ITS A CIRCUS! We are celebrating the life and memory of Dawson Garman. This family friendly event is a fundraiser for the Children's Hospital of Illinois in Dawson's honor. There will be dinner, raffles, clowns, bouncy houses, games and more!! Dinner will be covered with...

Hosted by the Byron Area Chamber of Commerce will present ByronFest, a festival designed to encourage and promote tourism in the Byron area.The festival will run July 12-14 with a GospelFest kick-off on July 12 at Neighbors Rehab and Healthcare Center. The festival includ...

Springfield Poets and Writers Open Mic, 6 p.m., Robbie's Restaurant, 4 S. Old State Capitol Plaza. Bring copies of your work to read. Free admission.

Frank Trompeter Quartet (jazz), 7:30 p.m. April 11, Donnie's Homespun Pizza, 107 W. Cook St. Musicians are Chris Miller on piano and organ, Rob Killam on acoustic bass, Mark McKnight on drums, and Frank Trompeter on vocals, saxophones and electric wind instrument.

Bingo will be held at 7:30 p.m. at the Carmi VFW. Cards go on sale at 6:30 p.m. Bingo starts at 7:30 p.m.

Sour Grapes will perform hit songs from the ’70s, ’80s and ’90s. Selection of beer and soft drinks, cheese/sausage/cracker plates and light meals available. Information: 815-234-2220, haileys@haileyswinery.com, haileyswinery.com.

DATE: Saturday, July 20th, 2013 SIGN IN: American Legion in Bartonville, IL REGISTRATION: Registration is from 9am to 12pm - Breakfast Available at 8AM FEE: $20 per rider and $10 per passenger (This includes meal on return) DISTANCE: Approximately 140 miles END: Last...

A three-day celebration of the ecology, beauty, and recreation of our region's greatest natural assets. Events on the Sugar, Pecatonica, Kishwaukee and Rock Rivers. Features keynote speaker nationally renowned author, Brian Doyle and musician Curt Carter from Land for Lea...

Join us for an evening of fairies, magic, dance and fun. Families and guests of all ages will stroll the grounds and art galleries at Womanspace, while fairies lead a scavenger hunt through the beautiful gardens, the magical pine forest, and out onto the Labyrinth on the ...

Nothing to Lose, hosted by The Literary Underground and Zygote in my Coffee, 7 p.m. June 22, Bogart's, 2142 Old State Road, Jacksonville. Underground poets from throughout the Midwest, live music by Flamingo and Utter Chaos, stand-up comedy by Mike Brant. Short film, "Buc...