COMEDY
Ongoing. The Jukebox Comedy Club features local, regional and nationally known comedians, open Wednesdays through Saturdays.
6/3. COMEDY beCAUSE, featuring Greg Batton and Friends to benefit the WMBD Children’s Fund, takes place in the Broadway Lounge at The Waterhouse.
DANCE
5/1. The Peoria Park District will host a Barn Dance at Camp Wokanda from 2 to 4:30pm.
5/6, 5/20, 6/3, 6/17. The Contemporary Art Center hosts Salsa at the CAC on the first and third Fridays of the month from 8:30pm to midnight.
6/1. The Peoria Ballet presents its annual Academy Performance at Five Points Washington.
EXHIBITS
Ongoing. Sculpture Walk Peoria features 15 large-scale sculptures along Washington Street from Liberty to State Street in Peoria. A new slate of sculptures will be unveiled at 2pm on 6/4.
Ongoing. The Diocesan Museum in the Spalding Pastoral Center features exhibits on the history of the Peoria Diocese, while the adjacent Fulton J. Sheen Museum showcases the life of the famous archbishop.
Thru 5/3. Bradley University Galleries presents Bunn Lectureship in Photography with Lori Nix in the Heuser Art Gallery.
Thru 5/6. The ICC Art Program presents the 48th annual Faculty Art Exhibition in Room 336B on the East Peoria campus.
Thru 5/6. The ICC Art Program presents the 48th annual Student Art Exhibition in the ICC Performing Arts Center on the East Peoria campus.
Thru 5/30. The Peoria Riverfront Museum will host American Spirits: The Rise and Fall of Prohibition in the International Feature Gallery.
Thru 7/10. Figures of Strength: Artwork by Sculptor Nita Sutherland will be on display at the Peoria Riverfront Museum.
5/2 – 5/31. The Time Gallery in East Peoria features the rural images of photographer Steve Wilson and the collection of Gary Crotts on display from 10am to 5pm.
5/6, 6/3. Numerous art galleries and artist studios open their doors from 5 to 9pm for First Fridays.
5/2 – 5/10. The Bradley University BFA Exhibition featuring Conor Alwood, Angel Castaneda and Tianzhe He will be on display at the Prairie Center of the Arts, with an opening reception at 5pm on 5/6.
5/4 – 5/13. The Bradley University MFA Exhibition featuring Jessica Bingham will be on display in the Hartmann Center gallery, with a reception on 5/13 at 5pm.
5/4 – 5/31. The 52nd annual Rennick Art Show will be on display at the Peoria Public Library, with an opening reception on 5/4 at 2pm.
5/6 – 6/17. The works of LJ Douglas, printmaking and installation, will be on display at the Contemporary Art Center, with a reception on 5/14 at 6:30pm.
5/9 – 5/13. The Bradley University Graphic Design Portfolio Exhibition will be on display in the Heuser Art Center gallery, with a reception on 5/13 at 5pm.
5/13. Project 1612 will feature the work of Jessica Bingham at 7pm.
5/13 – 6/24. The works of Nikole Cooney, sculpture, will be on display at the Contemporary Art Center, with an opening reception on 5/14 at 6:30pm.
5/22 – 7/17. Artistic Abilities, featuring artwork by persons with disabilities, will be on display in the Foster Gallery for Christianity and Fine Arts.
6/12. Project 1612 will feature the sculpture of Kaitlyn Hunter and Jake Guzan from 3 to 5pm.
FESTIVALS
5/14. Mardi Gras in May will feature street performers, live music and much more on Water Street in Peoria from 4 to 10pm.
5/14. The Pekin Diversity Festival takes place from 11am to 2pm at the Speakeasy Art Center in Pekin.
5/21. The Louie Louie Parade & River Jam kicks off at 4:15pm and continues at the CEFCU Center Stage on the Peoria Riverfront.
5/28 – 5/29. Mackinaw Valley Vineyard will host an International Music, Wine and Craft Beer Festival from 11am to 11pm on Saturday and noon to 6pm on Sunday.
6/1 – 6/5. The City of Washington will host Good Neighbor Days with running events, family entertainment and much more.
6/11. The Pekin Insurance Craft Soda Festival takes place on the Pekin riverfront from 10am to 8pm.
6/16 – 6/18. Peoria Area Community Events presents the 45th annual Steamboat Festival on the Peoria Riverfront.
6/18. The Peoria Heights Chamber of Commerce will host the 2016 Duryea Festival in Peoria Heights.
6/24 – 6/26. The Olde English Faire takes place at Wildlife Prairie Park.
LECTURES & PRESENTATIONS
5/1. The Road to the Eighteenth Amendment: Legal Regulation of Alcohol in American History, a free lecture featuring James Springer, JD, PhD, will take place at the Peoria Riverfront Museum at 2pm.
