Out and About

WCBU Peoria Public Radio
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. 4d ago

    Peoria Dragon Boat Race coming to the Peoria Riverfront September 13

    On this week’s episode of Out and About, Mae Gilliland of ArtsPartners of Central Illinois talks with Mengrong Taylor, chair of the Peoria Chinese Association and an educator at Illinois Central College, about the Peoria Dragon Boat Race taking place Sept. 13 on the Peoria Riverfront. Featuring brightly colored boats, rhythmic drumming, synchronized paddlers and cultural activities throughout the day, the event brings a tradition with more than 2,000 years of Chinese history to central Illinois. Taylor explains that dragon boat racing traces its roots to an ancient story of villagers taking to the water in an effort to save a respected poet and statesman, beating drums as they paddled. Over generations, the tradition became an act of remembrance as well as a celebration of community and teamwork. For Taylor, the race is also an artistic experience. “The dragon boat is like a moving work of art, and the river is like a canvas,” she said, describing the drummer as the heartbeat and the paddles as brushstrokes. “It’s an art of synchronization.” Beyond the races, visitors can explore Chinese culture through activities including mahjong, ping pong and lantern making. Taylor hopes the celebration creates connections across cultures while giving the Chinese community an opportunity to share traditions that have traveled with families across generations. “No matter where we are, we carry the culture with us, and we share it with other people,” she said. “And then we build something beautiful in a place we now call home.” The Peoria Dragon Boat Race takes place Sept. 13 on the Peoria Riverfront. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

  2. Aug 27

    Peoria Area Repair Café coming to River City Labs Sept. 12

    On this week’s episode of Out and About, Mae Gilliland of ArtsPartners of Central Illinois talks with Jennifer Brady, co-founder of the Peoria Area Repair Café, about the group’s next free community repair event taking place Sept. 12 at River City Labs. The Peoria Repair Café invites visitors to bring gently broken household or personal items and work alongside volunteer repair coaches to diagnose problems, learn new skills and, when possible, give those objects a second life. Volunteers bring expertise ranging from sewing and textiles to small appliances, lawn equipment, sharpening and other hands-on repairs. Brady says the experience is about more than simply getting something fixed. “It is not just a drop-it-off. It’s a, let’s diagnose this together,” she said. “Let me show you how to take things apart, what’s inside and it’s a skill sharing.” That exchange of knowledge also brings a creative element to the process, encouraging participants to look differently at familiar objects, understand how they were made and discover what might be possible with a little bit of ingenuity. At the same time, repairing rather than replacing can have a measurable environmental impact. Brady says the group kept approximately 20 pounds of material out of the landfill during its first event, compared with about 200 pounds at its most recent. The events have also created connections among volunteers who might have otherwise never met, building a community around the satisfaction of making, mending and problem-solving together. The Peoria Area Repair Café takes place Saturday, Sept. 12, from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. at River City Labs. The event is free, and no appointment is necessary.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

  3. Aug 20

    Heartland Festival Orchestra opens new season Sept. 11 in Washington

    On this week’s episode of Out and About, Mae Gilliland of ArtsPartners of Central Illinois talks with David Commanday, artistic director and conductor of the Heartland Festival Orchestra, about the HFO’s upcoming season, opening Sept. 11 at Crossroads Global Methodist Church in Washington. The opening concert returns to the foundations of classical music with Mozart alongside Bruch’s beloved Violin Concerto in G Minor, featuring HFO concertmaster Ji Myung Kim as soloist. Commanday says the program was designed to remind audiences of what draws them to a symphony orchestra in the first place. “You can’t do much better than Mozart,” he said. “The magical beauty of Mozart’s music, it attracts everyone.” The season also marks a period of transition and exploration for the orchestra, including performances in new venues. Upcoming programs include a Baroque concert featuring Bach, Handel and Albinoni, an intimate chamber music program, and a season finale featuring Tchaikovsky’s Serenade for Strings, a work performed on the HFO’s inaugural program in 2009. At the center of the season is Frank and Frankie, a January concert at Five Points Washington celebrating the music of Frank Sinatra and Frankie Valli. Broadway performers Sal Viviano and Julie Benko will join the orchestra for an evening drawing from the Great American Songbook. Subscriptions are currently available in various packages, with individual adult ticket prices reduced from last season. The Heartland Festival Orchestra opens its 2026-27 season Sept. 11 at Crossroads Global Methodist Church in Washington. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

  4. Aug 13

    Gems of the Prairie Quilters present annual quilt show Aug. 22 and 23

    On this week’s episode of Out and About, Mae Gilliland of ArtsPartners of Central Illinois talks with Joyce Blank, quilt show co-chair for Gems of the Prairie Quilters, about the group’s annual quilt show taking place Aug. 22 and 23 at the Life Together Center in Peoria. Featuring more than 300 quilts created by local quilters, the show highlights a wide range of styles, sizes, techniques and traditions. Visitors can also explore quilting demonstrations, shop from 15 vendors and experience a traditional “bed turning,” where quilts are layered on a bed and revealed one at a time as their stories are shared. Blank says the show offers an opportunity to appreciate the incredible talent found throughout Central Illinois. “It’s just quite an experience to see all of these beautiful quilts that the women and men of this area make,” she said. The guild’s work also extends well beyond the annual show. Members create quilts and other handmade items for organizations including the Children’s Hospital of Illinois and the Center for Prevention of Abuse. The show will also include Quilts of Valor presentations honoring veterans and service members with handmade quilts created as an expression of gratitude for their service. For those who have never quilted themselves, Blank says there is still plenty to appreciate. “Hopefully they will appreciate the time and the effort and the skill that went into making all of these quilts,” she said. “Plus, it’s just eye candy to look at.” The Gems of the Prairie Quilt Show takes place Aug. 22 and 23 at the Life Together Center in Peoria.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

