#933

April 27-May 10, 2017

 2 River Cities Reader Vol. 24 No. 933 April 27 - May 10, 2017
ILLINOIS POLITICS
State-University Credit Downgrades
the Tip of the Iceberg
I
llinois now has five public universities
with junk-bond credit ratings. That
has to be some kind of record.
Last week, S&P Global Ratings lowered
the credit score of both Southern Illinois
University and Western Illinois University
into junk-bond status. Eastern, North-
eastern, and Governors State were already
in junk-bond territory, and their ratings
were lowered even further last week. The
University of Illinois, the states flagship,
was also downgraded to just three notches
above junk status and put, with the rest of
the universities, on a credit watch with
negative implications meaning it could
be downgraded again within 90 days.
All of the downgrade reports noted
that none of the universities has received
any funds since their partial stopgap
appropriation in June.
The reports also seemed to advocate
for another stopgap funding bill this
fiscal year. For instance, while noting
in the U of Is report that a stopgap had
been passed last year to cover the first six
months of this fiscal year, S&P went on to
write: The state has yet to pass a budget for
fiscal 2017 and has not conclusively com-
municated plans for stopgap funding to
support the states public higher-education
institutions.
Governor Bruce Rauner and his
legislative Republicans are adamantly
opposed to another stopgap budget that
would use existing special state funds
that are currently piling up in bank
accounts to help out struggling universi-
ties, college students, and human-service
providers and recipients.
Their argument is that distributing
the money would take the pressure off
everyone to pass a real budget with the
governors demanded reforms. At the
same time, Rauner and GOP legislators
want to take state employees out of the
pressure equation with a continu-
ing appropriation, which means those
salaries would essentially be funded for
eternity. But because the lack of funding
for social services and higher education
over the past two years hasnt spurred
anyone in Springfield to action, it might
be that only an actual government shut-
down after state employees cant come to
work will move the needle.
If state operating appropriations are
received in fiscal 2017, S&P declared
in its SIU downgrade report, we will
incorporate the impact of those appro-
priations at that time, suggesting that
Business Politics Arts Culture Now You Know RiverCitiesReader.com
By Rich Miller
CapitolFax.com
some money thrown at the universities
via a stopgap plan could forestall another
ratings downgrade.
Junk status means many investment
institutions, such as pension funds,
cannot buy those bonds. So while the
state hobbles the universities by refus-
ing to make full appropriations, its also
undermining their ability to borrow
at semi-reasonable rates. Speculators
looking for relatively high returns on
bonds that have to be repaid will gladly
buy those bonds and rake in the dough.
Meanwhile, precious dollars that the
universities cannot afford to spend have
to be used to make higher interest pay-
ments. Its a horrific fiscal cycle and, in
our case, its completely self-inflicted.
It could take our universities a decade
or more to recover from these body blows.
At the very least, we need a stopgap budget
now and then a full, real budget before
the beginning of next fiscal year.
The governor is currently running all
over the state proclaiming to anyone who
will listen that a deal is very close. He
said at an Elk Grove Village event last
week that a big comprehensive package FIGGE ART MUSEUM EXHIBITION
was being prepared. Democrats say they
have no idea what hes talking about.
GHOST LIGHT PERFORMANCE
Rauner had better be right because,
even though the Democratic Party has
THE SOULE BOWL
its own dirty hands here, the governor is
the states chief executive, so he will wear
the jacket for failure. Hes come up with
excuse after excuse for more than two
years now for why he cant get a budget
passed, or even why he wont propose his 6:30 p.m. Friday, May 5 Free
own balanced budget. No more.
And if you dig a little deeper at those
S&P reports, youll see that the ratings The Ghost Light multi-media installation
agency had some very specific warnings brings personal histories and race front
for state government as well.
and center through this live performance.
Illinois credit rating is just barely
above junk status. And S&P warned in Performing in a talk show like setting,
several of its downgrades that the uni- renowned local artist and community
versities could be in for a multi-notch
activist Gaye Burnett will provide insight
downgrade if the states rating is low-
ered. Another downgrade report warned into the events surrounding an all but
that there was at least a one-in-two forgotten riot at Rock Island High School
likelihood of a rating change within the
in the early 1970s.
next 90 days, more than implying that
action against the states credit rating
could happen soon.
Rich Miller also publishes Capitol Fax (a daily Image courtesy of the Figge Art Museum and the artist
political newsletter) and CapitolFax.com.
Davenport, IA 563.326.7804
www.figgeartmuseum.org
Business Politics Arts Culture Now You Know RiverCitiesReader.com
GUEST COMMENTARY
The Income Tax Implies That Government Owns You
T
he income tax is enshrined into law
but is an idea that stands in total
opposition to the driving force
behind the American Revolution and
the idea of freedom itself. We desperately
need a serious national movement to get
rid of it not reform it, not replace it, not
flatten it or refocus its sting from this
group to that. It just needs to go.
The great essayist Frank Chodorov
once described the income tax as the
root of all evil. His target was not the tax
itself, but the principle behind it. Since its
implementation in 1913, he wrote, the
government says to the citizen: Your
earnings are not exclusively your own;
we have a claim on them, and our claim
precedes yours; we will allow you to keep
some of it, because we recognize your
need, not your right; but whatever we
grant you for yourself is for us to decide.
He really does have a point. Thats
evil. When Congress ratified the 16th
Amendment on February 3, 1913, there
was a sense in which all private income
in the U.S. was nationalized. What was
not taxed from then on was a favor
granted unto us, and continues to be so.
This is implied in the text of the
amendment itself: The Congress shall
have power to lay and collect taxes on
incomes, from whatever source derived,
without apportionment among the
several States, and without regard to any
census or enumeration.
No Limits
Where are the limits? There werent
any. There was some discussion about
putting a limit on the tax, but it seemed
unnecessary. Only 1 percent of the
income earners would end up paying
about 1 percent to the government.
Everyone else was initially untouched.
Who really cares that the rich have to pay
a bit more, right? They can afford it.
This perspective totally misunder-
stands the true nature of government,
which always wants more money and
more power and will stop at nothing to
get both. The 16th Amendment was more
than a modern additive to an antique
document. It was a new philosophy of the
fiscal life of the entire country.
Today, the ruling elite no longer both-
ers with things such as amendments.
But back in the day, it was different. The
amendment was made necessary because
of previous court decisions that stated
what was once considered a bottom-line
presumption of the free society: Gov-
ernment cannot tax personal property.
What you make is your own. You get to
keep the product of your labors. Gov-
ernment can tax sales, perhaps, or raise
money through tariffs on goods coming
in and out of the country. But your bank
account is off-limits.
The amendment changed that idea.
In the beginning, it applied to very few
people. This was one reason it passed.
It was pitched as a replacement tax, not
a new money-raiser. After all the havoc
caused by the divisive tariffs of the 19th
Century, this sounded like a great deal
to many people, particularly Southern-
ers and Westerners fed up with paying
such high prices for manufactured goods
River Cities Reader Vol. 24 No. 933 April 27 - May 10, 2017
while seeing their trading relations with
foreign consumers disrupted.
People who supported it and they
were not so much the left but the right-
wing populists of the time imagined
that the tax would hit the robber-baron
class of industrialists in the North. And
that it did. Their fortunes began to dwin-
dle, and their confidence in their ability
to amass and retain inter-generational
fortunes began to wane.
Limit to Accumulation
We all know the stories of how the
grandchildren of the Gilded Age tycoons
squandered their family heritage in the
1920s and failed to carry on the tradi-
tion. Well, it is hardly surprising. The
government put a timetable and limit
on accumulation. Private families and
individuals would no longer be permit-
ted to exist except in subjugation to the
taxing state. The kids left their private
estates to live in the cities, put off mar-
riage, stopped bothering with all that
hearth-and-home stuff. Time horizons
shortened, and the Jazz Age began.
Class warfare was part of the deal from
the beginning. The income tax turned
the social fabric of the country into a
giant lifeboat, with everyone arguing
about who had to be thrown overboard
so that others might live.
The demon in the beginning was
the rich. That remained true until the
1930s, when FDR changed the deal.
Suddenly, the income would be col-
lected but applied in a different way. It
would be taken from everyone, but a
3
By Jeffrey A. Tucker
FEE.org
portion would be given back late in life
as a permanent income stream. Thus was
the payroll tax born. This tax today is far
more significant than the income tax.
The class warfare unleashed all those
years ago continues today. One side
wants to tax the rich. The other side
finds it appalling that the percentage of
people who pay no income tax has risen
from 30 percent to nearly 50 percent.
Now we see the appalling spectacle of
Republicans regarding this as a disgrace
that must change. They have joined the
political classes that seek advancement
by hurting people.
The Payroll Tax
Its extremely strange that the payroll
tax is rarely considered in this debate.
The poor, the middle class, and the rich
are all being hammered by payroll taxes
that fund failed programs that provide
no security and few benefits at all.
Its impossible to take seriously the
claims that the income tax doesnt harm
wealth creation. When Congress wants
to discourage something smoking,
imports, selling stocks, or whatever it
knows what to do: Tax it. Tax income,
and on the margin you discourage people
from earning it.
Tax debates are always about reform
which always means a slight shift in
who pays what, with an eye to raising
ever more money for the government. A
far better solution would be to forget the
whole thing and return to the original
Continued On Page 12
 4 River Cities Reader Vol. 24 No. 933 April 27 - May 10, 2017
THEATRE
If I Give My Heart to You
The Tin Woman, at the Black Box Theatre through April 29
S
ome spiritual teachings hold the heart as
the organ of transformation, arguing that
its through the heart that we connect with
the source of life that speaks to us, that guides
us, and through which were opened to the rich-
ness of being. When we give our hearts to others
through acts of love, we are transformed. But
what of the act of literally giving ones heart to
another through a heart transplant? Are there
consequences for those involved? How does
this generous act of giving play out in a story of
grieving and loss? Does it add more meaning to
the life of the one who has passed?
These questions and more are explored
in Sean Grennans The Tin Woman, now in
production at the Black Box Theatre. Under
the direction of Aaron J. Lord, the play boasts
some profoundly touching moments, not least
of which is an ending that, for me, brought the
finale of Our Town to mind, with its glimpse
of the vulnerable living viewed from the eyes
of the dead who look back with tenderness.
And the plays theme is beautifully expressed
by Joanna Mills Sammy, sister to a deceased
brother, when she delivers a lovely monologue
to her kindergarten classroom explaining that
flowers, when they die, give life to new flowers
that nothing ever truly dies.
Brant Peitersens Hank, who mourns his
dead son Jack (Andy Sederquist), brilliantly
epitomized the anger of a father who cannot
come to terms with his loss. His state of denial
was impenetrable, and I felt exasperated with
Hanks rude and abrupt behavior. But in an
intense flashback scene, masterfully played
by Peitersen and Sederquist, the source of his
anguish was revealed, and when Peitersen
finally broke through while sitting with his
family at the dinner table, it was heartbreak-
ing. I rarely experience the tears and joy I felt
watching Peitersen on Friday tears for the
heartbreak; joy for seeing an actor create such a
moment of truth.
Lord has created a production that boasts
a consistent realism, and although The Tin
Woman is low-key, the play doesnt drag. Theres
a tone of easy naturalness, and Nancy Teerlinck,
as Jacks mother Alice, is a personification of
naturalness itself. Her calm, matter-of-fact
demeanor in handling her sons effects displays a
mothers underlying grief; her interactions with
others are easy and real; and when she finally
vents her frustration and anger against her
husband, the reality of Alices pain hits one like a
punch in the solar plexus.
Leslie Munson maintains the shows
understated realism in her portrayal of Joy, the
young woman who receives Jacks heart, and
her early scenes in the hospital and recuperat-
ing at home convey Joys vulnerability. Yet
although we understand her to be depressed,
Business Politics Arts Culture Now You Know RiverCitiesReader.com
By Dee Canfield
Leslie Munson
it was sometimes difficult for me to under-
stand Joys motivations, especially toward the
climax. She appeared to me very passive, and
when finally coming to meet Jacks family had
a presence that seemed to remain aloof and
disconnected almost until the very end. Even
in that ending, as remarkably touching as it is,
Munsons Joy seems less a full character than a
vehicle through which Jacks family is viscerally
reunited with him. Was Munsons aloofness
and disconnection a conscious choice, leading
us to think that shes still adjusting to having the
heart of a stranger, or was it something else? I
couldnt tell.
Rounding out The Tin Womans cast is Jo
Vasquez, who, with lovely energy and presence,
played the dual roles of Joys nurse and her
friend Darla. I think Vasquezs great potential
was, at times, realized; however, she often lacked
a variance in emotional tone, and some line
deliveries just didnt ring true. I, for one, would
not relish having a friend tell me You seem
upset in such an upbeat, cheerful tone.
Unfortunately, there were also some
presentational glitches that marred the overall
effect. I loved Jacks ghost wandering around
and observing his loved ones until, that is, he
pulled out a chair to sit on, or raised a cup for
a toast, or hoisted a camera over his shoulder.
Ghosts, to my mind, do not move physical
objects in this manner, and with each such
manipulation, the illusion of the moment was
broken. Meanwhile, when stagehands came in
to remove full plates of food from the dinner
table and replaced them with empties, my com-
panion and I instinctively turned to each other
with a What the what?! double-take.
Such distractions aside, however, this
production of The Tin Woman does justice to a
complicated and difficult topic. And did I men-
tion the ending? The play is well worth it just for
those moments alone.
The Tin Woman runs at the Black Box Theatre
(1623 Fifth Avenue, Moline) through April
29, and more information and tickets are
available by calling (563)284-2350 or visiting
TheBlackBoxTheatre.com.
Business Politics Arts Culture Now You Know RiverCitiesReader.com River Cities Reader Vol. 24 No. 933 April 27 - May 10, 2017 5

