Hurry – our Win 2 Tickets to see the 25th Annual Putnam County
Spelling Bee at the Peoria Civic Center on Tuesday, March 31 at
7:30 pm Contest Ends Friday, 3/27! Go to
http://www.explorepeoria.com/pages/spellingbeecontest to Register!

Celebrating Lincoln Today In Portraits Past will take place
tonight at 7 pm at FivePoints Center in Washington. A
collaborative effort of Washington Community High School,
Washington Historical Society, Washington Park District &
Washington Lincoln Bicentennial Committee will display tributes to
Lincoln’s associations. Admission is $5 for adults and $3 for
students. For more information, call 444-8222.

The 54th annual Easter Seals “World Full of Wishes” Fashion Show,
presented by Bergner’s, will be held at the Par-A-Dice Hotel
Ballroom this evening at Ladies Night Out beginning at 5:30 pm. The
boutique will include baked items, floral arrangements, original
artwork by Easter Seals children, a variety of pet items, unique
costume jewelry and children’s books. All proceeds benefit Easter
Seals. Tickets are $35 per person for Ladies Night Out.

The 25th annual Lenten Fine Arts Festival continues this week at
the First United Methodist Church. The gallery is open Monday -
Friday from 11 am – 3 pm and Sundays from 9:15 am – 12:30 pm
through April 12. Admission is free. For more information, call
673-3641.

Corn Stock Theatre continues the run of Death & the Maiden tonight,
Friday, and Saturday night at 7:30 pm each night. Set in an unnamed
country that is like the playwright’s (Ariel Dorfman) native Chile,
emerging from a totalitarian dictatorship, the play explores the
after-effects of repression and torture on hearts and souls.
Tickets are $10 for adults and $7 for students 18 and younger. For
more information or to order tickets, call 676-2196.

Peoria Players Theatre will present “Showstoppers”, a musical
revue, Friday, Saturday at 7:30 pm and Sunday at 2:30 pm. Featuring
Cheri Beever, Barb Couri, Erin Durbin, Hope Grandon, Jarod Hazzard,
Ayana Pankey, Mike Reams, Dave Schick, and Bruce & Pat White, the
show is a decades revue of songs from the 1920s to 2000s. Tickets
are $12 for adults and $8 for youth 18 & under and are on sale now
at Peoria Players box office, by calling 688-4473.

Richwoods High School presents the musical Little Women Friday and
Saturday in their auditorium beginning at 7 pm each night. This
musical adaptation of the classic 1869 semi-autobiographical novel
written by Louisa May Alcott chronicles the four March sisters:
feisty, tomboyish, aspiring author Jo, romantic Meg, pretentious
Amy, and kind-hearted Beth – and their beloved Marmee, at home in
Concord, Massachusetts while the family patriarch is away serving
as a Union Army chaplain during the Civil War. General admission
tickets are $7 for adults and $5 for students and are available at
the door. For more information, call 693-4400.

The 4th Hotel Pere Marquette Gala benefiting the Junior League of
Peoria will happen Friday beginning at 6:30 pm with cocktails,
followed by a five course dinner, drinks and dancing. Entertainment
will be provided by Platinum Recording Artist Squirrel Nut Zippers.
Cost is $150 per person or $1,400 for a table of ten. To order
tickets and for more information about the event, call 685-9312.

Also on Friday, get two events for the price of one when the Peoria
Rivermen take on the Milwaukee Admirals beginning at 7 pm in Carver
Arena at the Peoria Civic Center. Then, immediately after the game,
enjoy the Jimmy Wayne concert. Tickets are $20, $25 and $37 (VIP
on ice for show and lower bowl for the game) and are available at
the Peoria Civic Center Box Office, by phone at 673-3200 or online
at Ticketmaster.com. Season tickets are also available.

Real-to-Reel Film Series presents the film “The Diving Bell and
the Butterfly” at the Illinois Centeral College North Arbor
Auditorium on Friday at 7 pm. It’s the true story of Elle editor
Jean-Dominique Bauby who suffers a stroke and has to live with an
almost totally paralyzed body. He communicates by blinking his left
eye. The film was nominated for four Oscars, won 38 international
film awards. A moderated discussion and social hour with
refreshments follow each film. Admission is $5 for adults and $4
for students with ID. For more information, call 339-3001.

