IT Picks

Counting today, there are four more days of the Illinois State Fair. Have you been yet? It’s not too late, you know, to get a corndog at Vose’s, see a Grandstand show or take that ride on the Sky Glider. Once again, the Grandstand has a great lineup of remaining shows with the Jonas Brothers […]

Beauty and the Beast Fri., Aug. 9, 7-8 p.m., and Saturday, Aug. 10, 1-2 p.m., 3-4 p.m., 5-6 p.m. The Legacy Theatre 101 E. Lawrence St.800-838-3006 atthelegacy.com This is the classic tale of Belle,a kind-hearted young woman who finds herself imprisoned in a castle by a fearsome Beast. Belle discovers the Beast’s gentle soul hidden […]

The Dance Arts Youth Company and Dance Arts Studio combine memorable music and dancing in this retelling of the famous German fairy tale first recorded by the Brothers Grimm. This version of the famous tale follows “the enchanting adventure of a lost princess as she discovers who she really is – all while standing up […]

Macbeth July 25-28, 7:30 p.m. Theatre in the Park New Salem Historic Site 15588 History Lane, Petersburg 217-725-0239 theatreinthepark.net Abraham Lincoln once remarked, “I think nothing equals Macbeth.” The nation’s future 16th president cherished Shakespeare’s play. So it seems fitting that it be brought to the stage at Theatre in the Park in the village […]

Chatham’s big summer event celebrating that delicious, golden food staple is almost here. It’s none other than the long-running, annual Sweet Corn Festival by the Chatham Jaycees. This is the 49th year for the event. Things start at 4:30 p.m. Friday with a ribbon-cutting ceremony, Little Miss Sweet Corn pageant, games for children, more than […]

Four comics will take the stage Saturday during a comedy night fundraiser for the Forever Home Feline Ranch, an organization dedicated to finding homes for cats. “We started in 2009 and continue to grow. Last year we adopted out 351 cats. We are 100% volunteer, receive no grants, and we rely on fundraising and generous […]

Happy Fourth of July! From local neighborhoods to area towns, the fireworks have been going up for days now in our traditional celebration of the nation’s birthday. Haven’t seen any organized shows yet? No worries. Several shows will occur today (Wednesday, July 3) through Friday in Springfield, Chatham, Dawson, Franklin, Jacksonville, Petersburg, Lincoln, Sherman and […]

Clara Irwin’s 4th of July Strawberry Party Thursday, July 4 3-6 p.m. The Elijah Iles House 628 S. Seventh St. ileshouse.org Independence Day is coming up fast, and what better way to begin the day’s celebration with this popular, annual event in Springfield. Clara Irwin’s 4th of July Strawberry Party takes place at the Elijah […]

For Springfield-area families, Southwind Park is the place to be this Saturday. Two events will offer a wide variety of fun-filled activities at the park. Both begin at 10 a.m., but let’s start with Hopeapalooza, which is back “bigger and better” this year. The annual event, which offers an opportunity to learn more about the […]

Positively Summer Music Festival Sunday, June 16, 1-6 p.m. Long Bridge Golf Course 1055 Camp Sangamo Road 217-744-8311 Free In 2010, WFMT-Chicago named Ben Bedford one of the “50 most significant folk singer-songwriters of the past 50 years.” Joining him on that list were Bob Dylan, Townes Van Zandt and Joni Mitchell – so, it […]

Legacy of Giving Music Festival Fri., June 7, 5 p.m.-12 a.m. Sat., June 8, 12 p.m.-12 a.m. Old State Capitol Plaza 217-306-7896 Springfield’s largest family-friendly music festival is back Friday and Saturday with 62 acts on five stages. You read that right – 62! This popular two-day festival includes food, 30 vendors, a variety of […]

Artist in the Park Fridays from May 31 to Aug. 30, noon to 1 p.m. Union Square Park 500 E. Madison St. 217-753-3519 director@springfieldartsco.org The long-running, popular Artist on the Plaza series has a new name – Artist in the Park – and will move from the Old Capitol Plaza to Union Square Park this […]