Music in the Square - our 8th year!

The Lillie M. Evans Library District will be hosting our free concert series on three Fridays in June 2025. This is our 8th year providing these family-friendly concerts in Princeville’s Stevens Square. Please bring your own lawn chairs for your seating comfort or feel free to stay in your vehicle. This year, we’ll have food vendors at all events starting at 5pm. Music starts at 7pm so there is plenty of time to enjoy dinner and a show!

Music in the Square will lead off with the Roundstone Buskers on June 6th. This small Irish ensemble—consisting of Shannan Sullivan (fiddle, vocals), Tom Jones (bodhran, percussion, whistle, vocals) and Bruce Burton (guitar, bouzouki, vocals)—hails from the Peoria area. The trio has been pleasing crowds with its untraditional Celtic music since 2007. Top That and Tropical Sno will be serving in the Square from 5-8pm.

On June 13th, we will be hosting the Aristocrats. The Aristocrats are an eight piece band playing all of the "Big Band" favorites of yesterday and today. They perform arrangements made famous by the big bands of the 1930s, 1940s, and 1950s supplemented with contemporary jazz and popular tunes. At 5pm, the Station House and Kona Ice will start serving in the Square, and food will be available through 8pm.

For our final concert, we are pleased to welcome “Kelvis” on June 27th. Kevin Breitbarth, a winner of many regional and national Elvis impersonator competitions, will perform his Elvis tribute act. This is sure to be a fun night with great entertainment. In addition, the Princeville Aquatic Center will have pulled pork dinners in the Square from 5-8pm. This is a fundraiser for the ‘Save the Pool!’ fund, so come out and support this community organization!

Steven’s Square is located on the corner of West Evans Street and IL-91 in Princeville. In case of inclement weather, the concert will be moved to the Lillie M. Evans Library at 207 N. Walnut in Princeville. More information about this and other library programs can be found on the Lillie M. Evans Library website at lmelibrary.org.

Music in the Square Concert series in June

The Lillie M. Evans Library District will be hosting our free concert series on the first 3 Fridays in June 2023. We are excited to be celebrating our sixth anniversary providing these family-friendly concerts in Princeville’s Stevens Square. Please bring your own lawn chairs for your seating comfort or feel free to stay in your vehicle.

The Princeville to Peoria St. Jude Run will provide a water and soda concession (sponsored by the Princeville State Bank) in the Square and local food vendors will provide food options nearby before and during the concerts. Food will be available locally starting at 5pm and the concerts will start at 7pm. Nightly specials at the Feed Store (116 E Spring St), High Voltage (129 E Main St), and the Stomping Ground (211 E Main St) will be listed in the Square each evening when known.

Barry Cloyd will be leading off the concert series on June 2nd. Barry is a Peoria area musician and songwriter who has spent a lifetime creating a performance style that weaves the genres of Blues, Folk, and Celtic music into a unique blend all his own. A strong vocalist and multi-instrumentalist as well as a storyteller, theatrical performer and historian, Barry delivers his music on a multitude of guitars and other stringed instruments, such as 5-string banjo and mandolin.

On June 9th, we will be hosting Central Illinois’ River Valley Big Band. We are excited to host their performance for a second year. Started in 2015 by Susie Dunnan and Ken Hess, they’re focused on bringing the best music has to offer with a live, 18 member band. Enjoy the concert as you listen to the sound of your big band favorites being played.

For our final concert, we are pleased to welcome the Water Street Stompers on June 16th. The Water Street Stompers bring the spirit of Mardi Gras to Peoria with traditional New Orleans Jazz. The music of Mardi Gras gathers influences from the sounds of the Caribbean, Africa, France, and Spain, all while incorporating Native American chanting. Join us for a foot stomping experience!

Steven’s Square is located on the corner of West Evans Street and IL-91 in Princeville. In case of inclement weather, the concert will be moved to the Lillie M. Evans Library at 207 N. Walnut in Princeville. More information about this and other library programs can be found on the Lillie M. Evans Library website at lmelibrary.org.

