In Partnership with French Heritage Corridor and Rendez-vous Détroit
Wednesday, March 26, 2025 at 10:30 a.m. in the Giant Screen Theater
Join us at the Peoria Riverfront Museum to enjoy Cadill'Rock, a musical group from South West France as they deliver a musical history lesson covering some of the rich French heritage of the Great Lakes and the Upper Country (Le Pays d'en Haut).
The group hails from the birthplace of Antoine de la Mothe Cadillac, the founder of Detroit, and includes songs about Cadillac and Jean-Baptiste Point du Sable, founder of Chicago.
Sponsored by French Heritage Corridor, Rendez-vous Détroit, Visionary Society, Friends of History
Thursday, March 27, 2025 | Doors open at 5:30 p.m. | Walkthrough begins at 6:30 p.m.
Join us at the Peoria Riverfront Museum for a walkthrough of the galleries with guest curator Bill Heidrich and the Peoria Riverfront Museum's curatorial staff. There will be a short reception in the Peoria Riverfront Museum's Grand Lobby with light refreshments. Take advantage of this rare opportunity to hear from multiple experts in the field of arts and museum studies, as you take a walk through multiple exhibitions.
Members and Visionary Society members enjoy this program for FREE!
Walkthrough schedule:
Chief curator Bill Conger and Bill Heidrich in Solitude: The Necessity of Art
Curator of art Zac Zetterberg and Bill Heidrich in FOLK: Selections from the American Folk Art Museum
Assistant curator Everley Davis and Bill Heidrich in Glenn Ligon: I Am Somebody
Guest Curator Bill Heidrich at Cristo Morto
Tickets:
Non-member Adult: $10
Get your ticket HERE
Sponsored by Visionary Society and Friends of Art
A MUSEUM+ program
Join us at the Peoria Riverfront Museum for a special gallery performance in current exhibition Faces of a Nation: The American Political Textile Collection of Mark and Rosalind Shenkman.
Violinist Kelsey Klopfenstein and pianist Mark De Zwaan will be performing early American patriotic music, including pieces from the sheet music in the Mark and Rosalind Shenkman collection.
Curator of Art Zac Zetterberg from the Peoria Riverfront Museum will explore the history of political campaign flags featured in the Faces of A Nation exhibition, offering insights between musical performances of rare political campaign sheet music on loan from the Mark Shenkman collection. Musicians Mark De Zwaan and Kelsey Klopfenstein will also present short piano selections that complement the sheet music, focusing on American female composers and songs that represent the music of our nation through the years.
Light refreshments will be served at a post-performance reception in the Peoria Riverfront Museum Grand Lobby.
Tickets:
Adult: $35
Member Adult: $30
Student: $10
Visionary Society Member: $25
Schedule:
6:30 p.m. - 7 p.m. and 8 p.m. - 8:30 p.m. | Faces of a Nation: The American Political Textile Collection of Mark and Rosalind Shenkman Gallery open
7 p.m. | Performance in the Faces of the Nation: The American Political Textile Collection of Mark and Rosalind Shenkman Gallery
8 p.m. | Post-performance reception in Peoria Riverfront Museum Grand Lobby
Faces of a Nation: Early American Patriotic Music is part of the MUSEUM+ initiative, a strategy to enhance the Peoria Riverfront Museum's repertoire as a cultural institution, and bring more performance to Peoria! MUSEUM+ is generously supported by Linda Beth and Ed Sutkowski, as they support our mutual goal to lift up the arts and bring them to our community.
Faces of a Nation: Early American Patriotic Music is sponsored by Linda Beth and Ed Sutkowski, Prairie Home Alliance, Visionary Society, and Friends of Performance.
Join us at the Peoria Riverfront Museum to hear from expert in vehicle repair and restoration, Jaime Hjelm, co-owner of Wicked Wrench Co. in South Elgin, IL. Jaime was featured on Netflix's Tex Mex Motors, and will be presenting on custom car culture in the Giant Screen Theater before taking you on a tour to see nationally ranked vehicles from central Illinois in BUILT: American Custom Car Culture .
In addition to Hjelm, guest curators Darius Donaldson and Farai Kasambira will be available to talk about the cars in the exhibition.
Schedule:
1 p.m. | Lecture in the Giant Screen Theater with Jaime Hjelm, including clips from Netflix's Tex Mex Motors and a presentation from Hjelm on her experience in the rich custom car culture of central Illinois as a business owner and car enthusiast.
