Keokuk Concert Association Kicks Off Membership Drive for Historic 100th Season
By Emily Bontrager
The Keokuk Concert Association is celebrating a milestone this year as it begins its 100th season of bringing professional live entertainment to the region.
On Tuesday, July 7, board members Anne Pietscher and Peggy Moss hosted a Keokuk Concert Association Season Preview and Membership Drive at the Clark County Senior Center in Kahoka. Visitors had the opportunity to learn about the upcoming 2026-2027 concert season, watch preview videos of each performer and group, and visit with board members about memberships and ticket options.
Founded nearly a century ago, the Keokuk Concert Association is a nonprofit organization dedicated to promoting an appreciation of the performing arts in southeast Iowa and the surrounding region by presenting professional touring performers at affordable prices. All performances are held at The Grand Theatre, 26 North 6th Street in Keokuk, Iowa.
“I talk to people all the time who tell me they’ve never heard of the Concert Association,” said Anne Pietscher, president of the Keokuk Concert Association.
To help spread the word, the organization is taking its membership drive into surrounding communities this summer.
“If we expect people from Kahoka to come to Keokuk to our shows, we can come to Kahoka,” Pietscher said.
The 2026-2027 season features five nationally touring acts representing a variety of musical styles and entertainment.
The season opens Monday, October 19, 2026, at 7:00 p.m. with The ArcoStrum Experience, a unique duo that combines the sounds of traditional Chinese instruments with the virtuosity of classical violin, guitar,
and electric guitar.
On Sunday, November 15, 2026, at 4:00 p.m., The Victory Vertical Project brings a historical narrative video with musical performances by Dr. Garik Pedersen, pianist. Audience members will hear untold stories about the music of World War II and learn how small “Victory Vertical” pianos were built.
Returning for another Christmas concert on Saturday, December 19, 2026, at 7:00 p.m. is Switchback Irish Duo, whose performances blend Celtic, American roots, and folk music with stories celebrating Irish heritage and Midwestern traditions.
On Saturday, February 13, 2027, at 7:00 p.m., audiences can enjoy The Jersey Tenors, an energetic vocal quartet that combines opera, Broadway, rock, and pop while paying tribute to artists including Frankie Valli, Elton John, Bon Jovi, Frank Sinatra, and Bruce Springsteen.
The season concludes Saturday, March 6, 2027, at 7:00 p.m. with Tap Into Soul with Solomon Jaye, a performance blending multi-octave vocals and world-class tap dancing featuring classic and chart-topping hits.
Adult season memberships are $65 and include admission to all five concerts, plus reciprocity privileges at participating concert associations in Washington, IA, Fairfield, IA, Hannibal, MO, and Quincy and Canton, IL. Individual tickets are available for $25 per performance.
Those who join or renew their membership by August 1 will receive an Early Bird Membership Special that includes one complimentary guest ticket to any concert during the season.
College students with a valid student ID and children are admitted free.
Pietscher said the association works hard to make professional entertainment affordable for everyone.
“We just want it to be affordable to all people and enrich the community,” Pietscher said.
“We’ve got a great lineup,” she said. “These are professional touring performers, and we’re bringing them here to our community.”
The Keokuk Concert Association is operated entirely by volunteers. As a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, it also welcomes tax-deductible donations to help continue bringing professional performers to the area.
Peggy Moss, who has been a member since 1970 and has served on the board since retiring in 2011, said the organization strives to offer something for everyone.
“We just work really hard to give people the best value we can and provide a variety of different kinds of music and entertainment,” Moss said. “I think it appeals to a broad range of tastes.”
For more information on purchasing memberships, tickets, volunteering, or making a donation to the Keokuk Concert Association, visit keokukconcertassociation.org. You can also email keokukconcertassociation@gmail. com or contact Anne Pietscher at 319-795- 9114 if you have any questions.
