During rehearsal/media night of Gamma Phi Circus, we chatted with executive director Marcus Alouan about the 2024 theme - The Magic of Musicals. The show opened with a song from 'Burlesque' with a live singer. The night will also include live musicians to accompany the performers. Marcus tells us the 'wheels are already turning' for next year's theme much like it was this time last year.

The ISU students put in over a 100 hours in training and practice for this weekend's performance and it truly showed by what we saw (watch a preview here). Many of these students will go on after graduation to careers in performance. Past graduates currently hold roles with Cirque Du Soleil, Marvel stunt shows, and on Broadway.

Here is our complete conversation Marcus about this weekend's performances. Get your tickets here.

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This year’s Slow Art Day on Route 66 is set for Saturday, April 13th from 10a to 2p. I sat down with Aianna Zachary and Santino Lamancusa to talk about the 2024 event that spans both Bloomington and Normal and features 20 locations. Hear how the art community came together to create the first city wide event of its kind for Slow Art Day, how the event continues to grow, and so much more about the art scene in our area.

Participating Locations (10am – 2pm):

• 410 Sculpture Park, 410 S. Madison St.
• Angel Ambrose Fine Art Studio, 101 W. Monroe St., Suite 201
• Art Vortex Studio & Gallery, 101 W. Monroe St., Suite 210
• Beluga Press Art Gallery, 313 N Main St. Side B.
• Children’s Discovery Museum, 101 E Beaufort St., Normal
• Dave Fulghum Photographer, 415 N. Main St. Ste. 1
• Herb Eaton Studio and Gallery, 411 N. Center St.
• Illinois Art Station, 101 E. Vernon Ave., Normal
• Inside Out: Accessible Art, 200 W. Monroe St.
• Joann Goetzinger Studio and Gallery, 313 N. Main St.
• Main Gallery 404, 404 N. Main St.
• Mandy Roeing Fine Art Studio & Gallery, 105-A W. Monroe St.
• McLean County Arts Center, 601 N. East St.
• McLean County Museum of History, 200 N. Main St.
• The Hangar Art Company, 105 W. Jefferson St.
• The House on Garling, 1905 Garling Dr.
• The Painted Wraith Curiosity Shoppe, 106 W Monroe St.
• Three Square Art Studio, 104 W. Monroe St.
• Threshold To Hope, 200 W. Monroe St.
• University Galleries of Illinois State University, 11 Uptown Circle #103, Normal

There’ll also be a ‘Closing Reception,’ which all are welcome, happening at The Hangar Art Co. from 2p to 4p.

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Nickelback are no strangers to 'hate' when it comes to the internet. In fact, it's a center point of their documentary 'Hate to Love.' There's a lengthy section of the film dedicated to internet's hate of the band, how they each dealt with it personally and within the band itself. 'Hate to Love' also looks at the band's story from Hannah, Alberta to becoming one of the biggest selling artists in the world.

I sat down with Ryan Peake, guitars, to talk about the documentary and how it started as an EPK (electronic press kid) for their Feed The Machine album in 2017:

We saw a small clip from the EPK. They shot it really well. I had it in my head, we're talking about our biography why not make a full documentary on the band. As we kept filming somebody went should we talk about this? Ok. Should we talk about this? And go it kind of grew into this monster that it's kind of become without necessarily knowing we were doing this.

When talking about the various things throughout the band's history, there's obviously some deep things that needed to be touched upon. I asked Ryan what that was like for him:

You have to be honestly willing to it and as honest as you can. That's the hard thing because you can be all f****** happy and everything is great if you want you or kind of show people there's four human beings in this band and not just this behemoth Nickelback. There's people behind that.

Out of the finished produced, Ryan says his proudest part was:

It's the near the ending. It's kind of that we've been through been a bunch of stuff. But we still find a place to come together and still want to do this. I'm pretty proud we can get past any differences we have and still kind of stick together and want to do this.

Hate to Love is in theaters this week for special screenings. Find out more at https://www.nickelbackfilm.com/.

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From time to time, I'm going to rewind to some past interviews with folks who've either stopped by the studio or chatted with us on the phone/video/etc.

For this Throwback we're going to 2019 and when Shallow Side swung by our old studios in Downtown Bloomington. Actually they were one of the final bands to make a stop there before the pandemic and our move.

We talked about album Saints & Sinners (new at the time), almost signing with a major label, throwing hot dogs out to a crowd, a Facebook bellybutton challenge video, and played a couple of rounds of MIXTAPE Card Game.

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Jake Segura, lead vocals, of Citizen Soldier joined me ahead of their performance at the Castle Theatre on October 12, 2023. The band is currently on an acoustic tour, which Jake says was simply due to them having some 'time off' from recording their next album in Nashville. The band's producer was unable to be in studio for a string of dates so the band decided to hit the road and play acoustic for their fans.

Jake and I dive into stripping down their songs for acoustic performances, how & why they make the VIP fan experience extra special, the human connection of being at a concert, and much more. We also talk about their viral song 'Bottom of the Ocean,' which is an unfinished track for the band but they are performing during their VIP experience on this tour. 

For more on Citizen Soldier, check out https://www.citizensoldierband.com/

Follow me on Instragram/TikTok/Facebook/X/Threads @WesStylesRadio

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Before their show on September 27, 2023 at Grossinger Motors Arena in Bloomington, IL Wes Styles sat down with Megadeth's Dave Mustaine. Dave touched on what it takes to put the band's setlist together these days, the energy level in the band's performance, taping their shows for review purposes, starting fresh with a whole team behind the scenes for the band, and what their legacy will be.

Follow Wes Styles on Instagram, X, and Threads @WesStylesRadio.

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September 19 was a special night at The Castle Theatre. Not only was it a packed house for Atreyu, Memphis May Fire, and Catch Your Breath... but we also had an engagement in the crowd!

I chatted with Sarah, who's boyfriend of three years proposed to her while Atreyu was on stage performing 'When Two Are One.' She explained that she felt a tap on her back and then saw Logan going down to one knee.

I was thought I was gonna pass out. I was freaking out.

No one else knew this was going to happen. According to Sarah

They [our friends] only found out that night. The only person he told was my mom.

Brandon Saller, Atreyu's singer, almost stopped performing once he realized what was happening. After the song, Atreyu brought further attention to the newly engaged couple by opening up the pit so the Sarah and Logan could slow dance to the next song, The Theft.

I'm introvert so I was panicking. There was hundreds of people watching me... I was freaking out. I mean he's my best friend, so it was just us in that moment.

Less than 24 hours later, has Sarah had time to process it all?

I posted it on Facebook this morning and there's been a huge reaction... from everybody. I haven't really had a chance to decompress from everything.

Is there a date set for a wedding yet?

Our anniversary is September 27 and in 2 years that'll be a Saturday. So we were thinking of having a nice 2 year engagement and figuring out then.

We wish the couple all the best and a huge congratulations on their engagement! What a special moment it was!

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Jan Lancaster, who's better known as Mama, owns The Bistro in Downtown Bloomington. She's the creator of the annual Pridefest which hosts its fifth event on Saturday, July 29 (2023). This year will take place on the 300 block of North Main Street, right between Jefferson and Monroe, will be filled with vendors, artists, music, drag performances, food, and more!

The stage will feature Shuga Deatz (4:00pm), Pride Idol (6:00pm), and the Outdoor Drag Show (7:00 to 10:00pm). Plus indoor, 21+ events after 11pm.

We sat down with Mama to talk about the creation of Pridefest, history of The Bistro and looking back over the its 30 years, plus what it means to be called a true leader and advocate in the community. 

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