Nova Singers, under the direction of Dr. Laura Lane, presents two performances of Lullabies and Folksongs Saturday, April 18 at 7:30 p.m. at Kresge Recital Hall, Knox College, 500 South Prairie, in Galesburg, and Sunday, April 19 at 4:00 p.m. at St. Paul Lutheran Church, 2136 Brady Street, Davenport.

Nova Singers will be joined by harpist Erin Freund for a delightful evening of music for harp and voices. Soak up the romantic harmonies of Brahms' Four Songs for women's voices, harp, and 2 horns, and the nostalgia and charm of familiar English and American folksongs arranged by Cecilia McDowall, Robert Shaw and Alice Parker. Everyone will love Conrad Susa's Carols and Lullabies featuring harp, guitar and marimba.

Artistic Director Laura Lane says, "The harp makes this one of the most unusual programs we've ever done! The sound of the harp with a small choir like Nova Singers is extraordinarily beautiful.  I'm especially excited about Conrad Susa's exquisite set of carols and lullabies from Spain and South America:  the melodies are tuneful and memorable and the harmonies simple and sort-of romantic, with just enough spice to keep you wanting more.  My favorite thing about them, though, is that, in addition to the choir and harp, Susa adds guitar and marimba!  The combination of these three instruments with the voices is striking and elegant.  I also love that we feature the women's voices on some songs and the men's voices on others--the audience always loves that! Folks will also enjoy hearing all the soloists who are featured throughout the program. And the songs themselves are so much fun! The men are singing some of my favorite folk songs, including Gentle Annie and Fergus and Molly."

Dr. Erin Freund is a versatile harpist, equally at home performing solo music, chamber music, and orchestral repertoire.  Dr. Freund is a frequent recitalist and embraces the challenge of performing virtuosic solo repertoire, spanning ancient and modern works that display the full capabilities of the harp.  Teaching is at the core of her musical life as a musician.  Dr. Freund is a part-time Assistant Professor of music at Augustana College where she teaches both private harp lessons in her studio, and sections of Music Appreciation in the classroom.  Dr. Freund is a registered Suzuki harp teacher, and has served on the faculty of Indiana University South Bend's Raclin School of the Arts, as well as the Music Institute of Chicago.

Nova Singers, a professional vocal ensemble under the direction of Dr. Laura Lane, hopes to share our musical soul with you.  Nova Singers is known for the beauty and charm of our sound, and for the intimacy and playfulness of the concert experience for our audience members.

Tickets will be available at the door or online at www.novasingers.com. Admission is $18 for adults and $15 for seniors. Students are admitted free of charge. For information about tickets, recordings, or other Nova Singers events, call 309-341-7038, or e-mail nova@knox.edu or like our Facebook page.

The Mississippi Valley Blues Society presents Reverend Raven and the Chain Smokin' Altar Boys at The Muddy Waters, 1708 State Street, Bettendorf, on Sunday, April 12. The show starts at 6:00 p.m. An $8 per person charge for MVBS members, or $10 per person for non-members will be taken at the door (application for membership will be available).

Bringing crowds to their feet at the hardest to please and sophisticated night clubs in the Midwest, Reverend Raven and the Chain Smoking Altar Boys play traditional blues, straight up with a big dose of passion. With smoking grooves, served up with hot harmonica and smooth stinging guitar, they play original songs peppered with nods to Slim Harpo, Little Walter, Jimmy Rogers, Billy Boy Arnold, Junior Wells, and the three Kings.

Born and raised on south side of Chicago, the Reverend has been playing the blues since 1971, when he first saw Freddy King play at the Kinetic Theatre in Chicago. After a 15-year hitch in the Navy he moved to Milwaukee, where he began a long friendship and collaboration with Madison Slim, long-time harmonica player for Jimmy Rogers. Since 1990 he has opened for B.B King, Gatemouth Brown, Pinetop Perkins, Koko Taylor Band, Junior Wells, Billy Branch, Magic Slim, Elvin Bishop, Sugar Blue, Lonnie Brooks, William Clarke, Lefty Dizz and numerous others at festivals and at Buddy Guy's Legends.

The Reverend and Chain Smokin' Altar Boys were chosen as Wisconsin Music Industry (WAMI) awardees for best blues band in 1999, 2000, 2004, 2005, 2008 and again in 2010.

