Leon Russell

Music

Leon Russell

The Redstone Room

Friday, March 20, 7:30 p.m.

 

Leon Russell will soon be taking the stage at Davenport's Redstone Room, and calling the 72-year-old singer, songwriter, session musician, producer, pianist, guitarist, and recording-company owner a musical icon is practically an understatement.

He's worked professionally, and consistently, since 1956. He's mastered the genres of rock, country, pop, blues, jazz, gospel, and even surf music. He's enjoyed a chart-topping duet with Willie Nelson. He's performed and collaborated with artists as disparate as Bob Dylan, Eric Clapton, Barbra Streisand, Frank Sinatra, Ray Charles, the Rolling Stones, the Beach Boys, and Doris Day. And in 2014, 44 years after the release of his self-titled solo debut, he delivered a new album of classic favorites titled Life Journey. So why don't we take an abbreviated look at Russell's?

 

April 2, 1941: Leon Russell is born Claude Russell Bridges in Lawton, Oklahoma.

August 1965: Russell's first single as a solo artist, "Everybody's Talking 'bout the Young," is released.

February 1970: The solo album Leon Russell, featuring the artist's classic "A Song for You," is released.

March 27, 1970: Joe Cocker's legendary Mad Dogs & Englishmen tour, featuring bandmate Russell, plays New York City's Fillmore East, with the show recorded as a seminal double album.

June 26, 1972: Russell's third album, Carney, lands on the charts, and will go on to spend four weeks at Billboard's number-two position.

June 12, 1976: George Benson's recording of the Russell song "This Masquerade" enters the singles charts, and will eventually win the Grammy Award for Record of the Year.

December 29, 1976: The Best of Leon Russell is released, and will become the artist's fifth gold-certified solo album.

June 30, 1979: Russell and Willie Nelson, whose "Heartbreak Hotel" duet will soon top the charts and score a Grammy nod, release the live double album One for the Road.

March, 1984: Hank Wilson: Vol. 2 arrives, and the pseudonymous country LP will prove to be Russell's only solo release of the '80s.

April 7, 1992: Russell releases Anything Can Happen, his first album in eight years.

November 12, 1996: Gimme Shelter: The Best of Leon Russell is released.

September 11, 2001: Signature Songs becomes the first album released on Russell's namesake label.

October 19, 2010: The artist's ballyhooed collaboration with Elton John, The Union, enters the Billboard charts at number three.

February 22, 2011: Russell is inducted into the Songwriter's Hall of Fame.

March 14, 2011: Russell is inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame.

April 1, 2014: Rolling Stone calls Russell's new release Life Journey "a wry collection of blues, jazz, and pop oldies," "always eloquent," "alternately yearning and joyous."

March 20, 2015: Leon Russell plays Davenport's Redstone Room.

March 21, 2015: Leon Russell sends the Reader's What's Happenin' author a thank-you note for helping the show become a sold-out smash. Or, the author's bosses recommend that the author seek therapy for his delusions of grandeur. Whichever.

Leon Russell performs with an opening set by Ellis Kell, and more information on the March 20 concert is available by calling (563)326-1333 or visiting RiverMusicExperience.org.

 

 

Andrea GibsonLiterature/Performance

Andrea Gibson

Galvin Fine Arts Center

Friday, March 27, 7:30 p.m.

 

March twenty-seventh

Will bring to the area

Andrea Gibson.

 

An award-winning,

Colorado-based poet

And an activist,

 

Gibson's works focus

On gender norms, politics,

Global peace, and more.

 

Yet Gibson also

Delivers her messages

With thrilling music.

 

Accompanied by

Piano, violin, drums,

And even dobro,

 

Her performances

Infuse intimate thoughts with

Exhilaration.

 

During her set at

The Galvin Fine Arts Center

(That's at St. Ambrose),

 

Gibson will reveal

What Air America and

NPR fans know:

 

That her beautiful,

Slam-poetry language is

Unforgettable.

 

What? Don't believe me?

Check out her Truce album or

The Madness Vase book.

 

But definitely

Catch Andrea Gibson live

For two big reasons:

 

One: Her fierce talent.

And two: At the very least,

You'll be spared haiku.