The most comprehensive events calendar in the QC

Since 1993
RiverCitiesReader.com/Calendar
Vol. 24 No. 933 MUSIC By Jeff Ignatius
April 27 - May 10, 2017 jeff@rcreader.com

River Cities Reader

Running on Instinct
532 W. 3rd St. Sister Wife, Trap House
Davenport IA 52801

RiverCitiesReader.com
(563)324-0049 (phone)
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Publishing since 1993
The River Cities Reader is an independent
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and available free throughout the Quad
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2017 River Cities Reader
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Kathleen McCarthy
EDITORIAL
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Arts Editor, Calendar Editor:
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I
f you want to know the secret of Sister Wifes
Trap House, you probably shouldnt ask the
Quad Cities-based duo of guitarist/vocalist
Samuel Carothers and drummer Matthew
Ashegiri. They work largely by instinct, and
on this album those instincts are far more
often than not startlingly spot-on.
Not yet two years old, the band has worked
with producers on a single for Milwaukees
Honeytone Records and an EP but chose to
go it alone for Trap House, the debut album
Carothers and Ashegiri self-released last week.
When we went into the studios ... it was
really hard to translate what we wanted
the vision that we had with the music,
Ashegiri said.
It wasnt a problem with the producers,
he said: We couldnt articulate as well as we
wanted to. ... It felt like there was a missing link.
We were playing a game of Telephone, basi-
cally. ... We were working through a translator.
Even a single listen to the self-recorded
Trap House demonstrates that if these two
men in their early 20s cant put their visions
into words, they have little trouble confi-
dently converting them into music. The fully
formed album is loaded with contradictions with a bit more funk and the foregrounding Fool to aggressive vocal manipulation and
loose but tight, rich but primal, complex but of the drums. a Tegan & Sara feel on Siamese to a warbly
simple. You could easily reduce Sister Wife Sam does like five different things with falsetto and atmospheric production (and
to some indie-rock clichs the guitar/drum guitar and vocals at one time, Ashegiri said. something that sounds like a harpsichord!)
duo, some airy tropical vibes but the songs Im really lucky all I have to do is play drums. on San Diego.
transcend them. Opening the album, the title track is both Stretching and exploring arent themselves
The magic isnt hard to discern: Carothers a great start to Trap House and a bit of a feint. problems, but the back half of the album,
and Ashegiri have fantastic chemistry, with Carothers warm, breathy singing is well- against the Sister Wife ethos, tries too hard
great guitar hooks and tone, a supple rock voice matched by the bright melody of a marimba, to mix things up. (Unlike on Trap House,
with just a hint of snot, bone-deep drumming, with the guitar and drums providing the the change-ups seem capricious and without
a smart ear for ebb and flow, and casually groove and emphatic punctuation. discernible purpose.)
adventurous composition and production. Sister Wife then brings the noise, with If Sister Wife cant yet pull off its digres-
The alchemy of their nimble musicianship and Dirty Finger Nails starting a stretch of five sions with the same seemingly effortless
interplay requires little augmentation. vibrant, varied, and dynamic songs of largely skill of its unapologetic rockers, that doesnt
Our rule is: If it feels right, keep it, undiluted guitar rock. Most bands would diminish the substantial achievement of Trap
Carothers said. Dont think about it about be proud to have one of these as a calling House. The record was a winter project If
too hard, dont try too hard. card; Sister Wife unleashes them in a lethal, we got this far on these two home demos,
Hes selling himself short. In a live setting, unrelenting combo. At any moment, I might what would happen if we tried it again with
Trap House regularly requires the singer/ be most attracted to the chug and ecstatic 10 songs? Carothers said and people can
guitarist to perform multiple guitar and vocal highs of Dirty Finger Nails, or the shapely, pay whatever they want for the album on
lines simultaneously. While the technical Americana-tinged giddy-up of Shelter, or the Bandcamp.
challenges of that are self-evident, on record Morse-code pulses and escalating cacophony Really, what we want to do is get in
everything still feels organic and natural. The of Mail Order Bride, or the sleek slink of front of as many people as we possibly can,
bands Daytrotter session released the same 1,000 Years, or the sonic layers of Paper. Ashegiri said.
day as its album is a truer representation After that, the album begins to lose steam
of the live approach, and whats sacrificed in as the band gets more experimental, from Sister Wifes Trap House is available at
fullness of sound is more than made up for buried, unintelligible vocals on Pity the SisterWifeBand.Bandcamp.com.
 6 River Cities Reader Vol. 24 No. 933 April 27 - May 10, 2017
THEATRE
Middle School: The Worst
(and Best) Years of His Life
Big Nate: The Musical, running at the Circa 21 Dinner Playhouse through May 13
H
aving been a librarian at elementary
and middle schools, one might think
my most challenging students were the
middle-schoolers. Not so! My fears arose
before visits from the littler kids, as I, alone,
would have to keep them quiet and attentive
for 40 minutes. (Ever herded kittens?) So when
I attended April 20s Big Nate: The Musical
at the Circa 21 Dinner Playhouse and saw
school buses unloading first- and second-
graders, kindergarteners, and preschoolers, I
thought, This will be interesting! especially
since the Big Nate books are for readers 8 to 12
years old. I wondered if the story would hold
the attention of this young an audience and
happily, the answer was Yes!
Based on the comic strip and hugely popu-
lar childrens books by Lincoln Pierce, Big
Nate: The Musical finds Nate Wright a wise-
cracking sixth-grader whose life is one disas-
ter after another involving unrequited love,
bullies, an annoying older sister, homework,
and other stuff that could befall a rebellious
underachiever. Director/choreographer Brad
Hauskins and his Circa 21 crew, meanwhile,
bring this beloved character to life with
enthusiasm and fun.
Written by Pierce and Jason Loewith,
with music and lyrics by Loewith and Chris
Youstra, this 70-minute musical features
such catchy songs as Love Is a Four-Letter
Word and Year-Old Cheese Doodles Are
Better than Love, and the opening number
shows Nate having a nightmare that all his
teachers are giving him detention which
isnt too far from reality. Having amassed 22
detentions, Nate must not get another three
over the next week or his band Enslave the
Mollusk will be unable to compete in the
Battle of the Bands. Nik Kmiecik, as Nate,
has energy, musicality, charm, and likability,
and he, Chris Galvn, and Derrick Bertram
the latter playing Nates best friends Teddy
Ortiz and Francis Butthurst Pope shared a
stage chemistry that depicted true friendship
among 11-year-olds with trust, support, and
an occasional wedgie. All three actors were
totally believable as middle-schoolers, even
while flawlessly singing and dancing.
Helping achieve Big Nates middle-school
look was costume designer Gregory Hiatt,
who dressed the cast in outfits with a colorful,
comic-book punch. Designer Clay Beckers
set, meanwhile, boasted different levels, back-
drops, and school-room scenery and props
that allowed the audience to follow Nate
as he went back and forth between home,
school, garage, and band-battle stage. An area
By Victoria Navarro
with lockers, a blackboard, and a basketball
backboard where most of the action takes
place also adds to the middle-school feel,
and is where we meet Mrs. Godfrey, Nates
dreaded teacher. Realistically played by Anna
Segatti, she just wants Nate to do his work,
but in Nates eyes, shes Queen Kong (one of
his many names for her).
Segatti also does well in the minor role of
Nates perfect sister Ellen, and another dou-
ble-cast actor is Brett Mutter, who was at his
best playing Nates clueless yet caring father
Marty. (His solo reminiscing about when he
was young was strong and insightful.) Mut-
ters other role was as exchange student Artur
Pashkov, who has not quite mastered English
and says things such as Seeing you laters.
The performers Russian accent made some
of his lines hard to understand, but there
was no language barrier in understanding
that he was Nates rival for the affections of
love interest Jenny, portayed by a sweet and
understated Erika Peckhardt.
In contrast to Peckhardts sweetness was
Brooke Schellys depiction of brown-nosing
teachers pet Gina Hemphill-Toms. As Nates
arch-nemesis, Schelly played her part with
just the right amount of Mean Girl for April
20s young audience, and when Gina chal-
lenged Nate in the Battle of the Bands with
her own band Rainbows & Ponies, she sang
her pop tune with great spunk (and, true to
character, gave no credit to her two band-
mates). My personal favorite band was The
Galvinators, who were dressed in lab coats
and goggles while rapping science terms
accompanied by accordion, wood sticks, and
some kind of raspy percussion. But when
Kmiecik, Galvn, and Bertram hit the stage
as Enslave the Mollusk with their song Rock
Star, the kids in the crowd started clapping
and bobbing in their seats.
With its message of a flawed hero trying
to understand life while never giving up his
dream, the delightful family show Big Nate:
The Musical would likely appeal to almost
any age. After the performance, I asked a
preschooler which part was her favorite,
and she said, I loved it all! Another said,
emphatically, Im gonna be a rock star!
Nuff said.
Big Nate: The Musical runs at the Circa
21 Dinner Playhouse (1828 Third Avenue,
Rock Island) through May 13, and more
information and tickets are available by
calling (309)786-7733 extension 2 or visiting
Circa21.com.
Business Politics Arts Culture Now You Know RiverCitiesReader.com
TCH IT
WA
Schulzs Review of
the Latest Movies On Demand
HIDDEN FIGURES
Theodore Melfis wonderfully
assured space-race drama scores
its biggest points through
simplicity and sincerity, and what
results is a rousing, legitimately
inspiring crowd-pleaser
showcasing a trio of leads with
dazzling chemistry. (Same day as
DVD.)
LA LA LAND
Given the colors, music, and
radiant affection shared by Ryan
Gosling and Emma Stone, Damien
Chazelles tale of Hollywood
hopefuls is such a breathtaking
visual and aural marvel that you
feel as if both it and you might just
explode from happiness.
(Same day as DVD.)
SPLIT
The latest creep-out by M. Night
Shymalan, perhaps his finest yet, is
a scary, funny, nerve-racking
experience with emotional heft,
and it boasts no fewer than three
outstanding performances many
more if you include all of star James
McAvoys personalities.
(Same day as DVD.)
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Business Politics Arts Culture Now You Know RiverCitiesReader.com River Cities Reader Vol. 24 No. 933 April 27 - May 10, 2017 7

Movie Reviews By Mike Schulz mike@rcreader.com

Welcome to the Jungles sunset is to-die-for gorgeous. Screenwriter

Tom Flynn, meanwhile, provides conversa-
tion as frequently hilarious as it truthful, with
Im not sure any number of words would,
as this recounting of British explorer Percy
Fawcetts early-20th Century treks through

