800-plus gymnasts to compete at Gateway Challenge

More than 800 female gymnasts from around the country will flip, turn, twist, leap and vault to show off their agility, strength and skill this weekend at the Gateway Challenge meet in Collinsville.

Girls 6 to 18 years old will perform all levels of gymnastics at the only sanctioned meet in southern Illinois. The meet is from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Friday through Sunday at Gateway Convention Center in Collinsville. Admission is $10 per adult and $5 per child 12 and under. Three-day passes also are available.

Twenty-five teams will compete in the USA Gymnastics level events including floor exercise, uneven bars, vault and balance beam for individual rankings and team placement.

Saturday evening will be the Team Challenge event in which eight selected teams compete on each of the four apparatuses. Teams choose one gymnast for each event from each level to compete for the title “Gateway Team Champions” and win a cash prize for their gym. This spirited event has a lot of audience support.

“The team challenge is truly unique to our event and a major draw to competitive teams who hope to earn the title of champions,” said. Patrick Hulliung, owner and coach of World Class Gymnastics in Belleville. “It’s also a great opportunity for the younger gymnasts to compete alongside their more advanced teammates, but in an exciting, fun and relaxed atmosphere.”

World Class Gymnastics is the the host team.

‘Foxfire’ in Waterloo

Richard Hunsaker, retired drama director from Belleville West, and his wife, Pat, will star in the Monroe Actors Stage Company’s production of “Foxfire” at the Capitol Theater in Waterloo.

Showtimes are 7:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday and Feb. 12-13 and 2:30 p.m. Sunday and Feb. 14.

The Hunsakers portray Annie and Hector Nations, lifelong residents of the Blue Ridge Mountains in Georgia. The couple in their 70s struggles with growing older and trying desperately to maintain their home and the life they love. It’s complicated because Hector already has passed away, and only Annie can see and converse with him.

Shawn Williamson, of Columbia, portrays their son, Dillard Nations, a singing star who returns home to try to convince his mom to come live with him in Florida. Also in the cast are Will Shaw, of St. Louis, a former student of Hunsaker; Mae Crawford; and Darrell Duensing. Williamson performs songs interspersed throughout the play, accompanied by area musicians.

Tickets are $12 for adults; $10 for students and seniors; call 618-939-7469 of go to www.masctheatre.com

Jabali Acrobats

The Jabali Acrobats will bring their fast-paced show to Southwestern Illinois College at 7 p.m. Wednesday. The show, featuring music, acrobatics and dance, will be in the Belleville Campus varsity gym at 2500 Carlyle Ave.

The troupe hails from Mombassa, Kenya. Dance moves include the Congo Snake Dance and the Flaming Limbo Bar Dance.

Admission is free.

Valentine concert and dinner

The Belleville West Maroon Magic and members of the St. Paul Music Ministry will perform at the annual Valentine Dinner and Concert on Saturday at St. Paul United Church of Christ in Belleville.

Dinner begins at 6 p.m. Reservations must be purchased by Friday through the church office at 115 West B St. in Belleville. Cost of the dinner is $17. The concert begins at 7:15 p.m. No ticket is required to attend the concert only; a free will offering will be received. For information, call 618-233-3303.

Music for Mardi Gras

Faith Lutheran Church in O’Fallon will present Music for Mardi Gras at 7 p.m. Saturday at 520 E. U.S. 50.

Twilight will provide gathering music at 6:45 p.m. Featured groups are Dixieland Delight, Rosy Revelers, Bell Boppers,’50s Twisters, Rumba Ringers, Piano Pizazz, Faith’s Choir, The Caperettes and Accordion Artistry. A free will offering will be taken for Faith’s Music Ministry. Desserts will be served afterward.

This story was originally published February 3, 2016 at 2:37 AM with the headline "800-plus gymnasts to compete at Gateway Challenge."