Music
The Devil Makes Three
The Redstone Room
Wednesday, August 13, 8 p.m.
The Devil Makes Three performs as Davenport's Redstone Room on August 13, and if you're unfamiliar with the band, AllMusic.com writes, "The trio's sound combines bluegrass, primitive country music, folk, rockabilly, Piedmont blues, and ragtime, played with a blazing post-punk attack." The Web site also states that the group's musicians "inhabit a hardscrabble working-class world full of problem drinkers, tellers of tall tales, pirates, and troublemakers." That's odd. I haven't seen them around the Reader offices ... .
Composed of guitarist Pete Bernhard, guitarist and banjo player Cooper McBean, and upright bassist Lucia Turino, all of them Vermont natives and friends from high school, The Devil Makes Three originated in 2001, after its trio left the East Coast and landed in Santa Cruz, California. Following a series of club and festival performances, they independently released a self-titled album in 2002, followed by another recording in 2003, and another in 2006.
By 2007, though, the growing popularity of the acoustic band - whose live shows AllMusic.com describes as "marked by impressive energy, mordant humor, and timeless lyrics" - led to the re-release of their The Devil Makes Three CD hitting number seven on Billboard's bluegrass charts. And that's actually the lowest Billboard ranking the group has reached since: Stomp & Smash hit number four, I'm a Stranger Here landed at number two, and Do Wrong Right sailed all the way to the bluegrass chart's top.
Based on their recent tourmates and accolades, the top is also where they just might stay. Having opened for the likes of Willie Nelson and Emmylou Harris, The Devil Makes Three's unique genre blend has earned the band spots at Lollapalooza and Bonnaroo, and music critics continue to be wowed, with the Washington Post raving about the trio's "string-busting rhythms charging with a garage beat and a fiddle running furious enough for a most pit." So plan on a helluva show at the Redstone Room, where in addition to recent tunes, you'll likely hear compositions from early Devil Makes Three albums such as 2003's Longjohns, Boots, & a Belt - which, ironically, is the staff uniform for Reader employees. Maybe they have been here.
For more information on, and tickets to, The Devil Makes Three's area concert, call (563)326-1333 or visiting RiverMusicExperience.org.
Event
Ya Maka My Weekend
The District of Rock Island
Friday, August 8, and Saturday, August 9
Ya Maka My Weekend, the District of Rock Island's annual outdoor celebration of Caribbean culture, will take place on August 8 and 9, and if you've been to even one of the previous 22 Ya Makas over the years, you already know that there are plenty of reasons to attend.
There is, of course, the music, with the infectious sounds of Jamaican-dance-hall reggae filling the air. Among the performers scheduled for this year's Ya Maka are the exuberant and gifted Taj Weekes & Adowa, Akasha, Raw Dawg, Universal Expression, Remnance, Yard Squad, Ricky Rych, Zion, Turbulence, sowFLo, and Indika. (Weather reports have it that the District will also be hit by DeHurricane, but don't worry about being flooded out; you can always climb aboard the Ark Band.)
Then, of course, there's the Ya Maka My Weekend activities and arts-and-crafts vendors. Little kids, and big kids, can have a ball making castles and digging for treasure in the downtown "Ya Maka Beach," and you can bring a bit of Jamaica home with you through the jewelry, clothing, wood carvings, incense and oils, and other Caribbean wares on sale at numerous open-air booths.
Yet if you're like me, there's one reason above all to spend your weekend Ya Maka-ing ... .
If your stream of drool hasn't short-circuited your electronic device and you can still read this, Ya Maka My Weekend's gates open at 5 p.m. on Friday and 3 p.m. on Saturday, admission is $9 for one day or $14 for two days (with ages 12 and under free), and more information is available by calling (309)788-6311 or visiting YaMakaMyWeekend.com.
Theatre
Blame It on the Movies
Circa '21 Dinner Playhouse
Thursday, August 7, through Thursday, August 28
Every two years, the Circa '21 Dinner Playhouse's performing wait staff of Bootleggers gets to stage their own full-length musical production, and as a major fan of the Booties and a major fan of cinema, I was overjoyed to learn that this year's presentation was a 1989 off-Broadway revue titled Blame It on the Movies. I was even more stoked when I checked out the song list for this August 7 debut, and saw that it features, among dozens of additional tunes, Act II's "Theme from Psycho." Dunno about you, but I am dying to hear Brad Hauskins' and Marc Ciemiewicz's spirited duet on the lyrics "Eee! Eee! Eee! Eee! Eee!"
I kid. But I don't kid about Bernard Herrmann's famed musical shriek appearing in Blame It on the Movies, which also boasts the themes from Jaws, Rocky, and The Pink Panther. And I really don't kid about how much I'm looking forward to watching Jennifer Diab, Sarah Hayes, Antoinette Holman, Chris Galván, Morgan Griffin, Andrea Moore, Nicholas Munson, Sara Nicks, Sunshine Ramsey, and Kirsten Sindelar - plus my aforementioned pals Brad and Marc - owning the Circa '21 stage for the full two hours of the Bootleggers' latest showcase.
