Congrats
to our
our 2011
contest
winners!
See them
HERE
The
Heart of Illinois Senior Games & Fine Arts Festival will be held at the
RiverPlex Recreation & Wellness Center (located at 600 NE Water Street in
downtown Peoria) featuring paintings, drawings, photography, sculptures,
jewelry, quilts, multi-media designs, pottery, metal work, stained glass, cross
stitch, woodworking, and much more. Hours are Thursday & Friday, 5 am - 10 pm
and Saturday & Sunday from 7 am - 7 pm. There will also be poetry, fiction and
non-fiction pieces as well as singing, dancing, instrumentals, drama, reading
and storytelling. Pre-registration is required and is $10 for the entire weekend
of events. To register or for more information, call 309-681-2860 or visitwww.hoiseniorgames.org
The
2011 Arts in Education Spring Celebration (Brown Bag It) takes place each
weekday beginning at 11 am through Friday. Performances and displays take place
on three stages at the Peoria County Courthouse Plaza: the Circle, the Monument,
and Main and Jefferson. For specific performance dates, visit
www.springcelebration.org/calendar.html
All
Saints Greek Orthodox Church (located at 1812 N. Prospect Road in Peoria) will
host its annual Ethnic Food Festival today (Thursday) through Saturday from 11 am - 8 pm each
day. Featuring lamb, chicken, spinach pie, baked fish, Athenian stuffed pork
chop & gyros dinners plus an ethnic bake shoppe, admission is free. For more
information, call 309-682-5824.
Sky
Harbor Steakhouse will present "Pickin On" The Roaring Twenties featuring
live Old Time / Ragtime Piano music co-hosted by Ted Lemen and an International
assortment of Old Time Piano Players who are in Peoria from the World
Championship Old Time Piano Contest Memorial Day Weekend beginning tonight at 5
pm. Reservations strongly recommended: call 309-674-5532. For more
information, click
HERE.
The
Cemetery Club is a heartwarming comedy about life, love and the pursuit of
happiness and continues at the Barn 2 Dinner Theatre in Goodfield through June 12. On Thursdays, Fridays & Saturdays, doors open at 6 pm, buffet is at
6:30 pm, and the show is at 8 pm. On Sundays, doors & the buffet open at noon,
and the show is at 1:30 pm. Prices are $30 for Thursdays, $32 for Fridays and
Sunday brunch and $34 for Saturdays. For more information, call 309-965-2545 or go
to www.barn2.com
Howlin'
with the Wolves will run tonight (Thursday) from 6:30 - 8 pm at Wildlife
Prairie State Park. Geared for ages 6 years and older, the cost to attend is $10
for members and $15 for non-members. Family of four with Park membership is $35.
For more information or to register, call 309-676-0998, ext. 6758 or visit
www.wildlifeprairiestatepark.org Music and Moonlight on the Bricks will take place Friday from 7:30 -
10:30 pm. Admission is $5. Live music, snacks, grilled specialty items and a
full cash bar will be available. In the event of rain, activities will be moved
indoors.
The
Peoria Chiefs take on Wisconsin beginning at 6:30 pm tonight at O'Brien
Field. Tickets are $10 and $7 and are available at the Chiefs Box Office, by
calling 309-680-4008 or online
HERE. Season tickets
and other ticket packages are also available.
ZZ
Top and Lynyrd Skynyrd will perform tonight (Thursday) in the Peoria Civic
Center Arena beginning at 7 pm. Tickets are $28, $42.50 and $62.50 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
The
Peoria Symphony Orchestra will present the 2011 Illinois New Music Festivalthis weekend with George Stelluto and John Orfe, Artistic Director with 100
years of music in four days. Tonight (Thursday) beginning at 7:30 pm is
Inspirations at the Grand Army of the Republic Building (located at 416 Hamilton
Blvd. in Peoria) featuring Kerry Walters, Shirley Salazar, Annette Oh, voice and
John Orfe, piano, Stephen Heinemann, clarinet, Carol Wessler, cello. On
Friday beginning at 8 pm is Visions at Trinity Lutheran Church (located at 135
NE Randolph Avenue in Peoria) featuring Marcia Henry Liebenow & Francesca
Anderegg, violin, Adriana Ransom & Carol Wessler, cello, David Gresham & Stephen
Heinemann, clarinet, Conor Llewellyn Hanick, piano. And on Saturday
beginning at 8 pm is Contrasts at St Joseph Catholic Church (located at 103 S.
