Music
Wayne "The Train" Hancock
Rock Island Brewing Company
Saturday, April 6, 9:30 p.m.
Acclaimed country musician Wayne "The Train" Hancock plays a Rock Island Brewing Company concert on April 6, and you'll need to be at least 21 to attend. However, all ages are welcome to learn about the artist's gifts right here! AllMusic.com, for instance, calls Hancock "arguably the finest country traditionalist working the 21st Century country scene." And Scram Magazine, which describes Hancock's 2003 CD Swing Time as "a great goddam live album," raves that Hancock "imbues his material with the kind of I-don't-give-a-f--k edge that pushes each and every one of these 'old-fashioned songs' right up into your face."
Hmm. Given the language, maybe you should be at least 21 to read this article, too.
Born in 1965, singer/guitarist Hancock began writing songs at age 12 and by his teen years was already playing juke joints in his native Texas, winning the prestigious Wrangler County Showdown talent competition at age 18. Following six years spent in the military, he embarked on a professional music career in Austin, but interestingly, his rise to success didn't start with an album. Instead, it began with a role in the stage musical Chippy, which found Hancock performing alongside such country legends as Joe Ely, Terry Allen, and Robert Earl Keen.
The exposure earned from that production, however, did score Hancock a record deal with the independent label Deja Disc, which released the artist's 1995 solo debut Thunderstorms & Neon Signs, a word-of-mouth smash whose limited distribution still resulted in more than 20,000 copes sold.
And from there, Hancock has gone on to not only release seven additional Western-swing and rockabilly albums - among them Ride, released just last month - but also earn massive praise for his thrilling country stylings. The Montreal Gazette writes, "Hancock revives the honky-tonk aesthetics of Hank Williams and Ernest Tubb and dips into the Western-swing well of Bob Willis, making those styles seem utterly contemporary." And the aforementioned Scram calls Hancock's music "more infectious than poison ivy, and twice as hard to shake," so be sure to bring your dancing shoes to the man's RIBCO performance. A healthy supply of calamine lotion also wouldn't hurt.
Wayne "The Train" Hancock performs locally with opener Patrick Sweany, and more information on the night is available by calling (309)793-4060 or visiting RIBCO.com.
Music
Big Damn Blues Revolution Tour
The Redstone Room
Thursday, April 4, 7:30 p.m.
So ... who out there has the Big Damn Blues?
Besides, of course, those of us who remember last year at this time, when the temperatures were in the freakin' 80s and we weren't freakin' freezing every day ... !
Sorry. I'm writing this on the first morning of spring, and it's 16 degrees. I'm not blue so much as red with anger.
The actual answer is: the proprietors of Davenport's Redstone Room, which hosts the Big Damn Blues Revolution Tour on April 4. A high-energy country/blues extravaganza that has played to sold-out crowds in Tennessee, Ohio, Michigan, and Kentucky since its March 6 kick-off, this electrifying concert event is now set to wow Quad Citians with the exceptional talents of three exciting touring ensembles.
One of them is the band led by Jimbo Mathus, widely known as the front man for the famously eclectic Squirrel Nut Zippers. Performing alongside his Tri-State Coalition musicians, singer/songwriter/guitarist Mathus will surely have Redstone Room patrons jumping with the impassioned, smoky stylings that led OffBeat.com to praise his "combination of truck-drivin', dip-spittin' country music and evil-lurkin', whiskey-drinkin' dirty blues, with themes of salvation sprinkled throughout."
Joining Mathus on tour are the acclaimed duo Moreland & Arbuckle - composed of guitarist Aaron Moreland and harpist Dustin Arbuckle - whose decade-long career has found the men merging Delta blues, folk, rock, traditional country, soul, and roots music into a whole that AllMusic.com calls "powerful and expressive," boasting artists who "charge ahead with locomotive force."
And headlining the Redstone Room's night (and inspiring the tour's title) are the country-blues musicians of The Reverend Peyton's Big Damn Band, whose new album Between the Ditches debuted at number one on the iTunes blues chart and number-two on the Billboad blues chart. After an evening spent with these exuberant talents, you'll no doubt understand why Music City Roots raves about their "gusto and original vision," and why Living Blues insists that "the tent-revival, almost punk energy of the Big Damn Band is a refreshing splash of cold water to the face." 'Cause that's what we need right now. Cold water. Because it's obviously not cold enough these ... !!!
Sorry again. I promise I'll be better by June.
For more information and tickets to the Big Damn Blues Revolution Tour, call (563)326-1333 or visit RiverMusicExperience.org.
Theatre
Hair
The District Theatre
Friday, April 12, through Sunday, April 28
Hashish. Sodomy. Going down.
