The Hired Hands moniker originated from an offhand comment by local music guy Sean Burns about the shifting musicians in Tom Irwin’s groups of the early 2000s. With the added descriptive adjecti
The Hired Hands moniker originated from an offhand comment by local music guy Sean Burns about the shifting musicians in Tom Irwin’s groups of the early 2000s. With the added descriptive adjecti
About five months ago, Mike Williams, former guitarist in the Lost Boys and Misspent Youth, devised a strategy to form a band. He invited fellow central Illinois music “vets” Kortney Leath
Look who’s coming to Norb Andy’s. It’s none other than Greg Ginn, founder of Black Flag, one of the most influential and important American punk bands. Ginn, chief songwriter and org
Singer-songwriters belong to a special group of performers, those who not only entertain, but also edify and enlighten, espousing their personal beliefs to a hopefully appreciative audience. For Julie
What do you get when you take a fired-up blues band of veteran rockers, add a tastefully sweet horn section of exceptionally talented players, then top it off with a vibrant, soulful front man enterta
From humble beginnings in southern Illinois as a rockin’ country cover band, Sable now charts on the record listings and performs at major festivals while making the march toward music stardom.
Since her appearance on the music world stage at a young age, Yvonne Gage has set high standards for vocalists in the world of jazz and R&B. Signed early on by RFC/Atlantic Records and later by CI
Nary a band around can compete with the flexibility and diversity of the Dan Rivero Trio set list. For more than 15 years, Rivero as drummer, booker and organizer (and namesake as well) has steered hi
You can count his 24 recording releases, four Grammy nods or countless performances since starting guitar at age five, but it all adds up to a great career of fantastic music for Australian bluesman M
After friends submitted one of his songs to a local radio station contest and listeners liked what they heard, PJ Summers, the music minister of Koke Mill Christian Church, felt the calling and added
During the first days of September, as temperatures across Illinois remain in the 80s, it is difficult to think about the cool weather of fall and the excitement of Thanksgiving weekend when high scho
During the first days of September, as temperatures across Illinois remain in the 80s, it is difficult to think about the cool weather of fall and the excitement of Thanksgiving weekend when high scho
A humorous quote by author and physician Anton Chekhov is on the introduction page to SCOPE, SIU School of Medicine’s 17th annual literary magazine: “Medicine is my lawful wife and literat
In an old Cher movie called Moonstruck, Olympia Dukakis is talking to her 40-plus-year-old daughter (Cher) about getting married and having a baby. Cher protests that she’s too old for a baby. O
If you were to stop four random strangers on a St. Louis street and ask for their opinion of William Stage’s book Fool for Life (Floppinfish) the question might elicit the following responses:&b
Chicago Alderman Edward Burke’s career as an author had an unlikely beginning. “I was sitting at a table with a writer and professor named Craig Sautter,” recalls Burke. “We we
As the 19th century prepared to turn into the 20th, a cataclysmic confrontation between labor and management occurred in the steelmaking town of Homestead, Pa., pitting the wealthy Carnegie Steel Co.
Hope from the Heartland, a new book by Jay Hoffman, the Democratic state representative from Collinsville, starts with the premise that climate change, the energy and economic crises can be solved sim
A compilation of books from Illinois authors and publishers.
Starting in 1984, the Library of Congress’ Center for the Book began to establish affiliate centers in the 50 states. Today, there is a state Center for the Book in all 50 states. The Illinois Center for the Book is located in the Illinois State Library at Second and Capitol Streets.
In his most recent book, Communities of Frank Lloyd Wright: Taliesin and Beyond, historian Myron Marty strives to define the Frank Lloyd Wright Taliesin Fellowship in the context of other groups Wright worked with and other “intentional communities.” Together with his earlier book, Frank Lloyd Wright’s Taliesin Fellowship (Truman State University Press, 1999), co-authored with his wife, Shirley, Marty presents a comprehensive picture of the unique community organized to create, promote and preserve the values and goals of one man — Frank Lloyd Wright.
