For those missing the downtown Farmers Market, the Holiday Farmers Market takes place Saturday, Nov. 19 at the Artisans Building on the Illinois State Fairgrounds. All your Thanksgiving dinner needs can be found here: meats, eggs, cheeses, veggies, Illinois wine and more. You can also purchase holiday gifts, hot drinks and lunch. The market is […]
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Posted inArts & Culture
Branches of brilliance
Looking for a little Christmas spirit in November? Memorial’s Festival of Trees at the Orr Building Nov. 19-27 is a must for pre-season holiday cheer. You can walk around and see more than 150 trees and wreaths decorated by organizations and individuals. Various dancers, bands and singers perform. Other attractions include: children’s craft area, Santa, […]
Posted inArts & Culture
Strings of fire
Grab your hats for this Fast and Furious family concert at Sangamon Auditorium, UIS, featuring electrifying violinist Nicolas Kendall and music director candidate and guest conductor Alastair Willis. Hear John Adams’ popular “Short Ride in a Fast Machine,” Chris Brubeck’s “Spontaneous Combustion” and Beethoven’s “Fifth Symphony.” Kendall is also a member of the genre-defying trio […]
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Artisan gifts
The Twice Giving Gift Shop on the campus of the Midwest Distribution Center in Chatham opens its doors Saturday, Nov. 19, offering unique, handcrafted items made by artisans from around the world including local artisans. Enjoy cookies and wassail while shopping for every one on your list. The Midwest Distribution Center, a disaster relief facility, […]
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Devine fiber-bearer
The public, especially families, are invited to the Springfield Riverside Alpacafest Nov. 12-13 at the Illinois State Fairgrounds. All weekend you can watch the competitive show as over 150 alpacas from Illinois and surrounding states are judged. See and pet an alpaca and visit with the folks raising them. Browse the vendors selling alpaca products […]
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Contemporary interpretations
Best Christmas music artist of all time with 27 million albums sold, platinum-selling Mannheim Steamroller opens up the holiday season in Springfield with a November concert at Sangamon Auditorium, UIS. The concert features multimedia images and synchronized lighting and special effects in harmony with the enchanting contemporary and classic sounds that Mannheim Steamroller by Chip […]
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Giving back
Here’s something you can do to show your support for veterans this year on Veterans Day, Nov. 11. Fifth Street Renaissance is holding a collection at the construction site of their new shelter. The 16-bed facility will offer transitional, independent living for homeless and disabled veterans. The center needs items that anyone would need to […]
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Colorful musical
Elizabeth Eckert and Matthew Vala (pictured) take the lead in Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat during six performances at the Hoogland Center for the Arts. The popular Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice musical is based on the biblical story of Joseph and his multi-colored coat. The production features a multitude of musical genres from […]
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Ukulele master
Here’s a guy who plays ukulele like no one else. Witness Jake Shimabukuro’s amazing skill at the University of Illinois Springfield Studio Theater on Nov. 8. All Music Guide compares Shimabukuro aptly to other masters-of-their-instruments – Jimi Hendrix on guitar and Miles Davis on trumpet. The Hawaiian musician’s dynamics and rhythms translate into tunes that […]
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Everlasting cells
Rebecca Skloot is one of the younger chicks in the henhouse, but her debut book proves she’s one of the smarter chicks in the coop. The Chicago award-winning science writer, now New York Times bestseller author, will talk and sign books at Sangamon Auditorium, UIS, Nov. 9. Skloot’s work, The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks, […]
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Choice metal
The Metal Gods, aka, Judas Priest, rise from the dread to rush Springfield’s Prairie Capital Convention Center on Nov. 9. The Priest’s worldwide, end-of-the-band Epitaph Tour and farewell excursion is on the sabbath of their compilation album, The Chosen Few, with tracks selected by other heavy metal deities such as Ozzy Osbourne and Dee Snider. […]
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Acoustical cuts
Singer-songwriter Bryan Adams performs an acoustic concert at Sangamon Auditorium, UIS Nov. 1. The tour is named after Adams’ current release Bare Bones, a live acoustic collection of hits from his career including “Cuts Like A Knife,” “Summer of ’69,” “(Everything I Do) I Do It For You,” “Heaven” and others. The Grammy-award-winning musician has […]
