In 1974, pianist Barbara Nissman visited Quad City area schools, beginning a tradition that later became Quad City Arts’ Visiting Artist Series. The 2018-2019 Visiting Artist Series brings ten artists and ensembles to visit the Quad Cities region from September 2018 through March 2019.  These artists will perform over 200 engagements to audiences in local K-12 schools, colleges, and a variety of community sites, including local libraries, churches, senior centers and public concert venues across six counties and two states.

The season begins with a collaborative program by hip-hop artist Christylez Bacon and violinist Nistha Raj where progressive hip-hop meets classical Hindustani violin. This duo explores the spaces between classical Northern India music, acoustic hip-hop, and go-go.

During their week in the Quad Cities, the duo will give lectures and demonstrations in 14 schools for elementary through high school students. They will also give a workshop to students in the afterschool program at the Martin Luther King, Jr. Community Center in Rock Island.

The 2018-2019 season of the Visiting Artist Series runs through March 2019 and features the following performing arts residencies:

Nistha Raj and Christylez Bacon (hip-hop and violin), in residence Sept. 17-21, 2018

Turtle Island Quartet (string quartet), in residence Oct. 1-5, 2018

Concert:  7 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 6, 2018, at Rock Island High School’s auditorium, Rock Island

Gaudete Brass Quintet, in residence Oct. 22-26, 2018 and March 4-8, 2019

Concert: 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 27, 2018, at First Presbyterian Church, Davenport

Mandy Harvey (jazz and pop singer-songwriter), in residence Oct. 29-Nov. 2, 2018

Concert: 7 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 3, 2018, at the Central Dewitt Performing Arts Center, DeWitt, IA

“Letters Home” (military drama), in residence Nov. 1-6, 2018

Public performance: 3 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 4, 2018, at Galvin Fine Arts Center, St. Ambrose University, Davenport

Jason Vieaux (classical guitarist), in residence Nov. 26-Dec. 7, 2018

Concert: 3 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 8, 2018, at Davenport Central High School’s Performing Arts Center, Davenport

The Moxie Strings (contemporary string duo), in residence Jan. 14-25, 2019

Concert: 7 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 24, 2019, at Bettendorf High School Performing Arts Center

Antics (hip-hop dance), in residence Jan. 28 through Feb. 8, 2019

Concert: 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 2, 2019, at Galvin Fine Arts Center, St. Ambrose University, Davenport

Greg Kennedy (STEM juggler), in residence Feb. 25 through March 1, 2019

Concert: 7 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 28, 2019, at The Spotlight Theatre, Moline

Marian Anderson String Quartet, in residence March 25-30, 2019

Concert: 7:30 p.m. Saturday, March 30, 2019, at First Presbyterian Church, Davenport

For more information on these artists and details on their performances, visit www.quadcityarts.com/vas.