Exhibit
Microbes: Invisible Invaders, Amazing Allies
Putnam Museum & IMAX Theatre
Saturday, October 2, through Sunday, January 30
According to the Putnam Museum & IMAX Theatre's Web site, the venue's new exhibit offers an exploration of that "which sustains all life on earth while holding the deadly potential to wipe out millions." Much like my What's Happenin' jokes.
But what the Putnam is actually referring to is the astonishing world of microbes, which will be in full, interactive display in the traveling exhibit Microbes: Invisible Invaders, Amazing Allies. From October 2 through January 30, this 3,000-square-foot exhibition will examine what microbes are, what they look like, the history of disease, and how scientific research is helping find cures to save lives, bringing an unseen world into vibrant view through displays, short films, and hands-on activities.
And if your kids bristle at the thought of an experience that might be, you know, educational, I've got two words for you to share with them: video games. Within such exhibit sections as Paris Crypt, Egyptian Tomb, and the Microbial Superhighway, children are invited to play a number of video and virtual-reality games that will both educate and entertain.
"Virtual Invaders" gives participants the chance to wipe out incoming viruses with white blood cells. "Antiobiotic Artillery" finds players firing rounds of antibiotic ammunition at infectious bacteria. "Race a Bug" pits two computer microbes in a winding race through simulated arteries in 3D animation. And "Gobble De Goop" lets kids use joysticks to guide microbes as they gobble up an oil spill. So if the Putnam's Microbes exhibit doesn't inspire your children to pursue a career in science, they might instead be compelled to seek employment in the Gulf of Mexico.
Too soon?
For more information on the Microbes: Invisible Invaders, Amazing Allies exhibit, call (563)324-1933 or visit Putnam.org.
Music
From the Top
Adler Theatre
Tuesday, October 12, 8 p.m.
Davenport's Adler Theatre, in conjunction with Orchestra Iowa and the Quad City Symphony Orchestra, will host a special event on October 12: the recording of a live performance for National Public Radio's popular series From the Top. I will attempt to make it through this piece without letting my seething envy get in the way.
Showcasing some of America's most promising musicians, and reaching more than 700,000 listeners per week, From the Top is one of radio's premier classical-music programs. Over the past decade, the show has taped more than 200 broadcasts in concert halls nationwide, and has been described by the San Francisco Chronicle as "contemporary culture's feel-good success story."
Yet what sets From the Top apart from other programs of its type is the makeup of its performers, all of whom are, incredibly, between the ages of eight and 18.
During the Tuesday-night taping, you'll be witness to the talents of Iowa City also saxophonist Justin Moser, age 17; Chicago-based percussion duo Marcelina Suchocka and John Ringor, who are 17 and 16, respectively; Ohio violinist Michael Ferri, age 15; a Music Institute of Chicago string quartet composed of Sophia Cho and Zachary Spontak (both 18) and Leah Ferguson and Ben Fried (both 17); and finally, pianist Sherry Tang, who will perform Felix Mendelssohn's "Andante & Rondo Capriccioso, Op. 14," and who makes her Adler Theatre debut at the ripe old age of 12.
Twelve. 12! At 12, I couldn't freakin' pronounce Mendelssohn, let alone "Andante & Rondo Capruccioso"!!!
Sorry. I'm fine. Have fun at the Adler, kids.
Tickets to the From the Top taping are $15 and $25, and can be reserved by calling (800)745-3000 or visiting AdlerTheatre.com.
Music
Concert of Caring: Jearlyn & Billy Steele
Trinity Lutheran Church in Moline
Friday, October 8, 7 p.m.
On October 8, Moline's Trinity Lutheran Church will host its Concert of Caring, featuring beloved singer Jearlyn Steele and her Grammy Award-winning brother, Billy. There are a few reasons you might want to consider attending.
For one thing, the event is a benefit performance for the charitable organization Lutheran Social Services of Illinois, a statewide not-for-profit that - in the Moline/Rock Island area - offers affordable retirement apartments in Forsberg Village, foster care and adoption services, and pregnancy counseling.
