Music
The Used
Capitol Theatre
Sunday, May 24, 7:30 p.m.
Like authors, songwriters are often encouraged to "write what you know." The songs on Shallow Believer, the most recent EP by the platinum-selling rockers of The Used, boast such titles as "Sick Hearts," "Dark Days," and "Slit Your Throat." I don't know if I want to know what they know, you know?
You can't say, though, that the group has been shy about exploring its members' frequently troubled pasts. Based in the heavily Mormon community of Orem, Utah, the original musicians of The Used - including current band members Bert McCracken on lead vocals, Quinn Allman on guitar, and Jeph Howard on bass - struggled to overcome poverty, homelessness, and drug abuse, and gave their experiences musical context in 2001's deeply personal self-titled debut CD. The album's success led to two follow-up CDs, stints on the Ozzfest Tour, Vans Warped Tour, and Linkin Park's Project Revolution Tour, and more than 600 concert appearances worldwide.
Now performing with drummer Dan Whitesides, The Used will bring its alt-rock stylings to Davenport's Capitol Theatre on May 24, in a concert that finds the band playing past favorites and samplings from its summertime release, Artwork. "This record is about coming to grips with how much you really hate yourself," McCracken told Alternative Press, "and knowing you can never hate yourself to the full extent, so you're free to hate yourself as much as you want to."
The What's Happenin' pages, folks! Cheering readers up since 2007!
The Used performs the Capitol alongside opening acts Three Years Hollow and In All Its Glory, and more information is available by calling (563)326-8820 or visiting TheCapDavenport.com.
Music
Lonestar
Jumer's Casino & Hotel
Saturday, May 23, 8 p.m.
The multi-platinum-selling country band Lonestar had its breakthrough hit with 1995's top-10 single "Tequila Talkin'," and at this moment, I'm feeling a unique kinship with the group: It's the day after Cinco de Mayo, and the tequila's still talkin'.
(I'm kidding. I actually stayed in last night. But wouldn't this have been a great introduction if it were true?)
With their successful singles including such Billboard hits as "I'm Already There," "No News," "Runnin' Away with My Heart," "When Cowboys Didn't Dance," and 1999's "Amazed" - the first song to reach number one on both the country charts and the Billboard Hot 100 since Kenny Rogers' and Dolly Parton's 1983 smash "Islands in the Stream" - Lonestar has been one of country music's most established and beloved acts for nearly 20 years. But how much personal information do you know about lead vocalist Cody Collins, lead guitarist Michael Britt, percussionist Keech Rainwater, and keyboardist/harmonica player Dean Sams?
Print out this handy cheat sheet, and take it with you when Lonestar plays Jumer's Hotel & Casino on May 24, and when everyone else is shouting out song requests, impress the band by yelling, "Old School! Ye-e-eah!!!" at the top of your lungs.
| Favorite Food | Favorite TV Show | Favorite Movie | Favorite Subject in School | Favorite Pastime | |
| Michael Britt | Mexican/Chinese | The Closer | The Usual Suspects | English | Hanging with the Family |
| Cody Collins | Flounder | 24 | The Shawshank Redemption | P.E. | Boating |
| Keech Rainwater | Lobster | House | The Score | Band | Directing Films & Videos |
| Dean Sams | Steak | Anything Reality-Based | Old School | Lunch | Writing & Producing Music |
For Lonestar tickets, call the Jumer's Casino & Hotel gift shop at (309)756-4600, or visit JumersCRI.com.
Exhibit
GPS Adventures
Putnam Museum & IMAX Theatre
Saturday, May 23 through Monday, September 7
Remember the childhood game of hide-and-seek? So 20th Century.
As millions of participants can tell you, geocaching - the recreational activity that's a bit like a high-tech scavenger hunt - is a satellite-driven pastime that employs GPS technology in the service of locating hidden objects; now a global phenomenon, it's become one of the most enjoyable ways to while away a day with friends and family. (Depending on the family, of course - it's a tad infuriating that my brother and sister-in-law always always always manage to locate the hidden treasures before I do.)
If, however, you're still unacquainted with the game, and art, of geocaching, the Putnam Museum & IMAX Theatre is offering a fascinating and entertaining primer in the traveling exhibit GPS Adventures. Visitors will be given their own GPS units (or can bring in their own), and proceed to the exhibit's 2,500-square-foot maze, which - through wall panels and video screens - simulates the experience of treasure-hunting through rivers, lakes, mountains, valleys, city streets, and edifices.
Once there, you'll locate caches, solve puzzles, decipher secret codes, view educational displays, and learn all about the technological wonders of GPS technology. In short, GPS Adventures will provide an ideal introduction to this outdoor pursuit, but with one inarguable perk: no mosquitoes.
Geared toward ages six and older, GPS Adventures will be on display from May 23 to September 7, and further information on the exhibit is available by calling (563)324-1933 or visiting Putnam.org.
Comedy
Michael Winslow
Penguin's Comedy Club
Thursday, May 21 through Saturday, May 23
Known as "the man of 1,000 voices," comedian Michael Winslow - who performs Penguin's Comedy Club May 21 through 23 - is famed for his ability to create utterly realistic sound effects using only his vocal chords, and this past decade, his uncanny talents have led to guest "appearances" on such animated TV series as Robot Chicken and Family Guy.
But as anyone with a passing awareness of Steve Guttenberg's filmography can tell you, Winslow has been a celebrity, and a gifted comedic (and even dramatic) actor, since long before Stewie was a twinkle in Seth MacFarlane's eye. Of the following, which has not been one of Winslow's show-biz accomplishments?
