Music
David Burgess
Redeemer Lutheran Church
Saturday, February 16, 7 p.m.
From the New York Times: "Technically in control and interpretively most persuasive."
From the Washington Post: "Impressive technique and a fine sense of style."
From Greenwich Time magazine: "Hauntingly beautiful, tastefully phrased with exquisite nuance, and yet with an aristocratic understatement that held his audience spellbound."
And no, I'm not starting yet another one of these What's Happenin' articles by talking about my own work. But I'm touched by your confusion.
Those quotes are actually in reference to the musical gifts of renowned guitarist David Burgess, who, as the latest guest in Quad City Arts' Visiting Artists series, will perform a special concert on February 16 at Bettendorf's Redeemer Lutheran Church. For more than three decades, Burgess has been thrilling audiences on both sides of the Atlantic with his virtuoso skills, and has reaffirmed the lie of "those who can't do, teach" by serving as a guitar instructor at the University of Washington and the Cornish Institute of the Arts.
A first-prize winner at international events ranging from the Guitar '81 Competition in Toronto to the 31st Annual Music Competition in Munich to the Ponce International Competition in Mexico City, Burgess has played solo recitals to packed houses and critical praise throughout Europe and North America. Of course, with his national engagements including performances at Lincoln Center, the Kennedy Center, and Carnegie Recital Hall, it's easy to see why reviewers have been so effusive.
In addition to the aforementioned plaudits, Acoustic Guitar magazine raved about Burgess' "flashy scale passages and crisp rasgueados." Italy's La Nazione praised the guitarist's "vivacity of tone colors and polished phrasing." And Fanfare magazine made note of Burgess' "exciting style" and "technique to burn." I was actually told that I had technique to burn, too. But as it was mentioned in an e-mail addressed "Dear pretentious hack," I don't think it was meant as a compliment.
For more information on David Burgess' concert at the Redeemer Lutheran Church (1107 Tanglefoot Lane, Bettendorf), call (309)793-1213 or visit QuadCityArts.com.
Music
Levi Lowrey
The Redstone Room
Thursday, February 7, 7:30 p.m.
Roots-rock and Americana singer/songwriter Levi Lowrey performs at Davenport's Redstone Room on February 7, and I considered a lot of different options regarding the composition of this article.
I thought about making this piece purely biographical, as Lowrey's rise to professional success and acclaim makes for a terrific rags-to-riches story: The great-great-grandson of the late fiddler Gid Tanner, who was one of the U.S.'s very first country-music stars, Lowrey grew up in rural Dacula, Georgia (where he still resides), joined a rock band in high school, formed a friendship with chart-topping country singer Zac Brown, served as a collaborator on several Zac Brown Band albums, embarked on a career as a solo artist, and, for the release "Colder Weather," eventually earned a 2011 CMA Award nomination for "Song of the Year."
I thought about devoting the article solely to the sensational reviews Lowrey has amassed for both his touring engagements and his solo CDs I've Held the Devil's Hand and I Confess I Was a Fool, as CountryMusicPride.com calls the latter album an "undeniable masterpiece" and Lowrey himself "artistically brilliant," Roughstock.com applauds Lowrey's "strong, lush tenor voice," and PopMatters.com raves that the man's output "is sure to please fans of classic and modern [country music] alike."
But in the end, I decided to take my cue from Lowrey himself. Describing the inception of his hit single "Another Sunday Morning Hangover," Lowrey is quoted as saying, "I guess I came home hammered ... . When I woke up, I found a napkin laying on the coffee table, and I couldn't even get up - it was the worst hangover I've ever had in my entire life. So I just leaned over, grabbed the napkin, and started writing the song down." So I thought I'd take the same approach for the writing of this piece, and here's what wound up on my napkin:
"Levi ... guitar man ... CMAs ... knows Zac ... lives in Dracula ... Handy Devils ... masterpiece lush voice tenor ... Davenport February 7 ... axcpqpofjewjkckl ... ."
Okay, so the guy's a little better at the post-hangover writing than I am ... .
