Illinois Symphony Orchestra’s “Vision and Vitality” concert on March 6 was a feast for the ears, as well as an impressive showcase for the versatility of the orchestra itself. As programmed and conducted by music director Taichi Fukumura, the evening provided both delicacy and bombast along with a striking contrast in mood and intent compared […]
Newsletter – Event
Posted inArts & Culture
Ansar Shrine to bring back SOB Feztival
The annual Springfield Oyster & Beer Feztival will be returning this year at a new location and with a slightly different name, thanks to its new sponsor. Ansar Shrine, a Springfield-based fraternal organization, has announced plans to continue the traditional Labor Day weekend celebration. It will now be hosted at the Ansar Shrine Center in […]
Posted inArts Features
Moving forward, looking back
The Last Five Years is back and impressive as ever at The Hoogland Center for the Arts. After a seven-year hiatus, the two-person musical has returned with the same cast of Mary Kate Smith and Damien Kaplan, along with director Craig Williams. All parties involved wanted to rekindle their past show magic with a fresh […]
Posted inMusic
Sax and romance, ISO style
Valentine’s Day weekend provided local music lovers with an appropriately bright and romantic concert from the Illinois Symphony Orchestra, continuing its season at its temporary home at the First United Methodist Church. Jazzy dance numbers, a sweeping Russian symphony and a matched pair of soloists all contributed to a lushly burnished and enjoyable evening for […]
Posted inArts & Culture
Heart and soul: A legacy built on love
February holds two truths at once: It’s a month where we pay homage to Black history. We honor the names, the hands, the kitchens and the legacies that our ancestors have shaped. It’s also a season devoted to the essence of love. Many times, the most powerful love stories aren’t written in cards. They are […]
Posted inArts & Culture
STC’s The Addams Family – An ooky love story
The Addams Family musical is based on a 1964 sitcom which was inspired by the cartoons of Charles Addams. All feature Gomez Addams, his wife Morticia and children Pugsley and Wednesday. They share their home on Cemetery Lane with Uncle Fester, butler Lurch, helping hand Thing and someone’s grandma. They are a close-knit family with […]
Posted inFilm
Jay Kelly provides reminder, Fackham Hall casts wide net to get laughs
Jay Kelly: Portrait of an empty man Jay Kelly is very good at being Jay Kelly, that is Jay Kelly the international film star who’s been gracing audiences with his presence on the world’s movie screens for 35 years. It’s a role he can play in his sleep. But the other Jay Kelly, the eager, […]
Posted inSchool Board Dist. 186
District Faces Deficit, Plans Budget Cuts
Lincoln Magnet students were honored for connecting generations through fishing and tech education, earning the Governor’s Hometown Award. Seniors are finding new career paths with skilled trade pre-apprenticeships at Lincoln Land. Families, don’t forget the October 1st health deadline—and mark your calendars for the Empowering All Abilities Conference on November 15th. The board faced tough […]
Posted inFood Features
Chefs solve perishable produce problem
At Prairie Fruits Farm and Creamery’s Caprae Restaurant in Champaign, we have developed close relationships with our farmers. It’s truly a two-way street. Being a farm-to-table restaurant, our menu is driven by what our farmers can provide for us. Often, they go out of their way to accommodate our needs. In return, if they have […]
Posted inMusic Features
September songs sung
Hello fellow travelers in the local music scene. As we ramble on, we’re still taking it to the streets, keeping it real, begging the question, searching for answers and making it happen everywhere there is to go. Thursday is the first night in our music listings, so we like to begin our adventures here. I […]
Posted inUncategorized
Wyndham Hotel debate, street delays and new library on wheels
Big changes are coming to Oak Ridge Cemetery as the director announced his retirement, and a new leader is stepping in. The council faced tough questions about long-delayed street projects, with promises that work will finally begin this season. Unexpected fire department bills for residents sparked debate over city policy. There’s excitement about a new […]
Posted inCommunity & Lifestyle
The midnight sighing of the poor
Lately, the phrase I’ve chosen as the title of this column, “The midnight sighing of the poor,” has been running through my mind, especially when I hear of planned government cuts to programs designed to benefit those who are living at or below poverty level. This phrase is part of a longer Baha’i quote which […]
