Where to find the arts and entertainment in the capital city

Hoogland Center for the Arts

The city’s premier arts venue, the Hoogland Center, is a magnet for practitioners and supporters of the arts.

Named after the family that nurtured Family Video stores to nationwide prominence, the venue houses 14 different arts organizations. With four performance sites, two art galleries and meeting space galore, organizations coordinate schedules so that the space is used to advantage. For example, the Prairie Art Alliance’s H.D.

Smith Gallery is often open extra hours so that theatergoers may spend time savoring its exhibitions before the curtain goes up. Hoogland is also home to the Springfield Area Arts Council, a nexus of information for artists of all stripes. A variety of organizations hold meetings at the Hoogland, thanks to its location, flexible accommodations and helpful staff. The Hoogland’s web site provides an updated calendar of events and links to other area arts organizations.

Springfield Hoogland Center for the Arts, 420 S. Sixth St., 217-523-2787, www.hcfta.org.

Sangamon Auditorium

Located on the campus of the University of Illinois at Springfield, Sangamon Auditorium has hosted more than 2,000 events, including conferences, debates, major concerts, plays and musical shows. Legends who have performed at the 2,018-seat facility include Sarah Vaughn, Willie Nelson, Ray Charles, Donny Osmond, Hal Holbrook, David Copperfield, George Carlin, Juliet Prowse, Jerry Seinfeld and Arlo Guthrie. To get to Sangamon Auditorium from Interstate 55, take exit 94 onto Stevenson Drive; proceed to the intersection of Stevenson and Taylor Avenue/West Lake Drive; go south on

West Lake, which becomes Shepherd Road; turn right at the campus entrance, and follow the signs. For ticket information, call 217-206-6160 or 800-207-6960 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday-Friday or visit www.uis.edu/sangamonauditorium.

Other places for arts and entertainment

Theater: Springfield Theatre Centre, Hoogland Center for the Arts, 420 S. Sixth St., 217-523-0878, www.springfieldtheater.com.

Musical theater: Springfield Municipal Opera Association, also known as the Muni, presents locally-produced musicals in an outdoor amphitheater near Lake Springfield all summer long. The Muni is one of the largest all-volunteer community theatre organizations in the nation. This summer’s lineup includes Big River, Guys and Dolls, Hairspray and The Wizard of Oz. Curtain time is 8:30 p.m. The theater is located at 815 East Lake Dr. For ticket information, call 217-793-6864 or visit www.themuni.org.

Regional: Theatre in the Park at Lincoln’s New Salem Historic Site. This summer’s lineup includes Romeo and Juliet, The Secret Garden, Shenandoah, Camp Rock, Healin’ Home and The Lighter Side of Springfield History. The park is on Highway 97, two miles south of Petersburg. For more information, call 217-632-5440 or 800-710- 9290, or go to www.theatreinthepark.net.

Ballet: The Springfield Ballet Company performs at Sangamon Auditorium and the Hoogland Center for the Arts. April will see the Company’s “Cinderella” performance. For more information and a calendar of events, call 217- 544-1967 or visit www.springfieldballetco.org.

Symphony: The Illinois Symphony Orchestra performs at Sangamon Auditorium. For tickets, call 217-206-6160; for all other info, call 800- 401-7222 or visit www.ilsymphony.org.

Fine arts: Springfield Art Association (see “Edwards Place” under Springfield attractions) has been the local leader in supporting the visual arts in the community for almost 100 years. The SAA offers a number of classes through their School of Art, as well as a number of gallery shows throughout the year. 700 N. Fourth St., 217-523-2631, www.springfieldart.org.

Comedy: Donnie B’s Funny Bone, 2937 White Oaks Dr., 217-391-5653, www.funnyboneofspringfield.com.

Movies: Springfield has four motion-picture theaters. Three are operated by AMC Entertainment: Showplace 12, which features stadium seating; Parkway 8, which showcases a number of art and independent films throughout the year; and Showplace 8. The Route 66 Drive-In is located on Springfield’s southern periphery, off Route 4. For current listings, see www.amctheatres.com and www.route66-drivein.com, or check current listings at www.illinoistimes.com.