Welcome Things To Do

WGLT's summer music guide highlights various places to catch free (and nearly free) live music around Bloomington-Normal.

Upper Limits Rock Gym and Pro Shop in Bloomington host monthly classes for people living with Parkinson's Disease, proving climbing is for everyone.

The former Rockette and star of Broadway, small and silver screens Chryssie Whitehead is on tour with her one-woman show about her mother's death and learning to live with bipolar disorder. She shares her story hoping to normalize conversations about mental health.

Veteran Peoria actor Tim Wyman suggested the play for Heartland's season — and wound up playing the only part.

Co-professors Eric Wesselmann and Stanford Carpenter's honors seminar on Black horror films was well-received by students and the public. The Normal Theater pressed them to mix up a new course focused on 1970s blaxploitation films.

Maria Alejandra Rodriguez moved to Bloomington-Normal in 2022 looking for a fresh start. She met Brazilian guitarist Jose Emilio Gobbo, premiering at Jazz UpFront as a four-piece combo with Max Beckman and Jay Ferguson.

Community Players Theatre presents an adaptation of the acclaimed 1957 Reginald Rose film "12 Angry Men" for two weekends in Bloomington.

The final story in our Welcome Home series is aimed at a key question new Twin City residents had: how to make friends.

Bryant pioneered string programs in Unit 5 schools and led the Bloomington-Normal Youth Symphony for three decades. She recently stepped down and will conduct her final piece with BYNS Saturday at the Illinois Symphony's Holiday Pops in the Heartland.

After a busy harvest season, Rader Family Farms isn't slowing down yet. This weekend marks the 80-acre farm and recreation area's first annual "Christmas on the Farm." Santa will be there, plus seasonal crafts, performances and lots of Rader's legendary pumpkin donuts.