COMEDY
Thru 6/30. The Jukebox Comedy Club features local, regional and nationally known comedians most nights of the week.
5/7. The Rant is Due: Part Deux with Lewis Black comes to the Peoria Civic Center Theater at 8pm.
5/30. Chris Tucker brings his act to the Peoria Civic Center Theater at 7:30pm.
DANCE
5/1, 5/15, 6/5, 6/19. The Contemporary Art Center hosts Salsa at the CAC on the first and third Fridays of the month from 8:30pm to 12:30am.
6/20. The Eagle Ridge Drum group presents powwow music and dancing from 1 to 3pm at Fondulac District Library.
EXHIBITS
Thru 5/8. The 47th annual ICC Student Juried Art Exhibit will be on display in the ICC Performing Arts Center Art Gallery, with a reception and awards ceremony on 4/22 beginning at noon.
Thru 5/25. Stuff! The Art of Collecting will be on display at the Peoria Riverfront Museum during museum hours.
Thru 5/27. The works of Mitra Saboury and Leah Schreiber Johnson will be on display at the Peoria Art Guild.
Thru 5/30. The 51st Rennick Juried Art Show will be on display in the Peoria Public Library’s Main Library Gallery from 9am to 6pm.
Thru 10/31. The Caterpillar Dieselettes: The Girls of Summer exhibit of artifacts and memorabilia documenting the world’s longest-running women’s softball team will be on display at the Caterpillar Visitors Center.
Thru 12/31. The Diocesan Museum in the Spalding Pastoral Center will feature the Legendary Priest-Heroes of the Peoria Diocese exhibit during regular hours. The adjacent Fulton J. Sheen Museum offers a permanent exhibit on the life and legacy of the famous archbishop.
5/1, 6/5. A variety of art galleries and studios open their doors from 5 to 9pm for First Fridays.
5/1 – 5/12. Bradley University’s MFA Exhibition featuring the work of Joseph Richey and BFA Exhibition featuring artists Taylor Ackerman, Mary Huether, Nicole Maslow, Karson Mayer, Sharon Meyer and Diana Robb will be on display at the Prairie Center of the Arts, with a reception at 6pm on 5/1.
5/2. The Peoria Stitchers Guild presents its Needle Work Arts Display from 10am to 1pm at Barrack’s Cater Inn.
5/4 – 5/13. Bradley University’s MFA Exhibition featuring the work of Kari Thornton will be on display in the Hartmann Center Gallery, with a reception at 6pm on 5/9.
5/4 – 5/15. Bradley University’s Senior Photography Exhibition will be on display in the Heuser Art Center, with a reception at 5pm on 5/8.
5/6 – 5/13. Bradley University’s Graphic Design Portfolio Exhibition will be on display in the Heuser Art Center Gallery, with a reception at 5pm on 5/8.
6/5 – 6/6. The Illinois Art League’s Spring Members Art Show will be on display at Tower Park in Peoria Heights from noon to 5pm on Friday and 9am to 4pm on Saturday.
6/6. Sculpture Walk Peoria will unveil its 2015 sculptures to the public, with family-friendly activities beginning at 3pm.
6/6 – 7/15. The works of Bethany Carlson, Joe Page and Shane Harris will be on display at the Peoria Art Guild.
6/12. The Peoria PlayHouse Children’s Museum celebrates Opening Day from 9am to 4pm.
FESTIVALS
Thru 5/22. The 30th annual Gerald M. Brookhart Arts in Education Spring Celebration features hundreds of local students performing every weekday at the Peoria County Courthouse Plaza from 11:30am to 1pm.
5/16. The second annual Diversity Festival takes place at the Speakeasy Art Center and Classical Dance Academy in downtown Pekin.
5/22. The Louie Louie Festival kicks off at 4pm on the Peoria Riverfront.
5/28 – 5/31. Good Neighbor Days will take place in the City of Washington.
5/30 – 5/31. The Music and International Wine and Beer Festival takes place at Mackinaw Valley Vineyard.
6/18 – 6/20. Peoria Area Community Events presents the Steamboat Days Festival on the Peoria Riverfront.
6/20. The Peoria Heights Chamber presents the Duryea Festival in Peoria Heights.
6/27 – 6/28. The Olde English Faire takes place at Wildlife Prairie Park in Hanna City.
6/28. The Peoria Park District presents Pioneer Days at Sommer Park from 1 to 4pm.
LECTURES & WORKSHOPS
5/29. Lee Fosburgh of Caterpillar Inc. will talk about the history of the company at Fondulac District Library at 2pm.
6/13. A self-publishing seminar will take place at Fondulac District Library from 1 to 4pm.
