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Holiday Hall and Fine Craft Exhibition Through Dec. 15. From more than 40 central Illinois
artists, an array of handmade gifts including coin purses, jewelry,
sculpture, and paintings. Proceeds benefit the artists and Springfield Art
Association’s gallery. Springfield Art
Association, 700 N. Fourth St. (217-523-2631)
Christmas at Dana-Thomas House Through Dec. 30. The Frank Lloyd Wright-designed
house is decked out for the holiday and open for tours. Dana-Thomas House, 301 E. Lawrence Ave. (www.dana-thomas.org)
2007 Advent Brown Bag Concert Series Dec. 13-19. Wednesdays. A free lunchtime concert,
brown bag meals are for sale at the door for $5. First Presbyterian Church, 321 S. Seventh St. (217-528-4311)
Santa House Dec. 13-23. Santa visits Springfield to give out
candy canes and greet children. Santa House,
1415 North Grand Ave. (www.springfieldparks.org)
A Christmas Carol: The Musical Dec. 14-16. Jacksonville Theatre Guild presents the
Charles Dickens classic story put to music with a cast of more than 70
people. Sophie Leschin Theatre, Jacksonville
(217-245-1402)
A Christmas Carol Dec. 13-16. Little Theatre on the Square presents the
classic Charles Dickens play, featuring Patrick McCarthy as Ebenezer
Scrooge. Little Theatre on the Square, 16 E.
Harrison St., Sullivan (www.thelittletheatre.org)
Holiday Lights at the Zoo Dec. 14-22. The zoo is decorated for the holidays,
and patrons can view the animals and thousands of lights. Henson Robinson Zoo, East Lake Drive
(www.hensonrobinsonzoo.org)
Holiday Pops
— Illinois Symphony Orchestra Dec. 15. Sangamon
Auditorium, University of Illinois-Springfield campus (www.ilsymphony.info)
Moscow Ballet — The
Nutcracker Dec. 15. The ballet performance features live music
from the Millikin-Decatur Symphony Orchestra. Kirkland
Fine Arts Center, Millikin University, Decatur (www.millikin.edu/kirkland)
Holiday Gems Dec. 15. Rescheduled from earlier in the month, the
orchestra, conducted by Garrett Allman, JSO Chorus, and Jacksonville Show
Choir present “Holiday Gems.” Rammelkamp
Chapel, Illinois College, Jacksonville (www.jaxsym.com)
Imagine Foundation’s Christmas Soiree and Revue Dec. 15. A festive party featuring Christmas carols
and holiday tunes, a light meal, dessert buffet, and eggnog. Asa Talcott House, 859 Grove St., Jacksonville
(217-473-2726)
Toy and Food Drive for Contact Ministries Dec. 15. Contribute a new toy or nonperishable food
item and celebrate the spirit of giving with music performances, a visit
for Santa and Abraham Lincoln, and a craft area for kids. Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum, 212 N.
Sixth St. (www.alplm.org)
A Joyful Noyse Dec. 16. Prairieland Voices perform music of the
Renaissance-period in a candlelit setting. Marion van der Loo is music
director and conductor. Episcopal Cathedral of
St. Paul, Second and Lawrence streets (217-523-8810)
Christmas Wonders Dec. 16. Belleville Philharmonic Orchestra and
Chorale present a concert celebration of the Christmas story. St. Henry’s Catholic Church, 5315 W. Main St.,
Belleville
Christmas Caroling Dec. 16. Gather around a roaring bonfire and sing
Christmas carols accompanied by music from the carillon. Washington Park (www.springfieldparks.org)
Christmas Dance with Bobby Remack Band Dec. 16. A holiday dance with hors d’oeuvres, Knights of Columbus Hall, 2200 S. Meadowbrook Rd.
(217-546-9515)
Downtown Springfield Old Capitol
Holiday Walk Dec. 19. Walk around downtown and visit the
area’s shops. Trolley rides and music performers liven up the
streets. Downtown Springfield
(www.downtownspringfield.org)
Sangamon Valley Community Orchestra Dec. 19. The community orchestra hosts a winter
concert. Donations accepted. Hoogland Center
for the Arts, 420 S. Sixth St. (217-753-8000)
A Christmas Carol — 1940s Radio Play Dec. 21-23. A live re-creation of a 1940s Christmas
radio broadcast of the Charles Dickens classic presented by Gordon
Productions. Starring Don Schneider as Scrooge. Hoogland Center for the Arts, 420 S. Sixth St. (www.scfta.org)
Dana-Thomas House Evening Holiday Tours Dec. 22. View the house in the evening decorated for
the holiday season. Dana-Thomas House, 301 E.
Lawrence Ave. (217-782-6776)
Winter Solstice Quiet Day Dec. 22. Observe the winter solstice and spend a day
of quiet and reflection at the Jubilee Farm. Pre-registration is required. Jubilee Farm, 6760 Old Jacksonville Rd., New Berlin
(www.springfieldop.org)
Luminaria Sunday Dec. 23. Sara Lawrence Dana’s historic home,
designed by Frank Lloyd Wright, features a candlelit tour with 1,000
candles lining ledges and walkways throughout the house. Dana-Thomas House, 301 E. Lawrence Ave. (217-782-6776) Winter Solstice Sunrise Observance Dec. 23. Hear the history, function, and story of the
discovery of Woodhenge and watch the ancient sun calendar in use. Cahokia Mounds, Collinsville (www.cahokiamounds.com)
Holiday Lights at the Zoo Dec. 26-28. The zoo decorated for the holidays, and
patrons can view the animals and thousands of lights. Henson Robinson Zoo, East Lake Drive (www.hensonrobinsonzoo.org)
Children’s Story Hour Day Dec. 27. The former owner of the Dana-Thomas House,
Susan Lawrence Dana, often invited children for story time, and now the
home recreates the scene with three story hours throughout the day.
Reservations required. Dana-Thomas House,
301 E. Lawrence Ave. (217-782-6776)
Burning Bowl Dec. 31. Set fire to outdated and unneeded beliefs,
thoughts, and habits. Start the year with a clean slate at the annual New
Year’s Eve burning bowl ritual. Unity of
Springfield, 417 Cordelia
(www.unityofspringfield.com)
“New Years in Vegas” Dinner
and
Ballroom Dance Dec. 31. Ring in the New Year with a prime rib
dinner, favors, champagne toast, and dancing to Kevin Turner Trio.
Reservations required. American Center, 1501
E. Griffiths Ave. (217-529-9421)
New Years Eve Dance Dec. 31. Bobby Remack Band ushers in the New Year
with a dance, food, party favors, and a champagne toast. For reservations,
call the phone number. VFW Post 755, 2211 Old
Jacksonville Rd.
(217-546-9515)
First Night Springfield Dec. 31. A family-oriented New Year’s Eve
celebration of the arts featuring performances from musicians, artists,
poets, actors, dancers, and a fireworks finale at midnight. Downtown Springfield (www.springfieldartsco.org)
Send additional holiday calendar items to
calendar@illinoistimes.com or
go to
www.illinoistimes.com.
This article appears in Dec 6-12, 2007.
