Music
"A Taste of New Orleans" featuring the Stooges Brass Band
RME Courtyard
Wednesday, July 8
On July 8, Davenport's River Music Experience presents a mid-week happening titled "A Taste of New Orleans," featuring an informative workshop on the city's rich musical history and the Woodfire Grill selling delicious Cajun appetizers and entrées. But the event's spiciest treat will likely be its RME Courtyard performance by the jazz, hip-hop, funk, and R&B artists of the Stooges Brass Band, and I gotta say, ga lee! I'm getting major freesons knowing they'll be bag daer! Weh!
Yeah, I'm pretty fluent in the Cajun dialect. You'd never guess I was actually of German and Danish descent, would you? [Editor's note: We guessed, Mike.]
Formed in 1996, these New Orleans-based musicians reportedly found their moniker when a former bandmate made mention of their penchant for joking, dancing, and goofing around during their sets, and said to the group's founder Walter Ramsey, "We act just like the Stooges." But while anyone expecting a night of eye-gouging and "Nyuk nyuk nyuk"s might leave disappointed, those seeking some of their regions most scintillating and exuberant musicianship definitely won't be.
Recipients of the "Best Contemporary Brass Band" citation at the 2011 Big Easy Music Awards, Ramsey and his fellow horn players have been popular highlights at music festivals nationwide, appearing at such esteemed fests as Bonnaroo, South by Southwest, the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival, and the High Sierra Music Festival. They've also shared stages with an incredibly diverse array of artists that includes Shemekia Copeland, Grace Potter & the Nocturnals, and the Perdito Martinez Group, and may be the only brass ensemble to boast co-billing alongside Mos Def and Jessica Simpson.
But in recent years, national awareness of the Stooges Brass Band has started to grow into an international one. Their spirited, soulful renditions of classics and originals in a variety of genres even garnered the attention of the U.S. State Department, which, in 2002, recruited the musicians to serve as cultural ambassadors on a tour to Pakistan. The group brought their joyous talents to Lahore, Islamabad, and Karachi, and became the first American band to ever play the Telangana capitol of Hyderabad.
With Offbeat.com praising their "impeccable timing and inherent harmony" and BestOfNewOrleans.com raving, "The Stooges Brass Band puts on one of the most entertaining, audience-interactive shows of any band on the scene," you won't want to miss July 8's RME event. As the Cajuns say, "Cho! Co!" Yup. Nailed it. [Editor's question: What's Cajun for "Give it up, Mike"?]
Doors for the"A Taste of New Orleans" event open at 4 p.m., the workshop on New Orleans music and culture takes place at 4:30 p.m., and the Stooges Brass Band takes the RME Courtyard stage at 6 p.m. For more information, call (563)326-1333 or visit RiverMusicExperience.org.
Music
Junetopia
Rozz-Tox
Saturday, June 27, 1 p.m.-midnight
Rock Island's Rozz-Tox will host the summer celebration Junetopia on June 27, and the day-long event showcasing the talents of independent artists will find nearly all of its proceeds benefiting Humility of Mary Housing, Inc., and Davenport's Humility of Mary Shelter, Inc. But according to Junetopia organizer Eric Murphy, the beneficiaries were initially "pretty iffy about it, because I only only had maybe five people - some musicians and artists - on board at the time."
What a difference a couple of months makes, because if you check out the roster of performers, visual artists, filmmakers, and others set to participate, you'll now see a list of nearly two dozen local and visiting artisans scheduled for Murphy's inaugural Junetopia. Understandably, as Murphy says, "Once it started getting fleshed out more, they [at Humility of Mary] got a lot more into the idea."
Murphy - the Utopiugly Productions founder who frequently books musical acts for Rozz-Tox proprietor Benjamin Fawkes - says that he's long been dedicated to "bringing in stuff that I don't usually see happening around here," and that Junetopia's origin stemmed from a desire to "kind of take a break from booking. I wanted to do something bigger, and also decided that if I was gonna do that, I wanted it to benefit something, as opposed to just having a big show for no reason other than having a big show."
