Arts & Performing Arts

The best art grows from deep roots and bears witness to the joy, passion, hope, struggle, beauty and creative human spirit of a place and its people. For generations, Danville & Vermilion County has inspired artists and performers, creating a vibrant culture where art thrives. These are the life-affirming arts of Vermilion County.

Rich, ongoing harmony fills the air from the acclaimed Danville Symphony Orchestra, Vermilion Festival Chorus, Danville Municipal Band, Danville Sweet Adelines, Danville Barbershop Chorus, and on warm summer evenings with popular musicians at Fridays Nights and Summer Sounds Concert Series.

 

Not to be missed are musical theater performances of Broadway plays and other musical acts, by the renowned Danville Light Opera Company.

The area’s many local theatre groups perform plays year around, from mainstage productions on our large stages, to small stage productions on small stages and outdoor venues.

 

Performances range from youth shows, designed to introduce the newest generations to the joys of live theater, to family-friendly classics, to newer cutting-edge dramas.

I’m so grateful to have grown up in Danville. So much of who I am today can be traced back to my early days. The spirit and resilience there are pure magic! ~ Dick Van Dyke

Art Festivals

Vermilion County’s fairs and festivals present live music, the works of artisans from across the country and performances of every kind. For over 30 years, Arts in the Park has been recognized as a premier artist destination and includes the Artist Promenade, music and theater, children’s activities, and creative demonstrations.

Fine Arts

The vibrant Danville Art League stimulates and celebrates creativity and art appreciation through classes and gallery exhibits at their studio and throughout the community. Danville’s Public Library showcases fascinating fine art and hosts readings by local and guest authors. Danville Area Community College, OSF Healthcare and many other locations also boast memorable works by well-known artists.

Public Art & Sculpture

Visitors experience the vivid heritage and unmistakable charm of colorful murals, that span throughout Danville/Vermilion County. Highly skilled painters and mural artists from around the world painted sky-high murals on walls, buildings and other structures that depict our rich history.

The newly restored, century-old Fischer Theater invites visitors into a performance space that must be experienced to be believed. The Kathryn Randolph Theater, that houses the Red Mask Players, is a local treasure that shouldn’t be missed. The Palmer Arena draws national performers of every genre to its 2,500-seat facility and is the location for the popular First Gig Rock Camp each summer. A myriad of entertainment options are available at the Lincoln Park Band Shelter.

 

Residents and guests feel the charm of Hoopeston’s Lorraine Theatre, the majesty of performances at the restored St. James Methodist Church, the beauty of the Dick Van Dyke Auditorium at Danville High School, or the comfort of the renovated Bremer Center at Danville Area Community College to name a few.

 

Our city, county and State Parks are vibrant with music, festivals and events. Residents and visitors can be found at Kickapoo State Park’s Park Bistro setting on the water, Kennekuk and Forest Glen’s historic festivals, and at community parks enjoying eclectic performances.

Arts

Danville Art League
320 N. Franklin Street. Danville, IL
217-442-9264
www.danvilleartleague.com

Alley Gallery
113 N. Vermilion Street. Danville, IL
217-497-2286

Performing ARts

Danville Barbershop Chorus
Danville, IL
Director: Marty Lindvahl 217-260-0272

DLO Musical Theatre
P.O. Box 264 Danville, IL 61834
217-431-1660 www.dlomusicaltheatre.com

Danville Municipal Band
Lincoln Park Bandshell
1000 Logan Avenue. Danville, IL
Dave Shroeder: 217-597-1955 www.danvillemuniband.com

Danville Sweet Adelines
Danville, IL
217-431-0454
www.danvillesweetadelines.com

Danville Symphony Orchestra
715 W. Fairchild Street.
Danville, IL
217-443-5300
www.danvillesymphony.org

Hoopeston Community Children’s Choir
First Christian Church
502 E. Main St. Hoopeston, IL
217-283-6691

Vermilion Festival Chorus
St. James United Methodist Church
Danville, IL
Dave Shroeder: 217-597-1955

Theatre

DLO Musical Theatre
P.O. Box 264 Danville, IL 61834
217-431-1660
www.dlomusicaltheatre.com

KottrGrimm Theatrical Storytellers
18 E. North St.  Danville, IL  61832                                  217-918-7492                                    kottrgrimm@gmail.com    www.kottrgrimm.business.site

Gregory’s Academy of Arts
Gregory Duckett
Danville, IL
217-443-0235

Lincoln Park Theatre Company
Lincoln Park Bandshell
1000 Logan Avenue Danville, IL
217-516-8860

Red Mask Children’s Theatre
Kathryn Randolph Theatre
601 N. Vermilion Street Danville, IL
217-442-5858
www.redmaskplayers.com

Red Mask Players
Kathryn Randolph Theatre
601 N. Vermilion Street Danville, IL
217-442-5858
www.redmaskplayers.com

VENUES

Bremer Center
Danville Area Community College
2000 E. Main Street Danville, IL
217-443-3222

Danville Stadium (Est. 1946)
610 Highland Blvd Danville, IL
217-918-3401

Dick Van Dyke Auditorium
Danville High School
202 E. Fairchild Danville, IL
217-444-1500

Fischer Theatre (Est. 1884)
160 N. Vermilion Street Danville, IL
800-383-4386
www.fischertheatre.com

Kathryn Randolph Theater
Red Mask Players
601 N. Vermilion Street Danville, IL
217-442-5858

Lincoln Park Bandshell
Historic Lincoln Park
1000 N. Logan Avenue Danville, IL
217-431-3452 (Danville Public Works)
217-554-9003 (Weekend/After Hours/Emergency)

Little Lorraine
214 E. Main Street Hoopeston, IL 60942 www.thelorrainetheatre.com

Lorraine Theatre (Est. 1922)
324 E. Main Street Hoopeston, IL 60942 www.thelorrainetheatre.com

Palmer Arena
100 W. Main Street Danville, IL
217-431-2424
www.palmerarena.com

Temple Plaza Stage
100 N. Vermilion (corner of North & Vermilion Streets) Danville, IL
217-431-3452 (Danville Public Works)
217-554-9003 Weekend/After Hours (Park Emergency)

Annual events

ArtBeat Music Week
JUNE
Free annual music and art festival in Downtown Danville

Arts in the Park
JUNE
Over 60 artist’s booths on display in a juried art show at Lincoln Park along with performing arts on stage and an antique car show on Saturday morning.

First Gig: Rock N’ Roll Camp
JUNE/JULY
Camp for Kids who love music and are ready for band experience, including the thrill of performing live in front of an audience.

Sleepy Creek Vineyards Art & Music Festival
SEPTEMBER
Great event with music, art and wine at a fantastic local winery.

Live Music Events

  • Danville Municipal Band Summer Concerts, Historic Lincoln Park or St. James United Methodist Church
  • Summer Sounds Concert Series (Temple Plaza, Downtown Danville) MAY thru AUGUST
  • AMBUCS Friday Nights Concert Series (Turtle Run) – JUNE thru AUGUST
  • Café Bistro at Kickapoo MAY thru SEPTEMBER
  • Sleepy Creek Vineyards
  • Other area businesses (i.e. Exit 210 and VRBC)

Credits: Angela Bush Photography, Virginia Folkman, John Jansky, Mackenzie Kizer Photography & Film, Photography by Chel, Roland Lim Photography, Clyde Weaver