2: 30 p.m. | Tour of BUILT: American Custom Car Culture with Jaime Hjelm. This tour will specifically focus on the engines of the one of a kind vehicles shown in the exhibition.
Tickets:
Non-member Adult: $5
Non-member Child: $5
This program is FREE for all museum members!
Get your tickets HERE
Sponsored by SJ and Tammy Boyd, Visionary Society and Illinois Arts Council.
Run the Planets!
Interplanetary 5K Race + 1 Mile Fitness Walk
April 5, 2025
TIMES
Packet Pickup: Friday, April 4, from 12:30-5:30 PM, and race day starting at 7:30 AM, in the museum's auditorium on the lower level.
April 5, 2025:
• 7:30-8:30 am: Race day registration; packet pickup
• 9 am: 5K Race start
• 9:05 am: 1 Mile Fitness Walk start
• 9:30 am: Kids' 1/2 Mile Fun Run start
• Refreshments after 5K race; awards after the Kids' Fun Run
Participants can choose to receive a race shirt, or skip it for a discount on registration. Must register by March 7 to guarantee a shirt.
FEES
REGISTRATION
The Interplanetary 5K is sponsored by the Rucker Family and the Visionary Society
Wine and Cheese Under the Stars
New Lunar Exploration
Saturday, April 12 | 7-9 PM
Dome Planetarium
Just this year, two commercial companies sent spacecraft to the Moon. We’ll fly to the Moon and explore the terrain, discussing current and past lunar exploration in this entertaining evening. Planetarium Director Renae Kerrigan will show you what you can see in the evening sky, and end the night with a flight through our Solar System and beyond.
Each guest receives an individual Bella's Charcuterie box featuring cheeses, fruits, nuts & more; up to three servings of wine or other drinks; and an entertaining evening under the stars.
Doors open at 6:50 PM
The program will be in two parts, allowing time to socialize and refill your wine glass between the shows.
Ages 21+
$45 members | $55 public
In partnership with the University of Illinois College of Medicine Peoria
Thursday, April 17, 2025 | 6 p.m. | FREE program!
Join us in the Peoria Riverfront Museum's current gallery Solitude: The Necessity of Art for a necessary conversation. As anxiety surges in our youth, discuss with Research Assistant Professor, Department of Pediatrics, Department of Research Services Sara Warfield Kelly, PhD, MPH what you can do for your child, and children around you suffering from anxiety.
Reserve your FREE tickets HERE
University of Illinois College of Medicine Peoria faculty and mental healthcare providers discuss current surges in anxiety among children, factors influencing this trend, and how those who care about them can help. Hear from the expert panelists who will shine a spotlight on mental and emotional health in children, will discuss strategies that might be beneficial, and local resources that might help.
Sponsored by Friends of Science and the Dome Planetarium
Laser Light Nights are back at the DOME featuring an all-new 3D experience & fresh playlist!
Sit back, relax and rock out with our new laser light system from "the worldwide leader in planetarium laser light shows," Laser Fantasy! Experience the full 3D excitement! The system features a graphics laser projector with special effects, a haze machine & a new beam projector, plus a fresh playlist of 20+ performances, from Beyoncé to The Beatles! Pick up show-enhancing spectrum glasses and refreshments at concessions!
April 18
6:00 – Laser Taylor Swift (updated)
7:15 - Laser ABBA (new show!)
8:30 – Laser Queen
May 23
6:00 – Laser AC/DC
7:15 – Laser Floyd: Dark Side of the Moon
8:30 – Laser Floyd: The Wall
June 13
6:00 – Laser ABBA (new show!)
7:15 – Laser Prince
8:30 – Laser Zeppelin: Lazed and Confused
$7 Members | $10 Public
Buy tickets online here.
Tickets & more info also available at the Museum or by phone at 309.686.7000.
(Note: These shows contain lyrics to popular songs and some may not be suitable for all ages.)
In partnership with the Fine Arts Society of Peoria
Tuesday, April 22, 2025 | 6:30 p.m. - 9 p.m.
Join us as Dr. John Edward Hasse, Curator Emeritus of American Music at the Smithsonian Institution and author of several books on music speaks on why American music is so resoundingly popular and uniquely compelling to people all over the world.
