The Genius of Frank Lloyd Wright
Mar 23, 1-2:30pm Sat. Timothy Totten’s engaging storytelling is a fast-paced, fact-filled journey through the life of Frank Lloyd Wright. Free. dana-thomas.org. 217-788-9452. Illinois State Museum, 502 S. Spring St., 217-782-7386.
Historic Fashion Show
Mar 23, 1pm Sat. Featuring a wide range of fashion primarily from the 19th-20th centuries in an experience similar to the first fashion parades in salons of 19th century Paris. $10 members, $15 non. edwardsplace.org. Edwards Place, Springfield Art Association, 700 N. Fourth St., 217-523-2631.
The Hillbilly Celts
Mar 24, 2pm Sun. Featuring Dennis Cline, Joe Readnour and Dan Grover. $15 and reservations required. 217-947-2238. John D. Gillett Memorial Chapel, Elkhart Hill, Elkhart, 217-947-2346.
Irish Lunch
Mar 24, 11am-1pm Sun. Irish beef stew, soda bread, apple cake and choice of beverage. $15.99 and reservations required. 217 947 2238. elkharthistoricalsociety.org. Wild Hare Cafe, 104 Governor Oglesby St., Elkhart, 217-947-2100.
Irish Heritage and History
Mar 27, 12pm Wed. With Eileen McMahon and Theodore Karamanski. Part of the UIS Alumni SAGE Society and Illinois State Historical Society’s 2019 Lunch and Learn Series. $23 includes hot lunch, $60 for series subscription. Registration required one week prior. 217-206-6058. historyillinois.org. UIS Student Union, 1 William Maxwell Lane, 217-206-4782.
The Sound of Music
Mar 27, 7:30-9:30pm Wed. Spirited, romantic and beloved musical tells the story of Maria and the von Trapp family. Featuring a Tony-, Grammy- and Academy Award-winning Best Score. $29+. sangamonauditorium.org. Sangamon Auditorium, UIS, 1 University Plaza, 217-206-6160.
SSCI Boots and Bow Ties
Mar 29, 6pm Fri. Senior Services of Central Illinois’ annual fundraiser. Music by Captain Geech and the Shrimp Shack Shooters. $10 entertainment only; $25 includes meal. centralilseniors.org. 217-528-4035. Sangamon County Fairgrounds, 316 W. Birch St., New Berlin, 488-2685.
Lincoln Presidential
Half Marathon - 55th Anniversary
Apr 6, 7:30am Sat. The course will take you past Lincoln’s home, the Lincoln-Herndon Law Offices, Lincoln’s tomb and the Lincoln Presidential Museum and Library. Starts and finishes at the Old State Capitol. Registration required. 1 Old State Capitol Plaza, 217-785-7960.
Hunchback of Notre Dame:
A New Musical
Apr 5-7, 12-14, 8pm Fri-Sat, 2pm Sun. Admission. springfieldtheatrecentre.com. Hoogland Center for the Arts, 420 S. Sixth St., 217-523-2787.
46th Annual Spring Floral Display
Apr 6, 12-4pm Mon-Fri; 12-5pm Sat-Sun. Easter lilies and lush tropical foliage fill the Exhibit Hall and Conservatory. springfieldparks.org. Washington Park Botanical Garden, 1740 W. Fayette Ave., 217-546-4116.
Spring Wildflowers: Starhill Forest Arboretum
Apr 6, 10am-12pm Sat. This hike of about 1.5 miles will be lead by Starhill Forest Arboretum Curator Alana McKean. Easy to moderate with some steep hills. Free. starhillforest.com. 217-899-9996. Starhill Forest Arboretum, 12000 Boy Scout Trail, Petersburg, 217-632-3685.
Prairie Days
Apr 6-7, 10am-3pm Sat-Sun. Featuring period demonstrators, artisans, vendors, live music, tours of the historical buildings, butter churning, candle dipping, food, fun, games and more. Admission by donation. christiancountyhistorical.com. Christian County Historical Museum, Near IL Routes 29 and 48 on Morrison Dr., Taylorville, 217-824-6922.
Music at the Museum - Suzie Vinnick
Apr 11, 7-9pm Thu. Suzie Vinnick has a voice you’ve heard a thousand times and one you’ll never forget. $8 members; $10 non and children under 12. museumconcerts.com. 217-558-6696. Illinois State Museum, 502 S. Spring St., 217-782-7386.
Roasted Hot Pots and Pork
Apr 13, 3-9pm Sat. Glaze a raku pot and watch it get fired in an outdoor kiln, enjoy a hog roast dinner and listen to live music. $30 admission and pot, $20 admission only, $15 children 12 and under, day-of fee add $5. springfieldart.org. Springfield Art Association, 700 N. Fourth St., 217-523-2631.
The King and I
Apr 15, 7:30-9:30pm Mon. Musical set in 1860s Bangkok tells the story of the unconventional, tempestuous relationship that developed between the King of Siam and Anna Leonowens, a British schoolteacher $29+. sangamonauditorium.org. Sangamon Auditorium, UIS, 1 University Plaza, 217-206-6160.
Brown Bag Program: Recycle Right Illinois
Apr 17, 12-1pm Wed. James Jennings and Melissa Silva from the Illinois EPA will discuss common recyclable materials in curbside collections, typical recycling errors and options for less common items. Free. Bring your lunch. illinoisstatemuseum.org. 217-558-6696. Illinois State Museum Research and Collections Center, 1011 E. Ash St., 217-785-0037.
