Fairs & Festivals

2019 Decatur Craft Beer Festival Aug 23-24, 7-10pm Fri, 1-6pm Sat. Unique craft beers and ciders from breweries across the state, live music and food trucks. Fri. VIP event $100. Sat. $30, designated driver option is $10. Downtown Decatur.

Old Capitol Blues and BBQ Aug 24-23, 2pm-12am Sat, 5pm- 12am Fri. A two-day festival of sultry blues and smokey BBQ. BBQ judging and sales. Live music. $5 Fri and $10 Sat. Old State Capitol Plaza, between Sixth and Fifth streets at Adams,

Books & Authors

Book signing by Jan Jacobi Aug 24, 10am-3pm Sat. The novel, “Young Lincoln,” was selected as a 2018 Nautilus Award Winner, and also received a Best of Illinois History award by the Illinois State Historical Society. Free. Lincoln Home National Historic Site, 413 S. Eighth St., 217-391-3221.

Theater & Comedy

Comedy and Music Under the Stars Aug 24, 7pm Sat. Five comedians will take the stage. Music by Jones and Chase. $12. Donnie B’s Comedy Club, 3455 Freedom Dr., 217-391-JOKE.

Memphis the Musical Aug 23-25, 8pm Fri-Sat, 2pm Sun. From the underground dance clubs of 1950’s Memphis comes the Tony Award-winning musical with explosive dancing, irresistible songs and a thrilling tale. $20, $18 seniors and students. Hoogland Center for the Arts, 420 S. Sixth St., 217-523-2787.

Walking Across Egypt Aug 23-25, 8pm Fri-Sun. Directed by Phil Funkenbusch. Theatre in the Park, Lincoln’s New Salem State Historic Site, 15588 History Lane, Petersburg, 217-632-5440.

Music: General Events

Brian Free and Assurance Concert Aug 25, 6-7:30pm Sun. Donations accepted. 217-825-3817. 217-825-3817. First Christian Church of Petersburg, 210 S. Eighth St., Petersburg, 217-632-2533.

Derrick Streibig Aug 28, 12-1pm Wed. Guitar and vocals. SAAC’s Artist on the Plaza. Free. Old State Capitol Plaza, between Sixth and Fifth streets at Adams.

Hello Weekend Aug 23, 6-10pm Fri. $5. devonamphitheater.com. The Devon Lakeshore Amphitheater, 620 E. Riverside Dr., Decatur, 217- 619-8025.

Land of Lincoln Chorus Aug 25, 5-6:20pm Sun. Bring your lawn chairs and enjoy the great harmonies of barbershop singing along with some ice cream. Free. 217- 553-3324. Sherman Village Park Amphitheater, 1200 Rail Fence Road, Sherman.

Museum After Hours: 80s and 90s Night Aug 23, 5-8pm Fri. Relive the 1980s and 90s with games, objects from the Museum collection, door prizes and dance music provided by a DJ. $10 members and $15 non. 217-782-6044. Illinois State Museum, 502 S. Spring St., 217-782-7386.

OBB Aug 23, 7-9pm Fri. The Atlanta-based pop band is on a nation-wide tour this summer. University of Illinois at Springfield, 1 University Plaza, 217-206-6073.

Rachel Rambach Aug 24, 10am-12pm Sat. Singer/songwriter. A part of SAAC’s Music at the Market series. Old Capitol Farmers Market, Fourth and Adams streets, 217-544-1723.

Springfield Municipal Band Aug 24, 10:30am Sat. Abraham Lincoln Presidential Museum, 212 N. Sixth St., 217-558-8844.

Summer Concert Series Aug 23, 6:30-8:30pm Fri. Tom Beverly. Free. White Oaks Mall, 2501 Wabash Ave., 217-787-0110.

Art & Architecture

Artext - Art and Poetry Through Aug.31, 12-6pm Fri-Sat. Exchanges and inspirations between visual artists and poets. Artwork by Pharmacy members and 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.

Chicago-Themed Canvas + Cocktails Aug 24, 7-9:30pm Sat. Bring a bottle of wine, cheese or desserts with you to savor while making art of all things Chicago. Chicago-style dogs will be provided by Turasky Meats. $30. Springfield Art Association, 700 N. Fourth St., 217-523-2631.

Illinois Prairie Pastel Society Reception Aug 23, 5:30-7:30pm Fri. A wine and hors d’oeuvre reception to open the exhibit of over 30 members’ works. Open to the public. Chatham Area Public Library, 600 E. Spruce, Chatham, 217-483-2713.

Oil Painting Class Aug 23, 10am-12pm Fri. Senior Services of Central Illinois, 701 W. Mason St., 217-528-4035.

Reception for “elemental” Aug 22, 5:30-7:30pm Thu. Mixed media artist Laura Anderson. Free. LLCC James S. Murray Gallery, 5250 Shepherd Road, 217-786-4967.

Sacred Heart Convent Chapel Tour Aug 25, 1:30pm Sun. Enjoy an up-close encounter with this pristine mid-century modern architectural gem. Accessible facility. Free, but preregistration required. 217-787-0481. Sacred Heart Convent Chapel, 1237 W. Monroe.

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.

Yart Sale Aug 24, 10am-3pm Sat. Supplies and equipment from forgotten hobbies. Art supplies, photography equipment, metals equipment, crayons, canvases, totes, stools, paints, easels, larger canvases, frames and more. Springfield Art Association, 700 N. Fourth St., 217-523-2631.

Children’s Corner

Sensory-Friendly Shopping Aug 27, 7-8am Tue. Backto-school shopping can be overwhelming for some kids with sensory issues. ASCI board members and Target staff will be on hand to help. 217-585-1421. autismcil.org. Target, 3445 Freedom Dr., 546-5003.