In recognition of the 98th anniversary of the birth of Ronald
Reagan, Eureka College welcomes Mikhail Gorbachev as the keynote
speaker for their second annual Ronald Reagan Day Dinner (in
conjunction with the 111th Annual Creve Coeur Club George
Washington Banquet) on Friday beginning at 6:30 pm in the Peoria
Civic Center ballroom. Gorbachev will speak about the leadership
lessons of Ronald Reagan and how building relationships between
leaders can change the world. Tickets are $250 and are available by
calling 467-6313, e-mailing reagan@eureka.edu or at
reagan.eureka.edu.

Also on Friday, the Venue hosts Sping Fling Flights and Bites -
enjoy an evening of organic wine flights and a dinner of organic
fresh bites. Entertaining will be DJ Mark Jones spinning techno and
house tunes while you walk through the different wines featured in
this flight. Reservations are required. Admission is $40 per
person. Dinner begins at 7 pm.

Heart of Illinois Big Brothers Big Sisters hosts its Mardi Gras
Ball 2009 Friday at the Embassy Suites in East Peoria begining at 6
pm and includes a dinner, music, a silent auction and introduction
of the Big Brother and Big Sister of the Year. Tickets are $100 per
plate or $1000 for a table of 8. For more information and
reservations, call 637-1771.

The Lily Show at the Botanical Gardens opens on Friday and runs
through April 14. Hours are Tuesday-Saturday from 10 am to 5 pm,
Sundays from Noon to 5 pm and closed on Mondays. Admission is $2
for adults (13 and up) and free for children 12 and under.

The Waterhouse presents the Howlin’ on Water Dueling Pianos dinner
and show Friday and Saturday night. The package includes a two
entree banquet buffet and the show. Dinner begins at 6:30 pm and
the show runs from 8 pm – 11 pm both nights. Cost is $31.95 is
person and is inclusive of tax and gratuity. The show only is $10
per person. For more information and reservations, call 494-9100.

On Saturday, the Peoria Rivermen take on the Houston Aeros
beginning at 7 pm in Carver Arena at the Peoria Civic Center. There
will be a special appearance and autograph session with Olysya
Rulin of Disney’s High School Musical 3 from 6:30 – 7:30 pm.
Tickets are $12, $15 and $20 and are available at the Peoria Civic
Center Box Office, by phone at 673-3200 or online at
Ticketmaster.com. Season tickets are also available.

The Peoria Symphony Orchestra presents “Images of the West” in the
Peoria Civic Center Theater on Saturday at 8 pm. Musical and
photographic images of the west will be projected live above the
orchestra as it plays Copland’s Fanfare and Billy the Kid Suite.
Tickets range from $35 – $71 and are available by calling 671-1096.
Citylink will be running it’s Park & Ride service from Evergreen
Square and Junction City at 6:30 pm for only $1 each way.

The Pet Pantry, in cooperation with the Morton Park District,
announces their 2nd Annual Easter Egg Hunt for Dogs to benefit
Foster Pet Outreach. This year’s event will be held Saturday at
Oakwood Dog Park on N. Main St in Morton. (Rain date Sunday March
29). The public egg hunt session will be held from 1 – 3 pm, with a
private “RSVP only” session held earlier that morning. The private
session is open to anyone who pre-registers their dog through the
Pet Pantry website. Admission is $5 per dog. Each Easter egg
contains prizes, redeemable that day for treats, food samples,
coupons, and gift certificates.

The Spring Thaw Ice Skating Institute Competition will be held
Saturday at Owens Center. The event includes a vast array of
events including figure skating, hockey and speed racing. Admission
is free. For more information, call 686-3368.

St. Sharbel Church will hold its 33rd annual Lebanese Food
Festival Sunday from 11 am to 7 pm at the Parish Hall located at
2920 W. Scenic Drive. Carry outs available. Cost is $9 for adults
and $6 for children under age 12.

The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee comes to the Peoria
Civic Center Theater on Tuesday and Wednesday at 7:30 pm both
nights. Tickets are $37.50, $49.50 and $53.50 and are on sale now
at the Civic Center Box Office, all Ticketmaster outlets, by
calling 673-3200 or online at Ticketmaster.com. Citylink will be
running it’s Park & Ride service from Evergreen Square and Junction
City at 6:30 pm for only $1 each way.

