Events Calendar

Thursday Night Jazz at Smokin’ Willies BBQ
A Galesburg tradition for more than 30 years—every Thursday night starting Sept 17th!
Join us for Jazz Night with the Knox Cherry Street Combo, featuring special events throughout the fall term. Musicians, come sit in with the band!
Every Thursday | Sept. 17–Nov. 12
7:00–10:00 PM (some special nights begin earlier)
FREE admission | All ages welcome
Full bar + the best BBQ around
Smokin’ Willies BBQ | Galesburg, IL

Special Events:
October 15 — Matt Wilson’s Leap Day Trip
Masterclass at 6:00 PM
Jazz Night performance to follow
October 29 — Galesburg High School Vocal Jazz Ensembles and the Cherry St combo
November 5 — Mirza Residency at Jazz Night
Featuring Jenny Scheinman’s All Species Parade

Lee Franklin, Director. Presented by arrangement with Concord Theatricals on behalf of Samuel French, Inc. 
Also known as Gaslight (you might have seen the 1940’s film noir starring Charles Boyer and Ingrid Bergman), the story is set in 19th-century London; it deals with the attempt of a husband to slowly and subtly drive his wife insane in order to conceal his own criminal activities.  The term “gaslighting” originates from this play, which explores themes of psychological abuse, deceit, and a woman’s struggle to reclaim her reality. 

Western Illinois University Theatre and Dance has announced its Fall 2026 season, featuring a lineup of classic theatre, contemporary musical theatre, original dance works, and a showcase highlighting the talents of WIU students and faculty. The Fall 2026 season will take place in the new Goldfarb Center for Performing Arts, with performances in the Clow Theatre and Hainline Theatre, in Brown Hall.

TWELFTH NIGHT is a lively romantic comedy about mistaken identity, love, and self-discovery. After being shipwrecked, Viola disguises herself as a man and becomes entangled in a love triangle involving Duke Orsino and Lady Olivia, leading to confusion, humor, and unexpected revelations. Through wit and disguise, the play explores love in all its foolishness and joy.

This highly acclaimed Los Angeles-born band meticulously recreates the legendary 1975–1987 era. From Rumours to Tango in the Night, you will experience the peak popularity of one of rock's greatest bands brought to life with spot-on harmonies, period-accurate costumes, and professional instrumentation.

Having toured across North America, rocked the House of Blues, and held a week-long residency at Disney's Epcot, this incredible lineup delivers a high-energy, immersive concert experience you won't want to miss.

Meet the Band:
• Jesika Miller as Stevie Nicks• John Rogers as Lindsey Buckingham• Kate Sland as Christine McVie• Nic Johns as John McVie• Ned Brower as Mick Fleetwood. Hear all your favorite hits live, including:
• "Go Your Own Way"• "Dreams"• "The Chain"• ...and many more!

Macomb will step back in time this October as the WWII Living History Event will take over Veterans Park for an expanded three-day experience, bringing World War II history to life through authentic reenactors, historic military vehicles, living-history encampments, battle reenactments, and interactive exhibits.

Taking place October 9–11 at Veterans Park, 1800 E. University Drive, the free event will offer visitors an opportunity to see, hear, and experience history from the perspective of the soldiers, civilians, and communities who lived through World War II. Activities will run from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday and Saturday, with the event concluding at 3 p.m. Sunday.

This year's event represents the first time the community has hosted the experience in its current expanded format, bringing together more than 100 reenactors and a wide range of historical programming and activities. Visitors will be able to interact with reenactors portraying military and civilian personnel from multiple countries involved in World War II. Historically themed encampments will feature period-correct uniforms, equipment, vehicles, food, and other elements designed to provide a glimpse into everyday life during the war.

