Miles NielsenMusic

Miles Nielsen & the Rusted Hearts

Codfish Hollow Barn

Saturday, May 7, 7 p.m.

 

Growing up in Rockford, Illinois, Miles Nielsen played guitar and wrote songs from a very young age. His father was a frequently touring rock star. Guests at family dinners included Steven Tyler, Todd Rundgren, and the members of Guns N’ Roses. Given all that, it should be no surprise to learn that Miles Nielsen would grow up to be ... a pharmacist.

Just kidding. He’s a musician, too. That was just a cheap trick.

And speaking of Cheap Trick ... !

If you’re Miles Nielsen, you’re inevitably going to be compared to your dad Rick Nielsen, the lead guitarist and chief songwriter for that legendary Rockford-based band. Thankfully, though, if you’re Miles, you’re also going to have no problem escaping the shadow of your über-famous father, as audiences at Maquoketa’s Codfish Hollow Barn will realize when Miles Nielsen & the Rusted Hearts play their Codfish Hollow Barnstormers concert on May 7.

Performing a blend of Western-influenced rock and classic-’60s soul, with elements of pop, roots, and country added for good measure, Nielsen and his ensemble released their debut album in Miles in 2009, and followed it with Presents the Lonely Hearts in 2012. As is stated in his MilesNielsen.com biography, however, the band’s influences are proudly 20th Century, with “Otis Redding’s classic soul and Jellyfish’s cult power-pop recordings,” “the country-esque drawl and growling guitars of Tom Petty & the Heartbreakers,” and “the subtly sensual undercurrent of Ray Charles” among the stylings Nielsen & the Rusted Hearts hope to evince.

If the musicians’ reviewers are to be trusted, mission accomplished. Chicago’s RedEye praises Miles Nielsen & the Rusted Hearts for “combining classic American sounds with some rock-radio-friendly hooks,” while the Chicago Sun-Times raves that Nielsen “plays an ethereal mix of pop and folk-rock.” ConsequenceOfSound.net, meanwhile, writes that the band’s genre-defying sound is “warm, lived-in, and just a little bit rootsy,” with the musicians’ 2016 single “Strangers” singled out as “a must-listen for fans of Fleetwood Mac and, oh, what the hell, Cheap Trick.” (As Glide magazine adds, “Papa should be proud.”)

That single, by the way, comes from Miles Nielsen & the Rusted Hearts’ third album, Heavy Metal, which is being released on April 29. And you know what that means, right? You’ll only have nine days to commit the whole thing to memory before the band’s Codfish Hollow concert. So get cracking! Musicians hate it when you don’t sing along to all of their songs at top volume!

What? They don’t hate that? Hmmm ... . So that’s why I got kicked out of that Wiggles concert ... .

Miles Nielsen & the Rusted Hearts perform in Maquoketa alongside Amasa Hines, the Way Down Wanderers, and Susto, and more information on the night is available by visiting CodfishHollowBarnstormers.com.

 

 

Great WhiteMusic

Great White

Rascals Live

Friday, April 29, 8:30 p.m.

 

On April 29, the Moline venue Rascals Live will host a special concert event with the Grammy-nominated rockers of Great White, who’ve been releasing albums for more than 30 years. And I can’t begin to tell you how happy I am to finally write an article on the group, because ever since the concert’s booking was announced, I’ve been unable to get Great White’s biggest hit – “Once Bitten, Twice Shy” – out of my head. Maybe a discussion of the band’s other achievements will do the trick.

After being signed by EMI America at the end of 1983, Great White’s self-titled debut album was released in early 1984, and the band immediately found great success on the road, opening for Judas Priest and supporting Whitesnake in its Slide It In tour. Great White’s independent release Shot in the Dark followed in 1986, and by the time of 1987’s Once Bitten ... .

My my my ... I’m once bitten, twice shy, baby ... .

Sorry. Lost my train of thought. As I was saying, a certain 1987 album hit the charts and went platinum in April of 1988. It was the next year, however, that Great White achieved its greatest popular success, headlining concert tours alongside Bon Jovi and going double-platinum with its follow-up album ... Twice Shy.