One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest continues tonight and runs through
Sunday at Peoria Players Theater. Based on Ken Kesey’s book of the
same name, this drama tells the story of the clashes between mental
institution patient Randle McMurphy and Head Nurse Ratched. The
classic American drama is a high-powered exploration of the human
psyche and the dynamics of interpersonal relationships. Some
content may not be suitable for children under 18 years of age.
All performances begin at 7:30 pm, except Sunday, which begins at
2:30 pm. Tickets are $11 for adults and $9 for youth 18 & under.
Tickets are available at the Peoria Players box office, by calling
688-4473 or online at www.peoriaplayers.org.

Also tonight, the Prairie Wind Ensemble will perform at the
Illinois Central College Performing Arts Center at 7:30 pm. The
theme is “An American Music Festival” and includes a piano duet
version of Rhapsody in Blue, Normal West HS Concert Band, the River
Valley Brass Quintet, and the Peoria Area Flute Choir. Tickets are
$7 for the general public and $5 for senior citizens and students.
For more information, call 694-5136.

The March Madness Experience will be open tonight from 6 – 9 pm,
Friday from 10 am – 9 pm, and Saturday from 9 am – 6:30 pm. The
Experience offers a wide variety of games for kids of all ages,
each one based on a MME largest hoop basketball theme and all with
its own interesting challenge. It even has a kid-friendly area for
youngsters 12 and under. Admission is free with a game day ticket
or just $2 at the door.

The NOVUS Networking Meeting is tonight from 5:30 – 8 pm at the
Peoria NEXT Innovation Center. Tonights topic is The Art & Science
of Talent Managment. Admission is $10 which includes hors
d’oeuvres & drinks.

March Madness is back in Peoria: the IHSA Boys Basketball Class
3A Semi-Final Session will be held on Friday at Carver Arena with
games at 12:15 pm, 1:45 pm and Class 4A games at 6:30 pm and 8:15
pm. The Class 3A finals will be on Saturday at 11:15 am
(consoluation game), 12:45 pm (championsip game), and Class 4A at
6:30 pm (consulation game) and 8:15 pm (championship game).
Individual tickets are $4.50, $6.50, $8.50 and $10.50 and are on
sale now at the Peoria Civic Center Box Office, by calling 676-8700
or at Ticketmaster online. Citylink will provide transportation to
& from many hotels for only $1 each way or get a unlimited ride
weekend pass for only $5.

Corn Stock Theatre presents the drama Death & the Maiden Friday and
Saturday at 7:30 pm, with a Sunday matinee at 2:30 pm. Set in an
unnamed country that is, like the playwright’s (Ariel Dorfman)
native Chile, emerging from a totalitarian dictatorship, the play
explores the after-effects of repression and torture on hearts and
souls. Tickets are $10 for adults and $7 for students 18 and
younger. For more information or to order tickets, call 676-2196.

Willow Knolls 14 continues the The Met: Live in HD series with a
live transmission of Bellini’s La Sonnambula at Noon on Saturday.
Mary Zimmerman underlines La Sonnambula’s dual elements of sleep
and wakefulness in an intriguing staging set in the present.
Bellini’s hauntingly lyrical score soars as performed by Dessay and
Juan Diego Flórez, back from their sensational run together in La
Fille du Régiment in leading opera houses around the world. Evelino
Pidò conducts. Tickets are $22 for Adults, $20 for Senior
Citizens, $18 Students and $15 for Children and are available at
the Willow Knolls 14 Box Office. For more information, call
688-8463.

Upstage Productions actors present a fast-paced, funny,
half-scripted and half-improvised interactive Murder Mystery Dinner
Theatre Saturday at Willet’s Winery in Manito . The evening begins
with a social hour at 6 pm followed by the start of the 3 course
dinner from 6:30 – 7 pm. The show includes some adult humor and is
presented between courses of the meal. Tickets are $40 per person
and include the meal and tea, coffee & water. Beer and wine are
available for purchase. For more information and tickets, call
968-7070.

Alfredo Rolando Oritz will perform as part of Illinois Central
College’s Guest Artist Series featuring his South American Harp at
the ICC Performing Arts Center Saturday evening beginning at 7:30
pm. Tickets are $24 & $16. For more information, call 694-5342.

Also on Saturday, Big Daddy Weave, a Christian Band, will perform
at 7 pm at Crossroads United Methodist Church in Washington.
Tickets are $20 and $15 and are available at itickets.com or by
calling 444-2381.