5/12. Adventures with Audubon, a lecture by Brian “Fox” Ellis, will take place at 10am at the Peoria Riverfront Museum.
5/14. Whiskies of the World will feature a tutorial and tasting with Hearth owner Hugh Higgins at the Peoria Riverfront Museum.
MUSIC
Thru 6/24. Live at the Five Spot features live blues, jazz and more on Fridays at the Contemporary Art Center from 5:30 to 7:30pm.
Thru 6/25. Rhythm Kitchen Music Café features live music on Fridays and Saturdays from 8 to 11pm.
5/1. The Music Scholarship Concert Series featuring the Bradley Women’s Choir will take place in the Dingeldine Music Center at 3pm.
5/1. The Philharmonic Chorale will perform in the ICC Performing Arts Center in East Peoria at 3pm.
5/1. The Bradley Guitar Ensemble will perform in the Dingeldine Music Center at Bradley University at 7:30pm.
5/2. The ICC Concert Choir performs in the Lecture/Recital Hall on the ICC East Peoria Campus at 7:30pm.
5/3. The Heart of Illinois Chorus performs on Friends & Family Night at 7:30pm in the ICC Performing Arts Center.
5/3. Bradley String Chamber Music will perform in the Dingeldine Music Center at Bradley University at 7:30pm.
5/3. The Peoria Symphony Guild Spring Luncheon, featuring the winner of the Young Artist Competition, will take place at 11:30am at the Country Club of Peoria.
5/4. Rock legend Alice Cooper returns to the Peoria Civic Center for an 8pm show in the theater.
5/4. The ICC Concert Band performs in the ICC Performing Arts Center in East Peoria at 7:30pm.
5/6. ROCK beCAUSE, featuring 3 and a Half Men, will benefit Junior Achievement in the Broadway Lounge at The Waterhouse from 5 to 9pm.
5/6 – 5/8. The Peoria Area Civic Chorale and Central Illinois Jazz Orchestra perform Swing into Spring at Five Points Washington at 7:30pm Friday and Saturday with a 3pm Sunday matinee.
5/7. The Peoria Symphony Orchestra presents Legendary London, featuring four renowned English composers, at 8pm at Grace Presbyterian Church.
5/13, 5/27 – 5/28, 6/10 – 6/11. The Howlin’ on Water dueling piano show performs at 8pm in the Waterhouse, with pre-show dinner buffets at 6pm.
5/13. The Beach Boys perform classic hits from the last 50 years in the Peoria Civic Center Theater beginning at 8pm.
5/13. The Prairie Wind Ensemble will perform in the ICC Performing Arts Center at 7:30pm.
5/13. The Limelight Eventplex presents Jackyl, Wayland and Outlaws & Moonshine at 8pm.
5/14. The Lost Concert: The Music of the Monkees and Beatles will feature tribute bands Pleasant Valley Sunday and Paperback Writer at 7:30pm in the ICC Performing Arts Center.
5/14. The new American folk of Patchouli will highlight the Songs from the Woods concert series at Forest Park Nature Center.
5/14. The Limelight Eventplex presents Who’s Bad, the ultimate Michael Jackson tribute band, at 8pm.
5/15. The P-Town Bluegrass Allstars perform music from Jerry Garcia’s Old and In the Way at the Peoria Public Library North Branch at 2pm.
5/15. The Central Illinois Jazz Society House Band perform at 6pm, followed by the Derel Monteith Trio at 7:15pm at Landmark Recreation Center.
5/15. The Peoria Symphony Orchestra presents Valiant Viola!, a Musical Discoveries concert, in the WTVP Studio at 2pm.
5/15. Diplomatic Relations presents An Atomic Whirl (Japan), Better Half, Omen of the Right Wing Moon and Foolish Belief at Broken Tree Cafe from 5 to 8pm.
5/18. A Day to Remember brings its Just Some Shows tour with Parkway Drive and State Champs to the Limelight Eventplex at 7:30pm.
5/20. Buckcherry, with opening acts Black Stone Cherry, Biters and The Cherry Bombs Dancers, will perform at the Limelight Eventplex at 8pm.
5/20. Bud Light Concerts and the Limelight Eventplex present Dylan Scott and the Devin Clemons Band at the CEFCU Stage on the Peoria Riverfront at 8pm.
5/23. Diplomatic Relations presents Atrocities and Drained at Rail II at 7pm.
5/24 – 5/29. The Morton Civic Chorus presents Encore 2016 – A Musical Revue, its 45th annual benefit for the Central Illinois Memorial Kidney Fund, in the Hartmann Center Theater at Bradley University at 7:30pm and 2pm on Sunday.
5/26. The Riverlife Gospel Music lunch cruise featuring The Kramers runs from 12:30 to 3pm on the Spirit of Peoria.