Every week, Amy Alkon provides IT readers with her spin on romantic problems in her syndicated column The Advice Goddess. The column, which received the first place award for commentary last month fro
Every week, Amy Alkon provides IT readers with her spin on romantic problems in her syndicated column The Advice Goddess. The column, which received the first place award for commentary last month fro
Visitors and residents hungry for good music and good food in Springfield are sure to find some of both this weekend at the 11th annual Taste of Downtown. The popular event is presented this year in c
“To this place, and the kindness of these people, I owe everything.”Abraham Lincoln uttered those words in his famous farewell speech to Springfield almost 150 years ago. Since then, Sprin
It’s chilly in the packed parking lot of the Eagles Club on Springfield’s far east side. But inside the club’s cavernous concrete ballroom more than 100 novice dancers are shedding s
Just when we thought Rwanda had reinvented itself into a genuine success story in Africa, and that Rwandan president Paul Kagame had become a star of international leadership, along comes the hero of
Illinois Bureau of Tourism Deputy Director Jan Kostner refuses to dwell on the poor economy and its effect on tourism.In mid-February, as she delivered the annual State of the State of Tourism Address
Promotional flyers for Shen Yun — a multimillion-dollar stage production set for Feb. 9 at Sangamon Auditorium — are lavish, four-color photo montages of elaborately costumed dancers, whir
Mike Ross, director of Urbana’s Krannert Centerfor the Performing Arts, is hard-pressed to name his favorite place to be inside the University of Illinois’ celebrated arts space.Ross
I had seven e-mails from an older gentleman who is the president of a highly respected nonprofit asking me to become his friend on Facebook. It was so unnerving I joined Facebook just to make the e-
Untitled Document One need only look at the roof of the Dana-Thomas House, with its upturned corners, to see Japan’s influence on architect Frank Lloyd Wright. ̶
Sometimes, movie stars make all the difference. There’s a reason Tom Cruise, Denzel Washington, Will Smith and Clint Eastwood command top dollar to appear on the screen and have a large, loyal f
Sometimes, movie stars make all the difference. There’s a reason Tom Cruise, Denzel Washington, Will Smith and Clint Eastwood command top dollar to appear on the screen and have a large, loyal f
I’m of the opinion that the best horror films are low-budget affairs. In the past, cheap black and white film stock shot on the fly gave movies like Night of the Living Dead a cheap aesthetic th
Trying to channel a Friday-like vibe, director Erik White’s Lottery Ticket sports a premise ripe with comic possibilities, yet lacks the easygoing tone to make it a complete success. Bow Wow, si
One of the best things about being a film critic is stumbling upon a movie that genuinely surprises you. Such is the case with The Switch, the new dramedy with Jennifer Aniston that’s being prom
You have to give Sylvester Stallone’s The Expendables one thing – it delivers exactly what it promises to. There are explosions (lots of explosions), male bonding, numerous examples of mac
There’s a sense of charm about Scott Pilgrim vs. the World that separates it from all other comic book adaptations and most every other film this summer. Sporting memorable, sympathetic characte
Adam McKay and Will Ferrell approach comedy by throwing various gags at the audience and hope more of them work than not. Their latest collaboration, The Other Guys, is a cop movie spoof that delivers
The buzz has been steadily building for Lisa Cholodenko’s The Kids Are All Right. The advance reviews have been great and it’s crept into the national consciousness, referred to as “
The news came out last week that Steve Carell is leaving his hit television show The Office after seven years. While the program won’t be the same without him, this is a good move on the actor&r
Sometimes you end up wanting to like a movie more than you should and such is the case with Charlie St. Cloud. This tearjerker from director Burr Steers is as subtle as a sledgehammer as it attempts t
Illinois Times film critic Chuck Koplinski interviews Doug Jones ("Hellboy", "Pan's Labyrinth") and Katlyn Carlson, stars of the indie feature "My Name is Jerry", winner of Best Comedy Feature at the Route 66 International Film Festival.
IT film critic Chuck Koplinski interviews star Oscar Piloto and director Alfonso Corona (both are co-producers) of the short film "Dixon's Girl".
Illinois Times film critic Chuck Koplinski interviews Sam Holdren, director of the film "The Paradigm Shift", playing in the Route 66 International Film Festival.
IT film critic Chuck Koplinski interviews Brian Dobrik, director of the indie short "Robert Shaw", playing in the Route 66 International Film Festival.
