2 River Cities’ Reader • Vol. 26 No. 968 • December 2019 Know More, Do More • RiverCitiesReader.

com
Know More, Do More • RiverCitiesReader.com
WORDS FROM THE EDITOR
The Smith-Mundt Modernization Act of 2012
T
here is a high probability that you have
never heard of the Smith-Mundt Act
of 1948 (SMA). Which would comport
with not knowing (or caring) about the Smith-
Mundt Modernization Act of 2012 (SMMA).
Both these laws are critically important and
impact your lives directly, so time to get up to
speed.
The Smith-Mundt Modernization Act
(SMMA) was buried in the 2012 National
Defense Authorization Act for good reason
- because it repealed the 1948 Smith-Mundt
Act. The Smith-Mundt Act is also known as
the U.S. Information and Education Act, which
authorized the State Department to engage in
propagandizing foreign countries as a form of
public diplomacy.
The SMA established that via the Broad-
casting Board of Governors (BBG), Voice of
America (VOA) and Radio Free Europe (RFE),
the U.S. State Department and Office of Public
Affairs were authorized to disseminate pro-
paganda to foreign publics, but were strictly
prohibited from releasing that same propa-
ganda in America for public consumption. Put
simply, our government was permitted to lie to
people in other countries, but not to us here at
home.
This prohibition was lifted in 2012, when
the SMMA was signed into law by President
Obama, allowing the same propaganda dis-
seminated by our government to foreign pub-
lics, to now be released in the U.S. for the very
first time.
And yes, our government is also now allowed
to create propaganda tailored specifically for
U.S. public consumption, using any media as
it sees fit, while remaining anonymous as the
source of the material being reported.
This covert activity by our government’s
state department (Public Diplomacy) and
Public Affairs department can only occur with
corporate media’s full complicity, for which it
is well compensated, thanks to the tax dollars
appropriated by the SMMA. It means that
when our own government’s propaganda is
presented to we the American people as news,
we are none the wiser that it is scripted, orches-
trated, and fully supported with the invisible
USBS (United States BullS---) seal of approval.
The SMMA provides for ample funding for
U.S. propaganda programming, incentivizing
the corporate media cartel to partner with the
BBG for a new source of revenue to backstop
its operational budgets that have been declin-
ing due to years of increasingly low ratings,
social media competition, loss of relevance,
and the public’s growing loss of confidence in
media’s reporting veracity, regardless of politi-
cal affiliation.
Sources and Resources:
• Text: H.R.5736: rcreader.com/y/smma1
• Weston R. Sager’s “Apple Pie Propaganda?…”: rcreader.com/y/smma2
• techdirt.com: ‘Anti-Propaganda’ Ban Repealed…: rcreader.com/y/smma3
• Lifting of US Propaganda Ban Gives New Meaning to Old Song: rcreader.com/y/smma4
The SMMA promotes unholy alliances
between the U.S. State Department and Amer-
ica’s corporate media that unbinds report-
ers and news departments from the solemn
responsibility to verify information.
Traditional “news,” based on reliable, verifi-
able fact-based evidence is slowly giving way
to ‘newz’–an ersatz form of information dis-
semination via broadcasting and/or publish-
ing that enjoys specialized immunity for libel,
misinformation, false or fraudulent informa-
tion, misrepresentation, and anything else
previously prohibited by the SMA. If serving a
national security purpose(s), the media cartel
has a government-sanctioned license to lie.
This certainly explains a lot of newz mas-
querading as legitimate news these days.
Revoking the restrictions once enforced under
If serving a national security purpose(s), the media
cartel has a government-sanctioned license to lie.
Smith-Mundt has opened the floodgates on
active, former, and retired federal government
defense, military, and intelligence agency per-
sonnel, hiring on as experts by broadcast and
cable news networks, in an attempt to bring
gravitas to what amounts to no more than a
continuum of guided speculation.
Congress expressed concerns over cor-
rupted information by media while consid-
ering the SMMA, but instead of inserting
protections, it left the legislation wide open for
interpretation.
Consumers of news can’t deny the depar-
ture from traditional fact-based news as of
2012. What else explains the growing amount
of grossly unsubstantiated and/or blatantly
biased reporting, the unprecedented anony-
mous or hearsay sourcing, or the glaringly irre-
sponsible lack of citing sources at all? Just two
decades ago, such unprofessionalism in jour-
nalism would have been a career breaker, and
rendered complicit news organizations moot.
Generally speaking, however, there remains
a stubborn residual belief among Americans
that media would never be permitted to know-
ingly deceive people. There are laws against
such abhorrent conduct, aren’t there? Media
broadcasters would lose their broadcasting
licenses, and publishers would lose their stand-
ing as providers of news that is reliable or trust-
worthy. More importantly, our government is
forbidden to propagandize Americans using
deception, especially via a free press, right?
Wrong.
River Cities’ Reader • Vol. 26 No. 968 • December 2019
Grasping the importance of the SMMA in
undermining America’s free press, its impact
on our governance, culture, and socioeco-
nomic structure as a free society, cannot be
understated. Not only is the Fourth Estate
utterly compromised relative to the informa-
tion it does convey, there is a far greater mis-
sion corruption in the massive amount of
need-to-know information it does not convey.
Systematically omitting relevant information
from the public forum, tailoring narratives
and messaging in the guise of legitimate news,
redundant scripting across networks, and dis-
allowing nearly all critical debate or analysis,
is classic communications manipulation, stra-
tegically designed as part of a larger behavior
modification agenda.
This is hardly new.
Sophisticated behavior science method-
ologies has been in play through media for
decades. When you react with far more emo-
tion than reason to news items, without stop-
ping to question any part of that item, you’ve
been successfully triggered into a highly spe-
cific, predetermined response—a conditioned
response.
Triggering itself is a primary means of
conditioning, with lots of proven behavior
science to inform it. So now its your turn to
inform yourself so that you can identify the
oft-applied behavior modification techniques
being deployed constantly throughout media
genres, including social media—such as short,
fast-paced segments, redundancy/repetition,
subliminal suggestion, cognitive dissonance,
projection, nudging—the formidable list of
conditioning techniques is worth knowing
if you hope to avoid or overcome these traps.
Only then will you advance onto recognizing
propagandized newz so that you can resolutely
reject it. Otherwise drone on.
BUREAU OF GLOBAL
PUBLIC AFFAIRS
In tandem with the repeal of the 1948
Smith-Mundt Act via the 2012 Smith-Mundt
Modernization Act, the Bureau of Global
Public Affairs (BGPA) announced its recent
rollout during a C-SPAN-covered event on
September 4, 2019.
• C-Span Search: Bureau of Global Public Affairs: rcreader.com/y/smma5
• Bureau of Global Public Affairs (Official): rcreader.com/y/smma6
• 2016 Trafficking in Persons Report: rcreader.com/y/smma7
[Note: Human-trafficking reporting is under the purview of the Secretary of State Public Diplomacy]
• U.S. Dept of Veterans Affairs - America’s Wars: rcreader.com/y/smma8
3
By Kathleen McCarthy
The attendees, including a representative
from Voice of America, and C-SPAN viewers
learned that the Bureau of Global Public Affairs
is a consolidation of Public Affairs and Public
Diplomacy within the State Department.
The Assistant Secretary of State and Under-
secretary for Public Diplomacy & Public
Affairs, Michelle Giuda, presented on the
merger, claiming it will work closely with its
media partners as it ramps up its mission to
“better communicate,” assuring the audi-
ence that it is “perfectly aligned with Smith-
Mundt.” However, Giuda neglected to mention
that Smith-Mundt as originally legislated, is no
longer strictly applicable.
This new Bureau of Global Public Affairs
is no small matter and its significance will
only grow as propagandized newz prolifer-
ates and becomes the norm. It is the largest
reorganization of the State Department in 20
years, according to Sim Farar, Chairman of the
U.S. Advisory Commission on Public Diplo-
macy (USACPD). His Commission is tasked
with submitting an annual comprehensive
report that reviews over 20 state departments’
and other government agencies’ activities in
international public diplomacy, including the
broadcasting activities of the Broadcasting
Board of Governors, and offers recommenda-
tions. Of the 122 recommendations since 2013,
55 percent have been implemented. One of
those recommendations was the recent merger
of the State Department’s Public Affairs with
the U.S. Agency for Global Media (Public
Diplomacy).
It is imperative for you to learn and share
information on this new Bureau of Global
Public Affairs because its activities include
you, too. Follow it where you can, pay atten-
tion, and start connecting these very serious
dots. This Bureau impacts many areas when it
comes to public relations on behalf of govern-
ment. This is a new agency so a commitment to
public vigilance is necessary, and information
gathering will require extra discernment. For
example, searching Govtrack found no results
for “Bureau of Global Public Affairs” to date,
likely because it is so new.
It is also useful to familiarize yourself with
the actual players involved. We tend to think
of government departments, committees, and
bureaus as faceless, nameless people. This new
Bureau’s people have faces, names, relevant
applicable histories, and are knowable – so get
to know them. They are public servants, which
is supposed to be a good thing. Either way, you
pay them, so by all means check their work.
 4 River Cities’ Reader • Vol. 26 No. 968 • December 2019
ILLINOIS POLITICS
Goodbye to Tim Mapes’ Pantomimes of Power
A
nother relic of Tim Mapes’ days as
House Speaker Michael Madigan’s
chief of staff has passed into history.
Mapes could be a kind and generous man
to his friends and family. He was often the
delightful life of the party when he chose to
go out.
But the dude also had a wide and nasty
mean streak and was a control freak beyond
anything I’ve ever seen at the Statehouse.
Outside of the aforementioned friends and
family, only a few eyes watered up when he
was ousted from his chief of staff job and exec-
utive directorship of the Democratic Party of
Illinois after being accused of sexual harass-
ment last year.
Every two years, Mapes would head over to
the Illinois State Board of Elections’ office on
the Friday before the candidate petition filing
period officially opened on Monday and stake
out the House Democrats’ first place in line.
The House Democrats have built a huge
and efficient petition-gathering process. After
tens of thousands of signatures are gathered,
a specialized team goes over them with a fine-
tooth comb to make sure the signatures are
valid. And then the forms are checked by law-
yers to make sure the required information is
properly filled out.
Two years ago, Mapes had copies made
of every petition submitted by every candi-
date, regardless of party. The organization
entered all the names of every petition circu-
lator into a database so that the union behind
Sam McCann’s third-party gubernatorial bid
could avoid breaking the law by unknow-
ingly using a circulator who’d also gathered
signatures for a Democratic or Republican
candidate.
They take this petition stuff super-seri-
ously, in other words.
Anyway, Mapes would stick around for a
half-hour or so on those Friday afternoons
and then “volunteers” from his House staff
would take turns camping out in front of
the board’s office throughout the weekend
without pay. Mapes would return on Monday
morning before the election board’s office
opened and triumphantly stand at the front
of the line with all the House Democratic can-
didate petitions in tow.
The ritual was seen as a rite of passage for
young staffers and it was supposed to pro-
mote unity and project an image of power
and toughness to the Republican Party and
everyone else.
“We’re so determined to win we’ll even
camp out for days in the freezing cold just to
secure the first place in line,” was the thinking.
Mapes also clearly used the exercise to
Know More, Do More • RiverCitiesReader.com
find out who would endure whatever he
commanded and, more importantly, who
wouldn’t.
But it was downright cruel and unneces-
sary. I always felt so sorry for those folks. It
gets cold in November and expecting young
people to risk their health to satisfy the
demands of an older man’s ego was a bit much.
Plus, it didn’t actually accomplish any-
thing. All anyone has to do to qualify for the
first ballot position is make sure they join
the line with their petitions at the board’s
office before eight o’clock on the first Monday
morning of candidate filing.
Madigan’s new issues staff director Craig
Willert decided to abandon the practice this
year. There was no “volunteer” campout
the weekend before the first day of filing on
November 25.
The old-timers may mutter about how these
kids today just don’t have the gumption that
they did back in their day, but old-timers are
gonna old-timer. Not every tradition is a good
one.
This change tracks with some others made
to Madigan’s operation in the past few months
or so.
State staff are now required to submit appli-
cations to work on campaigns, for instance. In
the past, it was just assumed that staff would
By Rich Miller
CapitolFax.com
work campaigns, paid or unpaid, whenever
their participation was deemed necessary.
And, to be clear, lots of people prefer work-
ing campaigns to Statehouse government
work. The issues staff is basically the cam-
paign staff who have state jobs during session
months. Many or even most of those staffers
signed up for the campaign experience more
than the policy work.
But not everyone is so gung-ho. Secretar-
ies and others are often roped in to work at
phone banks. Some members of the legal staff
do legal work for campaigns.
From now on, though, only those who have
submitted applications will be asked to work
on campaigns. And all staff were told that
their state jobs did not rely on their decision to
submit or not submit campaign applications.
“This is how it ends,” declared one morose
House Democratic old-timer the other
day when speaking of the new application
requirement. Maybe, but it’s also how new
things begin.
Rich Miller also publishes Capitol Fax, a daily
political newsletter, and CapitolFax.com.
New Column Published
Weekly at RCReader.com
Know More, Do More • RiverCitiesReader.com River Cities’ Reader • Vol. 26 No. 968 • December 2019 5
THEATRE By Pamela Briggs

Holiday Cheer
Elf: The Musical, at the Circa ’21 Dinner Playhouse through December 29

I
Vol. 26 · No. 968 attended the Wednesday preview per-
DECEMBER 2019 formance of the Circa ’21 Dinner Play-
house’s Elf: The Musical, and director
Jeremy Littlejohn and musical director
RIVER CITIES’ READER Travis Smith have clearly concocted a
532 W. 3rd St. sweet, fluff y treat. The songs may be stan-
Davenport IA 52801 dard fare, but they’re given freshness by
RiverCitiesReader.com
(563)324-0049 (phone)
the performers, as well as the beautiful
(563)323-3101 (fax) costuming by Greg Hiatt.
info@rcreader.com Elf: The Musical’s lyrics are by Chad
Beguelin, with music by Matthew Sklar
PUBLISHING SINCE 1993 and a book by Thomas Meehan, and the
The River Cities’Reader is an independently owned publication and
website, dedicated to providing readers and members the “keys to the show was adapted from the 2003 hit fi lm
Quad Cities’culture.” starring Will Ferrell. In stage adaptations,
scenes (and characters) are usually com-
PRINTED MONTHLY bined or removed – generally for time,
Newly printed complimentary editions are available monthly
at select locations in the region. For a complete list, visit clarity, and/or to condense the cast (thus
www.rcreader.com/distribution.
saving on salaries) – and one key scene
PRINT & DIGITAL ADVERTISING: here that would have been problematic to
PRINT ADVERTISING SPACE RESERVATION DEADLINE IS THE 15TH stage was cleverly transformed with the
OF EACH MONTH FOR THE FOLLOWING MONTH’S EDITION. reckless use of a paper shredder, a run-
WEBSITE & WEEKLY E-NEWSLETTER ADVERTISING DEADLINE IS ning gag nicely set up earlier. This scene
EVERY MONDAY FOR THURSDAY PLACEMENTS.
consequently took a different path than
Visit QCAdvertising.com for full the movie’s did, but ended at the same plot Elf: The Musical at the Circa ’21 Dinner Playhouse through December 29
publishing calendar, sponsorship point. (Well done, Meehan.) Anyway, if
opportunities, ad sizes, and pricing. you’re a fan of the film, you’ll experience at Walter may bring home the dough, but tip to choreographer Sarah Philabaum) a
least some of your favorite lines and scenes it’s Emily who bakes the cookies and keeps bigger part of the show than I’d antici-
PUBLISHER in its musical equivalent.
Todd McGreevy • todd@admospheres.com the family together. Like many moms, pated. The big finale is a jaw-dropper.
Stephen James Potter, as Buddy the Emily is stretched thin but manages to While I had no problem suspending
EDITOR & BUSINESS MANAGER human elf, is a tall drink of cocoa, as keep up a cheery front, and Churchill and disbelief about a human raised as an elf, a
Kathleen McCarthy • km@rcreader.com excitable and bouncy (most of the time) Julian Anderson, playing son Michael, flying sleigh, and the like, the script’s por-
as you’d expect. Since everyone is famil- really sparkle together in two wonder- trayal of the book-publishing process was
ARTS & CALENDAR EDITOR iar with Ferrell in this role, Potter has ful duets. Anderson, who played an elf way off, though I was probably the only
Mike Schulz • mike@rcreader.com
some big curly-toed shoes to fi ll, and he in the 2017 production and now has an one that Wednesday who laughed at the
ART DIRECTOR slips into them and makes the part his. adult-sized voice, is big here, but not too inaccuracies. (I do realize musicals are
Nathan Klaus • nathan@rcreader.com Potter’s extensive regional-theatre credits broad, always coming through as sincere. not documentaries.) Occasionally, too,
include several children’s shows, and he (Brennan Hampton, who alternates per- some actors spoke so quickly that they
DISTRIBUTION & OFFICE MANAGER clearly knows how to perform for young formance dates as Michael, is also repris- were unintelligible, but that’s certainly a
Michael Locander • michael@rcreader.com
audiences. ing his 2017 role.) fi xable problem.
IT-SYSMIN At the beginning of Circa ’21’s latest, All of Elf ‘s youngsters impressed me, Kids will delight in Elf: The Musical,
William Reveal Jovie (Brooke Myers) is as cold as an icicle, with every member of the ensemble superb but actually, this would be a great first
and almost as hard. Buddy’s enthusiasm, regardless of age. Numbering around 14, musical-theatre experience for patrons of
ADVERTISING SALES however, eventually warms her, as it does these performers portray various charac- any age. (Buddy doesn’t get schnockered
Michael Locander • sales@rcreader.com the audience. Myers shines as genuine ters throughout the show while handling in this version – a welcome omission by
throughout, and I personally felt for her, a flurry of costume changes. That’s some my lights, as drunk scenes are generally a
CONTRIBUTING WRITERS
Amy Alkon, Max Allison, Rochelle Arnold, knowing what it’s like to care about some- hard work. lazy writer’s way to cheap laughs – and the
Rob Brezsny, Pamela Briggs, Max Cannon, one who is extraordinarily odd. Jovie faces Among the show’s musical numbers, fi lm’s physical altercations were also cut,
Madeline Dudziak, Daniel McAdams, Rich Miller a rocky road as she struggles with doubt “Nobody Cares About Santa,” performed with the sexual innuendos whittled down
and conflicting feelings. by a bevy of tired, jaded department-store to two quick euphemized remarks.)
PRINT COPY DISTRIBUTORS
Cheri Delay, Greg Fitzpatrick, Marie Mack,
Tom Walljasper cranks up the cranky Santas, is a highlight. And speaking of I suggest you make reservations soon
Jay Strickland as Walter, the executive who pushes his Santa, Janos Horvath is Santa. By which for the festive frolic of Circa ’21’s Elf: The
family away, including the elf son he just I mean he’s so true-to-life that he might Musical. Buddy and Santa have come to

KNOW MORE.
found out about. Walljasper (who also actually be the real Santa. (I’ll be send- town, but they can’t stay forever.
played Walter when Circa ’21 presented ing my list to Horvath.) Sarah Hayes, as

DO MORE.
Elf in 2017) made me sympathize with the
guy – a job can take a lot out of you – in
addition to making me want to boo him. I
© 2019 River Cities’ Reader didn’t, though. It’s not that kind of show.
Erin Churchill, also reprising her 2017
role, makes Walter’s wife Emily lovable.
Deb from Walter’s office, shares some fun,
convivial moments with Buddy, with the
office numbers, in general, especially jolly.
And the whole cast, all boasting power-
house voices, pulled off “singing loud for
all to hear,” with the excellent dancing (hat
Elf: The Musical runs at the Circa ’21
Dinner Playhouse (1828 Third Avenue,
Rock Island) through December 29, and
more information and tickets are avail-
able by calling (309)786-7733 extension 2
or visiting Circa21.com.
 6 River Cities’ Reader • Vol. 26 No. 968 • December 2019
MORE THAN 350 FAMILY-FRIENDLY EVENTS IN THE KWQC FAMILY FUN GUIDE STARTING ON PAGE 26
FESTIVALS & MAJOR EVENTS Page 6
VISUAL ARTS Page 6
MUSIC Page 10
LITERARY ARTS Page 16
MAJOR EVENTS
December
Disney on Ice: Dream Big, new skating spectacular
in which Miguel aspires to be a… TaxSlayer Center, Thu
Dec 5 thru Sun Dec 8
A Motown Christmas Holiday Spectacular, concert
event features a world-class vocal group assembled from
past… Adler Theatre, 7:30pm Mon Dec 9
Marcy Playground, concert with the alternative-rock
band composed of John Wozniak, Dylan Keefe, and
Shlomi Lavie; $15-20, The Rust Belt, 533 12th Ave., East
Moline IL, TheRustBeltQC.com, 8pm Fri Dec 13
The Nutcracker, Sat. 2:30 & 7:30pm, Sun. 2:30pm; Ballet
Quad Cities and Orchestra Iowa present Tchaikovsky’s…
Adler Theatre, Sat Dec 14 and Sun Dec 15
Bandstand, Tony-winning musical about a group of
veterans returning home to… Adler Theatre, 7:30pm
Mon Dec 16
Taylor Dayne - Tiffany, concert with the chart-
topping pop superstars; $20-45; for tickets and
information, call 844-852-4FUN, Rhythm City Casino
Resort Event Center, 7077 Elmore Ave., Davenport IA,
RhythmCityCasino.com, 7pm Sun Dec 29
Belladiva, free concert with the dynamic 10 piece show
band features an accomplished ensemble of singers
and musicians who cover a wide variety of music from
pop, R&B, rock, country, and disco; for information, call
563-328-8000, Rhythm City Casino Resort Event Center,
7077 Elmore Ave., Davenport IA, RhythmCityCasino.com,
9:30pm Tue Dec 31
January
Jersey Boys, Tony-winning musical about the lives
and careers of Frankie Valli… Adler Theatre, 7:30pm Tue
Jan 14
2019-20 WINTER CALENDAR
THEATRE Page 18
DANCE Page 19
COMEDY Page20
MUSEUMS Page 20
Skid Row - Slaughter, concert with the punk, rock,
and metal icons of the ‘80s and ‘90s; $30-60; for tickets
and information, call 844-852-4FUN, Rhythm City Casino
Resort Event Center, 7077 Elmore Ave., Davenport IA,
RhythmCityCasino.com/index.html, 8pm Thu Jan 16
CINCH World’s Toughest Rodeo, the nation’s best
bucking broncs and bulls plus the… TaxSlayer Center,
7:30pm Fri Jan 17 and Sat Jan 18
Brantley Gilbert, concert with the chart-topping
country singer on his “Fire’t Up… TaxSlayer Center, 7pm
Thu Jan 30
February & March
The Texas Tenors: Coming Home to Iowa, Marcus
Collins, John Hagen, and JC Fisher treat audiences to…
Adler Theatre, 7:30pm Wed Feb 12
Jason Aldean, country star performs on his “We Back
Tour” with special… TaxSlayer Center, 7:30pm Thu Feb
13
Aaron Lewis, the country and hard-rock musician
performs on his “State I’m in Tour”; $35-70; for tickets
and information, call 844-852-4FUN, Rhythm City Casino
Resort Event Center, 7077 Elmore Ave., Davenport IA,
RhythmCityCasino.com/index.html, 8pm Sat Feb 15
An American in Paris, Tony-winning Gershwin
musical based on the Oscar-winning film; an event…
Adler Theatre, 7:30pm Thu Feb 20
Wynonna Judd & the Big Noise, concert with the
Grammy-winning country star and her ensemble,
featuring an opening set by the Monica Austin Band;
$35-85; The Rust Belt, 533 12th Ave., East Moline IL,
TheRustBeltQC.com, 8pm Fri Feb 21
Zac Brown Band, concert with the chart-topping,
Grammy-winning country/rock band based in Atlanta,…
TaxSlayer Center, 7pm Fri Feb 28
Blippi Live!, an interactive, family-friendly show based
on children’s YouTube sensation; $32-45; for… Adler
Theatre, 6pm Tue Mar 3
Quad City Arts Visiting Artists Mexico Beyond Mariachi @ Galvin Fine Arts Center – February 22
Know More, Do More • RiverCitiesReader.com
MOVIES Page 21
SPORTS Page 21
OTHER EVENTS Page 22
LECTURES Page 23
VISUAL ARTS
Openings & Gallery Events
Scott & Rock Island Counties
December
Closing Reception: Denise Bellazo - David Bower.,
held in conjunction with the exhibit of mixed-media
artworks, with… Black Hawk College ArtSpace Gallery,
4pm Thu Dec 5
Closing Reception: Shared Spaces, held in
conjunction with the exhibit of mixed-media artwork
by… Black Hawk College ArtSpace Gallery, 4pm Thu
Dec 5
Family Holiday Workshop, snack on cocoa and
cookies; create fun, decorative, delicious graham
cracker houses; and design holiday cards with lots of
sparkle; $15/member family of four; $20/non-member
family of four; $3 for each extra person; free to children
age 3 or younger; for information, call 563-326-7804,
Figge Art Museum, 225 W. 2nd St., Davenport IA,
FiggeArtMuseum.org, 6pm Thu Dec 5
Senior Day at the Figge, meet in the lobby for a
tour at 1:30pm, with a 2:30pm film in the auditorium;
seniors get 10% off in the Museum Store and Cafe; for
information, call 563-326-7804, Figge Art Museum, 225
W. 2nd St., Davenport IA, FiggeArtMuseum.org, 1:30pm
Thu Dec 5
Winter Nights, Winter Lights Date Night, plan a date
night with your sweetheart and enjoy the… Quad City
Botanical Center, 4:30pm thru Thu Dec 19
Thursdays at the Figge, art-themed activities,
discussions, tours, refreshments, and more; guests
are invited to experience the current exhibitions
and permanent collection gallery as well as shop the
Museum Store; free; for information, call 563-326-
7804, Figge Art Museum, 225 W. 2nd St., Davenport IA,
FiggeArtMuseum.org, 5pm thru Thu Dec 26
COURSES Page 24
MEETINGS Page 24
HEALTH Page 25
SENIORS Page 25
Bereskin Gallery Reception, enjoy free drinks, food
and conversation with the artists; a… Bereskin Gallery &
Art Academy, 5:30pm Fri Dec 6
Member-only Tour: Focus on Frank Lloyd Wright,
in celebration of Member Appreciation Week, we
welcome our members a chance for an exclusive tour
of the Frank Lloyd Wright collection with one of our
knowledgeable docents; for information, call 563-326-
7804, Figge Art Museum, 225 W. 2nd St., Davenport IA,
FiggeArtMuseum.org, 1:30pm Fri Dec 6
Collection and Exhibition Highlights
Member-Only Tour, a guided tour with one of our
knowledgeable docents, this is a wonderful way to gain
further insight into museum exhibitions; meet in the
Quad City Bank & Trust Grand Lobby at the museum; free
with $4-10 admission; for information, call 563-326-
7804, Figge Art Museum, 225 W. 2nd St., Davenport IA,
FiggeArtMuseum.org, 1:30pm Fri Dec 6 thru Tue Dec 10
2019 Christmas Traditions, the annual fundraising
event features a wide variety of homemade… First
United Methodist Church - Port Byron, 9am Sat Dec 7
Bereskin Gallery Open House & Activities, nibble
on cookies and hot cocoa while you create fun…
Bereskin Gallery & Art Academy, 10am Sat Dec 7
The cArt!, find our art cart in selected galleries for
in-depth conversations about art; books, objects, gallery
games and information, along with a trained docent, will
be available for guests to explore art topics in new ways;
for information, call 563-326-7804, Figge Art Museum,
225 W. 2nd St., Davenport IA, FiggeArtMuseum.org, 1pm
Sat Dec 7
Collection and Exhibition Highlights Tour, a
guided tour with one of our knowledgeable docents, this
is a wonderful way to gain further insight into museum
exhibitions; meet in the Quad City Bank & Trust Grand
Lobby at the museum; free with $4-10 admission; for
information, call 563-326-7804, Figge Art Museum, 225
W. 2nd St., Davenport IA, FiggeArtMuseum.org, 1:30pm
Sat Dec 7 and Sat Dec 14
Member-only Tour: Goodwill Toward Men --
Religious Works in the Collection, in celebration of
Member Appreciation Week, we welcome our members
Know More, Do More • RiverCitiesReader.com
a chance for an exclusive tour of the religious works in
the collection with one of our knowledgeable docents;
for information, call 563-326-7804, Figge Art Museum,
225 W. 2nd St., Davenport IA, FiggeArtMuseum.org,
1:30pm Sun Dec 8
Member-only Tour: Portraits and Self-Portraits in
the Collection, in celebration of Member Appreciation
Week, we welcome our members a chance for an
exclusive tour of portraits and self-portraits with one of
our knowledgeable docents; for information, call 563-
326-7804, Figge Art Museum, 225 W. 2nd St., Davenport
IA, FiggeArtMuseum.org, 1:30pm Tue Dec 10
Quad City Arts Holiday Open House, members
of the Mississippi Valley Woodcarvers will be
demonstrating and… Quad City Arts Center, 6pm Wed
Dec 11
Annual Figge Art Museum Member Dinner,
celebrate the holidays with friends, fun and food at the
Figge; during the cocktail hour, enjoy a festive raffle with
items from local stores and businesses followed by a
delicious buffet dinner at 7pm; $40; to reserve your seat,
contact Tessa Pozzi at 563-345-6638, Figge Art Museum,
225 W. 2nd St., Davenport IA, FiggeArtMuseum.org, 6pm
Thu Dec 12
Graphic Design 225 Poster Show, students from
Vickie Phipps’ graphic-design class will exhibit posters
they… Thomas Tredway Library, 12:30pm Fri Dec 13
Opening Reception: Chris Rayburn - Tim Schiffer
- John Miller, held in conjunction with the exhibit of
photography by Rayburn,… Quad City Arts Center, 7pm
Fri Dec 13
Winter Nights, Winter Lights Visit from Santa, Santa
and Mrs. Claus make a visit before returning to… Quad
City Botanical Center, 5pm Fri Dec 13 and Sat Dec 14
Holiday Shopping and Book Signing Night, stop
by the Museum Store for holiday shopping, and enjoy
the snowflake wonders of Artist Keith Bonnstetter
and book signings by Artists Rose Frantzen (Portrait of
Maquoketa) and Chuck Morris (The Storytelling Tree);
for information, call 563-326-7804, Figge Art Museum,
225 W. 2nd St., Davenport IA, FiggeArtMuseum.org, 6pm
Thu Dec 19
Final Friday at Bucktown, for information, call 563-
424-1210… Bucktown Center for the Arts, 6pm Fri Dec 27
Winter Nights, Winter Lights Champagne and
Roses, for ages 21+; celebrate the end of 2019 as you…
Quad City Botanical Center, 8:30pm Tue Dec 31
January & February
Senior Day at the Figge, meet in the lobby for a
tour at 1:30pm, with a 2:30pm film in the auditorium;
seniors get 10% off in the Museum Store and Cafe; for
information, call 563-326-7804, Figge Art Museum, 225
W. 2nd St., Davenport IA, FiggeArtMuseum.org, 1:30pm
Thu Jan 2
Closing Reception for Plein Air Painters of
Dubuque, free; for information, call 563-589-3717 …
Bereskin Gallery & Art Academy, 6pm Fri Jan 31
Senior Day at the Figge, meet in the lobby for a
tour at 1:30pm, with a 2:30pm film in the auditorium;
seniors get 10% off in the Museum Store and Cafe; for
information, call 563-326-7804, Figge Art Museum, 225
W. 2nd St., Davenport IA, FiggeArtMuseum.org, 1:30pm
Thu Feb 6
Opening Reception: Regional Tattoo Artists, held
in conjunction with the exhibit of new tattoo art;… Quad
City Arts Center, 7pm Fri Feb 7
Artist Q&A for Finding God in the Dark: A
Retrospective Exhibition, held in conjunction
with the Rosalind Wilcox exhibition in both the Catich
and Morrissey Galleries; free; for information, contact
Christopher Reno at RenoChristopherW@sau.edu or 563-
333-6444, Catich Gallery - St. Ambrose University, 2101
Gaines St., Davenport IA, SAU.edu/catich, 4pm Fri Feb 28
Reception for Finding God in the Dark: A
Retrospective Exhibition, held in conjunction with
the Rosalind Wilcox exhibition on display in the Catich
and Morrissey Galleries; free; for information, contact
Christopher Reno at 563-333-6444 or Catich@sau.edu,
Catich Gallery - St. Ambrose University, 2101 Gaines St.,
Davenport IA, SAU.edu/catich, 5pm Fri Feb 28
River Cities’ Reader • Vol. 26 No. 968 • December 2019 7
Outlying Areas VISUAL ARTS
Juliet Stock, Julia Kulish,
Eastside Artists Art Show & Sale, the annual show
features original, affordable gifts… Iowa City Masonic
Building, 10am Fri Dec 6 thru Sun Dec 8
and Natalya Sots Exhibits
Free Admission to the Grant Wood Studio, on
Saturdays and Sundays thru Dec. 31; admission to the…
Grant Wood Studio, noon Sat Dec 7 thru Sun Dec 29
Through Wednesday, January 1 @ Quad City Arts
Reception for University of Dubuque
Photography Club, free; for information, call 563-589- International Airport Gallery, 2200 69th Avenue, Moline, IL
3717… Bisignano Art Gallery - University of Dubuque,
6pm Mon Dec 9
Closing Reception for Plein Air Painters of
Dubuque, free; for information, call 563-589-3717…
Bisignano Art Gallery - University of Dubuque, 6pm Fri
Jan 31
Reception for Children of Abraham, An Exhibition,
free; for information, call 563-589-3717… Bisignano Art
Gallery - University of Dubuque, 6pm Sat Feb 1
Reception for 7th Annual Dubuque High School
Art Show, free; for information, call 563-589-3717…
Bisignano Art Gallery - University of Dubuque, 6pm Thu
Feb 27
Exhibits & Shows Juliet Stock’s 1994 @ Quad City Arts International Airport Gallery – through January 1
W
Scott & Rock Island Counties orks by a trio of gifted Mid- their natural state, intertwined with one
western artists will be on dis- another. Kulish’s penchant for painting
Currently on Display play in the Quad City Arts flowers in front of dramatic skies creates a
International Airport Gallery through theatrical, energetic scene unlike a typical
Denise Bellazo - David Bower, exhibit of mixed-
media artworks; for information, contact Zaiga January 1, with the venue boasting paint- still life of a flower in a vase.
Thorson… Black Hawk College ArtSpace Gallery, thru ings by Juliet Stock and Julia Kulish and Natalya Sots is a ceramic artist origi-
Fri Dec 6
functional ceramic art by Natalya Sots. nally from Pavlodar, Kazakhstan, who has
Emily Newman: Sky Weave, exhibit of drawings by Juliet Stock, from Bettendorf, is a self- lived in Chicago’s suburb of Schaumburg
the Des Moines-based… Quad City Arts Center, thru
Fri Dec 6 taught artist whose technique for depict- since 2002. She got started as an artist in
ing florals and landscapes incorporates high school when she worked at a ceram-
Randy Richmond: The Set Table: Forks on the carving through acrylic paint on gesso ics factory where she decorated the dishes
Left, Metaphors on the Right, exhibit of photographs
by the Muscatine-based artist;… Quad City Arts Center, board. By carving through the paint, before they were glazed and fired. She con-
thru Fri Dec 6 she emphasizes lines and shapes, and tinued this work while attending school
Shared Spaces, an exhibit of mixed-media artwork by creates patterns and textures in the sur- at the University of Semipalatinsk where
Denise Bellezzo… Black Hawk College ArtSpace Gallery, face of her work. Her use of black creates she completed a degree in Art Education.
thru Fri Dec 6
depth and causes her jewel toned colors to Sots combines her love of painting with
Day of the Dead: The Art of Remembrance, this pop. Within Stock’s abstract paintings, a her unique and whimsical teapots, cups,
installation will explore how we celebrate and remember viewer can easily imagine themselves on bowls and other functional pieces, which
the lives of our lost loved ones through the collective
traditions, art-making and storytelling that are integral some fantastical island with unlimited are in demand at regional art fairs.
parts of Dia de los Muertos; Tue.-Fri. 10am-5pm, Sat. paths in which to turn and something
11am-5pm; free with $4-10 museum admission; for
information, call 563-326-7804, Figge Art Museum, 225 interesting to see in every direction. The Quad City International Airport
W. 2nd St., Davenport IA, FiggeArtMuseum.org, thru Based in Center Point, Iowa, Julia Gallery is located opposite the airport’s
Sun Dec 8
Kulish paints large-scale florals using gift shop and restaurant, there is a $1 fee
Mia Feuer: Totems of the Anthropocene, the numerous layers of oil glazes. She focuses for parking, and more information on the
exhibit envisions what our environment might become on the graceful, sinuous line found in the Juliet Stock, Julia Kulish, and Natalya Sots
after prolonged exposure to petroleum products;
featuring several unique installations and a one-person structure of petals and foliage found in her exhibits on display through January 1 is
indoor synthetic ice rink on which visitors will be invited immense home gardens. Often her com- available by calling (309)793-1213 exten-
to skate; Tue.-Sat. 10am-5pm, Thu. 10am-9pm, Sun.
noon-5pm; free with $4-10 museum admission; for positions depict the chaos of flowers in sion 108 or visiting QuadCityArts.com.
information, call 563-326-7804, Figge Art Museum, 225
W. 2nd St., Davenport IA, FiggeArtMuseum.org, thru
Sun Dec 29
Let It Show, seasonal exhibit by local artists; Wed.-Sat.
11am-6pm; free;… Bereskin Gallery & Art Academy, thru
Mon Dec 30
Ali Kirsch, exhibit of nature works on paper; free;…
Adler Theatre, thru Tue Dec 31
Barry Sharp and Heidi Brandt, photography exhibit;
free; for information, call 563-344-4175… Bettendorf
Public Library, thru Tue Dec 31
Julia Kulish - Juliet Stock - Natalya Sots, exhibit of
paintings by Kulish and Stock… Quad City Arts Art @ the
Airport, thru Wed Jan 1
Winter Nights, Winter Lights, the gardens will be in
winter bloom… Quad City Botanical Center, thru Sat
Jan 4
 8 River Cities’ Reader • Vol. 26 No. 968 • December 2019
Aaron Lewis @ Rhythm City Casino Resort – February 15
VISUAL ARTS / Exhibits & Shows /
CONTINUED
Scott & Rock Island Counties /
Currently on Display
John Dilg: Arterial Resources, the exhibition
includes approximately 30 works as well as a collection
of source materials, including a collection of thrift store
artworks, which combined with memory have inspired
Dilg in the development of his work; Tue.-Fri. 10am-5pm,
Sat. 11am-5pm; free with $4-10 museum admission; for
information, call 563-326-7804, Figge Art Museum, 225
W. 2nd St., Davenport IA, FiggeArtMuseum.org, thru
Sun Jan 5
Randy Richmond: Verisimilitude, an exhibit of 10
large-format photographs; the subjects of Richmond’s
photographs are careful arrangements of found
objects combined with taxidermy animals or mounts
from the collections of St. Ambrose University and the
Nature Center at Nahant Marsh; Tue.-Fri. 10am-5pm,
Sat. 11am-5pm; free with $4-10 museum admission; for
information, call 563-326-7804, Figge Art Museum, 225
W. 2nd St., Davenport IA, FiggeArtMuseum.org, thru
Sun Jan 5
Steve Erickson: Painter, through the series of 11
recent works that comprise the exhibit, one can witness
firsthand the artists’s desire to create paintings that
suggest vast possibilities well beyond the edge of a
rectangular plane; Tue.-Fri. 10am-5pm, Sat. 11am-5pm;
free with $4-10 museum admission; for information,
call 563-326-7804, Figge Art Museum, 225 W. 2nd St.,
Davenport IA, FiggeArtMuseum.org, thru Sun Jan 5
Show Your Colors!, the exhibit provides a thought-
provoking take on… Bucktown Center for the Arts, thru
Sat Jan 11
Ben Ryan - Tony Seabolt, exhibit of mixed media and
paintings; Wed.-Sat.… Midcoast at Bucktown Gallery,
thru Fri Jan 31
Teresa Mesich - Jeanne O’Melia, exhibit of paintings
and mixed-media parade floats;… The ARTery, thru Fri
Jan 31
Rose Frantzen: Portrait of Maquoketa and the
Storytelling Tree, Frantzen’s multi-panel “Portrait of
Maquoketa” artwork includes 180 12x12” oil portraits of
people from Maquoketa, Iowa, as well as a 315 square
foot landscape view of Maquoketa painted on 34 vertical
panels suspended from the ceiling; “The Storytelling
Tree” tells the story of a young girl’s special bond with
her father; Tue.-Sat. 10am-5pm, Thu. 10am-9pm, Sun.
noon-5pm; free with $4-10 museum admission; for
information, call 563-326-7804, Figge Art Museum, 225
W. 2nd St., Davenport IA, FiggeArtMuseum.org, thru
Sun Feb 2
Opening This Winter
Chris Rayburn - Tim Schiffer - John Miller,
exhibition of photography by Rayburn, watercolors by…
Quad City Arts Center, Fri Dec 13 thru Fri Jan 24
Emily Fitzpatrick - Colleen Curry - Kelly Schnell,
exhibition of new works; $1 for parking;… Quad City Arts
Art @ the Airport, Thu Jan 2 thru Sat Feb 29
Annie Oldenburg, thru Feb. 21; photography exhibit
by the BHC art instructor;… Black Hawk College
ArtSpace Gallery, Mon Jan 13 thru Fri Feb 21
Finding God in the Dark: A Retrospective
Exhibition, a Rosalind Wilcox exhibition in both the
Catich and Morrissey Galleries; Mon.-Fri. 9am-5pm, Sat.
10am-4pm; free; for information, contact Christopher
Reno at RenoChristopherW@sau.edu or 563-333-6444,
Catich Gallery - St. Ambrose University, 2101 Gaines St.,
Davenport IA, SAU.edu/catich, Mon Jan 13 thru Wed
Mar 4
Finding God in the Dark: A Retrospective
Exhibition, a Rosalind Wilcox exhibition in both the
Catich… Morrissey Gallery, Galvin Fine Arts Center - St.
Ambrose University, Mon Jan 13 thru Wed Mar 4
41st Rock Island Art Guild Fine Arts Exhibition,
this exhibition will display works by artists living
with 150 miles of Rock Island, working in a variety of
mediums; Candace Moeller will act as this year’s juror;
Tue.-Fri. 10am-5pm, Sat. 11am-5pm; free with $4-10
museum admission; for information, call 563-326-
7804, Figge Art Museum, 225 W. 2nd St., Davenport IA,
FiggeArtMuseum.org, Sat Jan 18 thru Wed Mar 4
Regional Tattoo Artists, exhibition of new tattoo art;
Tue.-Fri. 10am-5pm,… Quad City Arts Center, Thu Jan 30
thru Wed Mar 4
Henry Dreyfuss: Designs for the Modern Age,
featurting the work of influential industrial designer
Dreyfuss; original sketches, design proposals and
objects on loan from numerous venues will be on
display; Tue.-Fri. 10am-5pm, Sat. 11am-5pm; free with
$4-10 museum admission; for information, call 563-326-
7804, Figge Art Museum, 225 W. 2nd St., Davenport IA,
FiggeArtMuseum.org, Sat Feb 22 thru Wed Mar 4
Jessica Gondek, exhibit of digital prints and drawings
by… Black Hawk College ArtSpace Gallery, Mon Feb 24
thru Wed Mar 4
Peter Krsko - Cindy Lesperance - Cathie Crawford,
exhibition of new works; $1 for parking;… Quad City Arts
Art @ the Airport, Sun Mar 1 thru Wed Mar 4
Know More, Do More • RiverCitiesReader.com
Outlying Areas
Currently on Display
Haunted: Marvin Cone’s Ghosts, exhibit celebrating
the theme of the otherworldly… Cedar Rapids Museum
of Art, thru Sun Dec 8
Rick Hugill’s Gourd Lamp Exhibit & Sale, exhibit/
sale of works by the local woodworker… Beadology
Iowa, thru Fri Dec 13
University of Dubuque Photography Club, Mon.-
Fri. 12:30-5pm; free; for information, call 563-589-3717…
Bisignano Art Gallery - University of Dubuque, thru Fri
Jan 3
Of Our Time: Contemporary Art by Indigenous
Artists from the Permanent Collections, the
exhibition will feature ledger drawings from… Des
Moines Art Center, thru Sun Jan 5
Up All Night: The Art of the Dark, this exhibition
provides a look at one… Cedar Rapids Museum of Art,
thru Sun Jan 5
Jacob Riis: How the Other Half Lives, Riis’
photographs uncovered the inhumane conditions of…
Muscatine Art Center, thru Tue Jan 7
The Seasonal Prairie, a collection of drawings and
watercolors by… Lonnie Eugene Stewart Art Gallery -
Carl Sandburg College, thru Fri Jan 10
Monument Valley, an ambitious group exhibition that
calls into… Des Moines Art Center, thru Sun Jan 12
Susan Rotherberg as Printmaker, the exhibit
features more than two dozen… Des Moines Art Center,
thru Sun Feb 9
Art in Roman Life, over 50 works, including coins, glass
vessels,… Cedar Rapids Museum of Art, thru Wed Mar 4
Beyond the Prairie: Midwestern Art from the
Collection, exhibit showcases the work of artists
inspired… Cedar Rapids Museum of Art, thru Wed Mar 4
Grant Wood: From Farm Boy to American Icon,
the installation reflects the depth of the… Cedar Rapids
Museum of Art, thru Wed Mar 4
Marvin Cone: An American Vision, a single-gallery
exhibition that serves as an… Cedar Rapids Museum of
Art, thru Wed Mar 4
Mauricio Lasansky: Master Printmaker, artistic
takes on the venerated Iowa City… Cedar Rapids
Museum of Art, thru Wed Mar 4
Unwrapped: Gifts from the Peter Norton Family
Christmas Project, 1988-2018, the Norton Family
Christmas Project objects and… Cedar Rapids Museum
of Art, thru Wed Mar 4
Opening This Winter
Ooh La La: French Works from the Riley
Collection, drawing exclusively on French works,
Jersey Boys @ Adler Theatre – January 14
artists such… Cedar Rapids Museum of Art, Sat Dec 21
thru Wed Mar 4
Plein Air Painters of Dubuque, Mon.-Fri. 12:30-5pm;
free; for information, call 563-589-3717… Bisignano Art
Gallery - University of Dubuque, Mon Jan 6 thru Fri
Jan 31
Children of Abraham, An Exhibition, Mon.-Fri.
12:30-5pm; free; for information, call 563-589-3717…
Bisignano Art Gallery - University of Dubuque, Sat Feb 1
thru Fri Feb 21
Across the Atlantic: American Impressionism
through the French Lens, the exhibition explores the
path to Impressionism… Cedar Rapids Museum of Art,
Sat Feb 1 thru Wed Mar 4
7th Annual Dubuque High School Art Show, Mon.-
Fri. 12:30-5pm; free; for information, call 563-589-3717…
Bisignano Art Gallery - University of Dubuque, Mon Feb
24 thru Wed Mar 4
Classes
December
Make an Ugly Sweater, bring a shirt or sweater to
decorate; we will provide… Davenport Public Library -
Main Branch, 6:30pm Thu Dec 5
Open Clay Studio Membership, with instructors
Claire Waterman by appointment: Monday & Wednesday
(9… Bereskin Gallery & Art Academy, Fri Dec 6 thru Mon
Dec 30
Adult DIY: Crafting with Jenn Voss, learn how to
create a Christmas book fold craft; materials… Silvis
Public Library, 1pm Sat Dec 7
Clay Lab Holiday Make and Take, a fun family
activity from 9am-10:30am, 11am-12:30pm, or 1-2:30pm;
perfect… Bereskin Gallery & Art Academy, 9am Sat
Dec 7
Holiday Card Making, with instructor/artist Annie
Peters; you will learn a variety of… Bereskin Gallery & Art
Academy, 9am Sat Dec 7
String Art Class, string art enthusiast Mindy Mathews
from High Strung by 3M… Moline Public Library, 2pm
Sat Dec 7
Make Your Own Sock Tomte, bring an old sock or
two, something fuzzy or blue… Bishop Hill Creative
Commons, 9am Sat Dec 7
Oil Painting, on Saturdays, with instructor Dave
Anderson; learn to see, draw,… Bereskin Gallery & Art
Academy, 9:30am Sat Dec 7 thru Sat Dec 28
Creation Studio Drop-In: Braided Beaded
Bracelets, free; for information, call 563-344-4175 or
e-mail info@bettendorflibrary.com… Bettendorf Public
Library, 3pm Mon Dec 9
Make a Button Tree, join us for some creative crafting
as we make mini… Davenport Public Library - Fairmount
Street Branch, 6:30pm Tue Dec 10
Know More, Do More • RiverCitiesReader.com
Mice Candy Canes, an activity in the Southwest Craft
Night series; materials supplied;… Rock Island Public
Library - Southwest Branch, 6pm Tue Dec 10
Make Your Own Pop-Up Holiday Card!, art teacher
David Smith will teach adults the basics of… Moline
Public Library, 5:30pm Wed Dec 11
Gift Upcycling Craft, join us for a craft using items
you already have… Davenport Public Library - Eastern
Avenue Branch, 3pm Sat Dec 14
Learn to Crochet, learn how to crochet and in the
process make a… Moline Public Library, 10pm Sat Dec 14
Creation Studio Drop-In: Wrapping Paper Bows,
free; for information, call 563-344-4175 or e-mail info@
bettendorflibrary.com… Bettendorf Public Library, 3pm
Mon Dec 16
Adult Coloring, discover the therapeutic benefits of
coloring at the library; color… Davenport Public Library -
Fairmount Street Branch, 2pm Tue Dec 17
February & March
Card Making with Donna Banta, learn how to craft
cards with a personal touch; the… Silvis Public Library,
1pm Sat Feb 1
Open Clay Studio Membership, with instructors
Claire Waterman by appointment: Monday & Wednesday
(9… Bereskin Gallery & Art Academy, Sat Feb 1 thru
Wed Mar 4
How to Make Book Page Flowers, this fun and free
event allows our crafty patrons to… Rock Island Public
Library - Downtown Library, 6pm Wed Feb 5
Craft-Tea!, free; for information, call 563-344-4175 or
e-mail info@bettendorflibrary.com… Bettendorf Public
Library, 7pm Thu Feb 6
River Cities’ Reader • Vol. 26 No. 968 • December 2019
Greeting Card Craft, create your own all-occasion
greeting cards; we will have some… Davenport Public
Library - Fairmount Street Branch, 4pm Fri Feb 7
Intro to Clay Studio, on Fridays, with instructors Claire
Waterman and Karen Brinson; learn… Bereskin Gallery &
Art Academy, 5:30pm Fri Feb 7 thru Fri Feb 28
Craft Cafe, whether you are an amateur or professional
crafter, come and… Davenport Public Library -
Fairmount Street Branch, 3pm Sat Feb 8
Creation Studio Drop-In: Striped Origami Heart
Garland, free; for information, call 563-344-4175 or
e-mail info@bettendorflibrary.com… Bettendorf Public
Library, 3pm Mon Feb 10
“Foxy” Valentines and Owl Lollipop Covers,
an event in the Southwest Craft Night series with
materials… Rock Island Public Library - Southwest
Branch, 6pm Tue Feb 11
9
Maker Break: Shadow Puppets, gather together, sip
wine and other beverages, and nibble on… Owl Glass
Puppetry Center, Thu Feb 13
P.S. I Still Love Lara Jean Party, throw on your best
Lara Jean inspired outfit, grab your… Davenport Public
Library - Eastern Avenue Branch, 2pm Sat Feb 15
Winter Book Arts Academy: Japanese Stab
Binding, a hands-on workshop series offering
community members an opportunity to… Davenport
Public Library - Main Branch, 5:30pm Thu Feb 20
Adult Coloring, discover the therapeutic benefits of
coloring at the library; color… Davenport Public Library -
Fairmount Street Branch, 2pm Tue Feb 25

