Come celebrate the fall season with a pair of free outdoor performances at the Muscatine Art Center in October. Bring your blankets or lawn chairs, and snacks, and enjoy two free family-friendly performances along with the opening day of the Scarecrow and Jack-o-Lantern competition.
“We are really excited to host these family performances,” Katy Loos, Muscatine Art Center Program Coordinator, said.
The Eulenspiegel Puppet Theatre Co. from West Liberty will be on hand at 12:30 p.m. on October 22 to perform an adaptation of “The Bremen Town Musicians”, a beloved Grimm’s Fairy Tale. Live guitar, piano, and singing is performed by musician Laura Kittrell and Eulenspiegel puppeteers Monica Leo and Stephanie Vallez.
Delight in a colorful cast of characters including a donkey, a bluesy hound, a rockin’ rooster, and a jazzy cat. The creation of the show was supported in part by an Arts Dollars grant from Quad City Arts. Attendees are encouraged to bring their lunch to enjoy before the performance. In case of inclement weather, the performance will be held in the Music Room.
“Eulenspiegel Puppet Theatre has always been a great partner, and we are excited to have them back,” Loos said.
Celebrated vocalist, writer, and arts educator, Ashli St. Armant or “Jazzy Ash”, will perform at 4:30 p.m. on October 28. Jazzy Ash tours the United States with her band, Jazzy Ash and the Leaping Lizards, performing jazz for young audiences. The group has produced five albums, been featured on Nataion Public Radio, and have performed at venues such as Lincoln Center.
Ash grew up dually influenced by the music from her mother’s hometown of New Orleans and her father’s Trinidadian culture. She trained professionally in music and theater and holds a degree in Early Childhood Education. This free performance of traditional African-American music for children is presented by the Quad City Arts Visiting Artist Series.
“While Jazzy Ash is a new performer for us, this is not the first time we have partnered with Quad City Arts to share the talents of performers participating in their Visiting Artist Series,” Loos said. “It is a fantastic way to bring nationally celebrated musicians to our area!”
Jazzy Ash’s performance unofficially kicks off the Muscatine Art Center’s Scarecrow & Jack-O-Lantern competition. Entries will be exhibited at the Muscatine Art Center October 28- 31. Contact Loos at kloos@muscatineartcenter.org to request an entry form. You can also visit our website www.muscatineartcenter.org to download one, or stop by the Muscatine Art Center, 1314 Mulberry Avenue, to pick one up. Entries due October 8.
The Muscatine Art Center is located at 1314 Mulberry Avenue in Muscatine, Iowa. Hours are Tuesday through Friday from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Thursday evenings until 7:00 p.m., and Saturday and Sunday from 1:00 to 5:00 p.m. Admission is free. Donations are appreciated. Visit www.muscatineartcenter.org for more information about programs and events and to download a quarterly newsletter.
