Comedy
Erin Foley
Radisson Quad City Plaza
Thursday, May 7, 5:30 p.m.
The Women's Connection's 11th-Annual "Celebrate a Special Woman" Signature Event will take place at Davenport's Radisson Quad City Plaza on May 7, and the celebration's featured speaker is actress and comedienne Erin Foley. At the Internet Movie Database, you'll notice that Foley's first film credit was Cameron Crowe's Oscar-winning Almost Famous, in which she played "Alison the Fact Checker." With 15 years having now passed, Crowe could easily cast Foley as the lead in that movie's sequel - so long as its title found Crowe ditching the "Almost."
Delivering a keynote address titled "Lady with Pockets," which is also the title of her newly released comedy album, Foley will treat event guests to some of the quick-witted, intensely smart, supremely funny observations that have made her an in-demand performer on the comedy-club circuit, and led to her being a featured panelist on TruTV's comedy-advice hit How to Be a Grown-Up.
In the spirit of that show, which begins its new season on June 2, allow me to present a five-point variant titled How to Be the Featured Speaker at an Annual Women's Connection Signature Event.
1) Have a Sense of Humor. With her popular stand-up act touching on everything from national politics to long-distance relationships to sad-single-person books titled Vegan Cooking for One, Foley is a veteran of New York's and Los Angeles' most prestigious comedy clubs, co-hosts West Hollywood's weekly improv show Drunk on Stage, and has not one but two comedy albums to her name (the other being 2011's Lower the Bar).
2) Have an Extensive List of Acting and Writing Credits. In the years since Almost Famous, Foley's résumé has also managed to boast guest appearances on the comedy series Curb Your Enthusiasm and Go On, performances in the TV movies Comedy Colosseum and Dishin' It Up!, and a writing credit on the new NBC sitcom One Big Happy.
3) Have an Extensive List of Late-Night Credits. Beyond being the star of her own Comedy Central Presents ... special, Foley has delivered stand-up sets on such talk shows as Conan, The Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson, Chelsea Lately, Arsenio Hall, @ Midnight, and Last Call with Carson Daily.
4) Have the Huffington Post in Your Corner. Foley was not only included in the top 20 of the Huffington Post's recent list of "53 of Our Favorite Comedians," but received raves for "the routines she writes that keep building more laughs with each added detail," and her "Andy Kaufman-like sense of absurdity blended with political awareness."
5) Have Self-Confidence. In an e-mail interview in Dlist Magazine, Foley was asked, "Using three words, how would you describe your comedy?" Her answer? "UN F---ING BELIEVABLE." Caps hers. Now that's self-confidence.*
For tickets to the 11th-Annual "Celebrate a Special Woman" Signature Event with Erin Foley, call (309)631-0167 or visit Womens-Connection.org.
*In fairness, Foley did follow that up with "(kidding)" and her actual answer "Observational Political Whoopee-Cushionish." Less self-confident, maybe, but certainly more descriptive.
Music
Mississippi Valley Blues Society Festival Fundraiser
The Redstone Room
Sunday, May 3, 1:30-10 p.m.
Legendary composer and musician W.C. Handy once described the blues as "the sound of a sinner on revival day." If that's indeed the case, and you're planning to attend the Redstone Room concert event on May 3, then you may want to start that Sunday with a visit to your chosen house of worship. You're gonna spend the rest of that day surrounded by sinners.
But what thrillingly talented sinners they'll be! From 1:30 to 10 p.m., the Davenport venue will host the Mississippi Valley Blues Society Festival Fundraiser, with proceeds helping to finance this year's Mississippi Valley Blues Festival. And the concert's lineup features a crazy-gifted assemblage of blues masters performing 30- to 45-minute sets: Ellis Kell at 2:15 p.m.; Larry Davidson & Charley Hayes at 3 p.m.; Joe & Vicki Price (pictured) at 4 p.m.; "Detroit" Larry with Blues Rock-it at 5 p.m.; the Mercury Brothers at 6 p.m.; Hall Reed & Blues Journey at 7 p.m.; and the local blues artists of the Candymakers performing with the southern-California-based Robert Jon & the Wreck at 8 p.m.
Yet what might be just as amazing as that talent roster is the fact that, across the board, the musicians involved all agreed to perform at the fundraiser for free.
"I was really surprised," says the Blues Society's media liaison Ellen Clow. "I'm the one who actually asked everyone, and everyone said yes right away. They didn't hesitate at all, and were happy to do it." Securing the internationally touring artists of Robert Jon & the Wreck was, for understandable reason, a particular coup, which came about with assistance from Candymakers lead singer Alan Sweet. "It was Alan that talked to them, and they said they'd be happy to help us out. So the Candymakers are going to mix in with Robert Jon & the Wreck, and Robert Jon & the Wreck are gonna finish out the night."
