One State Together in the Arts

Welcome Conference Attendees!

Here you will find a very beneficial insight to the Peoria Area, its numerous art-oriented attractions, and vibrant RiverFront.  Not yet registered?  Click here for info on the conference, or REGISTER HERE.

PRE-CONFERENCE ACTIVITIES

PLAY IN PEORIA!

  Turn your One State experience into more than just a regular conference.  Come stay the Saturday and Sunday    before the conference!  A sample list of itineraries for you to enjoy has already been created for you to give you an idea of the different ways to Play in Peoria.  Click here to view those itineraries, complete with links to destinations you might find interesting.

Magic, Music, Art, and Harriet...at the Historic Apollo Theatre

  May 31, 2009; 6:00 PM - The beautifully restored, historic Apollo Theatre, just 2 blocks from the Pere Marquette, plays host to a very unique and enchanting show that's been specially created to reflect the "See Change" theme of the One State Together in the Arts Conference.  International award winning sleight of hand artist, Mitch Williams, who has performed throughout the US, Canada, and in four other countries, presents The ART of Magic!, his artistic, one man, magical theatre show.  Joining him on the program will be Edith Barnard, "theater artist extraordinaire", with her exciting, musical, and historic portrayal of Harriet Beecher Stowe: the Woman Who Changed History, which she has presented in such prestigious venues as Boston's Constitution Hall and the Smithsonian Institute.  Conference attendees will receive $5 off regular admission to the show.  For more information, visit:  http://www.mitchwilliamsmagic.com/Apollo

 

CONFERENCE ACTIVITIES

WALKING PODCAST TOUR

  In conjunction with WCBU and ArtsPartners of Central Illinois, downtown Peoria sites can be examined and explored with your favorite mp3 player and these helpful podcasts.  All narrated locations are within walking distance from the conference site.  Click here for a map of locations and the actual podcasts.

Downtown Dine Arounds - Monday Evening with the Arts

  Continue your conference experience and explore Peoria on one of these unique arts tours.  Space is limited; advanced registration and an additional $20 fee are required for all tours.  Cost includes an evening meal and a special artistic adventure. 

Downtown Arts Tour: Progressive performance tour 
Peoria has some beautiful and unique art gallery spaces - and on this tour, you will experience two of them! 

Beginning at the Peoria Art Guild, you'll enjoy a light dinner and libations, live music, artist demonstrations, the photographic work of Elijah Sansom and sculpture by Sandra McKenzie-Schmitt. Members of the Bohemian Art Society and Contemporary Art Center will also display selected works. 

Then enjoy dessert at the Prairie Center of the Arts, a 120 year-old former rope factory, as members of the Peoria Ballet dance to a new piece of work set to original music by Peoria Symphony violist, Lowell Koons.

You'll also meet Fred Jones, Professor Emeritus Western Illinois University, whose art exhibition and retrospective will be in the gallery from May 29th through June 30th. Mr. Jones and Maria Michalis, both Artists in Residence, will be available to discuss their work.  

 

Uptown Arts Tour: Heading for the Heights   
Charter buses will head 'uptown' to the Peoria Players Theatre, the oldest community theatre in Illinois, for a special preview of their upcoming show, "Altar Boyz."  

A short walk takes you next door to the Lakeview Museum of Arts and Sciences, the largest private downstate museum in Illinois.  Here you will see a special Smithsonian exhibit - "Within the Emperor's Garden: The Ten Thousand Springs Pavilion", a polarized light exhibit, enjoy a buffet dinner and libations, and be entertained by live music.

You will reboard the charter buses and head to Peoria Heights where you can step off to see the Don Kettleborough Art Exhibit on display at Picture This Gallery and enjoy a scenic ride on Grandview Drive, once dubbed by Teddy Roosevelt as "the world's most beautiful drive!"

 

 

Peoria Bach Festival

Back for its 7th year, Peoria Bach Festival 2009 will feature another week of magnificent and beautiful music.  The festival is organized and offered as a gift to the city of Peoria and Central Illinois during the first weekend of June every year by Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Church, Peoria. Since its founding in 2003 by Trinity's Cantor Martin Dicke and Dr. John Jost, Director of Choral activities at Bradley University, the Peoria Bach Festival has quickly grown from a local arts event into a significant regional festival. It seeks to not only showcase Peoria's own musicians, but also to attract national and international talent. Don't miss out on this wonderful event!  Click here for a complete schedule of events.