My my my ... I’m once bitten ... .

Damn it! Anyway. Since then, Great White released another eight albums including Psycho City, Can’t Get There from Here, and the gold-certified Hooked; toured with the likes of Kiss and the Scorpions; performed alongside Bad English, Skid Row, Guns N’ Roses’ Slash ... .

My my my ... .

Okay, you know what? This isn’t working. Instead, lemme try to purge that insanely catchy hook through a little quiz. Which of these Great White singles are from 1987’s Once Bitten ... , and which are from ... Twice Shy?

 

1) “The Angel Song”

2) “Lady Red Light”

3) “Mista Bone”

4) “Rock Me”

5) “Save Your Love”

6) “One Bitten, Twice Shy”

 

A) Once Bitten ...

B) ... Twice Shy

 

 

Great White performs their all-ages show with additional performances by the Brandon Gibbs Band and Doug Brundies, and more information and tickets are available by calling (309)797-5497 or visiting RascalsLive.com.

 

 

Answers: 1 – B, 2 – A, 3 – B, 4 – A, 5 – A, 6 – B. Well, the song’s still stuck in my head. But hopefully, it’s now stuck in yours, too. Hey, if I’m gonna endure this, I at least want company.

 

 

Music

Harry Connick Jr.

Adler Theatre

Wednesday, May 11, 7:30 p.m.

 

The legendary singer, actor, pianist, and composer Harry Connick Jr. will perform at Davenport’s Adler Theatre on Wednesday, May 11.

Connick has sold more than 15 million albums in the U.S., more than 28 million worldwide, and has landed 11 number-one albums on the Billboard Top Jazz Albums chart, more than any other artist in history.

Connick’s musical talents have earned him three Grammy Awards and two Emmy Awards, as well as Tony Award nominations for Best Original Musical Score and Best Actor in a Musical.

Connick’s television credits include roles on Cheers, Law & Order: SVU, and a four-season stint on Will & Grace, plus three years as a judge on American Idol.

Connick’s movie credits include roles in Independence Day, Hope Floats, P.S. I Love You, and a pair of Dolphin Tales.

Connick’s albums We Are in Love and Blue Light, Red Light were certified double-platinum, and 1994’s When My Heart Finds Christmas was certified triple-platinum.

Connick helped organize 2005’s A Concert for Hurricane Relief in the wake of Katrina, which generated $50 million in contributions for the American Red Cross Disaster Relief Fund.

And as May 8 is Mother’s Day, I’m going to stop now, because the only thing my own mother would like more than shorter articles from me is a big-ass photo of Harry Connick Jr.

Happy Mother’s Day, mom!

For tickets to Hary Connick Jr.’s Davenport concert, call (800)745-3000 or visit AdlerTheatre.com.

 

 

What Else Is Happenin’ …?

 

MUSIC

Friday, April 29 – Family Groove Company. Jazz and funk musicians in concert, with an opening set by The Low Down. Redstone Room (129 Main Street, Davenport). 9 p.m. $11.50-14. For tickets and information, call (563)326-1333 or visit RiverMusicExperience.org.

Saturday, April 30 – Minus Six. The guitar-less rock band in concert, with an opening set by The Real Quaid. Rock Island Brewing Company (1815 Second Avenue, Rock Island). 9 p.m. For information, call (309)793-1999 or visit RIBCO.com.

Saturday, April 30 – David G. Smith and Julie Christensen. Singers/songwriters perform an album-release show and fundraiser for the QC Alzheimer Greater Iowa Chapter. Redstone Room (129 Main Street, Davenport). 7:30 p.m. $11.50-12. For tickets and information, call (563)326-1333 or visit RiverMusicExperience.org.

Saturday, April 30 – Lolo. A Codfish Hollow Barnstormers concert with the singer/songwriter, with sets by William Wild, Field Report, Canyon Spells, Yoko & the Oh No’s, and Land of Blood & Sunshine. Codfish Hollow Barn (5013 288th Avenue, Maquoketa). 5 p.m. $20-30. For information, visit CodfishHollowBarnstormers.com.

