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Smaller events important to city of Peoria

BY LAUREN SANDERS Peoria Times Contributing Writer

With more than 60 small events on his calendar, the Peoria arts and events superintendent works to engage residents following the pandemic.

“We have really started to expand on our small-event offerings,” said Bill Moss, Peoria arts and events superintendent.

That begins with musicians performing in district parks from 4 to 6:30 p.m. Sundays for the next three months. Moss said these types of events were scaled down from 4,000 people to around 400.

“Our events are much more concise, much smaller, but much more targeted to the neighborhood,” Moss said. “We work very closely with the councilperson in particular districts to bring that out.”

Marylou Stephens, Peoria arts and theater manager, added, “These small events are where you can really show the identity and personality of your neighborhood.”

These smaller-scale events have multiple benefits. For one, they give city employees the chance to meet more residents.

“We as city employees actually have the opportunity to interface with our community … and, you know, their (the community) response at these events are over-

Musicians perform at Peoria’s Second Saturdays in October 2021, while residents explore special vendors, outdoor games, art installations, and local food and beverage options. (Photos courtesy of the city of Peoria) whelmingly positive,” Stephens said. According to Stephens, these socially distanced events keep patrons safe, too. “We will not be limiting the number of people. But we will still be making it much easier to social distance … and anything that we do outdoors, we are not requiring masks or vaccinaSanta Claus visits the Old Town Holiday Festival to take photos with families. tions,” Stephens said.

In collaboration with the Peoria Unified School District, Stephens created a plan to hold the Arts and Cultural Festival, on March 26, outdoors.

“All of the children who are performing, whether they are in band, choir, dance, theater, and all of the artwork will be outdoors. … At least this way we keep the number of people spread out throughout the Old Town,” Stephens said.

As Moss sees the increase in the demand for events, he hopes to bring back some events from pre-pandemic times, including Devour the World.

“The demand for events, I think, is only going up at this point. Our very first event back from, you know, a kind of dormancy, was July 4 last year. We were worried. Is anybody going to show up?” Moss said.

While procedures differ from pre-pandemic, city officials saw the residents’ demand for community events, with about a 7,000 attendance increase for Peoria’s first All American Festival back in person.

“That was before omicron came out, so I think people were feeling pretty safe, pretty excited, and then omicron happened and we did see a dip in our numbers,” Stephens said.

Despite seeing dips in attendance, Stephens said she classifies an event as successful if the attendees felt they had a great experience and were safe, two really important criteria.

With a decrease in staffing, Moss reported, he downsized and changed some elements. You can still expect inflatables, but you’re going to get it just differently.

“It’s things you travel down, like slides, or go through, like an obstacle course. Staffing is a huge issue for us,

March 3, 2022

Local actors return to sing, dance in the rain

BY BRIDGETTE M. REDMAN Peoria Times Contributing Writer

The Phoenix Theatre has opened a classic on its stage with its biggest cast since 2019.

“Singin’ in the Rain,” directed by Jeff Whiting with music direction by Jeff Kennedy, opened on Feb. 2 and runs through Sunday, April 3.

Based on the 1952 movie starring Gene Kelly, Donald O’Connor and Debbie Reynolds, the musical brings its tap dancing numbers to Phoenix as the theater opens the door to memory lane.

Set in 1927, Hollywood’s favorite silent movie stars are forced to adapt a new skill set as the “talkies” begin to push out the silent movies. Unfortunately, one of them has a voice that is never going to win fans.

For two ensemble members, it is bringing their hometown dreams to life.

Hahnna Christianson, who is now an internship coordinator at Arizona State University, spent most of her life in Peoria. She dreamt of being on the Theater Works stage each time she passed it.

“I remember as a really small girl driving by the building that had this copper roof,” Christianson said. “It was this fancy important building.”

Elizabeth Falk of Glendale grew up seeing nearly every show that The Phoenix Theatre put on because her father is its drummer and her mom did shows there, too.

“Being able to do a show with my dad is a check off the bucket list,” Falk said. “It’s so awesome. I basically dance to the beat of his drum. It’s a dream for us to be in a show together.”

Christianson — who has performed for The Phoenix Theatre for “Kinky Boots” and “Unwrapped” — said she is thrilled that she is in “Singin’ in the Rain,” as it is her favorite movie, and she confesses to being obsessed with Kelly.

“What an angel,” she swoons about the man who transformed Hollywood musicals. “I love that movie, and for one of my college courses, we had to choose a film and analyze the music. I did ‘Singin’ in the Rain.’ I’ve watched it 60 times, and I am obsessed with it.”

She said she is elated about being cast as a member of the ensemble.

“I love The Phoenix Theatre,” Christianson said. “They are so professional in every sense of the term. They make all their actors feel very wanted and accepted in this very safe, professional setting.”

Falk credited The Phoenix Theatre with providing the foundation of her arts education. She says the quality of the shows there kept her eager to return.

“It was exciting to go as a kid, and it was exciting as an adult,” Falk said. “They’ve always been such a great company, and now I get to work with them.”

Falk left Arizona for a bit, attending Oklahoma City University, dancing on Princess Cruises for several years and then performing around the country. This is her first time on stage at The Phoenix Theatre, and she is a part of the ensemble.

