Peoria, IL-- The Happy Together Tour will stop at the SMG managed Peoria Civic Center Theater on Sunday, Aug. 11 at 7 pm. This year's lineup will feature THE TURTLES featuring FLO & EDDIE, CHUCK NEGRON formerly of THREE DOG NIGHT, GARY PUCKETT & THE UNION GAP, MARK LINDSAY former lead singer of Paul Revere & the Raiders and GARY LEWIS & THE PLAYBOYS. Tickets are $49.50, $42.50 and $35.50. Tickets go on sale Friday April 12th at 10:00AM at the Peoria Civic Center Box office, all Ticketmaster outlets, Ticketmaster.com, and 1.800.745.3000.

The evening will take fans back to the cool rock of the '60s, complete with plenty of timeless classics and universal hits. For more information visit www.nitelite.com or www.PeoriaCivicCenter.com .

Peoria, IL– The SMG managed Peoria Civic Center and ZO Entertainment are excited to announce Chief Keef  and GBE  with Def Jam Artist Lil Durk & King Louie coming to the Peoria Civic Center Theater on Sunday May 5th at 7:00 pm. Tickets are $57, $47, $42, $37, $32 and $27 and go on sale Monday April 8th at 10:00 am. Tickets will be available at the Peoria Civic Center Box office, all Ticketmaster outlets, Ticketmaster.com, and 1.800.745.3000.

Long before Chief Keef (born Keith Cozart) was one of the most popular teenage rappers in America and the youngest major label head in history, he was a legend among kids on the South Side of Chicago. Keef's music, primarily comprised of minimalistic homemade string and drum tracks punctuated by his menacing, nihilistic lyrics, sounds like the next evolutionary step in the style of tracks by Lex Luger and Waka Flocka Flame. But more importantly, his music accurately and honestly reflects the violence, hopelessness and frustration, as well as moments of joy and victory, of the environments that Keef and hundreds of thousands of other poor and working-class kids live in all over the world.

For more information visit www.PeoriaCivicCenter.com or contact Megan Pedigo at (309)680-3640 or at MPedigo@peoriaciviccenter.com

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MEXICO CITY - Governor Pat Quinn issued the following statement Thursday afternoon from Mexico, where he is on a trade mission:

"I was very saddened to hear today that my good friend Roger Ebert has passed away. I - along with the people of Illinois - offer condolences to his wife Chaz, with whom I had the privilege of spending some time just last week.

"Even in recent years when illness robbed him of his ability to speak, the mere act of raising his thumb brought auditoriums full of people to their feet in applause. One of my best memories was getting a 'thumbs-up' from Roger in 2011 when I proclaimed "Roger Ebert Day" at Ebertfest in Champaign.

"Roger Ebert was Everyman with a cinematographer's eye and an artist's passion. His unique gift was the ability to communicate with everyday people about all kinds of movies and ultimately, the real values of life. He was one of our best-known and most respected journalists, a winner of the Pulitzer Prize as a Chicago Sun-Times film critic, and a proud and generous graduate of the University of Illinois where he began his journalism career at the Daily Illini.

"The whole state joins me in mourning his passing. Roger Ebert was a great man. No doubt Gene Siskel is saving him a seat in the balcony upstairs."

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April 4, 2013

WHO: Bettendorf, Davenport, Moline and Rock Island Public Libraries, in partnership with River Music Experience and Western Illinois University-Quad Cities invite local media to attend the kickoff event for America's Music Quad Cities.

WHAT: America's Music Quad Cities partners will discuss the six-week grant-funded series America's Music: A Film History of our Popular Culture from Blues to Bluegrass to Broadway, which runs April 11th through May 23rd.  Representatives from partner organizations will be available to speak with media.  After profiling the series, the celebration continues with a performance from Iowa Blues Challenge winners The Candymakers.

WHEN: Thursday, April 11th, 2013, 4:30 p.m. - 6:00 p.m.

WHERE: River Music Experience, 129 Main Street, Davenport IA

WHY:  America's Music Quad Cities is a bi-state, multi-agency partnership hosting the Tribeca Film Institute, American Library Association, and National Endowment for the Humanities grant-funded program.  This six-week series (April 11 - May 23) features film viewings and discussions of distinguished documentaries featuring uniquely American music genres, performances by local acts, and Celebrating America's Music in the Quad Cities, with a focus on local musical memories with an open-mic session.  America's Music Quad Cities is only one of fifty nationwide recipients of this grant.
Record Store Day 2013 is fast approaching - Saturday, April 20th.

