Smokey Joe’s Café – The Songs of Leiber and Stoller, directed by Peggy Breaux-Hupp, runs June 5-8.  This show is a Grammy Award-winning musical revue which showcases 39 pop standards, including rock’n’roll and rhythm and blues. Songs include “Yakety Yak,” “Hound Dog,” “Jailhouse Rock,” “Lotion Potion #9,” “On Broadway,” “Stand By Me,” and so many more!  Performances are June 5, 6 and 7 at 7:30 pm and June 8 at 2:00.  Tickets are just $18 for adults and $12 for patrons 18 and younger.  Please call 688-4473.

Auditions for Ragtime, directed by Steve Bortolotti, will be held at University United Methodist Church (2818 N. University in Peoria) on June 6 at 6:30 pm, and June 7 and 8 at 1:00 pm.  A regional premiere at Peoria Players in 2004, this stunning production returns for its 10-year anniversary. This Tony Award-winning musical based on an E.L. Doctorow novel intertwines three distinct families’ stories in turn-of-the-century New York.  For auditions, Steve is looking for ages 16+ and also 2 children, ages 8-10 (one boy and one girl).  The boy and girl may sing their own song choices for auditions if they wish, as long as they bring sheet music.  To listen to songs and view the sheet music from the show, please follow this link — https://www.dropbox.com/sh/jxrv7ztj3kjlu4a/N5Lvv5T2NK.  Song selections and sheet music are also available in the Peoria Players box office.  Show dates are September 5-14.

Peoria Players Theatre announces auditions for our Summer Youth Theatre production of Little Shop of Horrors directed by Megan Cipolla. Auditions will be held at University United Methodist Church, 2818 N. University on Saturday, May 31 and Sunday, June 1 at 1:00 pm. A nerdy florist finds his chance for success and romance with the help of a giant man-eating plant who demands to be fed. Charming, tuneful and hilarious, this musical never fails to entertain!

For auditions, please prepare a song that best displays your range and bring your sheet music. Also, dress appropriately for dance movement. Because there are many character roles in this show, Megan would really like to see those auditioning get into character when reading and singing. Our Summer Youth Theatre is open to ages 14 to 20. Show dates are August 6-10.

Monday, June 2

Annual Peoria Bach Festival Young Artists’ Concert – 12:05 p.m. (Free)

Come and hear children of all ages sing and play the music of Bach and his contemporaries on violin, keyboard, brass, and woodwind instruments on our Annual Young Artists’ Concert. If you know of a child or high school student that would like to participate, please call Dr. Martin Dicke at 309-676-4609 (x207) or e-mail us at peoriabachfestival@trinitypeoria.com.

Bach at Noon: Marcia and Friends – 12:05 p.m. (Free)

Peoria has developed many phenomenal string players over the years thanks to Bradley University and dedicated string teachers in the area such as Marcia Henry Liebenow. This intimate and delightful concert will feature Marcia and some of her friends playing some of Bach’s more intimate works.

Bach at Noon: Music for Pipe and Strings – 12:05 p.m. (Free)

Bach was known as a virtuoso on both the pipe organ and the violin. Along with several of Bach’s works for organ, this program will feature Peoria native Peoria native Courtney Silver performing Bach’s Partita No. 1 in B minor for Unaccompanied Violin. A former student of Marcia Henry Liebenow and EmmaLee Holmes Hicks, Courtney is currently a violin performance major at Rice University Shepherd School of Music where she studies with Kathleen Winkler. She is a 2012 graduate of Richwoods High School and the 2009 winner of the Peoria Symphony Orchestra Young Artist Competition.

“Hey Kids! Meet Mr. Bach”: Bach Goes to Space – 4:00 p.m. (Admission $2.50)

Hey kids, did you know that Mr. Bach’s music is in space? Yes, that’s right. Come and learn about how that all happened and see some of the Peoria Bach Festival musicians demonstrate and talk about their instruments. Then, Mr. Bach himself will take you up to the Balcony where he will play the Trinty’s mighty Schlicker pipe organ especially for you. You might even get to crawl around inside the organ and see how it works.

Bach’s Lunch – 12:00 p.m. (Free – call to reserve a lunch)

Dr. Martin Dicke

Have a FREE lunch on us and gain musical and spiritual insight into the music that will be featured on the weekend concerts of the Peoria Bach Festival 2014. Among other things, we will discuss an amazing fugue from the Well Tempered Clavier, Book 1 that even though it is a purely instrumental work, is an amazing statement by Bach of his deep, personal faith. Lunch is served at 12:00 noon. The lecture will begin at 12:10 and conclude at 1:00 p.m. The lecture is FREE. Call 309-676-4609 to reserve your Bach’s lunch.

