FREE ASSANGE, FREE THE WORLD.

2 River Cities’ Reader • Vol. 31 No. 1020 • April 2024 FREE ASSANGE, FREE THE WORLD. Know More. Do More. RCReader.com/Calendar.

ILLINOIS POLITICS By Rich Miller Proponents, however, said last week they
don’t have dollar numbers for how much
It’s Time, Once Again, for Everyone’s Favorite reopening the enrollment to the health-
insurance program would cost.
Sport: Polling the Illinois’d When asked to identify their top prior-
results, let’s revisit a column I wrote in late
2022.
When Normington Petts asked those
same respondents, “What is the single
most important problem facing you and

A
s we’ve discussed before, the com-
petition for scarce state dollars
is particularly fierce this year in
Springfield as various groups elbow each
other for money while large surpluses and
revenue increases start to dry up.
A poll taken by respected national Dem-
ocratic pollster Normington Petts in late
February of 700 registered Illinois voters
purports to show which of those ideas has
strong support and which do not.
The program with the most respon-
dents saying they “strongly support” it
was “Funding free breakfast and lunch
to public-school children in grades K
through 12, regardless of income. This
would cost Illinois about $200M.” The poll
found the idea had 64-percent overall sup-
port, with 39 percent saying they strongly
supported it.
The poll was commissioned by a coali-
tion called Healthy School Meals for All
Kids, which is pushing for the free school
food and was undoubtedly pleased with
that result. Thirty-two percent said they
opposed the idea, with 17 percent saying
they strongly opposed feeding all kids at
school.
Overall, the most-supported proposal
was “Giving grants to businesses to
provide jobs for young people over the
summer to help reduce violence and
provide job training in underserved com-
munities. This would cost Illinois about
$150M,” at 75 percent, with 31 percent reg-
istering strong support, and just nineteen
percent opposed.
The option of “Raising the pay of state-
funded home health-care workers from
$20 an hour to $22. This would cost Illi-
nois about $200M,” came out at 68 percent
support, with 35 percent strongly support-
ing it and 25 percent opposing it.
Next up was “A tax credit of $300
per child for families making less than
$75,000 a year, or $50,000 if the parent
is single. This would cost Illinois about
$300M,” at 58 percent supporting and 35
percent opposing.
And it may not surprise you to know
that at the very bottom of the list was
“Expanding the program that provides
health insurance to undocumented
seniors who would be eligible for Medicare
if they were citizens. This would cost Illi-
nois about $300M,” which was opposed by
58 percent (40 percent strongly opposed)
and supported by a minority of 33 percent.
ity among those five programs, 34 percent
of respondents said free meals in schools
would be their top choice, which led the
list. That was followed by summer youth
job grants (20 percent). At the bottom
was health insurance for undocumented
seniors at only six percent.
The coalition did not supply the poll’s
full crosstabs, but claimed in an accom-
panying memo that the free breakfast
for all program had majority support
across every region, age, and partisan
demographic.
Its strongest support was among Chi-
cago voters (84 percent), Democrats (81
percent), and those 18-44 (74 percent).
Its weakest support was among rural
voters (50-46), those age 60+ (51-46), and
Republicans (52-44). The coalition did not
provide a breakout of 65+.
The pollster said the survey was a
“hybrid live interviewer landline, mobile,
text-to-web, and online-panel survey
conducted among 700 registered voters
in Illinois,” conducted February 21-26.”
The margin of error was ±3.7 percent.
Party affiliation was 37 percent Democrat,
37 percent Independent, and 26 percent
Republican.
While we’re talking about polling
your household today?”, the top category
was “Cost of living” at 49 percent. Crime
was the number-one issue for just eight
percent and immigration came in at just
five percent.
The Normington Petts poll also found
that 27 percent of Illinoisans thought the
state was heading in the right direction,
while 60 percent said it was on the wrong
track.
Another recently released poll, taken
for the Illinois Education Association by
Normington Petts and Republican pollster
Next Generation Strategies in late January
found that 32 percent said the state was on
the right track and 58 percent said it was
on the wrong track.
While those results were much better
than they were before Governor JB
Pritzker took office (the state bottomed
out at a nine-percent right direction and
an 84 percent wrong track in 2018), the
results have dropped way down from a
high of 52-48 in an Emerson College poll
conducted in October of 2022, which we
discussed at the time.
Rich Miller also publishes Capitol Fax,
a daily political newsletter, and Capitol-
Fax.com.

We can stop HIV, Iowa— tes

ting nea

ry
Find
by protecting our sexual health through talk, test, treat.

ou:
talk test treat

st

rg
ph o
ivio w a.

Talk with your partner Get tested! It’s the only way to
before having sex. know for sure if you have an
STI or HIV.
Talk about when you were last
tested and suggest getting Many STIs don’t cause any
tested together. symptoms, so you could have
one and not know.
Talk to your healthcare provider
about your sex life and ask If you’re not comfortable asking
what STI tests you should be your regular provider for an
getting and how often. STI or HIV test, find a clinic that
provides confidential testing that
is free or low cost.
o
All STIs, including HIV,
are treatable. If you test positive for an
STI, work with your healthcare provider to
get the right treatment.
Ask about partner services to get your
partner tested and treated. Avoid having
sex until you and your sex partner both
complete treatment.
If you test positive for HIV, your healthcare
provider or testing location will help
connect you to treatment and resources!

STI Awareness Week is April 14–20—but taking care of your sexual health is something you can do all year long!
STIs can cause long-term health issues when left untreated. They can also increase your chances of acquiring HIV.
Getting tested for all sexually-transmitted infections is the best way to protect your own health & help to stop HIV in Iowa!
Keep the Reader Alive and Free Since '93. RCReader.com/Support. FREE ASSANGE, FREE THE WORLD. River Cities’ Reader • Vol. 31 No. 1020 • April 2024 3

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FREE ASSANGE, FREE THE WORLD.
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Keep the Reader Alive and Free Since '93. RCReader.com/Support.
QUAD CITIES HISTORY
Buried Stories: Charles August
FREE ASSANGE, FREE THE WORLD. River Cities’ Reader • Vol. 31 No. 1020 • April 2024 5
By Bruce Walters end of the school year, when it appeared that
I stood highest in deportment, in my room,
Miss Phoebe [Sudlow, the school’s principal] in
a short address presented me with a book as a

Ficke (1850-1931) reward.”

Vol. 31 · No. 1020 Mexican art historian and
author Manuel Toussaint later
April 2024 wrote that Ficke’s collection
of 17th- and 18th-century
Spanish Colonial paintings was
the finest collection outside
RIVER CITIES’ READER Mexico. (The Iowan, 1975, Julie
532 W. 3rd St. McDonald).
Davenport IA 52801 Previously, Ficke had
RiverCitiesReader.com
(563)324-0049 (phone) donated his collection of “Egyp-
(563)323-3101 (fax) tian, Roman, Greek and other
info@rcreader.com antiquities to the Davenport
Academy of Science” (1922);
PUBLISHING SINCE 1993 and his collection of rare books
The River Cities’ Reader is an independently owned
publication and website, dedicated to providing readers
to the public library (1919).
and members the “keys to the Quad Cities’ culture.” These institutions exist today as
the Figge Art Museum, Putnam
PRINTED MONTHLY Museum and Science Center,
Newly printed complimentary editions are available and Richardson-Sloane Special
monthly at select locations in the region. For a complete
list, visit www.rcreader.com/distribution.
Collections Center at the Dav-
enport Public Library.
PRINT & DIGITAL ADVERTISING Before giving his collections
Visit QCAdvertising.com for full to the public; before serving as
publishing calendar, sponsorship
opportunities, ad sizes, and pricing. the mayor of Davenport; as the
presidents of the Davenport
PUBLISHER Turner Society and Davenport
Todd McGreevy • todd@admospheres.com Academy of Science; and in
many other leadership posi-
EDITOR & BUSINESS MANAGER tions, Ficke lived and worked
Kathleen McCarthy • km@rcreader.com
on a family farm near the
ARTS & CALENDAR EDITOR “hamlet” of Long Grove, Iowa,
Mike Schulz • mike@rcreader.com with his parents and seven
Charles August Ficke drawing
by Bruce Walters siblings.
IT-SYSMIN His family had emigrated from Boizenburg,
William Reveal in the Grand Duchy of Mecklenburg-Schwerin,
“Each generation must pay to suc- in 1852, when Ficke was two years old. Follow-
ADVERTISING SALES
ceeding generations the debt it owes ing his childhood years on the family farm, he
sales@rcreader.com
to the preceding ones.” moved to a boarding house in Davenport to
CONTRIBUTING WRITERS & ARTISTS
– Charles August (C.A.) Ficke attend grammar school at Sixth and Warren.
Rob Brezsny, Kevin Gosztola, Rich Miller, Loren Thacher, As he recalled in his autobiography, “At the
In lieu of high school, Ficke worked in a dry-
goods store and later as a bank teller before pre-
paring for law school. He would spend Sunday
mornings with family friend Attorney H. R.
Claussen, discussing what he had read about
law the week before. Upon his graduation from
law school in Albany, New York, Ficke returned
to Davenport. Over the next half-century, he
would become one of Davenport’s most promi-
nent lawyers, businessmen, and philanthropists.
During these years, he and his wife col-
lected artworks, archaeological artifacts and
rare books while traveling throughout the
world. Our community is greatly indebted and
enriched by his foresight and generosity. The gift
of his collection of paintings to the city, alone, is
an invaluable legacy.
Yet this 1922 passage in his autobiography
Memories of Fourscore Years led me to wonder
what his collections could have included: “I
searched Paris diligently for paintings, to add
to my collection. In the Grand Palais there were
two exhibitions of paintings, all of which were
for sale. In one of these there were more than
two thousand. Among these I saw not a dozen
that were conservative enough to interest me.
All of the rest were of the extreme modernistic
school, which I so strongly detest.“
Charles August Ficke is interred in the Oak-
dale Garden Memorial mausoleum, along with
his wife and family members (Public Mauso-
leum, SW Tier A, Elevation 2).
Bruce Walters is a Professor Emeritus in Art
conferred by Western Illinois University.
This is part of an occasional series on famous
(or infamous) people buried in cemeteries in
the Quad Cities, and their history that is not so
well-known today. If there’s a piece of history
buried here that you’d like to learn more about,
e-mail the location and a brief description to
BD-Walters@wiu.edu.

