Anita Stienstra

The picturesque Presbyterian Sanctuary hosts four distinct musical acts during First Night Springfield that you are sure to enjoy. Representing the sound and dance of Ireland, Wales and Scotland are the St. Andrew’s Society Pipes, Drums and Celtic Dancers. The Four Sopranos belt out beautiful gospel tunes. Rudy Zuiderveld performs a Brombaugh Opus 35 Pipe […]

Enjoy after-Christmas blues of the best kind with the Sally Weisenburg Blues Trio. From Peoria, Sally (vocals, keyboards and keyboard bass) Don Berbaum (guitar, harmonica, vocals) and Tony Corpus (drums) execute their professional sound of blues and R&B during the Illinois Central Blues Club Blue Monday at the Alamo. Held every Monday, musicians are encouraged […]

Discover how the Lincolns celebrated Christmas when you take a tour through the Lincoln Home during the last week of December. Ranger-guided tours start at 9 a.m., with the last tour around4:30 p.m. Don’t miss seeing the Lincolns’ Christmas feast on their dining table, inclusive of oysters, one of Abe’s favorite Christmas foods. See where […]

Check out our calendar under the category, “Faith,” for Christmas Eve and Christmas services at Springfield churches. Many offer candlelight and music. If you want to combine prayer with a beneficent deed, the folks at First Church of the Brethren, with the help of community volunteers, prepare meals for nearly 200 people on Christmas Day, […]

Most business owners close up shop and spend time with their families on Christmas Day. Hence, many restaurants are closed. The Temple understood that some folks might want to eat out before or after church services, while others just want a good meal or the company of others on Christmas morning. So they decided to […]

Hold onto your scarves or other loose clothing and get ready to be blown away by Gordon Productions’ rendition of the hilarious 90-minute stage show, Every Christmas Story Ever Told. Joey Cruse, Gus Gordon and Johnny Molson play three actors who, after abandoning a boring Christmas program, rocket through all the holiday stories and carols […]

If your home harbors a scratching pad or climbing tower, cans of kitty chow or long pole-like contraptions with string that your feline favors, you must head north to Lincoln on Monday evening. The Amazing Acro-Cats from Chicago are the Cirque du Soleil of the animal kingdom. They jump through wreaths, roll ornaments, push a […]

While Christmas-light cruising on Sunday with the family, drive by the Dana-Thomas house so the kids can see the 12,600 square foot Prairie-style structure alit in candle moonlight. Better yet, plan a trip to see the 950 candles in paper sacks lining the sidewalks and horizontal ledges and exit the car to take an evening […]

Dress in your warm coat, gloves and hat for a 20-minute outdoor journey with a wise man through scenes where costumed characters reveal the story of Jesus’ birth. Journeys start every four minutes and end at a live nativity. Journey to BethlehemSaturday, December 12Sunday, December 135:30-8:30pmWestern Oaks Baptist Church 5345 Old Jacksonville Rd698-8622Free

Who doesn’t love Tuscany’s ambience and old world charm? See the beauty captured by the distinctive and fresh eyes of eight Robert Morris University students who studied for five weeks under international photographer David Weiss (once a student of Annie Liebowitz). The juried selections feature Cinque Terre, Maremma and Tuscany’s capital city, Florence. Pictured is […]

Even though winter hasn’t officially arrived, bundle up and take a closer look at the garden on the cusp of the prairie’s winter preparation. Join arborist Larry Miller for a December hike and learn to identify trees by their buds, see what birds flock the feeders and spy other late fall wonders. Hot chocolate served […]

Select your seat around a roaring bonfire and croon Christmas carols with others, accompanied by bells. This free family singalong and outdoor holiday shindig even has cookies and hot cocoa and a free souvenir songbook for everyone in attendance. Santa visits from 5-5:30pm. Caroling at the CarillonSunday, December 134:30-5:30pmWashington Park Rees Memorial Carillon W. Fayette […]