02 Dec 2010

Local Band Selected as Top 10 Finalist in Nationwide Search

By Britteny Hanson

Winning group to perform live with The Bangles and Sick of Sarah at a private daytime showcase hosted by maurices during South by Southwest 2011

A local band is one step closer to having its dreams of stardom come true on its journey to becoming the winner of maurices "Small Town Sound" nationwide search, and the regional community can help make it happen.

From a field of 500-plus bands, Euralea! Of Moline, Ill., has been chosen as a top 10 finalist in maurices "Small Town Sound" contest. The contest was created in partnership with PlayNetwork and Sonicbids to discover the hottest up-and-coming female-fronted band in the country. The goal of "Small Town Sound" is to ultimately give bands like Euralea!, which plays Pop/Rock music, their big break.

"We've entered contests before but have never gotten this far," said Aaron Mattson of Euralea!. "We know we have a good sound and vision that everybody in the band has worked hard to get across, but it's completely different to know that others feel the same."

Online voting last month cut the field of 525 bands to 50, and a group of panelists including The Bangles, Chrissie Hynde and Sick of Sarah, narrowed it to the 10 finalists. The finalists each had two weeks to create an original song based on the "Small Town Sound" theme. The songs are now playing in maurices stores nationwide and are also posted online, where people can vote from now through December 15, 2010. The general public is invited to vote on the best original song to help determine the grand prize winner and the two runners' up.

The winner will receive several incredible opportunities to let their star power shine. The band will perform live at their local maurices store, fly to Los Angeles to shoot a music video and record their winning song at the PlayNetwork production studio, and receive gifts from maurices and Daisy Rock Guitars. In addition, the winning group will perform live with The Bangles and Sick of Sarah at a private daytime showcase hosted by maurices during South by Southwest 2011.

"Small towns inspire us," said Lisa Bartlett, maurices associate vice president. "They're the heart of America, and we want to give bands with big dreams from small towns their breakthrough chance. Friends and neighbors have the chance to help make Euralea!'s dreams come true."

People are encouraged to log on to maurices.com and click on "Small Town Sound" to listen to the top 10 bands and then cast their vote.

# # #

29 Nov 2010

December Events and Music at Cool Beanz Coffeehouse

By Annette Zapolis
December Events and Music at Cool Beanz Coffeehouse
1325 30th Street Rock Island Illinois
309.558.0909

Tuesdays 14 & 28 Open Mic (6:30-9): Come on down and hear some great local talent performing their favorite songs.  Or come share some of what you have been working on with us. All acts welcome, PA provided.

Friday 3 Betty Z (6-9pm): Betty sings with unmatched power, emotion, and talent.  There is not a doubt that when Betty Z sings, she connects and has entered in behind the veil.  She ever remains thankful to God for all she has, and for all she has come through in this life.

Saturday 4 Kevin Grastorf (6-9pm): Kevin Grastorf is a Singer-Songwriter who will be performing songs from his first album "Courting the Muse" and more.You can listen to "Courting the Muse"at www.myspace.com/kevingrastorf.

Friday 10 Angela Meyer (6-9pm): Angela is an up-and-coming QC native who not only plays guitar and sings, but also writes her own songs.  While mostly on an acoustic country/pop feel, Angela uses influences from all across the musical spectrum.
are sponsoring a free family event with Holiday Tree lighting by Rock Island Mayor Denis Pauley, live music, pictures with santa, Ice sculptors, holiday crafts, raffles and prizes

Saturday 11 Sarah Allner (6-9pm): Sarah Allner is a local musician from Orion, who plays acoustic Americana-folk.  Not only does she play old-time tunes you will love to remember, but also original songs from the heart.

Friday 17 NSAI (6:30-9pm): Come listen to songwriters perform their own original music and reveal what sparked the song genesis... Songwriters are all are welcome to perform and original song or two.

Saturday 18 The Tangents (6-9pm): This duo plays fun music for all ages and always promises a great time.  This will be a night bursting with fun!

29 Nov 2010

The Chordbuster Chorus present: "An Old Fashioned Christmas"

By Amos Glanz
The Chordbuster Chorus present:  "An Old Fashioned Christmas", a Christmas musical variety program featuring: The Chordbuster Chorus, 2nd Baptist Church Brotherhood Male Chorus, Davenport North High School Chamber Singers, and quartets:  A Touch of Fun, Possible Side Effects and Choir Boys.
Saturday, December 11th, 2 p.m.
Second Baptist Church, 919 6th Ave., Rock Island.
Tickets: $5.
12 and under: free.
Information:  (563) 332-4810.
 
