Music
Georgia Guitar Quartet
St. John's Lutheran Church
Saturday, May 2, 7 p.m.
Quad City Arts' 2008-9 Visiting Artist series wraps up with a May 2 concert by the Georgia Guitar Quartet, and because the ensemble is composed of classically trained chamber musicians, you probably already know what to expect from the group's performance: some Bach, a little Brahms, a bit of Radiohead ... .
Hailing from Athens, Georgia, the gifted musicians of the Georgia Guitar Quartet (Kyle Dawkins, Brian Smith, Phil Snyder, and Jason Solomon) first joined forces in 1996, and over the past 13 years, have all but redefined the possibilities in - and expectations of - chamber music. Their renditions of classical works have led to prestigious bookings at Los Angeles' Cerritos Center for the Performing Arts and Park City, Utah's Deer Valley Music Festival, but the group's adventurous musical output has also found them tackling jazz, bluegrass, Celtic, rock, and experimental sounds to great acclaim; Soundboard magazine raved, "The Georgia Guitar Quartet is a quite extraordinary group," and their home state's Flagpole Magazine enthused, "These four young musicians exhibit nearly flawless technique and interpretational finesse."
With four CDs to their credit, these accomplished guitarists will display their high-energy virtuosity at St. John's Lutheran Church in Rock Island, giving audiences a sampling of such diverse musical inspirations as John Cage, Béla Bartók, and even Led Zeppelin. But I beg you, if the group is taking requests on Saturday night, restrain yourselves from screaming "Stairway to Heaven!!!" It's a church, after all; that would be totally inappropriate.
St. John's is located at 4501 Seventh Avenue, admission to the Georgia Guitar Quartet's concert is free, and more information on Quad City Arts' Visiting Artist series is available at QuadCityArts.com.
Music
Tantric
Rock Island Brewing Company
Tuesday, May 5, 8 p.m.
In 2001, the post-grunge rockers of Tantric enjoyed a platinum-seller with their eponymous debut - the CD's success based, in part, on the strength of the number-one single "Breakdown." Yet in 2007, Tantric experienced a breakdown of its own after everyone but lead singer Hugo Ferreira chose to leave the group, inspiring the band's vocalist to do what anyone in his position would do: Ferreira re-formed the rock outfit with a new guitarist, a new bassist, a new drummer, and a new ... violinist?
Yet if the group's rejuvenated popularity and rave reviews are any indications, this unusual move has paid off in spades, as fans will likely discover when Tantric plays the Rock Island Brewing Company on Tuesday, May 5. With electronic violinist Marcus Ratzenboeck lending a unique spin to the impassioned rock stylings of Ferreira, guitarist Joe Pessia, bassist Erik Leonhardt, and drummer Richie Monica, Tantric's new sound has been embraced by sold-out crowds during the group's current tour, and its 2008 album The End Begins led TuneLab.com to extol the musicians' "effervescent tunes" and "razor-sharp precision."
Meanwhile, HardRockHideout.com raved that after listening to Tantric, "you will find yourself tapping your feet and playing air drums on the steering wheel." RIBCO's management, though, would like to suggest that patrons only do that while sitting in their cars. The concert may be taking place on Cinco de Mayo, but let's not get too crazy.
Tantric plays RIBCO alongside opening act Holding Mercury, and further information on the evening is available at RIBCO.com.
Exhibit
Venus Envy Quad Cities
Bucktown Center for the Arts
Saturday, May 2, 6-11 p.m.
The traditional gifts in celebration of a fourth anniversary are fruit and flowers. And with the women's-art festival Venus Envy Quad Cities celebrating its fourth anniversary, here's a sampling of the many gifts that will be offered by dozens upon dozens participants at Bucktown Center for the Arts' May 2 event:
· Visual art by more than 50 local and regional talents working in the media of oil, graphite, charcoal, beadwork, pastel, photography, fiber, jewelry, acrylic, watercolor, stoneware, printmaking, clay, ceramic, mixed-media, and pen & ink.
· Music by the acoustic folk-pop performers of Not Yet, the Slavic-oriented Zloti Village Chorus, the alt-rockers of On Distant Shores, vocalist Mona Ritemon, Polish-born musician Olenka, the drumming ensemble Heartbeat of Mother Earth, and the women's choruses Hersong, Armonia, and Big, Blonde, & Beautiful.
