Ben Bedford

With the title track of his debut release, Lincoln’s Man, reaching number three on the Folk-DJ charts, Ben Bedford proves that one need not experience something firsthand to write about it. From life as a Confederate soldier’s wife to present issues such as homelessness, Bedford takes the listener on a journey across the landscape of American humanity. Poignant, but rarely sentimental, his songs are portraits which capture the life and vitality of his characters while illuminating themes of joy, struggle, death and betrayal.
Performing at 7:00PM in the Abraham Lincoln Public Library Multipurpose Room and at 9:00 in the Old State Capitol

Ben Bedford

With the title track of his debut release, Lincoln’s Man, reaching number three on the Folk-DJ charts, Ben Bedford proves that one need not experience something firsthand to write about it. From life as a Confederate soldier’s wife to present issues such as homelessness, Bedford takes the listener on a journey across the landscape of American humanity. Poignant, but rarely sentimental, his songs are portraits which capture the life and vitality of his characters while illuminating themes of joy, struggle, death and betrayal.
Performing at 7:00PM in the Abraham Lincoln Public Library Multipurpose Room and at 9:00 in the Old State Capitol

Tangleweed

Tangleweed is a band of five forward-looking musical reactionaries from Chicago, Illinois. The group has just released its highly anticipated second CD, Where You Been So Long?. Their first CD, Just a Spoonful, received airplay in 16 countries, earning the band enthusiastic fans around the world.

In addition to an interactive family performance during the afternoon children’s activities, Tangleweed will also present the stirring "Freedom Speeches" at 8:00PM in the Lincoln Presidential Library and provide a full-blown square dance "hootenanny" complete with callers at 10:00PM in Chase Bank.

Chris Vallillo

In a variety of roots-based styles, Chris performs on six string and bottleneck slide guitars, harmonica and pocket instruments. His shows incorporate original and traditional material with the works of other contemporary songwriters to form a musical portrait of the history and lifestyle of the Midwest.

Vallillo’s Prairie poet style has been compared to Edgar Lee Masters and Vachel Lindsay. Reviewers have also described him as an exceptional guitarist who speaks from the heart of rural Illinois. Dirty Linen magazine had this to say: "He brings to his music (an) eye for detail and a sense of history... Vivid original story songs delivered in his crisp, expressive tenor."

Performing at 9:00PM with the legendary Rocky Maffit in the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library Multipurpose Room

Mark Dvorak

"No one spins a yarn or sings an old-timey song with more skill and respect than Mark Dvorak. He’s a builder of the folk world in Chicago, the region, and the continent. His voice and songwriting brings the heart of folk music into our contemporary world with authenticity, humor, fun and a great warm voice." - Bill’s Blues

"One of the brightest stars in the Midwestern folk sky" - First Night Evanston, IL

Performing at 9:00PM in the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library Atrium

Groove Daddies

Groove Daddies are a 6 piece R&B/Rock/Funk band from Springfield, Illinois who play a broad mixture of covers and originals that mostly have their roots in the styles of Little Feat (for whom they’ve opened), Delbert McClinton, Stevie Ray Vaughan, Motown, Rolling Stones, Van Morrison - well, you get the idea. With over 100 songs in their repertoire every gig is different, but with plenty of emphasis on music that’ll make you move. "Playing live is our forte."

Performing at 7:00 and 8:00PM in the Chase Bank Lobby

Pleasure Chest

A diverse group of musicians with a desire to serve the blues, in all its forms. While the band members have years of experience performing everything from classical music to Beatles covers, together they only play the blues. Pleasure Chest’s high energy blues will entertain and delight your senses.

Music selections include standards of the greats like Robert Johnson, Willie Dixon, and W. C. Handy as well as original material written by band member Robert Sampson. (2008 Illinois Blues Challenge solo/duo finalist)

Performing at 9:00PM in the First Presbyterian Sanctuary

Reggie Britton and the Sofa Kings

The Sofa Kings strive to create their own renditions and arrangements of song picks which are somewhat of an eclectic mix. Their set will offer blues selections from Freddie King, Bobby Bland, Junior Wells and Stevie Ray Vaughn along with R&B funk and soul grooves of Stevie Wonder, Al Green, Bill Withers, Johnny Taylor and Steely Dan.

