Mraz, Crafty Cat, Nutcracker, Deck The Halls, And More In This Week’s FUN10!
It’s Sunday, and QuadCities.com proudly presents Fun10, a list of the top 10 things to do in the Quad Cities this week, and every week!
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.
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!
So what’s on the Fun10 for this week? Read on …
Jason Mraz coming to Adler
Grammy-winning musician Jason Mraz will re-release his first ever album, Live & Acoustic, this fall in honor of its 20th anniversary. Released in 2001, the album encapsulates Mraz’s early but formative days performing in the San Diego coffee shop scene. Live & Acoustic (20th Anniversary Edition) will include two previously unreleased bonus tracks and will be offered on vinyl for the first time. A vinyl pre-order starts today at Mraz’s site, and the album will be available at all DSPs on November 5.
To celebrate the album’s anniversary, Mraz will hit the road with longtime collaborator Toca Rivera, who has performed with Mraz since his coffee shop days. The trek kicks off November 26 in Mraz’s first home state of Virginia, and winds its way from coast to coast, concluding in Riverside, CA on December 22.
Live & Acoustic: Jason Mraz with Toca Rivera and special guest Gregory Page is coming to the Adler Theatre in Davenport on Tuesday, December 7, 2021 at 8:00 p.m. Reserved seat tickets will go on sale Friday, September 17 at 10:00 a.m. online at Ticketmaster.com and in person at the Adler Theatre Box Office (136 E. 3rd St.). Tickets are $59.50, $69.50 and $89.50.
Said Mraz, “Live & Acoustic celebrates the poetry, harmony, and humor that became the foundation for my entire career. It’s not only fun to replay and reimagine that material; I believe it’s important to remember and honor where we came from and how we got here. Add to it our buddy from the coffee shop days, Gregory Page, whose most recent album earned the highest praise at the 2021 San Diego Music Awards, and it’s sure to be a wonderful night of music and laughter.”
Mraz recently completed his “Look For The Good Live!” tour, where he performed across the US with a 13-piece reggae band showcasing songs from his latest album, Look For The Good. In July he released a deluxe edition of that album which featured three new songs, including “Be Where Your Feet Are.” Mraz performed the song a few weeks ago on “Today With Hoda and Jenna,” and the official video for the song is available here.
Quad Con Brings Nerdy Fun To SouthPark Today
Quad Con Holiday Extravaganza will bring comic books, sci-fi and other collectible coolness in this weekend, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, at SouthPark Mall in Moline!
Join us for a celebration of Pop Culture! Comics, games, toys, cosplay, and other needful nerdy things. Join us for 2 days of Geeky Goodness as we take over the mall from one end to the other! Get the nerd in your life what they REALLY want!
Tickets? More info? Check HERE.
Bettendorf High School Holding Saturday Market
The Bettendorf High School Student Council is hosting a Saturday Market 11 am – 1 pm on Saturday, December 11. You won’t want to miss it. Mark your calendar!
Spaces are available for $30. If you would like to rent a space for a display or to sell items, fill out the form at https://bit.ly/BHS-Saturday-Market-Dec11. For more information email studentcouncil@bettendorf.k12.ia.us.
Deck The Halls With Mockingbird On Main
When a snow storm hits and the star studded cast of a radio show can’t make it into the studio those who are now trapped inside the studio – the janitor, the writer, the assistant station manager and the young frazzled producer – must take over and see that show does indeed go on! DECK THE HALLS is a fast paced, family friendly holiday musical featuring such popular hits as Jingle Bells, Silent Night, We Wish You A Merry Christmas, a new version of O’ Little Town of Bethlehem and much more!
“The show is all fun and fluff and is the perfect getaway from the outside world,” Mockingbird co-founder Savannah Bay Strandin said. Creator Tristan Tapscott added, “We aren’t trying to reinvent any wheels or reimagine what theatre can do; we just wanted to bring something fun and happy to the landscape!”
DECK THE HALLS stars Doug Kutzli (as Doc, the writer); Gary Talsky (as Elias, the janitor); T.J. Green (as Roy, the producer);
and Kira Rangel (Loretta, the assistant station manager). DECK THE HALLS was written by Tristan Tapscott (who also directs) and features arrangements by Douglas Kutzli (who most recently teamed up on Circa ‘21’s virtual movie musical, BIG ROCK CANDY MOUNTAIN).
Sponsored by QuadCities.com, DECK THE HALLS will play the Mockingbird stage December 9, 10, 11, 16, 17, 18 at 8pm.
Doors open at 7:30pm and all tickets are $10. Tickets can purchased by visiting TheMockingbirdOnMain.com!
