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Portraits 2023

Mae Gilliland Wright

Host

Mae Gilliland Wright is the host of WCBU's Out & About. She joined the station in this role in 2023.

  • The image features a photo of this episode’s guest: performer, songwriter and historian Barry Cloyd. The image features an all-capitalized text headline that reads “FROM WOODSTOCK TO TODAY” with an underlying smaller text that reads “featuring Barry Cloyd.” The graphic artwork also features an icon of the podcast’s sponsor PNC Bank in the center with the WCBU and NPR logos in the left-hand corner. In the bottom right-hand corner are icons of the various podcast platforms where the Out and About podcast can be streamed/downloaded. In the bottom left-hand corner is Out and About spelled out in large, white graphic letters.
    For What It’s Worth: A Tribute to Stephen Stills in Song & Story, coming Aug. 22
    Mae Gilliland Wright
    On this week’s episode of Out and About, Mae Gilliland of ArtsPartners of Central Illinois talks with Barry Cloyd about For What It’s Worth: A Tribute to Stephen Stills in Song & Story, coming Aug. 22 to the Contemporary Art Center of Peoria. Blending live music with storytelling, the multimedia performance traces Stills’ career through Buffalo Springfield, Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young and his solo work.
  • The image features a photo of this episode’s guest Rhonda Ossola Parker of the Italian American Society. The image features an all-capitalized text headline that reads “A TASTE OF ITALY” with an underlying smaller text that reads “Rhonda Ossola Parker of the Italian American Society.” The graphic artwork also features an icon of the podcast’s sponsor PNC Bank in the center with the WCBU and NPR logos in the left-hand corner. In the bottom right-hand corner are icons of the various podcast platforms where the Out and About podcast can be streamed/downloaded. In the bottom left-hand corner is Out and About spelled out in large, white graphic letters.
    Annual Summer Festa Picnic coming to Hickory Grove Park
    Mae Gilliland Wright
    On this week’s episode of Out and About, Mae Gilliland of ArtsPartners of Central Illinois talks with Rhonda Ossola Parker of the Italian American Society about the annual Summer Festa Picnic on Aug. 9 at Hickory Grove Park. Celebrating its 95th year, the family-friendly event features authentic Italian food, live music, artisan vendors, bocce, spaghetti-eating contests and a special tribute to the 100th anniversary of Agatucci's Restaurant.
  • The image features a photo of this episode’s guest Roseanne Urbanc, president of Chillicothe Players Theatre and director of The Great Gatsby. The image features an all capitalized text headline that reads “GATSBY ON STAGE” with an underlying smaller text that reads “Featuring Roseanne Urbanc.”, The graphic artwork also features an icon of the podcast’s sponsor PNC Bank in the center with the WCBU and NPR logos in the left-hand corner. In the bottom right hand corner are icons of the various podcast platforms where the Out and About podcast can be streamed/downloaded. In the bottom left hand corner is Out and About spelled out in large, white graphic letters.
    Chillicothe Players Theatre presents 'The Great Gatsby'
    Mae Gilliland Wright
    On this week’s episode of Out and About, Mae Gilliland of ArtsPartners of Central Illinois talks with Roseanne Urbanc of Chillicothe Players Theatre about their upcoming production of "The Great Gatsby."
  • Gratus Choral Ensemble presents The Lost Birds
    Mae Gilliland Wright
    On this week’s episode of Out and About, Mae Gilliland of ArtsPartners of Central Illinois talks with Cory Boulton of Bradley University about The Lost Birds, a powerful choral work presented by the Gratus Choral Ensemble on July 26 at First Federated Church at 4 p.m.
  • The image features a photo of this episode’s guest Salil Bavdekar of Heartland Latin Dancers. The image features a large, all capitalized text that reads “DANCE UNDER THE STARS”. The graphic artwork also features an icon of the podcast’s sponsor PNC Bank in the upper right and corner. The left-hand corner features the WCBU and NPR logos. At the bottom of the photo there are icons of the various podcast platforms where the Out and About podcast can be streamed/downloaded.
    Heartland Latin Dancers present Latin Dance Night at Casa de Arte
    Mae Gilliland Wright
