Music
Sara Evans
Rhythm City Casino Resort
Saturday, February 4, 8 p.m.
The Band of Heathens
Daytrotter
Thursday, February 9, 7 p.m.
An Evening with Keller Williams
The Redstone Room
Thursday, February 9, 9 p.m.
Over the span of six days, the Quad Cities will welcome the arrival of touring performers who collectively specialize in pop, rock, country, blues, folk, jazz, reggae, Americana, bluegrass, roots, contemporary-Christian, and dance-club music – and who, if they wanted, could conceivably arrive together in one mid-size van. The artists in question are country-pop chanteuse Sara Evans, Texas-based genre-hoppers The Band of Heathens, and multi-instrumentalist Keller Williams, so let’s learn a bit about these acclaimed, prolific talents – there’s gonna be a quiz at the end!
Playing Davenport’s Rhythm City Casino Resort on February 4, the multi-platinum-selling singer/songwriter Sara Evans is a beloved, chart-topping figure in country music, and on July 1 of this year she’ll celebrate the 20th anniversary of her debut album Three Chords & the Truth. To commemorate the day, I hope someone gets her the gift of a living-room mantel, because Evans may be running out of places to put her awards.
A Missouri native whose dreams of country-music success led her to Nashville at age 20, Evans has thus far landed more than 20 singles on Billboard’s Hot Country Songs charts, several of which crossed over to the Hot 100, and five of which – among them them her 1998 breakthrough “No Place That Far” – went on to become number-one hits. In addition to her musical accomplishments, Evans has become a frequent TV presence, appearing on ABC’s Nashville, CMT’s Crossroads, Celebrity Family Feud, and as a contestant on Dancing with the Stars. And, as mentioned, she’s something of an awards magnet, having earned trophies from the Academy of Country Music, the Country Music Association, Billboard Music Awards, and Dove Awards, plus three citations from Broadcast Music Incorporated. Evans turns 46 the day after her Rhythm City booking. Maybe you’ll want to present her with that mantel yourself.
Ten years ago, in the Texas city of the group’s origin, The Band of Heathens were voted “Best New Band” at the 2007 Austin Music Awards. With 10 years having now passed, you likely wouldn’t have any problem finding scores of folk- and jam-rock fans – including Daytrotter patrons on February 9 – who’d readily change that label to simply “Best Band.”
Boasting the rare feat of having its first studio release reach number one on the Americana Music Association’s radio charts, the Band of Heathens found its self-titled debut eventually ranking eighth on the organization’s annual list of Top 100 Albums. Two years after that 2008 triumph, the Americana Music Association nominated the ensemble for its “Best Duo/Group of the Year” citation, initiating a decade of continued praise for the musicians whose output also bleeds into the genres of folk, country, blues, roots, and soul. Now composed of guitarists and co-founders Ed Jurdi and Gordy Quist, bassist Scott Davis, keyboardist Trevor Nelson, and drummer Richard Milsap, The Band of Heathens’ richly evocative tunes have not only been applauded by record-buyers and concert-goers, but by the press, with the Bakersfield California Review calling its album Sunday Morning Record “a love letter to the past and, at the time same time, a postcard to the future.” Even though that’s also the plot of the Sandra Bullock/Keanu Reeves romance The Lake House, it’s meant as a considerable compliment.
Meanwhile, there will be even more musical jamming on February 9, because just down the street from Daytrotter you’ll find An Evening with Keller Williams at Davenport’s Redstone Room. Given the artist’s employment of live phrase looping with multiple instruments, Williams has frequently been promoted as a “one-man jam band.” Maybe because “one-man jam, rock, dance, funk, folk, jazz, reggae, and progressive-bluegrass band” is so hard to fit on a marquee.
A native and current resident of Fredericksburg, Virginia, Williams has been a singular figure on the independent-music scene since the release of his 1994 album debut Freek, and you could argue the title was well-chosen if you consider it freek-ish that one man could be so gifted not only as a singer/songwriter, but also as a self-taught guitar, bass, piano, synthesizer, and theremin player. With his stage performances including sets at Bonnaroo and the Summer Camp Music Festival, and his tours finding him sharing stages with Umphrey’s McGee, the String Cheese Incident, and the Yonder Mountain String Band, Williams will no doubt treat the Redstone Room crowd to a memorable night – one that, if his past concerts are any indication, might be partly performed on Macbook. Bet you’ll feel like a slacker the next time you use yours just to play Minesweeper.
