His touring act boasting beloved songs popularized by Roy Orbison, Elvis Presley, Frank Sinatra, Sam Cooke, & and the Belmonts, Conway Twitty, Ricky Nelson, and Bobby Darin, award-winning tribute artist Jesse Aron brings An Evening with Roy & Friends to Maquoketa's Ohnward Fine Arts Center on December 31, the New Year's Eve show taking audiences on a magical trip through time with some of the most legendary voices in rock-and-roll history.

Hailed by Sea of Tranquility as "arguably the most successful holiday-music outfit in history," the symphonic-metal musicians of Trans-Siberian Orchestra bring their national "The Lost Christmas Eve Tour" to Moline's Vibrant Arena at the MARK on December 20, demonstrating the visual and aural magic that led Kansas City Theater to rave that "the rock band's concerts are arguably the most visually dazzling live events you're ever likely to see."

An intimate performance of music and dance that blends the soulful voice of the violin with beloved songs of the season, Blue Violin Candlelight Christmas will deliver the captivating melodies of its award-winning classical crossover artist amidst a setting boasting 500 lit candles, with performances scheduled for December 20 at the Coralville Center for the Performing Arts and December 21 at Moline's Bartlett Performing Arts Center.

Presented by Filmosofia and followed by a discussion and themed reading of Philip Pettit's The Prisoner's Dilemma and Social Theory, Christopher Nolan's Batman blockbuster The Dark Knight enjoys a December 18 screening at Rock Island's Rozz-Tox, this landmark 2008 entertainment a two-time Academy Award-winner that, until last year's Barbie, held a 15-year record as the highest-grossing domestic release in Warner Bros. history.