Whodunit... the MusicalTheatre

Whodunit ... the Musical

Circa '21 Dinner Playhouse

Thursday, May 27, through Saturday, July 10

 

Making its regional debut at the Circa '21 Dinner Playhouse, the mystery farce Whodunit ... the Musical takes place in a Connecticut mansion in the summer of 1931, and finds a wealthy spinster, her young niece, her niece's secret beau, a Cockney maid, and an eccentric butler as the primary suspects in a murder investigation. Yet considering who's been cast in director Dennis Hitchcock's song-and-dance spoof, the bigger question than "Whodunit?" might very well be "Who's gonna steal it?" (The show, that is.)

Will it be Tom Walljasper, the Circa '21 performer who previously committed grand larceny in the theatre's productions of Peter Pan, Don't Dress for Dinner, and The Wizard of Oz? Or maybe the criminally appealing Elizabeth Miller, Walljasper's recent co-star in Church Basement Ladies 2: A Second Helping and Joseph & the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat?

Perhaps it'll be Autumn O'Ryan, who's been known to swipe a scene -- or several -- in such Circa '21 presentations as The Full Monty, Oklahoma!, and Irving Berlin's White Christmas. Or possibly returning performer Carrie Sa Loutos, who knocked audiences dead with her dynamic vocals and comic timing in last fall's Mid-Life! The Crisis Musical.

It's entirely conceivable that the thief will be Harrison Hilltop Theatre co-founder Tristan Tapscott, whose recent Rent made a killing, and whose talents have slain Circa '21 crowds in such productions as Are We There Yet? and Buddy: The Buddy Holly Story. And let's not discount the possibility that the ultimate show-stealer will be Whodunit's sixth and final cast member, Frank McClain, the debuting Circa '21 actor about whom I know absolutely nothing.

As for who Whodunit's murderer might be, I haven't the foggiest. But there might be an easy way to figure it out, since one of the songs is titled "It's Harder to Move a Body Than You Think" -- just check the program for which character sings that number, and you can safely assume that he or she is the killer.

Unless that song is performed by someone, you know, who's just moving the body. Or by the detective. Or by the corpse.

I'm not being at all helpful, am I?

In any event, Whodunit runs at Circa '21 through July 10, and tickets are available by calling (309)786-7733 extension 2, or visiting Circa21.com.

 

 

Gerry Eskin's Moab #9, 2007Exhibits

10 Years: The Brand Boeshaar Scholarship Program and Scale: Ceramic Forms & Photographic Landscapes

Figge Art Museum

May through August

 

Let's talk about Art.

No, not the Curtainbox Theatre Company production of Art that I'll soon be appearing in at the Village of East Davenport's Village Theatre. I do, however, appreciate your interest.

I'm talking about the capital-A Art to be found in two new exhibitions at the Figge Art Museum: 10 Years: The Brand Boeshaar Scholarship Program, on display from May 29 through August 15, and Scale: Ceramic Forms & Photographic Landscapes, viewable from June 5 through August 29.

A celebration of rising stars in the visual-arts scene, 10 Years recognizes the accomplishments of 11 recipients of the prestigious, $12,000 Brand Boeshaar Scholarships, which Davenport resident Lillian L. Brand established in memory of her late art-student nephew, William. Working in such media as oils, watercolors, ceramics, and photography, the featured artists -- Brian Buckles, Emily Carlin, Felicia Feldman, Andrew C. Flick, Chris Francis, Tara M. Lange, Jess Lowenberg, Laura Martinez, Alex McClanahan, Ayla Rexroth, and Eric Wolever -- will offer museum visitors a stunning range of styles and moods, in an exhibit highlighting the successes of those who, as is stated on the Figge's Web site, "are fulfilling their career dreams of working in art-related fields."

Scale, meanwhile, will display the works of Gerry Eskin, whose artist's statement can effectively be boiled down to three words: "Big is best." Showcasing his talents in two separate media, the exhibition will feature Eskin's large-scale panoramic prints of landscape imagery -- including the piece in the accompanying photo, 2007's Moab #9 - and the artist's monumentally scaled ceramics, which, again from the Figge's Web site, "include massive platters painted with geometric designs inspired by ancient Anasazi pottery, towering columnar forms, and massive anthropomorphic vessels whose shape is informed by Middle Eastern sarcophagi." Which is exactly how I describe my own shape on Internet dating sites. I can't imagine why I'm not getting more calls.

For more information on both of the Figge's new exhibits and the rest of the museum's summer programming, call (563)326-7804 or visit FiggeArt.org.