With beloved numbers from Casablanca, Meet Me in St. Louis, The Way We Were, Footloose, and even Blazing Saddles in the mix, there's sure to be something for everything in Blame It on the Movies. But as a longtime movie reviewer and even longer-time movie fan, I'm embarrassed to admit how many songs in the show - hell, how many movies in the show - I'd never heard of before. How 'bout you? Try matching some of these unfamiliar tunes with the films they hailed from.
1) "I'll Buy that Dream"
2) "Aurora"
3) "You'll Never Know"
4) "In Love in Vain"
5) "Shoo-Shoo Baby"
6) "I Get the Neck of the Chicken"
A) Hold That Ghost
B) Follow the Boys
C) Sing Your Way Home
D) Seven Days Leave
E) Centennial Summer
F) Hello, 'Frisco
Blame It on the Movies runs each Thursday evening of the month (August 7, 14, 21, and 28), and more information and tickets are available by calling (309)786-7733 extension 2 or visiting Circa21.com.
Answers: 1 - C, 2 - A, 3 - F, 4 - E, 5 - B, 6 - D. And based on its song title alone, that last movie has just shot to the top of my Netflix queue.
Theatre
Oklahoma!
Prospect Park Auditorium
Friday, August 8, through Sunday, August 17
(To be sung to the tune of "Oh, What a Beautiful Mornin'.")
Music Guild is to stage Oklahoma!
August eight is the date - Oklahoma!
This musical show is a classic, you know,
An' the Prospect Park venue is where you must go!
Oh, what a beautiful cast list!
Oh, what a beautiful play!
My, director Harold Truitt
Must be in Heaven today!
David Miller's performing as Curly
With Jen Sondgeroth's Laurey - his girly!
John Dieter is Jud, Scott Peake's Ali sells crud,
An' then Jacob Ruchotzke's Will Parker - that stud!
Rodgers and Hammerstein wrote it
An' won a Pulitzer Prize!
Deb Holmes is doing the costumes -
Plan on a feast for the eyes!
Can't wait to see Oklahoma!
Soaking in Prospect Park air!
An' "What a Beautiful Mornin'"
Will sound much better out there!
Oklahoma! will be staged on Thursdays through Sundays from August 8 through 17, and more information and tickets are available by calling (309)762-6610 or visiting QCMusicGuild.com.
What Else Is Happenin' ...?
FESTIVALS
Thursday, August 7, through Saturday, August 9 - 2014 Tug Fest. Annual event featuring a tug-of-war over the Mississippi River between LeClaire, Iowa, and Port Byron, Illinois, with carnivals, live music, vendors, and more. LeClaire and Port Byron levees. August 9 tug-of-war beginning at 12:30 p.m. For information, visit TugFest.com (LeClaire) and TugFest.org (Port Byron).
Friday, August 15, and Saturday, August 16 - River Roots Live. Annual celebration of ribs and roots music, with performances by Los Lonely Boys, Robert Randolph & the Family Band, North Mississippi Allstars, ZZ Ward, Ben Kweller, Cracker, The Jayhawks, Foxy Shazam, and more. LeClaire Park (River Drive and Ripley Street, Davenport). 11 a.m. gates. Free admission before 5 p.m., $10 after. For information, visit RiverRootsLive.com.
MUSIC
Thursday, August 7 - Dailey & Vincent. Grammy-nominated bluegrass duo in concert. Englert Theatre (221 East Washington Street, Iowa City). 8 p.m. $30. For tickets and information, call (319)688-2653 or visit Englert.org.
Saturday, August 9 - An Intimate Evening with the Stylistics. Concert with the Philadelphia-based pop stars, hosted by Good Times star Jimmie Walker. Quad-Cities Waterfront Convention Center (2021 State Street, Bettendorf). 8 p.m. $35-55. For information, call (800)724-5825 or visit Bettendorf.IsleOfCapriCasinos.com.
Sunday, August 10, through Wednesday, August 13 - 2014 Black Hawk Chamber Music Festival. Annual event featuring the concerts Four Centuries Flute & Keyboard (August 10 at 3 p.m.), Little Concert for Louis XIV (August 12 at 7 p.m.), and Beethoven's Flute, Viola, & Guitar (August 13 at 7 p.m.). Trinity Cathedral (121 West 12th Street, Davenport). $15-20 suggested donation. For tickets and information, call (563)323-9989 or visit BHCMF.org.
Sunday, August 10 - Milk Carton Kids. Grammy-nominated folk duo in concert. Englert Theatre (221 East Washington Street, Iowa City). 7:30 p.m. $20-23. For tickets and information, call (319)688-2653 or visit Englert.org.
Tuesday, August 12 - The Baseball Project. Concert with the super-group composed of Linda Pitmon, Steve Wynn, Peter Buck, Scott McCaughey, and Mike Mills, with an opening set by Hugh Bob & the Hustle. Codfish Hollow Barn (3437 288th Avenue, Maquoketa). 8 p.m. $15-20. For tickets and information, visit CodfishHollowBarnstormers.com. For a 2011 interview with McCaughey, visit RCReader.com/y/baseballproject.
