Music

Devon Allman

Redstone Room

Friday, August 14, 8:30 p.m.

Considering the 42-year-old has spent his entire career forging his own musical path, and considering he didn't even meet the über-famous Gregg until he was 15, blues rocker Devon Allman can hardly be accused of riding his father's coattails. That said, when you hear Devin's soulful blues growl during August 14's Redstone Room concert, and witness his mad guitar skills, you'll likely concede that there's something to be said for genetics. As someone who, from his own dad, merely inherited a proclivity for inappropriate singing and the complete lack of an ass, I gotta say I'm envious.

Event

girlpARTs Fest

Schwiebert Riverfront Park

Saturday, July 11, 4-10 p.m.

Designed to raise awareness and funds for gynecologic- and ovarian-cancer education programs, the Norma Leah Ovarian Cancer Foundation's inaugural girlpARTs Fest takes place on July 11 at Rock Island's Schwiebert Riverfront Park, and the event's headliners are the alternative folk rockers of N.E.D. You could probably make a strong argument for the musicians composing our country's smartest touring ensemble. Or, in the spirit of the festival, the smARTest.

Events

Adler Theatre and i wireless Center

June through August

Just how built-for-summer are the pop icons and Rock & Roll Hall of Famers known as the Beach Boys? Well, if the band's name alone wasn't enough of a hint, the Beach Boys are so built-for-summer that, in promoting the Grammy winners' July 29 concert at Moline's i wireless Center, I could devote this entire space to their seasonally themed recordings and still have song titles to spare. "All Summer Long." "Surfin' Safari." "Catch a Wave." "Surf's Up." "The Warmth of the Sun." "Surfin' U.S.A." "Summer Means New Love." "Surfer Girl." I could go on and on, but (a) my editor says that's a cheap way to flesh out the article, and (b) that would leave no room here for the summer's other big-ticket events at the i wireless Center and Davenport's Adler Theatre.

Music

Bruce Katz

The Muddy Waters

Saturday, June 6, 8:30 p.m.

Good news, gang: Summer is fast approaching! As opposed to previous summers, however, we'll have to wait a little longer for this year's Mississippi Valley Blues Festival, the traditional Fourth-of-July-weekend event that's now a Labor-Day-weekend event.

But fret not, blues fans! The Mississippi Valley Blues Society is ready to ease your impatience with a bunch of summertime concerts held at The Muddy Waters in Bettendorf, beginning with the June 6 engagement featuring Bruce Katz. A four-time Blues Music Award nominee for Pinetop Perkins Piano Player of the Year, the pianist, organist, and bass guitarist has been described by JazzTimes magazine as "a multi-directional cat with a lot of music inside him." Much like my parents' cat, but you really don't wanna know what's inside him.