Find Fun Christmas Events In Illinois And Iowa In The FUN10!
Fun10 — ten ways for you to have fun in the Quad-Cities, this week and every week, running every Sunday, only on your site for fun, free, local entertainment, QuadCities.com!
Every Sunday, we drop a new Fun10, to give you a head start on your week and a heads up on what’s going on over the coming seven days. Check out Fun10 every Sunday for the details on ten awesome events happening around town. It’s a cool read, and a great way to get started planning your entertainment for the week.
So what’s on the Fun10 for this week? Read on…
See ‘Black Nativity’ At Playcrafters Today
Playcrafters Barn Theatre is excited to welcome back Creative Resources for the Langston Hughes musical, “Black Nativity.”
The musical retells the classic Nativity story with an all Black cast. Traditional Christmas carols are sung in gospel style, with a few songs created specifically for the show. It was one of the first plays written by an African American and performed Off-Broadway in 1961. The show has successfully toured Europe. It is performed in numerous cities throughout the United States annually. The musical includes scenes of reverence, joy, and jubilation.
Performances will be held Sunday, Dec. 11 at 3pm.
Visit Playcrafters.com for more details and tickets!
“Black Nativity” — which initially was performed more than half a century ago — has become one of the most beloved faith-based African-American musical plays. The focus behind “Black Nativity” is its religious and spiritual base, stressing the beauty and meaning for the Christmas season.
“Black Nativity” is a play with songs by the great African-American author and activist Langston Hughes, who based it on the narrative of the birth of Jesus as told in the Gospels. It was intended to be performed by an all-Black cast. Hughes enriched the Gospel text with his own poetic gifts and Negro spirituals. “Black Nativity” is a two-act play stressing the importance of the Nativity.
The first act relates the familiar stories surrounding Christ’s birth—no room in the inn, the shepherds watching their flock, the visiting Magi, and so on. The storytelling is ceremonial and reverent, yet with some levity and wit. He inserted such Christmas carols as “Joy to the World” and “O Come All Ye Faithful” and “Go Tell It on the Mountain.”
The second act, shifted to a different time where the reason why the nativity celebration is important spiritually important in these times, uses gospel spirituals such as “Holy Ghost,” “Changed,” “Be Grateful,” “Said I Wasn’t Gonna Tell Nobody” and others.
It is a must-see, musical theatrical production of Spiritual songs interwoven with Hughes’s story telling of the Nativity.
Last Chance To see Ballet Quad Cities ‘The Nutcracker’ Today
Ballet Quad Cities will be presenting the holiday classic “The Nutcracker” at 2:30pm today at the Adler Theatre, Davenport, Iowa..
In 10 days The Nutcracker and The Rat Queen will battle to rule the Land of The Sweets. Find out who will rule the Kingdom at a performance of The Nutcracker!
Celebrate the holidays with an enchanted experience for the whole family. Be swept away on a journey to the land of sweets, as Ballet Quad Cities & Orchestra Iowa present The Nutcracker. Breathtaking sets, dazzling costumes, incredible dancers, and extraordinary music. This performance will leave you with memories to cherish for years to come.
Join Ballet Quad Cities after the 7:30pm performance for an Afterglow to meet the dancers and musicians at Stompbox Brewing, 210 East River Drive, Davenport.
Rock Island Schools Hosting Holiday Concerts
Dec. 12th—RIHS Winter Band Concert @ 7:00 PM @ RIHS Auditorium
Dec. 13th—RIHS Winter Choir Concert @ 7:00 PM @ RIHS Auditorium
Dec. 14th—Earl Hanson @ 9:00 AM (K-2nd grades) and @ 10:00 AM (3rd-6th grades)
Dec. 14th—RICMS @ 6:30 PM @ RIHS Auditorium
Dec. 15th—Eugene Field @ 10:00 AM and 2:00 PM (K-3rd grades only)
Dec. 15th—Denkmann @ 6:00 PM (K-3rd grades) and 7:30 PM (4th-6th grades) @ RIHS Auditorium
Dec. 16th—RI Academy @ 1:00 PM (K-2nd grades) and 2:00 PM (3rd-6th grades)
Dec. 16th—Longfellow @ 1:30 PM
Dec. 16th—Frances Willard @ 1:00 (K-2nd grades) and 2:00 PM (3rd-6th grades)
Winter Nights Winter Lights Lighting Up Rock Island
The Quad City Botanical Center is proud to announce MidAmerican Energy Company as the presenting sponsor of the fifth annual Winter Nights Winter Lights through Jan. 2!
The outdoor gardens will be in winter bloom with over 160,000 glowing lights, showcasing our largest light display yet. Explore the Sun Garden, Children’s Garden, lawns, pond and pocket gardens of our outdoor light exhibit as you experience our largest fundraiser of the year.
Bundle up, stroll the gardens at night and visit the outdoor events canopy for hot cocoa and treats for purchase by Taste Buds, a Downtown Rock Island business we are proud to partner with.
