Saturday in the Arts is a weekly feature covering a trend, subject, event or personality of local interest. It runs every Saturday morning on your site for the best entertainment and arts coverage in the area, QuadCities.com! Brianna Hobbs was in middle school when the then-new River Music Experience first opened its doors June 12, 2004, in the historic Redstone building at 2nd and Main streets, Davenport. Now, the 28-year-old East Moline native is thrilled to join the growing nonprofit’s staff as new programs director, as the veteran RME leaders Bret Dale and his wife Kate transition out as... Read More

Saturday In The Arts is a comprehensive weekly feature looking at a trend, personality, or major subject involving the Quad-Cities arts and entertainment scene. This past week was an historic one for the nation, as well as for Davenport-based River Music Experience. Five Americans died as a result of the massive Jan. 6 riot at the U.S. Capitol in Washington, as pro-Trump insurrectionists disrupted the certification of the Electoral College presidential results. That same Wednesday, RME postponed the planned celebration of the online Music Lab’s 200th episode that afternoon. The half-hour weekday... Read More

While the live-music industry has been decimated by coronavirus, including Davenport’s River Music Experience, it was the massive insurrection 843 miles away in Washington, D.C. on Wednesday that postponed the planned online 200th episode of RME’s Music Lab. Wednesday, RME posted on Facebook they were postponing the episode until Thursday due to the chaos in Washington, D.C., at the Capitol building. “This is a historic moment in our nation’s history. As we witness a violent assault on our capitol and attempted coup on our democracy, we believe every American should be following these... Read More

River Music Experience continues to bring opportunities to listen, learn and play music, even amidst our current situation. RME Music Lab currently provides a half hour of fun and learning to kiddos (and their caretakers) at 10 a.m. every weekday. The experience is streamed on FB Live on River Music Experience’s page, at https://www.facebook.com/rivermusicexperience/. Join local musician, Bret Dale, as he plays songs and teaches all the fun parts of music to your littles. Whether he is teaching your children about the Blues or helping them make their own music shakers, happiness and fun will... Read More

Do you have a young aspiring musician in your home? Give them the gift of guidance and joy this holiday season! The Ellis Kell Winter Blues Camp takes place at the River Music Experience (129 N Main St. Davenport) this Wednesday Dec 26 through Saturday Dec 29 from 1 – 5 p.m. This annual Winter Blues program features vocal and instrumental workshops (guitar, bass, harmonica, keyboards & drums), as well as concentration on blues composition and improvisation. Sessions are open to area musicians from 8-18 years old. The cost is just $175. These sessions will be led by RME’s Bret Dale with... Read More

When referring to a band of fresh young men back in the 1960’s, a large recording company once said they “didn’t like the sound, and groups of guitars were on the way out”. That band, The Beatles, sure proved them wrong. A one of a kind event is coming to the Quad Cities, and you won’t want to miss it. Bret Dale, a musician from River Music Experience will be hosting a FREE guitar circle playing only Beatles songs! This guitar circle will be taking place on Saturday April 1 from 1:30-3pm in the Grand Lobby of the Putnam Museum (1717 W 12th Street Davenport). If you are interested in participating... Read More