Ragged Records, located at 418 East 2nd Street, Davenport, Iowa will be open 10:00am - 5:00pm.

Record Store Day is an international event. For one day only, over 400 rare and limited-edition titles will be released on LPs, EPs, 45s and box sets.

A Complete list of titles is available at recordstoreday.com or can be viewed at Ragged Records during regular business hours.

This year's event will be even bigger than the last. Ragged Records is releasing volume two of last summer's huge success, "Hello Quad Cities". "Hello Quad Cities" Volume Two features 12 area bands and artists, including: Chris Coleslaw, Speaking of Secrets, Orchard Keepers, Idpyramid, White Zephyr, Comfort, The Post Mortems, Dynoride, Puddle Jumper, Sub Atlantic, US Mode, and Busted Chandeliers. "Hello Quad Cities" Volume Two is an vinyl-only release limited to 400 copies on colored vinyl.

Five of the bands featured on "Hello Quad Cities" Volume Two will be playing during the Record Store Day event. The bands playing are: Idpyramid, Speaking of Secrets, Busted Chaneliers, Puddle Jumper, and The Post Mortems.

There will be giveaways and drawings, including vinyl test pressings of "Hello Quad Cities" volumes one & two.

Ragged Records will also have 20% off all used merchandise - including records, CD's, stereo equipment and more. Trash Can Annie Vintage Clothing (located in the same building) will also feature 20% off all vintage clothing and accessories during the Record Store Day event.

For more information, please call Ragged Records (563-324-3579) during store hours (Monday thru Saturday, 10:00am to 5:00pm), follow us on facebook, or check out raggedrecords.org. For further information on "Hello Quad Cities" Volume Two, go to helloquadcities.com or like it on facebook.
GOLDBOOK presents the Spring Fling Dance at the Center for Active Seniors, Inc. (CASI), (1035 West Kimberly Road, Davenport) Friday, April 5th. Come dance the night away from 7:00-10:00 p.m. with music provided by The Tony Hamilton Orchestra. The cost is just $10 at the door!

But wait, there's more! Interested in learning some line dancing steps before the dance begins? There will be FREE Line Dancing lessons starting at 6:15 p.m.! Make sure to mark the Spring Fling Dance on your Friday night schedule and we'll see you and your dancing shoes at CASI!

For more information please contact Sarah Arp at CASI (O) 563-386-7477 ext. 229 ( C ) 563-343-0038 (E) sarp@casiseniors.org

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END

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Moline, IL - April 1, 2013 - West Music Quad Cities is excited to get spring rockin' by celebrating International
Guitar Month throughout the month of April. The store will host weekly clinics to educate and celebrate the versatile instrument. West Music Quad Cities is located at 4305 44th Avenue, Moline, IL 61265. For questions or more information, please call 319-351-2000.

Clinic Information
Before anyone can play, they need to pick out a guitar. West Music will kick off the month with a "How to Pick Out the Perfect Guitar for You" clinic on Wednesday, April 3rd, at 6:00 pm. The clinic, hosted by Ellis Kell, is designed to help musicians find the right guitar for their needs, as well as cover the differences between acoustic and electric guitars, various body styles, and pickup configurations. He will also cover how certain guitar models are beneficial for beginners, advancing players, or those looking to play a certain style. This clinic is great for anyone looking to start playing, shopping for a gift, or just interested in learning more about different types of guitars. There will be free giveaways for participants.

The second clinic, "How to Care for Your Guitar," on Saturday, April 6th, starting at 1:00 pm, will teach guitar care basics. Attendees will learn from clinician and luthier, Tony "Sweeps" Carducci, how to tune and clean their guitar, as well as how to change its strings. West Music will also have care kit bundles for sale, in addition to discounts on accessories such as strings and tuners. Musicians in attendance will also be able to sign up for guitar lessons and have their registration fee waived.

So you've got your guitar and you know how to take care of it. Now what? On Saturday, April 13th, beginning at 3:30 pm, the third clinic, "How to Play - Free Guitar Demonstrations!" will teach the foundations of playing the guitar, including learning how to play chords, a simple song, as well as provide information on how to find the right teacher and lesson format. The presenter will be Andy Cowan. The clinic will host a drawing for free giveaways, as well as provide free guitar lesson registration, and special discounts will be available on select lesson book bundles.