The Old Time Folk and Country Jam takes place Sunday at Forest
Park Nature Center from 3:30 – 5 pm. Meet other musicians and learn
some new songs. Music lovers of all ages are encouraged to come,
listen and enjoy. Admission is free; however, donations are
requested. For more information, call 686-3360.

The Peoria Area Anti-Hunger Coalition’s Annual door-to-door
FoodShare Can-A-Thon collection is Sunday from 1 to 4 pm. The
public is asked to fill bags with non-perishable boxed and canned
food and give them to volunteers who collect from door-to-door or
drop them off at any Kroger store through April 3. Drop boxes also
will be placed at all Peoria neighborhood fire stations and at all
Curves locations in Peoria, Bartonville, Pekin, East Peoria, Peoria
Heights, Morton and Canton. Kroger is also offering pre-packaged
bags of food for $5, $7 and $10 that can be purchased and put in
bins at the stores. All collections will go to the Peoria Area
Foodbank. For more information or volunteer opportunities, call
697-5762.

On Sunday, the Central Illinois Landmark Foundation presents
“McKinley’s Ghost” at 3 pm at the Grand Army of the Republic Hall
located in Downtown Peoria. Professor George Hopkins will present
a lecture about the assassination of William McKinley and how his
assassination made Teddy Roosevelt president. The event is free to
the public and a reception will follow. A free will offering will
be collected to fund a new elevator to make the GAR Hall accessible
to all. For more informatin, call 674-7121.

The 25th annual Lenten Fine Arts Festival opening reception will be
held Sunday from 2 – 4 pm in Wesley Hall with Bluegrass music
provided by Applegate & Company. The gallery will be open Mon – Fri
from 11 am – 3 pm and Sundays from 9:15 am – 12:30 pm from March 23
through April 12. Admission is free. For more information, call
673-3641.

Cloud Nine continues tonight at Bradley’s Hartmann Theatre. It’s a
hilarious look at racial, sexual, and personal repression, the show
is truly an international hit and is one of the most significant
plays of the last quarter of the 20th century. Ticket prices are
$14 for the public, $12 for faculty, staff & senior citizens and $7
for students. Show times are 8 pm on Thursday through Saturday and
2:30 pm on Sunday. Tickets are available at the Hartmann Center Box
Office and by phone at 677-2650. For more information, call
677-2651.

Cash on Delivery opens tonight at the Barn II Dinner Theatre.
Expreience the life of the unemployed Eric Swan, who is collecting
government benefits on an assortment of imaginary roommates, barely
keeping one step ahead of the investigating authorities. On
Thursdays, Fridays & Saturdays, doors open at 6 pm, buffet is at
6:30 pm, and the show is at 8 pm. On Sundays, doors & the buffet
open at noon, and the show is at 1:30 pm. Prices are $30 for
Thursdays, $32 for Fridays and Sunday brunch and $34 for Saturdays.
For more information, call 965-2545.

Comedian Maria Bamford from the “Comedians of Comedy” movie and
tour performs at the JukeBox Comedy Club tonight at 7:30 pm.
Bamford was hailed by Variety as one of the “Top Ten Comics to
Watch,” and has been voted by Comedy Central viewers as one of
their Top 10 Favorite Comics. Tickets are $16. For more
information or to reserve seats, call 673-5853.

Shorty’s Strickley Bluegrass Festival kicks off tonight at 7 pm at
Stoney Creek Inn. It’s a fun-filled weekend of family
entertainment, featuring 5 shows with top entertainment from many
states. Performances are Friday at 7 pm, Saturday at 1 pm and 7
pm, and Sunday at 9:30 am. Admission is $15 for evening shows, and
$10 for afternoon shows. Weekend passes available for $30. For
more information, call 671-0175.

Rumors continues Friday at the ICC Performing Arts Theatre.
Rumors is a fast paced, fun-filled farce from America’s premiere
comic playwright, Neil Simon. Directed by Robin Berkley,
performances begin at 7:30 pm on Friday and Saturday and 2:30 pm on
Sunday. Tickets are $7 for adults and $5 for students & senior
citizens and are available at the Performing Arts Center Box Office
or by calling 694-5136.

The American Cancer Society’s Disco Ball 2009 will take place at
the East Peoria Embassy Suites Friday evening beginning at 6:30 pm.
Grab your love beads, your old forty-fives and dust off your bell
bottoms for a party that jives. Bringing together nearly 200
guests, including business and community leaders, cancer survivors,
and corporate sponsors, the evening will include silent and live
auctions, dinner and entertainment. Disco attire recommended.
Tickets are $100 per person. For tickets or more information, call
688-3480.