Bring the kids for free crafts to make and take or plan your visit on one of our special event nights.
New this year, Botanical Center members and FunBundle members will enjoy free admission Wednesday nights during the exhibit. Memberships can be purchased on qcgardens.com.
EXHIBIT DATES AND TIMES
Dec. 11 – Dec 12, Wed – Sun, 5-9PM
Dec 15 – Jan 2, Daily*, 5-9PM
*HOLIDAY SCHEDULE
Open New Year’s Eve and the night of New Year’s Day.
Closed Christmas Eve and Christmas.
GENERAL ADMISSION
$8 Adults, $4 Youth 2-15, Under 2 Free
QC Botanical Center Members and FunBundle Members
receive $2 off Admission
Quad City Botanical Center members and FunBundle members enjoy free admission Wednesday nights throughout the exhibit duration. Members must show membership card upon entry.
Tickets available on qcgardens.com.
MEMBERS FREE ADMISSION NIGHTS
WEDNESDAYS, 5-9PM
Members must show membership card upon entry. Advanced tickets not required. Free for Botanical Center Members and FunBundle Members
DATE NIGHTS
12/16, 12/30 THURS, 6-9PM
Enjoy live music by Roger Carlson and seasonal cocktails indoors at the cash bar. Snacks and hot cocoa provided.
$20 couple, $10 individual
SANTA AND THE MRS. VISIT
12/11 SAT, 5-8PM
Visit Santa and Mrs. Claus and take your own photos. Advanced ticket purchase highly recommended.
Regular Admission
IMPACTLIFE BLOOD DRIVE
12/15, WED, 4-7:30PM
Donate blood at the donor bus in our parking lot on select dates to receive two free tickets to the light exhibit. Masks and appointments are required. Schedule an appointment at bloodcenter.org or call 800-747-5401. Hosted in collaboration with Visit Quad Cities.
Analog Rings In Holiday Season
Analog Arcade Bar is bringing back their Christmas Pop-up, Super Awesome Christmas Time II, for its second year, taking place from November 1st to December 31st at their Moline Centre location.
This pop-up features more of everything: over 35,000 Christmas lights, 1,500 feet of tinsel, specialty cocktails, surprise visits from Santa, and much more.
“We had such a blast hosting this event last year that we had to bring it back bigger for year two,” Analog co-owner Dan Bush says, “We want to give people a chance to reconnect with their friends, co-workers, and loved ones, and Analog Moline is the perfect place to do just that.”
This event is open Tuesday through Sunday and is family friendly until 9 pm.
Circa Hosting ‘White Christmas’
A Circa ’21 family favorite returns just in time for the holiday season! Veterans Bob Wallace and Phil Davis have a successful song-and-dance act after World War II. With romance in mind, the two follow a duo of beautiful singing sisters en route to their Christmas show at a Vermont lodge, which just happens to be owned by Bob and Phil’s former army commander.
Featuring a dazzling score with well-known standards including “Blue Skies,” “I Love A Piano,” “How Deep Is the Ocean” and the perennial title song, Irving Berlin’s “White Christmas” is an uplifting musical that promises to be a merry theatrical experience for all ages!
Please visit www.circa21.com for details, or call the Box Office at (309) 786-7733 ext. 2.
‘A Christmas Carol’ Coming To Davenport’s Mockingbird
The Mockingbird’s new adaptation of “A Christmas Carol” will bring the world of Charles Dickens to life with a new whacky experience!
It’s time for KSTT Davenport’s annual radio presentation of “A Christmas Carol” and a snow storm is about to ruin everything! If it can go wrong it does as two former vaudeville stars and a frazzled stage manager stumble to finish the world’s most beloved holiday tale!
Written and Directed by Mockingbird co-founder Tristan Tapscott and Doug Kutzli, the show will feature the comedic stylings of Jeremy Littlejohn, Bradley Robert Jensen and Taylor Lynn.
”A Christmas Carol” opens December 9 at 8pm and performances will continue December 10, 16 and 17 at 8pm. Doors open at 7:30pm. The Mockingbird engages in a Pay What You Can model in an effort to make a night at the theatre affordable for all.
Learn more:
‘Santa Claus’ Coming To Town!
Santa Claus will soon be coming to town, but in the meantime, he’s coming to Rock Island’s Circa ’21 Dinner Playhouse for the family adventure SANTA CLAUS: THE MUSICAL. A delightful, hour-long entertainment that Theatre Jones described as “a toe-tapping, joyous musical extravaganza,” this song-and-dance-filled treat is sure to be a popular gift for audiences of all ages and is being brought to life by a sensational team of professional talents.
SANTA CLAUS: THE MUSICAL will enjoy show-only performances at 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. through Dec. 18 engagement at the Rock Island theatre, as well as occasional brunch performances at noon with a menu featuring scrambled eggs, macaroni and cheese, tator tots, maple-brown sugar-glazed carrots, and a choice of sausage links or chicken tenders, plus a choice of water, coffee or juice box.