 

Andrea Gibson's March 27 evening of music and slam poetry begins at 7:30 p.m., and more information and tickets are available by calling (563)333-6251 or visiting SAU.edu/galvin.

 

 

Exhibit

Danish Modern: Design for LivingDanish Modern: Design for Living

Figge Art Museum

Saturday, March 28, through Sunday, June 21

 

Before getting into details on the Figge Art Museum's newest exhibition, I want to publicly state that I would never advocate sneaking alcohol into any area venue, least of all the Figge. However, as the museum is about to showcase the post-war furniture design of the Mad Men era in its Danish Modern: Design for Living exhibit, those who've longed to be Don Draper for a day might consider prepping for the experience with an Old Fashioned. For those who've longed to be Roger Sterling, seven or eight martinis should do the trick.

Opening on March 28, and organized by staffers at Elk Horn, Iowa's Museum of Danish History, Danish Modern will treat Figge guests to a fascinating selection of influential pieces - iconic designs that played a major role in American interior décor of the 1950s and '60s. Although the finest examples of the Danish Modern style are now sold at auctions and online for exorbitant prices, many of these carefully created works of form and function were, in their day, both stylish and affordable, and appeared equally appropriate for Manhattan skyscrapers and suburban bungalows.

Everything from steel-based chairs to innovative lamps to hand-crafted wooden tchotchkes (including Kaj Bojesen's animal figurines seen in the accompanying photo) will be on display in the Figge's latest traveling exhibition. But what say we prepare for Danish Modern's arrival - at least, in a way that doesn't involve booze - with this quiz? Try matching the following Danish Modern artisans with the designs they're known for:

 

1) Jørgen Gallemgaard

2) Grete Jalk

3) Helge Vestergaard Jensen

4) Børge Mogensen

5) Verner Panton

6) Paul Volther

 

A) the He Chair and She Chair

B) the Spokeback Sofa

C) the Tip-Top Lamp

D) the Bachelor Chair

E) the Daybed

F) the Corona Chair

 

Danish Modern: Design for Living will be on display through June 21, and more information is available by calling (563)326-7804 or visiting FiggeArtMuseum.org.

 

 

Answers: 1 - C, 2 - A, 3 - E, 4 - B, 5 - D, 6 - F. That last one, I'm guessing, would be Don Draper's and Roger Sterling's favorite piece of furniture ... if it came with its own Coronas.

 

 

What Else Is Happenin' ... ?

 

MUSIC

Thursday, March 19 - Little Big Town. Chart-topping country artists in their Pain Kill Tour. Adler Theatre (136 East Third Street, Davenport). 7:30 p.m. $33-43. For tickets, call (800)745-3000 or visit AdlerTheatre.com.

Friday, March 20 - Cemetery Gatez. Pantera tribute musicians in concert, with an opening set by Sons of S.A.M.M. Rock Island Brewing Company (1815 Second Avenue, Rock Island). 8 p.m. $10. For information, call (309)793-4060 or visit RIBCO.com.

Friday, March 20 - Arianna String Quartet. Guest artists Kurt Baldwin, John McGrosso, Joanna Mendoza, and Julia Sakharova in concert. Augustana College's Wallenberg Hall (3520 Seventh Avenue, Rock Island). 8 p.m. Free. For information, call (309)794-7306 or visit Augustana.edu/arts.

Saturday, March 21 - The Spinners. Concert with the soul-music vocal group. Quad-Cities Waterfront Convention Center (2021 State Street, Bettendorf). 7:30 p.m. For information, call 800-724-5825 or visit Bettendorf.IsleOfCapriCasinos.com.

Saturday, March 21 - Double D & the Sensations. Classic rock 'n' roll concerts. Col Ballroom (1012 West Fourth Street, Davenport). 7 p.m. free dance lessons, 7:30 p.m. concert. $10. For information, call 322-4431 or visit TheColBallroom.com.

Saturday, March 21 - Match Party 65. Party to celebrate the 65th birthday of RME member Rusty Unterzuber, with sets by Jason Carl & the Whole Damn Band, the Mercury Brothers, and the Curtis Hawkins Band. The Redstone Room (129 Main Street, Davenport). 7:30 p.m. $8. For tickets and information, call (563)326-1333 or visit RiverMusicExperience.org.

