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August 20th, 2008 by Brandon

Urbana Sweetcorn Festival, Urbana: 5 to 11 pm on Aug. 22 and 11 am to 11 pm on Aug. 23 on the streets of downtown Urbana. Featured will be over 80 vendors and live music.

Sweet Corn Blues Festival, Normal: Aug 23 and 24 in Uptown Normal from 10:30 am to 4 pm. Cooked and buttered corn at $.25/ear or $2 dozen unhusked. Also featured will be blues music.

Old Capitol Blues & BBQs, Springfield: On Fifth and Washington Streets in downtown Springfield from Noon to Midnight on Aug. 23. Featured will be blues music and a baby back rib cook-off. Admission for adults is $5.

Hot August Nights, Bloomington: Street Fair in Downtown Bloomington on Aug. 23 from 12 pm to 9 pm. Featured will be food vendors, a variety of entertainment, and a 5K race to benefit OSF Homecare Hospice division.

Bureau County Fair, Princeton: Aug. 20 through 24 at the Bureau County Fairgrounds/ Features a carnival, various entertainment, demolition derby, tractor pull, livestock shows and much more. Rodney Atkins performing Friday evening at 7:30 at the Grandstand. Admission varies.

Erin Feis, Peoria: Aug. 22 from 5:00 to 11 pm, Aug. 23 from Noon to 11pm, and Aug. 24 from Noon to 6 pm. Features Irish Dance, Music, Food, Merchandise, and Games. Irish bands will be playing on multiple stages. Admission will be $7 for adults.

Eureka Reagan Fest, Eureka: Festival in honor of President Ronald Reagan. Aug. 23 from 9 am to 4 pm in downtown Eureka.

ICMA Summer Showcase, Washington: Aug. 23 at 7 pm in the Caterpillar Performing Arts Center at Five Points Washington. The Showcase will feature performers and musicians from the Illinois Country Music Association. Admission will be $12 for adults

Alice Cooper in Concert, Bloomington: Thurs. Aug 21 at 6 pm at the U.S. Cellular Coliseum.

Backstreet Boys in Concert, Bloomington: Fri. Aug 22 at 6 pm at the U.S. Cellular Coliseum.

There will also be Peoria Chiefs’ games on Friday and Saturday evenings.

August 18th, 2008 by Brandon

What is it with these Asian artists who mix comtemporary western culture with traditional and mythical eastern stylings through paintings on wood? All I know is, I’m digging them. Check out Yoksay’s work.

 
Brandon has been blogging in some form or another since 1997. He probably can eat more than you, but only if it’s tasty. He started circa both as an outlet for himself, and as a guide to what is good in Central Illinois.

August 14th, 2008 by Brandon

Brandon has been blogging in some form or another since 1997. He probably can eat more than you, but only if it’s tasty. He started circa both as an outlet for himself, and as a guide to what is good in Central Illinois.

August 13th, 2008 by Brandon

Downtown Festival of the Arts, Champaign: The fifth year of the Downtown Festival of the Arts located in the heart of Downtown Champaign, on Saturday from 11:00 am to 8:00 pm. There will be food as well as juried works by fine artists from both near and far. There will also be performing artists and musicians, as well as “Little Artist Tents” for children.

1st Annual Washington Fine Art Fair, Washington: On Saturday from 10am to 5pm and Sunday from noon to 5 pm in downtown Washington.

Farm Heritage Days, Chillicothe: Saturday and Sunday from 9am to 5pm at Three Sisters Park. Various farm equipment shows and demonstrations, a parade, flea market, craft booths, potato dig, and train rides. There will also be a petting zoo for the kids. Admission will be $4 for adults.

Grand National TT Weekend and Races, Peoria: The 14th Annual rally to celebrate the TT Races on Saturday from 10 am until Midnight. There will be food, live music, a swap meet, motorcycle parade, and an antique and custom motorcycle show. Admission will be $10 for adults on the riverfront. Motorcycle racing on Sunday at PMC Race Track. Gates open at 11 am.

LeRoy Fall Festival, LeRoy: The dates are August 14th through the 18th. There will be a carnival and free entertainment on the stage in Kiwanis Park each evening at 7:00.

Cultural Festival, Bloomington: Friday through Sunday in Miller Park. There will be a variety of music styles, other stage performances, and food. Admission is free.