Clow says that along with grants and business sponsors, patrons' donations to the Blues Society aid greatly in the financing of the annual blues festivals - this year, perhaps, more than ever, considering the recent necessity of the fests' 11th-hour moves away from LeClaire Park. "The flood making us move into downtown Davenport two years in a row really hurt us," she says. "There was the added expense of having to rent that stage. And our not being able to secure a perimeter meant that our gate revenue was way down." (This year's festival was moved from Independence Day weekend to Labor Day weekend.)
Yet Clow is enthusiastic about the eight blues acts secured for the May 3 fundraiser, and also for the event's silent auction of blues memorabilia, which will include items that should get plenty of Blues Fest fans equally stoked.
"We have these special Blues Fest posters - I think 25 of them are printed every year - that are autographed by every act that played at the festival. And people have donated them back to us for auction items. I've got 2004 through 2014, and those are all being framed. We've also got a Stevie Ray Vaughan-autographed item, a Honeyboy Edwards-autographed album and a signed contract, there's gonna be a theatre package, some overnight stays ... ."
And, of course, there are the musicians. "Just about all of them, in some form or another, have been down to the International Blues Challenge in Memphis," says Clow of the Redstone Room performers, "or have made it into the finals. And Joe Price is in the Iowa Blues Hall of Fame. It's going to be a really exciting event. A lot of talent." And probably a healthy dose of sin.
For more information on the Mississippi Valley Blues Society Festival Fundraiser, call (563)326-1333 or visit RiverMusicExperience.org or MVBS.org.
Theatre
Antony & Cleopatra
QC Theatre Workshop
Friday, May 1, through Saturday, May 9
As You Like It
Augustana College's Potter Theatre
Friday, May 1, through Sunday, May 10
"All the world's a stage, and all the men and women merely players." That's a line from Shakespeare's As You Like It. But on May 1, you might think that all the world - or at least the world of Quad-Cities theatre - is an Elizabethan stage, because in an incredible rarity for this (or really any) community, two of the Bard's most famous works are enjoying opening nights on the very same day.
At Davenport's QC Theatre Workshop, the Prenzie Players and director Kate Farence will present the historical tragedy Antony & Cleopatra through May 9, a follow-up to the company's January production of Julius Caesar that boasts several performers revisiting their wintertime roles. J.C. Luxton reprises his Antony while Kristin Skaggs greatly extends her JC curtain-call cameo as Cleopatra, and additional cast members include such Prenzie veterans as Jen Brown, Andrew Bruining, Andy Curtiss, Jarrod DeRooi, Mischa Hooker, Alaina Pascarella, and Denise Yoder.
Meanwhile, over at Rock Island's Augustana College, director Jennifer Popple will stage As You Like It itself through May 10, delivering a unique twist on the Bard's pastoral comedy by setting the play in the revolutionary decade of the 1960s. Rowan Crow and Keenan Odenkirk portray leading lovers Rosalind and Orlando, with Shakespeare's other romantics and clowns and clownish romantics played by such talents as Liam Baldwin, Luke Currie, John D'Aversa, Carissa Gilliand, Jessica Holzknecht, Leslie Kane, and Josh Pride.
But how, you may wonder, will you ever tell the two shows apart? Beyond, you know, the titles and casts and which side of the Mississippi they're on ... . Why, through this quiz, of course! To prep for your Bard-ian two-fer, try determining which of the following quotes are from Antony & Cleopatra, and which are from As You Like It.
1) "Love is merely a madness."
2) "In time we hate that which we often fear."
3) "I know that a woman is a dish for the gods."
4) "Do you not know I am a woman? When I think, I must speak."
5) "I will praise any man that will praise me."
6) "Men are April when they woo, December when they wed."
7) "I love long life better than figs."
8) "Do not fall in love with me, for I am falser than vows made in wine."
A) Antony & Cleopatra
B) As You Like It
For more information and tickets to Antony & Cleopatra, call (563)484-4210 or visit PrenziePlayers.com. As You Like It information and tickets are available by calling (309)794-7306 or visiting Augustana.edu/arts.
Answers: 1 - B, 2 - A, 3 - A, 4 - B, 5 - A, 6 - B, 7 - A, 8 - B. Wait a minute ... vows made in wine are false? Great. Now I gotta re-think my whole romantic history.
