The Hackensaw Boys, The Highway Girls, & King Straggler
The Redstone Room
Saturday, June 10, and Monday, June 12
Since its opening in April, Davenport's Redstone Room has booked an incredibly diverse series of musicians.
Yet the venue's lineup on June 10 and 12 just might provide more eclecticism in two days than over the past two months combined. At 8 p.m. on June 10, a joyful blend of old-time and bluegrass string-band music will be presented by the Hackensaw Boys, who delighted crowds at the Telluride Bluegrass Festival, and whose stage monikers alone provide ample entertainment - what's not to love about a group featuring musicians named Shiner, Pee Paw, and the Kooky-Eyed Fox? From boys we go next to girls - The Highway Girls, to be exact - whose 6 p.m. performance on June 12 will weave tales of truth, heartbreak, and love in the tradition of Johnny Cash, Elvis, and Jerry Lee Lewis. (Not, to be clear, in the tradition of Roseanne, Priscilla, and Myra Gale Brown.) And later that night, at 8 p.m., the Redstone Room presents indie roots rockers King Straggler, which, according to a press release, is a band "comprised of actors that doesn't actually suck." Let's hope Russell Crowe doesn't read that release, or someone's in for a major ass-kicking. For more information on all three acts, visit (http://www.redstoneroom.com).
Race for the Cure
John Deere Commons
Saturday, June 10, 8 a.m.
The Komen Quad Cities Race for the Cure Web site (http://www.qcraceforthecure.com) states that "in 2006, an estimated 212,920 women will be diagnosed with invasive breast cancer," adding that "about 41,430 of our mothers, wives, sisters, daughters, and aunts will die from this disease." But, as the site goes on to explain, there is hope within these heartbreaking statistics: "Breast cancer is a disease that claims the lives of many, but for many more, it's a disease that spurs them to action." And thousands of Quad Citians will be part of that action at this year's Race for the Cure, beginning at 8 a.m. at Moline's John Deere Commons. Attendees at the June 10 event can participate in either a 5K run/walk or a 1.2-mile family walk/run; up to 75 percent of the races' net proceeds go toward medically under-served and under-insured women in the area, and toward education, which the Komen site calls "an important weapon in the fight against breast cancer." Since 1990, this annual event has become the second-largest race in the Quad Cities and has raised more than $3.5 million. That's more than hope. That's making a difference. For further information, call (877)921-2873 or (563)421-2873.
Aida
Prospect Park Auditorium
Friday, June 9, through Sunday, June 18
Poor Elton John. His latest Broadway musical, an adaptation of Anne Rice's vampire novel Lestat, closed on May 28 after an embarrassingly paltry 39 performances. (I guess that's why they call it the blues, indeed.) But let's not feel too badly for the guy - as of Lestat's closing day, The Lion King was celebrating its 3,563rd Broadway performance, and Sir Elton did win a Tony Award for his contributions to Disney's Aida, which will make its local debut at the Quad City Music Guild's Prospect Park Auditorium on June 9. Detailing the classical romance between a young solider and an enslaved princess in ancient Egypt, Aida received four Tony Awards in the spring of 2000 and wowed Broadway audiences for more than four years, and its touring productions have enthralled crowds worldwide. By the time Aida closed in New York in September of 2004, this vibrantly designed musical sensation had played the Palace Theatre 1,852 times, so if the math indicates anything, that means Aida is nearly 50 times more entertaining than Lestat. Of course, from what I understand, a root canal is 50 times more entertaining than Lestat. For tickets, call (309)762-6610, or visit (http://www.qcmusicguild.com).
Left Bank Fine Art Fair
Black Hawk State Historic Site
Saturday, June 10, and Sunday, June 11, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Gold is the traditional gift for a 50th-anniversary celebration. But what gift does the Left Bank Art League have for visitors to its 50th annual Fine Art Fair? Shuttle-bus! After last year's record-setting attendance - estimated at between 8,000 and 10,000 visitors - the venerable organization will now provide shuttle service for fair attendees on June 10 and 11; a bus will leave Rock Island's Watch Tower Plaza for the Black Hawk State Historical Site every 15 minutes, allowing for convenient transportation to the paintings, pottery, photographs, furniture, bowls, baskets, hand-painted clothing, glassworks, and jewelry displayed by more than 75 local and national artisans. Visitors can also enjoy artist demonstrations, historical information about the league, children's activities, music, and food galore, and that shuttle service might prove incredibly helpful - planned road construction on Black Hawk Road may require visitors to access the fair on Black Hawk and 11th as opposed to the traditional route at the museum entrance. In an e-mail, league President Jerri Crabtree wrote, "I don't know how to let anyone know so they don't panic." Looks like she just found a way. For more information, call (309)732-1354.
Extreme Monster Truck Nationals
Mississippi Valley Fairgrounds
Saturday, June 10, and Sunday, June 11
Is there some connection between Monster Truck competitions and the participants in professional wrestling that I'm not privy to? I recently received a press release for the Extreme Monster Truck Nationals, being held at the Mississippi Valley Fairgrounds on June 10 and 11, and here are a few descriptions: Bigfoot - "The granddaddy of them all!" The Equalizer - "He takes no prisoners!" Hot Tamale - "This Monterey, Mexico, native is making a name for himself!" Martial Law - "Running with the big dogs!" Project X - "Known for rolling over, he will be hard to beat!" Throw Vince McMahon in there and you've got the grudge match of the century! But, no, those are actually monikers for the trucks, and over the weekend, they - and plenty more like 'em - will "go head-to-head in nonstop, car-crushing action." Fairgrounds attendees can also meet the drivers and ride the awesome beasts (the trucks, that is) before and after the shows, and rumor has it there will even be an appearance by the amazing Spider-Man. Hmm. Spider-Man versus Hot Tamale. Now that I'd pay to see. Tickets are available at all Quad City area Hy-Vee stores and Hawkeye Motors, or by calling (877)548-3237.