    On this week’s episode of Out and About, Mae Gilliland of ArtsPartners of Central Illinois talks with Salil Bavdekar of Heartland Latin Dancers about Latin Dance Night at Casa de Arte, located in Peoria's Warehouse District. Held on the last Saturday of every month, the evening features a beginner-friendly dance lesson followed by an outdoor social dance where no partner or experience is required.
  • The image features a photo of this episode’s guest Jake Bowers. Jake is the interim president of Peoria Proud. The image has the quote “PRIDE THROUGH THE ARTS”, with a rainbow colored graphic that reads River City Pride Peoria, IL. The graphic artwork also features an icon of the podcast’s sponsor PNC Bank as well as various podcast platform’s icons where the Out and About podcast can be streamed/downloaded.
    River City Pride Festival adds Artist Row for July 18 event
    Mae Gilliland Wright
    On this week’s episode of Out and About, Mae Gilliland of ArtsPartners of Central Illinois talks with Jake Bowers of Peoria Proud about this year’s River City Pride Festival on July 18 at the Peoria RiverFront. The free festival features live entertainment, community organizations, interactive art, food vendors, educational programming and a new Artist Row showcasing local creatives.
  • The image features a photo of this episode’s distinguished guest Dr. David Vroman. Dr. Vroman is the director of the Peoria Municipal Band. The image has the quote “CONCERTS UNDER THE SKY”, with a graphic representing the Peoria Municipal Band. The graphic artwork also features an icon of the podcast’s sponsor PNC Bank as well as various podcast platform’s icons where the Out and About podcast can be streamed/downloaded.
    Peoria Municipal Band celebrates 89th season of free summer concerts
    Mae Gilliland Wright
    On this week’s episode of Out and About, Dr. Mae Gilliland of ArtsPartners of Central Illinois talks with Dr. David Vroman, director of the Peoria Municipal Band, about the band’s 89th season of free summer concerts.
  • The image features a photo of this episode’s guest Emily Huff who’s promoting the new West Peoria Farmers Market. The image has the quote “NEW COMMUNITY MARKER”, with a graphic advertising the new event. As always, the graphic artwork also features an icon of the podcast’s sponsor PNC Bank as well as various podcast platforms where the Out and About podcast can be heard.
    Introducing the new West Peoria Farmers Market
    Mae Gilliland Wright
    On this week’s episode of Out and About, Dr. Mae Gilliland of ArtsPartners of Central Illinois talks with Emily Huff about the new West Peoria Farmers Market, held every Wednesday from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. at the Franciscan Recreation Complex.
  • The image features a photo of this episode’s guest Nikki Wheeler, Special Events Assistant at Five Points Washington. The image has the quote “CREATING COMMUNITY THROUGH ART”, with a graphic advertising the art fair that is taking place June 20, 2026 from 10 am to 5 pm at Five Points Washington. As always, the graphic artwork also features an icon of the podcast’s sponsor PNC Bank as well as various podcast platforms where the Out and About podcast can be heard.
    Five Points Washington’s Community Art Fair
    Mae Gilliland Wright
    On this week's episode of Out and About, Dr. Mae Gilliland of ArtsPartners of Central Illinois talks with Nikki Wheeler, special events assistant at Five Points Washington, about the upcoming Community Art Fair on June 20. This curated outdoor event brings together regional artists, live music and hands-on art activities for children in a welcoming, community-centered setting.
  • The image features a photo of this episode’s guest Chanel Hargrave-Murray, Supervisor of Community Connections for the Peoria Park District. The image has the quote “JUBILEE DAY CELEBRATIONS”, with a graphic of the Juneteenth celebration taking place June 19, 2026 on the Peoria Riverfront. As always, the graphic artwork also features an icon of the podcast’s sponsor PNC Bank as well as various podcast platforms where the Out and About podcast can be heard.
    Jubilee Day: A Juneteenth Celebration
    Mae Gilliland Wright
    On this week's episode of Out and About, Dr. Mae Gilliland of ArtsPartners of Central Illinois talks with Chanel Hargrave-Murray of the Peoria Park District about Jubilee Day: A Juneteenth Celebration, taking place June 19 on the Peoria RiverFront. The free community event blends live entertainment, cultural experiences, family activities, food vendors, storytelling, an Ancestor Tree Activation Station and much more. The evening concludes with a special Juneteenth-themed drone show over the riverfront.