Exhibit
34th Annual Rock Island Fine Arts Exhibition
Augustana College Art Museum
Wednesday, April 7 through Sunday, May 2
If you visit the Augustana College Art Museum between April 7 and May 2, one of the exhibited pieces you'll see is a work by Macomb artist Jan Clough - created with pencils and the opaque-watercolor medium of gouache - titled "Kaleidoscope." Of course, with 70 art works by 66 artists on display, the whole darned exhibit could've been titled "Kaleidoscope."
Instead, the co-sponsors from the Rock Island Art Guild and Augie's Centennial Hall museum have stuck with tradition and called it the 34th Annual Rock Island Fine Arts Exhibition, this year's showcase of the finest in visual art from many of the Midwest's finest visual artists. With Lisa Tremper Hanover, director of the Philip & Muriel Berman Museum of Art, serving as the 2010 juror, the displayed works collectively embrace nearly every artistic medium under the sun - oil, pastel, lithograph, fiber, acrylic, clay, wood, collage, graphite, mixed media, ceramic, and more - and feature the latest creative accomplishments by some of the Quad Cities' most noted names. Among this year's exhibitors are artisans who, if you frequent area galleries, you'll no doubt be acquainted with: Jerri Crabtree-Frisk, Mimzi Haut, Heidi Hernandez, Raphael Iaccarino, Brent Langley, Rick Lodmell, Pamela Ohnemus, Kristin Quinn, Steve Sinner, Corrine Smith, Bruce Walters, and numerous others. But one of the great thrills of the annual exhibit is that it also lets art lovers familiarize themselves with the works of so many area talents. So during your visit, be sure to check out such acclaimed pieces as Brett Eberhardt's Decisions, Peter Xiao's Argument, Kathleen Van Hyfte's Mortification, and Louis F. Mustari's Nude Leaning on Pillow - works that, taken together, effectively describe our Reader staff meetings. I'd explain the inclusion of that last one, but my publisher, Todd, hates it when I mention him in these things ... . The opening reception for the 34th Annual Rock Island Fine Arts Exhibition will be held at the Augustana College Art Museum on Friday, April 9, at 4:30 p.m. - with the annual awards presentation beginning at 5:40 p.m. - and information on the exhibit is available by calling (309)794-7231 or visiting Augustana.edu/artmuseum. Rent Harrison Hilltop Theatre Thursday, April 8 through Saturday, May 1 The latest presentation at Davenport's Harrison Hilltop Theatre is the smash-hit musical Rent, tickets for which can be reserved by calling (563)449-6371 or visiting HarrisonHilltop.com. A celebrated rock opera based on Giacomo Puccini's operatic masterpiece La Bohème, Rent concerns a group of struggling youths in New York City's Lower East Side, and features a batch of songs that have become modern-day classics, including "La Vie Bohème," "I'll Cover You," "Take Me or Leave Me," and the haunting anthem "Seasons of Love." Opening on Broadway on April 29, 1996, and closing on September 7, 2008, the musical ran for a staggering 5,124 performances, making it the eighth-longest-running show in the history of the Great White Way. Composer Jonathan Larson, who passed away the night before the production's off-Broadway premiere, was the posthumous recipient of the Pulitzer Prize and a pair of Tony Awards for his creation, and the show also won 1996 Tonys for Best Musical and Best Featured Actor. Directed by Matthew Helton, Harrison Hilltop's Rent showcases a cast featuring venue co-founders Tristan Tapscott and Reader employee Chris Walljasper; Steve Lasiter (who portrayed Frank 'N' Furter in the Hilltop's Rocky Horror Show); familiar Circa '21 performers Joseph J. Baez, Jennifer Stone, and Rodney Swain; and frequent area actors James Bleecker, Tracy Pelzer-Timm, Abbey Donohoe, and Sara King. And I'm betting that nearly every single one of you stopped reading this piece after the first sentence. Daytrotter Presents: The Low Anthem, Dark Dark Dark, and The Morning Benders Huckleberry's Great Pizza and Rock Island Brewing Company Monday, April 5; Saturday, April 10; and Sunday, April 11 By now, it's doubtful that any music lover needs to be told of the significant contributions of Daytrotter, Sean Moeller's Rock Island-based outfit that has been covered in Rolling Stone, Wired, and The New York Times; that frequently hosts local concerts with up-and-coming artists; and that has recorded live, downloadable sessions with numerous musical legends (including Spoon, Aimee Mann, Carly Simon, and Kris Kristofferson) and dozens upon dozens of independent artists (among them The Redwalls, White Rabbits, and Dirty Projectors). But seriously, even for Daytrotter, the next couple of weeks are kind of ridiculous, as Moeller has booked no less than three sensational headliners for area gigs between April 5 and 11. Based in Berkeley, California, the baroque-pop musicians of The Morning Benders released their acclaimed debut CD Talking Through Tin Cans in 2008, and have subsequently toured with the likes of Ra Ra Riot, Grizzly Bear, and Death Cab for Cutie. And Dark Dark Dark, a gathering of chamber-folk musicians from New York City, New Orleans, and Minneapolis, debuted with 2008's The Snow Magic and was described by the U.K.'s The Guardian - and this is a compliment - as sounding like "an eastern European jazz band on powerful downers." You may not be familiar with the bands now, but if Daytrotter has anything to say about it, you (and scores of other music fans) soon will be. In the meantime, extensive information on each group - including smart, thoughtful essays written by Moeller himself - can be found on the Daytrotter Web site. And for those who might already be acquainted with the bands' discographies, try matching the following songs with their artists; assign three titles per group, and ignore the one that I made up out of whole cloth. 1) "Home I'll Never Be" 2) "A Cloud Story" 3) "Ashes" 4) "Wasted" 5) "The Ballad of the Broken Bones" 6) "Waiting for a War" 7) "Dig a Grave" 8) "Damnit" 9) "This God Damn House" 10) "Cuddly Bunnies & Kitties" A) Dark Dark Dark B) The Low Anthem C) The Morning Benders Dark Dark Dark performs at Huckleberry's at 7 p.m. on Saturday, April 10. The Morning Benders - appearing with opening act Miniature Tigers - plays Huckleberry's at 7 p.m. on Sunday, April 11. And information on all three concerts, plus forthcoming gigs in the Daytrotter lineup, is available by e-mailing support@daytrotter.com or visiting Daytrotter.com. Answers: 1 - B, 2 - A, 3 - A, 4 - C, 5 - B, 6 - C, 7 - A, 8 - C, 9 - B. Number 10, "Cuddly Bunnies & Kitties," is the made-up title. Surprise! Monday Night Raw i wireless Center Monday, April 5, 7:15 p.m. "Jeff! I am outraged!" "What is it now, Mike?" "I just saw the proof for my What's Happenin' piece on Monday Night Raw at the i wireless Center, and I refuse to let you run it!" "Why? It's just fine. You included all the necessary information - that it's being sponsored by World Wrestling Entertainment, that it's taking place at 7:15 p.m. on April 5, that it's going to be a live, televised event ... ." "Yeah, but ... !" "You mention that ticket prices range from $15 to $65, you list quite a few of the wrestling superstars scheduled to appear - Randy Orton, Shawn Michaels, Triple H, Mark Henry, Chavo Guerrero, The Big Show, Kofi Kingston ... ." "I know, but ... !" "And you highlight the evening's main event, a battle royale between WWE legends Batista and John Cena. What's the problem?" "Cena's the problem! Have you seen that picture that's accompanying the piece? Our graphic designers borrowed a photo of me and then superimposed John Cena's face onto my torso! I can't believe it! I want them fired!!!" "My God, Mike, it must be nice to live in your world ... ." For more information on the Moline venue's Monday Night Raw event, call (309)764-2000 or visit iwirelessCenter.com. What Else Is Happenin'... ? MUSIC Friday, April 2 - The Cowsills. Concert with the pop performers and inspirations for TV's The Partridge Family. Quad-Cities Waterfront Convention Center (1777 Isle Parkway, Bettendorf).7:30 p.m. $10-$15. For information and tickets, call (800)843-4753 or visit Bettendorf.IsleOfCapriCasinos.com. Friday, April 9 - Pat Willis CD Release Show. Former member of Burt McMelba Toast performing from his Mission: Wolf CD. Mojo's Coffee House at the River Music Experience (131 West Second Street, Davenport). 7 p.m. Donations accepted. For information, call (877)326-1333 or visit RiverMusicExperience.org. Friday, April 9 - Lorrie Morgan. Chart-topping country singer of "Five Minutes," "What Part of No," and "I Didn't Know My Own Strength." Quad-Cities Waterfront Convention Center (1777 Isle Parkway, Bettendorf).7:30 p.m. $25-$45. For information and tickets, call (800)843-4753 or visit Bettendorf.IsleOfCapriCasinos.com. Saturday, April 10 - Interpreti Veneziani. The internationally-acclaimed chamber orchestra, in a presentation in the Hancher Auditorium Fine Arts Series. St. Mary's Catholic Church (228 East Jefferson Street, Iowa City). 