He chose the Humility of Mary organization because "I really liked the idea of helping out a homeless shelter, as well as a group that helped displaced women and children," and began the process of finding musicians and artists who wanted to take part - a process that, it turns out, was surprisingly simple.
"The people that are involved were pretty much into the idea right away," says Murphy. "Really, it was just a matter of people all making sure they had that day off and were able to make it."
Among those performing at Junetopia are numerous indie musicians familiar to area audiences, including the Blacklights, Condor & Jaybird, and Iowa City's AWTHNTKTS. Murphy, however, also reached out beyond the region, and is bringing in a half-dozen acts who are traveling several hours (and who are receiving, as Murphy says, "only a little bit of gas money") to participate.
"Scatty Stormborn is coming in from Kankakee," says Murphy. "We've got Hyphon from Columbus, Ohio. Taiyamo Denku is from Milwaukee - he pretty much improvs his sets and is involved with Wu-Tang Records. A very cool guy.
"Basically," says Murphy of the Junetopia lineup, "it's all a bunch of friends I've met through music and art who all kind of have similar ideals but different approaches." And that includes artistic approaches beyond music, as the day will also include a short-film screening by Motive Direct Pictures, art by Sara Senseman, readings with astrologer ZodiZAC, outdoor vendors selling homemade wares, and even massages courtesy of one Miss Hilly.
"When I put 'em on, I like to have mixed-genre shows," says Murphy. "I like variety. And like me, people that come to the shows I put on are into everything."
Those interested in participating as outdoor vendors can contact Eric Murphy at errolhemmusic@gmail.com, and more information on Junetopia is available by visiting the event's Facebook page and RozzTox.com.
Theatre
The Merry Wives of Windsor
Lincoln Park
Saturday, June 27, through Sunday, July 12
Remember how Lou Grant was a supporting character in the TV comedy The Mary Tyler Moore Show who went on to become the lead in an eponymous TV drama? Well, the Shakespearean figure Falstaff is kind of like that - except Falstaff was a supporting character in the stage dramas Henry IV Part I and II who went on to become the lead in a comedy titled The Merry Wives of Windsor. And now that I've completely dated myself with a Lou Grant reference, let's forge ahead.
For the first of its two Shakespeare presentations this summer, Genesius Guild and director Karen Erickson will deliver the rarely produced Merry Wives of Windsor June 27 through July 12, a comedic tale of love, marriage, class, finance, jealousy, and revenge featuring all manner of farcical misunderstandings and mistaken identities. (And yes, Bard-comedy fans: At least one male actor will find himself in drag.) Erickson's production will also boast a veritable who's-who of Genesius Guild talents, with the always-marvelous Bob Hanske portraying the bawdy Falstaff, and the cast also including such gifted Lincoln Park veterans as Dee Canfield, Bryan Woods, Alaina Pascarella, Andy Curtiss, Neil Tunnicliff, Tyler Henning, and Doug and Gary Adkins.
But given that The Merry Wives of Windsor is so infrequently staged, you might not be as familiar with its dialogue as you are with that of other Shakespearean titles. Or ... are you?!? (Dun dun DU-U-U-UN!!!) Let's find out! Try matching these five Merry Wives quotes with the characters who utter them:
1) "This is the short and the long of it."
2) "Why, then the world's mine oyster, which I with sword will open."
3) "O, what a world of vile ill-favour'd faults looks handsome in three hundred pounds a-year!"
4) "I love not the humour of bread and cheese; and there's the humour of it."
5) "You may know by my size, that I have a kind of alacrity in sinking."
A) Falstaff
B) Anne Page
C) Mistress Quickly
D) Nym
E) Pistol
Genesius Guild's The Merry Wives of Windsor will be performed in Lincoln Park at 8 p.m. on June 27 and 28, and again on July 11 and 12, and more information is available by visiting Genesius.org.
Answers: 1 - C, 2 - E, 3 - B, 4 - D, 5 - A. Sadly, I have that same alacrity, but can't blame it on Falstaff-ian girth ... yet.
What Else Is Happenin' ...?
