COMEDY
Ongoing. The Jukebox Comedy Club features local, regional and nationally known comedians, open Wednesdays through Saturdays.
5/19. Pekin Academy of Fine Arts will host “A Funny Thing Happened in Pekin,” a fundraiser with comedians Greg Batton, Edgar Sandoval and Jeff Govednik, from 6 to 10pm at the Avanti’s Dome.
DANCE
5/5, 5/19, 6/2, 6/16. The Contemporary Art Center hosts Salsa at the CAC on the first and third Fridays of the month from 8:30pm to midnight.
5/27. Central Illinois Ballet presents Beauty and the Beast at 2pm in the ICC Performing Arts Center.
6/1. Peoria Ballet presents its annual Spring Showcase at Five Points Washington.
EXHIBITS
Ongoing. Sculpture Walk Peoria features 16 large-scale sculptures along Washington Street in downtown Peoria.
Ongoing. The Diocesan Museum in the Spalding Pastoral Center features exhibits on the Peoria Diocese, while the Fulton J. Sheen Museum offers a permanent exhibit on the life of the famous archbishop.
Thru 5/3. The MFA Exhibition featuring Annastasia Calvert and Alexander Martin will be on display in the Heuser Art Center at Bradley University, with a reception on 4/28 at 5pm.
Thru 5/4. The East Peoria Women’s Club Art Show showcasing the work of junior high and high school students will be on display at the Fondulac District Library.
Thru 5/24. Jefferson Street Studio & Gallery in Morton will host “Blip Out,” featuring the mixed media of Nichole Gronvold Roller, with a reception on 4/28.
Thru 5/29. GENOME: Unlocking Life’s Codes and Microsculpture: The Insect Portraits of Levon Biss will be on display at the Peoria Riverfront Museum.
Thru 7/9. The Kottemann Legacy: A Life in Art will be on display at the Peoria Riverfront Museum.
5/1 – 5/9. The Bradley University BFA Exhibition will be on display at the Prairie Center of the Arts, with a reception on 5/5 at 5pm.
5/3. Wheels O’ Time Museum opens at noon for its 35th season. June is Tractor Month in the Early Ford V8 area.
5/3 – 5/10. The MA Exhibition by Michael Brown will be on display in the Hartmann Center Gallery at Bradley University, with a reception on 5/5 at 6pm.
5/4 – 5/30. The 53rd annual Rennick Juried Art Show, hosted by the Peoria Historical Society, will be on display in the Peoria Public Library Main Library Gallery, with an opening reception on 5/6 at 2pm.
5/5, 6/2. Art galleries and artist studios around the region open their doors from 5 to 9pm for First Fridays.
5/5 – 6/16. Mixed media by Janet Keturi will be on display at the Contemporary Art Center, with an opening reception on 6/13 at 6:30pm, featuring music by Paul Adams.
5/8 – 5/12. The Graphic Design Portfolio Exhibition will be on display in the Heuser Art Center at Bradley University, with a reception on 5/12 at 5pm.
5/12 – 6/24. Mixed media by Rebecca Draland-Doyle and sculpture by Richard Larimore will be on display at the Contemporary Art Center, with an opening reception on 6/13 at 6:30pm.
5/14. The work of artist Adam Farcus will be on display at Project 1612 from 3 to 6pm.
5/21. Project 1612 will host the work of artist Angie Saiz from 3 to 6pm.
5/26, 6/23. Jefferson Street Studio & Gallery and The Mansion on Walnut open their doors from 5 to 9pm for Fourth Fridays.
5/26 – 7/4. Photography by Emily Jacob Rudesill will be on display in the Jefferson Street Studio & Gallery in Morton.
6/4. Chad Stayrook will be the featured artist at Project 1612 from 3 to 6pm.
6/10 – 6/30. Central Illinois Artists Organization (CIAO) will present a group show, CIAO: It’s All About the Art, at the Peoria Public Library Main Library.
6/25. The Spring to Summer Celebration at Wheels O’ Time Museum will feature a variety of displays out for the day.
FESTIVALS
5/13. Mardi Gras in May will feature street performers, live music and more on Water Street in Peoria from 3 to 10pm.
5/27 – 5/28. Mackinaw Valley Vineyard will host the International Music, Wine and Craft Beer Festival with tastings, concessions and music from 11am to 11pm on Saturday, and noon to 6pm on Sunday.
6/10. The Peoria Heights Chamber of Commerce will host the Duryea Festival in Peoria Heights.
6/15 – 6/17. Peoria Area Community Events presents the Steamboat Festival on the Peoria Riverfront.
