Described by the New York Times as “effortlessly endearing” and by Variety magazine as “enormously satisfying,” The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee closes the Black Box Theatre's debut season, demonstrating why composer William Finn's celebrated 2005 musical comedy received two Tony Awards and enjoyed a Broadway run of 1,136 performances.

Performing under the direction of Curtis Fischer-Oelschlaeger and accompanied by pianist Marcia Renaud, more than 20 of the area's top singers will blend their skills in two Christmas with the Quad City Singers concerts at Colona's Lavender Crest Winery, with the seasonal repertoire boasting classic and contemporary arrangements for soloists, specific vocal groupings, and the entire ensemble.

Our area's seasonal chill will be offset by some Caribbean heat when steel-pan sensation John Patti brings his Calyp-Soul Christmas to Davenport's Redstone Room on December 7, a night of holiday-themed “island jazz” boasting vocals by award-winning singer/songwriter Jenn Bostic.

Richard and Karen Carpenter's 1978 Christmas Portrait resides comfortably Billboard's top-25 list of bestselling holiday albums, and on December 3, the unforgettable sounds of iconic pop duo the Carpenters will fill the Adler Theatre when tribute artist Lisa Rock headlines the seasonal celebration A Carpenters Christmas.