THE INTERNATIONAL ARTS EXPERIENCE
May – July

This premier attraction presents visual, performing, and culinary arts events during May, June, and July. Nine art galleries, six performing arts venues, and three outdoor concert stages serve as the backdrop to celebrate the imagination, creativity, and diversity of our cultural traditions during this extraordinary arts experience.

Upcoming Signature Events

art

Farm Life: A Century of Change – through April 30
Decatur Public Library, 2nd Floor Gallery, 130 N. Franklin St. Traveling exhibit with complementary programming, children’s activities, and school group tours, library hours, free, 421-9771.

Perkinson Exhibit – through April 30
Millikin University, Kirkland Fine Arts Center, Perkinson Gallery. Featuring the works of Laura Wilder, M-F 12-5pm, free, 424-6318.

Decatur Airport Exhibit – April 1-30
Decatur Airport, Main Terminal, Lobby Gallery. Featuring Marianna Anderson’s watercolor paintings, airport hours, free, 422-1509.

Decatur Area Arts Council Exhibit – April 1-30
Opening Reception – April 4
Madden Arts Center, Anne Lloyd Gallery, 125 N. Water St. The Gale Olsen, Marv Klaven, Rimus Visgiarda Retrospective, M-F 9am-5pm, Sa 10am-2pm, free. Meet the Artists Opening Reception, 4/4, 5-7pm, free, 423-3189.

After 5 Live – April 4 and May 2
Blue Connection, 117 N. Water St. Featuring a Spotlight Visual Artist and a Performing Artist, both typically Millikin University students, refreshments, 5-7:30pm, free, 428-0112.

Gallery 510 Exhibit – April 4-26
Gallery 510, 160 E. Main St. First Friday opening reception featuring Richard Colbeck’s ink drawings and paintings, light refreshments, 5:30-7:30pm, free. General exhibit viewing, Tu-Th 11am-5pm, F 11am-7pm, Sa 11am-3pm, free, 422-1509.

Portraits of Lincoln – May-July
Macon County Historical Museum, North Fork Rd. Original paintings and prints by local artists depicting aspects of Abraham Lincoln’s life, Tu-Sa, $, 422-4919.

Decatur Airport Exhibit – May 1-31
Decatur Airport, Main Terminal, Lobby Gallery. Featuring Mike Bryant’s mixed media works, airport hours, free, 422-1509.

Library Exhibit – May 1-3
Decatur Public Library, Art Gallery. Featuring Bill Fletcher’s photographs, library hours, free, 422-1509.

Barn Colony Annual Art Show – May 2-30
Madden Arts Center, 125 N. Water St. Annual Spring Exhibit showcases local artists in a variety of mediums, M-F 9am-4pm, Sa 10am-2pm, free, 428-7109.

Gallery 510 Exhibit – May 2-31

Rock Springs Exhibit – May 3-June 16
Rock Springs Nature Center. Photographs by National Geographic photographer Jim Brandenburg, free, 423-7708.

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blues & jazz

Jazz Showcase – April 18
Millikin University, Kirkland Fine Arts Center. Presented by Millikin University’s Jazz Band I and OneVoice, 7:30pm, free, 424-6318.

MacArthur Jazz – May 20
Decatur Civic Center Theatre. Award-winning jazz musicians of MacArthur High School’s Jazz I directed by Jim Culbertson, 7:30pm, $, 424-3156.

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concerts

African Children’s Choir – April 4
Kirkland Fine Arts Center. Talented African children ages 7-11, traveling and performing nationwide to raise awareness and support for orphaned children in Africa and health and education programs in their native countries, 7:30pm, $, 424-6318.

Decatur Chordsmen – April 5
Decatur Civic Center. Annual spring concert of Barbershop music, 2 & 7pm, $, 422-7300.

Decatur Youth Symphony – April 6
Kirkland Fine Arts Center. Featuring the Student Concerto Competition winners Therese Miller on viola and Kaylene Beal on horn, 2pm, free, 424-6318.