6/23 – 6/25. The Olde English Faire takes place at Wildlife Prairie Park.
LECTURES & PRESENTATIONS
5/11. The Fine Arts Society of Peoria welcomes Peggy Macnamara to lecture on “Painting the Natural History of the Field Museum: 1980-2016” at the Peoria Riverfront Museum at 9:30am.
5/25. The Kottemann Collection lecture with John Heintzman kicks off at 6pm at the Peoria Riverfront Museum.
MUSIC
Thru 6/30. Rhythm Kitchen Music Café features live music on Fridays and Saturdays from 8 to 11pm.
Thru 6/30. Live at the Five Spot takes place on Fridays at the Contemporary Art Center from 5:30 to 7:30pm. Upcoming shows include: Dexter O’Neal & Funk Yard (funk, R&B, 5/5), John Miller & the Romaniacs (gypsy/jazz, 5/12), Robin Crowe Band (blues, 5/19), Flying D’Rito Brothers (folk/rock, 5/26), Cousin Eddie (pop/rock, 6/2), Galactic Cowboy Orchestra (jazz/rock/bluegrass fusion, 6/9), Preston Jackson & Friends (R&B /jazz, 6/16), Harmonica Invitational featuring JuJu Jonny (blues/rock, 6/23), and State of Mind (R&B /jazz, 6/30).
5/1. Justin Symbol, Keychain, Third Degree Fallout, Life In Cycle and Sign Of Lies will perform at Rail II.
5/1. The Bradley Piano Student Recital takes place in the Dingeldine Music Center at Bradley University at 7:30pm.
5/1. The ICC Concert Choir will perform at 7:30pm at the ICC Performing Arts Center.
5/2. Jay Goldberg Events & Entertainment presents the Chicago Farmer reunion show at 9pm at Kenny’s Westside Pub.
5/2. Bradley University presents Collegium Musicum at 7:30pm in the Dingeldine Music Center.
5/3. The ICC Concert Band will perform at 7:30pm at the ICC Performing Arts Center.
5/4. I Set My Friends on Fire, Portals, Growing, Milestones, Errabyss, CTM will perform at Rail II.
5/5. Limelight Eventplex presents country artists Lorrie Morgan and Joe Diffie at 7pm to raise money for St. Jude.
5/5. Jazz Night in the Broadway Lounge featuring the Derel Monteith Trio takes place at 8pm at The Waterhouse.
5/5 – 5/6. The Peoria Area Civic Chorale spring concert, “Celebrating 35 Years of Music,” with featured soloist Thomas Studebaker kicks off at 7:30pm at Five Points Washington.
5/5. The ICC Chamber Singers will perform at 7:30pm in the ICC Lecture/Recital Hall.
5/5. Reverend Peyton’s Big Damn Band will perform with The Bootstrap String Duo and the Scat Grub Band at Twisted Spoke Saloon in Pekin at 7pm.
5/6. Limelight Eventplex welcomes singer/songwriter Jason Isbell and Strand of Oaks at 7pm.
5/7. The Peoria Symphony Orchestra Musical Discovery concert, Velvet Violin, takes place at the Peoria Symphony/WTVP, 101 State Street in Peoria, at 2pm.
5/7. The Philharmonic Chorale Spring Concert takes place at 3pm in the ICC Performing Arts Center.
5/7. The Central Illinois Youth Symphony Spring Orchestral Concert takes place at Metamora High School at 6pm.
5/11. Tyrant, Cipher Six, South Arsenal, Infekt and Imperius will perform at Rail II.
5/12. Sleeping With A Goddess, Discount Jaw Removal, A.K.A and The Subservients perform at 7pm at Rail II.
5/12. Motionless in White will perform with Avatar and Out Came the Wolves at the Limelight Eventplex at 7pm.
5/12. Country star Eric Church brings his Holdin’ My Own Tour to the Peoria Civic Center at 8pm.
5/12. “Viva Vivaldi!” featuring music of the Italian baroque era by Westminster Choir kicks off at 7:30pm at Westminster Presbyterian Church.
5/13. The Grateful Dead Experience featuring The Schwag kicks off at 10pm at Kenny’s Westside Pub.
5/14. The Prairie Wind Ensemble performs at 2:30pm in the ICC Performing Arts Center.
5/15. It Lies Within and Light The Fire perform at Rail II.
5/16. Limelight Eventplex presents Chevelle and Aeges at 7:30pm.
5/16. The Heart of Illinois Chorus presents its Spring Concert with guest performers from Eureka Middle School at 7pm in the ICC Performing Arts Center.