T
Bruce Walters, John and Nisha Whitehead,
he newly created Davenport Municipal
PRINT COPY DISTRIBUTORS Art Gallery opened its doors to the public
Cheri Delay, Jay Strickland in October of 1925. Fourteen thousand
people – a fifth of Davenport’s population – vis-
Email info@RCReader.com
to make your business ited the gallery on West Fifth Street near Main in
a Reader pick up spot. its first three months.
Charles August Ficke’s initial gift of 270 tradi-
tional European, Asian, and Mexican paintings
ALIVE AND FREE to the city of Davenport created the momentum
and need for a municipal gallery, one of the
SINCE ’93 earliest in America. The artworks in his home
were also given to the city after his death and the
Keep the free press free with
death of his wife.
your direct support at
These paintings were assessed by the Director
of the Chicago Art Institute, Robbery Harsche,
RCReader.com/Support when they were first donated. Harsche reported
Mail checks to:
532 W 3rd St - Davenport, IA 52801
“that he knew of no American private collection
Letters to Editor: letters@rcreader.com in which so many important schools were repre-
sented; that the city, through this gift, would
© 2024 River Cities’ Reader acquire a collection, which, in importance, was
equal to those of the public galleries of St. Louis,
Minneapolis, and Los Angeles.”
 6 River Cities’ Reader • Vol. 31 No. 1020 • April 2024
GUEST COMMENTARY
American Empire vs. Roman Empire:
What Would Jesus Do?
“In these days of worldwide
confusion, there is a dire need for men
and women who will
courageously do battle for truth.”
— Martin Luther King Jr.
W
hen exposing a crime is treated as
committing a crime, you are being
ruled by criminals. In the cur-
rent governmental climate, obeying one’s con-
science and speaking truth to the power of the
police state can easily render you an “enemy
of the state.” The government’s list of so-called
“enemies of the state” is growing by the day.
Wikileaks founder Julian Assange is merely one of
the most visible victims of the police state’s war on
dissidents and whistleblowers. Five years ago, on
April 11, 2019, police arrested Assange for daring
to access and disclose military documents that
portray the U.S. government and its endless wars
abroad as reckless, immoral and responsible for
thousands of civilian deaths.
Included among the leaked materials was
gunsight video footage from two U.S. AH-64
Apache helicopters engaged in a series of air-to-
ground attacks while American air crew laughed
at some of the casualties. Among the casualties
were two Reuters correspondents who were
gunned down after their cameras were mistaken
for weapons, and a driver who stopped to help
one of the journalists. The driver’s two children,
who happened to be in the van at the time it
was fired upon by U.S. forces, suffered serious
injuries.
There is nothing defensible about crimes such
as these perpetrated by the government.
When any government becomes almost
indistinguishable from the evil it claims to be
fighting—whether that evil takes the form of
war, terrorism, torture, drug trafficking, sex
trafficking, murder, violence, theft, pornogra-
phy, scientific experimentations or some other
diabolical means of inflicting pain, suffering,
and servitude on humanity—that government
has lost its claim to legitimacy.
FREE ASSANGE, FREE THE WORLD.
By John and Nisha Whitehead
It is easy to remain silent in the face of evil.
Throughout history, individuals or groups of
individuals have risen up to challenge the injus-
tices of their age. Nazi Germany had its Dietrich
Bonhoeffer. The gulags of the Soviet Union were
challenged by Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn. America
had its color-coded system of racial segrega-
tion and warmongering called out for what it
was, blatant discrimination and profiteering, by
Martin Luther King Jr.
And then there was Jesus Christ, an itiner-
ant preacher and revolutionary activist, who
not only died challenging the police state of his
day—namely, the Roman Empire—but provided
a blueprint for civil disobedience that would be
followed by those, religious and otherwise, who
came after him.
Indeed, it is fitting we remember that Jesus
Christ—the religious figure worshipped by
Christians for their redemption secured by his
death on the cross and subsequent resurrec-
tion—paid the ultimate price for speaking out
against the police state of his day.
A radical nonconformist who challenged
authority at every turn, Jesus was a far cry from
the watered-down, corporatized, simplified, gen-
trified, sissified vision of a meek creature holding
a lamb that most modern churches peddle. In
fact, he spent his adult life speaking truth to
power, challenging the status quo of his day, and
pushing back against the abuses of the Roman
Empire.
Much like the American Empire today, the
Roman Empire of Jesus’ day had all of the char-
acteristics of a police state: secrecy, surveillance,
a widespread police presence, a citizenry treated
like suspects with little recourse against the
police state, perpetual wars, a military empire,
martial law, and political retribution against
those who dared to challenge the power of the
state.
For all the accolades poured out upon Jesus, little
is said about the harsh realities of the police state
in which he lived and its similarities to modern-
day America, and yet they are striking.
Know More. Do More.
Secrecy, surveillance and rule by the
elite.
As the chasm between the wealthy and poor
grew wider in the Roman Empire, the ruling
class and the wealthy class became synonymous,
while the lower classes, increasingly deprived of
their political freedoms, grew disinterested in
the government and easily distracted by “bread
and circuses.” Much like America today, with its
lack of government transparency, overt domestic
surveillance, and rule by the rich, the inner
workings of the Roman Empire were shrouded in
secrecy, with its leaders constantly on the watch
for any potential threats to its power. The result-
ing state-wide surveillance was primarily carried
out by the military, which acted as investigators,
enforcers, torturers, policemen, executioners and
jailers. Today that role is fulfilled by the NSA,
the FBI, the Department of Homeland Security
(DHS) and the increasingly militarized state and
local police forces across the country.
Perpetual wars and a military
empire.
War and an over-arching militarist ethos
provided the framework for the Roman Empire,
which extended from the Italian peninsula and
all over Southern, Western, and Eastern Europe
to North Africa and Western Asia, as well. In
addition to significant foreign threats, wars
were waged against inchoate, unstructured and
socially inferior foes.
A nation of suspects.
Just as the American Empire looks upon its
citizens as suspects to be tracked, surveilled and
controlled, the Roman Empire looked upon all
potential insubordinates, from the common thief
to a full-fledged insurrectionist, as threats to its
power. The insurrectionist was seen as directly
challenging the Emperor.
Acts of civil disobedience by
insurrectionists.
Much like the Roman Empire, the American
Empire has exhibited zero tolerance for dis-
sidents such as Julian Assange, Edward Snowden
and Chelsea Manning, each of whom exposed
the police state’s seedy underbelly. Jesus was also
branded a political revolutionary, starting with
his attack on the money chargers and traders
at the Jewish temple, followed by an act of civil
disobedience at the site of the administrative
headquarters of the Sanhedrin, the supreme
Jewish council.
Torture and capital punishment.
In Jesus’ day, religious preachers, self-pro-
claimed prophets and nonviolent protesters were
not summarily arrested and executed. Indeed,
the high priests and Roman governors normally
allowed a protest, particularly a small-scale
one, to run its course. However, government
authorities were quick to dispose of leaders and
movements that appeared more threatening to
the Roman Empire. The charges leveled against
Jesus—that he was a threat to the stability of
the nation, opposed paying Roman taxes and
claimed to be the rightful King—were viewed as
purely political, not religious. To the Romans,
RCReader.com/Calendar.
any one of these charges was enough to merit
death by crucifixion, which was usually reserved
for slaves, non-Romans, radicals, revolutionaries
and the worst criminals.
Jesus was presented to Pontius Pilate “as a
disturber of the political peace,” a leader of a
rebellion, a political threat, and most gravely—a
claimant to kingship, a “king of the revolutionary
type.” After Jesus was formally condemned by
Pilate, he was sentenced to death by crucifixion,
“the Roman means of executing criminals con-
victed of high treason.”
Jesus—the revolutionary, the
political dissident, and the
nonviolent activist—lived
and died in a police state.
Any reflection on Jesus’ life and death within
a police state must take into account several fac-
tors: Jesus spoke out strongly against such things
as empires, controlling people, state violence and
power politics. Jesus challenged the political and
religious belief systems of his day. And worldly
powers feared Jesus, not because he challenged
them for control of thrones or government, but
because he undercut their claims of supremacy,
and he dared to speak truth to power in a time
when doing so could—and often did—cost a
person his life.
Unfortunately, the activist Jesus, the political
dissident who took aim at injustice and oppres-
sion, has been largely forgotten today, replaced by
a congenial, smiling Jesus trotted out for religious
holidays, but otherwise rendered mute when it
comes to matters of war, power and politics. Yet
for those who truly study the life and teachings
of Jesus, the resounding theme is one of outright
resistance to war, materialism and empire. Tell-
ing Americans to blindly obey the government or
put their faith in politics and vote for a political
savior flies in the face of everything for which
Jesus lived and died.
Will we follow the path of least resistance—
turning a blind eye to the evils of our age and
marching in lockstep with the police state—or
will we be transformed nonconformists “dedi-
cated to justice, peace, and brotherhood”? As
Martin Luther King Jr. reminds us in a powerful
sermon delivered 70 years ago, “This command
not to conform comes … [from] Jesus Christ, the
world’s most dedicated nonconformist, whose
ethical nonconformity still challenges the con-
science of mankind.” Ultimately, as I make clear
in my book Battlefield America: The War on the
American People and in its fictional counterpart
The Erik Blair Diaries, this is the contradiction
that must be resolved if the radical Jesus – the
one who stood up to the Roman Empire and was
crucified as a warning to others not to challenge
the powers-that-be – is to be an example for our
modern age.
Constitutional attorney and author John
W. Whitehead is founder and president of The
Rutherford Institute. Whitehead can be contacted
at staff@rutherford.org. Nisha Whitehead is the
executive director of The Rutherford Institute.
Information about the Rutherford Institute is
available at Rutherford.org.
Keep the Reader Alive and Free Since '93.
WORDS FROM THE EDITOR
Unrepresented Again
T
he timely Easter message from the
Whiteheads (p. 6) reminds us that
self-determination is a Jesus thing.
And perhaps more than any other attribute,
self-determination allows us to love, accept,
appreciate, show compassion, embrace
choice, live authentically, transact with
honor, discern, actualize, and together defend
our natural rights. The pursuit of happiness,
protection of ourselves, our loved ones, and
our property, accrue to us as part of creation,
not as privileges bestowed by man or agency
(government). Wishing you a blessed Easter
with all its new beginnings.
Iowa is two months away from the 2024
Primary General Election that signals
becoming a player in the over-the-top
political theater at least until the General
Election on November 5, 2024. America’s
political atmosphere is super-charged due
to the volatility of unresolved controversies
surrounding the 2020 General Election that
now permeates U.S. elections as a whole.
Still looming is the controversy over the
veracity of Joe Biden winning the U.S. Presi-
dency, defeating incumbent Donald Trump
by a narrow margin, while garnering the
most votes in American History, including
more than Barack Obama in his runaway
victories in 2008 and 2012.
Please be clear: This controversy does
not have its remedy in disavowing Biden
as president, so get over that. It is about
exploring and exposing any and all election
systems, processes and equipment vulner-
abilities that undermine election results and
sow distrust, regardless of political party
affiliation, or specific candidates for office.
Resolution over these election insecuri-
ties are necessary for all American voters,
whether Democrats, Republicans, Indepen-
dents, Libertarians, whatever.
First, a Brief Primer on the
American People as the Fourth
Branch of Government
In the U.S. Constitution’s Separation of
Powers Doctrine, actualized in the three
branches of government – executive, legisla-
tive, and judicial – the founders envisioned
that a fourth branch would be the people’s
purview, holding government employ-
ees, elected officials, and all public sector
personnel accountable to their oaths of
office as the people’s agency for enumerated
obligations defined in the U.S. and States’
Constitutions.
As the envisioned Fourth Branch, accord-
ing to the Constitution, we the people have
three powers, tools to effect our authority in
managing the agency (federal government)
we endowed with certain tasks: Powers of
the (1) Purse; (2) Jury; and (3) Vote. Just
RCReader.com/Support. FREE ASSANGE, FREE THE WORLD. River Cities’ Reader • Vol. 31 No. 1020 • April 2024 7
By Kathleen McCarthy lowing the 2020 Election Soared This unease sailed past concerns over spe-
Past Trump and Biden, Sailing Down cific candidates’ outcomes to all candidates
Ballots and Impacting Candidates
Regardless of Political Party Affili-
outcomes up and down ballots regardless of
political party affiliation.
Various election stewards comprised
three, but three super powers if utilized as ations
of election officials, industry profession-
envisioned. After the 2020 election, counties nation-
als, academics, and civic advocates, have
We have all but abdicated our Power of wide, especially in swing states, reported
examined their state and county rolls,
the Jury, in which, as jurors, we have the irregularities in their election systems, from
finding thousands of ineligible registrants
absolute authority to declare a defendant incidental to egregious. Dirty voter regis-
due to relocation, death, duplication, and
guilty or not guilty based on our conscious tration rolls began emerging as a serious
confusion by third party auto registers such
and/or our judgment as to how fair and problem in election systems, contributing to
as Departments of Motor Vehicles. In many
just the law is being applied to that specific the growing unease over election outcomes.
defendant. Today, 96 percent of all indict- Continued On Page 10
ments plead out, in too many cases based on
prosecutorial sentence enhancement tactics,
meaning coercion using threats of enhanced
charges with exponentially greater fines and
incarceration if a jury trial is pursued.
We have abandoned our Power of the
Purse to legislators and bureaucrats who
spend like drunken sailors with abhorrent
reckless disregard for future Americans,
many our own progeny. $235 billion in
2023 alone, with $764 billion since 2021, as
reported by Office of Budget Management
and stated for the record (at minute 55:55
in hearing linked below) by Rep Ashley
Hinson (R-IA), has been paid out in waste,
fraud, and abuse. The only explanation left
for multiple decades of this particular abuse
of power in mis-issuing tax dollars must be
stealth self enrichment on some level, cer-
tainly not the excuse recently given during
a congressional budget hearing of too many
low technology personnel, personnel who
mostly work remotely these days.
C-Span.org/video/?534214-1/president-
bidens-fiscal-year-2025-budget-request-
economy
And that leaves the Power of the Vote, a
super power we the people are about to rel-
egate to the junkless pile. We must commit
to going the distance to secure our votes,
along with the certainty and unequivocal
trust that we are participating in fair elec-
tions, versus pre-negotiated selections.
Preserve Our Super Power – The
Power to Vote
We have this whole private/public-sector
relationship and its pecking order bass
ackwards due to our abdication of our
civic responsibility as the Fourth Branch.
Government personnel respect what the
people inspect when they inspect it! How can
any of us blame government employees for
pursuing their needs at the expense of ours
when we are absentee owners of our own
authority in this Constitutional Republic.
Its now or never Scott Countians. Commit
to preserving our super power, our vote, or
risk forever losing this unique and remark-
able Republic with so much yet untapped
potential. Otherwise strap in for how the
universe will treat us and our putrid legacy
going forward.
Types of Election Irregularities Fol-
 8 River Cities’ Reader • Vol. 31 No. 1020 • April 2024
READER TIMELINE
A Process Formality
How did the Scott County Auditor and County Supervisors fast track the
most expensive pollbook vendor pricing to eliminate the incumbent sys-
tem during an historical general election year?
All events and details reported below are
substantiated with documentation sourced via
three FOIA requests (costing a local concerned
citizen over $900). The onine version of this
article at RCReader.com/y/tenex contains
links to all documentation.
April 2, 2008 – Karen Fitzsimmons, the
longest serving County Auditor in Scott
nd
County history, dies at age 59. In her 32
year of service to the county, Fitzsimmons was
scheduled to run for re-election, unopposed.
She was the Scott County election chair for
presidential candidates that included Al Gore
and Barrack Obama. November 11, 2008
– Scott County Supervisor Roxanna Moritz
wins the Auditor race in this general election
year, beating Republican Steve Ahrens and
Independent Michael Elliott. Moritz garnered
38,103 votes (47.3%) while Ahrens had 36,205
(45%) and Elliott 6,253 (8%). Upon taking
office, Moritz implements at least two of
Elliott’s campaign platforms. These included
putting the county check book online, and
implementing a chain of custody policy for the
transfer of election ballots and equipment. The
county had no such chain of custody policy
prior.
October 10, 2013 – Scott County adopts new
voter registration software often referred to as
“pollbooks” when Board Chair Larry Minard,
and Scott County Auditor Roxanna Moritz
execute the 28E agreement for the county
to become a member of the Iowa Precinct
Atlas Consortium. “The IPAC software and
program was developed in 2008 under the
guidance and direc- tion of former Cerro
Gordo County Auditor, Ken Kline. After
witnessing his county’s Precinct Election
Officials (PEOs) struggle with enforcing the
new election law which allowed Election Day
voter registration (EDR). Ken Kline and a
team of IT staff decided to develop an in-house
e-pollbook software program to assist the
PEOs with processing all types of voters on
Election Day and Precinct Atlas was created.
The software was first used for a Cerro Gordo
County special election in 2009. Appropriate
procedures for each voter casting a ballot
using complex election laws are provided that
determines a voter’s eligibility, the correct
polling location, update to their address and/
or name, Election Day registrations, and
furnishing provisional ballots, if necessary.
It was in 2013 when the Iowa Precinct Atlas
Consortium (IPAC) was formed through
28E agreements between counties to provide
organizational structure and to purchase
license distribution rights from Cerro Gordo
County.” (source IPAC brochure)
August 20, 2018 - Scott County pays IPAC
$83,700 for 180 poll books, related equip-
ment and servcies.
September 17, 2020 – Auditor Moritz informs
the Board of Supervisors that the Auditor office
has everything it requires for a safe and secure
election amidst the extreme COVID mitigation
measures.
FREE ASSANGE, FREE THE WORLD.
By Todd McGreevy
October 2, 2020 – Emergency Scott County
Board meeting convenes to approve and accept
a $286,870 Center for Technical and Civic
Life (CTCL) grant (funded by a $250 million
donation from Facebook’s Mark Zuckerberg’s
foundation). The decision was tabled by all five
supervisors. The request to the board was then
abandoned altogether the following week, due
to legal opinion proffered by Assistant County
Attorney Robert Cusack, concluding that
Auditor Moritz’s acceptance of the grant did
not require the Board’s approval.
October 5, 2020 - The Iowa Voters Alliance
(IVA) was formed and a complaint opposing
this CTCL grant on grounds that it violated
federal election law, including a request for a
temporary injunctive relief, was filed in Iowa’s
Northern District Federal Court. Former Scott
County Board of Supervisor Diane Holst and
local concerned citizen Michael Angelos are
included amongst the plaintiffs.
January 27, 2021 - IVA lawsuit is dismissed,
citing home rule prevails.
May 13, 2021 - State Auditor Rob Sand
announces he will investigate for unilaterally
deciding to increase poll workers’ pay to $15
an hour from $10-$12 an hour for working the
June primary during a statewide public health
emergency, without county board approval.
“Moritz said she increased pay due to difficulty
finding poll workers willing to work an election
during the pandemic and civil unrest over
police brutality and racial injustice that led to a
local curfew.” “We couldn’t get people to work,
because people were worried about their safety
working at a polling location with the public
during the time of COVID,” Moritz said. “We
couldn’t even get 63 (polling) locations. We had
to drop down to 28 locations.”
March 10, 2021 – After fourteen years as
County Auditor (and at the time president
of the Iowa Association of County Auditors),
Moritz announces her retirement as of April
23, 2021. In her news release she states, “I feel
there has been a philosophical difference with
the Board. I believe it is important for people
to vote, whether it be at a poll location or by
absentee ballot.”
April 7, 2021 – Reader publishes the article
Purported Conservatives Refuse to Stop
Private Funding of Public Elections in Iowa.
“Prior to the 2020 election, Iowa Republican
Secretary Paul Pate introduced, and by
association endorsed, the progressive nonprofit
Center for Tech and Civic Life (CTCL), a
partisan NGO that distributed Zuckerberg’s
foundation money to 64 Iowa counties in the
form of COVID-19 Relief Grants for the 2020
election. Scott County received two grants
totaling $424,000, even after Auditor Roxanna
Moritz repeatedly reassured Scott Countians
that the election budget was adequate and in
good stead.”
April 23, 2021 – Scott County Auditor
Roxanna Moritz retires, resigning from her
elected position of 14 years.
May 24, 2021 – Scott County Supervisor
Board Chair Ken Beck issues a news release
Know More. Do More.
announcing the boards intention to appoint
former Davenport city alderman Keri
Tompkins to fill the empty Auditor position.
May 25, 2021- County Supervisors vote
3-2 across party lines to confirm Tompkins,
kicking off a two week period during which
Scott countians must secure 9,350 petition
signatures to cancel the appointment in favor
of a special election.
June 1, 2021 – Tompkins is sworn in as
County Auditor to replace Moritz
June 7, 2022 – Republican Keri Tompkins
and Democrat Ashley Schimanski each run
unopposed within their parties and win their
party’s primary election for Scott County
Auditor.
November 8, 2022 – Tompkins defeats
Schimanski with 55% (34,378 votes) over 45%
(27,851 votes) in the mid-term election period.
June 30, 2022 - Tompkins emails county IT
director Matt Hirst “Just curious, when did you
say new equipment is in the IT budget? We are
looking at tablets and wanted to plan ahead so
we are prepared.”
July 5, 2022 – Hirst replies by email “Poll
books were replaced in FY’18 from Precinct
Atlas. The Auditor’s Office purchased 180
for $83,700. Replacement would be best
dictated by need/performance. Anywhere
from five to eight years would not be unusual
life for this equipment. Money is currently
in unprogrammed needs but can be moved
into CIP dependent on need. How is the
equipment performing? Has the SoS/Precinct
Atlas defined an end of life or support for the
equipment.
July 11, 2022 – Tompkins replies, “Thank
you for the information and yes, we have
been having issues with the current set-up.
It appears it is 5 years old now and I need to
plan a replacement time around elections. I
would certainly not want to replace during a
General year.
So, I am thinking maybe winter/spring of
2023 or wait until 2025. I would be concerned
waiting until 2025. I am not aware of Precinct
Atlas defining end of life for the equipment
because it is our equipment and their software.
However, I will be happy to reach out.” The
pollbooks at this time were acquired in late
2018 and are only 4 years old. To date, Auditor
Tompkins has declined to provide any details
about “issues with the current (IPAC) set-up.”
August 30, 2022 – IPAC Support Staff assists
Scott County staff with an undisclosed issue.
September 20, 2022 - Tompkins emails
Adkins & Sons Inc. an election hardware and
software supplier about one of their product
lines Tenex. “ Scott County is looking to
update our election equipment to tablets in
the future. I have heard a lot of great things
about Tenex and am interested in learning
more. The timeframe to begin this process will
be spring of 2023 as we are gearing up for the
General Election. At this time, I am creating a
placeholder in our budget and am wondering
if you could please give me an average price for
one tablet with printer and any other necessary
items needed?”
September 20, 2022 – Tompkins emails ES&S
an election hardware and software supplier.
“I am working on our budget for next year
and am looking for the approximate price of
a tablet, as well as the necessary equipment
necessary for each one? So, printer, etc. Just
looking for an approximate.”
RCReader.com/Calendar.
September 21, 2022 - ES&S provides a
proposal for pollbook hardware, software and
election services for an undetermined number
of units. Email includes, “You will need MiFi’s
to connect the poll books within each poll site.
That is something that is not included in the
attached.”
September 21, 2022 – Adkins/Tenex sends
purchase proposal for 193 pollbook tablets to
Auditor Tompkins for review.
September 23, 2022 – ES&S updates proposal
for 193 pollbook tablets
October 20, 2022 – IPAC Support Staff assists
Scott County staff with an undisclosed issue.
November 8, 2022 – Mid-term election day,
county wide. IPAC Support Staff is contacted
by Scott County Auditor’s office and assists staff
with an undisclosed issue.
January 4, 2023 - Scott County Election
Officer James Martin requests a demo from
election software and hardware vendor
Knowink for its pollbook tablets. (Knowink
used in Polk County, Iowa.)
January 23, 2023 - Knowink provided demo
on pollbook tablets and also requests a link
to the County’s Request For Proposal (RFP)
for Election Management Software which
Martin provides. This RFP is not related to
the pollbook equipment and software cost
estimates being solicited since last September.
There is no RFP for pollbooks at this time.
February 24, 2023 - Scott County Budget
Director David Farmer asks Tompkins, “What
did you decide on the election management
software? I don’t recall that process wrapping
up.” Tompkins replies “We have another
presentation on Thursday from EasyVote to
compare.”
February 29, 2023 - Tenex provides demo on
its pollbook tablets.
May 12, 2023 – ERP & Budget Analyst
Amanda Orr notifies Tompkins of three
new projects being built into the FY24
capital budget allocations: MODUS Election
Management, Poll Book/Tablet Replacement-
Laser Printer, and Digitize Transfer Books/Plat
Books.
June 28, 2023 – Tompkins requests a 30
minute phone call with Iowa Precinct Atlas
Consortium (IPAC), the current vendor for
election pollbooks in Scott County, including
87 fellow counties out of a total of 99 counties
in Iowa.
IPAC Program Manager Tammy Norman
replies, “May I ask a quick question, is this
regarding the new software? Did you have
questions regarding setup/security/hard-
ware? I am only inquiring in case I need to
have other team members involved in our
meeting. Most questions, I can answer but
regarding security, I will bring in the experts.”
Tompkins replies, “Great question, and no,
it is not.”
July 3, 2023 - Tompkins sends letter notifying
Assistant Scott County Attorney Robert
Cusack of her intent to withdraw from the 28E
th
agreement with IPAC as of June 30 2024. Our
goal is to proceed with another vendor, Tenex,
and have the new purchase to the BOS (Scott
County Board of Supervisors) in December
[2023] or January [2024]. I am just planning
ahead knowing it will be election time.”
Attached for Cusack’s review are a copy of the
28E agreement, and a draft withdrawal letter to
IPAC dated September 1, 2023.
July 17, 2023 – Scott County Election Director
Martin emails Dubuque County Deputy
Auditor Jenny Hillary asking for input on how
Tenex handles satellite [early-voting locations]
Keep the Reader Alive and Free Since '93.
envelope label printing. Dubuque County
previously used IPAC and switched to Tenex.
Hillary replies in part, “Since we use hot spots,
I can usually have all the EDR voters verified
before the satellite information is even returned
to our office. Balancing has really gotten easier.
A big mind set change for us was to not worry
about the sequence number.” Martin replies,
“That helps a lot! We’re looking at switching
over this winter after the City/School elections.”
August 3, 2023 – IPAC is contacted regarding
an undisclosed support issue.
August 3, 2023 - Tompkins emails Adkins/
Tenex stating “we look to upgrade our systems”
and could they update the September 2022 bid
on 193 pollbooks to 220 units. “Everything
else looks good.” Adkins/Tenex provides
revised proposal citing that prices have gone
th
up and the new 10 generation iPads are the
largest increase. Adkins/Tenex September
2022 proposal was $309,403 (including
$24k annual software license) and the new
August 2023 proposal is $415,910 (including
$29,700 annual software license). To date
the incumbent pollbook provider IPAC has
not provided any pricing to compare with
any proposals received. August 4, 2023 -
Tompkins emails Election Director Martin
regarding Tenex’s price increase expressing
some sticker shock, “...Yikes!” Martin replies,
“It’s probably worthwhile to provide a quote
[to Supervisors] on how much it would cost
to go Precinct Atlas. New computers, routers,
printers, software... It might make that number
seem a bit less scary in context.” Tompkins
agrees suggesting IT department could secure
quotes for outside of IPAC for the hardware.
Tompkins also emails Knowink requesting a
bid for 220 pollbook tablets with printers and
cases, also up from their proposal for 193 units.
August 7, 2023 – IPAC responds to August
rd
3 support request and assists with an
undisclosed issue.
August 9, 2023 - Knowink provides a proposal
for 220 pollbook tablets and software for
$420,800.
August 17, 2023 - Tompkins emails IPAC a
request for brochure/marketing material for
IPAC’s new software program, without a bid
request for pollbooks or pricing on said new
software upgrade.
August 28, 2023 – Tompkins receives from
IPAC Program Manager Tammy Norman a
marketing brochure and FAQ’s.
IPAC is releasing a new software version to
all IPAC members at no additional annual
fee, in September 2023. Current hardware
and laptops all remain compatible with the
new pollbook software upgrade. An online
and offline version of the software is available
to members.
August 29, 2023 - Tompkins asks ES&S for a
bid for 220 pollbook tablets and software.
September 14, 2023 - ES&S does on-site demo
of its pollbook tablets, and provides a bid for
220 pollbook tablets for $400,800. (However,
the bid was presented to BOS for $393,220
or $7,580 lower than actual bid, during BOS
November 21, 2023, meeting.)
September 17, 2023 - Tompkins forwarded
three official bids for 220 pollbook tablets
from Tenex, ES&S, and Knowink, as well as
the County’s own line-item estimation of
IPAC pricing, for review by various staff. It is
important to note that there was no official
bid request by Auditor Tompkins to IPAC for
220 tablet pollbooks, therefore there was none
submitted by IPAC at this time.
September 25, 2023 - Tompkins submits six
RCReader.com/Support. FREE ASSANGE, FREE THE WORLD.
(6) questions from IT to Tenex regarding its
pollbook tablet and the next day Tenex answers
all six IT questions. Tompkins requests a WebX
group meeting for October 23, 2023.
September 30, 2023 - Tompkins and Budget
Director Farmer exchange emails relative to
Tenex’s price increases totaling an additional
$100,000 for the “election tablet replacement
project” due to the increased number of tablet
units, types of uses such as election day voting
versus early voting, etc. iPad tablets will replace
computers purchased in 2018 that have been
used on average approximately twice per year
in county wide elections (primaries with less
turn out, and general and mid-terms with
more turn out), and twice per year in special
non-county wide special elections.
October 23, 2023 – IPAC inquires with
Tompkins if Scott County will be using the new
software for the November election and is told
the older version will remain in use.
October 24, 2023 - Tompkins provides IT
with a draft memo of a preliminary agenda
to BOS for the pollbook purchase approval
scheduled for its upcoming November 21 2023,
Scott County Board of Supervisors Meeting.
She writes in part, “The last purchase was
in FY2018 from Precint (sic) Atlas for 180
poll books at $83,700. These items have a life
expectancy of 5-8 years. Due to technology
advancements, new equipment is more user
friendly for set- up, transportation and overall
easier to use. Since election equipment is a
specialty, the Scott County Auditor’s Office
requested quotes from four companies
currently utilized in the State of Iowa. This
included, Knowink, LLC ($387,000); Adkins
Election Services for Tenex Software Solutions
($386,210); ES&S for ExpressPoll ($361,800)
and our current provider via the Iowa Precinct
Atlas Consortium (IPAC) ($332,000).” Note,
that at this time no quote for $332,000 had
been provided by IPAC.
November 3, 2023 - Upon Tompkins’ request
Scott County IT gets input from Cerro Gordo
County as former IPAC user and new Tenex
user of 53 pollbook tablets. The feedback
is positive, including: Same-day support;
Builds their own election details and, despite
learning curve with some glitches, expressed
satisfaction; Bluetooth connectivity used for
printing worked flawlessly without concerns
over radio interference; Wi-Fi connectivity
used for all updating of systems, “Inside
connectivity tied into dedicated IT manager/
protected Wi-Fi” and “Outside connectivity
tied into Verizon Hotspots when in the field
(REDACTED);” Precinct Central Touch Pads
Electronic Poll Book,” the name of Tenex’s
software, “is open on the web to traffic from
the statically addressed Verizon and County
IP addresses;” therefore, “Allowed IP addresses
will need to be communicated to Tenex well
before testing and production use.”
November 3, 2023 - After WebX meeting
with IT, Tompkins emails a third revised
preliminary Board of Supervisors agenda
memo to IT director Hirst for his review,
noting that Pollbooks (unlike ballot counting
equipment and software) do not need state
approved vendors when purchasing.
This memo includes IPAC as a bidder
despite IPAC providing no bid, and is the
same version that is eventually posted to the
county website as part of a consent agenda to
be voted on November 21, 2023.
November 20, 2023 @ 7:21pm – Former Scott
County Supervisor Diane Holst emails Auditor
Tompkins and Board Chair Ken Beck with
River Cities’ Reader • Vol. 31 No. 1020 • April 2024
subject line, “ITEM 10 Elections Poll Books”.
Holst, who has also worked at the polls on
election day numerous times using the IPAC
set up, and previously worked in suppport
services for a global computer manufacturer,
stated, “I would like to receive a copy of the
County’s request for proposal and the RFP
responses from Adkins Election Services and
the Iowa Precinct Atlas Consortium for this
purchase.” These items are not provided prior
to the meeting the next evening.
November 21, 2023 @ 12:36 pm – Reader
publisher Todd McGreevy emails Auditor
Tompkins and all Supervisors stating in
part, “please consider supporting tabling
item #10 on the Consent Agenda regarding
approval to spend $386,000 purchasing
new Election Pollbooks until more public
input and clarifying questions are answered
about such an important infrastructure
commitment is made regarding Scott County’s
election management. Technically, it is worth
understanding how the Consent Agenda
for Tuesday Nov 21, 2023 4pm meeting was
established. The COW starts at 4:05pm and
the Board Meeting at 4:30pm. Where is the
opportunity for public review of the consent
items prior to the Board Meeting within the
25 minute window allotted? I’ve searched the
minutes of prior meetings and do not find
any information from the Auditor regarding
Election Pollbook replacement options.
Please confirm or correct me in that Tues-
day November 21, 2023 Consent item #10 is
the FIRST time the County Board of Supervi-
sors have been presented information about
this Resolution request."
Item 10 memo from Auditor Tompkins states
in part: “The Tenex product stood out as a
robust tool that is easy to use with the highest
level of technology available at this time.” a)
What testing or hands on usage was conducted
by who at the Auditor’s office that resulted in
the Tenex product standing out? How did it
stand out? b) How is Tenex easier to use than
the current Iowa Precinct Atlas Consortium
product? Easier to use for Auditor staff or the
voting public? Was the voting public engaged
to test such equipment for ease of use? c)
How is Tenex “the highest level of technology
available” ? Is that measuring the hardware or
the software? How are you defining the highest
technology available?” No responses from any
recipients are received. McGreevy follows up
by phone with all supervisors and is able to
speak to two of the five.
November 21, 2023 @ 4:30 pm - Scott County
Board of Supervisors convenes combined
Committee of the Whole and Regular meetings
on the same day due to Thanksgiving. Holst
and McGreevy each are allowed five minutes
to address the Board of Supervisors. McGreevy
summarizes his appeal to at least table this
measure until the numerous relevant questions
just read aloud and emailed to all be asked and
answered. “While voters did elect Tompkins
to be the Auditor, the voters also elected you
to supervise and that means you are fiduciary
and should take time to answer at least some
of these questions.” Auditor Tompkins tells
the board that Knowink in only used in Polk
County now and has poor customer service
reputation, ES&S that provides ballot counting
equipment and software for Scott County now
was not knowledgable about pollbooks and
Tompkins team would be educationg ES&S,
and that IPAC has a new software upgrade
Scott County would have to implement and
early reports of the new version includes
9
“concerns” buy other auditors.
Tompkins asserted that currently to check
voters in to provide a ballot it takes two to
five minutes and with Tenex it can be done
under a minute. And, with a presidential
election coming up it is going to be very busy
and goal is to move people through the line
as fast as possible.
Chairman Beckreaffirms Tompkins asser-
tion that IPAC has only one support person
on election day and observes that having
worked a poll the Tenex solution would
eliminate much hard copy paperwork for
verifying voter registration at the polls.
Supervisor Dixon asks two of the questions
submitted to her earlier in the day including
how is Tenex more knowledgable than
IPAC regarding Iowa election law? Election
Supervisor Martin answers that IPAC’s
software is currently up to date with all forms
required by law, but that is the new version that
is not currently on Scott County’s pollbooks
being used and they would have to update all
the current hardware. Dixon confirms that the
auditor is not relying any vendor for guidance
on Iowa election laws. Hirst also points out
that Tenex’s iPad solution allows one to use the
camera to scan ID’s rather than a stand alone
scanner IPAC uses.
The BOS elects to add Item 10 to the
consent agenda and gavels out of committee
of the whole to open the subsequent Board
meeting and in that meeting the vote is 5-0
and Tenex is awarded the business for new
pollbooks. (Link to meeting video at online
version: rcreader.com/y/tenex)
November 22, 2023 - Auditor Tompkins
emails Tenex (Adkins Vanderberg) announcing
Tenex won the bid for the 220 poll book tablets.
That same day Tompkins emails IPAC official
notification of Scott County’s withdrawal from
its 23E membership and pollbook system
partnership, changing the withdrawl letter date
from September 1 to Nov 22, 2023.
November 28, 2023 – Reader publisher
McGreevy speaks by phone with Bill Peterson
Iowa State Association of Counties’ (ISAC)
executive director, the organization where
IPAC operates within.
November 30, 2023 – Reader publishes the
article titled “Fast-Tracking New Election
Tools Does Not Serve Scott County Voters”
in the December print edition and online.
Reader reports that Anderson “is adamantly
in favor of all auditors’ ability to make the best
decisions for their counties when choosing
election equipment, including pollbook
services, independent of outside forces. That
said, Peterson wonders if perhaps Auditor
Tompkins might misunderstand IPAC’s
support protocol. Its primary program
manager fields all incoming calls for support
and redirects them to the proper team member
with the appropriate resources depending on
the users’ particular problem(s). The number
of available support staff is robust and has
historically met the support needs of its users.
Call logs for support tickets are maintained
and would provide evidence into the kinds of
difficulties, or delays in support, if any, Scott
County election officials have had with IPAC
poll books during elections.”
continued on page 10
10 River Cities’ Reader • Vol. 31 No. 1020 • April 2024
READER TIMELINE con't from page 9
HISTORY
A Process Formality
How did the Scott County Auditor and County Supervisors fast track the
most expensive pollbook vendor pricing to eliminate the incumbent sys-
tem during an historical general election year?
December 4, 2023 - Scott County Board
of Supervisors (BOS) signs contract with
Tenex for $415,910 for 220 pollbook tablets
and support, Tenex signed on December 5,
2023.
December 8, 2023 - Tompkins replies to Diane
Holst’s FOIA requests indicating a Request for
Proposal was not necessary due to the limited
number of companies available for this service,
“...Therefore, please see the attached packets
that were requested from the four companies
with known relationships in the State of Iowa.”
December 10, 2023 - Diane Holst emails
Auditor Tompkins, copying Scott County
Board of Supervisors (BOS) Chair Ken Beck,
to expand the open records request to include
the published advertisement Notice to Bid-
ders pursuant to Iowa Code 47.5(2) for the
poll books purchase.
December 19, 2023 - Tompkins replied
to Holst’s request for Notice to Bidders by
supplying Holst with email requests to three
of the four vendors asking for bids for 220 poll
books. The fourth vendor IPAC, Scott County’s
current vendor, only received a request from
Auditor Tompkins for marketing materials
with no mention of a request for a proposal for
220 pollbooks.
December 21, 2023 - Tompkins notified the
four vendors (Tenex, ES&S, Knowink, and
IPAC) that, due to a process formality, they
must submit new bids for 220 poll books: “I
am very sorry, but due to a process formality,
it is necessary for the notice to bidders to be
published in the local newspaper. Therefore,
the e-pollbook opportunity will re-open
for Scott County. You will be notified of the
publication date and will then have 15 days to
submit a new bid.”
Janury 2, 2024 - Tompkins emails the four
vendors that the Notice to Bidders would
publish the next day, January 3, 2023.
January 16, 2024 - Tompkins received new
bid from ES&S for $347,750, down from its
original bid of $393,220 presented to BOS on
November 21, 2023.
January 18, 2024 - Tompkins receives newly
dated bid from Tenex for $415,910, no price
change from original bid presented to BOS
on November 21, 2023.
Tompkins receives new bid from Knowink
for $391,600, down from its original bid
$420,500 presented to BOS on November 21,
2023. Tompkins receives a bid from IPAC
for $74,755.52. IPAC’s formal bid confirms
the county never receeved a bid prior to the
board voting in November 2023. This actual
bid provided for only new hardware for all 66
polling locations, while the three vendors’ bids
provided for new tablets at all precincts and for
all 220 poll workers.
FREE ASSANGE, FREE THE WORLD.
February 1, 2024 – During the Board of
Supervisors meeting to re-review the poll
book spending request, Supervisor Dixon
asks Auditor Tompkins if “anything had
changed” between the previous bids and the
new bids. Tompkins answers, “No.”
February 2, 2024 - Tompkins again notified
IPAC Tammy Norman, thanking her for IPAC’s
bid submission, but that another company was
selected.
March 21, 2024 – Reader emails IPAC staff
follow up questions regarding prior history
with service calls, support staff and confirming
their single January bid submission.
March 24, 2024 – Reader emails Auditor
Tompkins follow up questions that include a
request for specifics not disclosed regarding
service issues and the IPAC “set-up” referred to
in July 11, 2022 email.
March 26, 2024 – IPAC responds reporting
that support call logs show Scott County placed
four such requests since logs have been tracked
in 2018. Three of them in 2022 and one in
2023, with only one of them on election day in
2022. The substance of the support request was
not disclosed. IPAC reports that “The number
of staff available on election day/night is
dependent on the size and amount of member
counties hosting an election. Special elections
are held throughout the year while statewide
elections are held in June and November on
even years and in November on odd years.
IPAC Support has 6 employees that work
on the program and also have access to our
programmers when hosting the statewide
elections.”
March 26, 2024 - Auditor Tompkins replies
with the following: “The Scott County
Auditor’s Office had been planning to update
the e-pollbooks as it was in the CIP budget and
discussed at prior budget meetings in 2022 and
2023 with the BOS and administration. Due to
Precinct Atlas (IPAC software system) being
updated, the Auditor’s Office was forced to
update the poll worker software system at this
time. Therefore, this provided an opportunity
to review multiple software systems and
determine the best fit for Scott County. This
was a collaborative process between the IT
Department and Auditor’s Office. In addition,
feedback was sought from other counties and
several opportunities were reviewed.
The criteria for the Scott County purchas-
ing policy and Iowa law were met during this
process. Tablets were chosen as a preferred
choice for poll workers due to the ease and
simplicity of the product.
Training sessions have already begun with
poll workers and the feedback has been very
positive.”
The onine version of this article at
RCReader.com/y/tenex contains links to all
documentation.
Know More. Do More.
Unrepresented Again
Continued from Page 7
cases, ineligible voters are to be purged at
intervals prescribed by law but instead have
been ignored for years. Curious large spikes
in county registrations occurred close to
election dates, then just as curiously disap-
peared from the rolls almost immediately
after elections passed.
Examining counties registration activity,
voting activity, and other such data within
states, then comparing them with similar
data from other states’ counties has revealed
patterns of activity that are statistically
impossible, meaning the activity cannot
possibly be real, confirming the activity
is algorithmically generated. This body
of evidence is compelling and growing as
investigators gain access to more and more
equipment.
Pollbook intrusions from outside sources,
either via permissioned access or unpermis-
sioned hacking, present a curious contra-
diction to vendors’ assurances that their
pollbooks have no internet connectivity.
This prevents unwelcome access to private,
timely data resident in the pollbooks during
elections, thereby providing safe and secure
elections.
That said, reports nationwide contradict
vendors’ claims of no internet connectivity,
