26 Sep 2014

"Masterworks I: Into a New World" Presents Powerful Musical Selections

By Rick Martin

IA/IL QUAD-CITIES - The Quad City Symphony Orchestra (QCSO) celebrates its century of orchestral music with the return of celebrated American Master pianist Garrick Ohlsson, performing what may be the most challenging concerto for piano - Sergei Rachmaninoff's Third Piano Concerto. His performance is just one of the highlights of a musical presentation entitled Masterworks I: Into a New World.

Masterworks I: Into a New World will be held 8 p.m., Saturday, Oct. 4 at the Adler Theatre, Davenport, IA, and 2 p.m., Sunday, Oct. 5 at Centennial Hall, Augustana College, Rock Island, IL. QCSO Music Director and Conductor Mark Russell Smith will lead the orchestra. In addition to the Third Piano Concerto, the evening will include a world premiere composition by John Frantzen entitled "Beyond a Wild Dream," as well as Antonín Dvo?ák's New World Symphony.

"We choose the pieces for the first Masterworks performance of our 100th Season to be powerful, energetic and exhilarating," said Smith. "This will be a performance that audience members will remember for years to come." 

Rachmaninoff's Third Piano Concerto - Hard to Play, Easy to Love

Masterworks I will be Garrick Ohlsson's fourth performance with the QCSO. He last appeared with the Symphony in 1989. Ohlsson launched his career in 1970 when he became the first American to win the International Frédéric Chopin Piano Competition. He is an Avery Fisher Prize laureate, placing him alongside such luminaries as Midori and Yo-Yo Ma, and a Grammy Award winner for his recording of Beethoven's Sonatas.

According to QCSO Executive Director Benjamin Loeb, Rachmaninoff's Third Piano Concerto is a beautiful but monstrously difficult work for most pianists to play. "The piece requires large stretches of the hand, as well as tremendous energy," he said. "Garrick Ohlsson is a powerful musician, well-suited to playing the Third Piano Concerto. He can perform this composition with ease and majesty. He holds sovereign control over this piece." 

Sergei Rachmaninoff (1873-1943) was a Russian composer, pianist, and conductor. The early influence of Tchaikovsky, Rimsky-Korsakov, and other Russian composers gave his work a rich, expressive personal style. The Third Piano Concerto was first performed in public on Nov. 28, 1909 by Rachmaninoff himself. It was not until the 1930s that the Third Piano Concerto became popular, thanks largely to the advocacy of famed pianist Vladimir Horowitz.

Frantzen's "Beyond a Wild Dream" - An Energetic World Premiere

According to Loeb, the 2014-2015 Masterworks series will present the world premieres of five compositions. Masterworks I: Into a New World will offer the first premiere: "Beyond a Wild Dream" by John Frantzen, who grew up in Maquoketa, Iowa. "We are proud to be able to present a colorful, energetic composition by Frantzen," said Loeb. "Creators of symphonic music can come from any part of the globe - and they can be local, too. In addition to Frantzen, we also work with composers who are instructors at Augustana College and St. Ambrose University." 

John Frantzen now lives in Los Angeles, where he writes music in all genres including concert, chamber, dance, sound installations and film. He has collaborated with artists from around the world, including a recent sound installation created for his sister Rose Frantzen's art exhibit at Davenport's Figge Museum. 

"In writing 'Beyond a Wild Dream' for the Quad City Symphony Orchestra," Frantzen said, "I did some research to see what it would have been like to attend the very first symphony performance in the Quad-Cities - or Tri-Cities, as it was called 100 years ago. That performance included passionate works by Tchaikovsky and Wagner, among others. At that time, it was a wild dream to start an orchestra in the Tri-Cities, but still, citizens felt the need to support the arts in the community, no matter how big or small. My composition pays homage to that noble spirit."

Frantzen's musical career began when he was a student in Maquoketa, playing trombone for the school bands. During those years, he placed second in a national song-writing competition. "I loved being part of the band," he said, "and realized I had a passion to create. That made me want to become a composer." He received a full scholarship to Arizona State University as a trombonist and later completed a masters in composition at the Manhattan School of Music in New York. This development led to the successful career he is having today.

Dvo?ák's "From the New World" - Inspired by a Trip to America

The final piece of the evening comes from composer Antonín Dvo?ák (1841-1904), a citizen of what is now the Czech Republic. He was noted for his skill in turning folk material into the language of 19th-century Romantic music. In 1892, he accepted the post of Director of the National Conservatory of Music in New York.

During his three years in the United States, Dvo?ák traveled as far west as Iowa. His trip to America proved to be inspiring and productive. It led him to create the piece that widely became regarded as his signature work: the four-movement Symphony No. 9 in E Minor "From the New World," also known as "The New World Symphony." 

"We chose the New World Symphony because it is one of the most beloved pieces in the QCSO repertoire," said Loeb. "It is a lively, colorful composition that has been very popular with our patrons in the past, and its great energy makes it a perfect companion for the other musical selections." 

Quad City Symphony Orchestra tickets are available at the QCSO box office at 327 Brady St., Davenport, IA. You can also call the QCSO at (563) 322-7276 or visit www.qcso.org. For more information on future offerings from QCSO, be sure to download the full 100th Season brochure at www.qcso.org/calendar.html.

23 Sep 2014

Comedian Doug Stanhope's Last Gasp Tour hits Rock Island 10/16

By brian@theatrecorporation.com
Doug Stanhope's Last Gasp Tour continues through October 25

"The most fearless man in comedy." ESQUIRE, Nov. 2013

"An acidic blend of prickly hostility, elaborately articulated self-loathing and righteous anger." NEW YORK TIMES, Sept. 2013

Los Angeles, CA - Comedian Doug Stanhope begins the final leg of his 2014 Last Gasp Tour on October 8th in El Paso, Texas. The tour extends through the Southeast and Midwest, ending October 25 in Detroit. Tickets can be purchased online at DougStanhope.com or in person at the venue.

