Out and About
Out and About
A weekly spotlight on arts activities in Central Illinois. Each week, host Mae Gilliland Wright of Arts Partners of Central Illinois talks with area actors, musicians, artists and community leaders about an upcoming arts event. Out and About is supported, in part, by a grant from the Illinois Arts Council, a state agency.Social links:
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Morton Public Library’s Groove in the Garden Concert Series
On this week’s episode of Out and About, Dr. Mae Gilliland of ArtsPartners of Central Illinois talks with Alissa Williams, Director of the Morton Public Library, about the return of the library’s popular Groove in the Garden Concert Series. Taking place June 5 through July 31 in Hannah’s Reading …
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Mackinaw Music International Wine and Craft Beer Festival
On this week’s episode of Out and About, Dr. Mae Gilliland of ArtsPartners of Central Illinois talks with Diane Hahn, co-founder of Mackinaw Valley Vineyard, about the upcoming Mackinaw Music International Wine and Craft Beer Festival taking place Memorial Day weekend. Held May 23 and 24, the fes…
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Robert Ketchens feature exhibition at the Contemporary Art Center of Peoria
On this week’s episode of Out and About, Dr. Mae Gilliland of ArtsPartners of Central Illinois talks with social realist painter Robert Ketchens about his current exhibition at the Contemporary Art Center of Peoria, on view through June 20. Originally from New Orleans and now based near St. Louis…
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Peoria Heights holds annual Fine Art Fair
On this week’s episode of Out and About, Dr. Mae Gilliland of ArtsPartners of Central Illinois talks with Angela Bottrell, co-chair of the Peoria Heights Fine Art Fair and board member of the Peoria Heights Arts Collaborative, about the upcoming 2026 Peoria Heights Fine Art Fair. Taking place May …
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Wheels O’ Time Museum celebrates transportation history
On this week’s episode of Out and About, Dr. Mae Gilliland of ArtsPartners of Central Illinois talks with Diana Klein, Executive Director of the Wheels O’ Time Museum, about the museum’s 2026 season opening and a lineup of events celebrating transportation history and hands-on learning. The season…
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Central Illinois Youth Symphony celebrates 60 years
On this week’s episode of Out and About, Dr. Mae Gilliland of ArtsPartners of Central Illinois talks with Lydia Riley, Executive Director of the Central Illinois Youth Symphony, about the group’s upcoming 60th anniversary concerts celebrating generations of young musicians. Taking place May 3 at F…
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Peoria World Affairs Council looks at climate change and indigenous communities
On this week’s episode of Out and About, Dr. Mae Gilliland of ArtsPartners of Central Illinois talks with Angela Weck, Executive Director of the Peoria Area World Affairs Council, about an upcoming program exploring Indigenous rights, environmental justice, and global climate challenges. Taking pl…
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Liv Warfield performs with the Peoria Symphony Orchestra
On this week’s episode of Out and About, Dr. Mae Gilliland of ArtsPartners of Central Illinois talks with Peoria native and singer-songwriter, director, and performer Liv Warfield about her upcoming April 17 concert with the Peoria Symphony Orchestra at the Prairie Home Alliance Theater. Warfield,…
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Bradley University presents poetry reading and Q&A night with Adrienne Su
On this week’s episode of Out and About, Dr. Mae Gilliland of ArtsPartners of Central Illinois talks with Claire McQuerry, Associate Professor and Director of Creative Writing at Bradley University, about an upcoming poetry reading and Q&A with acclaimed poet Adrienne Su. A Chinese American poet wh…
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New Dallinger series celebrates the joy of learning and women’s voices
On this week’s episode of Out and About, Dr. Mae Gilliland of ArtsPartners of Central Illinois talks with Catherine Lawless, Bradley University's Associate Director of Continuing Education, about the launch of the new Dallinger Series. Created in memory of longtime Osher Lifelong Learning Institute…
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