IT Picks

John James Audubon, Alexander Graham Bell, Thomas Alva Edison, George Washington Carver, Charles Darwin, Isaac Newton and John Roebling and other scientists and inventors come alive under the big tent in historical reenactments, storytelling, lectures, music and dance. Also, enjoy nightly communal suppers at 6 p.m. for $10. Prairieland Chautauqua: “Pioneers of Science and Invention”September […]

Singer/songwriter Zach Nichols performs at UIS this Saturday. This young musician combines folk, pop, rock, blues, jazz and soul, picking, strumming and singing in a style deemed a mix of Josh Kelley and Jonny Lang with the lyrical insight of Damien Rice. Nichols was nominated as Denver’s best singer/songwriter in 2006 and 2007 UIS Acoustic […]

The tastes and sounds of the world come to you right here in Springfield at the Illinois State Fairgrounds this weekend. Local ethnic groups cook up ethnic foods and entertain with music. If that isn’t enough, there will be some cultural activities to partake in. Ethnic FestivalFriday, September 45-11pmSat and Sun, September 5-612-11pmIL State Fairgrounds629-7871Free

The free morning performance features New York City slam poet, Shanelle Gabriel, best known from the HBO series Def Poetry Jam. Gabriel is an international slam poetry competitor, singer/songwriter and actor, presently touring the United States and abroad, facilitating creative writing workshops and promoting Lupus awareness. This is the first in a series of nationally […]

For the next week and a half, view 40 or 50 photos of Washington Park as far back as 1902 in an indoor park-like setting with classical music playing. The folks at the conservatory have done up this exhibit nicely for your viewing pleasure. The display chronicles the changes that have taken place in the […]

The Old Capitol Blues & BBQs is the place to be Saturday afternoon or evening to tantalize your taste buds and stimulate your ear drums. Thirty-seven BBQ entrants compete for prizes in rib, pulled pork and open division categories with 17 preparing and selling a variety of culinary favorites, such as, jerk chicken, Moroccan chicken […]

The weekend celebration in Lincoln colors the skies with 35 hot air balloons at the Logan County Airport, while more than 70 artists paint the Art Fair downtown in Latham Park. A couple of the attractions’ highlights include the balloon evening glow at dusk. Crews fire up their apparatuses in a synchronized light display that […]

Over the Moon Productions presents its inaugural production, a menagerie of scenes with singing, dancing and stage combat from five Shakespeare comedies and three sonnets. Kevin Purcell, OMP brainchild and Royal Shakespeare Company of New York City alum, takes the stage with two OTM Acting Ensemble members, Leigh Steiner and Aasne Vigesaa. Shakespeare Shorts also […]

If you attend the fair, make it a point to visit Ethnic Village. While you munch on tasty food from around the world, this weekend you will also see some great acts on the Ethnic Village Stage. Terran’s Greek Band plays 12-1 p.m. on Friday before African American Ensemble takes the stage at 2 p.m. […]

Calling all comic book fans. The Springfield Comic Book Convention zooms into town Sunday. Do you still need Incredible Hulk 181? Looking for a new book just out or a related collectible such as an X-men T-shirt? Do you need a few bucks and are willing to part with that old Spiderman comic book? Don’t […]

Springfield writer Bud Bartlett, author of the 2009 book Dollars, talks about the dollar coin and bill with Illinois quarter designer Thom Cicchelli, who shares his experiences with coin design following Bartlett’s presentation. Doors open 9:30 a.m. for free coffee and rolls. Tours of the poet’s home follow. This program coincides with the U.S. Mint’s […]