Chamber Concert 2014 – 5:30 p.m. (Free)

Stephen Alltop, harpsichord, and Josefien Stoppelenburg, mezzo-soprano

For our Thursday and Friday concerts we welcome Chicago conductor and keyboardist extraordinaire Stephen Alltop (www.stephenalltop.com) and his wife Josefien Stoppelenburg (www.josefienstoppelenburg.com). This program will feature works by Rameau, J. S. Bach, C. P. E. Bach, and Handel.

Bach at Noon: Music for the King of Instruments – 12:05 p.m. (free)

Stephen Alltop, organ

Principal organist and harpsichordist for the Chicago Symphony, Stephen Alltop, will play a sampling of organ music by Bach and his contemporaries.

Coffee with Bach – 6:30 p.m.

Pre-Concert Lecture – 7:15 p.m.

Coffee Concert 2014 – 8:00 p.m. (Admission: $16 adults/$10 students)

Peoria Bach Festival Orchestra – Stephen Alltop, conductor/harpsichord and Josefien Stoppelenburg, mezzo-soprano

The theme for this year’s Coffee Concert is “Life in Leipzig” and will feature music that Bach himself may have used for the Coffee Concerts and he and his orchestra presented at the Zimmermann Coffee House in Leipzig. The repertoire will include the Orchestral Suite No. 1, the Harpsichord Concerto in A Major featuring Stephen Alltop at the harpsichord, Telemann’s Wassermusik (Water Music), and Cantata 209 featuring Josefien Stoppelenburg, mezzo-soprano. Be sure to come early for some coffee and treats. To order your tickets, please e-mail us at peoriabachfestival@trintypeoria.com or call 309-676-4609.

Festival Concert 2014 – 8:00 p.m. (Admission: $16 adults/$10 students)

Peoria Bach Festival Choir and Orchestra – Dr. Martin Dicke and Dr. John Jost, conductors

The final concert of the Peoria Bach Festival 2014 will feature the motet for double choir “Komm, Jesu, Komm” (“Come, Jesus, Come”), Cantata 55 “Ich armer Mensch, ich Sündenknecht” (“I, Wretched Man, Slave to Sin”) featuring Trevor Mitchell, tenor; and the Cantata 34 “O ewiges Feuer” (“O Eternal Fire”). To order your tickets, please e-mail us at peoriabachfestival@trintypeoria.com or call 309-676-4609.

Festival Worship Services – 8:00 & 10:45 a.m.

Peoria Bach Festival Choir and Orchestra – Dr. John Jost, conductor

Join us for our Sunday Festival Worship Services as we celebrate Pentecost, the birthday of the Christian church. As a part of our Festival Worship Services, the Peoria Bach Festival Choir will perform Cantata 34 “O ewiges Feuer” (“O Eternal Fire”). Based on the readings for the day (Acts 2:1-13 and John 14:23-31), the text of this cantata prays that the flames of the Holy Spirit dwell in and flow through us into the world. The preacher for this service will be Trinity’s Associate Pastor, Pastor Matthew Synnott. Join us as sing some of the hymns that Bach and his congregation would have sung and celebrate Pentecost as Bach would have.

Kick off the summer right by joining the Peoria Zoo in their annual ZooFest celebration Saturday, May 24 from 11:00 am – 3:00 pm. Join us at 1:00 pm as we move the Chinese Alligator to her summer exhibit (weather permitting). We’ll have bouncy rides, games, animal encounters and more!

Regular admission applies: Adults 13+, $9.00; Children 3-12, $5.25; Seniors, $8.00; Children under 3 are free. Consider a Zoo Membership and get free Zoo entry every day! Call (309) 681-3500 for more information.

For questions on ZooFest and education programs, call the Peoria Zoo at (309) 681-3513.

Event:  “The Science of Ripley’s Believe it or Not!” exhibit opening

Date & Time: Sat., May 24, 10 a.m.

Press Preview: Thurs., May 22, 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. (begins with press conference at 10 a.m.)

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

Central Illinoisans will get a unique opportunity to explore the science behind Robert Ripley’s legendary compendium of oddities, anomalies and fantastic feats, when “The Science of Ripley’s Believe It or Not!®” opens to the public May 24 through Sept. 7 at Peoria Riverfront Museum.

The all-new 6,000 sq. ft. international exhibit will be making only its third road stop – and exclusive Midwest debut – in Peoria, as it challenges visitors of all ages to “go places you’ve never imagined and explore the science behind the unbelievable.”

Alton, Illinois native Robert Wadlow, who grew to be one of the world’s tallest people at 8-ft. 11-in. (2.72 m), is one of the main attractions. Visitors are invited to “measure up” against an animatronic likeness of Wadlow and can sit in the original chair made for him.

Six eye-opening sections – from Extreme Biology to Weird World to the Gallery of the Unexpected – provide plenty to investigate. Through hand-on experiments, challenges and quizzes, touchable specimens, real artifacts, hi-tech computer interactives and multimedia experiences, visitors will discover behind-the-scenes world of Ripley’s – including the life and legacy of explorer Robert Ripley, himself.

