COMEDY
Thru 8/29. The Jukebox Comedy Club features local, regional and nationally known comedians, open Wednesdays through Saturdays.
8/29. The Comedy Rocks improv show takes place at Five Points Washington at 6:30pm. DANCE
7/3, 7/17, 8/7, 8/14. The Contemporary Art Center hosts Salsa at the CAC on the first and third Fridays of the month from 8:30pm to 12:30am.
7/18. Do You Wanna Dance?, featuring classic party dances led by an instructor, takes place at the Fondulac District Library at 2pm.
EXHIBITS
Ongoing. A rotating exhibit of Illinois Art League members’ work is on display at the Peoria Heights Public Library during library hours.
Ongoing. Sculpture Walk Peoria features 15 large-scale sculptures along Washington Street between Liberty and Oak streets in Peoria.
Thru 7/15. The works of Bethany Carlson, Joe Page and Shane Harris will be on display at the Peoria Art Guild.
Thru 7/24. The Local Alumni Invitational Exhibit will be on display at the Prairie Center of the Arts, with a gallery talk on 7/14 at 6pm.
Thru 7/31. The Illinois Art League Member Exhibit will be on display at the Peoria Public Library during library hours. An opening reception will take place on 7/9 at 3:30pm.
Thru 10/31. The Caterpillar Dieselettes: The Girls of Summer exhibit of 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 features 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.
7/3, 8/7. A variety of art galleries and studios open their doors from 5 to 9pm for First Fridays.
7/3 – 8/8. “A Journey of Color and Texture,” featuring artwork by Greg DePauw, will be on display at the Speakeasy Art Center in Pekin, with an opening reception on 7/3 at 6pm.
7/10 – 7/31. Exhibit A Gallery in Peoria Heights will host Playing in Color, featuring paintings by Suzette Boulais, with an opening reception from 5 to 8pm on 7/10.
7/10 – 8/21. Urban Aquarium, featuring the work of Sayuri Sasaki Hemann, is on display at the Contemporary Art Center, with a combined opening reception on 7/11 at 6:30pm.
7/10 – 8/28. Central Illinois Artist Organization (CIAO) will exhibit at the Contemporary Art Center, with a combined opening reception on 7/11 at 6:30pm.
7/11 – 10/4. The Dinosaurs in Motion exhibit will be on display at the Peoria Riverfront Museum.
7/12 – 8/16. (In)Visible Men: Examining Stereotypes Through Art, featuring the work of Rick Lewis, will be on display in The Foster Gallery for Christianity and the Fine Arts at First United Methodist Church, with an opening ceremony at 7pm on 7/16.
7/18 – 9/7. Engaging & Enriching: Recent Acquisitions will be on display in the Folk Art Gallery at the Peoria Riverfront Museum.
7/24, 8/28. Artists on the Boardwalk features the work of local artists on display at Junction City from 4 to 8pm.
7/25 – 8/26. The works of Corrie Slawson and Dian Sourelis will be on display at the Peoria Art Guild.
8/1 – 9/18. Paintings by Michiko Itatani will be on display in the Heuser Art Center at Bradley University.
8/7 – 8/28. An Artist in Residence Exhibition featuring the work of Chrissy LaMaster and Chloe McEldowney is on display at the Prairie Center of the Arts, with an opening reception at 5pm on 8/7.
8/24 – 9/25. Posters by designer Gary Will will be on display in Bradley University’s Hartmann Center Gallery.
FESTIVALS
7/2 – 7/4. The Red, White and Boom! 4th of July weekend features live music from Bluprint (7/2), the Outlaws and Molly Hatchet (7/3), and Spring Creek Station (7/4). Fireworks can be seen from the Peoria and East Peoria riverfronts on 7/4 beginning at 9:30pm.
7/5. The Peoria German-American Society presents Volksfest, with soccer matches, arts and crafts, car & bike cruise-in, music, food, beer and more.
7/25. Fiesta en el Rio celebrates Hispanic heritage with food, drinks, song, dance and more on the Peoria Riverfront.
7/26. The Mackinaw Valley Vineyard’s annual Art and Wine Festival runs from noon to 6pm.
7/26, 8/30. Pioneer Days takes a step back to 19th-century life at the Peoria Park District’s Sommer Park from 1 to 4pm.