Sunday, May 1 – Quad City Wind Ensemble: To Infinity & Beyond. Spring concert with the area musicians conducted by Brian L. Hughes, with a performance of “Carnival of Venice” by 2016 Charles B. DCamp Young Performer’s Competition winner Jacy Betzel. St. Ambrose University’s Galvin Fine Arts Center (2101 North Gaines Street, Davenport). 3 p.m. Free. For information, visit QCWindEnsemble.org.

Tuesday, May 3 – Home Free. Concert with the a cappella country musicians and winners of TV’s The Sing-Off. Englert Theatre (221 East Washington Street, Iowa City). 8 p.m. $32-102. For tickets and information, call (319)688-2653 or visit Englert.org.

Wednesday, May 4 – The Good Life. Concert with the Nebraska-based independent musicians, with opening sets by Tim Kinsella and Bedroom Shrine. Daytrotter (324 Brady Street, Davenport). 7:30 p.m. $12-15. For tickets and information, visit Daytrotter.com.

Friday, May 6 – Charles Bradley & His Extraordinaires. Soul musician performs in support of his new album Changes, with an opening set by The Candymakers. Daytrotter (324 Brady Street, Davenport). 7:30 p.m. $28-35. For tickets and information, visit Daytrotter.com.

Saturday, May 7 – Horseshoes & Hand Grenades. Concert with the bluegrass and Americana musicians, with opening sets by Flash in a Pan and Earth Ascending. Redstone Room (129 Main Street, Davenport). 9 p.m. $11.50-14. For tickets and information, call (563)326-1333 or visit RiverMusicExperience.org.

Saturday, May 7 – Gordy & Debbie. A ’50s- and ’60s-themed patriotic, comedy, and country gospel show with Gordon Wayne Wensel, Jr. and Debbie Kaye. Ohnward Fine Arts Center (1215 East Platt Street, Maquoketa). 7 p.m. $13-25. For tickets information, call (563)652-9815 or visit OhnwardFineArtsCenter.com.

Monday, May 9 – The Lettermen. Annual concert events with the internationally touring pop performers. Circa ’21 Dinner Playhouse (1828 Third Avenue, Rock Island). Noon plated lunch, 1 p.m. show, $51.73; 6 p.m. buffet, 7:15 p.m. show, $58. For tickets and information, call (309)786-7733 extension 2 or visit Circa21.com.

Tuesday, May 10 – Joe Bonamassa. Blues-rock guitarist and singer/songwriter in concert. Adler Theatre (136 East Third Street, Davenport). 8 p.m. $79-125. For tickets, call (800)745-3000 or visit AdlerTheatre.com.

 

THEATRE

Friday, April 29, through Sunday, May 8 – Uncle. New Ground Theatre presents a debuting play by Tony Award nominee Lee Blessing, directed by Chris Jansen. Village Theatre (2113 East 11th Street, Davenport). Friday and Saturday 7:30 p.m., Sunday 2 p.m. $15-18. For tickets and information, call (563)326-7529 or visit NewGroundTheatre.org. For a 2016 interview with Blessing, visit RCReader.com/y/uncle.

Friday, April 29, through Sunday, May 8 – Sweeney ToddStephen Sondheim’s Tony-winning musical classic in a co-presentation with Opera @ Augustana, directed by Jerry Jay Cranford. Augustana College’s Potter Theatre (3701 Seventh Avenue, Rock Island). Friday and Saturday 7:30 p.m., Sunday 1:30 p.m. $10-14. For tickets and information, call (309)794-7306 or visit Augustana.edu/arts.

Friday, April 29, through Sunday, May 8 – 1776. The City Circle Acting Company of Coralville’s production of the award-winning history musical, directed by Pauline Tyer. Coralville Center for the Performing Arts (1301 Fifth Street, Coralville). Friday and Saturday 7:30 p.m., Sunday 2 p.m. $12-27. For tickets and information, call (319)248-9369 or visit CityCircle.org.

