Events Calendar

The Western Illinois Museum presents a USO Night on Friday, October 9th, from 5:00 to 8:00 pm as part of the Macomb Park District and Western Illinois University’s World War II Living History Weekend. Featuring WIU’s Jazz Studio Orchestra with singers Nicholas Miguel and Melissa Chavez, along with dance instruction at 5:00 and 6:30 pm by Springfield dance instructor Elizabeth Cheney, the Museum will be transformed into a lively 1940s-style USO dance hall. Come on out, bring your best gal or fella, and enjoy some swinging big band music, hit the dance floor, grab a refreshment, and soak up the good old-fashioned camaraderie that made USO dances such a swell part of the home-front experience during World War II. A suggested $5 donation at the door helps support the Museum’s community programming.

Schedule:
5-5:30 pm Dance instruction with Elizabeth Cheney
5:30-6:30 pm WIU Jazz Studio Orchestra
6:30-7 pm Dance instruction with Elizabeth Cheney
7-8 pm WIU Jazz Studio Orchestra

Dancing is encouraged but not required, and no experience is necessary to join in the fun.

Located at 201 S. Lafayette Street, just a block south of Macomb’s Courthouse Square, the Western Illinois Museum is a nonprofit dedicated to celebrating McDonough County's history, culture, and traditions. The building is fully accessible, and free parking is available.

West Burlington, Iowa, September 17, 2026– Southeast Iowa Regional Medical Center will host an employee and volunteer craft fair on their Fort Madison and West Burlington campuses on the following dates:

• October 6, 2026 | Fort Madison | 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. | Foggy/Canella Conference Rooms
• October 15, 2026 | West Burlington | 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. | Mercy Plaza Lobby

This event is free and open to the public.
Attendees will be able to purchase one-of-a-kind items created by Great River Health employees and volunteers. A variety of unique items will be showcased, including leatherwork, woodworking, doll clothes, blankets, greeting cards, holiday décor, and more. Food will be available for purchase on the West Burlington campus, with proceeds benefiting the Southeast Iowa Regional Medical Center Auxiliary.
“If you are looking for gift ideas for your upcoming holiday celebrations, this is a wonderful opportunity to purchase some unique, hand-crafted items,” expressed Terra Waggoner, Great River Health's manager of Volunteer Services.
This is an annual event hosted by the Southeast Iowa Regional Medical Center Auxiliary.

The market emphasizes locally grown produce and products, ensuring that all items are sourced from Illinois growers. This focus on local sourcing helps to reduce transportation emissions and supports the regional economy.
The market welcomes new vendors and offers a variety of goods, including fruits, vegetables, baked and canned goods, as well as artwork and crafts. It operates between 3 and 6 PM, making it accessible for afternoon and early evening shoppers.

On October 6, 2026, WIU will host state officials and researchers who will meet to discuss the new Latine Homelessness in Illinois: Structural Drivers of Inequality report, which is a collaborative effort of the UIC Institute for Research on Race and Public Policy and the Illinois Office to Prevent and End Homelessness (OPEH), which is housed in the Illinois Department of Human Services (IDHS). Governor Pritzker stated at a presentation of this report on May 21, 2026,“This research, and the testimony of people with lived experience, helps us pave the path toward a state where no one faces long-term homelessness."

The report partly draws on insights from the Racial Equity Roundtable on Latine Homelessness, a group of agencies across Illinois that support people experiencing homelessness, which helped the research team conduct listening sessions, interviews, and focus groups, as well as Latine individuals who had experienced or were experiencing homelessness. Dr. Julia Albarracin, Department of Political Science, was a member of this roundtable. 

“Much of the public conversation about homelessness focuses on individual responsibility and personal choice. This report outlines how structural factors, such as a lack of affordable housing, part-time labor without a living wage, access to health insurance, and immigration status, often push Latine residents in Illinois towards homelessness,” said Iván Arenas, Senior Associate Director for Community Partnerships at UIC’s Institute for Research on Race and Public Policy.

A panel of experts, a person from OPEH, and a local support agency will discuss the structural factors that contribute to racial and ethnic disparities in rates of Latine homelessness, such as a lack of affordable housing, employment, and healthcare access, as well as other insights and findings contained in the report. A community member will share his experience with housing insecurity.

Great River Health will host its 3rd Annual Career Exploration Event on Thursday, October 8, from 9 a.m. – 12 p.m. The public is invited to attend this free event held in the Mercy Plaza Lobby at Southeast Iowa Regional Medical Center, West Burlington. The event is designed to introduce students and community members to the wide variety of career opportunities available in healthcare.
Attendees will have the opportunity to meet with Great River Health departments, ask questions, explore career paths, and connect with educational resources. Representatives from Southeastern Community College and IowaWORKS will also be present with information tables located near the Human Resources booth.
For more information, contact Great River Health Human Resources at 319-768-3750 or recruiting@greatriverhealth.org.

Come build with LEGO blocks to your heart's content. Open to kids of all ages; kids under 8 must be accompanied by an adult. No registration required.

Join us at Iron Spike for an evening of fun! Beer & Wine Tasting included with your ticket price. Guest bartenders, auction items, raffles & more!
All proceeds go to benefit the Discovery Depot Children's Museum.

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.