Levi Lowrey performs at the Redstone Room with an opening set by Brooklyn Heuer, and more information on the evening is available by calling (563)326-1333 or visiting RiverMusicExperience.org.
Theatre
Treasure Island
Davenport Junior Theatre
Saturday, February 16, through Sunday, February 24
For this piece on Davenport Junior Theatre's upcoming production of Treasure Island - running Saturdays and Sundays at the organization's Annie Wittenmyer Complex venue, from February 16 through 24 - I actually had a handy source for some inside information, as I happen to share an apartment with the show's director, Thomas Alan Taylor. So, in my continuing effort to do as little work as possible, I convinced Tom to come up with 10 reasons why you should bring your kids and/or grandkids to Treasure Island, an hour-long show that's sure to be a charming, engaging, fun-filled entertainment for audiences of all ages.
1) "The original, clever adaptation of Robert Louis Stevenson's adventure classic, which is being staged at JT for the first time."
2) "The 21-student cast, all of whom are between nine and 18 years old, and none of whom, after three pages, ever leaves the stage."
3) "The swordplay, pirates, and buried treasure. And ghost. Or is it a ghost ... ?"
4) "The creation of an 18-foot-long pirate ship right before your eyes."
5) "The magical transformation of an 1875 one-room school into Skeleton Island."
6) "The magical transformation of an adorable nine-year-old girl into a bloodthirsty pirate."
7) "The sing-along song, and the live sound effects created by the kids themselves."
8) "The reasonable ticket price - only $5 at the door for ages three and older."
9) "The half-man, half-savage that is 11-year-old Roger Pavey."
10) "The guarantee that our theatre will be 100-percent scurvy-free."
If only I could say the same about our apartment.
Treasure Island will be performed on Saturdays at 1 and 4 p.m. and Sundays at 2 p.m., and more information on the show is available by calling (563)326-7832 or visiting DavenportJuniorTheatre.com.
Music and Theatre
Quad City Symphony Orchestra: Valentine's Day
Adler Theatre; Augustana College's Centennial Hall
Saturday, February 9, 7:30 p.m.; Sunday February 10, 2 p.m.
West Side Story
Adler Theatre
Monday, February 18, 7:30 p.m.
Once you've heard Leonard Bernstein's lush, gorgeous, heartbreaking score for West Side Story, that haunting music is likely to stay in your head forever. Employees at Davenport's Adler Theatre are about to learn what forever times two feels like.
On February 9, the Quad City Symphony Orchestra will bring to the Adler a 7:30 p.m. concert program titled Valentine's Day, the latest presentation in the ensemble's Masterworks series. (The concert will also be performed on February 10 at 2 p.m., at Augustana College's Centennial Hall.) This romantic event will feature swing-era favorites sung by the noted vocal quintet Five by Design, but as an added treat - and in addition to offerings by composers Carl Maria von Weber and Pyotr Illyich Tchaikovsky - Valentine's Day will also find the QCSO performing Bernstein's legendary "Symphonic Dances from West Side Story," a 23-minute piece showcasing some of its composer's most memorable work.
If, however, those 23 minutes only whet your appetite for hearing the West Side Story score in full, boy are you in luck! The touring production of Broadway's latest, Tony Award-winning revival of the show is set to his the Adler stage on February 18, treating audiences to all of the tragic romance, beautiful songs, and hoofing and jumping gang members that have made West Side Story a beloved, musical-theatre touchstone for more than half a century.
You're no doubt familiar with the show's reputation; how about its specifics? Try your hand at this quiz on West Side Story movie and stage trivia, courtesy of our pals as FunTrivia.com.
1) George Chakiris played Bernardo in the West Side Story movie. Who did he play on the London stage?
A) Riff
B) Action
C) Tony
2)According to the show's original book, what is Glad Hand's real name?
A) Harry Lenzer
B) George Dadres
C) Murray Benowitz
3) How many weeks did the movie soundtrack sit at number one on the Billboard charts?
A) 32
B) 40
C) 54
4) Which actor did not appear in both the Broadway and movie versions of West Side Story?