What Else Is Happenin' ...
MUSIC
Thursday, April 30 - Euforquestra and Jon Wayne & the Pain. Afro-beat, reggae, and funk musicians in concert, with an opening set by The Low Down. The Redstone Room (129 Main Street, Davenport). 8 p.m. $10-12. For tickets and information, call (563)326-1333 or visit RiverMusicExperience.org.
Thursday, April 30 - Cantus: Anthem. Songs of work, prayer, protest, ceremony, healing, and more with the male vocal ensemble, in a Hancher Auditorium Visiting Artists presentation. St. Mary's Catholic Church (220 East Jefferson Street, Iowa City). 7:30 p.m. $10-30. For tickets and information, call (319)335-1160 or visit Hancher.Uiowa.edu.
Friday, May 1 - Chicago Farmer. Folk singer/songwriter Cody Diekhoff performs his 998th concert, with a set by Backyard Tire Fire's Edward David Anderson and a post-show set with Under the Willow. The Redstone Room (129 Main Street, Davenport). 9 p.m. $11.50-12. For tickets and information, call (563)326-1333 or visit RiverMusicExperience.org.
Saturday, May 2 - Drive-By Truckers. Concert with the alt-country and rock musicians. Englert Theatre (221 East Washington Street, Iowa City). 8 p.m. $25. For tickets and information, call (319)688-2653 or visit Englert.org.
Sunday, May 3 - Quad City Symphony Orchestra Signature Series: The Beaten Path. Concert event featuring a repertoire performed by percussionists Gary Ciccotelli, Michael Geary, Tony Oliver, James Weir, and Aaron Williams. Augustana College's Wallenberg Hall (3520 Seventh Avenue, Rock Island). 3 p.m. $10-25. For tickets and information, call (563)322-7276 or visit QCSymphony.com.
Wednesday, May 6 - Noah Guthrie. Concert with the pop and Americana singer/songwriter. The Redstone Room (129 Main Street, Davenport). 7:30 p.m. $11.50. For tickets and information, call (563)326-1333 or visit RiverMusicExperience.org.
Wednesday, May 6 - Daniel Lanois. Concert with the rock and electronica musician, with an opening set by Rocco DeLuca. Englert Theatre (221 East Washington Street, Iowa City). 8 p.m. $25. For tickets and information, call (319)688-2653 or visit Englert.org.
Thursday, May 7 - Eliot Lipp. Electro-funk musician in concert, with an opening set by Heatbox. The Redstone Room (129 Main Street, Davenport). 9 p.m. $13.75-17. For tickets and information, call (563)326-1333 or visit RiverMusicExperience.org.
Friday, May 8 - The Gratest Story Ever Told. Reunion show with the Grateful Dead tribute musicians. Rock Island Brewing Company (1815 Second Avenue, Rock Island). 9 p.m. For information, call (309)793-1999 or visit RIBCO.com.
Saturday, May 9 - The Ballroom Thieves. Alternative, folk, and rock musicians in their CD-release show, with an opening set by Busted Chandeliers. The Redstone Room (129 Main Street, Davenport). 8:30 p.m. $11.50-14. For tickets and information, call (563)326-1333 or visit RiverMusicExperience.org.
Saturday, May 9 - Quad City Wind Ensemble. Annual spring concert with the area musicians. St. Ambrose University's Galvin Fine Arts Center (2101 Gaines Street, Davenport). 7:30 p.m. $8-10. For tickets and information, visit QCWindEnsemble.org.
Saturday, May 9 - Knubby. Concert with the Cedar Rapids-based rockers, with sets by Waking Robots, Satellite Heart, and Leviathans. Rozz-Tox (2108 Third Avenue, Rock Island). 8 p.m. $5-10. For information, call (309)200-0978 or visit RozzTox.com.
Sunday, May 10 - RiverBend Bronze Handbell Ensemble. The musicians' third-annual Mother's Day concert, directed by Larry B. Peterson. Scottish Rite Cathedral (1800 Seventh Avenue, Moline). 4 p.m. Free-will donations encouraged. For information, visit Facebook.com/rivervendbronze.
Sunday, May 10 - Lowland Hum. Concert with the North Carolina-based husband-and-wife musicians, with a set by Crystal City. Rozz-Tox (2108 Third Avenue, Rock Island). 8 p.m. $5-10. For information, call (309)200-0978 or visit RozzTox.com.
Sunday, May 10 - An Evening with Suzy Bogguss. Concert with the Grammy-winning and multi-platinum-selling singer/songwriter. Englert Theatre (221 East Washington Street, Iowa City). 7 p.m. $25. For tickets and information, call (319)688-2653 or visit Englert.org.
