Event: Free Lecture: “The Wreck of the Columbia” by Ken Zurski 

Date & Time: Thur., Jan. 5, 6 p.m. 

Location: Auditorium · Peoria Riverfront Museum · 222 S.W. Washington St. · Peoria 

Cost: Free & open to the public 

Four years after the sinking of the RMS Titanic on April 15, 1912 – then the world’s deadliest maritime disaster – came the worst in Illinois history, the wreck of the Steamer Columbia on the Illinois River near Peoria on July 5, 1918. Of the nearly 500 passengers, 87 died – many trapped in the collapsed decks which sank 20 feet to the bottom of the river. 

As part of its “Titanic” exhibit programming, the Riverfront Museum will hold a free lecture on the Columbia disaster, Thur., Jan. 5 at 6 p.m., by famed local author and historian, Ken Zurski. The lecture is based on Zurski’s book, The Wreck of the Columbia: A Broken Boat, A Town's Sorrow and the End of the Steamboat Era on the Illinois River. 

There were many similarities between the two maritime shipwrecks. Both happened in the dark – the Titanic on a moonless morning, the Columbia at night in a fogbank. 

The Columbia was bought the year the Titanic went down, by Peoria Captain Herman F. Mehl, and on 1917 was extensively renovated for safety. In an eerily similar hubristic twist, the ill-fated steamboat was called the “safest boat on western waters” by safety inspectors – just as the Titanic been declared “unsinkable.” 

Both disasters led to new technology and safety regulations for passenger boats and ships, and in Columbia’s case – to the end of the steamboat era. 

Zurski’s lecture revives the forgotten story of the Columbia through a recreation of the event and through the survivor’s tales of fortitude and survival. 

Zurski is a longtime local broadcaster and author of The Wreck of the Columbia and Peoria Stories. A native of Chicago, where he was a radio personality for many years, Zurski works in Peoria and resides in Morton with his wife and two children. He curates a website of forgotten history stories: unremberedhistory.com. 

“The Wreck of the Columbia” lecture Jan. 5 is free and open to the public and begins at 6 p.m. in the Riverfront Museum auditorium (Water Street level). 

More info is available at the museum, by phone: 309.686.7000, or online at RiverfrontMuseum.org.

The Original Harlem Globetrotters are preparing for their action packed 2016-2017 tour! A star-studded roster will have fans on the edge of their seats to witness the ball handling wizardry, basketball artistry and one-of-a-kind family entertainment that thrills fans of all ages. Join Globetrotter stars after the game where they will stay for an autograph, photograph and high five session for fans (subject to availability).

Get your Magic Pass with your tickets to have an even more memorable family experience!

 

For tickets: https://www.peoriaciviccenter.com/events/upcoming-events/event/2017/01/05/harlem-globetrotters

The Waterhouse's Broadway Lounge is thrilled to announce the start of Broadway Jazz Nights as part of First Friday. This month's performers: the Boss Trio! 

About The Boss Trio: The Boss Trio is an urban organ jazz trio in the style of the great Hammond B-3 organ/guitar trios of the 60's and 70's--Jimmy Smith, Jack McDuff, and the Wes Montgomery Trio. The group whose members are: Mike Nellas on organ, John Miller on guitar, and Jason Brannon on drums also plays some newer organ trio tunes in the style of the great Larry Goldings trio. It's fun, hard driving, funky, straight ahead bluesey jazz that makes it hard to sit still!

Admission is $10pp. Seating is assigned in the order admissions are purchased and based upon the size of your group. If you are purchasing individually but would like to sit with someone else, please indicate that in the notes at the time of purchase. 

PLEASE NOTE: There are no physical tickets. To gain admission simply show your receipt or drivers license to the door/event manager. We do not arrange the seating for the show until the day of the show, so please indicate any seating preferences as well as the name of the group you would like to sit with if you are adding on to other purchases. We give priority of seating based upon the order of purchase.

The Broadway Lounge will also be offering a preshow dinner package at 6p for $30pp plus tax. You will have your choice of entree between New York Strip Steak, Chicken Saltimbocca, or Grilled Salmon with a pineapple and mango salsa along with choice of dinner salad or soup and a gourmet dessert!

The Broadway Lounge's appetizer and dessert menu will be available ala carte from 7p-10p. The show is at 8p.

Please email waterhousebanquets@gmail.com or call 309-494-9100 with any questions!