18 Sep 2012

Les Misérables to anchor TCR 80th Season

By Theatre Cedar Rapids

Surprise Announcements and Special Guests Headline TCR Event

September 14, 2012 - Cedar Rapids, Iowa - The biggest surprise of the night at The Curtain Raiser-Destination TCR held Thursday, September 13 was the announcement that Theatre Cedar Rapids was one of only a select few of community theatres in the country invited to produce the award-winning musical Les Misérables. The show will be on the TCR stage in July of 2014.

 

"Theatre Cedar Rapids is honored by the invitation to produce Les Misérables. To be one of the first in the country, and by special invitation no less, is as much a stamp of approval for the quality theatre we produce as any other gesture in recent memory," said TCR Executive Director Casey Prince. "A show of this magnitude will have ripple effects through our entire organization, patron base and, in particular, our volunteers. The opportunities to participate in every facet of this monumental undertaking will be many."

 

A second surprise announcement made at the event was done by Tim Hankewich, Music Director at Orchestra Iowa. Hankewich revealed that Orchestra Iowa, in partnership with TCR, will co-produce a concert version of The Music Man at the Paramount Theatre next July.

 

A third announcement at the event was made by Executive Director of the NewBo City Market, Ann Poe. She announced that NewBo and TCR are co-presenting a 5K Fun Run/Walk called The Costume Run as part of NewBo's Grand Opening on Saturday, October 27.

 

 

These announcements were made during a preview of the current season's shows at the annual TCR Fall Kickoff Fundraising event in front of a crowd of 250. The preview took the audience on a tour through the season using one-night-only performances by a number of special guests including:

 

· Catherine Blades, Cedar Rapids native and now NYC-based actress who missed much of her senior year at C.R. Washington H.S. when cast in the Broadway production of "Bye Bye Birdie."

 

· Peter Evans, Cedar Rapids native and now Chicago-based actor most recently cast in "The Book of Mormon."

 

· Janelle Lauer, Cedar Rapids-based musician, performer, director and vocal coach who is music directing four shows on TCR's season.

 

All of these special guest performers grew up in the spotlight at TCR and are veterans of numerous TCR shows. Other special appearances were made by TCR veterans Gene Whiteman, Doug Jackson, & Pat Deignan. Local celebrities involved in the program were KCRG's Nicole Agee, Scott Schulte and Rick Swann from Z102.9, a Flash Mob performance by returning cast members from Disney's Camp Rock produced by TCR in August and songs performed by the cast members of Bloody Bloody Andrew Jackson which opens September 28 and runs through October 20.

 

The Curtain Raiser was sponsored by Bankers Trust with proceeds used to support the operations and programming at Theatre Cedar Rapids.

 

 

For more information, contact:Theatre Cedar Rapids
Julie Coppock
18 Sep 2012

NOTHING OVER $0.25 AT THE FRIENDS OF DPL BOOK SALE!

By Steve Hart

The FRIENDS of the Davenport Public Library's annual fall book sale will be Friday, September 21 and Saturday, September 22, at the Main Street Library (321 Main Street) between the hours of 10 AM - 3 PM.  Thousands of great deals are waiting for your arrival!

The FRIENDS also have great deals on books, magazines, puzzles, games, and more at the FRIENDS of the Davenport Public Library bookstores at the Fairmount Branch Library (3000 N. Fairmount Street) and the Eastern Avenue Branch Library (6000 Eastern Avenue), Monday - Saturday every week!  The Fairmount Bookstore is open M, W, F, Sa from 10 AM - 2 PM, and the Eastern Avenue Bookstore is open the same hours as the Eastern Avenue Branch Library.

For more information, visit www.davenportlibrary.com or call 563-326-7832.
14 Sep 2012

LOCAL ATHLETE MEDALS IN THE 2012 SUMMER IOWA GAMES

By TheLink

The Iowa Games, Iowa's largest amateur sports festival, provides more than 20,000 athletes with a variety of Olympic-style sports during the Summer and Winter Games. The Games are part of the National Congress of State Games and are open to Iowa residents of all ages and abilities. The Iowa Games is hosted by the Iowa Sports Foundation, a nonprofit organization which has a participation base of over 240,000 Iowans. For a complete listing of all the Iowa Games events and results please visit www.iowagames.org.