That's right, folks! It must be spring at the District Theatre!
By which I mean it must be time for the spring musical at the District Theatre, because those are three of the song titles from the venue's forthcoming production of Hair! (What did you think I was talking about?)
As likely no one needs to be told, Hair is the legendary counterculture musical that made a permanent impact on American theatre beginning with its 1967 debut, when its celebration of hippie culture, anti-war sentiments, and flower power was viewed as a collective nose-thumbing at traditional stage entertainments of the period. Nowadays, every newly created rock musical owes a debt of gratitude to this seminal work, one whose score boasts such timeless hits as "Aquarius," "Good Morning, Starshine," "Easy to Be Hard," "Where Do I Go?", and "The Flesh Failures (Let the Sun Shine in)," and whose continued stage popularity was evidenced by Hair's huge box-office success - and Best Revival of a Musical Tony Award - when the show returned to Broadway in 2009.
What say we prepare for this new, tune-filled District Theatre experience with some trivia? Fans of the score know that, as the musical's free-lovin' characters sing, "I Got Life." But according to the lyrics for the song "Ain't Got No," there's actually quite a bit that Hair's hippies don't got. Which of the following is not among the things lacking for the "Ain't Got No" singers?
1) faith
2) friends
3) home
4) pot
5) schoolin'
6) shoes
7) smokes
8) talent
9) underwear
10) work
Hair runs at the District Theatre April 12 through 28, with half-price preview performances on April 10 and 11, and more information and tickets are available by calling (309)235-1654 or visiting DistrictTheatre.com.
Answer: 8. Trust me, with Tristan Layne Tapscott directing, and a cast including Bryan Tank, Chris Causer, Kelly Lohrenz, Sara King, Joe Maubach, Kiarri D. Andrews, Antoinette Holman, and Nina Schreckengost, there's talent all over this thing.
Theatre
Death of a Salesman
Richmond Hill Barn Theatre
Thursday, April 11, through Sunday, April 21
"Willy? Is that you?"
"It's all right, Linda. I came back."
"Why? What happened? Did something happen, Willy?"
"No, nothing happened. But I'm tired to the death. I couldn't make it. I just couldn't make it, Linda."
"Well, you'll just have to take a rest, Willy. You can't continue this way. I have an idea. How about a night at the theatre?
"I just got back from Florida."
"But there's a wonderful show at the Richmond Hill Barn Theatre in Geneseo, and it's all about a man in your line of work! It's Death of a Salesman, the Pulitzer Prize-winning classic by Arthur Miller that won last year's Tony Award for Best Revival of a Play and Best Director!"
"Death of a Salesman ... ?"
"Well, yes ... it's a very serious play, Willy. But it's such an exhilarating serious play! And it also has a number of truly funny moments, and features some of the most stirring dialogue ever written for the stage, and is fantastically insightful about family relationships and pride and the pursuit of the American dream ... ."
"Is that so?"
"Oh, and actors just adore it, because those roles are so beautifully written! Over the years, Death of a Salesman has won awards for Dustin Hoffman and John Malkovich and Brian Dennehy and Elizabeth Franz and Arthur Kennedy and ... ."
"Isn't that remarkable?"
"The Geneseo production is being directed by James Fairchild - he directed that Greater Tuna we saw at Richmond Hill last year, remember? And there are so many terrific, familiar talents in the cast: Jim Driscoll, Jackie Skiles, Dana Moss-Peterson, Justin Raver, Bruce Carmen, Bill Hudson, Bryan Woods, Stacey McKean Herrick, Molly McLaughlin ... !"
"It sounds like a great thing! Let's do it! Let's go!"
"Oh, that's wonderful, darling! It's changing! I can feel it changing!"
"Without a question! Come on! Get in the car!"
"Um ... . Maybe I should drive."
Death of a Salesman runs April 11 through 21 - with performances at 7:30 p.m. Thursdays through Saturdays and 3 p.m. on Sundays - and more information and tickets are available by calling (309)944-2244 or visiting RHPlayers.com.
What Else Is Happenin'... ?
MUSIC
Thursday, April 4 - Grizzly Bear. Brooklyn-based independent rockers in concert, with an opening set by Owen Pallett. Englert Theatre (221 East Washington Street, Iowa City). 8 p.m. $30-32. For tickets and information, call (319)688-2653 or visit Englert.org.
Saturday, April 6 - Mucca Pazza. The 30-piece, rock-fueled marching band in concert, with opening sets by Mumford's and Brooks Strause & the Gory Details. Englert Theatre (221 East Washington Street, Iowa City). 8 p.m. $12-15. For tickets and information, call (319)688-2653 or visit Englert.org.