5/18. Olivia Newton-John will perform in the Peoria Civic Center Theater at 7:30pm.
5/18. Within the Ruins, The City The Ruins, Isat Thereonce,A.K.I.P and Errabyss will perform at Rail II.
5/19. Mr. Russia, Autumn Rove, Memorial for a Dove, Terribly Happy and Royalis perform at 7pm at Rail II.
5/19. Limelight Eventplex presents Skillet with Starset and Sylar at Festival Park on the Peoria Riverfront at 8pm.
5/19. “Buddy & Beyond: The History of Rock and Roll,” featuring Johnny Rogers, takes place at 7:30pm in the ICC Performing Arts Center. 
5/19 – 5/20. The Howlin’ on Water dueling piano show performs at 8pm at The Waterhouse, with pre-show dinner buffets at 6:30pm.
5/20. The Heartland Festival Orchestra presents New World with special guest, cellist Patrice Jackson, at 7:30pm at Five Points Washington.
5/20. Limelight Eventplex and the Bud Light Concert Series presents hip hop artist Nelly along with Juvenile and DJ McFly at Festival Park on the Peoria Riverfront at 8pm.
5/21. John Orfe will present Sacred Sonatas at First United Methodist Church at 4pm.
5/21. Random Strangers will perform at 2pm at the Peoria Public Library North Branch.
5/21. The Central Illinois Jazz Society House Band will perform at 6pm, followed by The Brazilionaires at 7:15pm, at Landmark Recreation Center.
5/21. Oh Malo performs with Thetah, Kiosk and L&TC at 7pm at Rail II.
5/22. Meth Leppard, Powerxchuck, xAbruptx and more will perform at Rail II.
5/23 – 5/28. The Morton Civic Chorus presents “Encore,” a fundraiser for the Central Illinois Memorial Kidney Fund, at 7:30pm in Bradley University’s Hartmann Center, with the Sunday show at 2pm.
5/25. Micawber, A Treachery Untold and Vivorum will perform at Rail II.
5/26 – 5/28. Summer Camp Music Festival returns to Three Sisters Park in Chillicothe.
5/29. The Peoria Municipal Band will perform at 10:30am on the Peoria Riverfront.
6/1. Limelight Eventplex welcomes the metal band Ratt at 8pm.
6/2. Jazz Night in the Broadway Lounge featuring the 3.5 Men with Paul Weddle and Jason Hattermann kicks off at 8pm at the Waterhouse.
6/3. Enfold Darkness, Invoking the Abstract, Luciferian Reign and Defy the Odds perform at 7pm at Rail II.
6/3. The Peoria Symphony Orchestra presents Jubilation! at 8pm at Riverside Community Church.
6/3, 6/10, 6/17, 6/24. Saturday Concerts in the Vineyard will take place at Mackinaw Valley Vineyard from 7 to 11pm.
6/4 – 8/13. The Peoria Municipal Band performs on Sundays at 7pm at Glen Oak Park and Wednesdays at 7pm on Water Street outside of Kelleher’s Irish Pub.
6/5 – 6/12. The 14th annual Peoria Bach Festival will feature eight concerts and six additional events at Trinity Lutheran Church.
6/5 – 8/30. Peoria Area Community Events presents the Brown Bag It Series of free musical performances from 11:30am to 1pm at the Peoria Courthouse Plaza on Mondays and Wednesdays.
6/10. The Heritage Ensemble will perform at 7:30pm in the ICC Performing Arts Center.
6/11. The Peoria Riverfront Jazz Fest will feature an art show, student stage and some of the region’s finest jazz groups from 3 to 10pm on the Peoria Riverfront.
6/11. SMD & the Underground will perform from 2 to 4pm at the Peoria Public Library North Branch.
6/16. Limelight Eventplex and Inked Entertainment present the 2017 Tailgate N’ Tallboys Series with Jake Owen, Eric Paslay and Lanco at Festival Park on the Peoria Riverfront at 6pm.
6/18. The Central Illinois Jazz Society House Band will perform at 6pm, followed by the Todd Kelly Quintet at 7:15pm, at Trailside Event Center, 4416 N. Prospect in Peoria Heights.
6/22. The Morton Fine Arts Association presents Arts in the Park with JC and the Redemption from 7 to 9pm at Idlewood Park.
6/29. The Morton Fine Arts Association presents Arts in the Park with the Jim Markum Swing Band from 7 to 9pm at Idlewood Park.
6/30. Country Concert in the Vineyard with Brushville will kick off at Mackinaw Valley Vineyard at 8pm.
