Local Scene Magazine

Slings and Arrows - Robyn McVey CD Release

Robyn McVey is proof that you can start doing something you really love whenever you want in life and make things happen. With a ten-year career at Blackhawk College as a Math and Statistics instructor, she is following her late father’s lead – he spent his life working as a floor sander, and then picked up water colors after her sister started working on a degree in art. The label for her new CD, Slings and Arrows, is made from photographs of her father’s paint trays.

Roberta's Blog - Live Music Every Day

I’ve been saying for a long time now that there is live music to be found somewhere in the Quad Cities every night of the week. Last week was proof of this, as there were must-see shows every night.

Roberta's Blog - Busy is a Good Thing

This weekend was reminiscent of some of the insane music weekends last summer. Maybe it’s the great warm weather we’ve been having – or maybe it was just that there was too much fantastic music being played to be ignored – but in either case, I was really on the run over the weekend. It’s a good thing to be this busy, as that means there is something for everyone.

Roberta's Blog - I've Been Away

I've been away, but not entirely. In case you haven’t noticed, the Roberta’s Blog portion of Local Scene has been a bit quiet these last few weeks. And my crazy schedule of shows has slowed down considerably. The last two weekends I only covered one show each weekend.

I’ve been limited because of an injury. It not only slowed me down, but made typing difficult so I haven’t been able to write as much as I used to. In fact the first week, just getting the calendar listing up took almost my whole week.

Lost in the Joy – The Busted Chandeliers release Postmarks and Timestamps

The four talented women of the Busted Chandeliers may have gone their separate ways a year ago, but not before they preserved their music. On May 9 at the Redstone Room, the group will be together again to celebrate the release of their CD “Postmarks and Timestamps”. They will be opening a show for the Ballroom Thieves, who are also celebrating the release of a CD. Editor Roberta Osmers had the opportunity last week to sit down with three of the Chandeliers, Maureen Carter, Erin Moore and Amy Foley.

RME Reaches 2015 Fundraising Goal

DAVENPORT, IOWA - River Music Experience (RME) kicked off their Annual Appeal in February, with the goal of raising $62,500. RME is a non-profit, mission-based organization focused on exposing Quad Cities area residents and visitors to all aspects of music through unique music-education programs and diverse live-music performances. All funds raised during the campaign benefit music education programs and offset the costs of bringing in live music acts. The money raised is also included as part of the RME Strong 3-year comprehensive campaign.

Blues Society Launches $50,000 Fundraising Campaign

Including a Festival Fundraiser May 3

Citing depleted coffers due to years of fighting Mother Nature, the Mississippi Valley Blues Society has announced the launch of a fundraising campaign with a goal of raising $50,000 by May 31. The campaign targets blues fans as well as community businesses and potential sponsors. All donations are tax-deductible, and will go towards the Blues Festival scheduled for September 5 and 6 in Davenport’s LeClaire Park.

Tags:

MVBS Blues Challenge Preliminary Round Sunday at RME

The Mississippi Valley Blues Society, Central Iowa Blues Society, Southeast Iowa Blues Society, and South Skunk Blues Society present the 2015 Iowa Blues Challenge (IBC). The IBC is a cooperative effort among the four organizations to select a solo-duo and band participant to represent the State of Iowa at the International Blues Challenge in Memphis, TN, in January 2016.
The Final Round of the IBC will be held in Des Moines, IA on May 16, but first each solo/duo and band, made up primarily of Iowa based musicians, must surmount a Preliminary Round.

Johnny O

Although I had been aware of his presence for many years I only recently got to know John O'Meara. 4 years ago I started attending his jam sessions at the Muddy Waters. Johnny always had a smile, a hug, and a kiss on the cheek for me. I never once doubted the sincerity in his heart.

Not only was Johnny a very talented and brilliant musician but he was a friend to so many in the Quad Cities. There was no condition to his love. He loved us all equally and without measure.

Food Forest Fundraiser

A night of music and entertainment is planned Saturday to raise funds for plants and supplies for the project, "The Blackhawk Gardens Community Food Forest" in Davenport, Iowa. The event takes place from 5 PM until 2 AM at the Davenport Fraternal Order of Eagles Lodge.

There will be food, drawings, an auction, plant sales, massages, and other ways to help raise funds for this community volunteer effort. There is a $10 suggested admission for the all ages event.

Live music will be provided by QC area musicians: