Out and About

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.

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.

On this week’s episode of Out and About, Mae Gilliland of ArtsPartners of Central Illinois talks with Salil Bavdekar, co-founder of Heartland Latin Dancers, about the group’s monthly Latin Dance Night at Casa de Arte in Peoria's Warehouse District.

Held on the last Saturday of every month, the evening begins with a beginner-friendly dance lesson before transitioning into an outdoor social dance featuring salsa, bachata and other Latin styles. Founded earlier this year, Heartland Latin Dancers was created to build community through dance and provide a welcoming space for people of all experience levels.

Bavdekar says the goal is to make the events approachable, especially for newcomers. “I had two left feet when I started,” he said. “Anyone can learn it as long as you want to just come out there and have fun.”

Each event includes a rotating dance lesson, themed evenings, and opportunities to meet new people, with no partner required. Guests are encouraged to enjoy Casa de Arte’s food and drinks while mingling between dances. It is a relaxed social atmosphere as much as a dance event.

Looking ahead, Bavdekar hopes to expand Heartland Latin Dancers beyond Peoria into Bloomington-Normal, creating a stronger Latin dance community across Central Illinois.

Latin Dance Night takes place on the last Saturday of every month at Casa de Arte in Peoria’s Warehouse District. 

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On this week’s episode of Out and About, Mae Gilliland of ArtsPartners of Central Illinois talks with Jake Bowers, interim president of Peoria Proud, about the upcoming River City Pride Festival taking place July 18 at the Peoria RiverFront.

The daylong festival brings together live entertainment, community organizations, food vendors, interactive art and educational programming in a celebration of LGBTQ+ pride and belonging. Bowers says the event has continued to grow because of the strong sense of community in Peoria, where people consistently show up to support one another.

This year's festival places an increased emphasis on creativity through interactive experiences and expanded opportunities for local artists. A new Artist Row will offer affordable booth space for emerging artists, while returning features like the community art project and Hope Wall invite attendees to contribute messages of encouragement and create artwork that becomes part of the festival experience. “I want people to leave the festival feeling a sense of belonging that they've never felt before,” Bowers said. “I want them to talk about their pride in their community.”

The entertainment lineup features a mix of local performers alongside nationally recognized guests, including Kennedy Davenport and Nini Coco, with performances and activities taking place throughout the day.

The River City Pride Festival takes place Saturday, July 18, at the Peoria RiverFront. Admission to the event includes a $5 pre-sale online through 7/17, or $10 at the gate and online the day of. 

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.