F riday, April 21, 10

a.m.-ish: Its another
movie morning with my
Duncans haughty grandma savoring the juic-
iest morsels whether demeaning her newly
ranch-dwelling husband as The Man Who
Amazonian jungles is so visually and aurally
ravishing that my urge to describe it is nothing
compared to my urge to arrange shuttle buses
favorite two-year-old (and Shot Liberty Mutual or sighing with disdain corralling viewers into seeing it. Easily a career
her dad), but truth be told at Mary growing up watching sitcoms and peak for the peak-overdue James Gray, this
she doesnt seem much into saying irregardless. Gifted has its problems. deeply humane and affecting saga finds its
Disneynatures Born in I fell for it irregardless. writer/director typically sublime with actors.
China. Maybe this is due to 1:35 p.m.-ish: Even though the film proves Charlie Hunnam is exhilarating, and ages
the relatively sophisticated in no way exciting or engaging, director masterfully, as the obsessive, complexly drawn
dialogue, as our charming Denise Di Novis Single White Female knock- Fawcett, and there are magnificent spotlight
narrator John Krasinski off Unforgettable is a few other things: a rare turns by Sienna Miller, Angus Macfadyen,
employs words such as inter- Charlie Hunnam in The Lost City of Z big-screen showcase for the great Rosario Tom Holland, and no kidding Robert Pat-
lopers and says things such as Dawson; a persuasive argument against tinson. (Playing Fawcetts scraggly right-hand
The duality of opposing figures exists every- 11:15-ish: Whether a seven-year-old math leaving your iPhone unattended; a detailed man Henry Costin, the Twilight star is moving
where in nature. But I prefer to think that genius (Mckenna Graces Mary) belongs in instructional on the fine art of catfish-ing. and funny, scoring an empathetic laugh in
my young friend is just mighty sophisticated public or private school, and whether shed be It might also be just what Katherine Heigls his subtle double-take when Fawcett accepts
herself, and realizes that if director Chuan better cared for by her loving, hardscrabble career doctor ordered, because the performer an invitation to a cannibal-hosted dinner.)
Lus edu-doc was going to be this cartoonish, uncle (Chris Evans) or rich, brittle grand- is so creepily convincing, and such fun, as a The Lost City of Z, however, tops even Grays
it probably shouldve just been animated from mother (Lindsay Duncan), are the central porcelain-skinned psychopath that, for 100 2014 The Immigrant for period veracity. With
the start. questions in director Marc Webbs child- minutes, I wholly forgot about those myriad the 1905-to-25 production/costume design
Lus exquisitely shot outing does boast some custody melodrama Gifted. By its finale, drippy rom-coms that killed off our collec- unerringly fine, Darius Khondjis mist-laden
tension, especially when following the snow though, Im left with other questions. Why tive interest in her. With Dawson romancing cinematography is particularly astounding,
leopard whose early face-off against a feline isnt Evans this wonderful more often? Why Heigls ex-husband (Geoff Stults, resembling a and the jungle sequences replete with bats,
rival is as nerve-racking as her later attempt to dont we get the marvelous Duncan in more protein-shaked Peter Krause), and Heigl inch- snakes, piranha, and terrifying bamboo-
feed her starving cubs by stealing a baby yak movies? Why cant co-stars Jenny Slate and ing ever closer to burning-bunnies-on-the- arrow attacks are so fantastically credible
from its mother. (Who to root for in that sce- Octavia Spencer be in every movie? And how stove mode, Unforgettable barely rises above you may find yourself routinely fighting the
nario?!) Otherwise, Born in Chinas blend of did everyone involved so successfully scrape the risibility of those erotic thrillers Jennifer impulse to swat mosquitoes. Epic in scope yet
awe and Aw-w-w! continues Disneynatures the corn off material this manipulative? Lopez used to annually foist on us. But devastatingly acute in effect, Grays latest is a
unfortunate tradition of so baldly scripting Admittedly, the results arent wholly free of crummy though it is, at least the stars seem to stunner. The jungle is hell, remarks Costin,
reality and anthropomorphizing its critters maudlin excesses. Although Grace appears be having a ball, especially during the insane but one rather likes it. Actually, one rather
that you half-expect them to talk and sing. to be a Fanning-level talent, Webb too often finale that finds the knife-wielding Heigl clad loves it.
And while the darting antelope and somer- presents her teary-eyed misery in pushy in what looks like a Snuggie made of expensive 6-ish: Off to rehearsal for a play about a kid
saulting panda mightve been more entertain- closeups, and numerous scenes particu- bedsheets. And audiences of a certain age who refused to grow up and a pack of parent-
ing if pixelated, I know the monkey subplot larly the frantic race to an animal shelter to my age cant help but delight in the perfect less Lost Boys. Sorry, Disney. Not a monkey
wouldve, considering its eyebrow-raising save a one-eyed cat (!) feel uncomfortably casting of Heigls tightly wound mom, enacted among us.
similarity to a Disney-animation classic about contrived. But beyond his topnotch work with by a timelessly beautiful Cheryl Ladd. Good
a kid who refused to grow up and, as identified the actors, Webb brings tender melancholy to morning, angel! For reviews of The Fate of the Furious,
here, a pack of parent-less Lost Boys. With both to the overall mood and south-Florida 3:25-ish: My remaining wordage doesnt The Promise, Free Fire, Phoenix For-
interlopers and duality in the script, how setting; a silhouetted shot of Grace and Evans feel appropriate for the quadruple-feature- gotten, and other current releases, visit
did cross-promotion not make the cut? discussing God against an orange sky at ending experience of The Lost City of Z. But RiverCitiesReader.com.
8 River Cities Reader Vol. 24 No. 933 April 27 - May 10, 2017 Business Politics Arts Culture Now You Know RiverCitiesReader.com

Whats Happenin
Theatre is currently directing for New Ground
Theatre because by weighty, were talk-
Elephants Graveyard ing several figurative tons.
The play is based on the true story of the
Village Theatre only known lynching of an elephant says
Friday, May 5, through Sunday, May 14 Balogun of author George Brants Elephants
Graveyard, running at New Grounds Vil-

A s an actor in the colleges theatre

department, Augustana senior Debo
Balogun has triumphed with a number of
demanding assignments: the title role in
last falls Othello; the stylized performance
technique required for Sophie Treadwells
Machinal; the famed All the worlds a stage
soliloquy in Shakespeares As You Like It.
But the Chicago natives weightiest chal-
lenge to date might lie in the drama Balogun
lage Theatre May 5 through 14. It was back
in 1916 in a town in Tennessee called Erwin.
There was this big circus called Sparks
World Famous Shows, and before the actual
circus show, they would have a parade on
one of the main streets in town. But the
circus had an elephant trainer who was
very inexperienced it was only his second
or third day on the job and they assigned
him to handle Mary, who was basically the

Literature
find performances of any kind salons and things like that,
all scattered around the downtown area. But ours is just the
three legs kind of a beta test, to see how it goes.
Rock Town Lit Fest With the scheduled writers and readers including such
Midwest Writing Center well-established area talents as Misty Urban, Sean Whit-
Friday, May 5, and Saturday, May 6 ney, and Farah Maklevits, May 5s Rock Town Lit Crawl
will begin at the Midwest Writing Center at 6 p.m., and