Call today to connect with a

How Pin-teresting! with Jenn Voss, if you’re stuck
with the kids, bring them to the… LeClaire Community
Library, 6:30pm Thu Dec 19

Winter Book Arts Academy: St. Ambrose Books

Arts Program, a hands-on workshop series offering

SENIOR LIVING ADVISOR

community members an opportunity to… Galvin Fine
Arts Center - St. Ambrose University, 5:30pm Thu Dec 19

Easy Edible Winter Crafts, for those who can’t resist

playing with their food, this… Davenport Public Library -
Eastern Avenue Branch, 2pm Mon Dec 23

January INDEPENDENT LIVING • ASSISTED LIVING • MEMORY CARE

Open Clay Studio Membership, with instructors
Claire Waterman by appointment: Monday & Wednesday UNDERSTAND YOUR OPTIONS — Learn the different types of
(9… Bereskin Gallery & Art Academy, Wed Jan 1 thru
Fri Jan 31
senior care available
Craft-Tea!, free; for information, call 563-344-4175 or
e-mail info@bettendorflibrary.com… Bettendorf Public LOCAL KNOWLEDGE — Our Advisors have the local knowledge to
Library, 7pm Thu Jan 2 help you hand-pick communities in your area
Paper Snowflakes, make paper snowflakes to
decorate your house for winter; materials… Davenport
Public Library - Fairmount Street Branch, 4pm Mon Jan 6 SIMPLIFY — Your dedicated Advisor will simplify your search and
Intro to Clay Studio, on Fridays, with instructors Claire
help schedule tours
Waterman and Karen Brinson; learn… Bereskin Gallery &
Art Academy, 5:30pm Fri Jan 10 thru Fri Jan 31
EXPERIENCE — Our Advisors help thousands of families
Craft Cafe, whether you are an amateur or professional
crafter, come and… Davenport Public Library -
understand their options every day
Fairmount Street Branch, 3pm Sat Jan 11

Introduction to Drawing, free; for information, call SUPPORT — Our team is happy to provide additional support
563-344-4175 or e-mail info@bettendorflibrary.com…
Bettendorf Public Library, 3pm Sat Jan 11
from movers to attorneys and much more

Creation Studio Drop-In: Balloon Animals, free;

for information, call 563-344-4175 or e-mail info@

There’s no cost to you!

bettendorflibrary.com… Bettendorf Public Library, 3pm
Mon Jan 13

Snowflake “Suncatcher”, an event in the Southwest

(866) 897-8153
Craft Night series with materials… Rock Island Public
Library - Southwest Branch, 6pm Tue Jan 14

Winter Book Arts Academy: Intermediate

! We’re paid by our partner communities
Bookbinding, a hands-on workshop series offering
community members an opportunity to… Davenport
Public Library - Main Branch, 5:30pm Thu Jan 16

Creation Studio Drop-In: Strawbees, free; A Place for Mom has helped over a million families find
for information, call 563-344-4175 or e-mail info@
bettendorflibrary.com… Bettendorf Public Library, 3pm
senior living solutions that meet their unique needs. Our
Mon Jan 20 Advisors are trusted, local experts who can help you
Mandala Rock Painting, we’ll teach you how to paint
understand your options.
a simple mandala rock… Davenport Public Library -
Fairmount Street Branch, 6pm Tue Jan 21

Creation Studio Drop-In: Paper Footballs & Straw

Goalposts, free; for information, call 563-344-4175 or
e-mail info@bettendorflibrary.com… Bettendorf Public
Library, 3pm Mon Jan 27

Adult Coloring, discover the therapeutic benefits of

coloring at the library; color… Davenport Public Library - Joan Lunden former host of Good Morning America and senior living advocate.
Fairmount Street Branch, 2pm Tue Jan 28
10 River Cities’ Reader • Vol. 26 No. 968 • December 2019
MUSIC
Sunshrine
Wednesday, December 11, 7 p.m. @ Rozz-Tox,
2108 Third Avenue, Rock Island, IL
Sunshrine @ Rozz-Tox – December 11
A
bill of psychedelic, folk-adjacent
music in various permutations
takes over Rozz-Tox on Decem-
ber 11 with a headliner set by local project
Sunshrine.
The last time psych-folk/rock crew Sun-
shrine appeared in the Reader, the band
was prepping the album Dream Milk
and had just released the title track as an
advance single. While that single bore
traces of Jefferson Airplane-style lysergic
haze and an organ-led stomp somewhere
in the orbit of modern-psych flagship
Tame Impala, the rest of the album proves
to be just as charming and gently freaked
out. Sunshrine manages to sound both
retro in its worship of ‘60s tropes (see:
effect processed vocals, swooning phased
guitar chords, a general Sgt. Pepper-core
carnival-esque vibe), and timeless in the
execution of pleasant vocal melodies and
dynamic rock arrangements. The band
doesn’t have any distortion hidden up
its sleeves, and never breaks into full on
heavy riffing, erring on the side of lilting
falsetto soul that has more in common
with Curtis Mayfield than, say, Dinosaur
Jr. The composite of its sound feels like it
wouldn’t be out of place on the full band-
based quadrant of Stones Throw, alongside
the idiosyncratic funk/soul pastiches of
Meyer Hawthorne or Jerry Paper. Each of
Sunshrine’s intertwined guitar licks and
drippy keyboard passages serve the atmo-
sphere of the songs, and fit together into a
pleasant tour of ideas that ends up being,
dare I say, both magical and mysterious.
Album highlight “Salty Lace” bounces
along with a kinetic high-hat pattern and
soft ly skronking, effected guitar chords
that tear into the mix like gentle scrapes
from a rake tearing the ivy off the side of
an old building. The track possesses a sort
of languid, slowly galloping energy as it
slinks its way through soulful chord pro-
gressions and rising falsetto vocal lines.
By Max Allison
Delivered in such a bright fashion, lyrics
such as “even now the trees are dying” fall
into that time-honored strategy of draping
sad words in happy accouterments.
When the album closer “Hillside”
picks up the pace a little bit with its fast-
chiming guitar arpeggios and rollicking
hand percussion elements, the band sheds
some of the carnival weirdness in favor of
an almost medieval flavor, sketching out
a trip down a foggy mountain path far
removed from the village gates. The gui-
tars here are at their best on the album, as
they switch on a dime between glistening
chord figures and tightly synchronized,
melodic riffs that hit with accents on the
drums, like something out of the pro-
gressive English folk tradition. The song
takes a different tack for the last third of
its running time as the band locks into
one single chord and hammers it to the
ground repeatedly, shedding any sem-
blance of harmonic complexity in favor of
that one primal, unchanging groove. The
effect is welcome here: suddenly we’re in
the realm of zoned-out kraut-rock along
the lines of Neu! or Faust, or one mini-
generational step back in time to the all-
one-note “ostrich guitar” experiments of
Lou Reed in the Velvet Underground. The
idea that paring down its ornamentation
and reveling in elemental simplicity could
actually complicate the song nicely seems
to be itself a sort of paradox, but it’s all
about the juxtaposition of ideas here, and
the contrast of a new style of playing shak-
ing up an established context.
Sunshrine plays its Rock Island concert
on December 11 with additional sets by Liv
Carrow and Cocopower, admission to the
7 p.m. show is a $5-10 sliding scale, and
more information is available by calling
(309)200-0978 or visiting RozzTox.com.
Know More, Do More • RiverCitiesReader.com
MUSIC
Concerts
Scott & Rock Island Counties
December
Black Hawk College Holiday Choral Concert, free;
for information, contact Dr. Edgar Crockett at 309-796-
5479 or crockette@bhc.edu… First Congregational
Church - Moline, 7pm Thu Dec 5
Blue Christmas: A Rock ‘n’ Roll Holiday
Extravaganza, at 1 & 7:15pm; holiday tribute concert
featuring Robert Shaw & the Lonely Street… Circa ’21
Dinner Playhouse, Thu Dec 5
Songwriters’ Round Table Showcase: Jenny
Ferrell - Logan Springer - James Turley - David
G. Smith - Rich & Vicki Ingle, this performance will
highlight some of the songwriters that comprise… The
Redstone Room, 7:30pm Thu Dec 5
Quad City Prospects, a new Quad City cover band
playing a variety of… RIBCO, 9:30pm Fri Dec 6
Flatfoot 56, concert with the Celtic-punk musicians,
featuring a set by Jenny… The Redstone Room, 8:30pm
Sat Dec 7
Quad Cities Saxophone Christmas, in Dillard’s
Court; this fourth-annual event allows area saxophone
players… NorthPark Mall, 1pm Sat Dec 7
Quad City Symphony Orchestra Masterworks III:
Passion, witness the moment passion ignites between
Siegmund and Sieglinde in… Adler Theatre, 8pm Sat
Dec 7
RiverBend Bronze Handbell Choir Christmas
Concert, the concert will feature traditional Christmas
favorites, both sacred and… St. John’s United Methodist
Church, 2pm Sat Dec 7
Christmas at Augustana, 12th-annual event in which
300 student musicians take the stage,… Centennial Hall,
Augustana College, 2pm Sat Dec 7 and Sun Dec 8
An Ambrosian Christmas, featuring the University
Chorale, Chamber Singers, Symphonic Band, and
more,… Galvin Fine Arts Center - St. Ambrose University,
3pm Sun Dec 8
Quad City Symphony Orchestra Masterworks III:
Passion, witness the moment passion ignites between
Siegmund and Sieglinde in… Centennial Hall, Augustana
College, 2pm Sun Dec 8
A Motown Christmas Holiday Spectacular, concert
event features a world-class vocal group assembled from
past… Adler Theatre, 7:30pm Mon Dec 9
Sunshrine - Liv Carrow - Cocopower, concert with
the psych, pop, and folk musicians; $5-10 sliding… Rozz-
Tox, 9pm Mon Dec 9
Victor Wainwright, concert with the blues and
boogie-woogie singer, songwriter, and pianist… The
Redstone Room, 7:30pm Wed Dec 11
Kung Fu, concert with the new-funk and fusion
ensemble, featuring a set… The Redstone Room, 8pm
Thu Dec 12
A Nova Christmas, concert with professional vocal
group the Nova Singers, featuring an evening of
traditional and contemporary songs of the season; for
tickets and information, call 309-341-7038 or e-mail
nova@knox.edu, St. Paul Lutheran Church - Davenport,
2136 Brady St., Davenport IA, NovaSingers.com, 7:30pm
Fri Dec 13
Amanda Drenter, holiday piano concert; free; for
information, call 309-524-2470… Moline Public Library,
noon Fri Dec 13
Marcy Playground, concert with the alternative-rock
band composed of John Wozniak, Dylan Keefe, and
Shlomi Lavie; $15-20, The Rust Belt, 533 12th Ave., East
Moline IL, TheRustBeltQC.com, 8pm Fri Dec 13
The Manny Lopez Big Band, Lopez and his 13 piece
big band will be playing… The Circa ’21 Speakeasy, 6pm
Fri Dec 13
Tippy - Mr. Jackson, concert with the neo-soul,
groove, and bedroom-pop musicians; $5-10 sliding…
Rozz-Tox, 9pm Fri Dec 13
A Countdown to Christmas: 7eventh Time
Down - Jamie Kimmett, holiday concert with the
contemporary-Christian musicians; $15-35; for tickets,
call 800-965-9324… Grace Family Church, 7pm Sat Dec
14
WVIK/QCSO Signature Series II: Holiday Brass,
celebrate the holiday season with members of the
QCSO’s brass… North Scott High School Fine Arts
Auditorium, 7:30pm Sat Dec 14
A Blues Christmas Brunch: Avey/Grouws Band,
enjoy an all-you-can-eat brunch and an array of
Christmas and blues… The Gypsy Highway Bar & Grill,
noon Sun Dec 15
Polyrhythms’ Third Sunday Jazz Workshop &
Matinee Series: The Tony Sconyers Sextet, a salute
to the vocal talents of Johnny Hartman with… The
Redstone Room, 3pm Sun Dec 15
WVIK/QCSO Signature Series II: Holiday Brass,
celebrate the holiday season with members of the
QCSO’s brass… Bartlett Performing Arts Center, 2pm
Sun Dec 15
Guest List Series featuring Arkansauce, concert
with the genre-hopping, four piece string band from
northwest Arkansas; free;… The Redstone Room, 7:30pm
Thu Dec 19
Bucktown Revue, a live music-and-humor variety
show featuring various styles of folk… Nighswander
Theatre, 7pm Fri Dec 20
Northern Parallels 039: 3-Year Anniversary Party
w/ Jason Patrick, an evening with the Chicago-based
DJ, producer, and label manager of… Rozz-Tox, 8pm Fri
Dec 20
Rebecca Casad & Alan Morrison, a concert in the
Brown Bag Lunch Series; free; for… Bettendorf Public
Library, noon Fri Dec 20
Too Many Banjos, concert with the four-piece string
ensemble; $5; for information, call… RIBCO, 9pm Fri
Dec 20
Windy City Dueling Pianos, high-energy live music
played on two pianos by highly skilled… The Circa ’21
Speakeasy, 8pm Sat Dec 21
Michael Moncada & Whiskey High, concert with the
country musician voted 2018 & 2019’s Fastest… RIBCO,
9:30pm Fri Dec 27
Tunes at the Tulip, enjoy listener-friendly music from a
variety of artists in the… Hauberg Civic Center Mansion,
7pm Fri Dec 27
Guest List Series featuring Still Shine, The Channel
Cats, and Super Happy Funthyme Trouble, free
concert with the bluegrass, jam, and jug-band musicians;
for… The Redstone Room, 8pm Sat Dec 28
Jason Aldean @ TaxSlayer Center – February 13
Know More, Do More • RiverCitiesReader.com River Cities’ Reader • Vol. 26 No. 968 • December 2019 11
Taylor Dayne - Tiffany, concert with the chart-
topping pop superstars; $20-45; for tickets and
information, call 844-852-4FUN, Rhythm City Casino
Resort Event Center, 7077 Elmore Ave., Davenport IA,
RhythmCityCasino.com, 7pm Sun Dec 29

All Sweat Productions Presents: Clapton, the

music of Slowhand featuring a roster of some of… The
Redstone Room, 9pm Tue Dec 31

Belladiva, free concert with the dynamic 10 piece show

band features an accomplished ensemble of singers
and musicians who cover a wide variety of music from
pop, R&B, rock, country, and disco; for information, call
563-328-8000, Rhythm City Casino Resort Event Center,
7077 Elmore Ave., Davenport IA, RhythmCityCasino.com,
9:30pm Tue Dec 31

Good Rockin’ Live!: A Salute to Sun Records,

concert tribute to the birth of rock ‘n’ roll and… Circa ’21
Dinner Playhouse, 9:15pm Tue Dec 31

News Year’s Eve at Rozz-Tox: Condor & Jaybird X

The Golden Fleece - Good Doom - Denim Dragon
- Dark Family - Max Kamm - Liv Carrow - NUMA,
also with poetry b Aubs. and Heather Files and visuals…
Rozz-Tox, 9pm Tue Dec 31
January
Ellis Kell Winter Blues Camp Concert, end-of-camp
concert with musicians ages 8-18; for information, call
563-326-1333… The Redstone Room, 6pm Fri Jan 3
Chamber Music Quad Cities: Beethoven Year,
featuring the music of Beethoven and his circle, with
violinists… Unitarian Universalist Congregation of the
Quad Cities, 7:30pm Sat Jan 4
Tuneful Tuesdays: Chordbusters VLQ, enjoy the
a cappella renderings of barbershop music with the…
Rock Island Public Library - Downtown Library, noon
Tue Jan 7
Squirrel Nut Zippers @ The Redstone Room – January 29
Anthony Gomes, touring blues musician in concert;
$15 adv / $18 day of… The Redstone Room, 8pm Fri Jan
10
The Manny Lopez Big Band, Lopez and his 13 piece
big band will be playing… The Circa ’21 Speakeasy, 6pm
Fri Jan 10
LegalizeD It: Jon & Ren - The Mand - Jason Carl &
the Whole Damned Band - Earth Ascending, cover
charge at the door; for information, call 309-283-4811…
Bent River Brewing Company - Rock Island, 9pm Sat
Jan 11
The Rose Ensemble, PASS-concert event with the
vocal ensemble and Quad City Arts… Rogalski Center -
St. Ambrose University, 6:30pm Wed Jan 15
Beer Choir w/ the Rose Ensemble, collaborative
performance with the beer choir and the vocal
ensemble… Galena Brewing Company / Moline Ale
House, 7pm Thu Jan 16
Skid Row - Slaughter, concert with the punk, rock,
and metal icons of the ‘80s and ‘90s; $30-60; for tickets
and information, call 844-852-4FUN, Rhythm City Casino
Resort Event Center, 7077 Elmore Ave., Davenport IA,
RhythmCityCasino.com/index.html, 8pm Thu Jan 16
Bucktown Revue, a live music-and-humor variety
show featuring various styles of folk… Nighswander
Theatre, 7pm Fri Jan 17
Kris Lager Band, touring blues musicians in concert,
with an opening set by… The Redstone Room, 8pm Fri
Jan 17
The Rose Ensemble, full-length concert featuring the
vocal ensemble and Quad City Arts… First Presbyterian
Church of Davenport, 7:30pm Fri Jan 17
Tony Hoeppner, a concert in the Brown Bag Lunch
Series; free; for… Bettendorf Public Library, noon Fri
Jan 17
Disney/Pixar’s Coco in Concert at 2 & 7:30pm;
the Quad City Symphony Orchestra plays live
accompaniment to the… Adler Theatre, Sat Jan 18
The Rose Ensemble, Informal performance, meet
& greet, and coffee and donuts with… Hauberg Civic
Center Mansion, 10am Sat Jan 18
Polyrhythms’ Third Sunday Jazz Workshop &
Matinee Series, featuring a 3pm Jazz Demystifying
Workshop and a 6pm concert … The Redstone Room,
Sun Jan 19
Squirrel Nut Zippers, concert with the touring jazz,
swing, and klezmer musicians; $35… The Redstone
Room, 7:30pm Wed Jan 29

FIGGE ART MUSEUM STORE

Shop PURPOSE
WITH

Purchases made in
the Museum Store
support the Figge!
Mention this ad and receive
10% off your purchase.
Not valid on consignment or
in addition to membership
discount or other offers.
Good through December 31, 2019

Davenport, Iowa • 563.326.7804

www.figgeartmuseum.org
12 River Cities’ Reader • Vol. 26 No. 968 • December 2019
VISUAL ARTS
Four Stories of Fun Art at the Figge
E
John Dilg - Arterial Resources
Steve Erickson: Painter
Know More, Do More • RiverCitiesReader.com
By Todd McGreevy
ach of the current visiting painting vertical panels of differing heights house Beuys’ shamanistic influences are imme-
and sculpture exhibits at the Figge more than 50 portraits. Because viewers diately apparent. The installations revolve
Art Museum is worth seeing on its can walk amidst the panels, the result is a around the artist’s environmental, social,
own. Combined, the fare at the Figge is sculptural experience, too. When sitting and political perspectives on petroleum’s
packed with visual value and should not in the sole chair in the room and facing ubiquity in our lives. There are five specific
be missed. the “back side” of the panels, a panoramic installations and each has its own back-
In the first-f loor Gildehaus Gal- landscape depicting the Maquoketa hills story. The artist’s concerns for the impact
lery, 11 medium-size abstract, untitled and fields suddenly comes to life (pictured of pollutants is balanced by her nod to
works Steve Erickson completed over a above). The technical planning, setup, and the ancientness of the petroleum that is a
year’s period showcase the joy of paint- execution required to achieve this awe- critical physical ingredient of our modern
ing for painting’s sake. His meticulous some effect is even more apparent when lives. The centerpiece includes a synthetic
paint applications evoke simultaneously one looks up to see the complex suspen- skating rink in which visitors can don
microscopic amoeba imagery and Tolk- sion apparatus that makes it possible. See skates and take a whirl under a vortex of
ien-inspired landscapes. The deft ness page 29 for more about this exhibit that ravens and tree roots. This show ends on
with which he applies washes is a nod to closes on February 2. December 29.
his mentor John Dilg, whose 30 paintings At the top fourth floor is Mia Feuer’s
make up his exhibit in the upstairs Katz mixed-media sculpture installation For more on the Figge’s exhibitions
Gallery titled Arterial Resources. Erick- Totems of the Anthropocene. Anselm and programs, call (563)326-7804 or visit
son studied under Dilg at the University Kiefer’s Germanic-gothic and Joseph FiggeArtMuseum.org.
of Iowa. Dilg’s oil-on-canvas works are
tight, nearly duo-tone landscape and
animal paintings displaying a consistent
and purposeful style that creep up to the
edge of outsider, or naïve art. The collaps-
ing perspectives and contending scale of
subjects in Dilg’s work, along with a child-
like rendering of trees and waterfalls, are
forsaken by his expert craftsmanship that
makes his mountains glow. Dilg’s and
Erickson’s works are on view through
January 5.
Up on the third-floor gallery is the
installation of Rose Frantzen’s portrait
and landscape painting extravaganza
Portrait of Maquoketa and her partner
Chuck Morris’ suite of children’s-book
illustrations The Storytelling Tree. Frant-
zen’s panels have been exhibited before at
the Figge and the work was acquired into
its permanent collection in 2015. Frant-
zen’s alla prima painting style is superb
and very accessible. Over two dozen Mia Feuer: Totems of the Anthropocene
 Know More, Do More • RiverCitiesReader.com
CONTINUED River Cities’ Reader • Vol. 26 No. 968 • December 2019 13
MUSIC / Concerts / lyricism of… Centennial Hall, Augustana College, 7:30pm
Scott & Rock Island Counties / Sat Feb 15
January
Polyrhythms’ Third Sunday Jazz Workshop &
Matinee Series, featuring a 3pm Jazz Demystifying
Brantley Gilbert, concert with the chart-topping Workshop and a 6pm concert … The Redstone Room,
country singer on his “Fire’t Up… TaxSlayer Center, 7pm Sun Feb 16
Thu Jan 30
A Night of Sunshine, all-new cabaret with one of
Fool House: The Ultimate ‘90s Dance Party, Circa ’21’s most popular performers,… Circa ’21 Dinner
prepare to go back to the golden era of boy… The Playhouse, 7:15pm Thu Feb 20
Redstone Room, 9pm Fri Jan 31
Bucktown Revue, a live music-and-humor variety
show featuring various styles of folk… Nighswander
February & March Theatre, 7pm Fri Feb 21

Wynonna Judd & the Big Noise, concert with the

Quad City Symphony Orchestra Masterworks IV:
Love, experience the highs and lows of love through
works inspired… Adler Theatre, 8pm Sat Feb 1
Quad City Symphony Orchestra Masterworks IV:
Love, experience the highs and lows of love through
works inspired… Centennial Hall, Augustana College,
2pm Sun Feb 2
Grammy-winning country star and her ensemble,
featuring an opening set by the Monica Austin Band;
$35-85; The Rust Belt, 533 12th Ave., East Moline IL,
TheRustBeltQC.com, 8pm Fri Feb 21
Vince Herman & Drew Emmitt, bluegrass musicians
and Leftover Salmon members in concert; $30 adv /…
The Redstone Room, 8pm Fri Feb 28

Tuneful Tuesdays: Danelle Kvapil, performance by Winter Choir Concert: Women in Song, free; for
the alto saxophonist; bring your lunch; free; for… Rock information, contact Terri Flynn at buesing-flynnterrik@
Island Public Library - Downtown Library, noon Tue sau.edu or 563-333-6001… Galvin Fine Arts Center - St.
Feb 4 Ambrose University, 7:30pm Fri Feb 28

Casual Classics: Concert IV: Transient Canvas,
features a marimba and clarinet duet; come early, stay
after,… Galvin Fine Arts Center - St. Ambrose University,
5pm Fri Feb 7
Dan Quinn, public concert with the DJ, musician, tech
enthusiast, and Quad… The Redstone Room, 7pm Fri
Feb 7
Zac Brown Band, concert with the chart-topping,
Grammy-winning country/rock band based in Atlanta,…
TaxSlayer Center, 7pm Fri Feb 28
Wynonna Judd and the Big Noise @ The Rust Belt – February 21
Tuneful Tuesdays: Black Hawk Pipes & Drums of
the Quad Cities, performance of Scottish bagpiping; United Holiday Spectacular, United High School’s Galesburg High School Holiday Concert, annual,
bring your lunch; free; for information,… Rock Island annual band and choir concert celebrating the… seasonal band and choir concert; free; for information,
Public Library - Downtown Library, noon Tue Mar 3 Orpheum Theatre, 7pm Thu Dec 12 call 309-342-2299… Orpheum Theatre, 7pm Tue Dec 17

The Texas Tenors: Coming Home to Iowa, Marcus
Collins, John Hagen, and JC Fisher treat audiences to…
Adler Theatre, 7:30pm Wed Feb 12
Jason Aldean, country star performs on his “We Back
Tour” with special… TaxSlayer Center, 7:30pm Thu Feb
13
The Manny Lopez Big Band, Lopez and his 13 piece
big band will be playing… The Circa ’21 Speakeasy, 6pm
Fri Feb 14
Aaron Lewis, the country and hard-rock musician
performs on his “State I’m in Tour”; $35-70; for tickets
and information, call 844-852-4FUN, Rhythm City Casino
Resort Event Center, 7077 Elmore Ave., Davenport IA,
RhythmCityCasino.com/index.html, 8pm Sat Feb 15
Summer Camp on the Road Showcase, concert with
bands who have played the live music festival… The
Redstone Room, 8pm Sat Feb 15
WVIK/QCSO Signature Series III: Jupiter Quartet,
an elegant evening of chamber music exploring the
Outlying Areas
December
Christmas at Heritage Center: The Sound of
Christmas, celebrate the season through a concert
featuring the UD choirs and Wind Ensemble with live
narration and special music from guest artist Elisabeth
von Trapp, the granddaughter of Maria and Baron
von Trapp of “The Sound of Music” fame; $7-25; for
information and tickets, call 563-585-SHOW, John & Alice
Butler Hall - University of Dubuque Heritage Center,
2255 Bennett St., Dubuque IA, Dbq.edu/heritagecenter,
7:30pm Fri Dec 6
Kris Lager Band, fundraising concert for a permanent
stage to be constructed at… Crescent City Tap, 8pm Fri
Dec 6
Choral Dynamics: Celebrate Me Home, re-live
all the magic and delight of Christmas in Galesburg…
Orpheum Theatre, 7:30pm Fri Dec 6 thru Sat Dec 7
Winterland, the musicians present “Cryptical
Envelopment: Music of the Grateful Dead,… Englert
Theatre, 8pm Fri Dec 13
ZUUL - Murnau - Giallows - Daykeeper, rock and
metal artists in concert; 7pm doors, 8pm show;…
Straightaway Productions, 8pm Fri Dec 13
A Nova Christmas, concert with professional vocal
group the Nova Singers, featuring an evening of
traditional and contemporary songs of the season; for
tickets and information, call 309-341-7038 or e-mail
nova@knox.edu, First Lutheran Church - Galesburg, 364
E. Water St., Galesburg IL, NovaSingers.com, 7:30pm Sat
Dec 14
Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra with Wynton
Marsalis: Big Band Holidays, holiday concert in
which the band will be joined by… Hancher Auditorium,
7:30pm Sat Dec 14
Joyann Parker, blues artist in concert; for information,
call 563-872-3838… Flatted Fifth Blues & BBQ, 8pm Sat
Dec 14
Eufórquestra’s Home for the Holidays X w/ Flash
in a Pan, concert benefiting the Crisis Center of Johnson
County, co-presented with… Englert Theatre, 7:30pm
Fri Dec 20
Durango McMurphy & the Love Street Boogie
Band, concert with the five-piece blues, rockabilly, and
Americana band from Waunakee,… Flatted Fifth Blues &
BBQ, 8pm Sat Dec 28
January
Steep Canyon Rangers, the Grammy Award-winning
sextet has spent nearly two decades shaping the
bluegrass aesthetic, wedding it to elements of pop,
country, and folk to create something original; for
information and tickets, call 563-585-SHOW, John & Alice
Butler Hall - University of Dubuque Heritage Center,
2255 Bennett St., Dubuque IA, Dbq.edu/heritagecenter,
7:30pm Fri Jan 10