 

 

The Village PeopleMusic and Dance

Puddle of Mudd; Ballroom with the Quad Cities Celebrities; The Village People

The Capitol Theatre

Friday, May 28; Friday, June 4; Saturday, June 5

 

As someone who's enjoyed a number of stage events at Davenport's Capitol Theatre, I have to say that the thought of the venue's imminent closing is heartbreaking. But it feels particularly so in these final weeks, especially given the wonderfully eclectic entertainment lineup scheduled between May 28 and June 5.

Yet instead of being maudlin about this, what say we instead get psyched about what the Capitol still has to offer!

On May 28, the theatre will be filled with the post-grunge exhilaration of Puddle of Mudd, the Missouri-based rockers whose albums have thus far sold more than 7 million copies, and whose singles include five -- "Blurry," "Drift & Die," "She Hates Me," "Away from Me," and "Psycho" -- that reached number one on U.S. mainstream-rock charts. Appearing with the opening musicians of Shaman's Harvest, Puddle of Mudd will perform both classics from the band's Come Clean era, and recent hits from the group's December release, Volume 4: Songs in the Key of Love & Hate.

June 4 will find those on the Capitol stage dancing the night away in 2010's Ballroom with the Quad Cities Celebrities event, the annual fundraiser for Gilda's Club of the Quad Cities. Among the scheduled hoofers are reigning Miss Iowa Katherine Conners, 2009 Miss Illinois Erin O'Connor, and American Pickers star and performance artist Danielle Colby-Cushman -- whose popular local stage troupe Burlesque Le' Moustache, it should be noted, made its area debut at the Capitol earlier this year.

June 5, meanwhile, brings with it the opening-night performance in the annual GLBT celebration that is QC Pride Fest, and let's be honest, could there have possibly been a smarter, more enjoyable booking choice than the Village People? In concert with openers the Aphrodisiacs, this legendary '70s dance band will perform such unforgettable hits as "In the Navy," "Macho Man," and "Go West," and you may as well gets your arms limber now for what is sure to be a wildly raucous "YMCA" sing-along.

So thank you, Capitol Theatre, for adding what will no doubt be wonderful new performance memories to those amassed over the last two-and-a-half years. And while the venue may be closing, it's important to remember the immortal words of the Village People, "You can't stop the music. Nobody can stop the music." Okay, so it's not the most profound sentiment in the world, but damn is it catchy!

For more information on these Capitol Theatre's events, call (563)326-8820 or visit TheCapDavenport.com.

 

 

The EaglesMusic

Spring Pops: The Music of the Eagles

Adler Theatre

Saturday, June 5, 7:30 p.m.

 

"Mike, I have to ask you to re-do your What's Happenin' article on the June 5 Spring Pops concert at the Adler Theatre."

"What are you talking about, Jeff? I was so enthusiastic in that piece!"

"A little too enthusiastic, actually ... ."

"But, Jeff, it's a huge event! I mean, of course, it's an event every time the Quad City Symphony Orchestra performs. But just like last May, when the orchestra performed the music of Led Zeppelin alongside a full rock band, this year's Spring Pops finds the musicians and their guests saluting another set of musical legends -- The Eagles!"

"Yes, Mike, I'm aware of that ... ."

"The event was created by conductor and arranger Brent Havens, and features singers Terry Brock, Randy Jackson, and John Hines re-creating the famed Eagles sound, and it's sure to be an incredible classical-rock experience, considering just how many amazing songs The Eagles recorded over the years!"

"I know, Mike, and 20 of those songs are the problem with your piece."

"What are you talking about?"

"It ends with this sentence: 'So if you're looking to take it easy with the new kid in town and the girl from yesterday, take it to the limit with the witchy woman from Seven Bridges Road, or learn to be still and enjoy a peaceful easy feeling -- and maybe a tequila sunrise -- while you're busy being fabulous at the Hotel California, reserve one of these nights for the Spring Pops concert; I can't tell you why, but in the long run, there'll be no more cloudy days or heartache tonight, and no matter how long you live life in the fast lane, you'll get over it and realize that love will keep us alive.'"

"So you think that closer is too long?"

"I think that closer is too stupid."

 

For more information on the Quad City Symphony Orchestra concert Spring Pops: The Music of the Eagles, call (563)322-0931 or visit QCSymphony.com.

