Join us on Sunday afternoons for Family Climb Time, when local families can experience indoor rock climbing alongside one of our experienced youth instructors!

Cost: Free for Members | $15 per climber (includes rental gear) | Free for adult spectators

Adults can spectate for free but are expected to stay and supervise kids under 14 at all times during Family Climb Time.

All new climbers and supervising adults will receive a thorough facility orientation and learn the basics of safety before climbing.

Please register online or by calling us at 309-966-0831. Advanced reservation is encouraged.

We look forward to climbing with you!

To book or for more info: https://faclimbing.portal.approach.app/event/4998/booking/550528

 

Booking Requirements

This class requires a Annual All Access Family Membership, Annual All Access Student Membership, Annual All Access Membership, Annual Peoria Family Add On Membership, Annual Peoria Family Membership, Annual Peoria Membership, Annual Peoria Student Membership, Daytime Membership DO NOT SELL, Founder Membership, Industry Membership, Monthly All Access Child Add On Membership, Monthly All Access Family Membership, Monthly All Access Membership, Monthly All Access Student Membership, Monthly Peoria Child Add On Membership, Monthly Peoria Family Add On Membership, Monthly Peoria Family Membership, Monthly Peoria Membership, Monthly Peoria Student Membership, One Month All Access Membership, One Month Peoria Membership, Rise Membership A, Rise Membership B, Rise Membership C, Staff Add-on Membership, Staff Membership, Annual All Access Family Add On Membership or $15 Family Climb Time

Max # of Participants: 45

Old meets new at the Bar at Black Band with River City DJs. Their eclectic mix of music is the perfect soundtrack for sipping hand-crafted cocktails and enjoying our carefully curated food menu (including our smash burger, which has made its comeback).

Mondays
6 - 9 pm

For more info: https://www.thebaratblackband.com/events

Learn Salsa in five week classes. Salsa is partner dancing so joining with a partner is strongly encouraged. Classes are held on the 2nd floor of the Contemporary Art Center. REGISTER DEADLINE IS JANUARY 21, 2025!

For more info: www.peoriacac.org

Grab your friends and join us for THE BEST weekly trivia around!

Each week we have 7 rounds of Trivia designed to challenge you and ensure it's your best night of the week.

See you there!

For more info: https://www.facebook.com/events/451250454723514/451252734723286/?acontext=%7B%22event_action_history%22%3A%5B%7B%22surface%22%3A%22search%22%7D%2C%7B%22mechanism%22%3A%22attachment%22%2C%22surface%22%3A%22newsfeed%22%7D%5D%2C%22ref_notif_type%22%3Anull%7D

We welcome women of all ages, stages, and avilities who have a personal breast cancer diagnosis or have a risk of fenetic mutation.

 

Whisper & Shout: Open Mic for Poetry
Thursday, February 6, 2025 ~ 8:00 - 10:00 pm

When checking in at the door, be prepared to share your table and seat number.

Tickets in Advance Online: $5-members, $8-nonmembers, $3-poets + fees (till 6pm day of event)
If an event is not sold out, tickets will also be sold at the door.
Tickets at the door*: $9-members, $12-nonmembers, $5-poets
(*No money will be taken at the door unless we don’t reach our max capacity)
*Please Note that purchasing a Poet Ticket is a commitment to share your poetry on stage.
If you don't plan to read, then don't purchase a poet level ticket.

Water and Pop for $1.00 is offered at the bar.
Attendees may bring their own food and drink or bring in food and drink from the Rhythm Kitchen.

Experience a diverse open mic with artists from all backgrounds in a positive and inspiring atmosphere.
Peoria’s Open Mic for Poetry is held on the 1st and 3rd Thursday of each month.
Hosts: Ryan Lowry and Whitney Jensen with DJ YV

Featured Poet: The Law of HUEY
The Law of HUEY is a Chicago native hailing from Chicago’s west side. He is a proud father, mentor, emcee and one of the co-founders of the music collective, HUEY Gang. HUEY is an acronym that stands for Headstrong Urban Educated Youth. He is currently working on a project called How Much 4 Therapy, addressing his struggles with mental health and therapy as a black man in America.

For tickets: Tickets309tix.com/events/whisper-shout-open-mic-for-poetry-185958

Black Tie, Blue Jeans, Have a Ball!

Join us on February 7th, 2025 at the Peoria Civic Center for Peoria’s biggest party!

The 20th annual Black & Blue Ball continues our tradition of partying for a purpose: supporting the kids and families of Easterseals Central Illinois! Enjoy heavy appetizers and a selection of beverages included with your ticket. Participate in the live and silent auction for your chance at experiences and unique items. End the night on the dance floor as DJs Red Hot Brian Scott from Z92.3 and Matt Bahan from 105.7 the X play non-stop hits.

Tickets are $150 per person or $1,500 for a table of 10; sponsorships are also available. 

Elevate your sponsorship experience with our exclusive $1,500 add-on VIP Package, available to our valued $2,500, $5,000, and $10,000 sponsors. This exceptional package grants you access to an exclusive VIP area that includes a dedicated food buffet line and your very own bar, which remains open throughout the live auction. Enjoy the luxury of five premium mixed drinks per person, perfectly crafted to your taste. Revel in the delight of a late-night snack, ensuring your evening ends on a delicious note!

