Music
Yonatan Gat
Rozz-Tox
Thursday, July 23, 9 p.m.
On July 23, Rock Island's Rozz-Tox will host an evening of thrillingly eclectic power rock with the New York-based trio led by guitarist/composer Yonatan Gat. According to TheFireNote.com, Gat displays "unhinged creativity ... with a tone that fits somewhere between Jimi Hendrix and Carlos Santana." Meanwhile, NYPress.com writes, "Gat's Jimi-Hendrix-meets-Godzilla guitar tone is the instrument by which the band brings the arena-rock experience within your immediate reach." I'm consequently thinking that Gat will be treating the Rozz-Tox crowd to some serious Jimi Hendrix action. That, and maybe a chorus of "Evil Ways" while kicking the crap out of Mothra.
Born in Tel-Aviv, Israel, the 32-year-old Gat initially made his name in 2005 as guitarist and founder of the Israeli garage-rock ensemble Monotonix, who were once described by Spin magazine as "the most exciting live band in rock 'n' roll." Yet the wild, largely improvisational - and therefore unpredictable - nature of their concerts eventually got the musicians barred from music venues citywide, and they left the country to tour Europe and the United States, playing more than 1,000 shows (and releasing the acclaimed albums Where Were You When It Happened? and Not Yet) before disbanding in 2011.
After moving to New York City, though, Gat began pursuing a career as a solo artist, and in 2014 - alongside fellow Israeli and drummer Gal Lazer and the Brazilian bassist Sergio Sayeg - he formed the eponymous punk, psychedelic, and world-music fusion Yonatan Gat, releasing the group's debut album Iberian Passage in 2014 and Director this past March.
Continuing to tour internationally, this exhilarating rock outfit has shared stages with the likes of Thee Oh Sees, Of Montreal, and Sun Ra Arkestra, and Yonatan Gat's 2014 performance at SXSW was praised by BuzzFeed magazine as one of the top shows of the festival. But these days, neither the group nor its frontman are strangers to praise.
San Francisco's TheBayBridges.com raves that "while weaving the global smattering of styles seamlessly together like the great jazz musicians of the '60s," Yonatan Gat delivers "everything from Afrobeat grooves to Middle Eastern folk melodies to straight up rock 'n' roll noise, sometimes all within the span of one song." And the paper of record has even chimed in with plaudits of its own, as the New York Times writes, "Mr. Gat's music is loud and aggressive - somewhere in his imagination, he's playing for the Who - but there's always a lilt and an invention in it. He leaves a space for you to get it."
Given the band's popularity, one can't say the same for Rozz-Tox on July 23, so arrive early for the Yonatan Gat concert and its opening set by Haunter, with more information on the night available by calling (309)200-0978 or visiting Rozz-Tox.com.
Theatre
Boeing-Boeing
Circa '21 Dinner Playhouse
Wednesday, July 29, through Saturday, September 19
Winner of two 2008 Tony Awards, including Best Revival of a Play, the Circa '21 Dinner Playhouse's new presentation is the 1962 Marc Camoletti slapstick Boeing-Boeing, which runs at the Rock Island dinner theatre July 29 through September 19.
This Americanized farce by the author of Circa '21's 2007 hit Don't Dress for Dinner is being helmed by Warner Crocker, whose venue credits include directing the comedies Always a Bridesmaid and Things My Mother Taught Me, and both directing and writing the theatre's 2012 bluegrass-comedy smash Southern Crossroads.
Featured among Boeing-Boeing's six-person cast are four performers making their Circa '21 debuts: Cory Boughton, Jacqueline Keeley, Theresa McGuirk, and Cara Moretto. Joining this quartet are prolific area actor and District Theatre Artistic Director Tristan Tapscott, most recently seen in local productions of A Few Good Men, Young Frankenstein, and High Fidelity, and Elizabeth Loss, a returning Circa '21 favorite whose performance as Miss Hannigan in Circa '21's 2003 Annie is truly the stuff of legend.
Listed in the 1991 Guinness Book of World Records as "the most-performed French play in the world," Boeing-Boeing initially ran for seven years at London's Duchess Theatre and for 279 Broadway performances beginning in 2008, and Camoletti's material was turned into a Golden Globe-nominated 1965 film comedy starring screen legends Tony Curtis, Jerry Lewis, and Thelma Ritter.