Richard Pryor Place, in Peoria) featuring John Orfe, piano, Marcia Henry
Liebenow & Francesca Anderegg, violin, Adriana Ransom, cello, Stephen Heinemann
and David Gresham, clarinet. Tickets for each performance are $20 for
adults, $10 for students and may be purchased by calling 309-671-1096.
Morton
Civic Chorus will present Encore 2011 beginning at 7:30 pm tonight
(Thursday) - Saturday & at 2 pm on Sunday at the Hartmann Center on the Bradley
University campus. Benefiting the Central Illinois Kidney Fund, the chorus is
directed by Denise Adams. Tickets are $15 for adults & $12 for senior citizens
and are available by calling 309-677-4966 or online atwww.artspartners.net
John
Evans will perform at Jukebox Comedy Club on Thursday at 8 pm and on Friday
& Saturday at 8 pm & 10:30 pm. Tickets are $12 except the Thursday night show
and the Friday 10:30 pm show which is $10. For more information, call 309-673-5853
or visit
www.jukeboxcomedy.com
The
Spirit of Peoria will host "PianoStravaganza Up a Crazy Otto River"
starring Johnny Maddox on Friday with boarding at 10:30 am and cruise running
from 11 am - 1pm. Admission is $49 and includes a New Orleans buffet and
entertainment by Johnny Maddox, one of the leading ragtime piano players of all
time. For more information or to order tickets, call 309-637-8000 or visitwww.spiritofpeoria.com
The
annual Louie Louie Festival, hosted by the Illinois Valley Striders on
Friday, signals the beginning of summer at the CEFCU Stage at the Landing on the
Peoria Riverfront from 3 - 11 pm. Grab your kazoo, your craziest outfit and enjoy a night of
live music for a great cause.
The
37th Annual World Championship Old-Time Piano Playing Contest will be held
at the Hotel Pere Marquette on Friday beginning at 5:30 pm, Saturday beginning
at 9 am and Sunday beginning at 9:30 am. For a full list of admission prices to
the various workshops & events plus more information about the event, visithttp://member.tripod.com/~oldtimepiano/
Live
at the Five Spot at the Contemporary Art Center will feature Preston
Jackson & Friends Friday beginning at 5:30 pm. Admission is $7 for members or $10 for
non-members. For more information, call 309-674-6822.
Enjoy Swing Dance at the Contemporary Arts Center on Friday from 8:30 -
9:30 pm for the dance lesson and 9:30 pm - 12:30 am for open dancing to DJ Matt
Vasquez. Admission is $3 for CAC Members and $6 for non-members. For more
information, call 309-674-6822.
Central
Illinois Dueling Pianos presents Howlin' on Water at the Waterhouse
(located at 619 SW Water Street, 2nd Floor, in downtown Peoria) on Friday with
doors opening at 6 pm, dinner buffet beginning at 6:30 pm and the show starting
at 8 pm. Admission is $35 per person plus tax & gratuity for dinner & the show.
Show only seating only available in side section and in the bar for $15 per
person. To reserve your seats, call 309-494-9100 or online
HERE.
Summer
Camp 2011 will take place this weekend at Three Sisters Park in Chillicothe
featuring nearly 100 different bands performing throughout the 3 day event. For
a full line-up of bands, ticket prices, camping information and other
information about the event, visit
www.summercampfestival.com
At
the Migratory Bird Walks on Saturday beginning at 7:30 am, you can search
for spring migrants and resident birds of Forest Park with a guide from the
Nature Center or Peoria Audubon. Please bring your own binoculars, or you may
borrow ours. All levels welcome; no experience required. For more information,
call 309-686-3360
The Peoria Zoofest will take place Saturday from 11 am - 3 pm at the Peoria Zoo. At
1 pm the Chinese Alligator will move to her summer exhibit (weather permitting)
plus there will be bouncy rides, games, animal encounters and more. Admission is
$8.50 for adults, $7.50 for senior citizens, $4.75 for ages 3-12 and free for
kids 2 & under. For more information, call 309-686-3365.