IT’S TIME TO GET WILD, FALCONS!
The West Burlington Elementary PTO is excited to invite all of our WB families to our annual PUMPKIN TAILGATE!
Friday, October 9th
5:00–6:30 PM
West Burlington Elementary Playground

This year’s theme is WILD ABOUT WB!
Pumpkin Silent Auction — Cash or check accepted.
Free-will donation dinner
50¢ desserts — Cash only.
Bring your lawn chairs if we’re able to be outside!
Rain location: Elementary Gym.
And once the event is complete, head over to the West Burlington football game afterward!
Come get WILD about WB with us! GO FALCONS!

Nova Singers, in collaboration with the Galesburg Public Library Foundation is offering a free workshop, Singing and Dancing the South African Way with Michael Barrett.  The workshop is open to the public and will be held on Friday, October 9, from 5-6:30 pm at the Galesburg Public Library Community Room. Internationally known conductor, educator, composer and choral clinician Dr. Michael Barrett from the University of Pretoria, South Africa will share his experiences gathering traditional songs of South Africa and teaching and arranging them.

Dr. Barrett has served as conductor of the University of Pretoria (TUKS) Camerata and full-time faculty member in choral conducting at the University of Pretoria from 2013–2025, and has been a Research Associate at the University of Pretoria since April 2025. Dr. Barrett’s choirs have received numerous national and international awards, and he is in demand worldwide as a guest conductor, lecturer, adjudicator, and clinician.

Internationally, he has conducted and presented in the USA, United Kingdom, Europe, Asia, and Oceania, and made both his Carnegie Hall and Sydney Opera House debuts in 2026. Under his leadership, the TUKS Camerata won the Grand Prix of Nations in Riga (2014, 2017), performed at the World Symposium on Choral Music, recorded six albums, and appeared at the ACDA National Conference (March 2025).

As a composer and arranger, Dr. Barrett has over 45 published works, currently serves as Conductor in Residence at Kingswood College (Melbourne), and is the founder and artistic director of Australia Sings.

Western Illinois University Theatre and Dance has announced its Fall 2026 season, featuring a lineup of classic theatre, contemporary musical theatre, original dance works, and a showcase highlighting the talents of WIU students and faculty. The Fall 2026 season will take place in the new Goldfarb Center for Performing Arts, with performances in the Clow Theatre and Hainline Theatre, in Brown Hall.

TWELFTH NIGHT is a lively romantic comedy about mistaken identity, love, and self-discovery. After being shipwrecked, Viola disguises herself as a man and becomes entangled in a love triangle involving Duke Orsino and Lady Olivia, leading to confusion, humor, and unexpected revelations. Through wit and disguise, the play explores love in all its foolishness and joy.

One of Shakespeare's most well-known and well-beloved tragedies will open the theatre season at Monmouth College Oct. 9-11, which is also Homecoming weekend on campus.

The college's theatre department will present Macbeth - a tale of ambition, fate, and the price of choosing power over honor - on the Wells Theater stage.

On the eve of opening night, the cast will stage a dress rehearsal that's open to area theatre students and teachers. Another memorable rehearsal has already happened - a version of the play where the cast used their own words - not Shakespeare's - as a way to make sure they really understand their lines.
The play will be part of a jam-packed Homecoming weekend on campus, and Quick said his cast and crew will be busy with some of those assignments, including members of the football team, color guard and dance team.

Two of the cast's more veteran performers will not have such obligations: adult actors John Henderson, who "is both terrifying and hilarious" as The Porter, and Howard Moffet, who last year starred as The Narrator in Our Town. He'll play King Duncan.

On October 9, turn up the volume in Downtown Burlington when Rockett Mafia takes over the Capitol Theater. The band has built a reputation for energetic live performances fueled by big guitars and the larger-than-life sound of arena rock. The Capitol’s beautifully restored auditorium provides an especially memorable setting to catch a live show, putting concertgoers close to the action in the heart of Downtown Burlington. Before the music starts, grab dinner at a nearby restaurant or stop for a drink and turn the concert into a complete night out in Burlington. Check the Capitol Theater website for ticket information and additional show details.