16 Aug 2011

What's Happenin': Tuesday, August 16, through Wednesday, August 31

By Mike Schulz

Lyrics BornMusic

Lyrics Born

The Redstone Room

Friday, August 26, 9p.m.

 

On August 26, Davenport's Redstone Room presents a special evening with record producer, songwriter, and hip-hop and rap artist Lyrics Born. I'm sure the man's parents are thrilled about his success, because if you christen your child "Lyrics" and he doesn't go into the music industry, it's really just a waste of the name.

02 Aug 2011

What's Happenin': Tuesday, August 2, through Wednesday, August 17

By Mike Schulz

Richmond Hill's Allison Scherer and Cait BodenbenderTheatre

The Spitfire Grill

Richmond Hill Barn Theatre and Timber Lake Playhouse

Thursday, August 11, through Sunday, August 21

 

Running August 11 through 21 in Geneseo, Illinois, the Richmond Hill Barn Theatre's next production is the tuneful and critically acclaimed musical The Spitfire Grill. And running August 11 through 21 in Mt. Carroll, Illinois, the Timber Lake Playhouse's next production is a tuneful and critically acclaimed musical titled ... The Spitfire Grill! That's right - it's the show so nice they're producin' it twice!

19 Jul 2011

What's Happenin': Tuesday, July 19, through Wednesday, August 3

By Mike Schulz

Corrosion of ConformityMusic

Corrosion of Conformity

Rock Island Brewing Company

Friday, July 29, 8 p.m.

 

On July 29, the Rock Island Brewing Company will host a special concert with the acclaimed heavy-metal band Corrosion of Conformity. Which, ironically, is also our office's name for "weekly Reader staff meeting."

05 Jul 2011

What's Happenin': Tuesday, July 5, through Wednesday, July 20

By Mike Schulz

A Lesson Before DyingTheatre

A Lesson Before Dying

Playcrafters Barn Theatre

Friday, July 15, through Sunday, July 24

 

Running July 15 through 24, the Playcrafters Barn Theatre's latest production is author Romulus Linney's A Lesson Before Dying. And yes, the title does feature a particular word that might make you think the show is depressing as all get-out. Allow me, though, to alleviate your fears: Just because a production has "lesson" in the title doesn't mean it's downbeat! There are all sorts of fun lessons out there! Piano lessons, dance lessons, - !

What's that? It was the word "dying" that made you think the play was a downer? Hmm. I hadn't thought of that ... .

21 Jun 2011

What's Happenin': Tuesday, June 21, through Wednesday, July 6

By Mike Schulz

Das EFXMusic

Das EFX and David Allan Coe

Rock Island Brewing Company

Saturday, June 25, and Friday, July 1

 

With the hip-hop artists of Das EFX playing the Rock Island Brewing Company on June 25, and outlaw-country musician David Allan Coe playing RIBCO on July 1, my editor, Jeff, thought it would be fun if I wrote a combined What's Happenin' piece on both concerts. After all, beyond the venue they're appearing in, these disparate performers must have something in common, right?

07 Jun 2011

What's Happenin': Tuesday, June 7, through Wednesday, June 22

By Mike Schulz

Yo La TengoMusic

Yo La Tengo

Englert Theatre

Tuesday, June 21, 8 p.m.

 

The experimental alternative rockers of Yo La Tengo perform a concert at Iowa City's Englert Theatre on June 21, and the All Music Guide has described the group as "the quintessential critics' band." I'm assuming that's all the motivation you need to purchase tickets, as personal experience has proven that the public always agrees with the critics.

Whenever you're done laughing, I'll continue.

24 May 2011

What's Happenin': Summer 2011

By Mike Schulz, Ben Clague, and Marguerite Day

Our Summer Guide - featuring more than 1,800 events - can be found on newsstands and also browsed here. Below are Mike Schulz's highlights for the next two weeks and the whole summer.

River Cities' Reader - Issue 779 - May 26, 2011

Becky McCorkle and Don Hazen in Don't Talk to the ActorsTheatre

Don't Talk to the Actors

Richmond Hill Barn Theatre

Thursday, June 2, through Sunday, June 12

 

Throughout the history of American theatre, there have been a number of directors famed for their presentations of numerous works by one particular author: Mike Nichols directing Neil Simon plays, Elia Kazan directing Tennessee Williams plays, Lloyd Richards directing August Wilson plays, Susan Simosky directing Tom Dudzick plays ... .

10 May 2011

What's Happenin': Tuesday, May 10, through Wednesday, May 25

By Mike Schulz

Circa: 61 Circus Acts in 60 MinutesEvent

Circa: 61 Circus Acts in 60 Minutes

Englert Theatre

Saturday, May 14, 2 p.m.

 

Appearing as the final guests in Hancher Auditorium's 2010-11 Visiting Artists series, the Australian troupe Circa brings its lauded 61 Circus Acts in 60 Minutes to Iowa City's Englert Theatre on May 14, demonstrating such feats as knife-throwing, flying without a net, and what's called "the unicycle of death." That last one certainly sounds like something to see, as I wasn't aware there were any other kinds of unicycles.

26 Apr 2011

What's Happenin': Tuesday, April 26, through Wednesday, May 11

By Mike Schulz

Janiva MagnessMusic

Janiva Magness

The Redstone Room

Thursday, April 28, 8 p.m.

 

Acclaimed blues vocalist Janiva Magness performs at Davenport's Redstone Room on April 28, and included among the performer's many song titles are "Don't Do It," "That's No Way to Get Along," "Eat the Lunch You Brought," and "I Give Up." All things that our publisher, Todd, tells us at weekly staff meetings, but the words sound much nicer when Magness sings them.

12 Apr 2011

What's Happenin': Tuesday, April 12, through Wednesday, April 27

By Mike Schulz

The New PornographersMUSIC

The New Pornographers & The Walkmen

Iowa Memorial Union

Wednesday, April 27, 8 p.m.

 

Not to get all bitter-middle-aged-man on you here, but university students today have it so sweet. New fields of study ... new recreation facilities ... New Pornographers ... .

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