Now that you have a sense of Sara Evans, The Band of Heathens, and Keller Williams as artists, let’s see if you have a sense of their album titles! Try matching the following nine releases with their corresponding musicians:
1) Born to Fly
2) Dream
3) Duende
4) Odd
5) One Foot in the Ether
6) Restless
7) Slow Me Down
8) Top Hat Crown & the Clapmaster’s Son
9) Vape
A) Sara Evans
B) The Band of Heathens
C) Keller Williams
Sara Evans’ Davenport concert begins at 8 p.m., and tickets and information are available by calling (563)328-8000 or visiting RhythmCityCasino.com.
The Band of Heathens perform with opening sets by Chicago Farmer and Jenny Lynn Stacy & the Dirty Roosters, with tickets to the 7 p.m. concert available for purchase at Daytrotter.com.
An Evening with Keller Williams starts at 9 p.m.; for information and tickets, call (563)326-1333 or visit RiverMusicExperience.org.
Answers: 1 – A, 2 – C, 3 – B, 4 – C, 5 – B, 6 – A, 7 – A, 8 – B, 9 – C. I was going to mention that all 22 of Williams’ albums to date have had one-syllable titles, but that would’ve made the quiz so-o-o much easier.
What Else Is Happenin’ …?
MUSIC
Thursday, February 2 – Florida Georgia Line. Country duo Brian Kelley and Tyler Hubbard in concert, with opening sets by Dustin Lynch and Chris Lane. iWireless Center (1201 River Drive, Moline). 7 p.m. $49.75-75. For tickets, call (800)745-3000 or visit iWirelessCenter.com.
Thursday, February 2 – Bob Marley Birthday Bash. Concert tribute to the late reggae superstar, with performances by Natty Nation and Firesale. The Redstone Room (129 Main Street, Davenport). 7:30 p.m. $9.50-12. For tickets and information, call (563)326-1333 or visit RiverMusicExperience.org.
Friday, February 3 – RIBCO Battle of the Bands: Round Two. Natural Oil, High Five Sinners, and Bigger on the Inside perform 45-minute sets of original music, with the winners announced at the February 24 finals. Rock Island Brewing Company (1815 Second Avenue, Rock Island). 9 p.m. For information, call (309)793-1999 or visit RIBCO.com.
Friday, February 3 – Whiskey’s Gone. Country concert with the Zac Brown tribute musicians, featuring an opening set by Monica Bell. The Redstone Room (129 Main Street, Davenport). 8 p.m. $9.50-11. For tickets and information, call (563)326-1333 or visit RiverMusicExperience.org.
Friday, February 3 – William Elliott Whitmore. Americana singer/songwriter in concert, featuring an opening set by Elizabeth Moen. Englert Theatre (221 East Washington Street, Iowa City). 8 p.m. $20-25. For tickets and information, call (319)688-2653 or visit Englert.org.
Friday, February 3 – Paragon Ragtime Orchestra. The sounds of early musical theatre, silent cinema, and vintage dance with the touring performers. Orpheum Theatre (57 South Kellogg Street, Galesburg). 7:30 p.m. $15-25. For tickets and information, call (309)342-2299 or visit GalesburgOrpheum.org.
Saturday, February 4 – An Evening with Dawes. California-based folk-rockers in concert. Englert Theatre (221 East Washington Street, Iowa City). 8 p.m. $30-33. For tickets and information, call (319)688-2653 or visit Englert.org.
Saturday, February 4 – Ted Vigil: John Denver Musical Tribute. Concert salute to the chart-topping country, folk, and pop artist. Ohnward Fine Arts Center (1215 East Platt Street, Maquoketa). 7 p.m. $13-25. For tickets and information, call (563)652-9815 or visit OhnwardFineArtsCenter.com.
Saturday, February 4 – Monsters of Rock: The AC/DC Tribute and Hack Sabbath. Concert with the touring rockers and tribute musicians. Rock Island Brewing Company (1815 Second Avenue, Rock Island). 9 p.m. $5. For information, call (309)793-1999 or visit RIBCO.com.