Monday, March 23 - "Happy 300th!" Recital. Concert featuring Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra concertmaster Frank Almond and St. Ambrose professor Marian Lee, held in celebration of the 300th "birthday" of the famed 1715 "Lipinski" Stradivarius violin. St. Ambrose University's Galvin Fine Arts Center (2101 Gaines Street, Davenport). 7:30 p.m. $2-10. For tickets and information, call (563)333-6251 or visit SAU.edu.

Tuesday, March 24 - Brit Floyd. Tribute musicians celebrate five decades of Pink Floyd. Adler Theatre (136 East Third Street, Davenport). 8 p.m. $35.50-29.50. For tickets, call (800)745-3000 or visit AdlerTheatre.com.

Wednesday, March 25 - Roger Clyne & the Peacemakers. Concert with the Spanish-infused roots rockers, with an opening set by Miles Nielsen & the Rusted Hearts. The Redstone Room (129 Main Street, Davenport). 7:30 p.m. $17-20. For tickets and information, call (563)326-1333 or visit RiverMusicExperience.org.

Thursday, March 26 - Gospel Fest. Sixth-annual concert featuring local choirs and gospel artist Drew Chambers from the BET show Sunday Best. St. Ambrose University's Christ the King Chapel (518 West Locust Street, Davenport). 7 p.m. Free. For information, call (563)333-6023 or visit SAU.edu.

Thursday, March 26 - The DuPont Brothers. Folk/Americana musicians perform the RME Member Appreciation Show, with an opening set by Dan Tedesco. The Redstone Room (129 Main Street, Davenport). 7 p.m. $6.50-7. For tickets and information, call (563)326-1333 or visit RiverMusicExperience.org.

Friday, March 27 - Bucktown Revue. Celebration of Mississippi River Valley folk music and culture through music, storytelling, poetry, and humor, with emcee Scott Tunnicliff and special guests. Nighswander Theatre (2822 Eastern Avenue, Davenport). 7 p.m. $12 at the door. For information, call (563)940-0508 or visit BucktownRevue.com.

Friday, March 27 - Aaron Kamm & the One Drops. Rock, reggae, and blues musicians in concert, with an opening set by Rude Punch. The Redstone Room (129 Main Street, Davenport). 9 p.m. $8.50-9. For tickets and information, call (563)326-1333 or visit RiverMusicExperience.org.

Friday, March 27 - Pam & Mel Tillis. Father-and-daughter country superstars in concert. Riverside Casino Event Center (3184 Highway 22, Riverside). 8 p.m. $27-47. For tickets and information, call (877)677-3456 or visit RiversideCasinoAndResort.com.

Saturday, March 28 - Gregg Allman. Concert with the founding member of the Allman Brothers Band and inductee in the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. Riverside Casino Event Center (3184 Highway 22, Riverside). 8 p.m. $37-57. For tickets and information, call (877)677-3456 or visit RiversideCasinoAndResort.com.

Saturday, March 28 - The Chordbusters: Strollin' Down Broadway. The barbershop chorus' 59th-annual spring concert, with sets by Premium Blend, the Bend of the River Chorus, and Rock Island High School's a cappella choir. Bettendorf High School Performing Arts Center (3333 18th Street, Bettendorf). 7 p.m. $5-20. For information, visit TheChordbusters.com.

Saturday, March 28 - Frank F. Sidney's Western Bandit Volunteers. Bluegrass, rock, and jam musicians in concert, with opening sets by Dirty River Ramblers and Earth Ascending. The Redstone Room (129 Main Street, Davenport). 9 p.m. $8.50-9. For tickets and information, call (563)326-1333 or visit RiverMusicExperience.org.

Sunday, March 29 - Quad City Symphony Orchestra Signature Series: The Joy of Sextets. Recital featuring a repertoire performed by violinists Naha Greenholtz, Dawn Marino-Ohmes, Deborah Dakin, and Nick Munagian, and cellists Hannah Holman and Mark Russell Smith. Augustana College's Wallenberg Hall (3520 Seventh Avenue, Rock Island). 3 p.m. Free. For information, call (309)794-7306 or visit QCSymphony.com or Augustana.edu/arts.