H eres a riddle for ya: What has three legs, dozens of voices,
and only one eye? Answer: The Rock Town Lit Fest!
Permit me to explain. The legs are the three stops in
the inaugural events May 5 literary crawl. The voices will
be those of the many local and regional writers, publish-
ers, and even musicians participating in this May 5 and 6
celebration of the written word.
And the eye? Well, its actually the i. The only one
found in the phrase Rock Town Lit Fest. Trust me, that
riddle works better out loud ... though admittedly, not
much better ... . So maybe the Midwest Writing Center
Executive Director Ryan Collins should do the explaining
from here on out.
When we moved into the library, says Collins of his
organizations fall relocation to its current home in down-
town Rock Island, we were talking about the possibility of
doing some kind of new event that would showcase local
writers and local publishers, and something that would
maybe coincide with some other event happening in the
District. And while weve done things similar to this before
weve had book fairs, we have readings a lot weve never
done anything quite like this.
The this that Collins and his associates decided on
was a two-day festival, one beginning the same day as
Rock Islands Gallery Hop!, that would incorporate a
number of different literary-themed events: readings,
panel discussions, a book fair, and for the first time in the
Quad Cities a traveling Lit Crawl modeled after those
presented in Iowa Citys annual Mission Creek Festival.
(The River Cities Reader is one of the Rock Town Lit Fests
co-sponsors.)
Ive read for Mission Creek, like, three years in a row,
says Collins, and its always a good time. Some legs of their
crawl are in venues where you maybe wouldnt expect to
although there are more poets than anything else, says
Collins, weve also got some fiction and nonfiction writers
kind of sprinkled throughout the night.
Were gonna start with four or five readers on the
ground floor of the library, he continues, and then four
readers at the second leg at the Blue Cat [Brew Pub], and at
least five readers when we end up at Rozz-Tox at 8 oclock.
The first two legs will go on about 45 minutes so people
have time to mosey down to the next spot at a leisurely
pace. But we might go on a bit longer at Rozz-Tox. Thats
where Benjamin [Fawks] is putting together an after-
party with live music by the twisted country artists of
Dimples. And thats also where weve got our headliner
reading a woman named Tara Betts.
Betts (pictured) is the author of two full-length poetry
collections and is a two-time Chicago representative at the
National Poetry Slam competitions. Were really excited to
have her here for this, Collins says. Shes been around the
Chicago scene for a long time and is widely anthologized,
and was even on [HBOs] Def Poetry Jam back in the day.
Shes one of those people whos contributed a lot to the
scene and just had a book called Break the Habit released
from Trio House Press, and weve been trying to get her for
a while. So with her book coming out, it seemed like a good
fit. Shes amazing.
As for the literary amazement on May 6, it comes with
the commingling of what Collins says is about two dozen
authors and about a half-dozen magazine publishers who
will gather for the Rock Town Lit Fest & Book Fair at the
Midwest Writing Center and the upper floors of the Rock
Island library.
Its from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., says Collins, and while its gets to another level.
definitely local-centric, weve got a couple people coming
from Chicago, someone from Des Moines, Iowa City,
Decorah, Cedar Rapids ... . There are hour-long readings at
11, 1, and 3. The first one is kind of a mix of fiction and non-
fiction readings, and the one at 1 features younger writers
from some of our youth programs, like the Atlas magazine
we publish, and hopefully contributors to Augustanas
Saga and the St. Ambrose journal Quercus. And then at
three, weve got a featured reading with people that are in
an anthology called New Stories from the Midwest 2016,
including editor Jason Lee Brown and contributors Keith
Lesmeister winner of the Midwest Writing Centers 2015
Great River Writers Retreat competition and Augustana
College professor Kelly Daniels.
And then throughout the day, says Collins, were
gonna have panel discussions on Writing & Place at 10,
Writing as a Healing Process at noon, and Writers on
Reading at 2. Its a lot going on, for sure. But its really excit-
ing. And if we have a good response, hopefully we can build
on it, and make it a regular thing.
I know its easy to get wrapped up in the New York
Times bestsellers and things like that, says Collins. But
theres a lot of writing of all kinds going on in the Quad
Cities, and by people of all different ages and walks of life.
Every New York Times bestseller was probably a writer in
their hometown before they got to that point. So this is an
opportunity to maybe see some talent on the rise before it
For more information on the Rock Town Lit Fest, call
(309)732-7330 or visit MWCQC.org.
Business Politics Arts Culture Now You Know RiverCitiesReader.com
circus biggest attraction. And Mary was
this big elephant.
So this inexperienced guy was riding
Mary, and he started mistreating her in
a way that caused her to lash out at him
and that resulted in him being killed
by Mary. This happened in front of the
entire town. And they were angry, and
scared, and demanded justice. And that
justice was achieved by the town hanging
Mary using a chain and crane system at a
nearby railroad.
Balogun knows what youre thinking.
Obviously, this is a very dark show, he says
with a chuckle. Theres no getting around
that at all. But Elephants Graveyard
described by the Times of London as the most
striking production and South Carolinas
Columbia City Paper as a theatrical master-
piece is a work that Balogun has adored
ever since he made his acting debut in a high-
school production of Brants 2007 work.
Ive always been attracted to plays that
deal with these universal concepts of what it
means to be human, says Balogun. Love,
loss, et cetera. No matter where we come
from or what our backgrounds are, these
attributes kind of unify us as a human
front. And Elephants Graveyard speaks
on a universally human element that has
the potential to be very catastrophic if left
unchecked, where people can be very much
consumed by propagated fear propagated
anger and hatred toward things they dont
necessarily understand. Which inevitably
leads to very awful things happening, like
the hanging of Mary although the plays
message is certainly very timely considering
the state of affairs in todays America.
Elephants Graveyard, says Balogun, is
essentially a very present/past way of story-
telling. Its all monologues except for a few
interactions, and the story told as if its hap-
pening in real time, right now, in front of the
characters. But while this theatrical conceit
may seem a simple one, the production itself
with its 15 characters, period costumes,
and live music is anything but.
Initially, I wanted to produce the show as
part of Augustanas inaugural season at the
Brunner Theatre Center, Balogun says. But
because of the size and the requirements
of the show, it was deemed to be a little
too ambitious for the resources we had at
hand. It would have had to go up in the new
Black Box Theatre, which would have been
too small a space to make it work. So I was
encouraged to find other ways of producing
it, and that and my own passion and drive
for the project kind of pushed me toward
starting a GoFundMe campaign.
Consequently, last summer, Balogun
and several friends initiated The Elephant
Project, designed to raise $2,500 for a 2017
staging of Elephants Graveyard. I knew
that we would need some type of budget to
make this work, says Balogun, what with
there being two musicians on-stage, and a
huge part of the cast being circus characters
with very specific costumes, and buying
the rights to the show, and renting a space,
et cetera, et cetera.
The space came through New Grounds
artistic director Chris Jansen. I think the
show fit in with New Grounds mission of
doing contemporary pieces, says Balogun,
as well as reaching out to younger theatre
artists in the area, so I guess that prompted
her and the New Ground board to be accept-
ing of this project as part of their season.
And with The Elephant Project garnering
more than 600 followers through Facebook,
Instagram, and Twitter, Balogun and his
team eventually racked up about $2,300
through GoFundMe although after a
series of in-person donations, were now
closer to $3,000. Im very happy with that.
Hes also clearly happy with his crew
that includes technical directors Emma
Brutman and Amanda Caputi, and his cast
that boasts such Augie-theatre students and
alumni as Elise Campbell, Aubrey Lyon,
Joshua Malone, Emily Mason, Maddie
McCobb, and Tristan Odenkirk.
This is the first full-length show that Ill
be directing, says Balogun, and I started off
very intimidated. But Ive had almost a year
to kind of get myself ready to get in the right
mind space and solidify my concept and I
think thats helped a lot with kind of easing
out any road bumps that may have come
along toward the beginning, when I was still
trying to establish a good environment for
the actors. As of right now, six or seven weeks
into the rehearsal process, things are look-
ing very good, and Im really excited for the
finished product to be up and running.
And opening just two weeks before the
official closing of the Greatest Show on
Earth, no less.
Right?! says Balogun of the timing.
Believe me: I did not plan on that at all.
Elephants Graveyard runs at Davenports
Village Theatre (2113 East 11th Street) Fri-
days and Saturdays at 7:30 p.m. and Sundays
at 2 p.m., and tickets and more information
are available by calling (563)326-7529 or
visiting NewGroundTheatre.org.
River Cities Reader Vol. 24 No. 933 April 27 - May 10, 2017 9
By Mike Schulz
mike@rcreader.com
What Else Is Happenin
MUSIC
Thursday, April 27 United States Navy
Band Sea Chanters. Touring vocal ensemble
performs traditional choral music, sea
chanteys, patriotic fare, opera, Broadway show
tunes, and more. Bettendorf High School
Performing Arts Center (3333 18th Street,
Bettendorf). 7 p.m. Free. For information, call
(563332-7001 or visit NavyBand.Navy.mil.
Thursday, April 27 Johnny A. Rock,
jazz, and blues guitarist/songwriter John
Antonopoulos in concert, with an opening
set by Charlie Hayes & Detroit Larry.
The Redstone Room (129 Main Street,
Davenport). 7:30 p.m. $16.75-17. For tickets
and information, call (563)326-1333 or visit
RiverMusicExperience.org.
Friday, April 28 Angaleena Presley.
Country-music singer/songwriter and
member of the country trio Pistol Annies in
concert, with an opening set by Angela Meyer.
Daytrotter (324 Brady Street, Davenport). 8
p.m. $8-12. For tickets and information, call
(563)293-3240 or visit Daytrotter.com.
Friday, April 28 The Steepwater Angaleena Presley @ Daytrotter - April 28
Band and Minus Six. Concert with
direction of QCSO Conductor Mark Russell
the co-headliners and area rockers.
The Redstone Room (129 Main Street, Smith. Davenport RiverCenter (136 East Third
Davenport). 8 p.m. $9.50-12. For tickets Street, Davenport). 6 p.m. $20-25 registration,
and information, call (563)326-1333 or visit observers free, with space available on a first-
RiverMusicExperience.org. come, first-served basis. For information, call
(563)322-7276 or visit QCSO.org.
Saturday, April 29 Quad City Symphony
Orchestra Family Music Carnival. A Sunday, April 30 Scott H. Biram. Texas-
celebration of music and art featuring based blues, punk, country, and heavy-metal
performances by area musicians, childrens musician in concert, with an opening set by
activities, and more. Davenport RiverCenter Jack Greele. Rock Island Brewing Company
(136 East Third Street, Davenport). 10 a.m.-5 (1815 Second Avenue, Rock Island). 7 p.m. $13.
For information, call (309)793-1999 or visit
p.m. Free. For information, call (563)322-7276
or visit QCSO.org. RIBCO.com.
Saturday, April 29 Quad City Symphony Wednesday, May 3 Richie Kotzen Band.
Orchestra Family Concert: Dr. Seuss! Concert Concert with the rock singer/songwriter/
presentation of the authors The Sneetches and guitarist and member of the super-group
Green Eggs & Ham, conducted by Benjamin The Winery Dogs. Rascals Live (1414 15th
Street, Moline). 7:30 p.m. $20-35. For tickets
Klemme and featuring actors Michael
Boudewyns and Kimberly Schroeder. Adler and information, call (309)797-9457 or visit
Theatre (136 East Third Street, Davenport). 2:30 RascalsLive.com.
p.m. $3-20. For tickets and information, call Thursday, May 4 Ceschi Ramos.
(563)322-7276 or visit QCSO.org. Connecticut-based singer/rapper in concert,
Saturday, April 29 Old Shoe. Chicago- featuring opening sets by Serengeti, Chisme,
Sister Haus Eviction Notice, Sons of Mars,
based five-piece Americana and roots-rock
musicians in concert, with an opening set by and A. Barb. Daytrotter (324 Brady Street,
The Dawn. The Redstone Room (129 Main Davenport). 7 p.m. $8.50-10. For tickets
Street, Davenport). 9 p.m. $11.50-12. For tickets and information, call (563)293-3240 or visit
and information, call (563)326-1333 or visit Daytrotter.com.
Friday, May 5 The Jimmys. Concert
RiverMusicExperience.org.
Sunday, April 30 Side-by-Side Concert. with horn-based blues musicians, featuring
Event featuring more than 150 musicians an opening set by The Mercury Brothers.
from the Quad City Symphony Orchestra The Redstone Room (129 Main Street,
and Quad City Symphony Youth Ensembles Davenport). 8 p.m. $9.50-10. For tickets
playing together under the direction of QCSO and information, call (563)326-1333 or visit
RiverMusicExperience.org.
Conductor Mark Russell Smith. Adler Theatre
(136 East Third Street, Davenport). 3 p.m. $5- Friday, May 5 Weedeater. North
20. For tickets and information, call (563)322- Carolina-based rock and metal musicians in
7276 or visit QCSO.org. concert, featuring opening sets by Aseethe
Sunday, April 30 Community-Wide and No Funeral. Rock Island Brewing Company
Side-by-Side. Area musicians and members (1815 Second Avenue, Rock Island). 9 p.m. $13.
of the Quad City Symphony Orchestra perform
Tchaikovskys 1812 Overture under the Continued On Page 10
10 River Cities Reader Vol. 24 No. 933 April 27 - May 10, 2017
Continued From Page 9
What Else Is Happenin
For information, call (309)793-1999 or visit
RIBCO.com.
Friday, May 5 Beach Slang. Concert
with the punk-rock band from Philadelphia,
featuring opening sets by Harsh Times and
Starry Nights. Daytrotter (324 Brady Street,
Davenport). 8 p.m. $12-15. For tickets and
information, call (563)293-3240 or visit
Daytrotter.com.
THEATRE
Thursday, April 27, through Sunday,
April 30 The Good Doctor. Neil Simons
Broadway comedy of vignettes inspired by the
works of Anton Chekhov, directed by Kevin
Babbitt. Scott Community Colleges Black
Box Theatre (Room 228 through Door 2, 500
Belmont Road, Bettendorf). Thursday through
Saturday 7:30 p.m., Sunday 2:30 p.m. $8 at the
door. For information, call (563)441-4339 or
visit Facebook.com/ScottTheatre.
Friday, April 28, through Sunday, May
7 Titanic. Maury Yestons and Peter Stones
Tony-winning musical set aboard the doomed
oceanliner, directed by Erin Platt. Augustana
Colleges Brunner Theatre Center (3750
Seventh Avenue, Rock Island). Friday and
Saturday 7:30 p.m., Sunday 1:30 p.m. $8-14. For
tickets and information, call (309)794-7306 or