whether referring to pollbooks, tabulators,
printers, or even accessibility to thumb
drives storing election data for transport
to states’ centralized precinct vote count-
ing facilities. Vulnerabilities exist along the
chain of custody of election data, in equip-
ment that processes data and in stored data
banks, with potential access and manipula-
tion of one, several or all system variables at
their various locations. Using software that
allows for undetected onboard changes to
data from embedded or patched algorithms,
Wi-Fi and/or Bluetooth delivery and/or
extraction of data, equipment configurations
that permit additions and removals of com-
munications equipment such as modems,
are examples of potential vulnerabilities.
Georgia, Wisconsin, Texas, Pennsylvania,
Michigan, and Nevada are states whose elec-
tion anomalies, investigations, and analysis
made the news in what can best be described
as whispers versus the blow-horn these find-
ings deserve. The legacy media jumped the
gun with scripted uni-reports that 60-plus
lawsuits were filed following the 2020 elec-
tion, most brought by Donald Trump and
summarily dismissed as meritless, serving
as a ripe example of its increasingly familiar
propa-caca.
Arizona’s Maricopa County Argu-
ably the Most Egregious Election
Muck-Up in Modern History
Election system problems were far more
pervasive in 2020 than captured media
reports indicated. A good showcase of
anomalies, obstruction, and lawless lawfare,
RCReader.com/Calendar.
was overwhelming in Arizona’s Maricopa
County’s election system. Voters’ ballots
were printed on-site, but due to human
error programming the wrong ballot con-
figuration for numerous on-site printers, at
multiple precincts throughout the county,
thousands of ballots were rejected by the
tabulators, rendering those people’s votes
uncounted.
Maricopa’s tabulators rejected thousands
of ballots before the polls closed, but not
before creating election-day chaos that
included inordinate lines of voters, many
elderly and working voters who were forced
to walk away without voting, and some
unable to vote due to election officials clos-
ing down the polls altogether. Meanwhile,
thousands of rejected ballots were com-
mingled and squirreled away in boxes to
be counted later by election personnel as
provisional ballots. Needless to say, thou-
sands of those ballots disappeared, while
other ballots mysteriously appeared without
chain of custody reports as required by law,
and disproportionately favoring Biden.
The understandable shock, frustra-
tion and anger from Arizona’s Republican
voters was no less than would have been
expressed by voters had they been Demo-
crats. Whether this inexcusable election-day
mismanagement was due to a perplexing
high degree of incompetence, or worse, due
to deliberate malfeasance, no amount of
political loyalty, party affiliation, candidacy
support, or pathological resistance to a cer-
tain single candidate, will ever justify such
lowly, un-American, deceitful, dishonorable
conduct.
Scott County’s Fast-Tracked, Con-
troversial, Pricey Purchase of Tenex
Tablet Pollbooks and Precinct Cen-
tral Software and Election Manage-
ment Software
Recently, our own county election(s) was
not without tabulator counting issues that
were eventually resolved by hand-counting
the ballots. Scott County is fortunate to
still use paper ballots that can physically be
compared to the tabulators ballot images for
election audits.
Meanwhile, Scott County Auditor’ Keri
Tompkin’s decision to purchase 220 Tenex
tablet pollbooks to replace the existing lap-
tops currently programmed with the Iowa
Precinct Atlas Consortium’s (IPAC) election
system software has its own controversy
percolating, due in large part to a notable
lack of transparency from the auditor’s office
relative to this expensive purchase.
This purchase decision is controversial
due to:
1) Replacing critical components of an
election system, including tablet pollbooks
and software, and Election Management
Software, both in a general election year,
is considered a “worst practice” for this
Continued On Page 23
Keep the Reader Alive and Free Since '93.
GUEST COMMENTARY
U.K. Court Allows U.S. DOJ Another Chance to
Assure Assange Is Eligible for Extradition But
Not Eligible for First Amendment Protections
“[P]aramount among the responsi-
bilities of a free press is the duty to
prevent any part of the government
from deceiving the people and send-
ing them off to distant lands to die of
foreign fevers and foreign shot and
shell.” - Justice Hugo Black (Concur-
rence in New York Times vs U.S. a.k.a.
The Pentagon Papers, 1971)
T
he British High Court of Justice partially
granted WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange’s
request to appeal and delayed his extradition
to the United States. However, the U.S. government
was given an opportunity to provide “assurances”
that may result in his extradition in the next months.
Assange was granted permission to appeal on
the grounds that extradition may violate his right to
freedom of expression. The court accepted that he
may face prejudice due to the fact that he is a non-
U.S. citizen, and that the prosecution may expose
him to the death penalty, which is barred under
extradition law.
But the court refused to allow Assange to appeal
on the grounds that the U.S. is prosecuting him
for his “political opinions,” that extradition would
violate his right to a fair trial, and that extradition
would violate his right to life or expose him to cruel
and inhuman treatment.
The court rejected Assange’s request to include
“fresh evidence” related to alleged evidence that
CIA Director Mike Pompeo and other CIA officials
sketched out plans to kidnap or kill Assange while
he was living under diplomatic asylum in Ecuador’s
London embassy.
U.S. officials were encouraged by the court to
offer “assurances” that Assange would be protected
by the First Amendment of the U.S. Constitution,
that he would not be “prejudiced at trial” as a result
of his nationality, and that the death penalty will
not be imposed.
Stella Assange condemned the High Court for
inviting a “political intervention from the United
States to send a letter saying it’s all okay. I found
this astounding.”
“The Biden administration should not issue assur-
ances. They should drop this shameful case that
should never have been brought. Julian should
never have been imprisoned for a single day,” she
further declared.
If the U.S. government submits such assurances,
which they are likely to do, prosecutors in the U.S.
Justice Department may avert a limited appeal.
They have until April 16 to offer assurances.
A hearing will be held on May 20 if the U.S.
government submits assurances to the court.
Assange has been detained at His Majesty’s
Prison Belmarsh for nearly five years. Extradition
was approved by the U.K. government in June 2022,
and the WikiLeaks founder has pursued an appeal
for more than a year and a half. In that time, his
mental and physical health has greatly deteriorated.
Despite global condemnation by civil liberties,
human rights, journalist unions, press freedom
organizations, and various political leaders,
RCReader.com/Support. FREE ASSANGE, FREE THE WORLD.
By Kevin Gosztola
especially in Australia and Europe, U.S. prosecu-
tors refuse to drop charges against Assange that
were first pursued by officials in President Donald
Trump’s administration.
Assange is charged with 17 counts of violating
the Espionage Act and one count of conspiracy to
commit a computer intrusion. The unprecedented
charges stem from the fact that he engaged in jour-
nalism and published classified documents that
were provided by U.S. Army whistleblower Chelsea
Manning in 2010 and 2011.
In 2021, the High Court ruled in favor of the
U.S. government after they appealed a district
judge’s decision that found extradition would be
oppressive to Assange’s mental health given the
widespread inhuman treatment that has been
documented in U.S. jails and prisons. (That ruling
came on International Human Rights Day.)
The U.S. State Department salvaged the extradi-
tion case by intervening. They offered “diplomatic
assurances” on how Assange would be treated in
U.S. custody and reminded the U.K. government
that the U.S. and the U.K. have a “long history of
cooperation” on “extradition matters.” That was
enough to alleviate the High Court’s concerns, even
though there were loopholes in their promises.
Risk of Death Penalty Given
Calls from U.S. Politicians
Extradition from the U.K. is barred if there is a
risk that the requested person will be sentenced to
death.
During court proceedings on February 21, Ben
Watson KC, who was instructed to represent the
U.K. Home Secretary, accepted that Assange could
later be charged with “aiding or abetting treason”
or a more severe charge of “espionage” that could
lead to the death penalty.
“There are no arrangements in place to prevent the
imposition of the death penalty,” Watson conceded.
Watson’s responses led the High Court to believe
that capital charges, given calls by “leading politi-
cians and other public figures” in the U.S., could
result in a death sentence for Assange if he was
convicted.
Denying Assange First
Amendment Rights: "A Real
Prospect of Success"
Furthermore, the High Court accepted that
Assange wished to argue at trial that if he was
granted First Amendment rights, then the prosecu-
tion would be stopped.
“The First Amendment is therefore of central
importance to his defense to the extradition
charge,” the High Court added. “Further, if he is
convicted, he may wish to invoke the First Amend-
ment on the question of sentence. If he is not
permitted to rely on the First Amendment because
of his status as a foreign national, he will thereby be
prejudiced (potentially very greatly prejudiced) by
reason of his nationality.”
River Cities’ Reader • Vol. 31 No. 1020 • April 2024
It was Assistant U.S. Attorney Gordon Krom-
berg, a lead prosecutor on the case, who sug-
gested the U.S. government might argue during
trial that Assange was not protectedby the First
Amendment.
“[Kromberg] made a formal sworn declaration
on behalf of the respondent and in support of the
extradition request,” the High Court asserted. “He
put himself forward as able to provide authoritative
assistance as to the application of the First Amend-
ment. It can fairly be assumed that he would not
have said that the prosecution ‘could argue that
foreign nationals are not entitled to protections
under the First Amendment’ unless that was a ten-
able argument that the prosecution was entitled to
deploy with a real prospect of success.”
“If such an argument were to succeed it would (at
least arguably) cause the applicant prejudice on the
grounds of his non-US citizenship (and hence, on
the grounds of his nationality),” the court added.
Only narrowly did the High Court accept an
appeal on the ground that his right to freedom of
expression may be violated if he was not “permitted
to rely on the First Amendment” at trial.
Not Being Prosecuted for
Exposing U.S. Crimes
The court sided with Kromberg, who claimed
the “publication charges” against Assange are
“explicitly limited to documents that contain the
names of human intelligence sources.”
“Indeed, a deliberate decision was made not to
charge the applicant in respect of the publication of
any other material by him,” the High Court stated.
“The applicant’s publication of material which he
alleges exposed the respondent’s involvement in
serious criminality may well raise strong public
interest factors justifying a high level of protection.
But the respondent does not seek to prosecute the
applicant in respect of those matters.”
Effectively, the High Court ignored the “general
allegations” in the indictment that do criminalize
11
Assange for publishing all the material that he
obtained. He is charged for “encouraging sources”
to “circumvent legal safeguards on information,”
“provide that protected information to WikiLeaks
for public dissemination,” and “continue the pat-
tern of illegally procuring and providing protected
information to WikiLeaks for distribution to the
public.”
All of the charges stem from standard news gather-
ing activities that Assange engaged in as WikiLeaks
editor-in-chief. Those activities were undertaken
for the purpose of publishing documents on U.S.
wars in Afghanistan and Iraq and diplomatic cables
that exposed torture, human rights abuses, and
various other examples of misconduct on the part
of U.S. officials.
The High Court’s decision made it clear that if
the State Department offers another set of assur-
ances then the U.S. government will likely be per-
mitted to move forward with extraditing Assange.
That would lead Assange’s legal team to file a
petition in the European Court of Human Rights in
a last-ditch effort to save him from being flown to a
U.S. detention center for trial.
Outside of the High Court, Stella Assange
reminded the press and Assange supporters that
her husband is a “political prisoner. He is a journal-
ist, and he is being persecuted because he exposed
the true cost of war in human lives.”
“This case is a retribution. It is a
signal to all of you that if you expose
the interests that are driving war they
will come after you. They will put you in
prison, and they will try to kill you.”
Kevin Gosztola is the managing editor of Shad-
owproof, host of The Dissenter Weekly, co-host of
the podcast Unauthorized Disclosure, and member
of Society of Professional Journalists (SPJ).
12 River Cities’ Reader • Vol. 31 No. 1020 • April 2024
Your event listing in print and online has been complimentary since 1993!
Full descriptions, contact info, addresses, maps, and links for each listing at rcreader.com/calendar
VISUAL ARTS
Openings & Gallery Events
Award Ceremony: 47th Annual High School Art
Invitational, high school art instructors in the greater
Quad City region are… Quad City Arts Center, 6:30pm
Thu Mar 28
Last Chance Exhibition Tour Night: Tradition
Interrupted, see the exhibit before it goes; guests
should meet in… Figge Art Museum, 5pm Thu Mar 28
Brand Boeshaar Scholarship Reception, join in the
celebration and view the portfolios of the… Figge Art
Museum, 5:30pm Thu Apr 4
Free Senior Day, all seniors ages 60 and up receive
free admission, as… Figge Art Museum, 10am Thu
Apr 4
Artist Talk: Rock Island Art Guild Fine Arts
Exhibition, join us for presentations and
performances from a selection of… Figge Art
Museum, 6:30pm Thu Apr 11
Second Saturdays at the Figge, free admission on
the second Saturdays of the month thanks to… Figge
Art Museum, 10am Sat Apr 13
Young Artists at the Figge Recognition Day: North
Scott Community School District, the museum is
proud to present the artwork from eight… Figge Art
Museum, Sun Apr 14
Art of the Brew, sample some of the best craft beers
from the Quad… Figge Art Museum, 6pm Fri Apr 19
Last Chance Exhibition Tour Night: Peter Xiao: A
Room That One Is In (And All Things In It), join a
Figge Docent for a “Last Chance” tour of… Figge Art
Museum, 6pm Thu Apr 25
Young Artists at the Figge Recognition Day:
Davenport Community School District, the
museum is proud to present the artwork from eight…
Figge Art Museum, Sun Apr 28
Exhibits & Shows
Wallflower, exhibit of ceramics by Laura Vincent-
Arnold; the ArtSpace… Black Hawk College ArtSpace
Gallery, thru Fri Mar 29
Tradition Interrupted, a fascinating selection of 23
artworks created… Figge Art Museum, thru Sun Mar
31
Young Artists at the Figge: Bettendorf Community
School District, the museum is proud to present
the… Figge Art Museum, thru Sun Mar 31
Peter Xiao: A Room That One Is In (And All Things
In It), an installation of recent paintings by Peter…
Figge Art Museum, thru Sun Apr 7
Ciccotti, Davis, & Stewart, exhibit of paintings and
sculpture by Art… Quad City Arts Art @ the Airport,
thru Mon Apr 22
47th Annual High School Art Invitational, high
school art instructors in the greater Quad… Quad City
Arts Center, thru Thu Apr 25
FREE ASSANGE, FREE THE WORLD.
Send your events to Calendar@RCReader.com
EVENTS CALENDAR
43rd Rock Island Art Guild Fine Arts Exhibition,
exhibit featuring a selection of artists living… Figge
Art Museum, thru Tue Apr 30
Graphic Approaches: Printmaking in 1970s
Europe, the exhibit features more than 35 prints…
Figge Art Museum, thru Tue Apr 30
Human Intelligence, group art show; free; for
information, contact… Centennial Hall Gallery,
Augustana College, thru Tue Apr 30
Revolutionary Artist: The Prison Fantasies
of David Alfaro Siqueiros, Siqueiros’s series of
lithographs titled “Prison Fantasies”… Figge Art
Museum, thru Tue Apr 30
Animals in Art, the exhibition combines paintings,
prints, drawings, and… Muscatine Art Center, thru
Tue Apr 30
Young Artists at the Figge: North Scott Community
School District, the museum is proud to present
the… Figge Art Museum, Sat Apr 6 thru Sun Apr 14
Sculpture Garden, the exhibition will feature a
selection of… Figge Art Museum, Sat Apr 6 thru Tue
Apr 30
Senior Show ’24, exhibit of works by Augustana art
history,… Wallenberg Hall, Augustana College, Mon
Apr 15 thru Tue Apr 30
Young Artists at the Figge: Davenport Community
School District, the museum is proud to present
the… Figge Art Museum, Sat Apr 20 thru Sun Apr 28
Classes
Amateur Paint Night, we invite all levels of painters
to follow along with… LeClaire Community Library,
5pm Thu Mar 28
Clay Open Studio: March, on Thursdays; registering
for this course allows you access to your… Figge Art
Museum, 1pm Thu Mar 28
Paint Your Prayer, with Simply Inspired by Brenda
Linville; choose your favorite spiritual… Our Lady of
the Prairie Retreat, 6pm Thu Mar 28
ZZ Top (with Lynyrd Skynyrd) at the Vibrant Arena at the MARK -- April 13.
Know More. Do More.
Through April 30, 2024
Linocut, with instructor Estevan Cornejo; this class
will guide students through… Figge Art Museum,
9:30am Sat Mar 30
Watercolor Basics 101, with instructor Pat Bereskin;
beginners and those reconnecting with painting…
Figge Art Museum, 5:30pm Mon Apr 1
Watercolor Basics 101, with instructor Pat Bereskin;
join us for an introduction to… Figge Art Museum,
5:30pm Mon Apr 1
Pottery Wheel Bootcamp, Tuesdays thru Apr. 23;
with instructor Laura Warner; whether you’re… Figge
Art Museum, 5:30pm Tue Apr 2
Pottery Wheel Bootcamp, Tuesdays thru Apr. 23;
with instructor Laura Warner; whether you’re… Figge
Art Museum, 5:30pm Tue Apr 2
Watercolor & Collage Workshop, Tuesdays thru
Apr. 23; with instructor Zaiga Minka Thorson; enjoy…
Figge Art Museum, 6pm Tue Apr 2
Basic Clay Handbuilding, Wednesdays thru Apr. 24;
with instructor Gary Carstens; students will… Figge
Art Museum, 6pm Wed Apr 3
Pastel: Spring Flowers, Wednesdays thru Apr. 24;
with instructor Laura Warner; draw flowers… Figge
Art Museum, 5:30pm Wed Apr 3
Watercolor Your Home, Apr. 3 & 10; with instructor
Annie Peters; create a… Figge Art Museum, 6pm Wed
Apr 3
Indigo Blues, Thursdays thru Apr. 18; with instructor
Rowen Schussheim-Anderson; explore various…
Figge Art Museum, 6pm Thu Apr 4
Self Portrait Fun, with instructor Estevan Cornejo; a
self-portrait class aimed not at… Figge Art Museum,
9:30am Thu Apr 4
Watercolor: Floral Fun, Thursdays thru Apr. 25; with
instructor Pat Bereskin; explore loose… Figge Art
Museum, 8:30am Thu Apr 4
Wine and Art: Haitian Collage, with instructor Lori
Miller; create a multi-media collage inspired by the…
Figge Art Museum, 6pm Thu Apr 4
RCReader.com/Calendar.
Clay Open Studio: April, on Thursdays; registering
for this course allows you access to your… Figge Art
Museum, 1pm Thu Apr 4 thru Thu Apr 25
Wine & Design, led by Pat Berskin; choose from your
favorite wine, nibble… Niabi Zoo, 6:30pm Fri Apr 5
Big & Bumpy Bowls, Apr. 6 & 13; with instructor Laura
Warner; explore texturizing… Figge Art Museum, 9am
Sat Apr 6
Painting Pots, with instructor Annie Peters; students
will customize their own terra… Figge Art Museum,
9:30am Sat Apr 6
Woven Wall Hanging with Texture, Mondays thru
Apr. 29; with instructor Ali Kirsch; this workshop…
Figge Art Museum, 6pm Mon Apr 8
Sculpture Sundays, study sculpture at the Figge
through new programming on selected… Figge Art
Museum, 1pm Sun Apr 14 thru Sun Apr 28
Adult & Arts & Crafts: Bad Art Night, you’re going to
make dreadful art, something even a doting… Silvis
Public Library, 6pm Mon Apr 15
Animal Drawing for Teens and Adults, with
instructor Emma Hubner; animal drawing class for all
levels.… Figge Art Museum, 5:30pm Tue Apr 16
Creation Studio Tools Training: Cricut Maker, learn
how to use the Library’s Cricut Maker and heat…
Bettendorf Public Library, 10am Wed Apr 17
Drawing for Beginners: Perspective, Wednesdays
thru May 8; with instructor Annie Peters; foundational
perspective… Figge Art Museum, 6pm Wed Apr 17
Adult DIY Craft Fest, celebrate the historic Rock
Island Line Railroad with a bookmark… Silvis Public
Library, 10am Sat Apr 20
Craft Downtown: Paper Quilling, paper quilling,
also known as filigree, is an art form… Rock Island
Public Library - Downtown Library, 10:30am Sat Apr
20
Adult & Arts & Crafts: String Art with Mindy, local
artist Mindy Mathews will guide us as we make… Silvis
Public Library, 5:30pm Mon Apr 22
Adult DIY: Rock Photo Holders, make rock photo
holders; we will be painting rocks and… Davenport
Public Library - Fairmount Street Branch, 6:30pm Mon
Apr 22
Intro to Laser Engraving and Cutting, learn the
basics of using the Library’s laser for engraving…
Bettendorf Public Library, 7pm Mon Apr 22
Hands-On Art History: Paper Mosaics, learn about
the history behind tile mosaics by making our…
LeClaire Community Library, 5pm Wed Apr 24
Pinterest Craft, stop by the library for an exciting
craft; this is… East Moline Public Library, 11:30am Wed
Apr 24
Creation Studio Workshop: Woodburnt Plant
Markers, identify all your plants with these
woodburnt plant label stakes;… Bettendorf Public
Library, 9:30am Sat Apr 27
DIY Craft: Pressed Flower Lantern, make a Pressed
Flower Lantern; all supplies will be provided;… Rock
Island Public Library - Southwest Branch, 5:30pm Mon
Apr 29
Keep the Reader Alive and Free Since '93.
MUSIC
Daniel Villarreal - Blue County Pistol, concert with
the jazz artist famed on the Chicago music… Raccoon
Motel, 6pm Thu Mar 28
Emily Beisel & Bill Harris - David Hurlin, Chicago-
based improvisers Beisel (bass clarinet, electronics)
and Harris (drums, electronics)… Rozz-Tox, 8pm Fri
Mar 29
Ronnie & the Redwoods - Telescope Club, concert
with the West Texas Americana/rock band, featuring a
set by… Raccoon Motel, 7pm Fri Mar 29
The People Brothers Band - The Crew, concert with
the soul, rock, blues, and funk musicians, featuring…
The Redstone Room, 8pm Fri Mar 29
Foghat, concert with the legendary rockers in their
53rd year of… The Rust Belt, 8pm Sat Mar 30
RCReader.com/Support. FREE ASSANGE, FREE THE WORLD.
one’s fate in Piotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky’s powerful Fourth
Symphony; $7-12 & up; for tickets, call 800-745-
3000, Adler Theatre, 136 E. Third St., Davenport IA,
AdlerTheatre.com, 7:30pm Sat Apr 6
Stone Age Queens, concert with the Queens of the
Stone Age tribute musicians; $19.84… Raccoon Motel,
7pm Sat Apr 6
Kate Clover, concert with the Los Angeles-based
indie singer/songwriter; $19.84… Raccoon Motel, 6pm
Sun Apr 7
Manny Lopez Big Band, the band will be performing
all your favorites from such… The Circa ’21 Speakeasy,
2pm Sun Apr 7
Quad City Symphony Orchestra Masterworks VI:
The Force of Fate, our Season Finale features Ricardo
River Cities’ Reader • Vol. 31 No. 1020 • April 2024
Morales guiding you through the… Centennial Hall,
Augustana College, 2pm Sun Apr 7
Opera Quad Cities, join the Moline Public Library and
Opera Quad Cities for… Moline Public Library, 7pm
Tue Apr 9
Scott H. Biram, concert with the musician whose
songs draw from a variety… Raccoon Motel, 6pm Tue
Apr 9
Skrizzly Adams, concert with the touring alternative/
indie and country musician; $19.84… Raccoon Motel,
6pm Wed Apr 10
Jordan Davis - Mitchell Tenpenny - Ashley Cooke,
concert with the chart-topping country-music singer/
songwriter; featuring sets by Mitchell… Vibrant Arena
at the MARK, 7pm Thu Apr 11
13
Kenny Wayne Shepherd Band, concert with the
blues- and roots-rock guitarist and his ensemble; $45-
179; Captiol Theatre, 330 W. Third St., Davenport IA,
FirstFleetConcerts.com, 7pm Thu Apr 11
Opera Quad Cities, a program featuring the beauty
of classical singing; free; for… Bettendorf Public
Library, 7pm Thu Apr 11
Terra Lightfoot, concert with the Canadian musician
and singer/songwriter from Hamilton, Ontario;…
Raccoon Motel, 6pm Thu Apr 11
Deep Galactic Bass Sessions Vol. 5: Basura -
Stymulation - Marty Mixfly - Sorceress of Sound
- Amplified Noise - Tripendicular BTB Dr.Lee BTB
JDUBB, an evening of EDM and dubstep; $10-15; for
Continued On Page 14