Christmas with the Quad City Singers, this year’s

holiday concerts will feature the professional vocal
ensemble… Lavender Crest Winery, 7pm Fri Dec 6 and
Sat Dec 7

BeauSoleil avec Michael Doucet: A Cajun

Christmas, swamp-pop takes on classic holiday tunes
as well as a… Hancher Auditorium, 7:30pm Sat Dec 7

Linsey Alexander, blues artist in concert; for

information, call 563-872-3838… Flatted Fifth Blues &
BBQ, 8pm Sat Dec 7

Let There Be Peace: A Service of Lessons &

Carols, join us as we celebrate the holiday season with
traditional… Iowa Wesleyan University Chapel, 7pm Sat
Dec 7 thru Sun Dec 8

Choral Dynamics: Celebrate Me Home, re-live

all the magic and delight of Christmas in Galesburg…
Orpheum Theatre, 2pm Sun Dec 8

Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra with Wynton

Marsalis: Big Band Holidays, composed of 15
soloists, ensemble players, and arrangers in jazz
music, the group brings a beloved New York tradition
to Dubuque; $19-59; for information and tickets, call
563-585-SHOW, John & Alice Butler Hall - University of
Dubuque Heritage Center, 2255 Bennett St., Dubuque IA,
Dbq.edu/heritagecenter, 7:30pm Mon Dec 9
Quad City Arts Visiting Artist David Henry
Hwang @ Augustana College – February 12
14 River Cities’ Reader • Vol. 26 No. 968 • December 2019
CONTINUED
MUSIC / Concerts / Outlying Areas /
January
Orchestra Iowa Chamber Players: Metallic Frost,
an event in the Shuttleworth Chamber Series; $25…
Coralville Center for the Performing Arts, 2:30pm Sun
Jan 12
The Rose Ensemble, abbreviated concert featuring
the vocal ensemble and Quad City Arts… Wesley United
Methodist Church, 2pm Wed Jan 15
10 of Soul, a high-energy tribute to soul, funk, and
everything in between;… Central DeWitt Performing
Arts Center, 7pm Sat Jan 18
Katie Dahl CD Release Concert, concert with the folk
singer/songwriter… Heritage Hall at Lisbon Library, 4pm
Sun Jan 19
Rebirth Brass Band, concert with the Grammy-
winning jazz, funk, and hip-hop musicians; $15-25; for…
Englert Theatre, 7:30pm Thu Jan 23
POP 2000 Tour: Lance Bass - O-Town - Ryan
Cabrera - LFO, featuring performances of the decade’s
smash songs including “Bye Bye… Riverside Casino
Event Center, 8pm Fri Jan 24
Mandolin Orange, concert with the North Carolina
duo held in conjunction with… Englert Theatre, 7:30pm
Tue Jan 28
Miró Quartet and Kiera Duffy: Personal
Revolution, the quartet and soprano Duffy will explore
the revolutionary music… Hancher Auditorium, 7:30pm
Wed Jan 29
Orchestra Iowa Masterworks III: Beethoven
250, award-winning Bulgarian violinist Bella Hristova
joins Orchestra Iowa in a… Coralville Center for the
Performing Arts, 7:30pm Fri Jan 31
February & March
Gina Chavez, 2 & 5pm family-friendly concerts with the
10-time Austin Music Award winner; $10-20;… Hancher
Auditorium, Sat Feb 1
Orchestra Iowa Masterworks III: Beethoven 250,
award-winning Bulgarian violinist Bella Hristova joins
Orchestra Iowa in a… Paramount Theatre, 7:30pm Sat
Feb 1
Shesh Besh, the Arab-Jewish Ensemble, Shesh Besh
is comprised of two members of the Israel Philharmonic
Orchestra alongside three of the finest musicians from
Israel’s Arab community; for information and tickets, call
563-585-SHOW, John & Alice Butler Hall - University of
Dubuque Heritage Center, 2255 Bennett St., Dubuque IA,
Dbq.edu/heritagecenter, 7:30pm Sat Feb 1
Michael Moncada and Whiskey High @ RIBCO – December 27
Know More, Do More • RiverCitiesReader.com
Dan Quinn, abbreviated concert with the DJ, musician,
tech enthusiast, and Quad… Colona Public Library, 5pm
Mon Feb 3
Mike Doughty, an evening with the singer/songwriter
and force behind seminal ‘90s band… The Mill, 8pm
Thu Feb 6
Rosanne Cash, carrying the legacy of her famous
musical family forward, Cash… Hancher Auditorium,
7:30pm Sat Feb 8
Aaron Lewis, the country and hard-rock musician
performs on his “State I’m… Riverside Casino Event
Center, 8pm Fri Feb 14
Neil Berg’s 50 Years of Rock and Roll, with a cast
consisting of both stars from Broadway’s greatest rock
musicals including Dubuque native Rita Harvey, as well
as incredible rock and roll singers, Berg shares the often
unknown stories from the 50-year history of the music
that changed the world; for information and tickets, call
563-585-SHOW, John & Alice Butler Hall - University of
Dubuque Heritage Center, 2255 Bennett St., Dubuque IA,
Dbq.edu/heritagecenter, 7:30pm Sat Feb 15
We Shall Overcome: A Celebration of Dr. Martin
Luther King Jr., the event showcases repertoire from
African-American music traditions with interwoven
spoken word from Dr. King’s speeches; this concert
production features a full ensemble of vocals and
instrumentals with music representing traditional and
modern gospel, classical, jazz, Broadway, and spirituals;
for information and tickets, call 563-585-SHOW, John &
Alice Butler Hall - University of Dubuque Heritage Center,
2255 Bennett St., Dubuque IA, Dbq.edu/heritagecenter,
7:30pm Tue Feb 18
Dan Navarro, concert with the jazz singer/songwriter…
Heritage Hall at Lisbon Library, 6:30pm Thu Feb 20
Knox-Galesburg Symphony Masterworks III:
Fate of the Furious, featuring Beethoven: Overture
to Fidelio; Tchaikovsky: Fatum; Beethoven: Symphony
No.… Orpheum Theatre, 7:30pm Sat Feb 22
Siberian State Symphony Orchestra, direct from
Krasnoyarsk, Russia, the 80-member ensemble will
perform Tango from The Bolt ballet by Shostakovich,
Piano Concerto No. 3 by Rachmaninov, and Symphony
No. 5 by Tchaikovsky; for information and tickets, call
563-585-SHOW, John & Alice Butler Hall - University of
Dubuque Heritage Center, 2255 Bennett St., Dubuque IA,
Dbq.edu/heritagecenter, 7:30pm Thu Feb 27
The Chieftains: The Irish Goodbye, concert with
the six-time Grammy winners and incomparable
instrumentalists and… Hancher Auditorium, 7:30pm
Wed Mar 4
Know More, Do More • RiverCitiesReader.com
Special Events
December
Inside the Music: QCSO Masterworks III, join QCSO
Music Director Mark Russell Smith in an exploration…
Hotel Blackhawk, 4:45pm Thu Dec 5
Afterglow: QCSO Masterworks III, held immediately
after the night’s concert at the Adler Theatre;… Hotel
Blackhawk, 10pm Sat Dec 7
Concert Conversations: QCSO Masterworks III,
QCSO concert-goers are invited to attend informal pre-
concert conversations to… Adler Theatre, 7pm Sat Dec 7
Concert Conversations: QCSO Masterworks III,
QCSO concert-goers are invited to attend informal pre-
concert conversations to… Centennial Hall, Augustana
College, 1pm Sun Dec 8
RME Community Youth Band Rehearsal, on
Wednesdays; a concert band for students that may not
have… RME (River Music Experience), 5:15pm Wed Dec
11
KIX Orchestra Rehearsal, the KIX Orchestra, directed
by Steve Little, plays music from… RME (River Music
Experience), 7pm Tue Dec 17
Trax from the Stax, a music-listening program
designed to provide the opportunity to share…
Bettendorf Public Library, 7:30pm Thu Dec 19
Ellis Kell Winter Blues Camp, thru Jan. 3; the annual
camp features vocal and instrumental… RME (River
Music Experience), 1pm Mon Dec 30
January
RME Community Youth Band Rehearsal, on
Wednesdays; a concert band for students that may not
have… RME (River Music Experience), 5:15pm Wed Jan 8
thru Wed Jan 29
MUSIC
Blackalicious
Thursday, December 12, 9 p.m. @ Gabe’s, 330 East Washington Street, Iowa City, IA
T
he Sacramento-based legends of Black-
alicious bring their brand of brainy,
alternative hip-hop to the stage at
Gabe’s in Iowa City on December 12.
The first thing you learn about Blackali-
cious when you discover its music is that the
MC of the duo, who goes by the moniker Gift
of Gab, really does have a gift for gab. The
rapper is known for his improbably tongue-
twisting speed raps that typically incorpo-
rate all manner of creative poetic strategies
and interesting thematic conceits. The most
famous of these is probably the alliterative
assault of “Alphabet Aerobics,” a track in
which Gab fi lls each bar with words that start
with one letter of the alphabet as he works his
way from A to Z. “Perfected poem, powerful
punchlines / Pummeling petty powder puffs
in my prime” gives way to “Quite quaint
quotes keep quiet it’s Quannum [note: this
is the name of the duo’s label] / Quarrel-
ers ain’t got a quarter of what we got-uh.”
In lesser hands, this could be an extremely
cheesy move to pull, like a homework assign-
ment from high school English. But Gab has
the moxie, attitude, and extreme raw skills
to pull it off. One of the wildest elements of
this track has nothing to do with the words at
Quad City Music Guild Youth Chorus Auditions,
under the direction of Valeree Pieper and accompanied
by Randin Letendre, the Youth Chorus presents
programs in a musical-theatre genre; Sat. 1-2:30pm,
Mon. 4:30-6pm; for information, call 309-762-6610, Quad
City Music Guild - Prospect Park Auditorium, 1584 34th
Ave., Moline IL, QCMusicGuild.com/youthchorus, Sat
Jan 18 and Mon Jan 20
KIX Orchestra Rehearsal, the KIX Orchestra, directed
by Steve Little, plays music from… RME (River Music
Experience), 7pm Tue Jan 21
Inside the Music: QCSO Masterworks IV, join QCSO
Music Director Mark Russell Smith in an exploration…
Hotel Blackhawk, 4:45pm Thu Jan 30
all – It’s the tempo. The beat by Cut Chemist
is accelerating through the entire runtime as
the punchy drum-and-piano groove almost
imperceptibly speeds up to a fi nal BPM at
least 50-percent faster than the beginning.
The fact that Gift of Gab is capable of stay-
ing perfectly on beat while he speeds his way
through his insanely complex lyrics is one
source of wonder, but the seamlessness of
the whole thing really confounds. It’s not like
the track moves from a section at one tempo
into a clear transition to another tempo. No,
the pace is increasing moment by moment,
even within the span of one measure. Th is
means that Gab has to fine-tune the rhythm
of his bars at literally every moment of the
performance and ramp up the speed at the
rate of like one percent per bar. It’s enough
to make you scratch your head in dumb-
founded amazement. (Note: Through a quick
Google search, you can find a video of Harry
Potter actor Daniel Radcliffe rapping his way
through this song on live TV, actually quite
accurately.)
Anyway, that’s one track in the Blackali-
cious catalog. Don’t even get me started on
“Chemical Calisthenics” – that’s a whole
’nother can of worms. The truth is, however
River Cities’ Reader • Vol. 26 No. 968 • December 2019
Bandstand @ Adler Theatre – December 16
February & March
Afterglow: QCSO Masterworks IV, held immediately
after the night’s concert at the Adler Theatre;… Hotel
Blackhawk, 10pm Sat Feb 1
Concert Conversations: QCSO Masterworks IV,
QCSO concert-goers are invited to attend informal pre-
concert conversations to… Adler Theatre, 7pm Sat Feb 1
Concert Conversations: QCSO Masterworks IV,
QCSO concert-goers are invited to attend informal pre-
concert conversations to… Centennial Hall, Augustana
College, 1pm Sun Feb 2
4th-12th Grade Homeschool Choir, Tuesdays thru
May 19; directed by the Spotlight Theatre’s in-house…
The Spotlight Theatre, 1pm Tue Feb 4
much tracks such as “Alphabet Aerobics” get
the lion’s share of the attention from casual
listeners, Blackalicious has always offered
way more than warp-speed stunt raps. Clas-
sic albums such as 1999’s Nia and 2002’s
Black Arrow carry entire discrete universes
within their running times. The production,
handled mainly by the other half of the duo,
Chief Xcel, encompasses an untold spread of
genres from blistering breakbeats and boom-
bap rhythms to woozy, beautiful soul music
to collages of samples arranged into kinetic
beat spreads.
The same can be said of the duo’s most
recent album, 2015’s Imani Vol. 1, which loses
none of the musicians’ hard-hitting energy
and omnivorous production. Early album
highlight “Blacka” finds Gab tearing the hell
out of an Xcel beat built around one chunky
guitar riff that gets chopped and re-planted
alongside the thumping drums. “Escape”
slides through a haze of overlaid, melancholy
piano lines and smeared string arrangements
as Gab details the crumbling life of a drug
addict who’s falling out of his family and
society. The shorter track “I Like The Way
You Talk” is the closest thing we get to the
stunt raps of “Alphabet Aerobics” here, as
15
Dan Quinn: DJ’ing Workshop, a discussion with
the Contemporary Book Discussion Group; free; for…
Bettendorf Public Library, 6pm Tue Feb 4
RME Community Youth Band Rehearsal, on
Wednesdays; a concert band for students that may not
have… RME (River Music Experience), 5:15pm Wed Feb 5
thru Wed Feb 26
KIX Orchestra Rehearsal, the KIX Orchestra, directed
by Steve Little, plays music from… RME (River Music
Experience), 7pm Tue Feb 18
RME Community Youth Band Rehearsal, a concert
band for students that may not have… RME (River Music
Experience), 5:15pm Wed Mar 4
By Max Allison
Blackalicious @ Gabe’s – December 12
Gab’s tight internal rhyme schemes and con-
stantly tumbling cadences pour out of him
with stunning precision, all over a massive
beat built over a distorted bass guitar riff and
clanging cymbal rushes. The only thing con-
sistent about the sound of Blackalicious is a
kaleidoscopically all-encompassing approach
to songwriting, with no solid ground to stand
on. The duo funnel fragments of any number
of genres into their combinatory tracks, and
frost all of that with the effortless microphone
madness of Gift of Gab, to the point that it’s
often a glorious shock to the system to step
into.
Blackalicious plays its Iowa City concert at
9 p.m. on December 12, admission is $20, and
more information and tickets are available by
visiting ICGabes.com.
16 River Cities’ Reader • Vol. 26 No. 968 • December 2019
LITERARY ARTS
Readings & Discussions
December
Silvis Public Library Winter Reading Challenge,
each bingo you obtain is an entry to… Silvis Public
Library, Thu Dec 5 thru Tue Dec 31
Local Author Donna Beserra, local author Beserra
discusses her Twirley Shirley series, as well… Davenport
Public Library - Eastern Avenue Branch, 3pm Sat Dec 7
A Court of Thorns & Roses, a discussion of Sarah
J. Maas’ book in the See… Davenport Public Library -
Eastern Avenue Branch, 6:30pm Mon Dec 9
Year’s End, a discussion of Jhumpa Lahiri’s story with
the Shorts &… Davenport Public Library - Fairmount
Street Branch, 10am Mon Dec 9
Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy, a discussion of John le
Carré’s novel with the Get… Bettendorf Public Library,
7pm Tue Dec 10
We the Interwoven, Volume 2., a presentation in the
Read Local series; free; for information,… Bettendorf
Public Library, 7pm Wed Dec 11
A Land of Permanent Goodbyes, a teen/parent
discussion of Atia Abawi’s book; free; for information,…
Bettendorf Public Library, 3pm Sat Dec 14
Crossing Places, a discussion of Elly Griffiths’ book
with the Mystery Book… Bettendorf Public Library,
9:30am Sat Dec 14
Evening Book Club, free; for information, call 309-593-
2178… Sherrard Public Library, 2:30pm Mon Dec 16
The Time Traveler’s Wife, a discussion of Audrey
Niffenegger’s book with the West End… Davenport
Public Library - Fairmount Street Branch, 6:30pm Tue
Dec 17
Lost Girls, a discussion of Robert Kolker’s book with
the True Crime… Davenport Public Library - Fairmount
Street Branch, 6:30pm Thu Dec 19
January
Silvis Public Library Winter Reading Challenge,
each bingo you obtain is an entry to… Silvis Public
Library, Wed Jan 1 thru Fri Jan 31
Winter Reading Challenge: Light Up Winter!, thru
Feb. 8 at both Rock Island libraries; light up your… Mon
Jan 6 thru Fri Jan 31
Pageturners Book Discussion Group, a
contemporary fiction and nonfiction book discussion
group; free; for… Moline Public Library, 6:30pm Tue
Jan 7
The Girls From Ames, a discussion of Jeffrey Zaslow’s
book with the Between the… Davenport Public Library -
Eastern Avenue Branch, 6:30pm Wed Jan 8
Hollywood Homicide, a discussion of Kellye Garrett’s
book with the Mystery Book… Bettendorf Public Library,
9:30am Sat Jan 11
See YA, an adult book club with a teen book twist;
see why… Davenport Public Library - Eastern Avenue
Branch, 6:30pm Mon Jan 13
Unmentionable, a discussion of Therese Oneill’s novel
with the Get Lit… Bettendorf Public Library, 7pm Tue
Jan 14
Less, a discussion of Andrew Sean Greer’s book with the
Contemporary… Bettendorf Public Library, 7pm Wed
Jan 15
Pachinko, a discussion of Min Jin Lee’s book with the
Contemporary Book… Bettendorf Public Library, 1pm
Wed Jan 15
True Crime Book Club, whether you obsessively
watch Investigation Discovery, are a devout Ann…
Davenport Public Library - Fairmount Street Branch,
6:30pm Thu Jan 16
Light Up Winter Reading Event, join us for plenty
of penguin fun, including reading, crafts,… Quad City
Botanical Center, 11am Sat Jan 18
Book ‘Em Mystery Book Club Discussion, free; for
information, call 309-524-2470… Moline Public Library,
6:30pm Tue Jan 21
The 100 Year Old Man Who Climbed Out the
Window & Disappeared, a discussion of Jonas
Jonasson’s book with the Last Call… Icons Martini, 7pm
Tue Jan 21
West End Book Club, a fun discussion of popular-
fiction titles; free; for information, call… Davenport
Public Library - Fairmount Street Branch, 6:30pm Tue
Jan 21
Book to Film, new book club in which we’ll discuss
books that will… Davenport Public Library - Eastern
Avenue Branch, 6:30pm Wed Jan 22
Winterkill, a discussion of C.J. Box’s book with the
Brown Bag Book… Davenport Public Library - Eastern
Avenue Branch, 1pm Wed Jan 22
Local Author Series: Mike Bayles, Bayles will be
discussing how Alzheimer’s disease affects the family…
Davenport Public Library - Eastern Avenue Branch, 3pm
Sat Jan 25
Killers of the Flower Moon: the Osage Murders
and the Birth of the FBI, a discussion of David Gunn’s
book with the Last Monday… Silvis Public Library,
6:30pm Mon Jan 27
February & March
Silvis Public Library Winter Reading Challenge,
each bingo you obtain is an entry to… Silvis Public
Library, Sat Feb 1 thru Sat Feb 29
Know More, Do More • RiverCitiesReader.com
Quad City Arts Visiting Artists The Rose Ensemble @ First Presbyterian Church of Davenport –
January 17
Winter Reading Challenge: Light Up Winter!, thru
Feb. 8 at both Rock Island libraries; light up your… Sat
Feb 1 thru Sat Feb 8
Smilla’s Sense of Snow, a discussion of Peter Hoeg’s
book with the Alpha Book… Rock Island Public Library -
Downtown Library, 1pm Mon Feb 3
Pageturners Book Discussion Group, a
contemporary fiction and nonfiction book discussion
group; free; for… Moline Public Library, 6:30pm Tue
Feb 4
Etiquette & Espionage, a discussion of Gail Carriger’s
book with the Between the… Davenport Public Library -
Eastern Avenue Branch, 6:30pm Wed Feb 5
Knots and Crosses, a discussion of Ian Rankin’s book
with the Mystery Book… Bettendorf Public Library,
9:30am Sat Feb 8
See YA, an adult book club with a teen book twist;
see why… Davenport Public Library - Eastern Avenue
Branch, 6:30pm Mon Feb 10
To Build a Fire, a discussion of Christophe Chabouté’s
novel with the Get Lit… Bettendorf Public Library, 7pm
Tue Feb 11
David Henry Hwang, reception, lecture, and book
signing with the Tony-winning, Chinese-American
playwright… Brunner Theatre Center, Augustana
College, 5pm Wed Feb 12
Local Author Series: Crystal Joy, a special Valentines
local author segment titles “Following Your Heart”;…
Davenport Public Library - Eastern Avenue Branch,
6:30pm Wed Feb 12
And Then There Were None, a discussion of Agatha
Christie’s book with the Last Call… Icons Martini, 7pm
Tue Feb 18
Book ‘Em Mystery Book Club Discussion, free; for
information, call 309-524-2470… Moline Public Library,
6:30pm Tue Feb 18
West End Book Club, a fun discussion of popular-
fiction titles; free; for information, call… Davenport
Public Library - Fairmount Street Branch, 6:30pm Tue
Feb 18
All Iowa Reads 2020, a discussion with the
Contemporary Book Discussion Group; free; for…
Bettendorf Public Library, 1pm Wed Feb 19
Pachinko, a discussion of Min Jin Lee’s book with the
Contemporary Book… Bettendorf Public Library, 7pm
Wed Feb 19
True Crime Book Club, whether you obsessively
watch Investigation Discovery, are a devout Ann…
Davenport Public Library - Fairmount Street Branch,
6:30pm Thu Feb 20
Syed Umar Warsi, Amir Safi, and Amal Kassir,
drawing from the wellspring of their lived experiences as
Muslims,… Hancher Auditorium, 7:30pm Fri Feb 21
The Alchemist, a discussion of Paulo Coelho’s book
with the Last Monday… Silvis Public Library, 6:30pm
Mon Feb 24
Book to Film, new book club in which we’ll discuss
books that will… Davenport Public Library - Eastern
Avenue Branch, 6:30pm Wed Feb 26
Code Girls, a discussion of Liz Mundy’s book with the
Brown Bag Book… Davenport Public Library - Eastern
Avenue Branch, 1pm Wed Feb 26
Local Author Series: Misty Urban, local author
Urban will present on “Writing the Short, the…
Davenport Public Library - Eastern Avenue Branch, 3pm
Sat Feb 29
Motherless Brooklyn, a discussion of Jonathan
Lethem’s book with the Alpha Book… Rock Island Public
Library - Downtown Library, 1pm Mon Mar 2
Pageturners Book Discussion Group, a
contemporary fiction and nonfiction book discussion
group; free; for… Moline Public Library, 6:30pm Tue
Mar 3
Harlan Coben, a discussion of Harlan Coben’s book
with the Between the… Davenport Public Library -
Eastern Avenue Branch, 6:30pm Wed Mar 4
Workshops & Classes
Quad Cities Writers Group, for beginning writers we
offer feedback and methods in helping… Davenport
Public Library - Eastern Avenue Branch, 5:30pm Mon
Dec 16
Write Now! Writers Group, on the 1st & 3rd Mon. of
the month; a… Moline Public Library, 6pm Mon Dec 16
thru Mon Mar 2
Know More, Do More • RiverCitiesReader.com River Cities’ Reader • Vol. 26 No. 968 • December 2019 17

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18 River Cities’ Reader • Vol. 26 No. 968 • December 2019
THEATRE
Performances
Scott & Rock Island Counties
December
The Best Christmas Pageant Ever: The Musical,
Quad Cities premiere of the family musical based on the
book and play by Barbara Robinson, directed by Kevin
Pieper; Thu.-Sat. 7:30pm, Sun. 2pm; $11-16; for tickets
and information, call 309-762-6610, Quad City Music
Guild - Prospect Park Auditorium, 1584 34th Ave., Moline
IL, QCMusicGuild.com, Thu Dec 5 thru Sun Dec 8
Disney on Ice: Dream Big, new skating spectacular
in which Miguel aspires to be a… TaxSlayer Center, Thu
Dec 5 thru Sun Dec 8
Invisible but Dangerous, Iowa playwright Janet
Story Schlapkohl’s debuting look backward at life… QC
Theatre Workshop, Fri Dec 6 and Sat Dec 7
Black Nativity, Breath of Encouragement Productions
presents Langston Hughes’ retelling of the classic
Nativity story; Fri. & Sat. 7:30pm, Sun 3pm; $15; for
information and tickets, call 563-650-2636, Playcrafters
Barn Theatre, 4950 35th Ave., Moline IL, Fri Dec 6 thru
Sun Dec 8
Mr. Scrooge! A Musical Christmas Carol, family-
friendly re-telling of Charles Dickens’ classic holiday
novel; $8.50-10; for… Circa ’21 Dinner Playhouse, Fri Dec
6 thru Sat Dec 28
Elf: The Musical, holiday musical based on the 2003
Will Ferrell film comedy,… Circa ’21 Dinner Playhouse,
Fri Dec 6 thru Sun Dec 29
The Little Prince, at 10am & 3pm; adaptation of the
classic Antoine de Saint-Exupéry story… Galvin Fine Arts
Center - St. Ambrose University, Sat Dec 7
Miracle on 34th Street: The Musical, stage musical
based on the holiday film classic;; Thu.-Sat. 7:30pm,…
The Spotlight Theatre, Thu Dec 12 thru Sun Dec 15
The Santaland Diaries, the Mississippi Bend Players
presents David Sedaris’ comic holiday memoir…
Brunner Theatre Center, Augustana College, Thu Dec 12
thru Sun Dec 15
The Nutcracker, Sat. 2:30 & 7:30pm, Sun. 2:30pm; Ballet
Quad Cities and Orchestra Iowa present Tchaikovsky’s…
Adler Theatre, Sat Dec 14 and Sun Dec 15
Bandstand, Tony-winning musical about a group of
veterans returning home to… Adler Theatre, 7:30pm
Mon Dec 16
January thru March
Jersey Boys, Tony-winning musical about the lives
and careers of Frankie Valli… Adler Theatre, 7:30pm Tue
Jan 14
Kinky Boots, Tony-winning musical comedy based
on the 2005 film; Fri., Sat.,… Circa ’21 Dinner Playhouse,
Wed Jan 15 thru Wed Mar 4
The Lion King Jr., a one-act version of the Tony-
winning Disney musical performed by… Brunner
Theatre Center, Augustana College, Fri Jan 24 thru Sun
Feb 2
The Boxcar Children, Barbara Field’s Depression-
era family adventure, directed by Cynthia Taylor; Fri. &
Sat. 7:30pm, Sun. 3pm; for tickets and information, call
309-762-0330, Playcrafters Barn Theatre, 4950 35th Ave.,
Moline IL, Playcrafters.com, Fri Feb 7 thru Sun Feb 16
The Shape of Things, Neil LaBute’s romantic drama
set in a small Midwestern university… St. Ambrose
University Studio Theatre, Thu Feb 13 thru Sat Feb 15
Know More, Do More • RiverCitiesReader.com
The Wedding Singer, Tony-nominated musical
comedy based on the Adam Sandler movie, directed…
The Spotlight Theatre, Fri Feb 14 thru Sun Feb 23
The Wizard of Oz, musical version of the L. Frank
Baum storybook classic; Sat. & Sun. 1 & 4pm; $6-8 at the
door; for information, call 563-888-2227, Davenport
Junior Theatre, 2822 Eastern Ave., Davenport IA,
DavenportJuniorTheatre.org, Sat Feb 15 thru Sun Feb
23
An American in Paris, Tony-winning Gershwin
musical based on the Oscar-winning film; an event…
Adler Theatre, 7:30pm Thu Feb 20
Spring Opera Scenes: Songs for a New World,
OperX presents vignettes from Jason Robert Brown’s
musical, directed by Michelle… Brunner Theatre Center,
Augustana College, 7:30pm Fri Feb 21 and Sat Feb 22
Mexico Beyond Mariachi, a stage-show message of
equity, tolerance, and unity with the Quad… Galvin Fine
Arts Center - St. Ambrose University, 7:30pm Sat Feb 22
Junie B. Jones Is Not a Crook, family-comedy stage
adaptation of Barbara Park’s children’s book, directed
by… Brunner Theatre Center, Augustana College,
1:30pm Sat Feb 29 thru Sun Mar 1
Blippi Live!, an interactive, family-friendly show based
on children’s YouTube sensation; $32-45; for… Adler
Theatre, 6pm Tue Mar 3
Outlying Areas
December
Christmas Kaleidoscope, a “Branson-style” show
with singing, dancing and comedy designed to…
Timber Lake Playhouse, Thu Dec 5 thru Sun Dec 15
Straight White Men, Young Jean Lee’s exploration
of suburban patriarchy, directed by Nina… Riverside
Theatre, Thu Dec 5 thru Sun Dec 15
Annie, City Circle Theatre Company presents the Tony-
winning Broadway-musical smash based… Coralville
Center for the Performing Arts, Fri Dec 6 thru Sun Dec
15
Matilda: The Musical, Tony-winning family musical
based on Roald DFalh’s children’s book; Fri.… Theatre
Cedar Rapids, Fri Dec 6 thru Sun Dec 15
The Best Christmas Pageant Ever, Barbara
Robinson’s adaptation of their holiday-comedy novel;
Fri. & Sat.… Starlighters II Theatre, Fri Dec 6 thru Sun
Dec 15
A Christmas Carol, performed by Virginia Repertory
Theatre; an intimate production of this perennial holiday
favorite and perhaps the best loved Christmas story
of all time, this musical adaptation of Dickens’ classic
is particularly suited to children; Sun. 2pm and Mon.
9:45am; $4-15; for tickets and information, call 563-585-
SHOW, John & Alice Butler Hall - University of Dubuque
Heritage Center, 2255 Bennett St., Dubuque IA, Dbq.
edu/heritagecenter, 2pm Sun Dec 8 and Mon Dec 9
National Theatre Live: One Man, Two Guvnors,
HD screening of Richard Bean’s Tony-winning comedy,
starring James Corden; for… FilmScene @ The Chauncey,
2pm Sun Dec 15
Christmas on the Air: A Live Radio Play, familiar
holiday tales performed in radio-studio format, with
vintage commercials,… Orpheum Theatre, 7:30pm Sat
Dec 21
Little Red Riding Hood, at 11am & 2pm; see the
Eulenspiegel favorite that uses… Owl Glass Puppetry
Center, Mon Dec 30
January
Other Desert Cities, Tallgrass Theatre Company
presents Jon Robin Baitz’s Tony-winning family drama;…
Rex Mathes Auditorium, Fri Jan 17 thru Sun Feb 2
Know More, Do More • RiverCitiesReader.com River Cities’ Reader • Vol. 26 No. 968 • December 2019 19
The All in a Day Play Festival, sponsored by
Dreamwell Theatre, City Circle Theatre Company of
Stages, comedic drama about David Lee Nelson and his
roommate Adam… Riverside Theatre, Fri Feb 28 thru MUSIC
Coralville,… Coralville Center for the Performing Arts, Sun Mar 1

7:30pm Sat Jan 18
Taurus Sun/Aries Moon, a Workshop Production by
Rachel Wade; Fri. & Sat. 8pm;… The University of Iowa’s
Alan MacVey Theatre, 8pm Fri Jan 24 and Sat Jan 25
The Color Purple, Tony-winning musical drama
Victor Wainwright
The Snowy Day & Other Stories, performed
by Childsplay Theatre Co. from Tempe, Arizona; a
performance in the 2019-20 Live at Heritage Center
SchoolBus Performance Series; $6-8; for information, Wednesday, December 11, 7:30 p.m. @ The Redstone
Room, 129 Main Street, Davenport, IA
contact Victoria Molle, director of audience services
at Heritage Center, at 563-589-3432 or vmolle@dbq.

based on the Alice Walker bestseller; Fri.… Hancher
Auditorium, Fri Jan 24 and Sat Jan 25
The Agitators, Mat Smart’s drama about the enduring,
tempestuous friendship of Susan… Riverside Theatre,
Fri Jan 24 thru Sun Feb 16
Pinocchio, at 10am & 2pm; Missoula Children’s Theatre
presents an original adaptation of the classic fairy
tale featuring a cast of local youths; for tickets and
information, call 563-585-SHOW, John & Alice Butler Hall
- University of Dubuque Heritage Center, 2255 Bennett
St., Dubuque IA, Dbq.edu/heritagecenter, Sat Jan 25
The Big Election, at 11am & 2pm; find out who will win
the… Owl Glass Puppetry Center, Sat Jan 25
Hit the Wall, Ike Holter’s drama about the launch of
the LGBTQ+ movement… The University of Iowa’s E. C.
Mabie Theatre, Fri Jan 31 thru Sat Feb 8
February & March
Walk On: The Rosa Parks Story, performed by Mad
River Theater Works from Ohio; a performance in the
2019-20 Live at Heritage Center SchoolBus Performance
Series; $6-8; for information, contact Victoria Molle,
director of audience services at Heritage Center, at 563-
589-3432 or vmolle@dbq.edu, John & Alice Butler Hall
- University of Dubuque Heritage Center, 2255 Bennett
St., Dubuque IA, Dbq.edu/heritagecenter/schoolbus,
12:15pm Mon Feb 3
Home Garden, a Workshop Production by Jivani
Rodriguez; Fri. & Sat. 8pm;… The University of Iowa’s
Alan MacVey Theatre, Fri Feb 7 and Sat Feb 8
A Gentleman’s Guide to Love & Murder, Tony-
winning musical comedy with book and lyrics by Robert
L.… Theatre Cedar Rapids, Fri Feb 7 thru Sun Feb 23
The Princess & the Pea, performed by Lexington
Children’s Theatre; this fun and funky retelling of the
Hans Christian Andersen classic determines what
happens when you put “princess-ness” to the test; for
tickets and information, call 563-585-SHOW, John & Alice
Butler Hall - University of Dubuque Heritage Center, 2255
Bennett St., Dubuque IA, Dbq.edu/heritagecenter, 2pm
Sun Feb 9
The Office: A Musical Parody, a hilariously loving
lampoon of your favorite TV show; for tickets and
information, call 563-585-SHOW, John & Alice Butler Hall
- University of Dubuque Heritage Center, 2255 Bennett
St., Dubuque IA, Dbq.edu/heritagecenter, 7:30pm Tue
Feb 11
23rd Annual 10-Minute Play Festival, the premiere
of undergraduate playwrights’ new works; Thu.-Sat.
8pm, Sun.… The University of Iowa’s Alan MacVey
Theatre, Thu Feb 13 thru Sun Feb 16
Evita: In Concert, City Circle Theatre Company
presents the concert version of Andrew… Coralville
Center for the Performing Arts, Fri Feb 14 thru Sun Feb
16
Magic, The Play, a Gallery Production by Nicole
Gabrione, directed by Ben Sulzberger;… The University
of Iowa’s Alan MacVey Theatre, Thu Feb 20 thru Sun
Feb 23
Puppets & Pastries Dessert Theatre for Adults,
tickle your imagination and your sweet tooth by
attending an… Owl Glass Puppetry Center, 8pm Fri Feb
21 and Sat Feb 22
Palanquin, a Gallery Production by SP O’Brien, directed
by Sarah Lacy… The University of Iowa’s Alan MacVey
Theatre, Thu Feb 27 thru Sun Mar 1
edu, John & Alice Butler Hall - University of Dubuque
Heritage Center, 2255 Bennett St., Dubuque IA, Dbq.edu/
heritagecenter/schoolbus, 9:45am Tue Mar 3
Auditions
Saturday Night Fever, auditions for Circa ’21’s musical
based on the 1977 disco smash … The Center for Living
Arts, 10am Sat Dec 7 and Sun Dec 8
Their Town, auditions for Alexander Richardson’s
original dramatic comedy inspired by “Our Town”
running March 6 - 15, directed by Tori House; auditions
will be cold reads from the script, no preparation is
necessary; Sat. 2-4pm, Sun. 5-7pm; for information, call
309-762-0330, Playcrafters Barn Theatre, 4950 35th Ave.,
Moline IL, Playcrafters.com, Sat Dec 28 and Sun Dec 29
The Piano Lesson, auditions for August Wilson’s
Pulitzer Prize-winning drama running May 8 - 17, directed
by Kermit Thomas; auditions will be cold reads from
the script, no preparation is necessary; Sat. 2-4pm, Sun.
5-7pm; for information, call 309-762-0330, Playcrafters
Barn Theatre, 4950 35th Ave., Moline IL, Playcrafters.com,
Sat Feb 22 and Sun Feb 23
DANCE
Ballet Quad Cities School of Dance Classes,
offering classes in Ballet Pointe, Modern, Jazz, Tap,
Conditioning, Creative Movement, and Adult Ballet,
for ages 3 to adult; all classes taught by the company's
professional dancers; for information and to register, call
309-786-2677, Ballet Quad Cities School of Dance, 617
17th St, Rock Island IL, BalletQuadCities.com, Thu Dec 5
thru Wed Mar 4
If a tree falls… (a very _______ collaborative
performance), an interdisciplinary performance
created through the collaboration of choreographers,
musicians,… University of Iowa’s Space/Place Theatre,
8pm Thu Dec 5 thru Sat Dec 7
The Nutcracker, Tchaikovsky’s holiday classic
performed by dancers from Nolte Academy, featuring…
Englert Theatre, Fri Dec 6 thru Sun Dec 8
Polka Club of Iowa, Inc., Eastern Chapter Dance:
Karl & The Country Dutchmen (6:30pm), $10, 21 &
under free; for information, call 563-284-6340… Walcott
Coliseum, 6:30pm Fri Dec 13
The Nutcracker, Sat. 2:30 & 7:30pm, Sun. 2:30pm;
boasting Tchaikovsky’s glorious score, Ballet Quad
Cities and Orchestra Iowa present this holiday classic
in style; $11-36; for information and tickets, call 309-
786-3779, Adler Theatre, 136 E. Third St., Davenport IA,
AdlerTheatre.com, Sat Dec 14 and Sun Dec 15
The Nutcracker, Tchiakovsky’s classic holiday ballet
performed by the Dancers’ Studio of… Orpheum
Theatre, 7pm Fri Dec 20
New Year’s Eve Daytime Dance: Ken Paulsen
Quartet w/ Darlene, celebrate the new year and
still drive home in daylight;… Knights of Columbus -
Davenport, 10am Tue Dec 31
Chicago Dance Crash, PASS-event performance
with the fusion-style contemporary dance company
and Quad City Arts Visiting Artists; $50; for information,
call 309-793-1213, Quad-Cities Waterfront Convention
Center, 2021 State St., Bettendorf IA, QuadCityArts.com,
6:30pm Thu Jan 23
Chicago Dance Crash, performance with the fusion-
style contemporary dance company and Quad City…
Galvin Fine Arts Center - St. Ambrose University, 7:30pm
Sat Jan 25
L
auded by Blues Revue as a “world-
champion piano player” and “a
world-class entertainer and vocalist,”
the multiple Blues Music Award winner
Victor Wainwright brings his significant
skills and gifted ensemble to Davenport’s
Redstone Room on December 11, demon-
strating why American Blues Scene said of
the artist, “Wainwright’s playing is simply
beautiful madness.”
A native of Savannah, Georgia, whose
father and grandfather were both seasoned
blues musicians, the 38-year-old Wain-
wright met musician Stephen Dees – a
former member of the popwer-pop and
New Wave group Novo Combo – in 2004,
and their meeting led to Dees co-writing
and producing Wainwright’s debut album
Piana from Savannah the following year.
Wainwright and Dees consequently joined
forces under the name of Victor Wain-
wright & the WildRoots, in which the men
shared vocal duties, with the former also on
keyboards and the latter on bass and guitar.
In September of 2009, they and their fellow
bandmates released WildRoots Records’
Beale Street to the Bayou, an album that
was praised by critics and placed on the
Root Music Report “Top 50 Blues,” the
Blues Internet Charts, the Tennessee Roots
Charts, and Europe’s Collectif des Radio
Blues Charts. The following year, Wain-
wright appeared at Dark Season Blues in
Norway and then performed at the South
Florida Boogie Woogie Piano Festival in
2011, the same year that saw the release of
Victor Wainwright & the WildRoots’ Lit
Up! That album reached the number-one
spot on Sirius/XM’s B.B. King’s Bluesville
channel’s “Pick To Click,” number two on
the Collectif des Radio Blues Charts, and
number 13 on the Living Blues Radio Chart.
Since then, Wainwright went on to
release 2013’s Easy Livin’, 2015’s Boom
Victor Wainwright @ The Redstone Room –
December 11
Town, and last year’s Victor Wainwright &
the Train, a recording that earned the artist
his fi rst Grammy Award nomination in
the category of Best Contemporary Blues
Album. Other accolades have included a
2016 Blues Blast Award for Comtempo-
rary Album of the Year, two Blues Music
Awards for Pinetop Perkins Piano Player of
the Year, and the 2016 Blues Music Award
for the B.B. King Entertainer of the Year.
Wainwright’s reviews, meanwhile, have
continued to escalate along with the art-
ist’s fame. The Chicago Blues Guide wrote,
“Wainwright is all about boogie-woogie
piano, deep soul, and a voice that recalls
Dr. John at his best. He is a blues star, a tre-
mendous player.” And according to Living
Blues magazine, ““Wainwright serves as an
electrifying guide to a good time-spinning
tales, telling his listeners how to beat the
blues, and meticulously conjuring raw soul
and energy out of his acoustic piano.”
Victor Wainwright plays the Redstone
Room on December 11 with an opening
set by John Resch & Doggin’ Out, admis-
sion to the 7:30 p.m. concert is $15-18, and
more information and tickets are avail-
able by calling (563)326-1333 or visiting
RiverMusicExperience.org.

