Books & Authors

Winter Book Sale Sat., Jan. 11, 10am-2pm. The Friends of Lincoln Library have stacks of paperbacks. Lincoln Library, 326 S. Seventh St., 217-753-4900.

Theater & Comedy

Annie Get Your Gun Jan. 10-11, 8pm and Sun., Jan. 12, 2pm. This rousing, sure-fi re story hits the mark every time in a testament to the power of female ingenuity. Springfeidl Theatre Center, 420 S. Sixth St., 217-523-2787. $18-$20.

Sonya White - LOL UIS Comedy Series Sat., Jan. 11, 8-10pm. White’s observational comedy is enhanced by dead-on impersonations and appropriate sound effects. $15 in advance; $20 day of show. UIS Performing Arts Center, One University Plaza, 217-206-6160.

Two Canadians All American Comedy Tour Fri., Jan. 10, 8-9:30pm and Sat., Jan. 11, 7-8:30pm. Nationally touring comedians Jeff Leeson and Tige Wright bring their national comedy tour to Mason City. $12.50. Mason City Limits Comedy Club, Mason City, 114 E. Chestnut St., 217-482-5233.

Special Music Events

Burr Oak String Band Thu., Jan. 9, 7-9pm. The band offers up a mix of lively instrumentals and heartfelt harmonies. American oldtime string music, close harmonies and the interplay of mandolin, guitar, fi ddle and clawhammer banjo bring their sound to other musical genres and traditions. $15 adults, $12 Members. Illinois State Museum, 502 S. Spring St., 217-558-6696.

Elvis Top 40 Part 2 1961-1967 Sat., Jan. 4, 3pm. Backed by dancers and vocalists, Elvis Himselvis will have you reminiscing about the king himself. $16-$18. Hoogland Center for the Arts LRS Theatre 1, 420 S. Sixth St., 217-523-2787.

Joseph Hall: Elvis - Rock n’ Remember Sat., Jan. 11, 8pm. This performer earned the Branson, MO 2014 Male Performer of the Year award and 2014 Tribute Show of the Year honors. Advance tickets $25, VIP $35 and day of show $30. The Legacy Theatre, 101 E. Lawrence, 800-838-3006.

Rock and Rolled Mondays-Saturdays, 9am-4:30pm and Sundays, 12-4:30pm. A celebration of music that has defi ned the culture combined with timeless geological specimens embodying the structure of the earth from our permanent collection. Illinois State Museum, 502 S. Spring St., 217-782- 7386.

Art & Architecture

Art is Exceptional Opening Reception Every 14 days, 5:30-8pm. Celebrating student artists with special needs. This show will feature the artwork of students from many District 186 schools. Curated by Elizabeth Marcy. Through Jan. 25. M.G. Nelson Family Gallery, 700 N. Fourth Street, 523- 2631.

“Eleanor Spiess-Ferris: Daphne’s Sister” Mondays-Saturdays, 9am- 4:30pm and Sundays, 12-4:30pm. Paintings and drawings trace the development of the artist’s distinctive fi gures across her career. Curated by Doug Stapleton. Museum admission. Illinois State Museum, 502 S. Spring St., 217- 782-7386.

“Facing Homelessness” Opening Reception Fri., Jan. 3, 5:30-7:30pm. In cooperation with Helping Hands Shelter. This portrait exhibition documents the stories of homeless men of Springfi eld. Artists who created some of the portraits will discuss their experiences of working with the shelter’s clients. Free. M.G. Nelson Family Gallery, 700 N. Fourth Street, 217-523- 2631.

Unusual Stories about the Dana Thomas House Wed., Jan. 15, 6pm. Frank Lloyd Wright expert, Frank Marchant, will share unusual stories and facts about the architect and the house. Lincoln Library, 326 S. Seventh St., 217-753-4900.

Film & Television

The Biggest little Farm Sun., Jan. 12, 1-3 & 4-6pm and Tue., Jan. 14, 7-9pm. Part of the Molly Schlich Film Series brought to you by the Michael Victor II Art Library. $8/adults, $4/students with ID. AMC Classic Parkway Pointe 8, 3025 Lindbergh Avenue, 2175232631.

Molly Schlich Film Series Launch Party Wed., Jan. 8, 7pm. See trailers of the series’ upcoming fi lms. Popcorn and beverages served. Free. Springfi eld Art Association, 700 N. Fourth St., 217-523-2631.

Mystery Movie Monday The fi rst Monday of every month, 7pm. You won’t know the title of the fi lm is until the red velvet curtain opens on the grand screen. Films will span from the early days of the 20th century to contemporary titles. $40 for the series or $10 each. The Legacy Theatre, 101 E. Lawrence, 800-838-3006.

Peanut Butter Falcon Sat., Jan. 11, 2pm. A Saturday movie matinee. Free. Jacksonville Public Library, Jacksonville, 201 W. College Ave., 217-243-5435.

Auditions

Sound Celebration Chorus Mon., Jan. 6, 6:30pm. Rehearsals are held every Monday night. All are welcome. Parking is in the attached garage for $1 or street parking is available. Hoogland Center for the Arts, 420 S. Sixth St., 217-523- 2787.

Children’s Corner

American Girl Tea Party Thu., Jan. 2, 1-2:30pm. Games, crafts and a tea party in honor of American Girl Samantha Parkington. Ages 5+. Registration required. Chatham Area Public Library, Chatham, 600 E. Spruce, 217-483- 2713.

Day at the Beach Tue., Jan. 14, 10-11am. Escape the cold and snow with a fun-inthe-sun beach party. Learn about the plants and animals that call the beach home, build a sand castle, and make a mini underwater aquarium. Ages 5+. Free with museum admission. Illinois State Museum, 502 S. Spring St., 217- 782-6044.

