Robin Williams – yup, here, too — my mind is full of him today. A friend and I had lunch recently. He was troubled deeply, cried as he told me his mother-in-law had killed herself while drunk. There seemed to be no clue — She had a boyfriend, passions to fill her life …. Folks […]
Anita Stienstra
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A look at 311
Springfield’s Thao Le ventured out to Three Sisters Park in Chillicothe this weekend to the 311 concert. Formed in the ’90s, the five-member alternative rock band is wrapping up their summer tour. Le reports that “the show was amazing. From the stunning light production to the lively instrumental solos, 311 knows how to entertain. New and […]
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Where there’s a will there’s a way
Tickets are still available for the rescheduled Willie Nelson concert taking place on Tuesday night, Aug. 12, at Sangamon Auditorium, UIS. We’re ecstatic Willie’s back in town. The incomparable Nelson continues to create as if there’s a fountain of youth inside his soul. Who else can boast a successful 60-year career with almost 300 albums, […]
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Family fun
PHOTO BY ERICKA HINE It’s that time of year again. The Illinois State Fair will be held Aug. 7-17. The Twilight Parade starts at 6 p.m. on Aug. 7. Great days for families are Friday, Aug. 15, which is Futures for Kids Day (activities for young kids and many of the contests take place); Saturday, […]
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Charming characters
Springfield Municipal Opera’s third show is Shrek the Musical directed by Craig Williams II. Eight shows at The Muni will each come alive with large-scale special effects, say show organizers. Explains Williams, “From his swampy home, Shrek, with his extensive prosthetic makeup, will emerge to fight a 30-foot-long dragon that breathes smoke, flies around the […]
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New ensemble
Springfield has a new professional choral ensemble. Meet the Gloriana Chamber Choir at their inaugural concert on Sunday, Aug. 3 at First Presbyterian Church. “Long Live Fair Oriana: A Concert of English Choral Music from the Lifetimes of Queen Elizabeth I and Queen Elizabeth II” will feature Benjamin Britten’s choral dances from Gloriana and madrigals from the […]
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Creation stories
Read up on your creation stories. Genesis, The Musical premiers Aug. 1 at Playhouse on the Square in Jacksonville. There are nine performances through Aug. 10. Written by playwrights Ken Bradbury of Arenzville and Roger Wainwright of Chatham, the musical is a rapid-fire synopsis of the first book of the Bible. Bradbury directs a 10-member […]
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Huge hoopla
PHOTO COURTESY JOAN JETTS FACEBOOK PAGE Decatur holds its annual downtown family street festival Aug. 1-3. If you’re not familiar with the Decatur Celebration – It’s huge! Everyone is certain to find something that will excite them. There’s a carnival; family night is Thursday, July 31, 4-11p.m. There’s a wine garden, food and art vendors, […]
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Wheel of a deal
PHOTO BY ED G2S VIA WIKIPEDIA.ORG Powerlight Abe Lincoln Supercruise and Car Show Spectacular begins Friday, Aug 1 with a car parade from Ace Hardware on Wabash Ave. to Quaker Steak and Lube on MacArthur. Afterwards, The Dark Knight and Back to the Future will be showing at the Route 66 Twin Drive In, in addition […]
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Eternal contemporary question
This is Kevin Stein. Who is Kevin Stein? He is the Illinois Poet Laureate, and has been since 2003. Stein teaches English at Bradley University. So why I am telling you about Kevin Stein? Because The New York Times today has an article (“Is Poetry Dead? Not if 45 Official Laureates Are Any Indication,” Jennifer Schuessle, July […]
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Until next time
The black tent was the closest shelter. I was worried about my phone and purse contents. Folks were crowded under the Myers Building overhang. It was really starting to pour. The sky was dark. Two people under the black tent trying to paint the pavement welcomed me. Ah, lucky me I thought, nice folks. Scanning […]
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Group gardens
University of Illinois Extension will host Roots to Rooftop Tour: Community Gardens, Urban Agriculture and a Rooftop Garden on Sunday, July 27. Extension educator Deborah Cavanaugh-Grant says that “each site will have a knowledgeable host who can talk about a number of topics, including different types of gardening, composting, beekeeping, permaculture, and more.” Sites include genHkids […]