Illinois Times film critic Chuck Koplinski interviews Daric Gates, director of the film "Crook", winner for Best Thriller in the Route 66 International Film Festival.
Illinois Times film critic Chuck Koplinski interviews Dominique Schilling, director of the film "Business As Usual", playing in the Route 66 International Film Festival.
Illinois Times film critic Chuck Koplinski interviews Morgan Mead, director, and Zach Baliva, co-producer, of the film "My Name Is Jerry", winner for Best Comedy in the Route 66 International Film Festival.
Illinois Times film critic Chuck Koplinski interviews Travis Pittman and Kelly Daniela Norris, co-directors, and Matthew Cadet, star of the film "Sinnerman", playing in the Route 66 International Film Festival.
Illinois Times film critic Chuck Koplinski interviews Lynelle White, director of the film "And Seven Hours Later", playing in the Route 66 International Film Festival.
The not-for-profit Prairie Grapevine opens their season with traditional music musician Bryan Bowers, a master of the autoharp, storyteller, singer/songwriter and performing artist. People magazine wr
The not-for-profit Prairie Grapevine opens their season with traditional music musician Bryan Bowers, a master of the autoharp, storyteller, singer/songwriter and performing artist. People magazine wr
For two nights only on the outdoor stage, hear the story of New Salem through the words of Lincoln’s contemporaries, traditional music of the era, and original songs composed by Mark Mathewson o
Here’s your chance to savor food from around the world and listen to the music of other countries at the annual Ethnic Festival. Located in the southeastern edge of the fairgrounds, don’t
American Originals is the theme to this year’s history festival under the big tent in Jacksonville. Each night opens with music, followed by historical re-enactments, dinner, music, storytelling
The Hoogland’s production of the musical Chicago, directed by Doug Hahn and Gary Shull, and starring Anna Bussing as Roxie Hart, Mary Jo Curry as Velma Kelly and Gus Gordon as Billy Flynn, kicks
A new Kid’s Zone near Sixth and Washington streets kicks up the Old Capitol Blues and BBQs a notch. Free kids entertainment and activities from 12-5 p.m. include: a juggler; a magician, a clown,
Double your pleasure, this festival hosts two sites – downtown Lincoln and Logan County Airport. The airport boasts a carnival, food and drink, and hot air balloons amassing for Friday and Satur
A Springfield Art Association reception Aug. 27 from 5-7 p.m. opens another volume on one of Springfield’s most unusual and interesting exhibitions as 36 artists from all over the United States
Theatre in the Park presents five indoor performances of the Horton Foote Broadway comedy, Dividing the Estate. The two-act play involves three generations of a Texas family as they struggle over
St. John’s ends its Lemonade in the Lobby series for the summer on Aug. 25 with The Sangamon Brass Quintet. The group features Aaron Duncan, Byrd Davis, Stuart Farris, Gina Coonrod and Jeff Koes
Erin and Garrett are good together--even when they're apart. When aspiring journalist Erin (Drew Barrymore) moves to San Francisco to finish her last year of school, boyfriend Garrett (Justin Long),
Erin and Garrett are good together--even when they're apart. When aspiring journalist Erin (Drew Barrymore) moves to San Francisco to finish her last year of school, boyfriend Garrett (Justin Long),
Machete is based on the fake trailer in Robert Rodriguez's 2007 Grindhouse, featuring Danny Trejo and Jeff Fahey reprising their original roles.The feature version of the trailer finds Machete (Trejo
Takers takes you into the world of a notorious group of criminals (Idris Elba, Paul Walker, T.I., Chris Brown, Hayden Christensen and Michael Ealy) who continue to baffle police by pulling off perfect
When he arrives on the rural Louisiana farm of Louis Sweetzer, the Reverend Cotton Marcus expects to perform just another routine “exorcism” on a disturbed religious fanatic. An earnest fu
Kevin Carson (Bow Wow), a young man living in the projects, wins $370 million in a nationwide lottery. When his opportunistic neighbors discover he has the winning ticket in his possession, Kevin must
In Nanny McPhee Returns, Oscar®-winning actress and screenwriter Emma Thompson returns to the role of the magical nanny who appears when she’s needed the most and wanted the least in the next ch