Saturday, February 4, and Sunday, February 5 – Quad City Symphony Orchestra: Joined by a River. Mark Russell Smith conducts the fourth Masterworks concerts of the season in a repertoire featuring Mussorgsky’s and Rimsky’s Dawn on the Moscow River, Mozart’s Violin Concerto No. 5 in A Major and Symphony No. 38 in D Major, Strauss’ Blue Danube Waltz, Op. 314, and a world-premiere commission by Michael Abels, with featured violinist Naha Greenholtz. Saturday: Adler Theatre (136 East Third Street, Davenport), 8 p.m. Sunday: Augustana College’s Centennial Hall (3703 Seventh Avenue, Rock Island), 2 p.m. $6-62. For tickets and information, call (563)322-7276 or visit QCSO.org.
Saturday, February 4 – Chrash, The Velies, and Mountain Swallower. Concert with the pop, rock, and indie-folk musicians. The Redstone Room (129 Main Street, Davenport). 8 p.m. $10. For tickets and information, call (563)326-1333 or visit RiverMusicExperience.org.
Friday, February 10 – RIBCO Battle of the Bands: Round Three. Alborn Theory, Remod, and Dueling by Dawn perform 45-minute sets of original music, with the winners announced at the February 24 finals. Rock Island Brewing Company (1815 Second Avenue, Rock Island). 9 p.m. For information, call (309)793-1999 or visit RIBCO.com.
Friday, February 10 – Summer Camp on the Road. Have Your Cake, Rude Punch, Earth Ascending, The Candymakers, and The Dawn in a battle of the bands, with the winning musicians earning a paid slot at the 2017 Summer Camp Music Festival. The Redstone Room (129 Main Street, Davenport). 8:30 p.m. $10 at the door. For information, call (563)326-1333 or visit RiverMusicExperience.org.
Saturday, February 11 – Smooth Jazz Valentine’s Concert. Great Sounds Promotions presents an evening with guitarist Matt Marshak and saxophonist Jazmin Ghent. The Redstone Room (129 Main Street, Davenport). 8 p.m. $40-28. For tickets and information, call (563)326-1333 or visit RiverMusicExperience.org.
Friday, February 11 – The Ying Quartet with Billy Childs. Pianist and composer Childs performs a concert with the classical ensemble and a repertoire of Beethoven and Dvořák. Hancher Auditorium (101 East Park Road, Iowa City). 7:30 p.m. $10-40. For tickets and information, call (319)335-1160 or visit Hancher.UIowa.edu.
Sunday, February 12 – Davina & the Vagabonds. Concert with the Minnesota-based jazz and blues musicians. The Mill (120 East Burlington Street, Iowa City). 7 p.m. $12-15. For tickets and information, call (319)351-9529 or visit ICMill.com.
THEATRE
Friday, February 3, through Sunday, February 12 – Mr. Burns, a post-electric play. Anne Washburn’s and Michael Friedman’s Simpsons-themed, dark-comedy musical about a global disaster, directed by Tlaloc Rivas. University of Iowa’s E.C. Mabie Theatre (200 North Riverside Drive, Iowa City). Wednesday through Saturday 8 p.m., Sunday 2 p.m. $5-20. For tickets and information, call (319)335-1160 or visit Theatre.UIowa.edu.
Friday, February 3, and Saturday, February 4 – School of Rock. Youth production of the Tony-nominated musical comedy based on the Jack Black movie, presented by Nolte Productions. Coralville Center for the Performing Arts (1301 Fifth Street, Coralville). Friday 7:30 p.m., Saturday 2 and 6:30 p.m. $16-26. For tickets and information, call (319)248-9370 or visit CoralvilleArts.org.
Thursday, February 9, through Sunday, February 12 – 2017 10-Minute Play Festival. Twentieth-annual presentation of undergraduate playwrights’ new works. University of Iowa’s Theatre B (200 North Riverside Drive, Iowa City). Thursday through Saturday 8 p.m., Sunday 2 p.m. $5. For tickets and information, call (319)335-1160 or visit Theatre.UIowa.edu.
Friday, February 10, and Saturday, February 11 – The Vagina Monologues. Annual benefit performance of Eve Ensler's monologues for women. Augustana College's Wallenberg Hall (3520 Seventh Avenue, Rock Island). 7:30 p.m. For information, call (309)794-7306 or visit Augustana.edu.arts.