8/1 – 8/2. Luthy Botanical Garden presents the annual Rhapsody in Bloom Arts Festival from 10am to 5pm on Saturday and noon to 5pm on Sunday.
8/7 – 8/8. Soul Fest celebrates gospel and R&B music on the Peoria Riverfront.
8/8. ArtsPartners of Central Illinois presents the second annual IGNITE Peoria, a regional celebration of creativity, at the Peoria Civic Center. Free admission.
8/12. Peoria Area Community Events presents Taste of Peoria, with a variety of food samples and live entertainment, from 4 to 11pm.
8/15. The Budweiser Grand Nationals Weekend will celebrate the Grand National TT Motorcycle Races with an array of vendors, stunt shows and live music on the Peoria Riverfront.
8/22. The Hummingbird Festival takes place at Forest Park Nature Center from 9am to noon.
8/22. India Fest will feature Bollywood dances, songs, live music, entertainment and food on the Peoria Riverfront.
8/28 – 8/30. The Peoria Park District and St. Patrick Society of Peoria celebrate the 34th annual Erin Feis festival on the Peoria Riverfront.
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 Dave Lumsden & Friends (R&B/blues/rock, 7/3), Nathan Taylor & Friends (New Orleans style, 7/10), Cousin Eddie (pop/rock, 7/17), Steve “The Harp” Blues Band (blues, 7/24), Judy Page & Speakeasy (R&B/jazz, 7/31), Rooster Alley (blues, 8/7), Change Up (R&B/jazz, 8/14) and Dexter O’Neal & Funk Yard (R&B/funk, 8/21).
Thru 7/30. The Morton Fine Arts Association presents the Arts in the Park concert series every Thursday at 7pm at the Idlewood Arts Pavilion in Morton. Upcoming shows include Pekin Park Concert Band (marches, showtunes, 7/2), Smokers Blues Band (blues/soul jazz, 7/9), The Joe Stamm Band (country/rock, 7/16), Heartland Jazz Orchestra (modern jazz, 7/23) and 7 West Band (dance, 7/30). Thru 8/12. The Peoria Municipal Band performs at 7pm each Wednesday this summer near the corner of State and Water streets in Peoria.
Thru 8/28. Rhythm Kitchen Music Cafe features live music on Fridays and Saturdays from 8:30 to 11:30pm.
Thru 8/30. The Peoria Park District’s weekend concert series at CEFCU Center Stage features acts from a variety of genres, including Wedding Banned (7/10), Who’s Bad-Michael Jackson Tribute Band (7/11), Smokers Blues Band (7/17), Motown Sounds of Touch (7/18), Boat Drunks (7/24), Hairbangers Ball (7/31), Heartache Tonight – Eagles Tribute Band (8/1) and Jammsammich (8/21).
Thru 8/30. The Peoria Municipal Band performs at 7pm each Sunday this summer in the Glen Oak Amphitheatre.
7/5. In This Moment will perform at the Limelight Eventplex at 7pm.
7/7. Hoodie Allen performs at the Peoria Civic Center with guest Allan Kingdom at 7:30pm.
7/9 – 8/20. The CEFCU Jazz Series offers free concerts on Thursdays at 7pm at the CEFCU Center Stage on the Peoria Riverfront. Upcoming performers include Kevin Hart and the Vibe Tribe (7/9), Four Other Brothers (7/16), Judy Page & Speakeasy (7/23), Illinois Central Jazz Train (7/30), David Hoffman and Friends (8/6) and Derel Monteith Trio (8/20).
7/11. Mike Chessman will perform at Forest Park Nature Center at 7pm as part of the Songs from the Woods concert series.
7/12. David G. Smith, a solo folk acoustic performer, will be featured at Music in the McKenzie at the Peoria Public Library North Branch from 2 to 4pm.
7/12. Kenny Williams & the Country All Stars perform at the Franciscan Recreation Complex from 3 to 5pm.
7/12, 7/26, 8/9, 8/23. The Old Time Folk & Country Jam takes place at Forest Park Nature Center from 3:30 to 5:30pm.
7/15. Three Days Grace with Finger Eleven and Devour the Day will perform at the Limelight Eventplex at 8pm.
7/19. The Central Illinois Jazz Society House Band performs at 6pm, followed by Old Style Sextet at 7:15pm in the Starting Gate Banquet Room at Landmark Recreation Center.
7/22. The Caterpillar Employees Mixed Chorus Concert begins at the Fondulac District Library at 6pm.
