•The Great American Thing (September 17 through January 1): Through film clips, postcards, advertisements, vintage photography, period furniture, and approximately 130 works of art, the Figge Art Museum examines the first generation of American artists, exploring their process of finding an authentic voice for American art. Sponsored by the National Endowment for the Arts, the National Endowment for the Humanities, and the Riverboat Development Authority. More information is available by calling (563)326-7804.
•The Second Annual River House Music Fest (Sept. 1, 6 p.m. to midnight): Performances by Mommy's Little Monster, the Gray Wolf Band, and Smooth Groove highlight this concert and raffle event, with 100 percent of proceeds and $1 from each ticket sold benefiting the American Red Cross of the Quad Cities Area. Tickets are $5 and can be purchased at the American Red Cross and at the River House Bar & Grill (1510 River Drive in Moline), both in advance and at the door.
•Quad City Arts Visiting Artists Series (September through November): On September 17, Quad City Arts presents contemporary dance fusion ensemble Nebellen at the Galvin Fine Arts Center (tickets available at 563-333-6251); October 22 sees the arrival of pianist and chamber musician Aileen Chanco, who will play in Augustana College's Centennial Hall; and on November 12, the brass/woodwind/percussion quintet Top Brass performs at Augustana's Wallenberg Hall one week before appearing at the Quad City Symphony's Holiday Pops concert on November 19. All visiting-artist concerts begin at 7 p.m.
•The Brown Bag Lunch Series (September through November): The Bettendorf Public Library begins its monthly, half-hour concert series with the folk and rock act Rose 'n' Thorns on September 23, brings in vintage guitar duo Paul Cioe & David Leis on October 21, and presents the River Music Experience's Ellis Kell on November 18. All concerts run from 12:15 to 12:45 p.m., and attendees are invited to bring their lunches, enjoy the music, and sip free coffee from the library's café.
•Midwest Writing Center's Four-Part Mini-Course (September 17 through December 10): Writing is one thing; getting published is quite another. To help area writers in this goal, Mark McLaughlin - local author of more than 600 published short stories, articles, and poems - will lead a four-part course entitled "Getting Paid & Published for ... ," which will focus on the proper means to see one's poetry (September 17), short stories (October 8), articles (November 12), and books (December 10) in print. Classes will be held from 1 to 4 p.m. and are limited to the first 15 registrants; register through the Midwest Writing Center at (309)788-2711.
•Auditions for The Nutcracker (September 14 through 17): Ballet Quad Cities is looking for both youth and adult actors and dancers for their forthcoming performances of The Nutcracker, to be presented at Davenport's Capitol Theatre December 16 through 18. Audition schedule: September 14, 5 to 6 p.m., dancers age 7 to 10 with some dance experience; September 14, 6 to 8 p.m., dancers age 12 through adult with strong ballet technique; September 16, 6:45 to 7:45 p.m., teenage and young-adult performers; and September 17, 4 to 5:30 p.m., dancers age 9 to 16 with ballet/dance training. Dancers should wear ballet attire; actors should wear clothing that allows for free movement. All auditions will be held at the Ballet Quad Cities studios at 613 17th Street in Rock Island. For more information, call (309)786-3779.
•The Second Annual River House Music Fest (Sept. 1, 6 p.m. to midnight): Performances by Mommy's Little Monster, the Gray Wolf Band, and Smooth Groove highlight this concert and raffle event, with 100 percent of proceeds and $1 from each ticket sold benefiting the American Red Cross of the Quad Cities Area. Tickets are $5 and can be purchased at the American Red Cross and at the River House Bar & Grill (1510 River Drive in Moline), both in advance and at the door.
•Quad City Arts Visiting Artists Series (September through November): On September 17, Quad City Arts presents contemporary dance fusion ensemble Nebellen at the Galvin Fine Arts Center (tickets available at 563-333-6251); October 22 sees the arrival of pianist and chamber musician Aileen Chanco, who will play in Augustana College's Centennial Hall; and on November 12, the brass/woodwind/percussion quintet Top Brass performs at Augustana's Wallenberg Hall one week before appearing at the Quad City Symphony's Holiday Pops concert on November 19. All visiting-artist concerts begin at 7 p.m.
•The Brown Bag Lunch Series (September through November): The Bettendorf Public Library begins its monthly, half-hour concert series with the folk and rock act Rose 'n' Thorns on September 23, brings in vintage guitar duo Paul Cioe & David Leis on October 21, and presents the River Music Experience's Ellis Kell on November 18. All concerts run from 12:15 to 12:45 p.m., and attendees are invited to bring their lunches, enjoy the music, and sip free coffee from the library's café.
•Midwest Writing Center's Four-Part Mini-Course (September 17 through December 10): Writing is one thing; getting published is quite another. To help area writers in this goal, Mark McLaughlin - local author of more than 600 published short stories, articles, and poems - will lead a four-part course entitled "Getting Paid & Published for ... ," which will focus on the proper means to see one's poetry (September 17), short stories (October 8), articles (November 12), and books (December 10) in print. Classes will be held from 1 to 4 p.m. and are limited to the first 15 registrants; register through the Midwest Writing Center at (309)788-2711.
•Auditions for The Nutcracker (September 14 through 17): Ballet Quad Cities is looking for both youth and adult actors and dancers for their forthcoming performances of The Nutcracker, to be presented at Davenport's Capitol Theatre December 16 through 18. Audition schedule: September 14, 5 to 6 p.m., dancers age 7 to 10 with some dance experience; September 14, 6 to 8 p.m., dancers age 12 through adult with strong ballet technique; September 16, 6:45 to 7:45 p.m., teenage and young-adult performers; and September 17, 4 to 5:30 p.m., dancers age 9 to 16 with ballet/dance training. Dancers should wear ballet attire; actors should wear clothing that allows for free movement. All auditions will be held at the Ballet Quad Cities studios at 613 17th Street in Rock Island. For more information, call (309)786-3779.