Music in the Square Concert series in June 2022

The Lillie M. Evans Library District will be hosting our free concert series on the first 3 Fridays in June 2022. We are excited to be celebrating our fifth anniversary providing these family-friendly concerts in Princeville’s Stevens Square. The Princeville to Peoria St. Jude Run will provide a water and soda concession (sponsored by the Princeville State Bank) and local food vendors will provide food options in or near the Square before and during the concerts. Food will be available starting at 6pm and the concerts will start at 7pm. Please bring your own lawn chairs for your seating comfort or feel free to stay in your vehicle.

Mike & Lisa Templeton will be leading off the concert series on June 3rd. Mike & Lisa are an acoustic duet from Lostant. They play folk, traditional bluegrass, and old time music. Mike plays a clawhammer (frailing) style banjo and Lisa plays fiddle, bass guitar, ukulele and spoons. Their repertoire entails a wide variety of songs and they love to share their toe tappin' music!

On June 10th, we will be hosting Central Illinois’ River Valley Big Band. Started in 2015 by Susie Dunnan and Ken Hess, they’re focused on bringing the best music has to offer with a live, 18 member band. Enjoy the concert as you listen to the sound of your big band favorites being played.

For our final concert, we are pleased to welcome back the Aristocrats on June 17th. The Aristocrats are an eight piece band playing all of the "Big Band" favorites of yesterday and today. They have a repertoire of arrangements made famous by the big bands of the 1930s, 1940s, and 1950s which is supplemented with contemporary jazz and popular tunes.

Steven’s Square is located on the corner of West Evans Street and IL-91 in Princeville. In case of inclement weather, the concert will be moved to the Lillie M. Evans Library at 207 N. Walnut in Princeville. More information about this and other library programs can be found on the Lillie M. Evans Library website at lmelibrary.org.

Music in the Square Concert series in June 2021

The Lillie M. Evans Library District will be hosting our free concert series on the first 3 Fridays in June 2021. This is our fourth year providing these family-friendly concerts in Princeville’s Stevens Square. The Princeville to Peoria St. Jude Run will provide a water and soda concession (sponsored by the Princeville State Bank) and local food vendors will provide food options in the Square before and during the concerts. Food will be available starting at 6pm and the concerts will start at 7pm. The only exception is on June 11 when the Lion’s Club will start cooking at 5:15pm. Please bring your own lawn chairs for your seating comfort or feel free to stay in your vehicle.

The Aristocrats will be leading off the concert series on June 4th. The Aristocrats are an eight piece band playing all of the "Big Band" favorites of yesterday and today. They have a repertoire of arrangements made famous by the big bands of the 1930s, 1940s, and 1950s which is supplemented with contemporary jazz and popular tunes.

On June 11th, we will be hosting P.S. Jazz. This Peoria area duo performs adult contemporary and jazz music for a variety of venues and settings. The smooth sounds of P.S. Jazz will help the audience appreciate the importance of jazz as an important bridge between our nation's identity, our shared history, and our communities. Understated, smooth and sophisticated, they are perfect for providing an intimate musical experience.

Music in the Square will feature the New Cats on June 18th. The band members encompass a wide mixture of music backgrounds from jazz to punk and each bring their own unique flavor to the bluegrass genre. They fuse a mixture of high energy and up-tempo new and traditional bluegrass & folk music, along with a handful of their own finely crafted tunes.

For those interested in seeing the Central Illinois Banjo Club again, they will be back in Princeville on Thursday, June 24th to perform during Princeville Heritages Days. That concert starts at 6:00 pm. The Central Illinois Banjo Club is a group of music enthusiasts who love to get together to play and share music with others. An important part of the Club’s culture has been that they try to expand and encourage other people to play the banjo. The Club gives everyone the opportunity and a place to play. If you’re interested in joining the Club, talk to one of the Club members after the concert.

Steven’s Square is located on the corner of West Evans Street and IL-91 in Princeville. In case of inclement weather, the concert will be moved to the Lillie M. Evans Library at 207 N. Walnut in Princeville. More information about this and other library programs can be found on the Lillie M. Evans Library website at lmelibrary.org.