The
Wine, Art, Balloon & Jazz Festival will take place Saturday from 11 am - 8
pm at Manito's Memorial Park. With a dozen Illinois wineries, various artists,
craftsmen, potters and other artisans, hot air balloons plus a half dozen food
vendors, there will also be live jazz music from Joe Metzka & Friends, The
Purdue University Jazz Combo and Sally Weisenburg Trio. The $10 entrance fee
includes a souvenir wine glass and 10 tasting tickets. For more information,
call 309-968-7070.
Mackinaw
Valley Vineyard's 5th Annual Music and International Wine and Beer Festival
will be held at the vineyard on Saturday from 11 am - 11 pm and Sunday
from Noon - 6 pm. Admission is $10 per person and the price includes a souvenir
wine glass and five tasting tickets, with additional tickets available for $1
each. Kids under 12 are free and ages 12-20 are $5 per person.
Author
Jo Fredell Higgins will sign copies of her book, A Song for Cecilia, at
Peoria's G.A.R. Hall (located at 416 Hamilton Boulevard) on Saturday from 1 - 3
pm. The recently published work of historical fiction takes place in Peoria
during the 1920s and '30s.
Draft
Culture will perform at Kep's Place in Washington Saturday night beginning
at 9 pm. A female fronted rock band that plays music from the 80's, 90's plus
current tunes, there is no cover charge for the show.
Experience
firsthand the daily life of rural Peorians in the mid 19th century at Pioneer
Days at Sommer Park on Sunday from 1 - 4 pm (located at 6329 N. Koerner Road in
Edwards). Activities include hand dipping candles,
blacksmithing, school lessons, woodworking, chores, pioneer cemetery tours,
hayrides and livestock care. This is a wonderful opportunity for scout and youth
groups to learn about history. There will be special themes and presentations
each month. Call 309-691-8423 for more information.
Memorial
Day Ceremonies at the Peoria Riverfront will honor Peoria area veterans. The
Memorial Day remembrance service will begin at 10:45 am Monday in Marshall Plaza
(under the Gateway Building) and will pay tribute to all of the men and women
who have fought for America's freedom.
Peoria
County will hold a Memorial Day Observance and Recognition Ceremony on
Monday at 1:30 pm at the Peoria County Courthouse War Memorial Plaza, in front
of the World War I & II War Memorial Monument.
ExplorePeoria.com wishes you & your family a wonderful Memorial Day Weekend Holiday!
Plan ahead!
Visit our
Events Calendar
for great entertainment in the
Peoria area any time.
The
The
2011 Arts in Education Spring Celebration (Brown Bag It) takes place each
weekday beginning at 11 am through Friday. Performances and displays take place
on three stages at the Peoria County Courthouse Plaza: the Circle, the Monument,
and Main and Jefferson. For specific performance dates, visit 
All
Saints Greek Orthodox Church (located at 1812 N. Prospect Road in Peoria) will
host its annual Ethnic Food Festival today (Thursday) through Saturday from 11 am - 8 pm each
day. Featuring lamb, chicken, spinach pie, baked fish, Athenian stuffed pork
chop & gyros dinners plus an ethnic bake shoppe, admission is free. For more
information, call 309-682-5824.