Performing at 10:00 & 11:00PM in the First Presbyterian Sanctuary

Springfield Ballet Company

Performing at 7:00PM in the Hoogland Center for the Arts LRS Theatre

The MUNI - Springfield

As the sun sets, the curtain rises on warm summer nights at The Muni. A Springfield, Illinois tradition that has provided the best of Broadway to enthusiastic audiences for over 50 years, the Muni is one of the largest all-volunteer community theatre organizations in the nation.

This renowned ensemble will present selections from their recently announced 2009 season including Oliver, The Producers, Fiddler on the Roof and High School Musical at 9:00PM and 11:00PM in the Hoogland Center for the Arts LRS Theatre

Springfield Theatre Center

Performing at 10:00PM in the Hoogland Center for the Arts LRS Theatre

Richard Landry

Richard Landry has been doing professional educational magic for more than 23 years. He has traveled over 60,000 miles in Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, and Missouri, reaching well over 100,000 children and adults over the years with his blend of education, and comedy magic. Richard is a card-carrying member of Kidabra International, a global association of family and kidshow performers. He is also a card-carrying member of the International Brotherhood of Magicians with Ring #239 based in Springfield, IL. Richard regularly attends educational conferences across the United States, keeping up-to-date on the latest educational techniques and magical illusions.

Performing at 7:00PM in the Lincoln Home Visitor Center Theatre, and strolling around downtown throughout the evening.

Dan Fleshman

Dan is an effervescent performer adaptable for any occasion or environment. Dan’s Spellbinding Close-Up magic has to be seen to be believed. An evening not to be forgotten. Dan Fleshman invents new magical effects and provides innovative, informative and custom presentations for your company’s products or services. Later he will enthusiastically perform your custom magic at sales meetings, trade and hospitality shows - with significant results!

Performing at 8:00 and 10:00PM in the Lincoln Home Visitor Center Theatre and strolling around downtown throughout the evening.

Jeff Harpring

Jeff Harpring performs Full Size Stage Illusions, Comedy Magic, and Close-Up Sleight of Hand Entertainment for Corporate and Private Events from St. Louis to Chicago, and Nationwide.

Jeff Harpring was named the 2005 Outstanding Performer and Magician of the Year by the International Brotherhood of Magicians at the Ring 239 Annual meeting in October of 2005

Performing at 9:00PM in the Lincoln Home Visitor Center Theatre and strolling around downtown throughout the evening.

Walter King "The Spellbinder"

Walter King, Jr. has been spellbinding audiences for over two decades from Las Vegas to the Caribbean Islands. He was the first African American illusionist to perform for the prestigious Houdini Organization of Appleton, Wisconsin. Using state-of-the-art illusions, special effects, dance and music, King not only entertains, but also conveys inspiration and the "magical" richness of his culture.

Performing at 9:00PM in the Hoogland Center for the Arts LRS Theatre and at 11:00PM in the Lincoln Home Visitors Center Theatre

The Emerald Underground

The Emerald Underground has been playing Celtic music around central Illinois for the past seven years. From rowdy pubs to sedate concert settings, The Emerald Underground brings Celtic Music into the 21st century in a fusion of jigs, reels, ballads and rock based tunes.

Performing at 7:00PM & 8:00PM in the Lincoln Public Library

Switchback

For over two decades, the musical partnership of Brian FitzGerald and Martin McCormack, known as Switchback, has been entertaining audiences around the world with their unique American Roots music blended with Celtic Soul.

Playing over 200 engagements a year, Switchback can be heard at festivals ranging from the Stan Rogers Folk Festival in Nova Scotia to the Summer Celebration in Michigan. Switchback have released ten albums to date are are currently putting studio time in for the next two. Their most recent release, Falling Water River (2005), received critical acclaim for its musical portrayal of a young soldier and his family during the current war in Iraq.

Performing at 9:00 and 10:00PM in the Lincoln Public Library

Happy Holidays Merry-Go-Round Train Exhibit

This elaborate walk-through display features The Emmett Kelly, Jr. Circus, the Ring Ding Circus, and the Happy Holidays Trains (G-Gauge, Scale 1:29 models). Located in the former Osco Building, visitors with admission buttons may view the trains from 7:00PM to 11:45PM.

