Fun is front and center in this Universe Realizing their mistake in passing up the opportunity to license toys for a little movie named Star Wars, the suits at Mattel charged their head designer, Roger Sweet, with coming up with something to rival George Lucas’ universe. Released in 1982, the result was Masters of the […]
Arts & Culture
Posted inPoetry
Romance Poem
I grew up during WW2 when gas and tires were rationed. A couple times when an in-town boyfriend wanted me to come over, his folks being out, I’d ride my horse downtown. But how could we pitch a little woo with a horse tied up in the driveway whistling through his nose while stamping impatiently […]
Posted inIT Picks
We Are Warped Festival
LIVE MUSIC | Hear seven bands and help the APL, too OK, music fans, here’s your chance to see seven bands in one place this weekend – this festival featuring pop punk, emo, funk and rock at The Blue Grouch. Hosted by The Warped Kids, the event is a tribute to the Warped Tour. On […]
Posted inArts & Culture
Caitlin Becker and Brittney Ballenger interview
This week on The Mosaic Project, Tony Stang sat down with Bloom Wine Bar & Florals founders Caitlin Becker and Brittney Ballenger, two young entrepreneurs who are investing their creativity, energy and future in downtown Springfield. Through Bloom, they are creating more than a business; they are cultivating beauty, connection, and a sense of belonging. […]
Posted inCommunity & Lifestyle
Reflecting on a year of progress and what’s ahead for UIS
A few weeks ago, I stood on the stage of the Bank of Springfield Center, shaking the hands of more than 1,000 University of Illinois Springfield students who earned their degrees this year. Each graduate represents a story of perseverance, growth and achievement. It is a privilege to celebrate those journeys and to see the […]
Posted inArts & Culture
Artist in the Park kicks off 2026 season
The Springfield Area Arts Council is celebrating a successful start to the 2026 Artist in the Park at Food Truck Fridays season after welcoming nearly 200 attendees to the kickoff event on May 29. The organization invites the community to join them for the remaining nine weeks of free live entertainment in downtown Springfield. Held […]
Posted inUncategorized
A common endeavor
As the 250th anniversary of our country’s founding approaches, rather than celebratory peals, millions of Americans will be hearing alarm bells ringing as they witness the daily erosion of traditional American ideals such as freedom, justice and equality. Of course, this country has never fully lived up to these ideals; even so, they have served […]
Posted inArts & Culture
“Who’s your daddy?”
Since its world premiere in 1999, Mamma Mia! has been a continuous fixture of the theatrical landscape, drawing crowds with its timeless 70s soundtrack. Co-directors Morgan Kaplan and Andrew Maynerich are on their second go-round of this iconic, disco fever show after having directed it previously at Sacred-Heart Griffin High School. “We wanted to take […]
Posted inPoetry
By An Anonymous Student
All my life I’ve wanted someone tocare about me, someone to understand.I never realized until lately that the mostobvious person to do this and the most important is myself! I am the onlyperson who can truly know my thoughts,actions, and intentions.  This makes me the logical one to understand myself at the many stages of my life. That’s […]
Posted inIT Picks
A new downtown festival is born
This inaugural, family-friendly event is a celebration of art, culture and community. It will feature more than 20 local artisans displaying their creations, musical and dance performances, children’s activities, craft areas, food and more. The event begins with a performance by the Springfield Youth Performance Group at 11 a.m. followed by a presentation by the […]
Posted inFilm
Pressure is gripping from start to finish, Miss lacks emotional honesty
Unwavering determination at the core of Pressure It’s hard to grasp the scope and planning that went into the D-Day invasion that occurred on June 6, 1944. Preparations began in mid-1943 that would result in the deployment of over 156,000 Allied Forces soldiers over a 50-mile stretch of beach across two time zones. Seven million […]
Posted inCommunity & Lifestyle
Illinois College to host Camp College
Local middle and high school students are invited to the Illinois College campus this summer for Camp College, a two-day immersive experience designed to introduce students to STEAM projects, college life and career exploration. The camp will take place June 15 – 16 and is open to rising sixth graders through eight graders and rising […]
