Music
The Henry Clay People and Futurebirds
Rock Island Brewing Company
Thursday, July 12, 8 p.m.
On July 12, the Rock Island Brewing Company will present a special Thursday-night two-fer, with sets by co-headliners The Henry Clay People and Futurebirds. Or, as I like to think of the musical mash-up that'll result: The Henry Clay Pigeons.
Sorry. Horrible joke. It's really humid today.
Formed in Glendale, California, in 2005, the independent rockers of The Henry Clay People have enjoyed a significant fan base since the release of 2007's Blacklist the Kid with the Red Moustache debut, performing at Lollapalooza, the Austin City Limits festival, and SXSW, and touring with the likes of Drive-by Truckers, Against Me!, and Silversun Pickups. The group's admirers, meanwhile, easily extend to music critics, with PopMatters.com raving, "The songs are smart, the hooks are infectious, and each note is delivered with a confidence that's stunning for such a young band."
As for Futurebirds, they're an Americana and country-rock outfit originally based in Georgia, and like their RIBCO concert-mates, they, too, have toured with Drive-by Truckers. Yet they've also shared stages with Widespread Panic and Grace Potter & the Nocturnals, have twice played the Bonnaroo festival, and are the beneficiaries of their own critical plaudits, with the music blog TheStarkOnline.com calling Futurebirds' songs "tastefully laced with weeping pedal steel and mandolins, and imbued with a distinct flair for well-crafted and efficient melodies."
Put them together and you're sure to have a memorable evening of indie rock in Rock Island, be it from songs with the human-themed titles "Man with No Knees" and "Johnny Utah," or tunes from the EP with the avian-themed title Birdman & (the) Squid. The former, by the way, are actually numbers by Futurebirds, and the latter are by The Henry Clay People. If you're confused by that, feel free to blame the humidity. I'm blaming it for everything this summer.
July 12's concert with The Henry Clay People and Futurebirds starts at 8 p.m., and more information on the night is available by calling (309)793-4060 or visiting RIBCO.com.
Music
Eisley
The Redstone Room
Friday, July 6, 8:30 p.m.
(To be sung to the opening theme from The Brady Bunch.)
Here's the story of a band named Eisley.
Who were rockers also known to sing some pop.
All of them were from Texas, like their mothers,
Then their first CD dropped.
'Twas an EP called Laughing City.
And it led to albums, fans, and critics' praise.
They are four sibs, and their cousin Garron -
Their music does amaze!
Eisley's toured with Coldplay, Bleach, and New Found Glory,
And their catchy beats and lyrics make you swoon.
Now they headline festivals, and have been on Conan,
That's the way they wound up at the Redstone Room.
The Redstone Room, The Redstone Room -
July sixth, Eisley plays the Redstone Room!
Eisley will perform at the Davenport venue with an opening set by Merriment, and more information and tickets are available by calling (563)326-1333 or visiting RiverMusicExperience.org.
Event
Judy Collins: "My Life in Music"
St. Ambrose University's Rogalski Center
Thursday, July 19, noon
The Women's Connection will be sponsoring an event titled "Talkin' 'Bout My Generation" on July 19, and for the luncheon's keynote address, the organization has recruited a singer, a songwriter, a pianist, a guitarist, an author, an actor, a filmmaker, a social activist, a UNICEF representative, and a guest performer at Bill Clinton's first presidential inauguration. And if you're planning on attending Thursday afternoon's presentation at St. Ambrose University's Rogalski Center, I know exactly what you're now thinking: "I'm gonna be there for days!"
Ah, but fear not - the keynote speaker is actually just one person! And quite a special person: Grammy Award-winning folk and pop singer Judy Collins, whose "My Life in Music" program will find the 73-year-old legend speaking on her career and performing from her incredibly vast repertoire.
Since the release of her debut album, A Maid of Constant Sorrow, in 1961, Collins' beautiful, lilting soprano has intoxicated listeners on such seminal hits as "Send in the Clowns," "Hard Times for Lovers," and her Grammy-winning "Both Sides, Now." But even with more than 30 albums to her credit, Collins' 50-plus-year career has extended far beyond the Billboard charts ... as this informative quiz should make perfectly clear.
Which of the following biographical tidbits is not true of Judy Collins?
