QC Forum - 2-4-24

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Episode Transcript

(00:00):
Welcome to Quad City Forum, aweekly community service program produced by iHeartMedia to
look at the issues and opportunities thatexist in our community. Now here's your
hosts for a Quad City Forum,Nott Luke and Danny Linnhowe, Daniel Sheridan
performing art supervisor with Junior Theater,and Daniel the Junior Theater has been in

(00:24):
the news the last couple of weeksand a lot of it right off the
top. How much did you knowwhat was happening with the City of Davenport
with how it was pertaining to JuniorTheater. Well, sure, yeah,
I mean that's great question. Sofirst off, just to share, you
know, Davenport Junior Theater has historicallylong been a program of Davenport Parks and

(00:49):
Recreation, and our nonprofit partner,Junior Theater, Inc. Runs our main
stage company and does fundraising and alumnisupport. So we're really a team over
here. But to direct towards yourquestion, the timeline on the project is
certainly a tight one. I knowobviously there were a lot of conversations with

(01:10):
city administration about developing this facility.You know, I've been here fifteen years
and I've heard talk on and offagain for years about a potential development of
the Wittenmeier Complex, and you know, this seems to have come to fruition
rather quickly, based around the needsof funding and what the developer, Chris

(01:34):
Ales, can bring to the table. So it's a challenging timeline for us,
but you know there there are hopefullysome really good opportunities along the way.
Well, when we talk about theopportunities that are available, I'm just
wondering how quick of a timeline.It seems like you can talk and talk
and talk and then all of asudden it sounds like somebody said, oh,

(01:57):
by the way, Daniel, yougot to be out by you know,
in like about five minutes. Iknow it's not that quickly. But
what you just had recently had akind of an input meeting. What happened
with that was there was there goodthings that came out of that or good
ideas they came on. You know, we did. We had a really
great meeting, you know, becausebecause it's come so fast, and obviously

(02:21):
we as a team were kind ofwaiting to see the direction Council was planning
to head with the conditional conveyance ofthe property to the developer and you know,
since that has gone through, thatlikely puts us on a timeline to
be out of the facility essentially byJune of twenty twenty five. We'll have
some minimal use until December. Butthe community input session was great because we

(02:45):
had just the most amazing group ofalumni and current students and parents and staff
all gathering together to help give theirinput on you know, where, you
know, where in the city shouldfuture junior theater program be located. You
know, what are the important elementsand opportunities we have, and really getting

(03:07):
our community talking to one another becauseyou know, I told the kids I
would build them. I would buildthem a theater with my own two hands.
If I could, I'd start today, but I can't. It is
the whole community is going to haveto help us kind of realize the vision
of this program. And it's interestingyou talk about community because there are probably

(03:29):
some people that were like, uh, what we have a junior theater.
I mean, just because they're justnot plugged in. Being a Fespian myself
and knowing the importance of theater.Literally, Davenport's junior theater is the second
oldest junior theater, Like what inthe nation. Yeah, in the nation.
Yeah, seventy two years. We'vebeen doing theater for kids by kids,

(03:52):
and you know, the goal.We love it if they want to
pursue the arts, But when itcomes down to it, our goal is
to create people who can get upand speak and speak with clarity and confidence
and be creative and live in themoments. And you know, whether that's
whether that's coaching a little league teamor standing up in a boardroom or being
in a show, it all matters. When we talk about moving forward though,

(04:15):
and certainly with seventy two years,we're talking about generations that have gone
through there. Some of those peoplehave maybe moved, maybe they're still in
the Quad Cities. But how muchis the is the importance to stay in
Davenport. Do you think there'll beother options in other parts of the Quad
Cities or is it pretty much rightnow you're trying to stay right around Davenport.

(04:36):
Well, you know, we've alwaysbeen primarily obviously a program of Davenport
Parks and Recreation, and you know, the history of the program is wrapped
up in Davenport from the moment itbegan, and Davenport, you know,
has always honestly shown a tremendous amountof investment in the performing arts, you

(04:58):
know, and the like I said, coming back to the timeline, it's
just a difficult thing that we're goingto have to figure out and work through.
But you know, there is along standing commitment from the City of
Davenport to performing arts in the community, and I know the nonprofit partner as
well, would only love to stayin Davenport. You know, that's really

(05:20):
everyone's goal. Daniel. When youtalk about maybe a perfect picture, what
would be your perfect picture of whatwould happen? I mean knowing that you
have to move somewhere, like apermanent home, something that you could move
around, what would be your perfectpicture of where the theater should be?

