On Saturday, August 18, 2018, 7:30 pm at LeClaire Park in Davenport, Iowa the Quad City Bank & Trust (QCB&T) Riverfront Pops will celebrate summertime with a Beach Bash along the Mississippi River featuring the surfin’ sounds of the Beach Boys! Returning guest conductor Jeffery Reed will lead the Quad City Symphony Orchestra (QCSO) in this set list of Good Vibrations which includes the entire history-making album Pet Sounds, plus other favorite Beach Boys tunes. The evening will close with the traditional rousing renditions of Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky’s 1812 Overture and John Philip Sousa’s Stars and Stripes Forever set to a brilliant fireworks display!
Guest conductor Jeffrey Reed is returning for his third year leading QCB&T Riverfront Pops. “I always look forward to returning to the Quad Cities for these concerts,” said Reed. “Since I received my graduate conducting degree from The University of Iowa, it feels a bit like coming home. And the crowds and concert setting are so wonderful. I can’t think of a more picturesque place to present a concert than the Mississippi River.”
This year is particularly special to Jeffery Reed because of his love for the music of the Beach Boys. “Their Pet Sounds album is so iconic. Rolling Stone magazine ranked it the second greatest album in the history of rock ‘n’ roll. I think that’s partially because it influenced so many other artists, including The Beatles whose Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band album took the top ranking. And, of course, the Beach Boys’ greatest hits, which we will feature on the second half, is party music! How can someone not feel happy after hearing all of those great tunes?!”
The Pet Sounds album includes several of the Beach Boys’ most memorable hits including Wouldn’t It Be Nice, Sloop John B, and God Only Knows. The Greatest Hits portion will have attendees on their feet with many of band’s iconic dance tunes such as I Get Around, Fun, Fun, Fun, Surfin Safari, Don’t Worry Baby, California Girls, and Kokomo.
Last year’s Symphonic tribute to The Beatles drew a record-breaking crowd of nearly 10,000 attendees. “Riverfront Pops is such a proud and beautiful Quad Cities cultural tradition and it has really grown in recent years,” states QCSO Executive Director Brian Baxter. “We are looking forward to carrying last year’s momentum forward into this year with Pet Sounds Live!”
Attendees are welcome to bring in their own food and beverage, but several vendors will be on site to offer a wide range of dining, shopping, and entertainment options. Returning Vendors include Thunder Bay Grill, Iowa’s Finest Kettle Korn, Los Primos Tacos, Success on Wheels (Frozen Smoothies), and Jumpin’ Joey’s (Bounce Houses), while Cushman Food & Engine, and Thirteen West (Traveling Boutique) will be attending QCB&T Riverfront Pops for the first time.
Join the Quad City Symphony Orchestra for Quad City Bank & Trust Riverfront Pops: Pet Sounds Live a Beach Boys celebration on August 18th at LeClaire Park in Davenport, IA. The gates open at 4:00 p.m. The Quad City Youth Symphony Orchestra will kick off the festivities with a pre-show at 6:30 p.m. and the Beach Boys Celebration will begin at 7:30 p.m.
TICKETS: $20 Adult Advance Tickets are $20 and will increase to $25 beginning Friday, August 17, 2018. Children between 3-13 are just $5. Advance sales are available online at QCSO.ORG, in person at Quad City Bank & Trust locations, in person at the QCSO Box Office at 327 Brady Street in Davenport, or by phone at 563.322.7276. Tickets will also be sold at the gate.