A) William Bramley
B) Jose DeVega
C) David Winters
5) How many Jets are gathered at the playground in the movie's opening scene?
A) 5
B) 6
C) 7
Tickets to both the Quad City Symphony Orchestra's Valentine's Day concerts and West Side Story are available by calling (800)745-3000. For more information on the former, visit QCSymphony.com; for more on the latter, visit AdlerTheatre.com.
Answers: 1 - A, 2 - C, 3 - C, 4 - B, 5 - C. Seven Jets? Man, that's gotta be one hu-u-uge playground.
What Else Is Happenin'... ?
MUSIC
Thursday, February 7 - Keller Williams. Concert with the singer/songwriter and "one-man band." Englert Theatre (221 East Washington Street, Iowa City). 8 p.m. $20-22. For tickets and information, call (319)688-2653 or visit Englert.org. For a 2012 interview with Williams, visit RCReader.com/y/keller.
Friday, February 8 - Chicago Farmer. Album-release show with the folk singer/songwriter, featuring an opening set by Ernie Hendrickson. The Redstone Room (129 Main Street, Davenport). 8 p.m. $8-10. For tickets and information, call (563)326-1333 or visit RiverMusicExperience.org.
Saturday, February 9 - The Nadas. CD-release show with the rock/folk quintet, with an opening set by SHEL. The Redstone Room (129 Main Street, Davenport). 8 p.m. $13-15. For tickets and information, call (563)326-1333 or visit RiverMusicExperience.org.
Sunday, February 10 - Beausoleil avec Michael Doucet. Cajun and zydeco musicians in concert. The Redstone Room (129 Main Street, Davenport). 7:30 p.m. $18-20. For tickets and information, call (563)326-1333 or visit RiverMusicExperience.org. For a 2009 interview with Doucet, visit RCReader.com/y/doucet.
Thursday, February 14 - Joe Robinson. Concert with the 21-year-old guitarist and winner of TV's Australia's Got Talent competition. The Redstone Room (129 Main Street, Davenport). 8 p.m. $15. For tickets and information, call (563)326-1333 or visit RiverMusicExperience.org. For a 2011 interview with Robinson, visit RCReader.com/y/robinson.
Thursday, February 14, and Friday, February 15 - Miguel Zenón. Latin jazz with the touring saxophone musician, in a Hancher Auditorium presentation. The Mill (120 East Burlington Street, Iowa City). 7:30 and 10 p.m. $10-20. For tickets and information, call (319)335-1160 or visit http://www.Hancher.UIowa.edu.
Friday, February 15 - Harlem Gospel Choir. Concert with one of America's premier gospel ensembles. Englert Theatre (221 East Washington Street, Iowa City). 8 p.m. $25-35. For tickets and information, call (319)688-2653 or visit Englert.org.
Saturday, February 16 - Smooth Jazz Valentine's Concert. Saxophonist Paula Atherton and the Urban Jazz Coalition in concert, with a wine tasting, hors d'oeuvres, desserts, and more. The Redstone Room (129 Main Street, Davenport). 8 p.m. $100-120/couple, $55/single. For tickets and information, call (563)324-4208 or visit RiverMusicExperience.org.
Saturday, February 16 - Diamond Rio. Concert with the country musicians of "You're Gone" and "Unbelievable" fame. Quad-Cities Waterfront Convention Center (1777 Isle Parkway, Bettendorf). 7:30 p.m. $20-30. For information, call (800)724-5825 or visit Bettendorf.IsleOfCapriCasinos.com.
Saturday, February 16 - Dailey & Vincent. Concert with the award-winning bluegrass duo, in a Hancher Auditorium presentation. Englert Theatre (221 East Washington Street, Iowa City). 7:30 p.m. $10-35. For tickets and information, call (319)335-1160 or visit http://www.Hancher.UIowa.edu.
Saturday, February 16 - Tommy James & the Shondells. An evening with the chart-topping musicians of "Mony Mony" and "Crimson & Clover" fame. Riverside Casino Event Center (3184 Highway 22, Riverside). 9 p.m. $29-49. For tickets and information, call (877)677-3456 or visit RiversideCasinoAndResort.com.