 

 

Dr. Roald TweetEvents

River Action Channel Cat Talks & Riverine Walks

June through August

 

"You can talk the talk," goes the old expression, "but can you walk the walk?" If you take part in this summer's educational programs hosted by River Action, you'll finally have a snappy comeback to that query: "Hell'z yeah I can!" Beginning June 1 and running through August 28, the Davenport not-for-profit will again offer its annual series of Channel Cat Talks and Riverine Walks, allowing you the chance to enjoy discussions about, lectures on, and first-person observation of noteworthy sites and environmental issues significant to the Quad Cities and surrounding regions. Taking place on Wednesdays at 6:30 p.m. and Saturdays at 9 a.m., the 90-minute Riverine Walks will, over 13 weeks, bring participants to such locales as Nahant Marsh, Sylvan Island, the Rock Island Hydropower Plant, and even the Modern Woodmen baseball park for discussions with, among others, historian Karen Anderson, Augustana College professors Norm Moline and Ruben Heine, and radio host Roald Tweet. And on Tuesdays and Thursdays at 9 a.m., River Action's Channel Cat Talks -- held aboard the Channel Cat water taxi near Moline's Celebration Belle Landing -- will find such speakers as engineer Bill Gretten, geographer Curt Roseman, and storyteller Dale Whiteside sharing their thoughts on subjects ranging from "Yikes! What Are Asian Carp?" to "Historic Bridges of the Quad Cities" to "A Tale of Two Parks." That last one, by the by, should be informative like the Dickens. Riverine Walks are $5 each, Channel Cat Talks are $12 per session, and more information on River Action's summer programming is available at (563)322-2969 or RiverAction.org.

 

 

Cecil MurpheyLiterature

David R. Collins 2010 Writers' Conference

St. Ambrose University

Wednesday, June 23, through Friday, June 25

 

Every year, the Midwest Writing Center hosts its David R. Collins Writers' Conference at St. Ambrose University, a three-day series of summertime workshops and seminars designed to aid professional and beginning authors in their quests for artistic success. And every year, the center steadfastly refuses to invite me to speak at the event. So, just to prove that I don't hold a grudge, here's a sampling of what attendees at this year's conference -- being held June 23 through 25 -- can look forward to: Best-selling author Cecil Murphey, offering 40 tips on how your prose can morph "From Ordinary to Outstanding"; Eric Butterman, explaining how to get cash for your output in "The Freelancing Payoff"; Roald Tweet, with the necessary rules of the "Road to Nonfiction"; Steve Semken, guiding future professionals through "The Publishing Process"; Emma Rainey, assisting aspiring journalists with her "Introduction to Nonfiction Feature Writing"; and Stephen French, outlining the steps involved in "Writing Poems that Stir the Senses." In French's honor, here's a little haiku that I've been working on for several hours: "Wanna learn to write? / Sign up for these June courses. / You'll learn real nice-like." Hmm. I'm starting to see why I never get invited to speak at this thing ... . Other events over the three days include open readings with conference faculty members, manuscript pitch sessions with Semken, and a luncheon with keynote speaker Murphey, and more details on the David R. Collins 2010 Writers' Conference are available by calling (563)324-1410 or visiting MidwestWritingCenter.org.

 

 

Ruthie FosterMusic

IH Mississippi Valley Blues Festival

LeClaire Park

Friday, July 2, through Sunday, July 4

 

The Fourth of July weekend is, of course, our nation's annual celebration of the red, white, and blue. But guess which color is going to get the lion's share of attention at LeClaire Park? That's right: Blues are the hues when the Davenport locale plays host to the 26th Annual IH Mississippi Valley Blues Festival, with performances by more than two dozen local and national soloists and ensembles scheduled between July 2 and July 4. LeClaire Park's bandshell stage will showcase smokin' sets by (in order of appearance) the Kinsey Report, Mud Morganfield, Bernard Allison, Lil' Ed & the Blues Imperials, Ana Popovic, Zac Harmon, Vasti Jackson, the Quad City Symphony Orchestra, Rosie Ledet & the Zydeco Playboys, the Jimmys, Shawn Kellerman, Lucky Peterson, and the legendary Rhythm & Blues Revue. And on the park's tent stage, you'll be witness to the thrilling blues stylings of Little Pink Anderson, Caroline Shines, Lurrie Bell, Shirley King, Little Brother Jones, Olga Wilhelmie, Cody Dickerson, Little Joe McLerran, Ruthie Foster, Billy Branch & the Sons of Blues, Bill Sims Jr., Mark LaVoie, Dave Riley, Bob Corritore, the David Boykin Expanse, Kim Massie, and the Nighthwaks with Hubert Sumlin. Adding free music workshops and the annual BlueSKool children's activities, the weekend is a veritable explosion of blues excitement, and we at the Reader hope this year's talents enjoy an outstanding holiday weekend. Or, in the immortal words of Homer Simpson, "Go ahead and play the blues if it makes you happy!" For more information on this year's IH Mississippi Valley Blues Festival, call (563)322-5837 or visit MVBS.org.