From director Alexandre Aja (The Hills Have Eyes) comes the new action thriller Piranha. Every year the population of sleepy Lake Victoria explodes from 5,000 to 50,000 for Spring Break; a riot of sun
The film is based on Jeffrey Eugenides' short story "Baster," which was first published in The New Yorker. "The Baster" centers on a neurotic and insecure man (Bateman) who finds
Meet charming and jobless Scott Pilgrim (Michael Cera). A bass guitarist for garage band Sex Bob-omb, the 22-year-old has just met the girl of his dreams...literally. The only catch to winning Ramona
The Expendables is a hard-hitting action/thriller about a group of mercenaries hired to infiltrate a South American country and overthrow its ruthless dictator. Once the mission begins, the men realiz
Springfield area cinephiles benefit as the Route 66 Film Festival and the Springfield Art Association’s Film Series grow in size and quality. The 2009 Route 66 Fest, held last September, tripled
Springfield area cinephiles benefit as the Route 66 Film Festival and the Springfield Art Association’s Film Series grow in size and quality. The 2009 Route 66 Fest, held last September, tripled
Molly Schlich knows movies. She has organized the Springfield Art Association’s annual film festival for the past 18 years. The event, she says, was started not as a fundraiser, but as a way to
2009 was a good year for director Ramin Bahrani. The 34-year-old was awarded a prestigious Guggenheim Fellowship and watched as critics continued to laud Chop Shop (2007) and Goodbye Solo (2008). Not
WED, SEPT 16Taste of the Festival7-9pmFREE Open to the publicCapital City Bar and Grill3149 S. Dirksen PkwyFor those not familiar with film fests, this evening event will include a preview of 5-6 of t
Untitled Document Many recent films about troubled youth remind me of Jean-Paul Sartre’s play No Exit, in which hell is other people. The biggest problem facing teens today
Untitled Document Forty years ago the Beatles changed music for the second time with the release of Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band, and it still tops lists as
Untitled Document Kevin Costner needs no introduction, but he seems to need a reintroduction. Audiences mistakenly think that they know what to expect from him. His taking on the
Untitled Document Bug may have been drowned in the current flood of sequels, but it has great cinematic significance. The intense psychological-horror thriller marks the return t
Untitled Document His is hardly a household name, but the influence of Alejandro Jodorowsky goes beyond name recognition. His best-known film is El Topo (1970), which translates
Untitled Document The Third Man (1949) is the greatest Orson Welles movie Welles didn’t direct. It is a testament to the greatness of this film that many people assume that
Black leather fingerless gloves. Love Club and Stripping Glitter. Tattoos of strange designs in stranger places. Cahokia Mounds and MoonPandas. What link ties these odd and peculiar things together? A
Black leather fingerless gloves. Love Club and Stripping Glitter. Tattoos of strange designs in stranger places. Cahokia Mounds and MoonPandas. What link ties these odd and peculiar things together? A
Austin, Texas — At the South by Southwest music festival, the spring break of the music industry, sensory overload is practically guaranteed. From March 17-21, nearly 2,000 acts played in Austin
It began with a childhood dream of becoming a radio personality. But when Angel Macon sent demos to countless area radio stations, none responded. Instead of idly waiting for that big break, Macon too
“When I look down the tour itinerary and see towns like Springfield and Champaign, the word that immediately comes to mind is ‘home,” says REO Speedwagon’s lead singer Kevin Cr
Marion van der Loo was already thinking about Christmas back in June.As the music director of the Springfield Choral Society listened to “Jul, Jul, Strlande Jul,” a song from Sweden that
The musicians of the “Winter Dance Party 1959” played Kenosha, Wis., on Jan. 24 of that year, one of the few stops on an ill-fated sojourn which ended for Buddy Holly in an Io
Love your neighbor as you love yourself. It’s a commandment familiar to both Jews and Christians, but it takes a person of strong faith to both talk the talk and walk the walk. Ri
The fall season is upon us, and for bands across the country it's the perfect time to tour. Hopping in the bus — musicians from David Crosby and Graham Nash to Ta
The upcoming season upholds the standard of excellence the Illinois Symphony Orchestra has made a Springfield tradition. One of ISO's most popular events is the Pops in t
