the original Night People, circa 1965Music

The Original Night People 50th Draught House Reunion

Col Ballroom

Saturday, October 10, 6 p.m.

 

On October 10, Davenport's Col Ballroom will host a special concert event officially titled "The Original Night People 50th Draught House Reunion." And local music fans will surely know the Night People, at least by reputation - and especially if they're also local-music (with the hyphen) fans.

For more than half a century, this popular rock outfit - whose current lineup features Larry Boyd, Jimmy Stroehle, and original members Gary Pearson, Rob Dahms, and Jimmy's brother Mike Stroehle - has entertained literally tens of thousands with its rousing, confident takes on '60s and '70s favorites. Over the past few months, they've played the Rusty Nail, Len Brown's North Shore Inn, Harley Corin's, Mama Compton's, and Port Byron's Baby Blues & BBQ Fest. Among many other talents, the group has shared stages with the likes of Chubby Checker, Freddie Fender, and Reba McEntire. And in 1968, the original Night People musicians even served as the opening act for a legendary Col Ballroom set with Jimi Hendrix.

So yeah, people know the Night People. But what, some of you may wonder, is the Draught House?

"Unless you came from that era, you probably wouldn't know it," says Night People founding member and lead vocalist Pearson. "But that was a good time, man."

Originally located in the riverfront venue that became the Dock Restaurant - a site scheduled for demolition, ironically, two days after the Night People's Col Ballroom concert - the Draught House came into being, says Pearson, "in 1965, after Davenport had one of the worst floods ever. This building had the VFW offices upstairs, and they would rent out the downstairs, and the flood just crashed this building.

"And what happened was that one of the guys in our group - Kenny White - and some of his buddies approached people at the VFW and said, 'Hey, if we go in there and we get rid of all that crap and sludge and whatever, and clean it all up, and re-paint this and re-do that, can we hold a couple of dances here?' And they said, 'Hey, if you do that for us, you can do that.' So one thing led to another, and led to the Draught House, and there's probably about 1,000 people that showed up to these dances.

"The Draught House was such a neat place," Pearson continues, "in that all ages kind of intertwined. Teens were allowed - they'd do a Teen Night there - but to get to the bar, you'd have to go through the back half where the dance hall and big stage was, and they'd have a black light, and you'd have to show your mark to get into the barroom. And drinks couldn't leave the area. So all kinds of people mixed."

Pearson says the Night People played the Draught House regularly on Wednesdays, Fridays, and Saturdays, "and the place just was absolutely packed all the time" - no doubt due, in large part, to the band's popularity.

"That was when the British groups were really coming along: the Beatles and the Stones and the Kinks and the Birds and all that. And the band was so ahead of its time that if a new song would come out by one of these groups - before it even hit the radio or anything - we had a way of getting all these new releases. We'd rehearse 'em and play 'em, and people would wonder what they were, and we'd say, 'Well, that was a new song by the Beatles,' or 'That's a new song by the Stones.' And people would just go crazy."

Having established themselves as a huge draw for the Draught House, "the Col Ballroom kind of jumped into the act," says Pearson. "At the time, Don Wachel owned it, and he wanted the band to play on Sunday nights. And a lot of times, he would bring in headliners, so we opened up for just tons and tons of one-, two-hit wonders - Tommy James, and Sam the Sham & the Pharoahs, and The Box Tops ... . It just goes on endlessly."

By the 1970s, says Pearson, the original Night People began heading in different directions - "a couple of them [White and Rich Collignon] went out west, a couple of us hung together, I went on the road with the Elvis revue right before he died ... ." But to hear him tell it, the band's legacy proved more powerful than even Pearson could have imagined.

"It's such a crazy thing," he says. "The band got back together periodically for these reunions, the first being almost 20 years after all this Draught House and Col Ballroom stuff," when the Night People played for the 1983 opening of Davenport's RiverCenter. "Nobody knew what to expect, but they had over 3,000 people show up for the band, and they claim - I don't know how true this is - but from the door all the way around the city block, there were people waiting in line to get into this place. I mean, everybody was just overwhelmed."

