YEEEEHAW! Ava Easter is making her debut at The Neon Bison!

Come on down to this sliver of Nashville in downtown Peoria, kick off your workin’ boots, and slip on those DANCIN’ boots instead! 💃👢🎵

Tune in so you don’t miss her crowd-favorite renditions of songs like “Heads Carolina, Tails California,” “Lose Control,” “Beautiful Things,” and so many more covers, along with her own original music!

Psst! If you have a specific song you want to hear at the Bison, visit Ava’s song requests page on her website! ☺
To find her most-frequently covered songs and submit a request, just go to the “Any Song Requests?” page!

Tartan Inn is a homebase to performers like James Herr and Ava Easter!

Steps to having the ideal Thursday night:

1. Stop in for a drink (they have great NA options as well!)

2. Enjoy some killer harmonies from two seasoned musicians

3. Just relax for a little while! 😊💛

To RSVP and let James and Ava know you’re going

Stop and enjoy Ava and Nicole busking, or listen to their tunes while you shop local growers and makers! 🧺🍓🎨

Nicole and Ava each perform songs from favorites like Phoebe Bridgers, Taylor Swift, TLC, Christina Perri, Noah Kahan, and more beloved indie, pop, alternative, and country artists!

Nicole Montgomery Music is a recording artist with multiple songs available to listen to on streaming platforms! 🎧

You can check out her tunes on Spotify, among other music-sharing platforms.

You can find more specific details week-to-week on the Morton Famer’s Market Facebook page here.

To RSVP and let Nicole and Ava know you’re going, click here. 😊

The JAVA Duo brings their baritone melodies and lilting harmonies to The Elmwood Place! James Herr Acoustic and Ava Easter cover a variety of artists, including James Herrs’ specialties of James Taylor, Paul Simon, and Jim Croce, Ava’s eclectic taste in music (specializing in alternative rock, country, and pop renditions by chart-topping artists), and whatever original music falls in between!

This cornerstone of Elmwood is a “locally owned, small town gaming establishment” with “specialty cocktails, wine flights, and more.” For the most up-to-date information from the venue, it’s recommended that you follow their Instagram.

Mark your calendars now! 8 hours of live music from regional musicians—featuring 14 solo acts and 5 bands!

Please note:

• Donation collected at the door

  • $20-50 suggested

  • Kids get in for free

• All proceeds benefit the Therapeutic Arts Program in East Africa with Global Alliance Africa.

• Potluck side dishes/desserts welcomed

• Lawn chairs recommended

For more information regarding the 16th Annual Music & Munch Benefit Concert, click here.

Ava Easter will be playing from 6:10 - 6:30 P.M.

Bruce Moon also posts frequent updates leading up to Music & Munch on his Facebook page.

From the Friendly Valley Tavern Facebook Page:

“🎶 Songwriter Nights Begin This Monday!

We’re kicking off our brand new Monday night Songwriter Series at Friendly Valley with the incredibly talented Alison Hanna - Monday, June 2nd at 7pm!

This weeks special guests include Ava Easter, Lauren Fitzanko, & Ryan Massey.

What to Expect:

✨ Intimate performances

✨ Insight into their creative process

✨ Community Q&A

✨ FREE ENTRY!

Grab a drink, pull up a chair, and soak in a night of real music and real stories under the Friendly Valley sky. 🌙”

Special thank-you to Alison Hanna and the folks at Friendly Valley Tavern for providing Peoria with this much-needed space for local songwriters! 💛

James Herr promises a duo show that will NOT be all JT (James Taylor), Jim Croce, or Paul Simon—though a fair amount will be included!
He is adding harmonies with Ava Easter, and both artists know at least 200 songs and will be diving in headfirst into their song list history.
The list will be shared in advance!

The Queen of Squash is a health-focused eatery in the Metro Centre. Their mission? “A fresh take on eating and drinking well!”

To RSVP and let James & Ava know you’re going, please click here.

Ava Easter (left) and Lauren Fitzanko Music (right) Posing Together after Performing for the Tips for TAPS Fundraiser

May 24, 2025

From the James Herr Acoustic Facebook Page:

“Enjoy some acoustic classics while enjoying the fine Arts Fair!