MUSIC
Thru 6/26. Live at the Five Spot takes place every Friday at the Contemporary Art Center from 5:30 to 7:30pm. Upcoming shows include Cousin Eddie (pop/rock, 5/1), Stephanie Aaron (jazz, 5/8), Dorann & the Soul Mystics (soul/blues, 5/15), Ed & Judy Howard (R&B/rock/blues, 5/22), Robin Crowe Band (country/blues, 5/29), the Brazilionaires (samba/pop, 6/5), Marbin (jazz/rock fusion, 6/12) and Bill Porter (blues/rock, 6/26). The 6/26 show features a Harmonica Invitational, with judging by Steve “The Harp” and audience participation, and lasts an extra hour.
Thru 6/27. Rhythm Kitchen Music Cafe features live music on Friday and Saturday nights from 8:30 to 11:30pm.
Thru 6/27. The Peoria Park District’s weekend concert series at CEFCU Center Stage features regional and local acts from various genres.
5/1. The Bradley Jazz Ensemble and Jazz Lab Band perform at 7:30 pm in the Michel Student Center.
5/2. The Limelight Eventplex presents Red – A Tribute to Sammy Hagar at 8pm.
5/2. The Bradley Symphony Orchestra will perform in the Dingeldine Music Center at 7:30pm.
5/2 – 5/3. The Peoria Area Civic Chorale presents A Few of Our Favorite Things in the ICC Performing Arts Center at 7:30pm on 5/2 and 2:30pm on 5/3.
5/3. The Bradley Women’s Choir presents the Music Scholarship Concert Series at 3pm in the Dingeldine Music Center.
5/4. The ICC Concert Band performs at 7pm in the ICC Performing Arts Center.
5/4. The Illinois Central Jazz Train performs at Peoria Pizza Works at 7pm.
5/5. The Peoria Symphony Guild Spring Luncheon featuring Lucia H. de Benito, winner of the Young Artists Competition, takes place at 11:30am at the Country Club of Peoria.
5/5. The Legends in Concert celebrity tribute show featuring tributes to Barbara Streisand, Bruce Springsteen, Cher, Elton John and Michael Jackson takes place in the Peoria Civic Center Theater at 7:30pm.
5/6. Young Guns, Emperors and Elephants, and Life in Cycle perform at the Limelight Eventplex at 7pm.
5/8. The Prairie Wind Ensemble, featuring the winner of the Earl Barnes Student Soloist Competition, will perform at 7:30pm in the ICC Performing Arts Center.
5/9. The Peoria Symphony Orchestra presents Gustav Mahler: Symphony No. 7 in the Peoria Civic Center Theater at 8pm.
5/9, 6/13. The Songs from the Woods concert series at Forest Park Nature Center presents Stephen Lee Rich (5/9, acoustic folk) and Exorna (6/13, Celtic) live in concert.
5/10, 5/24, 6/14, 6/28. The Old Time Folk & Country Jam takes place at Forest Park Nature Center at 3:30pm.
5/11. Marilyn Manson takes the stage at the Limelight Eventplex at 8pm.
5/15. The Prairie Wind Ensemble will perform at 2:30pm in the ICC Performing Arts Center.
5/17. The Central Illinois Jazz Society House Band will open for Carl Anderson and His New Orleans Jazz Band at 6pm at Landmark Recreation Center.
5/17. The Philharmonic Chorale featuring Larry Harms will perform at 3pm in the ICC Performing Arts Center.
5/17. The Alleluia Ringers, a handbell choir from Wisconsin, present a concert at 7:30pm at Trinity Lutheran Church.
5/19. The Heart of Illinois Chorus will present its annual Spring Show at 7:30pm in the ICC Performing Arts Center.
5/19 – 5/24. The Morton Civic Chorus presents Encore 2015: A Musical Revue in the Hartmann Center Theater at Bradley University at 7:30pm, with a 2pm show on 5/24.
5/20. Legendary rock band Chicago comes to the Peoria Civic Center Theater for an 8pm show.
5/21. Country star Josh Turner with special guest Brushville will play a benefit concert for the American Red Cross at 6:45pm in the Peoria Civic Center Arena.
5/21 – 5/25. The World Championship Old-Time Piano Playing Contest takes place at Embassy Suites in East Peoria.
5/22. Seether will perform at the Limelight Eventplex for an 8pm show.
5/22. The Branson-style music revue New Odyssey will perform in the ICC Performing Arts Center at 7:30pm.
5/22 – 5/24. The three-day Summer Camp Music Festival takes place at Three Sisters Park in Chillicothe.
5/28. Sons of Korah, a Christian singing group from Australia, will present a concert at 7pm at Trinity Lutheran Church.
5/30. The Heartland Festival Orchestra presents Time for Three, benefiting the Peoria ELITE Youth Program, at 7:30pm at Five Points Washington.
5/31. Younger Than Yesterday presents the Generations Showcase & Record Show, featuring members of The New Colony Six and Shadows of Knight, at 5pm at the Limelight Eventplex.
