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On this week's episode of Out and About, Dr. Mae Gilliland of ArtsPartners of Central Illinois talks with Steve Hausler, Director of "Young Frankenstein" at Peoria Players Theatre. 

On this week's episode of Out and About, Dr. Mae Gilliland of ArtsPartners of Central Illinois talks with Steve Hausler, Director of <a href="https://peoriaplayers.showare.com/eventperformances.asp?evt=58">"Young Frankenstein" at Peoria Players Theatre</a>.&nbsp;

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.

Peoria Players Theatre presents Young Frankenstein

On this week’s episode of Out and About, Dr. Mae Gilliland of ArtsPartners of Central Illinois talks with Marc Supreme, General Manager of Strictly Hip Hop 90.7 FM and one of the organizers behind this year’s YANI Collective Juneteenth Fest. 

Taking place June 13 at the Peoria RiverFront, the event brings together live music, dance, fashion, wellness resources, youth activities, food vendors and community programming for a full day centered around culture, history and unity. This year’s theme, “ICONIC: Celebrating All Things Culture,” draws inspiration from Black cultural history, fashion and the legacy of influential people and movements connected to Peoria.

Supreme says the festival is designed to celebrate both local culture and the broader impact of Black creativity and community leadership. “Peoria is an iconic place, and it’s birthed some iconic folks that have gone on to do iconic things on a national level,” he said. “We just wanted to put all that in a bottle and provide that experience for Juneteenth this year.”

This year also marks the festival’s move to the riverfront, opening up new possibilities for expanded programming and larger community gatherings. The celebration includes the Ernestine Jackson Freedom Day Parade alongside performances, wellness programming and activities designed to engage multiple generations throughout the day.

The YANI Collective Juneteenth Fest takes place Saturday, June 13, at the Peoria RiverFront.

On this week&rsquo;s episode of Out and About, Dr. Mae Gilliland of ArtsPartners of Central Illinois talks with Marc Supreme, General Manager of Strictly Hip Hop 90.7 FM and one of the organizers behind this year&rsquo;s YANI Collective Juneteenth Fest.&nbsp;
Taking place June 13 at the&nbsp;Peoria RiverFront, the event brings together live music, dance, fashion, wellness resources, youth activities, food vendors and community programming for a full day centered around culture, history and unity. This year&rsquo;s theme, &ldquo;ICONIC: Celebrating All Things Culture,&rdquo; draws inspiration from Black cultural history, fashion and the legacy of influential people and movements connected to Peoria.
Supreme says the festival is designed to celebrate both local culture and the broader impact of Black creativity and community leadership. &ldquo;Peoria is an iconic place, and it&rsquo;s birthed some iconic folks that have gone on to do iconic things on a national level,&rdquo; he said. &ldquo;We just wanted to put all that in a bottle and provide that experience for Juneteenth this year.&rdquo;
This year also marks the festival&rsquo;s move to the riverfront, opening up new possibilities for expanded programming and larger community gatherings. The celebration includes the Ernestine Jackson Freedom Day Parade alongside performances, wellness programming and activities designed to engage multiple generations throughout the day.
The <a href="https://explorepeoria.com/events/yani-collective-2026-juneteenth-celebration-copy/">YANI Collective Juneteenth Fest</a> takes place Saturday, June 13, at the Peoria RiverFront.

YANI Collective Juneteenth Fest

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 Garden, the free summer series combines live music, food trucks and community gathering space in an outdoor setting designed for all ages. What began as a small July concert series has steadily expanded over the past decade into a summer tradition drawing hundreds of attendees from across the region.

Williams describes the atmosphere as welcoming and community-centered, with families picnicking, children playing and audience members of all abilities enjoying the music together. “It’s just a perfect blend of the community,” she said. “Everyone comes together to enjoy live music.”

This year’s lineup features a variety of Central Illinois favorites and cover bands performing music from the 1960s through the 1980s, including Cousin Eddie, Next Thing Smokin’, Jane's Rumor and the returning group Now in Zen. Concertgoers are encouraged to bring lawn chairs, enjoy food trucks beginning at 6 p.m. and settle in for performances running from 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m.