 

Exhibit

Pioneers of Quad City Aviation

Quad City International Airport

Through June 30

The photography exhibit on view at the Quad City International Airport through the end of June showcases much of the history of aviation in Moline. Mining the historical archives from the Quad City International Airport, many of the photos were sourced from the photographic journals of two local aviation pioneers: Pat Miller and Gabe Mosenfelder. Quad City Arts volunteer curator Chris Rayburn reproduced the selected images for purposes of mixing art, history, and aviation in an engaging and dynamic visual presentation within one of this area's top presentation galleries. Events memorialized include the Spirit of St. Louis, Charles Lindberg, Amelia Earhart, the Graf Zeppelin, and the art-noveau terminal building of the 1960s. The airport photo exhibit is part of a Quad Cities-wide joint presentation called "Take Flight: Aviation Adventure!" The promotion includes the IMAX movie Legends of Flight 3D, a Putnam aviation exhibit featuring a flight simulator, the history of the Davenport Aviation School, and home-built airplane demos, as well as the Quad City Air Show (June 26-27). More information is available at QCAirport.com, or visit YouTube.com/QCAToday to watch a video tour of the exhibit with curator Rayburn. -- Todd McGreevy

 

Cynthia Sayer & Sparks Fly

Music

Bix Beiderbecke Memorial Jazz Festival

Downtown Davenport

Thursday, July 22, through Sunday, July 25

 

Davenport native Bix Beiderbecke, as almost no Quad Citian needs to be told, was one of the most celebrated and influential jazz cornetists the genre has ever known. But it appears he was also a man of few words, or at least few that have survived into the 21st Century; after a relatively thorough online hunt for notable Beiderbecke quotes, I only found one, and it's not even a quote so much as part of a conversation: "One of the things I like about jazz, kid, is I don't know what's going to happen next. Do you?" What the musical master lacked in verbosity, though, he clearly made up for in talent, and talent certainly won't be in short supply at this summer's annual Bix Beiderbecke Memorial Jazz Festival, taking place at area venues throughout Davenport from July 22 through 25. Two gifted local ensembles -- Josh Duffee & His Orchestra and the young musicians of the Bix Beiderbecke Youth Jazz Band -- are among the performers scheduled for sets at LeClaire Park, the Clarion Hotel, the Col Ballroom, and the Capitol Theatre, and joining them will be the nationally-recognized artists of Andy Schum & His Gang with Vince Giordano, the Ballyhoo Foxtrot Orchestra, the Buffalo Ridge Jazz Band, Cynthia Sayer & Sparks Fly with Randy Sandke, the Firecracker Jazz Band, Dan Levinson's Roof Garden Jass Band featuring Jon-Erik Kellso, and the New Red Onion Jazz Babies, whose band name suggests that they have no choice but to wail. The festival also boasts weekend jazz seminars at the Clarion, a Saturday-night concert in Bettendorf's Middle Park, and Sunday-morning liturgical performances at Davenport's First Presbyterian Church, and the entire schedule of events can be found at BixSociety.org.

 

 

Quad City Air ShowEvents

Outdoor Festivals and Events

Davenport

June through August

 

Unless you were planning to spend all three months reading and re-reading my archived Reader articles on your home computer, there's absolutely no excuse for spending the entire summer cooped up indoors. (Uh ... were you planning to do that? No? All right then ... moving on ... .) To be sure, the city of Davenport will provide numerous excuses to get out of the house and enjoy some fresh air. On June 6, downtown Davenport's Second Street will be the go-to spot for the outdoor GLBT celebration of the QC Pride Street Festival, while the city's Mississippi Valley Fairgrounds welcomes the biker blast of the Sturgis Mississippi River Motorcycle Rally June 16 through 19. Davenport's LeClaire Park plays host to the annual commemoration of African-American culture -- the Juneteenth Festival -- on (fittingly) June 19. Outdoor excitement will come from above with the Davenport Municipal Airport's Quad City Air Show on June 26 and 27 and downtown Davenport's fireworks viewing Red, White, & Boom! on July 3. Jazz legend Bix Beiderbecke will be celebrated in both the Bix Beiderbecke Memorial Jazz Festival (July 22-25) and the Bix 7 Race (July 24), while the weekend also brings with it the annual entertainment of the Downtown Davenport Street Festival (July 23-24). Headliners including Dierks Bentley, Kellie Pickler, and ZZ Top will take the Mississippi Valley Fairgrounds stage during the six days of the Great Mississippi Valley Fair (August 3-8). And on August 20 and 21, Downtown Davenport again hosts the outdoor-rock-and-steamin'-ribs weekend that is River Roots Live. There, you see? Plenty of reasons not to be cooped up inside with my articles all summer. Unless, you know, you really want to do that ... . For more information on Davenport's schedule of summertime activities, visit DowntownDavenport.com.