320 Main Street, Davenport, IA 52801
themockingbirdonmain@gmail.com
IowaWorks Holding Success Fair
IowaWORKS will host the 5th Annual Quad-Cities Success Fair to assist Veterans, transitioning soldiers and the community in finding employment, resources and education opportunities.
The event will be held on Tuesday, December 14 from 1 to 4 PM in the Roglaski Center at St. Ambrose University.
“Veterans, military personnel and family members, will have the opportunity to have on-site interviews and network with some of the top employers in our region,” said Jacqueline Friemel, Local Veterans’ Employment Representative. “The community is also invited to participate and explore new career opportunities.”
“If you can’t attend the Success Fair, the IowaWORKS center in Davenport can provide additional resume and job-seeking services,” Friemel said.
More than 80 employers will be on hand to speak with job seekers about thousands of job opportunities in and beyond the Quad Cities.
“We are excited to help the community connect with employers and the needed resources to help people succeed in diverse careers,” James Stout, Veteran Representative at IowaWORKS, said.
IowaWORKS founded the Quad-Cities Success Fair five years ago to provide hiring resources for veterans and their spouses. Today, the community event has grown to be one of the largest job fairs in Eastern Iowa. The event’s success has flourished through a partnership with the Rock Island Arsenal, Illinois Department of Employment Security and St. Ambrose University.
AT A GLANCE:
- WHAT: 5th Annual Quad-Cities Success Fair hosted by IowaWORKS
- WHO: Employers, job seekers, IowaWORKS staff
- WHEN: Tuesday, December 14, 2021 from 1 to 4 PM
- WHERE: St. Ambrose University – Roglaski Center — 2100 N. Ripley St., Davenport, IA 52803
- CONTACT: IowaWORKS 563-445-3200 Option 2
Crafty Cat Indie Art Fest Returns to Downtown Davenport
Crafted QC will be hosting its indie arts festival, Crafty Cat (formerly known as OMG Beckyfest), Friday, December 10, 5-8 PM and Saturday, December 11, 10 AM-4 PM, in the Great Hall of the RiverCenter, Downtown Davenport, IA. This shopping event features over 100 vendors from the QC and all over the Midwest selling unique handcrafted items and vintage finds. Sixteen kid makers will have their own booths with handmade items ranging from sewn cat toys, to green cleaning products, to original paintings. Entrance is a suggested $2 donation to the River Music Experience.
Concessions, including alcoholic beverage sales, are being provided by the RiverCenter.
Live acoustic music, curated by the River Music Experience, will be provided by:
Friday, Dec. 10
5:00-6:30: Alan Sweet
6:30-8:00: Charlotte Blu
Saturday, Dec. 11
1:00-2:30: Lewis Knudsen
2:30-4:00: Karl Beatty
Santa and Mrs. Claus will visit Saturday from 11 AM – 1 PM.
Further information, including vendor profiles can be found at https://www.facebook.com/craftycatqc
Crafty Cat is an excellent way to shop small and support local businesses in the QC.
Crafted QC is a Quad Cities based business lending support to local artists. We are artists. We believe art shapes our lives and gives color to our souls. We believe small shops give our community character. Eclectic. Unique. Creative.
Tuesday Last Day For WIU Vaccine Clinic
The McDonough County Health Department, in cooperation with Western Illinois University, will host a COVID-19 vaccination clinics (including boosters) for WIU faculty, staff and students, as well as members of the general public, in December as the Fall 2021 semester comes to a close. The clinic will be held in the University Union Sandburg Lounge from 9 a.m.-2 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 7. Johnson & Johnson, Moderna and Pfizer vaccines will be available at no cost.
NOTE: If the Dec. 7 date at WIU does not work for an individual’s schedule, the McDonough County Health Department will host vaccine clinics, which include Pfizer-BioNTech, Moderna and J & J boosters, at the former Farm King building on East Jackson Street from 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Thursdays, Dec. 2, 9 and 16 and from 3-7 p.m. Friday, Dec. 17.
Information can also be found at the McDonough County and Rock Island County health department at https://getyourcovidshot.com (McDonough) and https://richd.org (Rock Island).
Statewide vaccine clinics can be found at bit.ly/WIUCOVID19VaxInfo.
WIU students, faculty and staff who receive a booster are not required to submit additional information to the University; however, individuals can update their record if they choose by sending an email and photo of their updated COVID-19 vaccination card to:
Students:
• Email: beuhealthcenter@wiu.edu
• In-Person: Beu Health Center
Employees:
• Email: rmep@wiu.edu
• In-Person: Vice President for Student Success Office (Sherman 321) or Riverfront Hall front desk (WIU-Quad Cities)
WIU encourages members of the University community to take advantage of the free vaccination clinics. Supervisors are authorized to approve up to 60 minutes of release time from work for an employee to receive the vaccine. Proof of vaccination/appointment, presented to the supervisor, will be required to utilize the release time. Time off needed beyond 60 minutes should be reported as sick or vacation leave.