Sensory-Friendly Story Time Aug 25, 10:30am Sun. Reduced lighting, reduced sound levels, hands-on material and fun sensory activities. All ages. 217-585-1421. Barnes and Noble Booksellers, 3111 S. Veterans Pkwy, 217-546-9440.

Nature

Weeds Aug 24, 11am-12pm Sat. Join an outdoor classroom to learn about the many benefits of weeds. Workshop will include a plant identification walk-around. Free. Enos Park Community Garden, 1022 N. Fifth St., 708-580-8432.

Lectures & Meetings

Alateen and Al-Anon Aug 25, 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.

Fall Coffee and Branch Meeting Aug 24, 9am-12pm Sat. Hosted by the American Association of University Women. Fall meeting with light refreshments. Free. aauwspringfieldil.com. LLCC Trutter Center, 5250 Shepherd Road, 217-786-2200.

Sex Addicts Anonymous Aug 26, 6-7pm Mon, 6-7pm Thu. A 12-step meeting for those seeking freedom from addictive or compulsive sexual behavior. Confidentiality assured. Email springfieldsaa@gmail.com or phone 217-306- 7335 for meeting location.

Springfield Breakfast Optimist Club Aug 23, 7am Fri. Meets every Friday. Visitors are welcome. 217-546-5021. Peace Lutheran Church, 2800 W. Jefferson St., 217-546-7646.

Springfield ICON Aug 26, 6-8pm Mon. The speakers will be Molly Berns from Sangamon County Regional Planning Commission and Val Yazell. Free. 217-528-9803. First Church of the Brethren, 2115 Yale Blvd., 217-523-5212.

Bulletin Board

41st Annual Regional Mustang and All Ford Show Aug 25, 8am-3pm Sun. Up to 150 cars are expected at the show benefiting the Boys and Girls Club. Abraham Lincoln will be on hand around 3pm to present the class awards. cimclub.com. Landmark Ford, 2401 Prairie Crossing Dr.

APL Pet Adoptions Aug 24-25, 11am Sat, 12am 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.

Big Eli Ferris Wheel Aug 25, 4-6pm Sun. Free rides on Big Eil every Sunday through Sep 29. Jacksonville Community Park, 1201 S. Main, Jacksonville.

End of Summer Tiki Bash Aug 24, Sat. KC Lake Club, 141 N. Lakewood Dr., Chatham, 483-3013.

Exhibit Walk and Talk Aug 23, 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.

Family and Friends of Prisoners Support Group Aug 27, 6pm Tue. Meets the last Tuesday of each month. King of Kings Christian Assembly, 520 S. Livingston, 217-525-2337.

Farm Progress Show Aug 27, 12:30pm Tue. The nation’s largest outdoor farm event with more than 600 exhibitors displaying new farm equipment, seed and crop protection products, and farm supplies and services. 866-264-7469. Progress City, USA, 1 College Park, Decatur, 217-875-2762.

Mystery Lunch Trip Aug 22, 10:30am-2:30pm Thu. Senior Services of Central Illinois, 701 W. Mason St., 217-528-4035.

Food

217 Burger Week Aug 26, 12:30am Mon. One whole week of specially crafted burgers at participating restaurants. Through Sep 1. Various locations.

Illinois Products Farmers Market Aug 22, 4-7pm Thu. Every Thursday through Oct. 10. Shopping, health and wellness information, live entertainment and more in a street party atmosphere. Free. agr.state.il.us/nightmarket. 217-524-3297. Illinois State Fairgrounds, The Shed, 801 Sangamon Ave.

Old Capitol Farmers Market Aug 24, 28, 8am-12:30pm Sat, 8am-12:30pm Wed. Local produce, baked goods and products and live entertainment. Old Capitol Farmers Market, Fourth and Adams streets, 217-544-1723.

Politics

Public Policy Breakfast Aug 23, 7:30am Fri. Alan (AJ) Simmons, Ph.D. of UIS will discuss the 2019 Sangamon County Citizens Survey which provides local leaders, community organizations and citizens with insight into issues facing local residents. Hoogland Center for the Arts, 420 S. Sixth St., 217-523-2787.

History

Women in the Civil War Aug 22, 6:30-7:45pm Thu. Kathleen Heyworth will present stories and information about the multiple roles women played in the Civil War. Free. Books on the Square Springfield, 427 E. Washington St., 217-965-5443.

Health

Glucose and Blood Pressure Screenings Aug 28, 9-11am Wed. Senior Services of Central Illinois, 701 W. Mason St., 217-528-4035.

New Treatments and the Future of Epilepsy Aug 27, 6:30-8pm Tue. Treatments are available that can stop or control seizures for most people. Learn about new FDA approved medications as well as new treatment options. Free. 260-580-6817. Lincoln Library, 326 S. Seventh St., 217-753-4900.

Restorative Yoga for Moms and Caregivers Aug 27, 6-7:30pm Tue. Led by Cindy Karas. BYOM. Space is limited. Free, but registration required. chathamlib.org. Chatham Area Public Library, 600 E. Spruce, Chatham, 217-483-2713.

Faith & Philosophy

Every Long Journey Aug 25, 10:30-11:30am Sun. Come listen to the voices of curiosity, empathy and courage in songs and in meditative music of crystal tone bowls. Presented by guest speaker retired UU Rev. Linda Slabon of DeKalb. Free. Abraham Lincoln Unitarian Universalist Congregation, 745 Woodside Road, 217-585-9550.

Sports & Fitness

Dr. Dan Adair Memorial Triathlon Aug 26, 7:30am Mon. triharderpromotions.com. 217-341-1309. Memorial SportsCare, 4550 West Iles Ave., 757-7849.

SCHEELS Run Bike Club Aug 22, 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.

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

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