 

 

Gumbo Ya YaEvents

Outdoor Festivals and Events

Rock Island

May through August

 

Let's say that you read the aforementioned apiece on Davenport's summertime happenings and are now thinking to yourself, "But I live in Rock Island! Isn't there anything to do that doesn't involve me crossing the Mississippi?!" My response is twofold: (1) "Hey, I live in Rock Island, too, and you don't hear me complaining!" and (2) "Yes." In fact, Rock Island even gets the jump on the summer's outdoor-event scene, when May 31 brings with it all manner of cyclists whizzing through the District streets in the 45th Annual Modern Woodmen Bank Quad Cities Criterium. Bands with such spicy monikers as Hurricane Gumbo, Gumbohead, and the Funky Butt Brass Band will play the District's outdoor stages during this year's Cajun-flavored Gumbo Ya Ya festival on June 11 and 12, while the June 18 and 19 weekend finds the rockers of Chevelle headlining the annual Rock the District celebration. Sharing an airborne stage over the river, Rock Island will join Davenport in delivering a night of fireworks-laden fun with the July 3 Red, White, & Boom! fiesta, while another street party -- one marking the sixth anniversary of the Daiquiri Factory's opening -- will take place in the District on the evenings of July 16 and 17. And for a taste of the islands without leaving the comforts of the Midwest, Rock Island's summer-event season wraps up with the August 13 and 14 excitement of Ya Maka My Weekend, featuring the finest in Caribbean music, food, culture, arts, and crafts. So have a great time in Rock Island this summer! Or, as they'd say in the official language of Jamaica, "Have a great time in Rock Island this summer!" For more information on the city's line-up of events, visit RIDistrict.com.

 

 

Justin BieberEvents

i wireless Center

June through August

 

There are a half-dozen big-ticket concert events taking place at the i wireless Center this summer, and in the interest of journalistic fairness and objectivity, I will do my best to mention them all with the same tone of measured enthusiasm. On June 13, the Moline venue presents an evening with Daniel O'Donnell, the beloved Irish troubadour who has sold more than 10 million albums to date, while June 25 brings with it Tributefest 2010: Monsters of Tribute Rock, an outdoor festival featuring the music of the Rolling Stones, Aerosmith, AC/DC, and Bon Jovi. Tween heartthrob Justin Bieber, performing with special guest Sean Kingston, takes the i wireless stage on July 2, with country-music superstar Brad Paisley -- appearing in concert with guests Darius Rucker and Justin Moore -- bringing his H20 World Tour to Moline on July 17. Another pair of multi-platinum-selling country artists, Toby Keith and Trace Adkins, is set to hit the Quad Cities on August 26. And finally, on July 7 ... oh my God it's Star Wars! In concert!!! It's this huge multimedia event with a full symphony playing John Williams music from all six Star Wars films, and footage from the movies played on a three-story-tall screen! And oh my God Anthony Daniels is going to provide live narration! Freakin' C-3PO himself!!! Plus, there's gonna be an exhibit of Star Wars artifacts on display, and behind-the-scenes videos, and ... ! And journalistic integrity takes another hit. For more information on, and tickets to, this summer's i wireless Center events, visit iwirelessCenter.com.

 


What Else Is Happenin'... ?

May 27 through June 9

 

MUSIC

Friday, May 28 -- Survivor. Concert with the rockers of "Eye of the Tiger," "The Search Is Over," and "High on You" fame. Quad-Cities Waterfront Convention Center (1777 Isle Parkway, Bettendorf). 7:30 p.m. $25-$40. For tickets and information, call (800)843-4753 or visit Bettendorf.isleofcapricasinos.com.