The Illinois Central Blues Club formed in 1986 and since then the group has hosted more than 42,000 musicians and 1500 live performances. Each week the club hosts blues artists from across t
In these days of rampant ungainful employment, what a pleasant surprise to see someone get work, especially if they’ve strived long and hard for it and are well suited to the task. The recently
In these days of rampant ungainful employment, what a pleasant surprise to see someone get work, especially if they’ve strived long and hard for it and are well suited to the task. The recently
If you were around town in 1978 and liked live music in a bar, chances are Cicero Slim and the World War III Blues Band made it onto your favorite band radar. This Friday night Mr. Slim and a good bun
One might think all the goings-on at the Illinois State Fair would be enough excitement for one town, but quite a few entertainment extravaganzas occur beyond the barbed-wire fencing that surrounds th
Yes, fair citizens of central Illinois and other creatures making a beeline for the Illinois State Fair, the time is upon us. Once again Springfield buzzes with underlined excitement, all the hotels f
Few types of American folk music are as full of zest and zing as the Louisiana-based sounds of Zydeco. Built around the accordion with often just a rub board or washboard accompaniment, the simple cho
Here we are nearing the end of July 2010 with a good forecast for upcoming live music. As August begins we head into the Decatur Celebration and then the Illinois State Fair as major music fronts, wit
Let me take you all back a few years (how about roughly 25 or so?) to revisit an interesting time in Springfield’s live music history when several unique music venues operated in the area. Most
I met Michael Granda, known to the world as “Supe du Jour,” in 1990 while playing around 2:30 a.m. at Bruce’s Tavern. Supe, bassist for and a founding member of the Ozark Mountain Da
Add last week’s big Capital City Celebration with music on the street corners and fireworks in the rain to the upcoming Taste of Downtown with music in the streets and food in tents (with no rai
As you experienced live music goers know, July means a plate chock full of performances coming out of our ears, to improperly mix metaphors or simulate similes or otherwise antagonize proper grammar a
When Horton Foote died last year at the age of 92, America lost one of its most prolific and endearing dramatists. Foote, who was still writing until his last days, completed more than 60 plays and sc
When Horton Foote died last year at the age of 92, America lost one of its most prolific and endearing dramatists. Foote, who was still writing until his last days, completed more than 60 plays and sc
Only through the lens of the late Theodor Seuss Geisle, better known as Dr. Seuss, can a chaotic menagerie of made-up creatures bring order and wisdom from whimsy and fun. Filled with comedies such as
In a city largely absent of activities and events related to African American culture, Springfield’s black residents have long suffered from the “there’s-nothing-to-do syndrome.&rdqu
Five thousand years of Chinese performing arts and culture will take the stage Feb. 9 at Sangamon Auditorium in a multimillion-dollar touring production called Shen Yun (“divine character”
Ringing in the new year doesn’t need to be an adults-only party. Instead, welcome 2010 with a celebration of family-friendly arts, music and theater at the 23rd annual First Night. This year&rsq
Statistics are often hard to remember. We might forget that 1.1 million Americans are living with HIV/AIDS or that the global total is more than 30 million. We might not know that 25 percent of them d
Nestled in the basement between thick square support pillars, the young musicians eagerly consume sheet after sheet of music, building a crescendo with violins, timpani and horns. Three floors up, a g
I admit that I watched The Rocky Horror Picture Show a few times growing up, mostly to learn the dance steps to the Time Warp to fit in at the high school Halloween Dance…
Local youths may be familiar with the confrontation and spectacle of mainstream hip hop, where the words flow effortlessly with messages of violence, money and sex. Less familiar is a close cousin, slam poetry, which also has smooth lyrical moves, but uses them to deliver appeals to social justice, racial understanding and cultural identity.