The Chordbuster Chorus promotes a cappella, barbershop-style harmony singing as a way of enriching people's lives.
22 Nov 2010

QCSO announces principal auditions for 2011-12 season

By Jared Johnson
The Quad City Symphony Orchestra announces open auditions for four principal positions for the 2011-12 season.

Positions open include Principal Flute, Principal Horn, Principal Bassoon, and Principal Oboe. The audition schedule is as follows:

January 8 - Principal flute
January 9 - Principal bassoon (morning) and Principal horn (afternoon)
January 23 - Principal oboe

All interested persons are encouraged to contact Rich Stodd, Director of Operations, for audition information and required excerpts. A current one-page resume and a $50 deposit check payable to "QCSO" will be required. The deadline for submission is December 29, 2010.

###
22 Nov 2010

6th Annual Warm Winter Concert for those in need in the Quad City Area

By Jeff Ignatius
Hersong, the Quad Cities Women's Chorus and St. John's Lutheran Church of Rock Island present the 6th Annual Warm Winter Benefit Concert at 6 o'clock in the evening of Saturday, December 4, 2010 at St. John's Lutheran Church, 4501- 7th Ave in Rock Island.. All are invited. Admission is any donation of cash or new blankets to be distributed by Churches United to the Quad City community and theplace2be, a safe haven for our community's youth.

Hersong, the Quad Cities Women's Chorus, strives to promote and develop women's music as a significant expression of the strength, dignity, and sisterhood of all women, as well as social justice, world peace, cultural diversity, the healing of the environment and community outreach. St. John's Lutheran Church is a place for All people. They are very involved with their community and open their doors to all who walk in. Visit their calendar of events at www.stjohnsri.org.

Theplace2b, provides a safe haven for our community's youth, The numbers of homeless, displaced and near homeless youth have been steadily increasing in the Quad-Cities. Theplace2b offers a variety of support services to these youth, ranging from house options to counseling services to academic support. They have an ongoing need please check their website www.theplace2b.org.

For more information or to donate, please contact Brooke Wilson Clemons by email Hersong@earthlink.net or 309-737-9898.

###

22 Nov 2010

The Arc Holiday Choir Announces Annual Recital

By Maureen A. Dickinson

The annual recital performance of The Arc Holiday Choir will be held Sunday, December 5, 2010, at 7 p.m. with a reception immediately following the concert. The performance will take place at First Lutheran Church, 1230-5th Avenue in Moline.  The recital performance is free of charge and open to the public.

The Arc Holiday Choir is directed by Mary Vande Voorde, LSW, graduate of Augustana College and 21-year member of Hersong, the Quad Cities Women's Chorus. Vande Voorde is Director of Developmental Training for The Arc of Rock Island County and supervises the fine arts elements of The Arc's day programming including The Arc Holiday Choir, Music Therapy, the Spring Art Fair, and visiting artists.

Founded in 1952, The Arc of Rock Island County serves more than 325 individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities daily. Day programs are offered in both Moline and Rock Island. The Arc promotes living and working in partnership with the community to support individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities and their families.

###

15 Nov 2010

Danika Holmes' Return to the Redstone Room

By Rachel Lawrence

DAVENPORT, IA, November 15, 2010

The River Music Experience (RME) is proud to present nationally known folksinger, Danika Holmes, in concert on November 20, 2010 at 8:30 PM. The concert will be held at The Redstone Room located at 129 Main Street, Davenport, Iowa. Tickets are $7.00 and can be purchased at http://rivermusicexperience.eventquick.com/emmpublic/ or at the door.

Singer, songwriter and musician, Danika Holmes, is a specialty in the folk music world. Music critics agree that Danika is charming and energetic with a welcoming tone in her voice, which is as gentle as a breeze.

Currently, Danika's music is being broadcast on independent radio stations, blogs, and podcasts around the world. She performs regularly with her band, has opened for The Nadas, and her show was aired on Iowa Public Television and Radio. "Second Chances," Danika's debut album, was released in March of 2010. Shortly thereafter, a fan favorite, "Lock Me In Tonight," was made into Danika's first music video and was released in June 2010.

