March 2012

Feb 29-Mar 3   Aviston American Legion Auxiliary Rummage Sale (Clinton Co).  Quilt raffle, attendance prizes at the American Legion Hall.  Aviston
 
Mar 1-4   You're A Good Man, Charlie Brown, Brass Rail Players (St Clair Co).  At Lindenwood University Premier Center for the Arts (2600 West Main Street)  Admission: Adults $12, Seniors/Students/Military $10, Children $6  618-767-6016  Belleville
 
Mar 2   Western United Cherokee Cultural meeting  (Johnson Co).  7-9pm first Friday at Vienna Public Library.  Features speakers on variety of topics, with refreshments or potluck.  Open to public.  Free  618-922-3273  Vienna
 
Mar 2-4  MetroEast Home and Garden Improvement Show   (St Clair Co).  At Belle Clair Fairgrounds.   Admission charge.  http://www.bcfairgrounds.net/index.asp?action=page&name=1    Belleville
 
Mar 3   Irvington Ruritan Club Amnnual All You Can Eat Pancake and Sausage Breakfast (Washington Co).  7am-12:30pm at irvington Community Building.  Kids 3 and under free.  Irvington
 
Mar 3    Greenup Hootenany  (Cumberland Co).  7-9pm at Greenup Municipal Bldg.  Free music and dancing.  217-923-3401  Greenup
 
Mar 4   Paws For a Cause (Washington Co).  noon-9pm at Forbidden Lines Tattoo (991 W. St Louis St.).  $20 paw tattoos with 50% benefits to Washington County Partners for Pets.  Prizes, drinks, food, music, special guests, adoptible pets.  618-606-2501  Nashville
 
Mar 4   10th Annual Ferrin Pork Chop Dinner (Clinton co).  11am-2pm at Bethlehem Lutheran Church.  Benefits Huey-Ferrin-Boulder Fire Protection District.  Ferrin.
 
Mar 4   New Minden Chicken Supper (Washington Co).  3:30-7 pm at St John's Lutheran Church in the school building.  Children under 5 free.  A portion of proceeds supplemented by Thrivent Financial for Lutherans.  New Minden
 
Mar 3-4   Psychic Fair (Madison Co).  At Gateway Center.  Admission charged.  800-289-2388  http://www.gatewaycenter.com/  Collinsville
 
Mar 3-4   Salem Home, Community and Ag Expo (Marion Co).   $2 admission at 416 East Oglesby; features vendors with products and services.  618-548-3010    Salem
 
Mar 3-4   TABC Spring Craft Fair (Madison Co).  At Triad High School, features booths are on the school's main level including 2 gyms, the lobby and the hallways with handmade crafts;  booster club serves a full brekfast and lunch menu, and bake sale.   Free Admission  618-887-4483   Troy
 
Mar 4  Giant Flea Market (Perry Co).   Monthly flea market (first Sunday)  at DuQuoin State Fairgrounds.  Apprx. 100 dealers, snack bar.  8:30am-4:30 pm.  $1 admission. DuQuoin 

Mar 4   Honky Tonk Angels, Springer Theatricals  (Wabash Co)  2pm musical performances at Wabash Valley College.  618-263-4999    Mt Carmel
 
Mar 6  Bald Eagle Days Tours (Jersey Co).  8:30am at Pere Marquette State Park.    Video, then cross Illinois River on Brussels Ferry for a drive in Two Rivers Wildlife Refuge, lunch in Hardin, back at 3:30pm.  Limit: 50 people.  Reservations required.  Free.  618-786-3323.  Grafton 
 
Mar 7  Manon, Mett at the Hett (Madison Co).   Live on HD simulcast of New York Metropolitan Opera production.  Hettenhasuen Center for the Arts, McKendree University.  Admission: $18 Adult $15 Senior $10 Student/Child. 618-537-6863     http://www.mckendree.edu/the_hett/  Lebanon 
 
Mar 8   Family Series:  ScrapArtsMusic  (Madison Co)  Hettenhasuen Center for the Arts, McKendree University.  ScrapArtsMusic Features intricate rhythms with athletic choreography on percussion instruments made from industrial scrap.   618-537-6863  Lebanon
 