Earth Awareness Fair
Apr 20, 1-5pm Sat. Featuring 40+ exhibitors, live music, games, crafts, activities, workshops, food and more. Hosted by the City of Springfield. Free. springfield.il.us. 217-789-2255. Old State Capitol Plaza, between Sixth and Fifth streets at Adams St.
Museum After Hours - Science
Apr 26, 5-8pm Fri. Relive your childhood love of science with messy experiments, weird collections objects and science trivia. Ages 21+. $10 members, $15 non. 782-0979. Illinois State Museum, 502 S. Spring St., 217-782-7386.
Three-I Baseball and Forgotten Voices of Illinois
Apr 30, 12pm Tue. With McLean County Museum of History archivist and librarian Bill Kemp and John Hallwas, author, editor and professor emeritus of English at WIU. Part of the UIS Alumni SAGE Society and Illinois State Historical Society’s 2019 Lunch and Learn Series. $23 includes hot lunch, $60 for series subscription. Registration required one week prior. 217/206-6058. historyillinois.org. UIS Student Union, 1 William Maxwell Lane, 217-206-4782.
Bound to the Western Waters: The Discovery of Lewis and Clark’s Long-Lost Outpost of Ft. Kaskaskia
May 1, 7pm Wed. Presented by Mark Wagner, director of the Center for Archaeological Investigations and associate professor of anthropology, SIU Carbondale. Free. Illinoisstatemuseum.org. Illinois State Museum Research and Collections Center, 1011 E. Ash St., 217-785-0037.
Sounds from the Silver Screen
May 3-4, 6pm Fri-Sat. Spring show and dinner by the Land of Lincoln Chorus. 217-553-3324. Sugar Creek United Methodist Church, 1022 New City Rd., Chatham, 622-7953.
Antique Farm Show
May 4, 10am-4pm Sat. Featuring horse-drawn plows, historic farming equipment and agricultural techniques from the 19th century. Free. lincolnsnewsalem.com. Lincoln’s New Salem State Historic Site, 15588 History Lane, Petersburg, 217-632-4000.
Chicago Live in Concert
May 8, 7:30-9:30pm Wed. $59.99+. uispac.com. Sangamon Auditorium, UIS, 1 University Plaza, 217-206-6160.
College Sports
May 9, 12pm Thu. Illinois History Forum session moderated by Kenneth Owen, University of Illinois Springfield. Free. presidentlincoln.illinois.gov. Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library, 112 N. Sixth St., 217-558-8844.
Illinois History Forum
May 9, 12pm Thu. Experts in their fields will lead each discussion, giving the audience opportunities to ask questions and share their observations. Each forum focuses on a different book or museum exhibit. Reservations are not required and participants may bring lunch. Free. 217-524-6045. Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library, 112 N. Sixth St., 217-558-8844.
42nd Street
May 10-12, 17-19, 8pm Fri-Sat, 2pm Sun. Admission. springfieldtheatrecentre.com. Hoogland Center for the Arts, 420 S. Sixth St., 217-523-2787.
The Temptations and The Four Tops
May 16, 7:30pm Thu. Tickets $39-$145. Sangamon Auditorium, UIS, 1 University Plaza, 217-206-6160.
Old Capital Art Fair
May 18, 10am Sat. This tradition of fine art has brought artists and shoppers from across the country flocking to downtown Springfield’s two-day outdoor art gallery for over 50 years. springfieldoldcapitolartfair.org. Downtown Springfield, Inc., 3 W. Old State Capitol Plaza, 217-544-1723.
Illini Bird Fanciers Bird Fair
May 20, 9am-4pm Mon. One of the largest bird fairs in Illinois. Event features birds, cages, toys, seed, bird trimming and more. $3 adults; free to kids 12 and under with paid adult. illinibirdfanciers.com. 217-836-2836. Illinois Building, Illinois State Fairgrounds, 801 S. Sangamon Ave., 217-782-6661.
Harley-Davidson Springfield Mile
May 26, 1-8pm Sun. The world’s fastest mile. $35 advance; $45 race week. springfieldmile.org Illinois State Fair Grandstand, 801 E. Sangamon Ave., 217-782-6661.
Recurring events
Springfield Farmers Market
Mar 16, Apr 20, 9am-1pm Sat. A one-stop shop for feasts and meals. Free admission. 217-528-1563. The State House Inn, 101 E. Adams St., 217-528-5100.
Bingo Nights
Mar 20, 27, Apr 3, 10, 17, 24, 5:30-6:30pm Wed. Min. of 10 people, max. of 30 people. Free event for people of all abilities ages 8+. springfieldparks.org 217-503-4576. Erin’s Pavilion, Southwind Park, 4965 S. Second St., 217-585-2941.
Brown Bag Concert
Mar 20, 27, Apr 3, 10, 17, 12:15-12:45pm Wed. The Brown Bag Concert series features a variety of musical artists during Lent. The audience is invited bring their own lunch and enjoy the concerts or “Brown Bag Lunches” may be purchased at the door for $5. Free. lincolnschurch.org. 217-528-4311. First Presbyterian Church, 321 S. Seventh St., 217-528-4311.