Local winners include :

Bettendorf
Mary Doerder, Gold, Womens Masters (50 & Over) -- 1 Meter, Diving;
Mary Doerder, Gold, Womens Masters (50 & Over)  --  3 Meter, Diving;
Andrew Hartman, Gold, Doubles -- Beginner -- Male, Badminton;
Andrew Hartman, Silver, Singles -- Beginner -- Male, Badminton;
Elijah Hurt, Gold, K-2 Bracket 5, Wrestling;
Paige Kelly, Silver, Girls 14-15  --  1 Meter, Diving;
Paige Kelly, Silver, Womens Synchronized  --  1 Meter, Diving;
Allison Kling, Bronze, Sparring -- Green-Heavy Weight -- Female 9-11, Taekwondo;
Allison Kling, Gold, Forms -- Green -- Female 9-11, Taekwondo;
Josh Paul, Bronze, Mens A Singles, Racquetball;
Josh Paul, Silver, Men's A Doubles, Racquetball;
Andrew  Rauwolf, Silver, Doubles -- Beginner -- Male, Badminton;
Holly Schroeder, Silver, Womens Synchronized  --  1 Meter, Diving;
Benjamin Van Raalte, Bronze, Men 55-59 50 Meter Breaststroke, Swimming - Masters;
Benjamin Van Raalte, Gold, Men 55-59 200 Meter Breaststroke, Swimming - Masters;
Benjamin Van Raalte, Gold, Men 55-59 200 Meter Freestyle, Swimming - Masters;


Davenport
Sona  Bedeyan, Bronze, Girls 9U  --  1 Meter Novice, Diving;
Grace Estes, Bronze, Girls 11-12 100M Hurdles Finals, Track & Field Youth;
Isaiah Gibbs, Gold, Boys 13-14 Long Jump, Track & Field Youth;
Alyssa Goldermann, Gold, Female 16-19, Triathlon;
Frank Horvath, Silver, Intermediate Grandmaster Male, Disc Golf;
Ryan Ruwe, Gold, DeWitt  --  16 Yard  --  9-12 Grades, Shooting - Satellite Trapshoot;
Ryan Ruwe, Gold, DeWitt  --  Team  --  9-12 Grades, Shooting - Satellite Trapshoot;
Ryan Ruwe, Silver, DeWitt  --  Handicap  --  9-12 Grades, Shooting - Satellite Trapshoot;
Landon Van Fossen, Bronze, Harlan  --  Handicap  --  6-8 Grades, Shooting - Satellite Trapshoot;
Landon Van Fossen, Gold, DeWitt  --  16 Yard  --  Men 50-57, Shooting - Satellite Trapshoot;
Landon Van Fossen, Gold, DeWitt  --  Handicap  --  Men 50-57, Shooting - Satellite Trapshoot;
Joe Veith, Gold, Freestyle -- Young Adult 15-17 -- Male, Archery;
Molly Veith, Silver, Freestyle -- Adult 18-54 -- Female, Archery;


Panorama Park
Nick Cervantes, Gold, Doubles -- Beginner -- Male, Badminton;
Nick Cervantes, Gold, Singles -- Beginner -- Male, Badminton;

13 Sep 2012

How to Take Your Talent from the Playroom to the Stage

By Ginny Grimsley
Young Phenom Offers Tips for Tweens and Teens
with Big Dreams

If you have a vision and a talent, don't ignore it. At least that's what Sydney Rose, 20, has learned.

The singer/songwriter whose debut pop single, "Breaking Rules," hit No. 23 on the national radio Top 40 chart in Sep, says she tried to put her dream on hold - and couldn't.

"I've been in love with music all my life," says Rose (www.sydneyrosemusic.com). "I've learned it's an important part of who I am and you can't ignore that, no matter what your age."

Rose grew up honing her singing skills, then learning guitar ("My first chord was D") and dancing. She overcame any lingering shyness about performing before audiences by joining two other girls in a pop/dance group called Rosemadayne.

But when it came time to attend college, she decided it was best to put her dream on a back burner.

"I was afraid," she says. "I wanted to experience college without the pressure of a music career, but I actually felt more pressure without my dream and I knew I had to nurture that passion that is so a part of me."

That's when she wrote her newest album, "Rise," an up-tempo celebration of life. It's getting airplay on radio stations across the country, a development that never ceases to amaze and delight the rising star.

"Listening to myself on the planet 96.7 right at this moment!!!" she posted recently on Twitter (@itssydneyrose). "This is surreal!!!! #bestdayeverever."

