2 River Cities’ Reader • Vol. 27 No. 970 • February 2020 Know More, Do More • RiverCitiesReader.

com

ILLINOIS POLITICS By Rich Miller

CapitolFax.com

Unsafe at Any Speed: Ex-State Senator Martin Sandoval

“I
t’s hard for me to swallow how
[people] make so much off of you.
Right? And I gotta do the work.”
That’s from the July 31, 2018 federal sur-
veillance of now-former state Senator Martin
Sandoval (D-Chicago) complaining, accord-
ing to media reports, to one of the founders
of the red-light camera company SafeSpeed.
Sandoval was bemoaning how he was killing
and passing bills on the company’s behalf
while watching other people make bank off
the red-light-cam industry.
This was, apparently, not new behavior for
Sandoval. “I usually say, ‘What’s reasonable?
You tell me,’” Sandoval told the SafeSpeed
official when discussing what his bribe would
be. He was obviously practiced at shak-
ing people down and ended up demanding
$5,000 a month.
His plea deal claims he took $70,000 from
the SafeSpeed official (the money was sup-
plied by the government). Overall, though,
Sandoval “accepted over $250,000 in bribes
as part of criminal activity that involved
more than five participants.”
Well, at least we now know how Sandoval
could afford the expensive suits he always
wore.
The feds may have had Sandoval under
surveillance since at least August 16, 2017,
when they apparently recorded a phone con-
versation with the SafeSpeed official about
the company’s annual $10,000 campaign
contribution.
The feds raided Sandoval’s Statehouse
office two years later, in late September of
2019. They seized $3,000 in cash that day and
another $18K a few weeks later.
Sandoval has agreed to cooperate in full,
meaning all those folks he shook down, or
who eagerly ponied up cash to get something
done, or who profited with him on villainous
schemes, probably haven’t been sleeping well.
He was the longtime chairman of the
Transportation Committee, so it’s assumed
Sandoval will be giving up road-building
industry types. His federal search warrant
mentioned several other types of companies
and individuals, including video-gaming and
sweepstakes businesses.
His plea agreement notes that Sandoval
“also engaged in corrupt activities with other
public officials.” So we can expect him to roll
over on whoever those folks may be. I assume
we can start with some of the local officials
whose offices were raided right around the
same time as Sandoval’s was searched.
Sandoval was a brazenly greedy bully
who specialized in intimidating people who
needed something from their government.
His annual golf fundraiser, which was a
must-attend for anyone who needed some-
thing from him, had grown to lavish excess.
And last August the event wound up attract-
ing unfavorable national news coverage when
photos emerged of a server “shooting” some-
one wearing a Donald Trump mask with a
tequila gun. It’s probably no surprise that
some of the people who helped Sandoval run
that gaudy fundraiser are also under federal
scrutiny.
But maybe Sandoval can finally do some
good for his state (and himself, by reducing
his prison sentence) by helping weed out the
people who prefer to take the short-cut of
illegal cash rather than doing the real work
usually required to get things done.
Also, here’s a little bit of unsolicited advice:
If you’re a legislator or a local government
official and you’re starting to become envi-
ous of the people around you who are making
a lot of money, please quit your job right away.
Go be a lobbyist or something. Or stop hang-
ing out with rich people.
I’ve seen this happen over and over again
and it never ends well. Save yourself the
trouble and get out now. There’s nothing
inherently wrong with wanting to better
one’s financial situation. But if you can’t do
it honestly then you’re heading for disaster.
You will be caught. Heck, you may already be
caught and don’t even know it, like Sandoval
was for two years.
Just go away.
And the leaders have to stop enabling these
people. It was no big surprise when Sandoval
was busted. Yet Senate President John Cul-
lerton routinely assigned red-light-camera
regulation bills to Sandoval’s committee
knowing exactly what he would do with them
and also put Sandoval in charge of the mas-
sive infrastructure bill last year.
And House Speaker Michael Madigan cre-
ated a new appropriations committee espe-
cially for now-former Representative Luis
Arroyo to oversee the capital plan’s forma-
tion. That’s like giving a gas can to a pyroma-
niac. Arroyo (D-Chicago) was arrested last
year for bribery.
Yes, the people of their districts elected
them. But the leaders do not have to continu-
ally enable their worst clowns.
Rich Miller also publishes Capitol Fax, a daily
political newsletter, and CapitolFax.com.
New Column Published
Weekly at RCReader.com

Drive Up
FEBRUARY 23rd-29th
& Dig In
Discover amazing food and drinks crafted by local
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County, IL during restaurant week. Enjoy special
offers and discounts all week long, and enter to win
a gift card by visiting three participating restaurants
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Visit backroadbitesandbrews.com for details

and a list of participants and offers.

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Know More, Do More • RiverCitiesReader.com River Cities’ Reader • Vol. 27 No. 970 • February 2020 3
MOVIES By Mike Schulz

War Is Hell … on Oscar Rivals

Predicting the 2020 Academy Award Winners
Vol. 27 · No. 970 BEST ACTOR
FEBRUARY 2020 Antonio Banderas, Pain & Glory
Leonardo DiCaprio, Once Upon a
Time … in Hollywood
RIVER CITIES’ READER
532 W. 3rd St. Adam Driver, Marriage Story
Davenport IA 52801 Joaquin Phoenix, Joker
RiverCitiesReader.com Jonathan Pryce, The Two Popes
(563)324-0049 (phone)
(563)323-3101 (fax) Whatever your feelings about his fi lm
info@rcreader.com and intensely ballsy, instantly iconic per-
formance, can we all at least agree that four-
PUBLISHING SINCE 1993 time nominee Phoenix has maybe deserved
The River Cities’Reader is an independently owned publication and
website, dedicated to providing readers and members the “keys to the an Oscar since 1989 – back when he was
Quad Cities’culture.” working under the name “Leaf Phoenix”
and playing Dianne Wiest’s damaged,
PRINTED MONTHLY porn-curious son in Parenthood? That kid
Newly printed complimentary editions are available monthly George Mackay in 1917
would’ve totally grown up to be the Joker.

T
at select locations in the region. For a complete list, visit
www.rcreader.com/distribution.
he 92nd Annual Academy Awards
PRINT & DIGITAL ADVERTISING: telecast is scheduled to air at 7 p.m.
PRINT ADVERTISING SPACE RESERVATION DEADLINE IS THE 15TH CST on Sunday, February 9, and
OF EACH MONTH FOR THE FOLLOWING MONTH’S EDITION.
before getting into the nitty-gritty of what I
WEBSITE & WEEKLY E-NEWSLETTER ADVERTISING DEADLINE IS
EVERY MONDAY FOR THURSDAY PLACEMENTS.
think might win, I’ll tell you right away why
1917 is destined to receive a whole bunch of
Visit QCAdvertising.com for full Oscars including Best Picture: If it doesn’t
publishing calendar, sponsorship get at least six, the Best Picture champ from
opportunities, ad sizes, and pricing. 2010-2019 that amassed the most trophies
is going to be The Artist. Remember The
PUBLISHER
Todd McGreevy • todd@admospheres.com Artist? That silent, black-and-white, French
comedy from 2011 that you kept mean-
EDITOR & BUSINESS MANAGER ing to see and never did? That’s gonna be
Kathleen McCarthy • km@rcreader.com immortalized the decade’s biggest winner.
Liberal bona fides or not, Academy mem-
ARTS & CALENDAR EDITOR
Mike Schulz • mike@rcreader.com
bers would never let that happen.
So here, with the boldface signifying my
ART DIRECTOR final guesses, is what I think voters will let
Nathan Klaus • nathan@rcreader.com happen!
DISTRIBUTION & OFFICE MANAGER
Michael Locander • michael@rcreader.com BEST PICTURE
1917
IT-SYSMIN Ford v Ferrari
William Reveal
The Irishman
ADVERTISING SALES Jojo Rabbit
Michael Locander • sales@rcreader.com Joker
Little Women
CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Marriage Story
Amy Alkon, Max Allison, Rochelle Arnold,
Once Upon a Time … in Hollywood
Rob Brezsny, Pamela Briggs, Max Cannon,
Madeline Dudziak, Rich Miller, Loren Thacher Parasite
I will readily commiserate with the
PRINT COPY DISTRIBUTORS Irishman/Once Upon a Time/Parasite fans
Cheri Delay, Greg Fitzpatrick, Marie Mack,
Jay Strickland
among you … and also the Ferrari/Jojo/
Joker/Little Women/Marriage Story fans
among you. But let’s not kid ourselves.
KNOW MORE. After the movie won the Golden Globe,
the 1917 avalanche started and hasn’t let
January 10 wide-release debut. Hollywood’s
wins at the Globes and Critics Choice
Awards were heartening, and the cast’s two
standing ovations for Parasite at the Screen
Actors Guild (SAG) Awards were enough to
think another result might occur. But one
won’t. Seriously. Stop even considering it.
(He said, staring at his disconsolate face in
the mirror.)
BEST DIRECTING
1917, Sam Mendes
The Irishman, Martin Scorsese
Joker, Todd Phillips
Once Upon a Time … in Hollywood,
Quentin Tarantino
Parasite, Bong Joon Ho
While I will continue to cross fingers for
Bong and the far-less likely Tarantino, I
get why DGA, BAFTA, and Globe winner
Mendes is gonna get this. I really do. But
it’s still relevant to point out that, if the
1917 director does receive his second Best
Directing Oscar (his first being for 1999’s
American Beauty), Scorsese will have pre-
viously won only one. Tarantino will have
won none. Bong will have won none. And
Phillips will have won none. Okay, that last
example kind of kills my point. But still … !
BEST ACTRESS
Cynthia Erivo, Harriet
Scarlett Johansson, Marriage Story
Saoirse Ronan, Little Women
Charlize Theron, Bombshell
Renée Zellweger, Judy
BEST SUPPORTING
ACTRESS
Kathy Bates, Richard Jewell
Laura Dern, Marriage Story
Scarlett Johansson, Jojo Rabbit
Florence Pugh, Little Women
Margot Robbie, Bombshell
A three-time nominee who has never
won, who received her first nod in 1992,
who’s the daughter of Oscar-nominated
Hollywood legends Bruce Dern and Diane
Ladd, and who has worked with every-
one from Spielberg (once) to David Lynch
(many, many times), Laura Dern will finally
get her Academy Award. And I would give
nearly anything for Dern to start her accep-
tance speech with the same words she uses
to introduce herself in Marriage Story:
“Sorry I look so schleppy … .”
BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR
Tom Hanks, A Beautiful Day in the
Neighborhood
Anthony Hopkins, The Two Popes
Al Pacino, The Irishman
Joe Pesci, The Irishman
Brad Pitt, Once Upon a Time …
in Hollywood
Fun fact! When Pitt receives his Oscar
– not if, but when – he’ll be both the young-
est nominee in his category and the oldest
of the four eventual acting winners. When
news outlets report that bit of trivia on Feb-
ruary 10, you’ll know they stole it from me.
(By the way, if those at your Oscar party

DO MORE. up: Best Picture from the Producers Guild

of America, Best Director from the Direc-
To my mind, Zellweger is better than a
couple of others in this category, and not
are laying bets on who’ll give the night’s
best speech, it’s gonna be Pitt. Just accept
it. Don’t be a hero.)
as good as a couple more. But without Us’
© 2020 River Cities’ Reader tors Guild of America (DGA), Best Film
Lupita Nyong’o in the race (nope, still not
and Best British Film from the British Film
over her absence here …), I’m fi ne with
Academy (BAFTA), and huge domestic box
whatever happens. And this win is gonna.
office – $120 million and counting since its Continued On Page 11
 4 River Cities’ Reader • Vol. 27 No. 970 • February 2020 Know More, Do More • RiverCitiesReader.com

FEBRUARY 2020
CALENDAR OF EVENTS
Covering February 6–March 4, 2020

Your event listing in print and online has been complimentary since 1993!

Send your events to Calendar@RCReader.com

VISUAL ARTS
Openings & Gallery Events
Rock Island Art Guild Opening Celebration,
celebrate the opening of the 41st Rock Island Art Guild
Fine Arts Exhibition with local artists and the Guild
announcing award winners; 4pm happy-hour menu and
cash bar, 6:30pm awards; for information, call 563-326-
7804, Figge Art Museum, 225 W. 2nd St., Davenport IA,
FiggeArtMuseum.org, 4pm Thu Feb 6
Senior Day at the Figge, meet in the lobby for a
tour at 1:30pm, with a 2:30pm film in the auditorium;
seniors get 10% off in the Museum Store and Cafe; for
information, call 563-326-7804, Figge Art Museum, 225
W. 2nd St., Davenport IA, FiggeArtMuseum.org, 1:30pm
Thu Feb 6
Thursdays at the Figge, art-themed activities,
discussions, tours, refreshments, and more; guests
are invited to experience the current exhibitions
and permanent collection gallery as well as shop the
Museum Store; free; for information, call 563-326-
7804, Figge Art Museum, 225 W. 2nd St., Davenport IA,
FiggeArtMuseum.org, 5pm thru Thu Feb 27
Art Opening: A Glimpse of an Infinite Eternal and
Ever Changing Ridiculousness, new works on paper
by Lucas Berns; for information, call… Rozz-Tox, 5pm
Fri Feb 7
Opening Reception for Kaitlin Walsh: Anatomy
of the Senses, held in conjunction with the exhibit of
abstract watercolor illustrations… Bereskin Gallery & Art
Academy, 5:30pm Fri Feb 7
Opening Reception: The Artist Behind the Tattoo,
held in conjunction with the exhibit by regional tattoo
artists;… Quad City Arts Center, 7pm Fri Feb 7
Recognition Day for Young Artists at the Figge:
Bettendorf Schools, held in conjunction with
the exhibition of works by elementary art students;
sponsored in part by the Brand Boeshaar Foundation
Fund and the Hubbell-Waterman Foundation; free with
$4-10 museum admission; for information, call 563-326-
7804, Figge Art Museum, 225 W. 2nd St., Davenport IA,
FiggeArtMuseum.org, noon Sun Feb 9
I Love You to the Figge and Back, reserve by Feb. 10;
Figge members are invited to celebrate Valentine’s Day
with contemporary acoustic music from Lewis Knudsen
while dining on a shared charcuterie plate followed
by a delicious creme brulee; end the evening on the
self-guided love tour; $35; for information and tickets,
call 563-326-7804, Figge Art Museum, 225 W. 2nd St.,
Davenport IA, FiggeArtMuseum.org, 6pm Thu Feb 13
Rock Island Art Guild Artist Talks, hear
presentations from a selection of the artists featured in
the 41st Rock Island Art Guild Fine Arts Exhibition; 4pm
happy-hour menu and cash bar, 6:30pm awards; for
information, call 563-326-7804, Figge Art Museum, 225
W. 2nd St., Davenport IA, FiggeArtMuseum.org, 4pm
Thu Feb 13
Opening Reception & 11th ARTery Birthday
pARTery, meet artists Glen Lowey, Barbara Toner, and
Juliet Stock while… MidCoast Gallery West / The ARTery,
6pm Fri Feb 14
Collection and Exhibition Highlights Tours, free
with $4-10 admission; for information, call 563-326-
7804, Figge Art Museum, 225 W. 2nd St., Davenport IA,
FiggeArtMuseum.org, 1:30pm Sun Feb 16 thru Sat
Feb 29
Free Family Day, explore and create with free
admission and art activities for the whole family;
sponsored by Northwest Bank & Trust and the
Quad-City Times; for information, call 563-326-7804,
Figge Art Museum, 225 W. 2nd St., Davenport IA,
FiggeArtMuseum.org, 10am Sat Feb 22
Recognition Day for Young Artists at the Figge:
North Scott Schools, held in conjunction with
the exhibition of works by elementary art students;
sponsored in part by the Brand Boeshaar Foundation
Fund and the Hubbell-Waterman Foundation; free with
$4-10 museum admission; for information, call 563-326-
7804, Figge Art Museum, 225 W. 2nd St., Davenport IA,
FiggeArtMuseum.org, noon Sun Feb 23
Henry Dreyfuss: Years at John Deere, gain insight
on designer Henry Dreyfuss and his work with Deere
& Coo., Bell Telephone Laboratories, and Minneapolis
Honeywell with Dreyfuss scholar Dr. Russell Flinchum,
associate professor of art history, North Carolina Cajun Cook-off @ Rhythm City Casino Resort
State University; for information, call 563-326-7804,
Figge Art Museum, 225 W. 2nd St., Davenport IA, Event Center – February 25
FiggeArtMuseum.org, 6:30pm Thu Feb 27
Annie Oldenburg, photography exhibit by the BHC
Artist Q&A for Finding God in the Dark: A art instructor;… Black Hawk College ArtSpace Gallery,
Retrospective Exhibition, held in conjunction thru Fri Feb 21
with the Rosalind Wilcox exhibition in both the Catich
and Morrissey Galleries; free; for information, contact Kaitlin Walsh: Anatomy of the Senses, exhibit of
Christopher Reno at RenoChristopherW@sau.edu or 563- abstract watercolor illustrations of some… Bereskin
333-6444, Catich Gallery - St. Ambrose University, 2101 Gallery & Art Academy, thru Fri Feb 28
Gaines St., Davenport IA, SAU.edu/catich, 4pm Fri Feb 28
Craig Miller, painting exhibtiion; Sat. 8am-5:30pm, Sun.
Final Friday Coffee Klatch and Black History 9am-5pm; free; for… MidCoast Centre Station Gallery,
Month Celebration, for information, call 563-424- thru Sat Feb 29
1210… Bucktown Center for the Arts, 6pm Fri Feb 28
Emily Fitzpatrick - Colleen Curry - Kelly Schnell,
Final Friday at Bucktown, for information, call exhibit of landscape paintings by Fitzpatrick, mixed-
563-424-1210… Bucktown Center for the Arts, 6pm Fri media… Quad City Arts Art @ the Airport, thru Tue
Feb 28 Mar 3

