Summerguide

Summer theater in our area gets better every year and this summer looks promising with a not-to-be-missed new production of an old favorite: Forever This Land at New Salem, Carly Shank’s take on Oliver! at the Muni and a top-notch cast in Into the Woods in Jacksonville. Muni Opera opens its season with Oliver! (June […]

As the summer sun emerges and time-consumers like Lost and Dancing with the Stars end (just for the season!), the capital city’s trails and parks come alive with walkers, joggers and bikers. Some are veterans. They’ve been doing this for years, know their split times and don’t mind donning spandex. Others are more casual. They […]

Untitled Document Do you have a little one who loves to tie on a cape and play Superman? If so, head south to Metropolis for the 30th annual Superman Celebration, which will be held June 12-15 in this otherwise sleepy southern-Illinois town near the Ohio River. The superhero fans in your household will enjoy the […]

Untitled Document “We soon found ourselves on the grand prairies of Illinois, under a burning sun and without shade from one camp to another. They are vast as the ocean, and the eye seeks in vain for a tree. Not a drop of water can be found there — it was a veritable torture for […]

Untitled Document Champaign-Urbana, just about an hour-and-a-half away, has added or upgraded some new attractions that make the twin college towns a great day or weekend trip this summer. • Snack — In fall 2007, a little breakfast diner got a facelift and was transformed into one of Champaign’s most interesting eateries. The only recognizable […]

Untitled Document Once the school bell has rung for the last time, parents are ready to schedule a little summer fun for the family. Try a weekend in Chicago, where it’s easy to plan loads of outdoor fun activities that will thrill and amaze. With gas nearing $4 per gallon, the train may be the […]

Untitled Document Having two sons, I’ve done my share of driving around the state on weekends — attending swim meets, soccer games, or cross-country meets over the years. As a spectator rather than a participant at these sporting events limited my cardiovascular activities. Other than carrying the lawn chairs and coolers from the car to […]

Untitled Document Some of the big sequel guns (Indiana Jones, Narnia) had their releases in May, but plenty of action is left for the more traditional summer months. Release dates are subject to change. JUNE 6 Kung Fu PandaThe title tells the story in this very high concept animated feature from DreamWorks. Jack Black voices […]

Untitled Document Music fans don’t want to hear this reporter wax ecstatic about Loretta Lynn’s classic coo (she’s scheduled to play Sangamon Auditorium on June 28) or the return to the summer stage of Springfield favorite the Micah Walk Band (performing at the SOHO Music Festival on June 7). No, capital-city rockers, Illinois Times knows what […]

Untitled Document It’s funny how we spend our youths feverishly anticipating the end of the school year — and the completion of our educational careers — so we can go on road trips with our friends, laze around on sandy shores, and start earning a living. Then suddenly we become adults and realize that life […]

Untitled Document Old Capitol Farmers’ Market Through Oct. 29 Asparagus. Strawberries. Green beans. Tomatoes. Peaches. Honey. Jellies. Eggs. Chicken. Cheese. Apples. Pumpkins. Gourds. That’s only the beginning of what you’ll find at the Old Capitol Farmers’ Market. “This event is six months long,” says Ann Frescura, Downtown Springfield Inc. event director. “Anything that can be […]