The New Colossus, the Actors’ Gang’s new play RUBBERBANDance Group: Vic’s Mix, a celebration
explores the true stories of… Hancher Auditorium, 8pm of Victor Quijada’s 15 years of making dance,… Hancher
Fri Feb 28 and Sat Feb 29 Auditorium, 7:30pm Sat Feb 15
20 River Cities’ Reader • Vol. 26 No. 968 • December 2019
COMEDY
Scott & Rock Island Counties
December
Circumstantial Comedy Show, on Fridays; w/ $2 Old
School Beers of the Day; for… Brew, 10pm Fri Dec 6 thru
Fri Dec 27
Shots ‘n’ Giggles, performers do shots and toasts with
the audience while playing… The Circa ’21 Speakeasy,
8pm Sat Dec 7
Tomfoolery on Tremont 39: Jeff Oskay, an evening
with the touring standup comedian; 8pm show, with
Happy… Renwick Mansion, 8pm Sat Dec 7
Stand Up Comedy Open Mic, on Mondays, hosted by
Douglas Hernandez; for information, call 309-517-1944…
Broken Saddle, 8pm Mon Dec 9 thru Mon Dec 30
Broken Saddle Comedy Open Mic, on Tuesdays;
if you’ve ever been called “the funny guy”… Broken
Saddle, 8:30pm Tue Dec 10 thru Tue Dec 31
Butchers Hook Comedy w/ Ryan Proctor, on
Tuesdays; a stand-up-comedy open mic night; for
information, call… Meat Market, 9pm Tue Dec 10 thru
Tue Dec 31
Holiday Ho Ho Hoedown, comedy-whodunit
dinner theatre with the comedians of It’s a Mystery…
Skellington Manor Banquet & Event Center, 6:30pm Sat
Dec 14 thru Fri Dec 20
Tomfoolery on Tremont 40: Geoffrey Asmus, an
evening with the touring standup comedian and special
guests;… Renwick Mansion, 8pm Sun Dec 15
Tomfoolery on Tremont 41: Shane Torres, an
evening with the touring standup comedian and special
guests;… Renwick Mansion, 8pm Fri Dec 20
January thru March
Holiday Ho Ho Hoedown, comedy-whodunit
dinner theatre with the comedians of It’s a Mystery…
Skellington Manor Banquet & Event Center, 6:30pm Fri
Jan 10 thru Sat Jan 11
Circa ’21 Speakeasy Laugh Hard Comedy
Show, event featuring some of the funniest stand-up
comedians from across… The Circa ’21 Speakeasy, 8pm
Fri Jan 24
Time for Murder, comedy-whodunit dinner theatre
with the comedians of It’s a Mystery… Skellington Manor
Banquet & Event Center, 6:30pm Fri Feb 14 thru Sat
Feb 15
Circa ’21 Speakeasy Laugh Hard Comedy
Show, event featuring some of the funniest stand-up
comedians from across… The Circa ’21 Speakeasy, 8pm
Fri Feb 21
The Wedding Singer @ The Spotlight Theatre – February 14 - 23
Know More, Do More • RiverCitiesReader.com
Outlying Areas
Jeff Dunham: Seriously!?, an evening with the
ventriloquist and comedian on his national… U.S.
Cellular Center, 3pm Sun Dec 8
Comedy Mondays w/ Dan Frana & Spencer
Loucks, on Mondays; all liquor and draft beer is buy
one,… Iowa City Yacht Club, 9pm Mon Dec 9 thru Mon
Dec 30
Comedy Open Mic, on Wednesdays; 6:30pm sign-up,
7:30pm performances; for information, call 319-363-
0606… Penguin’s Comedy Club, 7:30pm Wed Dec 11
thru Wed Dec 25
Lewis Black: It Gets Better Every Day, an evening
with the Grammy Award-winning comedian and pundit;
$25-98;… Englert Theatre, 8pm Sat Jan 25
Tom Cotter, Cotter has taken the comedy scene by
storm since finishing as runner-up and becoming the
breakout star of “American’s Got Talent” season seven;
for information and tickets, call 563-585-SHOW, John &
Alice Butler Hall - University of Dubuque Heritage Center,
2255 Bennett St., Dubuque IA, Dbq.edu/heritagecenter,
7:30pm Fri Jan 31
The Second City: Laughing For all the Wrong
Reasons, sketch comedy and improv with members of
Chicago’s legendary comedy… Englert Theatre, 8pm Fri
Feb 14 and Sat Feb 15
Negin Farsad, a self-described “social justice
comedian,” Negin Farsad has been named… Hancher
Auditorium, 7:30pm Sat Feb 22
An R-Rated Magic Show, tricks, stunts, wisecracks,
and buffoonery as comedy magician Grant Freeman…
Coralville Center for the Performing Arts, 8pm Wed
Mar 4
MUSEUMS
Exhibits
OMg! Elements of Surprise, in this interactive exhibit,
you’ll explore how these… Putnam Museum & Science
Center, thru Tue Dec 31
The German Immigrant Experience, visitors will
learn about immigrants’ journey by… German American
Heritage Center, thru Tue Dec 31
Rube Goldberg: The World of Hilarious
Invention!, the exhibit showcases Pulitzer Prize-
winning humorist and inventor… Putnam Museum &
Science Center, thru Sun Jan 5
Gold Coast Glass: Works from the German Home,
featuring selections of stained glass from the… German
American Heritage Center, thru Sun Jan 12
Witness to the Revolution: Accounts from
Americans Who Were There, as Communism fell in
Europe in the fall/winter of 1989… German American
Heritage Center, thru Sun Feb 23
Know More, Do More • RiverCitiesReader.com
Events
Christmas Scherenschnitte 2D Session, Keith
Bonnstetter joins us again with the art of paper-design…
German American Heritage Center, 10am Sat Dec 7
Christmas Scherenschnitte 3D Session, Keith
Bonnstetter joins us again with the art of paper-design…
German American Heritage Center, 11:30am Sat Dec 7
Felted Ornament Workshop, led by Gisela
McDonald; get hands-on instruction on wet-felting
wool… German American Heritage Center, 1pm Sun
Dec 8
WinterFest, meet a real reindeer, have your picture
taken with Santa,… Family Museum, noon Sun Dec 8
Polar Express Pajama Party, you and your family will
enjoy the magnificent holiday classic… Putnam Museum
& Science Center, 5pm Thu Dec 12
Putnam Museum Guild Monthly Tea, this month’s
program consists of Christmas music by the Rock…
Putnam Museum & Science Center, 1pm Thu Dec 12
Jinglin’ Jammie Jam with Queen Elsa, put on your
jammies and join us for a cozy… Family Museum, 6pm
Fri Dec 13
Polar Express Pajama Party, you and your family will
enjoy the magnificent holiday classic… Putnam Museum
& Science Center, 2pm Fri Dec 13
Weihnachtsmarkt Holiday Craft Fair, Dec. 14 & 15;
more than 20 local vendors will… German American
Heritage Center, 10am Sat Dec 14 thru Sun Dec 15
Polar Express Pajama Party, you and your family will
enjoy the magnificent holiday classic… Putnam Museum
& Science Center, noon Sun Dec 15
Longest Night Lights, celebrate the Winter Solstice,
learn about our Earth, and craft… Family Museum, 10am
Sat Dec 21
Noon Year’s Eve, annual holiday party with music,
activities, a countdown with Miss… Family Museum,
9am Tue Dec 31
MOVIES
December
Back from the Brink: Saved from Extinction 3D,
the new Giant Screen film adventure narrated by Claire
Danes… Putnam Museum & Science Center, Thu Dec 5
thru Tue Dec 31
Coffee and a Movie Morning, includes a free movie,
coffee, light refreshments, and discussion; for… Rock
Island Public Library - Downtown Library, 9:30am Mon
Dec 9
Recent Releases, a chance to see those movies you
just missed at the… Davenport Public Library - Eastern
Avenue Branch, 2pm Fri Dec 13
Skid Row @ Rhythm City Casino Resort – January 16
The Polar Express, a screening of the 2004 holiday hit
presented by the… Orpheum Theatre, 2pm Sat Dec 14
Cinema at Southwest, a free movie and light
refreshments; for information, call 309-732-7323… Rock
Island Public Library - Southwest Branch, 10am Thu
Dec 19
Elf, a “Teen Holiday Movie” screening of the 2003 Will
Ferrell… Moline Public Library, 5:30pm Thu Dec 19
Interactive Movie Afternoon, an interactive version
of a favorite holiday-themed movie; interact with… Rock
Island Public Library - Downtown Library, 1pm Fri Dec 27
Movie Monday Sing-a-Long, free; for information,
call 563-344-4175 or e-mail info@bettendorflibrary.
com… Bettendorf Public Library, 1:30pm Mon Dec 30
January & February
Recent Releases, movies fresh from the theater with
free popcorn and drinks;… Davenport Public Library -
Eastern Avenue Branch, 2pm Fri Jan 10
Monday Movie of the Month, free; for information,
call 563-344-4175 or e-mail info@bettendorflibrary.
com… Bettendorf Public Library, 6pm Mon Jan 13
The Public, movie screening followed one week later
by a community conversation… Rock Island Public
Library - Downtown Library, 5:30pm Tue Jan 14
Tuesday Cinema, join us for a popular movie recently
released to DVD;… Davenport Public Library - Main
Branch, 2:30pm Tue Jan 14
Rear Window, a screening in the Afternoon Classics
series; free; for information,… Davenport Public Library -
Eastern Avenue Branch, 2pm Wed Jan 15
Cinema at Southwest, a free and fun movie series
showing movies just released… Rock Island Public
Library - Southwest Branch, 10am Thu Jan 16
River Cities’ Reader • Vol. 26 No. 968 • December 2019
Tuesday Cinema, join us for a popular movie recently
released to DVD;… Davenport Public Library - Main
Branch, 2:30pm Tue Feb 11
Recent Releases, movies fresh from the theater with
free popcorn and drinks;… Davenport Public Library -
Eastern Avenue Branch, 2pm Fri Feb 14
Roman Holiday, a screening in the Afternoon Classics
series; free; for information,… Davenport Public Library -
Eastern Avenue Branch, 2pm Wed Feb 19
Cinema at Southwest, a free and fun movie series
showing movies just released… Rock Island Public
Library - Southwest Branch, 10am Thu Feb 20
SPORTS
December
Quad City Storm vs. Peoria, professional minor-
league hockey; for information and tickets, call 309-
794-2001, TaxSlayer Center, 1201 River Dr., Moline IL,
QuadCityStorm.com, 7:10pm Fri Dec 20
Quad City Storm vs. Evansville, professional
minor-league hockey; for information and tickets, call
309-794-2001, TaxSlayer Center, 1201 River Dr., Moline IL,
QuadCityStorm.com, 7:10pm Fri Dec 27
Quad City Storm vs. Evansville, professional
minor-league hockey; for information and tickets, call
309-794-2001, TaxSlayer Center, 1201 River Dr., Moline IL,
QuadCityStorm.com, 7:10pm Sat Dec 28
Quad City Storm vs. Peoria, professional minor-
league hockey; for information and tickets, call 309-
794-2001, TaxSlayer Center, 1201 River Dr., Moline IL,
QuadCityStorm.com, 4pm Tue Dec 31
January
Quad City Storm vs. Peoria, professional minor-
league hockey; for information and tickets, call 309-
794-2001, TaxSlayer Center, 1201 River Dr., Moline IL,
QuadCityStorm.com, 7:10pm Fri Jan 10
21
Quad City Storm vs. Peoria, professional minor-
league hockey; for information and tickets, call 309-
794-2001, TaxSlayer Center, 1201 River Dr., Moline IL,
QuadCityStorm.com, 7:10pm Sat Jan 11
Quad City Storm vs. Knoxville, professional
minor-league hockey; for information and tickets, call
309-794-2001, TaxSlayer Center, 1201 River Dr., Moline IL,
QuadCityStorm.com, 7:10pm Fri Jan 24
Quad City Storm vs. Knoxville, professional
minor-league hockey; for information and tickets, call
309-794-2001, TaxSlayer Center, 1201 River Dr., Moline IL,
QuadCityStorm.com, 7:10pm Sat Jan 25
Quad City Storm vs. Knoxville, professional
minor-league hockey; for information and tickets, call
309-794-2001, TaxSlayer Center, 1201 River Dr., Moline IL,
QuadCityStorm.com, 1pm Sun Jan 26
Quad City Storm vs. Peoria, professional minor-
league hockey; for information and tickets, call 309-
794-2001, TaxSlayer Center, 1201 River Dr., Moline IL,
QuadCityStorm.com, 7:10pm Fri Jan 31
February
Quad City Storm vs. Peoria: The Storm’s Hockey
Fights Cancer Game, professional minor-league
hockey; for information and tickets, call 309-794-
2001, TaxSlayer Center, 1201 River Dr., Moline IL,
QuadCityStorm.com, 7:10pm Sat Feb 1
Quad City Storm vs. Fayetteville, professional
minor-league hockey; for information and tickets, call
309-794-2001, TaxSlayer Center, 1201 River Dr., Moline IL,
QuadCityStorm.com, 7:10pm Fri Feb 14
Quad City Storm vs. Fayetteville, professional
minor-league hockey; for information and tickets, call
309-794-2001, TaxSlayer Center, 1201 River Dr., Moline IL,
QuadCityStorm.com, 7:10pm Sat Feb 15
Quad City Storm vs. Fayetteville, professional
minor-league hockey; for information and tickets, call
309-794-2001, TaxSlayer Center, 1201 River Dr., Moline IL,
QuadCityStorm.com, 1pm Sun Feb 16
22 River Cities’ Reader • Vol. 26 No. 968 • December 2019
OTHER EVENTS
December
America’s Test Kitchen 20th-Anniversary
Celebration, WQPT, PBS for the Quad Cities region will
celebrate the… Scott Community College’s Culinary Arts
& Hospitality Management Center, 6pm Thu Dec 5
Bus Trip: Chicago Holiday Shopping Experience,
join us for the 19th annual One of a Kind… Black Hawk
College Outreach Center, 7am Thu Dec 5
First Friday in LeClaire, with fun food and cocktail
sampling at the Mississippi River… Downtown LeClaire,
5pm Fri Dec 6
Viva La Divas Drag Show, featuring award-winning
performers from across the Midwest; $10-12; for tickets…
The Circa ’21 Speakeasy, 8pm Fri Dec 6
Christkindlmarkt Quad Cities, Fri. 5-9pm, Sat. 10am-
9pm, Sun. 10am-5pm; annual artisan’s holiday event…
Freight House Farmer’s Market, Fri Dec 6 thru Sun Dec 8
Christmas in LeClaire, annual downtown holiday
celebration featuring the Ugly Christmas… Downtown
LeClaire, Fri Dec 6 thru Sun Dec 8
Ugly Christmas Sweater 5K, for information, visit
VisitLeclaire.com… Downtown LeClaire, Sat Dec 7
Nature’s Noel, annual holiday market featuring fresh
handmade arrangements including centerpieces,
hanging… Indian Creek Nature Center, 9am Sat Dec 7
Augustana College Holiday Planetarium Show:
Season of Light, led by Augustana’s Planetarium
Director Dr. Lee… John Deere Planetarium - Augustana
College, Sat Dec 7 thru Fri Dec 13
Feast of Saint Ambrose Mass and McMullen
Awards, the McMullen Award honors those who have
made a difference… Christ the King Chapel - St. Ambrose
University, 10:30am Sun Dec 8
Kris Lager Band @ The Redstone Room – January 17
Walking the Trail, the Quad Cities have many trails
and one of them… Davenport Public Library - Fairmount
Street Branch, noon Tue Dec 10
Come to the Quiet: The Way of Joy, led by Pat Shea;
sometimes we confuse joy with pleasure,… Our Lady of
the Prairie Retreat, 9:30am Tue Dec 10
Bingo, bring your family and friends for an hour of
bingo… Davenport Public Library - Eastern Avenue
Branch, 4pm Wed Dec 11
Dungeons & Dragons Nights, on Wednesdays; for
information, call 309-788-8247… Big Swing Brewing
Company, 6pm Wed Dec 11 thru Wed Dec 18
Know More, Do More • RiverCitiesReader.com
Rock Star Bingo, on Wednesdays; just like “regular”
bingo, but we replaced bingo… The Tangled Wood, 8pm
Wed Dec 11 and Wed Dec 18
English Conversation Cafe, practice your English in
a welcoming place, and make new… Davenport Public
Library - Fairmount Street Branch, 11:30am Thu Dec 12
and Thu Dec 26
The Clairvoyants Christmas, holiday-themed show
will feature illusions performed by “America’s Got
Talent”… Riverside Casino Event Center, 8pm Fri Dec 13
Breakfast with Santa Paws, the Holiday Express rolls
in to the zoo with Santa… Niabi Zoo, 8:30am Sat Dec 14
St. Ambrose University Winter Commencement,
for information, contact Bill McAleer at registrar@sau.
edu or 563-333-6201… Davenport RiverCenter, 11am
Sat Dec 14
Brunch with Santa Paws, the Holiday Express rolls in
to the zoo with Santa… Niabi Zoo, 11am Sun Dec 15
In Your Own Words: Oral History Project, this oral
history project will focus on specific and relevant…
Davenport Public Library - Main Branch, 2:30pm Mon
Dec 16
Recipe Swap!, bring in your favorite recipe and sample
to share with… Silvis Public Library, 6pm Mon Dec 16
Quad Cities Comic Book Convention, featuring
dealers from four states specializing in comic books
new… Ramada Inn - Bettendorf, 10am Sat Dec 28
New Years 2020: Moulin Rouge, mingle, dance,
music, and photo booth on the main floor,… Renwick
Mansion, 8pm Tue Dec 31
January
Dungeons & Dragons Nights, on Wednesdays; for
information, call 309-788-8247… Big Swing Brewing
Company, 6pm Wed Jan 1 thru Wed Jan 29
Jigsaw Puzzle Tournament, register individually or as
a team for this year’s puzzle… Davenport Public Library -
Fairmount Street Branch, 2pm Thu Jan 2
First Friday in LeClaire, with fun food and cocktail
sampling at the Mississippi River… Downtown LeClaire,
5pm Fri Jan 3
Formal Wear Dropoff, donate clean and gently used
formal wear to help support… Davenport Public Library
- Eastern Avenue Branch, 9am Sat Jan 4
Act of Power, led by Kathleen Collins; we will spend
meditative time discovering… Our Lady of the Prairie
Retreat, 9:30am Sat Jan 4
Geek Out!, meet fellow nerds and geek out over your
favorite fandoms… Silvis Public Library, 6pm Mon Jan 6
English Conversation Cafe, practice your English in
a welcoming place, and make new… Davenport Public
Library - Fairmount Street Branch, 11:30am Thu Jan 9
Formal Wear Dropoff, donate clean and gently used
formal wear to help support… Davenport Public Library
- Fairmount Street Branch, 9am Fri Jan 10
Weaving Prayers & Baskets, led by Tracy Welsh; make
a life woven wicker basket… Our Lady of the Prairie
Retreat, 9am Tue Jan 14
Viva La Divas Drag Show, featuring award-winning
performers from across the Midwest; $10-12; for tickets…
The Circa ’21 Speakeasy, 8pm Fri Jan 17
CINCH World’s Toughest Rodeo, the nation’s best
bucking broncs and bulls plus the… TaxSlayer Center,
7:30pm Fri Jan 17 and Sat Jan 18
Formal Wear Giveaway, local area high school
students can browse the donations and… Davenport
Public Library - Fairmount Street Branch, 2pm Sat Jan 18
Taste of LeClaire, receive free food and beverage
samples from various shops, restaurants,… Downtown
LeClaire, 1pm Sat Jan 18
Trivia Night in LeClaire, tables of 8; $10 per person;
Mulligans and refreshments available… LeClaire Civic
Center, 6:30pm Sat Jan 18
Taizé Vigil Service, led by Sr Margaret Linda Clewell &
BJ Keegan; free-will… Humility of Mary Center, 6:30pm
Sun Jan 19
Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Service &
Awards, for information, call 309-732-2999… Martin
Luther King Jr. Community Center, 10:30am Mon Jan 20
Stewards of God’s Gifts, led by Sr Kathy Sadler, OSF;
take a closer look… Our Lady of the Prairie Retreat, 9am
Wed Jan 22
Robert Burns Celebration & Dinner, 43rd annual
event presented by the Scottish American Society of…
Isle Casino Hotel Bettendorf, 5pm Sat Jan 25
Trivia, teams can be the size of 2-8 players; prizes will…
Davenport Public Library - Eastern Avenue Branch, 6pm
Mon Jan 27
February & March
Geek Out!, meet fellow nerds and geek out over your
favorite fandoms… Silvis Public Library, 6pm Mon Feb 3
Dungeons & Dragons Nights, on Wednesdays; for
information, call 309-788-8247… Big Swing Brewing
Company, 6pm Wed Feb 5 thru Wed Feb 26
University Catering: Dinner with the Chefs,
University Catering has a rich history with the University
of… Hancher Auditorium, 5pm Wed Feb 5
First Friday in LeClaire, with fun food and cocktail
sampling at the Mississippi River… Downtown LeClaire,
5pm Fri Feb 7
Viva La Divas Drag Show, featuring award-winning
performers from across the Midwest; $10-12; for tickets…
The Circa ’21 Speakeasy, 8pm Fri Feb 7
Manscape Male Burlesque Revue, strip-teasing with
the touring male performers; $12-15; for tickets and…
The Circa ’21 Speakeasy, 8pm Sat Feb 8
Zoo Romance, bring that special someone or your fun
friends for food… Niabi Zoo, 7pm Fri Feb 14
Golden Dragon Acrobats from China, combining
award-winning acrobatics, dance, music, theater, and
breathtaking costumes, the 25-member troupe has
traveled to all 50 states and more than 65 countries on
five continents; for information and tickets, call 563-585-
SHOW, John & Alice Butler Hall - University of Dubuque
Heritage Center, 2255 Bennett St., Dubuque IA, Dbq.edu/
heritagecenter, 7:30pm Sat Feb 29
Dungeons & Dragons Nights, on Wednesdays; for
information, call 309-788-8247… Big Swing Brewing
Company, 6pm Wed Mar 4
Know More, Do More • RiverCitiesReader.com
LECTURES
December
Sounds of the Season, a Lifelong Learner Lunch
designed for ages 55 and older,… Quad City Botanical
Center, 11:30am Fri Dec 6
Blown Away: Trebuchets, free; for information, call
River Cities’ Reader • Vol. 26 No. 968 • December 2019 23
VISUAL ARTS
Grain Market Outlook, Todd Hubbs, Clinical Assistant
Professor, University of Illinois will discuss… University of
Illinois Extension - Galva, 10am Wed Jan 22
Attacking Trafficking, with Ann Mohr; this local, Quad
Cities faith-based organization is… Davenport Public
Show Your Colors!
Library - Main Branch, 6:30pm Thu Jan 23
Through Saturday, January 11 @ Bucktown Center
Chocoholic Paradise, learn about the art of chocolate
making from local expert… Rock Island Public Library - for the Arts, 225 East Second Street, Davenport, IA

563-344-4175 or e-mail info@bettendorflibrary.com…
Bettendorf Public Library, 11:30am Tue Dec 10
Caucus Coach, we’ve invited professionals from both
parties to help teach you… Davenport Public Library -
Eastern Avenue Branch, 6pm Wed Dec 11
World War II History Series: Battle of the Bulge,
follow the path of World War II in talks by… Rock Island
Public Library - Downtown Library, 2pm Wed Dec 11
World War II Lecture Series: Battle of the Bulge,
follow the path of World War II in talks by… Davenport
Public Library - Eastern Avenue Branch, 6pm Wed Dec 11
Cannabis Legalization Seminar, seminar on
what employers need to know regarding Illinois’ new
cannabis… Carl Sandburg College Annex, 7:30am Fri
Dec 13
Community Connections: Prehistory of the
Quad Cities with the Putnam Museum, free;
for information, call 563-344-4175 or e-mail info@
bettendorflibrary.com… Bettendorf Public Library,
1:30pm Thu Dec 19
January
Feeding Backyard Wildlife, join Naturalist Becky
Baugh from the Wapsi River Center to… Davenport
Public Library - Eastern Avenue Branch, 2pm Mon Jan 6
From Iowa to the Aegean Sea, a DeWitt Noon Lions
Club Travelogue by Neil and Jillian Aschliman… DeWitt
Operahouse Theatre, 3pm Tue Jan 7
Reduction of the Bulge/Operation Watch on the
Rhine, commemorate the 75th Anniversary of World
War II in this… Rock Island Public Library - Downtown
Library, 6pm Wed Jan 8
Reduction of the Bulge/Operation Watch on the
Rhine, commemorate the 75th Anniversary of World
War II in this… Davenport Public Library - Main Branch,
3pm Wed Jan 8
Census Employment Recruitment, an employment
recruiting assistant with the U.S. Census will be… Moline
Public Library, 10:30am Sat Jan 11
A Southern Africa Odyssey: A Mosaic of
Botswana, Namibia, South Africa, and Zimbabwe,
learn more about the cultural and natural “tiles”’ in this…
Rock Island Public Library - Downtown Library, 6pm Mon
Jan 13
Downtown Library, 1pm Sat Jan 25
World Affairs Council of the Quad Cities: Panel
on the 2020 Iowa Caucus, free; for information, call
563-344-4175 or e-mail info@bettendorflibrary.com…
Bettendorf Public Library, 7pm Tue Jan 28
Engineering: Bridges, free; for information, call
563-344-4175 or e-mail info@bettendorflibrary.com…
Bettendorf Public Library, 11:30am Tue Jan 28
February & March
Living Lands & Waters, join us to learn more about
the history of this… Davenport Public Library - Eastern
Avenue Branch, 2pm Mon Feb 3
Arctic Expedition, a DeWitt Noon Lions Club
Travelogue by David Iglehart of Davenport;… DeWitt
Operahouse Theatre, Tue Feb 4
Coffee Chemist, Dunn Brothers Coffee will show you
the journey to crafting… Davenport Public Library - Main
Branch, 10am Sat Feb 8
Engineering: Bridges, free; for information, call
563-344-4175 or e-mail info@bettendorflibrary.com…
Bettendorf Public Library, 11:30am Tue Feb 11
Recapture of Corregidor, commemorate the 75th
Anniversary of World War II in this… Rock Island Public
Library - Downtown Library, 3pm Wed Feb 12
Recapture of Corregidor, commemorate the 75th
Anniversary of World War II in this… Davenport Public
Library - Main Branch, 6pm Wed Feb 12
The Ecology of Peace: Preparing Colombia for
New Political and Planetary Climates, Jeffrey
S. Dukes, PhD, Professor of Forestry and Natural
Resources… Rogalski Center - St. Ambrose University,
7pm Wed Feb 12
People’s Law School, free; for information, call
563-344-4175 or e-mail info@bettendorflibrary.com…
Bettendorf Public Library, 5:30pm Tue Feb 18
The Mighty Mississippi by Towboat, a DeWitt Noon
Lions Club Travelogue by Dr. Norm Moline of… DeWitt
Operahouse Theatre, Tue Feb 18
Black History Month, the Davenport Civil Rights
Commission and the Davenport Public Library…
Davenport Public Library - Main Branch, 6:30pm Thu
Feb 20
A
striking celebration of color, in all of
the word’s varied interpretations, is
on display at Davenport’s Bucktown
Center of the Arts through January 11, with
the local exhibition Show Your Colors! offer-
ing stunning examples of how 21 visual art-
ists from the area chose to acknowledge its
central theme.
Twenty-one artists responded to the non-
juried exhibition’s call for entry, with the
submitted works eventually co-curated by
MidCoast Fine Arts staff members Sherry
Maurer and Tony Seabolt. As Maurer noted,
“We had grant funding to be able to offer this
Lisa Mahar’s There is Good and Evil in all of Us! @
truly open exhibition opportunity and we Bucktown Center for the Arts – through January 11
are so pleased with the results that represent
works ranging from seasoned professionals
What unites the separate works are the
like Peter Xiao to new entrants such as print- artists’ thought-provoking takes on how the
maker Paige Kelly. The submissions reflect a Show Your Colors! theme should be inter-
high level of artistic accomplishment in our preted. While some entries celebrate sheer
community.” color for its own sake, many look at issues
The participating artists in the Show Your
of diversity and the experience of confront-
Colors! exhibit include: Shela Ahman (Rock ing personal standards. And from Rexdale’s
Island, IL), Karen Blomme (Davenport, IA), lively depiction of folks in wheelchairs and
Billie Davids (Port Byron, IL), Jane Doty Casad’s reminder of the Statue of Liberty
(Durant, IA), Maria Casad (Dewitt, IA), Jim welcome to immigrants, from Mahar’s
Elias (Muscatine, IA), Linda Hardin (Dav-
declaration “There is Good and Evil in all
enport, IA), Gary Harris (Bettendorf, IA), of Us!” to David Zahn’s genteel reminder of
Heidi Hernandez (Davenport, IA), Karen respect for Mother Nature, the exhibition’s
Klingborg (Moline, IL), Paige Kelly (Dav- entries collectively celebrate life.
enport, IA), Carolyn Krueger (Rock Island,
IL), Lisa Mahar (Rock Island, IL), Gwen Bal-
Show Your Colors! is on display on the
lard Patton (Rock Island, IL), Elaine Rexdale second floor of the Bucktown Center for the
(Rock Island, IL), Kelly Schrader (Daven- Arts through January 11, with regular gallery
port, IA), Barbara Toner (Bettendorf, IA), hours Wednesdays through Saturdays from
Laura Vincent-Arnold (Port Byron, IL), Liz 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Admission is free, with more
Wakita (Dewitt, IA), Peter Xiao (Bettendorf,
information available by calling (563)424-
IA) and David Zahn (Moline, IL). 1210 or visiting MidCoast.org.

People’s Law School, free; for information, call Chocoholic Paradise Create, sign up for a hands-on
563-344-4175 or e-mail info@bettendorflibrary.com… learning experience with local expert… Rock Island
Bettendorf Public Library, 5:30pm Tue Jan 14 Public Library - Downtown Library, 1pm Sat Feb 22

