13 Feb 2019

Riverfront Report Ready for Public

By Kyle Carter

DAVENPORT, IOWA (February 13, 2019) — The Downtown Davenport Partnership (DDP) and Figge Art Museum, in cooperation with the City of Davenport, are hosting a joint public meeting to present a proposal that integrates public art concepts in to the design and development of the RiverVision plan and ongoing riverfront improvements. Produced in conjunction with RDG Dahlquist Art Studio, a division of RDG Planning & Design of Des Moines, the plan focuses on the riverfront portion known as Main

02 Jul 2013

Red White & Boom Fireworks to Shoot from Centennial Bridge

By Kyle Carter

(Quad Cities) -Red White & Boom is excited to announce that despite flooding, the show will go on in a big way! The fireworks will now be shot from the Centennial Bridge on July 3rd. High water and a fast current prevented the typical use of a barge for the show; however, the fireworks will now still be visible far and wide. The last time the bridge was utilized for fireworks was for the Millennium celebration.

In Davenport, the primary viewing area, activities and vendors will be located on 2nd Street between Ripley and Main Streets. If river levels are low enough, additional viewing areas may also be available between River Drive and 2nd Street.  All activities on the Rock Island side will remain at Schwiebert Riverfront Park.

Events for Red White and Boom will open at 6 p.m. in downtown Davenport and Schwiebert Park in Rock Island. Both sites will have live music, thank you notes for our troops, food, beer gardens, and of course, the largest fireworks display on the Mississippi River beginning at 9:30 p.m.

This year, Red, White & Boom will feature a fireworks display that is choreographed to a music soundtrack. A computer controlled launching system will be used to pair specific types and colors of fireworks to be fired during the musical broadcast. This allows the fireworks to be launched at specific times to accentuate the musical dynamics and feel throughout the display.

Both Davenport and Rock Island will have ceremonies with a proclamation read by the Quad Cities mayors highlighting the Rock Island Arsenal and those who are serving, or have served, in our military. The public is also encouraged to visit the "Hooah! Quad Cities" website to learn more about resources for military members, veterans, and military families. The website is also a great resource for finding out more about how we can support our soldiers.

Red,White & Boom is generously hosted by Genesis Health System and Riverboat Development Authority.

This event would not be possible without all of our additional sponsors including St. Ambrose University, Wells Fargo, Iowa American Water, Quad-City Times, KWQC TV-6, B100, Lunardi's Italian Restaurant, Acsentra Credit Union, City of Davenport, City of Rock Island, Downtown Davenport Partnership, Davenport Parks & Recreation Dept, Rock Island Parks & Recreation, Davenport Levee Improvement Commission, Nerdwerx, and Quad Cities Chamber of Commerce.

Supporting sponsors include Mutual Medical Inc, Platinum Information Services, Riverview Dental, LPI Loans, Pepsi-Cola Bottling Company, Happy Joes, Mississippi Fleeting LLC, and Davenport Fire & Police Departments.

For more details, please visit www.RedWhiteBoom.org

26 Jul 2012

Firefighter Water Fights Bring Bragging Rights to Street Fest

By Kyle Carter
(Quad Cities) - The newest addition to Street Fest this year features a competition for local and regional
firefighters to show off their skills while competing for a trophy and bragging rights! The event will be the
first time Firefighter Water Fights have been held in Davenport since 1972. The competition starts at noon on
Saturday, July 28 at 2nd & Ripley Streets.

The object of Water Fights is straight forward; it's essentially a reverse tug-of-war. A water ball is suspended
ten feet above the ground on a cable. Two teams of three firefighters are placed on either side of the ball
and on the starting command, use their fire hoses to push the ball towards the opposing team's territory. A
winner is announced when the ball reaches the marked point on the cable or if the ball is in the opponent's
territory when time ends.

While the object of the game is simple, its execution isn't. Add full firefighting protective gear, water spray,
the heat of the day, and another determined team of firefighters across from you, and the task at hand
becomes increasingly difficult. The competing firefighters must use their training to keep the water on target
while listening for commands from their teammates and moving forward to push the water ball into their
opponent's territory.

Firefighter water fights have long been a way for firefighters to practice essential skills needed at the scene
of a fire or rescue site. These firefighters take great pride in their skills and abilities and enjoy putting those
into action in a friendly competition.