MUSIC
Thursday, June 25 - Andy Frasco & the U.N. Rock and soul musicians in concert, with an opening set by Sophistafunk. The Redstone Room (129 Main Street, Davenport). 8 p.m. $9.50-10. For tickets and information, call (563)326-1333 or visit RiverMusicExperience.org.
Friday, June 26 - The Brat Pack. Concert with the touring '80s-pop and disco musicians. Rock Island Brewing Company (1815 Second Avenue, Rock Island). 9 p.m. $8. For information, call (309)793-1999 or visit RIBCO.com.
Saturday, June 27 - Delta Spirit & Friends. All-ages concert with the California-based indie rockers, seven-piece ensemble Amasa Hines, and other guests. Codfish Hollow Barn (5013 288th Avenue, Maquoketa). 7 p.m. $25-30. For tickets and information, visit CodfishHollowBarnstormers.com.
Saturday, June 27 - Melissa Etheridge. Oscar- and Grammy-winning singer/songwriter performs in her This Is M.E. Solo tour. Riverside Casino Event Center (3184 Highway 22, Riverside). 8 p.m. $40-65. For tickets and information, call (877)677-3456 or visit RiversideCasinoAndResort.com.
Saturday, June 27 - Awful Purdies. Concert with the female psych-folk musicians. Englert Theatre (221 East Washington Street, Iowa City). 7 p.m. $5-15. For tickets and information, call (319)688-2653 or visit Englert.org.
Monday, June 29 - Moeller Mondays Presents: Dale Watson. Concert with the country singer/songwriter and guitarist, with an opening set by Erin Rae & the Meanwhiles. Rozz-Tox (2108 Third Avenue, Rock Island). 8 p.m. $8-10. For information, call (309)200-0978 or visit RozzTox.com. For a 2010 interview with Watson, visit RCReader.com/y/watson2.
Wednesday, July 1 - The Weepies. Indie-folk and pop musicians 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.
Thursday, July 2, through Saturday, July 4 - 2015 Iowa City Jazz Festival. Annual music festival in its 25th year, with vendors, arts and crafts, children's activities, and more. Old Capitol Town Center (201 South Clinton Street, Iowa City). Thursday 4 p.m. gates, Friday and Saturday noon gates. For information, visit SummerOfTheArts.com.
Friday, July 3 - Baby Blues & BBQ Fest. Outdoor event featuring food and drink by local venues and blues-music sets by Lightning Larry Boyd, Blue Dan Peart, the Night People, and the Brooklyn Spider Band. Port Byron Levee. 6-11 p.m. Free. For information, visit PortByronIL.com.
Saturday, July 4 - Bucktown Revue: Waiting for the Fireworks. Holiday-themed performance with the area musicians, comedians, and storytellers. Lincoln Park (11th Avenue and 38th Street, Rock Island). 7:30 p.m. For information, call (563)940-0508 or visit BucktownRevue.com.
Tuesday, July 7 - Jason Isbell. Concert with the Americana and folk singer/songwriter, with an opening set by John Moreland. Englert Theatre (221 East Washington Street, Iowa City). 8 p.m. $35. For tickets and information, call (319)688-2653 or visit Englert.org. For a 2009 interview with Isbell, visit RCReader.com/y/isbell.
THEATRE
Thursday, June 25, through Sunday, July 5 - My Way: A Musical Tribute to Frank Sinatra. Musical revue of Old Blue Eyes' most beloved songs, directed by David Coolidge. Clinton Area Showboat Theatre (311 Riverview Drive, Clinton). Thursdays through Saturdays 7:30 p.m. (July 4 performance at 6:30 p.m.), Sundays and Wednesdays 3 p.m. $16-23. For tickets and information, call (563)242-6760 or visit ClintonShowboat.org.
Saturday, June 27 - Camp Disney. 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 (563)242-6760 or visit ClintonShowboat.org.
Wednesday, July 1, through Sunday, July 12 - A Few Good Men. Aaron Sorkin's Tony-nominated courtroom drama, directed by Lora Adams. District Theatre (1724 Fourth Avenue, Rock Island). Wednesdays through Saturdays 8 p.m., Sundays 2 p.m. $20. For tickets and information, call (309)235-1654 or visit DistrictTheatre.com.
