In a unique blend of sound art and public reading, the latest presentation in the Midwest Writing Center's Spectra series, Bradley/Clifton/Miller, will find noted writers Jon Miller and Brian Clifton collaborating with sound artist William Ellis Bradley to create a thrilling, multi-modal experience at Rock Island venue Rozz-Tox, the January 8 event also boasting readings by local authors Beth Roberts and Ryan Collins.

Praised by AllMusic.com for their “intriguing and quite effective blend of hard melodic rock with progressive rock tendencies and awesome vocal arrangements,” the musicians of the iconic rock ensemble Head East play a special concert at East Moline's the Rust Belt on January 10, performing more than a half-century after the band's formation and eight years after being inducted into the Iowa Rock 'n' Roll Music Association's Hall of Fame.

With the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel raving that “they sing and play with a lusty ease that blows the dust off old music,” the vocal and instrumental talents of the Rose Ensemble serve as the latest guests in Quad City Arts' Visiting Artists series, their January 15 through 18 concert events sure to prove why the Duluth News Tribune stated, “The Rose Ensemble always creates a colorful blend of text and tune, woven together for a seamless tapestry of music from distant times and places.”

Held in celebration of the legendary German composer born in 1770, Chamber Music Quad Cities' Beethoven Year will honor Ludwig van's accomplishments in a January 4 concert performed at Davenport's Unitarian Universalist Church of the Quad Cities, its quartet of musicians composed of the organization's artistic directors Gregory and Thomas Sauer and guest violinists Lee Taylor and Serena Canin.