Opening Reception: Jane Doty, Amber Williams,
& Sam McFarland, held in conjunction with the new
Bucktown exhibitions by the three… Midcoast at
Bucktown Gallery, 6pm Fri Feb 28
Reception for Finding God in the Dark: A
Retrospective Exhibition, held in conjunction with
the Rosalind Wilcox exhibition on display in the Catich
and Morrissey Galleries; free; for information, contact
Christopher Reno at 563-333-6444 or Catich@sau.edu,
Catich Gallery - St. Ambrose University, 2101 Gaines St.,
Davenport IA, SAU.edu/catich, 5pm Fri Feb 28
Exhibits & Shows
Young Artists at the Figge: Bettendorf Schools,
exhibition of works by elementary art students;
sponsored in part by the Brand Boeshaar Foundation
Fund and the Hubbell-Waterman Foundation; Tue.-Sat.
10am-5pm, Thu. 10am-9pm, Sun. noon-5pm; free with
$4-10 museum admission; for information, call 563-326-
7804, Figge Art Museum, 225 W. 2nd St., Davenport IA,
FiggeArtMuseum.org, thru Sun Feb 9
Kamasi Washington @ The Rust Belt – March 3
41st Rock Island Art Guild Fine Arts Exhibition,
this exhibition will display works by artists living with 150
miles of Rock Island, working in a variety of mediums;
Candace Moeller of the Cristin Tierney Gallery, New
York, N.Y., will act as this year’s juror; Tue.-Sat. 10am-
5pm, Thu. 10am-9pm, Sun. noon-5pm; free with $4-10
museum admission; for information, call 563-326-7804,
Figge Art Museum, 225 W. 2nd St., Davenport IA,
FiggeArtMuseum.org, thru Wed Mar 4
Figuratively Drawn: Works from the Figge
Collection, the artists in this exhibition explore the
infinitely varied ways that the body can be portrayed;
featuring works by Edouard Duval-Carrié, Larry Rivers,
Leonardo Lasansky, Jim Nutt and many others; Tue.-Sat.
10am-5pm, Thu. 10am-9pm, Sun. noon-5pm; free with
$4-10 museum admission; for information, call 563-326-
7804, Figge Art Museum, 225 W. 2nd St., Davenport IA,
FiggeArtMuseum.org, thru Wed Mar 4
Finding God in the Dark: A Retrospective
Exhibition, a Rosalind Wilcox exhibition in both the
Catich and Morrissey Galleries; Mon.-Fri. 9am-5pm, Sat.
10am-4pm; free; for information, contact Christopher
Reno at RenoChristopherW@sau.edu or 563-333-6444,
Catich Gallery - St. Ambrose University, 2101 Gaines St.,
Davenport IA, SAU.edu/catich, thru Wed Mar 4
Know More, Do More • RiverCitiesReader.com
Finding God in the Dark: A Retrospective
Exhibition, a Rosalind Wilcox exhibition in both the
Catich… Morrissey Gallery, Galvin Fine Arts Center - St.
Ambrose University, thru Wed Mar 4
George Olson: The Found Object, this exhibition will
focus on Olson’s earlier works which use found objects
as inspiration; Tue.-Sat. 10am-5pm, Thu. 10am-9pm,
Sun. noon-5pm; free with $4-10 museum admission; for
information, call 563-326-7804, Figge Art Museum, 225
W. 2nd St., Davenport IA, FiggeArtMuseum.org, thru
Wed Mar 4
Glen Lowry, Juliet Stock, & Barbara Toner, exhibits
of Lowry’s cool serigraphs, Stock’s tactile paintings,…
MidCoast Gallery West, thru Wed Mar 4
The Artist Behind the Tattoo, exhibition of art by
regional tattoo artists;… Quad City Arts Center, thru
Wed Mar 4
The Stories We Tell, banner display of historic Quad
City writers; each banner profiles a… Rock Island Public
Library - Downtown Library, thru Wed Mar 4
Didier William: Lakou, exhibit of mixed-media
paintings and prints by the artist born in Port-au-
Prince and raised in Miami; Tue.-Sat. 10am-5pm,
Thu. 10am-9pm, Sun. noon-5pm; free with $4-10
museum admission; for information, call 563-326-
7804, Figge Art Museum, 225 W. 2nd St., Davenport IA,
FiggeArtMuseum.org, Sat Feb 8 thru Wed Mar 4
Jane Doty - Amber Williams, exhibits of paintings by
Doty and collage… Midcoast at Bucktown Gallery, Sat
Feb 8 thru Wed Mar 4
Sam McFarland, exhibit by the independent tattoo
artist who… Bucktown Center for the Arts, Sat Feb 15
thru Wed Mar 4
Young Artists at the Figge: North Scott Schools,
exhibition of works by elementary art students;
sponsored in part by the Brand Boeshaar Foundation
Fund and the Hubbell-Waterman Foundation; Tue.-Sat.
10am-5pm, Thu. 10am-9pm, Sun. noon-5pm; free with
$4-10 museum admission; for information, call 563-326-
7804, Figge Art Museum, 225 W. 2nd St., Davenport IA,
FiggeArtMuseum.org, Sun Feb 16 thru Sun Feb 23
Henry Dreyfuss: Designs for the Modern Age,
exhibit of works by the industrial designer; original
sketches, design proposals and objects on loan from the
John Deere Archives, the Cooper Hewitt Smithsonian
Design Museum, the Albany Institute of History and
Art, and the AT&T Archives and History Center will be
on display; Tue.-Sat. 10am-5pm, Thu. 10am-9pm, Sun.
noon-5pm; free with $4-10 museum admission; for
information, call 563-326-7804, Figge Art Museum, 225
W. 2nd St., Davenport IA, FiggeArtMuseum.org, Sat Feb
22 thru Wed Mar 4
Jessica Gondek, exhibit of digital prints and drawings
by… Black Hawk College ArtSpace Gallery, Mon Feb 24
thru Wed Mar 4
Young Artists at the Figge: Pleasant Valley
Schools, exhibition of works by elementary art
students; sponsored in part by the Brand Boeshaar
Foundation Fund and the Hubbell-Waterman
Foundation; Tue.-Sat. 10am-5pm, Thu. 10am-9pm, Sun.
noon-5pm; free with $4-10 museum admission; for
information, call 563-326-7804, Figge Art Museum, 225
W. 2nd St., Davenport IA, FiggeArtMuseum.org, Sat Feb
29 thru Wed Mar 4
Peter Krsko - Cindy Lesperance - Cathie Crawford,
exhibition of new works; $1 for parking;… Quad City Arts
Art @ the Airport, Sun Mar 1 thru Wed Mar 4
Classes
Craft-Tea!, community members are encouraged to
bring arts and crafts they… Bettendorf Public Library,
7pm Thu Feb 6
Portrait: Acrylic, Thursdays thru February 27; with
instructor Brad Bisbey; demystify the… Bereskin Gallery
& Art Academy, 11am Thu Feb 6
Wine & Art: Textural Finger Painting, with
instructor Amy Nielsen; paint an impressionistic piece
using only your fingers; different textures will be
available to add to the acrylic paints that will increase the
volume of your painted artwork; $20; for information,
call 563-326-7804, Figge Art Museum, 225 W. 2nd St.,
Davenport IA, FiggeArtMuseum.org, 6pm Thu Feb 6
Couple’s Clay Date Night, 90-minute sessions
by appointment, with instructor Claire Waterman;
experience the… Bereskin Gallery & Art Academy, Thu
Feb 6 thru Wed Mar 4
Greeting Card Craft, create your own all-occasion
greeting cards; we will have some… Davenport Public
Library - Fairmount Street Branch, 4pm Fri Feb 7
Intro to Clay Studio, on Fridays, with instructors Claire
Waterman and Karen Brinson; learn… Bereskin Gallery &
Art Academy, 5:30pm Fri Feb 7 thru Fri Feb 28
Open Clay Studio Membership, with instructor
Claire Waterman by appointment on Mon., Wed., Fri.,
& Sat… Bereskin Gallery & Art Academy, Fri Feb 7 thru
Wed Mar 4
Craft Cafe, whether you are an amateur or professional
crafter, come and… Davenport Public Library -
Fairmount Street Branch, 3pm Sat Feb 8
Make a Wine Basket, with instructor Susan Walters
of the QC Basketry Guild; participants will learn how to
weave a beautiful double wine basket that is great for
gatherings and gift giving (wine not included); $50-65;
for information, call 563-326-7804, Figge Art Museum,
225 W. 2nd St., Davenport IA, FiggeArtMuseum.org,
10am Sat Feb 8
Watercolor Portrait, Feb. 8 & 15; with instructor Jo
Myers Walker; work… Bereskin Gallery & Art Academy,
10am Sat Feb 8
Wheel and Stoneware 2, Saturdays thru February
29; with instructor Claire Waterman; an introduction…
Bereskin Gallery & Art Academy, 11am Sat Feb 8
Painting, on Saturdays; with instructor Dave Anderson;
learn to see, draw,… Bereskin Gallery & Art Academy,
9:30am Sat Feb 8 thru Sat Feb 29
Guided Mindfulness: Meditation in the Galleries,
experience mindfulness meditation in the galleries;
practitioners will be guided in ways to calm the mind
and body, and to bring awareness to the present
moment; meditations will be led by practitioners from
the Prairie Oak Sangha and Prairie River Sangha; free;
but registration required; for information, call 563-326-
7804, Figge Art Museum, 225 W. 2nd St., Davenport IA,
FiggeArtMuseum.org, 6pm Sun Feb 9
Creation Studio Drop-In: Striped Origami Heart
Garland, free; for information, call 563-344-4175 or
e-mail info@bettendorflibrary.com… Bettendorf Public
Library, 3pm Mon Feb 10
Make Your Own Valentines, create a one-of-a-kind
Valentine’s Day card for your sweetheart;all supplies…
River Valley District Library, 5pm Mon Feb 10
Beginning Crocheting, Tuesdays thru Mar. 3; $39;
for information and to register,… Black Hawk College
Outreach Center, 5:30pm Tue Feb 11
Stained Glass: Beginning Copper Foil, Tuesdays
thru Mar. 10; $65; for information and to register,… Black
Hawk College - Quad City Campus, 6pm Tue Feb 11
“Foxy” Valentines and Owl Lollipop Covers,
an event in the Southwest Craft Night series with
materials… Rock Island Public Library - Southwest
Branch, 6pm Tue Feb 11
Beginner Knitting, Thursdays thru Mar. 5; $39; for
information and to register,… Black Hawk College
Outreach Center, 5:30pm Thu Feb 13
Wine & Art: Textural Finger Painting, with
instructor Amy Nielsen; paint an impressionistic piece
using only your fingers; different textures will be
available to add to the acrylic paints that will increase the
volume of your painted artwork; $20; for information,
call 563-326-7804, Figge Art Museum, 225 W. 2nd St.,
Davenport IA, FiggeArtMuseum.org, 6pm Thu Feb 13
SEW Much Fun: Potato Zapper, a do-it-yourself
project; materials and sewing machines provided
courtesy of… Rock Island Public Library - Downtown
Library, 5:30pm Thu Feb 13
River Cities’ Reader • Vol. 27 No. 970 • February 2020 5
VISUAL ARTS
Kaitlin Walsh: Anatomy of the Senses
Exhibit: Thursday, February 6—Friday, February 28; Open-
ing Reception: Friday, February 7, 5:30—7:30 p.m. @ Beréskin
Gallery & Art Academy, 2967 State Street, Bettendorf, IA
A
celebration of the human body’s
most fascinating facets as viewed
through abstract illustrations will
grace the Beréskin Gallery & Art Acad-
emy through 28, with the Bettendorf
venue hosting colorful, captivating works
by Bettendorf artist Kaitlin Walsh in her
new exhibition Anatomy of the Senses.
An independent artist specializing
in abstract anatomy watercolor and oil
paintings, Walsh, from a young age,
exhibited an immense fascination with
both art and science. She focused her stud-
ies on both disciplines, taking medical
courses alongside fine art ones, and this
culminated with a graduate degree in Bio-
medical Visualization at the University of
Illinois at Chicago. Soon after graduation, Kaitlin Walsh: Anatomy of the Senses at Beréskin
Walsh married and had her first child, a Gallery & Art Academy – through February 28
son who spent several months in the hos-
with her husband and three healthy chil-
pital recovering from prenatal complica-
dren. “Kaitlin joined Beréskin Gallery
tions and an early birth. This experience
& Art Academy in December,” says gal-
motivated the artist to focus her career
lery owner Pat Beréskin, adding, “We are
on her passion: portraying the beauty
delighted to announce that she will begin
and complexity of the human body, as her
teaching abstract watercolor in the spring.
son’s initially precarious health status,
Her work is not only inspiring, but edu-
while frightening, also compelled her to
cational and aesthetically pleasing. Her
appreciate the things that were going well
positive energy and enthusiasm for the
within his body.
arts made for an excellent match with our
Walsh was naturally impelled to convey
programs.”
this appreciation through her paintings,
using the skills gained throughout her
A 5:30 p.m. opening reception will
education. After spending some time
be held at the Beréskin Gallery & Art
honing her craft, increasing her inven-
Academy on February 7, and regular
tory, and having more children, she
gallery hours are 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. on
opened up shop, saying, “I feel incred-
Wednesdays through Saturdays. Admis-
ibly lucky to have found success doing
sion is free, and more information on the
what I love.” She is currently in the top 1
February 1 through 28 Kaitlin Walsh:
percent of Etsy sellers and has sold over
Anatomy of the Senses exhibition is avail-
15,000 prints of her anatomical fine art
able by calling (563)508-4630 or visiting
paintings, and lives happily in Bettendorf
BereskinArtGallery.com.
 6 River Cities’ Reader • Vol. 27 No. 970 • February 2020
MUSIC
Talib Kweli
Friday, February 14, 8 p.m. @ The Rust Belt,
533 12th Avenue, East Moline, IL
T
he legendary Brooklyn-based MC and
Black Star member Talib Kweli drops
into East Moline venue the Rust Belt for a
show on February 14.
Kweli set a high benchmark for socially con-
scious, tongue-twisting rapping as early as 1998
in his role as one half of the groundbreaking
duo Black Star with Yasiin Bey (formerly known
as Mos Def). Classics such as “Thieves in the
Night” adapted the fluid, jazzy production of
forebears including A Tribe Called Quest into
a backdrop over which Kweli and Bey spat their
mind-expanding, interwoven verses. While
Bey leaned into dense bars loaded with internal
rhymes and malleable flows, Kweli approached
the mic with more of a battle-ready, confronta-
tional style that found him cramming syllables
into small pockets in a dizzying, almost off-kil-
ter fashion. You get the sense that Kweli was a
writer foremost, and his ideas came out on paper
as fully-formed poems that he then adapted into
bars full of sudden about-faces and metrical
aberrations. His was a knotty, literary strain of
issue-engaged rapping that constantly turned
back to the struggle of being a black man striv-
ing within an oppressive society. He tossed off
pointed observations and critiques while never
forgetting to sink deep into the beat’s bedrock.
Nowhere was the duo’s chemistry more
evident than the mighty “Definition,” which
transmuted hooks from Boogie Down Produc-
tions’ “Stop the Violence” into a new form that
maintained the same message, all the more
relevant in the light of the recent murders of
Biggie and Tupac: It’s dangerous to be an MC.
While Bey’s cadences stayed tethered closely to
the percussion and tumbled out of him with a
rapid-fire groove, Kweli always seemed to be
pushing against the beat to get his words out in a
way that was purposefully disruptive and over-
loaded. His rhyme schemes treated longer words
as playthings to collide together, with bars such
as “You must know karate or think your soul is
bulletproof like Sade / Stop actin’ like a bitch
already, be a visionary / And maybe you can
see your name in the column of obituary.” Even
on the page these lines feel packed, but Kweli’s
relentless spitting deft ly shoehorned them into
digestible couplets.
If Black Star kicked off Talib Kweli’s career
with a huge bang, the eight solo albums that
followed demonstrated that his drive and con-
sistently far-reaching skills on the mic knew
no bounds. His most recent full-length, 2017’s
Radio Silence, finds him digging even deeper
into his jazz roots, while offering up a platter of
striking collaborations that stretches his tracks
into new directions. “Write at Home” floats
over gorgeous jazz piano from Robert Glasper
and comes front-loaded with a winding, free-
from verse from Datcha, making it feel more
like a miniature manifesto than a conventional
hip-hop tune. The MCs pour out metaphysical
commentary that doesn’t necessarily hinge on
rhymes or traditional cadences to get their ideas
across. Kweli’s rapping here edges closer to the
rhythm and demonstrates his thorough knowl-
edge of how the pure sounds of each syllable can
CONTINUED
By Max Allison
Talib Kweli @ The Rust Belt – February 14
serve different roles within the context of one
verse. His voice dips and rises with his vowels
as he allows certain syllables to stretch into slant
rhymes. When he tells us he’s “rolling a blunt
on a copy of Native Son,” referring to Richard
Wright’s beyond-classic 1939 novel that portrays
the systemic horrors of racism and class struggle
in the mid 20th century (all of which, obviously,
hold credence in today’s landscape), the imag-
ery is thematically perfect. Kweli ties his ideas
into a legacy of championing the marginalized,
and striving to overcome what seems like an
unsurmountable adversity from so many facets
of society.
The lead singles on Radio Silence shoot off
at unexpected angles with the input of Kweli’s
chosen collaborators. The excellent title track
kicks off with a pensive, introspective string
arrangement that swirls through clouds of dis-
sonance and pizzicato string flourishes. When
the beat finally hits, the track shifts into a totally
new mood, as Kweli starts going in at a double-
time clip over a quivering synth line and syn-
copated percussion patterns. This is one of his
most thrilling verses in recent memory, as he
rockets through tongue-twisting flows before
letting the beat breathe behind him in against
more elongated bar structures. The hook comes
from Dirty Projectors member Amber Coffman,
who more than proved her mettle in the context
of hip-hop- and R&B-adjacent production with
that group’s tracks, among them the Timbaland-
influenced “Stillness is the Move.” Here, Coff-
man hits the mix with a floaty yet confident
delivery that contrasts Kweli’s relentless, tightly
stacked lyrics.
Then we have “Heads Up Eyes Open,” which
finds Kweli back in a piano-and-trumpet-led
production that explodes into a gospel-tinged
chorus from Yummy Bingham that feels closer
to chipmunk-soul era Kanye. When Rick Ross
shows up for a verse, he paces his way through
elastic, booming flows, proclaiming, “Nefer-
titi would hold me when I was cold.” Leave it
to Kweli to plant a full trumpet solo in the mix
along with his verse, to remind us how closely
the shifting rhythms and improvised frame-
works of his bars, and all of hip-hop, are tied to
the history of jazz.
Talib Kweli plays the Rust Belt on February 14
with sets by Sweet Diezel Jenkings and VS Vast
Change, admission to the 8 p.m. concert is $20-25,
and more information and tickets are available
by visiting TheRustBeltQC.com.
Know More, Do More • RiverCitiesReader.com
VISUAL ARTS / Classes
Adult Coloring, coloring pages, gel pens, colored
pencils, and crayons will be… River Valley District
Library, 2pm Fri Feb 14
Get More Out of Your Digital SLR or Advanced
Digital Camera, $59; for information and to register,
call 309-796-8223.… Black Hawk College - Quad City
Campus, 9am Sat Feb 15
3D Printing, Tuesdays thru Mar. 24; $79; for information
and to register,… Black Hawk College Outreach Center,
6pm Tue Feb 18
Basic Floral Design, Tuesdays thru Mar. 10; $150; for
information and to register,… Black Hawk College - Quad
City Campus, 5:45pm Tue Feb 18
Anyone Can Learn to Draw: Part I, Wednesdays
thru Mar. 11; $39; for information and to register,… Black
Hawk College Outreach Center, 10am Wed Feb 19
Make Birthday Cards, make personalized birthday
cards and learn fun stamping techniques with… Rock
Island Public Library - Downtown Library, 6pm Thu Feb
20
Winter Book Arts Academy: Japanese Stab
Binding, a hands-on workshop series offering
community members an opportunity to… Davenport
Public Library - Main Branch, 5:30pm Thu Feb 20
Figure Drawing, Fridays thru Apr. 24; with instructor
Lee White; take advantage of these facilitated sessions
with a live model; sign up for as many sessions as you
like; all non-photographic media welcome; bring your
own supplies; $15/session; for information, call 563-326-
7804, Figge Art Museum, 225 W. 2nd St., Davenport IA,
FiggeArtMuseum.org, 6pm Fri Feb 21 and Fri Feb 28
Style and Techniques Seminar, with instructors Dot
and Dan of Dot’s Pots; featuring a… Bereskin Gallery &
Art Academy, 9am Sat Feb 22
Adult Coloring, discover the therapeutic benefits of
coloring at the library; color… Davenport Public Library -
Fairmount Street Branch, 2pm Tue Feb 25
Intermediate Calligraphy and Brush Writing, with
instructor Amy Nielsen; learn two calligraphic hands
using a traditional calligraphy pen or marker; these same
hands will also be taught using the brush, along with two
other brush-sign writing hands; $40-55; for information,
call 563-326-7804, Figge Art Museum, 225 W. 2nd St.,
Davenport IA, FiggeArtMuseum.org, 10am Sat Feb 29
Intro to Drawing, Tuesdays thru Mar. 31; with
instructor Gloria Burlingame; students will begin with
drawing basic forms, exploring line, shape, value and
shading techniques that add depth and dimension
to their pictures; for information, call 563-326-7804,
Figge Art Museum, 225 W. 2nd St., Davenport IA,
FiggeArtMuseum.org, 6pm Tue Mar 3
Cardboard Studio Sculpture, Wednesdays thru
Apr. 1; with instructor Steve Banks; learn techniques
to transform discarded materials such as cardboard
and material into interesting sculptures; $100-115; for
information, call 563-326-7804, Figge Art Museum, 225
W. 2nd St., Davenport IA, FiggeArtMuseum.org, 6pm
Wed Mar 4
Cyanotype Printing from Digital Negatives,
Wednesdays thru Mar. 25; with instructor Randy
Richmond; explore the world of alternative photo
processes, learn about the history of the cyanotypes and
make an actual cyanotype print from a digital negative
of your creation; $115-130; for information, call 563-326-
7804, Figge Art Museum, 225 W. 2nd St., Davenport IA,
FiggeArtMuseum.org, 6pm Wed Mar 4
Call for Entry
Seeking Submissions for the 5th Annual Campus
Art Show: Western Illinois University Quad
Cities, thru Mar. 18; seeking submissions for the exhibit
of visual… Western Illinois University - Quad Cities,
Riverfront, thru Sat Feb 29
MUSIC
Concerts
Cody Jinks, concert with the country-music star,
featuring special guests Nikki Lane &… Adler Theatre,
7pm Thu Feb 6
Aqualife - Haunter - Gabi Vanek - Dog Hairs -
AquaHauntVanekHairs Quartet, free concert after
the 5pm art opening for Lucas Berns;… Rozz-Tox, 9pm
Fri Feb 7
Casual Classics: Concert IV: Transient Canvas,
features a marimba and clarinet duet; come early, stay
after,… Galvin Fine Arts Center - St. Ambrose University,
5pm Fri Feb 7
DJ Dan Quinn, public concert and glow party with the
DJ, musician, tech… The Redstone Room, 7pm Fri Feb 7
Love Songs: The Sweet, the Sad, & the Silly, Paul
Cioe, accompanied by Heather Nobiling and John Kinser,
will… Moline Public Library, noon Fri Feb 7
In the Pines - Dark Family - Good Morning
Midnight - Sean Tyler, concert with the independent
musicians; $5; for information, call 309-200-0978… Rozz-
Tox, 7pm Sat Feb 8
A Light Among Many - Everlasting Light -
Archeress, concert with the independent musicians;
$5-10 sliding scale; for information,… Rozz-Tox, 8pm
Sun Feb 9
Live @ Five: Tritones Jazz Ensemble, a perfect way
for a couple to start their evening… The Redstone Room,
5pm Wed Feb 12
The Texas Tenors, Marcus Collins, John Hagen, and JC
Fisher treat audiences to… Adler Theatre, 7:30pm Wed
Feb 12
Jason Aldean, country star performs on his “We Back
Tour” with special… TaxSlayer Center, 7:30pm Thu Feb
13
Fair Warning Valentine’s Day, RIBCO debut for the
local rockers; for information, call 309-793-1999… RIBCO,
8pm Fri Feb 14
Smooth Jazz Valentine’s Concert w/ Paula
Atherton & Nicholas Cole, Great Sound Promotions
presents saxophonist and vocalist Atherton and pianist
… The Redstone Room, 7:30pm Fri Feb 14
Talib Kweli, an evening with the celebrated rapper,
entrepreneur, and activist, with sets by Sweet Diezel
Jenkings and V8 Vast Change; $20-25; The Rust Belt, 533
12th Ave.; East Moline IL, TheRustBeltQC.com, 8pm Fri
Feb 14
The Manny Lopez Big Band, Lopez and his 13 piece
big band will be playing… The Circa ‘21 Speakeasy, 6pm
Fri Feb 14
Aaron Lewis, the country and hard-rock musician
performs on his “State I’m in Tour”; $35-70; for tickets
and information, call 844-852-4FUN, Rhythm City Casino
Resort Event Center, 7077 Elmore Ave., Davenport IA,
RhythmCityCasino.com/index.html, 8pm Sat Feb 15
Are You the Voice of the Quad Cities?: Finals,
finale to the area singing competition with $5,000 in
cash prizes awarded; $20; for information, call 563-
528-3000, The Rust Belt, 533 12th Ave.; East Moline IL,
TheRustBeltQC.com, 8pm Sat Feb 15
Havana Daydreamin’ w/ The Boat Drunks, the
Quad City Parrot Club hosts its 16th-annual tropical
fundraiser,… Davenport RiverCenter, 6pm Sat Feb 15
Summer Camp on the Road Showcase, concert with
bands who have played the live music festival… The
Redstone Room, 8pm Sat Feb 15
WVIK/QCSO Signature Series III: The Jupiter
String Quartet, an elegant evening of chamber music
exploring the lyricism of… Centennial Hall, Augustana
College, 7:30pm Sat Feb 15
Polyrhythms’ Third Sunday Jazz Workshop &
Matinee Series: Peter Callaway Quartet, Callaway
celebrates the contributions of African American
composers and musicians… The Redstone Room, 3pm
Sun Feb 16
Know More, Do More • RiverCitiesReader.com
MUSIC
Mystic Will
Sunday, February 16, 8 p.m. @ Rozz-Tox, 2108 Third Avenue, Rock Island, IL
A
bill of pummeling post-hardcore,
screamo, and full-throated black
metal hits Rozz-Tox on February
16 as St. Louis’ Mystic Will forms a bill
with local acts The Dead Girl Medallion
and Suburban Commando.
Mystic Will’s music combines the
incessant, tremolo-picked guitar lines
and atmospheric harmonic framings of
black metal with muscular drumming
and vocal-cord-tearing vocal styles closer
to the post-hardcore playbook. Listening
to their EP titled EP from late 2019 took
me at times to the aggressive yet complex
songwriting of Converge, the smeared,
double-time drum bursts of Norwegian
forebears such as Emperor, and the con-
stantly mutating riffs and atypical har-
monies of modern black-metal legends
Krallice. Mystic Will has a tight hold on
their song structures, and never sits still
within any given riff or progression for
more than a few seconds, resulting in spi-
raling tracks that continually seem to one
up themselves in terms of intensity.
EP opener “Forever Crux” hits its most
triumphant moments when the guitars
break out of their jackhammer tempos
and start tossing off more half-time
phrases that serve as a springboard for
singer “Jack” to wail in time over. When
the track totally crumbles around the
five-minute mark and the band takes the
opportunity to wind their way back into
the mix with a somber guitar interlude set
against an almost funky drum pattern, it
sounds like something that wouldn’t feel
out of place on The Deftones’ White Pony
– a little oasis of contemplation within an
otherwise surging litany of ideas.
Like Converge, Mystic Will aren’t afraid
to mix contrasting tonalities and styles of
guitar performance into their tracks. Some
moments sound out in the din with a more
serrated, almost bluesy style of riffi ng,
while some moments blast forward with
constant buzzing pick work that speeds its
way through a tiered web of chords. The
vocals shift on a dime from what could be
described as the more death-metal-influ-
enced, guttural “Cookie Monster” style
into hand-cupped-over-the-mic screams
River Cities’ Reader • Vol. 27 No. 970 • February 2020 7
By Max Allison
straight from the metalcore playbook.
“Jack” (just to clarify, this is how he’s cred-
ited on the band’s releases) offers enough
personality and pure fire in his perfor-
mances to keep us engaged, all while the
band works their way through some laby-
rinthine riff structures that could even
seem proggy if presented on their own.
“Mortal Will,” for example, showcases
some absolutely blistering guitar work
built on dissonant chords and moments of Mystic Will @ Rozz-Tox – February 16
almost regal harmonic grandeur.
Mystic Will make it clear that their the toms and keeps the punchy snare
chops are honed enough to easily toss off bursts rolling over the beat. The genre
warp-speed black-metal riffs, but they marker “Blackgaze” that they feature on
know how to deploy them sparingly, only their Bandcamp makes sense here as the
when the atmosphere of the song calls band compliments washes of pure black-
for it. “A Retaliation Reverie” balances metal fury with more considered, texture-
bursts of double-time kick drum brutal- focused composition.
ity and washes of guitar with a series of
tightly synced breakdowns that unite the Mystic Will play Rozz-Tox on February
vocal rhythms with the rest of the band’s 16 with sets by The Dead Girl Medallion
assault. Heavy Jane Doe vibes follow when and Suburban Commando, admission to
the drums streak off into an almost lead the 8 p.m. concert is a sliding scale of $5-10,
capacity one minute into the track, as and more information is available by call-
drummer “Casey” tumbles his way over ing (309)200-0978 or visiting RozzTox.com.
CURRENT EXHIBITION
GEORGE OLSON:
The Found Object
THROUGH APRIL 19, 2020
George Olson, American, b. 1936, Niko, 1986, relief print
on paper, image courtesy of the artist, © George Olson
Davenport, Iowa • 563.326.7804
www.figgeartmuseum.org
 8 River Cities’ Reader • Vol. 27 No. 970 • February 2020
Vince Herman and Drew Emmitt @ The Redstone Room – February 28
CONTINUED
MUSIC / Concerts
Live @ Five: Rude Punch, a perfect way for a couple
to start their evening… The Redstone Room, 5pm Wed
Feb 19
A Night of Sunshine, all-new cabaret with one of
Circa ‘21’s most popular performers,… Circa ‘21 Dinner
Playhouse, 7:15pm Thu Feb 20
Bucktown Revue, a live music-and-humor variety
show featuring various styles of folk… Nighswander
Theatre, 7pm Fri Feb 21
Dr. Randall Hall, an event in the Shockingly Modern
Saxophone Festival; free; for… Larson Hall - Augustana
College, 7:30pm Fri Feb 21
Great River Show Choir Invitational: Middle
School Show Choirs, see some of the most talented
teens from several states… Adler Theatre, 5pm Fri Feb
21
Northern Parallels 041: Brenda - Mike Derer
- Higgy, quality techno and house music; $5; for
information, call 309-200-0978… Rozz-Tox, 8pm Fri
Feb 21
Romex Duo, with Dr. Nicki Roman on saxophone, Dr.
Alex Wier on… Larson Hall - Augustana College, 4:30pm
Fri Feb 21
FULL-BODY MASSAGE
SPECIALTY FACIALS
SALON SERVICES
NAIL & WAXING
SAUNA & ICE ROOM
SPA PACKAGES
AND MORE
Steady Flow - The Tripp Brothers, co-headlining
concert with the glitch-hop musicians, featuring an
opening set… The Redstone Room, 8pm Fri Feb 21
Wynonna & the Big Noise, concert with the Grammy-
winning country star and her ensemble, featuring an
opening set by the Monica Austin Band; $35-85, The Rust
Belt, 533 12th Ave.; East Moline IL, TheRustBeltQC.com,
8pm Fri Feb 21
Shockingly Modern Saxophone Festival, the
wintertime festival, with New York-based saxophonist
and… Augustana College, Fri Feb 21 thru Sat Feb 22
Bob Bucko Jr., featuring student performers; an event
in the Shockingly Modern Saxophone… Larson Hall -
Augustana College, 4:30pm Sat Feb 22
Colere Quartet, featuring student performer Melissa
Hagerty, Phil Pierick, and Casey Dierlam… Larson Hall -
Augustana College, 1pm Sat Feb 22
Duo Gillis Cunningham, with Glen Gillis on
saxophone and James Cunningham on electronics…
Larson Hall - Augustana College, 9am Sat Feb 22
Erin Rogers, concert with the New York-based
saxophonist and composer; an event… Larson Hall -
Augustana College, 7:30pm Sat Feb 22
Great River Show Choir Invitational: High School
Show Choirs, see some of the most talented teens from
several states… Adler Theatre, 8am Sat Feb 22
Truckfighters, concert with the Swedish rockers
performing “Gravity X” in its… RIBCO, 9pm Sat Feb 22
Spring into
the New Year
Know More, Do More • RiverCitiesReader.com
Christopher Paul Stelling, folk and Americana singer/
songwriters performs in support of his new… Rozz-Tox,
8pm Sun Feb 23
Quad City Symphony Youth Ensemble Concert,
percussionist Michael Hill will perform Ney Rosauro’s
Marimba Concerto No. 1 with the YSO, $5-15; for tickets
and information, call 563-322-7276; Bartlett Performing
Arts Center, 3600 Avenue of the Cities, Moline IL, QCSO.
org, 5pm Sun Feb 23
The Reverend Robert Jones Sr., Rev. Jones will
perform his nationally-acclaimed “Leadbelly show” as
a… Hauberg Civic Center Mansion, 7pm Mon Feb 24
Regan Hatfield: American Devil Sound, artist and
industrial singer/songwriter Regan Hatfield performs
original music while… The Redstone Room, 7pm Tue
Feb 25
Live @ Five: Soul Storm, a perfect way for a couple
to start their evening… The Redstone Room, 5pm Wed
Feb 26
Joseph Huber, Huber is hitting the road again this
winter along with… RIBCO, 9pm Fri Feb 28
Vince Herman & Drew Emmitt, bluegrass musicians
and Leftover Salmon members in concert; $30 adv /…
The Redstone Room, 8pm Fri Feb 28
Winter Choir Concert: Women in Song, free; for
information, contact Terri Flynn at buesing-flynnterrik@
sau.edu or 563-333-6001… Galvin Fine Arts Center - St.
Ambrose University, 7:30pm Fri Feb 28
Zac Brown Band, concert with the chart-topping,
Grammy-winning country/rock band based in Atlanta,…
TaxSlayer Center, 7pm Fri Feb 28
Dennis DeYoung: The Grand Illusion 40th
Anniversary Album Tour, the founding member
of Styx and his ensemble performs smash hits such as
“Lady,” “Come Sail Away,” and “Mr. Roboto”; $27-60;
for tickets and information, call , Rhythm City Casino
Resort Event Center, 7077 Elmore Ave., Davenport IA,
RhythmCityCasino.com, 8pm Sat Feb 29
Heart Bones, an evening with alternative musicians
Sean Tillmann and Sabrina Ellis; $12, The Rust Belt, 533
12th Ave.; East Moline IL, TheRustBeltQC.com, 7pm Sat
Feb 29
7077 Elmore Avenue,
Davenport, IA 52807
rhythmcitycasino.com
563.328.8030 |
Mississippi Rose, in Madsen Hall; concert with the
legally blind blues singer,… Galvin Fine Arts Center - St.
Ambrose University, 7:30pm Sat Feb 29
The Mamiltons - Space Burial, independent rockers
in concert; for information, call 309-793-1999… RIBCO,
8pm Sat Feb 29
Kamasi Washington, an evening with the jazz
saxophonist, composer, producer, and bandleader;
$27-40, The Rust Belt, 533 12th Ave.; East Moline IL,
TheRustBeltQC.com, 8pm Tue Mar 3
Tuneful Tuesdays: Black Hawk Pipes & Drums of
the Quad Cities, performance of Scottish bagpiping;
bring your lunch; free; for information,… Rock Island
Public Library - Downtown Library, noon Tue Mar 3
Live @ Five: Monica Austin Band, a perfect way for
a couple to start their evening… The Redstone Room,
5pm Wed Mar 4
Special Events
DJ Dan Quinn Workshop, workshop with the DJ,
looping master, and Quad City Arts… The Redstone
Room, 4:30pm Fri Feb 7
Monthly Music Happy Hour, network and socialize
with members of the Quad Cities music… The Redstone
Room, 5pm Mon Feb 10
RME Community Youth Band Rehearsal, on
Wednesdays; a concert band for students that may not
have… RME (River Music Experience), 5:15pm Wed Feb
12 thru Wed Mar 4
KIX Orchestra Rehearsal, the KIX Orchestra, directed
by Steve Little, plays music from… RME (River Music
Experience), 7pm Tue Feb 18
Discussing Modern Music, a Q&A with Erin Rogers,
the New York-based saxophonist, composer,… Larson
Hall - Augustana College, 3pm Sat Feb 22
Saxophone Masterclass with Erin Rogers, an event
in the Shockingly Modern Saxophone Festival held in…
Larson Hall - Augustana College, 10:30am Sat Feb 22
Monthly Music Happy Hour, network and socialize
with members of the Quad Cities music… The Redstone
Room, 5pm Mon Mar 2
Know More, Do More • RiverCitiesReader.com River Cities’ Reader • Vol. 27 No. 970 • February 2020 9
LITERARY ARTS THEATRE
Pageturners Book Discussion Group, a
contemporary fiction and nonfiction book discussion
group; free; for… Moline Public Library, 6:30pm Tue
Readings & Discussions
The Boxcar Children
Mar 3