And then, Pearson says, "A couple years later WOC hosted this big family festival down at the LeClaire Park bandshell, and we were the only band playing, and we had over 12,000 people there. I mean, it's crazy how this thing has lived on and on and on."

The last reunion of the original band members was held last year to celebrate both the Col Ballroom's 100th anniversary and the 50th anniversary of the Night People, and Pearson says that "even with minimal publicity, that drew close to 700 people.

"But this is the last time we'll play with all the original members." With White and Collignon settled in Nevada and Washington, Pearson says, "it's just getting too hard to bring people back. I mean, we [the current Night People lineup] will keep playing for as long as we can. We're still enjoying it. But if you want to hear all the originals, this is it. Show up. Have a good time. Get off the couch."

Doors for the Original Night People 50th Draught House Reunion open at 6 p.m. (at which point food will be available), Larry Boyd opens with a solo set at 7 p.m., and the original Night People take the stage at 8 p.m. Tickets are $15 in advance and $20 at the door, and can be purchased by calling (563)322-4431 or visiting LegendaryColBallroom.com. For more information on the Night People, visit TheNightPeopleQuadCities.com.

 

 

2015 CornConEvent

CornCon

St. Ambrose University

Saturday, October 3, 8 a.m.-6 p.m.

 

Ask most parents if they'd like to see their child grow up to be a computer hacker, and the response you'd get would likely be "no," perhaps with a well-chosen expletive in front of it. But as explained by Shadrock Roberts, one of the co-organizers behind October 3's cybersecurity event "CornCon," that job title encompasses far more than villainous figures in techno-spy movies.

"Obviously, because of Hollywood, 'hacking' does have a negative connotation," says Roberts, referring to entertainments such as this past winter's cyber-thriller Blackhat. "But there's a whole other group of people that are counterbalancing that kind of activity in the cybersecurity field, to offset that bad element. The reality is that a lot of the best hackers are what we call 'white hats.' They're on the good guys' side. And they have to be just as skilled in defense, and the threats that are out there, as those that are actually committing crimes."

Both kids and adults are consequently invited to attend the Quad Cities' inaugural "CornCon" event, which will feature a day's worth of guest speakers, games, and computer challenges in St. Ambrose's McCarthy Hall. And while Roberts' co-organizer John Johnson says that "there will be a technical aspect" to all of the CornCon lectures and activities, "anyone who has an appreciation for technology will fit right in."

"You certainly don't have to be a professional in the field to attend," agrees Roberts. "You just have to have an interest."

While this is the first time a day-long conference dedicated to cybersecurity and updates in the field - an event modeled after similar conferences such as Las Vegas' Defcon and Louisville's Derbycon - has been attempted in the area, Roberts says, "The lineup we've got for the Quad Cities is just unbelievable." With speakers including Western Illinois University Homeland Security Research Program Director Dean C. Alexander and G4S Security Project Manager Joseph Dagama, "We have professors, we have several published authors ... . We have Richard Thieme, who's like the godfather of hacking ... . It's just an amazing group, especially for a metro our size, and this being our first event."

The recruited field specialists will offer presentations on everything from "Situational Awareness in Our Cyber-Neighborhood" to "UFOs & Government: A Case Study in Disinformation, Deception, & Perception Management." And for fledgling white hats, activities will include Minecraft programming, sessions of cryptography and lock-picking, and a Capture the Flag game in which, says Johnson, "you have to complete as many challenges as you can within the time period, and the winners receive a remote-controlled video drone."

The moniker for the youths' CornCon track, by the way? "Children of the CornCon."

"None of the kids will probably understand that," says Johnson, "but their parents will. Hopefully, Stephen King doesn't sue us."

For more information on October 3's CornCon and to register, visit CornCon.net.

 

 

What Else Is Happenin' ...?

 

MUSIC

Thursday, October 1 - Stevie Wonder Tribute with Byron "BK" Davis. The Steinway International Artist performs a concert tribute to the legendary musician, with a Rasheen Davis book-signing held before the show. The Redstone Room (129 Main Street, Davenport). 7 p.m. $25. For tickets and information, call (563)326-1333 or visit RiverMusicExperience.org.

Friday, October 2 - The Nadas. Concert with the Iowa-based alt-rock and country musicians, featuring an opening set by Hello Dave's Mike Himebaugh. The Redstone Room (129 Main Street, Davenport). 8 p.m. $16.75-17. For tickets and information, call (563)326-1333 or visit RiverMusicExperience.org.

Saturday, October 3, and Sunday, October 4 - Quad City Symphony Orchestra: The Re-Creation. The first Masterworks concerts of the season, with pianist Kyu Yeon Kim and soprano Heidi Melton accompanying the orchestra on compositions by Wagner, Schubert, Saint-Saëns, and Tchaikovsky. Saturday: Adler Theatre (136 East Third Street, Davenport), 8 p.m. Sunday: Augustana College's Centennial Hall (3703 Seventh Avenue, Rock Island), 2 p.m. $26-62. For tickets and information, call (563)322-7276 or visit QCSO.org.

Saturday, October 3 - Trippin' Billies. Dave Matthews tribute band in concert, with an opening set by Jason Carl. Rock Island Brewing Company (1815 Second Avenue, Rock Island). 9 p.m. $10. For information, call (309)793-1999 or visit RIBCO.com.

Saturday, October 3 - Living Hour. All-ages concert with the Canadian psychedelic-pop musicians. Rozz-Tox (2108 Third Avenue, Rock Island). 9 p.m. $5-10. For information, call (309)200-0978 or visit RozzTox.com.

Sunday, October 4 - DPL Jazz Workshop & Concert for the Big Read The Great Gatsby. Event held in conjunction with the Davenport libraries' "Big Read" of F. Scott Fitzgerald's novel, featuring a 3:30 p.m. family jazz workshop and 5:30 p.m. concert with the Josh Duffee Orchestra. The Redstone Room (129 Main Street, Davenport). Free. For information, call (563)326-1333 or visit RiverMusicExperience.org.

Tuesday, October 6 - Los Lonely Boys. Concert with the Conjunto and roots-rock musicians. Englert Theatre (221 East Washington Street, Iowa City). 8 p.m. $25. For tickets and information, call (319)688-2653 or visit Englert.org.

Wednesday, October 7 - Def Leppard, Foreigner, and Tesla. Chart-topping, multi-platinum-selling rockers in concert. i wireless Center (1201 River Drive, Moline). 7 p.m. $39.50-99. For tickets, call (800)745-3000 or visit iwirelessCenter.com.

Thursday, October 8, and Friday, October 9 - How Great Thou Art: The Gospel Music of Elvis Presley. Concert performance of the King's gospel hits with impersonator Robert Shaw and his band. Circa '21 Dinner Playhouse (1828 Third Avenue, Rock Island). Thursday and Friday: noon-12:45 p.m. plated lunch, 1:15 p.m. show, $46.50 plus tax. Thursday: 6-7 p.m. buffet, 7:15 p.m. show, $52.50 plus tax. For tickets and information, call (309)786-7733 extension 2 or visit Circa21.com.

Friday, October 9 - Aaron Kamm & the One Drops. St. Louis-based roots, reggae, and blues musicians in concert, with an opening set by Bone Jugs N Harmony. 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.

Saturday, October 10 - Chris Tomlin. Concert with the Grammy- and Dove-winning Christian musician, featuring an opening set by Rend Collective. i wireless Center (1201 River Drive, Moline). 7 p.m. $16.50-36.50. For tickets, call (800)745-3000 or visit iwirelessCenter.com.