On Friday, the Peoria Rivermen take on the Chicago Wolves
beginning at 7 pm in Carver Arena at the Peoria Civic Center. The
Peoria Rivermen play again Saturday evening at 7 pm against the
Rockford IceHogs. Tickets are $12, $15 and $20 and are available
at the Peoria Civic Center Box Office, by phone at 673-3200 or
online at Ticketmaster.com. Season tickets are also available.

The Prairie Cabaret Theatre presents Songs for a New World onFriday
and Saturday at 8 pm at the Waterhouse, located at 619 SW Water
Street, 2nd floor. Ticket prices for the show are $15 in the main
room or $10 in the Riverfront room. To order tickets or for more
information, call 494-9100.

The Illinois Central College series Reel to Real: Focus on Film
continues this Friday with the film Maria Full of Grace. A
desperate pregnant Colombian teenager becomes a drug mule to make
money for her family. The film is the winner of 30 international
film awards and has been nominated for an Oscar and is rated-R.
For more information, call 339-3001.

The 2009 Central Illinois RV Show will be held in the Peoria Civic
Center Exhibit Hall Friday through Sunday. Times are 3 pm – 8 pm on
Friday, 9 am – 8 pm on Saturday, and 11 am – 5 pm on Sunday.
Tickets available at the door, $7 for adults, $2 for kids ages
7-12. Kids 6 and under are free. Seniors 65 and older are $5 on
Friday only. Kids 6 and under are free.

At the Wildlife Prairie State Park Volunteer Orientation on
Saturday from 9 am to noon, you can learn about becoming part of
Wildlife Prairie State Park’s award-winning team of dedicated
volunteers. The park needs train engineers, garden helpers and
schoolhouse attendants plus many other volunteers. The orientation
is open for anyone interested in sharing their time and talents at
the park. Please RSVP by calling 676-0998.

Willow Knolls 14 continues the The Met: Live in HD series with a
live transmission of Puccini’s Madama Butterfly at Noon on
Saturday. Cristina Gallardo-Dom, the original Butterfly of the
production when it opened the 2006-07 Met season, returns to the
title role of the late Anthony Minghella’s stunning production, a
classic of the new Met repertory. Marcello Giordani stars as
Pinkerton. Patrick Summers conducts. Tickets are $22 for Adults,
$20 for Senior Citizens, $18 Students and $15 for Children and are
available at the Willow Knolls 14 Box Office. For more information,
call 688-8463.

On Saturday, the Peoria Mustangs take on Chicago beginning at 6:45
pm at Owens Center. The Mustangs will face Chicago again Sunday at
1:15 pm.

The Peoria Ballet Company presents Giselle Saturday at 8 pm in the
Civic Center Theatre. The tale of Giselle encompasses joy, love,
betrayal, forgiveness and redemption. Share the tragic romance of
these mesmerizing characters. Ticket prices are $42 for box seats,
$37 for Main Floor and 1st Balcony for Adults and $17 for Main
Floor and 1st Balcony for students. Tickets are available at the
Peoria Civic Center Box Office, by calling 673-3200 or through
Ticketmaster.com online.

The Historic Ballance-Herschel House hosts Frolic with the Fairies
Saturday at 11 am and 2 pm. Spend some time listening to a magical
fairy storyteller while enjoying fancy fairy cakes, unicorn
calzones, butterfly wands and snow queen punch. After tea, step
into a fairy costume and have your photo taken or browse the Fairy
patch and find something sweet. Admission is $15 per participant.
For more information, call 685-9312.

The Celtic Americana music group Irish Posse will perform Saturday
at 8 pm with the FivePoints Theatre in Washington. The group also
features the members of Arranmore and other special guests. The
lounge/bar opens prior to the show at 6:30 pm. Tickets are $20.
For more information, call 444-8222.

Team Dance 2009 will be held in the Peoria Civic Center Arena on
Sunday from 8 a.m. – 7 p.m. Admission is $10 for adults, $8 for
children ages 6-12 and free for children 5 and under.

The Old Time Folk and Country Jam takes place Sunday at Forest Park
Nature Center from 3:30 – 5 pm. Meet other musicians and learn some
new songs. Music lovers of all ages are encouraged to come, listen
and enjoy. Admission is free; however, donations are requested. For
more information, call 686-3360.