Mar 8-Apr 10   Jacoby Arts Center Art Exhibit (Madison Co).  Tues-Sat 10am-5pm, Saun 12-4pm at 627 East Broadway featuring Mark Makers, an exhibit of drawings and paintings from 18 artists.  Free admission.  618-462-5222  Alton
 
Mar 9-10   Friends of  Lovejoy Library Antiques Show and Sale  (Madison Co).  At SIUE Student Fitness Center. More than 50 dealers, free certified appraisals with paid admission.  Admission $10.  618-650-2730  Edwardsville
 
Mar 10   Living History Program (Massac Co).  Massiac Marines, French and Indian War period reenactors at Fort Massac. 10am - 4pm. 618-524-9321  Metropolis 
 
Mar 10  Leather Crafting Class (St Clair Co).  At Candid Gifts.  Each child will get to make and keep a leather bracelet, pouch and leather key fob.   This class will demonstrate basic leather tooling and lacing.   618-310-1613 
 Belleville
 
Mar 10   Gangs and Gangsters of Southern Illinois (Madison Co).  At glen Carbon Heritage Museum.  Featuring historian and author Bill Noyes on the Southern Illinois underworld .  Free.  618-288-7271  Glen Carbon 
 
 Mar 10   36th Annual Tilden Quilt Show (Washington Co).   At Tilden Presbyterian Church 721 Butler Street ).  Quilt Show, salad bar, baked goods, bazaar.  Admission $7.  618-587-5541 Tilden
 
Mar 10-11  Gun and Knife Show   (St Clair Co).  At Belle Clair Fairgrounds.  618-230-0052 http://www.bcfairgrounds.net/index.asp?action=page&name=1    Belleville
 
Mar 11   Quilt and Cash Social, St Mary Magdalen Church (Perry Co).  Doors open noon, bingo starts 1:30pm, 9 handmade quilts, raffle, refreshments.  Includes an early bird game.  Todds Mill
 
Mar 12   Fairfield Coin Club (Wayne Co).  11am-3pm at Frontier Community College.  Open to public at 11am.  Meeting, auction begins 1:30pm.  Dealers, vendors, raffle.  618-599-2393
 
Mar 15-18  ARLA Encampment (Randolph Co).  9am-5pm At Fort de Chatres, featuring American Long Rifle Association encampment of long hunters, 1750-1790.  Free; donations appreciated.  618-284-7230  http://www.greatriverroad.com/stegen/randattract/chartres.htm  Prairie du Rocher
 
Mar 15-18  Blame It on the Movies (Wabash Co).  At Wabash Valley College, 7pm Thurs-Sat, 2pm Sun. This musical salute to the movies involves an ensemble of vocalists accompanied by a pit band directed by Alison Dudley.  618-263-4999 x 3480 Mt Carmel
 
Mar 17   25th Annual Murphysboro St Patrick's Day Festival (Jackson Co).  9am 5K walk/run, Irish Stew Cookoff at 9am, 17th Street Warehouse opens, 11am St patrick's Day Parade, 11:30 Irish Kids' Festival, 12pm fire Truck Display, 1pm Leprechaun Classic Bocce Tournament.  618-687-2314   Murphysboro
 
Mar 17    BPO Youth Orchestra, Youth Performance Series (Madison Co).  Hettenhasuen Center for the Arts, McKendree University.  Features the Belleville Philharmonic Orchestra , the nation's second oldest, continuously operated symphony orchestra. Under the direction of Robert Charles Howard.   618-537-6863  http://www.mckendree.edu/the_hett/  Lebanon
 
Mar 17-18   Garrison Weekend (Madison Co).  10am-4pm daily at Lewis-Clark State Historic Site.   Saturday: the Detachment participates in living history at this replica winter camp, portraying early 19th century army life.   Sunday: visitors observe frontier women reenacting cooking over an open fire, sewing, and candle making at the early 1800s American Bottom Cabin.  Free.  http://www.greatriverroad.com/lewclark/campriverdubois.htm  Hartford
 
Mar 17-18  Belleville Flea Market (St Clair Co).   9am-4pm Sat and Sun.  400 vendors, 600 tables.  Third full weekend of the month.  Free admission, free parking.  http://www.bcfairgrounds.net/index.asp?action=page&name=1   Belleville
 
