- West Music Quad Cities is excited to host a ukulele circle for the community on Saturday, June 21 in celebration of Make Music Day. Ukulele enthusiasts of any age or ability are welcome to join in the fun and make music together. This free family-friendly event will run from 12:00-4:00PM will include giveaways from Kala Brand, like tuning cards, posters, and special one-day only pricing on Kala Brand ukuleles. Additionally, the Quad Cities Ukulele Club will also meet starting at 1:00PM and any interested ukulele players are welcome to attend. West Music Quad Cities is located at 4305 44th Avenue in Moline, Illinois. For more information, contact Leif Rehnberg, Store Manager, at 309-764-9300 or lrehnberg@westmusic.com

This event is one of many hosted by West Music throughout the year for students, teachers, friends and the general public. This is a great opportunity for musicians to come together in their communities and showcase their passion for music and creativity. Best of all, Make Music Day and West Music's ukulele circle bring to life West Music's mission to create musical communities and to help people experience the power of making music.

About Make Music Day

Make Music takes place each year on the summer solstice. Founded in France as the Fête de la Musique, it is now the world's largest annual music event, celebrated in 800 cities across 110 countries. On June 21, from morning to night, people of all ages, creeds, and musical persuasions - from hip hop to opera, Latin jazz to punk rock - perform in thousands of free concerts all over the world. From high school bands to marquee names, the celebration is open to absolutely anyone who wants to participate. To find out more about Make Music Day, visit makemusicday.org.

About Kala Brand Music Co.

Established in 2005, Kala Brand Music Co. offers over 120 models of Ukulele, the Kala U-BASS, and an extensive line of ukulele accessories. Kala Brand Music Co. also distributes Aquila Strings.

About The Quad Cities Ukulele Club

The Quad Cities Ukulele Club (QCUC) was formed in early 2012 by Erin Mahr, a resident of the Quad Cities. The club is open to any and all ukulele enthusiasts and meets bi monthly at West Music Quad Cities, as well as performs at many community functions. Participants are encouraged to show up, trade ideas, and have fun! Find out more about QCUC by visiting their Facebook page.

About West Music Company

Founded in 1941, West Music continues creating musical communities by providing knowledge, products, and services people need to experience the power of making music! West Music specializes in pianos, guitars, drums and percussion, band and orchestra instruments, and print music as well as offers music instruction, repair and music therapy services. West Music has eight retail locations in Iowa and western Illinois including two new locations with their recent merger with Kephart's Music Center. For more information, visit West Music's website at www.westmusic.com or call 1-800-373-2000.

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"If you need something fun to do this Friday, June 20th, come on out to Ca'd'Zan in Cambridge to see Duane Cliatt play! Hailing from Nashville, the heart of country music, Duane boasts one of the most unique, incredible voices you'll ever hear, and you'd be doing yourself a disservice not to see what all of the fuss is about. A tour tested artist, he's shared the stage with The Allman Brothers, Michael Bolton, and Brett Michaels, so you know you're gonna get your socks knocked off. The show starts at 7, and you better get there early so you can snag a good place to watch!

The first 10 people to the door will get a free copy of Duane's album, "Sweet and Simple," and be sure to follow him on twitter at www.twitter.com/duanecliatt to talk with Duane and stay up to date! Tickets are $10."

The ARTery, a Rock Island gallery which features new regional talent, will expand its programming with a novel idea on Saturday, June 28. Acoustic double-neck guitarist Ian Ethan will give a concert accompanied by selected local artists interpreting and painting, in real time, what they hear in the multi-layered instrumental music. An artists' reception will follow the show, when the just-painted, musically-inspired pieces will be displayed.

Ian Ethan's music is loaded with visual possibilities. With 18 strings, innovative playing techniques, and a complex array of electronic looping pedals which he uses to capture and play back parts of the live compositions, the young guitarist builds scores of harmonic and rhythmic layers into his original, uncategorizable songs. The result is music that has been described as "colorful," "rich," "magical," and even "spiritual." The idea of combining visual and musical art is not new to Ian Ethan. Recently, the Planetarium at the Boston Museum of Science held a series of light-image shows specifically designed to accompany his music, performed live under the dome. For a preview of the evening's music, visit www.IanEthan.com.

Avenue, Rock Island. The June 28 event will run from 6 to 9 p.m., with the concert beginning at 6:30. Wine, beer, and snacks will be served. Attendees will also have the opportunity to view the gallery's current show titled "Text is a Four-Letter Word," by Steve Banks, Heidi Hernandez, and Terry Rathje. No admission will be charged but donations in support of the ARTery and the guest musician will be gratefully received. For more information, please call (309) 781-7668 or e-mail Carolyn Krueger at carolynjkrueger@gmail.com.

The 30th anniversary Mississippi Valley Blues Festival couldn't succeed without over 200 volunteers to make it happen.  Volunteers receive free admission and a souvenir t-shirt, as well as the undying gratitude of the Mississippi Valley Blues Society.

These volunteer shifts are still available:

• Thursday July 3, 4:30?8:30 Tokens and Gate
• Thursday July 3, 8:30?11:30 Beer Tent, Tokens and Gate.
• Friday July 4 and Saturday July 5, Help needed everywhere from 6:00?9:30 and 9:30?11:30

To volunteer, register online at www.mvbs.org.  Click on Fest, then Volunteer.