Out and About

On this week's episode of Out and About, Mae Gilliland of ArtsPartners of Central Illinois talks with Jessica Moreano, programming director of the Big Picture Peoria Film Festival, about the festival’s return Nov. 20 and 21 to the Peoria Riverfront Museum. Featuring four screenings of independent short films in animation, narrative fiction and documentary, this year’s festival includes a dedicated...

On this week's episode of Out and About, Mae Gilliland of ArtsPartners of Central Illinois talks with Rev. Debra Avery of United Presbyterian Church of Peoria about Heart to Art, a free monthly gathering inviting adults to unplug and reconnect through creativity and community. Taking place on the second Friday of each month, Heart to Art offers a welcoming, intentionally unreligious space where pa...

On this week's episode of Out and About, Mae Gilliland of ArtsPartners of Central Illinois turns the tables on longtime Peoria broadcaster, fitness professional and Peoria Civic Center Authority Board Vice Chair Yvonne Greer to discover some of her favorite ways to experience central Illinois. From live music and the Peoria Art Guild's Fine Art Fair, to performances at the Peoria Civic Center and...

On this week’s episode of Out and About, Mae Gilliland of ArtsPartners of Central Illinois talks with Rick Blanco, founder of Casablanco Creative, about Blood Moon, an immersive vampire-themed experience transforming Obed & Isaac’s in Downtown Peoria throughout October.

On this week's episode of Out and About, Mae Gilliland of ArtsPartners of Central Illinois talks to Director Jake Van Hoorn about Dracula, on stage Oct. 9-11 and 15-18 at Peoria Players Theatre. In this Steven Dietz adaptation, the play stays close to Bram Stoker’s original novel. Dracula is presented as a charismatic but terrifying predator, embracing some of the darker material often omitted fro...

On this week’s episode of Out and About, Mae Gilliland of ArtsPartners of Central Illinois talks with Kathryn McBride of Peoria Public Library about the 25th anniversary of Peoria Reads and its Oct. 10 Block Party at Columbia Park. Inspired by this year’s selection, Angeline Boulley’s book "Warrior Girl Unearthed," the free and family-friendly celebration brings the book’s exploration of Indigenou...

On this week’s episode of Out and About, Mae Gilliland of ArtsPartners of Central Illinois talks with Elizabeth Klise, executive director of the Peoria Historical Society, about a new exhibition entitled "Joseph Petarde: Maestro of Stone," on view Oct. 1-28 at Peoria Public Library’s Main Library.

On this week's episode of Out and About, Mae Gilliland of ArtsPartners of Central Illinois talks with Megan Scott, executive director of the Peoria Art Guild, about the 64th annual Fine Art Fair, returning Sept. 26 and 27 to the Peoria Riverfront. More than 100 artists from 13 states and three countries will showcase painting, sculpture, ceramics, jewelry, printmaking, glass, and more, alongside l...

On this week's episode of Out and About, Mae Gilliland of ArtsPartners of Central Illinois talks with Amy McCoy, executive director of the Pekin Area Chamber of Commerce, about the 2026 Pekin Marigold Festival, taking place Sept. 9 through the 13. The event began as an art show over half a century ago, and today Art in the Park continues that creative tradition with more than 230 vendors offering...

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, about the Peoria Dragon Boat Race on Sept. 13 at the Peoria Riverfront. The celebration offers visitors a chance to experience Chinese traditions while exploring the connections between art, culture, teamwork and community.

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 its next free event on Sept. 12 at River City Labs.

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.

On this week’s episode of Out and About, Mae Gilliland of ArtsPartners of Central Illinois talks with Joyce Blank of 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.

On this week’s episode of Out and About, Mae Gilliland of ArtsPartners of Central Illinois talks with Barry Cloyd about For What It’s Worth: A Tribute to Stephen Stills in Song & Story, coming Aug. 22 to the Contemporary Art Center of Peoria. Blending live music with storytelling, the multimedia performance traces Stills’ career through Buffalo Springfield, Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young and his sol...

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 on Aug. 9 at Hickory Grove Park. Celebrating its 95th year, the family-friendly event features authentic Italian food, live music, artisan vendors, bocce, spaghetti-eating contests and a special tribute to th...

On this week’s episode of Out and About, Mae Gilliland of ArtsPartners of Central Illinois talks with Roseanne Urbanc of Chillicothe Players Theatre about their upcoming production of "The Great Gatsby."

On this week’s episode of Out and About, Mae Gilliland of ArtsPartners of Central Illinois talks with Cory Boulton of Bradley University about The Lost Birds, a powerful choral work presented by the Gratus Choral Ensemble on July 26 at First Federated Church at 4 p.m.

On this week’s episode of Out and About, Mae Gilliland of ArtsPartners of Central Illinois talks with Salil Bavdekar of Heartland Latin Dancers about Latin Dance Night at Casa de Arte, located in Peoria's Warehouse District. Held on the last Saturday of every month, the evening features a beginner-friendly dance lesson followed by an outdoor social dance where no partner or experience is required.

On this week’s episode of Out and About, Mae Gilliland of ArtsPartners of Central Illinois talks with Jake Bowers of Peoria Proud about this year’s River City Pride Festival on July 18 at the Peoria RiverFront. The free festival features live entertainment, community organizations, interactive art, food vendors, educational programming and a new Artist Row showcasing local creatives.

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.

On this week’s episode of Out and About, Dr. Mae Gilliland of ArtsPartners of Central Illinois talks with Emily Huff about the new West Peoria Farmers Market, held every Wednesday from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. at the Franciscan Recreation Complex.

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 upcoming Community Art Fair on June 20. This curated outdoor event brings together regional artists, live music and hands-on art activities for children in a welcoming, community-centered setting.

On this week's episode of Out and About, Dr. Mae Gilliland of ArtsPartners of Central Illinois talks with Chanel Hargrave-Murray of the Peoria Park District about Jubilee Day: A Juneteenth Celebration, taking place June 19 on the Peoria RiverFront. The free community event blends live entertainment, cultural experiences, family activities, food vendors, storytelling, an Ancestor Tree Activation St...

On this week's episode of Out and About, Dr. Mae Gilliland of ArtsPartners of Central Illinois talks with Marc Supreme of Strictly Hip Hop 90.7 FM about this year’s YANI Collective Juneteenth Fest taking place June 13 at the Peoria Riverfront.

On this week's episode of Out and About, Dr. Mae Gilliland of ArtsPartners of Central Illinois talks with Alissa Williams of the Morton Public Library about the return of the library’s popular Groove in the Garden Concert Series.