The Quad City Cloggers are starting new beginner lessons on Wednesday, May 20th at 6pm. Classes meet at the Square and Round Hall, 323-1/2 - 17th Street in Bettendorf and will continue through the Summer. No partners are needed and taps are not required to start: smooth soled shoes that slide on wood are recommended. First lesson is free, then $4 per class for adult beginners.

History:

The Quad City Cloggers is a club which has been active in the Quad Cities for over 25 years.  Our goal is to promote, practice, perform and teach traditional-style clogging.  We are members of the Quad Cities Square and Round Federation, and we meet weekly throughout the year.

Clogging is the style of percussive dance (tap) that came out of the Appalachian Mountains from Irish, English and Scottish settlers; sometimes referred to as "American Step Dancing."  There are many forms of clogging, such as flatfoot and buck.  The Quad City Cloggers teach a traditional style.  The focus of clogging is on the footwork with little arm choreography.

Clogging is good exercise and lots of fun for all ages.  Come for the exercise and join us as we have fun and perform at the Senior Olympics, Bix Family Fest, Arrowhead Ranch Auction, Pioneer Village, Festival of Trees and at local nursing homes.

Whether you are interested in learning to clog for just the fun, just for exercise or to perform with a group, all are welcome.

Please contact Mary Ann Robinson, Instructor, at 563-289-5742 or Teresa Young, youth instructor, at 563-323-7412.

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Davenport, IA - The ninth annual Quad City Symphony Orchestra Association music education program Listening Olympics will be held on Friday, April 24 at Asbury United Methodist Church, 1809 Mississippi Blvd., Bettendorf. Registration begins at 3:30 PM with preliminary rounds at 4:00 PM and final competition at 5:30 PM. More than 40 fifth-grade students, in teams of three, from Quad City area schools will compete for gold, silver and bronze medals at this friendly competition challenging students' knowledge of classical music.

Playing on the theme of Are You Smarter Than A 5th Grader, the QCSO will be fronting three adult teams to compete against the students in the final round. Three teams will represent the Orchestra members, the Board of Trustees and Volunteers for Symphony respectively. These exhibition teams cannot take home medals, but it should be great sport to watch them play.

Listening Olympics is a fun and interactive competition testing students' knowledge of classical music elements, including titles, composers, families of instruments, and style. Student participants have been studying music examples and answering questions like, "Who is the composer?" or "Is this music from the classical or romantic period?"

"Listening Olympics is a fun and wonderful way for fifth graders to become further acquainted with symphonic music!" said Laurie Skjerseth, QCSO Education Coordinator. "We're so excited to have these schools joining the competition." Currently confirmed participants at this year's competition include: Butterworth, Hamilton, Franklin, and Jane Addams from Moline; and Colorado and Madison from Muscatine.

Listening Olympics is offered at no cost to schools and participants through support and funding from Volunteers for Symphony. Photos and interviews can be arranged by calling the Symphony office, 563-322-0931.

Making Musicians Leaders – that is the goal of a new group being formed by local high schoolers. A Kick Off Concert is scheduled for Saturday, April 18th at Mojo’s Café in Davenport to raise money for the group which will help local bands find venues to perform

A handful of local teens have teamed up to create “J & J Musician Corporation”. The group, spearheaded by 17 year-old Jake Dopler, plans to raise money through concerts and then use the money to help foster local arts programs. Dopler, a junior at United Township in East Moline, has been playing music since the 6th grade and feels there is a big void in the community when it comes to promoting local musicians.

The newly formed “J & J Musician Corporation” has a two fold mission. First it will advertise, promote and publicize local bands; help struggling bands find venues to perform. Secondly, the six member group will raise money and use the dollars to create school music programs. Dopler says musicians have a high status in our society—setting trends with hair and clothes, creating lyrics that can change thinking—and the power of musicians should be put to good use. Dopler says the goal of the new organizations is to make musicians leaders.

Dopler also says the group plans to volunteer in local environmental efforts—such as cleaning up local rivers—and other community needs.

The kick off concert and fundraising campaign begins Saturday, April 18th beginning at noon at Mojo’s Café in downtown Davenport. Four local bands will perform at the café, located at 131 W. 2nd Street, and donations will be accepted.

For an interview with Dopler, please call Mary McNeil at 309-236-7317 or 309-277-0062 to set up an interview time.