Monday, May 11 - The Lettermen. Annual concerts with the pop crooners in their sixth decade of performance. Circa '21 Dinner Playhouse (1828 Third Avenue, Rock Island). Noon-12:45 p.m. plated lunch, 1 p.m. show, $51.73. 6-7 p.m. buffet, 7:15 p.m. show, $58. For tickets and information, call (309)786-7733 extension 2 or visit Circa21.com.
Monday, May 11 - Moeller Mondays Presents: John Moreland. Concert with the Oklahoma-based singer/songwriter, performing in support of his album High on Tulsa. Rozz-Tox (2108 Third Avenue, Rock Island). 8 p.m. $15-20. For information, call (309)200-0978 or visit RozzTox.com.
Wednesday, May 13 - Tim Stop. Concert with the singer/songwriter and Bettendorf native. Rozz-Tox (2108 Third Avenue, Rock Island). 8 p.m. $5-10. For information, call (309)200-0978 or visit RozzTox.com.
THEATRE
Friday, May 1, through Saturday, May 9 - Joseph & the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat. Andrew Lloyd Webber's and Tim Rice's biblical musical in a co-presentation by the Center for Living Arts and Two Rivers United Methodist Church, directed by Dino Hayz. May 1 and 2: The Center for Living Arts (2008 Fourth Avenue, Rock Island), Friday 7 p.m., Saturday 2 and 7 p.m. May 8 and 9: Two Rivers United Methodist Church (1820 Fifth Avenue, Rock Island), 7 p.m. $10. For information, call (563)340-78165 or (309)788-9384, or visit CenterForLivingArts.org or TwoRiversUMC.org.
Friday, May 1, through Sunday, May 3 - Shrek: The Musical. Tony-winning musical comedy based on the Oscar-winning animated film, presented by the Performing Arts Academy of Galesburg. The 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 TheOrpheum.org.
Friday, May 1 - White Rabbit, Red Rabbit. Reading of a new Iranian play by Nassim Soleimanpour. Riverside Theatre (213 North Gilbert Street, Iowa City). 7:30 p.m. $30-40. For tickets and information, call (319)338-7672 or visit RiversideTheatre.org.
Saturday, May 2, through Sunday, May 10 - Rumpelstiltskin. Student-performed musical based on the Brothers Grimm story, composed and written by Aaron Randolph III and directed by Stephanie Seward. Davenport Junior Theatre (2822 Eastern Avenue, Davenport). Saturdays 3 and 7 p.m., Sundays 3 p.m. $6-8 at the door. For information, call (563)326-7862 or visit DavenportJuniorTheatre.com.
Monday, May 4, through Saturday, May 9 - Iowa New Play Festival. Annual festival centered on producing, reading, and analyzing new scripts from the Iowa Playwrights Workshop, featuring six staged readings and four full presentations. University of Iowa Theatre Building (200 North Riverside Drive, Iowa City). For information and a schedule of events, visit Theatre.Uiowa.edu.
Wednesday, May 6, through Saturday, May 9 - The Commedia Pinocchio. The fairytale classic performed by five actors in the style of commedia dell'arte. Timber Lake Playhouse (8215 Black Oak Road, Mt. Carroll). 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. $6. For tickets and information, call (815)244-2035 or visit TimberLakePlayhouse.org.
Friday, May 8, through Sunday, May 17 - Driving Miss Daisy. Alfred Uhry's Pulitzer Prize-winning comedy/drama, directed by Donna Weeks. Playcrafters Barn Theatre (4950 35th Avenue, Moline). Fridays and Saturdays 7:30 p.m., Sundays 3 p.m. $13. For tickets and information, call (309)762-0330 or visit Playcrafters.com.
Tuesday, May 12 - Chuggington Live! The Great Rescue Adventure. Family stage spectacle based on the popular children's show. Adler Theatre (136 East Third Street, Davenport). 6:30 p.m. $15-55. For tickets, call (800)745-3000 or visit AdlerTheatre.com.
DANCE
Thursday, May 7, through Saturday, May 9 - University of Iowa Department of Dance Undergraduate Concert. Dance majors present vignettes of their choreographed works. University of Iowa's Space/Place Theatre (20 Davenport Street, Iowa City). 8 p.m. $6-12. For tickets and information, call (319)355-1160 or visit Hancher.Uiowa.edu.