1) Served as a judge for the 10th-annual Independent Music Awards
2) Wrote the ballad "Che" in honor of revolutionary Che Guevara
3) Founded her own record label, Wildflower Records
4) Wrote the 2003 memoir Sanity & Grace: A Journey of Suicide, Survival, & Strength
5) Received an Oscar nomination for the documentary Antonia: A Portrait of the Woman
6) Campaigns for the abolition of landmines.
7) Performed a duet of "Do-Re-Mi" on The Muppet Show with Fozzie Bear
8) Appeared in the film Junior opposite Arnold Schwarzenegger
Reservations for July 19's The Women's Connection event with Judy Collins will be taken through Monday, July 16, and can be made by calling (309)631-0167 or visiting Womens-Connection.org.
Answer: 7. The duet was with Rowlf. Don't argue Muppet trivia with me.
Theatre
Dirty Rotten Scoundrels
Prospect Park Auditorim
Friday, July 6, through Sunday, July 15
"Lawrence!"
"Freddy!"
"I haven't seen you in ages! Lemme give you a hug!"
"Let me give you a hug!"
"Are you here to see the new Quad City Music Guild show, too?"
"That I am, old sport! You, as well?"
"Are you kidding? Dirty Rotten Scoundrels? I wouldn't miss it!"
"Nor would I! I love that film it's based on - Michael Caine and Steve Martin playing con men who attempt to swindle an heiress at a posh French resort ... !"
"And the stage version, I hear, is even funnier! Did you know the Broadway production was nominated for 10 Tony Awards and won for Best Actor in a Musical?"
"I did, good sir! Did you know New York magazine said the show had 'a little something for everyone,' and that the New York Times raved about its 'rowdy spirit of self-parody' and composer David Yazbek's 'sophisticated knack for both satirizing and exploiting top-40 musical sensibilities?'"
"I did, my friend! And I'm especially excited about the cast that Music Guild director Greg Bouljon has assembled for this one: J. Adam Lounsberry, from The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee, and Ben Holmes from Grease, and Sheri Olson from Evita, and Jen Sondgeroth from The King & I, and Sarah Lounsberry from The Drowsy Chaperone, and Tom Vaccaro from Curtains ... !"
"And so many more, old chap! Though Dirty Rotten Scoundrels does require some suspension-of-disbelief, doesn't it?"
"That it does, ol' buddy! Seriously, who would ever believe that a pair of artful, practiced confidence men would spend so much time, and have so much fun, conning each other?!"
"It is a bit silly."
"Ridiculous."
"Well, it was lovely seeing you, Freddy!"
"And you, Lawrence!"
"Hmmm ... where's my wallet ... ?"
"I'll return it if you give back my watch."
Quad City Music Guild's Dirty Rotten Scoundrels runs at Moline's Prospect Park Auditorium July 6 through 15, and tickets and information are available by calling (309)762-6610 or visiting QCMusicGuild.com.
What Else Is Happenin'... ?
MUSIC
Thursday, July 5 - Radio Moscow. Iowa-based psychedelic rockers in concert, with opening sets by The Dirty Streets and American Dust. Rock Island Brewing Company (1815 Second Avenue, Rock Island). 9 p.m. $10 advance tickets. For information, call (309)793-4060 or visit RIBCO.com.
Friday, July 6 - Starship featuring Mickey Thomas. Concert featuring such pop hits as "We Built This City" and "Nothing's Gonna Stop Us Now." Quad-Cities Waterfront Convention Center (1777 Isle Parkway, Bettendorf). 7:30 p.m. $25-35. For information, call (800)724-5825 or visit Bettendorf.IsleOfCapriCasinos.com.
Friday, July 6 - Here Come the Mummies. Outdoor concert with the R&B/funk band that performs in full mummy attire, with an opening set by The Premium Sellouts. Rock Island Brewing Company (1815 Second Avenue, Rock Island). 8:30 p.m. $20-25. For information, call (309)793-4060 or visit RIBCO.com.
Friday, July 6, and Saturday, July 7 - 80/35 Music Festival. Fifth-annual event featuring 40 bands performing on three stages, with performances by the Avett Brothers, Dinosaur Jr., Pieta Brown, Death Cab for Cutie, Leftover Salmon, and more. Western Gateway Park (Walnut and Fourth streets, Des Moines). $39-49 two-day pass, $29-45 one-day pass. For tickets and information, visit 80-35.com.
