The 2009 Central Illinois Auto Show sponsored by the Peoria Metro New Car Dealers Association will be held at the Peoria Civic Center Exhibit Hall Firday through Sunday. Activities include character appearances by Dora the Explorer, Sponge Bob Square Pants, Uniqua from the Backyardigans and the Ronald McDonald Magic Show.  Peoria Pirate team members will be on hand to sign autographs. Plus sit in the cockpit of a NASCAR racecar.  Times are 12 - 9 pm on April 3, 10 am - 9 pm on April 4 and 10 am - 6 pm on April 5. Admission is $4 at the door for ages 16 and older. Ages 15 and under are free with a paid adult.  Friday is mature adults day:  those 60 years + admitted for half price ($2).

Comedian Patti Vasquez will perform at the Jukebox Comedy Club tonight at 8 pm for $10. She returns Friday and Saturday night with shows at 8 and 10:30 pm for $16. Her unique perspective on family and relationships has been described as "comedy with a heart."  Patti is an outspoken advocate for Breast Cancer Research and has created a clever tongue-in-cheek campaign to get women and men more involved and interested in breast cancer research and events.  Her shows are rated PG-18. A portion of every ticket sold will go to the local Susan G Komen for the Cure.  For more information, call 673-5853 or click HERE.

On Friday, the Peoria Rivermen take on the Houston Aeros beginning at 7 pm in Carver Arena at the Peoria Civic Center. Tickets are $12, $15 and $20 and are available at the Peoria Civic Center Box Office, by phone at 673-3200 or online at Ticketmaster.com. Season tickets are also available. For more information click HERE.

The Peoria Contemporary Arts Center presents Live at the Five Spot on Friday beginning at 5:30 pm featuring Applegate & Company (bluegrass, folk). Admission is $7 for members ($10 for non-members) & $6 for student & senior members ($9 for student & senior non-members), 16 & younger are $3. Later on Friday, the CAC presents Salsa - A Latin Dance Event with a dance lesson from 7 - 8 pm and open dancing from 8 - 11 pm. There will also be a cash bar. Admission is $3 for CAC members and $6 for non-members.  For more information on either event, call 674-6822.

Moon Walk 2009, a not-for-profit community walking program coordinated by PALM and now in its 7th year, will launch at noon Friday at the Riverplex. This year's challenge is to walk the distance to the moon and back (477,400 miles) before Quad Cities and Champaign, with the highest average miles per walker. The Moon Walk will run through June 12th. More information is available HERE.

The Level 5 State Gymnastics competition will take place Friday through Sunday from 7 am - 9 pm at the East Peoria Events Center. The top Level 5 gymnasts in Illinois will compete for the title of state champ. Admission is $10 adult; $5 per child per day (12 & under); $4 per senior per day (65 & up). For more information, call (309) 282-3285.

Looking for a hopping good time? Bounce on over to the Zoo on Saturday for the annual Easter Egg Celebration, loaded with candy and fun. The Easter Egg Hunt is for children up to 9 years old. For children up to 3 years the hunt will begin at 10:30 am, the 4 - 6 year old hunt will begin at 10:50 am, and 7 - 9 years at 11:10 am. Admission is $4.50 per child and $5.95 for adults. For more information, call 686-3365.

The Peoria Players Singalong series continues with Rent this Saturday. Dress as your favorite Rent character and sing along with the movie. Doors open at 6:30 pm and movie rolls at 7 pm. There is a $5 restoration fee payable at the door. For more information, call 688-4473.

The Souls of Our Feet - A Celebration of American Tap Dance comes to the ICC Performing Arts Center Sunday beginning at 2:30 pm.  Following the performance, a tap dance master class with Tapestry Artistic Director, Acia Gray, will be available to invited advanced tap teachers and tap students from the local dance community.  Class start time is approximately 4:45 pm and is open to viewers seated in the theatre house. Tickets are $24 for adults, $20 for ICC employees and $16 for students and senior citizens and are available at the ICC Performing Arts Center Box Office or by calling 694-5136.

The Contemporary Art Center of Peoria and Chaplin & Russell Associates have partnered to bring the public "Alive in Art," a campaign promoting the use of art in therapy from 1 - 5 pm on Sunday at the CAC.  The art center will feature entertainment as well as food and lectures on the usefulness of art in dealing with daily obstacles.  A host of speakers will lead the public in discovering their own art shaped life.  For more information, call 674-6822.

The Annual Easter Egg Hunt at Detweiller Park will take place Sunday from 1 - 4 pm. The Easter Egg Hunt is open to ages 1 - 10 and admission is free. For more information, call 676-5292.