The second concert  of the Bear River Concert Serious will be June 27th at 7 PM in the Sill Barn on the Camp Courageous property.  The second of seven scheduled concerts will be featuring Small Potatoes.

Small Potatoes, the Chicago based folk duo of Jacquie Manning and Rich Prezioso, say it has taken them years of careful indecision to develop a repertoire they describe as "Celtic to Cowboy."  Superb musicianship and award-winning songwriting, and a strong sense of tradition has made them as Dirty Linen Magazine said,  "one of the most polished, inventive and entertaining shows on the circuit."  Get more information about Small Potatoes at http://www.smallpotatoesmusic.com.

Monticello orchardist and general contractor, Douglas Monk, is partnering with Camp Courageous, The Greater Cedar Rapids Community Foundation, and the Grant Wood Country Foundation for the Arts, to co-host the "2009 Bear River Concert Series." The seven concerts, from May through November, will be held in the rustic Sill Barn on the Camp Courageous property, with the exception of the September concert, "Applejam," which will be at the Monk's property. Each concert brings nationally recognized talent to Monticello, Iowa.

The music series began as a dream for Douglas Monk and his wife, Micaela, when they planted their apple orchard in April of 2002. "Can't you just picture trees laden with red and yellow apples, families coming out for a day in the country, and live music in the orchard?" Douglas would say to his wife. But Monk didn't want to wait five years before the trees bore fruit, so they hosted their first music festival the following September, calling it "Applejam."

In 2003, due to the weather, they hosted the event in their 100-year-old post-and-beam barn. The venue started with an open mike, followed by a large pot luck, and finished with a professional musician. Every year, Applejam got a little bigger, a little more polished. Musicians began getting wind of Applejam from as far away as Nashville, Tennessee and England.

In December of 2008, Monk's wife, Micaela, spotted a notice in the Monticello Express regarding the Jones County Endowment Fund, which stated a grant was available to be used for such things as "recreation, tourism, improving the quality of life and enhancing the economic well-being of Jones County residents."

Doug and Micaela met with Scott and Michelle Dalziel, two singer-songwriters who had previously performed at Applejam, to discuss applying for the grant. Michelle suggested that rather than envision just one event, why not do a whole series of concerts and name it after the Maquoketa River which flows through this part of the state. "Did you know the Native Americans called the river 'the Bear River' (Maquoketa River) after all the black bear in the area?" she said.

Melissa Stelhorn, a family friend, suggested it might be mutually advantageous to partner with Camp Courageous, a non-profit camp that serves over 5,000 individual of all ages with disabilities each year.  Since the camp runs on donations they could direct a portion of the proceeds toward the camp.  In January, Doug, Micaela, and Melissa sat down with Charlie Becker at Camp Courageous to share their idea. Out of this came the "2009 Bear River Concert Series."
The first concert on May 30th with Scott and Michelle Dalziel and Beth Wood was well attended.

The second Concert will be June 27th at 7 PM with Small Potatoes (http://www.smallpotatoesmusic.com). July 18th at 7 PM with Gayla Drake Paul (http://www.skep.com/gdpaul). August 29th at 7 PM with GDP3. September 12th "Applejam" at Monk's orchard at 4:30 PM with local artists and Fran Snyder (http://fransnyder.com). October 31 at 7 PM with Joe Jenks (http://www.joejencks.com). November 28th at 7 PM with John Smith (http://www.johnsmithmusic.com).

QCSO announces 2009-10 Pops season
Davenport, IA - Following on the heels of a sell-out Spring Pops concert, the QCSO has some exciting announcements regarding its Pops schedule for next year:

The Riverfront Pops returns to LeClaire Park - September 12th
The Quad City Symphony Orchestra and Music Director Mark Russell present Steve Lippia performing the music of Frank Sinatra as the 27th annual Riverfront Pops returns to LeClaire Park. Steve Lippia is one of the most prominent, in-demand vocalists and has quickly established his place among the finest interpreters of "standards" and traditional pop music in the nation. Steve's youthful, energetic talent and powerful show create a perfect blend of "classic" with "today." His show introduces a new generation to this timeless music, while appealing to long-time listeners. As is traditional, the concert will end with the 1812 Overture, Stars and Stripes Forever, and fireworks.

