544-1723.

Dan + Shay Aug 11, 7:30pm Sun. Illinois State Fair Grandstand, 801 E. Sangamon Ave., 217-782-6661.

Fleming Academy of Performing Arts Aug 10, 1pm Sat. Students will perform on violin and piano. Free. 217-787-6556. flemingacademy.com. Illinois Building, Illinois State Fairgrounds, 801 E. Sangamon Ave., 217-782-6661.

Music at the Museum: Hayes Griffin and Nate Roberts Aug 8, 7-9pm Thu. Guitarist Hayes Griffin and mandolinist Nate Roberts. $8 members and under 12, $10 non. 217-558-6696. Illinois State Museum, 502 S. Spring St., 217-782-7386.

Pentatonix The World Tour Aug 14, 7:30pm Wed. Illinois State Fair Grandstand, 801 E. Sangamon Ave., 217-782-6661.

Ryan Mobley Aug 14, 12-1pm Wed. Guitar and vocals. SAAC’s Artist on the Plaza. Free. Old State Capitol Plaza, between Sixth and Fifth streets at Adams.

Springfield Municipal Band Aug 10, 10:30am Sat. Abraham Lincoln Presidential Museum, 212 N. Sixth St., 217-558-8844.

Springfield Municipal Band Aug 11, 1:30-2:30pm Sun. Illinois State Fairgrounds, 801 Sangamon Ave., 217-782-6661.

Summer Concert Series Aug 9, 6:30-8:30pm Fri. Piano Buzz Studios. Free. White Oaks Mall, 2501 Wabash Ave., 217-787-0110.

The Country and the City Aug 9, 5:30-8pm Fri. Operatic soprano Christine Brewer and banjo virtuoso Noam Pikelny. Free. ilhumanities.org. Old State Capitol, 1 Old State Capitol Plaza, 217-785-7960.

The Peeks and John Eddy Aug 11, 6pm Sun. Love offering will be taken. 217-673-4401. Woodson Baptist Church, 109 West St., Woodson.

Dance

Dance for Hope Aug 9, Fri. Ballroom dance night every second Friday of the month. $8 per person. danceforhope3111.com. Normandy Hill Plaza, 3111 Normandy Road, Suite 104, 217-522-9106.

Art & Architecture

Urgent Care Through Sept. 29. A 50-year survey celebrating the career of Thomas Skomski, one of Illinois’s finest sculptors. Museum admission. 217-558-6696. Illinois State Museum, 502 S. Spring St., 217-782-7386.

Women’s Art Alliance A look back at the history of the Woman’s Art Alliance in its first 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.

Film & Television

Strange Fruit Aug 10, 1:30pm Sat. A documentary about the iconic Billie Holiday song, written by a Jewish schoolteacher, that gave voice to the struggle for racial justice. Free. 217-787-7223. Union Baptist Church, 1405 E. Monroe St., 217-544-8115.

Children’s Corner

Down on the Farm Story Time Aug 13, 10-11am Tue. Discover what life is like on a farm with stories and a craft. Ages 3-5. Museum admission. 217-782-6044. Illinois State Museum, 502 S. Spring St., 217-782-7386.

Heads Up for Child Safety Aug 10, 10am-1pm Sat. To raise awareness about childhood bicycle safety in our community, Kanoski Bresney is giving away 100 bike helmets to children ages 4-8, one per child and up to two per family. Kanoski Bresney, 2730 S. MacArthur Blvd., 217-527-2503.

Second Saturday Storytime Aug 10, 11:30am-12pm Sat. Join us under the big maple tree for a nature-themed storytime, served up with a fresh healthy snack. Free. Enos Park Community Garden, 1022 N. Fifth St., 708-580-8432.

Nature

Hummingbird Festival Aug 11, 1-4pm Sun. Hold a hummingbird and learn about the birds. Watch bird banders. Bring lawn chairs and enjoy refreshments. Free but a donation for sugar is appreciated. Terry and Debbie Engel, 2700 North County Road, Greenfield, 217-257-5321.

Iris Society Plant Sale Aug 10, 9am-12pm Sat. Free. Washington Park Botanical Garden, 1740 W. Fayette Ave., 217-546-4116.

Special Star Party — Perseid meteor shower Aug 12, 8:30pm Mon. View the Perseid meteor shower which occurs annually in the beginning of August when Earth passes through a stream of debris from the comet Swift-Tuttle crossing it’s orbit. Free. Lincoln Memorial Garden, 2301 E. Lake Shore Dr., 217-529-1111.

Lectures & Meetings

Alateen and Al-Anon Aug 11, 6:30pm Sun. Two separate group meetings that take place at the same time and location, but in different rooms. 691-755 or 502-6777. spi-alanon.weebly.com. Real Life Church, 2701 Hermitage Rd.

Barbie Through the Years Aug 10, 1pm Sat. Barbie Millicent Roberts, the doll named Barbie, turns 60 this year. Speakers from the Windy City Collectors Barbie Doll Club of Chicago will give us a history of the doll. Free. Jacksonville Public Library, 201 W. College Ave., Jacksonville, 217-243-5435.

Global Leadership Summit Aug 8-9, 8:30am-5pm Thu-Fri. A broadcast featuring world renowned faculty members who deliver a unique blend of vision, inspiration and practical leadership skills. Springfield First United Methodist Church, 2941 S. Koke Mill Road, 217-793-9760.

Navy Club Sangamon Ship 32 Auxiliary Aug 8, 7-9pm Thu. Discussion of the auxiliary’s future plans and ways to help the community. Open to those with past or present family members in the water borne forces. Navy Club Ship 32, 3100 Stanton Ave., 217-585-9132.