(05:41):
That's a great question. You knowMary Flew or Ice Wander, who founded
the program from nineteen fifty one tonineteen seventy seven, the program moved fifteen
times and then we landed here atthe Wittenmeier Complex and we've been here for
forty five years. But Mary's originalvision was a purpose driven facility made for
the forming arts to serve kids.That's the vision I think for the Junior

(06:04):
theater program is to have a facilitythat is designed to connect kids to one
another and become storytellers, whether that'sthrough theater or dance or any of the
other number of mediums of performing artswe offer. So it would be nice
to have a theater. Not nicewith a theater and then classroom spaces and

(06:26):
support spaces like we have now tocontinue to grow into the future, because
we've grown tremendously over the last fifteenyears and we're a really special regional program
that draws from many communities throughout theregion. Now, when we talk about
some of those classes, those thingsas you're trying to find a location or
moving forward, the class is onlinestuff that's all going to continue. Yeah,

(06:49):
yeah, I mean, I meanthat's the goal, right, I
mean, we if we were torealize the dream of building a new facility,
obviously that that's not going to happenby next June, right, you
know that that is you know,probably like at best, at best a
three and a half year you know, proposition probably five. You know,

(07:13):
it's a it's a big project.So we'll have to find an interim space
that can adequately serve the students aswell, and so it's kind of a
dual search right now. Of youknow, is there an interim space is
or is there maybe a space thatwe can make the new junior theater converted.
But I can say, you know, is a department right now.

(07:34):
Our our main interest is a parksand rec department and junior theatering team is
on seeing a vision of a newcomplex or facility for the arts. Yeah,
it's a while. It's a talkabout conflicting issues here, business as
usual yet, Yeah, if you'vegot a building and really it's it,
it has to be frustrating because justseeing some of the video from just recently

(07:57):
when you had the big meeting,that's the perfect You really have a perfect
place that you guys have improved upon. Now we have to find the next
big place and ready to go.But burying your head in the sand is
not an option here. We haveto move forward. And it's great when
you have the network that you guyshave to be able to really get the

(08:18):
feelers out everywhere already. Yeah,yeah, absolutely, we have a lot
of people engaged in that and ofcourse very invested alumni reaching out who have
careers and you know, experience tokind of pitch in and help and yeah,
and in regards to you know,we have maximized this space, but
it is also truthful that I don'tthink anyone would pick an eighteen eighties slowly

(08:43):
deteriorating former orphanage to also put theprogram. We've just really, I think,
done a great job here and somaybe there is an opportunity for something
for something better. You know,ada accessibility continues to be a challenge in
our space, and you know,if we're carrying costumes from one to classroom,

(09:03):
we're outside in the winter while it'ssnowing or raining carrying costumes around.
Like, you know, there's somechallenges here, but there are challenges.
We've been here for forty five years, so it feels like, you know,
that's just how things happen at ourhouse. Building character, well building,
building character, and really so manyof those, so many of those
things. It was like it wasn'tlike it was just down the hall from

(09:26):
the stage. You were going fromone building to the next to make this
happen. And yet it still looksgreat. And yet at the same time,
you will probably have more input meetingsor what are the moves going forward,
because I'm sure you're going to stillwant input from the rest of the
theater community and the community in general. Yeah. Absolutely. You know,

(09:50):
we're planning a follow up input foryou know, everyone who is able to
be there on Saturday, but we'llbe sending out a digital link survey to
our broader community as well to connectwith all of them and get their feedback.
But then there's there's going to beneed to be some more strategic breakouts
with you know, our students.You know, if this is for kids,

(10:13):
by kids, they're probably the mostimportant stakeholder we have, and then
you know parents and staff and breakingthose things out as well. So but
really the next month is trying tofigure out that interim piece with is there
a site, a location or agoal for a permanent home, and you
know, we need to build themaps so we know the journey we're going

