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HOOGLAND CENTER FOR THE ARTS
Now named after the family that nurtured Family Video
stores to nationwide prominence, the former Masonic Temple began its new
life on Dec. 31, 2003, as the city’s premier arts venue. As home base
for more than 15 arts organizations, with four performance sites, two art
galleries, and meeting space galore, the Hoogland Center is a magnet for
practitioners and supporters of the arts. In the confluence of variety, one
hand washes the other. For example, the Prairie Art Alliance’s H.D.
Smith Gallery is often open extra hours so that theatergoers may spend time
savoring its exhibitions before the curtain goes up. Hoogland is also home
to the Springfield Area Arts Council, a nexus of information for artists of
all stripes. Organizations of all types have found it an ideal meeting
place thanks to its location, proximity to arts venues, and helpful staff.
Hoogland’s Web site provides an updated calendar of events and links
to other area arts organizations. Springfield Hoogland Center for the Arts, 420 S. Sixth
St., 217-523- 2787, www.scfta.org.
SANGAMON AUDITORIUM
Since opening in 1981 on what is today the campus of
the University of Illinois at Springfield, Sangamon Auditorium has hosted
more than 2,000 events, including conferences, debates, major concerts,
plays, and musical shows. Among the legends who have performed at the
2,018-seat facility: Willie Nelson, Ray Charles, Hal Holbrook, and Four
Bitchin’ Babes.
To get to Sangamon Auditorium from Interstate 55, take
exit 94 onto Stevenson Drive; proceed to the intersection of Stevenson and
Taylor Avenue/West Lake Drive; go south on West Lake, which becomes
Shepherd Road; turn right at the campus entrance, and follow the signs. For
ticket information, call 217-206-6160 or 800-207-6960 10 a.m.-5 p.m.
Monday-Friday or visit www.sangamonauditorium.org.
Here are some other places for arts and entertainment:
THEATER: Springfield
Theatre Center, Hoogland Center for the Arts, 420 S. Sixth St.,
217-523-2787, www.springfieldtheater.com.
MUSICAL THEATER: Springfield Municipal Opera Association, also known as the
Muni, 815 East Lake Dr. For ticket information, call 217-793- 6864 or visit
www.themuni.org.
REGIONAL: Theatre in
the Park at Lincoln’s New Salem Historic Site, on Highway 97 two
miles south of Petersburg, 217-632-5440 or 800-710-9290,
www.theatreinthepark.net.
BALLET: The
Springfield Ballet Company performs at Sangamon Auditorium. For tickets,
call 217-206-6160; www.springfieldballetco.org.
SYMPHONY: The
Illinois Symphony Orchestra, led by music director/conductor Karen Lynne
Deal (performs at Sangamon Auditorium), 524 E. Capitol Ave. For tickets,
call 217-206-6160; for all other info, call 217-522-2838;
www.ilsymphony.org.
FINE ARTS: Springfield
Art Association (see “Edwards Place” under Springfield
attractions), 700 N. Fourth St., 217-523-2631, www.springfieldart.org.
COMEDY: Funny Bone Comedy
Club, 2837 White Oaks Dr., 217-391-5653, www.funnyboneofspringfield.com.
MOVIES: Springfield has
five motion-picture theaters. Four are operated by the same company,
Kerasotes Theatres: White Oaks Cinema, ShowPlace West, ShowPlace East, and
Parkway Pointe. White Oaks Cinema, located at White Oaks Mall, shows
second-run films. Art films are shown at Parkway Pointe. The Route 66 Drive
Inn is located on Springfield’s southern periphery, off Route 4. For
current listings, see www.kerasotes.com and www.route66-drivein.com, or
check current listings each week in Illinois
Times.
This article appears in Jun 3-9, 2004.