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

Springfield Breakfast Optimist Club Aug 9, 7am Fri. Meets every Friday. Visitors are welcome. 217-546-5021. Peace Lutheran Church, 2800 W. Jefferson St., 217-546-7646.

Bulletin Board

7th Annual Community Clothing Giveaway Aug 10, 9am-12pm Sat. Shoes, coats/jackets, belts and purses to be given away. Men’s, women’s, children’s and infants. Free. Trinity Lutheran School, 515 S. MacArthur Blvd., 217-787-2323.

APL Pet Adoptions Aug 10-11, 11am Sat, 12pm Sun. All animals will be spayed or neutered, microchipped and have received all ageappropriate vaccinations by the time of adoption. aplshelter.org. PetSmart, 3183 S. Veterans Pkwy, 217-698-3091.

Exhibit Walk and Talk Aug 9, 2-2:30pm Fri. Join a museum curator for a guided walk and talk. Explore different topics and galleries. Appropriate for all ages. Museum admission. 217-782-6044. Illinois State Museum, 502 S. Spring St., 217-782-7386.

Kitten Circus Aug 13, 12-5pm Tue. Fun activities, popcorn, snow cones and other snacks while you meet the kittens. A friendly clown will be there from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. with free balloons. Free. Animal Protective League, 1001 Taintor Road, 217-544-7387.

Springfield Comic Expo Aug 11, 10am-4pm Sun. Comic vendors and creators from around the region. Panels, gaming and cosplay. $15 Sat, $12 Sun and $25 for two day pass. Crowne Plaza Springfield, 3000 S. Dirksen Pkwy., 217-529-7777.

Food

Canning and Preserving Demo Aug 12, 7pm Mon. Participants will learn basic skills necessary to preserve tomatoes, salsa, pickles and jams. Anna Stange will answer questions and give a brief demo on pressure cooking. Free. Jacksonville Public Library, 201 W. College Ave., Jacksonville, 217-243-5435.

Fish Fry Aug 10, Sat. Sangamo Surf Club, 405 E. Lake Shore Dr., 217-529-1712.

Old Capitol Farmers Market Aug 10, 14, 8am-12:30pm Sat and Wed. 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

A Reporter Interviews General Grant Aug 8, 6:30-7:45pm Thu. General Grant (portrayed by Larry Werline) will be interviewed by reporter Judy Wagenblast, and he is asked some tough questions. Free. Books on the Square Springfield, 427 E. Washington St., 217-965-5443.

Looking for Lincoln at the Illinois State Fair Aug 8-18, 10am-4pm,Thu-Sun. Fri. Visitors can build with Lincoln Logs, watch period demonstrations such as blacksmithing or broom making and enjoy period music, and, of course, look for Lincoln. 217-782-6817. lookingforlincoln.com. Illinois Building, Illinois State Fairgrounds, 801 E. Sangamon Ave., 217-782-6661.

Tales from the Vault - Lincoln’s Foreign Policy Aug 8, 12-1pm Thu. Join executive director Alan Lowe as he recounts the daunting foreign policy challenges that President Lincoln, a novice in diplomacy, faced. Free. Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library, 112 N. Sixth St., 217-558-8844.

Teacher Professional Library Workshop Aug 8, 1:30-4:30pm Thu. Discover the resources available for teachers and students at ALPLM. It is also home to the Illinois Historical Library collection. Learn how ALPLM can assist you in the classroom. Registration required. Free. 2Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library, 112 N. Sixth St., 217-558-8844.

The Greatest Poem: Walt Whitman turns 200 Aug 11, 2pm Sun. Celebrate the bicentennial of Walt Whitman’s birth by exploring how his poetry, love of Lincoln and vision of America influenced Illinois writers. Free. Vachel Lindsay Home State Historic Site, 603 S. Fifth St., 217-524-0901.

Washington Park Historic Photography Display Aug17-Sep 1, 12-4pm, Mon- Fri. 12-5pm Sat-Sun. View photographs of the park dating back to 1902. The exhibit chronicles the changes that have taken place over the years. Washington Park Botanical Garden, 1740 W. Fayette Ave., 217-546-4116.

Faith & Philosophy

Connecting children and youth with spirit Aug 11, 4:30-6:30pm Sun. Free. 217-546-9171. Springfield Baha’i Center, 1131 S. Eighth St., 217-544-9595.

Quest to Love Aug 8, 6-8pm Thu. Practical tools for working through issues today’s teen girls struggle with. Bible study and the disciplines of Holy Yoga. Bring a beach towel and yoga mat. $75 for the series. Scholarships may be available. 217-801-7464. Parkway Christian Church, 2700 Lindbergh Blvd.

The Separation of Church and State Aug 11, 10:30-11:30am Sun. Legal expert Frank Kopecky offers a presentation on The State of the Wall: Separation of Church & State in America. Religious education classes available for children and youth. Free. Abraham Lincoln Unitarian Universalist Congregation, 745 Woodside Road, 217-585-9550.

True Love Church Interfaith Service Aug 8, 6:30-8pm Thu. Fellowship refreshments, 7:00 PM worship. Cook-Diller Lounge. Free. First Presbyterian Church, 321 S. Seventh St., 217-528-4311.

Sports & Fitness

SCHEELS Run Bike Club Aug 8, 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.

Sharon Molineaux Memorial 5K Fun Run/Walk Aug 17, 8:30am Sat. Registration opens at 7:45am. $20 per adult registrant and $10 for children under 12. The first 100 registrants will receive a t-shirt and a bag of goodies. 217-899-9732. Theatre in the Park, Lincoln’s New Salem Historic Site, 15588 History Lane, Petersburg, 217-632-5440.

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

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