14 Nov 2013

Emma Simmons, Dionne Riley to appear in Central College theatre production of "Legacy of Light"

By Chelsea Toppin

PELLA, (11/13/2013)(readMedia)-- Freshmen Emma Simmons, a native of Davenport, and Dionne Riley, a native of Bettendorf, will participate in Central College's theatre production of "Legacy of Light".

"Legacy of Light" is a time-traveling comedy, which intertwines the stories of two female physicists from different eras. The legacies of Emilie du Chatelet, an 18th-century French scientist, and Olivia Hasting Brown, an astronomer in Princeton, N.J., collide in this play about the search for self-discovery, love, motherhood and scientific immortality.

The production, directed by Ann Wilkinson, instructor of theatre, will run Nov. 20-23 at 7:30 p.m. in the Kruidenier Theatre at Central College. Cost for general admission is $6. Student and senior citizen tickets are $3, and admission is free with a Central ID. Tickets are available at the Maytag Information Booth, by calling 641-628-9000.

Central College is a residential liberal arts college dedicated to the education of 1,500 undergraduate students. Guided by its ecumenical Christian tradition, the college community engages in vigorous, free, open inquiry in pursuit of academic excellence. Founded in 1853, the college is affiliated with the Reformed Church in America and NCAA Division III athletics.

Central is a recognized leader in study abroad as a result of its international, residential programs. Central College is located in Pella, Iowa, a thriving community of 10,000 two minutes from the state's largest lake and 40 minutes southwest of Des Moines. Please visit the college website at www.central.edu.

13 Nov 2013

Room-sized Glass Exhibit coming to Moline Art Gallery this week!

By Mary McNeil
Vernissage for Todd Leisek:

November 15th. 2014

Art Installation :
" We Are Ghosts"

Mixed media.
This art installation is a room-sized glass exhibit.

At The Phoenix.
1530 Fifth. Avenue.
Moline.
Friday. November 15th. 2013
6-9 p.m.

Free and open to all.

Artist's description: About the Installation:

" This large installation is a communication and an interaction between what my family's identity, ethnicity and past has faced through the years.  Behind closed doors an individual hides their own identity and reality.  By breaking down these "doors" and "walls," our identities can be slightly revealed and displaced by reflections of light upon the exhibition wall.  In this installation, I concentrate on drawing upon the simple concepts of the breakdown of these doorways and walls through looking through broken glass, doors and walls taken from dismantled homes.  This piece is the past as well as the present as it confronts some of the conflicts of tribal identity in the United States.  Four doorways will be presented in the act of breaking apart with only the shards of clear glass to bind them together and the holding together of the walls will display the reflection of a past identity of a mixed tribal past. The installation is a chance to speak without words through the materials and the photographs hidden in the cracks of the walls.  I am mixed of Potawatomi, Sac/Fox and Cherokee.  Since I am of mixed tribal generation, where do I fit in with the world or how does my family (ancestors) fit in?  We roam as "ghosts" blending in from one subculture to the next recreating ourselves over and over without stepping through to connect with our tribal roots or ancestral traditions.  There are thousands of us still roaming the United States displaced."

Artist Statement

My artwork (installations) is based from sensory experiences (sounds, sights, smells and dreams) from the memories of my childhood experiences and the stories of family members long past.  Throughout my experience as an artist; I have concentrated on these sparks of memory which are drawn from nature (landscape), dreams of my past, and the faded memories.  In creating these abstract sculptural pieces, I'm attempting to bring back these recollections into a form of narrative or conceptual scene into the public space.  By changing the landscape (public space), I draw the viewers into my art installations to bring their own sensory experiences into the artwork.   These sensory experiences are connected to the material I use in my artwork (Ceramics, Wood, and stain).  I hope that these pieces display the uncomfortable feeling of distance of Native American authenticity and the reconnection of my families lost mixed of Otoe and Osage/Pottawattamiepast.  It is important that my artwork does not relate directly to a "Native American" background, yet an element of these memories, love and loss which was influenced by my ancestors past.