Friday, April 29, through Sunday, May 1 – The Evolution of Bruno Littlemore. Original dance-theatre production based on the book by Benjamin Hale, directed by Sean C. Lewis. Englert Theatre (221 East Washington Street, Iowa City). Friday and Saturday 7:30 p.m., Sunday 2 p.m. $10-25. For tickets and information, call (319)688-2653 or visit Englert.org.

Friday, April 29, through Sunday, May 1 – Macbeth. The University of Dubuque’s presentation of Shakespeare’s classic tragedy. The Heritage Center’s John & Alice Butler Hall (2255 Bennett Street, Dubuque). Friday and Saturday 7:30 p.m., Sunday 2 p.m. $5-15. For tickets and information, call (563)585-7469 or visit Dbq.edu/heritagecenter.

Friday, April 29, through Sunday, May 1 - Oliver! The Performing Arts Academy of Galesburg presents the Tony-winning musical based on Charles Dickens' Oliver Twist. Orpheum Theatre (57 South Kellogg Street, Galesburg). Friday and Saturday 7 p.m., Sunday 2 p.m. $9-15. For tickets and information, call (309)342-2299 or visit GalesburgOrpehum.org.

Saturday, April 30, through Sunday, May 8 – The Magical Lamp of Aladdin. Author Tim Kelly’s student-performed adaptation of the popular legend, directed by Jessica Sheridan. Davenport Junior Theatre (2822 Eastern Avenue, Davenport). Saturday 1 and 4 p.m., Sunday 2 p.m. $6-8 at the door. For information, call (563)326-7862 or visit DavenportJuniorTheatre.org.

Tuesday, May 2, through Saturday, May 7 – Iowa New Play Festival. Annual week-long festival featuring four full productions and seven readings of original works. University of Iowa’s Theatre Building (200 North Riverside Drive, Iowa City). $5 for production tickets, free readings. For information, call (319)335-2700 or visit Theatre.UIowa.edu.

Wednesday, May 4, through Saturday, July 2 – Sister Act. Tony-nominated musical comedy based on the hit movie, directed by Jim Hesselman. Circa ’21 Dinner Playhouse (1828 Third Avenue, Rock Island). Friday, Saturday, Wednesday, and May 4 and 5: 6 p.m. buffet, 7:15 p.m. pre-show, 7:45 p.m. show. Sunday 4 p.m. buffet, 5:15 p.m. pre-show, 5:45 p.m. show. Wednesday 11:45 a.m. plated lunch, 1 p.m. pre-show, 1:30 p.m. show. $42.50-48. For tickets and information, call (309)786-7733 extension 2 or visit Circa21.com.

Friday, May 6 – Spill. Leigh Fondakowski’s play presented through River Action’s and the QC Theatre Workshop’s RiverStages Play Reading Series, featuring a post-play discussion on spills and clean-up in the upper Mississippi. Butterworth Center (1105 Eighth Street, Moline). 7:30 p.m. Donations encouraged. For information, call (563)322-2969 or visit RiverAction.org.

Friday, May 6, through Sunday, May 15 – Almost Heaven: Songs of John Denver. Stage celebration of the legendary pop/folk singer, directed by Courtney Crouse. Timber Lake Playhouse (1815 Black Oak Road, Mt. Carroll). Friday and Saturday 7:30 p.m., Saturday and Sunday 2 p.m. $17-25. For tickets and information, call (815)244-2035 or visit TimberLakePlayhouse.org.

Tuesday, May 10, through Saturday, May 14 – The Prince & the Pauper. Commedia dell’-arte presentation of Mark Twain’s beloved story. Timber Lake Playhouse (1815 Black Oak Road, Mt. Carroll). Tuesday through Friday 1 p.m., Wednesday through Saturday 10 a.m. $6. For tickets and information, call (815)244-2035 or visit TimberLakePlayhouse.org.