For advance interviews, contact brian@theatrecorporation.com.

The often controversial yet critically acclaimed Stanhope has been performing since 1990 and remains one of the most relentless touring comics in the country. Time Out New York has twice voted his live show "Best Comedy Performance of the Year."

Despite referring to actors as "tools," Stanhope occasionally takes a turn, recently appearing on an episode of FX's critically acclaimed Louie. He will also appear in the upcoming film Finally Famous, written and directed by Chris Rock.

As host, Doug infamously "ruined" the last season of Comedy Central's The Man Show and has appeared on The Howard Stern Show, Opie and Anthony, and Comedy Central. Doug is the Voice of America on BBC television's Weekly Wipe.

He's appeared at multiple major comedy festivals including Montreal's Just For Laughs and the UK's Edinburgh Festival Fringe, where he won the Strathmore Press Award for Best Act of the Fringe in his debut year.

Selected by both Variety and The Hollywood Reporter as one of the Top Ten Comics to Watch, Stanhope released his sixth DVD, Beer Hall Putsch, last September.

Follow Doug Stanhope on Twitter @DougStanhope

Last Gasp Tour dates:

October 8 El Paso, TX - El Paso Comic Strip Comedy Club
October 9 Albuquerque, NM - Launchpad
October 10 Amarillo, TX - GoldenLight Cantina
October 13 Springfield, MO - Outland Ballroom
October 14 Columbia, MO - Deja Vu Comedy Club
October 15 Peoria, IL - Jukebox Comedy Club
October 16 Rock Island, IL - Rock Island Brewing Company
October 17 and 18 Chicago, IL - Reggie's Live
October 20 Grand Rapids, MI - Dr. Grins @ The BOB
October 21 Pittsburgh, PA - Pittsburgh Improv
October 22 Fort Wayne, IN - Snickerz Comedy Club
October 23 Cleveland, OH - Cleveland Improv
October 24 Flint, MI - The Machine Shop
October 25 Detroit, MI - The Token Lounge
22 Sep 2014

QCWE announces Fall Concert and Masterclass featuring Kurt Dupuis

By QCWE

The Quad City Wind Ensemble (QCWE) and season sponsor Edward Jones announce a free fall concert featuring Master Gunnery Sergeant Kurt Dupuis, "The President's Own" Marine Band principal trumpeter.  The concert will be Sunday, October 26, at 3:00 p.m. in the Galvin Fine Arts Center, 517 W. Locust St., on the campus of St. Ambrose University in Davenport, IA.  Master Gunnery Sgt Dupuis will also conduct a Masterclass on Saturday, October 25th, from 12:00-3:00 p.m., also at the Galvin Fine Arts Center.  Both events are free and open to the public.  All are encouraged to bring their instrument to the Saturday masterclass.

Master Gunnery Sgt. Dupuis, of Rochester, N.H., joined "The President's Own" United States Marine Band in September 1992. He was named principal trumpet in 1997.

He began his musical instruction at age 8 and studied with Terry Detwiler, former Marine Band solo cornet. He graduated in 1985 from Spaulding High School in Rochester, N.H. and earned a bachelor's degree in music from Boston University in 1990 where he also pursued graduate studies. His teachers included Roger Voisin, Peter Chapman, and Dr. Robert Stibler. In addition, he has received extensive coaching from Rolf Smedvig, Timothy Morrison, Jeff Curnow, and Susan Slaughter.

Prior to joining "The President's Own," Master Gunnery Sgt. Dupuis was a fellow at the Tanglewood Music Center in Lenox, Mass., and was a participant at the Grand Teton Orchestral Seminar in Jackson Hole, Wyo., for two summers. He also was a member of the Atlantic Brass Quintet, winners of the Coleman International Chamber Music Competition, Summit Brass International Chamber Music Competition, and the Rafael Mendez International Chamber Music Competition. The quintet toured the U.S. and Canada under Columbia Artist Management and coached at the Empire Brass Seminar at the Tanglewood Institute. Master Gunnery Sgt. Dupuis has performed in conjunction with the Empire Brass both at Carnegie Hall in New York and at the Bermuda Arts Festival.

Master Gunnery Sgt. Dupuis currently resides in Alexandria, Va.  He has been featured as a soloist with both the Marine Band and Marine Chamber Orchestra, frequently conducts masterclasses at universities and has published an article in the International Trumpet Guild and The Brass Herald.

"Marine Band principal trumpet Master Gunnery Sgt. Kurt Dupuis' performance with the Quad City Wind Ensemble is in a volunteer capacity."

The Marine Band is America's oldest continuously active professional musical organization. Founded in 1798, the band has performed for every U.S. president since John Adams. Known as "The President's Own" since the days of Thomas Jefferson, the Marine Band's mission is to provide music for the President of the United States and the Commandant of the Marine Corps.

The QCWE was founded in 1987 by Dr. Charles B. DCamp of St. Ambrose University, and has become one of the finest adult bands in the nation. In 2012 the QCWE was the Community Division winner of The American Prize in Band/Wind Ensemble Performance.  For additional information, please visit www.qcwindensemble.org, http://www.facebook.com/qcwindensemble, or contact Tyné Rieck, QCWE Public Relations at info@qcwindensemble.org.