To present a loose form of this narrative in my art installations is an important element to address in the conditions of the Post-Native American identity.  The traditions of the storyteller in my family today are dependent upon me to retell them in a modern relation of the struggles we face for a place (or voice) in this world.  We all have memories and past experiences which we cannot completely explain, yet subconsciously influence our lives.

About The Artist:  Todd Liesek.

I was born in Ogden, UT as Todd Woodmansee, yet grew up with a very collect a diverse step family in Lodi, CA.  My first studies in Fine Arts started in San Francisco where I spent the first 4 years at San Francisco State University for my BA, which was dual emphasize in Art History and Fine Arts.  I stayed for additional 3 years teaching for private art/music schools within the Bay Area, traveling around performing and producing artwork in California.  In 2003, I received an invitation to study at University of Wisconsin-Superior for a MA in Studio Art in sculpture and ceramics.  In addition, I had an opportunity to perform with the University Orchestra and Brazilian Guitar Ensemble to perform in Rio de Janiero, Brazil.  After my graduation from UWS in 2006 with a MA, I moved from the cold frigid North to the Quad Cities, IL.  For the past few years, I received an invitation for the MFA program at Vermont College Fine Arts in Contemporary theories and Art Installation which I recently graduated in 2013.

I have worked for private and public art/music schools and Higher Education at both the Community and State University levels for about 9 years and 3 years as an online instructor. I have taught art history/appreciation from 1300 to 21st Contemporary Art, Art Theory, Sculpture/Ceramics, music orchestration, and guitar performance.
12 Nov 2013

Are We Underutilizing Our Most Precious National Resource - Our Founding Principles?

By Rick Martin
3 Truths About Our Country that Support Freedom, Civil
Peace & Prosperity

In a recent CNN poll, 75 percent of respondents said U.S. House Republicans don't deserve re-election. That could bode poorly for either party next year, when all 435 House seats are up for grabs.

That's because it's likely only a small group of Americans will decide our country's future, says historian and researcher Merrilyn Richardson. Traditionally, only 40 percent of eligible voters turn out for mid-term elections on average, compared with 60 percent for presidential elections.

In the Senate, 33 seats could change, which could tip the balance of power for the subsequent six years.

"Voting is just one of the many privileges too many citizens of the United States take for granted,'' says Richardson, a former editor of Air Force Bases newspapers and author of "You ARE God: The Challenge to Achieve Christ Consciousness in the Modern Era," (www.merrilynrichardson.com). "Many do not believe the rights they have enjoyed their entire lives can be taken away from them, but they are wrong."

It takes actively involved citizens to protect our fragile democracy, Richardson says. The American origin story and its legacy are not only unique to our globe, they're nothing short of miracles and we need to advocate for what we enjoy.

She reviews three inspiring founding U.S. principles.

• The American Revolution has outlasted competing ideologies. Since 1776, many other revolutions have come and gone. That includes the Russian Revolution, which has all but disappeared and left a country with an identity crisis. The Chinese Revolution, which has morphed into something unrecognizable from its original ideology, and the Cuban Revolution, which has proven to be an unsustainable economic burden for its people. Rather than attempt to force an entire country to conform to an unrealistic ideology, the U.S. founding fathers proposed a Bill of Rights that continues to shape the history of the world.

• Individuality, free speech, the right to bear arms and religion are all protected. Enlightened, Western nations have to pay taxes to support religious institutions of which many citizens are not participants; in England it's the Church of England, in Germany it's the Catholic Church. The United States does not make anyone support any church - we can worship and financially support what we choose. This emphasis on individual rights often provides more momentum to our social movements, such as the Tea Party or Occupy Wall Street, because people can choose what they support.

• As our constitutionally guaranteed freedoms protect us, it's our duty as stewards of the Constitution to protect freedom. When people say nasty things, it's tempting for some groups to call for the censorship of one's speech. When someone does something barbaric with a gun, even more people call for severe limitations on one's right to bear arms. If living in a free society were easy, more countries would be doing it. There are many countries throughout the world that are experimenting with a free society, including some in the Middle East and North Africa. Egypt, for example, is finding out just how difficult freedom is to maintain. While terrorist groups may seek to fell the system of governing we were fortunate enough to inherit, we also need to make sure domestic efforts to chip away our liberties are not successful.

