FEBRUARY
“Journey Into Abstract”
Wednesdays-Saturdays, 11am-5pm. Through March 29. This solo exhibit at The Underground Gallery features one of its juried artists and photographer, Gregory Pratt. springfieldart.org. Free. SAA Collective Gallery, 105 N. Fifth St., 217-523-2631.
“Layers”
Wednesdays-Saturdays, 11am-5pm. Through March 1. The first exhibit of 2025 is a striking collection of 2D and 3D artworks by select juried artist members. Each piece explores the concept of layers, inviting viewers to engage with its depth. springfieldart.org. Free. SAA Collective Gallery, 105 N. Fifth St., 217-544-2787.
Khasma Piano Duo
Sat., Feb. 8, 7:30-10pm. Fine Arts Series favorite Khasma Piano Duo returns again to Rammelkamp Chapel to perform on not just one, but two pianos. This concert will feature its current project, Trekking, in celebration of its 10th anniversary. It features seven new works commissioned by the duo and a collaboration with visual artist Chris Craychee. Illinois College Rammelkamp Chapel, Jacksonville, 215 Park St., 217-245-3000.
Special Recreation Sports Club
Fri., Feb. 14, 6:45-9:30pm and Fri., March 28, 6:45-9:30pm. Join a group of sports enthusiasts where every game is a big play and every victory is celebrated like a championship. This program is specifically for individuals with disabilities. For ages 13-plus. Register at bit.ly/SPDsports group. $10 resident and $12.50 non-resident per session. Nelson Center, 1601 N. Fifth St., 217-544-1751.
Refuge Ranch Pancake Breakfast
Sat., Feb. 15, 8-11am. Breakfast fundraiser. Refuge Ranch empowers at-risk youth and families through Christ-centered, equine-assisted programs. See the Facebook page for more info. $12, kids under 3 free. Cherry Hills Baptist Church, 2125 Woodside Road, (217) 498-7679.
Abraham Lincoln Route 66 Chili Cook-off
Sat., Feb. 15, 11am. Cook-off with sampling from cooks far and wide. Proceeds benefit the Shriners Hospital for Children and Springfield Dyslexic Center. Judging begins at 3pm. Evening of events includes bags tournament, trivia night, cash bar, silent auction. $10. Marian Banquet Hall, Riverton, 335 South 4th St., 217-793-7728, 217-691-2800.
Joe DeFrates Memorial Regional Chili Cook-off
Sun., Feb. 16, 11am. Ansar Shrine Patrol & Valley of Springfield Scottish Rite presents 21st Annual ‘Mister Chilli Man’ Joe DeFrates Memorial Regional Chili Cook-Off. Judging begins at 3 p.m. Includes all you can eat chili, silent auction, raffles. $10. Marian Banquet Hall, Riverton, 335 South Fourth St., 217-629-7202.
Rockology Friday Family Fun Night
Fri., Feb. 21, 6:30-7:30pm. Join geologists Justin and Sabrina Olson for this event in the Nature Center. Participants will get their hands on geodes and druse and learn the areas to explore in Illinois and the Midwest to find a wide range of minerals. Open to the public. lincolnmemorialgarden.org. Free. Lincoln Memorial Garden, 2301 E. Lake Shore Drive, 217-529-1111.
Anastasia: The Youth Edition
Fri., Feb. 21, 7pm, Sat., Feb. 22, 2, 7pm and Sun., Feb. 23, 2pm. Her past is a mystery. Her future is an adventure. Anastasia: The Youth Edition is the new musical about discovering who you are and defining who you’re meant to be. Performed by Hoogland Performing Arts Education Believers grades 4th-6th. hcfta.org. $18. 217-523-2787.
The Sound of Music Auditions
Sat., Feb. 22, 9am-5pm. Auditions are in one-hour slots from 9am to 5pm. Children’s auditions are at 4pm. Those auditioning should prepare a selection from the show to sing that shows off their vocal range and style. All will be asked to read. Everyone will be asked to read and there will be a movement and dance portion within the hour. springfieldtheatrecentre.com. Free. Springfield Theatre Centre, 420 S. Sixth St., 217-523-0878.
Mini Chess Tournament
Sat., Feb. 22, 10am-2pm. For ranked players and an introduction to competitive play for beginners. Open to the public, all ages and skill levels welcome. Participants will play three games, more games possible if time permits. In the multipurpose room on the second floor. Bring your own chess set. springfieldchessclub.com. Free. Lincoln Library, 326 S. Seventh St., 217-726-2584.
Woodlawn Farm Museum Open House
Sat., Feb. 22, 10am-3pm. This event provides a chance to learn the role Woodlawn Farm played in the Underground Railroad movement in the mid-1800s. Learn about the pioneers who settled the farm, and their efforts to assist slaves in gaining their freedom. woodlawnfarm.com. Adults $5, Students $3. Woodlawn Farm, Jacksonville, 1463 Geirke Lane, 217-243-5678.
Cabin Fever
Sat., Feb. 22, 1-4pm. A day filled with energy, excitement and endless fun for children ages 5-12 that will get them moving, playing and having a blast. Includes games and sports, creative play, fitness challenges and social time. springfieldparks.org. Free. Erin’s Pavilion, Southwind Park, 4965 S. Second St., 217-585-2941.
