Greater Peoria’s nonprofit community is an extraordinary force for advancing the common good and making our region a better place to live, work and play. These special organizations also organize fantastic special events… with unique entertainment and fun for the whole family! Peoria Magazines is proud to spread the word about major community events and fundraisers through our online Community Impact Calendar.
September 7 Jazz at Carver
George Washington Carver Community Center
Comedian Richard Pryor first took the stage as an entertainer at the George Washington Carver Center, and more recently, the local institution has become known for bringing some of the biggest names in smooth jazz to Peoria, from Najee to Gerald Albright. This fall, another Grammy award-winning musician will light up the intimate theater at Carver: jazz guitar superstar Norman Brown. The Louisiana-born, Kansas City-raised Brown first picked up the guitar at age eight—inspired by Jimi Hendrix, but quickly shifting to the smoother style of the legendary Wes Montgomery. He will play an early show at 6pm and a late show at 9pm. For tickets or more information, visit smoothpeoria.com or call (309) 839-2487. Carver’s concert series is sponsored by Ameren Illinois, UnityPoint Health and PNC Bank.
September 28 House Party Rock the House
Family House | Par-A-Dice Hotel Ballroom
Join Family House for a trip back in time to the rockin’ 80’s with Infinite Journey, an internationally known Journey tribute band playing high-energy shows since 2012. Their immersive musical experience focuses on the overall sound, solos and (especially) the soaring vocals that made Journey so iconic. In fact, the band was selected out of thousands of tribute acts to perform on the AXS TV show, The World’s Greatest Tribute Bands. All tickets include food, beverages and music; VIP tickets include preferred seating, a private concierge room, and a meet and greet with the band. Proceeds benefit Family House, which provides home-like accommodations for families of adult and pediatric patients and individuals receiving healthcare services in the Peoria area. Tickets and information are available at familyhousepeoria.org.
October 13 Big Picture Peoria Street and Film Festival
Peoria Warehouse District
The inaugural Big Picture Peoria initiative brings public art to Peoria in a big way with a daylong festival. Led by a dedicated team of artists and arts advocates, the effort is intended to shed light on Peoria’s creative and aesthetic potential. The Big Picture Street Festival will span two blocks of Adams Street in the Warehouse District, with live mural painting, indoor installations, interactive public art, live music, dance performances, street artists, food and more. That evening, the Big Picture Film Festival will screen the top film submissions selected by a panel of distinguished guest judges. Visit bigpicturepeoria.org and follow them on Facebook for more information—and ways you can participate. a&s
Event information is correct to the best of our knowledge, but is subject to change. For our complete calendar of nonprofit fundraisers and major community events, visitpeoriamagazines.com/calendar.