5/27. The Limelight Eventplex presents Jana Kramer and Brushville at 8pm.
5/27 – 5/29. The Summer Camp Music Festival features three days of music at Three Sisters Park in Chillicothe.
5/29. James Taylor and His All-Star Band will perform in the Peoria Civic Center Arena at 8pm.
5/30 – 6/30. The Peoria Municipal Band will perform in the Gateway Building at 10:30am on 5/30, at Glen Oak Park on Sundays at 7pm beginning 6/5, and on Water Street on Wednesdays at 7pm beginning 6/8.
6/4. The Heartland Festival Orchestra and the Peoria Area Civic Chorale will present Carmina Burana at Five Points Washington at 7:30pm.
6/5 – 6/12. The 15th annual Peoria Bach Festival will celebrate the life, music and faith of one of history’s greatest composers.
6/18. The Heritage Ensemble will perform at 7:30pm in the ICC Performing Arts Center in East Peoria.
6/19. The Central Illinois Jazz Society House Band performs at 6pm, followed by DESAFINADO with vocalist Elis Artz at 7:15pm at Landmark Recreation Center.
6/23. The Jim Markum Swing Band brings the big-band sounds of yesteryear to the Morton Fine Arts Association’s Summer Arts in the Park series at 7pm at the Idlewood Arts Pavilion.
6/24 – 6/25. The Bud Light Concert Series & Limelight EventPlex presents the Tailgate N’ Tallboys Music Festival at Three Sisters Park, featuring Willie Nelson, Kid Rock and many more.
6/26. Renowned guitarist Eric Lambert performs in the Music in the McKenzie series at 2pm at the Peoria Public Library North Branch.
6/27. Diplomatic Relations presents Unamused Dave, Jared Grabb Among Thieves and Terribly Happy at Rail II at 7pm.
6/30. The King Family presents bluegrass, gospel and original songs as part of the Morton Fine Arts Association’s Summer Arts in the Park series at 7pm at the Idlewood Arts Pavilion.
POETRY & STORYTELLING
5/5, 6/9. Whisper & Shout, an open mic for poetry, takes place at the Contemporary Art Center from 8 to 10pm.
5/14. Nationally known storyteller Tracey Brownell will share Campfire Stories at Camp Wokanda from 7 to 9pm.
SPECIAL EVENTS
Thru 5/27. The Gerald M. Brookhart Arts in Education Spring Celebration features student performances, exhibits and demonstrations at the Peoria Courthouse Plaza weekdays from 11am to 1:30pm.
5/1. Advanced Media Partners and the Peoria Park District present Peoria WingFest on the Peoria Riverfront from 1 to 5pm.
5/7. A craft and vendor show to benefit Peoria Players Theatre will take place at Lakeview Park from 9am to 3pm.
5/8. Luthy Botanical Garden and the Peoria Orchid Society present the Mother’s Day Orchid Show from noon to 4pm.
5/7. The Roll Out the Barrel Bus Tour and Tasting with the Peoria Brewing Company takes place from 1:30 to 4pm, beginning at the Peoria Riverfront Museum.
5/12. The Peoria Zoo will host Zootini from 6 to 9pm in Africa!
5/16 – 5/18. The Land of Lincoln overnight cruise takes place aboard the Spirit of Peoria.
6/6 – 6/10. The Sun Foundation’s 42nd annual Art & Science in the Woods program will take place at the Sun Foundation Center in Washburn.
6/11. The Peoria Garden Club will present its biennial Garden Walk.
6/11. The 36th annual Moss Avenue Sale & Festival will take place along Moss Avenue in Peoria.
6/15 – 6/19. Jay Goldberg Events & Entertainment presents The Amazing Kreskin at 7pm in the Apollo Theatre.
THEATER
5/1. Bradley University Theatre presents the final performance of Our Country’s Good at 2:30pm in the Hartman Center Gallery.
5/4 – 5/8. Jay Goldberg Events & Entertainment presents Assisted Living: The Musical in the Apollo Theatre at 7pm.
5/6 – 5/8, 5/11 – 5/15. The Peoria Players Theatre presents Hairspray at 7:30pm, with 2pm matinees on Sundays.
5/4. The ICC Theatre Program presents Warning: Results May Vary, featuring student-directed one-act plays, at 7pm in the Lecture/Recital Hall Room 127F on the ICC East Peoria campus.
5/7. The Community Theatre Drama Fest takes place from 10am to 4pm in the Corn Stock Theatre Center in Bradley Park.
5/20 – 5/21. Arc Light Productions presents Nunsense at Coyote Creek Golf Course for its 10th anniversary celebration.
5/20 – 5/21. The Great Work Begins Theatre Troupe presents Seascape with Sharks and Dancer in the Broadway Lounge at The Waterhouse at 7:30pm.
