Retro Via is one of several Illinois-based bands playing this weekend at Pygmalion, an annual art and culture festival in Urbana.

2022 marks the festival’s 18th year, and in-person programming September 22-24. Pygmalion’s Director of Development, Patrick Singer, talked about the headliners this year and what the process of curating a diverse lineup entails.

As more people are getting vaccinated and restrictions are easing, the return of pre-pandemic activities is looking promising. To speak more about what people can expect from upcoming festivals, The 21st was joined by three guests involved in or reporting on Illinois' music scenes. 

The 15^th annual Pygmalion Festival gets underway Thursday evening in venues across Urbana.

On the 21st: We're coming to you from the Pygmalion Festival at the University of Illinois’ Krannert Center for the Performing Arts. Pygmalion showcases a wide range of guests and performers, and we invited some of those people to our show: everyone from the organizers of the festival, to astronomers, to musicians, to stand-up comedians.