Yarn bomb crochet workshop

Community members will crochet small circles that will form a larger public "yarn bomb" art project in October on 7th Avenue in Rock Island . All are invited to this workshop to learn to crochet and participate. Workshop will run from 1-4 p.m.

A second learn-to-crochet workshop will be offered from 5-8 p.m. Aug. 29 at the Figge Art Museum in Davenport.

• More information about the yarn bomb project and artist Carol Hummel.

Related events

Crochet-In events (knowledge of crocheting required)

Sept. 12 and Oct. 17 from 6-8 p.m.,  Rozz-Tox, 2108 3rd Ave., Rock Island

Sept. 28 from 5-7 p.m. and Oct. 12 from 6-8 p.m., Figge Art Museum

Unveiling reception: Oct. 29, 4-5 p.m., on the Augustana campus

Where the Beer Flowed Like Wine: Beer and Brewing in Bronze Age Mesopotamia

Tate Paulette, assistant professor of history at North Carolina State University, will speak on "Beer and Brewing in Bronze Age Mesopotamia.” His lecture is sponsored by the Archaeological Institute of America and Augustana.

His talk will be followed by a complimentary beer tasting (a non-alcoholic option will be available).

Description: "We may be living in the age of craft brewing, but the craft of brewing has much deeper roots. For thousands of years, people have been intentionally fermenting cereal grains to create their own unique versions of the intoxicating beverage that we now call beer.

"In ancient Mesopotamia, beer was produced on a massive scale and was consumed on a daily basis by people across the socio-economic spectrum. Beer was a gift from the gods, a marker of civilization, a dietary staple, a social lubricant, a ritual necessity, and a reason for celebration. It was consumed at feasts, festivals, and ritual ceremonies, but also at home, on the job, and in neighborhood taverns.

"It was produced by brewers working for the powerful palace and temple institutions and also by local tavern keepers and homebrewers. This lecture explores the archaeological, artistic, and written evidence for beer and brewing in Bronze Age (3000–1200 BC) Mesopotamia, as well as recent efforts to recreate Mesopotamian beer."

Dr. Paulette is currently co-directing archaeological investigations at the site of Makounta Voules in Cyprus, and he has been spearheading an effort to recreate Sumerian beer using authentic ingredients, equipment and brewing techniques.

His talk is supported by the Harry S.B. Johnson Endowment for Classics at Augustana, which was established by the family and friends of Dr. Johnson, a professor of classics at Augustana from 1942 to 1976.

The Reading/Writing Center

O. Fritiof Ander Lecture: "American Rune Stone— Monument, Memorial and Myth"

The Swenson Swedish Immigration Research Center's O. Fritiof Ander Lecture in Immigration History is presented by a prominent scholar in the field of immigration studies.

This year's 28th annual lecture will be presented by Dr. David Krueger, author of "Myths of the Rune Stone: Viking Martyrs and the Birthplace of America."

Parking is available in the evening in Faculty/Staff Lot H or on 7th Avenue. There are a few handicapped spaces nearby on 35th Street. (Campus map)

Dr. Krueger has a Ph.D. in religion from Temple University. He is a scholar, author, and educator who is passionate about public history and social justice.

He has taught at Chestnut Hill College, Temple University, and Rutgers University-Camden. His areas of expertise include American religious history, myths, and popular culture. His book deals with the significance of the Kensington Rune Stone in Minnesota for both ethnic and regional identities. It also raises important questions of what we choose to remember and why.

He has served as a scholarly contributor on radio and television, including the Travel Channel’s "Mysteries at the Museum," Raw Travel TV, and the Science Channel’s "What On Earth?"

Dr. O. Fritiof Ander taught history at Augustana College from 1930-1968. He was a pioneer and leading name in immigration history and the author of numerous books and articles in the field.

Faculty Chamber Music Recital

Kara Bancks, clarinet; Janina Ehrlich, cello; and Charles Schmidt, piano, will perform works by Beethoven and Zemlinsky.

These two composers wrote works for this unusual combination of instruments because of the beauty of their sound and range of emotion. Both pieces are in the rich, passionate sound world associated with the 19th century. 

The audience is invited to share in an intimate chamber music experience presented in an informal atmosphere. These two pieces are rarely heard and deserve a wide audience. 

This is the trio's first recital together. "Because we're good friends and enjoy working together, we hope to make it a continuing endeavor. There's nothing more enjoyable than making beautiful music with people you love," said Ehrlich, a professor of music at Augustana.

Bancks is an instructor of clarinet and Schmidt is an assistant professor of music.

Second City National Touring Company

The Second City National Touring Company has been entertaining audiences for over 50 year, and returns to Augustana to showcase the best in improvisational comedy and satire.

This performance may include adult subject matter and may not be appropriate for younger audiences.

Exhibition Talk: Dr. Roald Tweet

Historian and folklorist Dr. Roald Tweet will share his stories of the Mississippi Valley, in celebration of the current photo exhibition "Life Along the Mississippi."

Dr. Tweet is a professor emeritus of English at Augustana.

A social hour will precede the talk at 5:30 p.m.

Augustana Music Festival

The Music Festival will feature performances the Augustana Choir, Augustana Symphonic Band and Augustana Symphonic Orchestra.

Augustana Symphony Orchestra: Portraits of England

The Augustana Symphony Orchestra will present "Portraits of England," with varied pictures of English life and culture through the lens of the classical music repertory.

Johannes Brahms’s youthful depiction of the school experience comes to life through his rambunctious "Academic Festival Overture." The program continues with Gustav Holst’s wistful and pastoral stroll through the countryside in "Two Songs Without Words." The performance closes with Edward Elgar’s deeply personal and intimate musical vignettes celebrating the relationships of those closest to him. 

Augustana Percussion Ensemble Concert

The Augustana Percussion Ensemble is a chamber group and performs music specifically written for the percussion ensemble from 1930 to the present, along with various transcriptions and arrangements of music never imagined for percussion.

Concerts present a diverse mix of musical styles — from light to serious to “out there” — and participants play traditional and non-traditional percussion instruments of all kinds.

The ensemble performs two large concerts on campus during the year, one in winter and one in spring.

The ensemble is directed by Dr. Tony Oliver.