Monday, March 30 - Tweedy. Concert with the singer, songwriter, producer, and frontman of Wilco. Englert Theatre (221 East Washington Street, Iowa City). 8 p.m. $35-45. For tickets and information, call (319)688-2653 or visit Englert.org.

Tuesday, March 31 - Glenn Kotche & Jeffrey Zeigler. A Mission Creek Festival concert with the cellist and percussionist, plus an opening set by A Winged Victory for the Sullen. Englert Theatre (221 East Washington Street, Iowa City). 7 p.m. $15-25. For tickets and information, call (319)688-2653 or visit Englert.org.

Wednesday, April 1 - The Sing Off Live! A cappella concert featuring season four's VoicePlay and season two's Street Corner Symphony. Adler Theatre (136 East Third Street, Davenport). 7:30 p.m. $39.50-49.50. For tickets, call (800)745-3000 or visit AdlerTheatre.com.

 

THEATRE

Thursday, March 19, through Saturday, March 21 - Beyond Therapy. Christopher Durang's comic romance, directed by St. Ambrose student Robert Poston. St. Ambrose University's Studio Theatre (2101 Gaines Street, Davenport). Thursday and Friday 7:30 p.m., Saturday 3 p.m. $6. For tickets and information, call (563)333-6251 or visit SAU.edu/theatre.

Saturday, March 21, and Sunday, March 22 - Into the Woods. Stephen Sondheim's fairytale musical produced in the church's Performing Arts Series, directed by Steve Jobman. First Presbyterian Church of Davenport (1702 Iowa Street, Davenport). Saturday 7:30 p.m., Sunday 4 p.m. $10-15. For tickets and information, call (563)326-1691 or visit FPCDavenport.org.

Wednesday, March 25, through Saturday, May 16 - The Church Basement Ladies in: The Last (Potluck) Supper. Musical-comedy sequel to Church Basement Ladies. Circa '21 Dinner Playhouse (1828 Third Avenue, Rock Island). Wednesdays, Fridays, Saturdays, and March 25 and 26: 5:45 p.m. doors, 6 p.m. buffet, 7:15 p.m. pre-show, 7:45 p.m. show. Sundays: 3:45 p.m. doors, 4 p.m. buffet, 5:15 p.m. pre-show, 5:45 p.m. show. Wednesdays: 11:30 a.m. doors, 11:45 a.m. plated lunch, 1 p.m. pre-show, 1:30 p.m. show. $44.41-$50.16. For tickets and information, call (309)786-7733 extension 2 or visit Circa21.com.

Wednesday, March 25 - I Am an Emotional Creature. A presentation of author/activist Eve Ensler's play, with proceeds benefiting Family Resources' domestic violence and sexual-assault counseling programs. St. Ambrose University's Rogalski Center (518 West Locust Street, Davenport). 7 p.m. $5-8. For information, call (563)333-6113 or visit SAU.edu.

Thursday, March 26, through Sunday, March 29 - Urinetown: The Musical. Quad City Music Guild presents the Tony-winning musical comedy about a town where you pay for the privilege to pee, directed by Heather Beck. Prospect Park Auditorium (1584 34th Avenue, Moline). Thursday through Saturday 7:30 p.m., Sunday 2 p.m. $11-16. For tickets and information, call (309)762-6610 or visit QCMusicGuild.com.

Friday, March 27 - National Theatre Live: Treasure Island. An HD movie screening of the Robert Louis Stevenson story, adapted by Bryony Lavery. Englert Theatre (221 East Washington Street, Iowa City). 7 p.m. $15-18. For tickets and information, call (319)688-2653 or visit Englert.org.

Sunday, March 29 - Godspell. Co-presentation of Stephen Schwartz's biblical musical by the church and the Center for Living Arts, directed by and starring Dino Hayz. Two Rivers United Methodist Church (1820 Fifth Avenue, Rock Island). 4 p.m. For information, call (309)788-9384 or visit TwoRiversUMC.org or CenterForLivingArts.org.