(10:33):
to go on. Oh my goodness, it sounds like a rough journey,
but again, you're building character,You're going to find the perfect spot.
It's going to be the best thingever. And just by the way it
was said by Gandhi and I believeyou've said it to be the change you
wish to see in the world.Mm hmmm, yes, absolutely, and

(10:54):
I completely agree. And if Ican share just one one more quick story.
Olivia to be a Goth was ajunior theater student in the seventies.
She was here all the way throughuntil like nineteen seventy eight, seventy nine,
and she helped move junior theater asa kid five different times, including
to the Wittenmeier Complex. But shenever got the chance to perform on the

(11:16):
stage. It was never done forher, it was never ready for her.
And she drove three and a halfhours to be and she's retired now.
She drove three and a half hoursto be at the community meeting this
last weekend, and she made apledge to everyone she was the kid who
is here moving us in, andshe's the woman who will be here helping
carry us out. And that's thekind of community we have of our alumni,

(11:37):
like they care so deeply about themission and serving kids. It's a
tremendous community of which to be apart. And there was another old saying,
Now it wasn't by Gandhi, butit was from a movie, and
they said, if you build it, they will come. I kind of
feel like if you move it,they will still come. And continue success
in the search for a new place. Absolutely and that. You know,

(12:00):
since we're throwing quotes around, Igot one more for you, and that's
everybody who has been talking about supportingus. Right now in these early days,
action is character. What will youraction be to prove your character?
And you know we're we're anticipating alot of follow through. Nice Daniel Sheridan,
performing arts supervisor for Davenport's Junior Theater. Thank you so much and the

(12:24):
best to come. Thank you guysso much. I appreciate your time.
If you or your organization would liketo be featured on Quad City Forum,
please visit the contact page on ourstation website. Now back to bat Luke
and Danny Linnhowe, we have EmilyShrunk. She is the associate director of

(12:45):
vocal music over Davenport's Central High School. Now, Emily, we talked to
you last year about this, butit is coming around again. I can't
believe it's been a whole year sinceyou know, we're going to get in
on this big competition in all thetown. Look at this and how many
years we're talking about it. Thisis the twenty second annual Great River Show
Choir Competition on Saturday, February seventeenth. Even though we're talking about some Quad

(13:09):
city area show choirs that you've gotit. You're pulling them in from a
few states away too, that's right. Yes, we have our local Davenport
North show choir coming to compete,and then we've got you know, also
groups coming from closer in this state, but also from the area. So

(13:30):
Wisconsin, South Dakota, Illinois,and Iowa all represented coming to compete at
Great River this year. And I'mthinking, how big of a reputation this
is when you can get choirs comingfrom South Dakota to be here, and
when they're coming into play and theywant it's not like they lost to better
or anything. They want to bethere. That's right. Well, we

(13:52):
have Great River at the Adler Theaterand the group coming from Mitchell, South
Dakota. They actually, this isa kind of a fun fact, they
host their show choir competition outside ofa school building as well, at the
Corn Palace in Mitchell, South Dakota'sWait a minute, is that by Wall
Drugs? That's right, it is. Oh my gosh, that is a

(14:13):
cool place way out in the middleof nowhere. Right, Yeah, they're
definitely they're coming after the reputation ofanother venue that's off campus, you know,
like they are, and so Ithink that's a draw for them as
well. They've been here before,but it's been several years since we've gotten
to see Mitchell at our competition,so we're really excited to have them back.
Well, when we talk about howdo high schools and show choirs,

(14:39):
how do they come in? Cananybody just say hey, I want to
come by, or is there acertain process that they have to go through
before they're selected. We start ourcompetition initially as an invitational, and that's
how many competitions are. You invitesome groups maybe that have been before or
that we want to come back aftera successful prior year. And then after

(15:00):
that we do have people that lookat their schedule for the year and say,
oh, we've got February seventeenth,where do we want to go.
We haven't been to Iowa in awhile, let's go out to Davenport.
Or maybe they want to be inDes Moines or somewhere that weekend. But
for us, when we pick ourcompetition schedule, when we actually go out
and compete, it's kind of thedate and the location and who you might
get to see, and really whoyou might have your kids watching not only