The United States Army Band – April 10
Millikin University, Kirkland Fine Arts Center, 7:30pm, $, 424-6318.

Piano Pops Concert – April 12
Millikin University, Kirkland Fine Arts Center. Millikin-Decatur Symphony Orchestra with guest artist Rich Ridenour, 7:30pm, $, 424-6318.

Millikin Faculty Kirkland Trio – April 13
Decatur Public Library, Madden Auditorium, 130 N. Franklin St., 2pm, free, 421-9771.

Millikin Wind Ensemble and University Concert Band – April 20
Millikin University, Kirkland Fine Arts Center. Featuring guest trombonist Tim Conner, 2pm, free, 424-6300.

Spring Choral Concert – April 20
Millikin University, venue TBA. Presented by Millikin University’s School of Music, 4pm, free, location TBA, 424-6300.

Millikin Percussion Ensemble – April 20
Millikin University, Shilling Hall, Albert Taylor Theatre, 6pm, free, 424-6300.

Opus 24 – May 13
St. Patrick Catholic Church, 407 E. Eldorado St. Spring Concert, conducted by Milton Scott, 7:30pm, $, 422-1422.

A Patriotic Celebration in Central Park – May 18
Central Park, downtown Decatur (rain location Decatur Public Library, Madden Auditorium). Tribute to veterans, music by the Decatur Municipal Band Ensemble, presentations by local Korean War veterans, presentation of the colors by the Macon County Veterans Honor Guard, 2pm, free, 424-2900, ext. 7.

Cooking with the Chorale – May 31 & June 1
Fairview Park. Greater Decatur Chorale, Park Singers, and Young Park Singers, 6pm, free, $, 422-8535.

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comedy, theatre & dance

Ruthless – April 10-13
Millikin University, Shilling Hall, Albert Taylor Theatre. Musical spoof presented by Millikin University’s Department of Theatre and Dance, Th-Sa, 7:30pm, Su 2pm, $, 424-6318.

The Complete Works of William Shakespeare (abridged) – April 11-13 & 17-20
Richland Community College, Shilling Auditorium, One College Park. A hilarious evening for Shakespeare lovers and novices alike, Th’s-Sa’s 7:30pm, Su 3pm, $, 875-7211 ext. 215.

Death by Chocolate – April 18-20 & 25-27
Decatur Civic Center Theatre. F’s & Sa’s 7:30pm, Su 2pm, $, 422-6161.

Equinox – May 3-4
Kirkland Fine Arts Center. Millikin University’s annual celebration of dance, presented by Millikin University’s Department of Theatre and Dance, F 7:30pm, Sa 2pm, $, 424-6318.

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history & museums

Dulcimer Music – April 5, 19 & May 3, 17, 31
Rock Springs Nature Center, 3939 Nearing Ln. Listen to the Nature Center volunteers play old time music, or bring your dulcimer and join in, 10am, free, 423-7708.

Music, Film and the Depression-Era American Farm - April 8
Decatur Public Library, Madden Auditorium. Featuring Dr. Travis Stimeling, Asst. Professor of Music, Millikin University, 7pm, free, 424-2900, ext. 7.

Old Time Music Jams – April 13 & May 11
Rock Springs Nature Center, 3939 Nearing Ln. Enjoy old time tunes played by area musicians, 1-4pm free, 423-7708.

Haunted Decatur Ghost Tours – April 18-August 16
Departs from Avon Theatre, 426 N. Water St. Visit the city’s most haunted places, $, reservations, toll free (888) 446-7859.

Children of the Great Depression – April 24
Decatur Public Library, Madden Auditorium. Jessica Bastian and Karen Beresche share oral histories of people raised during the Great Depression, 12pm, free, 424-2900, ext. 7.

Agriculture in Early Illinois – April 29
Decatur Public Library, Madden Auditorium. Featuring Lee Slider, Cultural Interpretive Specialist and Melody Arnold, Education Specialist, Macon County Conservation District, 7pm, free, 424-2900, ext. 7.