Saturday, February 16, and Sunday, February 17 - VoiceDance: Madrigals, Chansons, & Jazz. Winter concerts with Galesburg's professional vocal ensemble the Nova Singers. Saturday - First Lutheran Church of Galesburg (364 East Water Street, Galesburg), 7:30 p.m. Sunday - St. Paul Lutheran Church of Davenport (2136 Brady Street, Davenport), 4 p.m. $15-18. For tickets and information, call (309)341-7038 or visit NovaSingers.com.
Sunday, February 17 - Bobby Goldsboro. Chart-topping pop and country guitarist/vocalist in concert. Riverside Casino Event Center (3184 Highway 22, Riverside). 5 p.m. $15-30. For tickets and information, call (877)677-3456 or visit RiversideCasinoAndResort.com.
THEATRE
Friday, February 15, through Sunday, February 17 - Godspell. Off-Broadway's long-running Biblical musical by Wicked composer Stephen Schwartz. Ohnward Fine Arts Center (1215 East Platt Street, Maquoketa). Friday and Saturday 7 p.m., Sunday 2 p.m. $10-18. For tickets and information, call (563)652-9815 or visit OhnwardFineArtsCenter.com.
DANCE
Saturday, February 16 - Love Stories: An Evening of Mixed Repertoire. Romantic vignettes performed by the professional dancers of Ballet Quad Cities. Scottish Rite Cathedral (1800 Seventh Avenue, Moline). 1 and 7:30 p.m. $12-22. For tickets and information, call (309)786-3779 or visit BalletQuadCities.com.
COMEDY
Friday, February 8, and Saturday, February 9 - The Second City: Laughing Matters. A collection of the best sketches and songs over the 50-year history of Chicago's famed comedy troupe. Englert Theatre (221 East Washington Street, Iowa City). 8 p.m. $25-30. For tickets and information, call (319)688-2653 or visit Englert.org.
LITERARY ARTS
Friday, february 15 - Behind the Curtain: Stories from the Inside. QC StorySLAM presents the Third Storytelling Competition, a reading event featuring stories that offer a glimpse into hidden parts of our everyday world. Theo's Java Club (213 17th Street, Rock Island). 7 p.m. Free. For information, call 309-721-7064 or e-mail QCStorySLAM@yahoo.com.
MOVIE
Tuesday, February 19 - Mongolia: Land of Genghis Khan. Screenings in the museum's World Adventure Series, presented by filmmaker Buddy Hatton. 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.
EXHIBIT
Saturday, February 9, through Sunday, April 14 - Alison Saar: STILL ... . Exhibit of sculptures and installations informed by artistic traditions from the Americas to Africa and beyond. Figge Art Museum (225 West Second Street, Davenport). Tuesdays-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.
EVENTS
Tuesday, February 12 - Mardi Gras Rajun Cajun Fest. New Orleans-themed fundraiser featuring music, beads, a cash bar, and Cajun cooking from some of the Quad Cities' finest chefs. Figge Art Museum (225 West Second Street, Davenport). 5:30-7:30 p.m. $25-30/person, $45-55/couple. For tickets and information, call (563)326-7804 extension 2046 or visit FiggeArtMuseum.org.
Saturday, February 16 - Fifty Shades of Clay. Event offering couples the opportunity to re-create the pottery-wheel scene from Ghost, experiment with papier-mâché clay, and create Valentine's Day cards, with a silent auction, hors d'oeuvres, desserts, and more. Bucktown Center for the Arts (225 East Second Street, Iowa City). 6 p.m. $50/couple. For information and to reserve, call (563)424-1210 or e-mail pcrouch@midcoast.org.
Tuesday, February 19 - The Price Is Right Live! Interactive touring presentation of the popular TV game show, with contestants given the chance to win appliances, vacations ... and a new car! Adler Theatre (136 East Third Street, Davenport). 7:30 p.m. $37.50-47.50. For tickets, call (800)745-3000 or visit AdlerTheatre.com.