Rose offers tips for other young people who are determined to follow their dreams:

• Get your support team together: Whether it's parents, other family members, friends or teachers, you'll need people who encourage and help guide you. Coaches, mentors or instructors can help you improve - because no matter what your talent and how much of it you've got, you can always expand your abilities with help. Depending on your age, that may require financial and transportation support. "I started voice lessons when I was a tween, and to this day I get intensive voice training," Rose says. "But the more skills you have, the better, so I also started working on dance when I was 13 years old. No matter what type of creative talent you have - singing, acting, writing or painting - if you want to become a professional, you need training." Anyone who is supportive in your life, including friends, other family members and teachers, are reminders of why dreams matter to you.

• Set realistic goals: You may dream of being in the movies or on TV, but don't expect to start there! "I happily performed at bar and bat mitzvahs (bonus! - I met my manager through those), book stores, Best Buy stores, and at my vocal school," Sydney says. "These were great opportunities to get used to being in front of live audiences and learning how to interact with the audience." The smaller goals are there for you to reach the bigger ones - Rome was not built overnight, she says. Those who are supportive will remind you of the big picture.

• Remember, it's OK to be scared: Doing something for the first time can be really scary, and it's perfectly normal to be nervous. But don't let that stop you from getting out there and trying! "From experience, I know that almost anything that seems scary the first time gets much easier, and less scary, every time you do it," Sydney says. "Don't let fear keep you from ever taking the next step."

• Have fun! "With 'Rise,' I wrote songs that are fun and upbeat. I thought, 'If I'm going to do this for the rest of my life, I have to have an amazing time. Right?' she says. Part of what has helped the album's success is that she was genuinely happy and having a good time when she recorded it. No matter what you're doing, your true emotions tend to color your work - they're hard to hide, so work with them.

About Sydney Rose

Sydney Rose is a 20-year-old recording artist who has worked toward her success the old-fashioned way - through training, practice and dedication. She credits great coaches for helping her develop her talent for singing, dancing and songwriting, and she has become a rising star on the pop music circuit. Her new album, "Rise," is now available on iTunes.

13 Sep 2012

Gov. Branstad and Lt. Gov. Reynolds release statements on 9/11 anniversary

By Office of Governor Terry Branstad

(DES MOINES) - Gov. Terry Branstad and Lt. Gov. Kim Reynolds released the following statements to commemorate the 11th anniversary of the 9/11 terrorist attacks:

"We must never forget the terrible atrocities of that fateful day, and we must continue to promote this great experiment that is America. Iowans answered the call of duty on 9/11, and have every day since. As our Iowa military service members so bravely responded with their determination, I hope all Iowans will take time today to remember the sacrifices of our service members and their families." - Gov. Terry E. Branstad

"Today we remember those who perished in the deliberate, violent attack on our nation. The terrorists hoped to tear a hole in the fabric of our ideals, but instead Americans responded with a strengthened resolve as a united country. I encourage all Iowans to take a moment, remember those we lost, and pledge their time and energy to make this country a better place for all who reside within its borders." - Lt. Gov. Kim Reynolds

###

10 Sep 2012

Auditions at Riverside Theatre Sept. 15

By Sarah Burnett

Iowa City, Iowa - Riverside Theatre will be holding auditions on Saturday, September 15, 1-3 p.m.

The 2012-2013 season has one role available in The Exit Interview (male actor, 20s-35). This raucous comedy by William Missouri Downs is a National New Play Network Rolling World Premiere.

It will begin rehearsals December 19, 2012 and open January 25, 2013.

Actors (either male or female) may also audition for Walking the Wire, which will be cast in November following final selection of monologues.

Those wishing to audition are required to prepare one contemporary monologue (2 minute maximum) and bring a headshot if not already on file.

To schedule an audition please call the Riverside Theatre Box Office at 319-338-7672. Box office hours are Noon to 4 p.m., Monday-Friday.

For more information on the 2012-2013 season, contact Artistic Director Jody Hovland at artistic@riversidetheatre.org.

 ###

09 Sep 2012

Iowans Deliver Copy of Ryan Budget to Ben Lange

By Braley for Congress - Jeff Giertz
Lange says he won't reveal position on Ryan Budget until he's done reading bill

CEDAR RAPIDS, IA -- A group of concerned Iowans delivered a copy of Rep. Paul Ryan's budget to Ben Lange's campaign headquarters today, urging Lange to finish reading the bill so he can give Iowa voters a straight answer on whether he supports the plan or opposes it.
Lange already supports the key proposals in the Ryan Budget, including provisions that would turn Medicare into a voucher program and end Social Security's guaranteed benefits to gamble retirement savings on the stock market.  But Lange says that because he hasn't read the entire Ryan Budget, he can't say whether he'd vote for it or against it.
Mike Olson of Cedar Rapids said, "Back in March, Ben Lange said he started reading the Ryan Budget.  But since he hasn't finished yet, we figured he might have lost his copy.  So we're delivering a fresh printout to Ben's office so he can finish what he started and give Iowans a clear answer on whether he supports the Ryan Budget or not.
"We know Ben supports the big ideas in the Ryan Budget, like turning Medicare into a voucher program and privatizing Social Security.  But with all his talk of political courage, we think Ben should level with Iowa voters and just tell us if he'd vote for the Ryan Budget bill or against it."
The Ryan Budget can be downloaded at the following link: http://1.usa.gov/NvuuBL.  The full bill itself, H. Con. Res. 34, can be downloaded here: http://1.usa.gov/ObbHky
Lange has said repeatedly he supports phasing out Social Security and Medicare's guaranteed benefits for workers under age 55 - proposals taken practically word-for-word from Rep. Paul Ryan's budget proposals.
Yet for months, Lange has refused to say whether he'd vote for or against the Ryan Budget, saying he can't take a position because he hasn't read the bill:
  • In March, Lange said in St. Donatus that he would take a position on the Ryan Budget when he "completed" reading it.  VIDEO: http://youtu.be/72IM0lZlW7A
  • In July, Lange told Iowans in Marshalltown he hadn't "read every aspect of [Ryan's] budget plan."  VIDEO: http://youtu.be/6zat3GVP-Sc
  • Finally, last week, Lange told the Des Moines Register editorial board that "I haven't read his [Ryan's] entire plan.  That's why I always say to folks I haven't signed on whole cloth either way to it."  VIDEO: http://youtu.be/eptLiiIoKu4
For more information on Lange's avoidance of taking a position on the Ryan Budget, visithttp://www.realbenlange.com/lange-ryan-budget.
09 Sep 2012

God of Carnage opens on The Old Creamery's Studio Stage

By Rick Martin

Amana - God of Carnage, a dramatic comedy by Yasmina Reza opens Thursday, Sept.20 at 3 p.m. on the Studio Stage at The Old Creamery Theatre in Middle Amana.

Translated by Christopher Hampton, God of Carnage focuses on two couples as theymeet one evening to discuss a playground scuffle between their sons. As the eveningwears on, differences between the couples become more apparent and nerves shatter inthis thought provoking play.

The cast of God of Carnage consists of Jeff Haffner of Cleveland, Ohio; Jackie McCalland Sean McCall of Marengo and Carrie Houchins-Witt of Coralville. Winner of the2009 Tony Award for Best Play, God of Carnage is rated Theatre R for adult language

Tickets are $27 for adults and $17.50 for students. For more information or to reservetickets call The Old Creamery Theatre at 800-35-AMANA (352-6262) or visit the website at www.oldcreamery.com
The Old Creamery Theatre Company is a not-for-profit professional theatre foundedin 1971 in Garrison, Iowa. The company is celebrating 41 years of bringing live,professional theatre to the people of Iowa and the Midwest.
09 Sep 2012

Corpus Christi Playing with Redemption

By Paula Neuhaus

"GAY JESUS PLAY" AND RELATED DOCUMENTARY TO DEBUT IN DUBUQUE DESPITECRIES OF "BLASPHEMY"

DUBUQUE, IA - SEPTEMBER 4, 2012 - After facing protesters, bomb threats and deaththreats in NYC, after being denounced in Scotland by the Bishop of Edinburgh, after letterslaying out how they will be shot and killed in Dallas, thousands of protests in San Francisco,picketed in Orange County, CA and millions of signatures added to a petition that has traveledall around the world demanding a ban on the play and film, 108 Productions has forged aheadand traveled internationally for six years with Terrence McNally's Corpus Christi. Now for thefirst time in its history, with its debut in Dubuque, Iowa, the company is facing one of the biggestprotest campaigns it's received, as it releases the documentary feature Corpus Christi: Playing with Redemption.