"Danika Holmes is a rising star in the heartland!" says Bill Sullivan of The Rock and Roll Report.

"She's a true American talent... I couldn't stop listening!" - Mike Wolfe of The History Channel's "American Pickers."

This will be Danika's second show at the Redstone Room, and is sure to be a sold out crowd.  Danika's passion for music, the influence of her parents, and life experiences have shaped her into the writer and artist she has become.

Danika Holmes is available for a phone or in-person interview.  Please contact Danika directly via her email @ danikaholmes@yahoo.com

For more information, please visit Danika's website at http://www.danikaholmes.com, or for MP3's, contact information, bio, etc., visit Danika's online press kit at http://www.sonicbids.com/epk/epk.aspx?epk_id=260156.

###
11 Nov 2010

"Mi-Do-Ri" Composition Contest

By Jared Johnson
To celebrate the visit of world-renowned violinist Midori, the Quad City Symphony Orchestra in conjunction with the St. Ambrose University Music Department announces the "Mi-Do-Ri" Young Composer Competition. Young composers are invited to compose and submit a piece for solo violin or violin and piano using a central 3 note musical theme based on the name Midori. All composers currently in local elementary schools, middle schools, high schools, colleges or universities in the Quad Cities and surrounding areas are eligible. Only one submission per composer is allowed and all music must be unpublished. For complete application, rules and guidelines go to www.qcsymphony.com/midori. The winning composers will receive special recognition, a performance of their score during the 2011 residency of Midori, and a CD recording of the performance.

William Campbell, PhD., Assoc. Professor of Music Theory and Composition at St Ambrose, will offer three separate workshops for composers to guide them through the composition process. Each workshop will include opportunities to teach participants about the genre, musical form, and composition techniques. Workshops will be held at St. Ambrose on three separate Saturdays: December 11, January 22 and February 19, 9 AM-noon. These workshops are optional and open to all interested.

Applications must be submitted via mail to arrive no later than Friday, March 4, 2011. The winning compositions will be announced on the QCSO website by March 25, 2011. Email questions and names of student participants by Friday, Nov. 12 to midori@qcsymphony.com.

Send entries or written inquiries to:
Young Composer Competition
Quad City Symphony Orchestra
327 Brady Street
Davenport, IA 52801

###
04 Nov 2010

Bluebox Limited's "Impulse" Invited to Screen Alongside 2010 Oscar-Winning Films

By Scott Beck

"IMPULSE" INVITED TO SCREEN
ALONGSIDE 2010 OSCAR-WINNING FILMS

Filmmakers' Short Attracts Festivals and
Top Hollywood Management Company Madhouse Entertainment

LOS ANGELES - November 1, 2010 - The Sofia Independent Film Festival hosts the European premiere of Impulse, a short thriller starring Chris Masterson. Impulse will play alongside an exclusive selection of films with an incredible line-up including Howl starring James Franco, the Coen Brothers' A Serious Man, and the Oscar®-winning films The New Tenants and Best Picture Winner The Hurt Locker. The Sofia Independent Film Festival screening will take place on November 5th, 6th, and 9th in Sofia, Bulgaria.

That same week on November 7th and 8th, the film will be featured at the Iowa Showcase Film Series during the Wild Rose Independent Film Festival (Des Moines, Iowa).

This week, Impulse writers/directors Scott Beck & Bryan Woods signed with top talent management company Madhouse Entertainment.  A production and literary company, Madhouse represents writers and directors working for major studios such as Warner Bros., Universal, DC, Rogue Pictures, Summit Entertainment, and 20th Century Fox.

Beck and Woods are currently developing a project at MTV.

About Bluebox Limited Films
Bluebox Limited Films is a production company banner established in 2001 by Iowa filmmakers Scott Beck & Bryan Woods. Bluebox Limited has produced five features and 14 shorts which have garnered success throughout the nation with MTV and Project Greenlight.

Bluebox Limited's slate includes Impulse starring Chris Masterson from FOX's hit show Malcolm in the Middle, and co-produced with frequent collaborator Christy Sullivan and producer Darren Brandl. Post-production work for Impulse was handled at George Lucas' Skywalker Sound and digital intermediate house Company 3 (Transformers 2, Star Trek). The film premiered on the closing night of the 2010 LA Shorts Fest and continues to tour the festival circuit into 2011.