Music in the Square Concert series in June

The Lillie M. Evans Library District will be hosting our second annual free concert series in Stevens Square on the first three Fridays in June. The Princeville to Peoria St. Jude Run will provide a water and soda concession (sponsored by the Princeville State Bank) and local food vendors will provide food options in the Square before and during the concerts. Food will be available starting at 6pm and the concerts will start at 7pm. Please bring your own lawn chairs for your seating comfort.

Music in the Square will feature the Central Illinois Banjo Club on June 7th. The Central Illinois Banjo Club is a group of music enthusiasts who love to get together to play and share music with others. An important part of the Club’s culture has been that they try to expand and encourage other people to play the banjo. The Club gives everyone the opportunity and a place to play. If you’re interested in joining the Club, talk to one of the Club members after the concert.

On June 14th, we will be hosting P.S. Jazz. P.S. Jazz performs adult contemporary and jazz music for a variety of venues and settings. This Peoria area group provides a pleasurable listening experience that's easy on the ears and just right for whatever mood. Understated, smooth and sophisticated, they are perfect for settings where people enjoy good music, but also want to enjoy each other’s good company and conversation.

On June 21st, the Kewanee Community Band will be back to entertain us. This is their third concert appearance in Princeville in as many years. The Kewanee Community Band draws musicians from not only Kewanee, but many surrounding towns and counties. Band members range in age from eighth-grade students to those in retirement. The Band plays a variety of musical selections and promises a little something enjoyable for all audiences. New members are welcome to participate in rehearsals at the Kewanee Senior Center on Mondays at 6pm.

For those interested in seeing the Caterpillar Employees Big Band, they will be performing during Princeville Heritages Days on Thursday, June 27th. That concert starts at 6:30pm. Last year’s concert was extremely well received and the Princeville Civic Association will be bringing them back to Princeville! Originally started by an engineer and a factory worker, the Band continues to play in Peoria and beyond. The Band has a repertoire of arrangements made famous by the big bands of the 1930s, 1940s, and 1950s and is supplemented with contemporary jazz and popular tunes.

We invite the public to join us during Music in the Square for these fabulous evenings of food and music. In case of inclement weather, the concerts will be moved to the Library’s large meeting room. More information about this and other library programs can be found on the Lillie M. Evans Library website at lmelibrary.org.

Music in the Square Concert series in July

The Lillie M. Evans Library District will be hosting a free concert series in Stevens Square on the first three Fridays in July.  The Princeville to Peoria St. Jude Run will be providing a water and soda concession and is working with local food vendors to provide food options in the Square before and during the concerts. Food will be available starting at 6pm and the concerts will start at 7pm.

Music in the Square will feature the Central Illinois Banjo Club on July 6^th. The Central Illinois Banjo Club is a group of music enthusiasts who love to get together to play and share music with others. An important part of the Club’s culture has been that they try to expand and encourage other people to play the banjo. The Club gives everyone the opportunity and a place to play.  If you’re interested in joining the Club, talk to one of the Club members after the concert.

On July 13^th, the Kewanee Community Band will be back to entertain us.  They performed last September at the Library’s ice cream social.  The Kewanee Community Band draws musicians from not only Kewanee, but many surrounding towns and counties.  Band members range in age from eighth-grade students to those in retirement. The Band plays a variety of musical selections and promises a little something enjoyable for all audiences.  New members are welcome to participate in rehearsals at the Kewanee Senior Center on Mondays at 6pm.

Finally, the Caterpillar Employees Big Band will wrap up the series on July 20^th. This year is the 40^th anniversary of the Caterpillar Employees Big Band. Originally started by an engineer and a factory worker, the Band continues to play in Peoria and beyond. The Band has a repertoire of  arrangements made famous by the big bands of the 1930s, 1940s, and 1950s and is supplemented with contemporary jazz and popular tunes.  From regular engagements in Peoria and Metamora and surrounding towns to a corporate function in Las Vegas, the Caterpillar Employees Big Band continues to bring the big band sound to a new generation of enthusiastic fans.

We invite the public to join us during Music in the Square for these fabulous evenings of food and music.  More information about this and other library programs can be found on the Lillie M. Evans Library website at lmelibrary.org.