DAVENPORT, IOWA - Austin-based singer-songwriter and recording artist Darden Smith will be a guest of the Rock Island Arsenal chapter of the Association of the United States Army in Davenport October 18-20. The three-day event will conclude with a concert fundraiser October 20 at Adler Theatre to benefit soldier support programs.
A luncheon in the RiverCenter, 136 E. Third Street, will kick off Smith's visit on Tuesday, October 18 at 11:30 a.m. Smith will discuss his recent songwriting work with Wounded Warriors and will play his song "Angel Flight" before heading to visit the Rock Island Arsenal Youth Center at 3 p.m. Twenty military youth will engage in Smith's established "Be An Artist Program," which has used personalized and innovative songwriting sessions to encourage student and communal creativity since 2003. Smith has presented the program across the United States, United Kingdom, Germany and France.
"We want to emphasize the benefits of unlocking creativity across the board," says RIA AUSA Executive Vice President Kerry Skinner. "We're excited to be able to utilize all that Darden has to offer in several different areas."
Presentation of the "Be An Artist Program" will continue Wednesday, October 19 with three 50-minute sessions at the Redstone Room, 129 Main Street, at 10 a.m. Groups of students in grades 4, 5 and 6 will gather to engage in and songwriting and music education activities, sponsored by the River Music Experience, the HAVLife Foundation and the Quad Cities Optimist & Rotary Clubs.
The finale concert fundraiser will begin at 7 p.m. at the Adler Theatre, 136 E. Third Street, on Thursday, October 20. All proceeds will benefit soldier support programs funded through AUSA, the voice of the U.S. Army on Capitol Hill and at the grassroots level. The organization's role as a conduit in aligning resources and needs for soldiers and their families continues to benefit servicemen and women nationwide.
"The finale concert will be a chance to celebrate those who serve and those supporting those who serve," says Skinner.
For more information, visit www.ria-ausa.org, www.dardensmith.com, www.be-an-artist.com.
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