Mar 17-18  Illinois Archaeological Society (Madison Co).  At Gateway Center, featuring arrowheads, axes and pottery both historical and prehistorical on more than 400 exhibit tables. About 1/3 of items displayed will be available for purchase including Native American Artwork, cast replicas and books.  Admission $3-$5.  800-289-2388  http://www.gatewaycenter.com/ Collinsville
 
Mar 17-18   American Indian and Ethnographic Show (Madison Co).  At the Gateway Center.  Free admission.  800-289-2388  http://www.gatewaycenter.com/ Collinsville
 
Mar 18   Spring Equinox Sunrise Observance (Madison Co).  Arrive by 6:35am at Woodhenge, the astronomical observatory west of Monk's Mound, the largest of the mounds at Cahokia Mounds State Historic Site for a brief presentation on the discovery, form, and function of Woodhenge.  No ceremony or ritual.  Free event.  618-346-5160  http://cahokiamounds.org/  Collinsville
 
Mar 19   St Louis Symphony Mondays, Perfiormance Series (Madison Co).  At the Hettenhausen Center for the Arts, McKendree University, 7:30pm performance by  Symphony Monday with Symphony members in smaller, chamber ensembles.  Free admission.  618-537-6863  http://www.mckendree.edu/the_hett/  Lebanon
 
Mar 20-21   Wood River Rendezvous (Madison Co).  10am-5pm daily at Camp DuBois just off IL 3 and IL 143 junction in Wood River, celebrating period 1740-1840.  Flag raising, 2pm daily battle, Reenacters, a black powder shoot, a "hawk" throw, fire starting with flint and steel contests, children's and women's activities, period food sales, crafts, Fife and Drum music, vendors, contests, more. Period costumes encouraged for visitors. Illustrations of Lewis & Clark's journey located on the trail around the lake.  Free, donations accepted.  http://www.greatriverroad.com/Cities/Wood/duboisLandmark.htm  Wood River 

Mar 23   Stage Dinner Event (Union Co).  All you can eat dinner buffet, Open Mic for local talent.  At Masters Center, Anna Arts Center.  Fourth Fri.   $10 admission.  618-697-6285   Anna
 
Mar 22  Soweto Gospel Choir, Performance Series (Madison Co).  At the Hettenhausen Center for the Arts, McKendree University,  featuring the two-time Grammy-winning Soweto Gospel Choir offering the evocative sounds of South Africa with vibrant color, rhythm and rich harmony. Admission: $20 Adult $15 Senior $5 Student/Child.  618-537-6863     http://www.mckendree.edu/the_hett/  Lebanon
 
Mar 23-25   Craft Show   (St Clair Co).  At Belle Clair Fairgrounds. 
 
Mar 23-25, Mar 29-Apr 1   Seussical the Musical (Richland Co).  At Olney Community College. 618-395-7777 x 2408  Olney
 
Mar 23-25   International Gem and Jewelry Show (Madison Co).  At Gateway Center with gems, beads, and jewelry.  Admission $8.  800-289-2388  http://www.gatewaycenter.com/ Collinsville

Mar 24   Springtime Walk in Belleville (St Clair Co). Union united Methodist Church sponsors the Illinois Trekkers Walking Club tour through Belleville's Historic Districts and award winning downtown streetscapes, city parks and more.  Admission $3.  618-236-9521  Belleville
 
Mar 24   Cookie Party (St Clair Co).  At Candid Gifts.  Nancy Schulte of Delizioso demonstrates and aids children in cookie decorating techniques;  Earlene Wolff of Fleur Design Creations helps choose and apply  custom embellishments to their aprons; Candid Gifts staff hosts. Children get their own customs embellished monogrammed apron, colored paper chef hat and 4 decorated cookies. Reservations Required
Admission charged.   618-310-1613  Belleville
 
Mar 24  Springtime Walk in Belleville (St Clair Co).  Hosted by Union United Methodist Church.  Accompany Illinois Trekkers Walking Club through Belleville's Historic Districts and award winning downtown streetscapes, city parks and more.  Admission $3. 618-236-9521   Belleville
 
Mar 24-25, Mar 31-Apr 1   Easter Egg-citement; Breakfast with the Easter Bunny (St Clair Co).  At Eckert's Country Store and Farm.  Easter egg hunts 10am-2pm each day.  Reservations for breakfast recommended.  618-233-0513 x 3  http://www.eckerts.com/  Belleville
 