COMEDY
Thursday, April 30 - Chonda Pierce. The Christian comedienne and motivational speaker performs on her "It's a Girl Thing" tour. Adler Theatre (136 East Third Street, Davenport). 7 p.m. $28-56. For tickets, call (800)745-3000 or visit AdlerTheatre.com.
Sunday, May 3 - Helping with Humor. Fundraiser for Davenport's Humility of Mary Shelter, featuring performances by magician David Casas and the improv comedians of ComedySportz. The Establishment (220 19th Street, Rock Island). 6 p.m. $10 donation. For information, call (309)788-1111 or visit ComedySportzQC.com.
Thursday, May 7 - Pauly Shore. An evening with the stand-up comic, actor, writer, and director. Ohnward Fine Arts Center (1215 East Platt Street, Maquoketa). 7 p.m. $25-30. For tickets and information, call (563)652-9815 or visit OhnwardFineArtsCenter.com.
Saturday, May 9 - This Is Only a Test. University of Iowa students studying stand-up comedy perform their end-of-semester showcase, hosted by Megan Gogerty. Englert Theatre (221 East Washington Street, Iowa City). 6 p.m. Free. For tickets and information, call (319)688-2653 or visit Englert.org.
Saturday, May 9, and Saturday, May 16 - Rock City Live. My Verona Productions presents a sketch-comedy show in the vein of Saturday Night Live. Circa '21 Speakeasy (1818 Third Avenue, Rock Island). 8 p.m. $10-12. For tickets and information, call (309)786-7733 extension 2 or visit Circa21.com.
VISUAL ARTS
Friday, May 1 - Gallery Hop! Annual springtime walking tour featuring art vendors, exhibits, demonstrations, live music, and more at more than 20 downtown venues. District of Rock Island. 6-10 p.m. Free. For information, call (309)786-6311 or visit RIDistrict.com.
Saturday, May 2 - Village in Bloom: Festival of the Arts. Annual festival honoring John and Isabel Bloom featuring student artwork, live performances, children's activities, and more. Village of East Davenport. 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Free admission. For information, visit VillageOfEastDavenport.com.
Saturday, May 2, and Sunday, May 3 - Mississippi River Valley Art Directory Art Drive. The 10th bi-annual, self-guided driving tour allowing the public to visit artists in more than two dozen homes, studios, and retail galleries throughout the Quad Cities. 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Free. For information, call (563)343-2765 or visit MRVAD.com.
Saturday, May 2, through Sunday, May 10 - Young Artists at the Figge: Pleasant Valley. Exhibit of works by elementary art students. Figge Art Museum (225 West Second Street, Davenport). Tuesdays through Saturdays 10 a.m.-5 p.m., Thursdays 10 a.m.-9 p.m., Sundays noon-5 p.m. Free with $4-7 museum admission. For information, call (563)326-7804 or visit FiggeArtMuseum.org.
Saturday, May 9, and Sunday, May 10 - 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, e-mail BeauxArtsFair@gmail.com or visit BeauxArtsFair.com.
EVENTS
Saturday, May 2 - The Magic of David Casas. An interactive, family-friendly evening with the illusionist. Circa '21 Speakeasy (1818 Third Avenue, Rock Island). 7 p.m. $12. For tickets and information, call (309)786-7733 extension 2 or visit Circa21.com.
Sunday, May 3 - Rozz-Talk: Sean Moeller. Andrew King conducts an interview with the founder of Daytrotter, followed by a concert set with C.J. Boyd. Rozz-Tox (2108 Third Avenue, Rock Island). 8 p.m. Free. For information, call (309)200-0978 or visit RozzTox.com.
Friday, May 8 - A Tinyhouse Collective Presents. An evening of music and comedy with the band Mississippi Cotten and comedian Andrew King. Rozz-Tox (2108 Third Avenue, Rock Island). 8 p.m. $5-10. For information, call (309)200-0978 or visit RozzTox.com.
Friday, May 8 - The After Hour. Andrew King hosts a late-night talk show featuring Kyle Carter (executive director of the Downtown Davenport Partnership), comedian Chris Schlichting, and the musicians of The Multiple Cat. Circa '21 Speakeasy (1818 Third Avenue, Rock Island). 10:30 p.m. $8. For tickets and information, call (309)786-7733 extension 2 or visit Circa21.com.
Saturday, May 9, and Sunday, May 10 - Quad City Air Show. Celebration featuring aerial demonstrations, presentations, information booths, concessions, and more. Davenport Municipal Airport (9010 North Harrison Street, Davenport). 8 a.m.-6 p.m. $5-25, $50/carload pass. For information, call (563)349-7469 or visit QuadCityAirShow.com.