 

DANCE

Thursday, April 28, through Saturday, April 30 – Iowa Dance Festival. Annual festival in numerous venues featuring new work by local and nationally known dancers and choreographers, ScreenDance showings, an opening reception, free performances, and more. Downtown Iowa City. For information, visit IowaDance.org.

Saturday, April 30 – Russian Fairytales. Ballet Quad Cities presentations of Stravinsky’s Petrushka and The Firebird, with live accompaniment by Orchestra Iowa. Adler Theatre (136 East Third Street, Davenport). 1:30 and 7:30 p.m. $10-31. For tickets and information, call (309)786-3779 or visit BalletQuadCities.com.

Thursday, May 5, through Saturday, May 7 – University of Iowa Undergraduate Dance Concert. Dance majors in the UI Department of Dance present their choreography to the public. University of Iowa’s Space/PlaceTheatre (20 Davenport Street, Iowa City). Thursday and Friday 8 p.m., Saturday 2 p.m. $6-12. For tickets and information, call (319)335-1160 or visit Hancher.UIowa.edu.

 

COMEDY

Sunday, May 1 – Red Green. The touring handyman comedian returns in his I’m Not Old, I’m Ripe! tour. Adler Theatre (136 East Third Street, Davenport). 7 p.m. $52.50. For tickets, call (800)745-3000 or visit AdlerTheatre.com.

 

VISUAL ARTS

Saturday, April 30, through Sunday, May 8 – Young Artists at the Figge: Bettendorf Schools. Annual exhibition of works by elementary art students. Figge Art Museum (225 West Second Street, Davenport). Tuesday through Saturday 10 a.m.-5 p.m., Thursday 10 a.m.-9 p.m., Sunday noon-5 p.m. Free with $4-7 museum admission. For information, call (563)326-7804 or visit FiggeArtMuseum.org.

Friday, May 6 – Gallery Hop! Demonstrations, performances, works for sale, and more with local artists at a variety of different venues in downtown Rock Island. 6 – 10 p.m. Free. For information, call (563)424-1210 or visit RIDistrict.com or Midcoast.org.

Saturday, May 7, and Sunday, May 8 – Beaux Arts Fair. Annual outdoor celebration of fine art and crafts, featuring vendors, live music, food, children's activities, and more. Figge Art Museum Plaza (225 West Second Street, Davenport). Saturday 10 a.m.-5 p.m., Sunday 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Free. For information, visit BeauxArtsFair.com.

Wednesday, May 11  Reception for Bruce Carter: Retrospective. Reception for the exhibit composed of works ranging from the late artist's college days to more recent paintings, with a mural unveiling at 6:45 p.m. Scott Community College Library Gallery (500 Belmont Road, Bettendorf). 5:30 p.m. Free. For information, call (563)441-4338 or visit EICC.edu.

 

EVENTS

Saturday, April 30, and Sunday, May 1 – Monster Jam. Touring event in which 12-foot-tall, 10,000-pound machines soar over and smash through obstacles. iWireless Center (1201 River Drive, Moline). Saturday 7 p.m., Sunday 2 p.m. $18-48. For tickets, call (800)745-3000 or visit iWirelessCenter.com.

Friday, May 6, through Sunday, May 8 – Cirque Italia. Aquatically themed stunts, acrobats, and comedy with the touring “water circus.” Mississippi Valley Fairgrounds (2815 Locust Street, Davenport). Friday 7:30 p.m.; Saturday 1:30, 4:30, and 7:30 p.m.; Sunday 1:30 and 4:30 p.m. $10-50. For information and tickets, call (941)704-8572 or visit CirqueItalia.com.

Saturday, May 7 – Night to Beat the Big “O”: Talk Teal. Fifth-annual fundraiser hosted by the NormaLeah Ovarian Cancer Initiative featuring live music by Soul Storm, food by Chef James, live and silent auctions, and more. Crow Valley Golf Club (4315 East 60th Street, Davenport). 7 p.m. $60. For tickets and information, call (309)794-0009 or visit NormaLeah.org.

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