TWO (2) — “The journey not the arrival matters,” wrote poet T.S. Eliot. “All journeys have secret destinations of which the traveler is unaware,” stated philosopher Martin Buber. Anytime I go anywhere, it is unexpected beauty or inspiration that I eagerly anticipate. The fair is large enough there’s sure to be adventure. Unfortunately the day […]
Anita Stienstra
Posted inArts & Culture
Installation environments
Contemporary art gallery DEMO Project will host an opening reception Friday, Aug. 15, for the exhibit Communal Paradox by Illinois artist Lauren Turk. “These installation environments tell the story of a journey through communal paradoxes; craving and contentment, lack and overabundance, sorrow and jubilation,” says Turk. She also discusses a specific work that will be […]
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Talk of the town
PHOTO BY LAURA KAY COFFEY Thursday, Aug. 21, is the next installment of the entertaining and informative PechaKucha at the Hoogland Center for the Arts. Some of Springfield’s movers-and-shakers take the stage and talk about what they know best, accompanied by PowerPoint presentations they have made. What moves the evening along and provides the challenge […]
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Not a sleeper
PHOTO COURTESY THEATRE IN THE PARK Theatre in the Park at Lincoln’s New Salem State Historic Site presents the Tony Award-winning musical comedy Pajama Game on Aug. 15-17 and 21-23. Directed by Sean Rose of Jacksonville, the storyline follows the clash between workers and managers at Sleep-Tite Pajama Factory. The production stars Becky Bertram (Petersburg) […]
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Kindness matters
Robin Williams – yup, here, too — my mind is full of him today. A friend and I had lunch recently. He was troubled deeply, cried as he told me his mother-in-law had killed herself while drunk. There seemed to be no clue — She had a boyfriend, passions to fill her life …. Folks […]
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A look at 311
Springfield’s Thao Le ventured out to Three Sisters Park in Chillicothe this weekend to the 311 concert. Formed in the ’90s, the five-member alternative rock band is wrapping up their summer tour. Le reports that “the show was amazing. From the stunning light production to the lively instrumental solos, 311 knows how to entertain. New and […]
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Family fun
PHOTO BY ERICKA HINE It’s that time of year again. The Illinois State Fair will be held Aug. 7-17. The Twilight Parade starts at 6 p.m. on Aug. 7. Great days for families are Friday, Aug. 15, which is Futures for Kids Day (activities for young kids and many of the contests take place); Saturday, […]
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Charming characters
Springfield Municipal Opera’s third show is Shrek the Musical directed by Craig Williams II. Eight shows at The Muni will each come alive with large-scale special effects, say show organizers. Explains Williams, “From his swampy home, Shrek, with his extensive prosthetic makeup, will emerge to fight a 30-foot-long dragon that breathes smoke, flies around the […]
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Where there’s a will there’s a way
Tickets are still available for the rescheduled Willie Nelson concert taking place on Tuesday night, Aug. 12, at Sangamon Auditorium, UIS. We’re ecstatic Willie’s back in town. The incomparable Nelson continues to create as if there’s a fountain of youth inside his soul. Who else can boast a successful 60-year career with almost 300 albums, […]
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Wheel of a deal
PHOTO BY ED G2S VIA WIKIPEDIA.ORG Powerlight Abe Lincoln Supercruise and Car Show Spectacular begins Friday, Aug 1 with a car parade from Ace Hardware on Wabash Ave. to Quaker Steak and Lube on MacArthur. Afterwards, The Dark Knight and Back to the Future will be showing at the Route 66 Twin Drive In, in addition […]
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Creation stories
Read up on your creation stories. Genesis, The Musical premiers Aug. 1 at Playhouse on the Square in Jacksonville. There are nine performances through Aug. 10. Written by playwrights Ken Bradbury of Arenzville and Roger Wainwright of Chatham, the musical is a rapid-fire synopsis of the first book of the Bible. Bradbury directs a 10-member […]
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New ensemble
Springfield has a new professional choral ensemble. Meet the Gloriana Chamber Choir at their inaugural concert on Sunday, Aug. 3 at First Presbyterian Church. “Long Live Fair Oriana: A Concert of English Choral Music from the Lifetimes of Queen Elizabeth I and Queen Elizabeth II” will feature Benjamin Britten’s choral dances from Gloriana and madrigals from the […]