Said actor/108 co-founder James Brandon and director/108 co-founder Nic Arnzen: "We areimmensely grateful to all those who have stood by us as we prepare to face a wave protestsfor the first time in our home town. With their support, we have no doubt that Corpus Christi'smessage of God's inclusive love for LGBT people will drown out the angry words of those whoattack our play without having seen it."

The 108 productions version of Corpus Christi, Terrence McNally's controversial play, whichdepicts Jesus as a gay man in 1950s Texas, has drawn an angry response from someCatholics, as has Playing with Redemption. An online petition, based on a series of previousanti-Corpus Christi petitions by the right-wing Catholic site America Needs Fatima, has drawnover 11,000 signatures to date. The petition denounces 108 Productions' version of theplay, along with the documentary Corpus Christi: Playing with Redemption, as "unspeakableblasphemy" and "prejudicial outrage." It also calls on Mindframe Theater, where the film is setto preview on Sept 25 and 26, to "immediately cancel the showing of this movie and play, and tooffer a public apology to Our Lord Jesus Christ and to all God fearing Americans." In addition,108 Productions' crew has received similar comments, in the form of personal emails, YouTubecomments, and even harassment of Arnzen's mother in Iowa. Accordingly, a protest outside theevent is now expected, as protests have followed similar petitions for previous 108 Productionsperformances.About 108 Productions' TourBeginning in 2006, 108 Productions launched a resoundingly successful revival production,directed by Nic Arnzen at Metropolitan Community Church in the Valley, which was lauded bycritics, continued to sell out for months at Los Angeles' Zephyr Theatre, and went on to touracross America. In Europe, the play was an Amnesty International Freedom of Expressionnominee at the 2007 Edinburgh Fringe Festival, and was awarded the Intercultural DialogueAward at the International Dublin Gay Theatre Festival in 2008. After, the company celebratedthe show's 10th anniversary Off-Broadway at the Rattlestick Theatre, benefiting the MatthewShepard Foundation and New York's Gay Community Center. The show continued to tour through 2011 nationally and internationally, while a documentary crew followed their travels toless tolerant communities.Now, six years later, CORPUS CHRISTI: PLAYING WITH REDEMPTION will host its first sneakpreview screening tour, launching the I AM Love Campaign. The Religious Right meets the 'gayJesus play' in this documentary film inspired by the play, which continues to face censorship,protests, bomb threats and religious condemnation. Mirroring the reflections of change insociety today in regards to freedom of speech, civil rights, marriage equality and separation ofchurch and state, this production has become a vehicle for a community struggling to find itsvoice. Meanwhile, the company of actors finds itself on a journey that would forever changetheir lives.The I AM Love Campaign's mission is to ignite a dialogue on religious bullying and homophobiain all ages and walks of life by teaching self-empowerment through artistic endeavors andeducational outreach. Beyond screenings of Playing With Redemption, which will be combinedwith performances of the play in select cities, the 108 Productions company will also conducteducational and arts-based workshops alongside gay and religious leaders in conservativecommunities around the country.For more information about the play, film, and I AM Love Campaign, go to http://www.corpuschristi-themovie.com/ or http://www.108productions.org
WHAT AND WHEN:Tuesday, September 25- Sneak Preview Film Screening, 8:00pmWednesday, September 26- Sneak Preview Film Screening, 6:00pmPlay Performance, 8:00pmThursday, September 27- Free Community Symposium*, 7:00pm Play Performance, 8:30pm
For Mature Audiences only (16+). Contains Brief Nudity and Adult Language.
WHERE: Mindframe Theater, 555 John F Kennedy Rd., Dubuque, IA 52002
TICKETS: $10 film, $20 play, $25 for both, www.corpuschristi-themovie.com

09 Sep 2012

Davenport Junior Theatre and Dance

By Daniel Sheridan
Class Ad

Pages

Subscribe & Listen to Reader Podcasts

On Stands Now

 

Tagged Content

    

Two Ways to Subscribe

1. Subscribe to free weekly e-mail content updates.

You'll get both the current official narrative challenge and What's Happenin' in the Quad Cities.
(Did you know we publish a new Real Astrology and RCR Crossword every week?) 

Subscribe!

* indicates required

2. Get 12 monthly issues mailed first class for $48

Get 12 issues mailed monthly for $48 per year.

Get the printed Reader edition mailed to you (or anyone you want) first-class for 12 months for $48.
$24 goes to postage and handling, $24 goes to keeping the doors open!

Click this link to Subscribe now.