Rett Madison, concert with the touring alternative/

indie singer/songwriter; $19.84… Raccoon Motel, 7pm
Sat Mar 30

Terri Clark, concert with the award-winning

country-music artist and only Canadian female
member of the Grand Ole Opry; $25-50; for tickets and
information, call 563-328-8000; Rhythm City Casino
Resort Event Center, 7077 Elmore Ave., Davenport IA,
RhythmCityCasino.com, 8pm Sat Mar 30

Xheap Trix - Potential Spam, concert with the Cheap

Trick tribute musicians, featuring a set… Rascals Live,
6:30pm Sat Mar 30

Rock Island High School Choir, an event in the

Tuneful Tuesday series; this concert is… Rock Island
Public Library - Downtown Library, noon Tue Apr 2

The Thing, concert with the touring indie rockers;

$15.88… Raccoon Motel, 6pm Tue Apr 2

Herman’s Hermits Starring Peter Noone, the

group’s legendary career spans more than six
decades, and from the moment they landed on
the shores of the United States, they have firmly
established themselves as one of the world’s all-time
classic-rock bands; $39-79; for tickets, call 800-745-
3000; Adler Theatre, 136 E. Third St., Davenport IA,
AdlerTheatre.com, 7:30pm Wed Apr 3

Chris Collins & Boulder Canyon: The John Denver

Experience, at 1 & 7:15pm; Collins and Boulder
Canyon perform many… Circa ’21 Dinner Playhouse,
Thu Apr 4

Cory Chisel, concert with the folk-rock bandleader of

Cory Chisel & the… Raccoon Motel, 6pm Thu Apr 4

Matt Pryor, concert with the founding member and

the lead vocalist of the… Raccoon Motel, 6pm Thu
Apr 4

Arlo McKinley - Carson McHone, concert with the

Cincinnati-based country singer/songwriter, featuring
a set by Carson McHone;… Raccoon Motel, 7pm Fri
Apr 5

Cherry & Jerry: Ragtime Music, a Brown Bag Lunch

concert with Isaac Cherry on percussion… Bettendorf
Public Library, noon Fri Apr 5

Taylor Fest, a party for Swifties, by Swifties, where

everyone is the main character; come party with us as
we dance the night away to all of Taylor Swift’s eras;
$20; Captiol Theatre, 330 W. Third St., Davenport IA,
FirstFleetConcerts.com, 9pm Fri Apr 5

Alborn - Widow7 - NonGrata, concert with the

Northern Illinois-based metal rockers, featuring sets
by… Rascals Live, 7:30pm Sat Apr 6

Fool House, an evening of singalongs, party HOME AWAY

throwbacks, and choreographed dance moves;… The
Rust Belt, 8pm Sat Apr 6

Iowa Jazz Composers Orchestra featuring Mike

Conrad, University of Northern Iowa Professor and
award-winning jazz composer Mike… The Redstone
Room, 7pm Sat Apr 6

Quad City Symphony Orchestra Masterworks VI:

