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A preview of the upcoming weekend's arts activities in Central Illinois with your host, Jenn Gordon of Arts Partners of Central Illinois.
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Award Winning Musical RAGTIME Opens at Corn Stock
By Tim Shelley • Jul 11, 2019
Cast Members Ed Peck and Kiana Baylor join Jenn Gordon on Out and About to talk about the award winning musical opening this weekend at the Tent in Upper Bradley Park. Based on the novel by E.L. Doctorow, RAGTIME weaves together the stories of a Harlem ragtime musician, a loyal upper-class wife, and a determined Latvian immigrant. Find out what went into bringing this show to life and how its message remains relevant in the 21st Century.
Tony Holiday Headlines the Harmonica Invitational
By Tim Shelley • Jun 28, 2019
William Butler of the Contemporary Art Center joins us in the studio today to talk about the Fifth Annual Harmonica Invitational, how it got started, and why it continues to attract the finest "harp" players from around the country. Memphis-based Tony Holiday headlines the event and will be joined by regional Harmonica greats Brian Stear and "Rockin" Billy Gress.
Honky Tonk Laundry: A Country Jukebox Musical Filled with Heart
Join me as I talk with Director Chas Killen about "Honky Tonk Laundry" now playing at Eastlight Theatre. Featuring the music of Reba McEntire, Dolly Parton, Dixie Chicks, Carrie Underwood, and Patsy Cline, "Honky Tonk Laundry" uses timeless country classics to tell the hysterical and heart-warming tale of Lana Mae Hopkins, owner and proprietress of the Wishy Washy Washeteria, and her new employee, Katie. Catch a performance this Friday or Saturday…before the suds are gone!
Heritage Ensemble Celebrates Twenty Years of Building Bridges through Music
Sharon Samuels Reed joins Jenn Gordon in the studio to talk about the Heritage Ensembles' Annual Juneteenth Celebration happening Saturday night at the ICC Performing Arts Center. Find out how the choir started 20 years ago, and how they continue to build cultural bridges and keep history alive through their inspiring performances.
Corn Stock Brings Shrek to the Tent
By Tim Shelley • Jun 6, 2019
Today's guest is Jimmy Ulrich, director of the Corn Stock's current production of Shrek – The Musical. Based on the hit DreamWorks animated film, the production opens the 66th Season at Corn Stock Theatre sand offers an irresistible night of high-energy fun that's perfect for the whole family. Listen as Jimmy takes us "behind the curtain" and talks costumes, cast, make-up, and more! Performances continue this Friday and Saturday in Upper Bradley Park.
HFO Serves Up "Triple Shot of Tchaikovsky" This Weekend
By Nathan Irwin • May 30, 2019
We're talking with David Commanday, Music Director of the Heartland Festival Orchestra. The HFO is closing its current season with an all-Tchaikovsky program tomorrow night. They'll be performing Tchaikovsky's Fourth Symphony, which Commanday describes as a "barn-burner." The composer's Piano Concerto No. 1. features a return appearance by pianist Michael Brown; it's a technical challenge for the performer, and it's noteworthy among the Piano Concerto repertoire in the way it puts the orchestra and the solo instrument in opposition to one another.
Wheels O' Time Offerings Include Cars, Old and New, and a Historic Home
Wheels O' Time Museum
This week, we're talking with Marcia Johnson from the Wheels O' Time Museum in Dunlap, about some of their exhibits and events for the 2019 season. The museum is currently displaying an autonomous car made in Morton. There will also be will an exhibit featuring the history of cars, from the Model T to the present day. That exhibit runs June 22nd and 23rd.
Morton Civic Chorus Presents "Encore 2019" Next Week
Our guest this week is Denise Adams, director of the Morton Civic Chorus. The Chorus is presenting its spring fundraising concert, "Encore 2019" next week. It's also celebrating Adams' 35-year anniversary at the podium.
Adams talk a bit about the history of the Chorus: It grew out of a fundraising event to raise money for someone who needed a kidney transplant. Now, proceeds from the spring concert go to the Central Illinois Memorial Kidney Fund, which provides services to patients with chronic kidney disease.
Sculpture Walk Returns Next Weekend
This week, we're talking to Bill Conger, from the Peoria Riverfront Museum, and Lynette Steger with Sculpture Walk Peoria. Sculpture Walk 2019 gets underway next Saturday (May 18th), with 9 new sculptures along Washington Street in downtown Peoria. Opening day activities include opportunities to see the sculptures and interact with the artists. Local arts groups will also be on hand, with information about their classes, programs and scholarship opportunities. Steger says this is intended to allow people to experience and participate in the arts year-round.