visit Augustana.edu/arts.
Friday, April 28, through Saturday, May
6 Beauty & the Beast Jr. Student version
of the Tony-winning fairytale musical based
on Disneys animated film, directed by Dino
and Tina Hayz. The Center for Living Arts
(2008 Fourth Avenue, Rock Island). Friday and
Saturday 7 p.m., Sunday 2 p.m., May 6 at 2
p.m. $12.50. For tickets and information, call
(563)940-1956 or visit CenterForLivingArts.org.
Saturday, April 29, through Sunday, May
7 Merlin & King Arthur. Student-performed
adventure comedy about the Knights of the
Round Table, written and directed by Aaron
Randolph III. Davenport Junior Theatre (2822
Eastern Avenue, Davenport). Saturday 1
and 4 p.m., Sunday 2 p.m. $6-8 at the door.
For information, call (563)326-7862 or visit
DavenportJuniorTheatre.com.
Friday, May 5, through Sunday, May
14 Pump Boys & Dinettes. Tony-nominated
musical comedy about rural waitresses and
diner patrons, directed by Courtney Crouse.
Timber Lake Playhouse (8215 Black Oak Road,
Mt. Carroll). Friday and Saturday 7:30 p.m.,
Saturday and Sunday 2 p.m. $17-25. For tickets
and information, call (815)244-2035 or visit
TimberLakePlayhouse.org.
Tuesday, May 9, through Friday, May
12 Charlottes Web. Joseph Robinettes
stage adaptation of E.B. Whites childrens
book. Timber Lake Playhouse (8215 Black
Oak Road, Mt. Carroll). 10 a.m. and 1 p.m.
$6, with a complimentary chaperone
ticket for every 10 students. For tickets
and information, call (815)244-2035 or visit
TimberLakePlayhouse.org.
DANCE
Saturday, April 29 UNYK Multicultural
Dance. Performance by Augustanas
ensemble featuring dances from numerous
genres and cultures. Augustana Colleges
Centennial Hall (3703 Seventh Avenue, Rock
Island). 8 p.m. For tickets and information, call
(309)794-7306 or visit Augustana.edu/arts.
LITERATURE
Thursday, April 27 SPECTRA: Natalie
Eilbert and Derrick Austin. The Midwest
Writing Center co-presents readings by the
poets and Ron Wallace Poetry Fellows at the
Wisconsin Institute of Creative Writing. Rozz-
Tox (2108 Third Avenue, Rock Island). 8 p.m.
Free. For information, call (309)732-7330 or
visit MWCQC.org or RozzTox.com.
VISUAL ARTS
Thursday, April 27, through Monday,
May 22 Mark Cook: Emotional States.
Exhibit of paintings by the Rock Island native.
Bereskin Fine Art Gallery & Studio (Suites 102
and 104, 225 East Second Street, Davenport).
Wednesday through Saturday 11 a.m.-6 p.m.
Free. For information, call (563)508-4630 or
visit BereskinArtGallery.com.
Friday, May 5 Gallery Hop! Midcoast
Fine Arts co-sponsors demonstrations,
performances, works for sale, and more
with local artists at a variety of venues in
the District of Rock Island. 6-10 p.m. Free.
For information, call (563)424-1210 or visit
Midcoast.org.
Saturday, May 6 Village in Bloom Arts
Festival. Fifth-annual event honoring John
and Isabel Bloom, featuring art exhibits, live
music, childrens art activities, and more.
Village of East Davenport. 10 a.m. Free. For
information, visit VillageInBloom.org.
Sunday, May 7 girlpARTs fest2.
Fundraiser for the NormaLeah Ovarian
Cancer Initiative featuring an artist market,
a silent auction, food, and concert sets by
Milltown, Earth Ascending, and Wicked Liz &
the Bellyswirls. The Redstone Room (129 Main
Street, Davenport). 1 p.m. $10-15. For tickets
and information, call (309)794-0009 or visit
NormaLeah.org.
EVENTS
Friday, April 28 Fish & Fire Friendraiser
and Fundraiser. River Action hosts its 15th-
annual event featuring a 5:30 p.m. social hour,
silent auction, and cash bar with music on the
sky deck, and a 7 p.m. catfish dinner followed
by the presentation of the 18th Annual Eddy
Awards. Modern Woodmen Park (209 South
Gaines Street, Davenport). $12-45, For tickets
and information, call (563)322-2969 or visit
RiverAction.org.
Saturday, May 6, and Sunday, May 7
Monster Jam. Touring event with monster-
truck sensations including Grave Digger,
Max-D, and many more. iWirelessCenter (1201
River Drive, Moline). Saturday 2 and 7:30 p.m.
Sunday 2 p.m. $13-50. For tickets, call (800)745-
3000 or visit iWirelessCenter.com.
Saturday, May 6 Tour de Brew QC. A
National Bike Month celebration with stops at
eight area pubs during the days 35-mile bike
ride. Starting at Rock Island Brewing Company
(1815 Second Avenue, Rock Island). 10 a.m.
$30-40 registration. For information, visit
QCTourDeBrew.com.
Business Politics Arts Culture Now You Know RiverCitiesReader.com
THEATRE
The Mansion Family
Out of Sight, Out of Murder, at the Richmond Hill Barn Theatre through April 30
A
s the clock approached 7:30 p.m. on a
refreshingly cool and clear mid-April
Saturday, the old barn beckoned like a
silent sentinel as my wife and I wove our way
up the meandering hill. While approaching
the main entrance, the imposing presence
at the ticket window asked quietly, eerily, if
we had reservations. We said we did, and he
motioned for us to climb the stairs leading to
the loft. I swallowed hard and took my time,
stretching out each step knowing that I was
ascending ever closer into the darkness, the
unknown, and into a night of murder. Bwa-a-
a-a-h Ha-a-a-a-ha-a-a-a-ha-a-a-a-a-a!!!
Whoa that may be a little too dramatic.
But it did kind of fit the mood as we made our
way into the Richmond Hill Barn Theatre for
its 49th-season opener: Out of Sight, Out of sing-songy pitch pattern that detracted from an
Murder. When attending a murder-mystery
such as this play, oftentimes one may have a
pretty good sense of whats going to happen.
Usually, early in the story, someone is killed,
with everyone asking Whodunit? Generally,
theres a rogues gallery of potential suspects
such as a young female ingnue, a young heroic
male, a brusque old spinster, a lawyer, a maid,
a middle-aged gold digger, and, of course,
a butler.
However, Out of Sight, Out of Murders
playwright, Fred Carmichael, takes a comedic
and interesting twist to the genre by introduc-
ing the storys author as a central character in
the plot. Enter novelist Peter Knight (Nicholas
Waldbusser), who, in the mid-1970s, is ham-
mering out his own murder-mystery novel in
an old Vermont mansion in which another
author was murdered years earlier. During
a freak thunderstorm, though, his novels
potential characters inexplicably materialize
in the mansion. Shortly after each characters
introduction, one of them is murdered, and
then another, and then another . Or is it all
in Peters head?
Peter serves much like a referee as each
character is introduced into the story, and
Walderbusser, in a 70s-styled wig, does a fine
job playing the novelist without too much
over-the-top flash. It would have been nice to
see him push the characters emotional limits
a little more, but his consistency as the storys
straight man was on-target throughout
the performance.
Director John Donald OShea has assembled
an appropriately stereotype-ready cast to fulfill
each Out of Sight character. Joe LoGiudice,
as the mysterious butler Cogburn, was quite
good with his proper dialect and dry one-
liners, playing the servant as if he were more
intelligent than anyone else in the story. (Or in
the theatre, for that matter.) As female ingnue
By Jeff Ashcraft
Stacy Herrick, Nicholas Waldbusser,
and Jackie Skiles
Kay, Elizabeth Buzard had a sweet earnestness
that was a strong fit for her part, although she
did struggle as did a couple of others with a
otherwise solid performance. As the gold-dig-
ging Lydia Dillingham, Stacy Herrick portrayed
her role with a great amount of class, rather
than enacting a money-grubbing parasite. And
my favorite performance was Jackie Skiles as
the old spinster Fiona Babcock. From the first
moment Skiles stepped on-stage, the shows
energy and pace were elevated, and her comedic
timing and melodramatic facial expressions
were a much-needed delight.
Carmichaels script, in truth, is plodding
and wordy. With the show clocking in at
approximately two hours and 15 minutes (not
including intermission), the author clearly
could have used a judicious editor. However,
the way Carmichael acquaints the audience
with the background of each character is very
clever and often very funny, and in Richmond
Hills production, I couldnt help but notice
the perfectly timed sound effects that were
also at near-perfect volume, with the choices
for pre-show and intermission music equally
splendid. Cheers to Jennifer Kingry for the
excellent sound design, and a most appropri-
ate lighting plot as well. Kudos also to Terri
Nelson, whose costuming efforts went a long
way in helping establish the clichd aspects of
each murder suspect.
Out of Sight, Out of Murder may not have
the sophistication of an Agatha Christie story
or the creepiness of an Edgar Allan Poe tale,
but it does have plenty of laughs, and its a lot
of fun to see behind the faade of the genres
stereotypical murder-mystery characters.
Out of Sight, Out of Murder runs at the
Richmond Hill Barn Theatre through April
30, and more information and tickets are
available by calling (309)944-2244 or visiting
RHPlayers.com.
Business Politics Arts Culture Now You Know RiverCitiesReader.com
For reviews of current releases,
visit RiverCitiesReader.com
And follow Mike on Twitter at
Twitter.com/MikeSchulzNow
April 13 Crossword Answers
FREE WILL ASTROLOGY
ARIES (March 21-April 19): I have
misgivings when I witness bears riding
bicycles or tigers dancing on their hind
legs or Aries people wielding diplomatic phrases
and making careful compromises at committee
meetings. While I am impressed by the disciplined
expression of primal power, I worry for the soul of
the creature that is behaving with such civilized
restraint. So heres my advice for you in the
coming weeks: Take advantage of opportunities to
make deals and forge win-win situations. But also
keep a part of your fiery heart untamed. Dont let
people think theyve got you all figured out.
TAURUS (April 20-May 20): One of
the advantages of being disorderly, said
author A.A. Milne, is that one is
constantly making exciting discoveries. I
wouldnt normally offer this idea as advice to a
methodical dynamo like you. But my interpreta-
tion of the astrological omens compels me to
override my personal theories about what you
need. I must suggest that you consider experi-
menting with jaunty, rambunctious behavior in
the coming days, even if it generates some
disorder. The potential reward? Exciting
discoveries, of course.
GEMINI (May 21-June 20): According
to my reading of the astrological omens,
its time for you to take a break from the
magic you have been weaving since your birthday
in 2016. Thats why Im suggesting that you go on a
brief sabbatical. Allow your deep mind to fully
integrate the lessons youve been learning and the
transformations you have undergone over the past
eleven months. In a few weeks, youll be ready to
resume where you left off. For now, though, you
require breathing room. Your spiritual batteries
need time to recharge. The hard work youve done
should be balanced by an extended regimen of
relaxed playtime.
CANCER (June 21-July 22): Appar-
ently, a lot of kids in the UK dont like to
eat vegetables. In response, food
researchers in that country marketed a variety of
exotic variations designed to appeal to their palate.
The new dishes included chocolate-flavored
carrots, pizza-flavored corn, and cheese-and-
onion-flavored cauliflower. I dont recommend
that you get quite so extreme in trying to broaden
your own appeal, Cancerian. But see if you can at
least reach out to your potential constituency with
a new wrinkle or fresh twist. Be imaginative as you
expand the range of what your colleagues and
clientele have to choose from.
LEO (July 23-August 22): In speaking
about the arduous quest to become ones
authentic self, writer Thomas Merton
used the example of poets who aspire to be
original but end up being imitative. Many poets
never succeed in being themselves, he said. They
never get around to being the particular poet they
are intended to be by God. They never become the
person or artist who is called for by all of the
River Cities Reader Vol. 24 No. 933 April 27 - May 10, 2017
circumstances of their individual lives. They waste
their years in vain efforts to be some other poet.
They wear out their minds and bodies in a
hopeless endeavor to have somebody elses
experiences or write somebody elses poems. I
happen to believe that this is a problem for
non-poets, as well. Many of us never succeed in
becoming ourselves. Luckily for you, Leo, in the
coming weeks and months you will have an
unprecedented chance to become more of who
you really are. To expedite the process, work on
dissolving any attraction you might have to acting
like someone other than yourself.
VIRGO (August 23-September 22):
On numerous occasions, French
acrobat Charles Blondin walked across a
tightrope that spanned the gorge near Niagara
Falls. His cable was three and a quarter inches in
diameter, 1,100 feet long, and 160 feet above the
Niagara River. Once he made the entire crossing
by doing back flips and somersaults. Another time
he carried a small stove on his back, stopped
midway to cook an omelet, and ate the meal before
finishing. Now would be an excellent time for you
to carry out your personal equivalent of his feats,
Virgo. What daring actions have you never tried
before even though youve been sufficiently
trained or educated to perform them well?
LIBRA (September 23-October 22):
Ready for some subterranean
journeys? They may not involve literal
explorations of deep caverns and ancient tunnels
and underground streams. You may not stumble
upon lost treasure and forgotten artifacts and
valuable ruins. But then again, you might. At the
very least, you will encounter metaphorical
versions of some of the above. What mysteries
would you love to solve? What secrets would be
fun to uncover? What shadows would you be
excited to illuminate?
SCORPIO (October 23-November
21): Why would you guzzle mind-
clouding moonshine when you will
eventually get a chance to sip a heart-reviving
tonic? Why spoil your appetite by loading up on
non-nutritious hors doeuvres when a healthy
feast will be available sooner than you imagine? I
advise you to suppress your compulsion for
immediate gratification. It may seem impossible
for you to summon such heroic patience, but I
know you can. And in the long run, youll be
happy if you do.
SAGITTARIUS (November
22-December 21): Youll always be my
favorite what-if. Many years ago, I
heard that phrase whispered in my ear. It came
from the mouth of a wonderful-but-impossible
woman. We had just decided that it was not a good
plan, as we had previously fantasized, to run away
and get married at Angkor Wat in Cambodia and
then spend the next decade being tour guides who
led travelers on exotic getaways to the worlds
sacred sites. Youll always be my favorite what-if
11
By Rob Brezsny
was a poignant but liberating moment. It allowed
us to move on with our lives and pursue other
dreams that were more realistic and productive. I
invite you to consider triggering a liberation like
that sometime soon.
CAPRICORN (December 22-January
19): Id love to see you increase the
number of people, places, and
experiences you love, as well as the wise intensity
with which you love them. From an astrological
perspective, now is an excellent time to upgrade
your appreciation and adoration for the whole
world and everything in it. To get you in the mood,
Ill call your attention to some unfamiliar forms of
ardor you may want to pursue: eraunophilia, an
attraction to thunder and lightning; cymophilia, a
fascination with waves and waviness; chorophilia,
