Hamburg on Mississippi Part 1
January 29, 2023 |
2:00 pm -
3:00 pm
$0-5
From Davenport’s earliest days as a frontier river town, its residents displayed a marked musical sensibility, which crescendoed to passion upon arrival of Davenport’s first German settlers in the 1840s. These new arrivals soon felt an urgent hunger for the rich musical experience they had taken for granted in Hamburg and Schleswig-Holstein. Possessing the know-how to systematically train musicians; organize, build, and run musical groups and endeavors; and solicit and appeal to the public for support, the Germans set about to do so, to awe and delight of their fellow Davenporters.
By the early 20th century, though its population was only 40,000, Davenport had a vibrant, diversified economic base which made it one of the most prosperous cities in the nation, able to nurture and support s multitude of musical organizations as well as hundreds of professional musicians in orchestras, bands, choirs, and chamber ensembles. The Tri-City Symphony, founded in 1916, is one of the oldest active orchestral institutions in the United States; yet its existence would have been impossible without a fertile musical culture and 70 years of organizational groundwork laid by Davenport’s German immigrants. This session will outline the features of this advanced musical ecosystem, built largely by Davenport’s Germans, which made the establishment of a civic symphony orchestra a possibility.
This program is offered both in-person and virtually.
FREE for GAHC&M Members, $5 for non-members.
Part 2 is February 12th, 2023.
Gates Thomas is a freelance composer, arranger, and music director. Born and raised in Davenport, he was based in New York City for 25 years, writing for the Lionel Hampton Big Band, Bobby McFerrin, Pat Metheny, Gary Burton, Jim Hall, Chris Willis, The New American Orchestra, and many others. Since moving back to Davenport, in October 2020, Gates has maintained his freelance career, and continues to serve as Professor of Contemporary Writing and Production at Berklee College of Music in Boston. In November 2022, he assumed duties as music director of the Unitarian-Universalist Congregation of the Quad Cities.
Unlock the world of 20th century creative visionaries at the German American Heritage Center and Museum:
Currently on display are 20th century, German Expressionist Prints from the David and Sarojini Johnson Collection. Come visit us now through December 14th to have the chance to see original works from artists like Max Beckmann and Käthe Kollwitz.
Admission is free for the entire month of July. Thank you to Cal and Jill Werner for making free admission possible.
We are open:
Tues-Sat 10am to 4pm
Sun 12pm-4pm
Closed on Mondays
Best of the Wurst was amazing! After a day of sampling and voting, this year`s winner was the Black Forest wurst from Jerry`s Market. 🌭🇩🇪
You can visit Jerry`s Market in Moline, IL to get more bratwurst and other delicious foods to take home. Visit their old-fashioned grocery store and butcher shop at
📍1609 17th St, Moline, Illinois.
Thanks to our premier sponsor, Zimmerman Honda for making this event possible. Thank you to WVIK, Quad Cities NPR and Hy-Vee for their in-kind sponsorships.
Also, a big thank you to @twinspanbrewing for collaborating with us and brewing a special hefeweizen, Hefenstein`s Monster, for our event! You can get this exclusive brew in cans at the museum gift shop. Prost! 🍻
Cans in progress for Best of the Wurst on Sunday! We will have Hefenstein’s Monster, a 5.1% abv Hefeweizen on tap Sunday during the event. Cans will be available in the gift shop to take home 🍻
16 oz, 4 pack is $14.
Museum members get a 10% discount and all purchases are tax free! ☀️
If you haven’t been to @twinspanbrewing, take a trip to the restaurant and brewery and try all of their yummy brews!
Get ready for the 8th annual Best of the Wurst sausage competition, this Sunday, July 13th from 12:00 am- 4:00 pm! Members get in free to this fun competition where you can sample local brats, purchase a variety of delicious food, enjoy an ice cold beer or pop, and vote for your favorite “wurst!” This year we will also ice cream from Here`s the Scoop to taste! Live music, ice cream, and balloon twisting are just some of the special activities we have planned. $5 entry per person, kids under 12 and members are free. Tickets are available at the door, cash or card is accepted. Take a look at some of the highlights from last year`s Best of the Wurst competition here:
GAHC members get in free to our 8th annual Best of the Wurst sausage competition, held this Sunday, July 13th from 12:00 am- 4:00 pm! Along with local Here`s the Scoop ice cream, guests can sample local brats, purhcase from a variety of delicious foods, and enjoy an ice cold beer or pop! And don`t forget to vote for your favorite “wurst!” Live music, ice cream, and balloon twisting are just some of the special activities we have planned. $5 entry per person, kids under 12 and members are free. Tickets are available at the door, cash or card is accepted. Here`s some of the fun that we had at last year`s Best of the Wurst!
Independence Day may be over, but our appreciation for service members is never-ending. Now until Labor Day (September 1st, 2025), active-duty military personnel and their families can visit the German American Heritage Center for free!
Did you know the Col Ballroom in the West End of Davenport, is part of the National Register of Historic Places?
Though renamed in 1914, Col Ballroom originates from the Saengerfest Halle. This building brought together German musicians across the Midwest. Today it is no longer a performance venue, but we can keep its legacy alive by talking about it.
Now on display in our first floor gallery.
Visits are free this month! Come see this exhibit and more, our hours are, Tues-Sat 10am to 4pm, Sun 12pm-4pm, and Closed on Mondays.
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