Winter Reading Challenge: Light Up Winter!, at
both Rock Island libraries; light up your winter with…
Thu Feb 6 thru Sat Feb 8
Silvis Public Library Winter Reading Challenge,
each bingo you obtain is an entry to… Silvis Public
Library, Thu Feb 6 thru Sat Feb 29
Knots and Crosses, a discussion of Ian Rankin’s book
with the Mystery Book… Bettendorf Public Library,
9:30am Sat Feb 8
See YA, an adult book club with a teen book twist;
see why… Davenport Public Library - Eastern Avenue
Branch, 6:30pm Mon Feb 10
To Build a Fire, a discussion of Christophe Chabouté’s
novel with the Get Lit… Bettendorf Public Library, 7pm
Tue Feb 11
David Henry Hwang, reception, lecture, and book
signing with the Tony-winning, Chinese-American
Harlan Coben, a discussion of Harlan Coben’s book
with the Between the… Davenport Public Library -
Eastern Avenue Branch, 6:30pm Wed Mar 4 Friday, February 7, through Sunday, February 16 @
Playcrafters Barn Theatre, 4950 35th Avenue, Moline, IL
Workshops & Classes
Writer’s Studio, an informal writing critique group for
all ages, all genres… Midwest Writing Center, 11am Sat
Feb 15
Write Now! Writers Group, a chance for seasoned and
inspired writers to meet to… Moline Public Library, 6pm
Mon Feb 17
Young Emerging Writers Studio, an informal writing
critique group for all genres and experience… Midwest
Writing Center, 6pm Thu Feb 20
Lennon Ross, Madalyn Roland, Thom Elliott, and Chloe Hansen in The Boxcar Children
Write Now! Writers Group, a chance for seasoned and at Playcrafters Barn Theatre – February 7 through 16

playwright… Brunner Theatre Center, Augustana
College, 7:30pm Wed Feb 12
Local Author Series: Crystal Joy, a special Valentines
local author segment titles “Following Your Heart”;…
Davenport Public Library - Eastern Avenue Branch,
6:30pm Wed Feb 12
And Then There Were None, a discussion of Agatha
Christie’s book with the Last Call… Icons Martini, 7pm
Tue Feb 18
Book ‘Em Mystery Book Club Discussion, free; for
information, call 309-524-2470… Moline Public Library,
6:30pm Tue Feb 18
The Little Paris Bookshop, a discussion of Nina
George’s book with the Book Babes… St. James Lutheran
Church - Rock Island, 6:30pm Tue Feb 18
West End Book Club, a fun discussion of popular-
fiction titles; free; for information, call… Davenport
Public Library - Fairmount Street Branch, 6:30pm Tue
Feb 18
The Mothers, a discussion of Brit Bennett’s book with
the Contemporary Book… Bettendorf Public Library,
1pm Wed Feb 19
Pachinko, a discussion of Min Jin Lee’s book with the
Contemporary Book… Bettendorf Public Library, 7pm
Wed Feb 19
True Crime Book Club, whether you obsessively
watch Investigation Discovery, are a devout Ann…
Davenport Public Library - Fairmount Street Branch,
6:30pm Thu Feb 20
The Alchemist, a discussion of Paulo Coelho’s book
with the Last Monday… Silvis Public Library, 6:30pm
Mon Feb 24
The Hidden Life of Trees: What They Feel, How
They Communicate – Discoveries from a Secret
World, a discussion of Peter Wohleben’s book with the
Environmental Book Club;… River Action, 7pm Tue Feb
25
inspired writers to meet to… Moline Public Library, 6pm
Mon Mar 2
Call for Entry
Registration Open: 12th Annual Iron Pen Contest,
MWC will supply a prompt to all… Midwest Writing
Center, Thu Feb 6 thru Fri Feb 21
THEATRE
Performances
The Boxcar Children, Barbara Field’s Depression-era
family adventure, directed by Cynthia Taylor; Fri. & Sat.
7:30pm, Sun. 3pm; $10-13; for tickets and information,
call 309-762-0330, Playcrafters Barn Theatre, 4950 35th
Ave., Moline IL, Playcrafters.com, Fri Feb 7 thru Sun
Feb 16
Kinky Boots, Tony-winning musical comedy based on
the 2005 film, directed by… Circa ‘21 Dinner Playhouse,
7:45pm Fri Feb 7 thru Wed Mar 4
Ain’t I a Woman!, Shinnerrie Jackson portrays multiple
characters while interacting with onstage pianist… Black
Hawk College Theatre - Building 1, Room 308, 11am Tue
Feb 11
The Shape of Things, Neil LaBute’s romantic drama
set in a small Midwestern university… St. Ambrose
University Studio Theatre, Thu Feb 13 thru Sat Feb 15
Bad Dates, One-off Theatrical Productions presents
Theresa Rebeck’s one-women comedy starring
Victoria… QC Theatre Workshop, Thu Feb 13 thru Sun
Feb 16
The Wedding Singer, Tony-nominated musical
comedy based on the Adam Sandler movie, directed…
The Spotlight Theatre, Fri Feb 14 thru Sun Feb 23
B
ased on the beloved series of chil-
dren’s books originally created by
author Gertrude Chandler Warner
– a series that began in 1924 and boasts well
over 150 titles – the family adventure The
Boxcar Children serves as the first stage pre-
sentation in the Playcrafters Barn Theatre’s
2020 season, a heartwarming entertainment
that the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel praised
for “the chance to identify and appreciate
the strength, and the good, that we’re all
capable of demonstrating in times of crisis.”
Generations of young readers have cher-
ished the spirited, Depression-era adven-
tures of The Boxcar Children, and as written
by playwright Barbara Field, the continuing
tales of the Alden children – Henry, Jessie,
Violet, and Benny – now come to life on
stage. Orphaned and in danger of being
sent to different foster homes, the four sib-
lings run away and make their home in an
abandoned railroad boxcar. Pursued by the
authorities and a mysterious stranger, the
children consequently discover the rewards
and perils of life on the run, as well as the joy
of keeping their family together. A touching
and spirited tale of unity that Field adapted
for the theatre in 1999, the Seattle Times
wrote of the stage version: “Though the cen-
tral story is the same, Field’s script ampli-
fies the psychological and social dimensions
of the book considerably … . With all the
added material, The Boxcar Children has
grown into an extended, more instructive
and informative tale.”
Directing The Boxcar Children is Play-
crafters veteran Cynthia Taylor, whose pre-
vious presentations for the Moline venue
have included And Then There Were None,
The Laramie Project, and this past fall’s The
Wolves. Five adult performers are double-
cast in the production, with Jenya Lough-
ney (the Prenzie Players’ The Merry Wives of
Windsor) joining four returning Playcraft-
ers talents: Don Faust (A Number), Lauren
Larson (She Kills Monsters), Nolan Schoenle
(Prescription: Murder), and Jim Strauss
(Miracle on 34th Street). And eight gifted
area youths will alternate performances as
the four Alden children, with three Boxcar
Children productions boasting the quartet
of Chazy Mahamid, Naoko Sambdman,
Isabelle Belshause, and Abraham Gomez,
and another three featuring the foursome
of Lennon Ross, Chloe Hansen, Madalyn
Roland, and Thom Elliot.
The Boxcar Children runs at the Play-
crafters Barn Theatre February 7 through 16,
with performances on Fridays and Saturdays
at 7:30 p.m. and Sundays at 3 p.m. Tickets
are $10-13, and more information and res-
ervations are available by calling (309)762-
0330 or visiting Playcrafters.com.

Adult Book Club Discussion, in the Fireplace Room; The Wizard of Oz, musical version of the L. Frank Baum
books are available to borrow at… LeClaire Community storybook classic; Sat.… Davenport Junior Theatre, Sat
Library, 6:30pm Wed Feb 26 Feb 15 thru Sun Feb 23

Book to Film, new book club in which we’ll discuss An American in Paris, Tony-winning Gershwin musical
books that will… Davenport Public Library - Eastern based on the Oscar-winning film; an event… Adler
Avenue Branch, 6:30pm Wed Feb 26 Theatre, 7:30pm Thu Feb 20

Code Girls, a discussion of Liz Mundy’s book with the
Brown Bag Book… Davenport Public Library - Eastern
Avenue Branch, 1pm Wed Feb 26
Local Author Series: Misty Urban, local author
Urban will present on “Writing the Short, the…
Davenport Public Library - Eastern Avenue Branch, 3pm
Sat Feb 29
Spring Opera Scenes: Songs for a New World,
OperX presents vignettes from Jason Robert Brown’s
musical, directed by Michelle… Brunner Theatre Center,
Augustana College, 7:30pm Fri Feb 21 thru Sat Feb 22
Mexico Beyond Mariachi, a stage-show message of
equity, tolerance, and unity with the Quad… Galvin Fine
Arts Center - St. Ambrose University, 7:30pm Sat Feb 22

