Congressman Loebsack, area residents, others to testify

WASHINGTON, D.C.–On Friday, January 27, Senator Tom Harkin (D-IA), Chairman of the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee, will convene a field hearing of the Committee to discuss ways to rebuild the middle class.  Congressman Dave Loebsack will join Harkin as part of the hearing.

"For decades, the middle class has been  falling behind," said Harkin.  "Wages have not kept up with costs, and families' savings accounts have dried up along with home values and good jobs. Iowans are justifiably worried about the future.

"It does not have to be this way.  It is time to rise to these challenges and face them head-on, as a nation, by remembering what made our country great. Creating good jobs, investing in education, rebuilding our infrastructure, and preparing our workforce for the 21^st Century will help to ensure that the middle class has a bright future ahead, in Iowa and around the country."

Harkin has held a series of hearings in Washington over the past year examining the causes behind the decline of America's middle class.  Last year, Harkin staff members visited all 99 counties to gather insight into the challenges facing middle class families.  This field hearing will focus on what is working in the Quad Cities to rebuild the backbone of America's economy.

HEARING: "Rebuilding the Middle Class: What Washington can learn from Iowa"

WITNESSES:
Panel I
Hon. Dave Loebsack, United States Congressman, Second Congressional District, Iowa
Panel II
Bob Allbee, Interim President, Muscatine Community College, Muscatine, IA
Skip McGill, President, United Steel Workers Local 105, Bettendorf, IA
Robert J. Fox, a Davenport resident working to maintain a middle class lifestyle for his family

DATE: Friday, January 27, 2012

TIME:

12:15 PM: Tour: Prior to the hearing, Harkin and Loebsack will tour the welding room at the Blong Center, which houses a partnership between John Deere, the local schools, and workers.

1:15 PM: Hearing begins

PLACE: John T. Blong Tech Center?, 8500 Hillandale Road, Davenport

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Better than Dancing with the Stars and American Idol, on February 17 & 18 the Music Departments of Davenport Central and West high schools proudly present the Great River Show Choir Invitational at the Adler Theater.  The talented teens of Iowa and beyond will be presenting two nights of dazzling dancing, creative costumes, magnificent music, and great family entertainment.  

The middle school show choirs all competing for Grand Champion. What is a Show Choir you ask? All show  choir participants must audition for the opportunity to perform. Once selected, all participants spend endless produced and directed by professional Choreographers.  Costumes are then selected, fitted, and re?fitted until the finished product is a show choir performance that rivals most area stage performances. These show choirs then travel to many different venues all competing for the chance to become the "Grand Champion".  

The Great River Show Choir Invitational is unique in many ways. Most importantly, it allows the show choirs to perform on a professional stage, with professional sound and light crews. For many students, performing career. This Invitational is sponsored by two different high schools working together to bring you a weekend of excellent family entertainment at an extremely reasonable price.  

The Great River Show Choir Invitational at the Adler Theater begins Friday at 5:30 PM on February 17, 2012. Ticket prices are $5.00 for the Middle School Competition. High School competition begins Saturday, February 18 at 8:00 AM. Ticket prices are $8.00 for the Saturday competition, $8.00 for the Evening Finals Competition or $14.00 for the entire Saturday and Finals competition. An all weekend pass is available for $16.00.  Student tickets are $5.00 for each session, and there is a $1.00 per ticket discount for seniors.  Awards will be announced approximately 5:00 PM and Finals will begin at 7:30 PM. The Grand Champion will be announced at the conclusion of the Finals competition.  

Come which will begin approximately 7:30 PM.  For more information please visit our website at www.greatrivershowchoir.com Please feel free to call Tom Stanger at 322?3660 if you have any questions, or would like to arrange interviews with the Directors or performers.

We hope you will come support your local high school talents, and enjoy the show!!

Who: High School Show Choirs from 24 regional Junior and Senior High Schools from Omaha to Chicago, hosted by Davenport's Central and West High Schools.

What:  Usually held in school gymnasiums, the Great River Event is the only one that showcases the choirs in such a large and ornate performance theater.  With over 2400 comfy seats, this is truly the finest class competition in the Midwest

When:  Friday, February 17 and Saturday, February 18th, with the middle school competition beginning Friday night at 5:30.  High school groups compete from 8 AM to 6 PM Saturday, with final competitions starting at 7 PM until 11.

Where:  The Adler Theater in downtown Davenport.

Hosting Sponsored by the The Bechtel Trusts and Foundation and the Riverboat Development Authority, this event will support the expenses of the Central and West Show Choirs.  During the completion season, each of the regional groups take turns hosting events to help lower the costs for participants, and to show off their facilities.

Who: Ballet Quad Cities

Where: Augustana College

Wallenburg Hall • Denkman Second Floor

3520 - 7th Ave • Rock Island OF AU

When: February 17th at 8:00pm

February 18th at 2:00pm

February 18th at 8:00pm

Ticket Prices: Adult - $20

Senior - $15

Students & Children - $10

How: Tickets may be purchased at the Augustana Ticket Box Office. 794-7306

For more information call 309 786 3779 or visit our web site www.BalletQuadCities.com

Love Stories 2011 was one of our most popular performances of all time! So it's back with new choreography by five different choreographers, eclectic music, and both new and old love stories to tell. Lynne Anderson, Johanne Jakhelln, Deanna Carter and Rebekah vonRathonyi bring their own style of dance to this very up close and personal performance, and introducing Kelsee Green as an emerging choreographer.

You won't want to miss BQC's version of the Black Swan Pas de Deux.

Grab someone you love and join us for an evening of amazing dance!

Sunday February 26, 2012, from 2pm - 5pm

WHERE: The Old Creamery Theatre

39 38^th Ave. Amana, IA 52203

WHAT: Actors should prepare two short contrasting monologues (max. 1 minute each)

At least one of which should be a comic piece (preferably contemporary)

Singers (in addition to the short monologues) should prepare 16 to 32 bars of one (or two contrasting) song(s) sung a cappella or with recorded accompaniment.

(A CD player will be available - NO accompanist will be provided)

Please bring a current picture and resume.

Seeking Equity and non-Equity performers of various ages (1 male age range 12 - 14, and men and women age 20 and up) to fill paid positions in The Old Creamery's 2012 Main Stage, Studio, and Old Creamery Theatre for Young Audiences seasons. (Casting is already complete for some key roles within 2012 but many remain available).

Particularly seeking a young man (or two for double casting purposes) age range 12 - 14 to play "Billy" in On Golden Pond. Rehearsal dates start mid-April with performances from May 3 to May 27. Rebellious exterior but able to connect and open up as the play progresses. Prepared monologues for these young performers are acceptable but not required as a copy of the play will be available the day of the audition for reading from the script.

Intern opportunities for college students/recent graduates may or may not include performance opportunities providing EMC weeks. Internships typically involve Theatre for Young Audiences and/or Summer Theatre Camps and often require availability throughout the year (though some positions may be available with summer-only commitments). Internships include housing and a $225 per week living stipend. Intern duties involve all aspects of theatre and may include but are not limited to: performing, costuming, set work, assistant stage management, house management, prop design, lighting, promotions, assistant teaching, box office, and concessions assignments.

Membership and applicable weeks in Equity's EMC program are available for regular main stage productions only (not Old Creamery Theatre for Young Audiences).

Please call our business offices at (319) 622-6034 on or after January 16, 2012 to make an appointment.

If you are unable to attend these auditions, please send a headshot and resume to:

Sean McCall - Artistic Director

The Old Creamery Theatre Company

39 38^th Ave.

Amana, IA. 52203

Or electronically to smccall@oldcreamery.com