The New York Daily News called Boeing-Boeing "nothing but blue skies and mile-high hilarity," and "a breath of fresh laughing gas." Calling the play "a classic Broadway cure for whatever may ail you," the Journal News of Westchester wrote, "Its laughs sneak up on you, in the way only genuine laughs can." For its part, the Star-Ledger advised that audiences "better tape their ribs to prevent fractures from laughing so furiously at the madness galloping across the stage."
And what, you may be asking, is the plot of Boeing-Boeing? Well, in a nutshell, it involves the farcical complications that ensue when a man finds his three beautiful, air-hostess lovers - the health-obsessed American Gloria, the lust-ridden Italian Gabriella, and the domineering German Gretchen - all winding up in his apartment at the same time, and the efforts of this man, his best friend, and his cranky housekeeper to keep the women romantically satisfied yet unaware of one another's presences. In other words: just your typical Thursday night. Or is that just me?
For more information on, and tickets to, Boeing-Boeing, call (309)786-7733 extension 2 or visit Circa21.com.
Comedy
Alex Reymundo and Michael Blackson
The Col Ballroom
Friday, July 24, and Thursday, July 30
According to the literary genius Jean-Baptiste Poquelin, otherwise known by his nom de plume Molière, "The duty of comedy is to correct men by amusing them." Those naturally averse to being corrected are therefore advised to stay far away from Davenport's Col Ballroom over the next week, because that's where QC Nightlife Entertainment will soon be housing a pair of hysterical, nationally touring comedians: Alex Reymundo on July 24, and Michael Blackson on July 30.
Born in Acapulco, Mexico, Reymundo moved to the United States at age 22, and soon found himself cast in the 2002 TV movie The Movement, a piercing drama about an inner-city bus hijacking. That's one of the rare times you'll see the word "drama" in any way associated with Reymundo's career, because over the past decade, this award-winning improv artist has taken the comedy world by storm. Perhaps best known for touring alongside Cheech Marin, Paul Rodriguez, and George Lopez as one of "The Original Latin Kings of Comedy," Reymundo enjoyed a solo Comedy Central special with Alex Reymundo Hick-Spanic: Live in Albuquerque, and his credits include five additional comedy specials, five movies, and the receiving of a prestigious 2007 American Latino Media Arts Award.
Blackson is a native of Ghana who moved to the United States, and immediately began performing in Philadelphia comedy clubs, in 1992. After competing in the 2000 Laffapalooza Comedy Festival in Atlanta, Blackson scored a role in the comedy sequel Next Friday, which has led to an additional 26 film and television credits to date, including 2007's Oscar nominee The Savages and the forthcoming Meet the Blacks opposite Charlie Murphy, Mike Epps, and Mike Tyson. His stand-up talents, meanwhile, have been showcased on BET's The Mo'Nique Show and Showtime's Shaquille O'Neal All-Star Comedy Jam, and preserved on CD in the sketch-comedy release Modasucka, Welcome to America.
Considering you'll be able to witness Reymundo's talents locally on Friday the 24th and Blackson's on Thursday the 30th, there's no point in choosing one comedian over the other. But guess what: In this accompanying quiz, that's just what I'm gonna make you do! Which of the following can be accredited to Reymundo, and which to Blackson?
1) Has a foundation in his name supporting disadvantaged children.
2) Voiced a character in the video game based on Pixar's Cars.
3) Appeared in B.o.B.'s music video I'll Be in the Sky.
4) Appeared on the 30 Rock episode "Jack Meets Dennis."
5) Performed on the USS Theodore Roosevelt aircraft carrier.
6) Is the brother-in-law of Blue Collar Comedian Ron White.
A) Alex Reymundo
B) Michael Blackson
Tickets to Alex Reymundo's and Michael Blackson's Col Ballroom sets are $20 to $30 - available by calling (309)721-6801 or (563)322-4431 - and more information is available by visiting the Facebook page for QC Nightlife Entertainment.
Answers 1 - B, 2 - A, 3 - B, 4 - B, 5 - A, 6 - A. That means, at family reunions, Reymundo is never responsible for bringing the Tater Salad. Hey, comically speaking, I'm more than just references to 17th Century French playwrights, ya know!
What Else Is Happenin' ...?