Legally Blonde The Musical
Fri., Feb. 28, 7pm, Sat., March 1, 2, 7pm and Sun., March 2, 2pm. See this musical comedy based on the hit movie about determination, resilience and being true to oneself. Presented by Rochester High School. rochester3a.net. $8-$10. Rochester High School, Rochester, 3 Rocket Drive, 217-498-9761.
MARCH
Springfield Polar Plunge
Sat., March 1, 12pm. This annual fundraising plunge into Lake Springfield supports Special Olympics Illinois, helping provide athletes with life-changing programing. Participants must register to plunge. support.soill.org. KC Lake Club, Chatham, 141 N. Lakewood Drive, 217-791-7291.
Mystery Movie Monday
First Monday of every month, 6pm. Through May 6. You won’t know the title of the film until the red velvet curtain opens on the Grand Screen. Movies from across the spectrum of genres will be shown: comedy, drama, suspense, musical, romance, western – everything but horror. Films will span from the early days of the 20th century to contemporary titles. $10. Free popcorn. The Legacy Theatre, 101 E. Lawrence Ave., 217-528-9760.
St. Patrick’s Day Parade
Sat., March 15. Kylee Kazenzki of Virden is the grand marshal. Kylee, a graduate student at Notre Dame University, made school history last year when she became the first female leprechaun to take the field at a Notre Dame football game Proceeds of the event will benefit St. John’s Breadline. This year’s theme is “Raise a Glass to the Irish Lass.” Downtown Springfield.
Million Dollar Time Machine
Sat., March 29, 8-10pm. This musical sensation is a tribute to 27 “million dollar” acts from the past. $49-$85. UIS Performing Arts Center, One University Plaza, 217-206-6160.
APRIL
Wisconsin Windigo vs. Springfield Jr. Blues
Fri., April 4, 7:05pm and Sat., April 5, 6:05pm. North American Hockey League (NAHL) action in the capital city. jrblues.com. Adults $10, youths 12 and older $6. Nelson Center Ice Arena, Lincoln Park, 1601 N. Fifth St., 217-525-2589.
Lincoln Presidential Half Marathon
Sat., April 5, 7:30am. This course will immerse runners in Lincoln history unlike any other race! The race starts and finishes at the Old State Capitol where Lincoln gave his House Divided speech and near his former law office. The course also goes by his home, through Oak Ridge Cemetery and other sites with ties to Lincoln. Hosted by Springfield Road Runners Club. srrc.net. $40 for volunteers, $80 for runners. Old State Capitol, 1 Old State Capitol Plaza, 217-492-5823.
Kids Good Grief Camp
Sun., April 6, 12-4pm. A supportive and fun camp for children ages 6-12 who have experienced the death of a loved one. Here they can share their experiences with other children, break down the isolation barrier and head towards an individual healing journey. Cost is $10 and scholarships are available. Register by March 24. $10, scholarships available. Erin’s Pavilion, Southwind Park, 4965 S. Second St., 312-890-2241.
2025 Central Illinois STEM Fair
Wed., April 9, 5:30-8pm. Hands-on activities to area school STEM showcases planned at Rochester High School’s Athletic Complex. The event showcases locally-available STEM activities for students covering a wide range of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics disciplines. Free. Rochester High School, Rochester, 3 Rocket Dr., 217-498-9761.
Relay for Life
Sat., April 12, 12-3pm. Help attack cancer in the community with this annual event at West Campus Track. Donations help fund groundbreaking cancer research, patient care programs, and can make a difference in communities. Every donation helps the American Cancer Society save lives. Sacred Heart-Griffin High School, 1200 W. Washington, 787-1595.
Blippi: Join the Band Tour!
Tue., April 15-8pm. Join Blippi to make music in the live Blippi: Join the Band Tour! show. Blippi will be joined onstage by Meekah, their singing and dancing buddies and live musicians to explore what makes music including sounds, rhythms and instruments, through all of Blippi’s favorite hits. Grab those drumsticks, tune up that guitar and move those feet with Blippi and get ready for a musical performance that’s fun for the whole family. Show contains flashing lights, haze (fog) and confetti. Ticket required. $24-$64. UIS Performing Arts Center, One University Plaza, 217-206-6160.
The SpongeBob Musical Youth Edition
Fri., April 25, 7pm, Sat., April 26, 2, 7pm and Sun., April 27, 2pm. When the citizens of Bikini Bottom discover that a volcano will soon erupt and destroy their humble home, SpongeBob and his friends must come together to save the fate of their undersea world. With lives hanging in the balance and all hope lost, a most unexpected hero rises up. The power of optimism really can save the world! An exciting new musical featuring irresistible characters and magical music, this deep-sea pearl of a show is set to make a splash with audiences young and old. hcfta.org. $18. Hoogland Center for the Arts LRS Theatre 1, 420 S. Sixth St., 217-523-2787.
Mr. Lincoln
Fri., April 25, 7:30pm, Sat., April 26, 7:30pm and Sun., April 27, 4pm. This one-person play by Herbert Mitgang stars John O’Connor as Abraham Lincoln. The play features both the folksy wisdom of Lincoln’s biography and the transcendent grandeur of his nation-healing words as president – healing that was cut short by an assassin’s bullet. Relying heavily on Lincoln’s own words, Mr. Lincoln brings theater and history together in a powerful collision to examine the life and times of one of the more powerful, if perplexing, figures in American history. hcfta.org. $20-$22. Hoogland Center for the Arts Peggy Ryder Theatre, 420 S. Sixth St., 217-523-2787.
This article appears in Spring 2025 February 2025.