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22 Sep 2014

100 Years of the Quad City Symphony Orchestra

By Mark McLaughlin
Celebrating the Past, Looking Forward to the Future

IA/IL QUAD-CITIES - The 2014-2015 season marks the 100th year of the Quad City Symphony Orchestra (QCSO) in the Quad Cities area. Over the past century, the QCSO has presented masterpieces both old and new for the enjoyment of music lovers in the Midwest. "In celebrating our 100th Season, we look back on the rich legacy of our past, and also look forward to how we will serve the community in the next 100 years," said Mark Russell Smith, QCSO Music Director and Conductor. "We thank the people of the Quad Cities area for their sincere ongoing support." 

"We see the 100th Season as a wonderful opportunity to raise awareness as we celebrate this historic milestone," said Benjamin Loeb, QCSO Executive Director. "During the 100th Season we will present the world premieres of five compositions in the QCSO Masterworks series. Also, the season will end in a one-night-only concert featuring cellist Yo-Yo Ma, a best-selling classical recording artist with more than 75 albums, including 15 Grammy Award-winners."

According to Loeb, the 100th Season will feature works by three composers from the Quad-Cities and surrounding area. "The Riverfront Pops featured world-premiere music from a local composer in its pre-show," he said. "Several new arrangements by William Campbell, Composition Professor at St. Ambrose University, were performed by the Quad City Symphony Youth Ensemble." 

The first premiered piece in the Masterworks series is by John Frantzen, originally from Maquoketa, Iowa. "John now lives in Los Angeles, California, and composes for films and documentaries," Loeb said. "He comes from an artistic family - his sister, Rose Frantzen, is an accomplished artist whose work has appeared in full exhibits at Davenport's Figge Museum."

Loeb noted that the season will also include a commissioned work by Jacob Bancks, Assistant Professor of Theory and Composition at Augustana College. Loeb, an accomplished pianist, will perform the work with violinist David Bowlin on the first Signature Series concert October 19. 

The Holiday Pops will be conducted by new QCSO Assistant Conductor Benjamin Klemme and will feature the return engagements of the First Presbyterian Church Sanctuary Choir and Quad City Symphony Youth Choir. Cirque de la Symphonie, the group that thrilled QC audiences a few years back with their energetic troupe of aerial flyers, acrobats, contortionists, dancers and more, will be back as well. A new work by composer Gary Fry will receive its world premiere at the Holiday Pops. This year, Holiday Pops will be back at the Adler Theatre in three performances including a Saturday matinee perfect for family members of all ages.

According to Smith, the many premieres in the 100th Season show that the QCSO is deeply invested in perpetuating the classical tradition. "Classical music isn't meant to be a museum," he said. "It's a live, vibrant, creative force. It's not just about the past: it's about the present and the future. We enjoy bringing new works to the public's attention. The composers we are working with all have very different voices, as unique and diverse as the individuals themselves."

The 100th Season also marks the return of famed pianist Garrick Ohlsson, who last appeared with the QCSO in 1989. Ohlsson is an international grandmaster pianist and the first American to win the International Frederic Chopin Piano Competition. "Ohlsson is a personal favorite of mine," Loeb said. "He creates incredible emotion without being overly sentimental."

The highlight of the 100th Season will be a performance by master cellist, Yo-Yo Ma. "He is today's biggest star in classical music," Loeb said. "He receives countless requests to perform. We went through seven months of negotiations before he said 'Yes' in late 2013. He has worked with me and Mark Russell Smith before, and that helped to secure the engagement." 

Loeb went to work lining up sponsors for the Yo-Yo Ma performance and gained enthusiastic support from the Riverboat Development Authority, Modern Woodmen of America, and John Deere. "We are delighted that Yo-Yo Ma will be coming to the Quad-Cities to share his unique talents," he said, "and we know most music lovers throughout the area share that sentiment."

In addition to the Pops Series, Masterworks Series and Signature Series, the 100th Season will also include Youth Concerts, Family Concerts, Side by Side Concerts, and Volunteer Events, as well as such multi-faceted educational programs as youth ensembles and school education engagements. Many other programs are also in place to enhance the public's enjoyment and enlightenment, including:

Inside the Music: Conversations with QCSO Music Director Mark Russell Smith on Thursday afternoons at the Hotel Blackhawk before the Masterworks. Students@Symphony: Local students are invited to QCSO dress rehearsals and interact with the guest soloists, QCSO musicians and Music Director Mark Russell Smith.

Concert Conversations: Pre-concert conversations one hour before concert start time, hosted by Kai Swanson of Augustana College.

Afterglow: A gathering in the lobby of the Hotel Blackhawk after Saturday Masterworks with free hors d'oeuvres, cash bar, and a chance to socialize with the musicians from the concert.

"The QCSO has been a part of this community for a century, and that says a lot," Smith observed. "It has played an important role in this area since it first began, and will continue to be just as important 100 years from now. The Symphony is part of what makes this an exciting place to live. It adds inherent value to the community."

For more information on each event, be sure to download the full season brochure at  http://www.qcso.org/calendar.. 

Quad City Symphony Orchestra tickets are available at the QCSO box office at 327 Brady St., Davenport. You can also call the QCSO at (563) 322-7276 or visit  http://www.qcso.org.

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22 Sep 2014

The Festival of Praise Tour

By New Anthem

Fred Hammond & Donnie McClurkin

The Festival of Praise Tour

7:00 pm Monday, September 29, 2014

Adler Theatre, 136 E. 3rd Street, Davenport, IA 52801

The Festival of Praise Tour is brought to us by Echo Ministries.

For more than 35 years, music listeners around the world have known Fred Hammond as a talented songwriter, bassist and vocalist. Known worldwide as the tall raspy tenor who commands your attention with his powerful and rich sounding vocals, Donnie McClurkin has more than proven that is far more than a gospel singer.

