Celebration: April 20-22

Scheduled Events

art booth

Since 1977 Celebration: A Festival of the Arts has featured a variety of indoor and outdoor programming. A wide range of arts activities can be experienced throughout the three day festival. The festival programs an eclectic blend of musical offerings featuring everything from jazz to rock and folk to classical. Celebration is always interested in being introduced to performing artists. Sometimes last minute cancellations do occur. For availabilities please contact the festival planning office at decrews@eiu.edu or by calling 217-581-2113.

Celebration features a host of activities for visitors of all ages. Admission to the festival is free and the festival grounds are accessible for those with special needs. Eastern Illinois University welcomes you Celebration: A Festival of the Arts.

Celebration 2012 Schedule of Events TBD

2011 EVENTS CALENDAR

Friday, April 15: Pantherstock – EIU Student Day

11:30 am: Food booths open
Library Quad

11:30 – 12:15 pm: EIU Jazz Lab Band
Library Quad Stage
Featuring special guest artist and returning EIU alumnus Ron Westray.

11:30 am – 3 pm: Celebrate Herpetology - Studying Amphibians & Reptiles in Central Illinois
East side of the Library Quad
An opportunity to meet these animals up close. None of the species on display are venomous. Sponsored by the EIU Biology department. In the event of inclement weather this event will be moved into the Doudna Fine Arts Center Concourse.

Noon – 5 pm: Community Art Project: Lanterns for Japan
Library Quad
Proceeds will benefit the victims of the March 11th earthquake and tsunami. Donors will have the opportunity to create a luminary to be included in the final display. Luminaries will be lit at 8 pm Saturday, April 16 in a small ceremony, weather permitting.

Noon - 5 pm: Nathan Bassett Spray Paint Artist
Library Quad

Noon - 5 pm: Tie-dying Extravaganza, Photo Mosaic, Bags Tournament
Bring your own clothing item or get one of the limited number of Pantherstock T-shirts

12:45 – 1:30 pm: The Hearsay
Library Quad Stage
The Fall 2010 EIU Battle of the Bands Winner, they have played at local venues and music festivals, including the most recent Squarefest. Sponsored by the EIU University Board Mainstage.

2 – 2:45 pm: Tommy Gun Geisha
Library Quad Stage
The Spring 2011 EIU Battle of the Bands Winner, Tommy Gun Geisha is a Charleston-based rock band. Artists include Kevin Casey, Brandon Sorensen, Adam Hall, Sam Bixby, and Sean Walker. Sponsored by the EIU University Board Mainstage.

3:15 – 4:15 pm: Brainchild
Library Quad Stage
Brainchild is a band that combines the feelings of jazz & soul with the intensity of shredding guitar solos. The group's growing list of original songs combined with a diverse selection of covers are a perfect blend of many styles of music. Sponsored by the EIU University Board Mainstage.

5 – 6:30 pm: Aaron Kamm and the One Drops
Library Quad Stage
Formed in Edwardsville, IL in late 2007 as a Reggae-Blues band, the group's popularity grew quickly in the St. Louis music scene. They mix up their positive reggae grooves and heartfelt lyrics with foot stomping blues influences. Sponsored by the EIU University Board Mainstage.

2 pm: Theatre - Noises Off
Doudna Fine Arts Center Theatre
A classic backstage farce about a hapless acting troupe during the course of a disastrous tour. They prove that whatever can go wrong – both on stage and off – most certainly will. Presented by the EIU Theatre Department.
Tickets: $12 general, $10 seniors (62+) and $5 students.

7:30 pm: EIU Wind Symphony & Concert Band: A Celebration Concert
Doudna Fine Arts Center Dvorak Concert Hall
The Wind Symphony and Concert Band are conducted by Barry L. Houser. Three graduate student conductors — Patrick Rheingruber, Sarah Todd and Chris Mroczek — will each conduct a selection, as well. The program is comprised of several works: "Persistence" by Richard Saucedo; "A Basque Lullaby" by Dan Forrest; "Undertow" by John Mackey; "Overture to Candide" and "Slava" by Leonard Bernstein; "DreamCircus" by Rob Deemer; "Cartoon" by Paul Hart; "Wild Nights!" by Frank Ticheli; and "The Circus Bee March" by Henry Fillmore.

*Performances are subject to change

Saturday, April 16: International Day*

Quad stage performances sponsored by the International Center for Global Diversity.

10 am - 5 pm: Art Fair
Library Quad
Featuring a variety of artisans selling their unique array of one-of-a-kind artwork.

10 am: Dance - The Littlest Dancer
Doudna Fine Arts Center Recital Hall
Featuring pre-ballet and creative movement students from the DanceLife Center.

10 – 10:45 am: EIU Percussion Group
Library Quad Stage

10 am – 5 pm: Community Art Project: Lanterns for Japan
Library Quad
Proceeds will benefit the victims of the March 11th earthquake and tsunami. Donors will have the opportunity to create a luminary to be included in the final display. Luminaries will be lit at 8 pm Saturday, April 16 in a small ceremony, weather permitting.

10 am – 5 pm: Celebrate Herpetology - Studying Amphibians & Reptiles in Central Illinois
East side of the Library Quad
An opportunity to meet these animals up close. None of the species on display are venomous. Sponsored by the EIU Biology department. In the event of inclement weather this event will be moved into the Doudna Fine Arts Center Concourse.

11 am: Food booths open
Library Quad

11 am - 5 pm: Prairie Plant Sale
Library Quad
Sponsored by the EIU Botany Club

11 am – 2 pm: Painting with Mr. Holloman
Children's Area, East side of the Library Quad
An introduction to watercolor painting. Limited seating available.