5/31. Music in the McKenzie presents the blues band Rooster Alley at 2pm at the Peoria Public Library North Branch.
5/31 – 6/7. The 14th annual Peoria Bach Festival celebrates the life, music and faith of the great composer at Trinity Lutheran Church.
6/3. John Mellencamp brings his Plain Spoken tour to the Peoria Civic Center Theater at 7:30pm.
6/5. The Avett Brothers and Old Crow Medicine Show will play the Peoria Civic Center Arena at 8pm.
6/6. The Grateful Dead Experience featuring The Schwag and The Brothers, an Allman Brothers tribute band, will be at the Limelight Eventplex for an 8pm show.
6/7 – 6/28. The Peoria Municipal Band performs on Sundays in Glen Oak Park and Wednesdays near Kelleher’s on the Peoria Riverfront at 7pm.
6/13. The Heritage Ensemble presents Juneteenth: An American Celebration Concert at 7:30pm in the ICC Performing Arts Center.
6/14. Music in the McKenzie presents the traditional Irish band Turas at 2pm at the Peoria Public Library North Branch.
6/17. The Fondulac District Library will host A Rhythmic Evening with Dennis Stroughmatt: Illinois Creoles, French Canadians, and Louisiana Cajuns (& Their Fiddling) at 7pm.
6/18 – 7/30. The Morton Fine Arts Association presents its Arts in the Park concert series every Thursday at 7pm at the Idlewood Arts Pavilion. June shows include The King Family (bluegrass/gospel, 6/18) and Cousin Eddie (pop/rock, 6/25).
6/21. The Central Illinois Jazz Society House Band will open for Glenn Wilson and the Jazzmaniacs at 6pm in the Starting Gate Banquet Room in Landmark Recreation Center.
6/25. The CEFCU Jazz Series at the Peoria Riverfront opens the season with local jazz artists.
6/26. The Peoria POPS Orchestra presents its summer Patriotic Concert at 7pm at Five Points Washington.
SPECIAL EVENTS & TOURS
5/3. The Peoria German-American Society’s annual Maifest will be held at the Lindenhof from noon to 4pm.
5/7. Zootini serves up a variety of martinis by local bartenders at the Peoria Zoo from 5:30 to 8pm.
5/7, 6/4. Whisper & Shout, an open mic for sharing poetry, takes place at the Contemporary Art Center at 8pm.
5/9 – 5/10. The Artist & Comic Expo, sponsored by Acme Comics, takes place from 10am to 7pm on 5/9 and 9am to 5pm on 5/10 at the Peoria Park District’s Bonnie W. Noble Center for Park Administration.
5/10. The Mother’s Day Orchid Show takes place from noon to 4pm at Luthy Botanical Garden.
5/16. Wine & Art Night takes place at the Peoria Riverfront Museum from 7 to 9pm.
5/23 – 9/26. The Peoria Riverfront Market will be open every Saturday morning from 8am to noon in the 200 block of Water Street.
5/28, 6/25. The Speakeasy Art Center hosts the Speakeasy Poetry Open Mic at 7:30pm.
6/4 – 6/27. The Peoria Historical Society offers trolley tours every Thursday, Friday and Saturday in June.
6/8 – 6/12. Art and Science in the Woods, a summer program for students ages six to 18, takes place at the Sun Foundation.
6/25– 6/27. The 9th Annual National Christian Storytelling Conference presented by the Prairie Storytellers Guild will be held at Living Waters Lutheran Church.
6/27. The River City Fiber Fest takes place in the Peoria Civic Center’s Exhibit Hall D and Ballroom from 9am to 5pm.
THEATER
Thru 5/2. Eastlight Theatre presents the musical Jesus Christ Superstar, with evening shows at 7:30pm.
Thru 6/7. Conklin’s Barn II Dinner Theatre presents the 40th anniversary of Smoke on the Mountain, with evening performances at 8pm and Sunday brunch performances at 1:30pm.
5/1 – 5/3, 5/7 – 5/10. Peoria Players Theatre presents Damn Yankees at 7:30pm, with 2pm matinees on Sundays.
5/2. Corn Stock Theatre presents the Community Children’s Theatre’s annual Drama Festival from 10am to 4pm in Upper Bradley Park.
5/9 – 5/10, 5/16 – 5/17. Many Lights Theatre presents 8 at 7pm with a 2pm matinee on 5/17.
5/29 – 6/6. Corn Stock Theatre presents Brigadoon at 7:30pm in Upper Bradley Park.
6/4 – 6/7. Peoria Player’s Theatre presents The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee, with shows at 7:30pm and a 2pm matinee on 6/7.
6/11 – 7/26. Conklin’s Barn II Dinner Theatre presents Things My Mother Taught Me, with evening performances at 8pm and Sunday brunch performances at 1:30pm.
