24 Feb 2012

WQPT ANNOUNCES WRITERS CONTEST

By Lora Adams

MOLINE, ILLINOIS - WQPT, Quad Cities PBS calls on all children in kindergarten through 3rd grade to enter the PBS Kids Go Writing Contest. Every entrant will receive a Certificate of Achievement.  Stories must be the original work of the child. They may write fact or fiction, prose or poetry. All entries must be postmarked by Friday, April 10, 2012 and mailed or dropped off at WQPT at the Western Illinois University 60th Street Campus as 3561 60th Street Moline, Illinois 61265 Sixteen winners (four selected from each grade) will receive local recognition on WQPT and win special prizes.  Winning stories will be displayed at the Butterworth Center in Moline, Illinois, the Figge Art Museum in Davenport, Iowa, the Family Museum in Bettendorf, Iowa, the Midwest Writing Center in Davenport, Iowa and on the WQPT website. Winners will be notified in late April and a reception will be held to honor the winning stories at the Butterworth Center in Moline.

Sponsors of the writing contest are also hosting workshops to help Kindergarten through 3rd grade students with their writing and illustrating skills. Participants are not required to enter the contest. Parents are also invited to learn how to assist children with writing and editing stories.  These workshops will be held:

Saturday, February 25     Moline Public Library
10:00am-11:00am The workshop is for young writers focused on kids in grades Kindergarten through 3rd grade. For more information, contact the Moline Public Library Children's Department at 309/524-2440. FREE

Saturday, March 3     Davenport Public Library (Fairmount)
10:00am-11:15am For young writers in Kindergarten through 3rd grade (but older children may attend). Parents are also invited. For more information, contact Ana Kehoe at at-kehoe@wiu.edu or 309/764-2400. FREE

Tuesday, March 6     Family Museum (Bettendorf)
3:30pm-5:00pm. For young writers (and their parents/guardians) who would like to begin a book. For more information, contact Julie Klein at 563/344-4170. Workshop is free with museum membership or paid admission.

Friday, March 9, Bucktown Center for the Arts (Davenport)
4:00 pm Midwest Writing Center at Bucktown Center for the Arts, 225 E. Second St., Suite 303, Davenport, IA. A workshop on how to write and publish a book before age 10. Young author Anna Shammas will talk to kids about how she published her first book. FREE  For more information, email mwc@midwestwritingcenter.org.

To find out more about entering the contest log on to www.wqpt.org.

Funding and support for the project has been provided in part by the Butterworth Center & Deere-Wiman House, Figge Art Museum, Family Museum and Midwest Writing Center.

Please note that WQPT has moved their offices since the last contest. WQPT is a media service of Western Illinois University.

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31 Jan 2012

WQPT To Broadcast Illinois State of the State Address Live

By Lora Adams

MOLINE, ILLINOIS - WQPT, Quad Cities PBS will air Illinois Governor Pat Quinn's State of the State Address on February 1st at 12:00 noon, live from the State Capital in Springfield, Illinois. The address will include a proposal for tax relief for Illinois families.

The program will be hosted by Jak Tichenor. This program is part of "Illinois Lawmakers," a series that provides coverage of the Illinois legislature. "Illinois Lawmakers" is a joint production of all Illinois public television stations.

WQPT is a media service of Western Illinois University in Moline, Illinois.

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24 Jan 2012

WQPT Press Release

By Lora Adams

MOLINE, ILLINOIS - WQPT's Community Advisory Board meets periodically to discuss station activities. These meeting are open to the public.  The upcoming Community Advisory Board meeting is scheduled for Monday, February 6, 2012 from 4:00 to 5:00 pm in the John Deere Room at the Western Illinois University 60th Street Campus in Moline, Illinois. The address is 3561 - 60th Street  Moline, IL.

WQPT is a media service of Western Illinois University located in Moline, Illinois.

12 Dec 2011

WESTBROOK SINGERS CHRISTMAS SPECIAL ON WQPT

By Lora Adams

MOLINE, ILLINOIS - WQPT, Quad Cities PBS will air a holiday special Monday, December 5th at 7:00 pm featuring local gospel singers The Westbrook Singers.  The concert is the first in a series of programs supported by a grant from the Illinois Arts Council that will highlight Illinois artists.  The program will also air on December 8 at 9 pm and Christmas Day at 2:30 pm.

 

"Earlier this year the Illinois Arts Council called to offer WQPT the opportunity to create a television series that focused on artists who work out of the State of Illinois. We had been hoping to create a series like this for some time, but this grant made the dream possible," said WQPT General Manager, Rick Best.

