Filled with pleasing melodies and heartwarming themes, the concert opening the Quad City Symphony Orchestra’s 91st season was an understated balm for the soul. Concert pianist Alon Goldstein joined the symphony in Augustana’s Centennial Hall to deliver a performance that was simply enjoyable from beginning to end.

By Georges!

For some musicians, the idea of performing in a tribute band full-time, and in full costume, no less, would be a depressing proposition. Why devote time, talent, and energy to the presentation of someone else's hits? Michael Fulop and Marty Scott, though, wouldn't have it any other way, and if you had the chance to portray George Harrison for adoring Beatles fans on a nightly basis, you might feel the same way.
Once again the end of the summer festival season is ably declared by the Chicago Jazz Festival with its breathtaking backdrops of Lake Michigan, Buckingham fountain, and the Chicago skyline, this year serving as a canvas for a B-minus lineup of performers from September 1 through 4.
You might think that it's only natural that Pieta Brown turned out to be a singer-songwriter. After all, she's the daughter of the legendary Iowa roots artist Greg Brown. Her second full-length recording, In the Cool (in stores this week), makes it sound like she's been doing this forever.
Music, family, friends, food, and tradition brought a huge crowd to the 23rd annual Quad City Symphony Orchestra Riverfront Pops concert last Saturday. An opportunity to enjoy classical music surrounded by nature, the concert consisted of lively and entertaining pieces supplemented by the addition of saxophonist Chris Vadala … and accompanied by the pleasant cacophony of an audience enjoying the experience as well as the music.
Activism can sneak up on you. One year ago, Bettendorf musician A.J. Haut couldn't have imagined being the initiator of a benefit performance involving dozens of performers and nearly a thousand dollars in raffle merchandise.
Andrew Landers Project - noon The music of the Andrew Landers Project is a melting pot of rock, funk, jazz, punk, folk, and a bit of country. Their music has something for everyone. It's hard to describe the Andrew Landers Project's sound, but one fan summed it up by saying, "They're like George Thorogood meets George Benson meets George Clinton meets George Jones, and then they all get together and go harass Boy George.

Friday, August 19

Jim the Mule - 5 p.m. Members of Jim the Mule have been making music in the Quad Cities since May 2000. Jason Gilliland, Tom Swanson, and Ryan Koning played together in a variety of bands while attending St.
Strange Neighbors - 11:30 p.m. Friday night, Quad City Live A full band and the ability to add pieces at live performances has made Strange Neighbors a must-see act. With three CDs under their belt, Strange Neighbors is hitting the recording studio soon.
"Tell them to get ready to rock and roll!" That is Edgar Winter's official message to those who'll see him Friday night at River Roots Live. And considering Winter's accomplishments in 35 years of performing, who wouldn't be ready? With more than 20 records to his name since his Entrance entrance in 1970, innumerable concert appearances, and continued public awareness due to the longevity of his '70s classics "Frankenstein" and "Free Ride," Winter is a bona fide musical legend, and one with a style that - like the musician himself - can't be easily categorized.

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