Saturday, October 10, and Sunday, October 11 - Nova Singers: Encore! The professional vocal ensemble presents a compilation of favorite pieces from its past 30 years of performance, under the direction of Laura Lane. Saturday: Knox College's Kresge Recital Hall (2 East South Street, Galesburg), 7:30 p.m. Sunday: St. Paul Lutheran Church (2136 Brady Street, Davenport), 4 p.m. $15-18. For tickets and information, call (309)341-7038 or visit NovaSingers.com.

Saturday, October 10 - Leon Russell. The legendary country, folk, and rock musician in concert. 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, October 10 - The Four Preps. Pop hits of the '50s and '60s performed by the touring musicians and original quartet member Bruce Belland. Ohnward Fine Arts Center (1215 East Platt Street, Maquoketa). 7 p.m. $25-30. For tickets and information, call (563)652-9815 or visit OhnwardFineArtsCenter.com.

Wednesday, October 14 - Conor Oberst. Nebraska-based singer/songwriter in concert, with opening sets by Larkin Poe and High Up. Englert Theatre (211 East Washington Street, Iowa City). 7 p.m. $26.50. For tickets and information, call (319)688-2653 or visit Englert.org.

 

THEATRE

Thursday, October 1, through Sunday, October 11 - Murder on the Rerun. Fred Cramichael's comedy whodunit, directed by Eugenia Giebel. Richmond Hill Barn Theatre (600 Robinson Drive, Geneseo). Thursday through Saturday 7:30 p.m., Sunday 3 p.m. $10. For tickets and information, call (309)944-2244 or visit RHPlayers.com.

Thursday, October 1, through Sunday, October 4 - Churchill. Andrew Eldin's one-man play about the British Prime Minister. Old Creamery Studio Theatre (3023 220th Trail, Amana). Friday and Saturday 7:30 p.m., Thursday and Sunday 2 p.m. $18.50-28. For tickets and information, call (319)622-6262 or visit OldCreamery.com.

Monday, October 5 - Mary Pickford One-Woman Show. The life of the silent-film sweetheart enacted by Leslie Goddard. Moline Public Library (3210 41st Street, Moline). 6:30 p.m. Free. For information, call (309)524-2470 or visit MolineLibrary.com.

Thursday, October 8, through Sunday, November 8 - The Church Basement Ladies in "The Last (Potluck) Supper." Musical-comedy sequel to Church Basement Ladies. Old Creamery Theatre (39 38th Avenue, Amana). Friday and Saturday 7:30 p.m., Wednesday, Thursday, and Sunday 2 p.m. $18.50-28. For tickets and information, call (319)622-6262 or visit OldCreamery.com.

Friday, October 9, through Saturday, October 31 - The Rocky Horror Show. Do the time warp again in the annual presentation of the musical cult classic, directed by Tom Vaccaro. District Theatre (1724 Fourth Avenue, Rock Island). 8 p.m. and midnight performances on Fridays and Saturdays, 8 p.m. performances on October 25 and 27. $25. For tickets and information, call (309)235-1654 or visit DistrictTheatre.com.

Friday, October 9, through Sunday, October 11 - Parade. Jason Robert Browne's Tony-winning musical drama, directed by Daniel Rairdin-Hale. St. Ambrose University's Galvin Fine Arts Center (2101 North Gaines Street, Davenport). Friday and Saturday 7:30 p.m., Sunday 3 p.m. $14-17. For tickets and information, call (563)333-6251 or visit SAU.edu/theatre.

 

DANCE

Friday, October 9, through Saturday, October 17 - Murder Mystery at the Ballet. Ballet Quad Cities presents a balletic whodunit inspired by a popular board game, with choreography by Courtney Lyon. Scottish Rite Cathedral (1900 Seventh Avenue, Moline). October 9, 16, and 17 at 7:30 p.m.; October 10 at 2:30 p.m. $12-22. For tickets and information, call (309)786-3779 or visit BalletQuadCities.com.

