May 2 – Whisper and Shout at Contemporary Art Center – from 8:00 – 10:00 p.m. Peoria’s open mic for sharing and inspiring poetry is held on the 1st Thursday of each month. Each night the open mic features a popular regionally known poet. For more information, visit www.peoriacac.org

May 3 – Church Women United Peoria sponsors May Friendship Day, an ecumenical celebration in the spirit of hospitality and prayerful action. This service will be held at Rising Sun Christian Church, 4310 W. Charter Oak Rd., Peoria at 9:30 a.m. with brunch followed by the program.For brunch tickets please contact Doris at 691-2451. All interested women are invited.

May 3 – Women’s Weekend – Recurring weekly on Friday, Saturday from 10:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m. at The Main Statement, 610 W. Main St. Peoria, IL 61606 (across from Mr. G’s). Call Matt/Danielle at (309) 258-8636.Just a weekend before Mother’s Day, pamper yourself with unique shopping, special refreshments, and deals that make you jump for joy! The Main Statement is in the newly revitalized Renaissance Park, Peoria’s growing eclectic art district! Several nearby shops with modern and vintage finds, art, coffee! Go to: www.themainstatement.com for updates!

May 3 – 12 – Peoria Players Theatre’s “Fiddler on the Roof” – Recurring daily at Peoria Players Theatre, 4300 N. University. Rich in historical and ethnic detail and with its universal theme of tradition, “Fiddler on the Roof” has touched audiences around the world with its humor, warmth and honesty. May 3,4,8,9,10 & 11 – 7:30 pm; May 5 & 12 – 2:00 p.m. matinees

May 4 – Annual Drama Festival at Corn Stock Theatre, 1700 N. Park Rd., Peoria. Enjoy award-winning children’s plays, performed by Peoria students in our Theatre Education for Children Classes. Bring a picnic lunch or buy snacks and drinks at the concessions.

May 8 – Community Make a Blanket Day to benefit Project Linus – at Jones Sewing Machine Co., 3410 N. Prospect Rd., Peoria. The mission of Project Linus is to provide love, a sense of security, warmth & comfort to children who are seriously ill, traumatized, or otherwise in need through the gifts of new, handmade blankets lovingly crated by volunteer “blanketeers.” Between 10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. Sewing machines & fabric squares provided; fleece is provided for those not wanting to sew. Bring your favorite notions & your lunch. Call (309) 382-3672, or e-mail: projlbabs@yahoo.com

May 9 – The Peoria Genealogical Society will present the Third in a Series of “How Do I Do That?” Steve Reiss, an author of ten different types of family history books, will talk about formulating your family history info into an interesting account and what steps to take in publishing your story. 6:30 pm at the Peoria Public Library North Branch, 3001 W. Grand Parkway.

May 11 – 28th Annual Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure – at Metro Center, 4700 N. University. This is the largest series of 5K runs/walks in the world, and raises significant funds and awareness for the fight against breast cancer and celebrates the breast cancer survivorship. Run, walk or stroll. Register by April 27th, and you’ll save $5 and your packet will be mailed to you. To register go to komenmemorial.org.

May 11 – Village of Peoria Heights: Art Fair

May-11 – Peoria Poetry Club meets at Riverview Senior Living Community, 500 Centennial Dr., East Peoria. Guests can bring a sack lunch at 11:30 a.m., read a poem at our noon roll call, and enjoy a program at 1:00p.m. For more info call 822-8308, or visit peoriapoetryclub.com.

May 12 – Mother’s Day Orchid Show – noon – 5:00 p.m. at Luthy Botanical Garden. Call 686-3362. Admission: Free admission to mothers & grandmothers; Adults (13 & up) $2.50; Garden members and children 12 & under are free. Come see the Conservatory’s orchid collection, featuring exotic new acquisitions. Bring your special mom, sister, aunt, grandmother or friend this Mother’s Day.

May 12 – Mother’s Day Sunday Brunch at Wildlife Prairie State Park. Come join us for the Mother’s Day Sunday Brunch at the Wildlife Prairie State Park.

May 12 – Mother’s Day Brunch – 10:00 a.m.- 2:00 p.m. at Kickapoo Creek Winery. Contact: Steve Peters at (309) 495-9463. Admission: $24.95 for Adults and $9.95 for Kids. The most delicious food without the cooking or clean-up!

May 18 – Clyde West Fishing Derby – Glen Oak Amphitheatre, 2218 N. Prospect Rd., Peoria.

May 18 – Peoria Ride for the Cure – 9:00 a.m. at the Shoppes at Grand Prairie. Admission: Rider registration $20; passenger registration $10. Parade line-up will run from 9:00 – 11:00 am. The Parade starts at noon. Participants will be required to sign an insurance waiver. The ride is in parade formation escorted by police. Parade After Party – The Ride for the Cure Party will be an outdoor event at Exposition Gardens with refreshments, bike show and auction. To be in the bike show, the bike must be ridden in parade, bike must be available for display until 2:30pm.The winner will be decided by People’s Choice.

May 18 – 19 – “The Gathering at Ft. Crevecoeur” – from 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. Admission $1 per person/children under 12 free when accompanied by an adult.

May 19 – Central Illinois Jazz Society – at 7:15 p.m., Landmark Recreation Center, 3225 N. Dries Lane, Peoria. Phone: (309) 692-5330. Admission: $5 for members, $7 for non-member, students are free. Central Illinois Jazz Society features many college jazz bands and high school jazz bands as guest groups at their monthly programs.

May 19 – 1st Annual Run River City Marathon – The marathon relay & 25K start at 7:30 am; the 5K starts at 8:00 am; & the youth 1.2 mile race starts at noon. Races start & finish in downtown Peoria. Call Adam White at (309) 676-6378. The course will run throughout downtown Peoria and city neighborhoods.

May 23 – World Championship Old-Time Piano Playing Contest & Festival – starts at 5:00 p.m. at Sky Harbor Steakhouse. Phone: (815) 922-3827; Admission: $17. The Tune-Ups at the Sky Harbor Steakhouse. Beginnning at 5 p.m. All-You-Can-Eat Buffet around the Old Piano. Everyone gets a chance to play and it’s fun and music all night long. Other musicians are invited to bring their instruments to join in.

May 23 – 27 – The Heart of Illinois Senior Games & The Arts – This is Central Illinois’ largest games and fine art festival that is targeted towards people that are 50 years old and better. There will be a variety of activities, from sports and health to art & poetry.

May 24 – Louie Louie Festival – Downtown RiverFront. Bring your kazoo and your most creative outfit down to the Riverfront and enjoy plenty of live music, drinks and summertime air.

May 26 – Giant Flea Market – at Expo Gardens. Phone: (309) 691-6332. The Giant Flea Market will be held in the Youth Building at the Expo Center. For more info visit, www.jcflea.com

May 27 – Memorial Day Ceremony – at Marshall Plaza, Peoria. The Memorial Day Ceremony is a celebration remembering the men and women who died while serving in the United States Armed Forces.

thru May 30 – Conklin’s Barn II Dinner Theatre: “Out of Order.” Recurs weekly on Thursday. Doors open at 6:00 PM, Buffet 6:30-7:30 PM, Show 8:00 PM. atConklin’s Barn II Dinner Theatre, Timberline Rd., Goodfield, IL. Phone: (309) 965-2545. Admission: $33 ($35 for musical).

May 31 – June 2 – Summer Plant Sale – Luthy Botanical Garden. Phone: (309) 686-3362 on Friday and Saturday 10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m, Sunday noon – 5:00 p.m.