1) Made his film debut in Cheech & Chong's Next Movie
2) Played Larvell Jones in eight Police Academy movies
3) Played a radar technician in Mel Brooks' Spaceballs
4) Voiced Mogwai and other creatures in Gremlins
5) Appeared in the film dramas Alphabet City and Grandview U.S.A.
6) Appeared in the TV series The Drew Carey Show, Baywatch Nights, and Ed
7) Headlined the standup DVD Michael Winslow Live at the Improv
8) Won $516.32 as a contestant on The Gong Show
For more information on Winslow's local appearances, call (563)324-LAFF or visit QCFreightHouse.com/PenguinsComedyClub/upcoming/php.
Answer: 2. To date, there have only been seven Police Academy movies. Who says that Hollywood runs its franchises into the ground?
Theatre
The Trojan Women
Village Theatre
Friday, May 22 through Sunday, May 31
"Hey, Stephanie!"
"Hi, Mike."
"So I'm doing a What's Happenin' piece on the new Prenzie Players show, and since you're in the cast, I thought you could verify some information for me."
"No problem."
"Excellent. First the basics. The group is producing The Trojan Women, and it's being staged at the Village of East Davenport's Village Theatre from May 22 through May 31."
"That's right."
"It's being directed by Jill Sullivan-Bennin, and featured in the cast are familiar Prenzie performers Dee Canfield, Jeremy Mahr, John Turner, Beth Woolley, Anne Javaharian, Stephanie Moeller, and yourself, Stephanie Burrough."
"Mmm-hmm."
"It's a work by the Greek playwright Euripides, and it takes place in ancient Greece, and the characters include some of the most familiar names in ancient-Greek history and mythology, including Hecuba, Cassandra, Menelaus, Helen of Troy, and the gods Athena and Poseidon."
"Correct."
"And if you had to describe the plot in a nutshell, you'd basically say that it's a lighthearted romp in which the title characters celebrate the happy end to a long struggle by opening a boutique for designer prophylactics, right?"
" ... "
"Uh ... Stephanie?"
"You don't know the first thing about Greek tragedy, do you?"
"Please don't tell anyone."
For information on The Prenzie Players' The Trojan Women, visit PrenziePlayers.com.
What Else Is Happenin'...?
MUSIC
Sunday, May 17 - Marlene Rosenberg & the WIU "Hopper" Jazztet. Jazz bassist and faculty ensemble perform as part of Polyrhythms' Third Sunday Jazz Matinée & Workshop Series. The Redstone Room (129 Main Street, Davenport). 3 p.m. all-ages workshop - $5/adults, children free; 6 p.m. concert - $10-$15. For information, call (309)373-0790 or visit Polyrhythms.org or RedstoneRoom.com.
Friday, May 22 - Hot August Nights. Barrie Cunningham in his tribute to Neil Diamond. Quad-Cities Waterfront Convention Center (2021 State Street, Bettendorf). 7 p.m. $15-$20. For tickets and information, call (800)843-4753.
Friday, May 22, through Sunday, May 24 - Summer Camp 2009 Music Festival. Featuring performances by Willie Nelson, Bassnectar, Method Man & Redman, Umphrey's McGee, Assembly of Dust, Keller Williams, Les Claypool, Chicago Farmer, and more than two dozen other bands. Three Sisters Park (Route 29, Chillicothe, Illinois). $155hree-day pass; individual ticket prices vary. For tickets and information, visit SummerCampFestival.com/2009.
THEATRE
Friday, May 22, through Sunday, May 31 - Guys & Dolls. Frank Loesser's musical-comedy classic, performed as the 16th-annual New Era Dinner Theatre production, with Jason Platt and Tracy Pelzer-Timm. Era Community Building (3455 New Era Road, Muscatine). Fridays, Saturdays, and Sunday, May 31 - 6 p.m. dinner, 7 p.m. show. $12-$21. For tickets and information, call (563)263-5255 or (563)263-0881.
DANCE
Saturday, May 16, and Sunday, May 17 - Alice in Wonderland. Lewis Carroll's classic presented by RiverPointBallet, choreographed by artistic director Susan Snider. Scottish Rite Cathedral (1800 Seventh Avenue, Moline). Saturday 2 and 7 p.m., Sunday 2:30 p.m. $7-$15. Pre-performance "A Very Mad Tea Party" Saturday 1 p.m., Sunday 1:30 p.m. $25 for party and ballet. For tickets and information, call (309)502-1081 or visit ILBalletTheatre.com.
VISUAL ART
Saturday, May 23 - Nxt Gen Art Expo. Annual pastel competition for high-school artists. Bucktown Center for the Arts (225 East Second Street, Davenport). Free. For information, call (309)737-2066 or visit BucktownArts.com.
EVENTS
Saturday, May 16 - St. Ambrose University Wine Festival. Annual fundraiser for student scholarships, featuring samplings of more than 140 wines. St. Ambrose University lawn (518 West Locust Street, Davenport). 3-6 p.m. $45. For tickets and information, call (563)333-6290 or visit http://Web.SAU.edu/WineFest/.
Monday, May 25 - Modern Woodmen Bank Quad Cities Criterium. 43rd-annual bicycle race featuring more than 600 cyclists, 13 criterium races, and eight children's races. The District of Rock Island. 8 a.m.-6 p.m. Free. For information, call (309)788-6311 or visit QuadCitiesCriterium.com.
