money 'Ladies and gentlemen: The Weekend!' 5 things to do while out and about in Springfield
Nothing says spring like the opening of the Henson Robinson Zoo in Springfield.
On Saturday, the public will be able to meet some new guests of the zoo.
Several local and area musicians will be part of a benefit concert for Ukraine at First Presbyterian Church in downtown Springfield Sunday.
Illinois COVID: Sangamon County's first fatal COVID case uncovered: 'All the memories come back'
As always, check with venues regarding mask wearing and COVID-19 protocols or any postponements or cancellations.
Put me in the zoo
Henson Robinson Zoo, 1100 East Lake Shore Drive, opens its gates for the season at 10 a.m. Saturday.
Six African penguins and wallabies, middle-sized marsupials which belong to the kangaroo family, join over 80 species of native and exotic animals are housed among the zoo's naturalistic exhibits.
Special zookeeper chats are on the agenda for Saturday and visitors will get a look at the zoo's main lobby, admissions desk and gift shop.
Guests can also check out plans for the zoo's new African and Asian Mammal Interpretive Area and Exhibit.
Zoo memberships are now available and the zoo hosts party rentals, classes, camps and field trips.
Opening weekend events are rain or shine, but the zoo cautions that some animals may remain in winter holding if overnight temperatures have not maintained a certain threshold.
Visit the zoo’s Facebook page for any up-to-the-minute updates or call 217-585-1821.
Elvie Shane performs
Elvie Shane brings his "My Kinda Trouble" tour to Boondocks Pub Friday.
The Kentucky-born Shane, who is known for his hit "My Boy" from his EP "County Roads," cites influences from Gospel roots to The Temptations to Steve Earle to Eminem.
Shane has a new CD, "Backslider," (Wheelhouse Records) in tow. He co-wrote all 15 of its songs.
Frank Ray ("Country'd Look Good on You") is the opening act.
Tickets are $15 and available on Boondocks' website.
'A Doll's House, Part 2
In "A Doll's House, Part 2," a play commissioned by the South Coast Repertory and written by Lucas Hnath in 2017, Nora Helmer has returned to the house she left 15 years earlier.
The knock at the beginning of the play is on the same door she slammed shut at the end of Henrik Ibsen’s groundbreaking work. Set in 1894 Norway, Nora has become a successful feminist novelist and the reason for her return is to finalize her divorce from her husband, Torvald.
New leadership: Janet L. Gooch named chancellor at University of Illinois Springfield
"With unfussy eloquence," the Hollywood Reporter details, "('A Doll's House, Part 2') asks how much, in a century-plus, life has changed for Nora and women like her in a world that often still has firm ideas about where they belong.”
The UIS student production is in the Studio Theatre of the PAC running Friday through Sunday and Apr 7-9. Sunday's performance is at 2 p.m. while the others are at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $6-$14 and available at the Sangamon Auditorium website.
Ukraine benefit concert
A concert to benefit Ukraine will be held at First Presbyterian Church, 321 S. Seventh St., at 1:30 p.m. Sunday. Grace Lutheran (ELCA) Church co-sponsors.
Crime: Indianapolis man found guilty of 2019 murder of former Jacksonville resident
Among the announced musicians taking part so far are Kamen Petkov Ten Miles West (Emily Wheeler & Blake Martin), Becky Kemp, Diane Dietz Paula Romanaux, Cathy McGuire and JB George.
The concert benefits Doctors Without Borders/Médecins Sans Frontières, Lutheran Disaster Response and Presbyterian Disaster Assistance.
SHG presents 'The Little Mermaid'
Sacred Heart Griffin's production of "The Little Mermaid" continues Friday through Sunday.
The classic story, based on the 1989 animated film, brings to life the story of Ariel, Prince Eric, Sebastian, Flounder and the rest of the gang. It features music from the movie as well as some brand new songs.
Morgan Kaplan and Andrew Maynerich direct with music direction by Damien Kaplan.
Shows Friday and Saturday are at 7:30 p.m. with Sunday's production at 2 p.m.
Tickets are available for purchase at www.shg.org or at the box office prior to the show.
Things to Do publishes each Wednesday at sj-r.com and on Thursday in The State Journal-Register print edition. Email your upcoming events to reporter Steven Spearie at sspearie@sj-r.com. Contributions must be received no later than 5 p.m. Sunday for consideration.
Contact Steven Spearie: 217-622-1788, sspearie@sj-r.com, twitter.com/@StevenSpearie.
This article originally appeared on State Journal-Register: Things to do Springfield, IL: Henson Robinson Zoo opens, Elvie Shane