As of 2010, Bluebox Limited has several projects in development including a pilot for MTV. More information about Bluebox Limited Films can be found at www.blueboxlimited.com.


About Sofia Independent Film Festival
More information about the Sofia Independent Film Festival can be found at www.soindependentfilmfest.com.


About Wild Rose Independent Film Festival
More information about the Wild Rose Independent Film Festival can be found at www.ariesworks.com.

####

02 Nov 2010

BRIAN CUTEAN ROCK ISLAND CONCERT

By Brian Cutean
p { margin-bottom: 0.08in; }

From the Pacific Northwest, Oregon's troubadour traveler BRIAN CUTEAN (aka QTN) comes to Rock Island to celebrate the bounty of autumn. The concert is Friday November 19 at First Lutheran Parish House, 1620 - 20th St. This is an all ages event and admission will be $5 to $10 sliding scale and is not a church-related event.

QTN is a many faceted minstrel, a teller of wild tales filled with wordplay and wonder and powerful and colourful guitar chops, an award-winning songwriter-performer and an offbeat unusual and thoughtfully real voice in these days of mass-produced, unremarkable, disposable music.

After five albums and nearly 30 years of songwriting, performing metafables and stories, Cutean has released Guitarred and Feathered, a new CD of wordless acoustic guitar music for mindheartsouls to sing along with; antifrantic music that breathes and celebrates. The new disc has been garnering rave reviews and national and international airplay.

Based in the Willamette Valley of Oregon alternating between Portland and Eugene, Cutean makes annual trips to the southwest and midwest, and his concerts are community events.

With one guitar, a whirl of musical ideas and the sound of hands, wound wires and wood, Cutean weaves together instrumental songs with dynamic playing in the new CD. "The four elements I reached for in this recording, " says Cutean, "are melody, rhythm, a fun bassline and silence. This album is a breather from a world shrill with opinions, instant message me-me-me blogs and 24 hour news chatter. It is universal in every language and the stories it tells belong to us all."

Cutean writes songs like no one else's: love songs from another planet, spacious world poems, conscious wordplay meta-fables that roll off the tongue and folky jazz melodies with a gypsy blues beat and wry whole wheat sensibility. His wordless guitar stylings to provoke and inspire, his stories are laughable, affable and unforgettable; his presentation unpretentious, comfortable and unpredictable.

He has traveled the country for years playing festivals, coffeehouses, concerts, schools and gatherings. Brian's songs get airplay on radio stations the world over and he has been a guest on radio shows like the nationally-syndicated River City Folk. He is a favourite at the Kerrville Folk Festival in Texas, Oregon Country Fair and many other venues.

Newspapers have said:

  • "...The Tom Robbins of folk music" (The Carbondale Flipside)

  • "Playful, energetic and honest." (The Oregonian)

  • "QTN is the guitarist with one foot in the groove!"  (DE Knight, Seraphic Park)

  • "An unclassifiable and irreverent acoustic performer..." (The Austin Chronicle)

  • "One of our leading contemporary songsmiths and music makers" (Victory Music Review)

  • "Brian is one of those rare guitarists who possesses a 'signature touch' that can be recognized in a moment.A splendid piece of work that will always be a jewel in my collection." (Kelly Mulhollan, Still on the Hill)

  • "An adept storyteller ...[whose] lyrics run the gamut of personal reflection to commentary on social issues" (Folkwax)

  • "Introspective, satirical, delightfully absurd and always acoustically gentle to the ears..." (The Austin Statesman)

Pages

Subscribe & Listen to Reader Podcasts

On Stands Now

 

Tagged Content

Two Ways to Subscribe

1. Subscribe to free weekly e-mail content updates.

You'll get both the current official narrative challenge and What's Happenin' in the Quad Cities.
(Did you know we publish a new Real Astrology and RCR Crossword every week?) 

Subscribe!

* indicates required

2. Get 12 monthly issues mailed first class for $48

Get 12 issues mailed monthly for $48 per year.

Get the printed Reader edition mailed to you (or anyone you want) first-class for 12 months for $48.
$24 goes to postage and handling, $24 goes to keeping the doors open!

Click this link to Subscribe now.