For fans of live theater in Springfield, attending The Muni’s new production of Fiddler on the Roof is a bit like seeing the James Bond movie Casino Royale — we’ve heard t
I waste time a lot of ways might as well waste it on church the early fathers referred to holy waste does holy waste come from holy cows come to think of it simeon stylites (his
I waste time a lot of ways might as well waste it on church the early fathers referred to holy waste does holy waste come from holy cows come to think of it simeon stylites (his
you can’t sleepon the porchat the lake ifyou don’t likeowlsthey chorusso closeyou can feelthe sizeand the breathof their lungs
some NPR listeners loath click ‘n’ clackbut I love ’em they’re such smart guysMIT PhDs and from a fair city I oncelived in and the cars they know so muchabout get into such rid
at a scrabble party the other nightwe found that asshole isn’t in theofficial dictionary my quarrel withthat scrabble authority has beenit omits the two-letter solfegesyllables except those popu
ever since that great toad of awalmart went up off south sixthsmothering the green field waitI like toads they’re good for thegarden so spell it with a “u”no that word also means goo
nephews nieces cousins of all ageswe searched the serene chicagocemetery sunday alone except forthe myriads of departed but wherewas our departed the heirs who carriedhis coffin through the february d
just had word a close friend in theseed business near janesville hasdecided to throw his whole operationin with funks — a big national seedcorn company — and discontinuewisconsin strains e
(enter washarolla anddryarolla chanting:wash-a-chug, wash-a-chugfluff’n’dry, fluff’n’dry)washarolla (sings):bring your dirty dudsto the washarollato the soap and sudsof the was
no need to hurryno need to worrylife is regu-life is regu-latedfrom the birthmobileto the hearsemobileby the GREATCOMPUTER-MOBILEno need to hurryno need to worrylife is regu-life is regu-latedfrom the
now that we don’t have milkingwe can travel says your mother andI agree—there are lots of placesin rock county I haven’t seen wehaven’t visited chamberlainspring in newark town
On a warm October day at the Harriet Tubman Susan B. Anthony Center on Springfield’s east side, 30 to 40 young men and boys dressed in gym clothes amble into a narrow room that seems to double a
On a warm October day at the Harriet Tubman Susan B. Anthony Center on Springfield’s east side, 30 to 40 young men and boys dressed in gym clothes amble into a narrow room that seems to double a
You may never have heard of the Capital City Outlaws, Springfield's very own semipro football team, but they're making lots of noise in the Original Midwest Football League. They placed second last ye
For almost a decade, the Springfield Figure Skating Club has been ringing in the holidays with an evening of skating set to seasonal songs. Skaters of all ages and skill levels don their best Christma
From the left field bleachers to the press box, from to the clubhouse to the front office, the refrain is repeated as if rehearsed: The Cardinals didn't make the playoffs this year because of nagging
Springfield artist and mural painter Mike Mayosky is always working on and promoting something. Our colorful local artist has something very big that he is promoting right now. He has entered the ArtP
Springfield artist and mural painter Mike Mayosky is always working on and promoting something. Our colorful local artist has something very big that he is promoting right now. He has entered the ArtP
L. Brent Kington, professor emeritus at Southern Illinois University in Carbondale, is widely regarded as the father of blacksmithing as an art form. The Illinois State Museum is hosting a retrospecti
“I’ve caught a lot of flak for it,” says Springfield resident Chris Ward, author of the nonfiction comic book Barack Obama. “It’s just divisive by nature. I get people sa
Though war, poverty and tough economic times have some of us living in a state of despair, the journey to peace and solace can begin with Springfield’s biennial Liturgical Arts Festival. Held Ma
The Rev. Howard Finster produced more than 46,000 pieces of art before he died at age 84 in 2001. He was a man possessed, not by demons, but by the need to create art. He was a self-proclaimed “
The eminent nature photographer Robert Glenn Ketchum has been photographing the Alaskan landscape for nearly 40 years and has become one of the most foremost photographers championing the environment.
Seen through a camera lens is a world of extremes.Extreme poverty, disease and death. And then there’s the love, hope and courage it takes to remedy them.These are displayed through the images o
Last month Bob Waldmire made public what he has known for some time – that he has colon cancer and he probably won’t live much longer. Last Sunday, Nov. 22, “Bob’s Last Art Sho
In 1988, Sergei Chepik, a 35-year-old Russian, arrived in Paris, France, carrying only a canvas, his father’s easel and a painting banned from exhibitions in his homeland. A sign of things to co
After a 24-year dream of opening his own gallery, Norman Calmese is now the owner of Springfield’s newest treasure of the art world. He is also a musician, playwright, artist and teacher.Minor&r