Monday, March 30 - Peter & the Starcatcher. Tony Award-winning fantasy based on Peter Pan, in a Broadway at the Adler presentation. Adler Theatre (136 East Third Street, Davenport). 7:30 p.m. $39-57. For tickets, call (800)745-3000 or visit AdlerTheatre.com.

 

DANCE

Friday, March 20 - Bolshoi Theatre: Romeo & Juliet. An HD broadcast of the Sergei Prokofiev ballet. Englert Theatre (221 East Washington Street, Iowa City). 7 p.m. $15-18. For tickets and information, call (319)688-2653 or visit Englert.org.

 

COMEDY

Saturday, March 28 - #soblessed Comedy Show. An evening with comedians Jim Petersen, Bobby Ray Bunch, and headliner Christopher Schlichting, hosted by Andrew King. Circa '21 Speakeasy (1818 Third Avenue, Rock Island). 8 p.m. $10-12. For tickets and information, call (309)786-7733 extension 2 or visit Circa21.com.

Wednesday, April 1 - Cameron Esposito. A Mission Creek Festival evening with the Los Angeles-based stand-up comic, actor, and writer. Englert Theatre (221 East Washington Street, Iowa City). 7 p.m. $15-20. For tickets and information, call (319)688-2653 or visit Englert.org.

 

LITERARY ARTS

Saturday, March 28 - Pen-in-Hand: From Page to Stage. Workshops led by award-winning poets Farah Marklevits, Aubrey Jane Ryan, Dale G. Haake, and MWC Executive Director and poet Ryan Collins. Midwest Writing Center (225 East Second Street, Suite 303, Davenport). 9 a.m.-5 p.m. $10-15/workshop, $30-45 all four workshops. For information and to register, call (563)324-1410 or visit MidwestWritingCenter.org.

 

KIDS' STUFF

Saturday, March 21 - Justin Roberts & the Not Ready for Naptime Players. Family rock concerts performed performed by the Grammy-nominated ensemble. Family Museum (2900 Learning Campus Drive, Bettendorf). 11 a.m. Free with $4-7 admission. For information, call (563)344-4169 or visit FamilyMuseum.org.

Saturday, March 28 - Egg Drop Kerplop! Annual Easter-themed event in which families drop eggs from the balcony in an attempt not to break them. Family Museum (2900 Learning Campus Drive, Bettendorf). 10 a.m. Free with $4-7 admission. For information, call (563)344-4169 or visit FamilyMuseum.org.

 

MOVIES

Saturday, March 28 - Environmental Film Festival. Tenth-annual screenings of environmentally-themed films, featuring filmmaker Deia Schlosberg of Pale Blue Dot Media giving the Ellwood F. Curtis Family Lectureship in Public Affairs. Augustana College's Olin Auditorium (733 35th Street, Rock Island). 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Free. For information, visit Augustana.edu/environmentalfilmfest.

 

SPORTS

Friday, March 27, and Saturday, March 28 - Caged Aggression XV. Multiple championship title fights and more than 20 different teams in a two-night event featuring an all-amateur card on Friday and an all-professional card on Saturday. Davenport RiverCenter (136 East Third Street, Davenport). 7:30 p.m. $30-60. For tickets, call (800)745-3000 or visit RiverCtr.com or CagedAggressionEvents.com.

 

EXHIBIT

Saturday, March 21, through Sunday, March 29 - Young Artists at the Figge: Bettendorf. Exhibit of works by elementary art students. 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 FiggeArtMuseum.org.

 

EVENTS

Friday, March 27, through Sunday, March 29 - Flower & Garden Show. Annual event featuring vendors, presentations, displays, and more. QCCA Expo Center (2621 Fourth Avenue, Rock Island). Friday and Saturday 10 a.m.-8 p.m., Sunday 8 a.m.-4 p.m. $1-8. For tickets and information, call (309)788-5912 or visit QCCAExpoCenter.com.

Tuesday, March 31 - Alton Brown Live! Stand-up comedy, food experimentation, talk-show antics, live music, and audience interaction with TV's Good Eats host. Adler Theatre (136 East Third Street, Davenport). 7:30 p.m. $38-127. For tickets, call (800)745-3000 or visit AdlerTheatre.com.

 

Also visit "What's Happenin': Spring, 2015."

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