Sunday, October 11 - Stoughton Norwegian Dancers. The internationally touring ensemble will perform authentic, lively, and acrobatic Scandinavian dances, in a co-presentation by Davenport's Storelva Lodge of the Sons of Norway and the Bettendorf Public Library. Bettendorf High School Performing Arts Center (3333 18th Street, Bettendorf). 2 p.m. Free. For information, call (563)344-5705 or visit BettendorfLibrary.com.

 

MOVIE

Tuesday, October 13 - Hot Spots: America's Volcanic Legacy. Screenings in the museum's World Adventure Series, presented by filmmaker Gray Warriner. Putnam Museum & Science Center (1717 West 12th Street, Davenport). 1 and 7 p.m. $6.50-10. For tickets and information, call (563)324-1933 or visit Putnam.org.

 

LITERARY ARTS

Thursday, October 1, through Sunday, October 4 - Iowa City Book Festival. The annual celebration of literature featuring readings, discussions, workshops, guest authors, book sales, and more, held in various venues in downtown Iowa City. For information, visit IowaBookFestival.org.

Saturday, October 3 - Robert Reich. The Clinton administration's secretary of labor discusses his book Saving Capitalism: For the Many, Not the Few. Englert Theatre (221 East Washington Street, Iowa City). 7 p.m. Free. For tickets and information, call (319)688-2653 or visit Englert.org.

Wednesday, October 14 - Kelly Daniels. A "Read Local" presentation with the award-winning author and associate professor of creative writing at Augustana College. Bettendorf Public Library (2950 Learning Campus Drive, Bettendorf). 7 p.m. Free. For information, call (563)344-4175 or visit BettendorfLibrary.com.

 

VISUAL ARTS

Saturday, October 3, through Sunday, January 24 - Ellen Wagener: Horizon Lines. Exhibit featuring pastel evocations of particular weather patterns and times of day. Figge Art Museum (225 West Second Street, Davenport). Tuesday through 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 FiggeArtMuseum.org.

Saturday, October 10, through Sunday, January 17 - Edward S. Curtis: 100 Masterworks. Exhibition of images from Curtis' photographic document of Native American life. Figge Art Museum (225 West Second Street, Davenport). Tuesday through 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 FiggeArtMuseum.org.

 

EVENTS

Friday, October 2, and Saturday, October 3 - North American Strongman National Championships. Competitions featuring more than 200 male and female athletes, with door prizes, health screenings, health and fitness vendors, children's activities, and more. Davenport RiverCenter (136 East Third Street, Davenport). Friday 8 a.m.-4 p.m., Saturday 8 a.m.-2 p.m. $7/person, or $5 with a nonperishable food item to be donated to a local food pantry. For information, visit StrongmanCorporation.com.

Sunday, October 4 - QC CROP Hunger Walk. Forty-fourth-annual fundraiser for Churches United of the Quad Cities, featuring live music by Chris Dunn. Modern Woodmen Park (209 South Gaines Street, Davenport). 2 p.m. For information, call (563)332-5002 or visit CUQCA.org.

Friday, October 9 - The After Hour. Andrew King hosts a late-night talk show featuring comedian Luke Swanson, District Theatre Artistic Director Tristan Tapscott, and roots rocker Lewis Knudsen. Circa '21 Speakeasy (1818 Third Avenue, Rock Island). 10:30 p.m. $8-10. For tickets and information, call (309)786-7733 extension 2 or visit Circa21.com.

Sunday, October 11 - Apple Fest on the River. Annual festival featuring apple-heavy food and beverages, arts and crafts, games, children's activities, and more. LeClaire Levee. 11 a.m.-4 p.m. For information, visit VisitLeClaire.com.

Monday, October 12 - The Illusionists: Live from Broadway. The touring magicians perform in a Broadway at the Adler presentation. Adler Theatre (136 East Third Street, Davenport). 5:30 and 8:30 p.m. $37-62. For tickets, call (800)745-3000 or visit AdlerTheatre.com.

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