 

The series titled "Artists in Profile" is set to begin airing in early 2012 and will include three specials. The first one "A Westbrook Singers Christmas" and a second Westbrook gospel concert scheduled for March along with a concert by the Bucktown Revue. In addition there will be 10 half hour programs. "So far we have interviewed 10 artists of every kind and taped the three specials" said WQPT producer, Lora Adams.  "Our idea was to talk about how artists are inspired and educated," Adams said adding "WQPT had been trying for several years to find the funding to capture the remarkable voices of the Westbrook Singers and now we have." The Westbrook Singers website calls them "An extraordinary group - brother & sisters - dedicated to the spread of Gospel music in a style that is both contemporary and traditional."

 

All of the concerts were taped over a three day period at Fusion Communications.  "We were so fortunate to have had Capri College come in and provide hair and make-up services to the casts and to Foster Family Music who lent us a really gorgeous piano," said Adams.  Lighting for the concerts was designed by Butch Bos and Jeff Lyle and audio recording was done by Lars Rehnberg. Camera operators were Adam Less, Cody Lambert, Todd Steffens, Chris Ryder and Mike Lambert.  "We hope people will tune in and enjoy the concert" said Best.

 

WQPT is a media service of Western Illinois University located in Moline, Illinois.

 

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11 Nov 2011

The Turn of the Screw opens Tuesday November 15 at District Theatre

By Lora Adams

ROCK ISLAND, ILLINOIS - The old adage "the show must go on" has proven all too true after an accident left actor Lora Adams with a torn ankle ligament. "We seriously looked at doing another show where I could sit, but in the end we decided to push back the opening a few days so I could heal enough to do the show," said Adams.

The play, which features Adams and Steve Lasiter will open on Tuesday, November 15 at 7:30 pm, with additional performances on the 17th, 18th and 19th at 7:30 pm and Sunday the 20th at 2:30 pm.  "Ideally, we would have liked to do all 8 performances, but "A Tuna Christmas" is scheduled to open right after on November 25th so we hope that we can fill the seats for these performances," said associate producer Tristan Tapscott.

"The Turn of the Screw" is being directed by Patti Flahrety, stage managed by Joe Maubach with lighting design by Tristan Tapscott and costumes by Candace Eastman.

The performance on Thursday, November 17th is a fundraising event for the Bettendorf Rotary.

The Turn of the Screw runs November 15, 17, 18 and 19 at 7:30 pm and November 20 at 2:30 pm. Admission is $20 general admission, $18 Seniors (60+) and $15 students. The District Theatre is located at 1611 2nd Avenue, Rock Island, IL 61201. Reservations can be made by calling 309-235-1654.  More information can be found at www.districttheatre.com

14 Oct 2011

The Turn of the Screw to Haunt District Theatre in November

By Lora Adams

ROCK ISLAND, ILLINOIS - Lora Adams and Steve Lasister star in Jeffrey Hatcher's adaptation of The Turn of the Screw, the classic ghost story by Henry James, running November 11 - 20.  The Turn of the Screw will be directed by Patti Flaherty.   The production is a limited run at The District Theatre in Rock Island and is being produced by Adams and Tristan Tapscott.

The play premiered at the Portland Stage Company in Portland, Maine in January 1996 and James' story has been described as "the quintessential ghost story." The story is told from the perspective of the Governess, which leaves the audience to wonder how accurate her story is. She claims she sees visions of the former governess and her lover and she is determined to save the children in her care from these ghostly visitors whom she perceives want to possess the children. It is interesting to note, that more than a century later there is a debate whether the ghosts are real or imagined and if the governess is mad.

"I have been wanting to produce this piece for a while but I was unable to secure a venue and one night while Tristan and I were working at Circa on 'Nana's Naughty Knickers' he told me that I could put it up at The District Theatre in November, and here we are," said Adams. "Lora and I have worked on productions together in the past and this was a perfect opportunity to add another production to the calendar at the District Theatre," said Tapscott.  Tapscott was instrumental in securing Steve Lasiter for the production since Mr. Lasiter will be performing in "Chicago" and "Rocky Horror" at the District Theatre.

"What makes this adaptation so interesting is that Lora plays the Governess while Steve Lasiter portrays all of the other characters," said director Flaherty.

Flaherty directed Adams in the one-woman play "Bad Dates" several years ago at New Ground Theatre. "After 'Bad Dates' I knew Patti would have the right temperament to take a piece like this and make it work," said Adams.

