Hello!

Downtown was packed for Mother's Day weekend and it was great to see so many people enjoying the Beaux Arts Fair and all of our shops and restaurants!  We also celebrated a ribbon cutting for the soon-to-be open Front Street Brewery expansion and Tap Room at the Freight House.  Read this QC-Times article to learn more about what's next for our riverfront landmark, and remember to visit the outdoor Freight House Farmers Market! If you love a good fairy tale, don't miss Ballet Quad Cities presentation of The Sleeping Beauty at the Adler Theatre on Saturday.  Next door at the RiverCenter, Metro Mini Makers of the Quad Cities will be holding their 28th Annual Sale & Exhibit of Dollhouse Miniatures. Don't forget to pick up tickets while they last to see Wilco at the Adler in July,  too!  Guitar wizard and two-time Grammy-winner Laurence Juber will be playing live and hosting a workshop at River Music Experience!  QC Symphony fans will enjoy  Rhythm Unleashed: The Music of Marc Mellits, but don't miss sweet acoustic tunes by  Daphne Willis tonight!  We'd also like to thank Ashford University for helping to sponsor the Laurence Juber show.   Ashley Raines, Greg and Susan Dirks,  Old Tire Swingers, and Key N Krates will also perform at RME this week.   Moonlight Bride, Ellis Kell, Lewis Knudsen, and Strategic will each play during RME's Live Lunch series.  Play your own music and get involved with Mandolin Junction,  Kidz Days, a Drum Clinic with Mike Mangini, and Account Music Club.   Be sure to check out the David Plowden's Iowa Exhibit and its opening reception tonight at the Figge Art Museum after the Thursdays at the Figge event.  Create with Kelli begins its monthly summer workshops this week and the final Young Artists at the Figge reception will feature the Pleasant Valley school district.  If you've never been to the Figge, consider singing up for a guided museum tour.   Make your reservations this evening for a  Five Course Wine Dinner at the Bix Bistro, and swing by Rhythm City to enjoy a free performance by Jordan Danielsen Friday and Saturday.    Also on Friday, Low Down will be playing at Brady Street Pub.   Our summer festivals will be here before you know it!  Check out our complete festival list on our brand new Downtown Website to start planning your summer fun.   See you downtown!

Where: Blackhawk Hotel

Yesterday, May 15, 2012, the lineup was announced for the 41st annual Bix Beiderbecke Memorial Jazz Festival, including artists from Florida, Texas and Michigan. Some of the performers include Wally's Warehouse Waifs, Andy Schumm, Bill Allred's Classic Jazz Band, and the Dave Bennett Quartet. For a complete listing, visit http://www.bixsociety.org/bands.html.

In addition to announcing the Jazz Festival performers and events, the Memorial Society introduced a new scholarship opportunity for area schools. Individual scholarships will still be available to high school seniors, but the Society will begin awarding a $500 scholarship to the music department of a local school too. "Being a member of the Bix Beiderbecke Memorial Youth Band gave me the chance to become involved with the Jazz Society and learn about traditional jazz and its importance," said Christina Hesse, a 2011 scholarship winner who is currently attending Western Illinois University.

During the announcement, a representative from the Riverboat Development Authority was present to share that a $20,000 grant had been awarded to the festival.

Some of the special events at this year's Bix Beiderbecke Memorial Jazz Festival include a big band dance on Friday, the gravesite performance on Saturday, a jazz brunch on Sunday morning, and the closing Afterglow event on Sunday evening.  Part of this year's performances will include Friday and Saturday night outdoor concerts in LeClaire Park.

"The rich history and tradition found here in Davenport are true treasures," said Davenport Mayor Bill Gluba. "The Jazz Festival attracts jazz aficionados from around the world, and this year's lineup will surely live up to expectations." 

The 41st annual Bix Beiderbecke Memorial Jazz Festival will be held August 2-5, 2012, at the Adler Theater, the Mississippi Room of the RiverCenter, and at LeClaire Park in Davenport. By partnering with the City of Davenport, the performances at LeClaire Park on Friday and Saturday evening will be free, as they are considered part of the Summer Concert Series. Individual concert tickets, day passes and festival passes are available online at www.bixsociety.org

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The Bix Beiderbecke Memorial Society was founded in 1972 to carry on the memory and music of Leon "Bix" Beiderbecke. The Society hosts annual events such as the Bix Beiderbecke Memorial Jazz Festival, in conjunction with jazz education programs to raise awareness about traditional jazz music.  

May 11, 2012...Animal Family Veterinary Care Center (Animal Family), Davenport, IA, will host an open house on Saturday, May 19, 2012, from 11 AM to 1 PM at 6011 North Brady Street, Davenport.

The open house will feature tours of the care center, refreshments and prizes, plus activities for the kids, including games, face-painting and more. There will also be pet care demonstrations and visits with zoo animals. It will be fun for the whole family!

Animal Family offers a full range of veterinary services, including the most up-to-date diagnostic, surgical, dental, and imaging tools and techniques.

Animal Family also provides the very best in pet grooming, dog training, pet boarding and Camp Canine. Camp Canine is a day care that offers a safe place to socialize your 4-legged family members.

For additional information, please call Animal Family Veterinary Care Center at 563-391-9522 or visit animalfamilyveterinarycare.com.

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Animal Family Veterinary Care Center ? 6011 North Brady Street ? Davenport, IA ? 52806-2146 ? 563-391-9522