American Passion Play
Bloomington Center for the Performing Arts
110 E Mulberry, Bloomington
March 15 - April 12
\Now in its 80th season, Bloomington’s American Passion Play was conceived by Delmar D. Darrah to present the life and ministry of Christ as a vital, living force. The drama is presented in over 50 scenes featuring grand scale scenery, live animals and special effects. Phone toll free 800-354-9640 for reservations and ticket information or visit the Passion Play website at http://www.americanpassionplay.org
14th Annual Easter Seals-UCP Volleyball Marathon
The Shirk Center at Illinois Wesleyan University
302 E. Emerson, Bloomington
March 22 - 23
The 14th annual Volleyball Marathon will host more than 50 area teams and raise funds to help children and adults with disablities and their families. Teams will include both male and female competitors, and will play at competitive, advanced, or intermediate levels. Tickets are available at the door for a donation to Easter Seals-UCP. For schedule information, call (309) 827-4415 or visit the website at http://www.easterseals-ucp.org
The 76th Annual McLean County Amateur Art Competition-Exhibition
McLean County Arts Center
601 N. East Street, Bloomington
through April 19
A wide variety of artwork by amateur adult artists and high school and university art students from around the area is featured in this juried exhibition. Call the Arts Center at (309) 829-0011 or visit the Arts Center’s website at http://www.mcac.org
Blue Moon Coffeehouse: Sons of the Never Wrong
Memorial Student Center Ballroom
Illinois Wesleyan University
104 E. University, Bloomington
March 29
The popular acoustic group Sons of the Never Wrong (featuring former B-N resident Bruce Roper) will present an evening of great music—and it’s free! Call 309-556-3815 or e-mail: bluemoon@titan.iwu.edu for more information.
Illinois Wesleyan Civic Orchestra concert
Bloomington Center for Performing Arts
110 E. Mulberry, Bloomington
April 4
Steven W. Eggleston will conduct the program that will include works by Aaron Copland, Ludwig von Beethoven, and Zolton Kodaly. For further information, contact the IWCO office at: iwco@titan.iwu.edu or call (309) 556-3346.
 At the Hop!
Miller Park Pavilion
1020 S. Morris Ave., Bloomington
April 12
Kids ages 2-8 will have a great time hunting for Easter treats on the lawn of the Miller Park Pavilion. Parents and grandparents will have just as much fun taking pictures! The hunt will be on, rain or shine. For details, contact Bloomington Parks and Recreation at (309) 434-2260.
Easter Egg Hunt
Champion Fields at Maxwell Park
Parkside Road and Gregory Street, Normal
April 12
The Easter Bunny will be on hand for photo opportunities with kids ages 3-10 and there will be plenty of treats to be found. Games and prizes are also planned, so come prepared with Easter baskets and lots of film. Call the Normal Parks and Recreation Office at (309) 455-9540 for details.
 Living History: Civil War Encampment
McLean County Museum of History
Downtown Bloomington
April 12
Find out what it was like for soldiers and civilians during the Civil War era as area reenactors spend the day in and around the Museum grounds to highlight the exhibit on Central Illinois in the Civil War. Actor John Kirk will deliver the fiery speech Isaac Funk gave on the Senate floor in 1863 denouncing the “Copperheads”—the Northern Democrats who sympathized with the Confederates.
A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum
Illinois State University
Center for the Performing Arts Theatre
Off School and Beaufort Streets, Normal
April 11 – 13 and 15 – 19
Illinois State University’s School of Theatre production of this great Broadway farce will bring familiar songs, great laughs, and lots of pompous circumstances to the stage in the new Performing Arts Center. For ticket information, call (309) 438-2535 or see the website at http://www.arts.ilstu.edu
Prairie Fire Theatre ‘A Taste of Music’ Champagne Gala
Memorial Student Center Main Lounge
Illinois Wesleyan University
104 E. University, Bloomington
April 26
This sixth annual Gala will showcase the vocal talents of professional singers from
throughout the Midwest. It’s an opportunity to enjoy mingling and music, assorted beverages, sweets and hors d'oeuvres. For reservations and ticket information call: (309)-824-3047 or e-mail: PFTheatre@aol.com.
Earth Day Energy Fair
Downtown Normal
Ecology Action Center, along Constitution Trail, and the Coffeehouse & Deli at 114 E. Beaufort
April 26
Celebrate Earth Day with children’s activities, prizes and a variety of attractions. Get some energy-efficient ideas for your home or business. Call (309) 454-3169 for more information.