Engineering: Bridges, free; for information, call
563-344-4175 or e-mail info@bettendorflibrary.com…
Bettendorf Public Library, 11:30am Tue Jan 14
Caucus Coach, we’ve invited professionals from both
parties to help teach you… Davenport Public Library -
Eastern Avenue Branch, 5pm Wed Jan 15
Community Connections: Around the World in
One Hour, free; for information, call 563-344-4175 or
e-mail info@bettendorflibrary.com… Bettendorf Public
Library, 1:30pm Thu Jan 16
Community Conversation: Homelessness in Rock
Island, a community roundtable discussion about
homelessness and housing insecurity in… Rock Island
Public Library - Downtown Library, 6pm Tue Jan 21
Grain Market Outlook, Todd Hubbs, Clinical Assistant
Professor, University of Illinois will discuss… University of
Illinois Extension - Milan, 1pm Tue Jan 21
The Spectacular Southwest, a DeWitt Noon Lions
Club Travelogue by Richard and Helen Rockrohr…
DeWitt Operahouse Theatre, Tue Jan 21
Immigration and Citizenship Workshop,
representatives from QCAIR and Esperanza Legal
Assistance Center will be… Moline Public Library, 10am
Sat Feb 22
Philosophy at the Pub: War and Peace, for
information, contact Tadd Ruetenik at RuetenikTaddL@
sau.edu or 563-333-6435… Zeke’s Island Cafe, 7pm Mon
Feb 24
World Affairs Council of the Quad Cities:
Cybersecurity, free; for information, call 563-344-4175
or e-mail info@bettendorflibrary.com… Bettendorf
Public Library, 7pm Tue Feb 25
Engineering: Bridges, free; for information, call
563-344-4175 or e-mail info@bettendorflibrary.com…
Bettendorf Public Library, 11:30am Tue Feb 25
Justin Skeesuck & Patrick Gray, an evening with
the friends of 42 years who embarked on a 500-mile
wheelchair journey across northern Spain; free, John &
Alice Butler Hall - University of Dubuque Heritage Center,
2255 Bennett St., Dubuque IA, Dbq.edu/HeritageCenter,
7pm Mon Mar 2
24 River Cities’ Reader • Vol. 26 No. 968 • December 2019
CONTINUED
LECTURES / March
Folwell Lecture, presented by by Kelly M. Kadera, PhD,
Associate Professor of Political… Rogalski Center - St.
Ambrose University, 7pm Tue Mar 3
A Glimpse of Russia, a DeWitt Noon Lions Club
Travelogue by Joel Hansen of Charlotte;… DeWitt
Operahouse Theatre, Tue Mar 3
COURSES
December
Iowa State University Extension and Outreach
Nutrition Classes, learn about the Buy. Eat. Live
Healthy program at 563-359-7577;… Thu Dec 5 thru
Tue Dec 31
Thursday Meditation Class, on Thursdays; learn how
to meditate and use mindfulness practices… Lamrim
Kadampa Buddhist Center, 6:30pm Thu Dec 5 thru Thu
Dec 26
Lunchtime Meditation Class, Tue.-Thu.; learn how to
create inner peace and contentment through… Lamrim
Kadampa Buddhist Center, noon The Dec 5 thru Tue
Dec 31
AARP: Rules of the Road, this AARP review course will
help you pass with flying… Silvis Public Library, 10am
Fri Dec 6
Buddhist Studies Class, on Sundays; take a deep dive
into Buddhist thought and… Lamrim Kadampa Buddhist
Center, 5pm Sun Dec 8 thru Sun Dec 29
Sunday Buddhism Class, on Sundays; this class
includes chanted prayer, meditation, and an… Lamrim
Kadampa Buddhist Center, 11am Sun Dec 8 thru Sun
Dec 29
Rock Island Meditation Class, on Tuesdays; learn
how to meditate and use mindfulness practices… Quad
City Botanical Center, 6:45pm Tue Dec 10 thru Tue Dec
31
Book-a-Librarian, one-on-one technology and
reference assistance by appointment; reserve a half-
hour… Rock Island Public Library - Downtown Library,
9am Fri Dec 13
Book-a-Librarian, one-on-one technology and
reference assistance by appointment; reserve a half-
hour… Rock Island Public Library - 30/31 Branch, 9am
Fri Dec 20
Book-a-Librarian, one-on-one technology and
reference assistance by appointment; reserve a half-
hour… Rock Island Public Library - Southwest Branch,
9am Fri Dec 27
Adult Knitting 101, learn the basics of knitting from
casting on, garter stitch,… Silvis Public Library, 6pm Mon
Dec 30
January thru March
Jump into Genealogy: A Beginner’s Workshop,
Mondays thru Feb. 17; a six-week beginner’s genealogy
workshop covering… Davenport Public Library - Main
Branch, 6:30pm Mon Jan 6
Meditation 101, Wednesdays thru Jan. 29; $35; for
information and to register,… Black Hawk College - Quad
City Campus, 6pm Wed Jan 8
Clearing Out in the New Year, Thursdays thru Jan.
30; $35; for information and to register,… Black Hawk
College - Quad City Campus, 6pm Thu Jan 9
Cooking with Catalina, at the McGehee Center; learn
how to make Tamales and… Silvis Public Library, 1pm
Mon Jan 13
CommUniversity, on Sundays; a series of seminars
taught by local experts… Black Hawk College - Quad City
Campus, 2pm Sun Feb 2 thru Sun Feb 23
Know More, Do More • RiverCitiesReader.com
Introduce a Girl to STEAM 2019, this year’s event,
designed for girls in grades 2-8 to… Rogalski Center - St.
Ambrose University, 4pm Tue Feb 18
DIY Laundry Solutions, learn simple recipes and
the many benefits of making your… Rock Island Public
Library - Downtown Library, 6pm Wed Mar 4
MEETINGS
December
Economic Forecast 2020, featuring expert
economist Dr. Kenneth A. Kriz, a Fulbright Scholar and
Distinguished Professor at the University of Illinois,
Rhythm City Casino, 7077 Elmore Ave., Davenport IA,
Member.QuadCitiesChamber.com, 7:30am Thu Dec 5
Goose Hollow Meditation Garden Open for
Outdoor Prayer, at 1006 Western Ave., Davenport; for
information, call 309-236-7113; free;… Goose Hollow,
Thu Dec 5 thru Tue Dec 31
Ecumenical Fellowship Church Luncheon,
lunchtime discussions on the first Saturday of the month;
for… Bad Boy’z RME, noon Sat Dec 7
Quad Cities Social Action Committee, for
information, call 309-236-7113 or e-mail e-fellowship@
hotmail.com; presented by Ecumenical Fellowship… Bad
Boy’z RME, noon Sat Dec 7
Victims of Animal Control, lunchtime discussions on
the first Saturday of the month; show… Bad Boy’z RME,
noon Sat Dec 7
Victims of DHS, lunchtime discussions on the first
Saturday of the month; show… Bad Boy’z RME, noon
Sat Dec 7
Home Bible Study/Vesper Services w/ Pot Luck,
on Sundays in parsonage; for information and directions,
call 309-236-7113… 6pm Sun Dec 8 thru Sun Dec 29
Business Exchange, Rick Davis, Davis Presentation
Group LLC, will facilitate this structured… The J Bar,
noon Tue Dec 10
LeClaire Chamber Networking Event, for
information, visit VisitLeClaire.com… Blue Iguana, noon
Tue Dec 10
Fireside Knitters, on Tuesdays; adult knitting group
from beginner to expert; free;… Davenport Public
Library - Fairmount Street Branch, 5:30pm Tue Dec 10
thru Tue Dec 17
Knit/Crochet Circle, on Wednesdays; knit/crochet
blanket squares over the winter months; blanket…
Moline Public Library, 5:30pm Wed Dec 11
Quad City Go Club Weekly Meetup, on Wednesdays;
beginners and masters of the board game welcome…
Rozz-Tox, 5:30pm Wed Dec 11 and Wed Dec 18
QCMUG (Quad Cities Macintosh Users Group)
Meeting, with a special program/presentation on
Macintosh Applications or hardware, and… Bettendorf
Public Library, 6:30pm Tue Dec 17
Sherrard Public Library Board Meeting, free; for
information, call 309-593-2178… Sherrard Public Library,
7pm Tue Dec 17\
January
Quad Cities Social Action Committee, for
information, call 309-236-7113 or e-mail e-fellowship@
hotmail.com; presented by Ecumenical Fellowship… Bad
Boy’z RME, noon Sat Jan 4
Knit/Crochet Circle, on Wednesdays; knit/crochet
blanket squares over the winter months; blanket…
Moline Public Library, 5:30pm Wed Jan 8 thru Wed Jan
29
Warm Up Wednesdays, get out of the cold and warm
up at the… Davenport Public Library - Main Branch, 3pm
Wed Jan 8 thru Wed Jan 29
Moline Public Library Board Meeting, agendas are
available prior to the meetings; minutes are available…
Moline Public Library, noon Thu Jan 9
Know More, Do More • RiverCitiesReader.com
QCMUG (Quad Cities Macintosh Users Group)
Meeting, with a special program/presentation on
Macintosh Applications or hardware, and… Bettendorf
Public Library, 6:30pm Tue Jan 21
LeClaire Chamber of Commerce Annual Awards
Dinner, for information, call 563-289-9970 or e-mail
LeClaireChamber@gmail.com… Davenport Country
Club, Sat Jan 25
Gettin’ Stitchy with It, a get-together for anyone
with an itch to stitch; bring… Rock Island Public Library -
Downtown Library, 2pm Thu Jan 30
February & March
Quad Cities Social Action Committee, for
information, call 309-236-7113 or e-mail e-fellowship@
hotmail.com; presented by Ecumenical Fellowship…
Bad Boy’z RME, noon Sat Feb 1
Knit/Crochet Circle, on Wednesdays; knit/crochet
blanket squares over the winter months; blanket…
Moline Public Library, 5:30pm Wed Feb 5 thru Wed
Mar 4
Warm Up Wednesdays, get out of the cold and warm
up at the… Davenport Public Library - Main Branch, 3pm
Wed Feb 5 thru Wed Feb 26
Scott County Iowa Genealogical Society Meeting:
Games, Games, and More Games, join the members
and guests of the Scott County Iowa… Davenport Public
Library - Main Branch, 6:30pm Mon Feb 10
Moline Public Library Board Meeting, agendas are
available prior to the meetings; minutes are available…
Moline Public Library, noon Thu Feb 13
QCMUG (Quad Cities Macintosh Users Group)
Meeting, with a special program/presentation on
Macintosh Applications or hardware, and… Bettendorf
Public Library, 6:30pm Tue Feb 18
HEALTH
Iowa State University Extension and Outreach
Nutrition Classes, learn about the Buy. Eat. Live
Healthy program at 563-359-7577;… Thu Dec 5 thru
Tue Dec 31
Seeking Life-Coaching Research Study
Participants, three free Life Coaching sessions, contact
Dr. LeBlanc at bleblanc@mymail.bhc.edu;… Thu Dec 5
thru Tue Dec 31
Guided Mindfulness: Meditation in the Galleries,
experience mindfulness meditation in the galleries;
practitioners will be guided in ways to calm the mind
and body, and to bring awareness to the present
moment; meditations will be led by practitioners from
the Prairie Oak Sangha and Prairie River Sangha; free,
but registration required; for information, call 563-326-
7804, Figge Art Museum, 225 W. 2nd St., Davenport IA,
FiggeArtMuseum.org, 6pm Sun Dec 8
NAMI Peer Support Group, on the 2nd & 4th Mon.
of the month; the group offers individuals living with
a mental-health condition an opportunity to share
and learn; facilitated by trained peers who have similar
experiences; free, Butterworth Center, 1105 8th Street,
Moline IL, NAMIgmv.org, 6:30pm Mon Dec 9 thru Mon
Dec 23
Buddhist Meditation, on Tuesdays; for information,
call 309-794-0991 or email vs@qcgardens.com… Quad
City Botanical Center, 7pm Tue Dec 10 thru Tue Dec 31
Families Anonymous Group, on Tuesdays; for those
whose lives have been affected by a… The Spotlight
Theatre, 7pm Tue Dec 10 thru Tue Dec 31
Yoga, on Tuesdays; for information, call 309-794-0991…
Quad City Botanical Center, 5pm Tue Dec 10 thru Tue
Dec 31
Health Care Career Information Night, a free
information night to learn more about the popular…
Black Hawk College - Quad City Campus, 6pm Tue Jan 7
Adult Swim Class, Thursdays thru Feb. 20; learn to
swim or perfect your… Black Hawk College - Community
Aquatic Center, 7pm Thu Jan 9
Ballet Quad Cities’ The Nutcracker @ Adler Theatre – December 14 and 15
Yoga at the Figge, held in the Quad City Bank & Trust
Grand Lobby; free; for information, call 563-326-7804,
Figge Art Museum, 225 W. 2nd St., Davenport IA,
FiggeArtMuseum.org, 10:30am Sat Jan 18
SENIORS
Weekly
Knitting & Crocheting, on Thursdays; volunteer
club; for information, call 563-386-7477, CASI (Center for
Active Seniors), 1035 W. Kimberly Road, Davenport IA,
CASISeniors.org, 12:30pm Thu Dec 5 thru Thu Dec 26
Line Dancing II, on Thursdays; $3-5; for information,
call 563-386-7477, CASI (Center for Active Seniors),
1035 W. Kimberly Road, Davenport IA, CASISeniors.org,
2:30pm Thu Dec 5 thru Thu Dec 26
New Horizons Band Practice, on Thursdays; $2-5;
for information, call 563-386-7477, CASI (Center for
Active Seniors), 1035 W. Kimberly Road, Davenport IA,
CASISeniors.org, 12:30pm Thu Dec 5 thru Thu Dec 26
Reflexology Clinic, on Wed. & Thu.; for information,
call 563-386-7477, CASI (Center for Active Seniors), 1035
W. Kimberly Road, Davenport IA, CASISeniors.org, 1pm
Thu Dec 5 thru Thu Dec 26
Euchre, on Thursdays & Fridays; $2-5; for information,
call 563-386-7477, CASI (Center for Active Seniors),
1035 W. Kimberly Road, Davenport IA, CASISeniors.org,
12:45pm Thu Dec 5 thru Fri Dec 27
Billiards, Mon.-Fri.; $2; for information, call 563-386-
7477, CASI (Center for Active Seniors), 1035 W. Kimberly
Road, Davenport IA, CASISeniors.org, 8am Thu Dec 5
thru Tue Dec 31
Low-Impact Exercise, Mon.-Fri.; $2-5; for information,
call 563-386-7477, CASI (Center for Active Seniors), 1035
W. Kimberly Road, Davenport IA, CASISeniors.org, 9am
Thu Dec 5 thru Tue Dec 31
Ceramics I & II, on Fridays; $7-11; for information, call
563-386-7477, CASI (Center for Active Seniors), 1035 W.
Kimberly Road, Davenport IA, CASISeniors.org, 9am Fri
Dec 6 thru Fri Dec 27
Golden Tones Chorus Practice, on Fridays; $2-5;
for information, call 563-386-7477, CASI (Center for
Active Seniors), 1035 W. Kimberly Road, Davenport IA,
CASISeniors.org, 9am Fri Dec 6 thru Fri Dec 27
Senior Theatre: Second Avenue Players, on Fridays;
$2-5; for information, call 563-386-7477, CASI (Center for
Active Seniors), 1035 W. Kimberly Road, Davenport IA,
CASISeniors.org, 10:30am Fri Dec 6 thru Fri Dec 27
Zumba, on Fridays; $3-5; for information, call 563-386-
7477, CASI (Center for Active Seniors), 1035 W. Kimberly
Road, Davenport IA, CASISeniors.org, 8am Fri Dec 6 thru
Fri Dec 27
River Cities’ Reader • Vol. 26 No. 968 • December 2019
Bridge, on Mondays & Fridays; $2-5; for information, call
563-386-7477, CASI (Center for Active Seniors), 1035 W.
Kimberly Road, Davenport IA, CASISeniors.org, 12:30pm
Fri Dec 6 thru Mon Dec 30
Ceramics I, on Mondays & Fridays; $7-11; for
information, call 563-386-7477, CASI (Center for
Active Seniors), 1035 W. Kimberly Road, Davenport IA,
CASISeniors.org, 9:30am Fri Dec 6 thru Mon Dec 30
Genesis Blood Pressure Checks, on Mondays;
for information, call 563-386-7477, CASI (Center for
Active Seniors), 1035 W. Kimberly Road, Davenport IA,
CASISeniors.org, 9am Mon Dec 9 thru Mon Dec 30
Shuffleboard, on Mondays; $2-5; for information, call
563-386-7477, CASI (Center for Active Seniors), 1035 W.
Kimberly Road, Davenport IA, CASISeniors.org, 2:15pm
Mon Dec 9 thru Mon Dec 30
Ugly Quilts, on Mondays; no sewing experience
necessary; free; for information, call 563-386-7477, CASI
(Center for Active Seniors), 1035 W. Kimberly Road,
Davenport IA, CASISeniors.org, 8am Mon Dec 9 thru
Mon Dec 30
Zumba Gold Toning, on Mondays; $3-5; for
information, call 563-386-7477, CASI (Center for
Active Seniors), 1035 W. Kimberly Road, Davenport IA,
CASISeniors.org, 10:15am Mon Dec 9 thru Mon Dec 30
Genesis Foot Clinic, on Mon. & Tue.; reservations
required; for information, call 563-320-3978, CASI (Center
for Active Seniors), 1035 W. Kimberly Road, Davenport IA,
CASISeniors.org, 8am Mon Dec 9 thru Tue Dec 31
Canasta, on Tuesdays; $2-5; for information, call
563-386-7477, CASI (Center for Active Seniors), 1035 W.
Kimberly Road, Davenport IA, CASISeniors.org, 1pm Tue
Dec 10 thru Tue Dec 31
Line Dancing I, on Tuesdays; $3-5; for information, call
563-386-7477, CASI (Center for Active Seniors), 1035 W.
Kimberly Road, Davenport IA, CASISeniors.org, 9am Tue
Dec 10 thru Tue Dec 31
Line Dancing Lesson, on Tuesdays; free; for
information, call 563-386-7477, CASI (Center for
Active Seniors), 1035 W. Kimberly Road, Davenport IA,
CASISeniors.org, 8:30am Tue Dec 10 thru Tue Dec 31
Senior Technology Clinic, on Tuesdays; $5-7;
for information, call 563-386-7477, CASI (Center for
Active Seniors), 1035 W. Kimberly Road, Davenport IA,
CASISeniors.org, 1pm Tue Dec 10 thru Tue Dec 31
Spiritual Devotions, on Tuesdays; free; for
information, call 563-386-7477, CASI (Center for
Active Seniors), 1035 W. Kimberly Road, Davenport IA,
CASISeniors.org, 8am Tue Dec 10 thru Tue Dec 17
Bunco, on Wednesdays; $2-5; for information, call
563-386-7477, CASI (Center for Active Seniors), 1035 W.
Kimberly Road, Davenport IA, CASISeniors.org, 1pm
Wed Dec 11 and Wed Dec 18
25
Cribbage, on Wednesdays; $2-5; for information, call
563-386-7477, CASI (Center for Active Seniors), 1035 W.
Kimberly Road, Davenport IA, CASISeniors.org, 1pm
Wed Dec 11 and Wed Dec 18
Early Bird Bingo, on Wednesdays; no admission fee,
card costs are $0.25 & $0.50/card; for information, call
563-386-7477, CASI (Center for Active Seniors), 1035 W.
Kimberly Road, Davenport IA, CASISeniors.org, 6pm
Wed Dec 11 and Wed Dec 18
Energizing Yoga, on Wednesdays; $7-10; for
information, call 563-386-7477, CASI (Center for
Active Seniors), 1035 W. Kimberly Road, Davenport IA,
CASISeniors.org, 2pm Wed Dec 11 and Wed Dec 18
Pinochle, on Wednesdays; $2-5; for information, call
563-386-7477, CASI (Center for Active Seniors), 1035 W.
Kimberly Road, Davenport IA, CASISeniors.org, 1pm
Wed Dec 11 and Wed Dec 18
TOPS (Taking Off Pounds Sensibly), on
Wednesdays; 11:30am weigh-in, noon meeting; $1;
for information, call 563-386-7477, CASI (Center for
Active Seniors), 1035 W. Kimberly Road, Davenport IA,
CASISeniors.org, 11:30am Wed Dec 11 and Wed Dec 18
T’ai Chi Ch’un, on Wednesdays; $24-36/6 weeks;
for information, call 563-386-7477, CASI (Center for
Active Seniors), 1035 W. Kimberly Road, Davenport IA,
CASISeniors.org, 10:25am Wed Dec 11 and Wed Dec 18
Zumba Gold, on Wednesdays; $3-5; for information,
call 563-386-7477, CASI (Center for Active Seniors), 1035
W. Kimberly Road, Davenport IA, CASISeniors.org, 9am
Wed Dec 11 and Wed Dec 18
Monthly & Bi-Monthly
Senior Bingo, free; for information, call 309-755-9614…
East Moline Public Library, 3pm Thu Dec 5
CASI Book Club, $2-5; for information, call 563-386-
7477, CASI (Center for Active Seniors), 1035 W. Kimberly
Road, Davenport IA, CASISeniors.org, 10am Fri Dec 6
Movie Matinee, $2-5; for information, call 563-386-
7477, CASI (Center for Active Seniors), 1035 W. Kimberly
Road, Davenport IA, CASISeniors.org, 1pm Tue Dec 10
Grief Support Group, donations accepted; for
information, call 563-386-7477, CASI (Center for
Active Seniors), 1035 W. Kimberly Road, Davenport IA,
CASISeniors.org, 9:30am Wed Dec 11
CASI Holiday Luncheon, for information, call
563-386-7477, CASI (Center for Active Seniors), 1035
W. Kimberly Road, Davenport IA, CASISeniors.org, Tue
Dec 17
Walgreens Medication Review & Blood Pressure
Check, free; for information, call 563-386-7477, CASI
(Center for Active Seniors), 1035 W. Kimberly Road,
Davenport IA, CASISeniors.org, 10am Thu Dec 19
26 River Cities’ Reader • Vol. 26 No. 968 • December 2019 Know More, Do More • RiverCitiesReader.com
Know More, Do More • RiverCitiesReader.com
ARTS & CRAFTS
December
Beadloom Weaving, an Augustana Kaleidoscope
program with Jennifer Lanphere for ages 9… Augustana
Art Studio Building, 1pm Sat Dec 7
Petite Picasso, ages 2-10 start with storytime and end
with messy art;… Davenport Public Library - Eastern
Avenue Branch, 10am Sat Dec 7
Child’s Play | Create : Explore : Experience, on
Saturdays; free; for information, call 563-344-4175 or
e-mail info@bettendorflibrary.com… Bettendorf Public
Library, 10am Sat Dec 7 thru Sat Dec 14
Petite Picassos, for ages five and under with caregiver;
use all of… Rock Island Public Library - Downtown
Library, 10:30am Tue Dec 10
After School Kids Lab, on Wednesdays; free;
for information, call 563-344-4175 or e-mail info@
bettendorflibrary.com… Bettendorf Public Library, 3pm
Wed Dec 11
Creativity Lab: Galaxy Ornaments, elementary
students create art; free; for information, call 309-524-
2440… Moline Public Library, 6pm Thu Dec 12
Craft Buddies: Salt Dough Ornament, your baby,
toddler and/or preschooler can spend some time with…
Silvis Public Library, 10am Sat Dec 14
Gifts from the Heart: 4-H Workshop, ages 8 and
older can make their own presents to… Rock Island
County Extension, 9am Sat Dec 14
Kids Crafternoon: Salt Dough Ornament, for ages
3-17; come decorate your own salt dough ornament;…
Silvis Public Library, 2pm Sat Dec 14
‘Tis the Season for Ages 4-6, an Augustana
Kaleidoscope program with Corrine Smith; create many
holiday… Augustana Art Studio Building, 1pm Sat Dec
14
‘Tis the Season for Ages 7-8, an Augustana
Kaleidoscope program with Catherine Gehrmann; create
many holiday… Augustana Art Studio Building, 1pm Sat
Dec 14
‘Tis the Season for Ages 9-12, an Augustana
Kaleidoscope program with Seth Chappell; create many
holiday… Augustana Art Studio Building, 1pm Sat Dec
14
Gingerbread Houses, be your own architect as you
create your own “gingerbread”… Moline Public Library,
6pm Tue Dec 17
Noon Year’s Eve @ Family Museum – December 31
Petite Picassos, for ages five and under with caregiver;
use all of… Rock Island Public Library - Downtown
Library, 10:30am Fri Dec 20
Full S.T.E.A.M. Ahead! Snow Floam, for ages 5 & up;
create a version of winter… Silvis Public Library, 2pm
Sat Dec 21
Easy Edible Winter Crafts, this workshop is geared
with creativity, food, and fun in… Davenport Public
Library - Eastern Avenue Branch, 2pm Mon Dec 23
Slime Time, ages 6+ will concoct their own bag of
slime that… Davenport Public Library - Fairmount Street
Branch, 1pm Thu Dec 26
Teen DIY Skincare: Sheet Masks, make DIY skincare
sheet masks out of common household products;…
Davenport Public Library - Eastern Avenue Branch, 2pm
Sat Dec 28
January
DIY Teens: Recycled Book Manicure, show off your
book love by learning how to transfer… Davenport
Public Library - Fairmount Street Branch, 2pm Fri Jan 3
Craft Buddies: Making Snowflakes, join us for
Pre-K Storytime; books, songs, a craft and… Silvis Public
Library, 10am Sat Jan 4
Petite Picasso, we will start with storytime and end
with messy art;… Davenport Public Library - Eastern
Avenue Branch, 10am Sat Jan 4
Building Blocks of Matter, Tuesdays thru Feb. 11; for
grades K-2. with instructor Samuel… Bereskin Gallery &
Art Academy, 5:30pm Tue Jan 7
Can Do Chemistry, Tuesdays thru Feb. 11, for
preschoolers. with instructors Diane Whiteman and…
Bereskin Gallery & Art Academy, 12:30pm Tue Jan 7
Mixture and Solutions, Wednesdays thru Feb. 12; for
grades 3-5. with instructor Samuel… Bereskin Gallery &
Art Academy, 5:30pm Wed Jan 8
After School Kids Lab, on Wednesdays; free;
for information, call 563-344-4175 or e-mail info@
bettendorflibrary.com… Bettendorf Public Library, 3pm
Wed Jan 8 thru Wed Jan 29
Little Makers, on Wednesdays; we’ll have plenty of
craft supplies and a… Davenport Public Library - Eastern
Avenue Branch, 3:30pm Wed Jan 8 thru Wed Jan 29
Creativity Lab, elementary students create art; free; for
information, call 309-524-2440… Moline Public Library,
6pm Thu Jan 9
River Cities’ Reader • Vol. 26 No. 968 • December 2019
Environmental Engineering, Thursdays thru Feb. 13,
for grades 6-8. with instructor Samuel… Bereskin Gallery
& Art Academy, 5:30pm Thu Jan 9
Kids Crafternoon: Create a Yarn Bowl with Paper
Plate Weaving, create your own yarn bowl with
materials provided; free; for… Silvis Public Library, 2pm
Sat Jan 11
Child’s Play | Create : Explore : Experience, on
Saturdays; free; for information, call 563-344-4175 or
e-mail info@bettendorflibrary.com… Bettendorf Public
Library, 10am Sat Jan 11 thru Sat Jan 25
Petite Picassos, art project and story for little ones
five and under… Rock Island Public Library - Downtown
Library, 10:30am Tue Jan 14
Full S.T.E.A.M. Ahead! CD Spinning Tops, make
your own spinning tops with an old CD and a marble;…
Silvis Public Library, 2pm Sat Jan 18
Petite Picasso, for ages 2-10; we will start with
storytime and end… Davenport Public Library -
Fairmount Street Branch, 10am Sat Jan 18
Teen CD Art, join us as we scratch CD’s into works of
art;… Silvis Public Library, 5pm Tue Jan 21
27
Petite Picassos, art project and story for little ones
five and under… Rock Island Public Library - Southwest
Branch, 10:30am Wed Jan 22
Sensory Sessions: Snowman Assembly Center,
your baby, toddler and/or preschooler can make their
own mini… Silvis Public Library, 10am Sat Jan 25
Petite Picassos, art project and story for little ones
five and under… Rock Island Public Library - Downtown
Library, 10:30am Fri Jan 31
February & March
Craft Buddies: Heart Thumbprint Card, join us for
Pre-K Storytime; books, songs, a craft and… Silvis Public
Library, 10am Sat Feb 1
Petite Picasso, we will start with storytime and end
with messy art;… Davenport Public Library - Eastern
Avenue Branch, 10am Sat Feb 1
Denim Demolition, on Saturdays; original dazzling
denim reconstruction projects using old jeans…
Davenport Public Library - Eastern Avenue Branch,
6:30pm Sat Feb 1 and Sat Feb 8
After School Kids Lab, on Wednesdays; free;
for information, call 563-344-4175 or e-mail info@
bettendorflibrary.com… Bettendorf Public Library, 3pm
Wed Feb 5 thru Wed Feb 26
Little Makers, on Wednesdays; we’ll have plenty of
craft supplies and a… Davenport Public Library - Eastern
Avenue Branch, 3:30pm Wed Feb 5 thru Wed Feb 26
Paint It!, on Thursdays; for ages 6+; each week we’ll use
a… Davenport Public Library - Eastern Avenue Branch,
6:30pm Thu Feb 6 thru Thu Feb 20
Kids Crafternoon: Heart Gem Magnets, create
your own thumbprint heart gem magnet with materials
provided;… Silvis Public Library, 2pm Sat Feb 8
Child’s Play | Create : Explore : Experience, on
Saturdays; free; for information, call 563-344-4175 or
e-mail info@bettendorflibrary.com… Bettendorf Public
Library, 10am Sat Feb 8 thru Sat Feb 29
Petite Picassos, art project and story for little ones
five and under… Rock Island Public Library - Downtown
Library, 10:30am Tue Feb 11
Creativity Lab, elementary students create art; free; for
information, call 309-524-2440… Moline Public Library,
6pm Thu Feb 13
Petite Picasso, for ages 2-10; we will start with
storytime and end… Davenport Public Library -
Fairmount Street Branch, 10am Sat Feb 15
28 River Cities’ Reader • Vol. 26 No. 968 • December 2019
CONTINUED
ARTS & CRAFTS / February & March
Teen’s Crayon Art, if you like to be creative and have
thought these… Silvis Public Library, 5pm Tue Feb 18
Petite Picassos, art project and story for little ones
five and under… Rock Island Public Library - Southwest
Branch, 10:30am Wed Feb 19
Build It, Thursdays thru Mar. 19, for grades 3-8. with
instructor Samuel… Bereskin Gallery & Art Academy,
5:30pm Thu Feb 20
Petite Picassos, art project and story for little ones
five and under… Rock Island Public Library - Downtown
Library, 10:30am Fri Feb 28
Little Makers, on Wednesdays; we’ll have plenty of
craft supplies and a… Davenport Public Library - Eastern
Avenue Branch, 3:30pm Wed Mar 4
STORIES
December
Reading Assistance Dogs, free; for information, call
563-344-4175 or e-mail info@bettendorflibrary.com…
Bettendorf Public Library, 6pm Thu Dec 5
Tales for Tots!, on Thursdays, for ages 0-3; Mon. 10am,
Thu. 6:30pm; free;… Bettendorf Public Library, 6:30pm
thru Thu Dec 12
Preschool Storytime, Tue.-Fri. at 10am & Mon. at
6:30pm; free; for information,… Bettendorf Public
Library, thru Fri Dec 13
Toddler Tale Storytime, for ages five and under with
a caregiver; develop your… Rock Island Public Library -
Downtown Library, 10:30am Fri Dec 6
Story Travelers, free; for information, call 563-344-
4175 or e-mail info@bettendorflibrary.com… Bettendorf
Public Library, 2pm Sat Dec 7
Read to a Dog, QC CAN’s Reading Assistance Dogs are
specially trained, along with… Davenport Public Library
- Eastern Avenue Branch, 5:30pm Mon Dec 9
Tales for Tots!, for ages 0-3; Mon. 10am, Thu. 6:30pm;
free; for information,… Bettendorf Public Library, 10am
Mon Dec 9
Winter Storytime, this special December storytime
celebrates cold, snow, and all things… Davenport Public
Library - Eastern Avenue Branch, 9:30am Tue Dec 10
Toddler Tale Storytime, for ages five and under with
a caregiver; develop your… Rock Island Public Library -
Southwest Branch, 10:30am Wed Dec 11
Yoga and Stories, free; for information, call 563-344-
4175 or e-mail info@bettendorflibrary.com… Bettendorf
Public Library, 6:30pm Wed Dec 11
Family Storytime: Hot Cocoa, program includes
stories, a song or rhyme and a craft;… Silvis Public
Library, 6pm Thu Dec 12
Snowman Stories, celebrate the season with a special
snowman storytime; we’ll sing… Davenport Public
Library - Fairmount Street Branch, 10am Mon Dec 16
Toddler Tale Storytime, for ages five and under with
a caregiver; develop your… Rock Island Public Library -
Downtown Library, 10:30am Tue Dec 17
Family Storytime, program includes stories, a song
or rhyme and a craft;… Silvis Public Library, 6pm Thu
Dec 19
PJ Party Storytime!, come in your slippers and PJs
with your stuffed animal,… Moline Public Library, 6pm
Mon Dec 30
January
Family Storytime, on Thursdays; program includes
stories, a song or rhyme and a… Silvis Public Library,
6pm Thu Jan 2 thru Thu Jan 30
Know More, Do More • RiverCitiesReader.com
Winter Reading Challenge: Light Up Winter!, at
both Rock Island libraries; light up your winter… Mon
Jan 6 thru Fri Jan 31
Preschool Storytime, on Mondays; songs, stories,
and crafts created to introduce your… Davenport Public
Library - Fairmount Street Branch, 10am Mon Jan 6 thru
Mon Jan 27
Storytime for Littles, Mondays at 9:30 & 10:45am, for
ages 0-3; nurture your… Moline Public Library, Mon Jan
6 thru Mon Jan 27
Tales for Tots!, on Mondays, for ages 0-3; Mon. 10am,
Thu. 6:30pm; free;… Bettendorf Public Library, 10am
Mon Jan 6 thru Mon Jan 27
Preschool Storytime, Tue.-Fri. at 10am and Mon.
at 6:30pm; free; for information,… Bettendorf Public
Library, Mon Jan 6 thru Fri Jan 31
Milk & Cookies Storytime, on Tuesdays; stop in after
school for stories and a… Davenport Public Library -
Eastern Avenue Branch, 4pm Tue Jan 7 thru Tue Jan 28
Toddler Tales, on Tuesdays; stories, songs, and an
activity for ages five… Rock Island Public Library -
Downtown Library, 10:30am Tue Jan 7 thru Tue Jan 28
T(w)een Book Club, each month we will discuss our
favorite themes in YA… Davenport Public Library -
Eastern Avenue Branch, 6pm Wed Jan 8
Toddler Storytime, on Wednesdays; stories, music,
movement and play; all ages welcome,… Davenport
Public Library - Fairmount Street Branch, 10am Wed Jan
8 thru Wed Jan 29
Toddler Tales, on Wednesdays; stories, songs, and
an activity for ages five… Rock Island Public Library -
Southwest Branch, 10:30am Wed Jan 8 thru Wed Jan 29
Yoga and Stories, on Wednesdays; free; for
information, call 563-344-4175 or e-mail info@
bettendorflibrary.com… Bettendorf Public Library,
6:30pm Wed Jan 8 thru Wed Jan 29
Dance Party Storytime, on Thursdays; dance your
wiggles out; all ages welcome, but… Davenport Public
Library - Eastern Avenue Branch, 6pm Thu Jan 9 thru
Thu Jan 30
Tales for Tots!, on Thursdays; for ages 0-3; Mon. 10am,
Thu. 6:30pm; free;… Bettendorf Public Library, 6:30pm
Thu Jan 9 thru Thu Jan 30
Baby Storytime, on Fridays; start building your child’s
early literacy skills; featuring… Davenport Public Library
- Eastern Avenue Branch, 10am Fri Jan 10 thru Fri Jan 31
Sci Kids Storytime, on Fridays for ages 3 & up; a great
way… Davenport Public Library - Fairmount Street
Branch, 10am Fri Jan 10 thru Fri Jan 31
Book Buddies, on Saturdays; your baby, toddler and/
or preschooler can spend some… Silvis Public Library,
10am Sat Jan 11 and Sat Jan 18
Read to a Dog, QC CAN’s Reading Assistance Dogs are
specially trained, along with… Davenport Public Library
- Eastern Avenue Branch, 5:30pm Mon Jan 13
Big/Little Bookclub, book club for Littles (kids in 3rd
through 5th grade)… Davenport Public Library - Eastern
Avenue Branch, 6:30pm Wed Jan 15
Story Time for Littles, for ages 0-36 months; a chance
for our youngest patrons… Moline Public Library, 6pm
Wed Jan 15
Tween Book Club, join us to speak about your favorite
book; free; for… Silvis Public Library, 5pm Wed Jan 15
Toddler Tales, on Fridays; stories, songs, and an activity
for ages five… Rock Island Public Library - Downtown
Library, 10:30am Fri Jan 17 and Fri Jan 24
PJ Party Storytime!, come in your slippers and PJs
with your stuffed animal,… Moline Public Library, 6pm
Mon Jan 27
February & March
Winter Reading Challenge: Light Up Winter!, at
both Rock Island libraries; light up your winter… Sat Feb
1 thru Sat Feb 8
Know More, Do More • RiverCitiesReader.com River Cities’ Reader • Vol. 26 No. 968 • December 2019 29
VISUAL ARTS

Rose Frantzen: Portrait of

Maquoketa and The Storytelling Tree
Through Sunday, February 2 @ Figge Art Museum,
225 West Second Street, Davenport, IA

An American in Paris @ Adler Theatre – February 20
Preschool Storytime, on Mondays; songs, stories,
and crafts created to introduce your… Davenport Public
Library - Fairmount Street Branch, 10am Mon Feb 3 thru
Mon Feb 24
Storytime for Littles, Mondays at 9:30 & 10:45am, for
ages 0-3; nurture your… Moline Public Library, Mon Feb
3 thru Mon Feb 24
Tales for Tots!, on Mondays, for ages 0-3; Mon. 10am,
Thu. 6:30pm; free;… Bettendorf Public Library, 10am
Mon Feb 3 thru Mon Feb 24
Preschool Storytime, Tue.-Fri. at 10am and Mon.
at 6:30pm; free; for information,… Bettendorf Public
Library, Mon Feb 3 thru Fri Feb 28
Milk & Cookies Storytime, on Tuesdays; stop in after
school for stories and a… Davenport Public Library -
Eastern Avenue Branch, 4pm Tue Feb 4 thru Tue Feb 25
Toddler Storytime, on Wednesdays; stories, music,
movement and play; all ages welcome,… Davenport
Public Library - Fairmount Street Branch, 10am Wed Feb
5 thru Wed Feb 26
Toddler Tales, on Wednesdays; stories, songs, and
an activity for ages five… Rock Island Public Library -
Southwest Branch, 10:30am Wed Feb 5 thru Wed Feb 26
Yoga and Stories, on Wednesdays; free; for
information, call 563-344-4175 or e-mail info@
bettendorflibrary.com… Bettendorf Public Library,
6:30pm Wed Feb 5 thru Wed Feb 26
Dance Party Storytime, on Thursdays; dance your
wiggles out; all ages welcome, but… Davenport Public
Library - Eastern Avenue Branch, 6pm Thu Feb 6 thru
Thu Feb 27
Family Storytime, on Thursdays; program includes
stories, a song or rhyme and a… Silvis Public Library,
6pm Thu Feb 6 thru Thu Feb 27
Tales for Tots!, on Thursdays; for ages 0-3; Mon. 10am,
Thu. 6:30pm; free;… Bettendorf Public Library, 6:30pm
Thu Feb 6 thru Thu Feb 27
Toddler Tales, on Fridays; stories, songs, and an activity
for ages five… Rock Island Public Library - Downtown
Library, 10:30am Fri Feb 7 thru Fri Feb 21
Baby Storytime, on Fridays; start building your child’s
early literacy skills; featuring… Davenport Public Library
- Eastern Avenue Branch, 10am Fri Feb 7 thru Fri Feb 28
Sci Kids Storytime, on Fridays for ages 3 & up; a great
way… Davenport Public Library - Fairmount Street
Branch, 10am Fri Feb 7 thru Fri Feb 28
Read to a Dog, QC CAN’s Reading Assistance Dogs are
specially trained, along with… Davenport Public Library
- Eastern Avenue Branch, 5:30pm Mon Feb 10
T(w)een Book Club, each month we will discuss our
favorite themes in YA… Davenport Public Library -
Eastern Avenue Branch, 6pm Wed Feb 12
Toddler Tales, on Tuesdays; stories, songs, and an
activity for ages five… Rock Island Public Library -
Downtown Library, 10:30am Tue Feb 18 and Tue Feb 25
Big/Little Bookclub, book club for Littles (kids in 3rd
through 5th grade)… Davenport Public Library - Eastern
Avenue Branch, 6:30pm Wed Feb 19
Story Time for Littles, for ages 0-36 months; a chance
for our youngest patrons… Moline Public Library, 6pm
Wed Feb 19
Tween Book Club, join us to speak about your favorite
book; free; for… Silvis Public Library, 5pm Wed Feb 19
PJ Party Storytime!, come in your slippers and PJs
with your stuffed animal,… Moline Public Library, 6pm
Mon Feb 24
Preschool Storytime, songs, stories, and crafts
created to introduce your… Davenport Public Library -
Fairmount Street Branch, 10am Mon Mar 2
Storytime for Littles, at 9:30 & 10:45am, for ages 0-3;
nurture your… Moline Public Library, Mon Mar 2
Tales for Tots!, for ages 0-3; Mon. 10am, Thu. 6:30pm;
free;… Bettendorf Public Library, 10am Mon Mar 2
Preschool Storytime, Mon. at 6:30pm, Tue. & Wed. at
10am; free; for information,… Bettendorf Public Library,
Mon Mar 2 thru Wed Mar 4
Milk & Cookies Storytime, stop in after school for
stories and a… Davenport Public Library - Eastern
Avenue Branch, 4pm Tue Mar 3
Toddler Tales, stories, songs, and an activity for ages
five… Rock Island Public Library - Downtown Library,
10:30am Tue Mar 3
Toddler Storytime, stories, music, movement and
play; all ages welcome,… Davenport Public Library -
Fairmount Street Branch, 10am Wed Mar 4
Yoga and Stories, free; for information, call 563-344-
4175 or e-mail info@bettendorflibrary.com… Bettendorf
Public Library, 6:30pm Wed Mar 4
A
favorite exhibit among Quad Citians
makes its eagerly anticipated return
to Davenport’s Figge Art Museum
through February 2, with artist Rose Frant-
zen’s multi-dimensional installation Por-
trait of Maquoketa boasting 180 portraits of
Maquoketans and a 315-square-foot land-
scape view of the city, and newly accompa-
nied by illustrations from Chuck Morris’
2019 children’s book The Storytelling Tree.
From July 2005 to July 2006, Frantzen
democratized portraiture, inviting anyone
in her hometown of Maquoketa, Iowa, to
sit for a portrait painted from life. All 180
oil painting portraits that Frantzen created
were displayed at the Smithsonian National
Portrait Gallery from November of 2009
through July of 2010. The portraits were
accompanied by a narrative sound compo-
sition created by Frantzen’s brother John,
featuring the voices of those who posed
speaking about their lives and about Maquo-
keta. The 12-by-12, head-and-shoulders por-
traits were each painted in a four or five hour
sitting in a storefront on Main St. that was
open to the public. “I wanted to bring to my
community a tangible connection with the
creative process,” said Frantzen. “By making
them the subject, I hoped that their inter-
est would be stirred and that they would
be touched somehow by what painting can
reveal about the human experience.”
With her subjects ranging in age from
four days to 99 years old, Frantzen captured
a beautiful and moving cross-section por-
trait of her town, and her landscape view of
Maquoketa is painted on 34 vertical panels
suspended from the ceiling. The panels are
arranged in such a way that when a visitor
sits at one end of the installation, all of the
panels come together and align as one uni-
fied view of Maquoketa as seen from the
hills outside of town. The other sides of the
Rose Frantzen’s Portrait of Maquoketa
@ Figge Art Museum – through February 2
landscape panels display all 180 portraits.
Frantzen’s Portrait of Maquoketa will be
on view in the Figge’s third-floor gallery,
and for this showing, the installation will
be joined by a uite of illustrations for the
new children’s book The Storytelling Tree
by Frantzen’s partner, artist Chuck Morris.
Just as Portrait of Maquoketa reminds us of
the importance of connecting family with
community, The Storytelling Tree tells the
story of a young girl’s special bond with her
father, the owner of a small bookstore and
writer of magical stories, through the power
of words. Through his enchanting story and
playfully surreal imagery, Morris reminds
us of the boundless worlds we can experi-
ence through reading, and a special, limited-
run first edition of the book will be available
through the Figge’s museum store.
Rose Frantzen: Portrait of Maquoketa
and The Storytelling Tree be on display
through February 2 with regular museum
hours 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Tuesdays through
Saturdays, 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. on Thursdays,
and noon to 5 p.m. on Sundays. Museum
admission is $4-10, and more information is
available by calling (563)326-7804 or visiting
FiggeArtMuseum.org.