The Force of Fate, our Season Finale features Ricardo
Morales guiding you through the Unruly, Tender,
and Defiant movements of the QCSO premiere of
the co-commissioned Clarinet Concerto by beloved
local composer Jacob Bancks; we close our season
with the unyielding task of finding happiness despite
14 River Cities’ Reader • Vol. 31 No. 1020 • April 2024
VISUAL ARTS
47th Annual High School Art Invitational
Exhibit: Friday, March 22, through Thursday, April 25
Awards Ceremony: Thursday, March 28, 6:30 – 8:30 p.m.
Quad City Arts Center, 1715 Second Avenue, Rock Island IL
M
ore than 200 works by gifted stu-
dent artists will be on display at
Rock Island’s Quad City Arts
Center through April 25 in the expansive 47th
Annual High School Art Invitational, a glori-
ous celebration of local talent featuring the
Quad Cities’ most promising artists express-
ing themselves through paintings, drawings,
sculpture, paper, recycled materials, and film.
Each spring, Quad City Arts displays art-
work from top high school artists and their
art teachers. High school art instructors in
the greater Quad City region are invited to
choose works by their top five students in
any category, plus additional works in the
categories of film, paper sculpture, and recy-
cled materials. The exhibit fills the walls
of Quad City Arts’ downtown Rock Island
gallery, the opening ceremony is attended
by hundreds of Quad Citians supporting
young artistic talent, and students receive
thousands of dollars in awards from exhibi-
tion sponsors. Everyone is welcome to vote
for their favorite high school artist in the
People’s Choice contest.
This year’s assemblage of participating
schools and art instructors includes: Alle-
man Catholic High School (Lisa Wells);
Assumption High School (Michelle Sexton);
Bettendorf High School (Tim Solbrig and
Hilary Puglisi); Central DeWitt High School
(Deb Richman and Cassie Dunlavey); Cen-
tral High School (Annette Lopez); Central/
North (Juan Rangel); Davenport Central
High School (Renee Ott); Davenport Cen-
tral/Creative Arts Academy (Clint Balsar);
Davenport North High School (Jessica
Hill, Kevin Gunn, and Michele O’Brien);
Davenport West High School (Chad Wolf,
Brian White, Neal Meeker, and Dave Schaef-
fer); the Figge Art Academy (Pat Berskin);
FREE ASSANGE, FREE THE WORLD.
Kewanee High School (Lisa Stisser); Mercer
County High School (Tara Guidinger); Mid-
City High School (Stacey Jeffrey); Moline
High School (Tauwon Taylor, Elizabeth
Nache, Chelena Henning Saberton, and
Joel Delp); Pleasant Valley High School
(Aimee Peters, Ashley Willits, and Rachel
Meyer); Rock Island High School (William
Gustafson and Andrew Gray); Rockridge
High School (Dana Densberger); and United
Township High School (Jon Nevenhoven
and MacKenzie Jackson).
For many students, the 47th Annual High
School Art Invitational will be the first time
they receive formal recognition for their
creative talents. This can inspire them to
pursue careers in the arts and find out how
their talents can be applied. Creative people
have the ability to problem-solve which is a
trait sought after by numerous professions.
In addition to the opportunity to show their
work publicly, this exhibition is important to
show students the process of competing for
gallery shows. As professional artists know,
getting into exhibitions can be discourag-
ing, but there is value in seeing which pieces
were selected. This exhibition is important
for the public because it shows the incred-
ible creativity of our young people and our
future workforce.
The awards ceremony for the 47th Annual
High School Art Invitational will take place
at the Rock Island gallery on March 28,
with the reception lasting from 6:30 to 8:30
p.m. and the awards presented at 7 p.m.
The exhibit itself will be on display in Rock
Island through April 25, regular gallery
hours are Mondays through Fridays 10 a.m.
to 5 p.m. and Saturdays 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.,
and admission is free. For more information,
call (309)793-1213 and visit
QuadCityArts.com.
Know More. Do More.
CONTINUED
Music
information and… The Redstone Room, 8pm Fri Apr
12
In the Flesh: Echoes of Pink Floyd, an evening with
the touring tribute rockers; $20… The Rust Belt, 8pm
Fri Apr 12
Uncle Lucius - Drook, concert with the Texas-based
alternative/indie ensemble, featuring a set by…
Raccoon Motel, 7pm Fri Apr 12
Eat, Sleep, Songwriter Repeat, with professional
Nashville-based songwriter Ryan Bizzari; this
educational workshop will… The Redstone Room,
1pm Sat Apr 13
Fluffy - Cactus Lee, concert with the Ween tribute
musicians, featuring a set by… Raccoon Motel, 7pm
Sat Apr 13
John Daversa & Tal Cohen, breaking boundaries and
feeding on each other’s inspiration, The Art… The
Sound Conservatory - Moline, 6:30pm Sat Apr 13
Lynyrd Skynyrd - ZZ Top - Black Stone Cherry, the
legendary classic-rock artists co-headline their “The
Sharp Dressed Simple… Vibrant Arena at the MARK,
7pm Sat Apr 13
The Legendary Wailers featuring Junior Marvin, a
night of reggae with the artist who joined Bob… The
Rust Belt, 8pm Sat Apr 13
Blue October - Veers, concert with the platinum-
selling alternative rockers on their “Spinning the…
The Rust Belt, 7pm Sun Apr 14
Nova Singers: Mother Earth, the professional vocal
ensemble’s repertoire explores earth in all her… St.
Paul Lutheran Church - Davenport, 4pm Sun Apr 14
The Pink Stones, concert with the touring country
musicians and Georgia natives; $15.88… Raccoon
Motel, 6pm Sun Apr 14
Cathedral Bells - Rew, concert with the touring
alternative/indie rockers, featuring a set by… Raccoon
Motel, 6pm Tue Apr 16
Open Jazz Jam Session, an evening of live Jazz music
and open jazz jamming… Zeke’s Island Cafe, 6pm Tue
Apr 16
Wanees Zarour, the Quad City Arts Visiting Artist is
an award winning Palestinian-American… Rock Island
Public Library - Watts-Midtown Branch, 6pm Wed
Apr 17
Brandon Heath, concert with the contemporary
Christian musician, singer, and songwriter from
Nashville; Captiol Theatre, 330 W. Third St., Davenport
IA, FirstFleetConcerts.com, 7pm Thu Apr 18
Fit for a King - Chelsea Grin - Kingdom of Giants,
an evening with Fit for a King, also known as FFAK;
Captiol Theatre, 330 W. Third St., Davenport IA,
FirstFleetConcerts.com, 7pm Fri Apr 19
Jake Owen, concert with the chart-topping,
platinum-selling country-music singer/songwriter;
for tickets, call 800-745-3000; Rhythm City Casino
Resort Event Center, 7077 Elmore Sve., Davenport IA,
RhythmCityCasino.com. 8pm Fri Apr 19
QC Santana Tribute Band, two full sets of your
favorite Santana songs; $10 cover… Rascals Live, 7pm
Fri Apr 19
Rosali - Fran, concert with the alternative/indie and
folk musician, featuring a set… Raccoon Motel, 7pm
Fri Apr 19
Songwriter Sessions: David G. Smith - Dave Moore
- Catfish Keith, an evening of folks and pop with the
singer/songwriters; $18-20;… The Redstone Room,
8pm Fri Apr 19
Coco - Sima Cunningham, concert with the touring
indie musicians, featuring a set by Sima… Raccoon
Motel, 7pm Sat Apr 20
George Thorogood & the Destroyers, by reverently
reinventing obscure blues, country and RB tracks by
icons that include Bo Diddley, John Lee Hooker and
Hank Williams, the musicians have kept the music of
these American masters alive; $50-90, with $5 of every
RCReader.com/Calendar.
ticket sold going to the “Marla Thorogood Memorial
Fund for Ovarian Cancer Research”; for tickets and
information, call 563-328-8000;; Rhythm City Casino
Resort Event Center, 7077 Elmore Ave., Davenport IA,
RhythmCityCasino.com, 8pm Sat Apr 20
Michael Moncada & Whiskey High - Far Out 283,
concert with the popular area musicians; $15-20…
Rascals Live, 7:30pm Sat Apr 20
Reverend Peyton’s Big Damn Band, concert with
the blues, rock, and honkytonk country musicians;
$17-20;… The Redstone Room, 8pm Sat Apr 20
Shady: A Live Band Tribute to the Music of
Eminem, sing along, dance, put your hands up, smile,
and have… The Rust Belt, 8pm Sat Apr 20
Wanees Zarour, the Quad City Arts Visiting Artist is an
award winning Palestinian-American… The Circa ’21
Speakeasy, 7pm Sat Apr 20
A Rock n’ Roll Tribute from Elvis to The Beatles
featuring The Neverly Brothers, a guided, virtual,
musical tour of the birth, near death… Ohnward Fine
Arts Center, 7pm Sat Apr 20
The Rat Pack: An Evening with Frank & Dean,
Chicago area native Peter Oprisko is one of the
nation’s… Timber Lake Playhouse, 7pm Sat Apr 20
Polyrhythms’ Third Sunday Jazz Series: Lois
Deloatch with the Polyrhythms Trio, Deloatch,
a vocalist, lyricist, and composer, is joined by the
Polyrhythms… Unitarian Universalist Congregation of
the Quad Cities, 5pm Sun Apr 21
TsuShiMaMiRe, concert with the female Japanese
rock trio whose style is eclectic… Raccoon Motel, 6pm
Tue Apr 23
Aries vs. Taurus Hip Hop and R&B Bash: Dey Hustle
& Max Julian - Troche Treble Tha Singer - Twixie
Too Sweets - Backdoedizzle, hosted by Uncle Beats
and sounds by DJ Candyman; $15… The Redstone
Room, 8pm Fri Apr 26
Georgette Jones, concert with the daughter of
George Jones and Tammy Wynette in the Country
Vibes Series; $25; for information, call 563-328-8000;
Rhythm City Casino Resort Event Center, 7077 Elmore
Ave., Davenport IA, RhythmCityCasino.com, 7pm Fri
Apr 26
Here Come the Mummies, an evening with the
tightly wrapped touring rockers; $25.75-35.75… The
Rust Belt, 8pm Fri Apr 26
Under the Purple Rain Lip Sync Show, lip-sync
sensation Gemini takes the stage for an unforgettable
evening… The Circa ’21 Speakeasy, 8pm Fri Apr 26
Divide the Fall - Manhattan Blockade - The Failsafe
- Autumn Academy (6pm), an evening with the rock
outfits presented by NAMI and… Village Theatre, 6pm
Sat Apr 27
Jake Simon - Anderson Daniels, concert with
the country singer/songwriter from central Iowa,
featuring a… Raccoon Motel, 7pm Sat Apr 27
Lonestar, on the forthcoming “TEN to 1” record, the
award-winning country band are taking a fresh look
at all 10 of their chart-topping country songs; $30-60;
for tickets and information, call 563-328-8000; Rhythm
City Casino Resort Event Center, 7077 Elmore Ave.,
Davenport IA, RhythmCityCasico.com, 8pm Sat Apr
27
Quad City Symphony Orchestra Gala Concert w/
Emanuel Ax, the multi-Grammy Award-winning
pianist will perform Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart’s
“Concertos No. 25 (K. 503) & No. 20 (K. 466)”; the
QCSO will bookend these works with Gustav Mahler’s
“Blumine” and Igor Stravinsky’s “The Firebird: Suite”;
a ticketed dessert reception with an opportunity
to meet the artist will immediately follow in the
Gold Room at the Hotel Blackhawk; for information,
call 563-322-0931; Adler Theatre, 136 E. Third St.,
Davenport IA, AdlerTheatre.com, 7:30pm Sat Apr 27
Sins N Roses, Chicago’s premier Guns N Roses Tribute
band makes their QC… Rascals Live, 7pm Sat Apr 27
Upchurch, an evening with the more-serious alter
ego of comic hick-hop performer… The Rust Belt, 7pm
Sat Apr 27
Better Late Than Never, BLTN consists of four
musicians with all more than 20… Timber Lake
Playhouse, 7pm Sat Apr 27
Keep the Reader Alive and Free Since '93.
Hawthorne Heights - Bike Routes, at 3 & 8pm; a full
breakdown of the landmark album”… Codfish Hollow
Barn, Sat Apr 27
Music Explorers: Motown & Stax, an interactive
family concert that introduces live music to youth…
The Redstone Room, 4pm Sun Apr 28
QCSO/QCSYE Side-by-Side Concert, the Quad City
Symphony Youth Ensembles (QCSYE) consists of four
school-year orchestras for musicians of all ability
levels, ages 7 to 18; the program provides a rigorous
and inspiring learning environment founded on
RCReader.com/Support. FREE ASSANGE, FREE THE WORLD.
The Tortured Poets Department Release Party, join
us for blackout poetry, friendship bracelets, music and
more… Rock Island Public Library - Watts-Midtown
Branch, 3pm Fri Apr 19
Spring Weekend Writing Retreat, led by Jodie
Toohey; you need two full days to… Our Lady of the
Prairie Retreat, 3pm Fri Apr 19
Local Author Visit with Shellie Moore Guy, Guy will
share her family history and how that history… Rock
Island Public Library - Watts-Midtown Branch, 11am
Sat Apr 20
River Cities’ Reader • Vol. 31 No. 1020 • April 2024
The Kindest Lie, a discussion of Nancy Johnson’s
book with the Brown Bag Book… Davenport Public
Library - Eastern Avenue Branch, 1pm Wed Apr 24
Blackout Poetry Workshop, blackout poetry is when
you take a piece of text… East Moline Public Library,
6pm Wed Apr 24
Demon Copperhead, a discussion of Barbara
Kingsolver’s book with the Last Monday… Silvis Public
Library, 6pm Mon Apr 29
15
The Book of Mormon, touring production of the
nine-time Tony-winning musical comedy by Trey
Parker and Matt Stone; Fri. 8pm, Sat. 2 & 8pm; $48-88;
for tickets, call 800-745-3000; Adler Theatre, 136 E.
Third St., Davenport IA, AdlerTheatre.com, Fri Mar 29
and Sat Mar 30
Church Basement Ladies, the original musical
comedy inspired by the book “Growing Up… Circa ’21
Dinner Playhouse, Fri Mar 29 thru Sat Apr 27
Kinky Boots, Quad City Music Guild's Tony-winning
musical comedy about a struggling shoe factory,

musical excellence for string, woodwind, brass, and
percussion musicians; for information and tickets,
call 563-326-8500; Adler Theatre, 136 E. Third St.,
Davenport IA, AdlerTheatre.com, 5:30pm Sun Apr 28
Morgan Wade, concert with the country-music
singer/songwriter; $29-135Captiol Theatre, 330 W.
Third St., Davenport IA, FirstFleetConcerts.com, 8pm
Tue Apr 30
LITERARY ARTS
Beautiful Little Fools, discussion of Jillian Cantor’s
book with the Southwest Book Club;… Rock Island
Public Library - Southwest Branch, 4:30pm Tue Apr 23
Seeds of Hope: Wisdom and Wonder from the
World of Plants, a discussion of Jane Goodall’s book
with the Environmental Book Club;… River Action,
7pm Tue Apr 23
THEATRE
Jane Eyre, Tony-nominated musical adapted from
Charlotte Brontë’s classic gothic romance, directed…
The Black Box Theatre, 7:30pm thru Fri Mar 29
Diary of a Wimpy Kid: The Musical, family comedy
based on the beloved book series by Jeff… Circa ’21
Dinner Playhouse, thru Sat Apr 13
directed by Kelsey Walljasper; Fri. & Sat. 7:30pm,
Sun. 2pm; $15-20; for tickets and information, call
309-762-6610; Prospect Park Auditorium, 1584 34th
Ave., Moline IL QCMusicGuild.com, Fri Apr 5 thru Sun
Apr 14
Churchill, in this often funny, sometimes touching
and always engaging one-man-show, veteran British
actor David Payne brings Churchill to life onstage;
$55; for tickets, call 800-745-3000; Adler Theatre, 136
Continued On Page 18

Where your money

Iron Lake, discussion of William Kent Krueger’s book
with the Alpha Book… Rock Island Public Library -
Downtown Library, 1pm Mon Apr 1

Mrs. Sherlock Holmes, a discussion of Brad Ricca’s

makes more money.

book with the Adult Book… LeClaire Community
Library, 6:30pm Mon Apr 1

TV6 Book Club, join Brittany Peacock and Morgan

Ottier on KWQC TV6 for… Davenport Public Library -
Main Branch, 3pm Mon Apr 1

Hang the Moon, a discussion of Jeannette Walls’

(That’s our whole deal.)

book with the Pageturners Discussion… Moline Public
Library, 1pm Tue Apr 2

The Cost of Knowing, a discussion of Brittney Morris

book with the See YA Book… Davenport Public
Library - Eastern Avenue Branch, 6:30pm Wed Apr 3

Self-Publication, with Melissa Conway and Tom

McKay; an event in the… Davenport Public Library -
Fairmount Street Branch, 6pm Wed Apr 3

4.50 4.00
Silent Book Club, a Silent Book Club is a group of
adults that… East Moline Public Library, 5:30pm Thu
Apr 4

All the Trouble of the World, discussion of Isaac Preferred Savings Premier Checking

% %
Asimov’s short story with the Short &… Davenport
Public Library - Fairmount Street Branch, 10am Mon
Apr 8

Black Cake, a discussion of Charmaine Wilkerson’s

book with the West End Book… Davenport Public APY* APY*
Library - Fairmount Street Branch, 6:30pm Tue Apr 9

Blindness, a discussion of José Saramago’s book with

the Get Lit… Bettendorf Public Library, 7pm Tue Apr 9

The Maid, a discussion of Nita Prose’s book with

the Between the Lines… Davenport Public Library -
on balances up to $15,000 on balances up to $25,000
Eastern Avenue Branch, 6:30pm Wed Apr 10

Chasing Justice, a discussion of Kathleen Donnelly’s

book with the Mystery Book… Bettendorf Public
Library, 9:30am Sat Apr 13

This Is How You Lose the Time War, a discussion

of Amal El-Mohtar’s and Max Gladstone’s book with
the… Theo’s Java Cafe, 2:30pm Sat Apr 13

Last Night at the Telegraph Club, discussion of

Malindas Lo’s book with the Read with Pride…
Davenport Public Library - Fairmount Street Branch,
6:30pm Tue Apr 16

The Black Dhalia, discussion of James Ellroy’s book

800-323-5109 | vibrantcreditunion.org
with the Book ’Em Mystery… Moline Public Library,
1pm Tue Apr 16

Now You See Us, discussion of Balli Kaur Jaswal’s

book with the Novel Naptime… Moline Public Library, Bank with the Best.
9:30am Wed Apr 17