Visitors can crawl through an interactive life-size model of the prehistoric snake Titanoboa (and listen to its heart beat), go on a scavenger hunt to find the world’s smallest vertebrates, stand inside a Megalodon shark jaw and participate in a number of extreme-science activities.

Other oddities include mind-bending optical and auditory illusions, intricate micro-sculptures that fit in the eye of a needle, a calf with two faces, a Rolls Royce made of matchsticks, extreme examples of body modification, a portrait of Einstein made of toast and – in a nod to the Canadian exhibit creator, Science North – a candy wrapper likeness of pop star Justin Bieber.

The exhibit provides many “extreme” photo opportunities and Museum goers are invited to post their photos online as they explore.

Central Illinois and nearby residents are invited to submit their own oddities for review and possible display in the Ripley’s exhibit. Objects must be less than 20-in. x 20-in. x 16-in. (width, depth, height). Submitters may e-mail a photo and description of the object to oddities@peoriariverfrontmuseum.org. The Museum will provide a submission form and instructions, available on the web site.

Throughout the summer the Museum will feature a line-up of summer classes, camps and programming for all ages that fits with the Ripley’s theme. The Giant Screen Theater is running the new 3D educational film “Mummies Secrets of the Pharaohs,” narrated by Christopher Lee, and both 2D and 3D versions of “X-Men: Days of Future Past.”

In addition to submitting oddities to the Museum for display, visitors are invited to a Ripley’s collector roadshow, called “Bizarre Buying Bizarre,” where they can have their unusual possessions and creations appraised by longtime Ripley’s curator, Edward Meyer. All day Fri. Aug. 8 and Sat. Aug. 9, Meyer will review and possibly purchase the public’s oddities for the Ripley’s Museum collection. Meyer will give a lecture on Ripley’s Sun., Aug. 10 at 2 p.m.

“I have fond memories of my father reading the Ripley’s Believe It or Not comic to me each Sunday morning – Ripley’s was one of my first introductions to exotic, unusual and distant places and people. It’s going to be an amazing experience to relive that feeling of wonder and awe and twice as terrific to see new audiences introduced to the Believe It Or Not world,” Sam Gappmayer, museum president & CEO.

“Science North, the Ontario museum that created The Science of Ripley’s Believe or Not!, has a great exhibition development process. They work closely with museums interested in booking their upcoming shows to make sure that their displays and interactives will be of interest to the visitors. We were one of several museums that participated in a series of feedback sessions with both Science North and the Ripley’s Believe It or Not! museum during the planning of this show,” Kristan McKinsey, museum curator.

 “People are fascinated by extreme biology. Visitors of all ages will love the life-size replica of Titanoboa, the huge prehistoric snake. Children and adults who are not afraid of tunnel-like spaces can crawl inside the replica and explore its anatomy. Learn why animals do not grow this large anymore—except in the movies!  Did you know there’s a difference between what causes two-headed calves and what causes two-faced calves? You’ll also learn the secrets that allow humans to swallow swords … but don’t try it at home!” Ann Schmitt, VP programs.

Major exhibit sponsors are CEFCU, RLI, Maui Jim, and Ruby K. Worner Charitable Trust. The Science of Ripley’s Believe it or Not! was created by Science North, Sudbury, Ontario.

The Peoria Riverfront Museum is the collaborative effort of eight organizations, with nearly 500 years of combined experience educating, entertaining, and supporting our diverse Peoria-area culture. Our mission is to inspire lifelong learning for all – connecting art, history, science, and achievement through collections, exhibitions, and programs.

For further information about the Museum, or the Ripley’s exhibit, visit peoriariverfrontmuseum.org.

Peoria, IL — The Peoria Fire Department, Peoria Police Department, Peoria County Public Health Department, Peoria Office of Emergency Management, Peoria County Sherriff’s Department, Federal Bureau of Investigation, Central Illinois Public Information Officers, Salvation Army, Red Cross, Proctor Hospital, US Postal Inspection Service and the US Postal Service Peoria Processing and Distribution Facility will be participating in a mock biohazard exercise at the Peoria Processing and Distribution Facility.

The exercise, set for Tuesday, May 13, 2014, will simulate steps that the various agencies would take if a biohazard emergency occurred during the processing of mail at the Peoria Processing and Distribution Facility.  The practice exercise will begin at 3:30 PM.

Those in the area of the Peoria Processing and Distribution Facility, 95 State St, Peoria IL should expect to see a number of emergency vehicles (fire trucks and police cars and other official vehicles) as well as hazardous materials’ decontamination units parked near the main postal facility, and in their parking lot.  No traffic delays or interruption of service are expected due to the practice drill.

May 10th – Peoria Poetry Club meets at Riverview Senior Living Community, 500 Centennial Dr., East Peoria. Guests  are welcome to bring a sack lunch at 11:30 a.m., read a poem at our noon roll call, and enjoy a program at 1p.m. For more information call 822-8308, or visit www.peoriapoetryclub.com.