  5. Aug 6

    For What It’s Worth: A Tribute to Stephen Stills in Song & Story, coming Aug. 22

    On this week’s episode of Out and About, Mae Gilliland of ArtsPartners of Central Illinois talks with Barry Cloyd, touring performer, songwriter, historian, and creator of Barry Cloyd Productions, about For What It’s Worth: A Tribute to Stephen Stills in Song & Story, coming Aug. 22 to the Contemporary Art Center of Peoria. The multimedia concert blends live performances with stories from Stephen Stills’ remarkable career, tracing his journey from his early years through Buffalo Springfield, Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young and his solo work. Organized as a chronological journey, the evening combines history, personal anecdotes and some of Stills’ best-known songs. Cloyd says the project grew out of a lifelong admiration for Stills’ musicianship. “He’s the only guitarist I’ve ever copied,” he said. “I’ve always loved his writing… This is one of the musicians that I’ve always wanted to do a tribute piece to.” The performance also draws on Cloyd’s own experiences working alongside musicians connected to Stills throughout his career, adding firsthand stories to the music. Backed by his band Freedom Street, the show features performances by TJ Jones, Tom Abbot and Bruce Burton. For What It’s Worth: A Tribute to Stephen Stills in Song & Story takes place Friday, Aug. 22, at the Contemporary Art Center of Peoria.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

  6. Jul 30

    Annual Summer Festa Picnic coming to Hickory Grove Park

    On this week’s episode of Out and About, Mae Gilliland of ArtsPartners of Central Illinois talks with Rhonda Ossola Parker of the Italian American Society about the annual Summer Festa Picnic returning Aug. 9 to Hickory Grove Park. Now in its 95th year, the Summer Festa celebrates Italian American heritage with authentic food, live music, artisan vendors, family activities, a bocce tournament and much more. Originally founded in 1929 as a mutual aid society for Italian immigrants, the Italian American Society continues to honor its roots while raising scholarship funds through this signature event. This year's Festa will also recognize the 100th anniversary of Agatucci's Restaurant with a special exhibit highlighting the family's history, trivia and community recognition. Guests can also enjoy traditional recipes prepared for the festival, Italian beer and wine spritzers, spaghetti-eating contests and live performances of classic Italian-American favorites. Parker says the event is about much more than heritage. “We're all the same. We're just proud of where we come from. We're proud of who we are. We're proud of our food. And we just love to be with family and friends.” The Italian American Society Summer Festa Picnic takes place Sunday, Aug. 9, at Hickory Grove Park in Dunlap. Admission is $3 for ages 13 and older, with children 12 and under admitted free. Cash and Venmo only.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

  7. Jul 23

    Chillicothe Players Theatre presents The Great Gatsby

    On this week’s episode of Out and About, Mae Gilliland of ArtsPartners of Central Illinois talks with Roseanne Urbanc, president of Chillicothe Players Theatre and director of The Great Gatsby, about bringing F. Scott Fitzgerald’s classic novel to the stage. Running Aug. 6–9 at Shore Acres Clubhouse, the production transports audiences to the glamour of the Roaring Twenties while exploring timeless themes of ambition, love, friendship and illusion. Adapted by Gary Peterson, the play follows Jay Gatsby’s relentless pursuit of wealth and status in hopes of reclaiming a lost love, revealing the costs of chasing an idealized past. This production also offers a unique immersive theater experience, inviting audience members to become part of Gatsby’s lavish world. “The show will be all around you,” Urbanc said. “We're encouraging people to dress in their 1920s get-ups and come and drink our sparkling apple cider and actually be a part of the show with us.” Urbanc believes the story continues to resonate more than a century after its publication because its characters and struggles remain relatable. Whether audiences know the novel well or are experiencing it for the first time, she says they will find themes of friendship, hope and heartbreak that still ring true today. The Great Gatsby runs Aug. 6–9 at Shore Acres Clubhouse in Chillicothe. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

  8. Jul 16

    Gratus Choral Ensemble presents The Lost Birds

    On this week’s episode of Out and About, Mae Gilliland of ArtsPartners of Central Illinois talks with Cory Boulton, Coordinator of Music Education and Director of Choral Activities at Bradley University, about The Lost Birds, an upcoming performance by the Gratus Choral Ensemble. Presented July 26 at First Federated Church, The Lost Birds is a 12-movement choral work by Grammy-nominated composer Christopher Tin that reflects on bird extinctions while exploring broader themes of loss, hope and humanity’s relationship with the natural world. Drawing from poetry by Emily Dickinson, Christina Rossetti, Sara Teasdale and Edna St. Vincent Millay, the piece traces an emotional journey from the abundance of the passenger pigeon to its extinction. Dr. Boulton says the work ultimately asks audiences to reflect on what is lost when nature disappears. “It’s really about the extinction of birds, but sort of a larger meditation on the extinction of nature and beauty and abundance... and all of the things that are most important to us that we don’t realize are until they’re gone,” he said. The concert also includes a pre-performance lecture featuring representatives from the Sierra Club and Audubon Society, followed by a post-concert reception where audience members can continue the conversation with performers and community organizations. The Lost Birds will be performed Sunday, July 26, at 4 p.m. at First Federated Church in Peoria. A pre-concert lecture begins at 3:30 p.m. Admission is free.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

See All (116)

Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
4 Ratings

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.

Information

More From WCBU Peoria Public Radio

You Might Also Like