Friday, May 28, through Sunday, May 30 -- Summer Camp Music Festival. 10th-annual event featuring on-site camping, more than 50 bands on six stages, a kids'-music camp, arts and crafts vendors, and more. Three Sisters Park (17201 Illinois 59, Chillicothe). $170-$350/three-day pass. For tickets and information, visit SummerCampFestival.com.

Sunday, May 30 -- Travis Ledoyt's A Tribute to the King. Ledoyt and his three-piece band re-create a 1950s Elvis Presley concert. Quad-Cities Waterfront Convention Center (1777 Isle Parkway, Bettendorf). 7:30 p.m. $10-$15. For tickets and information, call (800)843-4753 or visit Bettendorf.IsleOfCapriCasinos.com.

Friday, June 4 -- 1964: The Tribute. Concert with the renowned Beatles-tribute band, covering the group's early songs through the start of the Sgt. Pepper era. Englert Theatre (221 East Washington Street, Iowa City). 8 p.m. $32-$37. For tickets and information, call (319)688-2653 or visit Englert.org.

Saturday, June 5 -- Herman's Hermits. Concert with the pop singers of "I'm Into Something Good," "Mrs. Brown, You've Got a Lovely Daughter," and "I'm Henry VIII, I Am." Riverside Casino & Golf Resort (3184 Highway 22, Riverside). 8 p.m. $15. For tickets and information, call (319)648-1234 or visit RiversideCasinoAndResort.com.

Saturday, June 5 -- Caribou. Independent rockers in a Daytrotter-sponsored concert, with openers Datagun and Centaur Noir. Rock Island Brewing Company (1815 Second Avenue, Rock Island). 8 p.m. $12-$15. For information, visit Daytrotter.com and RIBCO.com. (Read the feature article here.)

Monday, June 7 -- Kris Allen. Concert with the grand-prize winner of American Idol's eighth season, performing with opening band Green River Ordinance. Englert Theatre (221 East Washington Street, Iowa City). 8 p.m. $25. For tickets and information, call (319)688-2653 or visit Englert.org.

 

THEATRE

Thursday, June 3, through Sunday, June 13 -- Funny Valentines. Romantic comedy by Dennis R. Andersen, directed by Jalayne Riewerts. Richmond Hill Barn Theatre (Richmond Hill Park, Geneseo). Thursdays-Saturdays, 7:30 p.m.; Sundays 4 p.m. $10. For tickets and information, call (309)944-2244 or visit RHPlayers.com.

Thursday, June 3, through Sunday, June 13 -- Rent. Jonathan Larson's Tony Award- and Pulitzer Prize-winning rock musical. Clinton Area Showboat Theatre (311 Riverview Drive, Clinton). Thursdays-Saturdays 7:30 p.m.; Sundays and Wednesdays 3 p.m. $16-$20. For tickets and information, call (563)242-6760 or visit Summer-Stock.org.

Thursday, June 3, through Sunday, June 13 -- Chicago. Kander & Ebb's dueling-murderess musical classic. Timber Lake Playhouse (8215 Black Oak Road, Mt. Carroll). Fridays and Saturdays 8 p.m.; Tuesdays and Thursdays 7:30 p.m.; Sundays 6:30 p.m. $11-$20. For tickets and information, call (815)244-2035 or visit TimberLakePlayhouse.org.

 

EVENTS

Friday, May 28 -- Last Venus Standing. Closing night for the female-artist exhibit Venus Envy, featuring musical performances by Emily Hurd and Lojo Russo, and a complimentary wine tasting. Bucktown Center for the Arts (225 East Second Street, Davenport). 6-9 p.m. $15. For information, visit VenusEnvyQC.org.

Monday, May 31 -- Modern Woodmen Bank Quad Cities Criterium. Annual Memorial Day event featuring competitive bicycle riders from novice to professional, races for children, vendors, bicycling-related products, memorabilia, and more. The District of Rock Island. 8 a.m.-6 p.m. Free admission. For information, call (309)788-6311 or visit QuadCitiesCriterium.com.

Saturday, June 5, and Sunday, June 6 -- Pickers Weekend. Meet the stars of American Pickers, find out what your own treasures are worth with certified appraiser Terri Applegate, and enjoy special giveaways, kids' games, contests, music, and more. Downtown LeClaire. For information, call (800)747-7800 extension 120 or visit VisitLeClaire.com. (Read our feature article on American Pickers here.)

Sunday, June 6 -- QC Pride Street Fest. Annual celebration of gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender pride, featuring performances by local bands, vendor booths, door prizes, and more. Second Street in the Rainbow District of Downtown Davenport. 1-9 p.m. Free admission. For information, visit QCPride.org.

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