Q-C students get free tickets, new guide for symphony concerts

DAVENPORT — Area students, from preschool through high school, can get free tickets to any Quad City Symphony Orchestra Masterworks concert and enjoy a new program guide created for them.

On Saturday night, the Adler Theatre will fill 700 free seats by students in the Rock Island junior high and high school orchestras, Moline instrumental programs and Pleasant Valley Junior High — along with their family — for the QCSO’s program honoring Leonard Bernstein’s centennial.

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Jason Platt's new "Masterpets" comic re-imagines music greats Miles Davis and Leonard Bernstein.

Davenport illustrator wins big graphic novel contract

A longtime dream has come true for Jason Platt, a Davenport-based illustrator, actor and playwright.

His first two graphic novels, based on his 9-year-old comic series "Mister & Me," will be published in 2019 and 2020 by Little, Brown and Company, one of the country’s oldest publishing houses.

Aimed at middle-grade children, the new series "Mister's Misadventures in Middle School" will launch with Newell trying to avoid summer school by participating in a talent show — despite having no idea what his talent is.

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Jason Platt, a freelance illustrator, works out of his Davenport home.

This cartoon shows the story behind the QC Symphony’s next performance

When Jason Platt got turned onto classical music as a 20-something, he remembers some of his college friends asking him, “How old are you now? Aren’t you young and hip anymore?”

Two decades later, Platt, now 44, still finds himself sticking up for his love of classical music and combating the stigma that it’s “stuffy and only for a certain kind of people.”

“The energy of being there and seeing it live in front of your eyes is so special,” Platt said. “You’re a part of it. That's something that everyone can enjoy, no matter how old you are."

In his latest endeavor, the Quad-City Symphony Orchestra commissioned Platt, a Davenport-based freelance cartoonist, to create a five-part video series telling the story behind “Symphonie fantastique,” which the symphony will perform on Oct. 7 at the Adler Theatre, kicking off its Masterworks series.

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To kick off the Quad-City Symphony Orchestra’s Masterworks series, which opens Oct. 7 at the Adler Theatre, the orchestra will release a five-part cartoon video series telling the story behind one of the featured compositions, “Symphonie fantastique.” The videos will be released next week, starting Monday at 4 p.m. on the organization’s Facebook page.

St. Paul installs new art during Lent

A whimsical look — or two — at Vander Veer Botanical Park has been installed on the walls of a room that overlooks the park at St. Paul Lutheran Church, Davenport.

The park is just across the street from St. Paul, 2136 Brady St. The two pieces of art were created by Jason Platt, Davenport-based artist and cartoonist.

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Davenport artist Jason Platt talks about one of two new drawings he did for St. Paul Lutheran Church in Davenport depicting two seasons of activity in Vander Veer Botanical Park.

Notes @ Noon: Davenport dad, pro cartoonist sketches life's ups and downs

Divorce can tear families apart, sending one or both partners and their children down destructive paths, littered with screaming matches.

But Jason Platt of Davenport stands “proud” of the relationship and environment he and his ex-wife have provided for themselves and their son following their separation in 2007.

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Quad-City cartoonist Jason Platt sketches a comic strip on his Wacom tablet Monday at Java Java Cafe in Davenport. Earlier this fall, the 43-year-old father released a new book of his stories and illustrations titled, “mister & Me: Of Castles & Kings.”

Platt drawn to illustration, making people happy

DAVENPORT — Jason Platt doesn't have far to go every morning to reach his job. It's just downstairs.

The multi-talented 42-year-old Taylor Ridge native is a freelance illustrator and graphic designer. While art and design have been part of his life since he was a child, he's just been self-employed since last spring.

"Every comic is a one-act play I have to write, cast and direct."

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Jason Platt, a freelance illustrator, works out of his Davenport home.