· Dance by the tribal-fusion troupe Eclectic Tribal Bellydance, the Caribbean-influenced Deep Global Roots, and the Middle Eastern-themed Luna Bonita.
· Literature and spoken-word offerings by mystery writer Leslie Langtry, poet Catie Osborn, author Susan Carroll, and storyteller Ella March Chase.
· And performance pieces by the musical beat poets of The Sassy Pomegranates, the interactive artisans Laura Hopkins and Lindsey Heiden, and the classical-theatre troupe the Prenzie Players, presenting scenes from their forthcoming production of The Trojan Women.
But no fruit and flowers. Sheesh. It's like they're not even trying.
For more on this year's Venus Envy Quad Cities, visit VenusEnvyQC.org.
Theatre
The Children's Hour
Playcrafters Barn Theatre
Friday, May 8 through Sunday, May 17
Since January, area theatre audiences have already had the chance to see Augustana College's The Learned Ladies, St. Ambrose University's Lettice & Lovage, Circa '21's Church Basement Ladies and Junie B. Jones, the Green Room Theatre's Doubt and Steel Magnolias, and the Riverbend Theatre Collective's Five Women Wearing the Same Dress. Is anyone else noticing a heartening theme amongst this year's stage productions?
Happily, 2009's proliferation of female-driven works continues with the Playcrafters Barn Theatre's new production of The Children's Hour, the 1934 Broadway smash that runs May 8 through 17. Set in an all-girls boarding school, Lillian Hellman's provocative drama finds careers and lives in jeopardy when a vindictive student accuses the headmistresses of having an affair; with events leading to paranoia, blackmail, and emotional torment, The Children's Hour - which originally ran in New York for more than two years - is a disturbing and still-relevant exploration of the corruptive power of lies.
Playcrafters' presentation should also offer an outstanding showcase for female talent, both on and off the stage. Area favorite Patti Flaherty directs, with her production staff including such familiar area presences as Peggy Hanske, Donna Weeks, Jennifer Kingry, and Lisa Kahn, and included in the cast are gifted local actresses Jamie Em Johnson, Barb Engstrom, Susan Perrin-Sallak, and Anna Tunnicliff.
Plus, Genesius Guild fans should take note: The Children's Hour's chief rivals are being played by Andrea Braddy and Rae Mary, which means that in addition to Hellman's chilling plot, you'll also be treated to a de facto battle between Electra and Antigone. Now that's drama!
For tickets to The Children's Hour, call (309)762-0330 or visit Playcrafters.com.
Theatre
The Graduate
Harrison Hilltop Theatre
Thursday, May 7 through Sunday, May 17
"Elaine! Ela-a-a-a-aine!!!"
"Elaine's not here, Benjamin."
"Oh. Mrs. Robinson. I didn't see you there."
"Maybe you weren't looking hard enough."
"Um. Right. I was just here to pick up Elaine. We're going to the Harrison Hilltop Theatre. They're doing The Graduate."
"They're doing who?"
"No ... uh ... they're doing a play. The Graduate. It's a comedy based on that classic movie with Dustin Hoffman and Anne Bancroft, about the guy who gets out of college and falls in love with a girl but is having an affair with ... um ... ."
"With the girl's mother."
"Yes, um ... yeah. It's being directed by Wayne Hess, and it stars James Bleecker, Erin Lounsberry, Abbie Donohoe, Jan and Greg Golz ... ."
"Sounds scrumptious. Can I come?"
"No, uh ... I'm not sure you'd like it ... it has adult situations and even a little nudity ... ."
"And why do you think I'd be turned off by adult situations and nudity?"
"Mrs. Robinson, you're trying to seduce me."
"Ha ha ha ha ha ... !"
"Aren't you?"
"Relax, Benjamin. Just be sure to bring cash or a check. No credit cards. Because there's one thing the Harrison Hilltop won't accept. Just one thing."
"Yes, ma'am?"
"Are you listening?"
"Yes, I am."
"Plastic."