MUSIC
Thursday, July 23 - Lewis Knudsen CD Release Show. The Quad Cities' internationally touring singer/songwriter in concert. The Redstone Room (129 Main Street, Davenport). 7 p.m. $5-7. For tickets and information, call (563)326-1333 or visit RiverMusicExperience.org.
Friday, July 24 - Jack Russell's Great White. Hard-rock musicians in concert, with an opening set by Bad Hair. Rock Island Brewing Company (1815 Second Avenue, Rock Island). 9 p.m. $15-20. For information, call (309)793-1999 or visit RIBCO.com.
Saturday, July 25 - Moose-a-palooza. All-day concert featuring 14 bands, with sets by local musicians including Eleven Fifty Two, 3 Years Hollow, and Them Som'Bitches. Geneseo Moose Lodge (1025 South State Street, Geneseo). 11:30 a.m.-1 a.m. $10-15. For tickets and information, call (309)944-2025 or visit the event's Facebook page.
Saturday, July 25 - Metalfest 2015. Local and regional bands perform in an all-ages Biergarten event, with sets by Helmsplitter, Crater, In the Mouth of Radness, and more. Bier Stube (415 15th Street, Moline). 2 p.m.-midnight. $5. For information, call (309)797-3049 or visit the event's Facebook page.
Saturday, July 25 - Whitey Morgan & the 78s. Michigan-based honky-tonk band in concert, with an opening set by Tony Martinez. Rock Island Brewing Company (1815 Second Avenue, Rock Island). 9 p.m. $20. For information, call (309)793-1999 or visit RIBCO.com. For a 2011 interview with Morgan, visit RCReader.com/y/whitey.
Saturday, July 25 - The Beggarmen. An "Intimate at the Englert" concert with the touring Celtic musicians. 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, July 25 - Tommy Castro & the Painkillers. Blues-rock musicians in concert. Fat Fish Pub (158 North Broad Street, Galesburg). 7 p.m. $25-30. For tickets and information, call (309)343-1200 or visit FatFishPub.com.
Sunday, July 26 - Shania Twain. Concert with the best-selling female artist in county-music history, performing with guest Gavin DeGraw. i wireless Center (1201 River Drive, Moline). 7:30 p.m. $46-136. For tickets, call (800)745-3000 or visit iwirelessCenter.com.
Monday, July 27 - Golden State Revue with Mark Hummel, Anson Funderburgh, and Little Charlie. The Mississippi Valley Blues Society presents a blues concert with barbecue and beer catered by Rolling Smoke BBQ, featuring a 5 p.m. opening set by Detroit Larry & Charlie Hayes. Harley Carrine's (1708 State Street, Bettendorf). 6:30 p.m. $20-25. For tickets and information, call (563)355-0655 or visit TheMuddyWaters.com.
Wednesday, July 29 - The Beach Boys. Concert with the legendary musicians and Rock & Roll Hall of Famers. i wireless Center (1201 River Drive, Moline). 7 p.m. $39-69. For tickets, call (800)745-3000 or visit iwirelessCenter.com.
Thursday, July 30, through Sunday, August 2 - Bix Beiderbecke Memorial Jazz Festival. Forty-fourth annual celebration of the legendary jazz cornetist from Davenport, with concert sets at the Davenport RiverCenter, Adler Theatre, and LeClaire Park featuring the Josh Duffee Orchestra, Bill Allred's Classic Jazz Band, the Fat Babies, and more than a dozen additional bands. $30 single-session tickets, $55-65 all-day pass, $145 festival pass. For information, call (563)324-7170 or visit BixSociety.org.
Friday, July 31 - MJ the Legend Live. Michael Jackson impersonator Jalles Franca in concert. Col Ballroom (1012 West Fourth Street, Davenport). 8 p.m. $15-25. For tickets and information, call (309)721-6801 or (563)322-4431 or visit Qc Nightlife Entertainment's Facebook page.
Friday, July 31 - The Schwag. Outdoor concert 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.
Friday, July 31 - Jerry Garcia's Birthday Bash. Tribute concert with folk-rock, psychedelic, and jam bands Old Shoe and Earth Ascending. 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.
Friday, July 31 - Rickie Lee Jones. Concert with the Americana and rock singer/songwriter. Englert Theatre (221 East Washington Street, Iowa City). 8 p.m. $35. For tickets and information, call (319)688-2653 or visit Englert.org.