Groove in the Garden takes place Thursdays from June 5 through July 31 at Morton Public Library’s Hannah’s Reading Garden. 

On this week&rsquo;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&rsquo;s popular Groove in the Garden Concert Series.&nbsp;
Taking place June 5 through July 31 in Hannah&rsquo;s Reading Garden, the free summer series combines live music, food trucks and community gathering space in an outdoor setting designed for all ages. What began as a small July concert series has steadily expanded over the past decade into a summer tradition drawing hundreds of attendees from across the region.
Williams describes the atmosphere as welcoming and community-centered, with families picnicking, children playing and audience members of all abilities enjoying the music together. &ldquo;It&rsquo;s just a perfect blend of the community,&rdquo; she said. &ldquo;Everyone comes together to enjoy live music.&rdquo;
This year&rsquo;s lineup features a variety of Central Illinois favorites and cover bands performing music from the 1960s through the 1980s, including Cousin Eddie, Next Thing Smokin&rsquo;, Jane's Rumor and the returning group Now in Zen. Concertgoers are encouraged to bring lawn chairs, enjoy food trucks beginning at 6 p.m. and settle in for performances running from 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m.
<a href="https://mortonlibrary.libcal.com/calendar?t=g&amp;q=Groove%20in%20the%20Garden&amp;cid=21842&amp;cal=21842&amp;inc=0">Groove in the Garden</a> takes place Thursdays from June 5 through July 31 at Morton Public Library&rsquo;s Hannah&rsquo;s Reading Garden.&nbsp;

Morton Public Library’s Groove in the Garden Concert Series

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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 festival features live music, international wines, craft beers, local food vendors and family-friendly activities spread across the vineyard’s scenic grounds. Hahn describes the atmosphere as “kind of a Norman Rockwell sort of painting,” with visitors gathering to sample wines and beers from around the world while enjoying music and the outdoors. 

The weekend’s entertainment lineup includes everything from Irish music to acoustic sets, reflecting what Hahn says is the spirit of discovery at the heart of the festival. “Life needs variety,” she said. “This is a time for people to just get away and have some fun.” 

Throughout the conversation, Hahn also highlights the vineyard’s unique landscape, noting the rolling valley views that surprise many first-time visitors to Central Illinois wine country. Families are encouraged to bring blankets, picnic, explore the grounds and enjoy a relaxed holiday weekend together. 

The Mackinaw Music International Wine and Craft Beer Festival takes place May 23 and 24 at Mackinaw Valley Vineyard. 

On this week&rsquo;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.&nbsp;
Held May 23 and 24, the festival features live music, international wines, craft beers, local food vendors and family-friendly activities spread across the vineyard&rsquo;s scenic grounds. Hahn describes the atmosphere as &ldquo;kind of a Norman Rockwell sort of painting,&rdquo; with visitors gathering to sample wines and beers from around the world while enjoying music and the outdoors.&nbsp;
The weekend&rsquo;s entertainment lineup includes everything from Irish music to acoustic sets, reflecting what Hahn says is the spirit of discovery at the heart of the festival. &ldquo;Life needs variety,&rdquo; she said. &ldquo;This is a time for people to just get away and have some fun.&rdquo;&nbsp;
Throughout the conversation, Hahn also highlights the vineyard&rsquo;s unique landscape, noting the rolling valley views that surprise many first-time visitors to Central Illinois wine country. Families are encouraged to bring blankets, picnic, explore the grounds and enjoy a relaxed holiday weekend together.&nbsp;
The&nbsp;<a href="https://www.mackinawvalleyvineyard.com/event/international-music-wine-and-craft-beer-festival-2/">Mackinaw Music International Wine and Craft Beer Festival</a> takes place May 23 and 24 at Mackinaw Valley Vineyard.&nbsp;

Peoria Players Theatre presents Young Frankenstein

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