Calendar

A moving documentary about black mothers and families on the south side of Chicago fighting to survive and thrive after losing their children to gun violence.

Panel discussion to follow with Dr. Ruby Mendenhall, Sontae Massey, and Quonie Barney, moderated by Margaritta Fultz.

Monday, June 15, 2026 at 5:30 p.m.
UIS Student Union North Ballroom
2251 Richard Wright Dr, Springfield, IL

Light refreshments to follow.

Join us on Monday, June 15, for a thought-provoking conversation with Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist and creator of The 1619 Project, Nikole Hannah-Jones, as she explores Juneteenth and the enduring legacy of slavery in America.

This special event will challenge commonly held conceptions about American freedom and examine the ongoing struggle for racial justice and equity.

Don’t miss this opportunity to hear from one of the leading voices in American journalism as we confront the past and imagine a more just future.

This year’s Juneteenth keynote address will take place in the Union Theater at the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum. Doors open at 6:00 p.m. Program begins at 6:30 p.m. A book signing with Nikole Hannah-Jones will follow.

The program is free to attend but advance registration is required.

A meet and greet with Nikole Hannah-Jones will follow the discussion, and you’ll have an opportunity to purchase the book and have it signed by the author. You may also purchase a book in advance of the program when you register online, and it will be held for you.

A conversation with Nikole Hannah-Jones is presented to the community as a collaboration between Juneteenth Inc., UIS Center for Lincoln Studies, the UIS Institute for Race, Gender, Sexuality, & Social Justice, and the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum.

Single Catholic women ages 20-45 who are curious about religious life are invited to a national service immersion experience hosted by four Dominican Sisters' congregations in Springfield June 16-20. The group will live at Sacred Heart Convent and experience the rhythms of apostolic religious life, which includes community life, prayer, active service, and theological reflection. There is a $50 participation fee, but no woman will be turned away for lack of funds. Apply soon at springfieldop.org/events or call Sister Denise Glazik, OP, 217-787-0481 for questions.

Single Catholic women ages 20-45 who are curious about religious life are invited to a national service immersion experience hosted by four Dominican Sisters' congregations in Springfield June 16-20. The group will live at Sacred Heart Convent and experience the rhythms of apostolic religious life, which includes community life, prayer, active service, and theological reflection. There is a $50 participation fee, but no woman will be turned away for lack of funds. Apply soon at springfieldop.org/events or call Sister Denise Glazik, OP, 217-787-0481 for questions.

Whether you're singing along to your favorite songs under the open sky, sharing stories with friends around the tailgate, or dancing the night away, Tailgate N' Tallboys is more than just a festival – it's a celebration of the country lifestyle we all love. Grab your crew, throw on your boots, snag your tickets, and join us for the ultimate country music experience. The 2026 lineup includes Zach Top, Jessie Murph, Treaty Oak Revival, Gavin Adcock, BigXThaPlug, Wyatt Flores, Cameron Whitcomb, Chase Matthew, Cooper Alan, Braxton Keith, and more.

Single Catholic women ages 20-45 who are curious about religious life are invited to a national service immersion experience hosted by four Dominican Sisters' congregations in Springfield June 16-20. The group will live at Sacred Heart Convent and experience the rhythms of apostolic religious life, which includes community life, prayer, active service, and theological reflection. There is a $50 participation fee, but no woman will be turned away for lack of funds. Apply soon at springfieldop.org/events or call Sister Denise Glazik, OP, 217-787-0481 for questions.

Bring your lawn chairs and picnics! Enjoy 10 weeks of free, live concerts in downtown Springfield right across from the Governor’s Mansion.

ASL Interpreters
Family-Friendly Activities
Food Trucks & Tents
Maker’s Row & Community Row

Details: https://springfieldartsco.org/levittampspringfield/

The Springfield Area Arts Council has been a driving force behind the Levitt AMP Springfield Music Series since its launch in 2019, when we partnered with local organizations, including Downtown Springfield Inc., among others, to bring free, live music to the heart of our community. In 2025, SAAC became the official host organization of the series, building on that foundation to further expand its impact. As we return in 2026 with a renewed three-year grant, we are proud to continue working alongside our dedicated partners to present a vibrant, inclusive concert series that brings people together and strengthens our local arts and cultural landscape.

The Nature of Freedom: A Literary Commemoration of Juneteenth is a readers theater piece; a style of theater in which the actors present the script without costumes, scenery, or special lighting. Actors use only scripts and vocal expression to help the audience understand and follow the story. Sources are cited throughout the 30-minute act and include: Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., Rosa Parks, Langston Hughes, Harriet Tubman, Dr. Maya Angelou, Robert Smalls, Harriet Beecher Stowe, and Henry Bibb. The play is directed by Reggie Guyton, with script by Ed MacMurdo.

This special presentation will take place on Wednesday evening, June 18, at 6:30 p.m. in the ALPLM Union Theater. The program is free to attend but advance registration is required.

There are additional opportunities for you to experience this inspiring production.

Thursday, June 11, at 12:00 p.m.
Saturday, June 13, at 12:00 p.m.
Wednesday, June 17, at 12:00 p.m.
Friday, June 19, at 12:00 p.m.
The daytime performances are included with your regular museum admission.

Every summer, the Springfield Area Arts Council presents Artist in the Park, a free, outdoor performance series in downtown Springfield. For 10 weeks, enjoy live music, dance, poetry, and more alongside local food trucks serving lunch for Food Truck Fridays. This family-friendly, accessible, and sensory-friendly event is presented in partnership with the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum.

Whether you're singing along to your favorite songs under the open sky, sharing stories with friends around the tailgate, or dancing the night away, Tailgate N' Tallboys is more than just a festival – it's a celebration of the country lifestyle we all love. Grab your crew, throw on your boots, snag your tickets, and join us for the ultimate country music experience. The 2026 lineup includes Zach Top, Jessie Murph, Treaty Oak Revival, Gavin Adcock, BigXThaPlug, Wyatt Flores, Cameron Whitcomb, Chase Matthew, Cooper Alan, Braxton Keith, and more.