The Turn of the Screw with play November 11, 12, 15, 18 and 19 at 7:30 pm and November 13 and 20 at 2:30 pm. Admission is $20 general admission, $18 Seniors (60+) and $15 students. The District Theatre is located at 1611 2nd Avenue, Rock Island, IL 61201. Reservations can be made by calling 309-235-1654.  More information can be found at www.districttheatre.com

What: The Turn of the Screw by Jeffrey Hatcher

Where: The District Theatre, 1611 - 2nd Avenue, Rock Island 16201

When: November 11, 12, 15, 18 and 19 at 7:30 pm and November 13 and 20 at 2:30 pm

Admission: $20 general admission, $18 Seniors (60+) and $15 students

Reservations: 309-235-1654 or www.districttheatre.com

10 Oct 2011

WQPT INVITES YOU TO HEAR ORIGINAL FREEDOM RIDER DIANE NASH

By Lora Adams

MOLINE, ILLINOIS - WQPT, Quad Cities PBS invites the public to a special screening of the documentary "Freedom Riders" and to hear Diane Nash, one of the leaders of the Freedom Rides Civil Rights movement, at the Martin Luther King Center in Rock Island Illinois on October 15, 2011 at 10:00 am. Seating will be on a first come, first served basis. The event is free to the public.

In April WQPT held a similar event at the Putnam Museum and IMAX Theatre for junior high and high school students with special guests Dion Diamond and Joan Trumpaur-Mulholland, both Freedom Riders. "The event was so successful that the community committee we had formed felt we should do it once again," said WQPT Chief Development Officer, Jamie Lange. Diane Nash will speak at the morning event at the Martin Luther King Center and again at the Statewide Illinois NAACP banquet at the i wireless Center in the evening on October 15th.

Ms. Nash was featured on Oprah in May 2011 when the program celebrated the 50th anniversary of the Freedom Rides. Diane Nash emerged as one of the most respected student leaders of the sit-in movement in Nashville, Tennessee. Nash attended Howard University before transferring to Nashville's Fisk University in the fall of 1959. Shocked by the extent of segregation she encountered in Tennessee, she was a founding member of the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee (SNCC) in April 1960. In February 1961 she served jail time in solidarity with the "Rock Hill Nine"?nine students imprisoned after a lunch counter sit-in. When the students learned of the bus burnings in Alabama, Nash argued that it was their duty to continue. "It was clear to me that if we allowed the Freedom Ride to stop at that point, just after so much violence had been inflicted, the message would have been sent that all you have to do to stop a nonviolent campaign is inflict massive violence," says Nash in Freedom Riders.

For more information on the Freedom Riders, log on to wqpt.org. WQPT will re-air the documentary on Tuesday October 18th at 7:00 p.m.

The event at the Martin Luther King Center has been made possible by the Rock Island Community Foundation, Illinois Humanities Council, Hotel Blackhawk, Act II Transportation and the Rock Island NAACP.

WQPT is a media service of Western Illinois University in Moline, Illinois.

03 Oct 2011

WQPT Calendar of Events

By Lora Adams

WQPT Calendar of Events

Title: "A Class Apart": Special Screening and Discussion

Moderated by Alfred Ramirez with panelists Bob Ontiveros, Ernie Rodriquez and Henry Vargas

Where: Moline Public Library, 41st Street, Moline, Illinois

When: October 4, 2011  - 6:30 pm to 8:00 pm

What: American Experience's "A Class Apart" tells the little known story of how a band of underdog Mexican-American lawyers take the Hernandez v. Texas case to the Supreme Court, challenging Jim Crow-style discrimination.

Admission: Free

Sponsored by: Ascentra Credit Union with additional support from The Moline Public Library, Greater Quad Cities Hispanic Chamber of Commerce and Western Illinois University.

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Title: WQPT presents Freedom Riders with special guest, Diane Nash

Where: Martin Luther King Community Center, Rock Island, Illinois

When: October 15, 2011 - 10:00 am

What: The public is invited to a special screening of the documentary "Freedom Riders" and then listen to Diane Nash - one of the leaders of the Freedom Rides Civil Rights movement. Seating is on a first come, first served basis.

Admission: Free

Sponsored by: Rock Island Community Foundation and Illinois Humanity Council

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Title: Taco Tuesday WQPT Fundraiser at Mulligan's Valley Pub

Where: Mulligan's Valley Pub in Coal Valley, Illinois

When: October 25, 2011 - 5:00 pm to 8:00 pm

What: Help support WQPT when you purchase $5.00 tacos. Enjoy a great meal with 100% of the proceeds benefitting WQPT. Viewers, friends and others are invited to show their support for the station while enjoying great tacos.

Admission: $5 per order of tacos

Sponsored by: Mulligan's Valley Pub and Royal Neighbors of America

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Title: WQPT Trivia Night

Where: North Hall at the Highland Park Bowl, 4202 Avenue of the Cities, Moline, IL.

When: November 4, 2011 at 6:00 pm

What: Enjoy a friendly competition testing your smarts at the 4th Annual WQPT Trivia Night. Bring your own snacks. Beverages are available for purchase.