 Sangamon River Canoe trip
April 27
This is just one of many trips and other events planned by members of the Mackinaw Valley Canoe Club for this season. The Sangamon is a great place to enjoy Illinois wildlife (blue herons, owls, red-tailed hawks, beavers, muskrats, ducks, and deer all inhabit the areas in and around this river). A trip down the Sangamon may also offer interesting challenges, so if you are looking for an opportunity to hone your skills with your canoe, contact David Stjern at (217) 544-2703 or visit the club’s website at http://www.rivers-end.org/mcc/mcc.html
Community Players production of the musical ‘42nd Street’
Community Players Theater
201 Robinhood Lane, Bloomington
May 1-4, 8-11, 15-18
If you love the grand old musicals of the past, you’ll want to catch this show! Set in 1933, this musical celebrates the early days of Broadway and a young woman who comes to New York eager to become a star. Musical numbers include “Lullaby of Broadway” and “42nd Street.” For reservations and ticket information, call (309) 663-2121 or visit the website at http://www.communityplayers.org
Second Annual Lake-Fest
Comlara Park County Park - Evergreen Lake boat rental marina area
13001 Recreation Area Dr. (off I-39 North at Evergreen Lake in rural Hudson)
May 11
The McLean County Department of Parks and Recreation will host a day of events, demonstrations, pontoon rides, a children's area with games, and door prizes. Ecowatch, The Ecology Action Center, The Nature Conservancy, ISU Biology Department, The Muskie Hunters, Trappers, The Parklands Foundation, Illinois Waterfowl Alliance, Bloomington Normal Bass Club, and Pheasants Forever will have representatives on hand. Refreshments will be available. The event is free. For details and registration, call 309-726-2022 or visit the website at http://www.mclean.gov/Parks.asp
 Keep the Bloom in Bloomington
Downtown Bloomington
May 17
Welcome spring and enjoy the view from Downtown with this annual spring festival. Celebrate the 100th anniversary of the Old Courthouse with birthday cake and a look at the history of the courthouse with Executive Director Greg Koos. Bring your dog(s) and join in the Corn Dog Walk. Music, food and a Tour de Metro featuring homes and businesses in downtown will also be offered. Call Uniquely Bloomington! for details (309) 829-9599
Youth Day at the Airport
Prairie Aviation Museum and Image Air
2929 East Empire Street, Bloomington
May 31
Young people interested in flight and space exploration will have a chance to explore the static aircraft displays and museum exhibits. Free plane rides will be offered for kids aged 7 - 17, and food, games, and other activities will be featured. Call (309) 663-7632 or visit the Museum website at http://www.prairieaviationmuseum.org
Free Lunch Concerts
North lawn of the McLean County Museum of History
Downtown Bloomington
Each Wednesday May 21 through August 20
Bring your lunch, your blanket or a lawn chair and enjoy concerts by a diverse array of bands and solo performers from this area. Performances are scheduled from 11:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m., and will feature Big Band sounds, country ballads, steel drums, Barbershop harmony, and much more. Stop by a downtown eatery and get lunch to go. Lunch may not be free, but the music is. If you watch closely, you might even see Abe Lincoln's toe start to tap! Visit the website at http://recweb.cityblm.org/Activities
 Glorious Garden Walk
David Davis Mansion Historical Site
1000 East Monroe Drive, Bloomington
June 14 - 15
Take self-guided tours of select local gardens in the Bloomington-Normal area, including the Heirloom Garden on the grounds of the David Davis Mansion. McLean County Master Gardeners and representatives from local landscaping companies will be available to answer questions. This special event benefits the David Davis Mansion Foundation and Chestnut Health Systems. Call (309) 828-1084 for more information.
http://WWW.STATE.il.us/HPA/Sites/DavidDavis.htm
 6th Annual Grand Village of the Kickapoo Park Intertribal Pow-wow
Grand Village of the Kickapoo Park in rural LeRoy, Illinois
June 14 - 15
Bring the family and witness the colorful celebration of a proud heritage as members of the Kickapoo nation return to the site of their grand village in McLean County. Art and food vendors will be on hand for this outdoor event, which features renowned Native American performers from Canada, New Mexico, Oklahoma and Kansas.
Call (309)-962-2700 or (309) 962-4106 or visit the new website: http://www.grandvillage.org
Ongoing activities:
3rd Sunday Market
Interstate Center
2301 W. Market St., Bloomington, Illinois
If you like antiques, collectibles and crafts, this is the place to be on the third Sunday of each month from May through October. More than 450 dealers (with 300 booths inside the Center) set up rain or shine to display and sell thousands of items. For additional information, call (309) 452-7926.
Discover the DC-3
Prairie Aviation Museum
2929 East Empire Street, Bloomington
(subject to weather conditions and scheduling)
Step back in time for flights in the museum’s historic DC-3. A crew of two pilots and one flight attendant will take you on a trip in a restored vintage plane of the type used for transporting troops and equipment during WWII and the early development of the airline industry. Enjoy a unique look at the beautiful prairie countryside in the first DC-3 to be listed on the National Register of Historic Places—and the only flight operational aircraft on the National Register today. Call 309/663-7632 for fees and flight reservation information!
http://www.prairieaviationmuseum.org
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