Summerguide

Lydia Loveless play at Homespun Republic July 25. That sibilant sizzling in the air is the sound of a spectacularly sultry summer concert season. In town and throughout the region, it’s clear that if you don’t manage to see any great gigs this season, it’s only because you didn’t try hard enough. Below is just […]

Friday Aug. 7, 5:30pm-12am • Saturday, Aug. 8, 2pm-12am Local is the theme of this multiday all-ages festival that combines art, beer and original music to two stages at the intersection of Seventh and Washington streets in downtown Springfield. The Downhome Music Festival was created by musicians for music lovers, as festival co-founders Josh Catalano […]

June• 4 – Sherman Area Chamber of Commerce Golf Outing, The Rail Golf Club, 1 p.m. Shotgun Start, Mary Johnson, (217) 525-0365.• 5 – Rochester High School Football Team Golf Outing, Lincoln Greens Golf Course, 7:30 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. Double Shotgun Start, Jim Sutzer, (217) 786-4111.• 6 – Don “Poochie” Byus Charity Outing Benfiting […]

Warmer weather sends scores of golfers to their favorite courses every day. Golf is a challenging pastime, but a few pointers can help golfers hone their short games, long games and everything in between. 1.    Choose the right clubs. There is more to selecting clubs than pulling any old iron out of your golf bag […]

One of the historic log homes brought in. PHOTOS BY CIDY LADAGE To get away for the day, consider a jaunt just a couple hours south of Springfield to Kimmswick, Missouri. This historic town offers everything for a girl’s day out or a couple’s daycation. There is a great restaurant, fun shops, history and an […]

Gus Gordon will play Edna Turnblad at the Little Theater on the Square June 17-28. The role was played by John Travolta in the 2007 film. PHOTO OF JOHN TRAVOLTA IN HAIRSPRAY COURTESY NEW LINE CINEMA Here’s what’s playing this summer at theaters within a stone’s throw of Springfield. If you like musicals, you’re in […]

Photo BY DAVID HINE Farmers markets are festive community events and showcase the Land of Lincoln’s other local treasure – its food! Buying local produce not only supports Illinois farmers, but also physical health and the environment. They just may perk up your social life, too. Though not all vendors grow organic, many do, limiting […]

Saturday, Aug. 1, 8am-4pm The largest car show in central Illinois rolls into Springfield on Saturday, Aug. 1, from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. For the third year in a row, the show, which offers free admission to spectators, will take place at Knight’s Action Park. This year’s event will move to the southeast side […]

Thursday, Aug. 6, 7-11pm • Friday, Aug. 7, 5-11pm Saturday, Aug. 8, 11am-11pm • Sunday, Aug. 9, 11am-9:30pm This summer, hundreds of thousands of people will flock to downtown Decatur to attend one of the largest free street festivals in the Midwest. The “Midwest’s most exciting street festival,” the Decatur Celebration, runs Thursday, Aug. 6, […]

Capital City Biathlon 2014. PHOTOS COURTESY THE HARDY BREED Springfield is quickly becoming a hot spot for cool races. Whether you’re looking for a hardcore challenge or just something to keep you from languishing on the couch all summer, there’s likely a race in or near Springfield matching your intensity level. Pick a race from […]

The Kibbe Museum PhotoS BY KEITH LADAGE Head west, young man or woman! About 100 miles northwest of Springfield there is an interesting museum, the Kibbe Hancock Museum, with the motto, “Where Local History Comes Alive.” The Kibbe Hancock Heritage Museum is located in Carthage, across the street from the historic jail where Joseph Smith, […]

Get happy feet with Footloose at New Salem’s Theatre in the Park in June. As ever, area theater companies are putting their best feet forward this summer, offering a large variety of productions, running the gamut from Disney to Mel Brooks, from historical drama to operetta, from horror to comedy, from epics to miniatures. Rest […]