An on-stage explosion of dance, music, and art will transpire at St. Ambrose University on September 15 and 16 as the professional talents of Ballet Quad Cities present their season-opening presentation Paris en Pointe – a multi-media collaboration featuring area musicians and singers, and one held in conjunction with the Figge Art Museum's forthcoming exhibition French Moderns: Monet to Matisse, 1950-1950.

For the first public engagement in the organization's 2018-19 lecture series, the World Affairs Council of the Quad Cities (WACQC) will, on September 18, offer Bettendorf Public Library visitors insight and information on a largely misunderstood religion in Introduction to Sikhism: Contributions and Challenges of the Sikh Community in the United States, a 90-minute presentation by the Sikh Coalition's Community Development Director Dr. Rucha Kaur.

Original works from more than 80 juried regional and national artists, children's activities, a Tabor Wines tasting, gourmet food, live music with Whoozdads? and other area performers, and additional treats will be on hand at the September 15 and 16 Riverssance Festival of Fine Art, with MidCoast Fine Arts' 31st-annual Lindsay Park event finding Rachel Mullins Steiner this year's recipient of the esteemed Harley Award in recognition of her visionary leadership in creating an area arts culture.

A two-day celebration of a most dexterous musical instrument, the area's inaugural Shockingly Modern Saxophone Festival – taking place at Augustana College's Larson Hall September 14 and 15 – will treat lovers of the sax to master classes, workshops, discussions, and recitals, with the fest's guest artist, renowned saxophonist/composer Nick Zoulek, described by the Wall Street Journal as “stunningly virtuosic, whatever the genre.”