Saturday, August 1 - In the Flesh. Outdoor concert with the Pink Floyd tribute musicians. Rock Island Brewing Company (1815 Second Avenue, Rock Island). 9 p.m. For information, call (309)793-1999 or visit RIBCO.com.
Tuesday, August 4 - An Evening with G. Love & Special Sauce. Concert with the band's original lineup of hip-hop and blues musicians. The Redstone Room (129 Main Street, Davenport). 9 p.m. $37.75-38. For tickets and information, call (563)326-1333 or visit RiverMusicExperience.org. For a 2007 interview with Garrett Dutton (G. Love), visit RCReader.com/y/glove.
Wednesday, August 5 - Alanna Royale. Rock, pop, funk, and soul musician in concert, with an opening set by Busted Chandeliers. The Redstone Room (129 Main Street, Davenport). 7:30 p.m. $8.50-9 For tickets and information, call (563)326-1333 or visit RiverMusicExperience.org.
THEATRE
Thursday, July 23, through Sunday, August 2 - Steel Magnolias. Robert Harling's dramatic comedy set in a Southern beauty parlor, directed by Kristy Cates. Clinton Area Showboat Theatre (311 Riverview Drive, Clinton). Thursdays through Saturdays 7:30 p.m., Sundays and Wednesdays 3 p.m. $16-23. For tickets and information, call (563)242-6760 or visit ClintonShowboat.org.
Thursday, July 23, through Sunday, August 16 - Shear Madness. Comedic whodunnit by Paul Portner, directed by Bryan Garey. Old Creamery Theatre (39 38th Avenue, Amana). Fridays and Saturdays 7:30 p.m.; Sundays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays 2 p.m. $18.50-28. For tickets and information, call (319)622-6262 or visit OldCreamery.com.
Friday, July 24 - In the Raw: Ghost Story. Working Group Theatre presents a walking, guided, spooky performance through the theatre itself. Englert Theatre (221 East Washington Street, Iowa City). 7 & 9 p.m. $10. For tickets and information, call (319)688-2653 or visit Englert.org.
Saturday, July 25 - Camp Broadway. The Showboat's summer interns present a Theatre for Young People presentation. Clinton Area Showboat Theatre (311 Riverview Drive, Clinton). Noon. $5. For tickets and information, call (319)242-6760 or visit ClintonShowboat.org.
Thursday, July 30, through Sunday, August 9 - Big Fish. Broadway musical based on Tim Burton's 2003 screen fantasy, directed by James Beaudry. Timber Lake Playhouse (8215 Black Oak Road, Mt. Carroll). Tuesdays through Saturdays 7:30 p.m., Sundays and Wednesday 2 p.m. $17-25. For tickets and information, call (815)244-2035 or visit TimberLakePlayhouse.org.
Saturday, August 1, through Sunday, August 9 - Macbeth. Genesius Guild's production of William Shakespeare's tragedy, directed by Michael King. Lincoln Park (11th Avenue and 38th Street, Rock Island). Saturdays and Sundays 8 p.m. Donations encouraged. For information, visit Genesius.org.
Tuesday, August 4, through Saturday, August 8 - James & the Giant Peach. A Magic Owl Children's Theatre presentation of Roald Dahl's storybook classic. Timber Lake Playhouse (8215 Black Oak Road, Mt. Carroll). Tuesday and Thursday through Saturday 2 p.m. $7. For tickets and information, call (815)244-2035 or visit TimberLakePlayhouse.org.
DANCE
Saturday, July 25 - Dancing with the Stars Live! Touring performance hosted by All-Stars Champion Melissa Rycroft, featuring pro dancers Witney Carson, Valentin Chmerkovskiy, Artem Chigvintsev, Peta Murgatroyd, and Emma Slater, and troupe dancers Alan Bersten, Brittany Cherry, Sasha Farber, and Jenna Johnson. Adler Theatre (136 East Third Street, Davenport). 8 p.m. $39.50-75. For tickets, call (800)745-3000 or visit AdlerTheatre.com.
COMEDY
Thursday, July 23 - Todd Barry. Stand-up set with the comedian and actor from HBO's Flight of the Conchords. The Mill (120 East Burlington Street, Iowa City). 9 p.m. $15-20. For tickets and information, call (319)351-9529 of visit ICMill.com.