(15:24):
to compete against, but to learnfrom when they're performing as well. Yeah,
because this is this is a greatway for people to come and experience
show choirs, but this is alsoemily a competition. These kids are out
to win. That's right. Atthe end of the night, you do
have those big trophies you hand out, and we like to remind the kids

(15:45):
it's not all about that, butyou can't say that it's not about that
at all either, right, Yeah, they're they get you can try to
act like you're pushing a passion,but the kids know that they're going to
be on their best behavior. They'regoing to give it, they're all And
Danny, you were kind of touchingon a little bit. Everybody can come
to this. Even though we havesome of these show choirs from these different

(16:06):
states, Quad Citians can come andenjoy a lot of great music for the
weekend at the Adler. Absolutely.Yeah, we do have open admission not
only just to the parents and familymembers and friends of the kids in these
show choirs, but much like manyof the awesome events we have downtown Davenport
at the Adler, this is anotherone of those shows and each year,

(16:26):
we have record numbers of people comein to watch, whether it's a group
they know or they just want tosee some great show choir. It's definitely
a big draw and we have ticketsavailable at the door for anybody that wants
to come watch. So, well, like what is the itinerary? Like
when does it start? And thenwhen does is like the finals in the
competition? You know, kind ofloosely yeah, kind of a schedule.

(16:48):
Yeah, yeah, We'll start withthe first group at about eight forty five
that morning, and we have someof our younger students maybe like think of
it as the JV or the preparatorytype of groups starting out in the morning,
and then we ramp up into ourfour A groups in the afternoon after
lunch, and there are a totalwe call them open class groups or groups

(17:11):
that are probably competing to make thefinals round. And we have I think
nine groups that will be really reallybig contenders for finals that night. This
is kind of cool. Well I'mthinking about wait a minute here, it's
just kind of like a you you'redoing a it's not a betting thing,
but you kind of have an idea. You're kind of scouting who's going to
make this you you have a prettygood idea, don't you. Yeah.

(17:34):
So those groups compete during the dayfor a spot in the finals. We
do a daytime round of awards atthe kind of the afternoon break around five
thirty five forty five in the afternoon, and then we announce the top six
choirs from the day who then goand get ready to do it all again
and they compete for the Grand Championaward in the finals at night, and

(17:56):
that starts right around seven thirty thatevening. So cool, and if you
want to help support some of thesechoirs, especially the ones right here.
I love that you have spiritware availableto buy, and then there's concessions too,
and also you know, you canfind out more about that at the
website. Yes, we do havea website for the competition. It's great

(18:22):
rivershowchoir dot com and yeah again,yeah, wear it or buy it and
support them. And just also beingable to see even when we see show
choirs from out of state, justthe talent, but especially the talent that's
right here in the Quad City area. You're going to be able to see
it on February seventeen, that's right, yep. And our two home show

(18:45):
choirs from Davenport Central, the groupthat I direct, the Prep Group,
and our Central Singers incorporated at ourVarsity show Choir. They all perform as
well. They're not competing, theyare hosting, but they still do an
exhibition show, meaning that if there'sa family or that hasn't gotten to see
the local show choir shows yet,they can still come see not only Davenport
North in competition, but the twohome show choirs hosting performing on stage as

(19:08):
well. And I was there twoyears ago, and these kids will blow
your mind. They're so good.Yeah, we like to think that our
show clairs are pretty great, butreally we see all these other groups that
come in and they are working justas hard. And at the end of
the day, this whole event isa fundraiser to support these awesome, awesome

(19:29):
kids. They put a lot oftime and energy into this activity of show
choir. They're wonderful kids, wonderfulfamilies, and the reason we want to
do this is to support them financially, and so we think of it as
a one stop shop. Come in, have a walking taco, watch some
awesome talent on the stage. Supportthis show choir program At Devenport Central and
just root on these kids who puttheir heart and soul into what they do.