Tickets are on sale at: https://www.easterseals.com/ci/get-involved/events/black-blue-ball.html?fbclid=IwY2xjawGpxWhleHRuA2FlbQIxMAABHWW3McPaWt_Co7Gtmx_B8Jckvzb8IqeTF6WM5sozbDDzaetw5r82tuGA0Q_aem_lnHCNGHo5o0kEma8BvxqZQ

First Friday is a national movement among artists in many cities across the United States. Artists open their studios to present their work to the public.

First Friday events keep the arts in the forefront of a community.

 

Checkout Peoria's First Friday website for gallery openings and all the businesses who participate!

https://hellopeoria.co/first-friday

First Friday is a national movement among artists in many cities across the United States. Artists open their studios to present their work to the public.

First Friday events keep the arts in the forefront of a community.

 

Checkout Peoria's First Friday website for gallery openings and all the businesses who participate!

https://hellopeoria.co/first-friday

On the First Friday of the month, we are open from 6-9pm where you can come in to look around and purchase pottery.

At 7pm, if you are interested in trying the wheel out during our First Friday events, we schedule 45 minute sessions to take part in this opportunity.  A quick demonstration of throwing a pot is given.  Then everyone gets a chance to try throwing clay on their own wheel.  During this time, an instructor will be available to give hand-over-hand instruction to assist you in making a pot of your choice. 

Everybody keeps one piece (within the scale of a cereal bowl or coffee mug) which stays at the studio for finish work and firing.  When finished we notify you for pickup and, they are food-safe, dishwasher-safe, microwave-safe. 

Cost is $25/participant.  

Ages 5+ (children younger than 18 need be accompanied by an adult)

For upcoming dates, please refer to our Events Calendar (underneath).

We require pre-registration and pre-payment.  Please fill out the form underneath.  You will then receive an invoice which you can pay online.

Please show up no later than 6:45 if you will be throwing on the pottery wheels at the 7:00pm class.

Register here: https://www.wheelartpottery.studio/events/first-fridays-wheel-throwing

Join us on February 7, 2025 at 6:00 PM for an engaging artist talk featuring Hannah Offutt and Feral, the artists behind Intersecting Identities — the debut exhibition at ArtsPartners' Follow Your Arts Gallery. This event is free and open to the public. The gallery will be open from 5-7:00 PM.

Offutt and Feral will discuss their creative processes, inspirations, and the deeply personal themes of identity and emotion explored in their work. Offutt’s pieces reflect on queer identity and self-discovery, offering an intimate and thoughtful perspective. Feral's work delves into the complexities of anxiety, using intricate motifs and personifications to create an emotional resonance with viewers.

This is a unique opportunity to hear directly from the artists about the stories and techniques behind their works, as well as to participate in an informal Q&A session!

Light snacks and beverages will be provided.

About the Artists:
Feral is a Peoria-based artist and fellow founding member of PGOBA. Inspired by nature, folklore, and psychedelia, Feral’s work often reflects themes of chronic pain and anxiety. Through intricate, veiny motifs, the artist personifies these experiences, evoking visceral recognition and connection in viewers.

Hannah Offutt, a Peoria native, creates art rooted in self-discovery and identity. A founding member of the Peoria Guild of Black Artists (PGOBA), Offutt has showcased their work in group shows, public murals, and local libraries. Their current body of work embraces the chaos of creation, combining colorful, abstract experimentation with the joy of pattern-making.

For more info: https://www.facebook.com/events/1819182322189396

We are excited to announce our upcoming Winter RiverFront Market! We are working on our vendor list and will post soon. Looking forward to seeing everyone in February!

for more info: https://www.facebook.com/events/448276838340553/?acontext=%7B%22event_action_history%22%3A%5B%5D%7D

Learn the basics of setting up a pottery wheel to throw, the proper tools needed, how to prepare the clay through a process called "wedging," centering, throwing on the wheel and how to clean up.

We give a demonstration of how to throw a pot. Next, we let you try by yourself for a short period of time. Then we give assistance, as needed, to create your own piece which can literally exist forever (unless it is heated to 2500 Fahrenheit:). You get to choose the glaze color of your piece.

Materials and firing is covered in the cost for one piece (approximate maximum size-up to 6" tall x 6" width x 6" length).
Everyone keeps one piece. Prices start at $25 for basic forms. 

Additional pieces of equivalent size are $5 (covers material and firing costs). These are paid for after the pottery session, if you create more than 1 piece you wish to keep.

Specialty Items are also available for additional cost. These require additional time, material, and firing.

Pieces are kept at the studio for finish work, glazing and two kiln firings, and are picked up at a later date. When finished, everything is food-safe, dishwasher-safe, microwave-safe.

Ages 5+
No experience necessary
Pre-registration and pre-payment required.

To register, please fill out and return this form: https://www.wheelartpottery.studio/events/wheel-101-class

Please don't forget to like and share our page, as we have recently had to start a new page from scratch due to hackers.

Thanks and hope Wheel see you soon!

Enjoy a tour and tasting with a BLACK BAND team member in our restored historic space in Peoria’s Warehouse District.

As you explore the distilling process from grain to glass, you will learn about mash bills, still technology, distillate selection, barrel aging and more. Please bring your photo ID and plan to arrive 15 minutes before your tour begins.

Private Events

If you are interested in learning more about our offerings, please fill out the request form and we will contact you to discuss details.

To book a tour: https://www.exploretock.com/blackbanddistillery/event/526145?date=2025-02-01&size=1&time=20%3A00