Notables

ArtsPartners accepting nominations for award
PEORIA – ArtsPartners of Central Illinois Inc. is accepting nominations through Friday for the 2009 ArtsPartner of the Year Award.
This award is designed to recognize exemplary support and service to the local arts that has ultimately resulted in a stronger and more vital cultural arts environment in the Peoria area. [...]

Corn Stock set to dance with ‘Dames’

A dance extravaganza opening Friday at Corn Stock Theatre both parodies and pays homage to the great 1930s Busby Berkeley movies in which an understudy steps into a leading role and becomes a star.
"Dames at Sea" follows the fortunes of a girl named Ruby (Kelsey Burd) who arrives on Broadway from the American hinterland determined [...]

What do you want to see on WTVP?

In a recent "On the Air" column, we asked for ideas for WTVP-TV, Channel 47, Peoria’s public TV outlet. WTVP President Chet Tomczyk stated that he wants the station to produce more local programs despite the funding problems that the station has been facing.
In an effort to help provide ideas for local programming, we asked [...]

Backstage: He’s carrying the torch for that man in black

Marcus Uzilevsky – better known as singer-songwriter Rusty Evans – has been to The Bitter End.
It was at the famous New York coffeehouse where he met Johnny Cash, the man whose music Evans is commemorating in a new show opening at 7:30 p.m. Saturday at Five Points Washington that features such songs as "Ring of [...]

River City Roundup – 27 – Kickapoo Creek Winery

Kenny Chesney to play Bloomington

Kenny Chesney will bring his "Sun City Carnival" tour to the U.S. Cellular Coliseum in Bloomington at 7:30 p.m. Sept. 17.
The show also includes performances by Miranda Lambert and The Zac Brown Band.
Tickets are $79.50, $49.50, $29.50 and go on sale at 10 a.m. Aug. 22 at the Coliseum box office, all Ticketmaster [...]

Fogelberg memorial closer to reality

A group behind plans for a Dan Fogelberg memorial at Riverfront Park has waded through the red tape and is now kicking fundraising efforts into high gear.
Hugh Higgins, who is organizing the memorial effort, was recently able to secure space on two Dan Fogelberg Web sites, danfogelberg.com and thelivinglegacy.net, announcing formal plans to Fogelberg’s fan [...]

Guitar legend-inventor Les Paul dies

Les Paul, who pioneered the solid-body electric guitar later wielded by a legion of rock ‘n’ roll greats, died Thursday of complications from pneumonia. He was 94.
According to Gibson Guitar, Paul died at White Plains Hospital. His family and friends were by his side.
As an inventor, Paul also helped bring about the rise of rock [...]

Cue: Stylistics add soul to riverfront festival

Along with Lou Rawls, The Spinners, and Patti LaBelle, The Stylistics belong to a stable of artists associated with Philadelphia’s popular music scene decades ago.
The group – which consists of founding members Airrion Love and Herbert Murrell as well as newer members Van Fields and Harold "Eban" Brown – still tours nationally and internationally, and [...]

CUE & A: This DiBiase is priceless

Success has come quickly for Mississippi native Ted DiBiase, a third generation World Wrestling Entertainment superstar who is highlighted each week on the USA Network’s "Monday Night Raw"
DiBiase, 26, is the son of former WWE great "Million Dollar Man" Ted DiBiase and the grandson of "Iron" Mike DiBiase.
He is also part of The Legacy team [...]