a passion for dancing; asymmetrophilia, a zeal for
asymmetrical things; sapiophilia, an erotic
enchantment with intelligence.
AQUARIUS (January 20-February
18): You could go online and buy an
antique Gothic throne or a psychedelic
hippie couch to spruce up your living room. For
your bathroom, you could get a Japanese wonder
toilet, complete with a heated seat, automated
bidet, and white-noise generator. Heres another
good idea: You could build a sacred crazy altar in
your bedroom where you will conduct rituals of
playful liberation. Or how about this? Acquire a kit
that enables you to create spontaneous poetry on
your refrigerator door using tiny magnets with
evocative words written on them. Can you think
of other ideas to revitalize your home environ-
ment? Its high time you did so.
PISCES (February 19-March 20):
Among Americas 50 states, Texas has
the third-highest rate of teenage
pregnancies. Un-coincidentally, sex education in
Texas is steeped in ignorance. Most of its high
schools offer no teaching about contraception
other than to advise students to avoid sex. In the
coming weeks, Pisces, you cant afford to be as
deprived of the truth as those kids. Even more
than usual, you need accurate information thats
tailored to your precise needs, not fake news or
ideological delusions or self-serving propaganda.
Make sure you gather insight and wisdom from
the very best sources. Thats how youll avoid
behavior thats irrelevant to your life goals. Thats
how youll attract experiences that serve your
highest good.
Homework: Whats the most beauti-
ful thing youve ever done? Testify! Go
to RealAstrology.com and click on E-mail
Rob, and visit FreeWillAstrology.com.
Go to RealAstrology.com to check out Rob Brezsnys
EXPANDED WEEKLY AUDIO HOROSCOPES
& DAILY TEXT MESSAGE HOROSCOPES
The audio horoscopes are also available by phone at
1-877-873-4888 or 1-900-950-7700
12 River Cities Reader Vol. 24 No. 933 April 27 - May 10, 2017
Caveheart
Im a woman in my 30s. I love parties and
talking to people, and thank God, because I
attend networking events for work. My boy-
friend, on the other hand, is an introvert, hates
talking to strangers, and loathes shindigs.
How do we balance my longing to go to parties
with his desire to stay home?
Party Girl
Taking an introvert to a party can be a chal-
lenge. On the other hand, if its a Fourth of July
party, you know where to find him: hiding in the
bathtub with the dogs.
I actually have personal experience in this
area. Like you, Im an extrovert. Which is to say,
a party hosts worry isnt that I wont have anyone
to talk to; its that Ill tackle three people and
water-board them with sangria til they tell me
their life stories. Also like you, I have a boyfriend
whos an introvert. For him, attending a party
is like being shoved into an open grave teeming
with live cockroaches though, compassionately,
it also includes an open bar.
This isnt to say introverts are dysfunctional.
Theyre not. Theyre differently functional. Brain
imaging research by cognitive scientist Debra
L. Johnson and her colleagues found that in
introverts, sensory input from experience led
to more blood flow in the brain (amounting to
more stimulation). The path it took was longer
and twistier than in extroverts and had a differ-
ent destination: frontal areas we use for inward
thinking like planning, remembering, and
problem-solving. So introverts live it up, too; they
just do it on the inside.
Extroverts brain scans revealed a more direct
path for stimuli with blood flowing straight to
rear areas of the brain used for sensory process-
ing, such as listening and touching. They also
have less overall blood flow translating (in
combination with a different neurochemical
response) to a need for more social hoo-ha to
feel fed.
Sometimes, youll really want your boyfriend
there with you at a party for support, because
you enjoy his company, or maybe just to show
him off (kind of like a Louis Vuitton handbag
with a penis). But understanding that shindigs
give his brain a beating, consider whether you
could sometimes take a friend. When he accom-
panies you, maybe set a time limit and be under-
standing if he and the dog retreat to the den.
Sure, mingling makes you feel better. But
pushing an introvert to do it is akin to forcing an
extrovert to spend an entire week with only the
Got a problem? Write Amy Alkon, 171 Pier Ave, #280, Santa Monica CA 90405, or e-mail
AdviceAmy@aol.com (AdviceGoddess.com). Weekly radio show: BlogTalkRadio.com/AmyAlkon. Order Amy
Alkons book, Good Manners for Nice People Who Sometimes Say F--- (St. Martins Press, June 3, 2014).
2017, Amy Alkon, all rights reserved.
Business Politics Arts Culture Now You Know RiverCitiesReader.com
GUEST COMMENTARY Continued From Page 3 By Jeffrey A. Tucker
FEE.org
The Income Tax Implies That Government Owns You
idea of a free society: You get to keep beginning of a century of despotism. Our
what you earn or inherit. That means property is no longer safe. Our income
nothing short of abolishing the great is not our own. We are legally obligated
mistake of 1913. to turn over whatever our masters say
cat and a fern. Before long, theyre on with the
cable company. (Tech support: What seems to Forget the flat tax. The only just solu- we owe them. None of this is compatible
tion is no tax on incomes ever. with the old liberal idea of freedom.
be the problem? Extrovert: Im lonely! Talk to
But lets say that one day we actually You doubt it? Listen to Thomas
me! Have you ever been arrested? And do you
become safe from the income-tax col- Jefferson from his inaugural address of
think I should go gluten-free?)
lectors and something like blessed peace 1801. What he said then remains true
arrives. There is still another problem today: What more is necessary to make
Rubbin Hood that emerged in 1913. Congress created us a happy and a prosperous people?
I grabbed my boyfriends phone to look the Federal Reserve, which eventually Still one more thing, fellow citizens:
something up, and I found a Google search developed the power to create all the a wise and frugal government, which
for local massage places that offer happy end- money that government would ever need, shall restrain men from injuring one
ings. He says that he and his friends were just even without taxing. another, shall leave them otherwise free
goofing off. Am I an idiot to believe him? For the practical running of the affairs to regulate their own pursuits of industry
Disturbed of the state, the Fed is far worse than and improvement, and shall not take
the income tax. It creates the more- from the mouth of labor the bread it
His goofing off is reminiscent of the But I
insidious tax because it is so sneaky. In a has earned.
was just curious! Web searches that juries hear
strange way, it has made all the debates
about stuff like Does arsenic have a flavor?,
about taxation superfluous. Denying Jeffrey Tucker is the director of content for
How much antifreeze does it take to kill a 226.5-
the government revenue does nothing the Foundation for Economic Education
pound man?, and Whos got the lowest prices
to curb its appetites for our liberties and (FEE.org, where this article originally
on shovels and tarps?
property. The Fed has managed to make appeared).
Sure, its possible that your boyfriend is telling
it impossible to starve the beast.
the truth that he and his buddies were search-
Chodorov was correct about the evil of
ing out massage parlors right nearby just for a
the income tax. Its passage signaled the
giggle. To determine how likely it actually is, con-
sider that people dont behave randomly. Were
each driven by a varying combo of personality
traits habitual patterns of thinking, emotion,
and behavior that are relatively consistent over
time and across situations. For example, an intro-
vert will not suddenly become a party animal
(unless were talking the taxidermied kind thats
stuck into the fall leaves centerpiece).
Research by evolutionary psychologists David
Buss and Todd Shackelford found three person-
ality traits that are strong predictors of suscep-
tibility to infidelity. One is narcissism being
self-absorbed, admiration-seeking, empathy-
deficient, and prone to scheming user-hood.
Being low on conscientiousness is another
reflected in being disorganized, unreliable, and
lazy, and lacking self-control. Last, theres psy-
choticism, which, despite its Bates Motel-like
moniker, reflects a con-artist-like exploitative-
ness, impulsivity, and lack of inhibition not
necessarily exhibiting those things while going
all stabby on some lady enjoying a shower.
Consider whether your boyfriends Just
Googling for kicks! claim is odd and uncharac-
teristic or whether its part of a pattern reflecting
one or more of the lovely cocktail of traits above.
Patterns of behavior predict future patterns
of behavior for example, trying to get you to
believe that he only goes to strip clubs for the
music and that he really was just working late
with his boss, Mr. Camerino, who seems to have
developed quite a thing for body glitter.
Business Politics Arts Culture Now You Know RiverCitiesReader.com
Live Music Live Music Live Music
Email all listings to calendar@rcreader.com Deadline 5 p.m. Thursday before publication
THURSDAY 27
Bass Physics Blunt Force Nxbel Price
Gabes, 330 E. Washington St., Iowa
City IA
Corey Wallace The J Bar, 4215 Elmore Ave.,
Davenport IA
Johnny A. Charlie Hayes & Detroit
Larry The Redstone Room, 129 Main
St, Davenport IA
Kid & Nic Riverside Casino and Golf
Resort, 3184 Highway 22, Riverside IA
United States Navy Band Sea Chanters
Bettendorf High School Performing Arts
Center, 3333 18th St., Bettendorf IA
Useful Jenkins Ryan Young Iowa City
Yacht Club, 13 S Linn St, Iowa City IA
FRIDAY 28
Angaleena Presley Angela Meyer
Jake McVey Daytrotter, 324 Brady St.,
Davenport IA
The Blackbirds Isle Casino Hotel
Bettendorf, 1777 Isle Parkway,
Bettendorf IA
Bruce & Old Friends Orpheum Theatre,
57 S. Kellogg St., Galesburg IL
Concrete Slim Flatted Fifth Blues & BBQ,
300 Potter Dr., Bellevue IA
Doug Brundies (noon) Bettendorf
Public Library, 2950 Learning Campus
Dr., Bettendorf IA
Ed James The Grape Life Wine Store &
Lounge, 3402 Elmore Ave., Davenport IA
Gray Wolf Band (6pm) Hy-Vee Market
Cafe Patio, 2930 18th Ave., Rock Island IL
Ice Hockey Reunion Show Victor
Shores The Truth About Dreaming
Closet Witch Rozz-Tox, 2108 Third
Ave., Rock Island IL
Kid & Nic Rhythm City Casino Resort
Rhythm Room, 7077 Elmore Ave.,
Davenport IA
Live Lunch w/ Tony Hoeppner (noon)
RME Community Stage, 129 N. Main St.,
Davenport IA
Passion Riverside Casino and Golf Resort,
3184 Highway 22, Riverside IA
Powell 11th Street Precinct, 1107 Mound
St., Davenport IA
St. Thomas & the Fervors Remod
Garbage Man 2014 Leather
Parachute Inbred Trash (5pm)
Gabes, 330 E. Washington St., Iowa City
IA
The Steepwater Band Minus Six The
Redstone Room, 129 Main St, Davenport
IA
Still Standing A Casual Affair Bare
Bones RIBCO, 1815 Second Ave., Rock
Island IL
Stone Cold Moonshine Harley Corins,
1708 State St., Bettendorf IA
Stone Tattoo K & Ts Bike Rack Sports Bar &
Grill, 3303 Brady St., Davenport IA
This Wheels on Fire: Iris DeMent
William Elliott Whitmore David
Zollo & the Body Electric Elizabeth
Moen B.F. Burt Jason T. Lewis The
Recliners Ingrid Streitz Englert
Theatre, 221 East Washington St., Iowa
City IA
Winterland Pine Travelers Iowa City
Yacht Club, 13 S Linn St, Iowa City IA
SATURDAY 29
Brother Sun Sister Moon Bobby
Messano Flatted Fifth Blues & BBQ,
300 Potter Dr., Bellevue IA
Cal Stage Band RIBCO, 1815 Second Ave.,
Rock Island IL
Chuck Murphy Leisure Lanes, 2802 W.
73rd Street, Davenport IA
Cobalt Blue 11th Street Precinct, 1107
Mound St., Davenport IA
Code 415 Rivertown Grille & Bar, 2606 W.
Locust St., Davenport IA
Corey Wallace (4pm) Wide River Winery -
LeClaire, 106 N. Cody Rd., LeClaire IA
Erisa Rei (6:30pm) Ca DZan, 411 South
Rd., Cambridge IL
Greg & Rich Acoustic Duo (9pm)
Riverside Grille, 1733 State St., Bettendorf
IA
Greg & Rich Acoustic Duo (4pm) Sneaky
Petes Woodfire Grille, 207 Cody Rd. N.,
LeClaire IA
Jack Lion Mouthbreather Upon the
Death Horse Rozz-Tox, 2108 Third
Ave., Rock Island IL
Kid & Nic Rhythm City Casino Resort
Rhythm Room, 7077 Elmore Ave.,
Davenport IA
KnoxGalesburg Symphony: Fate &
Fury Orpheum Theatre, 57 S. Kellogg
St., Galesburg IL
Lane Miller Band RME Community
Stage, 129 N. Main St., Davenport IA
Must Build Jacuzzi Sheltering Sky The
Mamiltons Hitsleep Iowa City Yacht
Club, 13 S Linn St, Iowa City IA
The Nadas The Mill, 120 E. Burlington St.,
Iowa City IA
Old Shoe The Dawn The Redstone
Room, 129 Main St, Davenport IA
Passion Riverside Casino and Golf Resort,
3184 Highway 22, Riverside IA
QCSO Family Concert: Dr. Seuss!
(2:30pm) Adler Theatre, 136 E. Third
St., Davenport IA
Simon & Garfunkel: Through the Years
CSPS/Legion Arts, 1103 3rd St SE, Cedar
Rapids IA
The Stone Flowers The Mound, 1029
Mound St., Davenport IA
Threshold Harley Corins, 1708 State St.,
Bettendorf IA
River Cities Reader Vol. 24 No. 933 April 27 - May 10, 2017
Beach Slang @ Daytrotter - May 5
SUNDAY 30
Community Concerts: Tribute to the
King Paramount Theatre, 123 3rd St.
SE, Cedar Rapids IA
Community Wide Side-by-Side (6pm)
Davenport RiverCenter, 136 E. 3rd St,
Davenport IA
Ice Nine Kills ROYALZ Switchblade
Saturdays Far from Fearless
Vuarna (6pm) Gabes, 330 E.
Washington St., Iowa City IA
QCSO/QCSYEs Side-by-Side Concert
(3pm) Adler Theatre, 136 E. Third St.,
Davenport IA
Rock Steady (5:30pm) The Mill, 120 E.
Burlington St., Iowa City IA
Scott H. Biram Jack Greele RIBCO, 1815
Second Ave., Rock Island IL
TUESDAY 2
Blues Caf (6:30pm) RME Community
Stage, 129 N. Main St., Davenport IA
George Winston Englert Theatre, 221
East Washington St., Iowa City IA
WEDNESDAY 3
Banjoy The Mill, 120 E. Burlington St., Iowa
City IA
Doug Brundies Big Acoustic Show Cru
Bottle Shoppe, 221 Brady St., Davenport
IA
The DuoSonics (6pm) RME (River Music
Experience), 129 N. Main St., Davenport
IA
Greg Aguilar (6:30pm) The Faithful Pilot
Cafe & Spirits, 117 N Cody Rd, LeClaire IA
Richie Kotzen Band Rascals Live, 1414
15th St., Moline IL
Tommy Pickett & Friends (5:30pm)
Rivertown Grille & Bar, 2606 W. Locust
St., Davenport IA
Wild Adriatic Leopold & His Fiction
Iowa City Yacht Club, 13 S Linn St, Iowa
City IA
13
THURSDAY 4
4 Maze Riverside Casino and Golf Resort,
3184 Highway 22, Riverside IA
Aseethe No Funeral Gabes, 330 E.
Washington St., Iowa City IA
Ceschi Ramos Serengeti Chisme
Sister Haus Eviction Notice Sons of
Mars A. Barb Daytrotter, 324 Brady
St., Davenport IA
Jordan Danielsen The J Bar, 4215 Elmore
Ave., Davenport IA
North Scott Jazz Jam (6pm) RME
Community Stage, 129 N. Main St.,
Davenport IA
FRIDAY 5
Beach Slang Harsh Times Starry
Nights Daytrotter, 324 Brady St.,
Davenport IA
Bella Diva Band Riverside Casino and
Golf Resort, 3184 Highway 22, Riverside
IA
Bobby Ray Bunch The Faithful Pilot Cafe
& Spirits, 117 N Cody Rd, LeClaire IA
Dimples Rozz-Tox, 2108 Third Ave., Rock
Island IL
Doug Brundies Big Acoustic Show The
Mound, 1029 Mound St., Davenport IA
The Feralings Big Sadie Iowa City Yacht
Club, 13 S Linn St, Iowa City IA
Greg & Rich Acoustic Duo (6pm) Rock
Island Hy-Vee Market Grille, 2930 18th
Ave., Rock Island IL
The Jimmys The Mercury Brothers
The Redstone Room, 129 Main St,
Davenport IA
The Maytags The Dip Malcolm
London Gabes, 330 E. Washington St.,
Iowa City IA
Continued On Page 14
14 River Cities Reader Vol. 24 No. 933 April 27 - May 10, 2017 Business Politics Arts Culture Now You Know RiverCitiesReader.com