6/30. The Peoria Municipal Band will perform at 7pm at St. Philomena Church and School.
POETRY & STORYTELLING
5/4, 6/1. Whisper & Shout, an open mic for poetry, takes place on the first Thursday of each month at the Contemporary Art Center from 8 to 10pm.
5/11. Lisa Napoli, author of Ray & Joan: The Man Who Made the McDonald’s Fortune and the Woman Who Gave It All Away, will be at the Peoria Public Library Main Library at 6pm for an author talk.
6/14. Fondulac District Library will host Coffeehouse Poetry Night at 6pm with readings from Gwendolyn Brooks and an open mic session.
6/15. Reyna Grande, author of The Distance Between Us, will be at the Peoria Public Library Main Library for an author talk.
SPECIAL EVENTS
Thru 5/19. The 32nd annual Gerald M. Brookhart Arts in Education Spring Celebration features performances and art displays from pre-K to 12th grade students from across the region at the Peoria County Courthouse Plaza on weekdays from 11am to 1:30pm.
5/6. The Peoria PlayHouse Children’s Museum will host Adult Maker Night at 7pm.
5/6 – 5/7, 5/13, 5/20 – 5/21, 5/27 – 5/28, 6/1 – 6/4, 6/8 – 6/11, 6/14 – 6/17, 6/21 – 6/23, 6/30. The Spirit of Peoria will offer sightseeing cruises from 1 to 3:30pm. Visit spiritofpeoria.com for additional cruise dates, including overnight and holiday options.
5/13. Peoria Players Theatre will host its annual Craft & Vendor Fair from 9am to 3pm in Lakeview Park.
5/20 – 6/30. The Peoria Riverfront Market is open every Saturday from 8am to noon, featuring local produce, meats, cheeses, baked goods, fresh flowers, and much more.
5/21. Celebrate May Day with German folk dancing and basket-making from noon to 5pm at the Peoria PlayHouse Children’s Museum.
6/3. The Chippendales return to the Limelight Eventplex at 8pm.
6/10. Fondulac District Library will host Maker Day for crafters, artists, engineers, hobbyists, scientists and others from 1 to 4pm.
6/11. The Homes of Hope Car Show and Fundraiser runs from noon to 5pm at Mackinaw Valley Vineyard.
6/11. The Peoria PlayHouse Children’s Museum turns two, with free admission all day at its barnyard-themed Birthday Bash.
6/12 – 6/16. The Sun Foundation presents Art & Science in the Woods, with classes taught by artists, engineers, archeologists, scientists, survival skills instructors and more. 
6/17. Magician, illusionist and stunt artist David Blaine brings his tour to the Peoria Civic Center at 8pm.
6/30. The Peoria Civic Center presents Kristen and Jen from #IMOMSOHARD in the theater at 7:30pm.
THEATRE
4/28 – 4/29, 5/4 – 5/6. Nitsch Theatre Arts Stage Kids present Disney’s The Jungle Book KIDS in the Pritchard Theatre at Eureka College at 6:30pm, with 2:30pm matinees on 4/29 and 5/6.
5/5 – 5/7, 5/11 – 5/14. Peoria Players Theatre presents Billy Elliot at 7:30pm, with 2pm matinees on Sundays.
5/12 – 5/13, 5/20 – 5/21. Many Lights Theatre presents The Vagina Monologues at 7pm at the First Congregational United Church of Christ in Canton, with Sunday shows at 2pm.
5/12 – 5/13. Peoria Cabaret Theatre presents the PCT Cabaret Series in the Broadway Lounge at 8pm.
5/19 – 5/20. Arc Light Productions presents Knock ‘Em Dead at Coyote Creek Golf Club.
6/2 – 6/10. Corn Stock Theatre presents the musical, My Fair Lady, at 7:30pm.
6/16 – 6/18, 6/21 – 6/24. Eastlight Theatre presents Cats, a musical, at 7:30pm, with a 2pm matinee on 6/18.
6/20, 6/23 – 6/24. Arc Light Productions presents Princess Who? at 10:30am on 6/20 and 6pm on 6/23-24; and Phantom of the Campfire at 12:30pm on 6/20 and 7:30pm on 6/23-24.
6/22 – 6/25. Nitsch Theatre Arts presents CLUE: The Musical, a dinner theatre experience, in the Pritchard Theatre at Eureka College at 6:30pm, with a 1pm brunch on 6/25.
