Carbon Leaf
The Redstone Room
Wednesday, June 28, 8 p.m.
"Don't quit your day job" is a common rebuke to performers. I bet the members of Carbon Leaf - performing at Davenport's Redstone Room on Wednesday, June 28 - are grateful that they ignored that admonition. Described by the group's drummer, Scott Milstead, as "a 5-piece acoustic/electric/mandolin/rootsy/poppy rock band" - whew! - the Virginia natives did indeed quit their day jobs in 2002 after seven years together and, since performing full-time, have never looked back; their most recent album, Indian Summer, had Music Box Online's T.J. Simon raving, "The album delivers so many magnificent moments that it's a difficult task to put a finger on any one favorite selection." And in case you were wondering where the band's moniker originates from, Wikipedia reveals that although specifics are "murky," Carbon Leaf's Barry Privett and Terry Clark supposedly came up with the name - among several possibilities - during a rafting trip. It's definitely better than their other options: Where the Hell Are We? and Should We Be Worried That Kevin Bacon Is in the Raft Next to Us? For more information on Carbon Leaf, and future Redstone Room performers, visit (http://www.redstoneroom.com). - Mike Schulz
Rock 'n' Roll Party in the Streets
Racer's Edge
Saturday, July 1, 5 p.m.
Is anyone else ready to kiss this nutty June weather goodbye? Sunny one moment, rainy the next, with bursts of stifling humidity and that weekend that was downright cold ... . I'm so over it. Whether they meant to or not, East Moline's Racer's Edge tavern has timed its second annual summertime fiesta perfectly - what better way to ring in July, and bit adieu to our baffling June, than with a huge Rock 'n' Roll Party in the Streets? Beginning at 5 p.m. on July 1, food will be plentiful, drinks will be abundant, and Racer's Edge patrons will have license to dance outdoors to performances by Erra, Bent, Down 24, Smooth Kitty, and legendary rockers Quiet Riot. Founded more than 30 years ago - amazing as that may seem - Quiet Riot helped spark the 1980s glam-metal scene, and their American debut album, Metal Health, was the very first heavy-metal album to reach number one on Billboard's pop charts. The group has certainly endured their share of unexpected hardships over the years, but let's see how they handle the unpredictability of our area's summer weather. For more information on the street party, call Racer's Edge at (309) 755-8131. - Mike Schulz
On Golden Pond
Circa '21 Dinner Playhouse
Friday, June 30, through Saturday, September 2
We recently took on a new intern - a really nice young man named Eric - and every time I overload him with grunt work I don't want to have to do myself, I think about the same line from On Golden Pond: "What's the point of having a dwarf if he doesn't do chores?" (It probably wouldn't make Eric laugh, but I always get a kick out of it.) Beginning June 30, that line - and many other favorites from Ernest Thompson's comedy-drama - will be heard nightly at the Circa '21 Dinner Playhouse, when the theatre presents the stage version of On Golden Pond, which returned to Broadway last year in a well-received revival, and served as the basis for 1981's beloved, Oscar-winning film. Directed by Circa '21 producer Dennis Hitchcock, and starring St. Ambrose University's Michael Kennedy, the play is subtly different from the movie - it would be kinda hard to power a speedboat across the stage - but the most memorable lines remain intact: "It's me, you old poop!", "Want to dance? Or would you rather just suck face?", and, of course, "The loons! The loons!" Of course, I say that every time I hang with the Circa staff. Ha ha! I kid 'cause I love. For tickets, call the Circa '21 box office at (309) 786-2667 extension 2. - Mike Schulz
Iowa City Jazz Festival
Downtown Iowa City
Friday, June 30, through Sunday, July 2
If you have ever had the urge to swing, scat, or groove out to hip music, the Iowa City Jazz Festival, running June 30 through July 2, should be right up your alley. Ranked as one of the top jazz festivals in the nation by Downbeat magazine, this free, annual event - taking place in the heart of downtown Iowa City - brings in an estimated 25,000 jazz lovers from across the country. This year, the festival will feature the pop-oriented band Immediate Left, featuring Tim Hangans and Scott Kinsey; the stylistic vocals of the Rachael Price Quartet; and the world-famous Mingus Dynasty. The festival has a different schedule every day - not to mention groups performing on four separate stages - so be careful not to miss out on your favorite artists. On Friday night, the event will run from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m.; on Saturday, from 2 to 10 p.m.; and on Sunday, from noon to 11 p.m. For more information, visit the festival's official Web site at (http://www.summerofthearts.org). - Eric Junco
Second Annual Co-Ed Dodgeball Tournament
The Daiquiri Factory
Friday, June 30, and Saturday, July 1
Let's face it: Dodgeball is a hateful sport. The rubber balls whizzing past your face, the pressure of trying to catch the damn things, that sickly feeling when you're all alone out there and the other team is ready to kick your ass ... memories of playing in school still give me the shakes. You know what would've helped me get through the experience? A daiquiri. Apparently, I'm not alone. On June 30 and July 1, Rock Island's Daiquiri Factory hosts its second-annual Dodgeball Tournament benefiting local charities, and if you don't get your fill of entertainment watching 32 teams of masochists re-enacting childhood traumas - the competition begins Saturday at noon - there will be food, drink, and music galore. The Jimmy Buffett tribute act The Cedar Island Band performs Friday at 9 p.m., local group Sleeping on the Couch plays Saturday at 7:30 p.m., and later that night - at 10 p.m. - the Daiquiri Factory crowd will groove to Seattle rockers Candlebox, whose songs list includes "Simple Lessons," "Understanding," and the 1998 hit "Happy Pills." Hmm. Happy Pills. Those would have helped me get through dodgeball, too. For more information, visit the Daiquiri Factory on-line at (http://www.daiquirifactory.com). - Mike Schulz