One of the most celebrated artists in gospel music, Donnie McClurkin is the Senior Pastor of Perfecting Faith Church in Freeport, NY, host of a nationally syndicated radio show and a judge on Sunday Best, the highly-rated gospel talent competition show on the BET Network. He is currently promoting his latest CD project, Duets. This is McClurkin's first tour since the highly acclaimed The King's Men Tour 2012, which featured Kirk Franklin, Marvin Sapp and Israel Houghton. "I can't begin to express how excited I am to be teaming up with my long-time friend and brother, Fred Hammond, for the Festival of Praise Tour," says Donnie.  "We're planning a great evening of worship that we know will minister to people across the country and spread the message of God's love."

Message from New Anthem:

"A lot of people don't know this, but I produced the annual Quad City Gospel Music Festival with Valerie Davis for over 13 years. We helped to teach Valerie the concert business, gave her start up office equipment, paid her way to Nashville for Christian concert promoter training and we worked in depth with her starting in 1997. Valerie Davis is now the region's most respected concert promoter, having brought in big names from the African-American Gospel recording industry over decades, and more recently, the Smooth Jazz Concert Series (which is celebrating its 10th Anniversary next month!)

"The coolest thing about the experience over those years was what the mainstream 'white' church is missing, and has no idea of. Our African-American brothers and sisters in the Lord are so richly blessed with spirit and love, with worship and praise, it's something that I wish every single believer in the Quad Cities area could experience first-hand. Because I know how richly you would be blessed by the experience. The trick is getting the mainstream to go to these events. Here is a great chance to do more than witness it, but to experience it first-hand. Don't miss this!

"Yours in Christ,

Timm Dalman

New Anthem Ministries"

19 Sep 2014

HOME-GROWN HORROR FESTIVAL TO BE HELD IN OTTUMWA

By Jason Bolinger
Prescribed Films, an independent film group based out of Ottumwa, Iowa, is set to kick-off their fifth annual horror convention and celebration?Halloweenapalooza! The venue for the festival will be the Green Street Hall Mall located at 116 North Green Street in Ottumwa, and will run from 12 PM on Saturday, October 11th, until 2am. The event will play host to celebrities, film screenings, vendors, costume contests, and live music!

This may be the fifth time around for Prescribed Films, but this year they're showing that their bag of tricks is far from empty.  This year is set to feature celebrity guests, as well as a film festival! Horror movie fans will be excited to see scream queen Linnea Quigley in attendance. Quigley is best known for her roles in films such as Return of the Living Dead and Night of the Demons. Actor/Writer/Filmmaker Justin Beahm will also be attending the celebration.  Beahm has worked with such companies including: Fangoria, Scream Factory, Anchor Bay, and Famous Monsters of Filmland. Recently, Mr. Beahm also had a small role in the cult hit Sharknado.

The list of scheduled events packs quite a punch and is sure to please.

·                     12 PM - 6 PM:  Film Festival
This festival is open to new entries. Awards will be given for best short and feature film. For submission information go to http://filmfreeway.com/festival/halloweenapalooza

·                     6 PM:  Zombie Walk

Come dressed as your favorite zombie and walk amongst the living in Ottumwa! The zombie walk is completely free to the public. Prizes will be awarded for best costume.

·                     Immediately following Zombie Walk: Costume Contest

Convention attendees will be eligible to enter the costume contest.  Prizes will be awarded for best adult and best child.

·                     7:00 PM:  Silk Screening

Silk is a short film featuring celebrity guest Justin Beahm. Directed by Rob Himebaugh.

·                     7:15 PM:  Demonica Screening

Demonica is a full-length feature horror film made by Prescribed Films featuring Linnea Quigley and Justin Beahm. A Q&A will follow the film.

·                     9:00 PM:  Live Music

X-Ray Mary and The Sediments are two live acts scheduled to perform?more acts to follow.

·                     12:00 AM:  Rocky Horror Picture Show

The cult classic will be shown featuring shout-outs, survival kits, and all!

Vendors and food will be available all day. A few vendors appearing include : Amber's Voodoo Kitchen and Studio 2 Tattoos.  There are still several vendor slots available.

Tickets for this all-day event are only $10, but children 12 and under get in completely free! Keep an eye out for updates at http://halloweenapalooza.prescribedfilms.com. For any questions, please contact email halloweenapalooza@gmail.com.

 

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19 Sep 2014

NASHVILLE BAND, GOODBYE JUNE, WINS GRAND PRIZE IN UNSIGNED ONLY MUSIC COMPETITION

By Candace Avery
John Oates, Rosanne Cash, Of Monsters and Men, Dustin Lynch,
Mike Posner, Neon Trees, and 3 Doors Down Are Among 2014 Judges