6/23 – 7/1. Corn Stock Theatre presents a comedy, Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike, at 7:30pm. a&s
FOR MORE INFORMATION…
Arc Light Productions—arclightpro.com, 455-4095
Art Garage—art-garage-studio.com, 231-2511
ArtsPartners of Central Illinois—artspartners.net, 676-2787
Arts in Education Spring Celebration—springcelebration.org
Art-Space Peoria—facebook.com/artspacepeoria
Bradley University/Dingeldine Music Center—677-2595
Bradley University Galleries—art.bradley.edu/bug, 677-2989
The Broadway Lounge—broadwaypeoria.com, 494-9100
Central Illinois Artists Organization/CIAO—ciaopeoria.com
Central Illinois Ballet—ciballet.com, 620-3164
Central Illinois Jazz Society—cijs.org, 692-5330
Central Illinois Youth Symphony—ciys.org, 370-6424
Contemporary Art Center—peoriacac.org, 674-6822
Corn Stock Theatre—cornstocktheatre.com, 676-2196
Ear in the Envelope—820 SW Adams, Peoria, 550-3518
Eastlight Theatre—eastlighttheatre.com, 699-7469
Exhibit A Gallery—exhibitagallery.net, 693-6180
Fine Arts Society of Peoria—fineartssociety.net
First Fridays—peoriafirstfriday.com, ciaopeoria.com
Five Points Washington—fivepointswashington.org, 444-8222
Fondulac District Library—fondulaclibrary.org, 699-3917
Foster Gallery for Christianity and the Fine Arts—fumcpeoria.org, 673-3641
Heartland Festival Orchestra—heartlandfestivalorchestra.org, 339-3943
Heart of Illinois Chorus—hoichorus.com
Heritage Ensemble—heritageensemble.com
The Hive—thehive305.com, 360-4880
Howlin’ on Water—howlinonwater.com, 494-9100
Illinois Central College/Arts at ICC—artsaticc.com, 694-5136
Jefferson Street Studio & Gallery—jeffersonstreetgallery.com, 696-9015
Jukebox Comedy Club—jukeboxcomedy.com, 673-5853
Kenny’s Westside Pub—kennyswestside.com, 676-1693
Limelight Eventplex—limelighteventplex.com, 693-1234
Mackinaw Valley Vineyard—mackinawvalleyvineyard.com, 359-9463
Mansion on Walnut—mansiononwalnut.com
Many Lights Theatre—manylights.net, 357-9366
Mardi Gras in May—mardigraspeoria.com
Morton Civic Chorus—mortoncivicchorus.org
Morton Fine Arts Association—mortonfinearts.org, 573-1276
Nitsch Theatre Arts—nitschtheatrearts.org
Pekin Academy of Fine Arts—pekinacademyoffinearts.com, 267-2058
Peoria Area Civic Chorale—peoriacivicchorale.org, 693-6725
Peoria Area Community Events—peoriaevents.com
Peoria Art Guild—peoriaartguild.org, 637-2787
Peoria Bach Festival—peoriabachfestival.org
Peoria Ballet—peoriaballet.org, 690-7990
Peoria Cabaret Theatre—peoriacabarettheatre.com, 494-9100
Peoria Civic Center—peoriaciviccenter.com, (800) 745-3000
Peoria Park District—peoriaparks.org, 681-2861
Peoria Players Theatre—peoriaplayers.org, 688-4473
Peoria PlayHouse Children’s Museum—peoriaplayhouse.org, 323-6900
Peoria Public Library—peoriapubliclibrary.org, 497-2000
Peoria Riverfront Market—visitdowntownpeoria.com
Peoria Riverfront Museum—peoriariverfrontmuseum.org, 686-7000
Peoria Symphony Orchestra—peoriasymphony.org, 671-1096
Prairie Center of the Arts—prairiecenterofthearts.org, 657-6767
Project 1612—project1612.com, 798-0375
RAIL II—facebook.com/RAILIIBOOKING, 868-2882
Rhythm Kitchen Music Café—rhythmkitchenmusiccafe.biz, 676-9668
Sculpture Walk Peoria—sculpturewalkpeoria.org
Spalding Pastoral Center—cdopmuseums.org, 671-1550
Spirit of Peoria—spiritofpeoria.com, 637-8000
Summer Camp Music Festival—summercampfestival.com
Sunbeam Building/Studios On Sheridan—sunbeambuilding.com, 573-8404
Sun Foundation—sunfoundation.org, 246-8403
Westminster Presbyterian Church—westminsterpeoria.org, 673-8501
Wheel Art Studios—bit.ly/wheelart, 306-1741
Wheels O’ Time Museum—wheelsotime.org, 243-9020
Wildlife Prairie Park—wildlifeprairiepark.org
