Out and About

WCBU Peoria Public Radio
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A weekly spotlight on arts activities in Central Illinois. Every Friday, host Mae Gilliland Wright of Arts Partners of Central Illinois talks with area actors, musicians, artists and community leaders about an upcoming arts event. Out and About is supported, in part, by a grant from the Illinois Arts Council, a state agency.

  1. 2D AGO

    Morton Public Library’s Groove in the Garden Concert Series

    On this week’s episode of Out and About, Dr. Mae Gilliland of ArtsPartners of Central Illinois talks with Alissa Williams, Director of the Morton Public Library, about the return of the library’s popular Groove in the Garden Concert Series.  Taking place June 5 through July 31 in Hannah’s Reading Garden, the free summer series combines live music, food trucks and community gathering space in an outdoor setting designed for all ages. What began as a small July concert series has steadily expanded over the past decade into a summer tradition drawing hundreds of attendees from across the region. Williams describes the atmosphere as welcoming and community-centered, with families picnicking, children playing and audience members of all abilities enjoying the music together. “It’s just a perfect blend of the community,” she said. “Everyone comes together to enjoy live music.” This year’s lineup features a variety of Central Illinois favorites and cover bands performing music from the 1960s through the 1980s, including Cousin Eddie, Next Thing Smokin’, Jane's Rumor and the returning group Now in Zen. Concertgoers are encouraged to bring lawn chairs, enjoy food trucks beginning at 6 p.m. and settle in for performances running from 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. Groove in the Garden takes place Thursdays from June 5 through July 31 at Morton Public Library’s Hannah’s Reading Garden.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    5 min

  2. MAY 14

    Mackinaw Music International Wine and Craft Beer Festival

    On this week’s episode of Out and About, Dr. Mae Gilliland of ArtsPartners of Central Illinois talks with Diane Hahn, co-founder of Mackinaw Valley Vineyard, about the upcoming Mackinaw Music International Wine and Craft Beer Festival taking place Memorial Day weekend.  Held May 23 and 24, the festival features live music, international wines, craft beers, local food vendors and family-friendly activities spread across the vineyard’s scenic grounds. Hahn describes the atmosphere as “kind of a Norman Rockwell sort of painting,” with visitors gathering to sample wines and beers from around the world while enjoying music and the outdoors.  The weekend’s entertainment lineup includes everything from Irish music to acoustic sets, reflecting what Hahn says is the spirit of discovery at the heart of the festival. “Life needs variety,” she said. “This is a time for people to just get away and have some fun.”  Throughout the conversation, Hahn also highlights the vineyard’s unique landscape, noting the rolling valley views that surprise many first-time visitors to Central Illinois wine country. Families are encouraged to bring blankets, picnic, explore the grounds and enjoy a relaxed holiday weekend together.  The Mackinaw Music International Wine and Craft Beer Festival takes place May 23 and 24 at Mackinaw Valley Vineyard.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    5 min

  3. MAY 7

    Robert Ketchens feature exhibition at the Contemporary Art Center of Peoria

    On this week’s episode of Out and About, Dr. Mae Gilliland of ArtsPartners of Central Illinois talks with social realist painter Robert Ketchens about his current exhibition at the Contemporary Art Center of Peoria, on view through June 20.  Originally from New Orleans and now based near St. Louis, Ketchens creates colorful paintings that explore the social complexities of the African diaspora through symbolism, history, and storytelling. His work focuses on overlooked narratives and individuals whose contributions are often absent from mainstream history.  “I like to find the untold heroes of history,” Ketchens said, pointing to figures like Reverend Owen Whitfield, whose activism in the 1930s helped draw national attention to the treatment of sharecroppers in Missouri.  Throughout the conversation, Ketchens reflects on how the culture and color of New Orleans shaped his artistic voice, as well as his hope that viewers leave his work with a deeper understanding of social issues and human experiences outside their own. “I hope that the people that look at them understand them and take away a better understanding about the subject that we’re talking about,” he said.  Ketchens’ exhibit is on view through June 20 at the Contemporary Art Center of Peoria, with a reception taking place May 16.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    5 min

  4. APR 30

    Peoria Heights holds annual Fine Art Fair

    On this week’s episode of Out and About, Dr. Mae Gilliland of ArtsPartners of Central Illinois talks with Angela Bottrell, co-chair of the Peoria Heights Fine Art Fair and board member of the Peoria Heights Arts Collaborative, about the upcoming 2026 Peoria Heights Fine Art Fair. Taking place May 9 and 10 at Tower Park, the juried fair brings together artists from across the region for a weekend of fine art, live music, food trucks, and family-friendly activities in the heart of Peoria Heights. Bottrell says one of the best parts of the event is the opportunity to connect directly with artists and experience work across a wide range of mediums, from painting and photography to sculpture, jewelry, and textiles. “The artists are all very friendly and like to talk about their work,” she said. “There’s a lot of different types of work that you may never have even seen before.” This year’s fair will also feature performances throughout the weekend, including local musicians Kirk Wessler and James Herr, along with a Saturday afternoon set by the four-piece band Asbury Fox. Visitors can also enjoy food trucks and activities like Unique Twist Balloons for families. The Peoria Heights Fine Art Fair takes place Saturday, May 9, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday, May 10, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Tower Park in Peoria Heights.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    5 min

