cutline: Water Street in downtown Peoria will be filled with celebration for the Mardi Gras in May
on Saturday, May 13. (Photo courtesy of enjoyillinois.com)

MAY 11

Painting the Natural History of the Field Museum

Thursday, 9:30 a.m.

Peoria Riverfront Museum, 222 SW Washington St.

$12; $5 for students

Peggy Macnamara, artist-in-residence at Chicago’s Field Museum, shares experiences as a natural history artist and explores the relationship between art and science. For more information, visit www.FineArtsSociety.net

Zootini

Thursday, 6-9 p.m.

Peoria Zoo, 2320 N. Prospect Road

$75

Event will feature a variety of martinis enjoyed in the Africa area of the zoo. Must be 21 or older. To register, call (309) 681-3500.

MAY 11-14

Billy Elliot the Musical

Thurs.-Sat., 7:30 p.m.; Sun., 2 p.m.

4300 N. University St., Peoria

$19; under 21 $12

Peoria Players Theatre will present the Tony Award-winning play which features music by Elton John. For more information, call (309) 688-4473.

MAY 12

Eric Church: Holdin’ My Own Tour

Friday, 7:30 p.m.

Peoria Civic Center, 221 SW Jefferson St.

$50-$90

Country music singer and songwriter will perform. For tickets, visit ticketmaster.com.

How’d They Do That?

Friday, 8 p.m.

Waterhouse’s Broadway Lounge, 316 SW Washington St., Peoria

$16 (with dinner $41)

An evening of magic, comedy and amazement featuring “Circus Boy” Bobby Hunt and Magician Mitch Williams. For reservations or information, visit BroadwayPeoria.com.

Wine and Cheese Under the Stars

Friday, 7-9 p.m.

Dome Planetarium, Peoria Riverfront Museum, 222 SW Washington St.

$33

Wines from the Mackinaw Valley Vineyard will be served under a full-dome night sky. For more information, call (309) 686-7000.

MAY 13

Mardi Gras in May

Saturday, 10 a.m., 3-10 p.m.

Water Street in downtown Peoria

Admission is free

Event begins with the Mardi Gras 5K Race. The Street Party will run from 3 – 10 pm where Water Street will be transformed into the New Orleans French Quarter featuring street performers, live music, artists, demonstrations and local restaurants offering authentic Cajun dishes and drinks. For more information, visit mardigraspeoria.com.

National Train Day at Wildlife Prairie Park

Saturday, 9 a.m.-4 p.m.

3826 N. Taylor Road, Hanna City

Regular admission applies.

Learn all about trains and ride the famous Prairie Zephyr Train for half price. For more information, call (309) 676-0998.

Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure

Saturday, 7 a.m. registration

Peoria Metro Centre, 4700 N. University

$45

The 32nd Annual Komen Memorial Race for the Cure will raise funds for breast cancer research. For more information, visit komenmemorial.org/komen-race-for-the-cure.

Super Saturday for Kids: Insects

Saturday, 1:30-2:30 p.m.

Lobby, Peoria Riverfront Museum, 222 SW Washington St.

Free with regular admission

Join Museum staff and volunteers explore the world of insects. For more information, call (309) 686-7000.

MAY 14

Mother’s Day at Wildlife Prairie Park

Sunday, 10 a.m.-2 p.m.

3826 Taylor Road, Hanna City

$23.95; children under 12, $12.95

3826 N. Taylor Road, Hanna City

Mother’s Day brunch will also include activities for the kids and mom. For more information, call (309) 676-0998.

Mother’s Day Orchid Show

Sunday, noon-4 p.m.

Luthy Botanical Garden, 2520 N. Prospect Road, Peoria

Donations appreciated

Visit the garden’s orchid collection and get answers to questions from the experts. For more information, call (309) 681-3506.

MAY 16

Heart of Illinois Chorus

Tuesday, 7:30 p.m.

ICC Performing Arts Center, 1 College Drive, E. Peoria

$12; seniors $10, $5 children from 4-10

For more information, visit http://icc.edu/arts.

MAY 17

Unplugged in the Heights

Wednesday, 8-11 p.m.

Pour Bros. Craft Taproom, 4450 N. Prospect Road, Peoria Heights

Free

Event will feature local singer/songwriters, vocalists, acoustic soloists and small ensembles, brass soloists, woodwind and string soloists and small ensembles, and hand percussionists. For more information, visit pourbrostaproom.com.