About Merrilyn Richardson

Merrilyn Richardson received a degree in journalism from Texas Tech University and was editor of Air Force Bases newspapers. At 89, she has spent decades searching for truth and found that studying spiritual subjects provides a basis for understanding our human condition. Her latest book, "You ARE God: The Challenge to Achieve Christ Consciousness in the Modern Era," is a concise glimpse of American history and other events that have affected individuals worldwide. She is a founding member of the Center for Spiritual Living in Midland, Texas. Her two previous books were "Initiation of the Master" and "The Master's Quest, an End to Terrorism."

11 Nov 2013

Honoring Our Veterans

By Alex Youn
Cedar Rapids - State Representative Tyler Olson, Democratic candidate for Governor issued the following statement on the celebration of Veteran's Day.
STATEMENT FROM REPRESENTATIVE TYLER OLSON:
"Today we honor the brave men and women who have served our country at home and abroad and those who are currently serving in the armed forces. Iowans have a storied history of serving our nation, something of which we are all proud. It's our responsibility to grow our communities and create new opportunities for returning veterans and their families to honor their service and sacrifice."
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07 Nov 2013

Statement from Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack on Release of Rural America at a Glance, 2013 Edition by USDA's Economic Research Service:

By USDA Office of Communications

WASHINGTON, Nov. 7, 2013

"Today's annual report by USDA's Economic Research Service - Rural America at a Glance, 2013 Edition - highlights the critical need for a new Food, Farm and Jobs Bill that will help to reverse troubling demographic and economic patterns in rural America. The fact is, too many people in rural America live in persistently-poor areas. Too many people still have trouble finding a good job. The populations of too many small towns and rural communities are shrinking. This is just one more reminder that we need a national commitment to create new opportunities in rural America that keeps folks in our small towns and reignites economic growth across the nation. The Farm Bill would invest to grow agricultural exports, and strengthen new markets for agriculture that hold job creation potential. It would spur new opportunities to manufacture products and energy from homegrown materials. It would invest in the future of Main Street businesses and communities. Rural America needs a new Farm Bill now, to meet these modern challenges head on and chart a pathway for future economic success across our rural areas."

The Rural America at a Glance, 2013 Edition report can be viewed here: http://www.ers.usda.gov/ersDownloadHandler.ashx?file=/media/1216457/eb-24_single-pages.pdf

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07 Nov 2013

Food Drive, $1 Dogs and More at Mallards Game

By Brian Lavelle

Food Drive, $1 Dogs/$1 Beer When Mallards Meet Denver Friday

Military Appreciation Night Saturday

MOLINE, Ill. (November 6, 2013) -The Quad City Mallards will hold a food drive to benefit Christian Care Domestic Violence Shelter and Rescue Mission, welcome fans to another  $1 Dog/$1 Beer Friday presented by 97X and host Military Appreciation Night this weekend when the Mallards play a pair of games against the Denver Cutthroats at the iWireless Center.

The Mallards will meet the Cutthroats at 7:05 p.m. on Friday night and on Saturday night.  Fans who donate canned food items at the iWireless Center will receive coupons good $1 off the price of a walk-up ticket to Friday's game for each item donated (up to a maximum of $3 off per ticket).  Canned food items will be donated to Christian Care Domestic Violence Shelter and Rescue Mission in Rock Island.  Christian Care was founded in 1916 to serve the least, the last, and the lost.  It has continued to serve the community for 96 years and currently operate two facilities?a domestic violence shelter for abused women and children and a rescue mission for homeless men.

Friday is the season's second $1 Dog/$1 Beer Night presented by 97X.  $1 hot dogs and $1 beers will be available at iWireless Center concession stands during each of the Mallards' 11 Friday night home games this season.  Friday's first intermission entertainment, will, courtesy of 97X, follow the hot dog-themed spirit of the evening.