September 16, 2014 - Unsigned Only Music Competition is pleased to announce its 2014 winners selected from over 8,000 entries worldwide. The overall Grand Prize goes to the up-and-coming Nashville band Goodbye June with the song "Daisy." Judged by a roster of high-profile journalists and artists such as Of Monsters And Men, Rosanne Cash, Mike Posner, John Oates, Dustin Lynch and many more, Unsigned Only is a unique music competition designed for solo artists and bands who are unsigned to a major label.
Winning $10,000 cash and additional merchandise, the Grand Prize winner also receives the unprecedented opportunity to be mentored by the top echelon of record company professionals, including Presidents and top-level executives from Universal Republic, Sire, Elektra, Atlantic, Warner Bros., Capitol, Sub Pop, Big Machine, Roc Nation, Virgin, Word, American Recordings, and Minty Fresh.
"We're thrilled that our judges selected Nashville rockers Goodbye June as this year's Grand Prize winners," state Founders Candace Avery and Jim Morgan. "As a band that is clearly moving up the ranks in the independent world of rock and roll, we predict it won't be long before this band will be gracing the same stages as some of their more
well-known idols. Goodbye June, hello world!"
Southern rock with a contemporary twist, Goodbye June's music showcases their individual and collective talents, as well as their grit and soul. The three cousins who comprise Goodbye June believe that the key to their success is their openness and honesty with each other, and this has contributed to how their sound was created.  Formed after the death of the guitarist's brother, playing music became an emotional release and a big part of the healing process for them. Their debut album "Nor The Wild Music Flow" was released in 2012, alongside their debut music video "Microscope" featuring St. Louis Rams head coach Jeff Fisher and country star Steve Holy. The band embarked on a debut European tour in the Fall of 2013 where they toured through Germany, Sweden, Finland, Holland, Belgium, France, and Spain during a 6-week stint across the Atlantic. The guys are currently finishing up their yet-to-be-titled sophomore album with Grammy-nominated producer Paul Moak and Kevin Williamson.
In addition to the Grand Prize winner, many other deserving artists are winners in their respective categories. With a total of 11 categories and First and Second Place in each (along with a list of Honorable Mentions), Unsigned Only covers all genres of commercial contemporary music, including: Adult Album Alternative (AAA); Adult Contemporary (AC); Americana; Christian; Country; Folk/Singer-Songwriter; R&B/Hip-Hop; Rock; Pop/Top 40; Teen; and Vocal Performance.
In addition to all the category winners, Unsigned Only launched a new opportunity for entrants called "Screen Shot." Geared toward the placement of music in film, TV, advertising, and video games, Screen Shot's goal is to connect independent artists with industry contacts who are looking for music for upcoming projects. The 2014 winner is the Los Angeles, CA band The Bicycle Mob for their song "Bursting Into Life." In addition to cash and prizes courtesy of Radio Airplay, the winner also gets to directly network with a group of music placement executives, including: Alec Sharpe (Shine America); Ani Johnson (Monomyth Media); Chip Miller (Desert C.A.M. Studios, Inc., Winmill Films LLC); Cindy Badell-Slaughter (Heavy Hitters Music Group); David Weiss (The SongHunters); Evan Stein (Experience Music Group); Jamie Sparks (Kicksta Music Group); Jennifer Taunton (Level Two Music); Jessica Cole (Lyric House); Karyn Rachtman (Mind Your Music); Linnette Harrigan (Linnette Harrigan Media); Michelle Bayer (Shelly Bay Music); Michelle Silverman (Modern Planet); Pat Weaver (Discovery Network); Rebecca Rienks (E! Entertainment/NBC Universal); Richard Kirstein (Resilient Music); James Michael Kempter II (JMKconnections); and Velma Barkwell (East End Music).
2014 Judges include : John Oates (Hall & Oates); 3 Doors Down; Neon Trees; David Crowder; Rosanne Cash; Craig Morgan; Delbert McClinton; Darryl McDaniels (Run DMC); Of Monsters and Men; Black Francis (Pixies); Aaron Shust; G. Love; Jason Gray; Dustin Lynch; The Mountain Goats; Alt-J; Mike Posner; Rapsody; Anthony DeCurtis (Contributing Editor, Rolling Stone); Chris Richards (Pop Music Critic, The Washington Post); Josh Jackson (Co-Founder and Editor-In-Chief, Paste Magazine); Lucy Jones (Deputy Editor, NME); and Michael Hann (Music Editor, The Guardian)
2014 Mentors include : Monte Lipman (Founder and Chairman/CEO, Republic Records); Jeff Castelaz (President, Elektra Records); Seymour Stein (Chairman, SIRE Records and VP of Warner Bros Records); Pete Ganbarg (Executive VP/Head of A&R, Atlantic Records); Mike Elizondo (Sr. VP of A&R, Warner Bros. Records); Tony Kiewel (VP of A&R Sub Pop Records, Hardly Art, Sub Pop Publishing); Allison B. Jones (VP of A&R, Big Machine Label Group); Josh Bailey (Sr. VP of A&R, Word Label Group); Kim Stephens (President, Forward Entertainment and A&R/Capitol Music Group); Lenny Santiago (VP of A&R, Roc Nation); Dino Paredes (Sr. VP of A&R/GM, American Recordings); and Evan Peters (Director of A&R, Virgin Records)
Sponsors include : Guitar Center, Casio, Sony Creative Software, Ultimate Ears, Disc Makers, D'Addario, The Intellitouch Tuner, Topspin Media, Mrs. Fields Cookies, The Music Business Registry, and Celebrity Access.

