10
Jun
2003
It's billed as the Midwest's largest gathering of motorcycles, and if you like bikes, you probably already know about Sturgis on the River.
But the free event is also becoming something of a local band showcase, so if you're a fan of Quad Cities bands and music, it might well be worth your time on Friday and Saturday. Sturgis is offering two stages of local bands on the field west of John O'Donnell Stadium. All in all, this is a great opportunity to see 20 local rock and blues bands, many of them veteran performers on the Quad Cities scene.
Mark Brenny, the proprietor of Brenny's Motorcycle Clinic in Bettendorf, has organized the showcase. He said that at a meeting of bands this week, some people said things along the lines of, "I haven't seen you in 25 years." Many of the performers have been playing in local bands for decades, he said. For that reason, Brenny has taken to calling Sturgis the "Quad Cities Band Rat Family Reunion."
This is the ninth year for Sturgis on the River, and the music component has grown each year, Brenny said. "When it first started, it was, 'Round up a couple of bands,'" he said. This will be the first year for two stages.
Brenny said that there has been talk about trying to get a nationally known band, namely a classic-rock icon such as .38 Special, Steppenwolf, or Foreigner. But that type of band (and its performance fee) would require Sturgis to charge admission, which is looked down upon by festival organizers. A major consideration, he said, was "that this remain a free deal. You don't have to pay to get in anywhere."
Organizers have also considered hiring regional bands from Chicago or St. Louis, but there's a large appeal to showcasing this community's talent, Brenny said. "They have wonderful bands in those towns, but so do we," he said.
Sturgis on the River planners expect 10,000 bikes in the Quad Cities this weekend for the event. "They come from all over the Midwest," Brenny said. Some participants have come from as far away as South Dakota.
For more information on Sturgis on the River, visit (http://www.sturgisontheriver.com).
Sturgis on the River Entertainment Schedule
Friday, June 13
West Stage
Claudie Smith & The QC Revue (4 p.m.)
3rd Rail (5:30 p.m.)
Bump City (7 p.m.)
Corporate Rock (8:30 p.m.)
Scott Whitehall & Crossroads (9:45 p.m.)
East Stage
To Be Announced (4 p.m.)
One Night Standards (5:30 p.m.)
Why Not? (8 p.m.)
Twin Towers and Gravity (9:30 p.m.)
Saturday, June 14
West Stage
2nd Chance (3 p.m.)
Sugar Nipples (4:30 p.m.)
Andy Harris & Snafu (6 p.m.)
Hap Hazard (7:30 p.m.)
Spike (9:30 p.m.)
East Stage
Witness (3:30 p.m.)
Tommy Knockers (5 p.m.)
Project Pickle Farm (6:30 p.m.)
Whoopie Inc. (8 p.m.)
Hal Reed & Bad Luck (9:30 p.m.)
Mark Brenny, the proprietor of Brenny's Motorcycle Clinic in Bettendorf, has organized the showcase. He said that at a meeting of bands this week, some people said things along the lines of, "I haven't seen you in 25 years." Many of the performers have been playing in local bands for decades, he said. For that reason, Brenny has taken to calling Sturgis the "Quad Cities Band Rat Family Reunion."
This is the ninth year for Sturgis on the River, and the music component has grown each year, Brenny said. "When it first started, it was, 'Round up a couple of bands,'" he said. This will be the first year for two stages.
Brenny said that there has been talk about trying to get a nationally known band, namely a classic-rock icon such as .38 Special, Steppenwolf, or Foreigner. But that type of band (and its performance fee) would require Sturgis to charge admission, which is looked down upon by festival organizers. A major consideration, he said, was "that this remain a free deal. You don't have to pay to get in anywhere."
Organizers have also considered hiring regional bands from Chicago or St. Louis, but there's a large appeal to showcasing this community's talent, Brenny said. "They have wonderful bands in those towns, but so do we," he said.
Sturgis on the River planners expect 10,000 bikes in the Quad Cities this weekend for the event. "They come from all over the Midwest," Brenny said. Some participants have come from as far away as South Dakota.
For more information on Sturgis on the River, visit (http://www.sturgisontheriver.com).
Sturgis on the River Entertainment Schedule
Friday, June 13
West Stage
Claudie Smith & The QC Revue (4 p.m.)
3rd Rail (5:30 p.m.)
Bump City (7 p.m.)
Corporate Rock (8:30 p.m.)
Scott Whitehall & Crossroads (9:45 p.m.)
East Stage
To Be Announced (4 p.m.)
One Night Standards (5:30 p.m.)
Why Not? (8 p.m.)
Twin Towers and Gravity (9:30 p.m.)
Saturday, June 14
West Stage
2nd Chance (3 p.m.)
Sugar Nipples (4:30 p.m.)
Andy Harris & Snafu (6 p.m.)
Hap Hazard (7:30 p.m.)
Spike (9:30 p.m.)
East Stage
Witness (3:30 p.m.)
Tommy Knockers (5 p.m.)
Project Pickle Farm (6:30 p.m.)
Whoopie Inc. (8 p.m.)
Hal Reed & Bad Luck (9:30 p.m.)