Book Buddies, on Saturdays; your baby, toddler and/

or preschooler can spend some… Silvis Public Library,
10am Sat Feb 8 thru Sat Feb 29
30 River Cities’ Reader • Vol. 26 No. 968 • December 2019
LIBRARY EVENTS
December
Teen Advisory Group, an opportunity for teens and
tweens to have input in… Moline Public Library, 3:30pm
Thu Dec 5
Project Next Generation (PNG): Tween Sewing
Circle, create lap blankets and lap quilts to donate to
a… Moline Public Library, 5:30pm thru Mon Dec 16
Drop-in STEAM Space, for ages 8-13 on Mon., Wed., &
Fri. 4-5pm and Sat. 12:30pm… Davenport Public Library -
Fairmount Street Branch, Fri Dec 6 thru Mon Dec 30
Christmas in Silvis, visit and write letters to Santa, kids
can create or… Silvis Public Library, 5pm Sat Dec 7
Santa Claus Is Coming to Town, in the Java Lab Grind
& Dine Cafe; join us… Moline Public Library, 1pm Sat
Dec 7
Youth Chess Club, elementary through high-school
aged students are invited; free; for information …
Bettendorf Public Library, 1pm Sat Dec 7
Homework Heroes, get help solving your homework
conundrums; be a hero yourself… Silvis Public Library,
4pm Mon Dec 9
Blown Away: Trebuchets : Lay Siege to Your
Curiosity!, elementary through high-school-aged
students have a chance to explore the… Bettendorf
Public Library, 11:30am Tue Dec 10
KinderNature, ages 3-5 enjoy activities, a craft, and a
snack; the… Quad City Botanical Center, 10:30am Tue
Dec 10
Lego Robotics, this introductory series will teach
students in grades 4-10 with… Moline Public Library,
6pm Tue Dec 10
Teen Pop with a Cop, the Silvis Police Department
will be stopping by to hang… Silvis Public Library, 5pm
Tue Dec 10
Girls Who Code Club, free after-school computer
science for girls in grades 6 through 12 … … Rock Island
Public Library - Downtown Library, 5:30pm Tue Dec 10
Anime-Manga Club: Fan Buttons, if you enjoy
anime/manga, this club is just for you;… Silvis Public
Library, 5pm Wed Dec 11
Dungeons, Dragons, & More!, on Wednesdays;
tabletop roleplaying and TCGs; free; for information,
call… Bettendorf Public Library, 2:30pm Wed Dec 11
STEAM-A-Rama, on Wednesdays; themed
programming for grades K - 5; free;… Moline Public
Library, 2pm Wed Dec 11
Teen Gaming, on Wednesdays; hang out with friends
and try out new… Davenport Public Library - Fairmount
Street Branch, 3pm Wed Dec 11
Lego Club, free; for information, call 563-344-4175 or
e-mail info@bettendorflibrary.com… Bettendorf Public
Library, 11:30am Sat Dec 14
Santa Extravaganza!, join our special Balloon Santa
and his friends at the… Davenport Public Library - Main
Branch, 10am Sat Dec 14
Youth Chess Club, free; for information, call 563-344-
4175 or e-mail info@bettendorflibrary.com… Bettendorf
Public Library, 1pm Sat Dec 14
Homework Heroes, get help solving your homework
conundrums; be a… Silvis Public Library, 4pm Mon Dec
16
Santa’s Secret Workshop, teens, help us start getting
things ready for tomorrow’s shopping… Silvis Public
Library, 5pm Tue Dec 17
Teen Advisory Board, teens are invited to hang out,
eat snacks, learn about… Davenport Public Library -
Fairmount Street Branch, 6:30pm Tue Dec 17
Know More, Do More • RiverCitiesReader.com
Vince Herman and Drew Emmitt @ The Redstone Room – February 28
Teen Take Ten, take ten from your busy schedule with
laid-back activities with… East Moline Public Library,
5pm Tue Dec 17
Jolly Rancher Readers: Game Night, free; for
information, e-mail admin@silvislibrary.org or call 309-
755-3393… Silvis Public Library, 3:30pm Fri Dec 20
Book Buddies: Sensory Sessions: Dino Dig, dig for
dinosaurs in our sensory bin; your baby, toddler… Silvis
Public Library, 10am Sat Dec 21
Teen Advisory Board, join us for your chance to vote
on new YA… Silvis Public Library, 6:30pm Mon Dec 23
Life-Size Games, play life-size versions of your favorite
board games; we’ll have… Davenport Public Library -
Eastern Avenue Branch, 2pm Sat Dec 28
New Year’s Eve’s Eve Party, an early New Years
celebration for the whole family with… Davenport
Public Library - Fairmount Street Branch, 11am Mon
Dec 30
January
Star Wars Trivia Night, fun for teens ages 12 to 18 and
their families;… Rock Island Public Library - Downtown
Library, 5:30pm Thu Jan 2
Teen Advisory Group, an opportunity for teens and
tweens to have input in… Moline Public Library, 3:30pm
Thu Jan 2
Family Game Day, bring in your new games for the
holidays or play… Davenport Public Library - Fairmount
Street Branch, 10am Fri Jan 3
Drop-in STEAM Space, for ages 8-13 on Mon., Wed., &
Fri. 4-5pm and Sat. 12:30pm… Davenport Public Library -
Fairmount Street Branch, Fri Jan 3 thru Fri Jan 31
Teen Couch Potato Party, celebrate the end of winter
break by hunkering down in… Davenport Public Library
- Eastern Avenue Branch, 1pm Sat Jan 4
Computer Gaming, on Mondays; play Minecraft,
Roblox, and other computer games on… Davenport
Public Library - Main Branch, 3:30pm Mon Jan 6 thru
Mon Jan 27
Homework Heroes, on Mondays; get help solving
your homework conundrums; be a… Silvis Public Library,
4pm Mon Jan 6 thru Mon Jan 27
Make-Believe Monday, for ages 4-8; themed
imaginative play that lets you work… Davenport Public
Library - Fairmount Street Branch, 4pm Mon Jan 6 thru
Mon Jan 27
Teen Volunteer Night, teens, fulfill needed service
hours or use on job applications;… Silvis Public Library,
5:30pm Tue Jan 7
Circle Time, on Tuesdays; we will talk, sing, play, and
read during… Davenport Public Library - Eastern Avenue
Branch, 9:30am Tue Jan 7 thru Tue Jan 28
Girls Love Code, on Tuesdays; an after-school club
for girls in 3rd-5th grade… Davenport Public Library -
Fairmount Street Branch, 3:30pm Tue Jan 7 thru Tue
Jan 28
Library Playgroup, on Tuesdays; drop-in and meet
with other parents and caregivers… Davenport Public
Library - Eastern Avenue Branch, 10am Tue Jan 7 thru
Tue Jan 28
Anime-Manga Club, for grades 3 & up; if you enjoy
anime/manga, this… Silvis Public Library, 5pm Wed
Jan 8
Dungeons, Dragons, & More!, on Wednesdays;
tabletop roleplaying and TCGs; free; for information,
call… Bettendorf Public Library, 2:30pm Wed Jan 8 thru
Wed Jan 29
Teen Gaming, on Wednesdays; hang out with friends
and try out new… Davenport Public Library - Fairmount
Street Branch, 3pm Wed Jan 8 thru Wed Jan 29
STEM Series: Science, on Thursdays; celebrate STEM
at the library; registration required; free;… Davenport
Public Library - Eastern Avenue Branch, 3:30pm Thu Jan
9 thru Thu Jan 30
Sewing for Kids, on Thursdays, for ages 8 & up; learn
basic sewing… Davenport Public Library - Fairmount
Street Branch, 4pm Thu Jan 9 thru Thu Jan 30
Play & Grow, structured play group for ages three
and under with caregiver;… Rock Island Public Library -
Downtown Library, 10:30am Fri Jan 10
Lego Club, free; for information, call 563-344-4175 or
e-mail info@bettendorflibrary.com… Bettendorf Public
Library, 11:30am Sat Jan 11 thru Sat Jan 25
Youth Chess Club, free; for information, call 563-344-
4175 or e-mail info@bettendorflibrary.com… Bettendorf
Public Library, 2pm Sat Jan 11 thru Sat Jan 25
Teen Empowerment Round Table, join us for round
table discussions pertaining to current teen… Silvis
Public Library, 4:30pm Tue Jan 14
Teen Roblox Gaming, 90 minutes of uninterrupted
Roblox gaming; use your own account… Rock Island
Public Library - Downtown Library, 3:30pm Tue Jan 14
A Novel Naptime, our popular materials book group
for parents where kids preschool… Moline Public
Library, 10:30am Wed Jan 15
Starter D&D: Lost Mine of Phandelver, on
Wednesdays; for those who have always wanted to
learn… Davenport Public Library - Eastern Avenue
Branch, 5:30pm Wed Jan 15 thru Wed Jan 29
Know More, Do More • RiverCitiesReader.com
Book + Prom Fashion Show, North High School
Ambassadors and the Library’s Teen Advisory Board…
Davenport Public Library - Fairmount Street Branch, 2pm
Sat Jan 18
Willy Wonka’s Chocolate Factory, a celebration of
Roald Dahl’s beloved books, the classic films,… Moline
Public Library, 2pm Sat Jan 18
Teen Advisory Board, ages 11-19 are invited to hang
out, eat snacks, learn… Davenport Public Library -
Fairmount Street Branch, 6:30pm Tue Jan 21
Hug-A-Book Dance Party, movement, play, music,
literacy and family fun; dance to the… Rock Island Public
Library - Downtown Library, 6pm Wed Jan 22
Jolly Rancher Readers: Game Night, free; for
information, e-mail admin@silvislibrary.org or call 309-
755-3393… Silvis Public Library, 3:30pm Fri Jan 24
Lego Club: Freestyle, ages 5-11 design and build their
own masterpieces to display;… Silvis Public Library, 2pm
Sat Jan 25
Family Caucus: Which Favorite Kids’ Character
should be President?!, an exciting all-ages mock
caucus event where we will choose… Davenport Public
Library - Fairmount Street Branch, 6pm Tue Jan 28
Teen Advisory Board, join us for your chance to vote
on new YA… Silvis Public Library, 6:30pm Tue Jan 28
February & March
Drop-in STEAM Space, for ages 8-13 on Mon., Wed., &
Fri. 4-5pm and Sat. 12:30pm… Davenport Public Library -
Fairmount Street Branch, Sat Feb 1 thru Sat Feb 29
Computer Gaming, on Mondays; play Minecraft,
Roblox, and other computer games on… Davenport
Public Library - Main Branch, 3:30pm Mon Feb 3 thru
Mon Feb 24
Homework Heroes, on Mondays; get help solving
your homework conundrums; be a… Silvis Public Library,
4pm Mon Feb 3 thru Mon Feb 24
Make-Believe Monday, for ages 4-8; themed
imaginative play that lets you work… Davenport Public
Library - Fairmount Street Branch, 4pm Mon Feb 3 thru
Mon Feb 24
Play & Grow, structured play group for ages three
and under with caregiver;… Rock Island Public Library -
Downtown Library, 10:30am Tue Feb 4
Teen Volunteer Night, teens, fulfill needed service
hours or use on job applications… Silvis Public Library,
5:30pm Tue Feb 4
Circle Time, on Tuesdays; we will talk, sing, play, and
read during… Davenport Public Library - Eastern Avenue
Branch, 9:30am Tue Feb 4 thru Tue Feb 25
Girls Love Code, on Tuesdays; an after-school club
for girls in 3rd-5th grade… Davenport Public Library -
Fairmount Street Branch, 3:30pm Tue Feb 4 thru Tue
Feb 25
Library Playgroup, on Tuesdays; drop-in and meet
with other parents and caregivers… Davenport Public
Library - Eastern Avenue Branch, 10am Tue Feb 4 thru
Tue Feb 25
Starter D&D: Lost Mine of Phandelver, on
Wednesdays; for those who have always wanted to
learn… Davenport Public Library - Eastern Avenue
Branch, 5:30pm Wed Feb 5
Dungeons, Dragons, & More!, on Wednesdays;
tabletop roleplaying and TCGs; free; for information,
call… Bettendorf Public Library, 2:30pm Wed Feb 5 thru
Wed Feb 26
Teen Gaming, on Wednesdays; hang out with friends
and try out new… Davenport Public Library - Fairmount
Street Branch, 3pm Wed Feb 5 thru Wed Feb 26
Teen Advisory Group, an opportunity for teens and
tweens to have input in… Moline Public Library, 3:30pm
Thu Feb 6
STEM Series: Technology, on Thursdays; celebrate
STEM at the library; registration required; free;…
River Cities’ Reader • Vol. 26 No. 968 • December 2019 31
Davenport Public Library - Eastern Avenue Branch,
3:30pm Thu Feb 6 thru Thu Feb 27
Lego Club, free; for information, call 563-344-4175 or
e-mail info@bettendorflibrary.com… Bettendorf Public
Library, 11:30am Sat Feb 8 thru Sat Feb 22
Youth Chess Club, free; for information, call 563-344-
4175 or e-mail info@bettendorflibrary.com… Bettendorf
Public Library, 2pm Sat Feb 8 thru Sat Feb 22
Teen Anime Night, enjoy Japanese snacks, learn to
write some hiragana and katakana… Rock Island Public
Library - Downtown Library, 5:30pm Tue Feb 11
Teen Empowerment Round Table, join us for round
table discussions pertaining to current teen… Silvis
Public Library, 4:30pm Tue Feb 11
Anime-Manga Club, join us and discuss all things
anime and manga; free;… Silvis Public Library, 5pm Wed
Feb 12
Full S.T.E.A.M. Ahead! Ice Fishing, ages 5 & up go
ice fishing in the warmth… Silvis Public Library, 2pm Sat
Feb 15
Teen Advisory Board, ages 11-19 are invited to hang
out, eat snacks, learn… Davenport Public Library -
Fairmount Street Branch, 6:30pm Tue Feb 18
A Novel Naptime, our popular materials book group
for parents where kids preschool… Moline Public
Library, 10:30am Wed Feb 19
Jolly Rancher Readers: Game Night, free; for
information, e-mail admin@silvislibrary.org or call 309-
755-3393… Silvis Public Library, 3:30pm Fri Feb 21
Book Buddies: Sensory Sessions-Scooping
Snowflakes, our sensory bin will transform into a
snowflake scooping station;… Silvis Public Library, 10am
Sat Feb 22
Teen Advisory Board, vote on new YA library books
and plan teen programs;… Silvis Public Library, 6:30pm
Tue Feb 25
Disney Escape Room, see if you can escape the castle
before time runs… Silvis Public Library, 3pm Wed Feb 26
Leap Day Celebration, make your own Leap Day
time capsule to be opened… Davenport Public Library -
Fairmount Street Branch, 10am Sat Feb 29
Lego Club: Let’s Build a Robot, free; for information,
e-mail admin@silvislibrary.org or call 309-755-3393…
Silvis Public Library, 2pm Sat Feb 29
Computer Gaming, play Minecraft, Roblox, and other
computer games on… Davenport Public Library - Main
Branch, 3:30pm Mon Mar 2
Make-Believe Monday, for ages 4-8; themed
imaginative play that lets you work… Davenport Public
Library - Fairmount Street Branch, 4pm Mon Mar 2
Drop-in STEAM Space, for ages 8-13 on Mon. & Wed.
4-5pm; free; for… Davenport Public Library - Fairmount
Street Branch, 4pm Mon Mar 2 and Wed Mar 4
Circle Time, we will talk, sing, play, and read during…
Davenport Public Library - Eastern Avenue Branch,
9:30am Tue Mar 3
Girls Love Code, an after-school club for girls in 3rd-5th
grade… Davenport Public Library - Fairmount Street
Branch, 3:30pm Tue Mar 3
Library Playgroup, drop-in and meet with other
parents and caregivers… Davenport Public Library -
Eastern Avenue Branch, 10am Tue Mar 3
Dungeons, Dragons, & More!, tabletop roleplaying
and TCGs; free; for information, call… Bettendorf Public
Library, 2:30pm Wed Mar 4
Play & Grow, structured play group for ages three
and under with caregiver;… Rock Island Public Library -
Southwest Branch, 10:30am Wed Mar 4
Teen Gaming, hang out with friends and try out new…
Davenport Public Library - Fairmount Street Branch, 3pm
Wed Mar 4
32 River Cities’ Reader • Vol. 26 No. 968 • December 2019
THEATRE
Performances
December
The Best Christmas Pageant Ever: The Musical,
Quad Cities premiere of the family musical based on
the book and play by Barbara Robinson; Thu.-Sat.
7:30pm, Sun. 2pm; $11-16; for tickets and information,
call 309-762-6610, Quad City Music Guild - Prospect Park
Auditorium, 1584 34th Ave., Moline IL, QCMusicGuild.
com, thru Sun Dec 8
Disney on Ice: Dream Big, new skating spectacular
in which Miguel aspires to be a… TaxSlayer Center, thru
Sun Dec 8
Mr. Scrooge! A Musical Christmas Carol, family-
friendly re-telling of Charles Dickens’ classic holiday
novel; $8.50-10; for… Circa ’21 Dinner Playhouse, Fri Dec
6 thru Sat Dec 28
Elf: The Musical, holiday musical based on the 2003
Will Ferrell film comedy,… Circa ’21 Dinner Playhouse, Fri
Dec 6 thru Sun Dec 29
Annie, City Circle Theatre Company presents the Tony-
winning Broadway-musical smash based… Coralville
Center for the Performing Arts, Fri Dec 6 thru Sun Dec
15
Matilda: The Musical, Tony-winning family musical
based on Roald DFalh’s children’s book; Fri.… Theatre
Cedar Rapids, Fri Dec 6 thru Sun Dec 15
The Best Christmas Pageant Ever, Barbara
Robinson’s adaptation of their holiday-comedy novel;
Fri. & Sat.… Starlighters II Theatre, Fri Dec 6 thru Sun
Dec 15
The Little Prince, adaptation of the classic Antoine de
Saint-Exupéry story, written by… Galvin Fine Arts Center
- St. Ambrose University, Sat Dec 7
A Christmas Carol, performed by Virginia Repertory
Theatre; an intimate production of this perennial holiday
favorite and perhaps the best loved Christmas story of
all time, this musical adaptation of Dickens’ classic is
particularly suited to children; Sun. 2pm, Mon. 9:45am;
$4-15; for tickets and information, call 563-585-SHOW,
John & Alice Butler Hall - University of Dubuque Heritage
Center, 2255 Bennett St., Dubuque IA, Dbq.edu/
heritagecenter, Sun Dec 8
Miracle on 34th Street: The Musical, stage musical
based on the holiday film classic;; Thu.-Sat. 7:30pm,…
The Spotlight Theatre, Thu Dec 12 thru Sun Dec 15
The Nutcracker, Sat. 2:30 & 7:30pm, Sun. 2:30pm; Ballet
Quad Cities and Orchestra Iowa present Tchaikovsky’s…
Adler Theatre, 2:30pm Sat Dec 14
Little Red Riding Hood, at 11am & 2pm; see the
Eulenspiegel favorite that uses… Owl Glass Puppetry
Center, Mon Dec 30
January thru March
Sciencesplosion with Mike Nizer, at 9:45am &
12:15pm; $6-8; for information, contact Victoria Molle,
director of audience services at Heritage Center, at 563-
589-3432 or vmolle@dbq.edu, John & Alice Butler Hall
- University of Dubuque Heritage Center, 2255 Bennett
St., Dubuque IA, Dbq.edu/heritagecenter/schoolbus,
Tue Jan 21
The Lion King Jr., a one-act version of the Tony-
winning Disney musical performed by… Brunner
Theatre Center, Augustana College, Fri Jan 24 thru Sun
Feb 2
Pinocchio, at 10am & 2pm; Missoula Children’s Theatre
presents an original adaptation of the classic fairy
tale featuring a cast of local youths; for tickets and
information, call 563-585-SHOW, John & Alice Butler Hall
- University of Dubuque Heritage Center, 2255 Bennett
St., Dubuque IA, Dbq.edu/heritagecenter, Sat Jan 25
The Princess & the Pea, performed by Lexington
Children’s Theatre; this fun and funky retelling of the
Know More, Do More • RiverCitiesReader.com
Hans Christian Andersen classic determines what
happens when you put “princess-ness” to the test; for
tickets and information, call 563-585-SHOW, John & Alice
Butler Hall - University of Dubuque Heritage Center, 2255
Bennett St., Dubuque IA, Dbq.edu/heritagecenter, 2pm
Sun Feb 9
The Wizard of Oz, musical version of the L. Frank
Baum storybook classic; Sat. & Sun. 1 & 4pm; $6-8 at the
door; for information, call 563-888-2227, Davenport
Junior Theatre, 2822 Eastern Ave., Davenport IA,
DavenportJuniorTheatre.org, Sat Feb 15 thru Sun Feb
23
ArcAttack: Engineering 101, at 9:45am & 12:15pm;
a performance in the 2019-20 Live at Heritage Center
SchoolBus Performance Series; $6-8; for information,
contact Victoria Molle, director of audience services
at Heritage Center, at 563-589-3432 or vmolle@dbq.
edu, John & Alice Butler Hall - University of Dubuque
Heritage Center, 2255 Bennett St., Dubuque IA, Dbq.edu/
heritagecenter/schoolbus, Mon Feb 24
Junie B. Jones Is Not a Crook, family-comedy stage
adaptation of Barbara Park’s children’s book, directed
by… Brunner Theatre Center, Augustana College,
1:30pm Sat Feb 29 thru Sun Mar 1
Blippi Live!, an interactive, family-friendly show based
on children’s YouTube sensation; $32-45; for… Adler
Theatre, 6pm Tue Mar 3
The Snowy Day & Other Stories, performed
by Childsplay Theatre Co. from Tempe, Arizona; a
performance in the 2019-20 Live at Heritage Center
SchoolBus Performance Series; $6-8; for information,
contact Victoria Molle, director of audience services
at Heritage Center, at 563-589-3432 or vmolle@dbq.
edu, John & Alice Butler Hall - University of Dubuque
Heritage Center, 2255 Bennett St., Dubuque IA, Dbq.edu/
heritagecenter/schoolbus, 9:45am Tue Mar 3
Classes
Acting: Ages 11-12, Saturdays thru Apr. 4; this
imaginative, high-energy environment provides basic
theatre terminology, improvisation, characterization,
vocal technique, and physical skills; $130-150; for
information and to register, call 563-888-2227,
Davenport Junior Theatre, 2822 Eastern Ave., Davenport
IA, DavenportJuniorTheatre.org, 11:15am Sat Jan 11
Acting: Ages 5-6, Saturdays thru Apr. 4; this
imaginative, high energy environment provides basic
theatre terminology, improvisation, characterization,
vocal technique, and physical skills; $130-150; for
information and to register, call 563-888-2227,
Davenport Junior Theatre, 2822 Eastern Ave., Davenport
IA, DavenportJuniorTheatre.org, 10am Sat Jan 11
Acting: Ages 7-8, Saturdays thru Apr. 4; this
imaginative, high-energy environment provides basic
theatre terminology, improvisation, characterization,
vocal technique, and physical skills; $130-150; for
information and to register, call 563-888-2227,
Davenport Junior Theatre, 2822 Eastern Ave., Davenport
IA, DavenportJuniorTheatre.org, 11:30am Sat Jan 11
Acting: Ages 9-10, Saturdays thru Apr. 4; this
imaginative, high-energy environment provides basic
theatre terminology, improvisation, characterization,
vocal technique, and physical skills; $130-150; for
information and to register, call 563-888-2227,
Davenport Junior Theatre, 2822 Eastern Ave., Davenport
IA, DavenportJuniorTheatre.org, noon Sat Jan 11
Broadway Babies: Ages 3-4, Saturdays thru Apr.
4; explore storytelling through song and dance; the
class develops coordination and social skills through
exercises, movement, crafts and games; $130-150;
for information and to register, call 563-888-2227,
Davenport Junior Theatre, 2822 Eastern Ave., Davenport
IA, DavenportJuniorTheatre.org, 9am Sat Jan 11
Broadway: Ages 7-8, Saturdays thru Apr. 4; the
class develops storytelling and communication skills
in a musical environment; physical coordination, and
confidence flourish; no one is required to sing a solo,
as this class is about building confidence; $130-150;
for information and to register, call 563-888-2227,
Davenport Junior Theatre, 2822 Eastern Ave., Davenport
IA, DavenportJuniorTheatre.org, 9:15am Sat Jan 11
Professional Acting: Ages 11+, Saturdays thru Apr.
4; we will work audition techniques, prep professional
resumes, learn about headshots, practice on-camera
acting techniques, find out about colleges/universities,
and investigate the professional field at large, including
special tours of local professional theatres; $130-150;
for information and to register, call 563-888-2227,
Davenport Junior Theatre, 2822 Eastern Ave., Davenport
IA, DavenportJuniorTheatre.org, 10:45am Sat Jan 11
Set Design: Ages 11+, Saturdays thru Apr. 4; come
get your hands dirty and learn what it takes to create
and design an amazing set; $130-150; for information
and to register, call 563-888-2227, Davenport
Junior Theatre, 2822 Eastern Ave., Davenport IA,
DavenportJuniorTheatre.org, 9:30am Sat Jan 11
Acting: Ages 11-12, Mondays thru Mar. 30; this
imaginative, high-energy environment provides basic
theatre terminology, improvisation, characterization,
vocal technique, and physical skills; $130-150; for
information and to register, call 563-888-2227,
Davenport Junior Theatre, 2822 Eastern Ave., Davenport
IA, DavenportJuniorTheatre.org, 7pm Mon Jan 13
Acting: Ages 5-6, Mondays thru Mar. 30; this
imaginative, high energy environment provides basic
theatre terminology, improvisation, characterization,
vocal technique, and physical skills; $130-150; for
information and to register, call 563-888-2227,
Davenport Junior Theatre, 2822 Eastern Ave., Davenport
IA, DavenportJuniorTheatre.org, 3:45pm Mon Jan 13
Broadway: Ages 5-6, Mondays thru Mar. 30; the
class develops storytelling and communication skills
in a musical environment; physical coordination, and
confidence flourish; no one is required to sing a solo,
as this class is about building confidence; $130-150;
for information and to register, call 563-888-2227,
Davenport Junior Theatre, 2822 Eastern Ave., Davenport
IA, DavenportJuniorTheatre.org, 5:45pm Mon Jan 13
Broadway: Ages 7-8, Mondays thru Mar. 30; the
class develops storytelling and communication skills
in a musical environment; physical coordination, and
confidence flourish; no one is required to sing a solo,
as this class is about building confidence; $130-150;
for information and to register, call 563-888-2227,
Davenport Junior Theatre, 2822 Eastern Ave., Davenport
IA, DavenportJuniorTheatre.org, 4pm Mon Jan 13
Intermediate Acting: Ages 8-10, Mondays thru
Mar. 30; building on skills learned in previous courses,
Intermediate Acting provides a greater learning
challenge; physicality, characterization, and vocalization
skills are expanded upon; grow your skills and make
your story larger than life; $130-150; for information
and to register, call 563-888-2227, Davenport
Junior Theatre, 2822 Eastern Ave., Davenport IA,
DavenportJuniorTheatre.org, 6:15pm Mon Jan 13
Intro to Tech Design: Ages 9-10, Mondays thru Mar.
30; learn to design a theatrical production, prepare
lights, design sound, create a set, and collaborate as a
designer with a director; class is hands on, exploring all
the work that goes behind the magic of theatre; $130-
150; for information and to register, call 563-888-2227,
Davenport Junior Theatre, 2822 Eastern Ave., Davenport
IA, DavenportJuniorTheatre.org, 6:30pm Mon Jan 13
Magic Workshop Series: Ages 9+, Mondays thru
Feb. 17; led by award-winning local magician David
Casas; students will learn basic slight of hand magic,
using everyday objects such as cards, coins and rubber
bands; new tricks are taught every session; $68-85;
for information and to register, call 563-888-2227,
Davenport Junior Theatre, 2822 Eastern Ave., Davenport
IA, DavenportJuniorTheatre.org, 7:10pm Mon Jan 13
Showtime Tots for Ages 3-4, Mondays thru Mar. 30;
students explore creative role-play, mime, imaginary
play, basic improvisation, movement, crafts, and games
to develop a healthy & physical imagination; $130-150;
for information and to register, call 563-888-2227,
Davenport Junior Theatre, 2822 Eastern Ave., Davenport
IA, DavenportJuniorTheatre.org, 5:15pm Mon Jan 13
Acting: Ages 5-6, Tuesdays thru Mar. 31; this
imaginative, high energy environment provides basic
theatre terminology, improvisation, characterization,
vocal technique, and physical skills; $130-150; for
information and to register, call 563-888-2227,
Davenport Junior Theatre, 2822 Eastern Ave., Davenport
IA, DavenportJuniorTheatre.org, 5:45pm Tue Jan 14
Acting: Ages 7-8, Tuesdays thru Mar. 31; this
imaginative, high-energy environment provides basic
theatre terminology, improvisation, characterization,
vocal technique, and physical skills; $130-150; for
information and to register, call 563-888-2227,
Know More, Do More • RiverCitiesReader.com
Davenport Junior Theatre, 2822 Eastern Ave., Davenport
IA, DavenportJuniorTheatre.org, 5pm Tue Jan 14
Acting: Ages 9-10, Tuesdays thru Mar. 31; this
imaginative, high-energy environment provides basic
theatre terminology, improvisation, characterization,
vocal technique, and physical skills; $130-150; for
information and to register, call 563-888-2227,
Davenport Junior Theatre, 2822 Eastern Ave., Davenport
IA, DavenportJuniorTheatre.org, Tue Jan 14
Broadway: Ages 5-6, Tuesdays thru Mar. 31; the
class develops storytelling and communication skills
in a musical environment; physical coordination, and
confidence flourish; no one is required to sing a solo,
as this class is about building confidence; $130-150;
for information and to register, call 563-888-2227,
Davenport Junior Theatre, 2822 Eastern Ave., Davenport
IA, DavenportJuniorTheatre.org, 4:30pm Tue Jan 14
Intermediate Acting: Ages 11+, Tuesdays thru
Mar. 31; building on skills learned in previous courses,
Intermediate Acting provides a greater learning
challenge; physicality, characterization, and vocalization
skills are expanded upon; grow your skills and make
your story larger than life; $130-150; for information
and to register, call 563-888-2227, Davenport
Junior Theatre, 2822 Eastern Ave., Davenport IA,
DavenportJuniorTheatre.org, 6:15pm Tue Jan 14
Showtime Tots for Ages 3-4, Tuesdays thru Mar. 31;
students explore creative role-play, mime, imaginary
play, basic improvisation, movement, crafts, and games
to develop a healthy & physical imagination; $130-150;
for information and to register, call 563-888-2227,
Davenport Junior Theatre, 2822 Eastern Ave., Davenport
IA, DavenportJuniorTheatre.org, 4pm Tue Jan 14
Teen Acting, Tuesdays thru Mar. 31; a great way to get
theatrical training, some onstage experience, and meet
other teens from around the QCA who share an interest
in theatre; $130-150; for information and to register, call
563-888-2227, Davenport Junior Theatre, 2822 Eastern
Ave., Davenport IA, DavenportJuniorTheatre.org, 7pm
Tue Jan 14
Acting: Ages 11-12, Wednesdays thru Apr. 1; this
imaginative, high-energy environment provides basic
theatre terminology, improvisation, characterization,
vocal technique, and physical skills; $130-150; for
information and to register, call 563-888-2227,
Davenport Junior Theatre, 2822 Eastern Ave., Davenport
IA, DavenportJuniorTheatre.org, 6:30pm Wed Jan 15
Acting: Ages 7-8, Wednesdays thru Apr. 1; this
imaginative, high-energy environment provides basic
theatre terminology, improvisation, characterization,
vocal technique, and physical skills; $130-150; for
information and to register, call 563-888-2227,
Davenport Junior Theatre, 2822 Eastern Ave., Davenport
IA, DavenportJuniorTheatre.org, 3:45pm Wed Jan 15
Advanced Broadway: Ages 10+, Wednesdays thru
Apr. 1; class focuses on more complicated choreography
and music, as well as character development, to
continue to challenge and advance actors; $140-160;
for information and to register, call 563-888-2227,
Davenport Junior Theatre, 2822 Eastern Ave., Davenport
IA, DavenportJuniorTheatre.org, 7pm Wed Jan 15
Broadway Babies: Ages 3-4, Wednesdays thru Apr.
1; explore storytelling through song and dance; the
Quad City Arts Visiting Artists Chicago Dance Crash @ Galvin Fine Arts Center – January 25
class develops coordination and social skills through
exercises, movement, crafts and games; $130-150;
for information and to register, call 563-888-2227,
Davenport Junior Theatre, 2822 Eastern Ave., Davenport
IA, DavenportJuniorTheatre.org, 5:30pm Wed Jan 15
Improv: Ages 11-12, Wednesdays thru Apr. 1; through
games and exercises, students develop ability to think
quickly and imaginatively; $120-140; for information
and to register, call 563-888-2227, Davenport
Junior Theatre, 2822 Eastern Ave., Davenport IA,
DavenportJuniorTheatre.org, 7:20pm Wed Jan 15
Improv: Ages 7-8, Wednesdays thru Apr. 1; through
games and exercises, students develop ability to think
quickly and imaginatively; $120-140; for information
and to register, call 563-888-2227, Davenport
Junior Theatre, 2822 Eastern Ave., Davenport IA,
DavenportJuniorTheatre.org, 6:10pm Wed Jan 15
Improv: Ages 9-10, Wednesdays thru Apr. 1; through
games and exercises, students develop ability to think
quickly and imaginatively; $120-140; for information
and to register, call 563-888-2227, Davenport
Junior Theatre, 2822 Eastern Ave., Davenport IA,
DavenportJuniorTheatre.org, 5pm Wed Jan 15
Intermediate Broadway: Ages 8+, Wednesdays
thru Apr. 1; building on skills learned in previous
courses, this class provides a greater learning challenge;
physicality, characterization, and vocalization skills are
expanded upon in this high-energy class; $130-150;
for information and to register, call 563-888-2227,
Davenport Junior Theatre, 2822 Eastern Ave., Davenport
IA, DavenportJuniorTheatre.org, 5:45pm Wed Jan 15
Storytelling Spectacular: Ages 5-6, Wednesdays
thru Apr. 1; explore storytelling and creative expression
in our introductory improv class; class focuses on games
and exercises geared toward students developing the
ability to think quickly and imaginatively; $120-140;
for information and to register, call 563-888-2227,
River Cities’ Reader • Vol. 26 No. 968 • December 2019
Davenport Junior Theatre, 2822 Eastern Ave., Davenport
IA, DavenportJuniorTheatre.org, 4:30pm Wed Jan 15
Acting: Ages 5-6, Thursdays thru Apr. 2; this
imaginative, high-energy environment provides basic
theatre terminology, improvisation, characterization,
vocal technique, and physical skills; $130-150; for
information and to register, call 563-888-2227,
Davenport Junior Theatre, 2822 Eastern Ave., Davenport
IA, DavenportJuniorTheatre.org, 4pm Thu Jan 16
Acting: Ages 9-10, Thursdays thru Apr. 2; this
imaginative, high-energy environment provides basic
theatre terminology, improvisation, characterization,
vocal technique, and physical skills; $130-150; for
information and to register, call 563-888-2227,
Davenport Junior Theatre, 2822 Eastern Ave., Davenport
IA, DavenportJuniorTheatre.org, 5:15pm Thu Jan 16
Advanced Acting: Ages 10+, Thursdays thru Apr.
2; this class deepens the imagination and technique
of storytelling, through script analysis, character
development, movement, and voice and articulation
work; students will be challenged to delve into the
creative elements of physical, emotional, and vocal
presentation; $145-165; for information and to register,
call 563-888-2227, Davenport Junior Theatre, 2822
Eastern Ave., Davenport IA, DavenportJuniorTheatre.
org, 6:45pm Thu Jan 16
Broadway Babies: Ages 3-4, Thursdays thru Apr.
2; explore storytelling through song and dance; the
class develops coordination and social skills through
exercises, movement, crafts and games; $130-150;
for information and to register, call 563-888-2227,
Davenport Junior Theatre, 2822 Eastern Ave., Davenport
IA, DavenportJuniorTheatre.org, 3:30pm Thu Jan 16
Broadway: Ages 11-12, Thursdays thru Apr. 2; the
class develops storytelling and communication skills
in a musical environment; physical coordination, and
confidence flourish; no one is required to sing a solo,
33
as this class is about building confidence; $130-150;
for information and to register, call 563-888-2227,
Davenport Junior Theatre, 2822 Eastern Ave., Davenport
IA, DavenportJuniorTheatre.org, 7:30pm Thu Jan 16
Broadway: Ages 9-10, Thursdays thru Apr. 2; the
class develops storytelling and communication skills
in a musical environment; physical coordination, and
confidence flourish; no one is required to sing a solo,
as this class is about building confidence; $130-150;
for information and to register, call 563-888-2227,
Davenport Junior Theatre, 2822 Eastern Ave., Davenport
IA, DavenportJuniorTheatre.org, 6pm Thu Jan 16
Homeschool Acting: Ages 10-12, Thursdays thru
Apr. 2; this imaginative, high-energy environment
provides basic theatre terminology, improvisation,
characterization, vocal technique, and physical skills;
$130-150; for information and to register, call 563-888-
2227, Davenport Junior Theatre, 2822 Eastern Ave.,
Davenport IA, DavenportJuniorTheatre.org, 10am Thu
Jan 16
Homeschool Acting: Ages 13+, Thursdays thru
Apr. 2; this imaginative, high-energy environment
provides basic theatre terminology, improvisation,
characterization, vocal technique, and physical skills;
$130-150; for information and to register, call 563-888-
2227, Davenport Junior Theatre, 2822 Eastern Ave.,
Davenport IA, DavenportJuniorTheatre.org, 11:15am
Thu Jan 16
Homeschool Acting: Ages 5-6, Thursdays thru
Apr. 2; this imaginative, high-energy environment
provides basic theatre terminology, improvisation,
characterization, vocal technique, and physical skills;
$130-150; for information and to register, call 563-888-
2227, Davenport Junior Theatre, 2822 Eastern Ave.,
Davenport IA, DavenportJuniorTheatre.org, 9:30am Thu
Jan 16
Homeschool Acting: Ages 7-9, Thursdays thru
Apr. 2; this imaginative, high-energy environment
provides basic theatre terminology, improvisation,
characterization, vocal technique, and physical skills;
$130-150; for information and to register, call 563-888-
2227, Davenport Junior Theatre, 2822 Eastern Ave.,
Davenport IA, DavenportJuniorTheatre.org, 10:45am
Thu Jan 16
Improv: Ages 13+, Thursdays thru Apr. 2; through
games and exercises, students develop ability to think
quickly and imaginatively; $120-140; for information
and to register, call 563-888-2227, Davenport
Junior Theatre, 2822 Eastern Ave., Davenport IA,
DavenportJuniorTheatre.org, 5:30pm Thu Jan 16
Intermediate Acting: Ages 8-10, Thursdays thru
Apr. 2; building on skills learned in previous courses,
Intermediate Acting provides a greater learning
challenge; physicality, characterization, and vocalization
skills are expanded upon; grow your skills and make
your story larger than life; $130-150; for information
and to register, call 563-888-2227, Davenport
Junior Theatre, 2822 Eastern Ave., Davenport IA,
DavenportJuniorTheatre.org, 3:45pm Thu Jan 16
Vocal Performance: Ages 10+, Thursdays thru
Apr. 2; participants will work on breathing exercises,
working as part of an ensemble, matching pitch and
tone, and learning the basics to read music; $130-150;
for information and to register, call 563-888-2227,
 34 River Cities’ Reader • Vol. 26 No. 968 • December 2019
CONTINUED
THEATRE / Classes
Davenport Junior Theatre, 2822 Eastern Ave., Davenport
IA, DavenportJuniorTheatre.org, 4:30pm Thu Jan 16
4th-8th Grade Homeschool Musical Theatre,
Tuesdays thru May 5; class will focus on jazz dance… The
Spotlight Theatre, 11:30am Tue Jan 21
High School Homeschool Musical Theatre,
Tuesdays thru May 5; class will focus on jazz dance… The
Spotlight Theatre, 2:30pm Tue Jan 21
K-3rd Grade Homeschool Musical Theatre,
Tuesdays thru May 5; class will focus on jazz dance… The
Spotlight Theatre, 10:30am Tue Jan 21
Spotlight Theatre Children’s Company Winter
Session 2020: Seussical Jr., grades 4-8 will work
together with theatre professionals to produce… The
Spotlight Theatre, 4:30pm Tue Jan 21
5th-8th Grade Improv, Thursdays thru Apr. 23, for
grades 5-8; improv is an… The Spotlight Theatre, 5pm
Thu Jan 23
S.K.I.T. Winter 2020 Session, for grades K-3; a
beginners class where students will learn… The
Spotlight Theatre, 4:30pm Mon Jan 27
DANCE
Ballet Quad Cities School of Dance Classes,
offering classes in Ballet Pointe, Modern, Jazz, Tap,
Conditioning, Creative… Ballet Quad Cities School of
Dance, Thu Dec 5 thru Wed Mar 4
The Nutcracker, Tchaikovsky’s holiday classic
performed by dancers from Nolte Academy, featuring…
Englert Theatre, Fri Dec 6 thru Sun Dec 8
The Nutcracker, Sat. 2:30 & 7:30pm, Sun. 2:30pm; Ballet
Quad Cities and Orchestra Iowa present Tchaikovsky’s…
Adler Theatre, 2:30pm Sat Dec 14
The Nutcracker, Tchiakovsky’s classic holiday ballet
performed by the Dancers’ Studio of… Orpheum
Theatre, 7pm Fri Dec 20
Ballet: Ages 7-9, Saturdays thru May 16; dancers learn
ballet fundamentals at the barre, center, and across the
floor; class will work on posture, musicality, and the
proper execution of steps; dancers will be introduced to
basic turns, moving steps, leaps, and work on flexibility;
$158-178; for information and to register, call 563-888-
2227, Davenport Junior Theatre, 2822 Eastern Ave.,
Davenport IA, DavenportJuniorTheatre.org, 10:15am
Sat Jan 11
Beginning Ballet: Ages 5-6, Saturdays thru May 16;
dancers learn ballet fundamentals and concepts such
as turnout and spatial awareness; class will include floor
stretching, ballet positions and movements across the
floor; dancers work on developing musicality and ballet
vocabulary; $148-168; for information and to register, call
563-888-2227, Davenport Junior Theatre, 2822 Eastern
Ave., Davenport IA, DavenportJuniorTheatre.org, 9am
Sat Jan 11
Beginning Tap: Ages 5-6, Saturdays thru May 16;
dancers are sure to have fun making noise with their
shoes; class will learn basic tap steps in the center
and across the floor; this class develops rhythm and
coordination by dancing to fun music; $148-168;
for information and to register, call 563-888-2227,
Davenport Junior Theatre, 2822 Eastern Ave., Davenport
IA, DavenportJuniorTheatre.org, 10am Sat Jan 11
Budding Ballerinas: Ages 3-4, Saturdays thru May
16; our tiniest dancers learn ballet fundamentals and
dance class etiquette; dancers will work on coordination,
ballet positions, and movements across the floor; focus
is on developing core basics and the enjoyment of
dance; $148-168; for information and to register, call
563-888-2227, Davenport Junior Theatre, 2822 Eastern
Ave., Davenport IA, DavenportJuniorTheatre.org, 9:10am
Sat Jan 11
Know More, Do More • RiverCitiesReader.com
Ballet I: Teacher Recommended Only, Mondays
thru May 11; dancers will be introduced to the discipline
of dance while having fun learning combinations to
music; class will begin with stretching in the center or at
the barre; dancers work on jumps, turns, proper turnout
and posture, and combinations across the floor; $158-
178; for information and to register, call 563-888-2227,
Davenport Junior Theatre, 2822 Eastern Ave., Davenport
IA, DavenportJuniorTheatre.org, 6pm Mon Jan 13
Ballet II: Teacher Recommended Only, Mondays
thru May 11; dancers will continue learning new
vocabulary and work on proper body alignment; across
the floor, dancers will work on pirouette and pique
turns, spotting, detailed moving combinations, and
more; $158-178; for information and to register, call
563-888-2227, Davenport Junior Theatre, 2822 Eastern
Ave., Davenport IA, DavenportJuniorTheatre.org, 4:15pm
Mon Jan 13
Ballet III: Teacher Recommended Only, Mondays
thru May 11; new skills and faster/slower tempos add
positive challenges in class; harder skills such as double
and triple pirouettes, jumping combinations to improve
stamina, and more will be introduced and practiced
regularly; $168-188; for information and to register, call
563-888-2227, Davenport Junior Theatre, 2822 Eastern
Ave., Davenport IA, DavenportJuniorTheatre.org,
5:30pm Mon Jan 13
Ballet III: Teacher Recommended Only, Mondays
thru May 11; new skills and faster/slower tempos add
positive challenges in class; dancers continue proper
stretching to further improve flexibility and body
alignment, and longer barre work; advanced turns, leaps,
and combinations will be introduced and practiced
regularly; $178-198; for information and to register, call
563-888-2227, Davenport Junior Theatre, 2822 Eastern
Ave., Davenport IA, DavenportJuniorTheatre.org, 7pm
Mon Jan 13
Ballet: Ages 10+, Mondays thru May 11; dancers learn
ballet fundamentals at the barre, center, and across the
floor; class will work on posture, musicality, and the
proper execution of steps; dancers will be introduced to
basic turns, moving steps, leaps, and work on flexibility;
$158-178; for information and to register, call 563-888-
2227, Davenport Junior Theatre, 2822 Eastern Ave.,
Davenport IA, DavenportJuniorTheatre.org, 7:15pm Mon
Jan 13
Beginning Ballet: Ages 5-6, Mondays thru May 11;
dancers learn ballet fundamentals and concepts such
as turnout and spatial awareness; class will include floor
stretching, ballet positions and movements across the
floor; dancers work on developing musicality and ballet
vocabulary; $148-168; for information and to register, call
563-888-2227, Davenport Junior Theatre, 2822 Eastern
Ave., Davenport IA, DavenportJuniorTheatre.org, 5pm
Mon Jan 13
Budding Ballerinas: Ages 3-4, Mondays thru May
11; our tiniest dancers learn ballet fundamentals and
dance class etiquette; dancers will work on coordination,
ballet positions, and movements across the floor; focus
is on developing core basics and the enjoyment of
dance; $148-168; for information and to register, call
563-888-2227, Davenport Junior Theatre, 2822 Eastern
Ave., Davenport IA, DavenportJuniorTheatre.org, 4pm
Mon Jan 13
Advanced Tumble, Tuesdays thru May 12; ffor those
who have mastered basic and intermediate tumbling
technique and will continue improving and learning
more intricate skills; tumblers will work to become
comfortable executing skills without the need of a
spotter; $168-188; for information and to register, call
563-888-2227, Davenport Junior Theatre, 2822 Eastern
Ave., Davenport IA, DavenportJuniorTheatre.org, 7:10pm
Tue Jan 14
Tap/Jazz I: Ages 7+, Tuesdays thru May 12; students
will use special shoes for each style and learn basic to
intermediate steps and combinations; jazz technique
is derived from ballet with basics such as plies and
tendus being the foundation for more advanced skills;
students work on memorization skills by learning short
routines; $168-188; for information and to register, call
563-888-2227, Davenport Junior Theatre, 2822 Eastern
Ave., Davenport IA, DavenportJuniorTheatre.org, 4:15pm
Tue Jan 14
Tap/Jazz II: Teacher Recommended Only, Tuesdays
thru May 12; students continue progressing in their tap
and jazz skills with more complex and intricate steps
and combinations; students will focus on their body
alignment and proper execution of skills; dancers will
work on intermediate skills in rhythm, timing, and
coordination; $168-188; for information and to register,
call 563-888-2227, Davenport Junior Theatre, 2822
Eastern Ave., Davenport IA, DavenportJuniorTheatre.org,
5:35pm Tue Jan 14
Tap/Jazz III: Teacher Recommended Only,
Tuesdays thru May 12; dancers will work on wings,
drawbacks, and more in tap; for jazz, students will
improve their double and triple pirouettes, illusions,
leaps, and more; combinations and routines will become
more intricate; $178-198; for information and to register,
call 563-888-2227, Davenport Junior Theatre, 2822
Eastern Ave., Davenport IA, DavenportJuniorTheatre.
org, 7pm Tue Jan 14
Tumble Tots: Ages 3-4, Tuesdays thru May 12; our
preschool floor gymnastic classes teach coordination
and class etiquette; all classes use floor mats with no
use of elevated bars; tumblers will learn forward and
backwards rolls, cartwheels, and more; $148-168;
for information and to register, call 563-888-2227,
Davenport Junior Theatre, 2822 Eastern Ave., Davenport
IA, DavenportJuniorTheatre.org, 5pm Tue Jan 14
Tumble: Ages 5-7, Tuesdays thru May 12; floor
gymnastics for the beginning tumbler; all classes
use floor mats with no use of trampolines or bars;
tumblers will learn basic skills such as cartwheels,
handstands, back bends, and more; class begins with
stretching to improve flexibility and warm ups; $148-
168; for information and to register, call 563-888-2227,
Davenport Junior Theatre, 2822 Eastern Ave., Davenport
IA, DavenportJuniorTheatre.org, 4pm Tue Jan 14
Tumble: Ages 8+, Tuesdays thru May 12; floor
gymnastics for the beginning tumbler; all classes
use floor mats with no use of trampolines or bars;
tumblers will learn basic skills such as cartwheels,
handstands, back bends, and more; class begins with
stretching to improve flexibility and warm ups; $158-
178; for information and to register, call 563-888-2227,
Davenport Junior Theatre, 2822 Eastern Ave., Davenport
IA, DavenportJuniorTheatre.org, 6pm Tue Jan 14
Beginning Ballet: Ages 5-6, Wednesdays thru May
13; dancers learn ballet fundamentals and concepts such
as turnout and spatial awareness; class will include floor
stretching, ballet positions and movements across the
floor; dancers work on developing musicality and ballet
vocabulary; $148-168; for information and to register, call
563-888-2227, Davenport Junior Theatre, 2822 Eastern
Ave., Davenport IA, DavenportJuniorTheatre.org, 4pm
Wed Jan 15
Beginning Poms: Ages 5-6, Wednesdays thru
May 13; class with focus on proper jazz technique
and include dynamic movements highlighted by
pom poms; each class will begin with a warm up and
stretching to improve flexibility; dancers will also
work on their splits, turns, leaps, and more; $148-168;
for information and to register, call 563-888-2227,
Davenport Junior Theatre, 2822 Eastern Ave., Davenport
IA, DavenportJuniorTheatre.org, 5:30pm Wed Jan 15
Budding Ballerinas: Ages 3-4, Wednesdays thru May
13; our tiniest dancers learn ballet fundamentals and
dance class etiquette; dancers will work on coordination,
ballet positions, and movements across the floor; focus
is on developing core basics and the enjoyment of
dance; $148-168; for information and to register, call
563-888-2227, Davenport Junior Theatre, 2822 Eastern
Ave., Davenport IA, DavenportJuniorTheatre.org, 5pm
Wed Jan 15
Taylor Dayne @ Rhythm City Casino Resort –
December 29
Know More, Do More • RiverCitiesReader.com River Cities’ Reader • Vol. 26 No. 968 • December 2019 35
Sundays with Miss Jean, Miss Jean brings chess,
juggling, and logic puzzles for families… Felix Adler
Children’s Discovery Center, 2pm Sun Dec 8 thru Sun
Dec 22

