Posted inArts & Culture

Memory traces

Springfield’s oldest home, Elijah Iles House, has a new exhibit about Camp Butler that includes artifacts from soldiers who were at the camp. A few of the items on display are photographs, uniforms, medical gear, cartes de visite, sword and gun display, and an original mourner’s badge from Lincoln’s funeral. April 13 from 6-9 p.m., […]

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Vibrant virtuosos

Boundary breaking violinist Nicolas Kendall of Time for Three, ensemble-in-residence with the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra, plays with the Illinois Symphony Orchestra, April 13 at Sangamon Auditorium, UIS. With theatrical lighting, the concert begins with the world premiere of “The Arc Inspired,” written by composer Steve Hackman. Also on tap, Sibelius’ “Violin Concerto” and Strauss’ “Death […]

Posted inMusic

The music calling

After this wonderfully busy, gig-a-day week (with two on Friday and three on Saturday), including venues from first grade classrooms to high class social clubs, barrooms full of temporary drunken sailors and restaurants with happy, well-fed folks, I feel more qualified than ever to write a bit about the influence of music on the human […]

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Powerful pair

You’re in for a powerful treat, as singer, songwriter and guitar players Janis Ian and Livingston Taylor play at Sangamon Auditorium, UIS, Saturday, March 6. Best known for her hit song, “At Seventeen,” Ian is one of folk music’s living legends. Her words resonate with truth, wisdom and beauty, whether in lyric or prose as […]

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politico poem #11

the institution where once I soproudly taught has introduced a minorcalled liberty studies partly funded bythe koch brothers urbana turned it downbut not us are we so desperate for dough?in the article a senior student is quoted:“Nobody will be forced to earn a minor inliberty studies, concerns about academicfreedom and critical thinking in theprogram might […]

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Sweet-sounding trio

The sweet-sounding trio, The Good Lovelies, will treat you to a concert March 9 at Sangamon Auditorium, UIS, as they make their way home to Canada. The touring three-part harmonies of Caroline Brooks, Kerri Ough and Sue Passmore never sounded so good and current and fresh. A pleasing mixture of Americana, folk, bluegrass with a hint of […]

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Grand guitarist

Guitar great Eric Johnson takes the stage at Sangamon Auditorium, UIS for one night Saturday, March 2. Johnson has a Grammy Award and five nominations, one platinum album, a slew of Top 10 hits such as “Cliffs Of Dover” and praise from critics. Included in Eric Johnson’s accolades is a place in Guitar Player’ Gallery […]

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Fab foursome

Direct from Broadway, Rain, the internationally-acclaimed Beatles concert, returns by popular demand. As “the next best thing to seeing The Beatles” as touted by the Associated Press, Rain performs the full range of The Beatles’ discography live onstage, including the most complex and challenging songs that The Beatles themselves recorded in the studio but never […]

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Bluesmen bash

Blues at the Crossroads returns to Sangamon Auditorium, UIS, Feb. 2, to honor two of the greatest musicians in blues music, Muddy Waters and Howlin’ Wolf. Both considered father of modern Chicago blues, the pair, who were also good friends, were key influences in the careers of Mick Jagger, Keith Richards, John Mayall and Eric […]

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Super strings

The category-shattering string trio, Time for Three, plays at Sangamon Auditorium, UIS on Saturday, Jan. 19. Members Zachary De Pue, violin; Nicolas Kendall, violin; and Ranaan Meyer, double bass, carry a passion for improvisation, composing and arranging, all prime elements of the ensemble’s playing with a reputation for limitless enthusiasm and no musical boundaries. For […]

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Dreamy ballet

Springfield Ballet Company’s 38th annual production of The Nutcracker is Dec. 8-9 at the Sangamon Auditorium, UIS. One performance is slated for each day with an additional evening show on Saturday, Dec. 8. Set to Tchaikovsky’s enchanting score, The Nutcracker is a timeless holiday classic that follows Clara and her Nutcracker from a lavish Christmas […]

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