The Quad City Symphony Orchestra will reach out to the community this weekend - with a Family Music Carnival Saturday and special concerts on Sunday.
Executive director Ben Loeb says the carnival in the River Center will include activities and live music, plus a Doctor Seuss reading marathon. Volunteers will read all of his books starting at 10 am.
"We don't know how long it's going to take - we haven't done a dry run and we're hoping were going to get it done in that time. We may hit 3 o'clock and realize we have to read really quickly."
The orchestra and actors will also present a concert version of two of his best known stories, "Green Eggs and Ham" and "The Sneetches."
Then on Sunday Loeb says the five youth ensembles will perform, followed by this year's Community Wide Side By Side Concert - local musicians will join the orchestra to perform the "1812 Overture."
"It's great on Saturday that the community can come out and take part in musical activities - it gives them an idea that music is not just for sitting and listening but it can create participation. Then on Sunday, you see how the entire community can get involved in music in a very deep and participatory way."
Last year, more than 200 people joined the orchestra for the side-by-side concert - it's held in the River Center because the stage at the Adler Theater isn't big enough.