7/23. The Peoria Park District presents its annual Youth Music Festival, The Luck of the Irish, in the Noble Center Auditorium at 6:30pm.
7/25. GospelFest Camp-Meeting, featuring a free concert by Shawn Degenhart and the GospelFest Singers and Choir with special guests, takes place at Five Points Washington at 7pm.
8/1. The Motion City Soundtrack – Commit This to Memory 10 Year Anniversary Tour makes a stop at the Limelight Eventplex for an 8pm show.
8/8. Todd Rundgren comes to the Limelight Eventplex for an 8pm show.
8/8. Roundstone Buskers perform at Forest Park Nature Center at 7pm as part of the Songs from the Woods concert series.
8/8. Party on the Plaza with the Brazilionaires takes place at the Peoria Riverfront Museum from 7 to 10pm.
8/9. The Oceanographers will be featured at Music in the McKenzie at the Peoria Public Library North Branch from 2 to 4pm.
8/9. The Peoria POPS Swing Band performs at the Franciscan Recreation Complex from 3 to 5pm.
8/13. The Peoria Historical Society presents the Americana Rhythms on the River Concert featuring Switchback (American roots, Celtic soul) on the Spirit of Peoria beginning at 5pm.
8/14. Dancing Dreams: A Tribute to Abba kicks off ICC’s 2015-2016 Guest Artist Series at 7:30pm.
8/16. The Central Illinois Jazz Society House Band performs at 6pm, followed by John Miller and the Romaniacs at 7:15pm in the Starting Gate Banquet Room at Landmark Recreation Center.
POETRY & OPEN MICS
7/2, 8/6. Whisper & Shout, an open mic for sharing poetry, takes place at the Contemporary Art Center at 8pm.
7/23, 8/27. The Speakeasy Art Center in Pekin hosts the Speakeasy Poetry Open Mic at 7:30pm.
SPECIAL EVENTS & TOURS
Thru 9/26. The Peoria Riverfront Market is open every Saturday morning from 8am to noon in the 200 block of Water Street.
Thru 9/30. The Junction City Farmers Market takes place on Wednesdays from 3 to 6:30pm.
7/3. The Fireworks Spectacular at Glen Oak Park takes place from 4 to 10pm, including fireworks after dark.
7/11. The Sunbeam Building in Peoria will host a Summer Vintage Market from 9am to 4pm.
7/25 – 7/26. Night at the Riverfront Museum, an adults-only sleepover event, runs from 6:30pm Saturday to 8am Sunday at the Peoria Riverfront Museum.
8/1. The Summer Reading Finale Fun Fair runs from 11am to 5pm at the Fondulac District Library.
8/2. The Peoria German-American Society’s second annual Bratfest with Craft Beer Tasting takes place at Hickory Grove Park in Peoria from noon to 8pm.
8/15. The 4th annual Wine & Whiskey Walk fundraiser for the Peoria Art Guild takes place at Junction City from 1 to 6pm.
8/15. Rhythm in the Rainforest, featuring the cool jazz of Preston Jackson & Friends, takes place at Luthy Botanical Garden from 6:30 to 9pm.
8/21. Peoria Public Radio in the Park, a live variety show fundraiser, kicks off at 7pm in the Glen Oak Park Amphitheatre.
7/2 – 8/29. The Peoria Historical Society presents its Historical Trolley Tours, departing from Harp & Thistle in Peoria Heights at 11am on Thursdays and Fridays, and leaving Kelleher’s Irish Pub in downtown Peoria at 11am and 1:30pm on Saturdays.
THEATER
Thru 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.
7/9 – 7/12. The Community Children’s Theatre presents The Wizard of Oz Youth Performers Edition at Peoria Players Theatre at 7pm on 7/9-7/11 and 1:30pm on 7/10-7/12.
7/9 – 7/10. Imagine That Productions presents Annie Jr. at 7pm at Inspired Arts Academy in Morton.
7/10 – 7/18. The Secret Garden, a musical directed by Pam Orear, will be playing at Corn Stock Theatre.
7/10 – 7/12, 7/17 – 7/19. The Penguin Players will perform Godspell, Jr. in the ICC Performing Arts Center at 7:30pm with 2:30pm matinees on Sundays.
7/16. The Chillicothe Summer Theatre presents All Shook Up at 7:30pm at IVC High School.