6/3 – 6/11. Corn Stock Theatre presents Sugar: The Some Like it Hot Musical at 7:30pm nightly.
6/7 – 6/12. The Tony Award-winning Book of Mormon will be performed at the Peoria Civic Center.
6/21, 6/24, 6/25. The Arc Light Productions Youth Series will present Gran’s Guide to Stopping an Ogre at 10:30am on 6/21 and 6pm on 6/24 and 6/25, and Swamp Pirate Zombies at 12:30pm on 6/21 and 7:30pm on 6/24 and 6/25.
6/24 – 7/2. Corn Stock Theatre presents Cheaper by the Dozen at 7:30pm nightly.
6/24. Mr. Lincoln, a one-act play by Herbert Mitgang, will take place in the Speakeasy Art Center at 6:30pm.
FOR MORE INFORMATION
Arc Light Productions—arclightpro.com, 455-4095
Art Garage—art-garage-studio.com, 231-2511
Art-Space Peoria—facebook.com/artspacepeoria, 868-0474
ArtsPartners of Central Illinois—artspartners.net, 676-2787
Arts in Education Spring Celebration—springcelebration.org
Atelier 5835—5835 N. Galena Road, Ste. 105, Peoria, 383-3341
Bradley University/Dingeldine Music Center—677-2595
Bradley University Galleries—art.bradley.edu/bug, 677-2989
Bradley University Theatre—slane.bradley.edu/theatre-arts, 677-2650
Central Illinois Jazz Society—cijs.org, 692-5330
CIAO/Central Illinois Artists Organization—ciaopeoria.com
Contemporary Art Center—peoriacac.org, 674-6822
Corn Stock Theatre—cornstocktheatre.com, 676-2196
Diplomatic Relations—facebook.com/diplomaticrelationsil
Ear in the Envelope—820 SW Adams, Peoria, 550-3518
Fine Arts Society of Peoria—fineartssociety.net, 693-7600
First Fridays—peoriafirstfriday.com, ciaopeoria.com
Five Points Washington—fivepointswashington.org, 444-8222
Foster Gallery for Christianity and the Fine Arts—fumcpeoria.org, 673-3641
GAR Hall—cilfpeoria.org, 672-1800
Goddess Boheme—goddessboheme.com, 363-9449
Good Neighbor Days—washingtonilcoc.com
Heartland Festival Orchestra—heartlandfestivalorchestra.org, 339-3943
Heart of Illinois Chorus—hoichorus.com
Heritage Ensemble—heritageensemble.com
The Hive—thehive305.com, 360-4880
Howlin’ on Water—howlinonwater.com, 494-9100
Illinois Central College/Arts at ICC—artsaticc.com, 694-5136
Jay Goldberg Events & Entertainment—jaytv.com, 839-1220
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/luthy-botanical-garden, 686-3362
Mackinaw Valley Vineyard—mackinawvalleyvineyard.com
Mardi Gras in May—mardigraspeoria.com
Morton Civic Chorus—mortoncivicchorus.org, 677-4966
Morton Fine Arts Association—mortonfinearts.org, 266-5135
Olde English Faire—wildlifeprairiepark.org/old-english-faire
Pekin Insurance Craft Soda Festival—craftsodafestival.com
Peoria Area Civic Chorale—peoriacivicchorale.org, 693-6725
Peoria Area Community Events—peoriaevents.com
Peoria Bach Festival—peoriabachfestival.org
Peoria Ballet—peoriaballet.org, 690-7990
Peoria Civic Center—peoriaciviccenter.com, (800) 745-3000
Peoria Garden Club—peoriagardenclub.org
Peoria Municipal Band—peoriamunicipalband.com
Peoria Park District—peoriaparks.org, 681-2861
Peoria Players Theatre—peoriaplayers.org, 688-4473
Peoria Public Library—peoriapubliclibrary.org, 497-2000
Peoria Riverfront Museum—peoriariverfrontmuseum.org, 686-7000
Peoria Symphony Orchestra—peoriasymphony.org, 671-1096
Peoria Zoo—peoriazoo.org, 681-3500
Prairie Center of the Arts—prairiecenterofthearts.org, 657-6767
Project 1612—project16twelve.wix.com/project1612, 798-0375
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
Spirit of Peoria—spiritofpeoria.com, 637-8000
Summer Camp Music Festival—summercampfestival.com
Sunbeam Building/Studios On Sheridan—sunbeambuilding.com, 573-8404
Sun Foundation—sunfoundation.org, 246-8403
Time Gallery—201 Clock Tower Drive, East Peoria, 467-2331
Toraason Glass—facebook.com/ToraasonGlass
The Waterhouse—waterhousepeoria.com, 494-9100
Wheel Art Studios—bit.ly/wheelart, 306-1741