Complete the consent form in advance at wiu.edu/coronavirus/immunizationconsent/
Richmond Hill Players cover all the holiday classics in “Every Christmas Story Ever Told”
Richmond Hill Players concludes its 2021 season with the holiday comedy Every Christmas Story Ever Told (and then some), written by John K. Alvarez, Michael Carlton, and James FitzGerald. It will be presented Thursdays through Sundays, December 2-12 at the Barn Theatre in Geneseo.
The show takes a little of “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer,” “Frosty the Snowman,” and “How the Grinch Stole Christmas,” mixes in “The Gift of the Magi,” “A Charlie Brown Christmas,” and “It’s A Wonderful Life,” then adds touches of “A Christmas Carol,” “The Nutcracker” and a few other BHCs (Beloved Holiday Classics). It’s a fast, fond, and furious romp through everyone’s favorite traditional Christmas memories, performed as three actors cram an entire season’s worth of stories, carols and television specials into 90-minutes of non-stop family-friendly fun.
The cast features Nathan Johnson, Jonathan Grafft (both Geneseo) and Michael Kelly (Rock Island).
Mike Skiles, Geneseo, directs the show. The staff includes stage manager Jackie Skiles, light designer Jennifer Kingry, sound designer Larry Lord, light & sound board operator Dana Skiles, crew member Ann Keeney-Grafft, all Geneseo, and crew member Kady Patterson, Silvis.
Thursdays, Fridays, and the first Saturday (Dec. 4) doors open at 6:30 pm with the show beginning at 7:30 pm. Both Sundays and the second Saturday (Dec. 11) are 3 pm matinees with the doors opening at 2 pm. Reservations are recommended and can be made by calling the Richmond Hill box office at 309-944-2244 or by visiting the website at www.rhplayers.com. Late seating is not permitted; no one will be admitted to the theater after the show has started. Admission to all performances is $12.
An audio description performance will be held Friday, Dec. 3. New this season, Richmond Hill is offering Assistive Listening Devices (ALDs), which can be requested at the time that reservations are made.
Ballet Quad Cities presents ‘The Nutcracker’ next weekend.
Nutcracker Returns Next Weekend
Everyone’s favorite holiday performance is back on the Adler Theatre stage! Celebrate the holidays with an enchanted experience for the whole family. Be swept away on a journey to the land of sweets, as Orchestra Iowa & Ballet Quad Cities 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.
December 11th at 2:30pm & 7:30pm
December 12th at 2:30pm
Tickets to The Nutcracker – Davenport
What If The Three Wise Men Were Ninja Wizards?
You’ve all heard the classic tale of the Nativity – Joseph and Mary travel to Bethlehem for the birth of Jesus as the three wise men follow a star to offer their gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh.
But what if… the three wise men were NINJA WIZARDS sent to protect Joseph, Mary and the baby Jesus from the evil of King Herod and Satan, who sought to kill the holy family before they made it to Bethlehem?
That’s the pulse-pounding premise of THE ARIMATHEAN, a new action- adventure novel from author Sean Leary. The book is an action-packed popcorn tale that’s part “Lord of the Rings,” part “The Bible,” merging the worlds of sword and sorcery action with a faith-affirming saga of belief, perseverance and the ultimate good vs. the ultimate evil.
Sean Leary, author of The Arimathean, will be signing copies of that book and his other books, from noon to 5 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 12 at The Book Rack, 4764 Elmore Ave., Davenport.
Pulitzer Prize-winning author Geraldine Brooks (“March”) said of THE ARIMATHEAN, “It’s fantastic! What a wonderfully imaginative idea!” Best-selling crime fiction author Matthew Clemens (“No One Will Hear You”) raved “This book rocks!” And Yahoo! News Chicago wrote “It’s got ninja wizards, zombies, vampires, demons, monsters and Jesus – this is the most fun book I’ve read in a long time!”
THE ARIMATHEAN is available in bookstores worldwide, distributed by Ingram Books and Amazon.com. It’s also available on all online bookstores, as an ebook at smashwords.com and at seanleary.com. THE ARIMATHEAN is the first in a saga of books, the second of which, THE BLOOD OF DESTINY, and the third of which, BLACK KNIGHT APOCALYPSE, are also in stores worldwide.
For more information see www.seanleary.com.