Ticketing
Non-member adults: $10
Get tickets HERE
Everywhere you go in the world, you hear American music. You can hear the twangy chords of country music in the hamlets of Ireland, the hypnotic beat of rock on the streets of Singapore, Gershwin sung in a Copenhagen cabaret, and jazz insinuating itself into a warm Moroccan night. American music is one of the hottest things to leave our shores, becoming among our most pervasive and sought-after exports – more so than American art, theater, dance, or literature.
Just why is American music so resoundingly popular? So uniquely compelling to peoples the world over? Dr. John Edward Hasse, Curator of American Music at the Smithsonian Institution and author of several books on music, answers these and other questions.
The Triumph of American Music is richly illustrated with timeless video clips. You'll enjoy the beauty of Louis Armstrong, whose playing transformed American music. The genius of Duke Ellington, America’s greatest all-around musician. The timeless interpretations of the greatest American songwriters by Frank Sinatra. And the majestic voice of Aretha Franklin, one of the leading singers of the 20th century. Hasse explains who features on his wishful “Mt. Rushmore of American Music” and why.
Sponsored by Friends of Art, Illinois Arts Council
Friday, May 2, 2025 - Sunday, May 4, 2025
This May, the Peoria Riverfront Museum becomes the Happiest Place on Earth! Join us, for Disney Fest!
Disney Fest 2025 brings to life decades of Disney, with special activities that are fun for the whole family! Experience classic Disney films, shorts, and documentaries on the Peoria Riverfront Museum's Giant Screen Theater, the largest Film Society screen in America. 2025's Disney Fest brings more to the movies: join us for a Disney Trivia Night, a Dinner and a Movie experience, animation workshops, and so much more!
Renowned Disney author and historian J.B. Kaufman will join us for fascinating pre-film talks and post-film Q&As as well as book signings after select films. Mr. Kaufman is a film historian and author who specializes in Disney animation history and silent films. His books include The Fairest One of All, Pinocchio: The Making of the Disney Epic, and Walt Disney's Mickey Mouse.
Award-winning author, historian, filmmaker, educator and musician, Mindy Johnson will return to the Peoria Riverfront Museum for pre- and post- film discussion on the history of women in Disney animation. Her books include Ink & Paint: The Women of Walt Disney’s Animation, Tinker Bell: An Evolution, and Pencils, Pens & Brushes: A Great Girls’ Guide to Disney Animation.
For the full schedule of Disney Films, click HERE.
Programming Schedule:
Friday, May 2, 2025
Saturday, May 3, 2025
Sunday, May 4, 2025
THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSORS
Disney Fest 2025 is sponsored by Visionary Society, Friends of Art, and Illinois Arts Council
Laser Light Nights are back at the DOME featuring an all-new 3D experience & fresh playlist!
Sit back, relax and rock out with our new laser light system from "the worldwide leader in planetarium laser light shows," Laser Fantasy! Experience the full 3D excitement! The system features a graphics laser projector with special effects, a haze machine & a new beam projector, plus a fresh playlist of 20+ performances, from Beyoncé to The Beatles! Pick up show-enhancing spectrum glasses and refreshments at concessions!
May 23
6:00 – Laser AC/DC
7:15 – Laser Floyd: Dark Side of the Moon
8:30 – Laser Floyd: The Wall
June 13
6:00 – Laser ABBA (new show!)
7:15 – Laser Prince
8:30 – Laser Zeppelin: Lazed and Confused
$7 Members | $10 Public
Buy tickets online here.
Tickets & more info also available at the Museum or by phone at 309.686.7000.
(Note: These shows contain lyrics to popular songs and some may not be suitable for all ages.)
Laser Light Nights are back at the DOME featuring an all-new 3D experience & fresh playlist!
Sit back, relax and rock out with our new laser light system from "the worldwide leader in planetarium laser light shows," Laser Fantasy! Experience the full 3D excitement! The system features a graphics laser projector with special effects, a haze machine & a new beam projector, plus a fresh playlist of 20+ performances, from Beyoncé to The Beatles! Pick up show-enhancing spectrum glasses and refreshments at concessions!
June 13
6:00 – Laser ABBA (new show!)
7:15 – Laser Prince
8:30 – Laser Zeppelin: Lazed and Confused
$7 Members | $10 Public
Buy tickets online here.
Tickets & more info also available at the Museum or by phone at 309.686.7000.
(Note: These shows contain lyrics to popular songs and some may not be suitable for all ages.)