Motherless Brooklyn, a discussion of Jonathan Junie B. Jones Is Not a Crook, family-comedy stage
Lethem’s book with the Alpha Book… Rock Island Public adaptation of Barbara Park’s children’s book, directed
Library - Downtown Library, 1pm Mon Mar 2 by… Brunner Theatre Center, Augustana College,
1:30pm Sat Feb 29 and Sun Mar 1
10 River Cities’ Reader • Vol. 27 No. 970 • February 2020 Know More, Do More • RiverCitiesReader.com
Auditions & Calls for Entry
The Black Box Theatre: 2020 Season, seeking
performers of all ages and ethnic groups for
forthcoming… The Black Box Theatre, 2pm Sat Feb 8
and Sun Feb 9
Becky’s New Car, seeking three females and four males
for Steven Dietz’s comedic romp… Richmond Hill Barn
Theatre, 2pm Sat Feb 8 and Sun Feb 9
The Cemetery Club, seeking four females and one
male, ages 50s-60s, for Ivan… Richmond Hill Barn
Theatre, 2pm Sat Feb 8 and Sun Feb 9
Vintage Hitchcock: A Live Radio Play, seeking at
least two women and three men for Joe… Richmond Hill
Barn Theatre, 2pm Sat Feb 8 and Sun Feb 9
Quad City Music Guild Pre-Audition Tea, your
opportunity to learn more information from the
directors of… Quad City Music Guild - Prospect Park
Auditorium, 2pm Sun Feb 9
Matilda: The Musical – Youth Auditions, seeking
ages 8 - 16 for the Tony-winning musical based… Quad
City Music Guild - Prospect Park Auditorium, 5pm Fri
Feb 14
Mamma Mia!, seeking performers for the Tony-
nominated musical based on the pop… Quad City Music
Guild - Prospect Park Auditorium, Sat Feb 15 thru Sat
Feb 22
Matilda: The Musical, seeking performers for the
Tony-winning musical based on the children’s… Quad
City Music Guild - Prospect Park Auditorium, Sat Feb 15
thru Sat Feb 22
Monty Python’s Spamalot, seeking ages 16 & up for
the Tony-winning musical comedy… Quad City Music
Guild - Prospect Park Auditorium, Sat Feb 15 thru Sat
Feb 22
The Piano Lesson, auditions for August Wilson’s
Pulitzer Prize-winning drama running May 8 - 17, directed
by Kermit Thomas; auditions will be cold reads from
the script, no preparation is necessary; Sat. 2-4pm, Sun.
5-7pm; for information, call 309-762-0330, Playcrafters
Barn Theatre, 4950 35th Ave., Moline IL, Playcrafters.com,
Sat Feb 22 and Sun Feb 23
DANCE
Ballet Quad Cities School of Dance Classes,
offering classes in Ballet Pointe, Modern, Jazz, Tap,
Conditioning, Creative… Ballet Quad Cities School of
Dance, Thu Feb 6 thru Wed Mar 4
RUBBERBANDance Group: Vic’s Mix, a celebration
of Victor Quijada’s 15 years of making dance,… Hancher
Auditorium, 7:30pm Sat Feb 15
Polka Club of Iowa, Inc., Eastern Chapter Dance:
The Pickett’s Band (1:30pm), $10/person, ages 21 &
under free; for information, call 563-284-6340… Walcott
Coliseum, 1:30pm Sun Feb 16
COMEDY
Broken Saddle Comedy Open Mic, on Tuesdays;
if you’ve ever been called “the funny guy”… Broken
Saddle, 8:30pm Tue Feb 11 thru Tue Mar 3
Time for Murder, comedy-whodunit dinner theatre
with the comedians of It’s a Mystery… Skellington Manor
Banquet & Event Center, 6:30pm Fri Feb 14 thru Sat
Feb 15
Circa ‘21 Speakeasy Laugh Hard Comedy
Show, event featuring some of the funniest stand-up
comedians from across… The Circa ‘21 Speakeasy, 8pm
Fri Feb 21
The Late Nite Shows Presents: Wisenheimer &
Proxy, a double-header of after-dark improv with the
area comedians... The Black Box Theatre, 8pm Sat Feb 8
The Late Nite Shows Presents: Nocturne Falls &
It’s Your Fault, a double-header of after-dark improv
with the area comedians... The Black Box Theatre, 8pm
Sat Feb 22
The Late Nite Shows Presents: Bandwagon and
R&D, a double-header of after-dark improv with the
area comedians... The Black Box Theatre, 8pm Sat Feb 29
MUSEUMS
Witness to the Revolution: Accounts from
Americans Who Were There, as communism fell in
Europe in the… German American Heritage Center, Thu
Feb 6 thru Sun Feb 23
Science + You, a groundbreaking interactive children’s
exhibit presented in… Family Museum, Thu Feb 6 thru
Wed Mar 4
Ch3Mistry Day, learn things your teacher didn’t teach
you in science class… Putnam Museum & Science Center,
10am Sat Feb 8
Valentine’s Day Scherenschnitte Workshop: 2D
Session, Keith Bonnstetter presents the art of paper-
design cutting; $15-20; for… German American Heritage
Center, 10am Sat Feb 8
Valentine’s Day Scherenschnitte Workshop: 3D
Session, Keith Bonnstetter presents the art of paper-
design cutting; $15-20; for… German American Heritage
Center, 11:30am Sat Feb 8
Fascinating Fasching, hear Kathi Hofmann speak
about Fasching, Germany’s carnival season; stick…
German American Heritage Center, 2pm Sun Feb 16
Kaffeeklatsch, enjoy a coffee, some sweets, good
company, and conversation; all… German American
Heritage Center, 3pm Sun Feb 16
Power Frauen: German Women Who Dared to
Dream, in celebration of the 100th anniversary of…
German American Heritage Center, Sun Feb 16 thru
Wed Mar 4
Fasching Festivities & Wine Tasting, we celebrate
Fasching, Germany’s carnival season, with appetizers
and a… German American Heritage Center, 6pm Fri
Feb 21
Gardens of Europe, Linnea Koch presents a program
on the small island of… German American Heritage
Center, 2pm Sun Feb 23
Putnam Museum Guild Monthly Tea, this month’s
program consists of “Ancient Egypt: A Visit with…
Putnam Museum & Science Center, 1pm Thu Feb 27
MOVIES
Sons & Daughters of Thunder, local filmmakers
Tammy and Kelly Rundle will screen and discuss…
Moline Public Library, 6pm Thu Feb 6
The Normal Heart, screening of the Emmy-winning
movie presented by the DeLaCerda House;… Rock Island
Public Library - Downtown Library, 5pm Thu Feb 6
Tuesday Cinema, join us for a popular movie recently
released to DVD;… Davenport Public Library - Main
Branch, 2:30pm Tue Feb 11
Movie Matinee, $2-5; for information, call 563-386-
7477… CASI (Center for Active Seniors), 1pm Tue Feb 11
Recent Releases, movies fresh from the theater with
free popcorn and drinks;… Davenport Public Library -
Eastern Avenue Branch, 2pm Fri Feb 14
Fulci Night 2: Cat in the Brain - Zombie - New York
Ripper, a trio of fright films presented by 365 Horror
Films… Rozz-Tox, 7pm Sat Feb 15
Roman Holiday, a screening in the Afternoon Classics
series; free; for information,… Davenport Public Library -
Eastern Avenue Branch, 2pm Wed Feb 19
Cinema at Southwest, a free and fun movie series
showing movies just released… Rock Island Public
Library - Southwest Branch, 10am Thu Feb 20
Know More, Do More • RiverCitiesReader.com River Cities’ Reader • Vol. 27 No. 970 • February 2020 11
MOVIES Continued From Page 3 By Mike Schulz

War Is Hell … on Oscar Rivals

Predicting the 2020 Academy Award Winners
BEST ORIGINAL four titles. Given that Pixar has triumphed
SCREENPLAY nine times already, I’d feel more confident
1917, Sam Mendes, about predicting front-runner Toy Story
Krysty Wilson-Cairnes 4 if voters hadn’t shown enormous resis-
Knives Out, Rian Johnson tance to the company’s sequels. (Finding
Marriage Story, Noah Baumbach Dory, Monsters University, and Cars 2 and
Once Upon a Time … in Hollywood, 3 weren’t even nominated, and the only
Quentin Tarantino follow-up to ever win was the previous
Parasite, Bong Joon Ho, Toy Story.) I Lost My Body and Klaus – the
Han Jin Won latter of which just won the BAFTA – are
both easily, deservedly watchable on Net-
The only category it’s nominated in that flix, but I think there might be a reverse-
1917 has almost no chance of winning. Netflix thing happening, because all of this
(And if it does win, watch out: We’re prob- year’s nominees from the streaming service
ably talking a 10-for-10 sweep.) The winner, feel, to me, like they came out ages ago. (I
Park So-dam and Choi Woo-shik in Parasite
then, will likely be either Once Upon a Time can’t be the only one sensing this: It would
or Parasite. Tarantino won the Globe and certainly explain the blasé award-show
BEST PRODUCTION DESIGN BEST VISUAL EFFECTS
Critics’ Choice Awards. Bong and Han responses The Irishman and Marriage Story 1917 1917
won the BATFA and Writers Guild Award and The Two Popes seem to be generating The Irishman Avengers: Endgame
(WGA) – the latter a category in which lately.) And so I’m going with Missing Link Jojo Rabbit The Irishman
Tarantino, for guild-related reasons, wasn’t – partly because its studio Laika is five-for- Once Upon a Time … in Hollywood The Lion King
nominated. I’m sli-i-ightly leaning toward five on nominations and deserves a win, Parasite Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker
Tarantino, but given that the guy has two and partly because it won the Golden Globe
Oscars in this category already, I’m quietly amidst near-exact competition and the BEST COSTUME DESIGN BEST MAKEUP &
rooting for Parasite. So win-win, really. crowd’s collective response suggested both The Irishman HAIRSTYLING
“I’ve never heard of that one!” and “I’ve got Jojo Rabbit 1917
BEST ADAPTED to see that one!” Considering Missing Link Joker Bombshell
SCREENPLAY was my own favorite animated release of Little Women Joker
The Irishman, Steven Zaillian 2019, I’m hoping they did. Once Upon a Time … in Hollywood Judy
Jojo Rabbit, Taika Waititi Maleficent: Mistress of Evil
Joker, Todd Phillips, Scott Silver BEST INTERNATIONAL BEST SOUND EDITING
Little Women, Greta Gerwig FEATURE FILM 1917 BEST DOCUMENTARY
The Two Popes, Anthony McCarten Ford v Ferrari SHORT
Corpus Christi, Poland
Greta Gerwig is a standing ovation wait- Honeyland, North Macedonia Joker In the Absence
ing to happen. But this is Jojo Rabbit’s only Les Misérables, France Once Upon a Time … in Hollywood Learning to Skateboard in a
conceivable win (Little Women has the Pain & Glory, Spain Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker Warzone (If You’re a Girl)
slam-dunk of Costume Design and The Parasite, South Korea Life Overtakes Me
Irishman has a definite maybe in Visual BEST SOUND MIXING St. Louis Superman
Effects and few other craft/tech categories), BEST DOCUMENTARY 1917 Walk Run Cha-Cha
most of its admirers would agree that the
FEATURE Ad Astra
highly risky script is the best thing about
American Factory Ford v Ferrari BEST LIVE-ACTION SHORT
it, and this past weekend, the film emerged Joker
The Cave Brotherhood
victorious with BAFTA and the WGA. And Once Upon a Time … in Hollywood
The Edge of Democracy Nefta Football Club
have you seen Taika Waititi in interviews
For Sama The Neighbors’ Window
or on the awards-show circuit? The guy’s
Honeyland BEST ORIGINAL SCORE Saria
delightful! Never underestimate the appeal
of a potentially wonderful, televised awards 1917 A Sister
speech. (See: Pitt, Brad.) BEST CINEMATOGRAPHY Joker
1917 Little Women BEST ANIMATED SHORT
The Irishman Marriage Story
BEST ANIMATED FEATURE Dcera (Daughter)
Joker Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker Hair Love
How to Train Your Dragon:
The Lighthouse Kitbull
The Hidden World
Once Upon a Time … in Hollywood BEST ORIGINAL SONG Memorable
I Lost My Body
Klaus Breakthrough, “I’m Standing with You” Sister
Missing Link BEST FILM EDITING Frozen II, “Into the Unknown”
Toy Story 4 Ford v Ferrari Harriet, “Stand Up” Read more on each award category, plus
The Irishman Rocketman, “(I’m Gonna) Love Me reviews of recent releases 1917, Bad Boys for
With apologies to the Dragon sequel, this
Jojo Rabbit Again” Life, Dolittle, The Gentlemen, Gretel & Hansel,
is the first time in this category’s 19-year
Joker Toy Story 4, “I Can’t Let You Throw Just Mercy, The Rhythm Section, The Turning,
history that the victor could easily be any of
Parasite Yourself Away” and Underwater at RCReader.com/y/movies.
12 River Cities’ Reader • Vol. 27 No. 970 • February 2020
MUSIC
Stiles and Styles: Music of 2019
W
hat follows is a subjective list of
my 10 favorite releases of 2019,
as well as some honorable
mentions. My personal tastes tend toward
rock and metal, and this list reflects that,
with a few exceptions. There’s much good
music that I’ve either missed or haven’t
fully appreciated. You are probably in the
same boat. So read on – and feel free to rec-
ommend anything I may have overlooked.
Grant Stiles: From the Muddy
River … to Way Back in the
Woods
The debut album by this northwest
Illinois singer/songwriter is my pick
for album of the year. Thomson, Illi-
nois native Stiles spins narratives about
love and life, ginseng hunting, his fam-
ily’s past, and our uncertain future. On
Muddy River, he pays tribute to his home-
steading, fur-trapping grandparents, and
offers up grim musings on dying honey
bees, bug-out bags, drought, and flood-
ing. The songs ring with the authenticity
of a life lived in the woods of which he
sings. When he prays for protection on the
hushed, reverent “Muddy River,” it is with
the bone-chilling voice of a man who has
lived his life by that river and knows well
its destructive power. From the Muddy
River … to Way Back in the Woods is an
apocalyptic folk record that went to press
just as the Mississippi left its banks last
spring, and serves as a gentle reminder
of the rustic past – and a warning of our
turbulent future.
Cervine: Cervine
This Dubuque prog-metal quartet has
been polishing their debut for years. They
released it with a minimum of fanfare in
the fall, but wasted no time in lining up
a series of gigs in the tri-state region to
showcase their winding, ambitious, but
never indulgent progscapes. They claim
influence from Black Sabbath, Tool, Neu-
rosis, and King Crimson, but manage to
avoid being derivative. The light-heavy
dynamic is hard enough to please met-
alheads yet complex enough to please
prog-heads, and the clean guitar pas-
sages function as their own compositions
rather than simple placemarkers. Cervine
is bigger than local. It deserves to be con-
sidered with any release by any established
metal band from the last year.
Crater: Suffer Existence
This QC-based technical death metal
band tempers muscular, brainy material
with surprisingly emotional guitar melo-
dies, all the while keeping their songs con-
cise and hook-laden without losing any
heaviness. Their EP Suffer Existence is the
best short release of the year.
Sabbath Assembly: A Letter
of Red
A project that initially started as a
cover band playing Process Church of the
Final Judgment (the hippie-era apoca-
lyptic cult that gained infamy through
alleged Manson family connections),
Sabbath Assembly comes into its own as
a truly serious occult-rock band. They
took me by surprise with a spare, capti-
vating live performance that I happened
to stumble upon in Madison, Wisconsin,
and moved me so much that I bought the
record immediately. Frontwoman Jamie
Myers’ lyrics and stage presence will con-
vince any listener that the band’s occult-
inspired lyrics are more than a gimmick.
Musically, they’re more than another
Black Sabbath vamp; the shimmering,
shivering, lightly distorted guitars suggest
the ghost of an evil Fairport Convention, a
spectre of eldritch mystery wafting out of
an old English mist.
Thonian Horde: Downfall
This Maryland-based black-metal outfit
bills itself as “black ‘n’ roll.” Rather than
taking the edge off, the rock grooves only
add to the attack of Downfall, and the
result is a thick, rich sound that swirls
around the listener like incense smoke
from a pagan altar. Bluesy, even psyche-
delic ‘70s-styled guitar leads commingle
with the abrasive, chugging riffs and
infectious breakdowns; slide guitar even
pops up on a track. Lyrically, Thonian
Horde eschew misanthropic black-metal
clichés. Instead, they attack the hypocri-
sies of society and its rulers and ruiners,
and draw from an occult perspective far
too deep to be a pose. Recommended for
those who seek something different from
today’s metal bands.
Know More, Do More • RiverCitiesReader.com
By Loren Thacher
Closet Witch: Wake Brewing
Flexi
Southern Iowa grindcore powerhouse
tears on with frenzied, cathartic abandon.
This release consists of three demos of new
songs recorded for splits due out this year,
plus a live Yeah Yeah Yeahs cover. It was
released as a flexi disc at a special beer-
tapping event at Wake Brewing back in
November, but can be purchased directly
from the band at their live shows.
HONORABLE MENTIONS
Kelly Carmichael: Heavy
Heart Bailjack: Predominantly Green
While technically self-released in
The Appalachian heavy-psych-rock
late 2018, the first fully electric offering
band with as much Sabbath as Allman
from the Maryland heavy-rock guitarist
Brothers in their lineage drops an eight-
received a re-release this past fall. Aided
and-a-half-minute single from what will
only by a drummer, pianist, and violin-
surely be 2020’s best jam-rock album.
ist, Carmichael manages to channel the
Tasty slide licks punctuate a groove that
essence of Black Sabbath and Jethro Tull
rolls steady and heavy like a B&O freight
without becoming derivative of either.
Heavy Heart sounds like it was perfectly
crossing the mountains. Bailjack’s Spring
is due out in January.
preserved in a studio sometime in the
mid-’70s, to be excavated only when the
time was right. It is a timeless, endlessly Faith in Jane: Patient &
compelling rock record – dark, dreamy, Simple
and melancholy, yet awash in life and The best young band in rock ‘n’ roll
light. drops a straight blues track as a taster
ahead of the release of Mother to Earth,
The Dawn: Live at the which will likely be the next best rock
Raccoon Motel album of 2020. Whiskey-soaked South-
ern-rock groove meets modern Sab-
The QC’s best dance band manages
bathian heaviness, with a lyrical chaser of
to strike a balance between Americana-
existential dread.
tinged heartland rock and ‘60s-flavored
R&B, with long, fluid jams coexisting
among sensitive, wistful ballads. This is
the Dawn in their element, and the best
recorded representation of the band to
date.
Lillie Mae: Other Girls
This Midwest-born Nashville phenom
blends her truly authentic roots music
with elements of rock, contemporary
pop, and even psychedelia. Highly rec-
ommended for those who love – and hate
– modern country music.
Riff Worm: End Times
Dredge: Ashbreathers Dubuque’s metal journeyman drops
Dense, thick prog metal from a veteran his first full blues LP, a one-man stom-
Dubuque band. Rumbling, abrasive, yet per driven by dirty slide guitar, stomp-
mixed with sad and beautiful melodies. box drum, and whiskey-fried vocals. His
Don’t let the pummeling riffs and gut- “doom blues” draw straight from the delta
tural vocals throw you – Ashbreathers is of all that is heavy.
a stimulating work of beauty and passion.
Continued On Page 14
 Know More, Do More • RiverCitiesReader.com
CONTINUED
MOVIES
Overload: America’s Toxic Love Story, River Action
has partnered with the Joyce and Tony Singh Family
Foundation, Sierra Club Eagle View Group, and Nahant