Live Music Live Music Live Music

Email all listings to calendar@rcreader.com Deadline 5 p.m. Thursday before publication
Continued From Page 13
MONDAY 8
Society of Broken Souls (6pm) RME Code 415 Generations Bar & Grill, 4100 4th
Community Stage, 129 N. Main St., Ave., Moline IL
James Lee Stanley (6:30pm) Davenport IA Daylight Over Hawkeye Tap Sports Bar N
Mike Posner & the Legendary Mike
Meadowbrook Gazebo, 1201 3rd St. SW, Grill, 4646 Cheyenne Ave., Davenport IA

FRIDAY 12
Posner Band University of Dubuques
Mt. Vernon IL Devon Clemens Band Riverside Casino
Heritage Center, 2255 Bennett St.,
Moeller Nights: Matthew Logan and Golf Resort, 3184 Highway 22,
Dubuque IA
Vasquez David Ramirez Triple All Sweat Productions Presents: Stevie Riverside IA
The Pines The Lift, 180 Main St., Dubuque
Crown Whiskey Bar & Raccoon Motel, Wonder BDay Bash The Redstone Doug Brundies Big Acoustic Show
IA
304 E Third St., Davenport IA Room, 129 Main St, Davenport IA 129 Coffee & Wine Bar, 129 N. Cody Rd.,
Soul Storm 11th Street Precinct, 1107
The Steel Wheels CSPS/Legion Arts, 1103 Cardiff Brothers (5:30pm) Gabes, 330 E. Davenport IA
Mound St., Davenport IA
3rd St SE, Cedar Rapids IA Washington St., Iowa City IA Helltrap Nightmare The Mill, 120 E.
The Tailfins Rhythm City Casino Resort
Doug Brundies Big Acoustic Show My Burlington St., Iowa City IA
Rhythm Room, 7077 Elmore Ave.,
TUESDAY 9
Place the Pub, 4405 State St., Davenport Kevin Macs Classic Country Jukebox
Davenport IA
IA Ohnward Fine Arts Center, 1215 E Platt
Weedeater Aseethe No Funeral
James Lee Stanley Palisades Caf, 117 1st Funktastic Five 11th Street Precinct, 1107 St., Maquoketa IA
RIBCO, 1815 Second Ave., Rock Island IL
St W., Mt. Vernon IL Mound St., Davenport IA Kickin Back Green Tree Brewery, 309 N.

SATURDAY 6
Laser Background Gabriel Dowie Greg & Rich Acoustic Duo Geneseo Cody Rd., LeClaire IA
Rozz-Tox, 2108 Third Ave., Rock Island IL Brewing Company, 102 S. State St., Knox-Galesburg Symphony Pop
Geneseo IL Concert w/ Simply Three Orpheum
Alyx Rush RME Community Stage, 129 N.
WEDNESDAY 10
Kickin Back Fargo Lounge, 4204 Avenue Theatre, 57 S. Kellogg St., Galesburg IL
Main St., Davenport IA
Bella Diva Band Riverside Casino and Scott H. Biram @ RIBCO - April 30 of the Cities, Moline IL Olivia Newton-John Adler Theatre, 136 E.
Brad Brenny (6:30pm) The Faithful Pilot Lasso Spells Okey Dokey Rozz-Tox, Third St., Davenport IA
Golf Resort, 3184 Highway 22, Riverside
Doug Brundies Big Acoustic Show Comatose Cedar County Cobras Cafe & Spirits, 117 N Cody Rd, LeClaire IA 2108 Third Ave., Rock Island IL Pastmasters Rhythm City Casino Resort
IA
(10am) Dam View Inn, 410 E. 2nd St., Iowa City Yacht Club, 13 S Linn St, Iowa Burlington Street Bluegrass Band The Live Lunch w/ Tony Hoeppner (noon) Rhythm Room, 7077 Elmore Ave.,
Bob Bucko Jr. Twins Tambourine
Davenport IA City IA Mill, 120 E. Burlington St., Iowa City IA RME Community Stage, 129 N. Main St., Davenport IA
Rozz-Tox, 2108 Third Ave., Rock Island IL
Doug Brundies Big Acoustic Show Kickin Back (6pm) Len Browns North Davenport IA Porchburner Superchief Gabes, 330 E.
Bob Dorr & the Blue Band Rhythm City
SUNDAY 7
(3pm) Rudys Tacos, 2214 E. 11th St., Shore Inn, 700 N. Shore Dr., Moline IL The Manny Lopez Big Band (6pm) The Washington St., Iowa City IA
Casino Resort Rhythm Room, 7077
Davenport IA Circa 21 Speakeasy, 1818 Third Ave., Project X Harley Corins, 1708 State St.,
Elmore Ave., Davenport IA
THURSDAY 11
Doug Brundies Big Acoustic Show (9pm) Banny Grove Gosh! Nonnie Parry Rock Island IL Bettendorf IA
Bobby Ray Bunch McClellan Stockade,
Fricks Tap, 1402 W. 3rd St., Davenport Blue Movies Rozz-Tox, 2108 Third Ave., Oliver Sean (7pm) Melissa Lee (8:30pm) Quad City Wind Ensemble Spring
2124 E. 11th St., Davenport IA
IA Rock Island IL For the Fallen Dreams Varials Riverside Casino and Golf Resort, 3184 Concert (3pm) Galvin Fine Arts Center,
The Brat Pack RIBCO, 1815 Second Ave.,
Funktastic Five Kavanaughs Hilltop Tap, Greg & Rich Acoustic Duo (2pm) Len Deadships (6pm) Gabes, 330 E. Highway 22, Riverside IA St. Ambrose University, 2101 N. Gaines
Rock Island IL
1228 30th St., Rock Island IL Browns North Shore Inn, 700 N. Shore Washington St., Iowa City IA Pastmasters Rhythm City Casino Resort St., Davenport IA
Bugeye Sprite Fargo Lounge, 4204
Gaslamp Killer Wolf Mixer Lady Dr., Moline IL Jelly Roll Lyrikal Random Tanner & Rhythm Room, 7077 Elmore Ave., The Stone Flowers Fargo Lounge, 4204
Avenue of the Cities, Moline IL
Espina Gabes, 330 E. Washington St., Jon Shain (6:30pm) Ca DZan, 411 South T. Stubbz Ro & Frosty B. Hodges Davenport IA Avenue of the Cities, Moline IL
Charles Walker Band Local on the 8s
Iowa City IA Rd., Cambridge IL Jake Coia G. Quick RIBCO, 1815 Tony Clifton & the Cliftones The Mill, 120 WVIK/QCSO Signature Series V: Pro Arte
The Mill, 120 E. Burlington St., Iowa City IA
Gray Wolf Band Len Browns North Shore LeAnn Rimes Englert Theatre, 221 East Second Ave., Rock Island IL E. Burlington St., Iowa City IA String Quartet Davenport Outing
Classical Magic University of Dubuques
Inn, 700 N. Shore Dr., Moline IL Washington St., Iowa City IA Lewis Knudsen The J Bar, 4215 Elmore Club, 2109 N. Brady St., Davenport IA