Bethel School Open House – May 3
Friends Creek Conservation Area, NE of Argenta, off Rt. 48. Open house and tours of the restored one-room Bethel Schoolhouse, circa 1890, 1-4pm, free, 423-7708.

Vintage Baseball – May 31
Rock Springs Nature Center, Trobaugh Field. The Rock Springs Ground Squirrels challenge the St. Louis Unions, time TBA, free, 423-7708.

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literary & learning

Preserving Products Grown from the Land – April 1
Decatur Public Library, Madden Auditorium. Featuring Phyllis Herring, certified Master Food Preserver, presented by University of Illinois Extension, 12pm, free, 424-2900 ext. 7.

Foods America Gave the World – April 17
Decatur Public Library, Madden Auditorium. Featuriing Nancy Torgerson, 12pm, free, 424-2900 ext. 7.

Soybeans and Their Products – April 19
Decatur Public Library, Madden Auditorium. Featuring Jennifer Edgecombe, Director of Information and Ag Literacy Coordinator for the Macon County Farm Bureau, all ages welcome, 1pm, free, 424-2900 ext. 7.

John Cronin – April 22
Kirkland Fine Arts Center. A James W. Moore lecture event, featuring John Cronin, author, fisherman, teacher, filmmaker, and advocate, 7:30pm, free, tickets required, 424-6318.

How Does Your Garden Grow? – April 27
Mari Mann Herb Co., St. Louis Bridge Rd. Learn about herbs, everlastings and their many uses, garden walk (weather permitting), tea and cookies served, 2-4pm, $, 429-1404.

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nature & gardens

Family Hikes – April & May
Rock Springs Conservation Area (RSCA), Fort Daniel Conservation Area (FDCA), Sand Creek Conservation Area (SCCA), Friends Creek Conservation Area (FCCA), free, 423-7708.
April 12, Wildflowers, RSCA, 10am
April 13, Wildflowers, FDCA, 2pm
April 19, When Darkness Falls, RSCA, 7pm
April 20, Wildflowers, FCCA, 10am
April 27, Wildflowers, SCCA, 2pm
May 4, Migration Mania, RSCA, 2pm
May 17, Hide and Seek Fawns, RSCA, 10am
May 24, Huff and Puff, RSCA, 10am
May 31, School’s Out, RCSA, 1pm

Tales from the Field with Jeff Corwin – April 26
Millikin University, Kirkland Fine Arts Center. Featuring Animal Planet’s conservationist Jeff Corwin, 7:30pm, $, 424-6318.

Going Native with Rain Gardens – April 27
Rock Springs Nature Center. Featuring Stacy James, Water Resources Scientist with the Prairie Rivers Network, door prizes, 2pm, $, reservations, 423-7708.

Froggie Went a Courtin’ – May 25
Rock Springs Nature Center. Listen to cricket frogs and bullfrogs as they look for their companions, 2pm, free, 423-7708.

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events for children & families

Scovill Zoo Opening Day – April 5
Scovill Zoo, 71 S. Country Club Rd. Check out the spring babies, blossoms, and new arrivals, 10am, $, 421-7435.

Wren House Workshop – April 6
Rock Springs Nature Center, 3939 Nearing Ln. Bring a hammer and build a wren house, children under 12 must have an adult companion, 2pm, $, reservations, 423-7708.

Faerie Tale Ball – April 17
Children’s Museum of Illinois, 55 S. Country Club Rd. Special evening for girls ages 3 and older to dress up like a faerie princess and attend the ball with their favorite adult, 6-8pm, $, registration required, 423-5437.

Festival of Spring – April 26
Rock Springs Nature Center, 3939 Nearing Ln. Family activities including music, food, live bird show, wagon rides, canoe rodeo, hikes, and more, 10am-4pm, free, $ for concessions, 423-7708.

Kite Festival 2008 – April 26-27
Progress City USA, Richland Community College Campus, #1 College Park. Bring your own kite to fly or buy one at the festival, 10am-4pm, free, 620-8962.

