The All New Original Tribute to the Blues Brothers, the smash hit featuring cast members from the original London run, comes to Sangamon Auditorium, UIS on Saturday, Mar. 10. Jake and Elwood Blues once again don their iconic hats, sunglasses and suits to bring to life a host of the duo’s most memorable hits, including […]
IT Picks
Posted inArts & Culture
Colorful comedy
This Tony-award winning musical features puppets, with their masters in full view, but don’t let the furry little guys fool you – these fellows are more like the older dudes on Fraggle Rock than the youngin’s on Sesame Street. And their bite of sarcasm and realism makes this an adult-audience-only show. The story follows recent […]
Posted inArts & Culture
Hunks of burning love
Fifteen Elvis impersonators bring the magic and song of the King of Rock ’n’ Roll to the downtown Springfield Hilton March 9-10. With thousands of dollars in prize money at stake, the soiree promises to be a weekend of fierce competition and smoking, energetic entertainment. Two special guests spark the festivity’s fire even higher. Hollie […]
Posted inArts & Culture
Grand jetes
Last year’s dance and musical extravaganza Men in Tights sold out, so get in on the action now by purchasing your tickets by phone or online from the Hoogland Center for the Arts. The Springfield Ballet Company once again has a new cast of local men who will perform for you Friday, March 2. They […]
Posted inArts & Culture
Glam slam
If you’re a RuPaul’s Drag Race fan, you’ll love Springfield’s first ever Drag Race put on by the Phoenix Center of Springfield and Springfield PrideFest 2012. Six winners of the night’s performances will be featured at the May festival. The VIP party begins at 6:30 p.m. with food, cash bar and live music by Josie […]
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Flavorful freebies
The 14th annual Illinois Products Expo at the Illinois State Fairgrounds is a great place to get introduced to foods grown and products made in this state. More than 70 companies will have free food samples and items for purchase, such as soy candles and agricultural-based soap and lotions. Don’t miss an event favorite, the Illinois […]
Posted inArts & Culture
Great circles
Matthew Schultz’s newest body of work will be on display at the Springfield Art Association through March with an opening reception Saturday, March 3, from 5:30-7:30 p.m. Shultz is a local multi-media artist and experimental musician whose exhibit will not only feature 30 of his more than 100 mandalas, but includes an accompaniment of his […]
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Harping on
Concertgoers are in for a treat as critically-acclaimed harpist Bridget Kibbey plays with the Illinois Symphony Orchestra on Saturday, Feb. 25, at Sangamon Auditorium, UIS. “Ecstatic & Exotic Music” showcases the exotic sounds of Spanish serenades and ethereal bliss. Guest conductor is music director candidate Rei Hotoda, assistant conductor of the Dallas Symphony Orchestra, who […]
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Local lore
The Springfield and Central Illinois African-American History Museum hosts a Grand Opening Gala on Thursday, Feb. 23 at its new location on the second floor of the National Museum of Surveying, Inc. Featured is the photography exhibit “African-American Life and Contributions to Springfield in 1930s, 1940s and 1950s,” by Winfred “Doc” Helm, state photographer from […]
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Sons of anarchy
Friday, Feb. 24 is opening night of UIS Theatre’s faculty-showcase production of Sam Shepard’s True West. The story follows two estranged brothers who, once reunited, still mix like water and oil, particularly when older brother Lee’s swindling ways interfere with Austin’s screenplay pitch to a Hollywood producer. Directed by Missy Thibodeaux-Thompson and starring Eric Thibodeaux-Thompson […]
Posted inArts & Culture
Queen of minor key
Singer/songwriter Eilen Jewell is Boston-based, but don’t let that fool you. This country and blues-infused contemporary folk or alt-country singer, blessed with a hint of Billie Holiday, was born in Idaho, schooled in Santa Fe, lived in LA, and has performed all around the world. Her first album, Boundary Country, led to signing with Signature […]
Posted inArts & Culture
Song and story
The Illinois Central Blues Club and Illinois State Museum host a free program, History of the Blues, at the museum on Sunday, Feb. 19, in recognition of Black History Month. Blues aficionado Fernando Jones and his band, My Band, will play and talk about the history of the genre. Jones, a Columbia College music professor […]
