ART EXHIBITS

• Visit a variety of local galleries and art studios on First Friday, Nov. 7.
• A graphic design juried exhibition will be at Bradley University galleries through Dec. 5.
• The Contemporary Art Center is hosting a Combined Reception on Nov. 15 featuring members of Chicago Modern Quilt Guild and local creators presenting a fashion show; the Guild’s “Take the Shirt Off My Back” exhibit of a quilt from shirts from family, friends and the artists to stress waste in the textile industry; and small creations from local artists on display in the Small Wonder Gift Shop.
• Fourth Friday at Muse Gallery, Morton, Nov. 28.

COMEDY

• A new “Marty Monologues” is Nov. 8 at Kenny’s Westside Pub: Meanwhile, Back in Peoria creator Marty Wombacher, right, performs “You’ve Got Jail — Three Tails From Three Jails.”

MUSIC

• “Postmodern Jukebox” — a mashup of contemporary pop hits as done by legendary performers (Guns ‘n’ Roses by Bessie Smith, Bruno Mars as Frank Sinatra, etc.) — is at the Civic Center on Nov. 1.
• Bradley University is presenting several performances this month, including the Community Chorus on Nov. 2 at Dingeldine Center, the Symphonic Winds concert Nov. 12 at Dingeldine, “Music for Screens” Nov. 17 in Marty Theater, and BU Symphony Orchestra on Nov. 22 at Dingeldine.
• The Heritage Ensemble’s 11th annual “Evening of Jazz” is Nov. 8 at the Life Together Center.
• Illinois Central College is presenting the Hard Bop Jazz Band on Nov. 11 at its Lecture/Recital Hall in East Peoria.
• Westminster Presbyterian Church’s Gretchen R. Iben Arts Series is presenting classical guitarist Guido Sanchez Portuguez at 4 p.m. Nov. 16.
• At the Contemporary Art Center, Matthew Curry will be “Live at the Five Spot” Nov. 14 and Robin Crowe will be there Nov. 28.
• Peoria Symphony Orchestra performs “Handel at The Cathedral” at St. Mary’s Cathedral, Nov. 14-15.
• The Central Illinois Jazz Society presents the Central Illinois Jazz Orchestra with Dr. Todd Kelly on Nov. 16 at Trailside Event Center.
• The Philharmonic Chorale continues its centennial anniversary with its Fall concert, “Singing in the Season,” at 2:30 p.m. Nov. 30, in the ICC Performing Arts Center, featuring “Heavenly Voices” and “Holiday Rides” — with a special appearance by Santa, who’ll be available for photos afterward. Kids under 5 have free admission.

THEATER

• “Annie” will be presented at Peoria Players Theatre on Nov. 7-9 and 12-16.
• Peoria Civic Center is staging “Menopause: The Musical 2” on Nov. 9.
• Chillicothe Players Theatre presents “Every Christmas Story Ever Told” on Nov. 13-15 at Shore Acres Park.
• The Barn III dinner theater in Goodfield starts “Plaid Tidings,” a special holiday version of “Forever Plaid,” runs Nov. 15 through Dec. 31.
• Corn Stock Theater announced its 2026 season: “The 39 Steps,” “The Importance of Being Earnest,” “Night Mother,” “The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe,” “West Side Story,” “The Odd Couple,” “The Hunchback of Notre Dame,” “Matilda: The Musical,” “Into the Woods,” and “Spamelot: The School Edition.”

SPECIAL EVENTS

• The Affinity Illinois Dance Center presents “Tea with the Sugar Plum Fairy” Nov. 8 at the Connect Center in Washington.

• Peoria Public Library’s “Peoria Reads” continues with the movie “Pavarotti” Nov. 7 at the McClure branch, a discussion of the “Holding the Note” chapter on Paul McCartney on Nov. 8 at Lakeview branch, and a conversation about the book’s Bob Dylan section Nov. 18 at Lakeview.

• Peoria Bookfest: Connecting People with Books is all day Nov. 15 at the Life Together Center at Sheridan and War Memorial Drive.

• Get Lit. open mic night will be at Lit. on Fire Books this Nov. 19.

CLASSES & LECTURES

• The Peoria Art Guild is hosting a three-week relief printmaking class starting Nov. 2, and will have a palette knife-painting class at the Shoppes at Grand Prairie on Nov. 12.

— For more information and details, check out the full online calendar at artspartners.net