For another, the Steeles are remarkably talented. Billy, who also serves as the assistant director for the Grammy-winning group Sounds of Blackness, is a gifted soul, jazz, and R&B performer who has collaborated with the likes of Rod Stewart and Luther Vandross. And Jearlyn - whose powerful vocals can be heard on the CDs of such artists as Mavis Staples, George Clinton, and Prince - has been a headliner at both Minneapolis' Guthrie Theatre and New York's Carnegie Hall, and is a regular guest on NPR's Prairie Home Companion, where she performs frequent duets with host Garrison Keillor.
But if you somehow need even more motivation to attend Trinity Lutheran's Concert of Caring, check this out: Your $15 ticket will also enable you to enjoy a post-concert reception at the church, where you'll have the chance to speak with Billy and Jearlyn personally. Jearlyn appeared with Meryl Streep in the Prairie Home Companion movie. Streep appeared with Kevin Bacon in the movie The River Wild. Which means that, as of October 8, there'll be only three degrees of separation between you and Kevin Bacon. And you can't put a price tag on that.
Trinity Lutheran Church is located at 1330 13th Street in Moline, and more information on the Concert of Caring is available by calling (309)762-3624 or visiting TrinityLutheranMoline.org.
Music
Clutch
Rock Island Brewing Company
Monday, October 4, 8 p.m.
Described by PlugInMusic.com as delivering "the kind of straight-ahead, honest groove that no other band really comes close to pulling off," the rockers of Clutch will make a special area appearance on October 4, in a concert at the Rock Island Brewing Company.
The Maryland-based ensemble - composed of lead vocalist Neil Fallon, guitarist Tim Sult, bassist Dan Maines, and drummer Jean-Paul Gaster - has rocked crowds as one of the nation's foremost jam bands since 1991, currently sharing its powerhouse blend of heavy metal, punk, and hard rock in upward of 100 tour sites per year. And with Clutch's ninth studio album, last year's Strange Cousins from the West, the band proved that it still possesses the power to thrill fans and critics alike, with Ultimate-Guitar.com raving about the group "pounding out track after track of catchy blues-rock riffage, and Neil's powerful vocals rounding out to an almost perfect sound."
Consider yourself a major Clutch fan? Try matching the band's eight previous studio CDs in the order they were released. Do so correctly and win a prize!
1) Blast Tyrant
2) Clutch
3) The Elephant Riders
4) From Beale Street to Oblivion
5) Jam Room
6) Pure Rock Fury
7) Robot Hive/Exodus
8) Transnational Speedway League
A) 1993
B) 1995
C) 1998
D) 1999
E) 2001
F) 2004
G) 2005
H) 2007
Clutch plays RIBCO with special guests 2Cents, and more information on the night is available by calling (309)793-4060 or visiting RIBCO.com.
Answers: 1 - F, 2 - B, 3 - C, 4 - H, 5 - D, 6 - E, 7 - G, 8 - A. Did you guess them all correctly? Congratulations! Go to RIBCO and receive your prize: a big hug from bartender Jon Horvath! Don't think that's much of a prize? You've obviously never gotten a big hug from bartender Jon Horvath.
Theatre
The Shape of Things
Richmond Hill Barn Theatre
Thursday, October 7, through Sunday, October 17
"Hi. My name's Evelyn. What's yours?"
"Oh, um, it's uh ... it's Adam."
"Nice to meet you, Adam."
"Yeah, um ... you, too."
"Listen. I've been watching you, and I think you're very attractive, and I thought maybe you'd like to come with me tonight to see the Richmond Hill Barn Theatre's new production of The Shape of Things."
"What? Well, um ... ."
"Don't mumble."
"Okay."
"It's an acclaimed dark comedy by Tony Award nominee Neil LaBute, and it features a fantastic acting quartet in Matt Mercer, Maggie Woolley, Adam Overberg, and Cara DeMarlie."
"That's great, but, um ... I actually had plans with friends tonight ... ."
"You don't want to hang with them."
"Oh. Um ... . No, I guess I don't."
"Richmond Hill's production is being directed by popular area actor Chris White - sit up straight, Adam - and PegasusNews.com called the play 'madly entertaining,' while CurtainUp.com labeled it 'a must-see.' So let's go."
"Um ... . All right. But why do you want to go with me? I mean, you're so beautiful, and I'm ... I'm ... ."