^{MOUNT CARROLL, IL -- Timber Lake Playhouse, the professional theatre company in Mount Carroll, in collaboration with Timber Lake Resort and Campground will present a one night only performance of the nationally renowned Felix and Fingers Dueling Pianos Show at the playhouse on Saturday, May 9th. The performance will begin at 7:00 p.m., with cash bar opening at 6:30. Tickets are $20 and are available April 1st online and through the TLP box office.}

^{Henry's Double K in Mount Carroll will be taking separate reservations for a pre-show all you can eat buffet at the restaurant that evening. The $15 buffet will include roast pork, chicken breasts, cheesy potatoes, vegetable, salad bar, rolls and coffee. Contact Henry's Double K at 815-244-0810 for more information. Sievert's Steaks & Stuff in Mount Carroll will offer 10% off pizzas between 4:30 and 5:30 p.m.}

^{Felix and Fingers began in 2010 when Dave Radford and Mike Potts came together to create their own unique take on dueling pianos. Dave have recently been a top ten male finalist on American Idol, and Mike had spent several years touring the world as a musician on cruise ships. Since 2010, they have grown from playing the Chicagoland area to playing venues throughout the entire country.}

^{Timber Lake Playhouse's 54th Summer Season officially begins June 4th with the Tony Award winning musical Hairspray. The Felix and Fingers show is part of a pre-season kick-off that also includes the Lena! Las Vegas Casino Night on Saturday, April 18th from 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.}

^{The Casino Night event will take place at The Rafters in Lena, IL. Tickets are $50 and include the Cheezer's Palace Mac & Cheese Bar, roving appetizers, a starting purse, chances to win prizes, and access to gaming tables. Table games are provided by U. S. Poker and Casino Parties of Bensonville and will include blackjack, craps, roulette and Texas hold'em.}

^{For tickets to either of the TLP kick-off events, contact the playhouse at 815-244-2035, visit the website at www.timberlakeplayhouse.org, or stop by our office at 8216 Black Oak Rd. in Mount Carroll Monday through Friday between 10:30 a.m. and 3:00 p.m. Timber Lake Playhouse is located at 8215 Black Oak Rd. in Mount Carroll. The Rafters is located at 9426 W. Wagner Rd. in Lena.}

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DES MOINES, IA (03/27/2015)(readMedia)-- Tickets for the much-anticipated Iowa State Fair Grandstand shows will go on sale Saturday, April 18, at 10 a.m. through all Ticketmaster outlets. The 2015 line-up is presented by U.S. Cellular.

In addition to the previously-announced star-studded line-up, ROCK-A-THON starring: Dee Snider, Dokken, Warrant, Firehouse and Eddie Trunk will take the Grandstand Stage Aug. 23 at 6 p.m. The rock festival's array of performers include leading front man Dee Snider of the heavy metal band Twisted Sister, and multi-platinum pop-metal band Warrant.

Print at home discounted admission tickets are on sale now at www.iowastatefair.org. Fairgoers can purchase gate admission tickets online and print their own tickets at no extra charge. Fairgoers can also purchase punch cards online and have them mailed to them directly for a nominal fee.

Tickets for all concert and track events will go on sale Saturday, April 18, at 10 a.m. through all Ticketmaster outlets, online at Ticketmaster.com or by phone at 800-745-3000. All concert events are reserved seating; track events are general admission. Beginning July 6, the Fair's Ticket Office will be open 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday, and 9 a.m. to Noon on Saturday for walk-up orders only (assuming tickets remain; no mail, phone or fax orders). Convenience charges will apply to all tickets. Grandstand tickets do not include Fair admission. Gate admission must be purchased separately.

A complete listing of event dates, times and ticket prices follows:

2015 Iowa State Fair Grandstand Line-up presented by U.S. Cellular

• Thursday, Aug. 13 Casting Crowns with special guest for KING & COUNTRY 8 p.m. $32
• Friday, Aug. 14 Justin Moore with special guest Easton Corbin, 8 p.m., $35
• Saturday, Aug. 15 Def Leppard with special guests Styx and Tesla, 7 p.m. $53
• Sunday, Aug. 16 REBA with special guest Caroline Kole, 8 p.m., $45
• Monday, Aug. 17 Carrie Underwood with special guest Michael Ray, 8 p.m., $60
• Tuesday, Aug. 18 To Be Announced
• Wednesday, Aug. 19 Grand Outlaw National Tractor and Truck Pull sponsored by Iowa Farmer Today, 2 p.m.; $20 Adults, $10 children ages 6-11, free for ages 5 and under
• Thursday, Aug. 20 Alabama and special guest Chris Janson, 8 p.m., $40
• Friday, Aug. 21 To Be Announced
• Saturday, Aug. 22 Meghan Trainor with special guest to be announced, 8 p.m., $40
• Sunday, Aug. 23 ROCK-A-THON starring: Dee Snider, Dokken, Warrant, Firehouse and Eddie Trunk, 6 p.m., $30

"Nothing Compares" to the 2015 Iowa State Fair, August 13-23. The Fairgrounds are located at East 30th and East University Avenue, just 10 minutes east of downtown Des Moines. Discounted gate admission tickets are on sale now through our convenient print at home ticket option at www.iowastatefair.org. For more information, call 800/545-FAIR or visit www.iowastatefair.org.

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