Admission: Tables of 8 must be reserved. $80.00 for a table.
16 Sep 2011

12th ANNUAL BREW HA HA SET FOR SEPTEMBER 17th IN LECLAIRE PARK PROCEEDS SUPPORT LOCAL PUBLIC TELEVISION

By Lora Adams

MOLINE, ILLINOIS - WQPT hosts the 12th annual Brew Ha Ha at LeClaire Park in downtown Davenport on Saturday, September 17TH from 1 to 5 p.m.  A wide variety of ales, pilsners, and porters are available for tasting as well as cheeses provided by Cabot Creamery Cooperative of Vermont.

Musical performances by Wicked Liz and the Belly Swirls take place at 1 - 2:30 pm and 3:15 to 4:15 pm. The comedy will be provided by The Blacklist Improv Comedy Troupe.  They perform from 2:30 - 3:15 pm. Games return for attendees to try like the Beer Bottle Ring Toss and the Golf Ball Stack, with prizes from everyone. Admission to Brew Ha Ha includes an event program, unlimited tasting, and a commemorative tasting glass.

Presenting Sponsors for Brew Ha Ha are Old Chicago, Rhythm City Casino,  River Cities Reader, Rock 104.9, Star 93.5, 97X Classic Hits, KJOC 1170AM, along with Dimitri Wine & Spirits, Inc., Glazer's Distributors of Iowa, Coors Light, Budweiser, KWQC, Mediacom, Downtown Partnership,and Cabot Creamery Cooperative. With additional support from The Blacklist Improv Comedy Troupe,  Hawkeye Ice, Iowa American Water, Iowa QC Chamber Downtown Partnership, Millennium Waste, Quad City Golf Cars and Sunbelt Rentals.

Tickets for Brew Ha Ha are $20.00 prior to the event and $25.00 at the gate. "We are continuing our tradition of keeping ticket sales capped so that our attendees are able to enjoy as many tastings as they like," said WQPT Special Projects Coordinator, Bea Brasel. Tickets may be purchased at the WQPT offices at 3800 Avenue of the Cities, Suite 101, Moline and  CO-OP Records in Davenport and Moline (add a $1.00 service fee at CO-OP locations) until 5 pm on Friday, September 16th and until midnight at Old Chicago in Bettendorf.  Attendees must be 21 or older. Children in strollers and animals will not be admitted. Feel free to bring your own lawn chair.  For more information log on to wqpt.org/brew.

Brew Ha Ha is a fundraising event to support WQPT, the local public television station serving eastern Iowa and western Illinois.

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25 Aug 2011

WQPT FREEDOM RIDERS EVENTS CONTINUE RECEIVES GRANT FROM ROCK ISLAND COMMUNITY FOUNDATION WQPT BRINGS ORIGINAL FREEDOM RIDER DIANE NASH TO THE QUAD CITIES

By Lora Adams

MOLINE, ILLINOIS - In 1961, black and white students deliberately violated Jim Crow laws in an effort to end segregation in the Deep South. This first group of 'Freedom Riders' were beaten and their bus burned. Should they continue? The answer came from a young civil rights leader from Fisk University. She said "It was clear to me that if we allowed the Freedom Ride to stop at that point, just after so much violence had been inflicted the message would have been sent that all you have to do to stop a nonviolent campaign is inflict massive violence." That young woman was Diane Nash.

The Rock Island Community Foundation has generously donated $2,000 to WQPT to help bring Diane Nash to the Quad Cities to speak at the Martin Luther King Center in Rock Island on October 15th at 10:00 a.m.  This event is free to the public, though donations are accepted at the door. Seating is on a first come/first served basis. She will also be the keynote speaker at the Illinois NAACP's Freedom Fund Banquet taking place at the i wireless Center that same night.

"After we aired 'Freedom Riders' in May and held public viewings of the film for junior high and high school students we wanted to expand the reach of the project," said WQPT General Manager, Rick Best. Original Freedom Riders who spoke at the April events were Joan Trumpauer-Mulholland and Dion Diamond.  "Having Ms. Nash appear to speak is especially important because of her role as a leader in the civil rights movement," Mr. Best said. Ms. Nash is prominently featured in the film and was a guest on Oprah in April when she aired a special on the 50thAnniversary Freedom Rides.

"As the school year starts WQPT has made available to 100 area schools a DVD of the film and a study guide for teachers. Earlier in the year we conducted teaching seminars to help prepare instructors to teach this part of our civil rights history," said Ana Kehoe, WQPT Educational Outreach Director.  "The response to our April event was remarkable and the WQPT Freedom Riders committee, made up of area educators and civil rights leaders, felt that we should continue our efforts."  WQPT will also be airing an interview with Ms. Nash on "The Cities with Jim Mertens" on October 20th at 6:30 p.m.

WQPT is a public media service of Western Illinois University located in Moline, Illinois.

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