Peoria Players Theatre Presents "A Chorus Line"
By Nathan Irwin • May 3, 2019
This week, our guest is Chip Joyce. He's directing "A Chorus Line" at Peoria Players Theatre, and also appearing in the production as Zach the director.
Peoria Symphony Closes Season with a Tribute to New York
By Nathan Irwin • Apr 26, 2019
Our guest this week is George Stelluto, Music Director of the Peoria Symphony Orchestra. Their 121st season closes this week with the concert, "Great Cities: New York." Selections from Edward MacDowell and Samuel Barber reflect the Romantic tradition of the city; Broadway is represented by "West Side Story" and a "collage" of show tunes.
Bradley Theatre Presents "Sense and Sensibility"
Bradley University is closing its current season with a production of "Sense and Sensibility" -- an adaptation of the classic novelby Jane Austen. We're talking with director Dan Matisa; and with Susan Falk, who plays Elinor.
Coffeehouse Sessions Offer Live Music Experience at Rock Solid Studios
This week, we're talking with Jimmy Bridgeman, the owner of Rock Solid Studios in Dunlap; and with musician David McDonald. Bridgeman says he started his studio in an affort to provide a quality recording facility for local musicians. They've since expanded to add songwriting workshops amd open-mic nights, and their "Coffeehouse sessions." Those combine elements of a recording studio and a small performance venue.
"The Marty Monologues" Return to the Apollo Theater
By Nathan Irwin • Apr 5, 2019
This week, we're talking with Marty Wombacher, about this weekend's performance of "The Marty Monologues." He's the writer behind the "Meanwhile Back in Peoria blog," and the show features his stories of growing up in Peoria in the 1960s.
The performance incorporates local musicians Sarah Marie Dillard and Brandon Mooberry.
After the Peoria performance, Wombacher will present the show in Chicago and New York.
"The Marty Monologues" will be performed Sunday night at 7:00 at the Apollo Theater in downtown Peoria.
New "Peoria Magazine" Will Cover Business, Arts in Peoria Region
By Nathan Irwin • Mar 29, 2019
This week, we're talking with Jonathan Wright, Editor-in-Chief of Peoria Magazines. The company is launching a new publication, "Peoria Magazine," that will combine their coverage of business, lifestyle, and the arts in central Illinois. The new magazine will combine the features that were previously available in the company's "Art and Society" and "Interbusiness Issues" publications. It also incorporates new features and contributors.
Peoria Ballet Opens Its Production of "Alice in Wonderland" and "Paquita"
PeoriaBallet.com
This week, Jenn Gordon talks with Wendy Thomasson and Jorge Laico of the Peoria Ballet. They discuss the upcoming production of Alice in Wonderland and Paquita. Lewis Carroll's classic story is transformed into a charming ballet. This family friendly adventure will transport you to a colorful fantasy world full of exhilarating fun! Plus, one of the ballet world's all time classics – Paquita.
Bradley International Print and Drawing Exhibition Returns to Venues Across Peoria
This week, we're talking with Erin Buczynski about Bradley University's International Print and Drawing Exhibition. The bi-annual event is one of the largest, and longest-running, of its kind. It features 134 different works, on display at 7 participating locations across Peoria. The pieces include examples of drawing, printmaking and book arts.
Peoria Players Opens Its Production of "Dreamgirls"
By Nathan Irwin • Mar 8, 2019
This weekend, Peoria Players is presenting the musical "Dreamgirls." We talk about the production with director Lisa Voyles; and with Ronnie Hudson II, who plays Curtis in the show.
Youth Music Illinois Presents "Musical Masquerade" Tonight
This week, we're talking with David Commanday, Music Director of Youth Music Illinois. YMI is hosting its annual fundraising event, "A Musical Masquerade" tonight. The event features performances by the YMI ensembles, silent auctions, and wine and craft beer tastings.
WTVP's "State and Water" Program Hosts Double CD Release Event
By Nathan Irwin • Feb 22, 2019
This week, we're talking with Jerry Kolb from public television station WTVP. The station is holding a CD release party with the bands The Deep Hollow and UpState. Both groups have been featured on WTVP's program "State and Water," and both are now out with their second albums.
