Out and About

About Out and About

A weekly spotlight on arts activities in Central Illinois. Every Friday, host Mae Gilliland Wright of Arts Partners of Central Illinois talks with area actors, musicians, artists and community leaders about an upcoming arts event. Out and About is supported, in part, by a grant from the Illinois Arts Council, a state agency.

Publisher

WCBU

Category

arts

Language

en

Explicit

No

First episode

8 Dec 2022

Latest episode

15 Oct 2026

Latest episodes

196 episodes in the feed.

1. 

   15 Oct 2026

   Casablanco Creative presents Blood Moon Oct. 15-31 in downtown Peoria

   On this week's episode of Out and About, Mae Gilliland of ArtsPartners of Central Illinois talks with Rick Blanco, founder of Casablanco Creative, about Blood Moon, an immersive vampire-themed experience transforming Obed & Isaac’s in downtown Peoria throughout October. Set within the historic 1889 church building, Blood Moon combines theatrical installations, atmospheric lighting, live entertainment and gothic-inspired artwork to create an environment where guests become part of the story. Blanco explains that the experience is built around a fictional truce between humans and vampires, allowing visitors to enter their world without becoming the evening’s next meal. “Hopefully as you walk in, you’re going to feel like you’re immersed in it,” Blanco said. Three distinct ticketed experiences take place Thursday through Saturday across the final three weekends of October. Thursdays feature Bloodlines: Moonlit Feast, an intimate wine tasting and dinner inspired by vampire cinema. Fridays bring Crimson Spirits: A Haunted Cabaret, featuring opera singer Jennifer Rosa, musical duo Black Velvet, fire juggling, belly dancing, tarot readings and performances unfolding throughout the venue. Saturdays feature Vampire Ball: Dance of the Immortals, with themed costumes, dancing and a Halloween night celebration. For Blanco, who also creates gothic-inspired fine art under the name Dienzo, the event is an extension of his long-standing fascination with the romance, mystery and visual artistry of vampire lore. Blood Moon (https://www.connshg.com/obed-and-isaacs/peoria/Event/3424/Blood-Moon-at-Obed-Isaacs/) continues throughout October at Obed & Isaac’s in Peoria, with special ticketed experiences Oct. 15–17, 22–24 and 29–31 for guests ages 21 and older. A partnership with Four Points Sheraton Peoria also offers special hotel rates for visitors interested in extending their stay in Peoria. See omnystudio.com/listener (https://omnystudio.com/listener) for privacy information.

2. 

   8 Oct 2026

   Peoria Players Theatre presents 'Dracula' on stage Oct. 9-11 and 15-18

   On this week's episode of Out and About, Mae Gilliland of ArtsPartners of Central Illinois talks to Director Jake Van Hoorn about Dracula, on stage Oct. 9-11 and 15-18 at Peoria Players Theatre. Adapted by playwright Steven Dietz, this version stays close to Stoker’s original novel, restoring characters, scenes and even some of the more gruesome elements often left out of other stage adaptations. In doing so, it leaves behind the romanticized Dracula familiar from some modern interpretations. “There’s no tragic romance storyline in this one,” Van Hoorn said. “He is just a predator looking to wreak havoc.” Kyle Redman takes on the title role, portraying a Dracula who is both charismatic and magnetic, while also viciously monstrous. Underneath the blood and horror, however, Van Hoorn says the story offers something unexpected: hope. This Dracula seeks to break his victims by convincing them that any resistance is futile, while the story’s imperfect heroes find the strength to continue fighting through one another. “When they don’t find strength in themselves, they find strength in each other,” Van Hoorn said, noting that the production contains “some really beautiful heartfelt moments amidst all of the blood and gore.” Due to the production’s mature and graphic content, audiences are encouraged to review the complete content advisories (https://www.facebook.com/events/1967028857299825/) before attending. Dracula (https://www.peoriaplayers.org/dracula.html) runs Oct. 9-11 and 15-18 at Peoria Players Theatre. See omnystudio.com/listener (https://omnystudio.com/listener) for privacy information.

3. 

   1 Oct 2026

   Peoria Reads celebrates 25 years with block party

   On this week’s episode of Out and About, Mae Gilliland of ArtsPartners of Central Illinois talks with Kathryn McBride, manager of Peoria Public Library’s McClure Branch, about the 25th anniversary of Peoria Reads and a community block party taking place Oct. 10 at Columbia Park. For 25 years, Peoria Reads has brought the community together around a shared book and the conversations it inspires. This year’s selection is Angeline Boulley’s "Warrior Girl Unearthed," a contemporary young adult novel following Perry, a 16-year-old Ojibwe and Black girl whose summer leads her into questions surrounding Indigenous history, identity and responsibility to community. “The idea is that we would have absolutely everybody reading at the same time and having conversations about the same title,” McBride said. “It’s a really wonderful way in which the community can come together.” On Oct. 10, Peoria Public Library brings the community together at the Peoria Reads Block Party. The free, family-friendly event features six speakers sharing perspectives on Indigenous history, culture and contemporary communities, alongside artists, vendors, food trucks, and children’s activities. Among the featured guests are Indigenous chef Jessica Walks First, who will offer food demonstrations and tastings throughout the day, and Logan Pappenfort, director of tribal relations for the Illinois State Museum, who will speak about Indigenous joy and what it looks like today. The block party also builds toward a November visit from author Angeline Boulley, who will continue the conversation around contemporary Indigenous communities and their futures. The Peoria Reads Block Party (https://artspartners.net/events/peoria-reads-2026-block-party/) takes place Oct. 10 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Columbia Park, next to Peoria Public Library’s McClure Branch. In case of inclement weather, activities will move to Peoria Public Library’s Main Library in downtown Peoria. See omnystudio.com/listener (https://omnystudio.com/listener) for privacy information.

Who has been a guest on Out and About

Names identified in recent episode analyses. Showing up to five guests.

• Terri Gambetti
• Valencia Davis
• David Getz
• David Commanday
• Dr. Mae Gilliland

Reach and audience

Public platform figures. Ratings count people who left a rating, not total listeners.

YouTube views

41,891

Score snapshot 15 Sept 2025

Apple Podcasts (US)

5.0 / 5

4 ratings

Spotify

5.0 / 5

1 ratings

Podcast Authority Score: 77 / 100

A composite of feed quality, social presence, YouTube performance and engagement. Read the methodology.

Quality

94

Social presence

0

YouTube

76

Engagement

76

Contact Out and About

Guest appearances

Books guests

Based on episode analysis; this does not confirm that the show is currently accepting guests.

Questions about Out and About