Here are five things to do in Galesburg this week, courtesy Galesburg Tourism & Visitors Bureau.
Big Read = Big Events
- Galesburg Public Library is one of 62 organizations nationwide selected to receive a 2022-2023 NEA Big Read grant. This year, Galesburg NEA Big Read is Interior Chinatown by Charles Yu. In celebration of the occasion, GPL has coordinated several events for all ages that strive to achieve the mission of the National Endowment for the Arts: broaden our understanding of our world, our communities, and ourselves through the power of shared reading experience. For a complete list of events, visit www.galesburglibrary.org.
- Big Read Book Discussions will take place at 1 p.m. April 11 upstairs at Galesburg Public Library as well as April 13 at 6:30 p.m. at Jimmy’s Pizza. Free copies of the book are available at the library, while supplies last.
- Immerse oneself in the culture of Interior Chinatown with a celebration of Chinese treats! On April 11 at 6 p.m., sample food from Judy’s Family Café, read stories, and make your own felt fortune cookies. Kids must be accompanied by an adult. Registration is required.
- On April 13, from 6:45 to 7:30 p.m., make Chinese-style decorative paper lanterns. Open to teens, ages 12-18 or in grades 7-12, with registration. This event is free and is held at the Galesburg Public Library.
- Practice free Tai Chi upstairs of the library on Friday, April 14 at 9 a.m. with Xiaoqi Wu of Eastern Therapeutic Acupuncture and Massage. Tai Chi has many health benefits and is both a good exercise and meditation tool. This class is open to anyone, but is considered “intermediate.” Registration is not required, just show up!
Paint the Field Red
Root for the Chargers and help paint the field RED for Carl Sandburg College’s baseball and softball games on Tuesday, April 11! Wear red and enjoy free food, giveaways, and a great afternoon of Chargers action on the diamond! The action takes place at 2 and 4 p.m. for baseball and 3 p.m. and 5 p.m. for softball, all of which happens at the William ‘Bill’ Hungate Complex across from the college. Questions? Contact Sandburg’s athletic director at (309) 341.5455.
Movement and Music at the Arts Center
- Galesburg Community Arts Center plays host to a new movement class, hosted by Kathleen Ridlon of Knox College, in addition to the usual Thursday Night Jazz Concert. Beginning at 5:30 p.m. until 6:30 p.m., stretch, balance, reach, turn, walk, melt, and much more. It’s a movement, it’s a workout, it’s dance! This class is free and designed for intergenerational groups of people ages 13 to seriously retired! Registrations is required, just visit www.galesburgarts.org/move.
- Then, grab a beverage and stay for some music brought to you by Cherry Street Combo of Knox College, as they perform on stage of the third floor ballroom at the Arts Center. Perform the moves you just learned to great, local jazz music.
Shawdaddy’s Debut
Come hungry to Shawdaddy’s Grand Opening at Advance Auto Parts this Thursday, April 13 and Friday, April 14 from 11 am. to 2 p.m. This mobile food cart debuts its ‘delicious dogs,’ ‘main meats,’ along with sensational sides! To see their full menu, visit shawddadys.com, or find Shawdaddy’s on Facebook to see where they will be next.
Featuring gourmet hot dogs and barbecue. Shawdaddy’s ready to debut Galesburg food cart
Ariel Dance Chicago on Stage
Aerial Dance Chicago will take to the sky on Saturday, April 15 at 7:30 p.m. at The Orpheum Theatre for a performance that launches concert dance into the creative and expressive possibilities of the vertical realm. The concert, Written on the Body, is a specially curated mix of daring new work alongside signature choreography and audience favorites from the past two decades of Aerial Dance Chicago’s original choreography. This program also highlights a new creation by ADC, performed by Knox College students and dancers from the local community.
This concert is produced through a partnership between the Knox College Dance Department and The Orpheum Theatre! Come witness this gravity-defying performance with the entire family!
Tickets are $20 for adults, $10 for youth; get them by contacting The Orpheum Box Office via phone (309.342.2299) or in-person at 57 S. Kellogg Street in Downtown Galesburg during operating hours of 10 a.m.-2 p.m., Tuesday-Friday. Tickets are always available online 24/7 at www.galesburgorpheum.org/tickets.