Unsigned Only is now accepting entries for the 2015 competition. Information on submissions can be found at www.unsignedonly.com.
The 2014 winning songs can be heard at www.unsignedonly.com/winners
The complete list of 2014 Unsigned Only winners is as follows:
GRAND PRIZE
Goodbye June  (Nashville, TN, USA) - "Daisy"
AAA (ADULT ALBUM ALTERNATIVE)
First Place
Airport Impressions (Ix-Xghajra, Malta) "Berlin"
Second Place
Sam Eliot (London, England) - "Believe"
Honorable Mention
Canon Logic (Brooklyn, NY) - "Crocodile"
Cultfever (Brooklyn, NY, USA) - "Knew You Well"
Flashbulb Fires (Denver, CO, USA) - "Unseen Things"
Late Night Poets (Auckland, New Zealand) - "My Darling"
Mike Mains & The Branches (Owosso, MI, USA) - "Everything's Gonna Be Alright"
Nakia (Austin, TX, USA) - "Make Up With A Gun"
Ships Have Sailed (Los Angeles, CA, USA) - "Midnight"
The Brevet (Irvine, CA, USA) - "Moving Mountains"
The Never Ever (Sydney, NSW, Australia) - "In Or Out"
Wesley Jensen And The Penny Arcade (Redding, CA, USA) - "Some Days"
ADULT CONTEMPORARY (AC)
First Place
The Luck (London, England) - "Muscles And Bones"
Second Place
Robyn Dell'Unto (Mississauga, ON, Canada) - "Side Car"
Honorable Mention
Chris And Cheryl (Rabat, Malta) - "Calling Out My Name"
Cindy Gomez (Mississauga, ON, Canada) - "Immune To Love"
Lena Fayre (Los Angeles, CA, USA) - "Everybody's In"
Ratham Stone (Orlando, FL, USA) - "Bang Bang"
Sarah Packiam (Miami, FL, USA) - "Silly Little Love Songs"
Sarah Peacock (Nashville, TN, USA) - "Beautiful"
Ships Have Sailed (Los Angeles, CA, USA) - "Midnight"
The Score (New York, NY, USA) - "Don't Wanna Wake Up"
Tom Dobson (Bristol, CT, USA) - "Back On Top Of The World"
AMERICANA
First Place
You Me & Apollo (Fort Collins, CO, USA) - "I Don't Want To Be Loved"
Second Place
Gena Rose Bruce (Melbourne, VIC, Australia) - "Jackson"
Honorable Mention
Carl Wirkkala (Castle Rock, WA, USA) - "Goodbye Comin"
Dan Livingston (Lexington, NY, USA) - "The Road Home (Jackson's Song")
Grant Maloy Smith (Wakefield, RI, USA) - "Down The Wishing Well"
Gretta Ziller (Melbourne, VIC, Australia) - "Rust & Bones"
Hicks (Saltsjo-Boo, Sweden) - "Unreachable Dream"
Jesse Terry (Stonington, CT, USA) - "Don't Let Me Fall For You"
Jesse Terry (Stonington, CT, USA) - "Stay Here With Me"
Miles Calder & The Rumours (Wellington, New Zealand) - "The Avenue"
Rebecca Haviland and Whiskey Heart (White Plains, NY, USA) - "Black Dog"
Syre& Fresko (Melbourne, VIC, Australia) - "Ruth"
The Brevet (Irvine, CA, USA) - "Moving Mountains"
The Whiskey Farm (Madison, WI, USA) - "If I Were You"
CHRISTIAN
First Place
Nate Miller (Los Angeles, CA, USA) - "The Darkest Spaces"
Second Place
Aaron Buchholz (Langley, BC, Canada) - "Circles"
Honorable Mention
Attaboy (Huntington, IN, USA) - "Unshaken"
Ben Woodward (Roseville, CA, USA) - "Where Hope Comes Alive"
Chelsea Amber (Halifax, NS, Canada) - "Diamond In The Rough"
Jared Wood (Frisco, TX, USA) - "Forevermore"
Jennifer Holloran (Orlando, FL, USA) - "Come On Home"
Jonathan Jackson (Greenville, IN, USA) - "Awake"
Leah (Oklahoma City, OK, USA) - "Awaken Me"
Marcy Priest (Oklahoma City, OK, USA) - "Your Love"
Mikey Moore (Silverdale, WA, USA) - "Saving Grace"
Ryan Bell (Houston, TX, USA) - "Chasing Daylight"
Zion Harmonizers (New Orleans, LA, USA) - "People Get Ready"
COUNTRY
First Place
The Morrison Brothers Band (Washington, DC, USA) - "Little Miss Whiskey"
Second Place
Jenny Tolman (Brentwood, TN, USA) - "Damn Cigarettes"
Honorable Mention
Anthony Mossburg (Columbus, OH, USA) - "Whiskey & Wine"
Brad Cunningham (Columbia, MO, USA) - "Wings"
Breaking Southwest (McKinney, TX, USA) - "Breathe"
Casey Barnes (Kingscliff, NSW, Australia) - "Flesh & Bone"
Fairchild Brothers (Toronto, ON, Canada) - "I Have Your Touch"
Heather Longstaffe (Winnipeg, MB, Canada) - "Love You Back To Life"
Kaylee Bell (Waimate, New Zealand) - "Little Bit Small"
Lindsey Erin (York, PA, USA) - "Up In Smoke Ft.Jason Wyatt (The Lost Trailers)"
Mike Biggar (Rothesay, NB, Canada) - "Better Men"
FOLK/SINGER-SONGWRITER
First Place
Danielle Deckard (Vineland, NJ, USA) - "I Lied"
Second Place
Late Night Poets (Auckland, New Zealand) - "My Darling"
Honorable Mention
Altitudes (Nashville, TN, USA) - "I'm Feeling Fine"
Big Little Lions (Royston, BC, Canada) - "The Way Home"
Brittney Bouchard (Orlando, FL, USA) - "I Will Be Yours"
Covey (London, England) - "Comes And Goes"
Evan Bourque (Vancouver, BC, Canada) - "Hey New Love"
Korby Lenker (Twin Falls, ID, USA) - "My Little Life"
Mike Stocksdale (Los Angeles, CA, USA) - "Known Better"