Marsh Education Center to bring this presentation in
the Quad Cities’ Environmental Film Series; followed
by a discussion with an expert on the film’s subject
matter; $2-5; for information, call 563-322-2969, Figge Art
Museum, 225 W. 2nd St., Davenport IA, RiverAction.org,
4pm Sun Feb 23
Classic Movie, $2-5; for information, call 563-386-
7477… CASI (Center for Active Seniors), 1pm Tue Feb 25
SPORTS
Quad City Storm vs. Fayetteville, professional
minor-league hockey; for information and tickets, call
309-794-2001… TaxSlayer Center, 7:10pm Fri Feb 14
Quad City Storm vs. Fayetteville, professional
minor-league hockey; for information and tickets, call
309-794-2001… TaxSlayer Center, 7:10pm Sat Feb 15
Quad City Storm vs. Fayetteville, professional
minor-league hockey; for information and tickets, call
309-794-2001… TaxSlayer Center, 1pm Sun Feb 16
World Championship Ice Racing: Fire on Ice
Thunderstruck Tour, witness as the most fearless
racers shred the arenas solid… TaxSlayer Center, 7:30pm
Sat Feb 29
OTHER EVENTS
First Friday in LeClaire, with fun food and cocktail
sampling at the Mississippi River… Downtown LeClaire,
5pm Fri Feb 7
Viva La Divas Drag Show, featuring award-winning
performers from across the Midwest; $10-12; for tickets…
The Circa ‘21 Speakeasy, 8pm Fri Feb 7
Hauberg Estate Tours, on Fridays; docents conduct
interesting and informative tours of the… Hauberg Civic
Center Mansion, 1pm Fri Feb 7 thru Fri Feb 28
Cocoa Crawl, … Downtown LeClaire, Sat Feb 8
Technology Tuesday, bring your tablets, phones,
laptops, and more for tech help;… River Valley District
Library, 1pm Tue Feb 11
Havana Daydreamin’ Fundraiser, the Quad City
Parrot Club hosts its 16th-annual tropical fundraiser,…
Davenport RiverCenter, 6pm Sat Feb 15
Tetris Tuesdays, the Soviet challenge on the big
screen; top score gets… Rozz-Tox, Tue Feb 11 thru Tue
Mar 3
An Afternoon of Bunco with the Friends of
the Library, enjoy an afternoon of game play and
conversation with friends;… River Valley District Library,
1pm Wed Feb 12
Dungeons & Dragons Nights, on Wednesdays; for
information, call 309-788-8247… Big Swing Brewing
Company, 6pm Wed Feb 12 thru Wed Mar 4
Go Club, on Wednesdays; the ancient Chinese board
game of abstract strategy;… Rozz-Tox, Wed Feb 12 thru
Wed Mar 4
Valentine’s Wine Dinner, enjoy a gourmet dinner and
sample six wines from Dmitri… Hauberg Civic Center
Mansion, 6:30pm Fri Feb 14
Zoo Romance Trivia Night, interact with live animals
as you enjoy a catered meal,… Niabi Zoo, 7pm Fri Feb 14
P.S. I Still Love Lara Jean Party, throw on your best
Lara Jean inspired outfit, grab your… Davenport Public
Library - Eastern Avenue Branch, 2pm Sat Feb 15
3rd Annual Patriot Derby Challenge, this unique
pinewood derby race allows military veterans to race…
River Cities’ Reader • Vol. 27 No. 970 • February 2020 13
Western Illinois University - Quad Cities, Riverfront, 10am
Sat Feb 15
Havana Daydreamin’ Fundraiser, the Quad City
Parrot presents its 16th-annual tropical fundraiser,
with… Davenport RiverCenter, 6pm Sat Feb 15
Trivia Night for Olivia Jett, benefit event held for a
12-year-old from the Quad City… East Moline American
Legion, 6pm Sat Feb 15
Trivia Night in LeClaire, tables of 8; $10 per person;
Mulligans and refreshments available… LeClaire Civic
Center, 6:30pm Sat Feb 15
The 2020 Martini Shake Off, attendees are invited
to sip on martinis, prepared by local… Davenport
RiverCenter, 5:30pm Thu Feb 20
JBRI 2020 Mardi Gras Charity Ball: Havana
Hideaway, a black-tie-event in its 81st year, complete
with cabana stations,… Quad-Cities Waterfront
Convention Center, 6pm Sat Feb 22
Adult Chess Club, all of the materials needed for the
game are available… Bettendorf Public Library, 6:25pm
Mon Feb 24
Cajun Cook-Off, Quad City area chefs will cook Cajun-
inspired dishes for guests to sample and vote for their
favorite; all proceeds benefit the Figge Art Museum;
$35-40; for information and tickets, call 563-326-7804,
Rhythm City Casino Resort Event Center, 7077 Elmore
Ave., Davenport IA, FiggeArtMuseum.org, 5pm Tue Feb
25
Lenten Fish Fry, on Fridays in the Klauer Cafeteria;
the menu includes baked or… St. Alphonsus Catholic
Church, 4pm Fri Feb 28
Manscape Male Burlesque Revue, strip-teasing with
the touring male performers; $12-15; for tickets and…
The Circa ‘21 Speakeasy, 8pm Fri Feb 28
LECTURES
Coffee Chemist, Dunn Brothers Coffee will show you
the journey to crafting… Davenport Public Library - Main
Branch, 10am Sat Feb 8
Immigrants and Trafficking Among Us, an event
sponsored by One Human Family of the Quad-Cities…
Urban Campus of the Eastern Iowa Community College,
9am Sat Feb 8
Engineering: Bridges, free; for information, call
563-344-4175 or e-mail info@bettendorflibrary.com…
Bettendorf Public Library, 11:30am Tue Feb 11
Recapture of Corregidor, commemorate the 75th
Anniversary of World War II in this… Rock Island Public
Library - Downtown Library, 3pm Wed Feb 12
Recapture of Corregidor, commemorate the 75th
Anniversary of World War II in this… Davenport Public
Library - Main Branch, 6pm Wed Feb 12
The Ecology of Peace: Preparing Colombia for
New Political and Planetary Climates, Jeffrey
S. Dukes, PhD, Professor of Forestry and Natural
Resources… Rogalski Center - St. Ambrose University,
7pm Wed Feb 12
The ISBA People’s Law School, designed to allow
members of the public to find answers… Bettendorf
Public Library, 5:30pm Tue Feb 18
Black History Month, the Davenport Civil Rights
Commission and the Davenport Public Library…
Davenport Public Library - Main Branch, 6:30pm Thu
Feb 20
TED Circles, an open platform in which attendees get
to view TED videos and discuss in small groups a range
of ideas and perspectives; immerse yourself in what TED
is all about and share your perspectives with others; for
information, call 563-326-7804, Figge Art Museum, 225
W. 2nd St., Davenport IA, FiggeArtMuseum.org, 6:30pm
Thu Feb 20
Chocoholic Paradise Create, sign up for a hands-on
learning experience with local expert… Rock Island
Public Library - Downtown Library, 1pm Sat Feb 22
14 River Cities’ Reader • Vol. 27 No. 970 • February 2020
MUSIC Continued From Page 12
Stiles and Styles: Music of 2019
5th Dawn: Atrocity Domine
Terrifying QC blackened-death metal
that loses no soul to this EP’s heavily tech-
nical arrangements. 5th Dawn popped out
of hibernation with little warning late in
the year, and while it’s still only a studio
outfit for the foreseeable future, it’s safe
to say that we can expect more brutality
from the band.
Giallows: Singles
The QC chameleons’ self-titled EP was
one of my favorites of 2018, a skillful blend
of heavy fuzz, melodic, crooning vocals,
and a rich, layered atmosphere colored
by the Italian B-horror fi lm genre from
which they draw their name. In 2019, the
band played a multi-hour, heavily impro-
vised soundtrack set at Moline’s Factory
of Fear (the audio of which is available on
YouTube) and played out twice as a synth-
goth two-piece. In the fall, they released
Singles – three tracks of obsessive, cold,
creepy synth-rock with industrial over-
tones – and closed the year with a live
performance as an electric power trio.
Giallows have shown this past year that
their mission to create as much music in as
many configurations as possible is going
well, and have proven to be perhaps the
QC’s most interesting band.
Smoulder: Times of Obscene
Evil & Wild Daring
A primarily Canadian metal band
drawing from doom metal and classic
sword-and-sorcery fantasy tales, with two
Illinoisians providing their debut’s best
tracks. Sarah Kitteringham’s dynamic
vocals manage to mix themes of femi-
nine empowerment with the fantasy with-
out becoming overbearing or preachy.
Smoulder’s infectious, catchy riffs bear the
heaviness of doom and the energy of clas-
sic NWOBHM, and they have new mate-
rial ready for release in 2020.
Igneous: Hills & Valleys and
A Summer Breeze
This new QC instrumental prog-metal
trio successfully blends melody and taste
with their formidable chops, and these
Know More, Do More • RiverCitiesReader.com
two singles are catchy, concise, and avoid
self-indulgence. Recommended for fans
of the modern shred-prog genre as well
as anyone who admires instrumental
dexterity.
Aseethe: Throes
Iowa City’s doomers continue to refine
their oppressive sound with thundering
riffs and lyrics reflecting the dismal state
of late-capitalist America. They’re becom-
ing a nationally-known act, and Throes
proves why.
By Loren Thacher
Woodcreeper: I
Dubuque’s sludgy three-piece drops a
nasty, scuzzy EP as crusty as the titular river
abomination of the track “Crustagion.”
Sunshrine: Dream Milk
Members of Condor & Jaybird and the
Golden Fleece expand on their dreamy,
psych-guitar jams, touching on mellow
yacht-rock, lazy-love indie balladry, and,
on the title track, an impressionistic twist
of bizarro-Kraft werk. Taste the milk of
their endlessly creative dreams.
Comments, suggestions, and recom-
mendations can be sent to the author at
Lthacher13@gmail.com.
 Know More, Do More • RiverCitiesReader.com
CONTINUED
LECTURES
Immigration and Citizenship Workshop,
representatives from QCAIR and Esperanza Legal
Assistance Center will be… Moline Public Library, 10am
Sat Feb 22
Philosophy at the Pub: War and Peace, for
information, contact Tadd Ruetenik at RuetenikTaddL@
sau.edu or 563-333-6435… Zeke’s Island Cafe, 7pm Mon
Feb 24
Engineering: Bridges, free; for information, call
563-344-4175 or e-mail info@bettendorflibrary.com…
Bettendorf Public Library, 11:30am Tue Feb 25
World Affairs Council of the Quad Cities:
Cybersecurity, free; for information, call 563-344-4175
or e-mail info@bettendorflibrary.com… Bettendorf
Public Library, 7pm Tue Feb 25
World War I Presentation, the program will cover the
war in Europe and the… Rock Island Arsenal Museum,
6pm Fri Feb 28
Folwell Lecture, presented by by Kelly M. Kadera, PhD,
Associate Professor of Political… Rogalski Center - St.
Ambrose University, 7pm Tue Mar 3
COURSES
CommUniversity, on Sundays; a series of seminars
taught by local experts… Black Hawk College - Quad City
Campus, 2pm Sun Feb 9 thru Sun Feb 23
Spanish, Tuesdays thru Feb. 25; $45; for information and
to register,… Black Hawk College - Quad City Campus,
5:30pm Tue Feb 11
Introduce a Girl to STEAM 2019, this year’s event,
designed for girls in grades 2-8 to… Rogalski Center - St.
Ambrose University, 4pm Tue Feb 18
Growing Your Family Tree, Thursdays thru Mar.
19; $50; for information and to register,… Black Hawk
College Outreach Center, 1:30pm Thu Feb 20
Rivermont Collegiate Technology Fair, for students
K-12 who are interested in submitting technology-based
projects… Rivermont Collegiate, 8am Sat Feb 22
Colorful Conifers, an event in the Four Seasons
Gardening Webinar Series; working with… University of
Illinois Extension - Milan, 1:30pm Tue Feb 25
FAFSA Completion Night, in Building A, Room 239,
Testing Center; let Black Hawk… Black Hawk College East
Campus, 4pm Tue Feb 25
FAFSA Completion Night, in Building 1, Room 305;
let Black Hawk College’s financial… Black Hawk College -
Quad City Campus, 4pm Wed Feb 26
Pesticide Safety Test Only, … University of Illinois
Extension - Milan, 10am Wed Feb 26
Nursery School: Lessons in Gardening, the Quad
Cities’ premiere horticulture symposium horticulture
experts share tips,… Moline High School, 8pm Sat Feb
29
DIY Laundry Solutions, learn simple recipes and
the many benefits of making your… Rock Island Public
Library - Downtown Library, 6pm Wed Mar 4
MEETINGS
Goose Hollow Meditation Garden Open for
Outdoor Prayer, at 1006 Western Ave., Davenport; for
information, call 309-236-7113; free;… Goose Hollow,
thru Wed Mar 4
Scott County Iowa Genealogical Society Meeting:
Games, Games, and More Games, join the members
and guests of the Scott County Iowa… Davenport Public
Library - Main Branch, 6:30pm Mon Feb 10
Knit/Crochet Circle, on Wednesdays; knit/crochet
blanket squares over the winter months; blanket…
Moline Public Library, 5:30pm Wed Feb 12 thru Wed
Mar 4
Warm Up Wednesdays, get out of the cold and warm
up at the… Davenport Public Library - Main Branch, 3pm
Wed Feb 12 thru Wed Mar 4
Moline Public Library Board Meeting, agendas are
available prior to the meetings; minutes are available…
Moline Public Library, noon Thu Feb 13
QCMUG (Quad Cities Macintosh Users Group)
Meeting, with a special program/presentation on
Macintosh Applications or hardware, and… Bettendorf
Public Library, 6:30pm Tue Feb 18
Quad Cities Legislative Forum, featuring Iowa state
legislators and open to the public; an… Rogalski Center -
St. Ambrose University, 10:30am Sat Feb 22
HEALTH
Zumba, Thursdays thru Mar. 19; $39; for information and
to register,… Black Hawk College - Quad City Campus,
7pm Thu Feb 13
Yoga on the Mezz w/ Monique Jackson, all-levels
class for beginners and veterans; bring your own mat;…
Crawford Brew Works, 8pm Wed Feb 19
Yoga on the Mezz w/ Susan McLoone of
KindredMinds, all-levels class for beginners and
veterans; bring your own mat;… Crawford Brew Works,
6pm Wed Feb 19
Yoga Stretch, Thursdays thru Mar. 26; $49; for
information and to register,… Black Hawk College
Outreach Center, 6:45pm Thu Feb 20
Couples Massage Class @ Crawford Brew Works,
learn how to give your partner a spa-worthy massage
while… Crawford Brew Works, 6pm Wed Feb 26
Yoga on the Mezz w/ Monique Jackson, all-levels
class for beginners and veterans; bring your own mat;…
Crawford Brew Works, 8pm Wed Mar 4
Yoga on the Mezz w/ Susan McLoone of
KindredMinds, all-levels class for beginners and
veterans; bring your own mat;… Crawford Brew Works,
6pm Wed Mar 4
SENIORS
Apple iPad Clinic, on Thursdays; $3-5; for information,
call 563-386-7477… CASI (Center for Active Seniors),
11am Thu Feb 6 thru Thu Feb 27
Line Dancing II, on Thursdays; $3-5; for information,
call 563-386-7477… CASI (Center for Active Seniors),
2:30pm Thu Feb 6 thru Thu Feb 27
New Horizons Band Practice, on Thursdays; $2-5; for
information, call 563-386-7477… CASI (Center for Active
Seniors), 12:30pm Thu Feb 6 thru Thu Feb 27
Euchre, on Thursdays & Fridays; $2-5; for information,
call 563-386-7477… CASI (Center for Active Seniors),
12:45pm Thu Feb 6 thru Thu Feb 27
Billiards, Mon.-Fri.; $2; for information, call 563-386-
7477… CASI (Center for Active Seniors), 8am Thu Feb 6
thru Wed Mar 4
Low-Impact Exercise, Mon.-Fri.; $2-5; for information,
call 563-386-7477… CASI (Center for Active Seniors), 9am
Thu Feb 6 thru Wed Mar 4
Reflexology Clinic, on Wed. & Thu.; for information,
call 563-386-7477… CASI (Center for Active Seniors), 1pm
Thu Feb 6 thru Wed Mar 4
Zumba Gold, on Wednesdays at 9am & Thursdays at
9:30am; $3-5; for… CASI (Center for Active Seniors), Thu
Feb 6 thru Wed Mar 4
Genesis Foot Clinic, reservations required; for
information, call 563-320-3978… CASI (Center for Active
Seniors), noon Thu Feb 6
CASI Book Club, $2-5; for information, call 563-386-
7477… CASI (Center for Active Seniors), 10am Fri Feb 7
River Cities’ Reader • Vol. 27 No. 970 • February 2020 15
OTHER EVENTS
David Henry Hwang
Wednesday, February 12, 7:30 p.m. @ Augustana College’s
Brunner Theatre Center, 3750 Seventh Avenue, Rock Island, IL
N
amed “a true original” by the
New York Times and “the first
important dramatist of Ameri-
can public life since Arthur Miller” by
Time magazine, Tony Award winner
and three-time Pulitzer Prize fi nal-
ist David Henry Hwang serves as the
latest guest in Quad City Arts Visiting
Artist Series, his February 12 presenta-
tion at Augustana College profiling an
extraordinary career in stage drama,
musicals, operas, fi lm, television, and,
as a theatre professor at Columbia Uni-
versity, even academia.
Born in Los Angeles in 1957, Hwang
received his bachelor’s degree in Eng-
lish from Stanford University in 1979
and attended the Tale School of Drama
between 1980 and 1981. Hwang’s early
plays concerned the roles of Chinese
Americans and Asian Americans in
David Henry Hwang @ Augustana College’s
contemporary society, with his fi rst
Brunner Theatre Center – February 12
play FOB exploring the contrasts and
confl icts between established Asian (which earned him yet another Tony
Americans and new immigrants. The nod). But Hwang is also America’s
play premiered off-Broadway in 1980 at most-produced living opera librettist,
the Joseph Papp Public Theater, where it with his works having received two
eventually won the Obie award for Best Grammy Awards and including such
New American Play, and Papp went on adaptations as Alice in Wonderland,
to produce four more of Hwang’s works, Tarzan, and David Cronenberg’s The
including two in 1981: The Dance & the Fly. In addition to his current writing
Railroad, which tells of a former Chi- the book for the live-action musical
nese-opera star working as a laborer in version of Disney’s The Hunchback of
the 19th-century American West, and Notre Dame, Hwang served as a writer/
Family Devotions, a darkly comic take consultant for Showtime’s Golden
on the effects of Western religion on Globe-winning series The Affair, and
a Chinese-American family. Hwang’s debut his latest musical Soft Power – a
biggest success, however, came with his collaboration with Tony Award winner
1988 Broadway sensation M. Butterfly, Jeanine Tesori – in the spring of 2018.
a deconstruction of the Puccini opera Hwang also serves on the board of the
Madama Butterfly that found a hetero- Lark Play Development Center, as Head
sexual Westerner falling in love with a of Playwriting at Columbia University
male Chinese opera singer, and conse- School of the Arts, and as Chair of the
quently spending 20 years unaware of American Theatre Wing, the founder of
his lover’s actual gender. M. Butterfly the Tony Awards.
earned Hwang the Drama Desk Award
and the Tony Award for Best Play – David Henry Hwang’s evening at
becoming the fi rst Asian-American Augustana College begins on February
ever to win the category – and made its 12 with a 5 p.m. reception in the Brun-
author a finalist for the Pulitzer Prize ner Theatre Center, is followed by the
for Drama. playwright’s 7:30 p.m. presentation, and
Hwang’s other stage plays have concludes with a book signing. Admis-
included Golden Child (for which he sion is $10-15, with tickets available by
received another Tony nomination), calling (309)794-7306, and more infor-
Chinglsih, and Yellow Face, and he mation on Hwang’s visit and the 2019-
has written the books for such musi- 20 Visiting Artist Series can be found
cals as Disney’s Tarzan, Aida, and the by calling (309)793-1213 or visiting
2002 revival of Flower Drum Song QuadCityArts.com.
16 River Cities’ Reader • Vol. 27 No. 970 • February 2020 Know More, Do More • RiverCitiesReader.com