Zippy Zoo Days – May 17-18
Scovill Zoo. Balloon animals, face painting, animal presentations, food, and fun,11am-4pm, $, 421-7435.

Crappie USA & Kids Fishing Rodeo – May 31
Nelson Park, Lake Decatur. Crappie fishing tournament qualifier for kids fishing, prizes include bicycles and a $5,000 scholarship, 6am-5pm, tournament 9-11am, free, 423-7000.

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sports, health & fitness

Country Western Dance – April 4-May 30
Prairie Land Dance Club, 650 Matilda, Illiopolis. Open Western dancing, Fridays, 7-11pm, $, 428-1560.

Ballroom Dance – April 19 & May 17
Prairie Land Dance Club, 650 Matilda, Illiopolis. Open ballroom dancing and/or a ballroom dance lesson, lesson 7-8pm, dancing 8-11pm, $, 428-1560.

Fly Fishing Basics – April 19
Rock Springs Nature Center, 3939 Nearing Ln. Eric Greenberg teaches the basics of fly fishing with hands-on opportunities, 10am, free, reservations, 423-7708.

New Product Day – April 27
Red Tail Run Golf Course. Top golf club manufacturers display their newest products for demonstration use, 10am-4pm, free, 422-2211.

National Senior Health & Fitness Day – May 28
Decatur Indoor Sports Center (DISC), 1295 W. Wood St. Health screenings, giveaways, exercise activities, and fitness demonstrations for seniors, 8-11am, free, 429-3472.

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festivals, food & fairs

Chamber of Commerce Business Expo – April 2
Decatur Civic Center Arena. Local businesses display their wares, giveaways, “Taste of Decatur” provided by area restaurants and caterers, 7am-3pm, $, 422-2200.

Pride of the Prairie Marble Show – April 3-5
Country Inn & Suites. Toy marble show and trading, Sell-buy-trade-appraisals available, trading Th-Sa, show Sa, free, 422-8454.

Spores ‘n More Mushroom Festival – April 18-19
Lake Shelbyville Area. Bethany, Findlay, Sullivan, Windsor and Shelbyville celebrate morel mushrooms, F 6-8pm, Sa 6:30am-midnight, spectators free, $ to participate, toll free (800) 874-3527.

Train Fair - April 19
Decatur Civic Center Arena. Exposition, train models, vendors, 10am-5pm, $, 422-7300.

56th Annual Central Illinois Gem and Mineral Show – April 20-22
Lutheran School Association, 2001 E. Mound Rd. Dealers and demonstrators of gemstones, fossils, jewelry, lapidary arts and findings, geological and educational displays, mineral sluice, kids’ corner, door prizes, F 3-6pm, Sa 9am-5pm, Su 10am-4pm, $, 233-1164.

Monthly Market Place – May 4
Progress City USA, Richland Community College Campus. Crafts, antiques, collectibles, baked goods, produce, and more, 8am 4pm, $, 875-7211 ext. 577.

Bloomsday – May 17
Doherty’s Pub & Pins, 242 E. William St. Authentic Irish music, food, and fun, 8-10pm, 428-5612.

A Chocolate Affair – May 22
Downtown Decatur. Special chocolate delights at stores and restaurants, luxury trip giveaway, and premier movie showing, 877-5371.

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Mark your calendar for these charity events

“Casas for CASA” – April 1-30
Hickory Point Mall, center stage. 6th annual playhouse display and fundraiser, proceeds benefit children through Macon County CASA, raffle tickets available at the mall on weekends, F 4-6pm, Sa 10am-8pm, Su 12pm-4pm, or call CASA, 428-8424.

“Celebration Day” – April 8
Central Park, downtown Decatur. A day to raise awareness and funds for Easter Seals programs and services, special events, 6am-6:30pm, free, $ for lunch, 429-1052.