Eureka College Presents "Pippin" This Weekend
This week, we're talking with Marty Lynch, about Eureka College's production of the musical "Pippin." It's the story of a young man, seeking to find his place in the world -- his "Corner of the Sky." The musical was the result of a collaboration between Stephen Schwartz (the creator of "Godspell" and "Wicked") and legendary choreographer Bob Fosse.
Peoria Symphony Celebrates "Romance" in Next Concert
By Nathan Irwin • Feb 8, 2019
This week, we're talking with George Stelluto, Music Director of the Peoria Symphony Orchestra; and with Todd Kelly, about the PSO's concert this weekend. Stelluto says the concert is like a box of Valentine's Day chocoloates, offering a sampler of musical experiences. The Todd Kelly Quintet will present original jazz compositions toward the middle of the program; dancers from the Central Illinois Ballet will perform alongside the PSO to a handful of dances; and local jazz musicans will performa at an after-party following the concert.
Barry Cloyd Returns to Forest Park Nature Center with Old Friends, New Music
This week, we're talking with singer-songwriter Barry Cloyd. He's presenting a concert Saturday night at the Forest Park Nature Center. He has a long history with the venue; he considers his annual performances there as a kind of "home concert," an opportunity to share his music with some of his most loyal fans. This concert reunites Cloyd with some of his longtime musical collaborators, who have performed together under the name, "Celtricity."
Something's Coming: "West Side Story" Opens Next Weekend at Peoria Players
By Nathan Irwin • Jan 25, 2019
This week, we're talking with Clifford Clark, Assistant Director of Peoria Players' production "West Side Story." It's one of his favorite shows -- this is the fifth time he's been involved in a production.
New Exhibits, and Vaudeville Performance, on Tap at Contemporary Art Center
Our guest this week is William Butler, Executive Director of the Contemporary Art Center of Peoria. He joined us to talk about two of their exhibits -- "Natural Wonder," featuring work by Bethany Carlson Coffin and Stephanie Sailer; and "New Surrealism," which shows the contemporary influence of the Surrealist movement through the work of seven regional artists. Weather dealyed the arrival of some works for these exhibits, but they should be complete by this weekend.
HFO Greets 2019 with a Tribute to Ella Fitzgerald
This week, David Commanday is with us to talk about the Heartland Festival Orchestra's first concert of 2019. "It's called New Year's Greeting - A Tribute to Ella." Like some of the HFO's earlier New Year's concerts, Commanday says this one incorporates the music of Broadway, and highlights the joy, spontaneity and personality of Ella Fitzgerald. He also talk about what he looks for in selecting soloists for a program like this, and about how this program in particular allows his to bring an improvisatory element to the concert.
22VA Art Exhibit Showcases Art By Veterans, Calls Attention to Veteran Suicides
By Nathan Irwin • Jan 4, 2019
This week, we're talking with Michael Ragan, about the "22VA Verterasns Art Exhibit." The exhibit features works of art by veterans; it's intended to give vets an opportunity to feature their work, and to raise awareness of the issue of veteran suicides. The show also includes works from veterans' family members, to show that families are affected, as well.
Ragan talks about the origins of the exhibit, and about the value that creative expression has for veterans, and his own attempt to "find beuaty in something dark."
Nitsch Theatre Arts Offers Unique Performance Experience for Students
By Nathan Irwin • Dec 21, 2018
This week, we're talking with Kelleen Nitsch, founder of Nitsch Theatre Arts. The program aims to make theatre experiences available to kids ranging in age from 5 to 18. Since its start in 2015, NTA has grown from 6 participants, to over 200.
Nitsch talks about the model that has enabled her to expand so quickly: NTA produces multiple productions of the same show, with a different cast in each of the communities they serve. Those productions share a set, costumes, and choreography -- and by sharing those resources, each company needs less rehearsal time.
Peoria Players Theatre Presents "Christmas One-Acts"
This week, we're talking with Bruce White, from Peoria Players Theatre. Their 100th anniversary season continues this weekend with "Christmas One-Acts."
"Sing It Yourself Messiah" Returns to First Federated Church
By Nathan Irwin • Dec 7, 2018
This week, we're talking about the annual "Sing It Yourself Messiah" with conductor John Jost, and with Russ Boulton from First Federated Church in Peoria. As in past years, the organizers are providing the soloists and orchestra; the chorus will consist of the attendees.
Jost says that this weekend's performance is a slightly scaled-down version of the three-hour oratorio. Boulton talks about how the work is a perfect choice for performance in the church. The performance is aimed at encouraging potential first-time singers to participate.
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