IT Picks | Thursday, August 30,2012

Period play

Bring a blanket or lawn chair and be transported back in time during two matinees and an evening performance of the play Prairie Dreams: The Story of Clayville and Its People, written by Tara McClella

Fall Guide | Thursday, August 30,2012

Oddball Illinois

Ticket to fantastic and eccentric

By Anita Stienstra

Oddball Illinois: A Guide to 450 Really Strange Places, by Jerome Pohlen, is your ticket to the fantastic and eccentric in the land of Lincoln. The book offers interesting information about unusual pe

IT Picks | Thursday, August 23,2012

Quixotic musical

By Anita Stienstra

The musical Man of La Mancha opens with a gala performance on Friday, Aug. 24, followed by five performances at the Hoogland Center for the Arts LRS theater. A pre-show cocktail hour and post-show des

IT Picks | Thursday, August 23,2012

Fired up

By Anita Stienstra

Old Capitol Blues and BBQs returns to downtown Springfield, Aug. 24 and 25, with sizzling music and munchies. The BBQ competition is smokin’ with rib, pulled pork, brisket, open and dessert cate

IT Picks | Thursday, August 23,2012

Inspiring creativity

By Anita Stienstra

Local artists, poets and musicians are featured Wednesday, Aug. 29, during what should be an inspiring and entertaining evening of performances at Prairie Art Alliance Gallery II, south side of Old St

IT Picks | Thursday, August 23,2012

Awesome folk

By Anita Stienstra

Folk duo Tina and Her Pony play what promises to be a remarkable, intimate concert Sunday evening at Abraham Lincoln Unitarian Universalist Congregation. The couple’s original songs echo the sou

IT Picks | Thursday, August 16,2012

Transcendent talent

By Anita Stienstra

The Imagine Foundation in Jacksonville lives up to its motto, “Reaching out through the arts,” as it presents a night of other-worldly fun Aug. 17. Catered to adults 18 years and older, th

IT Picks | Thursday, August 16,2012

Power foursomes

By Anita Stienstra

Platinum-selling Vancouver four-man rock band Theory of a Deadman and Las Vegas quartet Adelitas Way open for rock giants Creed, Thursday, Aug. 16 at the Illinois State Fair Grandstand. Creed’s

IT Picks | Thursday, August 16,2012

Literary drama

By Anita Stienstra

Reserve your tickets now by phone for a performance of Prairie Voices and Lincoln and Shakespeare at Theatre in the Park indoor theater at Lincoln’s New Salem Sate Historic. Kevin Purcell direct

IT Picks | Thursday, August 9,2012

Fab four

By Anita Stienstra

The Fab Four cannot be replaced, but Beatles Tribute band American English comes darn-tooting close to bringing you the Fab Four. They take the stage at the Hoogland Center for Arts for two shows Aug.