Poetry Reading: Ryan Collins, Collins is the

Executive Director of the Midwest Writing Center,…
Davenport Public Library - Eastern Avenue Branch,
6pm Wed Apr 17
Next Year in Havana, a discussion of Chanel Cleeton’s
book with the Overcooked Book… Davenport Public
Library - Fairmount Street Branch, 6:30pm Thu Apr 18
*APY = "Annual Percentage Yield." APYs accurate as of March 20, 2024. Preferred Savings: Earn 4.50% APY on balances up to $14,999.99 and 1.00% – 4.50% APY on
balances over $15,000. This is a tiered account; for this account, the specified Dividend Rate for a tier will apply only to the portion of the account balance that is
within that tier. Rates subject to change without notice. Limit one Preferred Savings account per member. Premier Checking: Earn 4.00% APY on balances up to
$24,999.99 and 1.50% – 4.00% APY on balances over $25,000. This is a tiered account; for this account, the specified Dividend Rate for a tier will apply only to the
portion of the account balance that is within that tier. Rates subject to change without notice. Limit one Premier Checking account per member.
$5 Membership Share account required.
16 River Cities’ Reader • Vol. 31 No. 1020 • April 2024 FREE ASSANGE, FREE THE WORLD. Know More. Do More. RCReader.com/Calendar.
Keep the Reader Alive and Free Since '93. RCReader.com/Support. FREE ASSANGE, FREE THE WORLD. River Cities’ Reader • Vol. 31 No. 1020 • April 2024 17
18 River Cities’ Reader • Vol. 31 No. 1020 • April 2024
MUSIC
TsuShiMaMiRe
Tuesday, April 23, 6 p.m.
Raccoon Motel, 315 East Second Street, Davenport IA
P
raised by the Memphis Flyer for
“eschewing de rigueur hoarse
screaming for simple but effec-
tive melodies (and yes, screaming!),”
resulting in “an irresistible combina-
tion,” the Japanese punk rockers of
TsuShiMaMiRe make their debut at
Davenport’s Raccoon Motel on April
23, the female trio famed for mixing
pop instrumental sounds with idio-
syncratic, quirky, and oftentimes funny
and disturbing lyrics.
With the outfit currently com-
posed of Mari Kono, Yayoi Tsushima,
and Maiko Takagi, TsuShiMaMiRe
originated in 1999 when the former
two musicians and co-founder Mizue
Masuda (who left the band in 2017)
were all still college students. They
started playing in various clubs in the
Chiba prefecture, as well as releasing
their first demo single “Hamburger
Set” in 1999, which was then followed
their second demo “Bloody Mohawk”
in 2001. Three years later, they toured
with other Japanese bands Petty
Booka, Bleach, Noodles, and Kokeshi
Doll in the United States, and also
performed at the South by Southwest
Japan Nite showcase. On August 25 of
2004, TsuShiMaMiRe released their
first full-length album Pregnant Fan-
tasy on Benten Label.
In March of 2005, the musicians
toured the United States once again in
the “Japan Girls Nite US Tour.” Along
with some of their previous tour
mates, this excursion included notable
FREE ASSANGE, FREE THE WORLD.
rock group The Pillows, and although
the short tour only went through a
few cities such as Chicago, New York,
Seattle, Boston, Los Angeles, and San
Francisco, it was met with raves and
prompted Benten to release the musi-
cians’ first album and future records
in the United States through the Aus-
tralian Cattle God label.
TsuShiMaMiRe’s musical style can
be broadly classified as punk rock,
with eclectic inf luences of noise and
Japanese pop music. Several of their
songs begin with strong bass lines
by Tsushima, but Kno’s guitar and
Takagi’s drums make equal contribu-
tions. Several songs combine sweet
female vocal harmonies with hard
drum playing and punk-guitar riffs,
for a deliberately ironic effect, as in
their signature tune “Tea Time Ska”.
The lyrics are consistently quirky and
idiosyncratic, with the most common
themes being sex, food, and death,
and sometimes all three at once.
Underneath TsuShiMaMiRe’s sweet
vocal harmonies, however, the lyrics
frequently hint at far darker, scarier
themes, with some of their most pow-
erful songs addressing death and its
inevitability.
TsuShiMaMiRe headline their
Davenport engagement on April 23,
admission to the 6 p.m. concert is
$19.84, and tickets are available by
visiting TheRaccoonMotel.com.
Know More. Do More.
CONTINUED
Theatre
E. Third St., Davenport IA, AdlerTheatre.com, 7pm Tue
Apr 9
Exit Laughing, Paul Elliott’s comedy about aging
Southern belles and their deceased… Richmond Hill
Barn Theatre, Thu Apr 11 thru Sun Apr 21
Anastasia, Tony-nominated stage version of Disney’s
animated fable about the Grand… The Spotlight
Theatre, Fri Apr 12 thru Sun Apr 21
The Real Inspector Hound, Tom Stoppard’s one-
act comedy follows two theatre critics who are
watching… Scott Community College’s Black Box
Theatre, Thu Apr 18 thru Sun Apr 21
Agatha Christie’s Murder in the Studio, radio-play
presentations of the mystery author’s “Personal Call,”
“Yellow Iris,”… The Black Box Theatre, 7:30pm Fri Apr
19 thru Sun Apr 28
Disney’s Beauty & the Beast, Lancer Productions
presents the Tony-winning adaptation of the Oscar-
winning animated… North Scott High School Fine
Arts Auditorium, Fri Apr 19 thru Sun Apr 28
Auditions for Children: The Bad Seed, seeking adult
and child performers for Maxwell Anderson’s thriller
about… Playcrafters Barn Theatre, 2pm Sun Apr 21
Auditions for Adults: The Bad Seed, seeking adult
and child performers for Maxwell Anderson’s thriller
about… Playcrafters Barn Theatre, 6pm Sun Apr 21
and Mon Apr 22
Come from Away, the Tony-winning musical tells the
true story of the small town in Newfoundland that
opened their homes to 7,000 stranded travelers on
9/11; for tickets, call 800-745-3000; Adler Theatre, 136
E. Third St., Davenport IA, AdlerTheatre.com, 7:30pm
Tue Apr 23
Private Lives, Noel Coward’s comedy about a
divorced couple who happen to… Honkamp Myhre
Black Box Theatre, Augustana College, Thu Apr 25
thru Sun Apr 28
Suzette Who Set to Sea, student-performed version
of Finegan Kruckmeyer’s comic adventure; Sat. 1 &…
Davenport Junior Theatre, Sat Apr 27 and Sun Apr 28
DANCE
Ballet Quad Cities School of Dance Classes,
offering classes in Ballet Pointe, Modern, Jazz, Tap,
Conditioning, Creative Movement, and Adult Ballet,
for ages 3 to adult; all classes taught by the company’s
professional dancers; for information and to register,
call 309-786-2677; Ballet Quad Cities School of Dance,
1611 Fifth Ave., Rock Island IL, BalletQuadCities.com,
thru Tue Apr 30
Ballet 5:8 – Imagine Better, Chicago’s premier
female and minority-led professional dance company
The Reverend Peyton's Big Damn Band @ The Redstone Room -- April 20
RCReader.com/Calendar.
invites audiences to… Bartlett Performing Arts Center,
7pm Sat Apr 6
Ballet Quad Cities’ Dorothy Goes to Oz & Snow
White, at 2 & 7pm; two one-act ballets in one
unforgettable performance; Act I begins in windy
Kansas with Dorothy plus her friends on a fun-filled
journey to the Emerald City in Emily Kate Long’s
Dorothy Goes to Oz; and because fairy tales are
not just for children, a brand-new sophisticated
interpretation of Grimm’s Snow White by Artistic
Director Courtney Lyon is the perfect ending to a
fantastic season of dance; $15-25; for information,
call 309-786-3779; Adler Theatre, 136 E. Third St.,
Davenport IA, AdlerTheatre.com, Sat Apr 13
COMEDY
Monthly Free Standup Comedy Show, we’re hosting
some of the area’s funniest standup comedians on…
Front Street Brewery, 7:30pm Thu Mar 28
ComedySportz Quad Cities, on Fridays and
Saturdays; the return of the Quad Cities’… The
Spotlight Theatre, 7pm thru Sat Apr 27
Nightcaps presents Improv-Palooza: Finals, the
performer who gets the most audience votes will
win… The Circa ’21 Speakeasy, 8pm Sat Mar 30
Big Room Open Mic, on Wednesdays; if you have
jokes, we wanna hear ’em… Village Theatre, 8pm Wed
Apr 3 thru Wed Apr 24
ComedySportz Quad Cities, on Fridays and
Saturdays; the return of the Quad Cities’… The
Spotlight Theatre, 7pm Fri Apr 5 thru Sat Apr 27
GIT Improv, the improv team began in Rock Island in
1997 and… The Black Box Theatre, 7:30pm Sat Apr 6
Henry Phillips, the comedian performs in the
Tomfoolery on Tremont series; $20 in… Renwick
Mansion, 7pm Sun Apr 7
ComedySportz on the Road, it’s Red vs. Blue in a
one-on-one matchup and the… Front Street Brewery
Tap Room, 7pm Thu Apr 11
Geoffrey Asmus, the comedian performs in the
Tomfoolery on Tremont series; $20 in… Renwick
Mansion, 7pm Thu Apr 11
Laugh Hard Stand-Up Comedy Show, featuring
many hilarious comedians from across the area; $3;
for… The Circa ’21 Speakeasy, 8pm Fri Apr 19
Copenhagen Bandit, at 7 & 9:30pm; standup sets
with the comedian born and raised in Joplin Missouri
surrounded by redneck beer drinking family and
friends who are often the people behind his jokes; $25;
for information and tickets, call 563-328-8000; Rhythm
City Casino Resort Event Center, 7077 Elmore Ave.,
Davenport IA, RhythmCityCasino.com, Thu Apr 25
Monthly Free Standup Comedy Show, we’re hosting
some of the area’s funniest standup comedians on…
Front Street Brewery, 7:30pm Thu Apr 25
Continued On Page 22
Keep the Reader Alive and Free Since '93. RCReader.com/Support.
THEATRE
Ballet Quad Cities’ Dorothy Goes to Oz
and Snow White
Saturday, April 13, 2 & 7 p.m.
Adler Theatre, 136 East Third Street, Davenport IA
A
udiences may not hear the famil-
iar strains of “Somewhere Over the
Rainbow” or “Someday My Prince
Will Come.” But they’ll certainly be treated to
music- and dance-filled enchantment when a
pair of legendary heroines join forces in the
one-act ballets Dorothy Goes to Oz and Snow
White, the Adler Theatre’s April 13 pairing of
family-friendly works by the professional tal-
ents of Ballet Quad Cities.
According to the company’s artistic
director Courtney Lyon, who serves as Snow
White choreographer opposite Dorothy Goes
to Oz’s Emily Kate Long, the idea for a meld-
ing of beloved children’s stories had been
under discussion for roughly three years
before its eventual Davenport staging.
“For a while,” says Lyon, “[BQC founder/
CEO] Joedy Cook has had the concept of
putting two female protagonists in the same
program, and I think she was originally
thinking of Dorothy and Alice. Alice in Won-
derland we’ve done a couple times before. But
it has a full score to it, so there wasn’t space
to make it a shared program. Emily’s Dorothy
Goes to Oz, however, is about 30 minutes, and
I thought a good second half of the program
could be a Snow White. It felt like it might be
a great contrast to Dorothy Goes to Oz. Emily
has done her own spin on the story, but the
characters look like they do in the movie, and
it’s very comfortable. And our Snow White
is … .” She laughs. “Well, it’s not the Disney
version.”
As those who saw Ballet Quad Cities’
2021 staging of Dorothy Goes to Oz know,
Long’s ballet also isn’t the iconic MGM
musical. Originally created for outdoor
performances at Davenport’s Outing Club,
and subsequently staged in six Pleasant
Valley elementary schools as an opener to
their bullying-prevention program, Long’s
FREE ASSANGE, FREE THE WORLD.
By Mike Schulz
one-act dance piece doesn’t feature the 1939
songs that most patrons have committed to
memory. But it does, Long says, possess a
similar spirit.
“It’s a very, very colorful and lighthearted
and bighearted performance,” says Long,
who also serves as Ballet Quad Cities’ artistic
associate. “People won’t hear the actual
songs, but the feeling of the songs is in there –
that wistfulness and joy.”
When she began crafting Dorothy Goes to
Oz three years ago, Long says, “I started with
the [Frank L. Baum] book, which is of course
very long, so not everything got included.
But it had been forever since I had read it, and
it was really fun to get a little different sense
of Dorothy than you get in the movie. I have
so much affection for all of the characters in
the story and in the ballet. But Dorothy is
just such a good problem-solver. She’s really
plucky and so adventurous.
“And what I also took away from the writ-
ten story,” she adds, “more so than the movie,
was how all these characters think they’re
lacking something and are trying to get
whatever they think they lack, and then they
realize they had it all along. The Scarecrow
thinks he has no brain but comes up with
every good idea to help get them out of trou-
bling situations. The Lion steps up to defend
everybody. It was really fun to get a little dif-
ferent sense of Dorothy and her friends.
“Where I took inspiration from the film
was in the various pieces of music that I
selected. It definitely has a mid-century
sound that’s sort of timeless, in a way, but it
definitely does put you back in that Holly-
wood-heyday era.”
Regarding the transformation of a full-
length book (and movie) into a half-hour
ballet, Long says the process largely involved
“streamlining the narrative arc, and building
River Cities’ Reader • Vol. 31 No. 1020 • April 2024
to the climax with the Wicked Witch and
the flying monkeys. In the written story,
Dorothy and her friends go back and forth
to Oz several times, and they have multiple
obstacles that they have to face. The Witch
sends bees, she sends wolves, she sends
crows, and the flying monkeys are sort of the
creatures of last resort.
“But for a one-act ballet,” Long continues,
“there wasn’t time for all that. So I decided to
focus on the biggest battle, and also kept in
scenes that felt danceable. So in our version,
when [Dorothy and company] make their
way through the poppy field, the poppies are
a quartet of dancing women. We also have a
dancing tornado.”
Among the ballet’s prominent roles, Kira
Roberts dances Dorothy; Eleanor Ambler is
Glinda the Good Witch; Sierra DeYoung is
the Wicked Witch of the West; Madeleine
Rhode is the Scarecrow; Christian Knopp
is the Tin Man; and Mahalia Zellmer is the
Lion. Flying monkeys, poppies, gusts of
wind, and other Dorothy Goes to Oz ele-
ments are enacted by fellow members of the
Ballet Quad Cities company: Sahsha Amaut,
Stephanie Eggers, Jayne Friscia, Madeline
Kreszenz, Marcus Pei, Stephen Scott, and
Jillian Van Cura. And yes, in case you were
curious, one other major character will on
hand.
“Toto is present in the ballet,” says Long.
“He’s this adorable little stuffed-animal dog.
So Toto will be on-stage throughout the
ballet, right by Dorothy’s side. They’re very
sweet together.”
Meanwhile, when Lyon turned to the
original Brothers Grimm fairytale to find
inspiration for her Snow White, “sweet”
wasn’t an adjective that came to mind.
“There are different versions of the Snow
White story,” says Lyon, “and the one we
usually know of has the wicked stepmother
who wants Snow White sent in the woods
to be killed. But somewhere I read that it
was originally Snow White’s mother, not her
stepmother. That’s pretty dark. And when
the huntsman takes Snow White into the
woods to kill her, the queen wants her organs
brought back so she can boil them, salt them,
and eat them. I was like, ‘How are these
children’s stories?!’
“But the opening line of Snow White talks
about how in the middle of winter, snow-
flakes are falling like feathers from the sky,
and there are all these images of nature.
That’s what struck me. So I had this desire to
bring these dark, nature-imagery passages –
the literature – to life on stage.”
Consequently, in Ballet Quad Cities’ Snow
White, there will be no helpful animated
birds, no dwarfs, and assuredly no “Heigh-
ho, heigh-no, it’s home from work we go.”
Instead, says Lyon, “I picked for our score
three composers who are of Austrian, Hun-
garian, and German backgrounds, and all
from the same period: Gustav Mahler, Anton
Webern, and Richard Strauss. Those three
composers have a lot of their musical basis in
nature, so that felt right for our version.”
19
Deciding which compositions to employ
for Snow White out of what Lyon calls “hours
and hours and hours of music” was an under-
standably daunting task.
“I’ve been working on this for the past
two years,” she says. “And I’ve basically been
working in the studio with the dancers with
[the music app] GarageBand open on my
computer, layering music to get the right
effects, and the right length of how long we
need to be in a certain scene before the scene
changes. Sometimes I’ll do a piece of chore-
ography that I think belongs on one piece of
music, but it’s all wrong, and I have to pause
rehearsal and change the music around and
try again. So it’s very of-the-moment with the
dancers. I’m very grateful for them, for stay-
ing with me through this process.
“When everything is new like this,” says
Lyon of her ballet’s original choreography,
“the dancers might have a lot of questions,
like ‘What do I do next?’ And I have to day, ‘I
don’t know what you do next,’ because we’re
making it up in the moment. It’s a differ-
ent way to work – to be that fresh with the
process – but it’s really exciting.”
With the entire Ballet Quad Cities com-
pany, as in Dorothy Goes to Oz, appearing
in Lyon’s one-act, the work features Sahsha
Amaut as Snow White, Madeleine Rhode as
the Wicked Stepmother, Christian Knopp as
the Huntsman, and a dancing septet com-
posed of Eleanor Ambler, Jayne Friscia, Mad-
eline Krezsenz, Marcus Pei, Stephen Scott,
Jillian Van Cura, and Mahalia Zellmer. They
won’t be portraying the famed Seven Dwarfs,
but rather seven elements of nature that tie
into Snow White’s themes and offer this grim
Grimm necessary bursts of levity.
“The ballet isn’t gruesome in any way,”
says Lyon, “but of course, you’ve got to put in
moments of humor and relatability. So I have
seven dancers who represent the goodness of
nature and safety – they bring the lightness
and magic to it.
“Any time I’m making a new ballet, for the
first few days, I’ll work in silence. Not like
a monk, where I don’t speak, but no-music
silence – where I work with the dancers and
they don’t really know what, exactly, I’m
trying to get out of them. I’ll just have an
idea, so I work with them in the space with
their bodies – making dance that I think will
serve a purpose down the line.
“So I’ve tried to leave a lot of room for
imagination,” says Lyon. “And our dancers
love it because they know they’re creating
something new. If this goes well, different
casts will eventually do it. But they’ll always
be the original cast, and I think they really
value that opportunity to have an impact
on a new piece of art. It’s more than fun. It’s
really rewarding.”
Ballet Quad Cities will stage Dorothy
Goes to Oz and Snow White is Davenport on
April 13, performances are at 2 and 7 p.m.,
and admission is $15-25. For more informa-
tion and tickets, call (800)745-3000 and visit
AdlerTheatre.com, or call (309)786-3779 and
visit BalletQuadCities.com.
20 River Cities’ Reader • Vol. 31 No. 1020 • April 2024 FREE ASSANGE, FREE THE WORLD. Know More. Do More. RCReader.com/Calendar.