The Firefighter Water Fights will be an exciting addition to Street Fest and will surely become a tradition in
future years!
12 Jul 2012

MidCoast Fine Arts Announces Appointment of New Leadership

By Kyle Carter
The Board of Directors of MidCoast Fine Arts (MFA) is proud to announce the appointment of Pamela Crouch as MFA's new Executive Director and Carolyn Krueger as General Manger. With their combined passion and enthusiasm for the Quad Cities art community, MidCoast is poised to grow even more as its visionary founder Dean Schroder transitions to retirement and a new chapter in MFA's history begins.

"We are thrilled to have both Pamela and Carolyn join our leadership team at MFA," said Amy Orr, President of MidCoast Fine Arts. "Each brings a lifetime of dedication to the local arts scene and we look forward to their leadership creating even greater opportunities to further MFA's mission of stimulating our community's cultural and economic vitality through the support of regional visual arts and artists. "We're excited to see Bucktown, MFA's galleries, and all of our events like Riverssance and Gallery HOP become even more integral to the  cultural landscape of the Quad Cities."

Pamela Crouch has a diverse background that includes everything from co-founding the Living Proof Exhibit  that honors breast cancer survivors to twenty years of experience in video and commercial production. Ms. Crouch has been an active Comedy Sportz performer, served on the Board of Directors for Playcrafters and The  District Theatre, and also served as the Commissioner for the City of Moline and an ambassador for the Chamber of Commerce. Ms. Crouch has earned B.A.'s in Speech Communication, English, Theatre, and Secondary Education at Augustana College.

Carolyn Krueger has long been one of MidCoast Fine Arts most ardent supporters beginning with her days as volunteer in high school and continuing throughout her adult life as she began to officially work for MFA in 2008. Ms. Krueger is owner of The ARTery in Rock Island, serves as an art instructor at the Bettendorf Family Museum, and continues to provide leadership for popular Midcoast programs including everything from "Gallery HOP!" and Riverssance to the daily management of MFA galleries and its volunteers throughout the Quad Cities. Ms. Krueger earned her Bachelor's Degree in Art with a double-minor in English and Religion Studies from Augustana College.

###

MidCoast Fine Arts stimulates the Quad Cities' cultural and economic vitality through the support of regional visual arts and artists. MidCoast serves our community with quality programming and events year. Visit us online at www.midcoast.org to find out more.
25 Apr 2012

Downtown Cleanup Day

By Kyle Carter

What: Annual Downtown Cleanup Day

Where: Downtown Davenport and Bettendorf IA

Date: Friday, April 27

Time: Davenport 9 a.m. - 6 p.m., Bettendorf- 8 a.m.- 11 a.m.

 

Davenport contact:
Jason Gilliland
Director of Events, Downtown Davenport Partnership
Quad Cities Chamber of Commerce

130 W. Second St. Davenport, IA

Phone: (563) 823-2681

DowntownDavenport.com   

Bettendorf contact:

Patty Copeland

Public Works Coordinator

City of Bettendorf

4403 Devils Glen Road

Bettendorf, IA 52722

Phone: (563) 344-4084

www.bettendorf.org/downtowncleanup
01 Nov 2011

Ragged Records and Trash Can Annie Celebrate One Year Under One Roof

By Kyle Carter

What: 1 Year In Combined Location Celebration

Where: 418 E. 2nd Street, Downtown Davenport (At the foot of the Arsenal Bridge)

Date: Saturday, November 5th

Time: 10 a.m. - 5 p.m.

Notes: Live music all day, 20% off merchandise at BOTH stores, 50% off DVD's (except music DVD's)
(Davenport, Iowa) - Ragged Records and Trash Can Annie Vintage Clothing are pleased to
announce a celebration of one year together at their 418 E. 2nd Street location in fabulous
downtown Davenport! Saturday, November 5th will mark the one year anniversary that the two
businesses opened under one roof to provide one-stop shopping and cultural stimulation for
the Quad Cities. Please join in and help staff and friends celebrate this momentous occasion.
Enjoy live music all day featuring performances by American Dust, Anthony Catalfano Trio,
Teenage, and more. All used merchandise will be 20% off at both shops! Also, all DVD's
(except music) will be 50% off through November.

Stop in to say hello and while you're here, pick up some rad vintage clothes, music, and memorabilia. You know it's the place where all the cool kids go...