"You're wonderful. And if you lost a few pounds and maybe got that nose taken care of, you'd be perfect."
"Wow. Um ... . Okay! I'm on board! So what's the play about?"
"A woman meets a guy and convinces him to change everything about himself, and the results turn out to be both hilarious and disastrous."
"Heh heh. Who'd ever believe that could happen?"
"You're not going to wear that shirt, are you?"
"I'll go home and change."
The Richmond Hill Barn Theatre's The Shape of Things runs October 7 through 17 - with performances at 7:30 p.m. Thursdays through Saturdays and 4 p.m. on Sundays - and tickets are available by calling (309)944-2244 or visiting RHPlayers.com.
What Else Is Happenin'...?
MUSIC
Friday, October 1 - Frankie Avalon. Beloved '50s teen idol in concert. Quad-Cities Waterfront Convention Center (1777 Isle Parkway, Bettendorf). 7:30 p.m. $20-40. For tickets and information, call (800)843-4753 or visit Bettendorf.IsleOfCapriCasinos.com.
Friday, October 1 - Gov't Mule. Outdoor concert with nationally renowned jam band. University of Iowa Pentacrest, Iowa City. Performing after the 5:45 p.m. University of Iowa homecoming parade. Free admission. For information, call (319)335-3395 or visit ScopeProductions.org.
Saturday, October 2 - Ultraviolet Hippopotamus. Progressive funk musicians in concert, with openers Bacon. The Redstone Room (129 Main Street, Davenport). 9 p.m. $7. For tickets and information, call (563)326-1333 or visit RedstoneRoom.com.
Saturday, October 2, and Sunday, October 3 - Quad City Symphony Orchestra. The first Masterworks concerts of the 2010-11 season, featuring Beethoven's "Egmont Overture" and "Symphony No. 7," and Chopin's "Piano Concert No. 1." With conductor Mark Russell Smith and pianist Gustavo Romero. 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. $11.45-59.45. For tickets and information, call (563)322-7276 or visit QCSymphony.com.
Sunday, October 3 - Scott Miller. Knoxville-based singer-songwriter in concert. Circa '21 Speakeasy. (1818 Third Avenue, Rock Island). 7 p.m. $10. For tickets and information, call (309)786-7733 extension 2 or visit Circa21.com. For a March River Cities' Reader interview with Miller, visit RCReader.com/y/miller.
Wednesday, October 6 - Chanticleer. Grammy Award-winning male chorus in concert, opening the Nova Singers' 25th season. Orpheum Theatre (57 South Kellogg Street, Galesburg). 7:30 p.m. $10-30. For tickets and information, call (309)342-2299 or visit TheOrpheum.org.
Wednesday, October 6 - An Evening with Joan Baez. Legendary folk musician in concert. Englert Theatre (221 East Washington Street, Iowa City). 8 p.m. $40-50. For tickets and information, call (319)688-2653 or visit Englert.org.
Thursday, October 7 - The Van-Dells. 1950s and '60s rock-and-roll revue with the popular singers/comedians. Circa '21 Dinner Playhouse (1828 Third Avenue, Rock Island). 7 p.m. $20. For tickets and information, call (309)786-7733 extension 2 or visit Circa21.com.
Friday, October 8 - Brother Trucker. Des Moines-based roots rockers in concert. The Redstone Room (129 Main Street, Davenport). 8:30 p.m. $7. For tickets and information, call (563)326-1333 or visit RedstoneRoom.com.
Tuesday, October 12 - Head for the Hills. Colorado-based progressive, acoustic, and roots musicians in concert, with openers The Giving Tree Band. The Redstone Room (129 Main Street, Davenport). 8 p.m. $10. For tickets and information, call (563)326-1333 or visit RedstoneRoom.com. For a March River Cities' Reader interview with Head for the Hills' Adam Kinghorn, visit RCReader.com/y/hills.
Tuesday, October 12 - Iron & Wine. Popular singer/songwriter Samuel Beam in concert. Iowa Memorial Union Main Lounge, University of Iowa (125 North Madison Street, Iowa City). 8 p.m. $20-25. For tickets and information, call (319)335-3395 or visit ScopeProductions.org. For a 2008 River Cities' Reader interview with Beam, visit RCReader.com/y/iron.
