Join the Forest Park Nature Center in Peoria for an Earth Day Festival on April
23. (Photo courtesy of Peoria Park District)

APRIL 21

Blue Man Group, Peoria Civic Center 201 SW Jefferson Street Peoria, 7:30 p.m. Blue Man Group is comedy, theater, rock concert and dance party all rolled into one. This wildly popular phenomenon offers an outrageous evening of entertainment that has captivated 35 million people worldwide. Tickets: $41, $68 and $71. Information: (309) 673-8900.

APRIL 22

Girls Night Out, Speakeasy Art Center, 353 Court St., Pekin, 6-9 p.m. “Eat, Drink & Be Married” which will include live entertainment, 50/50 raffles, and a chance to win a new wedding gown. Free admission. Information: (309) 267-2058.

Gold Medal Fellowship Carnival and Dinner, Blessed Sacrament School Gym & Parish Hall, 233 E. Greenwood St., Morton, 4-8 p.m. Carnival includes games, teen area, prizes, silent auction and bake sale. Spaghetti dinner. Information: (309) 231-8003.

Bootleggers Bash Fundraiser, Peoria Riverfront Museum, 222 SW Washington, Peoria, 6-9 p.m. Gourmet delights from 10 of Central Illinois’ favorite eateries. Enjoy live music, dancing, a silent auction. Vote for your favorite restaurant. Fundraiser benefits the museum. Tickets $55 for single, $100 for couple. Information: (309) 863-3060.

31st Annual Gerald M. Brookhart Arts in Education Spring Celebration, Peoria County Courthouse Plaza 324 Main St Peoria, 11 a.m.-1:30 p.m. The event showcases the Fine Arts and Applied Arts programs of over 100 schools from seven counties: Peoria, Tazewell, Woodford, Marshall, Fulton, Henry, and McLean. Over 10,000 students and 400 teachers participate. There are nearly 200 performances, including band, orchestra, choir, drama, dance, and speech; in addition to art exhibits and demonstrations that feature painting, drawing, collage, ceramics, metal works, fiber arts, weaving, photography, woodworking, drafting, horticulture, agriculture, home economics, food, and clothing. Information: (309) 672-6906 or email mrousarts@gmail.com

APRIL 22-23

Illinois State Button Society Show, Holiday Inn Hotel & Suites, 3202 E. Empire St., Bloomington, Friday 1-5 p.m., Saturday, 9 a.m.-2 p.m. Visitors are encouraged to bring along any buttons of their own to be analyzed by the button vendors. Free. Information: email ILbuttonsociety@aol.com.

Our Country’s Good, Bradley University’s Hartman Center for the Performing Arts, 8 p.m. Ensemble play that offers a testament to the founding of Australia. Tickets and information: (309) 677-2650.

APRIL 22 – 24

Spring Plant Sale, Luthy Botanical Garden, 2520 N. Prospect Road., Peoria, free. Unique perennials, native plants, ornamental grasses, and unusual tropical plants and annuals for sale. Also, vegetable plants for sale. Information: (309) 686-3362.

Hands on a Hardbody, Byron Moore Auditorium, East Peoria High School, 1401 E. Washington. 7:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday, 2 p.m. Sunday. Play inspired by the true 1997 documentary about a free truck giveaway. Information: www.eastlighttheatre.com.

APRIL 23

Money Smart Kids Storytime, Pekin Public Library, 301 S. 4th St., 10 a.m., free. A special story time has been devised. A local fireman will talk about his/her job and read a story. Information: (309) 347-7111, Ext. 3.

Video Game Throwdown for Teens, Pekin Public Library, 301 S. 4th St., 2 p.m. free. The Teen Advisory Board is hosting a Video Game Throw Down: Just Dance Edition. Information: (309) 347-7111, Ext. 0.

Earth Day Festival, Forest Park Nature Center, 5809 N. Forest Park Drive, Peoria, 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Live music, local food, educational materials, hands-on demos, and more. Information: (309) 686-3360.

Country Legends at Five-Points, Washington Five Points, 360 N. Wilmor, 7:30 p.m. Tickets: $35; student/child $8. Rachel Potter and Patrick Thomas will entertain. Information: (309) 444-2241.

Washington Library Book Sale, Washington District Library, 380 N. Wilmor, 9 a.m. The Friends of the Library will conduct the sale through noon on the 27th. Information: (309) 444-2241.

Earth Day Activities for Kids, Fondulac District Library, 400 Richland, East Peoria, 11 a.m.-1 p.m., free. Celebrate Earth Day by making Silhouette Heart Art using recycled magazines. Younger children will need parent’s help. Information: (309) 699-3917.

American Spirits Docent Tour, Peoria Riverfront Museum, 222 SW Washington, 1 p.m., free with admission and exhibition up-charge. Get a tour of the exhibition American Spirits the Rise and Fall of Prohibition. Information: (309) 686-7000.

APRIL 24

Central Illinois Antique Engine & Tractor Swap Meet, Mineral Springs Park, Pekin, 8 a.m. Information: (309) 303-2634.

Giant Flea Market, Expo Gardens 1601 W. Northmoor Rd. Peoria. For just $1.50 admission, you can look through a number of vendors selling all sorts of cool items. Information: (309) 691-6332.

APRIL 27

Wildflower Walk, Forest Park Nature Center, 5809 N. Forest Park Drive, Peoria, 10 a.m. Join a Forest Park naturalist on a half- mile spring hike. Information: (309) 686-3360.

— Peoria County events calendar —