SATURDAY 13
Heritage Center, 2255 Bennett St.,
Greg & Rich Acoustic Duo Green Tree girlpARTs fest2: Milltown Wicked Liz Ave., Davenport IA YBBLU RME Community Stage, 129 N.
Dubuque IA
Brewery, 309 N. Cody Rd., LeClaire IA & the Bellyswirls Earth Ascending Melissa Lee Riverside Casino and Golf Main St., Davenport IA
Corporate Rock 11th Street Precinct, 1107
Orchestra Iowa Presents: 1,001 Arabian (1pm) The Redstone Room, 129 Main Resort, 3184 Highway 22, Riverside IA 3rd Street Villains 11th Street Precinct,
Mound St., Davenport IA
Nights Paramount Theatre, 123 3rd St. St, Davenport IA Najee The Redstone Room, 129 Main St, 1107 Mound St., Davenport IA
Daylight Over (1pm) Poopys Pub & Grub,
1030 Viaduct Rd, Savanna IL SE, Cedar Rapids IA Davenport IA
Trout Steak Revival The Brothers
Business Politics Arts Culture Now You Know RiverCitiesReader.com
DJs/Karaoke/
Jams/Open Mics
THURSDAYS
Cross Creek Karaoke Hey Bryans,
1140 15th Ave., Moline IL
Cross Creek Karaoke (Apr. 27)
Jims Knoxville Tap, 8716 Knoxville
Rd., Milan IL
DJ Night w/ 90s Music Thirstys on
Third, 2202 W. Third St., Davenport
IA
Jam Session & Mug Night (May 4)
Iowa City Yacht Club, 13 S. Linn St.,
Iowa City IA
Karaoke Night Bier Stube Moline,
415 15th St., Moline IL
Karaoke w/ Double Dz Purgatorys
Pub, 2104 State St., Bettendorf IA
Open Jam Session My Place the
Pub, 4405 State St., Bettendorf IA
Open Mic Night Uptown Bills
Coffee House, 730 S. Dubuque St.,
Iowa City IA
Open Mic w/ H.C. Wallace (Apr. 27)
Geneseo Brewing Company, 102 S.
State St., Geneseo IL
Rock the House Karaoke Bottoms
Up on 7th, 1814 Seventh St., Moline IL
Thumpin Thursdays DJ Night
Rascals Live, 1414 15th St., Moline IL
FRIDAYS
Cabana Karaoke Night Cabanas,
2120 Fourth Ave., Rock Island IL
Cross Creek Karaoke Firehouse
Bar & Grill, 2006 Hickory Grove Rd.,
Davenport IA
DJ K Yung Barrel House Moline,
1321 Fifth Ave., Moline IL
DJ Lacey Hawkeye Tap Sports
Bar N Grill, 4646 Cheyenne Ave.,
Davenport IA
Karaoke Night Circle Tap, 1345
West Locust St., Davenport IA
Karaoke Night The Grove Tap, 108
S. First St., Long Grove IA
Karaoke Night K & Ts Bike Rack
Sports Bar & Grill, 3303 Brady St.,
Davenport IA
Karaoke Night Miller Time Bowling,
2902 E. Kimberly Rd., Davenport IA
Comedy
FRIDAY 28
Bix Beiderbomb Presents (8pm)
Boozies Bar & Grille, 114 W. Third
St., Davenport IA
ComedySportz (7pm) The
Establishment, 220 19th St., Rock
Island IL
Floodwater Comedy Festival:
Finals (7pm) Iowa City Yacht
Club, 13 S. Linn St., Iowa City IA
Rocky LaPorte (8pm) Penguins
Comedy Club, 208 Second Ave. SE,
Cedar Rapids IA
The Speakeasy Laugh Hard (8pm)
Circa 21 Speakeasy, 1818 Third
Ave., Rock Island IL
Stand-up Open Mic (9pm) Boozies
Bar & Grille, 114 W. Third St.,
Davenport IA
Studio Series: Movie The Musical
(9:30pm) The Establishment, 220
19th St., Rock Island IL
SATURDAY 29
Cheat Code Variety Show (8pm)
Circa 21 Speakeasy, 1818 Third
Ave., Rock Island IL
ComedySportz (7pm) The
Establishment, 220 19th St., Rock
Island IL
Rocky LaPorte (8pm) Penguins
Comedy Club, 208 Second Ave. SE,
Cedar Rapids IA
Studio Series: Stand Up Showcase
(9:30pm) The Establishment, 220
19th St., Rock Island IL
Karaoke Night Roadrunners
Roadhouse, 3803 Rockingham Rd.,
Davenport IA
Karaoke Night Thirstys on Third,
2202 W. Third St., Davenport IA
Karaoke Night V.F.W. Post 9128,
2814 State St., Bettendorf IA
Karaoke Night w/ Mike Matthews
Hollars Bar & Grill, 4050 27th St.,
Moline IL
Soulshake (Apr. 28) Gabes, 330 E.
Washington St., Iowa City IA
SATURDAYS
Cross Creek Karaoke Jims Knoxville
Tap, 8716 Knoxville Rd., Milan IL
Karaoke Night The Grove Tap, 108
S. First St., Long Grove IA
Karaoke Night K & Ts Bike Rack
Sports Bar & Grill, 3303 Brady St.,
Davenport IA
Karaoke Night Miller Time Bowling,
2902 E. Kimberly Rd., Davenport IA
Karaoke Night Roadrunners
Roadhouse, 3803 Rockingham Rd.,
Davenport IA
Karaoke Night Thirstys on Third,
2202 W. Third St., Davenport IA
Karaoke Night w/ Jim Harker
Hollars Bar & Grill, 4050 27th St.,
Moline IL
Tw i s t e d Mics Music
Entertainment Barrel House
Moline, 1321 Fifth Ave., Moline IL
SUNDAYS
Catfish Jazz Society Jam Session
(May 7, 3pm) Knights of
Columbus Hall, 1111 West 35th St.,
Davenport IA
Karaoke Night 11th Street Precinct,
1107 Mound St., Davenport IA
Open Mic Night (5pm) Lynns BBQ &
Saloon, 1151 E. Iowa St., Eldridge IA
MONDAYS
Karaoke Monday w/ Pierced
Productions Grumpys Saloon,
2120 E. 11th St., Davenport IA
SUNDAY 30
Circumstantial Comedy Show
(10pm) BREW, 1104 Jersey Ridge
Rd., Davenport IA
Kyle Dunnigan John Busch (8pm)
The Mill, 120 E. Burlington St.,
Iowa City IA
MONDAY 1
Honeycombs of Comedy (9pm)
Iowa City Yacht Club, 13 S. Linn St.,
Iowa City IA
WEDNESDAY 3
Comedy Open Mic (7:30pm)
Penguins Comedy Club, 208
Second Ave. SE, Cedar Rapids IA
FRIDAY 5 Circumstantial Comedy Show
Bix Beiderbomb Presents (8pm)
Boozies Bar & Grille, 114 W. Third
St., Davenport IA
ComedySportz (7pm) The
Establishment, 220 19th St., Rock
Island IL
John Roy (8pm) Penguins Comedy
Club, 208 Second Ave. SE, Cedar
Rapids IA
Stand-up Open Mic (9pm) Boozies
Bar & Grille, 114 W. Third St.,
Davenport IA
Studio Series: Survivor (9:30pm)
The Establishment, 220 19th St.,
Rock Island IL
River Cities Reader Vol. 24 No. 933 April 27 - May 10, 2017 15
THE WORD IS OUT April 27, 2017
Crossword April 13 Answers: Page 11
Musicians Jam w/ CJ Lomas (May 1,
6pm) Theos Java Club, 213 17th
St., Rock Island IL
Open Mic w/ J. Knight The Mill, 120
E. Burlington St., Iowa City IA
TUESDAYS
Acoustic Music Club (4:30pm)
River Music Experience, 129 N.
Main St., Davenport IA
Karaoke Night My Place the Pub,
4405 State St., Bettendorf IA
Karaoke Night w/ Okeedokee Its
Karaoke Lynns BBQ & Saloon,
1151 E. Iowa St., Eldridge IA
Open Mic Night Broken Saddle,
1417 Fifth Ave., Moline IL
Open Mic Night Cool Beanz
Coffeehouse, 1325 330th St., Rock
Island IL
Tuesday Blues Jam w/ Mark Avey
& Detroit Larry Davison
Cabanas, 2120 Fourth Ave., Rock
Island IL
Underground Open Mic w/ Kate
Kane Iowa City Yacht Club, 13 S.
Linn St., Iowa City IA
WEDNESDAYS
Acoustic Jam Night w/ Steve
& McFate McManus Pub, 1401
Seventh Ave., Moline IL
Hump Day Wing & Sing w/
Marybeth Hawkeye Tap Sports
Bar N Grill, 4646 Cheyenne Ave.,
Davenport IA
Karaoke Night 11th Street Precinct,
1107 Mound St., Davenport IA
Karaoke Night Circle Tap, 1345
West Locust St., Davenport IA
Karaoke Night RIBCO, 1815 Second ACROSS 80. Not yet settled 37. Crates and lemons
Ave., Rock Island IL 1. Push 83. Unspoken 38. Twirls
Karaoke Night Thirstys on Third, 5. Square 84. Muddled situations 39. Surpass
2202 W. Third St., Davenport IA 10. Old footwear accessory 86. Gael 40. Brought to bay
Open Jam w/ The Channel Cats 15. First Nations people 87. Penurious ones 41. Handouts
Bent River Brewing Company, 512
24th St. Rock Island IL
19. Pink
20. Bird
88. Trumpet signal
89. Like some veggies
43. Horse opera
44. Man in uniform
Open Mic Night Boozies Bar
& Grille, 114 1/2 W. Third St., 21. Kind of birch 91. Silicate 45. Lunch bucket
Davenport IA 22. Drumming sound 92. Shields the actress 48. Imprisons
23. Spate 95. Droning instrument 50. Operating revenues
25. Unconscionable 96. Padres home: 2 wds. 52. Conserves
27. Emotional sensitivity 100. Bizarre 53. Class in biology
28. Notched 102. Ball player 55. Sharpens
30. Fuss 104. Indigo 57. Off on a Comet author
31. On the sheltered side 105. Plinth 59. Intend
SATURDAY 6 32. Run for love
33. Pistol maker
106. Strengthen
107. Impart
60. Varieties
63. April showers _...
ComedySportz (7pm) The 34. More readily 108. Name in a Hardy title 64. A Marx brother
Establishment, 220 19th St., Rock 37. _ Minor 109. Glacial ridge 65. Roof support
Island IL 38. Florida city 110. Tropical fish 66. Handle
John Roy (8pm) Penguins Comedy
42. Made level (with up) 111. Exo- opposite 67. Catkin
Club, 208 Second Ave. SE, Cedar
Rapids IA
43. Rock formation 68. Step
Open Source Improv (8pm) Circa 46. Web address DOWN 69. Cover for a pillow
21 Speakeasy, 1818 Third Ave., 47. Emotes 1. Faculty mem. 70. Lessens the force of
Rock Island IL 48. Actress Blanchett 2. Libertine 72. A Bronte
Skokies Retreat w/ Allison Dunne 49. Savoir _ 3. River in Germany 74. By _ and starts
& Lucas ONeil (7:30pm) Grace 50. Pipe part 4. Gets off at OHare 76. Hitchcocks specialty
Performing Arts Center, 316 South 51. Demon _ 5. Edge tool 78. Fortress in old Paris
Main Street, Princeton IL 52. Enlightened state 6. Hefty 80. Honshu city
Studio Series: Wisenheimer
(9:30pm) The Establishment, 220
54. Native of Turku
55. Greek god
7. Rara _
8. Means to enlightenment
81. Final Four org.
82. Rid of ice
19th St., Rock Island IL
56. Attacks without restraint 9. Heavenly 83. Swung dash lookalike
SUNDAY 7
58. Fastens 10. Sorbet serving 85. Islands
60. Any polyhedron 11. Hiatus 87. _ hemp
(10pm) BREW, 1104 Jersey Ridge
61. _ you mind!
62. _ passim
12. Status quo _
13. Hill
89. Cotton thread
90. Old anesthetic
Rd., Davenport IA 63. Crazy and funny 14. Transported by ship 91. More secure
64. Largest asteroid 15. Combs 92. Tub
MONDAY 8 65. Motif
67. Police actions
16. Cheer
17. Jewish month
93. Old Norse poem
94. Cornelia _ Skinner
Honeycombs of Comedy (9pm)
Iowa City Yacht Club, 13 S. Linn St., 69. Eschews 18. Word in a warning 95. Indisposed
Iowa City IA 70. _ -a-brac 24. Anointed 96. Let it stand!
71. Mister anagram 26. The _ Archipelago 97. Perfect place
WEDNESDAY 10 73. DOJ org.
75. Busy place
29. Thunder
32. Glyceride
98. Fellow
99. Church calendar
Comedy Open Mic (7:30pm) 76. _ Ste. Marie 33. Kind of terrier 101. _ and donts
Penguins Comedy Club, 208 77. Part of YMCA 34. Nova 103. Southwestern Native American
Second Ave. SE, Cedar Rapids IA 78. _ Brith 35. Underworld god
79. Whiz 36. Defeat, in a way
16 River Cities Reader Vol. 24 No. 933 April 27 - May 10, 2017 Business Politics Arts Culture Now You Know RiverCitiesReader.com