'Ladies and gentlemen: The Weekend!' 5 things to do while out and about in Springfield

Ron "Tater Salad" White brings his comedy show to the University of Illinois Springfield Thursday.

White, best known as part of the Blue Collar Comedy Tour in the 2000s, has his own unique insights into life. White is known to change up material frequently, so it's a must-see for fans.

The Broadgauge brings another regional act to Petersburg with the duo forming Greasy Gravy. This is on the heels of hosting Edward David Anderson of Backyard Tire Fire earlier this month.

As always, check with venues regarding any COVID-19 protocols or restrictions and for any last-minute postponements or cancellations.

Greasy Gravy at Broadgauge

Greasy Gravy, the duo of Matt Hendricks and Rick "Cookin" Sherry who play the Ballroom at Broadgauge Restaurant in Petersburg Friday, boasts an impressive pedigree.

Sherry (washboard, harmonica, clarinet, and kick drum) was part of the group Devil in a Woodpile (and later Sanctified Grumblers) which backed the late delta bluesman David "Honeyboy" Edwards and toured with Son Volt. Devil in a Woodpile/Sanctified Grumblers is in the jug band hall of fame.

Hendricks (vocals, fingerpicking and slide guitar), who has a unique playing style and writes his own songs, is also a veteran of the Chicago music scene and a regular at Buddy Guy's Legends.

Tickets for the 8 p.m. show are $15 to $17 and are available at the Broadgauge website.

Dr. Dolittle Day

In a series of children's novels and different movies, Dr. Dolittle learns to talk to animals.

There's no guarantee that Henson Robinson Zoo-goers Sunday will learn to talk to animals, but they can learn more about the zoo residents, watch animal care demonstrations and join in other fun activities.

The zoo at 1100 East Lake Shore Drive is open daily from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

For more information, call 217-585-1821.

Ron White at UIS

Ron White can largely thank the Blue Collar Comedy Tour – rounded out by Jeff Foxworthy, Bill Engvall and Larry the Cable Guy – for pushing him toward success.

But White has done fine on his own, thank you very much.

Over the past 15 years, White has been one of the top grossing standup comedians on tour and his comedy albums (solo and with the Blue Collar Comedy Tour) have sold over 15 million units. He has garnered two Grammy nominations for Best Comedy Album and his book, "I Had the Right to Remain Silent But I Didn't Have the Ability" – one of his signature lines – landed on the New York Times best seller list.

White was featured in the Cameron Crowe Showtime series, “Roadies.”

White brings his re-scheduled show to the University of Illinois Springfield Performing Arts Center Thursday.

Tickets are $39 to $95 and available at the UIS PAC website.

'Unmarketing' explained

Scott Stratten coined the term “UnMarketing” as a movement against traditional marketing tactics and a rallying call for businesses to start engaging with customers to build lasting relationships.

The best-selling author and business coach comes to the Wyndham Springfield City Centre at 4:30 p.m. Thursday in an event organized by the Springfield Sangamon Growth Alliance and sponsored by the Greater Springfield Chamber of Commerce and Mid-West Family Springfield.

Stratten has helped organizations reinvent their philosophy towards marketing, focusing heavily on the power of genuine customer relationships and operating a client-centered business.

The 45-minute speaker session and 15-minute question-and-answer session will be followed by a cocktail reception and book signing opportunity.

Cost is $35 per person. To register or learn more, go to www.thriveinspi.org.

'Sunshine Boys' at Hoogland

"Lewis and Clark" return in the Neil Simon play "The Sunshine Boys" at the Hoogland Center for the Arts (Theatre III) Thursday through Sunday.

Top-billed vaudevillians for over forty years, a young agent tries to bring the duo back together for a “History of Comedy” retrospective but issues between the two, who haven't spoken in years, need to be worked out.

The play debuted in 1972, followed memorably by a movie version with George Burns (who won a Best Supporting Actor) and Walter Matthau.

Tickets are $18-20 and available at the HCFTA website.

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 in Springfield, IL: Ron 'Tater Salad' White's comedy