Mentor Apprentice Program Exhibit, Peoria: Fifteen selected local High School student’s exhibit work they created in the Art Guild’s Studio School during the intensive summer program. The exhibit will be on display from the opening on Friday at 5:30 pm until September 6th.

August 11th, 2008 by Brandon

Eyvind Earle was an artist and illustrator who at one time did background illustration and styling for Disney animation. What captivates me though, are his personal paintings, many of which were never exhibited until after his death in 2000. His landscapes and nature segments with stylized shapes and fantastical colors are fascinating.

 
Brandon has been blogging in some form or another since 1997. He probably can eat more than you, but only if it’s tasty. He started circa both as an outlet for himself, and as a guide to what is good in Central Illinois.

August 8th, 2008 by Brandon

For this new segment, I will be interviewing various people right here in Central Illinois. Our very first interview is with Rachel, who I’ve known for about ten years now.

 

B  What city are you from originally, and in what city do you now reside?

R  Well, I was born in Peoria, but spent my childhood in Chillicothe and a few years in Florida. I now live in Peoria.

B  You run your own photography business, Rachel B. Photographie, tell us a little about that.

R  I started my photography business about 6 years ago- which made my work sort of ‘official’. I had done a lot of photo work in the years before that, just not under the title “photographer”. I was an “Artist”. Now I do weddings, portraits, and when I have the time, I do some creative projects just for me.

B  Take it from me, she’s really talented and fun to work with. She photographed my wedding and choosing her to be a part of it really made the day.

Lets tackle some of your Central Illinois favorites. What are some of your favorite things to do in Central Illinois?

R  I really enjoy taking drives through the smaller towns in the area. It may sound a bit boring to most people, but I get the chance to photograph a lot of rural culture that way.

B  I hear you, when I was learning to drive, I drove all over the place, sometimes getting lost and then finding my way back. There’s definitely a lot of beauty in the rural areas and something to be said for fresh air coming in your windows as you roar down country roads. Unfortunately, with gas prices what they are now, I can’t just drive around as much. Driving around you see signs for all the oddly named towns, which Central Illinois town name is your favorite?

R  Buda (pronounced byoo-da)

B  *laughing* Wow!

Ok, What are your 3 favorite local places to eat and why?

R  The Great Wall, hands down my favorite place to eat. I’ve been to many places, but their food just rocks. If I have to choose a second and third, I like Johnny’s Italian Steakhouse, and One World Cafe. The food at both of those restaurants is great. I also enjoy the unique moods in each place.

B  What’s your favorite local place or landmark to photograph?

R  That is really tough for me to answer… Let’s see… I love photographing old signage around the industrial parts of town. I also Like documenting the old farms that are still here. I think they are an important part of Peoria’s history- I don’t want them to be forgotten.

B  On the flip side, What is something you feel your area is missing?

R  Sidewalks. It’s very difficult to get around in an environmentally friendly way when there are no safe places for pedestrians to walk.

B  Yeah, some areas of town have less than others. The area around where I live has a good amount, but they are beat to smithereens and barely walkable.

What is one thing you would miss if you moved away?

R  I would miss the familiarity that comes from living most of your life in the same place. It feels safe; it feels like home.

B  Certainly, it does. Ok, so to wrap up, Create your own question and answer it.

R  Your hand has been replaced with a rubber stamp. What does it read?
“Declassified”

B  Thank you so much for taking the time to talk with me.

R  This has been an awesome interview. Thanks for having me!

Photo by Rachel B. Photographie
 

August 7th, 2008 by Brandon

Brandon has been blogging in some form or another since 1997. He probably can eat more than you, but only if it’s tasty. He started circa both as an outlet for himself, and as a guide to what is good in Central Illinois.

August 6th, 2008 by Brandon

Soul Fest, Peoria: Friday and Saturday on Peoria’s riverfront with music, mercants, and food. Friday is gospel music with headliner Martha Munizzi for $7. Saturday is soul music with headliner Boyz II Men for $10.

Lewis Black Live, Peoria: See comedian Lewis Black perform at the Peoria Civic Center at 8 pm on Saturday.

Illinois State Fair, Springfield: August 8 through 17 at the Illinois State Fairgrounds. There will be exhibits, music, rides, and the always popular fair food. Hours vary depending on the day. Admission is $3 for adults.

Jason Aldean in Concert, Bloomington: Country music singer-songwriter Jason Aldean will play U.S. Cellular Coliseum at 6 pm on Friday.