MUSIC T’ai Chi Ch’un, on Wednesdays; $24-36/6 weeks; for

CONTINUED
By Max Allison
SENIORS information, call 563-386-7477… CASI (Center for Active
Seniors), 10:25am Wed Feb 12 thru Wed Mar 4

Northern Parallels 041 w/ Brenda Bingo, on Fridays; no admission fee, card costs are $0.25
Walgreens Medication Review & Blood Pressure
Check, free; for information, call 563-386-7477… CASI
Friday, February 21, 8 p.m. @ Rozz-Tox, &… CASI (Center for Active Seniors), 12:30pm Fri Feb 7
thru Fri Feb 28
(Center for Active Seniors), 10am Thu Feb 20

Classic Movie, $2-5; for information, call 563-386-

2018 Third Avenue, Rock Island, IL Ceramics I & II, on Fridays; $7-11; for information, call 7477… CASI (Center for Active Seniors), 1pm Tue Feb 25

C
563-386-7477… CASI (Center for Active Seniors), 9am Fri
hicago-based DJ, record-label Feb 7 thru Fri Feb 28 Red Hat Club Luncheon, locations vary monthly; for
information, call 563-386-7477… CASI (Center for Active
impresario, and prolific podcaster Golden Tones Chorus Practice, on Fridays; $2-5; for Seniors), noon Tue Mar 3
Brenda continues Rozz-Tox’s ongo- information, call 563-386-7477… CASI (Center for Active
Seniors), 9am Fri Feb 7 thru Fri Feb 28
ing Northern Parallels series, sharing the
February 21 bill with the ever-reliable Senior Theatre: Second Avenue Players, on Fridays; KIDS’ STUFF
Mike Derer and Higgy. $2-5; for information, call 563-386-7477… CASI (Center
for Active Seniors), 10:30am Fri Feb 7 thru Fri Feb 28 QC Libraries’ 2020 Teen Video Contest, for ages 11-
As Brenda approaches almost a decade 19; create a video that showcases creativity in the… Thu
behind the decks as a DJ, her skills as a Bridge, on Mondays & Fridays; $2-5; for information, call Feb 6 thru Wed Mar 4
563-386-7477… CASI (Center for Active Seniors), 12:30pm
selector and purveyor of constantly churn- Fri Feb 7 thru Mon Mar 2 Teen Advisory Group, an opportunity for teens and
ing, tightly mixed sets becomes more and tweens to have input in… Moline Public Library, 3:30pm
Ceramics I, on Mondays & Fridays; $7-11; for Thu Feb 6
more apparent. She leans heavily into the information, call 563-386-7477… CASI (Center for Active
world of dark, industrial-tinged techno, Seniors), 9:30am Fri Feb 7 thru Mon Mar 2 Reading is Sweet Winter Reading Program,
children in grades pre-K-6 can sign up… Moline Public
and tends to pick tracks that maintain Genesis Blood Pressure Checks, on Mondays; for Library, Thu Feb 6 thru Sat Feb 15
a constant danceable framework while information, call 563-386-7477… CASI (Center for Active
streaking off into atypical textures and Seniors), 9am Mon Feb 10 thru Mon Mar 2 Paint It!, on Thursdays; for ages 6+; each week we’ll use
a… Davenport Public Library - Eastern Avenue Branch,
pitch black atmospheres. A listen to her Shuffleboard, on Mondays; $2-5; for information, call 6:30pm Thu Feb 6 thru Thu Feb 20
set from Even Furthur, recorded in 2018 563-386-7477… CASI (Center for Active Seniors), 2:15pm
Mon Feb 10 thru Mon Mar 2 Dance Party Storytime, on Thursdays; dance your
but presented on her SoundCloud in mid- wiggles out; all ages welcome, but… Davenport Public
2019, fi nds Brenda absolutely barreling Ugly Quilts, on Mondays; volunteer group; no sewing Library - Eastern Avenue Branch, 6pm Thu Feb 6 thru
experience necessary; free; for… CASI (Center for Active Thu Feb 27
through a program of heavy jacking, con- Northern Parallels 041 with Brenda Seniors), 8am Mon Feb 10 thru Mon Mar 2
stantly intensifying techno, animated by @ Rozz-Tox – February 21 Family Storytime, on Thursdays; program includes
bursts of washed out synth noise and blud- Zumba Gold Toning, on Mondays; $3-5; for stories, a song or rhyme and a… Silvis Public Library,
As an A&R rep for Format Recordings, information, call 563-386-7477… CASI (Center for Active 6pm Thu Feb 6 thru Thu Feb 27
geoning kick/snare patterns. She knows Seniors), 10:15am Mon Feb 10 thru Mon Mar 2
and a co-producer of their weekly techno STEM Series: Technology, on Thursdays; celebrate
when to let the energy dip a little, and
podcast under the Format.FM umbrella, Genesis Foot Clinic, on Mon. & Tue.; reservations STEM at the library; registration required; free;…
coast through more bassline-focused fare required; for information, call 563-320-3978… CASI Davenport Public Library - Eastern Avenue Branch,
Brenda has helped curate and oversee
that jitters with the energy of acid produc- (Center for Active Seniors), 8am Mon Feb 10 thru Tue 3:30pm Thu Feb 6 thru Thu Feb 27
the release of a few dozen works to date, Mar 3
tion, before jettisoning back into kinetic, Tales for Tots!, on Thursdays; for ages 0-3; Mon. 10am,
most of which arrive as fi les on the label’s
body-rocking selections. Movie Matinee, $2-5; for information, call 563-386- Thu. 6:30pm; free;… Bettendorf Public Library, 6:30pm
SoundCloud. 2019 saw the release of 7477… CASI (Center for Active Seniors), 1pm Tue Feb 11 Thu Feb 6 thru Thu Feb 27
Brenda has a great ear for tracks that
Vrød’s Stupid Humans and Mark Angel’s
present individual drum tones as pitched, Canasta, on Tuesdays; $2-5; for information, call 563- Preschool Storytime, Tue.-Fri. at 10am and Mon.
Wardrumz Rmxd. The label describes 386-7477… CASI (Center for Active Seniors), 1pm Tue Feb at 6:30pm; free; for information,… Bettendorf Public
warped elements that come to resemble
the work of the former, a producer from 11 thru Tue Mar 3 Library, Thu Feb 6 thru Wed Mar 4
more of a lead voice. Needle-drop any-
Spain, as a “dive deep into the darkness
where within her mixes and you’ll prob- Knitting & Crocheting, on Tuesdays; volunteer group; Teen Advisory Board (TAB), this activity is for
with hints of melodic tones driven by free; for information, call 563-386-7477… CASI (Center for students in middle and high school;… River Valley
ably fi nd a track that has, say, an open Active Seniors), 12:30pm Tue Feb 11 thru Tue Mar 3 District Library, 5pm Fri Feb 7
metallic crunchy grind” – and the release
hi-hat that sounds like a pane of glass
delivers exactly what it says on the tin. Line Dancing I, on Tuesdays; $3-5; for information, call Toddler Tales, on Fridays; stories, songs, and an activity
breaking, or a snare that sounds more like 563-386-7477… CASI (Center for Active Seniors), 9am Tue for ages five… Rock Island Public Library - Downtown
Vrød’s tracks foreground single electronic
a noise formant wailing out of a synth. Feb 11 thru Tue Mar 3 Library, 10:30am Fri Feb 7 thru Fri Feb 21
voices that roll on a one-bar-loop through
These percussion elements operate as a
each track’s entire duration, providing a Line Dancing Lesson, on Tuesdays; free; for Baby Storytime, on Fridays; start building your child’s
form of punctuation within her mixes, information, call 563-386-7477… CASI (Center for Active early literacy skills; featuring… Davenport Public Library
steady yet queasy foundation for percus- Seniors), 8:30am Tue Feb 11 thru Tue Mar 3 - Eastern Avenue Branch, 10am Fri Feb 7 thru Fri Feb 28
as if to remind us that more “straight-
sion elements to dance around. While
forward” tracks in terms of rhythm can Senior Technology Clinic, on Tuesdays; $5-7; for Sci Kids Storytime, on Fridays for ages 3 & up; a great
Mark Angel’s Wardrumz Rmxd enlists a
often achieve some complexity or sense information, call 563-386-7477… CASI (Center for Active way… Davenport Public Library - Fairmount Street
stable of techno producers to re-envision Seniors), 1pm Tue Feb 11 thru Tue Mar 3 Branch, 10am Fri Feb 7 thru Fri Feb 28
of surprise from the individual tones they
one of his tracks, the original mix pro-
choose to highlight. Spiritual Devotions, on Tuesdays; free; for Drop-in STEAM Space, for ages 8-13 on Mon., Wed., &
vides plenty to chew on. A pitched-down, information, call 563-386-7477… CASI (Center for Active Fri. 4-5pm and… Davenport Public Library - Fairmount
Around the 37-minute mark of her
almost robotic voice chimes into the Seniors), 8am Tue Feb 11 thru Tue Mar 3 Street Branch, Fri Feb 7 thru Wed Mar 4
Even Furthur set, Brenda drops Remco
mix with low-end proclamations while a Grief Support Group, on the 2nd & 4th Wed. of the Denim Demolition, on Saturdays; original dazzling
Beekwilder’s “Rave Mood,” a track that
looped synth phrase that almost sounds month; donations… CASI (Center for Active Seniors), denim reconstruction projects using old jeans…
perfectly exemplifies her predilection for 9:30am Wed Feb 12 thru Wed Feb 26 Davenport Public Library - Eastern Avenue Branch,
like a zipper coming undone serves as a
texture-focused techno arrangement. 6:30pm Sat Feb 8
syncopated accent against the steady kick/ Bunco, on Wednesdays; $2-5; for information, call 563-
She lets the track air out its huge, one- 386-7477… CASI (Center for Active Seniors), 1pm Wed Kids Crafternoon: Heart Gem Magnets, create
snare configuration. Meanwhile, Angel
bar synth phrase for a good two min- Feb 12 thru Wed Mar 4 your own thumbprint heart gem magnet with materials
steadily layers additional bass phrases and provided;… Silvis Public Library, 2pm Sat Feb 8
utes, which scrapes its way through the Cribbage, on Wednesdays; $2-5; for information, call
drones into the mix as he leads us through
offbeats of the mix like a wailing alarm 563-386-7477… CASI (Center for Active Seniors), 1pm Loads of Love: Ages 4-6, with instructor Catherine
the darkness. Wed Feb 12 thru Wed Mar 4 Gehrmann; warm the hearts of family and… Augustana
surrounded by kick drums. By the time Art Studio Building, 1pm Sat Feb 8
the track slowly drifts off into the rapid Evening Bingo, on Wednesdays; $10 card pack
Brenda plays the Rock Island ven- Loads of Love: Ages 7-8, with instructor Chris
rim clicks and whispered vocal samples minimum purchase; for information, call… CASI (Center
ue’s Northern Parallels 041 alongside for Active Seniors), 6pm Wed Feb 12 thru Wed Mar 4 Sederstrom; warm the hearts of family and… Augustana
of AnGy KoRe’s “You’re Mine (Jan Fleck Art Studio Building, 1pm Sat Feb 8
Mike Derer and Higgy starting at 8 p.m.
Remix),” Brenda shows off her sense for TOPS (Taking Off Pounds Sensibly), on
on February 21, admission is $5, and Wednesdays; 11:30am weigh-in, noon meeting; $1; for Loads of Love: Ages 9-12, with instructor Jennifer
the juxtaposition of moods within the information, call… CASI (Center for Active Seniors), Lanphere; warm the hearts of family and… Augustana
more information is available by calling
long-form narrative of her set. 11:30am Wed Feb 12 thru Wed Mar 4 Art Studio Building, 1pm Sat Feb 8
(309)200-0978 or visiting RozzTox.com.
Know More, Do More • RiverCitiesReader.com
Lego Club, free; for information, call 563-344-4175 or
e-mail info@bettendorflibrary.com… Bettendorf Public
Library, 11:30am Sat Feb 8
Youth Chess Club, for elementary- thru high-school
aged students; all of the materials… Bettendorf Public
Library, 2pm Sat Feb 8
Book Buddies, on Saturdays; your baby, toddler and/
or preschooler can spend some… Silvis Public Library,
10am Sat Feb 8 thru Sat Feb 29
Child’s Play | Create : Explore : Experience, on
Saturdays; free; for information, call 563-344-4175 or
e-mail info@bettendorflibrary.com… Bettendorf Public
Library, 10am Sat Feb 8 thru Sat Feb 29
Read to a Dog, QC CAN’s Reading Assistance Dogs are
specially trained, along with… Davenport Public Library
- Eastern Avenue Branch, 5:30pm Mon Feb 10
Teen Anime Night, enjoy Japanese snacks, learn to
write some hiragana and katakana… Rock Island Public
Library - Downtown Library, 5:30pm Mon Feb 10
Computer Gaming, on Mondays; play Minecraft,
Roblox, and other computer games on… Davenport
Public Library - Main Branch, 3:30pm Mon Feb 10 thru
Mon Mar 2
Homework Heroes, on Mondays; get help solving
your homework conundrums; be a… Silvis Public Library,
4pm Mon Feb 10 thru Mon Feb 24
Make-Believe Monday, for ages 4-8; themed
imaginative play that lets you work… Davenport Public
Library - Fairmount Street Branch, 4pm Mon Feb 10
Preschool Storytime, on Mondays; songs, stories,
and crafts created to introduce your… Davenport Public
Library - Fairmount Street Branch, 10am Mon Feb 10
thru Mon Mar 2
Storytime for Littles, Mondays at 9:30 & 10:45am, for
ages 0-3; nurture your… Moline Public Library, Mon Feb
10 thru Mon Mar 2
Tales for Tots!, on Mondays, for ages 0-3; Mon. 10am,
Thu. 6:30pm; free;… Bettendorf Public Library, 10am
Mon Feb 10 thru Mon Mar 2
Clay for Kids, with instructor Carolyn Krueger; ages
5 and up are invited to bring a parent and come to the
Figge studios for some creative clay time; basic hand-
building techniques will be explored using air-dry clay;
kids and parents can then do some free building using
the skills they’ve learned; $20 for one child and their
accompanying adult(s); for information, call 563-326-
7804, Figge Art Museum, 225 W. 2nd St., Davenport IA,
FiggeArtMuseum.org, 6pm Tue Feb 11
Erin Rogers in the Shockingly Modern Saxophone
Festival @ Augustana College – February 21 and 22
Teen Empowerment Round Table, join us for round
table discussions pertaining to current teen… Silvis
Public Library, 4:30pm Tue Feb 11
Circle Time, on Tuesdays; we will talk, sing, play, and
read during… Davenport Public Library - Eastern Avenue
Branch, 9:30am Tue Feb 11 thru Tue Mar 3
Girls Love Code, on Tuesdays; an after-school club
for girls in 3rd-5th grade… Davenport Public Library -
Fairmount Street Branch, 3:30pm Tue Feb 11 thru Tue
Mar 3
Library Playgroup, on Tuesdays; drop-in and meet
with other parents and caregivers… Davenport Public
Library - Eastern Avenue Branch, 10am Tue Feb 11 thru
Tue Mar 3
Milk & Cookies Storytime, on Tuesdays; stop in after
school for stories and a… Davenport Public Library -
Eastern Avenue Branch, 4pm Tue Feb 11 thru Tue Mar 4
Petite Picassos, art project and story for little ones
five and under… Rock Island Public Library - Downtown
Library, 10:30am Tue Feb 11 thru Fri Feb 28
Anime-Manga Club: Dinner & a Show, we’ll be
tasting some Chinese food while learning about
Japanese… Silvis Public Library, 5pm Wed Feb 12
T(w)een Book Club, each month we will discuss our
favorite themes in YA… Davenport Public Library -
Eastern Avenue Branch, 6pm Wed Feb 12
After School Kids Lab, on Wednesdays; free;
for information, call 563-344-4175 or e-mail info@
bettendorflibrary.com… Bettendorf Public Library, 3pm
Wed Feb 12 thru Wed Feb 26
Dungeons, Dragons, & More!, on Wednesdays;
experience is not necessary and all of the… Bettendorf
Public Library, 2:30pm Wed Feb 12 thru Wed Mar 4
Little Makers, on Wednesdays; we’ll have plenty of
craft supplies and a… Davenport Public Library - Eastern
Avenue Branch, 3:30pm Wed Feb 12 thru Wed Mar 4
Teen Gaming, on Wednesdays; hang out with friends
and try out new… Davenport Public Library - Fairmount
Street Branch, 3pm Wed Feb 12 thru Wed Mar 4
Toddler Storytime, on Wednesdays; stories, music,
movement and play; all ages welcome,… Davenport
Public Library - Fairmount Street Branch, 10am Wed Feb
12 thru Wed Mar 4
Toddler Tales, on Wednesdays; stories, songs, and
an activity for ages five… Rock Island Public Library -
Southwest Branch, 10:30am Wed Feb 12 thru Wed Feb
26
Yoga and Stories, on Wednesdays; free; for
information, call 563-344-4175 or e-mail info@
bettendorflibrary.com… Bettendorf Public Library,
6:30pm Wed Feb 12 thru Wed Mar 4
Barks & Books, with the QC CAN Therapy Dogs;
participants will learn about… River Valley District
Library, 6pm Thu Feb 13
Creativity Lab, elementary students create art; free; for
information, call 309-524-2440… Moline Public Library,
6pm Thu Feb 13
Children’s Movie Day, enjoy a movie on RI Milan
Schools early dismissal day;… Rock Island Public Library -
Southwest Branch, 2pm Fri Feb 14
Teen Movie Day, enjoy a movie on RI/Milan Schools
early dismissal day; vote on… Rock Island Public Library -
Downtown Library, 2pm Fri Feb 14
Full S.T.E.A.M. Ahead! Ice Fishing, ages 5 & up go
ice fishing in the warmth… Silvis Public Library, 2pm Sat
Feb 15
Petite Picasso, for ages 2-10; we will start with
storytime and end… Davenport Public Library -
Fairmount Street Branch, 10am Sat Feb 15
Teen Advisory Board, ages 11-19 are invited to hang
out, eat snacks, learn… Davenport Public Library -
Fairmount Street Branch, 6:30pm Tue Feb 18
Teen’s Crayon Art, if you like to be creative and have
thought these… Silvis Public Library, 5pm Tue Feb 18
River Cities’ Reader • Vol. 27 No. 970 • February 2020 17
Blippi Live! @ Adler Theatre – March 3
Toddler Tales, on Tuesdays; stories, songs, and an Disney Escape Room, see if you can escape the castle
activity for ages five… Rock Island Public Library - before time runs… Silvis Public Library, 3pm Wed Feb 26
Downtown Library, 10:30am Tue Feb 18
Petite Picassos, art project and story for little ones
A Novel Naptime, our popular materials book group five and under… Rock Island Public Library - Downtown
for parents where kids preschool… Moline Public Library, 10:30am Fri Feb 28
Library, 10:30am Wed Feb 19
Leap Day Celebration, make your own Leap Day
Big/Little Bookclub, book club for Littles (kids in 3rd time capsule to be opened… Davenport Public Library -
through 5th grade)… Davenport Public Library - Eastern Fairmount Street Branch, 10am Sat Feb 29
Avenue Branch, 6:30pm Wed Feb 19
Lego Club: Let’s Build a Robot, free; for information,
Petite Picassos, art project and story for little ones e-mail admin@silvislibrary.org or call 309-755-3393…
five and under… Rock Island Public Library - Southwest Silvis Public Library, 2pm Sat Feb 29
Branch, 10:30am Wed Feb 19
Sunday Funday, for information, call 309-794-0991…
Petite Picassos, art project and story for little ones Quad City Botanical Center, 1pm Sun Mar 1
five and under… Rock Island Public Library - Downtown
Library, 10:30am Wed Feb 19 Make-Believe Monday, for ages 4-8; themed
imaginative play that lets you work… Davenport Public
Story Time for Littles, for ages 0-36 months; a chance Library - Fairmount Street Branch, 4pm Mon Mar 2
for our youngest patrons… Moline Public Library, 6pm
Wed Feb 19 Blippi Live!, an interactive, family-friendly show based
on children’s YouTube sensation; $32-45; for… Adler
Tween Book Club, join us to speak about your favorite Theatre, 6pm Tue Mar 3
book; free; for… Silvis Public Library, 5pm Wed Feb 19
Toddler Tales, on Tuesdays; stories, songs, and an
Build It, Thursdays thru Mar. 19, for grades 3-8. with activity for ages five… Rock Island Public Library -
instructor Samuel… Bereskin Gallery & Art Academy, Downtown Library, 10:30am Tue Mar 3
5:30pm Thu Feb 20
Play & Grow, structured play group for ages three
Family Storytime: Therapy Dogs, enjoy reading to and under with caregiver;… Rock Island Public Library -
one of the therapy dogs for this… Silvis Public Library, Southwest Branch, 10:30am Wed Mar 4
6pm Thu Feb 20
Teen Gaming, on Wednesdays; hang out with friends
Jolly Rancher Readers: Game Night, free; for and try out new… Davenport Public Library - Fairmount
information, e-mail admin@silvislibrary.org or call 309- Street Branch, 3pm Wed Mar 4
755-3393… Silvis Public Library, 3:30pm Fri Feb 21
Toddler Storytime, on Wednesdays; stories, music,
4-H Academy, we have a great array of presenters movement and play; all ages welcome,… Davenport
and you get… Western Illinois University - Quad Cities, Public Library - Fairmount Street Branch, 10am Wed
Riverfront, 9am Sat Feb 22 Mar 4
Lego Club, free; for information, call 563-344-4175 or Yoga and Stories, on Wednesdays; free; for
e-mail info@bettendorflibrary.com… Bettendorf Public information, call 563-344-4175 or e-mail info@
Library, 11:30am Sat Feb 22 bettendorflibrary.com… Bettendorf Public Library,
6:30pm Wed Mar 4
Youth Chess Club, for elementary- thru high-school
aged students; all of the materials… Bettendorf Public
Library, 2pm Sat Feb 22
Book Buddies: Sensory Sessions-Scooping
Snowflakes, our sensory bin will transform into a
January 14 Crossword Answers
snowflake scooping station;… Silvis Public Library, 10am
Sat Feb 22
PJ Party Storytime!, come in your slippers and PJs
with your stuffed animal,… Moline Public Library, 6pm
Mon Feb 24
Make-Believe Monday, for ages 4-8; themed
imaginative play that lets you work… Davenport Public
Library - Fairmount Street Branch, 4pm Mon Feb 24
Teen Advisory Board, vote on new YA library books
and plan teen programs;… Silvis Public Library, 6:30pm
Tue Feb 25
Toddler Tales, on Tuesdays; stories, songs, and an
activity for ages five… Rock Island Public Library -
Downtown Library, 10:30am Tue Feb 25
18 River Cities’ Reader • Vol. 27 No. 970 • February 2020 Know More, Do More • RiverCitiesReader.com