WOW Wednesday, geared for school-aged kids

and their families; Miss Jean is… Felix Adler Children’s
Discovery Center, 2pm Wed Dec 11 thru Wed Dec 18

Polar Express Pajama Party, you and your family will

enjoy the magnificent holiday classic… Putnam Museum
& Science Center, 5pm Thu Dec 12

Jinglin’ Jammie Jam with Queen Elsa, put on your

jammies and join us for a cozy… Family Museum, 6pm
Fri Dec 13

Polar Express Pajama Party, you and your family will

enjoy the magnificent holiday classic… Putnam Museum
& Science Center, 2pm Fri Dec 13

Polar Express Pajama Party, you and your family will

enjoy the magnificent holiday classic… Putnam Museum
& Science Center, noon Sun Dec 15

Longest Night Lights, celebrate the Winter Solstice,

learn about our Earth, and craft… Family Museum, 10am
Sat Dec 21
Disney on Ice: Dream Big @ TaxSlayer Center – December 5 - 8
Noon Year’s Eve, annual holiday party with music,
activities, a countdown with Miss… Family Museum, 9am
Intermediate/Advanced Poms: Teacher Junior Theatre, 2822 Eastern Ave., Davenport IA, behind the music and expressing emotions through Tue Dec 31
Recommended Only, Wednesdays thru May 13; DavenportJuniorTheatre.org, 9:15am Thu Jan 16 movement; dancers learn to express themselves as
dancers will challenge themselves with intricate artists while dancing to stories revealed in the lyrics

combinations, double and triple pirouettes, jumps,
leaps, and more; class will work on the rhythm and
timing to music which drives this style; $168-188;
for information and to register, call 563-888-2227,
Davenport Junior Theatre, 2822 Eastern Ave., Davenport
IA, DavenportJuniorTheatre.org, 7:15pm Wed Jan 15
Poms I: Teacher Recommended Only, Wednesdays
thru May 13; dancers continue their practice in jazz
technique and sharp arm placements; dancers will
learn new and more complex turns, combinations and
arm positions; routines will become more intricate
to highlight the technique learned in class; $158-178;
for information and to register, call 563-888-2227,
Davenport Junior Theatre, 2822 Eastern Ave., Davenport
IA, DavenportJuniorTheatre.org, 6pm Wed Jan 15
Poms: Ages 10+, Wednesdays thru May 13; class with
focus on proper jazz technique and include dynamic
movements highlighted by pom poms; this will focus
on arm positions that can be used in combinations to
create sharp visual effects in routines; dancers will also
work on their splits, turns, leaps, and more; $158-178;
for information and to register, call 563-888-2227,
Davenport Junior Theatre, 2822 Eastern Ave., Davenport
IA, DavenportJuniorTheatre.org, 6:30pm Wed Jan 15
Poms: Ages 7-9, Wednesdays thru May 13; class with
focus on proper jazz technique and include dynamic
movements highlighted by pom poms; this will focus
on arm positions that can be used in combinations to
create sharp visual effects in routines; dancers will also
work on their splits, turns, leaps, and more; $158-178;
for information and to register, call 563-888-2227,
Davenport Junior Theatre, 2822 Eastern Ave., Davenport
IA, DavenportJuniorTheatre.org, 4:15pm Wed Jan 15
Homeschool Beginning Ballet: Ages 5-6, Thursdays
thru May 14; dancers learn ballet fundamentals and
concepts such as turnout and special awareness;
class will include floor stretching, ballet positions
and movements across the floor; dancers work on
developing musicality and ballet vocabulary; $148-168;
for information and to register, call 563-888-2227,
Davenport Junior Theatre, 2822 Eastern Ave., Davenport
IA, DavenportJuniorTheatre.org, 10am Thu Jan 16
Homeschool Beginning Tap: Ages 5-7, Thursdays
thru May 14; this class develops timing, rhythm, and
coordination; dancers will learn basic to intermediate
tap technique in the center and across the floor; class
will focus on proper foot work, making clear sounds, and
rhythm; $148-168; for information and to register, call
563-888-2227, Davenport Junior Theatre, 2822 Eastern
Ave., Davenport IA, DavenportJuniorTheatre.org, 9am
Thu Jan 16
Homeschool Beginning Tap: Ages 8+, Thursdays
thru May 14; this class develops timing, rhythm, and
coordination; dancers will learn basic to intermediate
tap technique in the center and across the floor; class
will focus on proper foot work, making clear sounds, and
rhythm; $158-178; for information and to register, call
563-888-2227, Davenport Junior Theatre, 2822 Eastern
Ave., Davenport IA, DavenportJuniorTheatre.org,
10:45am Thu Jan 16
Homeschool Budding Ballerinas: Ages 3-4,
Thursdays thru May 14; our tiniest dancers learn ballet
fundamentals and dance class etiquette; dancers will
work on coordination, ballet positions, and movements
across the floor; focus is on developing core basics
and the enjoyment of dance; $148-168; for information
and to register, call 563-888-2227, Davenport
of contemporary music; $168-188; for information
and to register, call 563-888-2227, Davenport
Junior Theatre, 2822 Eastern Ave., Davenport IA,
DavenportJuniorTheatre.org, 7:20pm Thu Jan 16
Tumble Tots: Ages 3-4, Thursdays thru May 14; our
preschool floor gymnastic classes teach coordination
and class etiquette; all classes use floor mats with no
use of elevated bars; tumblers will learn forward and
backwards rolls, cartwheels, and more; $148-168;
for information and to register, call 563-888-2227,
Davenport Junior Theatre, 2822 Eastern Ave., Davenport
IA, DavenportJuniorTheatre.org, 4pm Thu Jan 16
Tumble: Ages 5-7, Thursdays thru May 14; all classes
use floor mats with no use of trampolines or bars;
tumblers will learn basic skills such as cartwheels,
handstands, back bends, and more; class begins with
stretching to improve flexibility and warm ups before
working on tumbling skills; $148-168; for information
and to register, call 563-888-2227, Davenport
Junior Theatre, 2822 Eastern Ave., Davenport IA,
DavenportJuniorTheatre.org, 5pm Thu Jan 16
4th-8th Musical Theatre Dance, Wednesdays thru
Apr. 15; class will focus on jazz dance… The Spotlight
Theatre, 5pm Wed Jan 22
K-3rd Musical Theatre Dance, Wednesdays thru Apr.
15; class will focus on jazz dance… The Spotlight Theatre,
4pm Wed Jan 22
Pre-K Musical Theatre Dance, Thursdays thru Apr.
23; class will focus on jazz dance… The Spotlight Theatre,
4pm Thu Jan 23
MOVIES
The Polar Express, a screening of the 2004 holiday hit
presented by the… Orpheum Theatre, 2pm Sat Dec 14
Elf, a “Teen Holiday Movie” screening of the 2003 Will
Ferrell… Moline Public Library, 5:30pm Thu Dec 19
Children’s Movie Day, enjoy a movie on RI Milan
Schools early dismissal day;… Rock Island Public Library -
Southwest Branch, 2pm Fri Feb 14
Teen Movie Day, enjoy a movie on RI/Milan Schools
early dismissal day; vote on… Rock Island Public Library -
Downtown Library, 2pm Fri Feb 14
OTHER EVENTS
Animal Adventures, for ages 6-9, on the 1st & 3rd Sat.
of… Niabi Zoo, 10:15am Sat Dec 7 thru Sat Feb 15
Animal Tales, for ages 3-5, on the 1st & 3rd Sat. of…
Niabi Zoo, 9:30am Sat Dec 7 thru Sat Feb 15
Brunch with Santa, a festive affair with food, music,
a few surprises, and,… Hancher Auditorium, 11am Sat
Dec 7
Sunday Funday, on the first Sundays of the month; for
information, call 309-794-0991… Quad City Botanical
Center, 1pm Sun Jan 5 thru Sun Mar 1

Beginning Hip Hop: Ages 5-6, Thursdays thru May
14; this style is for dancers who love to move to high
energy music; students will learn basic hip hop steps as
seen on many TV dance shows and popular music; this
style will build precision and coordination where the
focus will be on showing off a dancer’s style; $148-168;
for information and to register, call 563-888-2227,
Davenport Junior Theatre, 2822 Eastern Ave., Davenport
IA, DavenportJuniorTheatre.org, 5:30pm Thu Jan 16
Beginning Hip Hop: Ages 7+, Thursdays thru May
14; this style is for dancers who love to move to high
energy music; students will learn basic hip hop steps as
seen on many TV dance shows and popular music; this
style will build precision and coordination where the
focus will be on showing off a dancer’s style; $158-178;
for information and to register, call 563-888-2227,
Davenport Junior Theatre, 2822 Eastern Ave., Davenport
IA, DavenportJuniorTheatre.org, 4:15pm Thu Jan 16
Homeschool Ballet I/II: Age 7+, Thursdays thru May
14; dancers will continue learning new vocabulary and
work on proper body alignment; dancers will work on
pirouette and pique turns, spotting, detailed moving
combinations, and more; $168-188; for information
and to register, call 563-888-2227, Davenport
Junior Theatre, 2822 Eastern Ave., Davenport IA,
DavenportJuniorTheatre.org, 11:15am Thu Jan 16
Intermediate Tumble, Thursdays thru May 14; for
students who have mastered the basics of tumbling and
are ready for more complex skills and combinations;
tumblers will continue to improve tumbling basics as
they are the foundation for intermediate and advanced
skills; class will begin with a warm up and stretch
session; $168-188; for information and to register, call
563-888-2227, Davenport Junior Theatre, 2822 Eastern
Ave., Davenport IA, DavenportJuniorTheatre.org, 6pm
Thu Jan 16
Intermediate/Advanced Hip Hop: Teacher
Recommended Only, Thursdays thru May 14; dancers
will work on tricks, timing, and performance; class will
warm up with isolations of the body and stretching,
and work on combinations in the center and across the
floor; $168-188; for information and to register, call 563-
888-2227, Davenport Junior Theatre, 2822 Eastern Ave.,
Davenport IA, DavenportJuniorTheatre.org, 6:30pm
Thu Jan 16
Teacher Recommended Lyrical Dance: Ages 10+,
Thursdays thru May 14; lyrical focuses on the feeling
MUSEUMS
OMg! Elements of Surprise, in this interactive exhibit, November 12 Crossword Answers
you’ll explore how these… Putnam Museum & Science
Center, Thu Dec 5 thru Tue Dec 31
Rube Goldberg: The World of Hilarious
Invention!, the exhibit showcases Pulitzer Prize-
winning humorist and inventor… Putnam Museum &
Science Center, Thu Dec 5 thru Sun Jan 5
Funtime Friday, this favorite program is designed
for preschoolers and their grown-ups,… Felix Adler
Children’s Discovery Center, 10am Fri Dec 6 thru Fri
Dec 27
Storytime Saturday with Ms. Cotton, enjoy a good
book (or two!) with Rachel Cotton, an… Felix Adler
Children’s Discovery Center, 10am Sat Dec 7 thru Sat
Dec 28
WinterFest, meet a real reindeer, have your picture
taken with Santa,… Family Museum, noon Sun Dec 8
36 River Cities’ Reader • Vol. 26 No. 968 • December 2019 Know More, Do More • RiverCitiesReader.com