Sky
Harbor Steakhouse will present "Pickin On" The Roaring Twenties featuring
live Old Time / Ragtime Piano music co-hosted by Ted Lemen and an International
assortment of Old Time Piano Players who are in Peoria from the World
Championship Old Time Piano Contest Memorial Day Weekend beginning tonight at 5
pm. Reservations strongly recommended: call 309-674-5532. For more
information, click
The
Cemetery Club is a heartwarming comedy about life, love and the pursuit of
happiness and continues at the Barn 2 Dinner Theatre in Goodfield through June 12. On Thursdays, Fridays & Saturdays, doors open at 6 pm, buffet is at
6:30 pm, and the show is at 8 pm. On Sundays, doors & the buffet open at noon,
and the show is at 1:30 pm. Prices are $30 for Thursdays, $32 for Fridays and
Sunday brunch and $34 for Saturdays. For more information, call 309-965-2545 or go
to 
Howlin'
with the Wolves will run tonight (Thursday) from 6:30 - 8 pm at Wildlife
Prairie State Park. Geared for ages 6 years and older, the cost to attend is $10
for members and $15 for non-members. Family of four with Park membership is $35.
For more information or to register, call 309-676-0998, ext. 6758 or visit
The
Peoria Chiefs take on Wisconsin beginning at 6:30 pm tonight at O'Brien
Field. Tickets are $10 and $7 and are available at the Chiefs Box Office, by
calling 309-680-4008 or online
ZZ
Top and Lynyrd Skynyrd will perform tonight (Thursday) in the Peoria Civic
Center Arena beginning at 7 pm. Tickets are $28, $42.50 and $62.50 and are
available at the Peoria Civic Center Box Office, all Ticketmaster outlets, by
phone at 1-800-745-3000 and online at 
The
Peoria Symphony Orchestra will present the 2011 Illinois New Music Festivalthis weekend with George Stelluto and John Orfe, Artistic Director with 100
years of music in four days. Tonight (Thursday) beginning at 7:30 pm is
Inspirations at the Grand Army of the Republic Building (located at 416 Hamilton
Blvd. in Peoria) featuring Kerry Walters, Shirley Salazar, Annette Oh, voice and
John Orfe, piano, Stephen Heinemann, clarinet, Carol Wessler, cello. On
Friday beginning at 8 pm is Visions at Trinity Lutheran Church (located at 135
NE Randolph Avenue in Peoria) featuring Marcia Henry Liebenow & Francesca
Anderegg, violin, Adriana Ransom & Carol Wessler, cello, David Gresham & Stephen
Heinemann, clarinet, Conor Llewellyn Hanick, piano. And on Saturday
beginning at 8 pm is Contrasts at St Joseph Catholic Church (located at 103 S.
Richard Pryor Place, in Peoria) featuring John Orfe, piano, Marcia Henry
Liebenow & Francesca Anderegg, violin, Adriana Ransom, cello, Stephen Heinemann
and David Gresham, clarinet. Tickets for each performance are $20 for
adults, $10 for students and may be purchased by calling 309-671-1096.
Morton
Civic Chorus will present Encore 2011 beginning at 7:30 pm tonight
(Thursday) - Saturday & at 2 pm on Sunday at the Hartmann Center on the Bradley
University campus. Benefiting the Central Illinois Kidney Fund, the chorus is
directed by Denise Adams. Tickets are $15 for adults & $12 for senior citizens
and are available by calling 309-677-4966 or online at
John
Evans will perform at Jukebox Comedy Club on Thursday at 8 pm and on Friday
& Saturday at 8 pm & 10:30 pm. Tickets are $12 except the Thursday night show
and the Friday 10:30 pm show which is $10. For more information, call 309-673-5853
or visit 
The
Spirit of Peoria will host "PianoStravaganza Up a Crazy Otto River"
starring Johnny Maddox on Friday with boarding at 10:30 am and cruise running
from 11 am - 1pm. Admission is $49 and includes a New Orleans buffet and
entertainment by Johnny Maddox, one of the leading ragtime piano players of all
time. For more information or to order tickets, call 309-637-8000 or visit
The
annual Louie Louie Festival, hosted by the Illinois Valley Striders on
Friday, signals the beginning of summer at the CEFCU Stage at the Landing on the
Peoria Riverfront from 3 - 11 pm. Grab your kazoo, your craziest outfit and enjoy a night of
live music for a great cause.
