After experiencing the wild and wooly St. Patrick’s Day Marching Band Parade I must admit to ambivalent feelings. The partier in me goes, “Woo-hoo! This is awesome!” and the kinder, gentler side looks around at the trash littering the streets and stumbling drunks on the sidewalks and thinks, “We should be proud of this?” I […]
IT Picks
Posted inArts & Culture
Country titan
Willie Nelson performs for central Illinois fans as his Country Throwdown tour moves through Springfield stopping at the Prairie Capital Convention Center. If Nelson could be called the anything of country music – the most appropriate might be – the titan of country music. This singer/songwriter is legendary; his fame is so widespread and fine-aged, […]
Posted inArts & Culture
Life directives
If you relished Don Piper’s New York Times multimillion-bestseller, 90 Minutes in Heaven, and its sequel, Heaven Is Real, based on his taste of death in 1989 from a car accident, you’ll want to be at Barnes and Noble March 12. The author will sign copies of his newest book, Getting to Heaven: Departing Instructions […]
Posted inArts & Culture
Accents of Americana
World-famous folk songwriter and songster Arlo Guthrie performs March 16 in Springfield on his Journey On Tour with special guests The Burns Sisters. Listen to well-known classics such as his 1967 hit, “Alice’s Restaurant,” and the ’72 rendition of “City of New Orleans.” An accomplished musician who plays piano, six and twelve-string guitar, harmonica and […]
Posted inArts & Culture
Dark farce
This dark and humorous play is about a lunch date that goes all wrong between an elderly mother and her two children as a secret is exposed. Springfield Theatre Centre boasts being the first amateur production of this play, written by award-winning Chicago playwright Joel Drake Johnson and directed by Pat Pennington. Cast members include […]
Posted inArts & Culture
Spiritual soloist
Chicago singer/songwriter who won Hawaii’s version of the Grammy for favorite pop recording artist and opened for Melissa Etheridge sings spiritual and secular tunes. Kim-Char Meredith Saturday, Mar. 12, 7-8pm Unity Church417 Cordelia St.523-5897$15 love offering
Posted inArts & Culture
Jazz divas salute Ella
Chicago jazz divas Frieda Lee, Spider Saloff, pictured, and Dee Alexander play tribute to the late-great first lady of song, Ella Fitzgerald. The Windy City trio love Ella so much, and fell in love working together, that they took their tribute on the road. For tickets visit www.hcfta.org or phone 523-2787. For more info on […]
Posted inArts & Culture
Hair today, unprocessed tomorrow
March 9, the University of Illinois Springfield Engaged Citizenship Common Experience Speakers Series presents the documentary, Natural Women, and a discussion with filmmaker Cindy Hurst. Natural Women chronicles the journey of a diverse sampling of African-American women who decided to wear their hair in its natural state. Also interviewed are Psychologists Dr. Na’im Akbar and […]
Posted inArts & Culture
American-made trio
Chicago’s The Modern Sounds are a trio mixing vocals, guitar, string bass and drums to play a plethora of music from the 30s, 40s and 50s. These guys look good, play good, sound good, and that equals a great night of music for you. An evening bonus, singer/songwriter and double-neck guitar guru, Deke Dickerson, returns […]
Posted inArts & Culture
Shades of blue and great
Electric and acoustic blues will rock and sway Sangamon Auditorium, UIS on March 4 in what should be a fabulous show. Rock and Roll Hall of Famers and former Jefferson Airplane members, Jorma Kaukonen and Jack Casady team up with blues icon Charlie Musselwhite and two-time Grammy-winner Jim Lauderdale. Legends Kaukonen and Casady founded the […]
Posted inArts & Culture
The texture of accumulation
A new exhibit at the Springfield Art Association opens Thursday, March 3, with an opening reception on Friday, March 4, from 5-8 p.m. Pastiche features four American artists who each achieve, through different media and layering, a harmonious world of texture. Tennessee’s Anne Bagby builds, births and grows pattern, shape and color using paint and […]
Posted inArts & Culture
Chief conversation
The primary is over. Head out March 2 to the first Mayoral Candidates Forum in Lincoln Library’s Carnegie Room hosted by the Faith Coalition for the Common Good. This is another important conversation between the four contenders left who will vie for Springfield’s top post in April. Be informed. Make the right decision about who […]