Mar 24-25   Olney Craft Show (Richland Co).  At Holiday Concord Floor (1300 South West) featuring wood crafts, scented jellies, spices, jewelry, quilter, knitting, Signature Home Style, wooden flowers, Tupperware and much, more.  618-292-5664 Olney
 
Mar 24-26   Country Treasures Craft Show (St Clair Co).  At Belle Clair Fairgrounds with handcrafted furniture, garden décor, florals, jewelry, wearable art, gourmet foods, candles and more.  Admission $3.  618-233-0052   http://www.bcfairgrounds.net/  Belleville
 
Mar 29-31   State Theatre Rummage Sale (Washington Co).  At Washington County Fairgrounds.  Benefits the community-owned State Theatre, the county's only movie theater.  Pre-sale Thurs, Mar 29 6-8pm with $2 admission.  Free admission Fri, Mar 30 8am-4pm and Sat, Mar 31 8am-noon.  618-327-8338  Nashville
 
Mar 30   Meals on Wheels Trivia Night (Washington Co).  Dinner 6:30pm, trivia 7:30pm at Washington County Senior Center in Okawville.  $15 per person, max 8 per team.  618-243-2041   Okawville
 
Mar 30-Apr 1  Children's Consignment Sale  (St Clair Co).  At Belle Clair Fairgrounds. 
 
Mar 31   Oakdale Easter Egg-stravganza (Washington Co).  Day-long activities with free admission, rain or shine.  Free 20 acre Egg Hunt ages 1-8 (2pm), plus 9am fellowship service at United Presbyterian Church, Easter Egg Factory Tours ($1), Petting Zoo ($1), Kiddie Train Rides (free), Crafts, food, prize wheel, live music, Easter Bonnet Contest with cash prizes, Egg Toss ages 9 and up, Easter Bunny Line Dance Contest, bicycle drawing.   618-329-5370.  Oakdale
 
Mar 31   Challenge of the Bluffs Run (Madison Co).  Registration at 3d and Belle in Alton at 7am, run begins at 6am, walk begins at 8:15am.  Annual 5-mile run through the Christian Hill district and a 2-mile competitive walk to Riverview Park and back; T-shirt and goody bag to participants; prizes and awards.  Entry fee charged.  618-463-1016  http://www.altonmainstreet.com/events.cfm  Alton
 
Mar 31   Bond County Historical Society Quilt Sale (Bond Co).  Quilt show, demonstrations, vendors, quilt block contest at Greenville Free Methodist Church (1367 East State Route 140 ).  Admission $3.  618-326-7343
http://www.bondcountyhistorical.org/  Greenville
 
Mar 31   Breakfast with Bunny (St Clair Co).  Breakfast with the Easter Bunny, egg gathering at Main Street and Railway.  Admission $5.  618-566-2244   Mascoutah
 
Mar 31  American Girl Fashion Show (St Clair Co).  For girls and families at Regency Conference Center (400 Regency Park Drive) with a show featuring historical and contemporary fashions; refreshments; door prizes; proceeds benefit Arts and Parks Foundation.  618-624-0139  http://www.ofallon.org/Public_Documents/OFallonIL_ParksRec/index  O'Fallon

Mar 31  An Evening with Chondra Price (Clinton Co).  At Jane Knight Auditorium, Kaskaskia College.  Known as the Queen of Clean comedy, Price is a frequent guest on the Grand Ole Opry and host of the Inspirational Country Music and Christian Music Hall of Fame Awards,  mixing music and comedy into a frothy blend.  618-545-3223  Centralia
 
Mar 31-Apr 1   Colonial Trade Faire and Musket Frolic (Randolph Co).  9am-5pm at Fort de Chartres State Historic Site.  Portrayal by reenacters of 1750-1790 with musket and rifle shooting matches, colonial games, military demonstrations.  Free.   618-284-7230  http://www.greatriverroad.com/stegen/randattract/chartres.htm  Prairie du Rocher
 
Mar 31-Apr 1   Rainbow Ranch Petting Farm Baby Bonanza (Washington Co).  Exotic animal babies highlighted at Rainbow Ranch Petting Farm at Plum Hill.  618-424-7979.    http://www.rainbowranchzoo.com/  Plum Hill