Sharon Graf, associate professor of ethnomusicology at University of Illinois Springfield, will speak on the culture of the little known geographic area of Tonga. Her presentation is based on participant observation data collected in Tonga and other Pacific islands in 2010-11 and follow-up fieldwork completed in 2017. Graf will examine the interactions between local artists, […]
Stacie Lewis
Al-Anon Family Groups
Alateen is a peer support group for teenagers who are struggling with the effects of someone else’s problem drinking or drug use. At Alateen meetings, teenagers meet to share their experiences and help find solutions to problems, learn effective ways to cope with difficult circumstances and to encourage one another. Al-Anon is a mutual support […]
Poetry and Fiction
The Vachel Lindsay Association is offering a poetry and fiction writing camp for students aged 13 to 18. Students will study basic elements of poetry and experience a broad range of classic and contemporary poetry. They will use the study of those poems as a springboard for their own work. The students will also learn […]
243 Years and Counting
Where to begin? It seems that the IT calendar is full of holiday happenings for this year’s Fourth of July. You can choose to go big with live music, food galore, bustling crowds and spectacular fireworks displays at hot spots such as Knight’s Action Park, Rock the Dock at the marina or at the Levitt […]
A musical romantic comedy
The Legacy Theatre heats up the stage once again with the smash Broadway musical Hairspray. The popular American musical that opened on Broadway in 2002 has won eight Tony Awards, including one for best musical, and it continues to be one of the most widely presented musicals today. Based on a 1988 cult film by […]
Stuck in that awkward space between birth and death
Urgent Care is a 50-year survey celebrating Thomas Skomski’s career as one of Illinois’ finest sculptors. Many area residents have already experienced Thomas Skomski’s work. His Impermanent Column, the stone column sculpture on the campus of the University of Illinois Springfield is hard to miss. His art honors life’s struggles. It reflects our times and […]
Community Block Party
The Springfield Art Association (SAA) is hosting a community block party where you can paint the streets of downtown. Each registrant will receive a 6×6 foot square to paint solo or with family, co-workers, clubs or sports teams – up to six painters can work on one square. The painting will begin at 12 p.m. […]
Shakespeare meets the Jazz Age�
This comedy, written by William Shakespeare in the 1590s, portrays the events surrounding the marriage of Theseus, the Duke of Athens, to Hippolyta, including the adventures of young Athenian lovers and a group of amateur actors who are controlled and manipulated by fairies who inhabit the forest. This particular adaptation of Midsummer Night’s Dream, directed […]
Concert season
Municipal bands are a tradition in many towns and cities nationwide, and Springfield is fortunate to have one. In fact, for over 80 years the Springfield Municipal Band has been providing summer entertainment for devoted followers and fans. The band is managed by Ken Pratt who has a bachelor’s in music theory and jazz studies, […]
History Comes Alive
The history of cricket goes back to 16th century England. It later made a successful leap across the Atlantic and eventually made its way to this area by the early 1800s. For a time, it was almost as popular as baseball. Visitors to Edwards Place can try their hand at this venerable English tradition with […]
Summer Celebrations
Want to escape the heat of the city and see what is going on in other parts of central Illinois? Some small towns put on big summer events and they are worth the extra miles to get to them. If you decide to venture beyond Springfield proper, check out these fairs, festivals and celebrations. Assumption […]
Central Illinois events for 50-PLUS-ers
Fine Craft Fair Jun 13, 9am-5pm Thu. Dozens of local and regional artisans showcase their finest jewelry, sculpture, glass art, painting, wood crafts, handbags and apparel. The Gables, 2800 Plaza Dr., 793-3344. thegablesofspringfield.com. Tales from the Vault Jun 13, 12pm Thu. One-of-a-kind items from WWII will be displayed and a historian will be on […]
