IT Picks | Thursday, December 20,2012

Hark the holiday

The Hoogland Center for the Arts will present four performances of an old-fashioned Christmas revue, A Very Hoogland Christmas, featuring the talents of many local performers. Listen to “Merry C

IT Picks | Thursday, December 13,2012

Hallelujah harmony

By Anita Stienstra

The Springfield Choral Society will give two performances of an authentic Baroque version of Handel’s “Messiah,” with orchestra, at 7:30 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 14, and Saturday, Dec. 1

IT Picks | Thursday, December 13,2012

Santa time

By Anita Stienstra

Your favorite Springfield holiday tradition, the Christmas parade takes to the streets of downtown Springfield at night this year beginning at 5 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 15. See marching units, hear hol

IT Picks | Thursday, December 13,2012

Home sweet homes

By Anita Stienstra

See the brick Italianate governor’s mansion or the Italianate home of the Edwards family or the Greek Revival-style Elijah Iles home or the Georgian-Revival home where the prominent family the P

IT Picks | Thursday, December 13,2012

Chiming in

By Anita Stienstra

Join the 31st Annual Caroling around the Carillon at Washington Park this Sunday, Dec. 14, starting at 4:30 p.m. The Park District’s new carillonneur, Robin Austin, will be playing the carillon,

IT Picks | Thursday, December 6,2012

Country Christmas

By Anita Stienstra

Martina McBride comes to the Prairie Capital Convention Center to spread some holiday joy through her music on Wednesday, Dec. 12. One of the hottest country music stars around, McBride will feature C

IT Picks | Thursday, December 6,2012

Holiday humor

By Anita Stienstra

Make a list and check it twice to see The Santaland Diaries Dec. 7-9 at the Hoogland Center for the Arts. Written by the great American humorist David Sedaris, the play follows one out-of-work actor w

IT Picks | Thursday, December 6,2012

Dreamy ballet

By Anita Stienstra

Springfield Ballet Company’s 38th annual production of The Nutcracker is Dec. 8-9 at the Sangamon Auditorium, UIS. One performance is slated for each day with an additional evening show on Satur

IT Picks | Thursday, November 29,2012

Hauntingly festive

By Anita Stienstra

Lincoln Land Community College presents a mystical production of the classic holiday tale. With a cast of 20 performing almost 60 roles, a flying bed, sound effects and a beautiful underscore, yo

IT Picks | Thursday, November 29,2012

Miniature mangers

By Anita Stienstra

Chiara Center will host its annual Franciscan Nativity Festival Nov. 30-Dec. 2. More than 100 miniature nativity sets will be on display including a set made from automobile spark plugs, connecting ro