(19:52):
Well, I do want to shayone more thing. You can have
two walking tacos if you want whatyou want, We could do whatever we
want, but just and they'll beavailable for you. But for the people
just tuning in right now, Emily, if you can kind of run down
again when the show Choir is happeningand even finish it off with a website,
that would be fantastic. All right, Yes, our Showchoir event,

(20:15):
the Great River Show Chlair Invitational,happens at the Abler Theater River Center downtown
Devinport, Iowa, on Saturday,February seventeenth, and we start eight forty
five in the morning with a finalsround starting that night at seven twenty,
crowning a big grand champion at theend of the night. Show choir,
all day food, all day fun, all day programs sold on site,

(20:40):
all kinds of stuff happening there,and a lot of great kids. We're
expecting if it's anything like last year, and it should be. In terms
of the numbers, we had aboutfifteen hundred kids highlighted performing that day.
Wow, And again you can findout more great rivershow choir dot com.
If you or your organization would liketo be featured on Quad City Forum,

(21:00):
please visit the contact page and ourstation website. Now back to Pat Luke
and Danny Linnewe Kelly Kraft, programmanager with Guild This Club, back to
talk about all the things that aregoing on now. We had a conversation
with Lexi Bowl about the big fundraiserwith the live from QC. It's Saturday

(21:22):
night that'll be in April. Butplenty of things going on between now and
then, Kelly that you want totalk about. But first things first.
I think this is great timing becauseby the time this interview's airs, it'll
be a special day we want totalk about before we talk about that special
day. Guildess Club Mission statement yea. So we are a cancer support community

(21:44):
and we provide social and emotional supportat no cost to anyone impacted by cancer,
which means people with an active diagnosisnow survivors, friends and family,
and kids and teens with their owndiagnosis or that of a loved one.
And then we do that with programslike support groups, educational workshop, healthy
lifestyle activities like yoga and meditation,social events, and then we're also a
hub for resources and referrals. Andjust like you were saying, today is

(22:10):
World Cancer Day, so it's agreat time to be talking to us.
I love it. Guildess Club tendsto reach you. You mentioned a few
of the things, but you trulyreach into every aspect of somebody who's been
touched by cancer, every aspect oftheir life. That's what we try.
We try and you know, helpall sorts of different ways, and we
hope that there is something at Gilda'sClub for everyone. Yeah. I love

(22:33):
what you guys are doing over there. And not only do you have in
person because you have two clubhouses,one on each side of the river,
but you do some things that arelike zoom meetings or you can do virtually
too. Absolutely so, we havemost of our support groups are offered in
one way, shape or form,in person and virtual option. Almost all

(22:55):
of our educational workshops are offered inperson and verrtus and recorded, so if
people aren't able to make it tous for whatever reason, whether they're not
feeling well or it'd be a longdrive or bad weather, they can still
join in one of the items thatyou've got coming over one of the workshops
and not really it's a class oris it a workshop Mindful methods. I
think this is something that whether somebodyin the family has been stricken with cancer

(23:22):
or dealt with it, I thinkwe can all probably attend this class on
mindful methods. Yeah, absolutely,I know. I'm personally excited about it.
So yeah, We're doing a twopart educational series in February called Mindful
Methods for Staying Calm and Finding Happinessin the midst of Chaos. We're going
to have doctor Teresa Pangin come inand talk about all sorts of things about

(23:44):
coping with stress. She's going tocover our nervous system and how stress works,
give and give folks hands on practicesusing mind and body to help change
how we feel and how we think. The first class is going to be
on Monday February twelfth, five thirtyto seven thirty at our Lean Clubhouse,
and then the second one will beMonday February twenty sixth five thirty to seven
thirty at our Davenport Clubhouse. Andagain both of those are in person and

(24:08):
via zoom, so people can joinfrom all over. And one thing we
may not think about when we thinkabout cancer support is cooking because a lot
of times as patients are undergoing thechem on the radiation, they don't really
feel like cooking. But it's importantto keep those nutritional things and the creativeness

(24:29):
in the kitchen right definitely, Sowe're big on cooking and nutrition here.
So we're actually holding a family cookingclass for kids and families on Saturday,
February twenty fourth, ten to twelveat Davenport Clubhouse, so families can all
come together and join in a cookingclass all together and we'll be doing make
your own pizzas, will also bedoing a snack in a dessert. Will