The Mallards have also partnered with Metro, which provides earlier service on the Route 59 between Augustana College and downtown Moline during Friday home games this season.  The Route 59 will make one trip from campus to downtown Moline prior to the game (arriving at 5th Avenue and 15th Street at 6:30 p.m.) and will resume service from downtown to campus every 30 minutes from 10:00 p.m. to 3:00 a.m.  Regular Metro fares are just $1 one-way or $2 round-trip.  As part of Metro's unlimited ride program, Augustana riders can use their Augustana ID as their fare.  Visit www.gogreenmetro.com or www.facebook.com/53and59 for more information.

The Mallards will recognize those who have served in the armed forces with Military Appreciation Night this Saturday when the team plays its last home game before Veterans' Day.  All current and former members of the military and their families can purchase tickets to that game for just $5.

The Mallards would like to thank the numerous local businesses and season ticket holders who have already purchased Military Night tickets that have been donated to current and former military personnel and their families.

Tickets for this weekend's games and all other Mallards regular season home games can be purchased at the iWireless Center ticket office, Ticketmaster outlets, through ticketmaster.com or through Ticketmaster charge-by-phone toll free at 1-800-745-3000.  The ticket office is open weekdays from 10:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., on Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. and on game days from 10:00 a.m. until the start of the second period.

About the Quad City Mallards
A proud affiliate of the National Hockey League's Minnesota Wild and the American Hockey League's Iowa Wild, the Quad City Mallards in the midst of their seventeenth season and their fourth in the Central Hockey League.  One of the winningest teams in all of minor league hockey, the Mallards competed in the United Hockey League from 1995 through 2007 and in the International Hockey League in 2009-10.  The Mallards' proud history has seen them capture the UHL's Colonial Cup Championship three times (1997, 1998, 2001) and secure that league's Tarry Cup four times (1998, 2000, 2001, 2002) for the best overall regular season record.  In 2001, the Mallards made professional hockey history, recording their sixth consecutive season with 50 or more wins, a feat that has yet to be matched.  The i wireless Center provides a unique environment for hockey and features one-of-a-kind seating areas such as the Nest for groups and functions and the exclusive Drake Club.  For more information on the Quad City Mallards or for Mallards tickets go to www.myqcmallards.com.  Fans can also follow the Mallards via Twitter at twitter.com/myqcmallards and on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/quadcitymallards. 

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06 Nov 2013

One man play about Truman Capote opens Dec. 5 at The Old Creamery Theatre

By Shelly Klimes

Amana - Tru, a dramatic comedy about the life of famed author Truman Capote by Jay Presson Allen, opens on The Old Creamery Theatre's Studio Stage Dec. 5.

Truman Capote, or Tru to his friends, was a flamboyant writer who stood out from the crowd. His ability to weave truth with fiction led to some of his greatest works such as "Breakfast at Tiffany's" and "In Cold Blood." This play gives a glimpse of the man behind the pen, the socially elite and at times outcast Tru, whose impact on literature still runs deep.

Featuring Jeff Haffner of Cleveland, Ohio, Tru is directed by Jackie McCall of Marengo and runs through Dec. 22 on The Old Creamery's Studio Stage in Middle Amana. Tickets are $27.50 for adults and $18 for students. Tru is sponsored by The Gethmann Organizations with KMRY as the media sponsor and is rated Theatre R.

Call the box office for tickets and information 319-622-6262 or visit us online at www.oldcreamery.com.

The Old Creamery Theatre is a not-for-profit professional theatre founded in 1971 in Garrison, Iowa. The Company is celebrating 42 years of bringing live, professional theatre to the people of Iowa and the Midwest.

