If you only have time to do one thing this week, look for an Illinois Times Pick icon. Determined by our staff, these are our recommendations on how to spend your free time.
Books & Authors
New: Young Professionals Book Club
Fourth M, through Dec 15, 6:30-8pm, A new book club for young professionals (married or single). Barnes & Noble Booksellers, 3111 S. Veterans Pkwy.
Theater & Comedy
Willy Wonka Jr.
Dec 5-6 and 13-14, 7pm, Dec 7 and 14, 2pm, The tale of Willy Wonka is staged in a kidcentric version. $11 adults, $8 children. Hoogland Center for the Arts, 420 S. Sixth St. For more info, call 523-2787.
Funny Bone Comedy
Nov 28-29, 7;30 an 9:30 pm, Comedian Todd Yohn will headline a stand-up comedy show. $14 general admission , $17 VIP. Donnie B’s Funny Bone, 2937 West White Oaks Dr. For more info, call 391-JOKE.
Music: General Events
Something Old, Something New, Something Borrowed, Something Blue
Dec 7, 4pm, A recital by pianist Maria Horvath. The performance features works by Domenico Scarlatti, Bela Bartok, Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, Johann Strauss and Franz Liszt, and is part of the 2008-2009 LLCC Recital Series. Free. Menard Hall rm 2250. For more info, call 788-2218.
CD Release Party
Nov 29, 7-9pm, Sally Barris and Celeste Krenz Christmas CD release party. Hear live music from their new album. It’s All About Wine, 1305 Wabash. For more info, call 546-WINE.
Land of Lincoln Barbershop Chorus
Every Tu, 7:30-10pm, Land of Lincoln Barbershop Chorus singing for all male singers who like 4-part harmony. Hoogland Center for the Arts, 420 S. Sixth St. Free. For more info,call 737-3359 or go to www.landoflincolnbarbershop.com
Sound Celebration Chorus
Every M, 7-10pm, For women who like to sing. Hoogland Center for the Arts, 420 S. Sixth St. For info, call 523- 4363 or go to www.soundcelebration.org.
Speak on Holy Ground
First Sat mnthly, 7-11pm, Featuring special guests, karaoke, open mic, poetry, music, spoken word, and testimonies. Free. Holy Ground Coffee House, 304 W. Allen. For more info, call 306-2592 or go to www.cggm.org/events.
Sunday Afternoon Concerts
Every Sun, Dec 3-28, 3pm, Enjoy an afternoon of music in the Park at the Thomas Rees Memorial Carillon Sunday Afternoon Concert. Washington Park, Fayette Ave. For more info, or go to www.springfieldparks.org.
Dance
Central Illinois Singles and Couples Dance
Every Fri, through Dec 19, 8-11pm, Enjoy local live music and meet new people. Musicians include Kevin Turner Bobby Remack, Judy Kaye, and New Delmars. VFW Post #755, 2211 Old Jacksonville Rd. For more info, call 546-9515.
Early American Dance Lessons
Through Dec 22, 7-9pm, Dance lessons to prepare for the Lincoln Ball On New Year’s Eve at the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Museum. $15 per person, $25 per couple. Hoogland Center for the Arts, 420 S. Sixth St. For more info, call 652-8085.
Art & Galleries
145th Anniversary of the Gettysburg Address
Through Jan 31, Mon-Fri 9am-5pm, Celebrate the 145th anniversary of the reading of the Gettysburg Address at Sam Fink’s The Gettysburg Address exhibit. The exhibit will feature art created for the book. Free. Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library, 212 N. Sixth St. For more info, call 782-5764 or go to www.alplm.org.
“After Hours” Exhibit
Dec 5-Jan 24, exhibit, Dec 5, 5-7pm, Opening reception for the exhibit “After Hours” paintings of nocturnal landscapes by Gerard Erley. McLean County Arts Center. Bloomington. For more info, call 309-829-0011.
Across the Divide: Reconsidering the Other
Through Jan 11, A contemporary art exhibition, featuring works from 16 leading artists, as part of the communitywide collaborative efforts to raise consciousness at the centennial mark of the Springfield 1908 Race Riot. Illinois State Museum, 502 S. Spring St.
Beaux Arts Ball
Nov 29, The black-tie gala honors families and volunteers who support Springfield art Association. $125 per person. Crowne Plaza, 3000 South Dirksen Pkwy. For info, call 523-2631 or go to www.springfieldart.org.
Blue Door Gallery
Offering 60 artists’ works, including jewelry, paintings, wood, florals, fiber art, etched glass, and more. Featuring old-world art and urban images incorporated into metal and woven jewelry by Suzanne Schmid and handmade functional pottery by Vincent Manus. The Blue Door Gallery, 627 E. Adams St. Gallery hours M-Sa 10am- 5:30pm, Su 11am-3pm. For info, go to www.bluedoorart.com.
Bollywood Satirized and An Indian From India Photo Exhibit
Through Dec 3, 9-am-4pm, An exhibit on living between cultures and being a woman in India by noted photographer Annu Palakunnathu Matthew. UIS, Visual Arts Gallery, Health and Sciences Building. For more info, call 206-6506.
Flights of Fantasy
Through Dec 20, Opening reception Nov 1, 5:30-7:30pm, Featuring art from four Prairie Art Alliance members. H.D. Smith Gallery, Hoogland Center for the Arts, 420 S. Sixth St. For info, go to www.prairieart.org.
Gifts to the Collection
Through Feb 1, The exhibition includes objects gifted to the Museum’s art, anthropology, and natural history collections. Illinois State Museum, 502 S. Spring St.
Logo Design Contest
Through Dec 15,Through Dec 15, A $50 prize will be awarded to the Sangamon County high school or college student artist who designs the best logo for “Art In the Garden” a new fundraising project for Lincoln Memorial Garden. Submissions may be original or computer-generated artwork. Send to Lincoln Memorial Garden and Nature Center, 2301 East Lake Dr. For more info, call 726-7971.
Made in Illinois
Through Dec 5, Tu-Fri, 10am-2pm, The Robert Morris Gallery is host to the new exhibit Made in Illinois. The exhibit includes more than 20 artists featuring a wide range a media including glass, metal, wood, and paint. Robert Morris Gallery, 607 E. Adams. For more info, call 522-8977.
Morton Barker Paperweight Collection
Large and prestigious collection of paperweights, most of which were created in post-Napoleonic France. Illinois State Museum, 502 S. Spring St. For info, call 782-7386 or go to www.museum.state.il.us.
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