Saturday, April 6, and Sunday, April 7 - A Procession Winding Around Me. Spring concert with the professional vocal ensemble the Nova Singers, featuring Fareed Haque on guitar. Saturday: Knox College's Kresge Recital Hall (2 East South Street, Galesburg), 7:30 p.m. Sunday: First Congregational Church of Moline (2201 Seventh Avenue, Moline), 4 p.m. $15-18. For tickets and information, call (309)341-7038 or visit NovaSingers.com.
Wednesday, April 10 - 2Cellos. Concert with the award-winning string duo. The Orpheum Theatre (57 South Kellogg Street, Galesburg). 7:30 p.m. $15-45. For tickets and information, call (309)343-2299 or visit TheOrpheum.org.
Thursday, April 11 - America's Music Kick-off Event. Opening celebration for the area-wide program "America's Music: A Film History of Our Popular Music from Blues to Bluegrass to Broadway," featuring a performance by The Candymakers. RME Community Stage (131 West Second Street, Davenport). 4:30 p.m. Donations encouraged. For information, call (563)326-1333 or visit AmericasMusicQC.com.
Friday, April 12 - ETHEL String Quartet. Concert with the classical/crossover string musicians and Quad City Arts Visiting Artists. St. Ambrose University's Rogalski Center (518 West Locust Street, Davenport). 7:30 p.m. $5. For tickets and information, call (563)333-6251 or visit QuadCityArts.com.
Friday, April 12 - Trampled Under Foot. Winners of the 2008 International Blues Challenge in concert. The Redstone Room (129 Main Street, Davenport). 9 p.m. $10-12. For tickets and information, call (563)326-1333 or visit RiverMusicExperience.org.
Saturday, April 13, and Sunday, April 14 - Quad City Symphony Orchestra. The Masterworks VI concerts featuring conductor Mark Russell Smith and pianist Thomas Sauer, with a program including Rimsky-Korsakov's Russian Easter Overture, Beethoven's Piano Concerto No. 5, and Tchaikovsky's Symphony No. 4. Saturday: Adler Theatre (136 East Third Street, Davenport), 7:30 p.m. Sunday: Augustana College's Centennial Hall (3703 Seventh Avenue, Rock Island), 2 p.m. $10-53. For tickets and information, call (563)322-0931 or visit QCSymphony.com.
Saturday, April 13 - The Bernie Worrell Orchestra. Concert with the founding member of Parliament-Funkadelic and his ensemble, with an opening set by Jaik Willis. Rock Island Brewing Company (1815 Second Avenue, Rock Island). 9:30 p.m. $12-15. For information, call (309)793-4060 or visit RIBCO.com.
Monday, April 15 - Billy Bragg. British folk artist and activist in concert, featuring an opening set by Kim Churchill. Englert Theatre (221 East Washington Street, Iowa City). 8 p.m. $30-32. For tickets and information, call (319)688-2653 or visit Englert.org.
Wednesday, April 17 - California Guitar Trio & Montreal Guitar Trio. Concert collaboration between six award-winning string players. Englert Theatre (221 East Washington Street, Iowa City). 8 p.m. $18-22. For tickets and information, call (319)688-2653 or visit Englert.org.
THEATRE
Thursday, April 4, through Sunday, April 7 - Something's Afoot. Murder-mystery musical presented by Quad City Music Guild, directed by Martha Taylor. Prospect Park Auditorium (1584 34th Avenue, Moline). Thursday-Saturday 7:30 p.m., Sunday 2 p.m. $11-16. For tickets and information, call (309)762-6610 or visit QCMusicGuild.com.
Thursday, April 4, through Sunday, April 21 - Freud's Last Session. Author Mark St. Germain's therapy-themed comedic drama. Old Creamery Theatre (3023 220th Trail, Amana). Thursday and Sunday 3 p.m., Friday and Saturday 7:30 p.m. $18-27.50. For tickets and information, call (319)622-6194 or visit OldCreamery.com.
Friday, April 5, through Sunday, April 21 - Blackbird. David Harrower's dark relationship drama, directed by Margaret Eginton. Riverside Theatre (213 North Gilbert Street, Iowa City) Thursday-Saturday 7;30 p.m., Sunday 2 p.m. $15-28. For tickets and information, call (319)338-7672 or visit RiversideTheatre.org.
Saturday, April 6 - Godspell. Stephen Schwartz's long-running biblical musical presented by Dino Hayz and Pastor Robb McCoy. Riverside United Methodist Church (712 16th Street, Moline). 4:30 p.m. Donations encouraged. For information, e-mail info@centerforliving.org or RvrsideRobb@mediacombb.net.