HANGING LOOSE • FEBRUARY 11, 2020

Crossword Jan. 14 Answers: Page 17

ACROSS 91. Skin 40. Ab _

1. _ belli 92. Arrange 41. Tidy up
6. Brickbat 93. Biographies 42. Discourages
10. Capital in northern Africa 94. Part 5 of quip: 4 wds. 43. Cad
15. Vast desert 99. Balkan native 44. _ it a pity?
19. Coeur d’_ 100. Opposed to 46. Less well
20. Related 101. Community mindset 51. Greek earth goddess
21. Name in a Rousseau title 102. Number prefix 52. Agar, e.g.
22. Name on a lithograph 104. Take in 53. Secular
23. Start of a quip by Burt Reynolds 107. Quahog 57. Tutored
25. Long or baker’s 108. Explanatory notes 59. Spearlike weapon
26. Paper quantity 111. Eye 61. Des Moines neighbor
27. Push out 112. Path in space 62. Bill and _
28. Sculls 114. End of the quip: 3 wds. 63. Ka-pow!
30. Albee and Norton 117. Understands 64. Relating to a shield
32. _ Linda, California 118. _ _ Janeiro 66. Relatives
33. Prairie 119. Black 67. Name in Arthurian legend: Var.
35. Floating platform 120. Peter’s _ 69. Spacecraft
36. Word spoken by like-minded folks 121. Wallet items 70. Taken in
38. Part 2 of quip: 4 wds. 122. Highly thought of 71. AKA Allan Stewart Konigsberg:
45. Loads 123. Flavoring plant 2 wds.
47. Broadsides 124. Place 73. Beam
48. Flight formations 75. Do not disturb: 2 wds.
49. Singer _ Ramazzotti DOWN 76. Achier
50. Profligate ones 1. Worldwide aid org. 77. Spelling or Amos
52. Exults 2. “A Clockwork Orange” protagonist 78. An Earth sign
54. Mother Superior 3. Quiet!: 2 wds. 80. Helots
55. Baste 4. Like some laundry 81. First Holy Roman emperor
56. Pre-storm condition 5. Blood portion 83. Investigative org.
57. Beverage 6. Semifinal 86. Japanese statesman
58. Links peg 7. “I Like _” 87. London district
59. Troublesome fellow 8. Hopper 88. Old Spanish coin
60. Device for a plumber 9. Buries 90. Without male heirs
62. Bore 10. Sketch anew 92. Jerks
64. Faction 11. Andy’s pal 95. Sporty truck
65. Part 3 of quip: 2 wds. 12. “That’s Show _” 96. Softened
68. Part 4 of quip: 2 wds. 13. Nautical term 97. _ _ loss
70. Pitcher 14. Fondness 98. Legendary birds
72. Line on a map 15. Spotted quadruped 103. Dices
74. Stimulates 16. Reversed 104. Budgetary concern
77. Artist colony in New Mexico 17. Droplet 105. Arch
78. Bee follower 18. Cousins to ologies 106. Performing group
79. “Space Odyssey” computer 24. Cheese type 107. Killer ending
80. Lampblack 29. Mimic 108. End-of-year word
82. Quite a long time 31. Kind of bonnet 109. Quechuan
84. Ear: Prefix 33. Sacred song 110. Elderly
85. Sharp-sightedness 34. Cash dispensers 113. Web crawler
87. Differentiates: 2 wds. 36. Savoy or Lepontine 115. Sports org.
89. Ohio team 37. Horses 116. Record
39. Orsk’s river
Know More, Do More • RiverCitiesReader.com
Movie Reviews
Gluttons for
Punishment
GRETEL & HANSEL
It’s estimated that the Brothers Grimm
composed roughly 200 fairy tales and folk
stories between 1812 and 1857. And I know
it would be asking a lot, but based on their
delectably macabre new fright fi lm, I’d be
happy to start a petition demanding that
Gretel & Hansel director Oz Perkins and
screenwriter Rob Hayes be given a crack
at each and every one of them.
It would be one thing for this period-
appropriate take on (obviously) “Hansel
& Gretel” to be engaging, spooky, well-
acted, visually arresting, and, at 85 min-
utes, just the right length for its telling, all
of which it certainly is. But Perkins and
Hayes pull off something rarer and riskier
here, courting audience derision – much
the way Robert Eggers’ 2016 The Witch
did – through a bone-deep dread mixed
with humor that the Grimms’ first read-
ers likely experienced in the 19th century.
As someone who made fun of the entire,
gender-flipped notion of a Gretel & Hansel
prior to seeing it, I am officially eating my
words. I promise they’re less gleefully
upsetting than anything the movie’s char-
acters are forced, or perversely delighted,
to eat.
You remember the story, right? A
starving young brother and sister traipse
through the woods in search of food; they
stumble upon a gingerbread house and the
old crone who lives there; they realize the
witch has lured them to her sugary cottage
in order to feast on them; they narrowly
escape with their lives. Well, that’s kind
of what happens here, too. The house, it
should be said, is no longer made of gin-
gerbread, and is instead a severely angled
domicile that would fit right in on the
acreage reserved for the weirdos in Mid-
sommar. And although Hansel (a superb
Sammy Leakey) is still around eight,
Gretel (the magnificent Sophia Lillis from
the Its) is now in her mid-teens, acting
as her sibling’s designated parent in the
wake of their mother’s madness. Oth-
erwise, though, Gretel & Hansel is very
much “Hansel & Gretel,” and Perkins’ and
Hayes’ creation might just rejuvenate your
memories of all the tale’s horrific narrative
points and associations you might have
thought you’d erased, or become inured
to, forever.
Alice Krige in Gretel & Hansel
In a way, of course, the fi lm is spoiler-
proof. On more fiendishly enjoyable and,
dare I say, profound levels, though, it feels
like nearly everything about it could be
considered a spoiler: the way Gretel’s rec-
ognition of the witch’s malevolence dove-
tails with the impending power of her
womanhood; the children’s empathetic
gluttony revealed as unrecognized char-
acter flaws; the means by which the hag-
gard crone winds up in the oven. (Playing
this ravenous beast, Alice Krige – who first
gave me nightmares in 1981’s Ghost Story
– delivers the genre’s most exceptional
scary/funny old-lady turn since Deanna
Dunagan’s evil grandma in M. Night Shy-
malan’s The Visit.) With every meticu-
lously composed, beautifully lit shot an
evocative thrill, composer Robin Coud-
ert’s score a constant nerve-shredder, and
the scarcely employed, only-slightly-tacky
CGI effects enhancing the horror rather
than detracting from it, I loved nearly
every second of the spellbinding Gretel
& Hansel. I even loved it when the movie
bothered to be educational, with the
witch explaining to Gretel the secret key
to chess: “Remember: The king is scared.
Because the queen can do whatever she
wants.”
THE RHYTHM SECTION
It’s been evident for a long time now
that despite her Gossip Girl beginnings
and almost unseemly physical beauty,
Blake Lively can actually act. (If you
haven’t yet, please watch her in A Simple
Favor. She’s amazing.) But lord almighty
River Cities’ Reader • Vol. 27 No. 970 • February 2020
By Mike Schulz • mike@rcreader.com
does she expend an inordinate amount of
energy reminding us that she can act in
The Rhythm Section, director Reed Mora-
no’s tale of survivor’s guilt leading, as it
sometimes does in movies, to an exciting
new career as a professional killer.
Playing Stephanie Patrick, a promis-
ing Oxford student who loses her entire
family in a plane crash that proves to
have been a terrorist attack, Lively is on
performance overload from the start.
(And yes, this includes her speaking with
an affected British dialect.) Initially, the
grief-stricken Stephanie, with her black-
ened eyes and hideous complexion, is seen
at her lowest ebb, addicted to drugs and
turning tricks in a decaying apartment.
Then, after learning that the fatal acci-
dent was no accident, she locates a former
MI6 agent (Jude Law) who forces her into
a brutal training program, giving Lively
the opportunity to puke and claw at her
skin while detoxing. And then Stephanie
goes into full-scale vigilante mode, shoot-
ing and shrieking and exposing her con-
tinually frayed nerves while confronting,
19
usually violently, one mysterious foe
or ally after another. Even Lively’s hair
seems to over-emote, given that, at one
point, Stephanie’s blond tresses are dyed
black and then buried under a red wig. I’d
say that Lively’s portrayal has “For your
consideration” tattooed all over it, but that
would suggest that The Rhythm Section
was at all worth considering.
On the rare occasions in which Mark
Burnell’s script (based on his novel) isn’t
forcing the star into varying degrees of
too-much-ness, Lively does come through
with subtle, affecting moments that are
really quite lovely. I particularly admired
her reflexive, understandable panic during
a bumpy plane flight, and smiled when,
asked by a potential benefactor how she
broke into his home, Lively took the tini-
est of uncertain pauses before replying,
“Far too easily.” (In that instant, you can
sense Stephanie’s frantic wish that snappy
comebacks were part of Jude Law’s train-
ing regimen.) Yet despite these bits and
the solid supporting work – especially by
the cagey yet reliably humane Sterling K.
Brown – and a frenzied car chase made to
look like one unbroken shot from a street
corner to the edge of a cliff, Morano’s
action thriller remains deeply convoluted
and motivationally perplexing, if not quite
as confounding as the fi lm’s title. (For the
record, it refers to an assassination tech-
nique involving a state of Zen-like calm,
which you’ll only catch if you’re alert
for five seconds of off-screen dialogue.)
The only thing keeping The Rhythm Sec-
tion from being completely generic is the
vicious ugliness of its fight scenes, and
being remembered as “that one where
Blake Lively gets the crap kicked out of
her” is hardly a synopsis to relish.
For reviews of 1917, Bad Boys for Life,
Dolittle, The Gentlemen, The Turning,
Just Mercy, Underwater, and other recent
releases, visit RCReader.com/y/movies.
20 River Cities’ Reader • Vol. 27 No. 970 • February 2020
The Sociopath of Least
Resistance
I discovered that the guy I’m dating has
a girlfriend he’s cheating on. In fact, she
confronted us, which was awful. I’ve had a
history of guys cheating on me, and I want
to end the pattern. Unfortunately, I’m not
attracted to a lot of guys I go out with, and
I’m really attracted to this guy.
– Chemistry
Being really attracted to somebody is the
go-to excuse for shrugging off a potential
partner’s shady behavior – pretty much any-
thing this side of “Well, sure, several of his
neighbors are wintering in Ziploc in his base-
ment freezer.”
It helps that attraction seems like some
mysterious and magical force. It’s actually
not. Who we’re attracted to – which people,
with which features – is prearranged by our
biological robot overlord, a.k.a. evolution,
via genetic code written into each of us. It’s
part of evolution’s scheme for building better
babies – giving our genes the best shot at
being passed on to future generations.
We see this in research by neuropsy-
chologist Bruno Laeng that suggests we are
attracted to potential partners who look
like us – though not too much like us. Laeng
found that people were most attracted to
individuals who share about 22 percent of
their facial features (as opposed to 11 or 33,
the other percentages tested). Other research
by social-personality psychologists R. Chris
Fraley and Michael J. Marks likewise hit the
22-percent mark.
Lang explains that this balancing of “simi-
larity and dissimilarity” (which we do sub-
consciously) helps us avoid “inbreeding with
close relatives,” like siblings or first cousins.
Inbreeding increases the chances that both
partners would have the same nasty reces-
sive genes for a disorder or disease. “Reces-
sive” genes are true to label when they are
paired with a dominant gene: They recede …
slumping into the background, unemployed,
inactive. But when two recessive genes for a
condition are paired (as when close relatives
with the same recessive gene make a baby),
these genes become active – and so does the
disorder or the disease.
As for you, the features you happen to be
attracted to come in the package of a guy
who cheats on his girlfriend. Th is reflects
bad character. Assuming you didn’t go out
into Datingland all, “I’ve just gotta find a sexy
sociopath,” reflecting on the evolutionary
nuts and bolts of attraction might help you
Got a problem? Write Amy Alkon, 171 Pier Ave, #280, Santa Monica, CA 90405. E-mail AdviceAmy@aol.com,
visit @amyalkon on Twitter, and listen to Amy’s weekly radio show at BlogTalkRadio.com/amyalkon. Order Amy
Alkon’s new book Unf_-ology: A Field Guide to Living with Guts and Confidence (St. Martin’s Griffin, 2018).
©2020, Amy Alkon, all rights reserved. New column published weekly at RCReader.com
Know More, Do More • RiverCitiesReader.com
CURRENT EXHIBITION
41st
ROCK ISLAND
stop using it as an excuse and give the shove ART GUILD
to Mr. Morally At Leisure.
To avoid again letting the hots for some Fine Arts Exhibition
himbo blind you to his undesirable qualities,
make a short checklist – what I call “man
THROUGH APRIL 19, 2020
minimums,” the qualities you can’t do with-
out in a man – and put character at the top of
your list. When a man shows you he comes This exhibition displays works
up short on your “must haves,” cut off contact
by artists living within 150
and move on. Ideally, if you’re screaming in
bed, it isn’t because the girlfriend of the guy miles of Rock Island, working
you’re with just burst through the door bran- in a variety of mediums.
dishing a missile launcher.
Halving It All Sponsored by:
I’m a 20-something gay man dating
Rock Island Art Guild
someone who makes much more money PO Box 6637
than I do. He picks up the tab on most dates, Rock Island, IL 61204
and while he seems okay with this, it makes www.RockIslandArtGuild.org
me uncomfortable. I pay here and there, but
I can’t afford much beyond lunch or lattes.
Does our financial inequality mean a rela-
tionship between us is doomed?
– Barely Scraping by
Davenport, Iowa • 563.326.7804
Chances are the guy doesn’t think you’re www.figgeartmuseum.org
hoofi ng it up to the Coinstar clutching a
baggie of change because you feel the nick-
els and dimes between your couch cushions
could do with a little sun.
What matters is how fair a relationship
feels. Fair doesn’t mean everything’s exactly
50-50, as in, he puts in 50 cents, you put in
50 cents. It means you each seem equally
invested – equally motivated to make sacri-
fices to benefit the other – as opposed to one
of you pulling the cashwagon, plow-style,
while the other just hops on, puts his feet up,
and enjoys the ride.
When there are imbalances – when one
partner puts in a lot and gets comparatively
little in return – it isn’t just the more giving
person who gets socked with the feelbad.
Social psychologist Elaine Hatfield finds that
partners who are “over-benefited” – who
fail to put in their fair share of the relation-
ship effort – “may experience pity, guilt, and
shame,” while those who feel “under-bene-
fited” for their contributions can experience
“anger, sadness, and resentment.”
The way to avoid either of these emotional
crap carnivals is to voice your concerns. This
should start a conversation that sets you two
on track to be loving, equally contributing
partners in the way you’re each most able
– taking into account that your best bet for
making a lot of money in the near future is
probably counterfeiting hundred-dollar bills
on your inkjet printer.
Know More, Do More • RiverCitiesReader.com
FREE WILL ASTROLOGY
ARIES (March 21-April 19): You now
have the power to make connections that
have not previously been possible. You
can tap into an enhanced capacity to forge new alli-
ances and strengthen your support system. I urge
you to be on the lookout for a dynamic group effort
you could join or a higher purpose you might align
yourself with. If you’re sufficiently alert, you may
even find an opportunity to weave your fortunes
together with a dynamic group effort that’s in ser-
vice to a higher purpose.
TAURUS (April 20-May 20): “Victory
won’t come to me unless I go to it,” wrote
the poet Marianne Moore. In other
words, you must track down each victory you’re
interested in. You must study its unique nature.
And then you must adjust yourself to its specifica-
tions. You can’t remain just the way you are, but
must transform yourself so as to be in alignment
with the responsibilities it demands of you. Can
you pass these tests, Taurus? I believe you can. It’s
time to prove it.
GEMINI (May 21-June 20): While at the
peak of his powers as an author, Gemini-
born Nobel Prize-winner Jean Paul
Sartre consumed an array of mood-shifters every
day. He quaffed at least a quart of alcohol, smoked
two packs of cigarettes, and drank copious
amounts of coffee and tea. His intake of pills
included 200 milligrams of amphetamines, 15
grams of aspirin, and a handful of barbiturates. I
propose that we make Sartre your anti-role model
during the next four weeks, dear Gemini. Accord-
ing to my analysis of your astrological indicators,
your ability to discover, attract, and benefit from
wonders and marvels will thrive to the degree that
you forswear drugs and alcohol and artificial
enhancements. And I’m pleased to inform you that
there could be a flood of wonders and marvels.
CANCER (June 21-July 22): I don’t
think I’m boring. How could I be? I have
an abundant curiosity and I love to learn
new things. I’ve worked at many different jobs,
have read widely, and enjoy interacting with a
broad range of humans. Yet now and then I’ve had
temporary relationships with people who regarded
me as uninteresting. They didn’t see much of value
in me. I tend to believe it was mostly their fault –
they couldn’t see me for who I really am – but it
may have also been the case that I lived down to
their expectations. Their inclination to see me as
unimportant influenced me to be dull. I bring this
up, my fellow Cancerian, because now is an excel-
lent time to remove yourself from situations where
you have trouble being and feeling your true self.
LEO (July 23-August 22): Soprano
Helen Traubel and tenor Lauritz Mel-
chior performed together in many pro-
ductions of Wagnerian operas, often at the
Metropolitan in New York City. Friends and col-
leagues but not lovers, they had a playful relation-
ship with each other. A favorite pastime was
figuring out tricks they could try that would cause
the other to break into inappropriate laughter
while performing. According to my quirky reading
of the astrological omens, Leo, the coming weeks
will be a propitious time for you to engage in simi-
lar hijinx with your allies. You have a poetic license
and a spiritual mandate to enjoy amusing collab-
orative experiments, playful intimate escapades,
and adventures in buoyant togetherness.
VIRGO (August 23-September 22):
Eighteenth-century author Samuel
Johnson singlehandedly compiled the
influential A Dictionary of the English Language,
which remained the definitive British dictionary
for 170 years. We shouldn’t be surprised that it was
a Virgo who accomplished such an intricate and
exhaustive feat. As a high-minded Virgo, Johnson
also had a talent for exposing hypocrisy. In com-
menting on the Americans’ War of Independence
against his country, he noted that some of the
“loudest yelps for liberty” came from slave-owners.
I propose that we make him one of your role
models in 2020. May he inspire you to produce rig-
orous work that’s useful to many. May he also
empower you to be a candid purveyor of freedom.
LIBRA (September 23-October 22): Is
there a project or situation you’d love to
create but have lacked the confidence to
try? Now is a time when you can finally summon
the necessary courage. Is there a long-running
River Cities’ Reader • Vol. 27 No. 970 • February 2020
dilemma that has always seemed too confusing and
overwhelming to even understand, let alone solve?
Now is a favorable time to ask your higher self for
the clear vision that will instigate an unforeseen
healing. Is there a labor of love that seems to have
stalled or a dream that got sidetracked? Now is a
time when you could revive its luminosity and get
it back in a sweet groove.
SCORPIO (October 23-November 21):
Was there a more influential 20th-cen-
tury artist than Scorpio-born Pablo
Picasso? He was a revolutionary innovator who got
rich from his creations. Once, while visiting a gal-
lery showing of art made by children, he said,
“When I was their age I could draw like Raphael
(the great Renaissance artist). But it took me a life-
time to learn to draw like they do.” In accordance
with your current astrological omens, Scorpio, I
suggest you seek inspiration from Picasso’s aspira-
tion. Set an intention to develop expertise in seeing
your world and your work through a child’s eyes.
SAGITTARIUS (November 22-Decem-
ber 21): I know a Sagittarius man who
has seen the film Avengers: Endgame 17
times. Another Sagittarian acquaintance estimates
she has listened all the way through to Billie Eilish’s
album When We All Fall Asleep, Where Do We Go?
135 times. And then there’s my scholarly Sagittar-
ian friend who has read the ancient Greek epic
poem the Iliad 37 times. I have no problem with
this behavior. I admire your tribe’s ability to keep
finding new inspiration in sources you already
know well. But in my astrological opinion, you
shouldn’t do much of this kind of thing in the
coming weeks. It’s high time for you to experiment
with experiences you know little about. Be fresh,
innocent, and curious.
CAPRICORN (December 22-January
19): Athens was one of the great cities of
the ancient world. Its vigorous art, the-
ater, philosophy, architecture, and experiments in
democracy are today regarded as foundational to
Western culture. And yet at its height, Athens’
population was a mere 275,000 – equal to modern
Fort Wayne, Indiana or Windsor, Ontario. How
could such a relatively small source breed such
21
By Rob Brezsny
intensity and potency? That’s a long story. In any
case, I foresee you having the potential to be like
Athens yourself in the coming weeks and months,
Capricorn: a highly concentrated fount of value.
For best results, focus on doing what you do best.
AQUARIUS (January 20-February
18): According to my analysis, the year
2020 will be a time in which you can
have dramatic success as you re-evaluate and re-
vision and revamp your understandings of your
life purpose. Why were you born? What’s the
nature of your unique genius? What are the best
gifts you have to offer the world? Of the many won-
derful feats you could accomplish, which are the
most important? The next few weeks will be a
potent time to get this fun and energizing investi-
gation fully underway.
PISCES (February 19-March 20): Phys-
icist Niels Bohr won a Nobel Prize for his
insights about quantum mechanics. But
he was humble about the complexity of the subject.
“If you think you understand it, that only shows
you don’t know the first thing about it,” he mused.
I’m tempted to make a similar statement about the
mysteries and riddles that are making your life so
interesting. If you think you understand those
mysteries and riddles, you probably don’t. But if
you’re willing to acknowledge how perplexing they
are, and you can accept the fact that your compre-
hension of them is partial and fuzzy, then you
might enjoy a glimmer of the truth that’s worth
building on.
Homework: You can fling imaginary lightning bolts
from your fingers any time you want. Prove it! Visit
FreeWillAstrology.com.
New column published
weekly at RCReader.com
Go to RealAstrology.com to check out Rob Brezsny’s
EXPANDED WEEKLY AUDIO HOROSCOPES
& DAILY TEXT MESSAGE HOROSCOPES
The audio horoscopes are also available by phone at
1-877-873-4888 or 1-900-950-7700
22 River Cities’ Reader • Vol. 27 No. 970 • February 2020
THE JUPITER STRING QUARTET @ Augustana College – February 15
THURSDAY
2020/02/06 (Thu)
6 State St., Bettendorf IA
Cody Jinks – Nikki Lane – Alex
Williams – Adler Theatre, 136 E.
Third St., Davenport IA
Greg & Rich Acoustic Duo (4pm) –
Rock Island Arsenal Lock & Dam
Lounge, NW Corner of Bldg 60,
Rodman Ave. & Gillespie St., Rock
Island IL
Mike Doughty – Baby Men – The
Mill, 120 E. Burlington St., Iowa
City IA
Pencil Memory – Iowa City Yacht
Club, 13 S Linn St, Iowa City IA
TriTones – The Grape Life Wine
Store & Lounge, 3402 Elmore Ave.,
Davenport IA
FRIDAY
2020/02/07 (Fri)
7
3 on the Tree – RIBCO, 1815 Second
Ave., Rock Island IL
Aqualife – Haunter – Gabi
Va n e k – D o g H a i r s –
AquaHauntVanekHairs Quartet
– Rozz-Tox, 2108 Third Ave., Rock
Island IL
Bob Marley Birthday Bash – Gabe’s,
330 E. Washington St., Iowa City IA
Casual Classics: Concert IV:
Transient Canvas (5pm) – Galvin
Fine Arts Center - St. Ambrose
University, 2101 N. Gaines St.,
Davenport IA
Code 415 – Parkside Grill & Lounge,
2307 5th Ave, Moline IL
DJ Dan Quinn – The Redstone Room,
129 Main St, Davenport IA
Dinosaur Mob – Harley Corin’s, 1708
State St., Bettendorf IA
Greg & Rich Acoustic Duo – The
Grape Life Wine Store & Lounge,
3402 Elmore Ave., Davenport IA
John Heasley & Jerry Schroeder –
Cool Beanz Coffeehouse, 1325 30th
St., Rock Island IL
Lewis Knudsen – Green Tree
Brewery, 309 N. Cody Rd., LeClaire
IA
Love Songs: The Sweet, the Sad, &
the Silly (noon) – Moline Public
Library, 3210 41st St., Moline IL
The People Brothers Band &
Armchair Boogie – The Mill, 120 E.
Burlington St., Iowa City IA
The Stone Flowers – The Gypsy
Highway Bar & Grill, 2606 W. Locust
St., Davenport IA
Wedding Banned – Rhythm City
Casino Resort Rhythm Room, 7077
Elmore Ave., Davenport IA
SATURDAY
2020/02/08 (Sat)
8 Rational Anthem – Telethon –
50 Shades of Rock – Len Brown’s
North Shore Inn, 700 N. Shore Dr.,
Moline IL
Boogie Monster – Flatted Fifth Blues
& BBQ, 300 Potter Dr., Bellevue IA
Classical Blast: From Bach to Rock
– Ohnward Fine Arts Center, 1215 E
Platt St., Maquoketa IA
Far Out 283 – Harley Corin’s, 1708
MUSIC
Funktastic Five – The Gypsy
Highway Bar & Grill, 2606 W. Locust
St., Davenport IA
Gray Wolf Band – Edje Nightclub at
Jumer’s Casino and Hotel, I-280 &
Hwy 92, Rock Island IL
Greg & Rich Acoustic Duo – Green
Tree Brewery, 309 N. Cody Rd.,
LeClaire IA
H o n g Ko n g S l e e p o v e r –
AsBigAsAMouse – The Dead
Hands – Dynoride – Rascals Live,
1414 15th St., Moline IL
The Hypotheticals – RIBCO, 1815
Second Ave., Rock Island IL
In the Pines – Dark Family – Good
Morning Midnight – Sean Tyler
– Rozz-Tox, 2108 Third Ave., Rock
Island IL
Indigo Trip – Dog Dave – Rosemask
– Matt Bar – The Mill, 120 E.
Burlington St., Iowa City IA
Miles Over Mountains – Sneezy
Dollars – Iowa City Yacht Club, 13
S Linn St, Iowa City IA
Quad City Prospects – 11th
Street Precinct, 1107 Mound St.,
Davenport IA
Rosanne Cash – Hancher
Auditorium, 141 East Park Rd., Iowa
City IA
Russ Reyman Request Piano Bar –
The Phoenix Restaurant & Martini
Bar, 111 West 2nd St., Davenport IA
Summer Camp on the Road
Showcase – Gabe’s, 330 E.
Washington St., Iowa City IA
The Tailfins (4:30pm) – Rhythm City
Casino Resort Rhythm Room, 7077
Elmore Ave., Davenport IA
Whoozdads? – The Grape Life Wine
Store & Lounge, 3402 Elmore Ave.,
Davenport IA
SUNDAY
2020/02/09 (Sun)
9 Brian Skow: Love Songs – The Grape
3 Dogs & a Bone (5pm) – Flatted
Fifth Blues & BBQ, 300 Potter Dr.,
Bellevue IA
Dave Ellis & Rich Fricke Acoustic
Duo (4pm) – VIP’s Corner Bar &
Grill, 4100 4th Ave., Moline IL
The Generations Band (2pm) – The
Gypsy Highway Bar & Grill, 2606 W.
Locust St., Davenport IA
A Light Among Many – Everlasting
Light – Archeress – Rozz-Tox, 2108
Third Ave., Rock Island IL
Miles Over Mountains – The Banjo
Joe Show – Bishop Hill Creative
Commons, 309 N Bishop Hill St.,
Bishop Hill IL
Devon Kay & the Solutions
– Inasmuch – Gabe’s, 330 E.
Washington St., Iowa City IA
TUESDAY
2020/02/11 (Tue)
11
The Real Group – Wallenberg Hall,
Augustana College, 3520 7th Ave.,
Rock Island IL
WEDNESDAY 12
2020/02/12 (Wed)
Burlington Street Bluegrass Band –
The Mill, 120 E. Burlington St., Iowa
City IA
The Festival – Renwick Mansion, 901
Tremont Ave, Davenport IA
Live @ Five: Tritones Jazz Ensemble
(5pm) – The Redstone Room, 129
Main St, Davenport IA
Riff Raff (6pm) – Gabe’s, 330 E.
Washington St., Iowa City IA
The Sound Experiment: Elliot
Bay Towers – Alex Mahaffey –
Platypus Venom – Ian Lambach
– Rozz-Tox, 2108 Third Ave., Rock
Island IL
The Texas Tenors – Adler Theatre,
136 E. Third St., Davenport IA
THURSDAY
2020/02/13 (Thu)
13
2020 iHear IC – Iowa City Yacht Club,
13 S Linn St, Iowa City IA
Amy Andrews – Bishop Hill Creative
Commons, 309 N Bishop Hill St.,
Bishop Hill IL
Jason Aldean – Morgan Wallen
– Riley Green – Dee Jay Silver –
TaxSlayer Center, 1201 River Dr,
Moline IL
Ritmocano Album Release Show –
The Mill, 120 E. Burlington St., Iowa
City IA
Tripzy Leary – Gabe’s, 330 E.
Washington St., Iowa City IA
FRIDAY
2020/02/14 (Fri)
14
26th Winter Blues Fest – Marriott
Hotel Des Moines, 700 Grand
Avenue, Des Moines IA
Aaron Lewis – Riverside Casino Event
Center, 3184 Highway 22, Riverside
IA
Life Wine Store & Lounge, 3402
Elmore Ave., Davenport IA
Celeste Nelson & Friends – Renwick
Mansion, 901 Tremont Ave,
Davenport IA
Fair Warning Valentine’s Day –
RIBCO, 1815 Second Ave., Rock
Island IL
Gray Wolf Band (6:30pm) –
Lavender Crest Winery, 5401 US
Highway 6, Colona IL
Grayscale – Hot Mulligan – Gabe’s,
330 E. Washington St., Iowa City IA
Greg & Rich Acoustic Duo (5:30pm)
– Rock Island Hy-Vee Market Grille,
2930 18th Ave., Rock Island IL
Larry Boyd (6pm) – Cool Beanz
Coffeehouse, 1325 30th St., Rock
Island IL
Lauren Mitchell Band – Flatted
Fifth Blues & BBQ, 300 Potter Dr.,
Bellevue IA
The Manny Lopez Big Band (6pm) –
The Circa ‘21 Speakeasy, 1818 Third
Ave., Rock Island IL
Michael Moncada Trio (6:30pm)
– South City Express (8:30pm)
– Riverside Casino & Golf Resort,
FEBRUARY 6–MARCH 4
3184 Highway 22, Riverside IA
North of 40 – The Gypsy Highway
Bar & Grill, 2606 W. Locust St.,
Davenport IA
Smooth Jazz Valentine’s Concert
w/ Paula Atherton & Nicholas
Cole – The Redstone Room, 129
Main St, Davenport IA
Sweet Siren – Rhythm City Casino
Resort Rhythm Room, 7077 Elmore
Ave., Davenport IA
Talib Kweli – Sweet Diezel Jenkings
– V8 Vast Change – The Rust Belt,
533 12th Ave., East Moline IL
SATURDAY
2020/02/15 (Sat)
15
26th Winter Blues Fest – Marriott
Hotel Des Moines, 700 Grand
Avenue, Des Moines IA
3 Gun Whiskey – RIBCO, 1815 Second
Ave., Rock Island IL
Aaron Lewis – Rhythm City Casino
Resort Event Center, 7077 Elmore
Ave., Davenport IA
The Acoustic Project (6pm) – Cool
Beanz Coffeehouse, 1325 30th St.,
Rock Island IL
Are You the Voice of the Quad
Cities?: Finals – The Rust Belt, 533
12th Ave., East Moline IL
The Blackstones Acoustic Trio – The
Grape Life Wine Store & Lounge,
3402 Elmore Ave., Davenport IA
Code 415 – The Gypsy Highway Bar &
Grill, 2606 W. Locust St., Davenport
IA
Dave Weld & the Imperial Flames
– Flatted Fifth Blues & BBQ, 300
Potter Dr., Bellevue IA
Doug Brundies – Green Tree
Brewery, 309 N. Cody Rd., LeClaire
IA
Elvis Through the Years – Grace
Performing Arts Center, 316 S. Main
St., Princeton IL
Haphazard – 11th Street Precinct,
1107 Mound St., Davenport IA
Havana Daydreamin’: The Boat
Drunks w/ Nadirah Shakoor –
Jason Carl’s Breakdown (6pm) –
Davenport RiverCenter, 136 E. 3rd
St, Davenport IA
Joel Palmer – Miss Christine – Ryan
Summers – Iowa City Yacht Club,
13 S Linn St, Iowa City IA
Neil Berg’s 50 Years of Rock and
Roll – John & Alice Butler Hall -
University of Dubuque Heritage
Center, 2255 Bennett St., Dubuque
IA
Psymbionic – Zebbler Encanti
Experience – Gabe’s, 330 E.
Washington St., Iowa City IA
Russ Reyman Request Piano Bar –
The Phoenix Restaurant & Martini
Bar, 111 West 2nd St., Davenport IA
South City Express – Rhythm City
Casino Resort Rhythm Room, 7077
Elmore Ave., Davenport IA
Summer Camp on the Road
Showcase: The Dawn – The
Channel Cats – Super Happy
Know More, Do More • RiverCitiesReader.com
Funthyme Trouble – The
Textures – The Velies – The
Redstone Room, 129 Main St,
Davenport IA
Sweet Siren – Riverside Casino & Golf
Resort, 3184 Highway 22, Riverside
IA
WVIK/QCSO Signature Series
III: The Jupiter String Quartet
– Centennial Hall, Augustana
College, 3703 7th Ave., Rock Island
IL
SUNDAY
2020/02/16 (Sun)
16
Greg & Rich Acoustic Duo (2pm) –
Len Brown’s North Shore Inn, 700
N. Shore Dr., Moline IL
Lucky Cochran & the Persuaders
Music Video Shoot (2pm) – The
Gypsy Highway Bar & Grill, 2606 W.
Locust St., Davenport IA
Luke Jackson – Bishop Hill Creative
Commons, 309 N Bishop Hill St.,
Bishop Hill IL
Mystic Will – The Dead Girl
Medallion – Suburban
Commando – Rozz-Tox, 2108 Third
Ave., Rock Island IL
Polka Club of Iowa, Inc., Eastern
Chapter Dance: The Pickett’s
Band (1:30pm) – Walcot t
Coliseum, 116 E Bryant St, Walcott
IA
Polyrhythms’ Third Sunday Jazz
Workshop & Matinee Series:
Peter Callaway Quartet (6pm) –
The Redstone Room, 129 Main St,
Davenport IA
TUESDAY
2020/02/18 (Tue)
18
Universit y of Iowa Jazz
Performances: Graduate
Student Combo – The Mill, 120 E.
Burlington St., Iowa City IA
We Shall Overcome: A Celebration
of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. –
John & Alice Butler Hall - University
of Dubuque Heritage Center, 2255
Bennett St., Dubuque IA
WEDNESDAY 19
2020/02/19 (Wed)
Brother Moses – Stay Outside
– The Besides – Gabe’s, 330 E.
Washington St., Iowa City IA
Live @ Five: Rude Punch (5pm) –
The Redstone Room, 129 Main St,
Davenport IA
THURSDAY
2020/02/20 (Thu)
20
Dan Navarro (6:30pm) – Heritage
Hall at Lisbon Library, 101 W. Main
St., Lisbon IA
Kris Lager Band – Gabe’s, 330 E.
Washington St., Iowa City IA
A Night of Sunshine – Circa ‘21
Dinner Playhouse, 1828 Third Ave.,
Rock Island IL
Troy Rangel & Friends – The Grape
Life Wine Store & Lounge, 3402
Rude Punch @ The Redstone Room – February 19
Elmore Ave., Davenport IA
The Underground Xperience –
The Redstone Room, 129 Main St,
Davenport IA
FRIDAY
2020/02/21 (Fri)
21
Bucktown Revue – Nighswander
Theatre, 2822 Eastern Ave,
Davenport IA
Citrus Sunday w/ Rosemask – Iowa
City Yacht Club, 13 S Linn St, Iowa
City IA
Dr. Randall Hall – Larson Hall -
Augustana College, Bergendoff
Hall of Fine Arts, Augustana
College, Rock Island IL
Great River Show Choir
Invitational: Middle School
Show Choirs (5pm) – Adler
Theatre, 136 E. Third St., Davenport
IA
Manic Focus – Mersiv – Daily Bread
– Gabe’s, 330 E. Washington St.,
Iowa City IA
Northern Parallels 041: Brenda –
Mike Derer – Higgy – Rozz-Tox,
2108 Third Ave., Rock Island IL
Passion – Rhythm City Casino Resort
Rhythm Room, 7077 Elmore Ave.,
Davenport IA
Pat Foley – The Grape Life Wine
Store & Lounge, 3402 Elmore Ave.,
Davenport IA
Push the Limit – Riverside Casino
& Golf Resort, 3184 Highway 22,
Riverside IA
Quad City Prospects – The Gypsy
Highway Bar & Grill, 2606 W. Locust
St., Davenport IA
Quartermoon Tinsnips (6:30pm) –
Cool Beanz Coffeehouse, 1325 30th
St., Rock Island IL
Romex Duo (4:30pm) – Larson Hall
- Augustana College, Bergendoff
Hall of Fine Arts, Augustana
College, Rock Island IL
Sad Iron Music – The Bernemann
Brothers – The Mill, 120 E.
Burlington St., Iowa City IA
Shockingly Modern Saxophone
Festival – Augustana College, ,
Rock Island IL
Steady Flow – The Tripp Brothers –
Smokahauntas & Tripendicular
– The Redstone Room, 129 Main St,
Davenport IA
Wynonna & the Big Noise – The Rust
Belt, 533 12th Ave., East Moline IL
SATURDAY
2020/02/22 (Sat)
22
Bob Bucko Jr. (4:30pm) – Larson Hall
- Augustana College, Bergendoff
Hall of Fine Arts, Augustana
College, Rock Island IL
Colere Quartet (1pm) – Larson Hall
- Augustana College, Bergendoff
Hall of Fine Arts, Augustana
College, Rock Island IL
Duo Gillis Cunningham (9am) –
Larson Hall - Augustana College,
Bergendoff Hall of Fine Arts,
Know More, Do More • RiverCitiesReader.com River Cities’ Reader • Vol. 27 No. 970 • February 2020 23