Noon - 5 pm: Nathan Bassett Spray Paint Artist
Library Quad

Noon - 4 pm: Children’s Art Activities
East side of the Library Quad
A wide array of creative opportunities for the young Celebration visitor including large-scale murals, hemp jewelry, and grow-a-friend painted flowerpots.

Noon - 4 pm: International Fair
Library Quad Stage
Meet members of EIU’s international student community demonstrating henna tattooing and origami.

Noon: Children's Theatre - Folk Tales for Fun
Doudna Fine Arts Center Movement Studio
Encompassing folk tales from around the world. Each tale has a moral which is gently addressed at the end of each story. The play is educational, and as the title suggests, a lot of fun. Tickets: $1

12:30 pm: Mr. Steve Musical Comedy Show
Doudna Fine Arts Center Recital Hall
Side-splitting audience participation songs, silly magic and wacky balloon creations. A show that brings out the kid in everyone.

12:30 – 1:30 pm: East St. Louis Community Performance Ensemble
Library Quad Stage
Performing traditional African Dances. Sponsored by the International Center for Global Diversity.

2 – 3 pm: Korean Drumming Ensemble
Library Quad Stage
Sponsored by the International Center for Global Diversity.

2 pm: Children's Theatre - Folk Tales for Fun
Doudna Fine Arts Center Movement Studio
Encompassing folk tales from around the world. Each tale has a moral which is gently addressed at the end of each story. The play is educational, and as the title suggests, a lot of fun. Tickets: $1

2:30 pm: Mr. Steve Musical Comedy Show
Doudna Fine Arts Center Recital Hall
Side-splitting audience participation songs, silly magic and wacky balloon creations. A show that brings out the kid in everyone.

3:30 – 4:30 pm: Japanese Dance Group
Library Quad Stage
Sponsored by the International Center for Global Diversity.

5 – 6:30: Clave Sol - Latin Jazz
Library Quad Stage
A spicy fusion of jazz improvisation with danceable Latin, funk, island, and world rhythms.

7:30 pm: Sierra Leone Refugee All-Stars
Doudna Fine Arts Center Dvorak Concert Hall
Like a phoenix out of the ashes of war the Sierra Leone Refugee All-Stars have captivated fans across the globe with their uplifting songs and pure energy live shows. The group has toured the world to support a critically revered album, appeared on the Oprah Winfrey Show, had their music featured in a major Leonardo DiCaprio film, and shared the stage and studio with Aerosmith, Keith Richards and other international stars.
Tickets: $15 general, $12 EIU employees & seniors (62+), $7 students.

7:30 pm: Theatre - Noises Off
Doudna Fine Arts Center Theatre
A classic backstage farce about a hapless acting troupe during the course of a disastrous tour. They prove that whatever can go wrong – both on stage and off – most certainly will. Presented by the EIU Theatre Department.
Tickets: $12 general, $10 seniors (62+) and $5 students.

8 pm: Lanterns for Japan Lighting Ceremony (weather permitting)
Library Quad near the Doudna Fine Arts Center stairs

* Performances are subject to change

Sunday, April 17*

11 am: Food booths open
Library Quad

11 am - 4 pm: Art Fair
Library Quad
Featuring a variety of artisans selling their unique array of one-of-a-kind artwork.

Noon – 3 pm: Painting with Mr. Holloman
Children's Area, East side of the Library Quad
An introduction to watercolor painting. Limited seating available.

12:30 pm: George Martin Presents: The Beatles
Doudna Fine Arts Center Lecture Hall
The One-Man Beatles Show. Audience members will record one of The Fab 4's songs with a little help from the The Fab 1. Performed on all original Beatle instruments. "A splendid time is guaranteed for all."

12:30 pm: Children's Theatre: The Boy Who Cried Bully
Doudna Fine Arts Center Movement Studio
Presented by actors from the Little Theatre on the Square in Sullivan, IL. Sponsored by generous support of J. Sain.

1 pm: Mr. Steve Musical Comedy Show
Doudna Fine Arts Center Recital Hall
Side-splitting audience participation songs, silly magic and wacky balloon creations. A show that brings out the kid in everyone.

1 – 4 pm: WEIU Character Meet and Greet
Library Quad
Meet PBS Kids' Clifford the Big Red Dog and Martha, from Martha Speaks. Sponsored by WEIU and Hit Mix 88.9.

1:30 - 2:30: Lee Murdock
Library Quad Stage
Making folk music for the modern era. Recognized as "the premier interpreter of songs and tales about the Great Lakes," Lee Murdock combines ragtime, Irish, and blues guitar with his flair for storytelling in songs.

2:30 pm: George Martin Presents: The Beatles
Doudna Fine Arts Center Lecture Hall
The One-Man Beatles Show. Audience members will record one of The Fab 4's songs with a little help from the The Fab 1. Performed on all original Beatle instruments. "A splendid time is guaranteed for all."

2:30 pm: Children's Theatre: The Boy Who Cried Bully
Doudna Fine Arts Center Movement Studio
Presented by actors from the Little Theatre on the Square in Sullivan, IL. Sponsored by generous support of J. Sain.

2:30 - 3:30 pm: High Cotton
Library Quad Stage
This band from the flat prairie land of east central Illinois exists to pick and sing authentic bluegrass music.

4 - 6 pm: Dicky James and the Blue Flames
Library Quad Stage
A great blues band performing traditional and classic Chicago style blues tunes and their own material.