Friday, February 10, through Saturday, February 8 – Antigone. Dreamwell Theatre’s production of Mack Welkman’s Greek-tragedy adaptation, directed by Matthew Brewbaker, Adeara Jean Maurice, and Krista Neumann. Public Space One (120 North Dubuque Street, Iowa City). 7:30 p.m. $10-13. For tickets and information, call (319)423-9820 or visit Dreamwell.com.
Friday, February 10, through Sunday, February 12 – Next to Normal. The City Circle Acting Company of Coralville’s production of the Pulitzer-winning musical drama, directed by Kathryn Van Meter. Coralville Center for the Performing Arts (1301 Fifth Street, Coralville). Friday and Saturday 7:30 p.m., Sunday 2 p.m. $12-27. For tickets and information, call (319)248-9370 or visit CityCircle.org or CoralvilleArts.org.
Sunday, February 12 – Alexander Who’s Not Not Not Not Going to Move. A Theatreworks USA presentation of the family play based on Judith Viorst’s children’s book. University of Dubuque’s Heritage Center (2255 Bennett Street, Dubuque). 2 p.m. $5-15. For tickets and information, call (563)585-7469 or visit Dbq.edu/heritagecenter.
Sunday, February 12 – Electric Theatre Unplugged. Augustana College’s five-person ensemble presents a stage reaction to Eve Ensler’s The Vagina Monologues. Rozz-Tox (2108 Third Avenue, Rock Island). 8:03 p.m. Donations encouraged. For information, call (309)200-0978 or visit RozzTox.com.
Monday, February 13 - 42nd Street. Tony-winning musical-comedy classic in a Broadway at the Adler presentation. Adler Theatre (136 East Third Street, Davenport). 7:30 p.m. $38-58. For tickets, call (800)745-3000 or visit AdlerTheatre.com.
DANCE
Thursday, February 2 – iLuminate. Light and dance show with the performers from America’s Got Talent. University of Dubuque’s Heritage Center (2255 Bennett Street, Dubuque). 7:30 p.m. $8-30. For tickets and information, call (563)585-7469 or visit Dbq.edu/heritagecenter.
Sunday, February 5 – Swan Lake. An HD screening of Tchaikovsky’s dance classic performed by the Bolshoi Ballet. Rave Cinemas Davenport 53rd 18 + IMAX (3601 East 53rd Street, Davenport). 12:55 p.m. For information, call (563)441-0242 or visit FathomEvents.com or Cinemark.com.
Wednesday, February 8, and Thursday, February 9 – Soil. Dance exploration of Southeast Asian culture choreographed by performers Chey Chankethya, Waewdao Sirisook, and Nguyen Nguyen. Hancher Auditorium (101 East Park Road, Iowa City). 7:30 p.m. $10-35. For tickets and information, call (319)335-1160 or visit Hancher.UIowa.edu.
Thursday, February 9, through Sunday, February 11 – UI Dance Faculty/Graduate Concert. Presentations of choreographer Marc Macaranas' DYAD, Jesse Factor's Mommie Queerest, Jessica Anthony's Enthusiastic YES, Kwame Azalius Ross' She Was, and Armando Duarte's Variations once for sixteen, now eleven. University of Iowa's Space/Place Theatre (20 Davenport Street, Iowa City). 8 p.m. $8-14. For tickets and information, call 319-335-1160 or visit Hancher.UIowa.edu.
Friday, February 10, and Saturday, February 11 – Love Stories. Ballet Quad Cities presents dance vignettes celebrating the company's 20th anniversary, featuring Johanne Jakhelln's "Chairished" and works by L.D. Kidd, Deanna Carter, Lynn Kathryn Bowman, and Courtney Lyon. Scottish Rite Cathedral (1800 Seventh Avenue, Moline). 7:30 p.m. $15-25. For tickets and information, call (309)786-3779 or visit BalletQuadCities.com.
COMEDY
Wednesday, February 8 – Jeff Dunham: Perfectly Unbalanced. An evening with the nationally touring comedian and ventriloquist. iWireless Center (1201 River Drive, Moline). 7:30 p.m. $36.50-49.50. For tickets, call (800)745-3000 or visit iWirelessCenter.com.
