ART
- Examples of the drawings of the renowned Mauricio Lasansky will be displayed in the Heuser Gallery at Bradley University starting Jan. 19. From the university’s collection, the exhibit will run through March 18.
CINEMA
- In limited theatrical release starting Jan. 14, “Who We Are: A Chronicle of Racism in America” blends lectures and anecdotes with interviews and shocking revelations from history. Featuring civil rights attorney Jeffery Robinson, the 117-minute film presents a timeline of anti-Black racism in the United States, from the 17th century slave trade to the 21st century myth of a “post-racial America.” Rated PG-13.
MUSIC
- The Peoria Symphony Orchestra is presenting “John Williams Strikes Back” in the Civic Center Theater the afternoon of Jan. 16, when Williams’ familiar movie work in “Jaws,” “Schindler’s List,” “Star Wars” and “Superman” will be showcased. Violinist and concertmaster Marcia Henry Liebenow will be featured.
- Iconic Peoria-area rockers Dan Fogelberg and Gary Richrath are among dozens of musicians featured in “State of Sound: A World of Music from Illinois,” showing 72 miles south of Peoria in the Illinois Gallery within Springfield’s Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum 9-5 daily now through Jan. 23. An interactive, immersive show, it reminds visitors of the range of musical talent with Illinois roots: Mahalia Jackson, Curtis Mayfield, the Staple Singers, Buddy Guy, Willie Dixon, Howlin’ Wolf, Jennifer Hudson, Benny Goodman, Gene Krupa, Herbie Hancock, Miles Davis, Ramsey Lewis, John Prine, Steve Goodman, Wilco, the first Farm Aid concert, Chicago, the Buckinghams, Styx, Survivor, Cheap Trick, Shoes, Earth Wind & Fire, Ministry, the Smashing Pumpkins, Fall Out Boy, Naked Ray Gun, Common and many others.
- At the Scottish Rite Theatre on Jan. 23, Jethro Tull guitarist Martin Barre and JT drummer Clive Bunker will lead a group commemorating the 50th anniversary of the original group’s acclaimed LP “Aqualung,” which featured Barre’s solo on the title track — one of the “20 Greatest Guitar Solos of All Time,” according to Guitarist magazine.
STREAMING
- Starting Jan. 14 on Apple+, Denzel Washington stars in “The Tragedy of Macbeth,” screenwriter Joel Coen’s adaptation of Shakespeare’s classic about a Scottish Lord convinced by three witches to take over the throne — a thought encouraged by his wife (Frances McDormand as Lady Macbeth). The black-and-white picture co-stars Brendan Gleeson, Corey Hawkins, Henry Melling and Sean Patrick Thomas.
TELEVISION
- ABC-TV’s anthology series “Women of The Movement” on Jan. 6 and 13 recounts the story of Emmett Till, a victim of racist violence, the cover-up of the murder, and the relentless effort of Mamie Till Mobley to publicize the killing and seek justice for her son. The two-part feature stars Adreienne Warren and Cedric Joe, with Glynn Turman and Ray Fisher.
THEATER
- Corn Stock Theatre’s Winter Playhouse presents “These Shining Lives” Jan. 14-16 & 21-23 in a drama about women in the 1920s and ’30s achieving some independence as workers painting watches with glow-in-the-dark chemicals, a story based on the tragic experience of hundreds of women at an Ottawa, Ill., factory.
– Compiled by Bill Knight