Out and About

WCBU Peoria Public Radio
  • 5.0 (4)
  • Arts
  • Updated Weekly

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

    Peoria Municipal Band celebrates 89th season of free summer concerts

    On this week’s episode of Out and About, Dr. Mae Gilliland of ArtsPartners of Central Illinois talks with Dr. David Vroman, director of the Peoria Municipal Band, about the band’s 89th season of free summer concerts. Performing through August 9th at venues across Peoria, including Glen Oak Park and Water Street along the Illinois River, the band continues a tradition that has connected generations of residents through live music. Concert programs feature a wide range of styles, from marches and Broadway favorites to orchestral transcriptions, film music and performances by guest artists. Vroman credits the band's longevity to its commitment to accessibility and quality. “Because we're supported by the City of Peoria, making those concerts free to everybody, equal access for everybody, great parking, a variety of music — I think all those things keep people coming back,” he said. Concerts are built around a unique theme, with titles like Summer Road Trip, American Tapestry and Dance, Dance, Dance, helping shape programs that showcase the versatility of the ensemble. In addition to the music, audiences can enjoy guest emcees, food trucks at Glen Oak Park performances and giveaways from local restaurant partners.  The Peoria Municipal Band’s 89th season continues through August 9 with free performances at venues throughout Peoria.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    5 min

  2. Jun 18

    Introducing the new West Peoria Farmers Market

    On this week’s episode of Out and About, Dr. Mae Gilliland of ArtsPartners of Central Illinois talks with Emily Huff, organizer of the new West Peoria Farmers Market, about bringing a long-awaited community gathering space to the city. Held every Wednesday from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. at the Franciscan Recreation Complex, the market features local growers, artisans, cottage food producers, food trucks and community organizations. The idea grew out of resident feedback collected during West Peoria’s comprehensive planning process, where a farmers market consistently ranked among the community’s top priorities. Huff says the goal is to create a welcoming atmosphere where people can connect while supporting local businesses. “It’s just neighbors talking to each other that maybe they haven’t seen in a little while,” she said. “It’s relaxed... It’s friends greeting each other. And it’s a lot of fun.” Visitors can expect a rotating lineup of vendors offering everything from handmade art and jewelry to fresh produce, baked goods, honey, and specialty foods, along with food trucks serving cuisines ranging from smashburgers to Filipino fare. Set beneath the beautiful trees of the Franciscan grounds, the market also offers green space and a nearby playground, making it a fantastic destination for families. The West Peoria Farmers Market takes place every Wednesday from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. during the summer months at the Franciscan Recreation Complex. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    5 min

  3. Jun 11

    Five Points Washington’s Community Art Fair

    On this week’s episode of Out and About, Dr. Mae Gilliland of ArtsPartners of Central Illinois talks with Nikki Wheeler, Special Events Assistant at Five Points Washington, about the inaugural Community Art Fair taking place June 20. Created to fill the void left by a former community art fair, the event brings together regional artists, live music, family activities and hands-on creative experiences for a day-long celebration of the arts. Wheeler says the fair is part of Five Points’ growing commitment to arts and culture, building on recent investments in gallery and performing arts spaces within the facility. The curated event will feature artists working in a wide range of artwork, including glass, jewelry, fiber arts, metal sculpture and woodworking. “We wanted a variety of mediums to be represented at this event and expose Washington to artistic mediums that they maybe hadn’t seen before,” Wheeler said. In addition to artist booths, visitors can enjoy performances by The Aristocrats and The Holi7tics, aerial arts demonstrations, children’s activities and Kona Ice. The fair will also coincide with the Washington Education Bridge Foundation’s annual Paint the Path fundraiser, creating what Wheeler describes as “one big, large celebration of the arts” for the community. The Community Art Fair takes place Saturday, June 20, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Five Points Washington and is free to attend.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    5 min

  4. Jun 4

    Jubilee Day: A Juneteenth Celebration

    On this week’s episode of Out and About, Dr. Mae Gilliland of ArtsPartners of Central Illinois talks with Chanel Hargrave-Murray, Supervisor of Community Connections for the Peoria Park District, about the upcoming Jubilee Day taking place June 19 at the Peoria RiverFront. The free community celebration honors Juneteenth through a full day of live entertainment, cultural experiences, family activities, food vendors, community resources and a themed drone show over the riverfront. Hargrave-Murray explains that the name “Jubilee Day” reflects the historic celebrations held when news of emancipation finally reached enslaved people in Texas, marking a long-awaited moment of freedom and community. This year’s event places special emphasis on storytelling and remembrance through interactive “activation stations” designed to connect attendees with local history. One feature, Our Grandparents’ Porch, will invite longtime community members to share stories about Peoria’s past and their experiences during periods of social change. Another installation, Our Ancestry Tree, will allow participants to honor family members and ancestors by adding their names to a living tree that will later be planted in a Peoria Park District location. “We wanted to bring that back,” Hargrave-Murray said of the storytelling tradition. “We’re having a setup called Our Grandparents’ Porch, where we have community members that have been a part of the changes here in Peoria, and they’re going to sit and tell their stories about Peoria and the history.” The celebration also features performances, fashion showcases, youth activities, wellness resources, and a Juneteenth-themed drone show featuring special pyro drones designed to create firework-like effects in the night sky. Jubilee Day takes place Thursday, June 19, at the Peoria RiverFront and is free and open to the public. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    5 min

  5. May 28

    YANI Collective Juneteenth Fest

    On this week’s episode of Out and About, Dr. Mae Gilliland of ArtsPartners of Central Illinois talks with Marc Supreme, General Manager of Strictly Hip Hop 90.7 FM and one of the organizers behind this year’s YANI Collective Juneteenth Fest.  Taking place June 13 at the Peoria RiverFront, the event brings together live music, dance, fashion, wellness resources, youth activities, food vendors and community programming for a full day centered around culture, history and unity. This year’s theme, “ICONIC: Celebrating All Things Culture,” draws inspiration from Black cultural history, fashion and the legacy of influential people and movements connected to Peoria. Supreme says the festival is designed to celebrate both local culture and the broader impact of Black creativity and community leadership. “Peoria is an iconic place, and it’s birthed some iconic folks that have gone on to do iconic things on a national level,” he said. “We just wanted to put all that in a bottle and provide that experience for Juneteenth this year.” This year also marks the festival’s move to the riverfront, opening up new possibilities for expanded programming and larger community gatherings. The celebration includes the Ernestine Jackson Freedom Day Parade alongside performances, wellness programming and activities designed to engage multiple generations throughout the day. The YANI Collective Juneteenth Fest takes place Saturday, June 13, at the Peoria RiverFront. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    5 min

  6. May 21

    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

  7. 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

  8. 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
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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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