This two-day, outdoor blues music festival offers something for everyone, from awesome blues tunes to mouthwatering barbecue delights such as ribs, pulled pork, brisket, wings and more. A dozen food vendors will be present. Don’t forget the craft brews and other thirst-quenching drinks to beat the heat. This year is the event’s 19th, and organizer […]
Daron Walker
Posted inArts & Culture
Miniature Butter Cow Contest becoming a tradition, too
The iconic butter cow sculpture is a perennial “must-see” at the Illinois State Fair. Since the 1920s, the life-size figure traditionally made of 500 pounds of unsalted butter has drawn crowds of fairgoers to the Dairy Building. Bessie and her friends in the exhibit are no longer the only butter sculptures there, though, after a […]
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Organization works to preserve history of north end plant
The Pillsbury Mills plant has been closed since 2001, but “office hours” are continuing there every Tuesday morning through Sept. 26. Former Pillsbury employees, neighbors, retirees and families are invited to spend some time with site owner Moving Pillsbury Forward in a shaded, indoor sitting area on the south loading dock. It’s all a part […]
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Chatham Jaycees host 48th annual event
Chatham’s big summer event featuring that delicious, golden food staple is almost here. Yes, we’re talking about none other than the long-running, annual Sweet Corn Festival by the Chatham Jaycees. Things start at 5 p.m. Friday with a ribbon-cutting ceremony, Little Miss Sweet Corn pageant, games for children, more than 70 vendors and, of course, […]
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New musical commemorates history of Blacks in America
A show that chronicles Black history in America is heading to the capital city, thanks to the Springfield and Central Illinois African American History Museum. Chicago playwright and producer Ted Williams III’s 1619: The Journey of a People features three modern characters who lead the audience on a trip through time with performances set during […]
Posted inSpecial Issues
Explore Your Community
As events may be canceled or rescheduled at the last moment, please first check with the host or venue when making plans to attend an event. ONGOING Farmers Market Sundays, June 25, July 2, 16 and 30, Aug. 6 and 20, 10am-2pm. Farmers market plus a flea market, crafts and food trucks. Call for more […]
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Tennessee Williams production is partly autobiographical
Imagine you and a sibling are actors in a traveling acting troupe. One day the group deserts you both at a dilapidated “state theater in a state unknown.” What happens next? That’s the scene for the partly autobiographical The Two Character Play by the great Tennessee Williams, who wrote it late in his career. The […]
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Sentenced to Life: The Path to Redemption and Freedom for Prisoner E-25212
Curtis Roberts, now a Springfield resident, served 29 years in prison for three robberies totaling $116 due to the “three strikes” law. His story was shared on an Ear Hustle podcast in 2017, which gained 750,000 listeners almost overnight. Ted Koppel, Bryant Gumbel, the PBS News Hour and many others interviewed him while he was […]
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Festival of films by and about women
Film fans, you don’t want to miss this one. LUNAFEST, hosted by the Springfield Branch of the American Association of University Women (AAUW), is an annual traveling festival that showcases seven short films written and directed by women and gender nonconforming filmmakers from all walks of life. The films, featuring themes of friendship, bravery and […]
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Spring Guide Calendar
“Dreaming” Fridays, Saturdays, 12-6pm, through April 29. View all new work in a wide range of media such as blown glass, glass mosaic, graphite, metal work, mixed media, paintings in both acrylic and oil, pastels, photography and sculpture. Free. The Pharmacy Gallery and Art Space, 623 E. Adams St., 217-899-9786. pharmacygallery.com. Friday Nights at DIM […]
Posted inSpecial Issues
Explore Your Community
As events may be canceled or rescheduled at the last moment, please first check with the host or venue when making plans to attend an event. MARCH “Dreaming” Fridays, Saturdays, 12-6pm. Through April 29. The Pharmacy’s first 2023 quarterly exhibit, “Dreaming”, continues with works including pieces by emerging artist Elijah Miller. View a wide range […]
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Annual parade to draw thousands
The St. Patrick’s Day Parade once again will roll through downtown starting at noon Saturday. And barring inclement weather, thousands of green-clad revelers are expected to turn out for this popular celebration. The parade route remains the same. It will form up at the Horace Mann parking lot and surrounding area. The parade will travel […]