THEATRE
Friday, October 1, through Saturday, October 30 - The Rocky Horror Show. Richard O'Brien's musical/comedy/sci-fi cult classic. Harrison Hilltop Theatre (1601 Harrison Street, Davenport). Fridays and Saturdays - midnight; Tuesdays and October 7 and 14 - 8 p.m. $20. For tickets and information, call (563)449-6371 or visit HarrisonHilltop.com.
Friday, October 8, through Sunday, October 10 - The Drowsy Chaperone. Tony Award-winning musical-within-a-comedy, directed by Corinne Johnson. St. Ambrose University's Galvin Fine Arts Center (2101 Gaines Street, Davenport). Friday and Saturday - 7:30 p.m.; Sunday - 3 p.m. $11-15. For tickets and information, call (563)333-6251 or visit SAU.edu/galvin.
Saturday, October 9 - Legally Blonde the Musical. Broadway musical/comedy based on the hit movie. Adler Theatre (136 East Third Street, Davenport). $31.50-51.50. For tickets, call (800)745-3000 or visit AdlerTheatre.com.
ART
Saturday, October 2 - Mercedes Matter Symposium. Lectures and discussions in conjunction with Mercedes Matter: A Retrospective Exhibition, including Ellen G. Landau's "What a Picture Should Mean: Hans Hofmann, Mercedes Matter, & the Role of Drawing in Modernism" and Michael Zakian's "Mercedes Matter & the Modernist Still Life." Figge Art Museum (225 West Second Street, Davenport). 2 p.m. Free with $4-7 museum admission. For information, call (563)326-7804 or visit FiggeArtMuseum.org.
LITERATURE
Sunday, October 3 - Harriet Brown. New York-based author signs her new book Brave Girl Eating: A Family's Struggle with Anorexia in an event sponsored by the Quad Cities Eating Disorder Consortium. Borders Books, Music, & Cafe (4000 East 53rd Street, Davenport). 5-7 p.m. Free. For information, call (309)779-3077 or visit QCEatingDisorders.com.
Saturday, October 9 - The Pen-in-Hand Writers Conference. Annual workshop event, featuring "Research for Fiction Writing" with Ellen Tsagaris, "Writing Short Stories" with David McFarland, "Research for Poetry" with Sarah Gardner, "College Entrance Application Essay Writing for High School Students" with Kent Barnds ($10), and a creative-writing workshop for 10- to 14-year-olds with Ryan Collins (free). Midwest Writing Center (225 East Second Street, Suite 303, Davenport). 8:30 a.m.-5 p.m. $20-25 per adult workshop. For information and to register, call (563)324-1410 or visit MidwestWritingCenter.org.
MOVIES
Sunday, October 10 - Train to Nowhere: Inside an Immigrant Death Investigation. Documentary about those connected to the 2002 railcar deaths of 11 undocumented immigrants found inside a freight car in Denison, Iowa. Figge Art Museum (225 West Second Street, Davenport). 2 p.m. Free admission; donations appreciated. For information, call (563)326-7804 or visit TrainToNowhere.com.
EXHIBIT
Saturday, October 2, through Sunday, January 9 - Moneyville. 2,000-square-foot educational exhibit featuring hands-on activities, video and computer games, and an interactive setting that includes a bank, a store, an anti-counterfeiting lab, and a shipping dock. Family Museum (2900 Learning Campus Drive, Bettendorf). Mondays-Thursdays 9 a.m.-8 p.m.; Fridays and Saturdays 9 a.m.-5 p.m.; Sundays noon-5 p.m. Free with $4-6 museum admission. For information, call (563)344-4106 or visit FamilyMuseum.org.
EVENT
Saturday, October 9, and Sunday, October 10 - Four Kingdoms Renaissance & Pyrate Faire. Annual celebration of medieval-themed entertainment, food, vendors, children's activities, and more. KOA Campgrounds (2311 78th Avenue West, Rock Island). 11 a.m. - 6 p.m. $7-$10; $15/two-day pass. For information, call (612)356-4966 or visit FourKingdoms.com.