Saturday, July 6 - Dick Dale. Concert with the "King of the Surf Guitar," featuring an opening set by Daddy-O. Gabe's (330 East Washington Street, Iowa City). 9 p.m. $20/person, $150/reserved tables for four. For tickets and information, call (319)351-9175 or visit ICGabes.com.
Wednesday, July 11 - Grafitti6. English alt-rock ensemble in concert. The Redstone Room (129 Main Street, Davenport). 7:30 p.m. $13-15. For tickets and information, call (563)326-1333 or visit RiverMusicExperience.org.
Wednesday, July 11 - Will Hale & the Tadpole Parade. Outdoor family concert featuring the award-winning children's-rock musicians and plenty of audience participation. Deere-Wiman Carriage House (817 11th Avenue, Moline). 6:30 p.m. Free. For information, call (309)743-2701 or visit ButterworthCenter.com.
Thursday, July 12 - Marc Cohn. Grammy Award-winning singer/songwriter of "Walking in Memphis" in concert. 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.
Friday, July 13 - Guy Penrod. Dove Award-nominated gospel singer in concert. Adler Theatre (136 East Third Street, Davenport). 7:30 p.m. $18-30. For tickets, call (800)745-3000 or visit AdlerTheatre.com.
Friday, July 13, and Saturday, July 14 - Camp Euforia. Annual music festival featuring more than 20 bands on two stages, with performances by Euforquestra, William Elliott Whitmore, Split Lip Rayfield, Heatbox, Future Rock, and more. Camp Euforia (5335 Utah Avenue SE, Lone Tree, Iowa). $55-85 two-day pass. For tickets and information, visit CampEuforia.com.
Saturday, July 14 - Daiquiri Factory Anniversary Party with Hairbanger's Ball. Annual outdoor celebration featuring the '80s hair-metal tribute band. Daiquiri Factory (1809 Second Avenue, Rock Island). 7 p.m. $10. For information, call (309)283-1809 or visit DaiquiriFactory.com.
Saturday, July 14 - Unknown Hinson. Concert with the vocal artist from Adult Swim's Squidbillies, featuring an opening set by 3 on a Tree. Rock Island Brewing Company (1815 Second Avenue, Rock Island). 8 p.m. $20-25. For information, call (309)793-4060 or visit RIBCO.com.
Saturday, July 14 - Joe Walsh. Legendary musician and Eagles guitarist in concert. Riverside Casino & Golf Resort (3184 Highway 22, Riverside). 8 p.m. $30-55. For tickets and information, call (877)677-3456 or visit RiversideCasinoAndResort.com.
Sunday, July 15 - Tammy McCann. Acclaimed jazz vocalist performs and educates in Polyrhythms' Third Sunday Jazz Workshop & Matinee Series, with special guests Tom Vaitas, Joel Kelsey, and Brian Ritter. The Redstone Room (129 Main Street, Davenport). 3 p.m. all-ages jazz workshop - $5/adults, children free; 6 p.m. concert - $10-15. For tickets and information, call (309)373-0790 or visit Polyrhythms.org or RiverMusicExperience.org.
Tuesday, July 17 - Branson on the Road. Country favorites, instrumentals, and comedy with the famed touring performers. Circa '21 Dinner Playhouse (1828 Third Avenue, Rock Island). 11:45 a.m. doors, noon plated lunch, 1 p.m. performance - $41.28; 6 p.m. doors, 7 p.m. performance - $22.50-27.50. For tickets and information, call (309)786-7733 extension 2 or visit Circa21.com.
THEATRE
Thursday, July 5, through Sunday, July 15 - More Than Meets the Eye. Farcical comedy by Fred Carmichael, directed by Joe DePauw. Richmond Hill Barn Theatre (600 Robinson Drive, Geneseo). Thursday-Saturday 7:30 p.m., Sunday 3 p.m. $8-10. For tickets and information, call (309)944-2244 or visit RHPlayers.com.
Thursday, July 5, through Sunday, July 15 - Footloose. Musical adaptation of the dance-movie smash. Timber Lake Playhouse (8215 Black Oak Road, Mt. Carroll.) Tuesday-Saturday 7:30 p.m., Wednesday, Saturday, and Sunday 2 p.m. $15-23. For tickets and information, call (815)244-2035 or visit TimberLakePlayhouse.org.