Scott Richmond (Regina, SK, Canada) - "You'll Be In My Heart"
The Bicycle Mob (Los Angeles, CA, USA) - "Bursting Into Life"
The Brilliancy (Windsor, ON, Canada) - "Not Over You Just Yet"
The Royal Foundry (Sherwood Park, AB, Canada) - "Run Back"
Will Dailey (Boston, MA, USA) - "Higher Education"
POP/TOP 40
First Place
Willa (Vancouver, BC, Canada) - "Criminal"
Second Place
Asha Sing (Miami, FL, USA) - "Mercy"
Honorable Mention
Stephanie K (Detroit, MI, USA) - "Breaking Up"
Ginger And The Ghost (Sydney, NSW, Australia) - "Call Up The Whales"
Aylin & The Lucky Charms (Constanta, Romania) - "Chemistry"
Natania Lalwani (Mumbai, India) - "Electrolove"
Lena Fayre (Los Angeles, CA, USA) - "Everybody's In"
Kittens Of The Internet (Auckland, New Zealand ) - "Living The Dream"
Ships Have Sailed (Los Angeles, CA, USA) - "Midnight"
Lili Kendall (Brisbane, QLD, Australia) - "Move"
Fieu (Brisbane, QLD, Australia) - "Put It On The Line"
Maggie Szabo (Dundas, ON, Canada) - "Tidal Waves And Hurricanes"
MZ Diggy Dulche (Columbus, OH, USA) - "Time Is Money"
Alkira (Melbourne, VIC, Australia) - "Undone"
R&B/HIP-HOP
First Place
Allan Rayman (Toronto, ON, Canada) - "LA/NY/CHI (Monopoly)"
Second Place
Nuela Charles (Edmonton, AB, Canada) - "Unfortunate Love"
Honorable Mention
Apollo Poetry (Phoenix, AZ, USA) - "Celebrate"
Charles Coleman (Brooklyn, NY, USA)  - "Love Jones"
Eastern Sunz (Portland, OR, USA) - "Plans"
Evan Barlow (Richmond, VA, USA) - "Triumphant Ft. Mcbeth"
HAITHAM (Calgary, AB, Canada) - "Change A Thing"
Immaculate (Armstrong, BC, Canada) - "Counting Wolves"
Kyle Bent (Boston, MA, USA) - "I'mma Do Me"
Mark Brathwaite (Toronto, ON, Canada) - "Rain"
Name UL (Wellington, New Zealand) - "Pa Do Ra"
Ray (London, England) - "Rock-A-Bye"
(RAS) Riders Against the Storm (Austin, TX, USA) - "Holy Water"
Tia P (Inglewood, CA, USA) - "In A Perfect World"
Trigga & Semi (Anchorage, AK, USA) - "Booming"
Zyon Gooden (Fayetteville, NC, USA) "Love Games"
ROCK
First Place
King No-One (York, England) - "Millennium""
Second Place
Canon Logic  (Brooklyn, NY, USA) - "Runaway"
Honorable Mention
Beauty Contest (Montreal, QC, Canada) - "Anyhow"
Dear Adeline (Surrey, BC, Canada) - "One Day"
Drew McTaggart (Vancouver, BC, Canada) - "I Heard I Had"
Kid Zeus (Sydney, NSW, Australia) - "Rabbit Suit"
Magnetic Clouds (Katowice, Poland) - "Fly Away"
Red Empire (Dublin, Ireland) - "Small Mercies"
Sam Eliot (London, England) - "Believe"
Talltails (Gold Coast, QLD, Australia) - "The Long Arm"
The Golden Dogs (Toronto, ON, Canada) - "Do It For You"
Veludo (Melbourne, VIC, Australia) - "Indigo"
Von Pariahs - (Nantes, France) - "At The Fairground"
Will Dailey (Boston, MA, USA) - "Lookout Johnny"
TEEN
First Place
Lili Kendall (Brisbane, QLD, Australia) - "Move"
Second Place
Ray Goren (Los Angeles, CA, USA) - "Save My Soul"
Honorable Mention
Danielle Marie (Edmonton, AB, Canada) - "Mad Kicks"
Emilia de Leur (Upplands Väsby, Sweden) - "One Thing"
HANA (Cardiff, Wales) - "L.O.V.E."
Jenny Tolman (Brentwood, TN, USA) - "Damn Cigarettes"
Kathryn Dean (San Diego, CA, USA) - "You Wish She Was Me"
Lena Fayre (Los Angeles, CA, USA) - "Love Burning Alive"
Lyric Dubee (Barrie, ON, Canada) - "They Say"
Sam Verlinden (Auckland, New Zealand) - "A Million Reasons"
Sharp Turn Ahead (Laguna Beach, CA, USA) - "Just For You"
Straalen (Gold Coast, QLD, Australia) - "1-2-3"
Victoria Celestine (San Antonio, TX, USA) - "Crazy"
Whitney Lusk (Spanish Fork, UT, USA) - "I Wanna Know"
VOCAL PERFORMANCE
First Place
Lindsey Harper (Los Angeles, CA, USA) - "Electricity"
Second Place
Liam Burrows - Sydney, NSW, Australia - "Skylark"
Honorable Mention
Alex Hahn & The Blue Riders (Sydney, NSW, Australia) - "I'd Rather Go Blind"
Andrea Pais (Belgaum, India) - "Chasing Forever"
Anthony Mossburg (Columbus, OH, USA) - "After All"
Curtis & Reinhard (Hoboken, NJ, USA) - "No Nothing"
Danielle Deckard (Vineland, NJ, USA) - "I Lied"
Jon Henninger (Mount Vernon, IL, USA) - "I Find You"
Joshua Carswell (Raleigh, NC, USA) - "I'm So Lonesome I Could Cry"
Liam Burrows (Sydney, NSW, Australia) - "Never Fallen In Love So Easily Before"
Maggie Szabo (Dundas, ON, Canada) - "Tidal Waves And Hurricanes"
Sophie Hanlon (Sydney, NSW, Australia) - "My Dark Crusade"
Victoria Celestine (San Antonio, TX, USA) - "Crazy"
Vladislav Kurasov (Kiev, Ukraine) - "Hallelujah"
FANDEMONIUM
Vladislav Kurasov (Kiev, Ukraine) - "Hallelujah"
SCREEN SHOT
The Bicycle Mob (Los Angeles, CA, USA) - "Bursting Into Life"
Information on Unsigned Only and Winners:
For more information and photos of winners, please contact Candace Avery at
19 Sep 2014

