The Peoria Rivermen will take on the Grand Rapids Griffins at the Peoria Civic Center Arena tonight at 7 pm. On Saturday, the Rivermen take on the Lake Erie Monsters at 7 pm plus it's "Free Food" night: everyone with a paid ticket will receive a hot dog, a bag of chips, a Coke & a Twinkie.  Tickets are $15 and $20 (per game) and are available at the Peoria Civic Center Box Office, all Ticketmaster outlets, by phone at 1-800-745-3000 and online at Ticketmaster.com.

Join the Young Professionals Organization for the YPO March Social in conjunction with the Morton Chamber of Commerce and Morton Economic Development Council at Red Rock Bar & Grille tonight from 5 - 7 pm in Morton. Food will be provided and a cash bar will be available. Admission is free for members and $5 for non-members.

The 5th Annual Shorty's Strickly Gospel Festival begins with a Gospel Show tonight at 7 pm at Stoney Creek Inn in East Peoria. Shows and workshops continue throughout the weekend. For schedule, more info or advance tickets call 671-0175.

Bradley University's production of Fences continues this weekend at The Hartman Center for the Performing Arts tonight through Saturday at 8 pm and Sunday at 2:30 pm. Tickets are $14 for adults, $12 for Bradley University faculty & staff, $12 for senior citizens and $7 for students and are available by calling 677-2650 or online HERE.

Auggie Smith will perform at the Jukebox Comedy Club this weekend. Showtimes are tonight at 8 pm during the "Pro-Am Showcase" and Friday and Saturday at 8 pm and 10:30 pm. Tickets are $15 except for the Thursday show, the Friday late show and the Saturday late show which are $12. For more information or to make reservations, call 673-5853.

Preston Jackson & Friends will perform at the Contemporary Arts Center's Live at the Five Spot on Friday from 5:30 - 7:30 pm. Admission is $7 for members, $10 for non-members, $6 for student & senior members, for student & senior non-members and $3 for ages 16 & younger. Students require valid school ID & seniors are 65 & older.
Salsa at CAC also runs Friday with a dance lesson from 8:30 - 9:30 pm and open dancing to DJ Ed Caballero from 9:30 pm - 12:30 am Admission is $3 for CAC members and $6 for non-members. For more information, call 674-6822.

The 28th Central Illinois Recreational Show will be held at the Peoria Civic Center from 3 - 8 pm on Friday, 10 am - 8 pm on Saturday and 11 am - 5 pm on Sunday. Admission is $7 for ages 12 & over. $2 for kids aged 7-12 and free for kids 6 & under. Senior citizens (65+) day is Friday when they'll recieve a $5 admission. For more information, call 692-6465.

Peoria Cabaret Theatre (located in the Waterhouse in Downtown Peoria) presents The Musical of Musicals: The Musical!, a comic satire of musical theatre genres on Friday and Saturday night. Admission is $35 per person including tax for dinner and the show. Reservations can be made by calling The Waterhouse office at 494-9100. The doors open at 6 pm each night with the dinner buffet open from 6:30 pm - 7:30 pm. The show begins at 8 pm.

The Fon du Lac Park District's Family Fun Dance Party runs from 7 - 9 pm on Friday at the Fon Du Lac Park District Administration Office. There will be a DJ, games and snacks. Admission is $3 per person, $10 for a family of 4 or more and ages 3 & under are free. For more information, call 699-3923.

Corn Stock Theatre presents Dancing at Lughnasa on Friday and Saturday at 7:30 pm and on Sunday at 2:30 pm at the Corn Stock Theatre Center building. Tickets are $10 for adults and $7 for students and are available by calling 676-2196, online at www.cornstocktheatre.org or at the door.

Illinois Central College's production of Dilemmas with Dinner continues Friday & Saturday at 7:30 pm and Sunday at 2:30 pm. Tickets are $7 for adults and $5 for students & senior citizens. For more information or to order tickets, call 694-5136.

Bradley University students will present two performances of The Vagina Monologues at 7 pm Friday and Saturday in the Michel Student Center Ballroom. The production is part of a nationwide campaign to stop violence against women. Tickets are $5 and proceeds will benefit The Center for Prevention of Abuse

The first annual Elmwood Outdoors Show will be held at the Elmwood High School & Grade School from 9 am - 5 pm on Saturday and 9 am - 4 pm on Sunday. Admission is $5 for adults and free for kids 13 and under. Parking is free and food & drink will be available. There will also be door prizes and raffles both days.

The Peoria Mothers of Twins Clothing and Equipment Sale will be on Saturday from 8 am- noon at the Peoria Riverplex. For more information visit www.peoriamothersoftwins.org.

The Junior League of Peoria presents Frolic with the Fairies, a mother-daughter luncheon and style show plus a feast fit for a fairy, storytelling and fun with fairy friends at Wildlife Prairie Park. Tea times are 9 am, 12:30 pm and 4 pm. Tickets are $25 per person. Please call 685-9312 for reservations.

The Easter Seals Telethon will be broadcast live from the Par A Dice Hotel in East Peoria on Saturday from 6 - 11 pm. Meet Easter Seals families, hear about programs and services and meet the volunteers that raise funds throughout the year to support the families served by Easter Seals.

Peoria Cabaret Theatre at the Waterhouse presents its Late Night Cabaret Series on Saturday night. This week features Adam Sitton and the Confusicals, a popular series of musical theatre-based web videos. The doors for the Late Night Cabaret Series will open at 10 pm with the show at 11 pm. Admission is $5. Additional information can be found at www.peoriacabarettheatre.com.

The TEAM Dance Illinois 2010 State Championship will be held in the Peoria Civic Center Arena on Sunday with doors opening at 7 am. The first performance will be at 7:45 am. Tickets are $12 for adults for ages 13 and over and $8 for children aged 6-12. Children 5 and under are free.

The Heart of Illinois Down Syndrome Association 21st Annual Spaghetti Dinner will be held Sunday from 11 am - 6 pm at the Itoo Hall on Farmington Road. Dinner will be provided by LaGondola Spaghetti House of Decatur.  Cost is $7 for adults ages 13 & up, $4 for children and under 3 years is free. There will also be entertainment, a raffle and a bake sale. Take out orders will be available also.

The Toast, Taste & Tour Bridal Experience is this Sunday from 1 - 4 pm.  It allows brides to preview three of Peoria's most unique venues, the Cornerstone Building, the Hotel Pere Marquette and the Packard Plaza in one afternoon. Admission is free, but RSVPs are requested - visit www.behindeverybride.com to sign up.