The 10 a.m. show-only performances (doors at 9:30 a.m.) will take place on Dec. 3, 6, 10, 13, 15 and 17. The 1 p.m. show-only performances (doors at 12:30 p.m.) will be held on Dec. 3, 10 and 17. The noon brunch performances (doors at 10:45 a.m., food served at 11 a.m.) are scheduled for the Sundays of Dec. 4, 11 and 18.
Ticket prices for the show-only performances are $11 per person. Brunch prices are $22.05 for adults, $19.95 for students and $16.80 for ages five and younger.
For tickets and information, contact Circa ’21 Dinner Playhouse at 1828 3rd Ave. in Rock Island or by calling 309-786-7733, ext. 2.
After 1,000 years of faithful service, Santa Claus has decided to retire. But not all the elves in Kris Kringle’s workshop are thrilled about his chosen replacement. With the help of his tech-savvy daughter Beatrice, Website designer Nicholas is in for the adventure of his life as he prepares to take over the reins to Santa’s sleigh before the next Christmas lands. Jingle jam-packed with a sleigh full of laughs, energetic original Christmas music and gloriously colorful costumes, SANTA CLAUS: THE MUSICAL is designed to put family audiences in the holiday spirit and was described by Arts Wave as “a jolly good time with a lesson to boot(!) that should absolutely be part of your holiday traditions.”
Circa ’21’s latest holiday musical is being directed by venue veteran Ashley Becher, who previously helmed such Rock Island productions as “Seussical” and “Just Desserts” and is currently serving as director for the theatre’s mainstage presentation of “Irving Berlin’s White Christmas.” The titular jolly old elf is portrayed by Janos Horvath, also seen in such Circa ’21 family entertainments as “Madagascar: A Musical Adventure” and “Jingle Arrgh the Way,” with the Santa-in-training Nicholas played by Bobby Becher, a “White Christmas” castmate also seen in “Winter Wonderland” and “Disney’s Beauty and the Beast.”
The role of young Beatrice is double-cast with fellow Circa ’21 veterans Ellerie Hurley “Seussical” and Chloe Knobloch “Annie” and five additionally familiar faces complete the SANTA CLAUS: THE MUSICAL ensemble: Marc Christopher, Sarah Hayes, Taylor Lynn, Kirsten Sindelar and Savannah Bay Strandin.
Circa ’21 is thrilled to gather this group of tremendous talents for such a delightful, debuting stage adventure and encourages audiences to quickly make reservations at 309-786-7733 ext. 2 for the hilarious, tune-filled, jingle-rific delights of SANTA CLAUS: THE MUSICAL!
Polar Express Pajama Party Snowing In
Families of all ages can expect tons of fun while attending a Polar Express Pajama Party — a QC holiday tradition that is over ten years strong!
You and your family will enjoy the magnificent holiday classic The Polar Express 3D on the GIANT Screen in the comfort of your PJs and take part in holiday activities for all ages, including face painting, hot chocolate bar, a make-n-take sleigh bell station, a souvenir Putnam ornament, and a lights-out adventure through the museum exhibits.
This event has proven time and again to be a blast for the entire family and shows sell out FAST!
When: December 15-18
Where: Putnam Museum
Why: For fun!
Maddie Poppe Coming To Rhythm City
Folk Singer Maddie Poppe is set to perform music from her Christmas From Home EP in the Event Center at Rhythm City Casino on Sunday, December 11, 2022 at 8 PM. Tickets are $30 plus applicable online/phone ticketing fee (this fee is waived when tickets are purchased at The Market Gift Shop inside Rhythm City Casino Resort).
All ages are welcome to attend. Tickets in the ADA section are for patrons with mobility disabilities and up to three companions. If companion seating is not available because the ADA section is sold out, Rhythm City Casino Resort will offer other seats as close as possible to the accessible seat, if available, at the purchase price of the original section.
Maddie Poppe is a twenty-four-year-old singer-songwriter from Clarksville, Iowa and Season 16 winner of American Idol. Maddie fell in love with music at a young age, learning to play guitar, ukulele and piano. In 2016, Maddie released her debut album, “Songs from the Basement,” which she wrote, produced and recorded alongside her father, Trent. After years of performing locally in Iowa, she decided to audition for American Idol and was ultimately crowned the winner in May 2018.
Since her Idol victory, Maddie has appeared on multiple TV shows including Jimmy Kimmel Live, Live! With Kelly & Ryan and the Radio Disney Music Awards and the Kelly Clarkson Show. Maddie’s sophomore album Whirlwind reached #2 on the iTunes Pop charts and her single “Made You Miss” earned #19 on the Hot AC Radio charts. Her sentimental ballad “Not Losing You” also swept radio charts, reaching #17.
In Fall 2019, Maddie supported Ingrid Michaelson on The Dramatic Tour, an experience she calls a dream come true.
Hoping to brighten the 2020 holiday season, Maddie released a holiday EP aptly titled Christmas From Home on November 20th and embarked on a near-sold out acoustic Christmas tour. Maddie is currently working on new music!
