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. Making it through nearly five months of a paralyzing pandemic was bad enough, but for those of us in Iowa and the Quad-Cities, Aug. 10, 2020 and the days that followed seemed especially cruel. I’ll never forget that Monday afternoon, working on my laptop in the basement, a prisoner in my home trying not to go insane during a crazy year. The power suddenly went out, as a freak inland hurricane (or “derecho” – duh-RAY-cho – as everyone... Read More

A Davenport teenager is baking up something really special for his holiday break this year — 13-year-old Trey Gordon will be a contestant on the Food Network’s Kids’ Baking Championship! Trey shared the awesome news on his Facebook page, saying, “I have a huge announcement! I am so excited I’m able to tell you guys this.  I am going to be on Kids Baking Championship, season nine, with Food Network. Tune in on December 28 for a two-episode premiere!” Even at a young age, Trey has had a distinguished career in the arts and other pursuits. He’s been on stage... Read More

Davenport Junior Theater is offering a number of winter classes for creatively-minded kids, starting Nov. 30! Here’s a rundown of some of the offerings: Musical Theatre Ages 10+ Got dreams of being on the big (or small) screen? Whether acting in TV, film, or commercials, on camera acting takes a whole new set of skills and focus. Students will learn tips, tricks, and how to translate their theatre skills to create truthful, dynamic on-screen performances. Action! More info here. Beginning Ballet Ages 3-4... Read More

Davenport Junior Theatre is currently live streaming their latest masterpiece, Snow White 2.Zoom: The Evil Queen Returns in REAL TIME! Experience this Free Mainstage Show Streaming Live this Saturday Nov 14 at 4 p.m. and Sunday Nov 15 at 1 p.m. and 4 p.m. at https://www.davenportjuniortheatre.org/, YouTube and Facebook pages. Inspired by the winner of our Student Play Competition, Julia Reagan’s The Evil Queen Returns, Snow Whit 2.Zoom is a celebration of all things Snow White. Hosted by DJT’s very own Showtime Pal, the show celebrates classic Snow White scenes all tied together by the band... Read More

Saturday In The Arts is a weekly look at a personality, place, trend or topic of interest to the Quad-Cities. It runs every Saturday morning on your site for fun, free, local entertainment and features, QuadCities.com. It’s a brave new world at Davenport Junior Theatre – as the new artistic director is overseeing the first virtual production in the 69-year-history of the program. After 11 years, Daniel Sheridan was succeeded this year as artistic director of the nation’s second-oldest children’s theater by Ben Gougeon, a 43-year-old actor-director who is helming “Snow White 2.Zoom”... Read More

Adventure awaits at Davenport Junior Theater in Davenport! Check out some amazing new dance and theatre class topics for 4-week July virtual session: Poetry Slam Dance Break – Drop Ins Acting for the Camera Creative Movement Acting with an Accent Tone It Up – Fitness Classes Character Creation Dance Team Prep Monologue Madness Technical Design Classes Musical Theatre Dance Playwriting and all classics like ballet, acting, hip-hop, improv, and more! Classes for kids ages 3-18! Enroll now or get details at www.DavenportJuniorTheatre.org  Read More

Davenport’s Junior Theater is bringing theatrical lessons to a computer near you this week! The local theater will be holding online classes starting June 1. The sessions will last for four weeks. Here’s the lineup and links for more info: Creative Movement Ages 3-6 This fun class helps to build locomotive skills essential to a strong dance foundation. Using imagination play students will learn to become different things and travel to far away places! Creativity and having fun is what this class is all about! More info here. Character Creation Ages 8-10 / 11+ Students will learn... Read More

It’s fitting that one of the many things Davenport Junior Theatre (DJT) teaches is improv – for students to develop an ability to think quickly and imaginatively. In light of the Covid-19 pandemic, the 69-year-old program of Davenport Parks and Recreation is doing its own improvising, by shifting programs online. Since April, it has over 50 free videos on the “DJT Learning YouTube Channel” (on YouTube) that include lessons in theater and dance, tours, full productions, and much more. Starting June 1, DJT will offer 50 fee-based theater and dance classes using the Zoom platform. The classes... Read More

Pack your dance bag and get ready to leap, turn, and express yourself at Davenport Junior Theater’s dance camps! Dancers from beginner to advanced will have fun learning new skills, improving their technique, and meeting others at the theater, 2822 Eastern Ave., Davenport. Dancers will take classes in Jazz, Ballet, and Contemporary technique. Each day of camp will start with a large group warmup in the theatre then rotation through each style. The week will end with an onstage performance for parents on Friday, July 31st. Click here or on any camp to learn more! Ages: 7-18 years Time:... Read More

Davenport Junior Theatre (DJT) continues its 68th season of theatre “for kids, by kids’  this weekend and next with the Wizard of Oz on the mainstage. Showtimes are at 1 and 4 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays. “We last mounted the show in 2011,” said Daniel Sheridan, Artistic Director.  “Our Mainstage Company is far more dynamic now, with more resources and more students to help tell this amazing story.  In terms of cast, this is the largest show in DJT’s history.” Wizard of Oz involves over 50 students from 9 different area cities and towns in the QC. The kids, who range in age from... Read More