Ava Easter will be joining James Herr Acoustic for harmonies and to contribute to the generations of songwriters with her own originals and covers.”

From “The Listening Room” Mobile Open Mic Facebook Group:

“DID YOU HEAR THE NEWS??
WE ARE NOW GATHERING 2X PER WEEK!!

While Tuesday nights continue with two-song and one-song “rapid fire” sets, Thursday nights will be dedicated to extended listening sessions where listeners, host and preselected performer(s) can dive deep together into the bones and background of each individual song. This will be a great opportunity to get to know individual artists better without the pressure of limited stage time, so plan on enjoying evenings peppered with both performance and discussion. You might even hear some surprise collaborations…

Get “the whole story” from our community’s most prolific songwriters with “The Listening Room: Director’s Cut” THIS THURSDAY at Third Chance Bar & Lounge!!

DOORS @ 5:30PM
MUSIC @ 6:00PM

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PRO TIP: Outside food is welcome and celebrated at Third Chance! Custom design your own menu from home, pick up something from your favorite spot in town, or you can even get dishes delivered to the door! As always, hot pizzas and cheesy breads will be available for convenient purchase at the bar along with DOLLAR DOGS and a wide selection of $1 and $3 snacks.

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Never heard of “The Listening Room?” We’re Peoria’s first and only mobile open mic community! Join us as we pop up at a different location in Central Illinois every Tuesday evening. See new and established artists on new and established stages and enjoy a rapid-fire open mic experience averaging 12-20 acts per event. While we welcome and celebrate full bands we are especially known for highlighting the many acoustic acts and singer songwriters hidden within the expansive Peoria music community. Host Sarah Marie Dillard from Sarah & The Underground facilitates a unique open mic experience strongly reminiscent of the iconic Bluebird Café in Nashville, TN”

From the Ava Easter Facebook Page:

“Ava Easter will be bringing an all-original set to the Soulpatch Halfway to Summer Celebration, so bring your dancing shoes, throw on your pashmenas, and let's vibe to some acoustic tunes!

Tickets for this weekend are $50, with all kinds of vendors, food trucks, workshops, activation stations, and more to explore and enjoy from Saturday May 3rd - Sunday May 4th!

Tickets available to purchase now:
https://www.tickettailor.com/.../diversemetamorph.../1592523”

From the Ava Easter Facebook Page:

“Ava Easter is returning to Tartan Inn on April 24th, so mark your calendars! ✍️
She will be bringing you renditions of her favorite tunes, some familiar songs of her own, and most importantly, she will be celebrating a FULL YEAR sober!! With special guest James Herr Acoustic, her honorary "musical pop-pop," this is a night you don't wanna miss! 🥳🎉

Be sure to stop by for a cozy atmosphere, some great service from our lovely bartenders, and a fantastic selection of beers, seltzers, and frozen pizzas! 🍻🍕”

From the Ava Easter Facebook Page:

“🖤Saturday, April 12th
🚪 Doors open @ 6 / Music @ 7 / All Ages Welcome!
🎟️Tickets:
https://www.eventbrite.com/.../emo-night-live-w-all...

💛Get ready to rage, cry, and headbang to acoustic renditions of Ava's most emo originals!

🩷Ava's set will be an all-original romp, taking you back to your MP3, chunky-highlight, rawr-XD days!

💜Stick around for Emo Nite Live! with All American Throwbacks at 8 PM, playing songs from early-2000s emo/pop-punk staples like Fall Out Boy, My Chemical Romance, Panic! At the Disco, Good Charlotte, and MANY MANY MORE! 🦖 xD ^~^ :3c”

The All-American Throwbacks & Ava Posed Together after each Performing for Emo Nite Live! at the 3300 Event Center

April 12, 2025

From the Ava Easter Facebook Page:

“Tres Rojas Winery welcomes back Ava Easter as a featured songwriter in the 2025 Songwriters Series!

James Herr Acoustic curates and hosts this event "for and by local/touring songwriters because they deserve to have a listening audience."

$10 Donations are greatly appreciated to fund this event.

•Tres Rojas offers wine, beer & non alcoholic beverages
•Butch’s pizza, cheeses, dips, crackers and chocolates are available for purchase •Outside food/picnics are welcomed
•Please note outside drinks are not permitted

Doors at 6 with performances at 6:30 PM, showcasing over a decade of songwriting and growth in musicianship.
Coming off her debut single, "Dangling," Ava Easter aims to bring authenticity, feelings of nostalgia, and catharsis to the Tres Rojas ballroom.”

From James Herr Acoustic’s Facebook Page:

“Wine and Song! Join us [sic] for a relaxing afternoon of tunes by James Taylor, Paul Simon, John Denver, Croce and more.”

From the Ava Easter Facebook Page:

Celebrating her recent debut single, Ava Easter is back at your favorite neighborhood bar to bring you classics and deep-cuts from all kinds of genres, along with original music! 🎙️🎶

Indulge in Tartan's seasonal pudding shots, excellent beers and seltzers, and a variety of frozen pizzas! 🍻🍕

Merch in the form of stickers will also be available for sale!
-Holographic Logo Stickers - $4
-Matte Vinyl AE Stickers - $1

From the Ava Easter Facebook Page:

“Howdy! I'll be slinging some country tunes and original songs from 8-9 PM for my friend Roy Fifer of the band CPR at The Neon Bison!

Bring a friend and enjoy singing along to artists like Brooks & Dunn, Carrie Underwood, Miranda Lambert, Taylor Swift (before she turned into the multi-genre artist she is today), and more!

Neon Bison is an electric bar that feels like a slice of Nashville inside Central Illinois! Yeeeeeehaw!

👢🎶💛”

From the Ava Easter Facebook Page:

“Ava Easter is coming to Tartan Inn! Bringing you her renditions of pop, rock, and country hits, this singer-songwriter will also be including some fan-favorite originals and deep cuts!

Enjoy various frozen pizzas, a wonderful selection of beers, and new seasonal pudding shots while supporting local music! 💛”

From the Ava Easter Facebook Page:

“The November edition of this Songwriter's Series as Tres Rojas features Ava Easter.

Doors open at 6:00, music will begin at 6:30. James Herr will open, followed by the featured artist. $10 Donations encouraged, as well as reservations for large groups.

Tres Rojas offers Butch's pizzas, large and individual charcuterie packs, cheeses, dips, crackers and chocolates. Feel free to bring your own foods!

No outside beverages or containers, please.”

From the Peoria Music Live Facebook Page:

“🎸 Get Ready for the 1st Annual Peoria Music Live Takeover! 🎉

Join us on October 20, 2024, at the 3300 Event Center for an unforgettable day of music, fun, and community! With two stages of live local music, delicious food, unique vendors, silent auctions, raffles, family activities, and so much more, there's something for everyone to enjoy.

Event Highlights

Ballroom Stage:
Rock out from 11am to 10pm with a lineup of incredible bands!

11:15 - River Valley Big Band
12:15 - Grey Slush
1:15 - Kuh Nives
2:15 - Easy Riders
3:15 - Jake Rebman
4:15 - Cole Hollow
5:15 - ZA Funk
6:15 - Tambora
7:15 - 3 Mile High
8:30-10 Way Down Wanderers!

Third Chance Acoustic Stage:
Enjoy acoustic sets from 11am to 6:30pm.

11:00 Tyler Weaver
11:30 Ava Easter
12:00 James Herr
12:30 Marquise Hendo
1:00 Shawn Smith
1:30 Kirk Wessler
2:00 Hailee Richmond
2:30 Lonesome Jones
3:00 Sydney Meuth
3:30 Now and Zen
4:15 Jim Ransone and M-75's
5:00 Tucked in T's
5:45 Hollow Down

Vendors and Activities:
Explore from 11am to 5pm.

Harmonize Peoria Musical Petting Zoo - 11am-3pm
Peoria Drum Circle - 3:30-4:30pm
Expressions Body Art and Design for Face Painting
Unique Twist & Twisting Crew for Balloon Sculptures
Toddler Bounce House
(And More!)

*Several great raffles. Tickets $2 each, 3 for $5, 8 for $10, or ONLINE PRE-PURCHASE ONLY - 26 for $30

*Pre-purchased raffle tickets not valid for the 50/50 or WDW Raffle that is still TBA.