Saturday, August 16 - The Holmes Brothers. Concert with the Blues Music Award-winning performers. The Muddy Waters (1708 State Street, Bettendorf). 8 p.m. $15. For information, call (563)355-0655 or visit TheMuddyWaters.com. For a 2006 interview with Sherman Holmes, visit RCReader.com/y/holmes.
Wednesday, August 20 - The Handsome Family. Folk-rock concert with married singers/songwriters Brett and Rennie Sparks. Englert Theatre (221 East Washington Street, Iowa City). 8 p.m. $20. For tickets and information, call (319)688-2653 or visit Englert.org.
THEATRE
Friday, August 8, through Sunday, August 17 - Alice in Wonderland. Debuting adaptation of the Lewis Carroll fable, created by Kristin Katsu and members of the theatre's intern company. Clinton Area Showboat Theatre (311 Riverview Drive, Clinton). Thursdays through Saturdays 7:30 p.m., Sunday and Wednesday 3 p.m. $16-23. For tickets and information, call (563)242-6760 or visit ClintonShowboat.org.
Saturday, August 9, and Sunday, August 10 - Annie Jr. One-act version of the Tony-winning Broadway musical. Ohnward Fine Arts Center (1215 East Platt Street, Maquoketa). Saturday 7 p.m., Sunday 2 p.m. $5-10. For tickets and information, call (563)652-9815 or visit OhnwardFineArtsCenter.com.
Thursday, August 14, through Sunday, August 24 - Leading Ladies. Farcical comedy by Ken Ludwig, directed by Tom Vaccaro. Richmond Hill Barn Theatre (600 Robinson Drive, Geneseo). Thursdays through Saturdays 7:30 p.m., Sundays 3 p.m. $10. For tickets and information, call (309)944-2244 or visit RHPlayers.com.
Thursday, August 14, through Sunday, August 24 - Shout! Musical revue of girl-group hits from the 1960s, directed by Courtney Crouse. Timber Lake Playhouse (8215 Black Oak Road, Mt. Carroll). Tuesdays through Saturdays 7:30 p.m., Sundays and Wednesdays 2 p.m. $17-23. For tickets and information, call (815)244-2035 or visit TimberLakePlayhouse.org.
Thursday, August 14, through Sunday, August 31 - Tuna Does Vegas. Two-man, multi-character comedy by Jaston Williams, Joe Sears, and Ed Howard. Old Creamery Studio Theatre (3023 220th Trail, Amana). Fridays and Saturdays 7:30 p.m., Thursdays and Sundays 2 p.m. $18.50-28. For tickets and information, call (319)622-6262 or visit OldCreamery.com.
Friday, August 15, through Saturday, August 30 - 'Art.' Yasmina Reza's Tony Award-winning comedy, directed by Tyson Danner. QC Theatre Workshop (1730 Wilkes Avenue, Davenport). Fridays and Saturdays 7:30 p.m., Sundays 3 p.m. "Pay what it's worth" ticket pricing. For tickets and information, call (563)650-2396 or visit QCTheatreWorkshop.org.
Friday, August 15, through Sunday, August 17 - Chicago. Tony-winning Broadway musical in the debut presentation by Old Capitol Opera. Englert Theatre (221 East Washington Street, Iowa City). Friday and Saturday 7:30 p.m., Sunday 2 p.m. $15-35. For tickets and information, call (319)688-2653 or visit Englert.org.
VISUAL ARTS
Saturday, August 16, through Sunday, October 26 - Living Proof Exhibit: Cancer Survivor Art. Exhibit celebrating the creative spirit of cancer survivors, featuring 50 works by artists residing within a 150-mile radius of the Quad Cities. 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 FiggeArt.org. For an article on the 2011 Living Proof exhibit, visit RCReader.com/y/livingproof.
EVENTS
Saturday, August 9, and Sunday, August 10 - 2014 Quad City Air Show. The 28th-annual outdoor event featuring aerial demonstrations, displays, vendors, children's activities, and more. Davenport Municipal Airport (9010 North Harrison Street, Davenport). 8 a.m.-5 p.m. $5-20, $25 weekend pass. For tickets and information, call (563)322-7469 or visit QuadCityAirShow.com.
Saturday, August 9 - 2014 Xstream Cleanup. The Quad Cities' annual volunteer-based cleanup of area waterways, hosted by River Action. 8 a.m. Free. For information, call (563)468-4218 or visit XstreamCleanup.org.
Saturday, August 16 - 2014 Floatzilla. River Action's fifth-annual paddle-sport festival, featuring kayak and canoe demonstrations, live music, food, vendors, and more. Sunset Park (18th Avenue and Sunset Road, Rock Island). 8 a.m.-4 p.m.; 2 p.m. world-record attempt ($15-20 registration for participants). For information, call (563)322-2969 or visit Floatzilla.org.
Saturday, August 16 - Village of East Davenport Wine Walk. Annual fundraiser for Gilda's Club Quad Cities in which participating businesses will offer one-ounce samples of their featured wines, with more than 25 available. Village of East Davenport. 3-6 p.m. $10 donation to Gilda's Club. For information, visit VillageOfEastDavenport.com.
