Strike out along the Inca trail at the Figge Art Museum

Don't miss Caminos del Inka this Saturday, June 1, at the Figge Art Museum presented by the Quad City Symphony Orchestra. Accompanied by a choreographed visual slide show and documentary footage, QCSO principal flutist Jessica Waren-Acosta and harpist Marguerite Lynn Williams perform music from South America. The doors open at 6:30 p.m. with free hor d'oeuvres and a cash bar and guided tours of the Figge Art Museum. The concert will begin at 8:00 p.m.

An audiovisual presentation containing documentary-style photos and video is choreographed to the music. These images enhance the audience's understanding of the cultural and historical aspects of the music. Caminos del Inka works closely with traditional musicians from around the Americas to create an accurate educational film. As a result of their work, you gain a deeper understanding of the historical and cultural context.

As part of this collaboration with the Figge Art Museum, docents will be giving tours of the Art and Devotion in Viceregal New Spain exhibit from 6:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Focusing on the Spanish colonial period of present-day Mexico and Central America, this gallery includes a large collection of religious and devotional art. These works were used in the religious rites and ceremonies of the liturgy or for private devotion. Indeed, an inextricable bond existed between the Church and the image-making traditions of Hispanic cultures.

Seating is limited, so buy your ticket today by clicking here.

Strike out on the Inca trail as the Quad City Symphony Orchestra presents Caminos del Inka on June 1 at the Figge Art Museum. Accompanied by a choreographed visual slide show and documentary footage, QCSO principal flutist Jessica Waren-Acosta and harpist Marguerite Lynn Williams perform music from South America. The doors open at 6:30 p.m. with free hor d'oeuvres and a cash bar and guided tours of the Figge Art Museum. The concert will begin at 8:00 p.m.

An audiovisual presentation containing documentary style photos and video is choreographed to the music. These images enhance the audiences understanding of the cultural and historical aspects of the music. Caminos del Inka works closely with traditional musicians from the Americas to create the most acurate educational film. As a result of their work, people will be able to access and enjoy the rich music and more thoroughly understand the historical and cultural context.

 As part of a collaboration with the Figge Art Museum, docents will be giving tours of their Art and Devotion in Viceregal New Spain exhibit from 6:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Focusing on the Spanish colonial period of present-day Mexico and Central America, this gallery includes a large collection of religious and devotional art. These works frequently were used in the religious rites and ceremonies of the liturgy or for private devotion. Indeed, an inextricable bond existed between the Church and the image-making traditions of Hispanic cultures.

Performing in this concert is Jessica Warren-Acosta, principal flute of the Quad City Symphony Orchestra. Ms. Warren-Acosta has concertized on three continents and appeared as a soloist with the Chicago, Atlanta, Baltimore, Fort Worth, and Omaha Symphony Orchestras among others, as well as at numerous international music festivals including the Spoleto USA Festival where she gave the American Premiere of Pascal Dusapin's Flute Concerto, "Galim."

Joining Ms. Warren-Acosta is Principal Harpist of the Lyric Opera of Chicago, Marguerite Lynn Williams. Ms. Williams has performed throughout the United States, Europe, and Asia as a soloist, chamber musician, and orchestra member. She has been awarded prizes in numerous competitions including the American Harp Society's National Competition. She has appeared with the Chicago Symphony, Minnesota, Milwaukee Symphony, Ravinia Festival, Toronto Symphony, and San Diego Symphony Orchestra.

Seating is limited, so buy your ticket today by clicking here.

Reserve your table for Derby Day today

On May 4 you can experience the grace and excitement of Churchill Downs right here in the Quad Cities. You'll love the horse races, the buffet loaded with authentic Derby favorites, the live auction, elegant hats, mint juleps, and happy winners - all to benefit youth music education!

This afternoon of food, fun, and live music at the Arsenal Island Golf Club begins at 2:30 p.m. and includes a bourbon tasting, entry into three horse race contests, a commemorative Derby Day mint julep glass, and a buffet overflowing with traditional Derby cuisine like hot browns and Derby pie.

This year's party also features a blue grass band led by Ben Lorentzen and featuring members of the Quad City Symphony Orchestra and the Quad City Symphony Youth Orchestras performing side-by-side.

Reservations can be made today by clicking here.

Rite of Spring at 100 years

When Stravinsky's Rite of Spring was first performed a century ago there were riots in the theater and the landscape of orchestral music was changed forever. We at the Quad City Symphony Orchestra are very excited to be performing this seminal piece, paired with one of the most popular pieces in the orchestral canon, Mussorgsky's Pictures at an Exhibition.

This weekend the Quad City Symphony Orchestra will also be announcing its Masterworks season for 2013-14 and accepting season renewals. If you are currently a season subscriber, you will be able to pick up your form at the concerts. Any orders returned with payment at the concerts will receive a free commemorative Quad City Symphony Orchestra travel mug, so be sure to bring your check books and credit cards with you!

This performance of Rite of Spring will complete Mark Russell Smith's cycle of Stravinsky ballet anniversaries that began with 2010's performance of the Firebird and followed in 2011 by Petrushka. Descriptions of original performance describe a near-riot breaking out in reaction to the avante garde nature of the music and choreography. You can watch a BBC recreation of this monumental evening by clicking here.

You can read the program notes written by Dennis Loftin before attending the concert by clicking here.

And recently Maestro Mark Russell Smith gave a lecture at the University of Minnesota which you can view by clicking here.

To celebrate the performance of Mussorgsky's work, Bruce Walters, a Professor of Art at Western Illinois University, has created a series of drawings entitled "Pictures at an Exhibition." These works of art will be displayed in the RiverCenter from March 1-9, 2013. This series is Walters' interpretation of the music of Pictures at an Exhibition, influenced by descriptions of the artwork that originally inspired the music. Walters added a local feel to the works by placing Quad City area landmarks throughout the series. The series is online at www.walters-mussorgsky.info.