It began with a childhood dream of becoming a radio personality. But when Angel Macon sent demos to countless area radio stations, none responded. Instead of idly waiting for that big break, Macon took matters into her own hands by creating an opportunity for herself and others attempting to enter the radio industry. At a […]
Music
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REO Speedwagon rolls home
“When I look down the tour itinerary and see towns like Springfield and Champaign, the word that immediately comes to mind is ‘home,” says REO Speedwagon’s lead singer Kevin Cronin, 59, with an audible lump in his throat. “I know that probably seems hackneyed but its absolutely, 100 percent, true. The Beatles had the Cavern […]
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Springfield Choral Society sings for peace
Marion van der Loo was already thinking about Christmas back in June. As the music director of the Springfield Choral Society listened to “Jul, Jul, Strlande Jul,” a song from Sweden that means “Christmas, Christmas, Beautiful Christmas,” she became mesmerized by its meaning. “The text says point-blank, ‘Christmas take away from the blood and the […]
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Rock out for a cause
The Second Annual Central Illinois Foodbank Benefit Concert with The Station AXA Advisors and Planet Playground Records are proud to present the Second Annual Central Illinois Food Bank Benefit Concert Friday November 27th at the Hoogland Center for the Arts at 420 S. 6th St. in Springfield. This year’s musical lineup includes The Station – […]
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Eerie ensemble
Halloween evening at Sangamon Auditorium mixes holiday fun with fantastic music. The Illinois Symphony Orchestra plays the spooky soundtrack to the 1921 feature film, Nosferatu, projected above the orchestra. Dress in your Halloween best to compete in the costume contest. Grab your treat as Dancing with the MONSters makes the audience scream with laughter. Halloween […]
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Touching wind and wood
Tuesday holds your chance to experience the voice and instrumental wonders of two-time Grammy, and seven-time Native American Music award, winner musician Bill Miller who performs at Lincoln Land Community College. Besides a folk and bluegrass singer/songwriter, Miller excels as a Native American flute master, guitarist and humanitarian ambassador. Bill MillerTuesday, Nov. 311:30am Student Union, […]
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College sowing seeds for a local slam poetry movement
Local youths may be familiar with the confrontation and spectacle of mainstream hip hop, where the words flow effortlessly with messages of violence, money and sex. Less familiar is a close cousin, slam poetry, which also has smooth lyrical moves, but uses them to deliver appeals to social justice, racial understanding and cultural identity. There […]
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Buddy Holly tour was scheduled for Springfield “The Day the Music Died”
The musicians of the “Winter Dance Party 1959” played Kenosha, Wis., on Jan. 24 of that year, one of the few stops on an ill-fated sojourn which ended for Buddy Holly in an Iowa farmer’s field on the cold morning of Feb. 3. The tour had been scheduled to continue on to Springfield for a […]
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Music ‘repairing the world’
Love your neighbor as you love yourself. It’s a commandment familiar to both Jews and Christians, but it takes a person of strong faith to both talk the talk and walk the walk. Rick Recht, the top touring artist in Jewish rock, is one such person. He’s making it his business to tear down the […]
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The symphony season
The upcoming season upholds the standard of excellence the Illinois Symphony Orchestra has made a Springfield tradition. One of ISO’s most popular events is the Pops in the Park outdoor concert at 6:30 p.m. on Aug. 30 in Springfield at Douglas Park and Aug. 31 at Miller Park in Bloomington. Cheryl Snyder, executive director of […]
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Fall concerts
The fall season is upon us, and for bands across the country it’s the perfect time to tour. Hopping in the bus — musicians from David Crosby and Graham Nash to Talib Kweli and Nas, will hit the road this fall — is never easier than when the weather is temperate, and rocker-types don’t have […]
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ICBC Annual Blues Challenge
The Illinois Central Blues Club formed in 1986 and since then the group has hosted more than 42,000 musicians and 1500 live performances. Each week the club hosts blues artists from across the country, including a great many with local ties and talents. The Club’s Blue Monday takes place at The Alamo (just north of […]