Quad Cities Ambient Trio - Album Release and Upcoming Show

By Tom Janikowski
The Quad Cities trio, the Kinoslav Studio Orchestra will be performing live on Friday, 24 October at Trinity Anglican Church, 1818 6th Avenue in Rock Island. Come and enjoy an evening of ambient music in a breathtaking setting. The Orchestra invites you to be their guest for a couple of hours of meditative music - feel free to bring a pillow, cushion, or blankets, and settle in for a truly relaxing and psybient experience. There is no cover charge, but you are encouraged to bring a non-perishable food item for the local food pantry. The evening begins at about 8 PM, and you should feel free to come and go (quietly) as you please.
The Kinoslav Studio Orchestra is based in Rock Island and Davenport, and have just recently released their first album, "ICON", on the Silent Flow Netlabel from Chisinau, Moldova.  Their music is both organic and electronic, and is grounded in the ambient and classical avant-garde traditions.  The Orchestra is composed of Sergei Czerewko on violin, Thomas Wakeland on bass, and Tom Janikowski on guitar and keyboards.  For more information, please see their website, www.kinoslava.blogspot.com
http://silent.com.md/the-kinoslav-studio-orchestra-icon-slnt070/
19 Sep 2014

Big Apple Circus: METAMORPHOSIS' Brings the Big Top to Big Screens Nationwide on Nov. 8

By Rick Martin
Fathom Events and BY Experience are ecstatic to bring New York's original one-ring circus to select cinemas nationwide for a special LIVE event for the first time in its 37 year history. "Big Apple Circus: METAMORPHOSIS" will broadcast LIVE from the circus' big top tent in New York's Lincoln Center on Saturday, November 8 at 12:30 p.m. ET/11:30 a.m. CT/10:30 a.m. MT and tape delayed to 12:30 p.m. PT.
A show for all ages, audiences will enjoy an array of classical circus artistry such as clowning, juggling and acrobatics plus the merriment of camels, horses, playful pooches and more.
"Big Apple Circus: METAMORPHOSIS" will be shown at the following cinemas in your area on November 8:
Cinemark Davenport 18 with IMAX 3601 E 53RD ST DAVENPORT IA 52807
Tickets are available now at participating theater box offices and online at www.FathomEvents.com. For a complete list of theaters, click here.
Feel free to contact us for review tickets, more information on "Big Apple Circus: METAMORPHOSIS," or any of Fathom's upcoming events. For artwork/photos, click here.
19 Sep 2014

TICKETS FOR DISNEY ON ICE PRESENTS WORLDS OF FANTASY PRESENTED BY STONYFIELD YOKIDS ORGANIC YOGURT

By Lindsey Lobur

On SALE NOW at the iWireless Center

Moline, IL, 9/12/14 - Rev up for non-stop fun with four of your favorite Disney stories when Disney On Ice presents Worlds of Fantasy Presented by Stonyfield YoKids Organic Yogurt comes to your hometown!  This one-of-a-kind production visits Moline from Thursday, Dec. 4 to Sunday, Dec 7 for seven performances at the iWireless Center. Tickets are on sale now and are available at the iWireless Box Office.

Thrill to high-speed stunts as Lightning McQueen, Mater and the crew of Disney*Pixar's Cars race across the ice. Dive into The Little Mermaid's enchanting undersea kingdom and enter the mystical world of Pixie Hollow with Tinker Bell and the Disney Fairies as they reveal the magic that lies within! The toys are back in town with heroic action when Buzz Lightyear, Woody, Jessie, and the Toy Story gang escape from the rambunctious tots of Sunnyside Daycare and race for home, in their most daring adventure ever!

From wheels to waves, playtime to pixie dust, your family's favorite Disney moments come to life at Disney On Ice presents Worlds of Fantasy with dazzling skating, special effects and beloved characters certain to create a lifetime of memories.

Tickets for Disney On Ice presents Worlds of Fantasy start at the iWireless Center, located at 1201 River Drive in Moline. Tickets are $17.00, $23.00, 36.00 VIP or 53.00 Ice Side. For ticket information please see iwirelesscenter.com or  ticketmaster.com. For group rates and information,call Lindsey at 309.277.1356 or email llobur@iwirelesscenter.com.

Worlds of Fantasy: Performance Schedule:

*No Discounts on VIP or Ice Side Seating

*All seats are reserved, and tickets are available at the iWireless Center box office, and by calling Ticketmaster at 800-745-3000.

To learn more about Disney On Ice Presented by Stonyfield YoKids Organic Yogurt, log on to www.disneyonice.com, or visit us on Facebook and YouTube.

 

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About Feld Entertainment:

Feld Entertainment is the worldwide leader in producing and presenting live touring family entertainment experiences that lift the human spirit and create indelible memories, with 30 million people in attendance at its shows each year. Feld Entertainment's productions have appeared in more than 75 countries and on six continents to date and include Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey®, Monster Jam®, Monster Energy Supercross, NuclearCowboyz®, AMSOIL Arenacross, Disney On Ice Presented by Stonyfield YoKids Organic Yogurt, Disney Live! Presented by Stonyfield YoKids Organic Yogurtand Marvel Universe LIVE! More information on Feld Entertainment is available online at www.feldentertainment.com.

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