“I’ve always wanted to come back and do a show with them and be on the stage and not just watching from the audience,” Falk said. “It’s so awesome.”

Her parents put her into dance when she was 6 years old. She said she always wanted to be just like her parents, who were teachers by day and performers by night.

While she isn’t a teacher, she is living her dream.

For both actors, “Singin’ in the Rain” is a balm for those who have been suffering from two years of pandemic.

“This is something our director talked about in the room with us,” Christianson said. “Audiences want to come to a live show now that it is back up and running and escape and explode into something joyful. That was really such a positive motivator. We are blessed and lucky.”

Falk said it is nice to see people relax a little bit and enjoy the nostalgia that comes from “Singin’ in the Rain.”

“That’s one thing we are hearing a lot from our audiences,” Falk said. “Just how wonderful it is to kind of relax and get that nostalgic feeling back.” She also said the show features actual rain, which is a delight for the performers. “It’s just fun, because we literally do have rain, so we literally sing and dance in the rain,” Falk said. “You can’t get much more fun than that. Being onstage and performing the old production numbers where everyone is synchronizing, singing and tap dancing — it gives you that good energy back. The Phoenix Theatre opened “Singin’ in the Rain,” directed by Jeff Whiting with music direction When we’re onstage, we by Jeff Kennedy, on Feb. 2. The musical, boasting the theater’s biggest cast since 2019, runs don’t have to be masked through Sunday, April 3. (Submitted photo) and worried.” While she loves dancing without a mask, she also said she is grateful that Phoenix Theatre has done a good job with its COVID-19 safety and appreciates the precautions it has taken. “Come see the show,” Falk said. “Have some fun and get some cheeriness back in your life and let the outside world fade away.” Christianson agreed, “If you have some time and a few dollars, come check out the show and get washed away in the fun. It really is something everyone needs — some refreshing fun.” PT

IF YOU GO “Singin’ in the Rain”

WHEN: Various times through Sunday, April 3 WHERE: Phoenix Theatre Company, 1825 N. Central Avenue, Phoenix COST: Tickets start at $44 INFO: 602-251-2151, phoenixtheatre.com

In the festive spirit, residents wore holiday sweaters, matching the theme of the Old Town Holiday Festival. (Photo courtesy of the city of Peoria)

EVENTS FROM PAGE 19 so we’ve actually changed how we do things to need less staffing,” Moss said.

According to Stephens, volunteers still help staff events, but in terms of paid staff, everyone feels the pinch of not having many staff members.

“You know, people think it’s easy to plan some of these things … but a small event takes almost as much effort as a big event. It’s just a scale of which the money part is,” Moss said.

Stephens recognized Moss at a city council subcommittee meeting that took place on Feb. 8, calling him her “right-hand man” for planning all of their events.

Moss ensures “all the logistics and all the things happen in every event we do, and we do a lot. But we have really understood the importance of the impact of these experiences,” Stephens said.

At the same meeting, Stephens and Chairman Michael Finn recalled a shared memory of one new Peoria resident expressing her gratitude at the Old Town Holiday event.

“That young lady burst into tears and just moved here to a big city and never thought she had the things that she had back home in a small town. It messed me up a little bit,” Finn said in the meeting.

Moss recalled a similar account, reporting the woman went up to the mayor, crying out of happiness.

“She was so happy to be at this event and she thought it was really put together and it was safe, and she and her children felt like they were a part of our community, “Stephens said.

Stephens said she wants to do a better job of telling the historical perspective on events and why these events matter to Peoria. PT

ACROSS

1 Offend 5 Vegas lead-in 8 Biting remark 12 Jacob’s twin 13 Antlered animal 14 Latin love 15 Printout 17 Earring site 18 Roscoe 19 More slothful 21 Filled fully 24 -- colada 25 Cupid’s alias 26 Street vendor’s vehicle 30 Sawbuck 31 Attorney’s load 32 Bee follower 33 Barber’s offerings 35 Panache 36 Aachen article 37 Utter impulsively 38 Architectural style 41 Hero sandwich 42 Actress Perlman 43 Ski lodge cupful 48 “A Room of -- Own” 49 Prior night 50 Not so hot? 51 “Holy cow!” 52 Enervate 53 Trade

DOWN

1 “I’m not impressed” 2 “This -- recording” 3 Distant 4 Fakes, as figures 5 Author Uris 6 Jungfrau, for one 7 Urban silhouettes 8 French novelist 9 Mine, to Marcel 10 Judicial garb 11 Rabbit’s title 16 Cow’s chaw 20 &&&& 21 Actor Rogen 22 Location 23 Singer Braxton 24 Stickum 26 Hindquarters 27 Rights advocacy org. 28 Bring up 29 Bivouac shelter 31 Roman 202 34 Go over again 35 Macaroni shapes 37 Tampa Bay NFLer 38 Pirate’s drink 39 “It can’t be!” 40 Golf props 41 Dance move 44 Eggs 45 Cornfield noise 46 Mouths (Lat.) 47 Music booster

ANSWERS PAGE 26

EVEN EXCHANGE

by Donna Pettman

Each numbered row contains two clues and two answers. The two answers differ from each other by only one letter, which has already been inserted. For example, if you exchange the A from MASTER for an I, you get MISTER. Do not change the order of the letters.