7/19. Peoria Players Theatre will host a “get acquainted” event at 6:30pm for attendees to meet the directors and get a sneak preview of upcoming shows.
7/21. The Peoria Park District presents Park Players in Little Red and the Hoods, an interactive show for children, at 6:30pm in the Noble Center Auditorium. Free admission.
7/24 – 7/26. Arc Light Productions presents Little Women with shows at 7:30pm and a 2:30pm matinee on Sunday.
7/30 – 9/13. Nana’s Naughty Knickers will run at Conklin’s Barn II Dinner Theatre, with 8pm nightly performances and 1:30pm Sunday brunch performances.
7/31 – 8/8. Grease, a musical directed by Rachel Wooden, will be featured at Corn Stock Theatre with 7:30pm shows.
7/31 – 8/2, 8/5 – 8/8. Youthlight 2015 presents Big Fish at Eastlight Theatre, with shows at 7:30pm and a 2pm matinee on 8/2.
8/5 – 8/9. Footloose will be performed at the Peoria Players Theatre, with shows at 7:30pm and a 2pm matinee on Sunday.
8/21 – 8/29. Corn Stock Theatre will feature The Color Purple, a musical directed by Molly Burroughs and Sharon Reed, at 7:30pm.
For More Information…
Arc Light Productions—arclightpro.com, 455-4095
Art Garage—art-garage-studio.com, 231-2511
ArtsPartners of Central Illinois—artspartners.net, 676-2787
The Atelier—1000 SW Adams, Peoria, 303-6885
Bradley University Galleries—art.bradley.edu/bug, 677-3707
Caterpillar Visitors Center—visitcaterpillar.com, 675-0606
Central Illinois Jazz Society—peoriajazz.com, 692-5330
Chillicothe Summer Theatre—facebook.com/chillicothetheatre
Community Children’s Theatre—681-2861
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
Exhibit A Gallery—exhibitagallery.net, 693-6180
First Fridays—peoriafirstfriday.com, ciaopeoria.com
Five Points Washington—fivepointswashington.org, 444-8222
Fondulac District Library—fondulaclibrary.org, 699-3917
Foster Gallery for Christianity and the Fine Arts—fumcpeoria.org, 673-3641
Forest Park Nature Center—peoriaparks.org/forest-park-nature-center, 686-3360
Franciscan Recreation Complex—peoriaparks.org/frc, 677-6705
The Hive—thehive305.com, 360-4880
Illinois Art League—illinoisartleague.com
Illinois Central College/Arts at ICC—artsaticc.com, 694-5136
Imagine That Productions—inspiredartsacademy.com, 279-5563
Jefferson Street Studio & Gallery—rosehubbard.com, 696-9015
Jukebox Comedy Club—jukeboxcomedy.com, 673-5853
Junction City—newjunctioncity.com
Limelight EventPlex—limelighteventplex.com, 693-1234
Luthy Botanical Garden—peoriaparks.org/luthy-botanical-garden, 686-3362
Mackinaw Valley Vineyard—mackinawvalleyvineyard.com, 645-5054
Morton Fine Arts Association—mortonfinearts.org, 266-5135
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 Historical Society—peoriahistoricalsociety.org, 674-1921
Peoria Municipal Band—peoriamunicipalband.com
Peoria Park District—peoriaparks.org, 681-2861
Peoria Players Theatre—peoriaplayers.org, 688-4473
Peoria Public Library—peoriapubliclibrary.org, 497-2141
Peoria Public Radio—peoriapublicradio.org, 677-3690
Peoria Riverfront—peoriariverfront.com, facebook.com/riverfrontevents
Peoria Riverfront Museum—peoriariverfrontmuseum.org, 686-7000
Prairie Center of the Arts—prairiecenterofthearts.org, 657-6767
Red, White and Boom!—redwhiteandboom.us
Rhythm Kitchen Music Café—rhythmkitchenmusiccafe.biz, 676-9668
Sculpture Walk Peoria—sculpturewalkpeoria.org
Spalding Pastoral Center—cdopmuseums.org, 671-1550
Speakeasy Art Center—speakeasyartcenter.com, 267-2058
Studio 825—studio-825.com, 453-8291
Sunbeam Building/Studios On Sheridan—sunbeambuilding.com, 573-8404
Toraason Glass—facebook.com/ToraasonGlass
Wheel Art Studios—bit.ly/wheelart, 306-1741