Illinois Beach Party Super Saturday Sat., Jan. 4, 11am-3pm. Learn about Illinois’ prehistoric and modern beaches and about beach ecosystems. Create a fun pair of sunglasses and build a sandcastle. Ages 5+. Free with museum admission. 217-782-6044.

Nick Jr. Live! Move to the Music Jan. 7-8, 6-8pm. Follow Dora the Explorer and her PAW co-hosts, Marshall and Rubble, as they team up with their Mick Jr. friends, live on stage. $21.50+. uispac.com. UIS Performing Arts Center, One University Plaza, 217-206-6160.

Nature, Science & Environment

Why local flowers? Mon., Jan. 6, 9am. Presented by Stacy Shanks of the Locust Creek Flower Farm. Hosted by the Springfi eld Civic Garden Club. scgc-il.org. Free. Westminster Presbyterian Church, 533 S. Walnut St., 563-940-5735.

Lectures & Meetings

Moving Pillsbury Forward Wed., Jan. 15, 5:30-7pm. Pillsbury area neighborhood information meeting about the site. Join the conversation. Use east parking lot entrance. Handicap accessible. Food provided. Lanphier High School, 1300 N. 11th St., 217-899- 2749.

Bulletin Board

2020 Census, Everyone Counts Thu., Jan. 9, 12:20pm. Information session presented by Sarah Tapscott. Senior Services of Central Illinois, 701 W. Mason St., 217-528- 4035.

Compassion and Choices Wed., Jan. 8. Meets monthly to support legislation that would offer compassionate choices for terminally ill individuals. Free. Abraham Lincoln Unitarian Universalist Congregation, 745 Woodside Road, 217-585-9550.

Leaving a Narcissist The fi rst Tuesday of every month, 6:30-7:30pm. Monthly support group.217-899-9873. Advanced Therapy Group, 2315 S. First St.

Spelling Bee Bee will be on Thu., Jan. 16 at 10 a.m. Register by Mon., Jan. 13. Senior Services of Central Illinois, 701 W. Mason St., 217-528-4035.

Springfield’s Original Bridal Show Sun., Jan. 5, 11am-3pm. Sponsored by Capitol Radio Group. Crowne Plaza Springfi eld, 3000 S. Dirksen Pkwy., 217-529-7777.

History

Sneak Peek: Fashioning Illinois, 1820-1900 Thu., Jan. 2, 12-1pm. Join Erika Holst as she explores the way women made, maintained and wore clothing in nineteenth century Illinois. Part of the Tales from the Vault Program. Free, donations accepted. Illinois State Museum Research and Collections Center, 1011 E. Ash St., 217-785-0037.

Politics

Sign-Making Party for the Women’s March Mon., Jan. 6, 6:30pm. Markers, paint, snacks and music will be provided. Corrugated plastic sign boards will be available for a nominal fee. You can also bring your own supplies. Schnucks Montvale, 2801 Chatham Road, 217-698- 2980.

An Unlikely Defeat: The ERA Fight in Illinois Wed., Jan. 8, 7pm. By 1973 thirty states had passed the ERA amendment, but it had already gone down to defeat in the Illinois legislature in 1972. Part of the Paul Mickey Learning Series. Presented by Mark DePue. Illinois State Museum, 502 S. Spring St., 217- 782-7386.

Faith & Philosophy

Companions on the Journey Mon., Jan. 6, 11:30am. A monthly gathering for seniors to promote positive social connections. Following a shared lunch, speakers will give a short presentation and lead a discussion period. $20. Chiara Center, 4875 Laverna Road, 217-523-0901.

Forever in our Hearts Mon., Jan. 13. Remembrance ceremony. Feel free to bring photos or items of your loved ones to share on the Remembrance Table. Submit names to Barb Hipsher by Jan. 13 if you would like them to be included in the Remembrance program. Refreshments available after the ceremony. Senior Services of Central Illinois, 701 W. Mason St., 217-528-4035.

Health Freedom from smoking class Tuesdays, 5-6:30pm. Set a quit date, create a personalized plan to prepare for quitting and build strategies for managing stressors during and after your quit. Meets weekly through Feb. 25. $30. Financial assistance is available. memorialmedical.com. 217-788- 3559. $30. Memorial Center for Learning and Innovation, 228 W. Miller St., 217-788-3559.

Healthy Living for Your Brain and Body Wed., Jan. 15, 12-1pm. Brown Bag Program presented by Hadley Karrick of the Alzheimer’s Association. Learn about the tools to incorporate into your plan for healthy aging. Bring your lunch and join us for a different speaker and topic on the third Wednesday of each month. Free. Illinois State Museum Research and Collections Center, 1011 E. Ash St., 217-785- 0037.

How to Control Your Blood Pressure Sun., Jan. 12, 1pm. A representative from Molina Healthcare will discuss how to control blood pressure using diet and exercise. Light refreshments. Free. Jacksonville Public Library, Jacksonville, 201 W. College Ave., 217-243-5435.

Winter Safety Fri., Jan. 3, 12:15pm. Frostbite and hypothermia prevention presented by Barb Hipsher. Senior Services of Central Illinois, 701 W. Mason St., 217-528-4035.

Sports & Fitness

Springfield Jr. Blues Fri., Jan. 3, 7pm and Sat., Jan. 4, 6pm. The Blues take on the Topeka Pilots. Adults $8 in advance, $10 at the door. Ages 12 and under $5. jrblues.com. Nelson Center, 1601 N. Fifth St., 217-525-2589.