Thursday, July 2, through Sunday, July 12 - Peter Pan. Comden & Green's musical classic based on the J.M. Barrie adventure, directed by Zachary L. Gray. Timber Lake Playhouse (8215 Black Oak Road, Mt. Carroll). Tuesdays through Saturdays 7:30 p.m.; Sundays, Wednesday, and June 19 at 2 p.m. $17-25. For tickets and information, call (815)244-2035 or visit TimberLakePlayhouse.org.
Thursday, July 2, through Sunday, July 19 - Heroes. Tom Stoppard's adaptation of Gerald Sibleyras' World War I comedy. 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.
COMEDY
Thursday, June 25, and Saturday, June 27 - Dustin Diamond's Standup Comedy Showcase. Standup set with the comedian, actor, and former "Screech" on Saved by the Bell. The Backroom Comedy Theater (1510 North Harrison Street, Davenport). Thursday and Friday 8 p.m., Saturday 9 p.m. $15-20. For information, call (309)781-9617 or visit BlacklistComedy.com.
LITERARY ARTS
Thursday, June 25, through Saturday, June 27 - David R. Collins Writers Conference. The Midwest Writing Center presents workshops on freelancing, fiction, poetry, memoir, and literary collage, with additional events including a Friday author luncheon with keynote speaker Erin Betram. St. Ambrose University (518 West Locust Street, Davenport). $30-40 workshops. For information and to register, call (563)324-1410 or visit MidwestWritingCenter.org.
SPORTS
Friday, June 26, and Saturday, June 27 - Urban Street Games. QC Crossfit and the Daiquiri Factory present competitions for co-ed teams of four with a payout of more than $4,500. District of Rock Island. Friday 5:30 p.m., Saturday 9 a.m. $300/team, free for spectators. For information, call (309)788-6311 or visit RIDistrict.com.
Monday, July 6, through Sunday, July 12 - John Deere Classic. The annual professional golf tournament on the PGA Tour. TPC at Deere Run (3100 Heather Knoll, Silvis). $25-60/day. For information and tickets, visit JohnDeereClassic.com.
EXHIBITS
Tuesday, June 30, through Sunday, October 11 - Corn Zone. Exhibition on the potential danger of genetic modification, featuring glass representations of corn suspended from the museum's ceiling. 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 admission through September 20; after September 20, free with $4-7 museum admission. For information, call (563)326-7804 or visit FiggeArtMuseum.org.
Sunday, July 5, through Sunday, October 4 - A Gift for the Quad Cities: The Figge Art Museum 10th Anniversary Exhibition. Exhibit featuring works by Rose Frantzen, Tom Uttech, Kara Walker, Larry Rivers, David Plowden, and Ann Hamilton, plus new additions to the museum's collection of Haitian art. 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 admission through September 20; after September 20, free with $4-7 museum admission. For information, call (563)326-7804 or visit FiggeArtMuseum.org.
EVENTS
Saturday, June 27 - French Market Day. Day-long event featuring the 9 a.m. "Tour de LeClaire" (Big Wheel races for ages 3 through 6), the 2-8 p.m. LeClaire Wine & Beer Festival, and a 3-6 p.m. LeClaire Riverfront Farmer's Market. Downtown LeClaire. For information, call (563)370-3641 or visit VisitLeClaire.com.
Sunday, June 28 - Blossoms at Butterworth. Annual event featuring family activities, newly landscaped gardens, live music, a historic train exhibit, lawn games, an antique car display, bus tours, and food vendors. Butterworth Center (1105 Eighth Street, Moline). Noon-5 p.m. Free. For information, call (309)743-2701 or visit Butterworth Center.com.
Saturday, July 4 - Red, White, & Boom! Annual fireworks event over the Mississippi River, with family activities before the show, vendors, and more. Downtown Davenport and Rock Island. 6 p.m. Free. For information, visit DowntownDavenport.com and RIDistrict.com.