The
37th Annual World Championship Old-Time Piano Playing Contest will be held
at the Hotel Pere Marquette on Friday beginning at 5:30 pm, Saturday beginning
at 9 am and Sunday beginning at 9:30 am. For a full list of admission prices to
the various workshops & events plus more information about the event, visit
Live
at the Five Spot at the Contemporary Art Center will feature Preston
Jackson & Friends Friday beginning at 5:30 pm. Admission is $7 for members or $10 for
non-members. For more information, call 309-674-6822.
Central
Illinois Dueling Pianos presents Howlin' on Water at the Waterhouse
(located at 619 SW Water Street, 2nd Floor, in downtown Peoria) on Friday with
doors opening at 6 pm, dinner buffet beginning at 6:30 pm and the show starting
at 8 pm. Admission is $35 per person plus tax & gratuity for dinner & the show.
Show only seating only available in side section and in the bar for $15 per
person. To reserve your seats, call 309-494-9100 or online
Summer
Camp 2011 will take place this weekend at Three Sisters Park in Chillicothe
featuring nearly 100 different bands performing throughout the 3 day event. For
a full line-up of bands, ticket prices, camping information and other
information about the event, visit
At
the Migratory Bird Walks on Saturday beginning at 7:30 am, you can search
for spring migrants and resident birds of Forest Park with a guide from the
Nature Center or Peoria Audubon. Please bring your own binoculars, or you may
borrow ours. All levels welcome; no experience required. For more information,
call 309-686-3360
The Peoria Zoofest will take place Saturday from 11 am - 3 pm at the Peoria Zoo. At
1 pm the Chinese Alligator will move to her summer exhibit (weather permitting)
plus there will be bouncy rides, games, animal encounters and more. Admission is
$8.50 for adults, $7.50 for senior citizens, $4.75 for ages 3-12 and free for
kids 2 & under. For more information, call 309-686-3365.
The
Wine, Art, Balloon & Jazz Festival will take place Saturday from 11 am - 8
pm at Manito's Memorial Park. With a dozen Illinois wineries, various artists,
craftsmen, potters and other artisans, hot air balloons plus a half dozen food
vendors, there will also be live jazz music from Joe Metzka & Friends, The
Purdue University Jazz Combo and Sally Weisenburg Trio. The $10 entrance fee
includes a souvenir wine glass and 10 tasting tickets. For more information,
call 309-968-7070.
Mackinaw
Valley Vineyard's 5th Annual Music and International Wine and Beer Festival
will be held at the vineyard on Saturday from 11 am - 11 pm and Sunday
from Noon - 6 pm. Admission is $10 per person and the price includes a souvenir
wine glass and five tasting tickets, with additional tickets available for $1
each. Kids under 12 are free and ages 12-20 are $5 per person.
Author
Jo Fredell Higgins will sign copies of her book, A Song for Cecilia, at
Peoria's G.A.R. Hall (located at 416 Hamilton Boulevard) on Saturday from 1 - 3
pm. The recently published work of historical fiction takes place in Peoria
during the 1920s and '30s.
Draft
Culture will perform at Kep's Place in Washington Saturday night beginning
at 9 pm. A female fronted rock band that plays music from the 80's, 90's plus
current tunes, there is no cover charge for the show.
Experience
firsthand the daily life of rural Peorians in the mid 19th century at Pioneer
Days at Sommer Park on Sunday from 1 - 4 pm (located at 6329 N. Koerner Road in
Edwards). Activities include hand dipping candles,
blacksmithing, school lessons, woodworking, chores, pioneer cemetery tours,
hayrides and livestock care. This is a wonderful opportunity for scout and youth
groups to learn about history. There will be special themes and presentations
each month. Call 309-691-8423 for more information.
Memorial
Day Ceremonies at the Peoria Riverfront will honor Peoria area veterans. The
Memorial Day remembrance service will begin at 10:45 am Monday in Marshall Plaza
(under the Gateway Building) and will pay tribute to all of the men and women
who have fought for America's freedom.
Peoria
County will hold a Memorial Day Observance and Recognition Ceremony on
Monday at 1:30 pm at the Peoria County Courthouse War Memorial Plaza, in front
of the World War I & II War Memorial Monument.