Tuesday, April 9 - Kindur: The Adventurous Life of Icelandic Sheep. Theatrical production of music, dance, art, culture, and digital media by the performance artists of Copagnia TPO, in a Hancher Auditorium Visiting Artists presentation. Coralville Center for the Performing Arts (1301 Fifth Street, Coralville). 7 p.m. $10-25. For tickets and information, call (319)335-1160 or visit http://www.Hancher.UIowa.edu.
Thursday, April 11, through Saturday, May 11 - How I Became a Pirate. Family musical comedy based on the children's book by Melinda Long. Circa '21 Dinner Playhouse (1828 Third Avenue, Rock Island). Scheduled 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. performances Tuesday-Saturday $8.50 For tickets and information, call (309)786-7733 extension 2 or visit Circa21.com.
Thursday, April 11, through Saturday, April 20 - Blue Sky Merchants. Debuting Hollywood comedy by area author John Turner, directed by Steve Flanigin. Scott Community College's Student Life Center (500 Belmont Road, Bettendorf). Thursday-Saturday 7 p.m. For information, e-mail sflanigin@eicc.edu.
Friday, April 12, through Sunday, April 21 - She Stoops to Conquer: Or, the Mistakes of a Night. Oliver Gioldsmith's period-comedy classic, directed by Kristin Clippard. University of Iowa's E.C. Mabie Theatre (200 North Riverside Drive, Iowa City). Thursday-Saturday 7:30 p.m., Sunday 2p.m. $10-17. For tickets and information, call (319)335-1160 or visit Theatre.UIowa.edu.
Friday, April 12, through Sunday, April 14 - The Broken Chord. Hancher Auditorium's presentation of Working Group Theatre's memory-loss drama weaving direct testimony with poetic storytelling. Englert Theatre (221 East Washington Street, Iowa City). Friday and Saturday 7:30 p.m., Sunday 2 p.m. $10-35. For tickets and information, call (319)335-1160 or visit http://www.Hancher.UIowa.edu.
DANCE
Friday, April 12, through Sunday, April 14 - Spring Fling Polka Fest. Three-day dance event featuring live music by Ryan Herman, Karl Hartwich, The Rhythm Playboys, Karl & the Country Dutchmen, and Barefoot Becky & the Ivanhoe Dutchmen. Walcott Coliseum (116 East Bryant Street, Walcott). Friday 7-10:30 p.m., $7. Saturday noon-8 p.m., $15. Sunday 1-5 p.m., $8. $25 for all three days. For tickets and information, call (563)285-5989 or visit EasternIowaPolkaClub.Ning.com.
LITERATURE
Friday, April 5 - Mission Creek Festival Lit Crawl. Readings in numerous venues showcasing more than 60 fiction, nonfiction, and poetry authors representing more than 15 publishers. Downtown Iowa City. 5-9 p.m. Free admission. For information, visit MissionFreak.com.
Tuesday, April 9 - Elizabeth Strout. Pulitzer prize-winning author of 2009's Olive Kitteridge discusses her latest novel, The Burgess Boys. Prairie Lights Books (15 South Dubuque Street, Iowa City). 7 p.m. Free admission. For information, call (319)337-2681 or visit PrairieLights.com.
COMEDY
Friday, April 5 - Tig Notaro & Janeane Garofalo. Standup comediennes perform in a Mission Creek Festival presentation. Englert Theatre (221 East Washington Street, Iowa City). 8 p.m. $22-25. For tickets and information, call (319)688-2653 or visit Englert.org.
MOVIE
Tuesday, April 9 - The Silk Road. Screenings in the museum's World Adventure series, presented by filmmaker Marlin Darrah. Putnam Museum (1717 West 12th Street, Davenport). 1, 4, and 7 p.m. $5-7. For tickets and information, call (563)324-1933 or visit Putnam.org.
VISUAL ART
Friday, April 12 - Pizza Face Eating Falafel. Traveling video-art program created by mixed-media artist Keren Shavit and Michal Rubinstein, production manager with Israel's Haifa Museum of Art. Rozz-Tox (2108 Third Avenue, Rock Island). 8 p.m. Free admission. For information, call (309)200-0978 or visit RozzTox.com.
EVENT
Saturday, April 6 - CCKMA (Cancer Can Kiss My Ass) Event. Sixth-annual survivor celebration featuring guest speakers Dr. David Bender and Dr. Michael Goodheart of the University of Iowa Gynecologic Oncology Department, raffle prizes, live and silent auctions, a 50/50 drawing, music by EIO Entertainment, and more. Quad-Cities Waterfront Convention Center (1777 Isle Parkway, Bettendorf). 6 p.m. $25, free for ages 12 and under. For tickets and information, call (309)236-3629 or visit CCKMA-QC.org.