Arrive before 4pm to enjoy all the activities, raffles, vendors, and music and entry is $5. Children under 13 are free. You can stay to watch all the shows, but if you leave there is NO RE-ENTRY

Arrive after 4pm to enjoy just the music, including our headlining act: Tickets are $15 in advance (limited number available) or $20 at the door.

Members of the PML Green Room will receive $10 worth of raffle tickets at the event!

Pre-Sale Tickets are NOW AVAILABLE at: peoriamusiclive.simpletix.com

Keep checking back for updates and exciting announcements.

Don’t miss out on the biggest local music event of the year!

Contributions can also be made directly to Peoria Music Live through PayPal (paypal.me/peoriamusiclive) or Venmo (@peoriamusiclive)”

Lauren Fitzanko Music (left) and Ava Easter (right) after each performing for the Tips for TAPS Fundraiser

October 5, 2024

From James Herr Acoustic’s Facebook Page:

"What I love about the 3 you do so well (Simon, Croce, Taylor) is they all deliver with confidence. You know it's them from the first note. So take it from a guy with decades of pro experience you are on the right path.”

From the Scrimmy Bingus and the Grungle Tungus Facebook Page:

“We would like to cordially invite you to the July Scrimmy Bingus Showcase Show!!

We are going to be having an evening of music laughs community and love!! And all we need now is you!!!

Show begins at 7 and ends around 10!

We will be posted up at the Third Chance Bar and Lounge located in the historic 3300 event center!!

Lineup:
SBGTB
CodyRay Acoustic
Cam-Jack Music
Ava Easter

It won’t be one you’ll want to miss!! We look forward to seeing you there!!

We know it’s technically Cancer ♋ season but it’s my birth month and I’m a Leo and so it’s a cusp party!! ♌”

From the Ava Easter Facebook Page:

“How cute is this flyer??
July is kicking off with a fantastic house show hosted by The Mouse Nest in Chillicothe, featuring: yours truly, my good friend Lauren Fitzanko Music, and some new (to me) friends Toredoria and Rain Garden!
For more details, be sure to message mouse.nest on Instagram, and we all hope to see you there!”

From the Lauren Fitzanko Music Facebook Page:

“Peruse produce and merch booths, enjoy food from local food trucks, and enjoy some of mine and special guest Ava Easter's songs on your way in and out!”

From the Ava Easter Facebook Page:

“Catch an assortment of original music and covers from local singer-songwriter/soloist Ava Easter from 8:00-10:00 PM Friday night in The Grotto at TE-Js' Sports Connection!
Live music will be followed by Dave Gama with "A Night to Remember" Karaoke until 2:00 AM! 🎤🎶”

From the Scrimmy Bingus and the Grungle Tungus Band Facebook Page:

“We are super excited to announce the second Scrimmy Bingus Showcase Show!!! It will be a night filled with Love, Friendship, and most importantly MUSIC!! Bring yourself, bring a friend, bring that lonely neighbor that lives down the street! Everyone is welcome at a Scrimmy Show!!

We are honored to be hosted again by The Third Chance at the iconic 3300 Event Center!!! If you haven't been you will be amazed!!

Our esteemed Musicians this month are:
Lauren Fitzanko!
Ava Easter!
Michael Ryan!
Logan Nickerson!

and to open the show it'll be yours truly

Scrimmy Bingus and the Grungle Tungus Band!

Oh and before I forget are you an aspiring musician? Have yourself 30 minutes of originals you've been just itching to show to a crowd on a stage?? Well guess what buddy you're in luck!!! Anyone who plays next Tuesday at "The Listening Room" (that are interested) have a chance to play a 30 minute set for this month's Showcase Show the following Saturday!

See y'all there!! Peace

Kitchen and Bar will be open
$10 donation recommended (all proceeds go to the musicians )
Showtime 7-10:30”

From the Ava Easter Facebook page:

“Come to Wheel Art Pottery Studios to watch Ava Easter play some tunes with her ukulele and guitar! Make sure to spread the word!
Special thanks to Tori Whitehurst and the people at Wheel Art Pottery Studios for this amazing opportunity.”