On this week's episode of Out and About, Dr. Mae Gilliland Wright of ArtsPartners of Central Illinois talks with Peoria Fashion Week co-founder Chanel Hargrave-Murray about the exciting events taking place April 2-6 at Expo Gardens.

On this week's episode of Out and About, Dr. Mae Gilliland Wright of ArtsPartners of Central Illinois talks with Peoria Fashion Week co-founder Chanel Hargrave-Murray about the exciting events taking place April 2-6 at Expo Gardens.

A weekly spotlight on arts activities in Central Illinois. Every Friday, 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.

A weekly spotlight on arts activities in Central Illinois. Every Friday, 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.

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.

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.

From high fashion to street fashion, Peoria Fashion Week is back

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On this week’s episode of Out and About, Mae Gilliland of ArtsPartners of Central Illinois talks with Roseanne Urbanc, president of Chillicothe Players Theatre and director of The Great Gatsby, about bringing F. Scott Fitzgerald’s classic novel to the stage.

Running Aug. 6–9 at Shore Acres Clubhouse, the production transports audiences to the glamour of the Roaring Twenties while exploring timeless themes of ambition, love, friendship and illusion. Adapted by Gary Peterson, the play follows Jay Gatsby’s relentless pursuit of wealth and status in hopes of reclaiming a lost love, revealing the costs of chasing an idealized past.

This production also offers a unique immersive theater experience, inviting audience members to become part of Gatsby’s lavish world. “The show will be all around you,” Urbanc said. “We're encouraging people to dress in their 1920s get-ups and come and drink our sparkling apple cider and actually be a part of the show with us.”

Urbanc believes the story continues to resonate more than a century after its publication because its characters and struggles remain relatable. Whether audiences know the novel well or are experiencing it for the first time, she says they will find themes of friendship, hope and heartbreak that still ring true today.

The Great Gatsby runs Aug. 6–9 at Shore Acres Clubhouse in Chillicothe.

On this week&rsquo;s episode of Out and About, Mae Gilliland of ArtsPartners of Central Illinois talks with Roseanne Urbanc, president of&nbsp;Chillicothe Players Theatre&nbsp;and director of&nbsp;The Great Gatsby, about bringing F. Scott Fitzgerald&rsquo;s classic novel to the stage.
Running Aug. 6&ndash;9 at&nbsp;Shore Acres Clubhouse, the production transports audiences to the glamour of the Roaring Twenties while exploring timeless themes of ambition, love, friendship and illusion. Adapted by Gary Peterson, the play follows Jay Gatsby&rsquo;s relentless pursuit of wealth and status in hopes of reclaiming a lost love, revealing the costs of chasing an idealized past.
This production also offers a unique immersive theater experience, inviting audience members to become part of Gatsby&rsquo;s lavish world. &ldquo;The show will be all around you,&rdquo; Urbanc said. &ldquo;We're encouraging people to dress in their 1920s get-ups and come and drink our sparkling apple cider and actually be a part of the show with us.&rdquo;
Urbanc believes the story continues to resonate more than a century after its publication because its characters and struggles remain relatable. Whether audiences know the novel well or are experiencing it for the first time, she says they will find themes of friendship, hope and heartbreak that still ring true today.
<a href="https://www.chillicotheplayers.org/events">The Great Gatsby</a> runs Aug. 6&ndash;9 at Shore Acres Clubhouse in Chillicothe.

Chillicothe Players Theatre presents The Great Gatsby

On this week’s episode of Out and About, Mae Gilliland of ArtsPartners of Central Illinois talks with Cory Boulton, Coordinator of Music Education and Director of Choral Activities at Bradley University, about The Lost Birds, an upcoming performance by the Gratus Choral Ensemble.

Presented July 26 at First Federated Church, The Lost Birds is a 12-movement choral work by Grammy-nominated composer Christopher Tin that reflects on bird extinctions while exploring broader themes of loss, hope and humanity’s relationship with the natural world. Drawing from poetry by Emily Dickinson, Christina Rossetti, Sara Teasdale and Edna St. Vincent Millay, the piece traces an emotional journey from the abundance of the passenger pigeon to its extinction.

Dr. Boulton says the work ultimately asks audiences to reflect on what is lost when nature disappears. “It’s really about the extinction of birds, but sort of a larger meditation on the extinction of nature and beauty and abundance... and all of the things that are most important to us that we don’t realize are until they’re gone,” he said.

The concert also includes a pre-performance lecture featuring representatives from the Sierra Club and Audubon Society, followed by a post-concert reception where audience members can continue the conversation with performers and community organizations.