Band Schedule
10:30 - Teenage (Lo-Fi Folk, Pop, Psych)
12:00 - American Dust (Singer/Songwriter, Lo-Fi Folk)
2:00 - Anthony Catalfano Trio (A Jazz trio playing the music of: Coltrane, Monk, Shorter & more
3:30 - Jose Dilucio (Bossa Nova).

11 Aug 2011

Budweiser Clydesdales to Appear at River Roots Live with Chad Pregracke

By Kyle Carter

What: World-Famous Budweiser Clydesdales to Appear at River Roots Live with Chad Pregracke
Date: Saturday, August 20  

Time: 4:30 p.m. (Budweiser Wagon arrives in park for beer tasting) 7 p.m. (Full Hitching of horses in Freight House lot)
Where: LeClaire Park and Freight House Parking Lot
Media Contacts: Please see below  


We're excited to announce that the world-famous Budweiser Clydesdales will be appearing at River Roots Live on Saturday, August 20!  The iconic Budweiser wagon will arrive at the festival at 4:30 p.m. to provide beer samples, and all 8 Clydesdales will be hitched to the wagon in the Freight House parking lot beginning at 7 p.m.  The public is welcome to come and meet the Clydesdales while they're being hitched at 7 p.m.   

The Quad Cities' own Chad Pregracke, founder of Living Lands & Waters, will be riding up to the stage in the wagon later in the evening to welcome everyone to River Roots Live.  Chad will be available for comment this evening (Thursday, Aug. 11) at the Living Lands & Waters Barge Party taking place at the Lake Davenport Sailing Club from 5:30 - 9:00 p.m.  All media are welcome to attend; please visit the media tent by the barge upon your arrival.   

 

The Budweiser Clydesdales have a rich and interesting history; please refer to the fact-sheet provided for additional details regarding the horses.  A DVD with approved video of the Clydesdales is available upon request at the Chamber's Davenport office.  Visit www.RiverRootsLive.com for additional festival details, and please take note of the Budweiser contact listed below for additional questions pertaining to the Clydesdales.

Media Contacts
Kyle Carter
Marketing Director, Downtown Partnership
Quad Cities Chamber of Commerce
130 W. Second St. Davenport, IA
Phone: (563) 823-2674
DowntownDavenport.com

Dale Wienke 
Sales Director 
Vanguard Distributing Corp
(563) 391-7777 Ext. 820.

22 Jul 2011

Meet American Pickers Star Frank Fritz at Street Fest

By Kyle Carter

What: Meet American Pickers Star Frank Fritz at Street Fest
Dates: Friday, July 29 and Saturday, July 30
Time: 4 p.m.
Where: 2nd Street, Skybridge/RME Courtyard in downtown Davenport

Frank Fritz, co-star of the popular History Channel show, American Pickers, will be available during Street Fest for a meet and greet at 4 p.m. both Friday and Saturday!  The Davenport native is coming home to meet with fans and enjoy Street Fest throughout the weekend.  The meet and greets will take place on the Skybridge/River Music Experience Courtyard.    An American Pickers booth will also be present at the festival.

(end)

22 Jul 2011

Bucktown Celebrates 6th Anniversary with Bucktown Bash!

By Kyle Carter

What: Bucktown Bash! featuring "The Kraken"
Where: 225 East 2nd Street
Date/Time: Friday, July 29 6 p.m. - 9 p.m.
Price: $15

(Davenport, Iowa) - MidCoast Fine Arts (MFA) is proud to announce that Bucktown Center for the Arts will celebrate its 6thanniversary during Bucktown Bash! Friday, July 29 from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. This special event will feature a wide range of original local artwork for sale, live music, food, drinks, and more.

The infamous Muscatine River Monster, fondly known as "The Kraken," will be making its first appearance in the Quad-Cities during Bucktown Bash! This larger than life beast is an inflatable sculpture installation that must be seen to be believed. Its long tentacles will be beckoning the nearby Street Fest patrons to meander a little further down 2nd Street in downtown Davenport on Friday.