(24:52):
bring all the stuff and it shouldbe a really good time. And I
love that I don't have to bringmy own stuff. That's what I lack
it. I think a lot oftimes, you know, similar to why
you're doing this, getting the wholefamily involved. Some of us, especially
if somebody is dealing with cancer,they maybe don't want you. They're going
to grab the easiest, the easiestpath to be fed, and that's not

(25:14):
going to be the healthiest. Butjust getting people just recognize that the kitchen
cannot it doesn't have to be anenemy. A cooking class can help the
whole family get involved because we areall in this together. But the next
thing that is so important is tryto access that creative side. And you've
got the creative session classes coming uptoo. Yeah. So on Monday,

(25:37):
February nineteenth, six to eight inour Mullion Clubhouse, we're going to hold
a creative session making polymer clay earringswith local artists Marla and Itch. And
I've actually attended one of Marla's palmerclay workshops and it was really really fun.
Again, all materials provided, nocreativity required. I'm just going to
say, I like, awful,what if you're like me? Are you

(25:59):
sure you got to have something there? But that is another nice thing just
including people in absolutely Okay. Soas we wrap this up too, we're
kind of hoping that things will beable to happen with Cancer Transition Series,
right, Yeah, So we're hopingto schedule a Cancer Transition series for this

(26:21):
year. Cancer Transitions is a freetwo hour, four week workshop to help
cancer survivors so when they're past thatmain cancer treatment transition from actor treatment to
post treatment care. So through thatseries, we talk about survivorship, We
talk about emotional health, eating well, exercise, staying active, medical management,

(26:41):
all sorts of things. We bringin lots of speakers and to serve
as many people as we can.We started a wait list, so once
we have enough people interested in theprogram, we will reach out to those
folks in schedule series that works foras many people as possible, so they
can just give us a call andwe'll get them on that line. I
love that you're doing that, Kelly, because I think many times we're just

(27:04):
like, oh, you're going throughcancer treatments. That's when you need all
the support, and when it's alldone, you're like, oh, okay,
well you're you're good, Joe's overhere. I got to go on
to live the rest of my life. And that's not the case exactly.
Yeah, that's I love that aboutGuilds Club. Oh yeah, it's perfect.
And for some of the people,and again we're talking to Kelly Kraft,
program manager with Guilder's Club. Forsome of the people that came halfway

(27:26):
through this or maybe just want tofind out more, why not the website
again and maybe other ways to geta hold of you if there's other questions.
It's some of our great listeners theremaybe have yes, absolutely, you
can find all of our information onour newly renovated website actually GILDESSCLUBQC dot org.
You can also call us with questionsat five six three three two six

(27:48):
seven five zero four. Kelly.If you were worried about the time,
come on, kid, geta Wenever have to worry about falling behind with
you. You always come in,you're ready to go, and and we
just not start talking about Hulus andpassword sharing. We would have we would
have been done in a real quicktime. As it is, we still
were, so thank you again fordoing all of this, young lady.

(28:11):
And man, I tell you whattalk about. I see you with mindful
methods talking about in the midst ofchaos. There is a lot of there's
a different kind of chaos going onwith you, guys, because there's every
day something's going on. For sure. Yeah, we're busy. It's a
good thing though, well it isa good thing. And thank you for
getting back to us today, andwe're hoping everything goes well the rest of

(28:33):
this month. Whenever you need helpjust to put the spotlight on things,
let Danny and I know and we'lltry to help you. Okay, we
will. We appreciate it so much. Thank you for having me all right
by Kelly, Hey, and enjoytomorrow. Tomorrow Friday is still days off
for you, right, it's notanymore all I could be home in the
evenings with my little one. Ohwell, that's gonna work out. That's

(28:56):
a nice little trade up. Buteither way, we'll talk to you soon.
Okay, sounds good. Thank you, bye bye. You've been listening
to Quad City Forum, a weeklycommunity service program produced by iHeartRadio. If
you were your nonprofit organization would liketo be featured, please visit the contact
page in our station website or contactquad City Forum in care of iHeartMedia.

(29:18):
Quad Cities three five three five EastKimberly Road, Davenports, Iowa five two
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