The Lost Birds will be performed Sunday, July 26, at 4 p.m. at First Federated Church in Peoria. A pre-concert lecture begins at 3:30 p.m. Admission is free. 

On this week&rsquo;s episode of Out and About, Mae Gilliland of ArtsPartners of Central Illinois talks with Cory Boulton, Coordinator of Music Education and Director of Choral Activities at&nbsp;Bradley University, about The Lost Birds, an upcoming performance by the&nbsp;Gratus Choral Ensemble.
Presented July 26 at First Federated Church, The Lost Birds is a 12-movement choral work by Grammy-nominated composer Christopher Tin that reflects on bird extinctions while exploring broader themes of loss, hope and humanity&rsquo;s relationship with the natural world. Drawing from poetry by Emily Dickinson, Christina Rossetti, Sara Teasdale and Edna St. Vincent Millay, the piece traces an emotional journey from the abundance of the passenger pigeon to its extinction.
Dr. Boulton says the work ultimately asks audiences to reflect on what is lost when nature disappears. &ldquo;It&rsquo;s really about the extinction of birds, but sort of a larger meditation on the extinction of nature and beauty and abundance... and all of the things that are most important to us that we don&rsquo;t realize are until they&rsquo;re gone,&rdquo; he said.
The concert also includes a pre-performance lecture featuring representatives from the Sierra Club and Audubon Society, followed by a post-concert reception where audience members can continue the conversation with performers and community organizations.
<a href="https://thecommunityword.com/when-the-birds-go-silent-we-sing/">The Lost Birds</a> will be performed Sunday, July 26, at 4 p.m. at First Federated Church in Peoria. A pre-concert lecture begins at 3:30 p.m. Admission is free.&nbsp;

Gratus Choral Ensemble presents The Lost Birds

On this week’s episode of Out and About, Mae Gilliland of ArtsPartners of Central Illinois talks with Salil Bavdekar, co-founder of Heartland Latin Dancers, about the group’s monthly Latin Dance Night at Casa de Arte in Peoria's Warehouse District.

Held on the last Saturday of every month, the evening begins with a beginner-friendly dance lesson before transitioning into an outdoor social dance featuring salsa, bachata and other Latin styles. Founded earlier this year, Heartland Latin Dancers was created to build community through dance and provide a welcoming space for people of all experience levels.

Bavdekar says the goal is to make the events approachable, especially for newcomers. “I had two left feet when I started,” he said. “Anyone can learn it as long as you want to just come out there and have fun.”

Each event includes a rotating dance lesson, themed evenings, and opportunities to meet new people, with no partner required. Guests are encouraged to enjoy Casa de Arte’s food and drinks while mingling between dances. It is a relaxed social atmosphere as much as a dance event.

Looking ahead, Bavdekar hopes to expand Heartland Latin Dancers beyond Peoria into Bloomington-Normal, creating a stronger Latin dance community across Central Illinois.

Latin Dance Night takes place on the last Saturday of every month at Casa de Arte in Peoria’s Warehouse District. 

On this week&rsquo;s episode of Out and About, Mae Gilliland of ArtsPartners of Central Illinois talks with Salil Bavdekar, co-founder of&nbsp;Heartland Latin Dancers, about the group&rsquo;s monthly Latin Dance Night at Casa de Arte in Peoria's Warehouse District.
Held on the last Saturday of every month, the evening begins with a beginner-friendly dance lesson before transitioning into an outdoor social dance featuring salsa, bachata and other Latin styles. Founded earlier this year, Heartland Latin Dancers was created to build community through dance and provide a welcoming space for people of all experience levels.
Bavdekar says the goal is to make the events approachable, especially for newcomers. &ldquo;I had two left feet when I started,&rdquo; he said. &ldquo;Anyone can learn it as long as you want to just come out there and have fun.&rdquo;
Each event includes a rotating dance lesson, themed evenings, and opportunities to meet new people, with no partner required. Guests are encouraged to enjoy Casa de Arte&rsquo;s food and drinks while mingling between dances. It is a relaxed social atmosphere as much as a dance event.
Looking ahead, Bavdekar hopes to expand Heartland Latin Dancers beyond Peoria into Bloomington-Normal, creating a stronger Latin dance community across Central Illinois.
<a href="https://www.facebook.com/events/1010872398078650/1010872414745315/?event_time_id=1010872414745315">Latin Dance Night</a> takes place on the last Saturday of every month at Casa de Arte in Peoria&rsquo;s Warehouse District.&nbsp;

From high fashion to street fashion, Peoria Fashion Week is back

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