  5. APR 23

    Wheels O’ Time Museum celebrates transportation history

    On this week’s episode of Out and About, Dr. Mae Gilliland of ArtsPartners of Central Illinois talks with Diana Klein, Executive Director of the Wheels O’ Time Museum, about the museum’s 2026 season opening and a lineup of events celebrating transportation history and hands-on learning. The season kicks off May 1 with Opening Day, followed by a full weekend of programming, including a special appearance by Ray LaHood, former US Secretary of Transportation, on May 2. Visitors can expect antique car rides, food trucks, and opportunities to hear firsthand insights on the past and future of transportation. Klein, who recently stepped into the role of executive director, describes the museum as a place of constant discovery. “It’s surprising just how big the campus is and how eclectic the mix of exhibits are,” she said. “You just never know what’s going to come around the corner.” Throughout the season, the museum emphasizes interactive experiences, from blacksmithing and quilting demonstrations to train tours and storytelling during National Train Day on May 9. A major highlight this year is the announcement that all student field trips will be free, thanks to a generous donor, expanding access for schools across the region. The Wheels O’ Time Museum opens for the 2026 season on May 1, with events scheduled throughout the month.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    5 min

  6. APR 16

    Central Illinois Youth Symphony celebrates 60 years

    On this week’s episode of Out and About, Dr. Mae Gilliland of ArtsPartners of Central Illinois talks with Lydia Riley, Executive Director of the Central Illinois Youth Symphony, about the group’s upcoming 60th anniversary concerts celebrating generations of young musicians. Taking place May 3 at Five Points Washington, the concert brings together current students and alumni for special homecoming performances marking six decades of music-making in Central Illinois. Riley describes the milestone as both a celebration of the past and a look toward the future, with alumni returning to perform alongside today’s students. “We’re really looking forward to inviting everybody back and making it feel like a homecoming experience,” she said. “It’s going to be a really exciting concert.” The program reflects a full arc, featuring classic works alongside new compositions, including world premieres by student and faculty composers. Riley noted that the response from alumni has been especially encouraging, with dozens signing up to participate and many others reconnecting to share how their time in the youth symphony shaped their lives. She encourages alumni to reach out if they want to participate. The concert will culminate in a performance of the 1812 Overture, closing out a day that highlights the rich history of the organization. The Central Illinois Youth Symphony’s 60th anniversary concerts take place Sunday, May 3, at Five Points Washington. Visit www.YouthMusicIllinois.org for more information. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    5 min

  7. APR 9

    Peoria World Affairs Council looks at climate change and indigenous communities

    On this week’s episode of Out and About, Dr. Mae Gilliland of ArtsPartners of Central Illinois talks with Angela Weck, Executive Director of the Peoria Area World Affairs Council, about an upcoming program exploring Indigenous rights, environmental justice, and global climate challenges. Taking place April 16 at Bradley University Westlake Hall, Defending Life and Land: Indigenous Rights, the Amazon, and Environmental Justice features speaker Carlos Salinas, who brings firsthand experience working alongside Indigenous communities in the Amazon. Weck emphasizes the importance of global education in a community like Peoria, noting that the Council’s programs are designed to provide context, ignite conversation, and help participants better understand how international issues connect to everyday life. “For Indigenous people, this is an issue that’s an everyday, all day,” she said, pointing to the immediate impacts climate change has on land, culture, and survival. The conversation also draws connections to the central Illinois region, particularly through agriculture, where environmental shifts, rising costs, and land use decisions directly affect local communities. The April 16 event includes a buffet dinner, followed by Salinas’s presentation and an opportunity for discussion. Defending Life and Land takes place at 5:30 p.m. on Wednesday, April 16, at Bradley University’s Westlake Hall. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    5 min

  8. APR 2

    Liv Warfield performs with the Peoria Symphony Orchestra

    On this week’s episode of Out and About, Dr. Mae Gilliland of ArtsPartners of Central Illinois talks with Peoria native and singer-songwriter, director, and performer Liv Warfield about her upcoming April 17 concert with the Peoria Symphony Orchestra at the Prairie Home Alliance Theater. Warfield, who has performed on stages around the world and toured with Prince as part of the New Power Generation, returns home for a collaboration she says has been more than a year in the making. She will be taking the stage at the Peoria Civic Center, a venue she grew up passing as a child. “I am still trying to wrap my head around it… I never would have thought in a million years that I would be performing there. But also with the Peoria Symphony," she said. "Something I’ve wished for a long time,” she said. The concert features songs from her albums Edge and The Unexpected, newly arranged for full orchestra. Warfield described the experience of hearing her music at that scale as “poetic and beautiful and powerful,” adding that she hopes to bring a sense of connection and shared energy to the audience. The performance will also include guest vocalists, members of her band, and a few surprises for the audience. Liv Warfield performs with the Peoria Symphony Orchestra at 7:30 PM Friday, April 17, at the Peoria Civic Center. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    5 min
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About

A weekly spotlight on arts activities in Central Illinois. Every Friday, host Mae Gilliland Wright of Arts Partners of Central Illinois talks with area actors, musicians, artists and community leaders about an upcoming arts event. Out and About is supported, in part, by a grant from the Illinois Arts Council, a state agency.

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