IT Picks

Alien invasion Before there was TV there was radio and when reports of aliens landing were sent across the airwaves the nation went into chaos. In 1938, when Orson Welles broadcast War of the Worlds, thousands were frightened as they listened to reports of an alien attack. Descriptions of a meteorite landing in Grover’s Mill, […]

Halloween debut Dress the kids to win as they debut their costumes during “Halloween at the Market.” Springfield Moms is holding a costume contest complete with prizes. First place in each category receives a $40 gift card, second-place winners receive a $20 gift card and third-place winners receive a $15 gift card. Categories are ages […]

Rock fiends A cult following and hardcore lyrics are all The Misfits need to rock a show. Performing hits like “American Psycho” and “Monster Mash,” the classic three-chord progression of The Misfits is sure to set Springfield on fire. The band was formed in Lodi, N.J., in 1977. They resurrected from a 10-year breakup to […]

Political circus It’s politics as usual in Washington, D.C., until two brothers decide to change the game. Lincolnesque, a political satire written by John Strand, takes a poignant look at politics and what happens when delusion meets ambition. Leo writes speeches for a mediocre candidate and needs inspiration. Things get interesting when he begins to […]

Apple fest The 26th annual Broom Orchard Apple Festival marks the beginning of long cool nights and the Illinois harvest. The festival is a family friendly way to enjoy the pleasures of fall and the comfort of sweet apple cider. Take a wagon wide ride through Broom Orchard and breathe in the crisp country air. […]

Journey through film Compelling film takes you to another place and with 49 movies available at the Route 66 Film Festival the destinations are endless. The festival helps aspiring filmmakers gain recognition and the word has spread. This year the judges received entries from Paris to Little Rock, Ark. resulting in a film festival featuring […]

Sing his glory The Basuah Gospel Festival descends on Springfield to praise the Lord with song and dance. Smokie Norful and Vanessa Bell Armstrong, two of the biggest names in gospel, will come together to usher in the Holy Spirit with powerful vocals. The label mates will perform their hits, “He’s So Good to Me,” […]

The days of Abe Experience the life and times of Abraham Lincoln at the 10th Prairieland Chautauqua “The Age of Lincoln.” The four-day bicentennial celebration will include everything from the music to the food that pleased the palate of “Honest Abe.” Stories and poetry about Lincoln’s life will retell the trials and victories Lincoln faced […]

Rock it If you weren’t buying cassette tapes in the 1980s, then you probably only know the band Poison from lead singer Bret Michaels’ turn on Rock of Love, in which a gaggle of scantily clad liquor-guzzling “ladies”vie for his affections. But Michaels’ band was so much more. The quintessential glam-metal band of the decade, […]

OPPOSITES ATTRACT Since Felix Unger and Oscar Madison hit the boards in Neil Simon’s 1965 production of The Odd Couple, there’s been no better way to describe a friendship of polar opposites than to invoke neat freak Felix and slovenly Oscar. This Saturday, some of Springfield’s favorite actors present a reading of Oscar and Felix: […]

Joy City After retiring the Springfield-based Lincoln Fest, festival promoter Fred Puglia searched for a new location for a community festival. Our neighbor to the east took up the offer, and the Decatur Celebration was born. Considered Illinois’ largest free family street festival, the event — with the theme “Dancing in the Streets — hosts […]