More Than a Performance: A Week-Long ResidencyDarrah Carr Dance isn’t just stopping by for a show—they’re immersing themselves in the Quad Cities community through Quad City Arts’ Visiting Artist Series residency program, March 10-14. Throughout the week, the company will engage with 12 local schools across six school districts, as well as the LeClaire Community Library, introducing students and families to the history, costumes, and traditions of Irish dance.

Since 1974, the Visiting Artist Series has brought world-class artists to local schools, providing over 29,000 K-12 students annually with live, interactive arts experiences. These residencies support school curriculums, student engagement, and community outreach, ensuring that the arts remain accessible to all.

More Upcoming Events in the Quad City Arts Presents SeriesDarrah Carr Dance is just one of the incredible performances in this year’s Quad City Arts Presents series. Mark your calendar for these upcoming events:

• 🎺 The U.S. Army Field Band Jazz Ambassadors – Free public concert at Adler Theatre, Davenport, Thursday, April 17, at 7 p.m.
• 🎶 Jarabe Mexicano – A high-energy fusion of Mexican folk, rock, and Afro-Latin music at Mercado on Fifth, Moline, on Thursday, May 8, at 7 p.m.
  
  

Don’t miss the chance to witness the magic of Irish dance with Darrah Carr Dance on March 13! Whether you’re a long-time fan of traditional Irish step or experiencing it for the first time, this performance will leave you in awe.

📍 Learn more about the Visiting Artist Series and upcoming performances at www.quadcityarts.com/vas.

​The 2025 Quad City Arts Metro Arts Youth Apprenticeship Program is accepting applications through Friday, April 11. This program provides area youth ages 15-21 with five-week paid summer apprenticeships. These apprentices will create community arts projects that positively impact our community. This year’s projects include mural painting, mosaics, documentary filmmaking, and pop-up street performances. Interested applicants can apply online at www.quadcityarts.com/metro-arts.

This year’s Metro Arts program will start on Monday, June 9 and end on Thursday, July 10. Apprentices will meet for up to four hours Monday through Thursday. This year’s programs are meant to highlight accessibility in the arts with most of the programs geared toward entry level artists, where all supplies and equipment is provided by Quad City Arts and its partners.

“The Metro program strives to teach our apprentices both business and artistic skills, and to create works of art that engage the community in a meaningful way,” says Ben Gougeon, Events Coordinator at Quad City Arts and the Metro Arts administrator. “With a focus on public art, we can instill a sense of civic pride in our community and give our apprentices a lasting sense of ‘I made that. I have a stake here.’”

Metro Arts is also celebrating its 25th year in 2025, and plans are underway to celebrate the program on July 9th, including current students and alumni. “I talk with so many people around town who say, ‘I was in Metro! I did the mural on…’ The experience stays with our apprentices, and they will always leave a piece of themselves in the Quad Cities, even if they move away. It really does help to breed more engaged citizens who are willing to do the work to make
their communities a better place.”

More details about the Metro Arts 25th Anniversary Celebration and the specific projects will be available at a later date.

• DOCUMENTARY FILM PROJECTS 
  Apprentices will work closely with independent filmmakers and educators to learn the art of documentary filmmaking and its process from start to finish. Apprentices will craft short form documentaries, from script to screen, exploring writing, filming, editing, and sound design. Using professional gear and journalistic practices, you'll grasp film design principles applicable to feature length documentaries and short form content creation, including helping document and craft compelling multimedia stories about the Metro Arts program. 
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• MURAL PROJECTS 
  Under local professional muralists, apprentices collaborate with clients to design and paint vibrant murals around the Quad Cities. Apprentices will get feedback from clients on design elements, then work as a team of artists to create two or more concepts to be presented. Once a design has been approved by the client, the apprentices will spend 4 weeks painting the mural on-site. Note: These projects are likely to be outdoors, and require apprentices to spend extended time in the elements, including direct sun, extreme heat, humidity, rain, etc., and involve lifting and possible work on scaffolding or lifts. 
  
  
• MOSAIC PROJECT 
  Apprentices will work alongside professional artists to design and install a portion of a large scale public mosaic. Learning about materials, design, and techniques, apprentices will also learn to work with clients and public stakeholders on the creation of public art. Note: these projects are likely to be outdoors, and require apprentices to spend extended time in the elements, including direct sun, extreme heat, humidity, rain, etc., and involve lifting and possible work on scaffolding or lifts. Apprentices may also be required to use sharp materials and tools. 
  
  
• POP-UP PERFORMANCE PROJECT 
  Working with artists in theatre, music, and dance, apprentices will design, rehearse, and perform multiple pop-up performances in public spaces around the community. Both small and large scale works will be created, and apprentices will learn and incorporate elements of street theatre, guerilla theatre, flashmobs, choral singing, and dance to create dynamic, spontaneous performances that engage the community. 

If you love the lively energy of Irish music, you won’t want to miss Goitse, one of the most celebrated Irish ensembles of their generation, performing live in the Quad Cities on Thursday, February 20, 2025, at 7 p.m. at the Sound Conservatory in Moline!

Known for their infectious energy, masterful musicianship, and deep respect for tradition, Goitse (pronounced Go-wit-cha, meaning “come here” in Gaelic) is bringing a thrilling mix of jigs, reels, and soulful ballads straight from Ireland to the heart of the Midwest.

"We're absolutely thrilled to be back in the U.S., sharing our style of energetic Irish music with audiences across the country,” band member Colm Phelan said. “This tour is a wonderful opportunity to connect with fans new and old, and we can’t wait to share the music and songs of Ireland on every stage we play." 

Audiences will also recognize Goitse’s trademark sound from the second season of the hit show Bad Sisters, which features tracks The Cave of the Wild Horses and The Peacocks from the band’s 2022 album Rosc. The show’s creator, Sharon Horgan, and director, Dearbhla Walsh, tapped Goitse to be a part of the series, inviting the band to record on set with the cast for Episode 1, which debuted in November 2024 on Apple TV+. 
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Formed at Limerick’s renowned Irish World Academy, Goitse is a five-piece powerhouse that blends traditional Irish folk tunes with their own original compositions. Their high-energy performances have captivated audiences across the U.S., Europe, and beyond, earning them awards like Live Ireland’s “Traditional Group of the Year” and Chicago Irish American News’ “Group of the Year.”

The band features an incredibly talented lineup:
🎻 Áine Mc Geeney – Fiddle & vocals, known for her mesmerizing voice and dynamic playing.
🥁 Colm Phelan – Bodhrán player and first-ever World Bodhrán Champion.
🎸 Conal O’Kane – Guitarist and one of the most sought-after accompanists in Irish music.
🎹 Daniel Collins – Multi-instrumentalist and multiple All-Ireland champion.
🎶 Alan Reid – A trailblazing banjo and mandolin player with a unique style.

This performance isn’t just about great music—it’s about giving back to the community. As part of Quad City Arts’ Visiting Artist Series, Goitse’s visit includes a weeklong residency in local schools, libraries, and community sites, inspiring students and introducing them to the power of live music. Every ticket purchased helps offset the cost of a school performance, ensuring that young minds across the Quad Cities get access to quality arts programming. By attending, you’re not only enjoying an incredible show—you’re supporting music education and cultural enrichment in our community.
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Secure Your Spot! This is your chance to experience a world-class Irish band up close and get into the St. Patrick’s Day spirit a little early! Whether you’re a die-hard fan of traditional Irish music or just looking for a night of toe-tapping fun, Goitse’s performance is not to be missed. 
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