David LaMotte, November 7

Saturday, November 7, 10 a.m. & 6:30 p.m.

First Presbyterian Church, 1702 Iowa Street, Davenport IA

Appearing in two public events held in Davenport's First Presbyterian Church Sanctuary, award-winning singer/songwriter, author, and public speaker David LaMotte shares a few of his many talents on November 7, delivering an interactive reading of his children's book S.S. Bathtub at 10 a.m., and treating audiences to an exhilarating concert with a hopeful message at 6:30 p.m.

As stated at DavidLaMotte.com: "David was born in Norfolk, Virginia, grew up mostly in Sarasota, Florida, graduated high school in Roanoke, Virginia, then college in Harrisonburg, Virginia. He is the son, grandson, and brother of Presbyterian ministers, and the fourth of four kids. He has also lived for short times in Raleigh and Chapel Hill, North Carolina; Paris, France; rural Andhra Pradesh, India; and Brisbane, Australia, but has made his home for more than thirty years in Black Mountain, North Carolina, where he currently resides with his wife, son, old dog, and four chickens.

"As a touring artist with an over 30-year career, LaMotte has developed a large and loyal following around the world. His music has been honored with numerous awards and artist grants, and has been featured on dozens of artist compilations. Notably, his song 'Dark and Deep' was included on Songs Inspired By Literature, Chapter One, a benefit CD to raise money for adult literacy. Other artists on that CD include Suzanne Vega, Grace Slick, Aimee Mann, and Bruce Springsteen. Several independent films feature David’s music, and it has been heard on the Today Show and the Showtime television series (based on the public radio series) This American Life. In 2023, his song 'Coming Alive Again' was chosen as the title track for the Spring album on Christine Lavin’s Seasons project.

"LaMotte is also part of the musical trio Abraham Jam, an interfaith band made up of a Christian (David), a Muslim (Dawud Wharnsby), and a Jew (Billy Jonas). The trio has produced two albums together, White Moon and Abraham Jam Live. They were also the subject of a short documentary by John P. Kennedy and David Saich, Braided Prayer. Their song by the same name appears in the opening scene of the 2024-2025 production of Our Town on Broadway. He is also the creator of Let’s Be Neighbors, a banner campaign based on a sign he hung on his house, and rooted in the idea that we seldom reject each other into making more compassionate decisions. Let’s Be Neighbors banners and signs are now hanging on homes, businesses and faith communities across the United States, including a 20-foot-tall banner on Abraham Lincoln’s church in Springfield, Illinois."

At 10 a.m. on November 7, in the sanctuary of Davenport's First Presbyterian Church, LaMotte will read from his children's book S.S. Bathtub – a playful romp through the rhyming, rolling Seven Seas – and share a brief child-friendly acoustic concert designed especially for young listeners and their families. Then, at 6:30 p.m., LaMotte's uplifting sanctuary concert will also find the artist sharing an encouraging, practical look at how large-scale change happens, how it doesn’t, and how to understand our own roles within the effort for positive change.

Both events are free, though donations are encouraged, and more information is available by calling (563)326-1691 and visiting FPCDavenport.org.