On Saturday, April 20th, at 1:00 pm, the fourth clinic, "How to Make Your Guitar Sound Like the Greats with Effects," taught by Scott Whitehall, will teach guitarists new ways of expression through the creative use of effects pedals. Local guitar legends will teach the tips and tricks to guitar effects to help musicians capture the elusive tones established by greats such as Jimi Hendrix, Steve Vai, Johnny Greenwood, and Matt Bellamy. Attendees will continue to be able to win free giveaways, register for guitar lessons for free, and get discounts on select guitar effect pedals.

To end the month in celebration of one of the best instruments around, the final event, "Guitar Shows & Open Mic Sessions," will take place on Saturday, April 27th, from 11:00 am-2:00 pm. The event will begin with an informal open mic with appetizers and drinks. The stage will be set up with various products and a sound system so players can jump on up and jam. The event is open to all guitar lovers, who are encouraged to bring their own prized classic, cool, and unique guitars to the guitar show to display for everyone to look at and then jump on stage to show everyone how great they sound. This event will be a fun finale to International Guitar Month with West Music!

About West Music Company

Founded in 1941, West Music's mission to "Enrich peoples' lives through participation in music" is at the root of its success and continued growth. West Music specializes in pianos, guitars, drums and percussion, band and orchestra instruments, and print music as well as offers music instruction, repair and music therapy services. West Music has six retail locations in eastern Iowa and western Illinois. For more information, visit West Music's comprehensive online website at www.westmusic.com or call 1-800-373-2000.

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Presented by Corona Light and The New 104.9 The Wolf

Peoria, IL -- The New 104.9 the Wolf and Corona Light are teaming up with the Peoria Civic Center and Centerplate to bring you The Official No Shoes Nation Pre-Party on April 26th from 2:00 pm to 6:00 pm! Before you head into the arena to see Kenny Chesney, The Eli Young Band and Kacey Musgraves, enjoy food, drinks and music outside in downtown Peoria.  The Pre-Party will take place just outside the Peoria Civic Center Carver Arena on the Jefferson Avenue sidewalk.

Admission is free and open to the public, you do not need a ticket to attend the Pre-Party.  104.9 the Wolf will be giving away tickets to the concert and other prizes at the Pre-Party. In the event of inclement weather, the Pre-Party will move indoors to the exhibit halls.

The No Shoes Nation Tour featuring Kenny Chesney, The Eli Young Band and Kacey Musgraves starts at 7:00 pm in the Peoria Civic Center Arena. Tickets are still available at the Peoria Civic Center Box office, all Ticketmaster outlets, Ticketmaster.com, and 1.800.745.3000.

The Peoria Civic Center, an SMG managed facility, is an entertainment and convention venue that contributes significantly to the economic impact on the downtown Peoria area.  For the most up-to-date event information, please check us out on the web at http://www.PeoriaCivicCenter..

Since 1977, SMG has provided management services to over 219 public assembly facilities including arenas, stadiums, theatres and performing arts centers, and convention, congress and exhibition centers.  With facilities across the United States, Puerto Rico, Mexico, Canada, Europe and the Middle East, SMG manages more than 11 million square feet (1.1 million square meters) of exhibition space, and over 1.5 million entertainment seats worldwide. For additional company information, visit www.smgworld.com.

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  • LUKE BRYAN

WITH SPECIAL GUESTS

  • THOMPSON SQUARE
  • FLORIDA GEORGIA LINE

June 13th, 2013

Peoria Civic Center Arena

Peoria, IL

Tickets On-Sale Friday, 4/5 at 10am!!

At all Ticketmaster outlets, Ticketmaster.com, the Peoria Civic Center Box Office, or charge by phone at
800-745-3000.

LUKE BRYAN SELLS OUT FIRST LEG OF
"DIRT ROAD DIARIES TOUR"

Peoria, Ill. - The SMG managed Peoria Civic Center and LiveNation announce with great
enthusiasm Luke Bryan's tour date confirmed in Peoria, Il on June 13th, 2013 in the Peoria Civic Center
Arena. Tickets will go on-sale Friday, April 5th at 10 a.m. on Ticketmaster.com, all Ticketmaster locations,
at the Peoria Civic Center Box Office or charge by phone at 800-745-3000. Ticket prices for the concert
will be $27.25 and $52.00

Luke Bryan's cache as a seasoned performer has long been recognized by his growing legion of fans and
has recently captured the attention of the music community. His ability to draw great crowds to his
concerts became evident today as it was announced the first leg of shows on his headline tour, the "Dirt
Road Diaries Tour," have all sold-out! The current 21-city run has now been extended with a second leg
beginning May 17 in Virginia Beach, Virginia. Florida Georgia Line and Thompson Square are special
guests on both legs.

