THEATER | Poetic performance World renowned St. Louis Black Repertory Company, known as The Black Rep,
performs The Strong Men at the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Museum Friday night. The show, also tagged
as a choreo-poem, displays powerful voices and delicate humor of
African-Americans who have made major contributions to American history. It
features selected poems by James Weldon Johnson and Langston Hughes.
Reservations are required for this 50-minute show, followed by a question and
answer session with the actors.
St. Louis Black Repertory’s
The Strong Men
Friday, Apr 3
7pm
Union Theater
Abraham Lincoln
Presidential Museum
212 N. Fifth St.
558-8934
Free
SCIENCE | Star extravaganza
The University of Illinois at Springfield, in partnership with the Sangamon
Astronomical Society, has a series of events planned for this weekend in
connection with 100 Hours of Astronomy to celebrate the International Year of
Astronomy 2009. In addition to the regular Friday night star party, a special
star party takes place Saturday at Centennial Park, on Springfield’s west side, and Sunday for the disabled at UIS’s observatory. A highlight of the weekend occurs Sunday, when UIS professors
Charles Schweighauser and John Martin provide a presentation on the sun. As a
bonus, participants may view the sun through special equipment following the
lecture, weather permitting. No reservations are required for these events,
except the star party for the disabled.
100 Hours of Astronomy
Friday, Apr 3
8-10pm
UIS Barber Observatory
Saturday, Apr 4
4-9pm
Centennial Park
Sunday, Apr 5
1-3pm
UIS PAC, Conference Room F
206-6721
http://www.uis.edu/astronomy/
about/iya2009.html
Free
ART | Walking visions
This year’s self-guided art tour in Downtown Springfield includes the musical performance
of Second Harvest live on the South Plaza of the Old State Capitol and Fashion Afrique’s informational session, Tour of Africa, African cuisine and a drumming demonstration. Maps are available at
participanting merchants: Del’s Popcorn Shop, Fashion Afrique, House of Gifts, Mangia Bene, Two Olives
Cantina, Prairie Art Alliance, Petals and Accents, Recycled Records, RMD
Gallery, Robert Morris Gallery, Sammy’s Sports Bar, Springfield Novelties and Gifts, Studio on 6th, The Blue Door,
Tinsley Dry Goods and Trout Lily Café. After 5 p.m., park free on the street or at the parking garage adjacent to the
Hoogland Center for the Arts.
Downtown Art Walks
Thursday, Apr 2
5-8pm
Downtown Springfield
Free
MUSIC | Soothing sounds
Neha Mhaskar, Chandana Nandi, Kamal Chopra, Gyanesh and Bhupen Thakkar lead
Kirtan, an evening of music, chanting and meditation at Namaste Yoga. The
kirtan is one of the oldest sacred music traditions of the world. Originating
in India, it involves a call-and-response chanting of Sanskrit mantras that
carries one effortlessly to a place of quiet, stillness and inner peace. The
purpose of this music is to get out of one’s head and into one’s heart. Everyone can participate, regardless of age, cultural background or
musical ability.
Kirtan
Saturday, Apr 4
7pm
Namaste Yoga
907 Clocktower Dr.
698-8177
Free, RSVP
BAND SPOTLIGHT | The White Lightnin’ Band
If you’re looking for classic country without the amped-up, modern country, rock
crossover, chic currently in style, do yourself a favor and take a listen to
The White Lightnin’ Band. Fronted by Gene Fore, whose band the Foremen carried on locally for years
as one of the best purveyors of country music, the group proudly proclaims a
dedication to the preservation of classic country music. Some ‘50s and Southern rock tunes creep into the song list, but the focus remains on
honky-tonk, sawdust-on-the-floor, beer drinkin’ tunes from the likes of Williams, Jones, Cash, Haggard, Jenningsâ¨â¨and Nelson.
Fore is joined by Brett Seiber on lead guitar, fiddle and vocals; Jeff Fore on
guitar and vocals; Jerry Turley on bass guitar and vocals, and Rich “Lute” Olsen on drums.
The White Lightnin’ Band
Sat. April 4, 8:30pm
Final Four, Sherman
This article appears in Mar 26 – Apr 1, 2009.