Friday, February 10, and Saturday, February 11 – The Second City: We’re All in This Room Together. Improvised comedy, audience interaction, and of-the-moment sketches and songs with the touring comedians. Englert Theatre (221 East Washington Street, Iowa City). 8 p.m. $30-35. For tickets and information, call (319)688-2653 or visit Englert.org.
LITERARY ARTS
Wednesday, February 15 – SPECTRA Local Lovers Open Mic. Original poems, songs, stories, soliloquies, rants, and performance-art pieces co-presented by the Midwest Writing Center. Rozz-Tox (2108 Third Avenue, Rock Island). 8 p.m. Donations encouraged. For information, call (309)732-7330 or visit MWCQC.org.
LECTURES
Monday, February 6 – Patrisse Cullors. Presentation with the creator of the viral Twitter hashtag and movement #BlackLivesMatter. Englert Theatre (221 East Washington Street, Iowa City). 7:30 p.m. Free. For information, call (319)688-2653 or visit Englert.org.
Saturday, February 11 – Moriah the Medium. An evening with the meditation expert and author of How to be a Happy Medium, with several patrons invited to the stage for personal readings. Ohnward Fine Arts Center (1215 East Platt Street, Maquoketa). 7 p.m. $25. For tickets and information, call (563)652-9815 or visit OhnwardFineArtsCenter.com.
MOVIE
Tuesday, February 7 – Hawaii & the South Pacific. Screenings in the museum’s World Adventure Series presented by Marlin Darrah. Putnam Museum & Science Center (1717 West 12th Street, Davenport). 1 and 6 p.m. $7-8.50. For tickets and information, call (563)324-1933 or visit Putnam.org.
EXHIBITS
Saturday, February 4, through Monday, May 15 – Doc McStuffins: The Exhibit. Exhibition based on the Disney Jr. series designed to model care and compassion for kids ages two through seven, featuring hands-on activities that reinforce the importance of health and well-being. Family Museum (2900 Learning Campus Drive, Bettendorf). Monday through Thursday 9 a.m.-8 p.m., Friday and Saturday 9 a.m.-5 p.m., Sunday noon-5 p.m. Free with $4-8 admission. For information, call (563)344-4106 or visit FamilyMuseum.org.
Saturday, February 4, through Sunday, February 12 – Young Artists at the Figge: Moline Schools. Exhibit of works by student artists. Figge Art Museum (225 West Second Street, Davenport). Tuesday through Saturday 10 a.m.-5 p.m., Thursday 10 a.m.-9 p.m., Sunday noon-5 p.m. Free with $4-7 museum admission. For information, call (563)326-7804 or visit FiggeArtMuseum.org.
EVENTS
Thursday, February 2, through Sunday, February 5 – 40th Annual Quad Cities Home Builders Show. Weekend event featuring vendors, demonstrations, presentations, and more. QCCA Expo Center (2621 Fourth Avenue, Rock Island). Thursday preview 5-7 p.m., Friday noon-8 p.m., Saturday 10 a.m.-8 p.m., Sunday 10 a.m.-4 p.m. $5-8. For tickets and information, call (309)788-5912 or visit QCCAExpoCenter.com.
Friday, February 3 – 2017 Davenport Bacon & Beer Festival. Annual celebration of food and drink featuring tastings, presentations, vendors, games, and more. Davenport RiverCenter (136 East Third Street, Davenport). 6-9 p.m. $25-50. For tickets, call (800)745-3000 or visit BaconAndBeerFestivals.com/davenport-ia.
Friday, February 10, through Sunday, February 12 - Quad City Regional Auto Show. Annual weekend event featuring over 150 new cars and trucks, plus vendors, test drives, and more, and featuring the Drive FCA! experience, with show-goers entered into the 2017 FCA US National Sweepstakes for a chance to win $45,000 towards a vehicle from the Chrysler, Jeep, Dodge, Ram, FIAT and Alfa Romeo brands. Davenport RiverCenter (136 East Third Street, Davenport). Friday and Saturday 10 a.m. - 9 p.m., Sunday 10 a.m. - 5 p.m. $3-8, ages six and under free. For information and tickets, visit QuadCityAutoShow.com.