Camp COCO Fundraiser – April 11
Decatur Club. Silent auction, 50/50 drawing, food and entertainment by Rock of Ages band. Proceeds benefit Camp COCO (Children’s Oncology Camp Organization). Event 6-10pm, $, camping attire and jeans, 720-3861.

“Catholic Charity Ball 2008” – April 12
Decatur Club. Dining, music, and dancing, proceeds to assist Catholic Charities, formal attire, black tie optional, $, reservations, 428-3458.

“Corks & Forks” – April 17
Decatur Conference Center and Hotel. Food and wine tastings, silent auction and raffle, proceeds benefit Decatur Area Arts Council, 6-9pm, $, 423-3189.

American Heart Association Heart Walk – April 19
Fairview Park. Sponsored by DMH and ADM, proceeds used for research and educational programs to fight cardiovascular diseases and stroke, registration 9am, walk 10am, free, $ donations accepted, 698-3838 ext. 3.

“The Keepers of the Flame” – April 20
Decatur Club. Dixieland Jazz led by Don Stille, presented by the Juvae Jazz Society, proceeds benefit the 2009 Central Illinois Jazz Festival, casual dress, 4-7pm, $, 429-9364 or 546-1363.

Stars Over Athens Dinner and Bake Sale – May 1
Greek Orthodox Church. Featuring Greek cuisine, music, and live dancers, proceeds benefit the Greek Orthodox Church, two dinner seatings 5:30 & 7:30pm, bake sale begins 9am, $, reservations 875-8388 or 422-1100.

“English Jumble” – May 2
James Millikin Homestead. English “high class sale,” tax deductible donations of items accepted prior to sale, proceeds benefit Homestead preservation, 8am-2pm, 422-9903 or 864-4017.

“Greater Decatur Duck Derby” – May 3
Children’s Museum of Illinois. Rubber ducks compete in the 16th annual swimming derby, special activities, museum open with free admission, proceeds benefit the Children’s Museum of Illinois, 12-4pm, race at 2pm, spectators free, $ to sponsor ducks, 423-5437.

“Woofstock 2008” – May 3
Progress City USA, Richland Community College Campus. All-day festival of pets, activities for kids and dogs, live music, wine tasting, food, and more. Evening includes dinner and Rock of Ages band for adults. Proceeds benefit the Homeward Bound Pet Shelter, 10am-5pm, dinner and dance 6-10:30pm, $, 875-1910 ext. 880 or 876-1266.

Annual Master Gardeners Plant Sale – May 3
University of Illinois Extension, office courtyard. Annual plant sale, proceeds benefit the Master Gardeners educational programs in Macon County, 9am-12pm, 877-6042.

Dave Greer’s Classic Jazz Stompers – May 17
Decatur Club. Dixieland Jazz presented by the Juvae Jazz Society, proceeds benefit the 2009 Central Illinois Jazz Festival, casual dress, 5-8pm, $, 546-1363 or 429-9364.

“Macon a Difference Poker Run” – May 17
Begins at Macon Resources. After a pancake breakfast, motorcycle riders follow a designated route, post-run party at The Bourbon Barrel Bar & Grill, proceeds will fund emergency preparedness projects, and Kid’s Connection, breakfast and registration 8am, ride 11am, $, 875-1910 ext. 880.

Spring Fling – May 22-26
Decatur Public Library parking lot. Children’s carnival with proceeds benefiting the August 2008 Decatur Celebration, Th-F 4-11pm, Sa & Su 11am-11pm, M 11am-6pm, $, 423-4222.

“Kiss-a-Pig” Gala – May 31
Decatur Conference Center and Hotel. The 5th annual gala event following the Decatur “Kiss-a-Pig” fundraiser, proceeds for diabetes research, education and support programs, formal attire, black tie optional, hors d’oeuvres and cocktails 6pm, dinner 7pm, $, toll free (888) 342-2383 ext. 6643.

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For information on how to include your fund-raising event in the Charity Datebook,
contact Cultural Arts Editor Terrie Potter by email: potter@decaturmagazine.com or call 217-423-0422.