7:30 p.m. $10-$38. For tickets and information, call (319)335-1160 or visit http://www.Hancher.UIowa.edu. Saturday, April 10 - Keb' Mo'. Grammy Award-winning blues singer/songwriter in concert. Riverside Casino & Golf Resort (3184 Highway 22, Riverside). 8 p.m. $30-$40. For tickets and information, call (319)648-1234 or visit RiversideCasinoAndResort.com. Saturday, April 10, and Sunday, April 11 - Quad City Symphony Orchestra. The sixth Masterworks concerts of the season, featuring Copland's Appalachian Spring, Tchaikovsky's Piano Concerto, and Stravinsky's Firebird Suite. With conductor Mark Russell Smith and guest artist Norman Krieger on piano. 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. $10-$50. For tickets and information, call (563)322-7276 or visit QCSymphony.com. Sunday, April 11 - Bettendorf Park Band. The organization's first concert of the spring/summer season. Goettsch Community Center (2004 Grant Street, Bettendorf). 3 p.m. Free; donations accepted. For information, call Pat Wohlford at (563)332-5190 or visit Bettendorf.org. Sunday, April 11 - Chick Corea. Concert showcasing one of the 20th Century's most prolific and gifted composers. Englert Theatre (221 East Washington Street, Iowa City). 7:30 p.m. $39-$49. For tickets and information, call (319)688-2653 or visit Englert.org. Tuesday, April 13 - Loud & Rich. Concert performance with award-winning music icons Loudon Wainwright and Richard Thompson. Englert Theatre (221 East Washington Street, Iowa City). 8 p.m. $35. For tickets and information, call (319)688-2653 or visit Englert.org. Wednesday, April 14 - Fernando Jones. Noted musician and educator in a concert presented by the Mississippi Valley Blues Society. Mojo's Coffee House at the River Music Experience (130 West Second Street, Davenport). 7 p.m. Free admissions; donations accepted. For information, call (877)326-1333 or visit RiverMusicExperience.org. THEATRE Thursday, April 8 through Saturday, April 17 - Jake's Women. Tony Award-nominated Neil Simon comedy, directed by Steve Flanigin. Scott Community College's Student Life Center - through Door 5 (500 Belmont Road, Bettendorf). Thursday through Saturday - 7 p.m. $7 at the door. For information, e-mail sflanigin@eicc.edu. Wednesday, April 14 - Farmscapes. Visiting author John Price and local celebrities read a new work directed by Iowa Poet Laureate Mary Swander, based on interviews with farmers conducted by students at Iowa State University. Bettendorf Public Library (2950 Learning Campus, Bettendorf). 7 p.m. Free. For information, call (563)344-5706 or visit BettendorfLibrary.com. MOVIES Tuesday, April 6 - Sahel: A West African Journey. A presentation in the museum's "World Adventure Series," featuring post-show discussions with filmmakers. Putnam Museim & IMAX Theatre (1717 West 12th Street, Davenport). 1, 4, and 7 p.m. $4-$6. For information and tickets, call (563)324-1933 or visit Putnam.org. LECTURES Wednesdy, April 7 - Dr. Kerry Trask. A presentation of the lecture "Black Hawk: The Battle for the Heart of America, Exploring the Man, His Influence, and His Continuing Legacy." Augustana College's Wallenberg Hall (3701 Seventh Avenue, Rock Island). 7:30 p.m. Free. For information, call (309)794-7823. Tuesday, April 13 - Mary Robinson. A presentation in the Eastern Iowa Community College District's "Viewpoint Distinguished Speakers Series." featuring the first female president of Ireland and the first woman to chair the United Nations Commission for Human Rights. Adler Theatre (136 East Third Street, Davenport). 7:30 p.m. $34-$38. For tickets, call (800)745-3000 or visit AdlerTheatre.com. EXHIBIT Saturday, April 3 through Sunday, June 13 - Art Survives: Expressions from the Holocaust. Art exhibit by Hilary Helstein, presented in partnership with the Jewish Federation of the Quad Cities, featuring works by Holocaust survivors Samuel Bak, Alfred Benjamin, Alfred Kantor, Judith Goldstein, Dina Gottliebova Babbitt, Ela Weissberger, and Karl Stojka. Figge Art Museum (225 West Second Street, Davenport). Tuesdays through Saturdays 10 a.m. - 5 p.m., Sundays noon - 5 p.m., Thursdays 10 a.m. - 9 p.m. Free with $4-$7 museum admission. For information, call (563)326-7804 or visit FiggeArtMuseum.org. 
Theatre
Music
The American folk-rockers of The Low Anthem - formed in Providence, Rhode Island, in 2006 - have played such national festivals as Bonnaroo and Lollapalooza, and performed their single "Oh My God, Charlie Darwin" on The Late Show with David Letterman.
The Low Anthem - performing with openers Nathaniel Rateliff, Mac Lethal, and Jason Collett - plays the Rock Island Brewing Company at 6 p.m. on Monday, April 5.
Event