Saturday, August 1, through Saturday, August 22 - Regional Stand-Up Comedy Competition. Three preliminary rounds and August 22 finals with some of the Midwest's finest amateur comedians. Circa '21 Speakeasy (1818 Third Avenue, Rock Island). Saturdays 8 p.m. $10. For tickets and information, call (309)786-7733 extension 2 or visit Circa21.com.
MOVIE
Sunday, July 26 - Low & Peachy. Screenings of a new, locally filmed comedy by writer/director Josh Davidson. The Establishment (220 19th Street, Rock Island). 4 and 6:30 p.m. $10 at the door. For information, call (309)786-1111 or visit the film's Facebook page.
EXHIBITS
Saturday, July 25, through Monday, August 24 - Brett Whitacre: Maximum Wage. Exhibit of works employing a reverse glass-painting technique by the local artist and drummer for the Legendary Shack Shakers. L&D15 (520 West Second Street, Davenport). 10 a.m.-7 p.m. daily. Free. For information, visit LAndD15.com.
Friday, July 31, through Saturday, August 22 - Lee Kimball. Exhibit of works by the award-winning oil and pastel artist. Beréskin Fine Art Gallery & Studio (Bucktown Center for the Arts, 225 East Second Street, Suites 102 and 104). Wednesdays through Saturdays 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Free. For information, call (563)508-4630 or visit BereskinArtGallery.com.
EVENTS
Thursday, July 23, through Sunday, July 26 - Great Jones County Fair. Annual outdoor fair with rides, attractions, vendors, contests, and concert headliners Toby Keith, Eric Church, Tim McGraw, and Newsboys. Jones County Fairgrounds (700 North Maple Street, Monticello, Iowa). $10 gate admission, $30-33 for all five days, extra fees for grandstand concerts. For tickets and information, call (319)465-3275 or visit GreatJonesCountyFair.com.
Friday, July 24, and Saturday, July 25 - Street Fest 2015. Annual street party on Second Street between Brady and Ripley streets, featuring live music, arts-and-crafts vendors, children's activities, food and drinks, the fourth-annual Firefighter Water Fights, and more. Downtown Davenport. Friday 10 a.m.-midnight, Saturday 9 a.m.-midnight. Free. For information, visit DowntownDavenport.com.
Friday, July 24 - Jr. Bix. Annual street races for children, with ages five and under starting and finishing on East Third Street, and ages six through 12 starting and finishing on East Fourth Street. Downtown Davenport. 6 p.m. $18 registration. For information and to register, visit Bix7.com.
Saturday, July 25 - Quad-City Times Bix 7. Local, national, and international races compete in the annual seven-mile race. Downtown Davenport, beginning on Fourth and Brady streets. $45 registration. For information, visit Bix7.com.
Friday, July 31, through Sunday, August 2 - Princeton Days. Annual citywide celebration featuring live music, a lighted-boat parade, a bags tournament, fireworks, inflatables, vendors, and more. Downtown Princeton Iowa. For information, visit PrincetonDays.PrincetonIowa.us.
Friday, July 31, through Sunday, August 2 - Iowa Irish Fest. Weekend celebration of Celtic culture featuring concert sets, an Irish market, a whiskey tasting, vendors, games, children's activities, and more. Downtown Waterloo. Friday 4 p.m.-midnight, Saturday 10 a.m.-midnight, Sunday 8:30 a.m.-6 p.m. $15 weekend pass, ages 12 and under free. For tickets and information, visit IowaIrishFest.com.
Saturday, August 1 - Pints for Preservation. The zoo's fifth-annual beer-, wine-, and spirits-tasting fundraising event. Niabi Zoo (13010 Niabi Zoo Road, Coal Valley). 5:30 p.m. $30-35. For tickets and information, call (309)799-3482 or visit NiabiZoo.com.
Tuesday, August 4, through Sunday, August 9 - Mississippi Valley Fair. Annual outdoor fair featuring games, rides, children's activities, vendors, and grandstand concerts with Kip Moore, Reba, the Marshall Tucker Band, Styx, the Band Perry, and Big & Rich. Mississippi Valley Fairgrounds (2815 West Locust Street, Davenport). $4-10 gate admission, $45-50 Fun Card includes entrance to grandstand concerts. For information, call (563)326-5338 or visit MVFair.com.