Prairie Art Alliance

This not-for-profit art gallery and school is committed to fostering community awareness of and participation in the visual arts. We represent emerging and established Central Illinois artists of all ages. Come explore works currently on display in our home at the H.D.Smith Gallery in the Hoogland Center for the Arts. Open on First Night from 6:00PM-9:00PM http://www.prairieart.org/

Sam Fink’s The Gettysburg Address

To celebrate the anniversary of the Gettysburg Address the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library will exhibit the original art created for the book, The Gettysburg Address, illustrated by master calligrapher and artist Sam Fink. The Gettysburg Address, published by Welcome Books in 2007, includes an introduction by Gabor Boritt, the world-renowned Lincoln scholar and author of The Gettysburg Gospel. This art will be on display at the library from 7:00PM-10:45PM on First Night. http://www.lincolnlibraryandmuseum.com/

The River Gamblers

The River Ramblers are a five piece Bluegrass band that hales from areas surrounding Springfield IL. The group assembled in 1987 with the commitment to maintaining the traditional bluegrass sound. If you’re familiar with the music of Bluegrass icons such as Bill Monroe, Ralph Stanley or Flatt & Scruggs, you will recognize nearly every tune this band performs. To date, the group has issued four recordings which include mostly traditional songs combined with some original tunes.

Bill E.S.

Well known for his acoustic country and progressive bluegrass, Bill E.S. takes the stage in the Hoogland Center for the Arts Dining Room at 7:00PM.

Bill performs with the house band at Nashville North and has had the opportunity to play with some of country’s biggest stars and most exciting newcomers.

Kathryn Raistrick

Performs the music of Australia from sheep shearing sheds to cattle driving through the outback. Catch her innovative style at 10:00PM in the Hoogland Center Dining Room

Stacie Sandoval y su Trio ConPaz

Orquesta Bravo! is Indianapolis’ newest and hottest salsa band composed of Indianapolis’ finest and most talented musicians.
Stacie Sandoval is the lead vocalist and founder of Orquesta Bravo! She is happy to have found such a great group of talented, enthusiastic and involved musicians. Stacie arrived in Indianapolis in September 2002 from Los Angeles, California. Singing has taken her to many different locations including Switzerland, where she participated in A Night of Broadway, which featured several talented Broadway actors, including Ute Lemper. Stacie started focusing on salsa music in 1998 and performed with national acts such as Kevin Ceballo, Michael Stuart, Johnny Rivera, Frankie Negron, and Eddie Santiago. Stacie also sang with local salsa bands, Rudy Regalado y Orquesta Chevere, Yari More, La Palabra, Macondo, and Mazacote.
Performing at 10:00 in the Hoogland Center for the Arts Theatre 3. Make sure to wear your dancing shoes!

Julio Barrenzuela

Springfield’s own Ambassador of Salsa will be demonstrating the art of salsa dancing as well as providing basic instruction prior to the Orquesta Bravo! Performance.

Mark Gifford

Mark Gifford has been performing on the Barton Theatre Pipe Organ in Springfield High School since the Spring of 1993. It was at that first concert that Mark started what has become a tradition in Springfield - a theatre pipe organ concert full of surprises. You never know what Mark has up his sleeve when he sits down at the console. What you do know is that he will delight you with songs of yesteryear played in the theatre organ style. You’ll smile with memories and tap your toes to the swing beat of Mark’s unique style. Most of Mark’s concerts include either a silent movie, or a sing-a-long, or a special guest. He’s always got the latest jokes and makes sure that everyone has a good time. In addition to playing the Barton Theatre Pipe Organ in Springfield High School, Mark is one of the organists at the Lincoln Theatre in Belleville, IL, and the FOX Theatre (lobby organ) in St. Louis, MO. He has recorded a Christmas album on the Lincoln Theatre Pipe Organ entitled, "Pipe In a Swingin’ Christmas" which was released in December of 1998.

(Free with admission buttons, or $5 at the door)