MUSCATINE, Iowa–Though January may feel just as cold as ever, it still stands out as one of the best times to look for eagles along the Mississippi River. It also offers a good time to go to concerts, enjoying music in the warmth of the indoors. For the 29th year, Eagles and Ivories will combine the best of both activities Jan. 19 through 22.
Even before the weekend begins, the artists of Eagles and Ivories will travel through the community, bringing their love of music to many different groups. Visiting artist Dave Majchzak will visit several local schools to play for students as well as long-term care facilities to entertain their residents. He will also hold a clinic at the Musser Public Library Tuesday, Jan. 17 to teach aspiring musicians more about playing these classic American styles of music. On Thursday and Friday, Jeff Barnhart will bring a presentation and silent movies to students at Jefferson Elementary School and Saints Mary and Mathias Catholic School as well.
Thursday evening, the music will begin with a cabaret at the Merrill Hotel (119 West Mississippi Drive in Muscatine) allowing several of the performers to play in a smaller setting. On Friday, the day will kickoff with a free concert at Addington Place of Muscatine (3515 Diana Queen Queen Drive in Muscatine) followed by a soup supper at 5 p.m. and the evening concert held at Wesley United Methodist Church (400 Iowa Avenue in Muscatine). The night will end with an after hours at the Merrill Hotel beginning at 10 p.m.
On Saturday, the eagles portion of Eagles and Ivories will kick off the day’s events, taking place at the riverfront at 9 a.m. and running until 1 p.m. The Muscatine County Conservation Board, the US Fish and Wildlife Service, and the US Army Corps of Engineers will all participate in the event, and Muscatine County Conservation Board Naturalist Dave Bakke will lead a program with live raptors at both 9:15 a.m. and 10:30 a.m. At noon, Jeff Barnhart will play a selection of silent movies, suitable for viewers of all ages, at the Muscatine Art Center (1314 Mulberry Avenue in Muscatine). Desserts and music by the Locust Street Boys will follow at Westley as well as the evening’s signature concert at 5 and 7 p.m. respectively. Again, the evening will end with an after hours at the Merrill Hotel at 10 p.m. On Sunday, Jeff and Anne Barnhart of Ivory and Gold will perform one last concert at 2 p.m. at the Art Center.
With Eagles and Ivories drawing close, people may order tickets for the whole event ($70) or for individual events (which cost between $5 and $20) either online through Eventbrite, by mailing in the form available on the Muscatine County Arts Council’s website, or by visiting Flowers on the Avenue ( 1138 East Ninth Street in Muscatine). People may also purchase individual event tickets at the door. Children 16 and under may attend all events for free.
An unforgettable weekend of music and nature appreciation, Muscatine Arts Council Member Ed Chamberlin invites everyone to come enjoy Eagles and Ivories. “I personally enjoy the opportunity to see and interact with these world renowned artists; to have these performances in our own community is quite an accomplishment,” he said.