04 Nov 2013

Tix still available for ANGELINA THE BALLERINA 11/10 at the CCPA

By Megan Flanagan

ANGELINA BALLERINA THE MUSICAL COMING TO THE
CORALVILLE CENTER FOR THE PERFORMING ARTS NOVEMBER 10

The award-winning Vital Theatre Company and Hit Entertainment are excited to bring Angelina Ballerina The Musical to the Coralville Center for the Performing Arts.  A family-friendly favorite delighting New York families since its sold-out initial run in October 2010, this energetic and fun-filled musical will visit Coralville on Sunday, November 10, with performances at 1pm and 4pm.  With book and lyrics by Susan DiLallo, music by Ben Morss, and Direction/Choreography by Sam Viverito, the musical is based on the book series by Katherine Holabird and illustrated by Helen Craig.

Tickets are $15 and are available online at CoralvilleArts.org,  by phone at 319.248.9370, and in person at the Coralville Center for the Performing Arts box office at 1301 5th Street and the Coralville Recreation Center at 1506 8th Street.

In Angelina Ballerina The Musical, Angelina and her friends, Alice, Gracie, AZ, Viki and even their teacher, Ms. Mimi, are all aflutter because a special guest is coming to visit Camembert Academy! Angelina and her friends will perform all types of dance, including hip-hop, modern dance, the Irish jig and of course, ballet, and they are excited to show off their skills to their famous visitor. Angelina is the most excited of all, but will she get the starring moment she hopes for?  Based on the CG-animated series, "Angelina Ballerina The Next Steps" on PBS KIDS®, Angelina Ballerina The Musical is a family-friendly show that will have the entire audience dancing in the aisles.

ANGELINA BALLERINA™, a beloved publishing property for close to three decades, is a little star with big dreams of becoming a prima ballerina. This feisty little mouse works hard to reach her goals and along the way, always learns from her mistakes. When children share in Angelina's experiences, they're inspired to go after their big dreams too. For more information about Angelina Ballerina, please visit www.angelinaballerina.com.

Susan DiLallo (Book and Lyrics) is the recipient of the coveted Kleban Award. Her libretto for an original musical comedy, IRON CURTAIN, earned her a Jonathan Larson Award, and was further developed during a residency at the Eugene O'Neill Theater Center. Her book and lyrics to another musical, ONCE UPON A TIME IN NEW JERSEY, won both a Richard Rodgers Award and The Global Search for New Musicals Competition, Cardiff.  Other credits include : the Mattel/Clear Channel production of BARBIE LIVE! IN FAIRYTOPIA (book, lyrics); THAT'S LIFE (Outer Critics Circle nominee); PINOCCHIO, A MUSICAL ABOUT ADOPTION (winner, KIDDstuff new play competition); and the revised libretto for the classic A TREE GROWS IN BROOKLYN.

Ben Morss (Music) wrote the music and lyrics for CINDERELLA'S MICE, which was produced by Vital in 2006. CINDERELLA'S MICE and his other children's musical, POP STAR, are published by Samuel French. He is an alumnus of the BMI Workshop, arranged the music for the stage version of Trey Parker's CANNIBAL! THE MUSICAL and created music for ANANSI THE STORY KING at Georgetown University. He has played piano and arranged for platinum-selling bands such as Cake and Wheatus, and his playing was used in the films Sidewalks of New York and L.I.E.  He earned his doctorate in music from the University of California at Davis.

HIT ENTERTAINMENT is one of the world's leading children's entertainment producers and rights owners. HIT Entertainment is a division of Fisher-Price.  HIT's portfolio includes properties, such as Thomas & Friends®, Barney®, Bob the Builder®, Fireman Sam®, Angelina Ballerina®, Mike the Knight™, Pingu® and Rainbow Magic®. Launched in 1989, HIT's lines of business span television and video production, content distribution, publishing, consumer products licensing, digital media, and live events and has operations in the UK, US, Canada, Hong Kong and Japan.

VITAL THEATRE COMPANY is dedicated to producing entertaining and educational theatre for young audiences. Located on New York City's Upper West Side at the McGinn/Cazale Theatre, Vital Theatre Company commissions three to five new musicals for children each season. Since its founding in 1999, Vital Theatre Company has been honored with the 2012 Off-Broadway Alliance Award for Best Family Musical, two Awards for Excellence by the Off-Off Broadway Review, and has received high acclaim from audiences and critics alike for being "a wonderful place for parents to introduce their kids to the glories of live theatre, done well and at modest prices" (Off-Off Broadway Review). Now entering its 15th season, the company has presented over 78 original productions for over 373,000 children and their families. Vital Voices, Vital Theatre Company's vibrant Arts-in-Education program, engages over 2600 NYC Public school students in nine school communities by integrating theatre arts into the core curriculum to stimulate academic progress and inspire creative achievement.

Owned and operated by the City of Coralville, the Coralville Center for the Performing Arts is dedicated to enriching the community and contributing to the vitality of Coralville by offering an accessible, affordable venue for a variety of performances, presentations, and public and private events.  The 472 seat theater opened August 26, 2011 and has hosted performances from City Circle Acting Company, Orchestra Iowa, Cedar Rapids Opera Theatre, Dan Knight, Lola Astanova, Lorie Line, Judy Carmichael, Jim McDonough, Nolte Academy of Dance, and many others.  Coralville schools are also able to use the Center free of charge up to three times per year; 16 school events took place at the Center in the 2012-2013 school year. The Center was named 2012 Member of the Year by the Iowa City/Coralville Area Convention and Visitors Bureau.

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04 Nov 2013

"RUSH: Clockwork Angels Tour" To Rock More Than 350 Select U.S. Cinemas Nov. 18

By Rick Martin
Experience Rush on the big screen as NCM Fathom Events and Rounder Records bring "RUSH: Clockwork Angels Tour" to more than 350 select cinemas nationwide on Monday, Nov. 18 at 7:00 p.m. local time. Join Rush's Geddy Lee, Alex Lifeson, and Neil Peart for an epic concert experience, pre-recorded on their "Clockwork Angels Tour" in Dallas and Phoenix. The 2013 Rock & Roll Hall of Fame inductees perform classics such as "Tom Sawyer," "The Spirit of Radio," "2112" and many more. The event also features exclusive, behind-the-scenes footage, interviews and a rare glimpse into the band's touring life.
"RUSH: Clockwork Angels Tour" will be presented at the following cinemas in your area on Monday, November 18:
Cinemark Davenport 18 with IMAX 3601 E 53Rd St Davenport IA 52807
Click here for a full list of participating theaters (subject to change).
Tickets are available now at participating theater box offices and online at www.FathomEvents.com.
01 Nov 2013

Ian Sodawasser cast in Culver-Stockton's annual Guest Artist Production

By Heidi Lanier

CANTON, MO (11/01/2013)(readMedia)-- Culver-Stockton College is continuing the tradition of bringing a professional actor to campus to share the stage with students in the 28th Annual Guest Artist Production. Ian Sodawasser, musical theatre major from Davenport, Iowa, has been cast to act alongside professional actor Michael Brainard in Culver-Stockton College's production of "Other Desert Cities," written by Jon Robin Baitz and directed by Dr. Haidee Heaton.The performance runs at 7:30 p.m. Nov. 8-9 in the Mabee Little Theatre, with a Sunday afternoon matinee at 3 p.m., Nov. 10. Sodawasser has been cast as the understudy of Lyman Wyeth.

This is Brainard's second time participating in C-SC's Guest Artist Production. In addition, Brainard has had a long career in television, cinema and theatre. His most recognizable role was as Dr. Joseph 'Jake' Martin Jr. in the television series "All My Children." He also had a recurring role on the television series "American Heiress." He is in the upcoming movie, "Mi America," scheduled for release in 2014.

The annual guest artist production is an opportunity for students and faculty to experience theatre with professional actors. Students are able to work with the actor onstage, behind the scenes and in workshops and master classes. They also have the opportunity to learn new techniques in the field and share firsthand experiences of how the profession plays out on a day-to-day basis.

Culver-Stockton College, located in Canton, Mo., is a four-year residential institution in affiliation with the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ). C-SC specializes in experiential education and is one of only two colleges in the nation to offer the 12/3 semester calendar, where the typical 15 week semester is divided into two terms, a 12-week term and a 3-week term.

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