Thursday, July 5, through Sunday, July 22 - Shirley Valentine. Tony Award-winning comedy by Willy Russell. Old Creamery Studio Theatre (3023 220th Trail, Amana). Friday and Saturday 7:30 p.m., Thursday and Sunday 3 p.m. $17.50-27. For information, call (319)622-6194 or visit OldCreamery.com.
Saturday, July 7 - 8. Reading of Oscar-winner Dustin Lance Black's new drama about Proposition 8. District Theatre (1611 Second Avenue, Rock Island). 2 p.m. $25. For tickets and information, call (309)235-1654 or visit DistrictTheatre.com.
Saturday, July 7, and Sunday, July 8 - Agamemnon. Genesius Guild's presentation of Aeschylus' classic drama. Lincoln Park (11th Avenue and 38th Street, Rock Island). 8 p.m. Donations encouraged. For information, visit Genesius.org.
Tuesday, July 10, through Saturday, July 14 - You're a Good Man, Charlie Brown. One-act version of the musical comedy based on Charles M. Schulz's Peanuts comic strips. Timber Lake Playhouse (8215 Black Oak Road, Mt. Carroll). Tuesday and Thursday-Saturday 2 p.m. $6. For tickets and information, call (815)244-2035 or visit TimberLakePlayhouse.org.
Friday, July 13, through Sunday, July 22 - Moving. Comedic drama by Bernard Slade, directed by Bryan Woods. Playcrafters Barn Theatre (4950 35th Avenue, Moline). Friday and Saturday 7:30 p.m., Sunday 3 p.m. $10. For tickets and information, call (309)762-0330 or visit Playcrafters.com.
Friday, July 13, through Saturday, July 21 - Singin' in the Rain. Countryside Community Theatre production of the musical comedy based on the classic film, directed by Christina Myatt. North Scott High School Fine Arts Auditorium (200 South First Street, Eldridge). Thursday-Saturday 7:30 p.m., Sunday 2 p.m. $12-14. For tickets and information, call (563)285-6228 or visit CCTOnStage.org.
Friday, July 13, through Sunday, July 15 - The Wrestling Season. New Ground Theatre's presentation of Laurie Brooks' drama about high-school students coping with identity, peer pressure, and other issues. Village Theatre (2113 East 11th Street, Davenport). Friday and Saturday 7:30 p.m., Sunday 2 p.m. $10. For tickets and information, call (563)326-7529 or visit NewGroundTheatre.org.
Friday, July 13, through Sunday, July 15 - Always ... Patsy Cline. Musical revue on the life and songs of the legendary country singer. Ohnward Fine Arts Center (1215 East Platt Street, Maquoketa). Friday and Saturday 7 p.m., Sunday 2 p.m. $10-18. For information, call (563)652-9815 or visit OhnwardFineArtsCenter.com.
Saturday, July 14, and Sunday, July 15 - Choephores and Eumenides. Genesius Guild presentation of two classic Aeschylus dramas. Lincoln Park (11th Avenue and 38th Street, Rock Island). 8 p.m. Donations encouraged. For information, visit Genesius.org.
EXHIBIT
Saturday, July 14, through Sunday, October 7 - NASA / ART: 50 Years of Exploration. Exhibition of 72 artworks commissioned by the NASA Art Program, featuring pieces by Annie Leibovitz, Nam June Paik, Robert Rauschenberg, Norman Rockwell, Andy Warhol, William Wegman, and Jamie Wyeth. Figge Art Museum (225 West Second Street, Davenport). Tuesday-Saturday 10 a.m.-5 p.m., Thursday 10 a.m.-9 p.m., Sunday noon-5 p.m. Free with $4-7 museum admission. For information, call (563)326-7804 or visit FiggeArt.org.
EVENT
Saturday, July 7 - Rock Island Arsenal 150th Anniversary Celebration. Recognition of the Arsenal's sesquicentennial with a parade, tours of Arsenal facilities, a USO carnival, and entertainment with the Circurious circus performers at noon and 2 and 4 p.m. Rock Island Arsenal. 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Free admission. For information, call (309)782-0212 or visit http://RIA150.Army.mil.