Cirque comes to Holiday Pops - November 21st
The QCSO and Quad City Arts take the Holiday Pops in an exciting new direction this year with Cirque de la Symphonie. Cirque is an exciting adaptation of the artistic performances widely seen in theaters and arenas everywhere. Artists include the most amazing veterans of exceptional cirque programs throughout the world - aerial flyers, acrobats, contortionists, dancers, jugglers, balancers, and strongmen. These artists include world-record holders, international competition gold-medal winners, and some of the most original talent seen anywhere. Conducted by Music Director Mark Russell Smith and featuring return engagements from the First Presbyterian Church Sanctuary Choir and the Holiday Pops Children's Chorus, this year's concert promises to be the most spectacular Holiday Pops ever.

Another rockin' Spring Pops - June 5th
Conductor and arranger Brent Havens returns to the Adler Theatre with the Music of the Eagles, a program he scored to extend the listening experience of the Eagles' timeless tunes. Amplified by a full rock band and accompanied by singers Terry Brock, Randy Jackson, and John Hines, creator Brent Havens guest conducts the ensemble as they capture the Eagles' amazing vocal harmonies surrounded by the Quad City Symphony Orchestra in a concert rich with lush melodies like you've never heard before. The 2-hour concert features 18 Eagles tunes, including Heartache Tonight, Desperado, New Kid in Town and Hotel California.

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Jake McVey's idea is to bring his music to people who cannot attend his concerts. Performing acoustic versions of his show at nursing homes, retirement communities, schools, and hospitals across the United States, the Nashville recording artist is giving back.

In the spirit of the movie, Pay It Forward, McVey will be presenting two free shows in the Quad City area next week. On Wednesday, June 3, at 2:00 P.M., he will perform at Kahl Home for the Aged in Davenport, and at Jersey Ridge Place at 4:00 P.M. "There is nothing better than when you take time to give back. When you're performing in front of people who would just love for someone to say, "Hi," or ask, "How's your day?" it's amazing seeing those faces light up. By the warmth of a song. you know that you truly brought joy to someone's life and brightened their day," says McVey.

McVey's "Pay it Forward Acoustic Tour" is a response to a desire to give back to the communities he visits. As in the movie, Pay It Forward, little acts of kindness culminate in something bigger.

With his second album, Anything Is Possible, to be released this summer, McVey, the composer of over 200 songs, brings together the best of old country with new dynamics. He will begin touring with Darius Rucker at Burlington's Steamboat Days Sunday, June 21.

In 2008, Jake McVey performed in over 300 shows all across the United States. A native of Mediapolis, Iowa, McVey is making a name for himself in the country music arena by relying on his Iowa values of hard work and selfless giving.  As McVey says, "Pay it forward. Why not? And just see what can happen!" For more information about Jake McVey and his "Pay it Forward Tour," visit www.jakemcvey.com or www.myspace.com/mcveyjakepif

To request more information from Jake McVey, email: jakemcvey@hotmail.com or phone: 319-931-5202 (daytime).

Looking for family-friendly outings for your "stay-cation"? A summer concert at the Deere-Wiman House in Moline is sure to please kids of all ages, and with no charge for admission, it's budget-friendly too!

The performance is part of "Music on the Lawn," a series supported by the Deere-Wiman House and Butterworth Center, Community Child Care Resource and Referral Center, Quad City Association for the Education of Young Children and WQPT-TV.

Making his Quad Cities debut, SteveSongs will perform at 7 p.m. on Wednesday, July 15. The concert is held on the lawn of the Deere-Wiman House with seating on the grass. In case of rain or excessive heat, the concert will be moved inside the Deere-Wiman Carriage House.

SteveSongs (also known as Mr. Steve to his fans on PBS Kids) delivers an entertaining, educational performance featuring participatory songs, stories and melodies. Visit SteveSongs online at www.stevesongs.com.

Music on the Lawn (SteveSongs), July 15 on the lawn at the Deere-Wiman House, 817 11th Avenue, Moline, Ill. Event funded by the William Butterworth Memorial Trust. For more information or to reserve free seats, call (309) 743-2701; www.butterworthcenter.com.