Hosting a live music event? DJs/Karaoke/Jams/Open Mics

Email calendar@rcreader.com • Deadline 5 p.m. Thursday before publication Email all listings to calendar@rcreader.com • Deadline 5 p.m. Thursday before publication

THURSDAYS
THURSDAYS
SATURDAYS
SATURDAYS
SUNDAYS
SUNDAYS

Karaoke Night – Bier Stube Moline,
415 15th St, Moline IL
Karaoke Night – Purgatory’s Pub,
2104 State St, Bettendorf IA
Karaoke Night w/ Mike Matthews –
The Torchlight Lounge, 1800 18th
Ave., East Moline IL
Community Drum Circle (Feb.
29, 11am) – RME (River Music
Experience), 131 W. Second Dt.,
Davenport IA
Community Sing (Feb. 8, 3pm) –
Uptown Bill’s Coffee House, 730 S.
Dubuque St., Iowa City IA
DJ Sperry – Boots Western Saloon,
2228 E 11th St., Davenport IA
Karaoke Night – 11th Street Precinct,
1107 Mound St., Davenport IA
MONDAYS
MONDAYS

Open Mic & More – Uptown Bill’s
Coffee House, 730 S. Dubuque St.,
Iowa City IA
Sacred Night Sound System w/ DJ
Higgy – Rozz-Tox, 2108 Third Ave.,
Rock Island IL
DJ Hi-Tech – The Key at Union Arcade,
229 Brady St., Davenport IA
DJ Sperry – Boots Western Saloon,
2228 E 11th St., Davenport IA
DJ Travis (Feb. 15, 6:30pm) –
Riverside Casino & Golf Resort,
Karaoke Brunch (Feb. 17, 11am)
– The Diner, 421 W. River Dr.,
Davenport IA
Open Mic w/ J. Knight – The Mill, 120
E. Burlington St., Iowa City IA

Wynonna & the Big Noise @ The Rust Belt – February 21

3184 Highway 22, Riverside IA
TUESDAYS
TUESDAYS

Augustana College, Rock Island IL
Erin Rogers – Larson Hall - Augustana
College, Bergendoff Hall of Fine
Arts, Augustana College, Rock
Island IL
Frankie Joe & Kinfolk – Green Tree
Brewery, 309 N. Cody Rd., LeClaire
IA
FRIDAYS
FRIDAYS Karaoke Night – Boozie’s Bar & Grill,
114 1/2 W. Third St., Davenport IA Open Jam Session – The Gypsy
MONDAY
2020/02/24 (Mon)
24 Zac Brown Band – Amos Lee – Poo
Bear – TaxSlayer Center, 1201 River
DJ Hi-Tech – The Key at Union Arcade,
229 Brady St., Davenport IA
Karaoke Night – Big River Bowling,
2902 E. Kimberly Rd., Davenport IA
Highway Bar & Grill, 2606 W. Locust
Dr., Davenport IA
The Reverend Robert Jones Sr. – Dr, Moline IL DJ Sperry – Boots Western Saloon, Leapn for Leap Year Dance Party w/ Open Mic Night – Broken Saddle,
Hauberg Civic Center Mansion, 2228 E 11th St., Davenport IA DJ Donnie (Feb. 29) – The Gypsy 1417 Fifth Ave., Moline IL
1300 24th St., Rock Island IL
SATURDAY
2020/02/29 (Sat)
29 Karaoke Night – Circle Tap, 1345 W.
Locust St., Davenport IA
Highway Bar & Grill, 2606 W. Locust
St., Davenport IA
Open Mic Night – Cool Beanz
Coffeehouse, 1325 30th St., Rock
TUESDAY
2020/02/25 (Tue)
25 10 of Soul Band – Riverside Casino
& Golf Resort, 3184 Highway 22,
Karaoke Night – Big River Bowling,
2902 E. Kimberly Rd., Davenport IA
Songwriters’ Round Table (Feb.
8, 11am) – RME (River Music
Island IL

Great River Show Choir

Invitational: High School Show
Body Work – X Harlow – Elliott Bay
Towers – Aging – Rozz-Tox, 2108
Riverside IA
3 Men & a Molly – Abides Bar & Grill
Karaoke Night – V.F.W. Post 9128,
2814 State St., Bettendorf IA
Experience), 131 W. Second Dt.,
Davenport IA WEDNESDAYS
WEDNESDAYS

Choirs (8am) – Adler Theatre, 136
E. Third St., Davenport IA
Joe & Vicki Price – Flatted Fifth Blues
& BBQ, 300 Potter Dr., Bellevue IA
Jordan Danielsen & Jef Spradley
– The Grape Life Wine Store
& Lounge, 3402 Elmore Ave.,
Davenport IA
K n ox– G a l e s b u r g Sy m p h o ny
Masterworks III: Fate of the
Furious – Orpheum Theatre, 57 S.
Kellogg St., Galesburg IL
Mommy’s Little Monster – Len
Brown’s North Shore Inn, 700 N.
Shore Dr., Moline IL
Moonshine Run – 11th Street
Precinc t, 1107 Mound St.,
Davenport IA
My One & Only – Bishop Hill Creative
Commons, 309 N Bishop Hill St.,
Bishop Hill IL
Passion – Riverside Casino & Golf
Resort, 3184 Highway 22, Riverside
IA
PlayThangs – The Gypsy Highway
Bar & Grill, 2606 W. Locust St.,
Davenport IA
Push the Limit – Rhythm City Casino
Resort Rhythm Room, 7077 Elmore
Ave., Davenport IA
Rock Metal Rampage: ARM (8pm)
– Sleepover (8:45pm) – 3 Finger
Betty (9:30pm) – Dead Emperors
(10:15pm) – Iowa City Yacht Club,
13 S Linn St, Iowa City IA
Russ Reyman Request Piano Bar –
The Phoenix Restaurant & Martini
Bar, 111 West 2nd St., Davenport IA
Shockingly Modern Saxophone
Festival – Augustana College, ,
Rock Island IL
Truckfi ghters – Valley of the Sun
– RIBCO, 1815 Second Ave., Rock
Island IL
SUNDAY
2020/02/23 (Sun)
23
Christopher Paul Stelling – Liv
Carrow – Erin Moore – Rozz-Tox,
2108 Third Ave., Rock Island IL
Héctor Anchondo Band (2pm) – The
Gypsy Highway Bar & Grill, 2606 W.
Locust St., Davenport IA
Quad City Symphony Youth
Ensemble Concert (5pm) –
Bartlett Performing Arts Center,
3600 Avenue of the Cities, Moline IL
Ron Tegeler Jazz Trio (5pm) –
Flatted Fifth Blues & BBQ, 300
Potter Dr., Bellevue IA
Susto – Molly Parden – Codfish
Third Ave., Rock Island IL
The Dandelion Stompers (6pm) –
The Mill, 120 E. Burlington St., Iowa
City IA
Regan Hatfield: American Devil
Sound – The Redstone Room, 129
Main St, Davenport IA
WEDNESDAY 26
2020/02/26 (Wed)
Burlington Street Bluegrass Band –
The Mill, 120 E. Burlington St., Iowa
City IA
Live @ Five: Soul Storm (5pm) –
The Redstone Room, 129 Main St,
Davenport IA
THURSDAY
2020/02/27 (Thu)
27
The Get Up Kids – Gabe’s, 330 E.
Washington St., Iowa City IA
S i b e r i a n S t a t e Sy m p h o ny
Orchestra – John & Alice Butler
Hall - University of Dubuque
Heritage Center, 2255 Bennett St.,
Dubuque IA
FRIDAY
2020/02/28 (Fri)
28
10 of Soul – Rhythm City Casino
Resort Rhythm Room, 7077 Elmore
Ave., Davenport IA
Barbaro – Bishop Hill Creative
Commons, 309 N Bishop Hill St.,
Bishop Hill IL
Carlson & Stephens (6pm) – Rock
Island Hy-Vee Market Grille, 2930
18th Ave., Rock Island IL
Crooked Cactus – Riverside Casino
& Golf Resort, 3184 Highway 22,
Riverside IA
Danger Zones – Harley Corin’s, 1708
State St., Bettendorf IA
Freddy Allen 2&4 Swing Trio – The
Grape Life Wine Store & Lounge,
3402 Elmore Ave., Davenport IA
Great White – Jumer’s Casino Rock
Island, 777 Jumer Dr., Rock Island IL
Greg & Rich Acoustic Duo (6pm)
– Sugar Maple Golf Club, 19283 E.
1600th St., Geneseo IL
Identity Crisis – The Gypsy Highway
Bar & Grill, 2606 W. Locust St.,
Davenport IA
Joseph Huber – Eston Bennett
– Kenny Leiser – RIBCO, 1815
Second Ave., Rock Island IL
Larry Boyd (6pm) – Cool Beanz
Coffeehouse, 1325 30th St., Rock
Island IL
Vince Herman & Drew Emmitt –
@ Backyard Bowl, 2020 1st St. W., Open Mic Coffeehouse (Feb. Ukulele Social Club (Feb. 15, 4pm) – Karaoke Night – 11th Street Precinct,
Milan IL 14) – First Lutheran Church Uptown Bill’s Coffee House, 730 S. 1107 Mound St., Davenport IA
50 Shades of Rock – 11th Street of Rock Island Parish House, Dubuque St., Iowa City IA Karaoke Night – Circle Tap, 1345 W.
Precinc t, 1107 Mound St., 1600 20th St., Rock Island IL Yo u t h S o n g w ri t e r s ’ R o u n d Locust St., Davenport IA
Davenport IA Table (Feb. 15, noon) – RME Karaoke Night – RIBCO, 1815 Second
Anthony Worden – Chrash – Dark (River Music Experience), 131 Ave., Rock Island IL
Family – Rozz-Tox, 2108 Third Ave., W. Second Dt., Davenport IA Open Mic Night – Boozie’s Bar
Rock Island IL & Grille, 114 1/2 W. Third St.,
Bobby Ray Bunch – Green Tree
Brewery, 309 N. Cody Rd., LeClaire
Davenport IA
Open Mic Music Night (5:30pm) –
IA Milltown Coffee, 3800 River Dr. #2,
Dennis DeYoung: The Grand Moline IL
Illusion 40th Anniversary Album
Tour – Rhythm City Casino Resort
Event Center, 7077 Elmore Ave.,
Davenport IA
Dustin Olson – Tanner Scheckel –
Iowa City Yacht Club, 13 S Linn St,
Iowa City IA
Greg & Rich Acoustic Duo – Jim’s
Knoxville Tap, 8716 Knoxville Rd.,
Milan IL
Hal Reed & Mississippi Journey
– Flatted Fifth Blues & BBQ, 300
Potter Dr., Bellevue IA
Heart Bones – The Rust Belt, 533 12th
Ave., East Moline IL
The Hotrods – Rhythm City Casino
Resort Rhythm Room, 7077 Elmore
Ave., Davenport IA
The Mamiltons – Space Burial –
RIBCO, 1815 Second Ave., Rock
Island IL
Mark Dvorak – Bishop Hill Creative
Commons, 309 N Bishop Hill St.,
Bishop Hill IL
Mississippi Rose – Galvin Fine Arts
Center - St. Ambrose University,
2101 N. Gaines St., Davenport IA
Russ Reyman Request Piano Bar –
The Phoenix Restaurant & Martini
Bar, 111 West 2nd St., Davenport IA
TUESDAY
2020/03/03 (Tue)
3
Blunts & Blondes – SubDocta
– Bawldy – Gabe’s, 330 E.
Washington St., Iowa City IA
Emily Scott Robinson – Lily
DeTaeye – The Mill, 120 E.
Burlington St., Iowa City IA
Kamasi Washington – The Rust Belt,
533 12th Ave., East Moline IL
Tuneful Tuesdays: Black Hawk
Pipes & Drums of the Quad Cities
(noon) – Rock Island Public Library
- Downtown Library, 401 19th St.,
Rock Island IL
WEDNESDAY 4
2020/03/04 (Wed)

Hollow Barn, 5013 288th Ave., The Redstone Room, 129 Main St,
Maquoketa IA Davenport IA
Winter Choir Concert: Women in
Song – Galvin Fine Arts Center - St.
Ambrose University, 2101 N. Gaines
St., Davenport IA
Live @ Five: Monica Austin Band
(5pm) – The Redstone Room, 129
Main St, Davenport IA
The Chieftains: The Irish Goodbye –
Hancher Auditorium, 141 East Park
Rd., Iowa City IA
24 River Cities’ Reader • Vol. 27 No. 970 • February 2020 Know More, Do More • RiverCitiesReader.com