Treologic
The Redstone Room
Friday, October 20, 10pm
On October 20, Davenport's Redstone Room presents jazz and hip-hop performers Treologic, and when first searching for information on the group, I was immediately greeted by one of those annoyingly friendly "Did you mean ... ?" communiqués. "Did you mean: theological?" Google helpfully asked. No, Google. I did not mean "theological." "Theological" means "based upon the nature and will of God as revealed to humans." Trelogic, meanwhile, is an exciting, up-and-coming band from Chicago, whose eclectic sound - influenced by such artists as Tribe Called Quest, NWA, and Eminem - has riveted listeners both in concert and on their CDs Treologic Mix Tape, and Thank You, Lenny. That Web search also revealed that Treologic embraces gospel traditions in their music, that their live performances have been called "uplifting," and that, according to the Redstone Room's Web site (http://www.redstoneroom.com), "the philosophy of Treologic is to use a positive lyrical message with beautiful beats to ensure a feeling of euphoria ... the experience leaves people speechless and elated." Hmm. I'm pretty sure I didn't mean "theological" ... . For more information, visit the group's Web site at (http://www.treologicmusic.com). - Mike Schulz
Smooth Jazz Festival
Isle of Capri and Capitol Theatre
Friday, October 20, through Saturday, October 21
"Come on, babe, we're gonna paint the town ... and all that jazz ... ." So goes the first lyric heard in the musical Chicago. But we're the Quad Cities. We have four (maybe five) towns to Chicago's one. So when it comes to all that jazz - specifically, the Quad Cities Smooth Jazz Festival on October 20 and 21 - we're not just gonna paint one town ... we're gonna paint two! On Friday night, this debuting area event begins in the Grand Ballroom of Bettendorf's Isle of Capri, with jazz saxophonist Kim Waters playing sultry ballads, soulful R&B grooves, and funky dance tracks; Waters has recorded 10 number-one hits and 13 chart-topping albums. Then, on Saturday, the fest continues at Davenport's Capitol Theatre, with performances by Grammy nominee Najee, who has two platinum and four gold records to his name; the Urban Jazz Coalition, who have amassed 750 public performances over the past nine years; and guitarist Joyce Cooling, whose love of jazz began at a young age - "As a kid," she has said, "I just had to play music ... . No, I wasn't a cheerleader in high school." Yeah, looking at that photo, I can't imagine why anyone would make that assumption ... . For more information on the Smooth Jazz Festival's lineup, visit (http://www.smoothjazzseries.com). -Mike Schulz
John de Graaf
Wednesday, October 18, through Saturday, October 21
Author and independent filmmaker John de Graaf - an expert on issues of over-work and over-consumption in America - will be in the area October 18 through 21 as part of Quad City Arts' Literary Arts Residency program, and while here, the organization has him giving presentations all over the place: On Wednesday at 6 p.m., de Graaf appears at St. Ambrose University's O'Keefe Library for an interactive lecture titled "Documentary Filmmaking." On Thursday at 7 p.m., he's at Davenport's Genesis Heart Institute for one called "Take Back Your Time." On Friday at 2 p.m., the Moline Public Library hosts de Graaf's lecture "Affluenza: The All-Consuming Epidemic" (the title of the 2001 best-seller de Graaf co-authored). And at 7 p.m. on Saturday, Quad City Arts apparently decided "Enough with the lecturing already!" and is instead screening de Graaf's new documentary On Nature's Terms - which promotes the protection of predators and their ecosystems - at the Putnam Museum & IMAX Theatre. But don't think de Graaf's quite off the hook that night, as he'll engage in a Q&A and filmmaker discussion right after the screening. An expert on over-work, indeed. For more information, visit (http://www.quadcityarts.com). - Mike Schulz
Gallagher
Penguin's Comedy Club
Friday, October 20, and Saturday, October 21
"If you were a watermelon, would you smash yourself?" If you happened to be an iconic '80s comedian - and a David Crosby look-alike - then the answer is "Hell, yes!" Legendary comedian Leo Gallagher will be performing on Friday and Saturday, October 20 and 21, at the Penguin's Comedy Club. Best known for his destructive performances, Gallagher has probably ruined more shirts than ketchup and mustard combined. While competing against foul-mouthed comedic heavyweights such as Eddie Murphy and Andrew Dice Clay in the '80s, Gallagher made his mark with a different type of extreme humor: smashing crap with a large wooden mallet! With dozens of Comedy Central and Showtime specials under his belt, Gallagher's performances are typically packed with hilarious observations, social commentary, crazy stage props, and, yes, his signature "Sledge-O-Matic." And although the shows were originally scheduled without, the Hammer of Rage is back by popular demand. So bring a raincoat or an umbrella. For more information, visit (http://www.penguinscomedyclub.com). - Brad Vidmar
Michael Chabon
University of Iowa
Wednesday, October 18, 8pm
If you haven't yet read Michael Chabon's Pulitzer Prize-winning The Amazing Adventures of Kavalier & Clay - an epic novel of art, political resistance, and friendship as experienced by two comic-book writers in the 1930s - you are instructed to do so immediately. I'm serious. Put down the paper, find a copy, and read it. Welcome back. Isn't Chabon great? Wanna tell him how great he is in person? Visit the University of Iowa on October 18, where the visiting Iowa Writers' Workshop professor presents the annual Ida Beam lecture at the John Pappajohn Business Building. While congratulating Chabon on Kavalier & Clay, feel free to mention his other impressive credits, including the best-selling Wonder Boys, and Spider-Man 2, for which he wrote the screen story. And when you begin your introduction with "Mr. Chabon, I'm a huge fan ... ," be sure you pronounce his name correctly, as the author himself has said, "It's 'Cha' as in 'Shea stadium,' 'bon' as in 'Jovi." Or: "Cha" as in "Shame you're not a household name quite yet," "bon" as in "Bond himself isn't as cool as you." I know that's lame, but give me a break - there's no Pulitzer on my mantle. Chabon will speak at 8 p.m., and more information on his Iowa visit is available at (http://www.uiowa.edu/artsiowa). - Mike Schulz