"I feel like I have waited a lifetime to take my own show on the road," shared Luke. "The band and I
have a lot of exciting things in store for the fans and are eager to get it started!"

Live Nation is the national tour promoter for the "Dirt Road Diaries Tour." Cabela's, the World's
Foremost Outfitter of hunting, fishing and outdoor gear, is sponsoring the tour. GAC: Great American
Country is the media sponsor for the second leg of the tour. For additional information on the tour and
ticket on sale dates please go to www.lukebryan.com or www.livenation.com.

Luke's career has sky-rocketed the last couple of years ending 2012 with some of his best accolades. His
latest album tailgates & tanlines produced three back-to-back Platinum singles, became a Top 10 album
in 2012 according to SoundScan, and sold seven million tracks. He has placed a total of six career singles
at #1 and was named the #1 Artist of 2012 and #1 Male Artist of 2012 by Country Aircheck. Billboard
named tailgates & tanlines the #2 Country Album and the #3 Country Artist Album of 2012 and claimed
Luke as the #3 Top Country Artist of the Year. Also in 2012, Luke took home 11 music awards, including a
record nine wins at the American Country Awards as well as his first American Music Award.

Luke was recently tapped to co-host the 48th Annual Academy Of Country Music® Awards on April 7,
2013 on CBS. He also co-hosted the "CMA Music Festival: Country's Night to Rock" special on ABC last
summer.

MOLINE, IL -- From April 11 to May 23, the halls of local libraries and non-profits throughout the Quad Cities region will resound with the beat of uniquely American musical genres, thanks to the grant-funded "America's Music" project.

Bettendorf, Davenport, Moline and Rock Island public libraries, in collaboration with Western Illinois University-Quad Cities and River Music Experience, will host the six-week series, which features documentary film screenings, scholar-led discussions of 20th century American popular music and live performances as part of "America's Music: A Film History of Our Popular Music from Blues to Bluegrass to Broadway."  The project covers a wide span of musical interests, including blues and gospel, Broadway, jazz, bluegrass and country, rock and roll, mambo and hip hop.

Featuring 19 presentations, the local effort is one of 50 sites nationwide selected to host this program series, which is funded by a grant from the National Endowment for the Humanities: Exploring the Human Endeavor. Each screening and discussion session will examine an American musical genre in the context of key social and historical developments, giving attendees of all ages an opportunity to recognize the influence of these popular music forms on the cultural landscape.

The series will kick off at 4:30 p.m. Thursday, April 11 with a live performance by Iowa Blues Challenge winners, The Candymakers, at the River Music Experience, 129 Main St., Davenport.

Discussions, along with a call for stories about memories of the Quad Cities musical landscape, will be led by program scholar Daniel S. Malachuk, associate professor of English at WIU-Quad Cities, and several faculty colleagues, including Everett Hammer (English), Nancy Schaefer and Tammy Werner (sociology), and Chelsea Clearman and Jill King, two students in the WIU-Quad Cities English graduate degree program. With help from his students, Malachuk will present some of the local stories collected at the final event in the series, "Celebrating America's Music in the Quad Cities," from 6-8 p.m. Thursday, May 23 at the WIU-QC Riverfront campus atrium. Attendees are encouraged to bring their stories about the great variety of music heard in the Quad Cities over the past 50 years. Musicians are encouraged to bring instruments, as the event will close with an open mic event of local performers.

A full list of performances and locations is available at americasmusicqc.com. For more information, visit americasmusicqc.com, email americasmusicqc@gmail.com or call (309) 524-2470.

"America's Music" is a project by the Tribeca Film Institute, in collaboration with the American Library Association, Tribeca Flashpoint and the Society for American Music. "America's Music" has been made possible by a major $2,500 grant from the National Endowment for the Humanities: Exploring the Human Endeavor. Additional funding was received from the Riverboat Development Authority, Sedona Technologies, UAW Local 2282, Friends of the Moline Public Library, along with in-kind sponsorships from the River Cities' Reader, WQAD-TV, STAR 93.5, WQPT Quad Cities PBS and WVIK Augustana Public Radio.

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