Falling Up, a locally produced science fiction film, will be shown throughout the evening, and live music will be provided by Lock & Dam, Ragaman, and Rock Island Rhythm. A "Mirror,Mirror" fundraiser for MFA featuring works by local artists for sale will be held in conjunction with the "VANITY" show currently on display in the 2nd floor gallery. MFA's own Dean Schroder will be showing his rarely seen functional art display, as well. Bucktown Bash! will also serve as a closing reception for the "And They Followed the Waters" exhibit on display in the 2nd floor showcase.  

Food and beverage vendors will be available, and all of Bucktown's many shops and studios will be open. From jewelry and paintings to photography and sculpture, attendees of Bucktown Bash! can expect to discover a wide range of high quality artwork to peruse.

"I'm thrilled that MidCoast Fine Arts is hosting another amazing art event," said Heather Pederson, MFA Board President.   "We do know how to put on a great party, and with Bucktown Bash being bigger and better than ever, we're looking forward to the community showing their support by having a heart for art."

Admission is $15 at the door; however, patrons who visit a shop at Bucktown between July 20th and July 28th can pick up FREE tickets in advance! Please visit www.BucktownArts.com or www.Facebook.com/bucktownarts for additional event details. MFA would also like to provide a special thank you to Deere & Company for their support of Bucktown's Bash!

Bucktown Center for the Arts is made up of over a dozen unique shops and studios featuring creative, affordable, unusual and useable works of art for sale. Bucktown is a component of MidCoast Fine Arts, a leading Quad-City non-profit organization focused on stimulating our community's economic vitality through the support of regional visual arts and artists. Founded in July of 2005, Bucktown has played an important role in the continued growth of downtown Davenport's Cultural and Entertainment District.

For more information about MidCoast Fine Arts, please visit www.Midcoast.org. For additional details regarding "The Kraken," please visit www.MuscatineRiverMonster.com.

05 Jul 2011

Six Additional Bands Join River Roots Live Lineup

By Kyle Carter

(Davenport - Iowa) River Roots Live, the Quad-Cities' premiere music festival featuring top national bands and barbeque, is excited to announce the remainder of its 2011 band lineup. National acts Apache Relay and 500 Miles to Memphis will be joined by Quad-City natives Chrash, The Candymakers, Bacon, and The Lion in Rome. River Roots Live will continue to offer free admission and the festival will take place in downtown Davenport's LeClaire Park on the Mississippi riverfront Friday, August 19 and Saturday, August 20.

Apache Relay's first studio record, 1988, was hailed as the "Best of What's Next" and one of the "Eight Most Auspicious Musical Debuts of 2009" by Paste Magazine. 500 Miles to Memphis has received critical praise for their ability to satisfy the musical hunger of fans in both country and alternative/punk genres. Their song "All My Friends Are Crazy" is now part of the Rock Band video game, and 500 Miles To Memphis has also received the praise of music journalists worldwide.

Blues Traveler and Gin Blossoms will headline River Roots Live in 2011 supported by a strong lineup of additional outstanding national artists including Jason Isbell & the 400 Unit, Nikka Costa, Cory Chisel & the Wondering Sons, Trampled Under Foot, The Giving Tree Band, Chamberlin, and the Kris Lager Band. Additional regional acts include Dan Hubbard and the Humidors, and Kevin B.F. Burt & the Instigators.

For complete details regarding band bios, barbeque rib vendors, and festival activities, please visit www.RiverRootsLive.com.

PARTNERS

Downtown Partnership, River Music Experience, and Living Lands & Waters

Presented By:
River Roots Live is presented by Rhythm City Casino and Riverboat Development Authority.

Major sponsors
U.S. Cellular, Wiebler's Harley Davidson, Mediacom, 97X, Budweiser, The Quad-City Times, WQAD Channel 8, and West Music.
Additional Sponsors
Rock 104.9, B100, Star 93.5, Iowa American Water, Pepsi, Lujack's, Zimmerman Honda, Living Lands & Waters, Ryan & Associates, MidWestOne Bank, HomeRidge Inn & Suites, Rexroat Sound, Victorystore.com, TAG Communications, One-Step Printing, RiverCenter/Adler Theatre, HyVee, John Deere, Printguru.com/Herman's Inc, City of Davenport, US Adventure RV, Electronic Engineering, Jim Hawk Truck Trailers, Aerial Platforms, Per Mar Security Services, Barkley Event Photography, Video Games Etc., Argo Moving & Storage, Molo Quint, Liftruck Service Co. Inc, and Happy Joe's.

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