The Graduate runs May 7 through 17, and tickets are available by calling (309)235-1654 or visiting HarrisonHilltop.com.
What Else Is Happenin'... ?
MUSIC
Thursday, April 30 - Tribute to the Rockabilly Legends. A tribute to Elvis Presley, Carl Perkins, Johnny Cash, Roy Orbison, Jerry Lee Lewis, and Buddy Holly, featuring Jerry Naylor, Stan Perkins, and Richie Lee. Capitol Theatre (330 West Third Street, Davenport). 7:30 p.m. $8-$25. For tickets and information, call (563)326-8820 or visit TheCapDavenport.com.
Saturday, May 2, and Sunday, May 3 - Sister Angelica. Opera@Augustana presents Puccini's one-act opera, plus selections from Verdi's Ernani, Bernstein's Candide, Copland's The Tender Land, and Gilbert & Sullivan's The Mikado. Wallenberg Hall - Denkmann Memorial Hall, Augustana College (3520 Seventh Avenue, Rock Island). Saturday 8 p.m., Sunday 2 p.m. $13-$16. For tickets and information, call (309)794-7306.
Tuesday, May 5 - The Charlie Hunter Duo. Funk guitarist/vocalist in concert with drummer Simon Lott. The Redstone Room (129 Main Street, Davenport). 9 p.m. $18. For tickets and information, call (563)326-1333 or visit RedstoneRoom.com.
Thursday, May 7 - The Rat Pack Is Back! Staged recreation of a "Summit at the Sands" show, featuring tributes to Frank Sinatra, Sammy Davis Jr., Dean Martin, and Joey Bishop. Adler Theatre (136 East Third Street, Davenport). 7:30 p.m. $29.50-$46.50. For tickets, call (800)745-3000 or visit AdlerTheatre.com.
Sunday, May 10 - Trout Fishing in America. Grammy-nominated children's-music musicians, in a concert sponsored by Hancher Auditorium. Iowa City West High School (2901 Melrose Avenue, Iowa City). 2 p.m. $12.50-$25. For tickets and information, call (319)335-1160 or visit http://www.hancher.uiowa.edu.
THEATRE
Friday, May 1, through Sunday, May 10 - Omniscience. Tim Carlson's suspenseful, futuristic drama about modern media and censorship. Potter Hall - Bergendoff Hall of Fine Arts, Augustana College (3701 Seventh Avenue, Rock Island). Fridays and Saturdays 7:30 p.m., Sundays 1:30 p.m. $8-$10. For tickets, call (309)794-7306.
ART
Friday, May 8 - Gallery Hop! A variety of music and visual- and performing-arts events in a number of galleries, shops, clubs, and restaurants. The District of Rock Island. 5-10 p.m. Free admission and shuttle. For information, call (309)788-6311 or visit RIDistrict.com.
Saturday, May 9, and Sunday, May 10 - Beaux Arts Festival. 56th-annual weekend arts fair, featuring works by artisans from seven states, children's activities, food vendors, and more. In front of the Figge Art Museum (225 West Second Street, Davenport). Saturday 10 a.m.-5 p.m., Sunday 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Free. For information, call (563)386-1724 or (563)340-7977, or visit BeauxArtsFair.com.
LITERATURE
Thursday, May 7 - Marvin Bell. Iowa poet reads from his works in the final "River Readings at Augustana" event for 2008-9. Larson Hall - Bergendoff Hall of Fine Arts, Augustana College (3701 Seventh Avenue, Rock Island). 7 p.m. Free. For information, call (309)794-7823.
MOVIES
Friday, May 8, through Thursday, October 1 - Kilimanjaro: To the Roof of Africa. A 45-minute IMAX adventure by filmmaker David Breashears, director of Everest. Putnam Museum & IMAX Theatre (1717 West 12th Street, Davenport). $6.50-$8.50. For show schedules and information, call (563)324-1933 or visit Putnam.org.
EVENT
Saturday, May 2 - Volunteers for Symphony Derby Day. Annual fundraiser for the Quad City Symphony Orchestra's youth programs, featuring horse races, raffles, and a live auction. Rock Island Arsenal Golf Club. 4 p.m. $75. To reserve, call (563)322-7276 or visit QCSymphony.com.