6/19 – 6/21, 6/24 – 6/27. Eastlight Theatre presents Les Miserables, with shows at 7:30pm and a 2pm matinee on 6/21.
6/19 – 6/27. Corn Stock Theatre presents Dixie Swim Club at 7:30pm.
6/23, 6/26 – 6/27. Arc Light Productions presents Stories Under the Big Top at 10:30am on 6/23 and 6pm on 6/26 and 6/27.
6/23, 6/26 – 6/27. Arc Light Productions presents Trouble in the Tumbelweed at 12:30pm on 6/23 and 7:30pm on 6/26 and 6/27.
For More Information
Arc Light Productions—arclightpro.com, 455-4095
Art Garage—art-garage-studio.com, 231-2511
The Atelier—1000 SW Adams, Peoria, 303-6885
Bradley University/Dingeldine Music Center—677-2595
Bradley University Galleries—art.bradley.edu/bug, 677-3707
Caterpillar Visitors Center—caterpillar.com, 675-0606
Central Illinois Jazz Society—peoriajazz.com, 692-5330
Conklin’s Barn II Dinner Theatre—barn2.com, 965-2545
Contemporary Art Center—peoriacac.org, 674-6822
Corn Stock Theatre—cornstocktheatre.com, 676-2196
Eastlight Theatre—eastlighttheatre.com, 699-7469
First Fridays—peoriafirstfriday.com, ciaopeoria.com
Five Points Washington—fivepointswashington.org, 444-8222
Fondulac District Library—fondulaclibrary.org, 699-3917
Forest Park Nature Center—peoriaparks.org, 686-3360
Good Neighbor Days—washingtonilcoc.com
Heartland Festival Orchestra—heartlandfestivalorchestra.org, 339-3943
Heart of Illinois Chorus—hoichorus.com
Heritage Ensemble—heritageensemble.com
Illinois Art League—illinoisartleague.com
Illinois Central College/Arts at ICC—artsaticc.com, 694-5136
Jefferson Street Studio & Gallery—rosehubbard.com, 696-9015
Jukebox Comedy Club—jukeboxcomedy.com, 673-5853
Limelight EventPlex—limelighteventplex.com, 693-1234
Luthy Botanical Garden—peoriaparks.org, 686-3362
Mackinaw Valley Vineyard—mackinawvalleyvineyard.com
Many Lights Theatre—manylights.net, 357-9366
Morton Fine Arts Association—mortonfinearts.org, 266-5135
Morton Civic Chorus—mortoncivicchorus.org
Murray Center for the Arts—artistsatmurraycenter.blogspot.com
Old-Time Piano Playing Contest—oldtimepiano.com
Peoria Area Civic Chorale—peoriacivicchorale.org, 693-6725
Peoria Area Community Events—peoriaevents.com
Peoria Art Guild—peoriaartguild.org, 637-2787
Peoria Civic Center—peoriaciviccenter.com, (800) 745-3000
Peoria German-American Society—peoriagermans.net, 691-7484
Peoria Heights Chamber—peoriaheightschamber.com
Peoria Historical Society—peoriahistoricalsociety.org, 674-1921
Peoria Municipal Band—peoriamunicipalband.com
Peoria Park District—peoriaparks.org, 681-2836
Peoria Players Theatre—peoriaplayers.org, 688-4473
Peoria Playhouse—peoriaplayhouse.org
Peoria POPS Orchestra—peoriaparks.org/peoria-pops-orchestra
Peoria Public Library—peoriapubliclibrary.org, 497-2000
Peoria Riverfront Market—peoriariverfront.com
Peoria Riverfront Museum—peoriariverfrontmuseum.org, 686-7000
Peoria Stitchers Guild—peoriaareastitchersguild.org
Peoria Symphony Orchestra—peoriasymphony.org, 671-1096
Peoria Zoo—peoriazoo.org, 681-3500
Philharmonic Chorale—philharmonicchorale.org
Prairie Center of the Arts—prairiecenterofthearts.org, 657-6767
Prairie Storytellers Guild—prairietellers.us
Prairie Wind Ensemble—prairiewindensemble.com
Rhythm Kitchen Music Café—rhythmkitchenmusiccafe.biz, 676-9668
Sculpture Walk Peoria—artspartners.net/sculpture-walk-peoria
Spalding Pastoral Center—cdopmuseums.org, 671-1550
Speakeasy Art Center—speakeasyartcenter.com, 267-2058
Spring Celebration—springcelebration.org, 253-2020
Studios On Sheridan—sunbeambuilding.com, 573-8404
Studio 825—studio-825.com, 453-8291
Summer Camp Music Festival—summercampfestival.com
Sun Foundation—sunfoundation.org, 246-8403
Trinity Concert Series—trinityconcertseries.org, 676-4609
Wildlife Prairie Park—wildlifeprairiepark.org, 676-0998
