Race for the Cure
John Deere Commons
Saturday, June 9
In 1982, Nancy G. Brinker made a promise to her dying sister, Susan G. Komen, that she would do everything she could to help bring an end to breast cancer. Brinker's promise eventually led to the formation of Susan G. Komen for the Cure, the world's largest grassroots network of breast-cancer survivors and activists. So put on your running shoes and head out to Moline's John Deere Commons on June 9 for the 2007 Susan G. Komen Quad Cities Race for the Cure, featuring both a 5K run/walk and a 1.2-mile family run/walk. According to the organization's Web site (http://www.qcraceforthecure.org), one in eight women who reach the age of 80 will be diagnosed with breast cancer, and 75 percent of the net proceeds raised by the Komen Quad Cities affiliate will provide breast-health care to the under-served and under-insured women in the Quad Cities region; the remaining profits help fund the Susan G. Komen for the Cure Award & Research Grant Program. The first 10,000 people to register for this annual event are guaranteed a T-shirt prior to the race, and registration forms are available by visiting (http://secure.getmeregistered.com). - Amber Barr
Grace Potter & the Nocturnals
The Redstone Room
Tuesday, June 12, 8 p.m
When Grace Potter & the Nocturnals' debut album, Original Soul, was released in 2004, Rolling Stone's David Fricke praised the group's freshman effort, writing that the band's lead singer was "poised for bigger things." I'm assuming, of course, that Fricke was referring to a write-up in the Reader's calendar section. On June 12, Grace Potter & the Nocturnals hit the Redstone Room, and a visit to the band's Web site (http://www.gracepotter.com) gives an indication of the recent splash they've made; No Depression's Jeff Vrabel enthuses about their "youthful, windows-down abandon" and the All Music Guide's Hal Horowitz raves about Potter's "terrific, grainy voice" and how the Nocturnals "fire on all cylinders." As for the group's style, the site goes into great detail on the "glorious racket" that forms their unique, passionate, rock-and-blues sound, such as the revelation that the Grace Potter & the Nocturnals song "Treat Me Right," from the group's This is Somewhere CD, "throbs with a sexuality perfectly echoed in the band's skeletal swamp funk backing." Don't worry: I read that sentence a little too quickly, too. Your mind isn't necessarily in the gutter. More information on Grace Potter & the Nocturnals, and future Redstone Room events, is available at (http://www.redstoneroom.com). - Mike Schulz
Left Bank Art League Fine Art Show
Black Hawk State Historic Site
Saturday, June 9, and Sunday, June 10
The Left Bank Art League's annual Fine Art Show will be presented on June 9 and 10, giving attendees the chance to enjoy live music and food, a host of children's art activities, and historical information on the league, all the while admiring - and, the sponsors hope, eventually taking home - the works of nearly 80 regional and national artists in a spectacular variety of media. But since I've written about the fair for the past three years, this time around I thought I'd dedicate space to the locale where it's taking place: Rock Island's Black Hawk State Historic Site. Not only does this bucolic area feature 160 acres of spectacular wooded hills, and not only are there four miles of marked hiking trails, picnic shelters, and playground equipment, but did you know that it was just voted one of the "Seven Wonders of Illinois" by the Illinois Bureau of Tourism? That means the Black Hawk site is ranked right up there with Illinois' Starved Rock State Park, the Meeting of the Great Rivers National Scenic Byway, and Chicago's Wrigley Field, though I'm betting the art fair will feature more hits than the ballpark generally sees. Ha ha ha ... heh heh ... hmm. Oh, great. Here come the postings from the pissed-off Cubs fans ... . For more information on this year's Fine Art Show, visit (http://leftbankartleague.org). - Mike Schulz
Gumbo Ya Ya
The District of Rock Island
Friday, June 8, and Saturday, June 9
I always wanted to go to New Orleans' Mardi Gras during spring break. Unfortunately, the farthest I ever got was Silvis. But luckily for us, the spirit of Bourbon Street will be migrating north on June 8 and 9 for the annual Gumbo Ya Ya: Mardi Gras in the District festival, and although there are no guarantees that the Rock Island event will be as debaucherous as the one traditionally held down south, this year's Ya Ya certainly shouldn't be lacking in the "fun" department. Musical acts Roddie Romero & the Hub City All-Stars, Hurricane Gumbo, Nathan & the Zydeco Chachas, Dikki Du & the Zydeco Krewe, Dennis Stroughmatt & Creole Stomp, Professor John, and the Backwater Bayou Band will provide the necessary tunes for a proper Mardi Gras bash, and the event will also feature original artwork, street performers, merchandise vendors, children's mask-making, plenty of spicy, Louisiana-style food ... and it just wouldn't be Mardi Gras without an abundance of beads! One-day passes are $8, and two-day passes are $12, and more information is available at (http://www.gumboyayafestival.com) or (http://www.ridistrict.com). - Brad Vidmar
Highway J
Rock Island Brewing Company
Thursday, June 7, 11 p.m.
"Don't Care to Watch You." "Corporate Clown." "Harlot's Home." No, those aren't things I mutter at my editor, Jeff, behind his back. Rather, they're song titles from the Illinois rockers Highway J, playing the Rock Island Brewing Company on June 7. Composed of lead vocalist Dave Combs, bass player Don Bruce, percussionist Jeff Badorek, and guitarists Ryan Bradle and Ryan Knox, the group's sound has been compared to the alternative-rock stylings of Radiohead and Hum, and the quintet's Web site (http://www.highwayj.com) describes their music as combining "both thoughtful social commentary and memorable melodies without losing a driving edge." Among their CDs are 2003's Pieces and last year's Highway J, and one of the CDBaby blurbs for their 2006 release references Highway J's dedication to work "that strives for meaning and creativeness" ... which is exactly what I say about Jeff's work! And just to send a few more Highway J song titles your way: I'd better end this piece right "Here Right Now" before I venture "Beyond This," otherwise I'll be "Thrown" out of the office, my employment will be "Severed," and Jeff will have me regretting these jokes for "Days & Days." For more information on Highway J's RIBCO gig, visit (http://www.ribco.com). - Mike Schulz
