Presented as a special fundraiser to benefit to the Knox-Galesburg Symphony, Disney's animated masterpiece Fantasia will be screened at Galesburg's Orpheum Theatre on July 13, treating patrons, perhaps for the first time, to this largely wordless musical-anthology classic from 1940, a work boasting ballerina hippos, a haunting rendition of "Ave Maria," and Mickey Mouse taking on the role of "Sorcerer's Apprentice."

Held in conjunction with the dazzling collection of colorful wonders on display in Walter Wick: Hidden Wonders!, Davenport's Figge Art Museum will host an exclusive Member Reception for the artist on July 17 and an Artist Talk with Wick on July 18, free events featuring the talent who has fascinated people of all ages since 1992, when his first children's-book series I Spy landed on the bookshelves of millions of American households.

UB40, July 13

With more than 100 million albums sold, and with their 50-plus charting singles in the United Kingdom including their trademark number-one hits “Red Red Wine” and “(I Can’t Help) Falling in Love with You," the reggae/pop legends of UB40 headline a July 13 concert at Davenport's Rhythm City Casino Resort Event Center, the artists enjoying their 45th-anniversary celebration this year, as well as their forthcoming 45th-anniversary album featuring new songs and reworked classics.

With All Punked Up raving that the band produces "the kind of music that makes you wanna get up, jump around, and sing at the top of your lungs," the pop-punk and alternative-rock musicians of We the Kings headline a July 18 concert at Davenport's Capitol Theatre, Newsday magazine adding that the touring outfit "can keep experimenting because their music is built on such a solid foundation of songwriting craftsmanship."

With the county artist lauded by Holler Country as “the latest to underscore the crucial distinction between style and substance,” acclaimed singer/songwriter Summer Dean headlines a July 13 concert at Davenport's Raccoon Motel, her 2023 release The Biggest Life also hailed by Saving Country Music as as album “that says a lot, is musically diverse while staying distinctly country, and touches the entire range of human emotions.”

Delivering what No Country for New Nashville deems "a fiery, road-worn live show and a sound that fuses no-frills, hard-hitting pop punk with grungy, hook-laden alt-rock," Nashville's punk and alt-rock ensemble Winona Fighter headlines a July 14 afternoon concert at Davenport's Raccoon Motel, with NCfNN adding, "We haven’t been as excited about a new group like Winona Fighter in a long time."

With the star-studded ensemble composed of Jon Auer (The Posies), Chris Stamey (The dB's), Pat Sansone and John Stirratt (Wilco), and original Big Star member Jody Stephens, the Big Star Quintet headlines a special July 15 concert event at Maquoketa's Codfish Hollow Barn, 2024 marking the 50th anniversary of Radio City, the legendary sophomore release from the highly influential Memphis band Big Star.

Hailed by the Los Angeles Times as musicians "whose soulful, stripped-down approach combines the softer moments of the Replacements with a bit of the country coloring of the early BoDeans’ albums," the alt-country artists of Gear Daddies headline a July 12 concert at Maquoketa's Codfish Hollow Barn, these Midwestern favorites also lauded by the Argus Leader as "one of the most underrated Minnesota-based bands of all time."

In the classical-theatre organization's annual production dedicated to showcasing young talent, seven gifted high schoolers will present a workshop production of Genesius Guild's Sounds & Sweet Airs, the July 6 through 14 entertainment in Rock Island's Lincoln Park boasting songs, scenes, and soliloquies by the legendary William Shakespeare.

From now through January 4, masterworks on loan from the Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art will be presented throughout the Figge’s Art Museum's permanent collection galleries, with the exhibition Art Bridges: Partner Loan Network dedicated to bringing American art out of museum vaults and placing it on view in communities across the United States.

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