COUNTERCULTURE · DECEMBER 10, 2019

Crossword November 12 Answers: Page 35

ACROSS 78. Complementary thing 37. Work against

1. Walks softly
5. Young haddock
10. Severe
15. Time per.
19. Term heard at sea
20. Give up voluntarily
21. Pratt or Farley
22. Miscellany
23. Place for a mixer
25. Secret agent
27. Lover of fine art
28. Perfume ingredient
30. Domains
31. Appointment
32. Derisive look
33. Story
35. Cravats
38. Drained of energy
39. Yarmulke
43. Parades and pageants
44. Bedspread
46. Yoko _ Lennon
47. Class of words
48. Let slip
49. Rapier part
50. Winter Olympics sport
51. White-tailed bird: Var
52. Creatures of myth
53. Plant part
55. Wrinkles
56. Sold direct to buyer
58. Haughtiness
59. In conclusion
60. Middle-earth denizens
61. Inclination
62. Deed
63. Differs
65. Eats to excess
66. Leafy greens
69. Eel
70. Not canned, not frozen
71. Worries
72. Armed adversary
73. Doyen
74. Bending movement in dance
75. Obliterate
76. Waxy protuberance
77. Cuckoo
81. Metallic sound 38. Healthy
82. Individuality 39. Porcupine quill
84. Mutilates 40. Bogus
85. Lists of candidates 41. Show backer
86. Oven for glass 42. Verse
87. Recipe direction 44. Treasure hunt leads
88. Abound 45. _ Island
89. Plant louse 48. Bundles
92. Eccentric 50. Cotton thread
93. Portable desktop 52. Cousin to a ten-spot
97. Offset 53. Spume
100. Take legal action 54. Tears
102. _ of personality 55. Wood strips supporting plaster
103. Marten 57. Foreign
104. Fencing move 58. Something positive
105. Lab burner 59. British measure
106. Salver 61. Word in forecasts
107. Drive recklessly 62. Celebratory drink
108. Plant fungus 63. Hindu texts
109. Active one 64. Coeur d’_
65. Pulverize
DOWN 66. Pomes
1. Spotted rodent 67. Carried
2. Moisturizer ingredient 68. Tries to win
3. _ ex machina 70. Soft mineral
4. Expelled, British style: 2 wds. 71. Chassis
5. Candy 74. Winnie-the- _
6. Menu 75. Circle within a circle
7. Ceremony 76. Demanded loudly
8. Ab _ (from the beginning) 78. Ark
9. One who testifies 79. Released
10. Grow together 80. Long complaint
11. Many voices 81. Student at Annapolis
12. Extinct wild ox 83. Unyielding
13. Stannum 85. Musical group
14. Superlative suffix 87. Twin crystal
15. Cattle pen 88. Code word for T
16. Otherwise 89. Part of CPA: Abbr.
17. Kind of palm 90. Rain
18. Some dogs 91. Expressive dance
24. _ all folks! 92. Bunyan’s ox
26. Golf score 93. Body part
29. Let 94. Concerning: 2 wds.
32. Goads 95. Magical letter
33. Old Scandinavian poet 96. Pricey
34. Second-degree relative 98. Curve shape
35. “Lou Grant” actor 99. Knock
36. Strand 101. “_ Day Will Come”
Know More, Do More • RiverCitiesReader.com
Movie Reviews
Blades
of Glory
KNIVES OUT
Knives Out, the star-studded comic
whodunit by writer/director Rian John-
son, debuted the day before Thanksgiv-
ing, and for just over two hours, the fi lm
is what every Thanksgiving spread strives
to be: loaded with familiar elements (some
presented in delectable new ways), utterly
delicious, and enormously satisfying. It’s
a holiday feast, though, without the tryp-
tophan hangover. While you certainly feel
worked over by Johnson’s insanely clever
cinematic puzzle, you never feel over-
whelmed, and not long after devouring it,
you may find yourself more than ready for
another helping.
On the morning after a party celebrat-
ing his 85th birthday, the renowned, über-
wealthy mystery author Harlan Thrombey
(Christopher Plummer) is discovered, in
one of the upper levels of his sprawling
Victorian-style mansion, lying on a settee
with his throat slit. All signs point to sui-
cide: no forced entry, no apparent struggle,
no bloody footprints. Harlan’s family is
consequently surprised – aghast, actually
– when, a week after the funeral, a pair
of local detectives (LaKeith Stanfield and
Noah Segan) request the clan’s participa-
tion in a homicide investigation initiated
by celebrity sleuth Benoit Blanc (Daniel
Craig). An old-school Southern dandy
with an accent dripping of molasses and
mint juleps, Blanc received an envelope
stuffed with cash and an unsigned mes-
sage to dig deeper into the case. And with
a lineup of potential murderers this rich,
in every definition of the term, that proves
to be a juicy assignment indeed, for both
Benoit and the Knives Out audience.
Before we’re even 20 minutes into the
movie, we learn that on the night before
his slaying, Harlan had verbal altercations
with several Th rombeys and extended
Thrombeys that provided motive to kill for
nearly every party guest. Harlan planned
to fire son Walt (Michael Shannon) from
his job as their publishing company’s CEO,
ending the gravy train for Walt, his wife
Donna (Riki Lindhome), and their teen
son Jacob (Jaeden Martell). He cut ne’er-
do-well son Ransom (Chris Evans) out
of his will. He threatened to reveal that
son-in-law Richard (Don Johnson) was
Katherine Langford, Toni Collette, Jamie Lee Curtis, Don Johnson, Michael Shannon, Riki Lindhome, and Jaeden Martell in Knives Out
cheating on Harlan’s real-state-mogul
daughter Linda (Jamie Lee Curtis). He
discovered the embezzlement scheme of
daughter-in-law Joni (Toni Collette) and
promised to end college-tuition payments
for her daughter Meg (Katherine Lang-
ford). The only one with nothing to benefit
from Harlan’s death, it would seem, would
be the man’s devoted caretaker Marta (Ana
de Armas), who lives her lower-middle-
class existence with an undocumented
mother– meaning, naturally, that Marta
becomes the finger-pointing Thrombeys’
chief suspect. “Immigrants,” says Richard
during his interrogation. “We get the job
done!”
Hamilton fans will immediately get
the allusion, as does Blanc. (“We saw it at
the Public,” says Richard with no end of
moneyed-liberal pride.) But rather than
coming off as self-conscious – a smug nod
to the Knives Out creator’s own droll wit –
that line becomes part of Johnson’s whole,
brilliant tapestry in which the trappings
of wealth, status, and “good breeding” are
employed to deflect attention from interior
ugliness, callousness, and a fundamental
emotional poverty. There are references to
tweets, and The New Yorker, and a tweet
about The New Yorker. We gets mentions of
influencers and Juuling and Edgar Wright’s
Baby Driver. As with many current family
get-togethers, no doubt, there’s a fierce
political debate, with one Thrombey
River Cities’ Reader • Vol. 26 No. 968 • December 2019
By Mike Schulz • mike@rcreader.com
calling another “snowflake” and being told,
in turn, “Oh, take off your red cap!” These
are characters who live not just proudly but
obsessively in the moment – young Jacob
can barely take his eyes off his iPhone – and
that wouldn’t be so terrible if it didn’t mean
that, in the process, they chose to ignore
the old-school virtues Harlan tried to
instill in them: loyalty, decency, empathy.
Thankfully, though, civility does still exist
in Knives Out. It’s there in Blanc’s courtly
manners and determination to uncover the
truth. It’s there in the honorable matter-of-
factness of Stanfield’s Detective Lieutenant
Elliot and Segan’s gushing fanboy Trooper
Wagner. And it’s there in the selfless, put-
upon Marta, which is why it’s so astound-
ing when, a half hour into the fi lm, we
discover … .
Nope. You ain’t getting that out of me.
And I’ve probably already said too much.
But I will add that after Johnson plops a
major narrative shock into the mix a quar-
ter of the way through the picture, he isn’t
remotely done with dropping our jaws,
whether through unexpected narrative
turns or callbacks to seemingly incon-
sequential bits of business, or sometimes
merely through a perfect line of dialogue
you’ll want to quote all week. (I may never
have heard a more flawless explanation of
a will reading than Benoit’s resigned “It’s
like a community-theatre production of a
tax return.”)
37
I’ll further add that I can’t remember the
last movie I saw that, from top to bottom,
was this much unbridled, popcorn-enter-
tainment fun. The actors are all dynamite,
and so well-matched in their uniformity
of purpose that picking a favorite would
be a true fool’s errand. The pacing is swift
without ever seeming manic – even in the
rare excursion outside the mansion walls
that one character accurately describes as
“the stupidest car chase I’ve ever seen.” The
tchotchke budget must have numbered in
the high six figures at least, with the deliri-
ous production design more than enough
reason for second, third, and fourth view-
ings. And in an absolute rarity for its genre,
everything about the plot – and I mean
everything – snaps into place with such
precision, and such beautiful inevitabil-
ity, that end-credits applause wouldn’t be
the slightest bit unwarranted. Rian John-
son is a fiendishly smart and dexterous
fi lmmaker, and I’m still kind of joyously
amazed that Knives Out wound up being
this sharp.
For reviews of The Irishman, Frozen
II, A Beautiful Day in the Neighbor-
hood, Ford v Ferrari, Queen & Slim, The
Report, Parasite, Jojo Rabbit, 21 Bridges,
Midway, and other recent releases, visit
RCReader.com/movies.
38 River Cities’ Reader • Vol. 26 No. 968 • December 2019
Baby Got Backup
I’ve been dating this really great woman
for three months. She’s just decided that
she needs to be single right now, despite
our forming a pretty strong connection.
She explained that she really, really likes
me, but she’s never been single for very long
and thinks it’s best for her at the moment. I
can respect that. She also says we can keep
sleeping together if I want. I want to do
that, but I’m wondering: Could that ruin
our chances of having a real relationship
again in the future?
– Wanna Play It Smart
People give you a reason for their behav-
ior. It may not be the real reason. Like, I’d tell
somebody, “So sorry … got a work thing!”
and not, “I’d shave off my eyebrows to get out
of your eight-year-old’s oboe recital.”
There’s a good chance you’ve been
demoted from boyfriend to emergency
penis. Research by evolutionary psychologist
Joshua Duntley suggests that we evolved to
cultivate backup mates – plan-B partners we
can quickly pivot to in case a partner ditches
us or dies in a freak accident. Many or most
of us seem to have a backup mate or two –
somebody we flirt with regularly or other-
wise set up as our romantic fallback, though
we aren’t always consciously aware of it.
Maybe you’re all, “Hey, fine by me if
she wants to keep me as her sexual service
department while she’s shopping around.”
Maybe you’re hoping she’ll find other dudes
lame in comparison. Totally possible. But if
what really matters to you is having a rela-
tionship with her, all that availability on
your part is not a good look. The problem is
“the scarcity principle.” Psychologist Robert
Cialdini explains that we value what’s scarce
or out of reach, fearing that we’ll lose access
to it. In fact, the desirability of the very same
person or thing often increases or decreases
according to shifts in its perceived accessibil-
ity. (Picture Denny’s with a velvet rope and
a scary bouncer instead of “Open 24 hours!
Seat yourself!”)
Once your value is perceived to be low,
there might not be much chance of rehab-
bing it. So it might pay to find other sex part-
ners and give this woman a chance to miss
you. It ultimately serves your purpose better
than turning yourself into the man version of
those freeze-dried food packs sold for earth-
quake- or apocalypse-prep kits: delicious
like seasoned particle board but just the
Got a problem? Write Amy Alkon, 171 Pier Ave, #280, Santa Monica, CA 90405. E-mail AdviceAmy@aol.com,
visit @amyalkon on Twitter, and listen to Amy’s weekly radio show at BlogTalkRadio.com/amyalkon. Order Amy
Alkon’s new book Unf_-ology: A Field Guide to Living with Guts and Confidence (St. Martin’s Griffin, 2018).
©2018, Amy Alkon, all rights reserved. New column published weekly at RCReader.com
Know More, Do More • RiverCitiesReader.com
EXHIBITION CLOSING SOON
thing while you’re waiting for rescue in the
remains of your office building with nothing
to eat but your arm.
The Truth Fairy
My boyfriend recently proposed to me.
I’ve gotten to thinking that if I’d never worn
braces, he wouldn’t have been interested in
me. I had a terrible underbite. I always felt
very unattractive in regard to my teeth,
lip, and jaw region until I eventually had MIA FEUER
this corrected years ago through braces. I
constantly have the nagging thought that
my boyfriend could do better – that is, find
a woman who is more naturally beautiful,
TOTEMS OF THE ANTHROPOCENE
more on a par with his level of attractive- THROUGH DECEMBER 29, 2019
ness. Basically, I feel that my braces led to a Try out the one-person skating rink before it closes!
form of unnatural beauty, a kind of cheat-
This exhibition is presented in partnership with the Center for
ing, and I don’t deserve him.
Polar Studies at Augustana College and Davenport Parks and Recreation.
– Distressed
Mia Feuer, An Unkindness, 2013, and Rink, 2018, installation view,
Though some men are put off by fake Esker Foundation, Calgary, Canada, © image courtesy of the artist
breasts, it’s unlikely that anybody will find
corrective dental work a vile form of decep- Davenport, Iowa • 563.326.7804
tion, like you’re the Bernie Madoff of the www.figgeartmuseum.org
perfect smile.
Research in “dental anthropology” (who
knew?!) by Peter Ungar, Rachel Sarig, and
others suggests the cause of your underbite
could be genetic – or it could be environmen-
tal (perhaps deficiencies in maternal nutri-
tion during pregnancy). Sorry. I was hoping
for something a little more definitive, too.
Might you and your fiancé have a kid with
a funky bite? Sure. But unlike in ancestral
human societies, we live in a world teem-
ing with orthodontists. Just look for the
“STR8TEETH” and “SMILEDOC” plates
on cars that cost as much as a small, slightly
used private jet.
Allay your fears by being honest: Tell your
fiancé that you got braces to correct a really
bad underbite. A dude who’s attracted to
the way you look now is unlikely to dump
you upon learning about your supposedly
sordid orthodontic history. Looks are vital
for attraction, but they’re just part of what
matters. A massive cross-cultural survey by
evolutionary psychologist David Buss finds
that men, like women, prioritize kindness
and intelligence in a partner. In fact, these
are men’s and women’s top asks. And these
are things that can’t be engineered with $7K
in oral railroad tracks and years spent cover-
ing your mouth when you laugh lest those
tiny rubber bands shoot across the room and
put out somebody’s eye.
Know More, Do More • RiverCitiesReader.com
FREE WILL ASTROLOGY
ARIES (March 21-April 19): In com-
posing this oracle, I have called on the
unruly wisdom of Vivienne West-
wood. She’s the fashion designer who
incorporated the punk esthetic into mainstream
styles. Here are four quotes by her that will be
especially suitable for your use in the coming
weeks. (1) “I disagree with everything I used to
say.” (2) “The only possible effect one can have on
the world is through unpopular ideas.” (3) “Intel-
ligence is composed mostly of imagination,
insight, and things that have nothing to do with
reason.” (4) “I’m attracted to people who are
really true to themselves and who are always
trying to do something that makes their life
more interesting.”
TAURUS (April 20-May 20): “I’m
drowning in the things I never told
you.” Famous make-up artist Alexan-
dra Joseph wrote that message to a
companion with whom she had a complicated
relationship. Are you experiencing a similar sen-
sation, Taurus? If so, I invite you to do something
about it! The coming weeks will be a good time
to stop drowning. One option is to blurt out to
your ally all the feelings and thoughts you’ve
been withholding and hiding. A second option is
to divulge just some of the feelings and thoughts
you’ve been withholding and hiding – and then
monitor the results of your partial revelation. A
third option is to analyze why you’ve been with-
holding and hiding. Is it because your ally hasn’t
been receptive, or because you’re afraid of being
honest? Here’s what I suggest: Start with the
third option, then move on to the second.
GEMINI (May 21-June 20): I’ve got
some borderline sentimental poetry to
offer you in this horoscope. It may be
too mushy for a mentally crisp person
like you. You may worry that I’ve fallen under the
sway of sappy versions of love rather than the
snappy versions I usually favor. But there is a
method in my madness: I suspect you need an
emotionally suggestive nudge to fully activate
your urge to merge; you require a jolt of sweet-
ness to inspire you to go in quest of the love mojo
that’s potentially available to you in abundance.
So please allow your heart to be moved by the
following passage from poet Rabindranath
Tagore: “My soul is alight with your infinitude of
stars. Your world has broken upon me like a
flood. The flowers of your garden blossom in my
body.”
CANCER (June 21-July 22): Try
saying this, and notice how it feels:
“For the next 17 days, I will make inge-
nious efforts to interpret my problems
as interesting opportunities that offer me the
chance to liberate myself from my suffering and
transform myself into the person I aspire to
become.” Now speak the following words and see
what thoughts and sensations get triggered: “For
the next 17 days, I will have fun imagining that
my so-called flaws are signs of potential
strengths and talents that I have not yet
developed.”
LEO (July 23-August 22): An inter-
viewer asked singer-songwriter Leon-
ard Cohen if he needed to feel bothered
and agitated in order to stimulate his
creativity. Cohen said no. “When I get up in the
morning,” he testified, “my real concern is to dis-
cover whether I’m in a state of grace.” Surprised,
the interviewer asked, “What do you mean by a
state of grace?” Cohen described it as a knack for
balance that he called on to ride the chaos
around him. He knew he couldn’t fix or banish
the chaos – and it would be arrogant to try. His
state of grace was more like skiing skillfully
down a hill, gliding along the contours of unpre-
dictable terrain. I’m telling you about Cohen’s
definition, Leo, because I think that’s the state of
grace you should cultivate right now. I bet it will
stimulate your creativity in ways that surprise
and delight you.
VIRGO (August 23-September 22):
Poet Juan Felipe Herrera praises the
value of making regular efforts to
detox our cluttered minds. He says that
one of the best methods for accomplishing this
cleansing is to daydream. You give yourself per-
mission to indulge in uncensored, unabashed
fantasies. You feel no inhibition about envision-
ing scenes that you may or may not ever carry out
in real life. You understand that this free-form
play of images is a healing joy, a gift you give
yourself. It’s a crafty strategy to make sure you’re
River Cities’ Reader • Vol. 26 No. 968 • December 2019
not hiding any secrets from yourself. Now is a
favorable time to practice this art, Virgo.
LIBRA (September 23-October 22):
In accordance with current astrologi-
cal omens, here’s your meditation, as
articulated by the blogger named Riv-
erselkie: “Let your life be guided by the things
that produce the purest secret happiness, with no
thought to what that may look like from the out-
side. Feed the absurd whims of your soul and
create with no audience in mind but yourself.
What is poignant to you is what others will be
moved by, too. Embrace what you love about
yourself and the right people will come.”
SCORPIO (October 23-November
21): “I swear I became a saint from
waiting,” wrote Scorpio poet Odysseus
Elytis in his poem “Three Times the
Truth.” According to my reading of the astro-
logical omens, you may be in a similar situation.
And you’ll be wise to welcome the break in the
action and abide calmly in the motionless lull.
You’ll experiment with the hypothesis that tem-
porary postponement is best not just for you, but
for all concerned.
SAGIT TA R IUS (November
22-December 21): “My greatest asset is
that I am constantly changing,” says
Sagittarian actress and activist Jane
Fonda. This description may not always be appli-
cable to you, but I think it should be during the
coming weeks. You’re primed to thrive on a
robust commitment to self-transformation. As
you proceed in your holy task, keep in mind this
other advice from Fonda. (1) “One part of
wisdom is knowing what you don’t need any-
more and letting it go.” (2) “It is never too late to
master your weaknesses.” (3) “If you allow your-
self, you can become stronger in the very places
that you’ve been broken.” (4) “The challenge is
not to be perfect. It’s to be whole.” P.S. And what
does it mean to be whole? Be respectful toward
all your multiple facets, and welcome them into
the conversation you have about how to live.
CAPRICORN (December 22-January
19): You can’t escape your past com-
pletely. You can’t loosen its hold on you
39
By Rob Brezsny
so thoroughly that it will forever allow you to
move with limitless freedom into the future. But
you definitely have the power to release yourself
from at least a part of your past’s grip. And the
coming weeks will be an excellent time to do just
that: to pay off a portion of your karmic debt and
shed worn-out emotional baggage.
AQUARIUS (January 20-February
18): Aquarian playwright August
Strindberg didn’t have much interest
in people who “regurgitate what they
have learned from books.” He was bored by sto-
ries that have been told over and over again; was
impatient with propaganda disguised as infor-
mation and by sentimental platitudes masquer-
ading as sage insights. He craved to hear about
the unprecedented secrets of each person’s life:
the things they know and feel that no one else
knows and feels. He was a student of “the natural
history of the human heart.” I bring Strindberg’s
perspective to your attention, my dear one-of-a-
kind Aquarius, because now is a perfect time for
you to fully embody it.
PISCES (February 19-March 20): “It’s
no fun being in love with a shadow,”
wrote Piscean poet Edna St. Vincent
Millay. And yet she indulged profusely
in that no-fun activity, and even capitalized on it
to create a number of decent, if morose, poems.
But in alignment with your astrological omens,
Pisces, I’m going to encourage you to fall out of
love with shadows. The coming weeks will be an
excellent time to channel your passions into solid
realities: to focus your ardor and adoration on
earthly pleasures and practical concerns and
imperfect but interesting people.
Homework: Evil is boring. Rousing fear is a hack-
neyed shtick. Discover more at Bit.ly/EvilIsBoring
and visit FreeWillAstrology.com.
New column published
weekly at RCReader.com
Go to RealAstrology.com to check out Rob Brezsny’s
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
40 River Cities’ Reader • Vol. 26 No. 968 • December 2019
THURSDAY
2019/12/05 (Thu)
5 SATURDAY
All Guts No Glory – Good Devils –
Bain Marie – Never Knows Best
– Gabe’s, 330 E. Washington St.,
Iowa City IA
Black Hawk College Holiday Choral
Concert – First Congregational
Church - Moline, 2201 7th Avenue,
Moline IL
Blue Christmas: A Rock ‘n’ Roll
Holiday Extravaganza (1 &
7:15pm) – Circa ‘21 Dinner
Playhouse, 1828 Third Ave., Rock
Island IL
Cody James – Iowa City Yacht Club,
13 S Linn St, Iowa City IA
S o n g w r i t e r s ’ R o u n d Ta b l e
Showcase: Jenny Ferrell – Logan
Springer – James Turley – David
G. Smith – Rich & Vicki Ingle –
The Redstone Room, 129 Main St,
Davenport IA
Vintage Pistols – The Grape Life
Wine Store & Lounge, 3402 Elmore
Ave., Davenport IA
FRIDAY 6
2019/12/06 (Fri)
Choral Dynamics: Celebrate Me
Home – Orpheum Theatre, 57 S.
Kellogg St., Galesburg IL
Christmas at Heritage Center: The
Sound of Christmas – John & Alice
Butler Hall - University of Dubuque
Heritage Center, 2255 Bennett St.,
Dubuque IA
Christmas with the Quad City
Singers – Lavender Crest Winery,
5401 US Highway 6, Colona IL
Doug Brundies – Green Tree
Brewery, 309 N. Cody Rd., LeClaire
IA
Fair Warning Live – The Gypsy
Highway Bar & Grill, 2606 W. Locust
St., Davenport IA
Greg & Rich Acoustic Duo – The
Grape Life Wine Store & Lounge,
3402 Elmore Ave., Davenport IA
Kris Lager Band – Crescent City Tap,
336 Front St., Galva IL
The Night People – Rhythm City
Casino Resort Rhythm Room, 7077
Elmore Ave., Davenport IA
North of 40 – Parkside Grill & Lounge,
2307 5th Ave, Moline IL
Quad City Prospects – RIBCO, 1815
Second Ave., Rock Island IL
The Tailfins – Riverside Casino & Golf
Resort, 3184 Highway 22, Riverside
IA
MUSIC
MARcy Playground @ The Rust Belt – December 13
2019/12/07 (Sat)
7 John’s United Methodist Church,
BEEs – The Grape Life Wine Store
& Lounge, 3402 Elmore Ave.,
Davenport IA
BeauSoleil avec Michael Doucet:
A Cajun Christmas – Hancher
Auditorium, 141 East Park Rd., Iowa
City IA
Choral Dynamics: Celebrate Me
Home – Orpheum Theatre, 57 S.
Kellogg St., Galesburg IL
Chrash – 6 Odd Rats – Evan Stock
Band – Piece of Cake – Gabe’s, 330
E. Washington St., Iowa City IA
Christmas at Augustana (2pm)
– Centennial Hall, Augustana
College, 3703 7th Ave., Rock Island
IL
Christmas with the Quad City
Singers – Lavender Crest Winery,
5401 US Highway 6, Colona IL
Code 415 – The Gypsy Highway Bar &
Grill, 2606 W. Locust St., Davenport
IA
Crooked Cactus Band – Bier Stube
Moline, 415 15th St, Moline IL
Flatfoot 56 – Jenny Lynn Stacy
& the Dirty Roosters – The
Redstone Room, 129 Main St,
Davenport IA
Greg & Rich Acoustic Duo (6pm) –
Geneseo Brewing Company, 102 S.
State St., Geneseo IL
Jordan Danielsen – Green Tree
Brewery, 309 N. Cody Rd., LeClaire
IA
The Knockoffs – The Corral, 1685
Grand Ave., Galesburg IL
Let There Be Peace: A Service of
Lessons & Carols – Iowa Wesleyan
Chapel, 601 N. Main Street, Mount
Pleasent IA
Linsey Alexander – Flatted Fifth
Blues & BBQ, 300 Potter Dr.,
Bellevue IA
Past Curfew – Rhythm City Casino
Resort Rhythm Room, 7077 Elmore
Ave., Davenport IA
Quad Cities Saxophone Christmas
(1pm) – NorthPark Mall, 320 W.
Kimberly Rd., Davenport IA
Quad City Symphony Orchestra
Masterworks III: Passion – Adler
Theatre, 136 E. Third St., Davenport
IA
A Rain Whiskey Christmas: The
Brandon Gibbs Band – Ava
Rowland & Katie Quinn – Rascals
Live, 1414 15th St., Moline IL
RiverBend Bronze Handbell Choir
Christmas Concert (2pm) – St.
109 E 14th St, Davenport IA
Ron Tegler Jazz Quartet (6pm) –
Cool Beanz Coffeehouse, 1325 30th
St., Rock Island IL
Russ Reyman Request Piano Bar –
The Phoenix Restaurant & Martini
Bar, 111 West 2nd St., Davenport IA
The Tailfins – Riverside Casino & Golf
Resort, 3184 Highway 22, Riverside
IA
SUNDAY
2019/12/08 (Sun)
8 Davenport IA
An Ambrosian Christmas (3pm)
– Galvin Fine Arts Center - St.
Ambrose University, 2101 N. Gaines
St., Davenport IA
Choral Dynamics: Celebrate Me
Home (2pm) – Orpheum Theatre,
57 S. Kellogg St., Galesburg IL
Christmas at Augustana (2pm)
– Centennial Hall, Augustana
College, 3703 7th Ave., Rock Island
IL
Greg & Rich Acoustic Duo (2pm) –
Len Brown’s North Shore Inn, 700
N. Shore Dr., Moline IL
Let There Be Peace: A Service of
Lessons & Carols – Iowa Wesleyan
Chapel, 601 N. Main Street, Mount
Pleasent IA
Quad City Symphony Orchestra
Masterworks III: Passion (2pm)
– Centennial Hall, Augustana
College, 3703 7th Ave., Rock Island
IL
Sunday Funday w/ Jef Spradley’s
Acoustic Show (4:30pm) – The
Gypsy Highway Bar & Grill, 2606 W.
Locust St., Davenport IA
MONDAY
2019/12/09 (Mon)
9 Poor Bill – AUBS – The Colorless
Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra
w/ Wynton Marsalis: Big Band
Holidays – John & Alice Butler Hall
- University of Dubuque Heritage
Center, 2255 Bennett St., Dubuque
IA
A Motown Christmas Holiday
Spectacular – Adler Theatre, 136
E. Third St., Davenport IA
WEDNESDAY 11
2019/12/11 (Wed)
Aaron Warner – Deb Tiemens –
Thieves – Iowa City Yacht Club, 13
S Linn St, Iowa City IA
Burlington Street Bluegrass Band –
The Mill, 120 E. Burlington St., Iowa
City IA
DECEMBER 5–JANUARY 8
Sunshrine – Liv Carrow –
Cocopower – Rozz-Tox, 2108 Third
Ave., Rock Island IL
Tommy Pickett & Friends (5:30pm)
– Davenport Elks Lodge #298, 4400
W. Central Park Ave., Davenport IA
Victor Wainwright – John Resch
& Doggin’ Art – The Redstone
Room, 129 Main St, Davenport IA
THURSDAY
2019/12/12 (Thu)
12
Black Hawk College Jazz Ensemble
– Cool Beanz Coffeehouse, 1325
30th St., Rock Island IL
Blackalicious – Gabe’s, 330 E.
Washington St., Iowa City IA
Kung Fu – Ben Miller Band – The
Redstone Room, 129 Main St,
Davenport IA
Lucky Cochran – The Gypsy Highway
Bar & Grill, 2606 W. Locust St.,
Davenport IA
United Holiday Spectacular –
Orpheum Theatre, 57 S. Kellogg
St., Galesburg IL
Universit y of Iowa Jazz
Performances: Latin Jazz – The
Mill, 120 E. Burlington St., Iowa
City IA
FRIDAY
2019/12/13 (Fri)
13
50 Shades of Rock – The Gypsy
Highway Bar & Grill, 2606 W. Locust
St., Davenport IA
Amanda Drenter (noon) – Moline
Public Library, 3210 41st St., Moline
IL
Brian Skow – The Grape Life Wine
Store & Lounge, 3402 Elmore Ave.,
Davenport IA
Friday the 13th: The Nightmare
Before Christmas (6:30pm) –
Village Theatre, 2113 E 11th St,
Greg & Rich Acoustic Duo (6pm) –
Rock Island Hy-Vee Market Grille,
2930 18th Ave., Rock Island IL
Iowa Techno House Music
Showcase – Gabe’s, 330 E.
Washington St., Iowa City IA
Larry Boyd (6pm) – Cool Beanz
Coffeehouse, 1325 30th St., Rock
Island IL
The Manny Lopez Big Band (6pm) –
The Circa ‘21 Speakeasy, 1818 Third
Ave., Rock Island IL
Marcy Playground – The Rust Belt,
533 12th Ave., East Moline IL
My Fellow Americans – Rhythm City
Casino Resort Rhythm Room, 7077
Elmore Ave., Davenport IA
A Nova Christmas – St. Paul Lutheran
Church - Davenport, 2136 Brady St.,
Davenport IA
Phyllis & the Sharks – Parkside Grill
& Lounge, 2307 5th Ave, Moline IL
Polka Club of Iowa, Inc., Eastern
Chapter Dance: Karl & The
Country Dutchmen (6:30pm) –
Walcott Coliseum, 116 E Bryant St,
Walcott IA
The Solo Act Showcase: Dead
Ginger – Regular Size Wayne –
Rainbow – RIBCO, 1815 Second
Ave., Rock Island IL
Ted Stockton (6:30pm) – Lindsay
Bowman (8:30pm) – Riverside
Casino & Golf Resort, 3184 Highway
22, Riverside IA
Tippy – Mr. Jackson – Rozz-Tox, 2108
Third Ave., Rock Island IL
Tony Hoeppner & Friends (6pm)
– Backyard Bowl, 2020 1st St W,,
Milan IL
Winterland – Englert Theatre, 221
East Washington St., Iowa City IA
ZUUL – Murnau – Giallows –
Daykeeper – Straightaway
Productions, 13690 Lincoln Rd.,
Morrison IL
Know More, Do More • RiverCitiesReader.com
SATURDAY
2019/12/14 (Sat)
14
The Beaker Brothers – The Mill, 120
E. Burlington St., Iowa City IA
Bugeye Sprite: Mr. Hank y ’s
Christmas Extraordinaire Harley
Corin’s Party! – Harley Corin’s,
1708 State St., Bettendorf IA
Chuck Murphy – Green Tree Brewery,
309 N. Cody Rd., LeClaire IA
A Countdown to Christmas:
7eventh Time Down – Jamie
Kimmett – Grace Family Church,
6317 W. River Drive, Davenport IA
Earthmother – RIBCO, 1815 Second
Ave., Rock Island IL
Freddy Allen 2&4 Swing Trio – The
Grape Life Wine Store & Lounge,
3402 Elmore Ave., Davenport IA
Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra
with Wynton Marsalis: Big Band
Holidays – Hancher Auditorium,
141 East Park Rd., Iowa City IA
Joyann Parker – Flatted Fifth Blues
& BBQ, 300 Potter Dr., Bellevue IA
Kerry & Rich Acoustic Duo (6pm) –
Tuggers Burger Bar & Ale House,
201 N. Main St., Port Byron IL
Lindsay Bowman – Riverside Casino
& Golf Resort, 3184 Highway 22,
Riverside IA
A Nova Christmas – First Lutheran
Church - Galesburg, 364 E. Water
St., Galesburg IL
Russ Reyman Request Piano Bar –
The Phoenix Restaurant & Martini
Bar, 111 West 2nd St., Davenport IA
The Stone Flowers – Len Brown’s
North Shore Inn, 700 N. Shore Dr.,
Moline IL
Toxic Blonde – The Gypsy Highway
Bar & Grill, 2606 W. Locust St.,
Davenport IA
WVIK/QCSO Signature Series II:
Holiday Brass – North Scott High
School, 200 S. 1st St., Eldridge IA
Wacky Willy’s Weiner Warehouse &
Uncle Earl’s Earwax Emporium –
Gabe’s, 330 E. Washington St., Iowa
City IA
Zay – DJ Hi-Tech – Iowa City Yacht
Club, 13 S Linn St, Iowa City IA
SUNDAY
2019/12/15 (Sun)
15
A Blues Christmas Brunch: Avey/
Grouws Band (noon) – The Gypsy
Highway Bar & Grill, 2606 W. Locust
St., Davenport IA
Charlie Parker Jazz Trio (5pm) –
Flatted Fifth Blues & BBQ, 300
Potter Dr., Bellevue IA
John Lake Studio Recital (2pm) –
Kevin B.F. Burt – Homebrewed
(5pm) – The Mill, 120 E. Burlington
St., Iowa City IA
Polyrhythms’ Third Sunday Jazz
Workshop & Matinee Series: The
Tony Sconyers Sextet Celebrates
Johnny Hartman (6pm) – The
Redstone Room, 129 Main St,
Davenport IA
WVIK/QCSO Signature Series II:
Holiday Brass (2pm) – Bartlett
Performing Arts Center, 3600
Avenue of the Cities, Moline IL
TUESDAY
2019/12/17 (Tue)
17
Galesburg High School Holiday
Concert – Orpheum Theatre, 57 S.
Kellogg St., Galesburg IL
WEDNESDAY 18
2019/12/18 (Wed)
Festival of Carols (6:30pm) – Englert
Theatre, 221 East Washington St.,
Iowa City IA
The Night People (5:30pm) –
Davenport Elks Lodge #298, 4400
W. Central Park Ave., Davenport IA
THURSDAY
2019/12/19 (Thu)
19
David G. Smith – The Grape Life Wine
Store & Lounge, 3402 Elmore Ave.,
Davenport IA
Guest List Series featuring
Arkansauce – The Textures –
The Redstone Room, 129 Main St,
Davenport IA
Rock Island High School
Orchestra Concert – Cool Beanz
Coffeehouse, 1325 30th St., Rock
Island IL
FRIDAY
2019/12/20 (Fri)
20
Bucktown Revue – Nighswander
Theatre, 2822 Eastern Ave,
Davenport IA
Carlson & Stephens (6pm) – Rock
Island Hy-Vee Market Grille, 2930
18th Ave., Rock Island IL
Dave Ellis & Rich Fricke – Treehouse
Pub & Eatery, 2239 E. Kimberly Rd.,
Bettendorf IA
Dickie – City Park – The Mill, 120 E.
Burlington St., Iowa City IA
Eufórquestra’s Home for the
Holidays X w/ Flash in a Pan
– Englert Theatre, 221 East
Washington St., Iowa City IA
Gray Wolf Band (6:30pm) –
Lavender Crest Winery, 5401 US
Highway 6, Colona IL
John Heasley & Jerry Schroeder –
Cool Beanz Coffeehouse, 1325 30th
St., Rock Island IL
Jordan Danielsen & Jef Spradley
– The Grape Life Wine Store
& Lounge, 3402 Elmore Ave.,
Davenport IA
Lynn Allen – Parkside Grill & Lounge,
2307 5th Ave, Moline IL
North of 40 Holiday Party – The
Gypsy Highway Bar & Grill, 2606 W.
Locust St., Davenport IA
Northern Parallels 039: Three-
Year Anniversary Party w/ Jason
Patrick – Mike Derer – Higgy
– Rozz-Tox, 2108 Third Ave., Rock
Island IL
The Paddlers – Uncle – City Park
– Middlestate – Gabe’s, 330 E.
Washington St., Iowa City IA
Rebecca Casad & Alan Morrison
(noon) – Bettendorf Public
Library, 2950 Learning Campus Dr.,
Bettendorf IA
Shirts & Skins – Riverside Casino
& Golf Resort, 3184 Highway 22,
Riverside IA
Sushi Roll – Rhythm City Casino
Resort Rhythm Room, 7077 Elmore
Ave., Davenport IA
Too Many Banjos – RIBCO, 1815
Second Ave., Rock Island IL
SATURDAY
2019/12/21 (Sat)
21
The Acoustic Project (6pm) – Cool
Beanz Coffeehouse, 1325 30th St.,
Rock Island IL
All That We See – Rig Time – Post
A.D – Capital Vices (6:30pm)
– Bier Stube Moline, 415 15th St,
Moline IL
Brass Tower (5pm) – Iowa City Yacht
Club, 13 S Linn St, Iowa City IA
Crooked Cactus Band – Bier Stube
Moline, 415 15th St, Moline IL
Greg & Rich Acoustic Duo – Jim’s
Knoxville Tap, 8716 Knoxville Rd.,
Milan IL
Identity Crisis – The Gypsy Highway
Bar & Grill, 2606 W. Locust St.,
Davenport IA
Jim Ryan (5pm) – Go Fish Marina Bar
& Grill, 411 River Dr., Princeton IA
Molly Durnin – Green Tree Brewery,
309 N. Cody Rd., LeClaire IA
Russ Reyman Request Piano Bar –
The Phoenix Restaurant & Martini
Bar, 111 West 2nd St., Davenport IA
Shirts & Skins – Riverside Casino
& Golf Resort, 3184 Highway 22,
Riverside IA
Know More, Do More • RiverCitiesReader.com
LIVE
Sushi Roll – Rhythm City Casino
Resort Rhythm Room, 7077 Elmore
Ave., Davenport IA
Whoozdads? – The Grape Life Wine
Store & Lounge, 3402 Elmore Ave.,
Davenport IA
Windy City Dueling Pianos – The
Circa ‘21 Speakeasy, 1818 Third
Ave., Rock Island IL
SUNDAY
2019/12/22 (Sun)
22
Cool Beanz Christmas w/ Scott
Arlan – Cool Beanz Coffeehouse,
1325 30th St., Rock Island IL
FRIDAY
2019/12/27 (Fri)
27
Blues Rock It – Parkside Grill &
Lounge, 2307 5th Ave, Moline IL
Colt 45 – Rhythm City Casino Resort
Rhythm Room, 7077 Elmore Ave.,
Davenport IA
The Eradicator – The Slow Retreat –
Dead Rest – Road Soda (5:30pm)
– Bier Stube Moline, 415 15th St,
Moline IL
Final Mix – Riverside Casino & Golf
Resort, 3184 Highway 22, Riverside
IA
Larry Boyd (6pm) – Cool Beanz
Coffeehouse, 1325 30th St., Rock
Island IL
Michael Moncada & Whiskey High
– RIBCO, 1815 Second Ave., Rock
Island IL
Molly Conrad: Home for the
Holidays – The Grape Life Wine
Store & Lounge, 3402 Elmore Ave.,
Davenport IA
The Peña Brothers – The Gypsy
Highway Bar & Grill, 2606 W. Locust
St., Davenport IA
Sad Iron Music – The Bernemann
Brothers – The Mill, 120 E.
Burlington St., Iowa City IA
Tunes at the Tulip – Hauberg Civic
Center Mansion, 1300 24th St.,
Rock Island IL
Venereal Crush – Rozz-Tox, 2108
Third Ave., Rock Island IL
SATURDAY
2019/12/28 (Sat)
28
10 of Soul – Rhythm City Casino
Resort Rhythm Room, 7077 Elmore
Ave., Davenport IA
3 Men & a Molly – RIBCO, 1815
Second Ave., Rock Island IL
Catfish Keith – The Mill, 120 E.
Burlington St., Iowa City IA
Code 415 – VIP’s Corner Bar & Grill,
4100 4th Ave., Moline IL
Durango McMurphy & the Love
Street Boogie Band – Flatted
Fifth Blues & BBQ, 300 Potter Dr.,
Bellevue IA
Final Mix – Riverside Casino & Golf
Resort, 3184 Highway 22, Riverside
IA
Frankie Joe & Kinfolk – Green Tree
Brewery, 309 N. Cody Rd., LeClaire
IA
Funktastic 5 Holiday Party – The
Gypsy Highway Bar & Grill, 2606 W.
Locust St., Davenport IA
Greg & Rich Acoustic Duo – Len
Brown’s North Shore Inn, 700 N.
Shore Dr., Moline IL
Guest List Series featuring Still
Shine, The Channel Cats, and
Super Happy Funthyme Trouble
– The Redstone Room, 129 Main St,
Davenport IA
The Knockoffs – Fargo Lounge, 4204
Avenue of the Cities, Moline IL
Rob & Gary of the Night People
– The Grape Life Wine Store
& Lounge, 3402 Elmore Ave.,
Davenport IA
Ron Tegler Jazz Quartet (6pm) –
Cool Beanz Coffeehouse, 1325 30th
St., Rock Island IL
Russ Reyman Request Piano Bar –
The Phoenix Restaurant & Martini
Bar, 111 West 2nd St., Davenport IA
SUNDAY
2019/12/29 (Sun)
29
10 of Soul – Rhythm City Casino
Resort Rhythm Room, 7077 Elmore
Ave., Davenport IA
Taylor Dayne – Tiffany – Rhythm
City Casino Resort Event Center,
7077 Elmore Ave., Davenport IA
MONDAY
2019/12/30 (Mon)
30
The Hot Rods – Rhythm City Casino
Resort Rhythm Room, 7077 Elmore
Ave., Davenport IA
Tightrope – Riverside Casino & Golf
Resort, 3184 Highway 22, Riverside
IA
TUESDAY
2019/12/31 (Tue)
31
50 Shades of Rockin’ New Year’s
Eve – Bier Stube Moline, 415 15th
St, Moline IL
All Sweat Productions Presents:
Clapton – The Redstone Room,
129 Main St, Davenport IA
Belladiva – Rhythm City Casino
Resort Event Center, 7077 Elmore
Ave., Davenport IA
Boogie Nights New Year’s Eve Party
– Iowa City Yacht Club, 13 S Linn St,
Iowa City IA
The Dandelion Stompers – Sweetie
& the Toothaches – Hotel Vetro,
201 South Linn St., Iowa City IA
Far Out 283 – The Gypsy Highway
Bar & Grill, 2606 W. Locust St.,
Davenport IA
Freddy Allen Trio – The Grape Life
Wine Store & Lounge, 3402 Elmore
Ave., Davenport IA
Good Rockin’ Live!: A Salute to
Sun Records – Circa ‘21 Dinner
Playhouse, 1828 Third Ave., Rock
Island IL
Let’s Rip It Up: Everett Dean – The
Jersey Girls – Ohnward Fine Arts
Center, 1215 E Platt St., Maquoketa
IA
Lewis Knudsen & Chuck Bald –
Hauberg Civic Center Mansion,
1300 24th St., Rock Island IL
River Cities’ Reader • Vol. 26 No. 968 • December 2019
Hosting a live music event?
Email calendar@rcreader.com • Deadline 5 p.m. Thursday before publication
New Laws Eve w/ Rude Punch –
RIBCO, 1815 Second Ave., Rock
Island IL
The New Roaring ‘20s: Jenny Lynn
Stacy & the Dirty Roosters –
Village Theatre, 2113 E 11th St,
Davenport IA
New Year’s Eve Daytime Dance:
Ken Paulsen Quartet w/ Darlene
(10am) – Knights of Columbus
- Davenport, 1111 W. 35th St.,
Davenport IA
News Year’s Eve at Rozz-Tox:
Condor & Jaybird X The Golden
Fleece – Good Doom – Denim
Dragon – Dark Family – Max
Kamm – Liv Carrow – NUMA –
Rozz-Tox, 2108 Third Ave., Rock
Island IL
Pocket Change (5:30pm) – The
Tailfi ns (9:30pm) – Rhythm City
Casino Resort Rhythm Room, 7077
Elmore Ave., Davenport IA
Richie Lee & Tony Halsrud (7pm)
– The Hot Dods (10:30pm) –
Riverside Casino & Golf Resort,
3184 Highway 22, Riverside IA
Ron Tegeler Jazz Trio (6pm) –
Flatted Fifth Blues & BBQ, 300
Potter Dr., Bellevue IA
Arkansauce @ The Redstone Room – December 19
Sean Kistler – Green Tree Brewery,
309 N. Cody Rd., LeClaire IA
Secrets – Steventon’s, 1399 Eagle
Ridge Rd, LeClaire IA
Wylde Nept (4pm) – Cedar County
Cobras (9:30pm) – The Mill, 120 E.
Burlington St., Iowa City IA
THURSDAY
2020/01/02 (Thu)
2 Bar & Grill, 2606 W. Locust St.,
Vintage Pistols – Gabe’s, 330 E.
Washington St., Iowa City IA
FRIDAY
2020/01/03 (Fri)
3 Ruby & Donovan – Green Tree
Avey/Grouws Band – The Gypsy
Highway Bar & Grill, 2606 W. Locust
St., Davenport IA
Dan Hubbard – The Faithful Pilot
Cafe & Spirits, 117 N Cody Rd,
LeClaire IA
Ellis Kell Winter Blues Camp
Concert (6pm) – The Redstone
Room, 129 Main St, Davenport IA
Freddy Allen 2&4 Swing Trio – The
Grape Life Wine Store & Lounge,
3402 Elmore Ave., Davenport IA
41
SATURDAY
2020/01/04 (Sat)
4
Chamber Music Quad Cities:
Beethoven Year – Unitarian
Universalist Congregation of the
Quad Cities, 3707 Eastern Ave.,
Davenport IA
Cody Road – The Gypsy Highway
Davenport IA
Jera & Moon Dog – The Grape Life
Wine Store & Lounge, 3402 Elmore
Ave., Davenport IA
Brewery, 309 N. Cody Rd., LeClaire
IA
Russ Reyman Request Piano Bar –
The Phoenix Restaurant & Martini
Bar, 111 West 2nd St., Davenport IA
TUESDAY
2020/01/07 (Tue)
7
Tuneful Tuesdays: Chordbusters
VLQ (noon) – Rock Island Public
Library - Downtown Library, 401
19th St., Rock Island IL
WEDNESDAY 8
2020/01/08 (Wed)
Burlington Street Bluegrass Band –
The Mill, 120 E. Burlington St., Iowa
City IA
42 River Cities’ Reader • Vol. 26 No. 968 • December 2019
DJs/Karaoke/Jams/Open Mics
Email all listings to calendar@rcreader.com • Deadline 5 p.m. Thursday before publication
THURSDAYS
THURSDAYS
DJ Mixxin Mel – Happy Hollow
Tavern, 1502 W. 14th St., Davenport
IA
Karaoke Night – Bier Stube Moline,
415 15th St, Moline IL
Karaoke w/ Double Dz – Purgatory’s
Pub, 2104 State St, Bettendorf IA
Karaoke Night w/ Mike Matthews –
The Torchlight Lounge, 1800 18th
Ave., East Moline IL
Open Mic & More – Uptown Bill’s
Coffee House, 730 S. Dubuque St.,
Iowa City IA
Open Mic Night (6pm) – Energized
Cafe, 226 W. Third St., Davenport IA
Open Mic w/ H.C. Wallace – Boots
Western Saloon, 2228 E 11th St.,
Davenport IA
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
FRIDAYS
DJ Hi-Tech – The Key at Union Arcade,
229 Brady St., 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 W.
Locust St., Davenport IA
Karaoke Night – K & T’s Bike Rack
Sports Bar & Grill, 3303 Brady St.,
Davenport IA
Karaoke Night – Big River Bowling,
2902 E. Kimberly Rd., Davenport IA
Karaoke Night – Roadrunners
Roadhouse, 3803 Rockingham Rd.,
Davenport IA
Karaoke Night – The Grove Tap, 108
S. First St., Long Grove IA
Karaoke Night – V.F.W. Post 9128,
2814 State St., Bettendorf IA
Karaoke Night w/ Aftermidnight
Band in a Box – Choppers Bar &
Grill Incorporated, 17228 IL-5, East
Moline IL
Rude Punch @ RIBCO – December 31
Open Mic Coffeehouse (Dec. 6)
– First Lutheran Church of Rock
Island Parish House, 1600 20th St.,
Rock Island IL
SATURDAYS
SATURDAYS
Boogie Nights Throwback Dance
Party (Dec. 7) – Iowa City Yacht
Club, 13 S. Linn St., Iowa City IA
DJ Hi-Tech – The Key at Union Arcade,
229 Brady St., Davenport IA
Karaoke Night – Boozie’s Bar & Grill,
114 1/2 W. Third St., Davenport IA
Karaoke Night – K & T’s Bike Rack
Sports Bar & Grill, 3303 Brady St.,
Davenport IA
Karaoke Night – Big River Bowling,
2902 E. Kimberly Rd., Davenport IA
Karaoke Night – Roadrunners
Roadhouse, 3803 Rockingham Rd.,
Davenport IA
Karaoke Night – The Grove Tap, 108
S. First St., Long Grove IA
Karaoke Night w/ Aftermidnight
Band in a Box – Choppers Bar &
Grill Incorporated, 17228 IL-5, East
Moline IL
Karaoke Night w/ Jim Harker –
Hollar’s Bar and Grill, 4050 27th St.,
Moline IL
Open Jam/Open Mic (Dec. 14, 6pm)
– Iowa City Yacht Club, 13 S. Linn St.,
Iowa City IA
Songwriters’ Round Table (Dec.
14, 11am) – RME (River Music
Experience), 131 W. Second Dt.,
Davenport IA
Tw i s t e d M i c ’s M u s i c a n d
Entertainment – Barrel House
Moline, 1321 Fifth Ave., Moline IL
SUNDAYS
SUNDAYS
Hal Reed & Mississippi Journey
Sunday Jam (Dec. 22, 6pm) –
Rock Island Elks Club, 427 Seventh
Ave., Rock Island IL
Karaoke Night – 11th Street Precinct,
1107 Mound St., Davenport IA
MONDAYS
MONDAYS
Open Mic w/ J. Knight – The Mill, 120
E. Burlington St., Iowa City IA
TUESDAYS
TUESDAYS
Karaoke Night – Iowa City Yacht
Club, 13 S. Linn St., Iowa City IA
Open Mic Night – Broken Saddle,
1417 Fifth Ave., Moline IL
Open Mic Night – Cool Beanz
Coffeehouse, 1325 30th St., Rock
Island IL
Tuesday Night Dance Party w/ DJ
Jamaican Daddy – Iowa City Yacht
Club, 13 S. Linn St., Iowa City IA
WEDNESDAYS
WEDNESDAYS
DJ Mixxin Mel – Happy Hollow
Tavern, 1502 W. 14th St., Davenport
IA
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 W.
Locust St., Davenport IA
Karaoke Night – RIBCO, 1815 Second
Ave., Rock Island IL
Open Jam w/ The Channel Cats –
Bent River Brewing Company, 512
24th St., Rock Island IL
Open Mic Night – Boozie’s Bar
& Grille, 114 1/2 W. Third St.,
Davenport IA
Open Mic Music Night (5:30pm) –
Milltown Coffee, 3800 River Dr. #2,
Moline IL
Underground Karaoke – Iowa City
Yacht Club, 13 S. Linn St., Iowa City
IA
Know More, Do More • RiverCitiesReader.com
MUSIC
Kung Fu
Thursday, December 12, 8 p.m. @ The Redstone Room,
129 Main Street, Davenport, IA
Kung Fu @ The Redstone Room – December 12
F
iery progressive-funk/jazz-fusion
jam ensemble Kung Fu hits the stage
at Davenport’s Redstone Room on
December 12.
I had never heard the music of Kung Fu
before sitting down to check them out for
this piece, and let me tell you: I was not
expecting it to be anything like it is. I knew
it was “funk” and I knew it was somewhat
in the vicinity of jazz, but what we have
here is full on progressive fusion shredding,
heart-on-sleeve virtuosity, and electronic-
abetted rock weirdness. The band name
checks fusion masters including Herbie
Hancock’s Headhunters and Weather
Report in its press materials, pointing out
some big shoes to fill in terms of influence,
but it turns out that the group handily lives
up to those touchstones.
Aside from the rock-solid bass-and-
drums rhythm section, the band high-
lights three lead voices that each bring a
spellbinding deluge of notes and melodies
to the table. Guitarist Tim Palmieri seems
equally comfortable in far-flung realms of
six-string pyrotechnics as he veers between
clean-toned, jazzy comping to effects-
drenched space exploration to a harder
edged, distorted style of playing that really
shines in the band’s synchronized lead
passages. Keyboardist and synthesist Beau
Sasser is also constantly handling double
or triple duty when it comes to his con-
tributions to the band’s swirling sessions,
laying down complex chord progressions
and pads of harmony, or tearing off into
fleet-fingered upper register runs in time
with the other voices.
The band’s secret weapon isn’t really a
secret at all, because when saxophonist
Rob Somerville is present in the mix, his
massive horn tones can’t be ignored. His
playing switches from skronky, overblown
bleats of brass mania to improbably fast
solo runs that wind up and down scales
with ease. This isn’t even to mention bass-
ist Chris DeAngelis, whose playing keeps
one foot in the zone of repetitious, bouncy
grooves and another foot in the camp of
By Max Allison
full-on lead performance. His bass lends
some weight and punch to the moments in
which everyone in the band is hammering
out one riff together, resulting in melodies
that cover the entire spread of the equal-
izer from the lowest lows to the highest
highs.
The band follows the classic sonata
form of jazz performance by introducing
a “head” melody (typically some blister-
ingly fast, cascading line that everyone
in the band follows to the letter) before
segueing into an extended middle section
of development animated by improvised
solos from individual members, before
locking back into the head melody to finish
it off. These head melodies serve as a kind
of shock-and-awe tactic for listeners, espe-
cially in a live setting, as the band gets a
chance to tear into 30-second-note runs
that leap all over the place, like a James
Brown funk groove played back at double
the usual speed on a turntable.
Though clearly versed in jazz and funk,
the truth is that Kung Fu’s music fits tidily
into the jam band scene more than any-
thing. Here are dudes with prodigious
chops, playing elementally groovy music
capable of inspiring people to dance, and
all of their songs feature minutes-long solos
in which the players get to really show off.
Sounds like jam band territory to me, for
sure. And that’s not a bad thing. Far from
the cliché of the stoned, noodling String
Cheese Incident-type jammers, Kung Fu’s
background in jazz fusion and clear sense
of discipline make sure that their jams
always serve some greater purpose in the
context of the song. Though the musicians
meander at times, everything comes back
to those tight, interlaced head melodies
and complex chord structures.
Kung Fu plays the Redstone Room on
December 12 with an opening set by the Ben
Miller Band, admission to the 8 p.m. show
is $17-20, and more information and tick-
ets are available by calling (563)326-1333 or
visiting RiverMusicExperience.org.
Know More, Do More • RiverCitiesReader.com River Cities’ Reader • Vol. 26 No. 968 • December 2019 43