The Wizards of Winter at the Rhythm City Casino Resort Event Center -- December 8.
Sunday, December 8, 8 p.m.
Rhythm City Casino Resort Event Center, 7077 Elmore Avenue, Davenport IA
Featuring former members of classic-rock giants such as the Trans-Siberian Orchestra, Rainbow, Alice Cooper, Blue Oyster Cult, and Trixter, the Wizards of Winter headline an exciting December 8 concert at Davenport's Rhythm City Casino Resort Event Center, this 11-member ensemble delivering soaring vocal harmonies, precision string instrumentation, powerful percussion, and a rich storyboard that evokes memories and emotions of Decembers past.
The Wizards of Winter were formed in 2009 by Scott Kelly, Sharon Kelly, and Steve Ratchen as a way to give back to the local community with a holiday concert, one held to support a local food pantry that was in severe financial straits. They continued to give back the community through several successful holiday music performances in 2010, and the following year, the band embarked upon writing their own Christmas rock opera, Tales Beneath a Northern Star. The Wizards of Winter released their own self-titled Christmas rock opera album based on entirely original material in 2014. The next year, they released their second album The Magic of Winter, which includes "The Spirit of Christmas," their single featured on Yahoo Music. Cover art for both albums was designed by rock cover artist Ioannis. Throughout their tours, the Wizards of Winter supports several charities including BackPack Friends and Tunnels to Towers. They also donate proceeds from sales of their single "March of the Metal Soldiers" to the Wounded Warrior Project.
An eclectic group of musicians with strong classical and progressive rock influences woven throughout their musical career, all of them hailing from the tri-state area of New York, New Jersey, and Connecticut, the Wizards of Winter have toured with five of the original members of Trans-Siberian Orchestra (Tommy Farese, Guy LeMonnier, Tony Gaynor, Michael Lanning and Joe Cerisano). Guy LeMonnier and Tony Gaynor joined the band as an official members in 2014, and the following year, the group toured with Greg Smith, longtime bassist/vocalist for Ted Nugent, who joined the band as an official member in 2016. With the group's albums The Wizards of Winter Live Vol. I & 11 released this year, the outfit's current lineup features: music director Scott Kelly (keyboards); Sharon Kelly (flute and vocals); Fred Gorhau (guitar); Steve Brown (guitar); Greg Smith (bass); John O. Reilly (drums); Alexis Smith (vocals and keys); Guy LeMonnier (vocals); Manny Cabo (vocals); Shawna Marie (backing vocals), and Lacie Carpenter (violin). Tony Gaynor, meanwhile, provides narration as the Wizards of Winter take their audiences on a musical journey in search of the meaning of Christmas.
The Wizards of Winter bring their 2024 tour to Davenport's Event Center on December 8, admission to the 8 p.m. concert event is $10-40, and more information and tickets are available by calling (563)328-8000 and visiting RhythmCityCasino.com.
