PEORIA -- There's never a dull moment in River City. Here are some interesting and free events coming soon that have not been well publicized elsewhere:
Wednesday, Feb. 23 - 10 - 11:30 a.m. The Illinois Alliance for Retired Americans presents Strengthen Social Security and Medicare: Setting the Record Straight, an educational program. It's at Neighborhood House, 1020 W. Matthew, Peoria.
This is a liberal group fighting to save these vital programs from right wing deficit hawks. RSVP at illinoisara@gmail.com. See more about this group at www.illinoisretiredamericans.org.
Monday, Feb. 13, 6 p.m. Candidate forum for the March 20 primary, sponsored by the Peoria NAACP and others. Should include candidates in contested races for the 17th Congressional District, 46th Senate, County Board District 6 and circuit judge. At Ward Chapel AME Church, 511 Richard Allen Drive, Peoria.
Saturday, Feb. 18, 10:15 a.m. Candidate forum sponsored by the Peoria Area League of Women Voters, for candidates in the 46th Senate, and County Board District 6.At the Peoria Public Library North, 3001 W. Grand Parkway, behind Menards off Allen Road.
Saturday, March 10 from 9:15-11:15 a.m. Candidate forum for Tazewell County candidates, at the Five Points Library in Washington, IL. Sponsored by the Peoria Area League of Women Voters.
Tuesday Feb. 21, 6:30 - 7:30 p.m. Peoria Public Library Lincoln Branch will host “An Evening with The Heritage Ensemble” in honor of Black History Month. Led by Sharon Samuels Reed, The Heritage Ensemble has been in existence for 12 years. Free and for all ages. Call 309- 497-2120 for more information.
Sunday, Feb. 12, 1-3 p.m. Author Jackie Hogan explores why Abraham Lincoln permeates the national imagination in “Selling Abraham Lincoln” on Sunday, February 12 from 1:00 to 3:00 p.m. at Peoria Public Library North Branch.
Hogan, Chair of Sociology at Bradley University, explores the topic in her latest book, Lincoln, Inc. Copies will be available for sale and signing after the discussion to benefit the Friends of Peoria Public Library. The book is about the commercial uses of Lincoln.
Saturday, March 10 - Thursday, April 12, 9 a.m. - 6 p.m., at the Peoria Public Library (downtown, 107 NE Monroe, Peoria) Main Library Gallery. “A Fine Romance: Jewish Songwriters, American Songs.”
This travelling exhibit is visiting 55 sites throughout the U.S. in 2011-2012, and focuses on some of the most famous music in the 20th century from musicians such as Irving Berlin, Jerome Kern, Richard Rodgers, Oscar Hammerstein, and George Gershwin. There are also films and children's programs connected with this exhibit.
Thus., March 15, 6 - 7 p.m. Former Western Illinois University president and theater professor and expert Dr. Alvin Goldfarb will present a lecture entitled “The Legacy of the Jewish Musical Theater Artists.” In the auditorium of the Peoria Public Library Main (downtosn) Library on Lower Level Two in conjunction with the exhibit “A Fine Romance, Jewish Songwriters, American Songs.
Wed., April 11, 7 p.m. Lil’ Rev, award-winning musician and author, will bring his sizzling fun “Jews of Tin Pan Alley” one man show to Peoria Public Library North Branch.
From the news release: “The Jews of Tin Pan Alley” is a unique one man show presented by Milwaukee's award winning musician Lil' Rev. Rev traces the Jewish rich heritage as contributors to the American musical landscape.
As writers, song pluggers, publishers, singers, comedians, and entertainers. Jews contributed and dominated in every facet of American popular music ... learn how our immigrant past shines brilliantly in song and dance with popular standards, blues, ragtime, sentimental ballads, Yiddish theater pieces and the influences of the old-country. Performing on banjo, guitar, ukulele, mandolin, harmonica and recorder, Rev highlights the work of Sophie Tucker, Gus Kahn, Fanny Brice, Ted Lewis, Gus Edwards, Al Jolson, the Gershwins, Irving Berlin, Aaron Lebedoff, Joel Grey, The Weavers, and more.
Free and appropriate for all ages.
Sunday, Feb. 12, 4 p.m. Author Mike Rucker will present Edgar Allan Poe’s The Tell-Tale Heart and other Poe works on Sunday, February 12, at 4 p.m. in the Wyckoff Room in Cullom-Davis Library at Bradley University.
The reading is a program of the Friends of Cullom-Davis Library and the Peoria Historical Society. Admission is free and open to the public.
Rucker is a retired Caterpillar engineer, author, runner, and long-time fan of Poe's works. He is also a member of both the Friends of Cullom-Davis Library and the Peoria Historical Society.
-- Elaine Hopkins
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