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Keep the Reader Alive and Free Since '93.
Movie Reviews
Ice-sickly
GHOSTBUSTERS: FROZEN EMPIRE
Y
ou could argue that what’s most wrong
about Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire
boils down to a case of too many cooks
stirring the soup – or rather, too many cooks
in the soup.
A sequel to 2021’s Ghostbusters: After-
life, director/co-writer Gil Kenan’s comic
adventure reunites us with a half-dozen
of that film’s debuting figures, a couple of
them shoehorned in for no apparent reason.
The original ‘busters played by Bill Murray,
Dan Aykroyd, and Ernie Hudson are back,
as is Annie Potts’ ally Janine Melnitz, plus
William Atherton reprising his role as EPA
jerk Walter Peck, who’s now New York
City’s mayor. (Voters must have forgotten
about the guy’s humiliation and assholery
from four decades ago.) And a fistful of new
arrivals are also varying degrees of sig-
nificant, and played by the likes of Kumail
Nanjiani, Patton Oswalt, Emily Alyn Lind,
and British comedian James Acaster. That’s
15 characters we’re expected to keep up
with, not counting all the CGI blobs and
mini-marshmallow men, and no one is likely
to ever accuse Kenan and co-screenwriter
Jason Reitman of Altman-esque facility with
a large ensemble. At one point, theoretical
leads Paul Rudd and Carrie Coon vanish
from the movie for more than 20 minutes
straight, and it should go without saying
that you’re not gonna get as much Murray as
you might want ... though you may well get
more Aykroyd than you want. It’s sweet that
he’s still game to ham it up, but did Aykroyd
really need to perform one segment entirely
in sunglasses even though the scene was set
indoors?
Yet the film’s many, many actors aren’t the
collective problem here. Kenan and Reit-
man – Afterlife’s director and, of course, the
son of original Ghostbusters helmer Ivan
Reitman – are the problem. An example
of super-fan service like no other, Afterlife
was a terrible movie, but at least it shook
up the formula by housing its supernatural
goings-on in the expansive wheat fields of
Oklahoma and a nearby town Brigadoon-
ed in from the mid-1950s. This new outing
brings the action back to Manhattan, but
the family-sentiment corn and schmaltz
that at least felt stylistically appropriate (if
in no way interesting) in 2021 has somehow
remained, and the results are deeply under-
whelming. You keep waiting for this thing
to exude some of the sass and snap of 1984’s
Ghostbusters and – yeah, I’ll say it – 1989’s
RCReader.com/Support. FREE ASSANGE, FREE THE WORLD.
Ernie Hudson and Bill Murray in Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire
underrated, enjoyably flaky Ghostbusters
II. What we instead get is an achingly dull,
achingly unfunny companion piece that
refuses to make sense or give the non-obses-
sives among us any reasons to care about,
or even laugh at, the on-screen goings-on.
When Finn Wolfhard’s Trevor Spengler tells
What we instead get is
an achingly dull, achingly
unfunny companion
piece that refuses to
make sense or give the
non-obsessives among
us any reasons to care
about, or even laugh at,
the on-screen goings-on.
his mom about some potentially ghostly
strangeness taking place in their inherited
firehouse, Coon’s Callie spends their entire
conversation absentmindedly scrolling.
That’s Frozen Empire: Not worth the energy
it would take to lift your eyes from your
phone.
The plot involves a malevolent being
that’s being held captive in a metallic orb
and plans to freeze the planet upon its
escape. The plot is utterly irrelevant. This
latest Ghostbusters sucks because it doesn’t
make what’s tangential to the plot remotely
engaging. As someone who is clearly not a
super-fan – by which I mean someone who,
at my 2021 Afterlife screening, roared at the
tight closeup of a meaningless Twinkie – I
found myself pathetically grateful for the
few moments of near-amusement I got: the
River Cities’ Reader • Vol. 31 No. 1020 • April 2024
By Mike Schulz • mike@rcreader.com
‘busters briefly chasing a poltergeist-infused
Hefty bag; Oswalt doing his damnedest to
make a massive exposition dump entertain-
ing; a few seconds of the theme song’s 1984
MTV video suggesting that Ray Parker Jr. is
actually a character in this bizarre universe.
Taken overall, though, I just sighed at the
experience, and slumped into my seat fur-
ther and further as Kenan’s and Reitman’s
film continually struggled, and failed, to
deliver anything approximating the zippy
good times of Ivan Reitman’s ‘80s blockbust-
ers. I know that Reitman senior passed in
2022, and based on its “For Ivan” title card at
the finale, Jason certainly wants to honor his
father with this continuation. But couldn’t
he and Kenan have done so in a way that
wasn’t quite this, shall we say, funereal?
Mckenna Grace, who was the undisputed
highlight of Afterlife, again plays Igor Spen-
gler’s granddaughter Phoebe. (And thank
the gods of good taste that Harold Ramis
isn’t again resurrected beyond his will.) But
after Phoebe is sidelined early on, most of
Grace’s screen time is devoted to a down-
beat, semi-queasy friendship/flirtation with
Lind’s apparition Melody, who purportedly
died in a tenement fire 100 years ago but
looks and talks like she just walked off the
set of the 2024 Mean Girls. Rudd’s Gary
Grooberson spends much of the film sad that
Phoebe won’t accept him as a father figure,
but we’re never made aware of whether he
and Callie are even in a romantic relation-
ship; their closest suggestion of intimacy is
a high-five. Most of Hudson’s screen time
finds him in ultra-serious mode. When he’s
not playing to the rafters, and also when
he is, so is Aykroyd’s. Wolfhard’s entire arc
seems devoted to being pissed off that Trevor
isn’t allowed to drive the Ectomobile.
What is going on here? Why aren’t
21
there jokes? The cast’s readings, especially
Nanjiani’s, may occasionally fool you into
thinking hilarious things are being said.
They’re not, though, and Frozen Empire
keeps blundering its visual gags, too. When
that Hefty-bag poltergeist begins flopping
around in the form of a takeout pizza, it’s
momentarily diverting. And then Kenan’s
routinely dead staging, with every beat lin-
gered on a bit too long, pulls you out of the
moment, in this case making you ask: What
is an untouched takeout pizza doing there
at all? Was that pie somehow ordered and
delivered right when NYC was being frozen
solid through supernatural forces?
Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire is overflow-
ing with idiocies of this sort. The firehouse’s
metallic bronze fire pole is melted down
for weaponry and, in our next scene in the
locale, magically restored. Ditto the New
York Public Library lion statue that was
smashed to bits – a source of potential ruin-
ation for the Ghostbusters – yet later shows
up intact. (I guess NYC always keeps a spare
around, just in case.) Four combined proton
packs do nothing to damage their nemesis,
but one blast from Phoebe’s makes the
monster shriek in agony – ‘cuz she’s got teen
gumption, I guess. I’m glad that my screen-
ing’s unmistakable super-fans who roared
their way through this noxiousness had a
blast. For my money, if Jason Reitman is
going to continue this honoring-his-dad tra-
jectory, I’d much rather he set his attentions
on 1993’s Dave – a far-better Ivan Reitman
comedy that might actually give Sigourney
Weaver reason to show up.
For reviews of Dune: Part Two, Kung Fu
Panda 4, Immaculate, Late Night with the
Devil, Arthur the King, Imaginary, Cabrini,
One Life, Road House, Shirley, and other
recent releases, visit RCReader.com/movies.
March 5 Crossword Answers
 22 River Cities’ Reader • Vol. 31 No. 1020 • April 2024
CONTINUED
Comedy
Shots & Giggles, presented by The Nightcaps; improv
comedy and drinking crash together… The Circa ’21
Speakeasy, 8pm Sat Apr 27
Uncle Lazer, the comedian performs in the
Tomfoolery on Tremont series; $20 in… Renwick
Mansion, 7pm Sun Apr 28
Golden Girls: The Laughs Continue, 2024 finds
Sophia out on bail, after being busted by the DEA for
running a drug ring for retirees, while Blanche and
Rose have founded CreakN, a thriving sex app for
seniors, and Dorothy is trying to hold it all together,
with help from her much younger, sex-crazed love
interest; $43-78; for tickets, call 800-745-3000; Adler
Theatre, 136 E. Third St., Davenport IA, AdlerTheatre.
com, 7pm Tue Apr 30
MUSEUMS
Magic Mirror on Display, the magic mirror is a
bronze mirror… Putnam Museum & Science Center,
thru Sun Mar 31
Breaking Barriers: Walls Throughout History,
this exhibition will feature objects of significance…
German American Heritage Center, thru Tue Apr 30
Common Ground: Our Voice, Our Stories, the
permanent, regional-history exhibit highlights the
past,… Putnam Museum & Science Center, thru Tue
Apr 30
Sweet Treats: German Influence on the QC
Candy Industry, learn about the different candy
manufacturers in… German American Heritage
Center, thru Tue Apr 30
Tails from Tales: Storybook Beasts, this enchanting
exhibit features real animals from… Putnam Museum
& Science Center, thru Tue Apr 30
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Pysanka Workshop, learn the art of traditional
Ukrainian Easter egg decorating; instructors…
German American Heritage Center, 1pm Sat Mar 30
Kaffee und Kuchen: Iowa’s Cultural Kaleidoscope,
this program presents a rich selection of photographic
images that… German American Heritage Center,
2pm Sun Apr 14
History on Tap, this adult learning event serves up
fascinating talks on a… Putnam Museum & Science
Center, 7pm Thu Apr 18
How to Create Dynamic Photos on an iPhone, learn
how to use your smartphone to take artistic, well-
crafted… German American Heritage Center, Sat Apr
20 and Sun Apr 21
Kaffee und Kuchen: Iowa’s Pearl Button Factory,
Dustin Joy, Director of the National Pearl Button
Museum, will… German American Heritage Center,
2pm Sun Apr 28
MOVIES
Seeking Entries: Wharton Field House
Documentary, everyone is invited to share their
personal experiences,… WQPT-TV, thru Sun Mar 31
The Color Purple, screening of the Oscar-nominated
2023 musical with the Downtown Movie… Rock Island
Public Library - Downtown Library, 1pm Thu Apr 11
The Rock Island Railroad Video Series # 3: Old
News Is Good History, oday’s presentation includes
old and new TV news clips about… Rock Island Public
Library - Downtown Library, 2pm Tue Apr 16
Mommy, a screening in the Free Film at the Figge
series;… Figge Art Museum, 6:30pm Thu Apr 18
Our America : Lowballed, join the Rooting Out
Poverty Book Club and Project NOW… Moline Public
Library, 6pm Wed Apr 24
Cultural Perspectives Film Series: Arab American
Heritage Month, join us at the library throughout the
year for a… Silvis Public Library, 2pm Fri Apr 26
Know More. Do More.
Ida B. Wells: A Chicago Stories Documentary,
a Black Women’s History Month feature; after the
lynching of… Rock Island Public Library - Downtown
Library, 2pm Mon Apr 29
SPORTS
Quad City Storm vs. Peoria Rivermen, hockey
match with the Quad Cities’ professional minor-
league team; for… Vibrant Arena at the MARK, 7:10pm
thru Sat Mar 30
Quad City Storm vs. Peoria Rivermen, hockey
match with the Quad Cities’ professional minor-
league team; for… Vibrant Arena at the MARK, 7:10pm
Fri Apr 5
Quad Cities River Bandits vs. the South Bend Cubs,
professional minor-league baseball game; $17; for
tickets, call 563-324-3000… Modern Woodmen Park,
209 S. Gaines St., Davenport IA MILB.com/quad-cities,
Fri Apr 5 thru Sun Apr 7
Quad City Steamwheelers vs Green Bay Blizzard,
indoor-football game with the Quad Cities athletes;
for information, call 309-517-2019… Vibrant Arena at
the MARK, 7:05pm Sat Apr 6
Quad Cities River Bandits vs. the Peoria Chiefs,
professional minor-league baseball game; $17; for
tickets, call 563-324-3000… Modern Woodmen Park,
209 S. Gaines St., Davenport IA MILB.com/quad-cities,
6:30pm Tue Apr 16
Quad City Steamwheelers vs Mass Pirates, indoor-
football game with the Quad Cities athletes; for
information, call 309-517-2019… Vibrant Arena at the
MARK, 7:05pm Sat Apr 20
Quad Cities River Bandits vs. the Peoria Chiefs,
professional minor-league baseball game; $17; for
tickets, call 563-324-3000… Modern Woodmen Park,
209 S. Gaines St., Davenport IA MILB.com/quad-cities,
Sat Apr 20 and Sun Apr 21
Quad City Steamwheelers vs Tulsa Oilers, indoor-
football game with the Quad Cities athletes; for
information, call 309-517-2019… Vibrant Arena at the
MARK, 3:05pm Sun Apr 28
OTHER EVENTS
Country Manor Memory Care Spring Open House
and Social, join residents, family members, and team
members in celebrating the arrival… Country Manor
Memory Care, 3pm Thu Mar 28
Open Stage Night, on Thursdays; a weekly open-mic
event; we will also be… Theo’s Java Cafe, 6pm Thu
Apr 25
Carriage Haus Bar and Hauberg Stables Gift Shop
Event, on Fridays; free event with a cash bar, unique
merchandise,… Hauberg Civic Center Mansion, 1pm
Fri Mar 29 thru Fri Apr 26
Friends of the Silvis Library - Good Friday Bake
Sale, grab some delicious, homemade treats for your
family gathering, and… Silvis Public Library, 10am Fri
Mar 29
Mansion and Carriage House Tours, on Fridays; $10/
person, free for ages 12 & under; for… Hauberg Civic
Center Mansion, 3pm Fri Mar 29 thru Fri Apr 26
March Free Play Madness, drawing times 6pm-9pm,
every hour; Bally Rewards members… Bally’s Quad
Cities, 5pm Fri Mar 29
Bunnies, Baskets, & Brews, the Quad Cities’ original,
all-adult Easter egg hunt; tickets are… Hauberg Civic
Center Mansion, 4pm Sat Mar 30
Pick-A-Shamrock Giveaway, drawing times 5pm-
9pm, every hour; Bally Rewards members will be…
Bally’s Quad Cities, 4pm Sat Mar 30
Total Solar Eclipse – Free Eclipse Glasses Available,
safe solar viewers and glasses are available from the
Silvis… Silvis Public Library, 10am Mon Apr 1
Prayer Service on the Prairie, with Sister Johanna
Rickl; for information and to register, e-mail
olpretreat@chmiowa.org and… Our Lady of the
Prairie Retreat, 10am Wed Apr 3
RCReader.com/Calendar.
Astronomy Night, join us for a talk about eclipses
and view the… Rock Island Public Library - Watts-
Midtown Branch, 7:30pm Thu Apr 4
Black and Gold Celebration 2024, join Black Hawk
College to celebrate seven new members of… Bally’s
Quad Cities, 5:30pm Thu Apr 4
Viva La Divas, the premiere drag show in the area
showcasing the best… The Circa ’21 Speakeasy, 8pm
Fri Apr 5
Board Game Day, learn to play new games, or
rediscover an old favorite;… Rock Island Public Library
- Downtown Library, 10am Sat Apr 6
Ghosts: Do You Believe?, an evening of the
supernatural with Dustin Pari of “Ghost Hunters”;
$29-99; Captiol Theatre, 330 W. Third St., Davenport IA,
FirstFleetConcerts.com, 6:30pm Sat Apr 6
Outcast Burlesque, there will be many performers
coming from out of town,… The Circa ’21 Speakeasy,
8pm Sat Apr 6
Timber Lake Playhouse Trivia Night, an evening
packed with brain-teasing trivia questions, mouth
watering food,… Timber Lake Playhouse, 5pm Sat
Apr 6
Bettendorf Public Library Chess Club, an all-ages
and all-skill levels-chess club; free; for information,
call… Bettendorf Public Library, 1:30pm Sat Apr 6
and Sat Apr 20
Open House at the Village Co-Op of Crow Creek,
tour our residence, chat with members, enjoy
homemade coffee cake,… Village Co-Op of Crow
Creek, noon Sun Apr 7
Eclipse Watch Party, a limited amount of solar eclipse
glasses will be available; this program… Davenport
Public Library - Eastern Avenue Branch, 12:30pm Mon
Apr 8
Solar Eclipse Viewing, the Popular Astronomy Club
will have telescopes set up in… Moline Public Library,
noon Mon Apr 8
Solar Eclipse Viewing, watch the 2024 solar eclipse
from the FSB Taproom &… Front Street Brewery, noon
Mon Apr 8
Guided Bird Walk with the Quad City Audubon
Society, led by Tim Murphy, President of the Quad
City Audubon… Singing Bird Nature Center, Black
Hawk State Historic Site, 8am Sat Apr 13
Nahant Marsh Volunteer Open House, discover the
wonders of our local ecosystem and learn about…
Nahant Marsh Education Center, 9am Sat Apr 13
Adult Knitting Circle, whether you are in the
middle of a project or… Rock Island Public Library -
Downtown Library, 2pm Mon Apr 15
Death Cafe, people, often strangers, gather to eat
treats, drink coffee, and… Davenport Public Library -
Eastern Avenue Branch, 5:30pm Wed Apr 17
Plant Swap, share flowers, vegetables, herbs,
seedling starters, and seeds with Scott… Davenport
Public Library - Eastern Avenue Branch, 2pm Sat Apr
20
Timber Lake Playhouse Casino Night, take a
gamble for fantastic prizes, from luxurious gift
baskets… Timber Lake Playhouse, 4pm Sat Apr 20
Spring Flowers and Migratory Birds, led by Kurt
Kreiter; come for a walk among the… Our Lady of the
Prairie Retreat, 9am Wed Apr 24
Quarterly Book Sales, bag up deals on books and…
Rock Island Public Library - Downtown Library, 10am
Fri Apr 26 thru Sat Apr 27
Champagne Afterglow: Emanuel Ax, a decadent
dessert reception immediately following the gala
concert with… Hotel Blackhawk, 9:30pm Sat Apr 27
Champagne Afterglow: Emanuel Ax, join us for a
decadent dessert reception immediately following
the… Hotel Blackhawk, 9:30pm Sat Apr 27
Nature Walk Ribbon Cutting, held at Phipps Prairie
Park; celebrate the opening of Silvis’… Silvis Public
Library, 1pm Sat Apr 27
Keep the Reader Alive and Free Since '93.
Rock and Roll Tea, home-made chicken salad in
wonton wrappers, cucumber sandwiches, fruit,
scones,… Christ Anglican Church, 2pm Sat Apr 27
LECTURES
Quad Cities Zero Suicide Initiative, learn how to
help someone experiencing a mental health crisis…
Moline Public Library, 4:30pm Thu Mar 28
Stations of the Cross, featuring area actors; be
a witness to the last day… Our Lady of the Prairie
Retreat, 2pm Fri Mar 29
Community Conversations: Library Strategic
Planning, free; for information, call 309-732-7323…
Rock Island Public Library - Downtown Library,
10:30am Sat Mar 30
Cooking with Catalina: Cactus SaladNopales con
Huevos, join Catalina as she cooks up a traditional
Mexican dish;… Silvis Public Library, 5:30pm Mon
Apr 1
Iowa Harm Reduction Coalition Quad Cities, Iowa
Harm Reduction Coalition Quad Cities will give us
an… Davenport Public Library - Main Branch, 6pm
Mon Apr 1
Drop-in Computer Skills & Job Search Assistance
w/ Goodwill of the Heartland, on Tuesdays; receive
one-on-one assistance from a representative from
Goodwill… Rock Island Public Library - Downtown
Library, 4:30pm Tue Apr 2 thru Tue Apr 30
Illinois Libraries Present – Dr. Temple Grandin: The
Hidden Gifts of Visual Thinkers, a special event with
Dr. Grandin, one of the world’s… Rock Island Public
Library - Downtown Library, 7pm Wed Apr 3
Illinois Libraries Present: Virtual Visit with Dr.
Temple Grandin, Dr. Temple Grandin will share on
the gifts of neurodiversity;… Silvis Public Library, 7pm
Wed Apr 3
Spoken Word Class with Narrative QC, join
NarrativeQC’s poet, teacher, & TEDx Davenport
presenter Chris Britton… Rock Island Public Library -
Watts-Midtown Branch, 6pm Wed Apr 3
Scott County Iowa Genealogical Society:
Passenger Lists and Naturalization Records with
Schar Blevins, Blevins will educate us on passenger
lists and naturalization records… Davenport Public
Library - Main Branch, 1pm Sat Apr 6
Tea Blending Workshop with Sunlight
Apothocary, in this hands on workshop, learn about
tea blending and explore… Bettendorf Public Library,
10am Sat Apr 6
How to Print Your “Argus Crossword” from
NewsBank Workshop, the workshop will show you
how you can extract coveted… Rock Island Public
Library - Downtown Library, 2pm Mon Apr 8
History with the Rock Island Arsenal, join the Army
Sustainment Command Historians as they explore
the… Rock Island Public Library - Downtown Library,
2pm Wed Apr 10
Rock Island Arsenal ASC Series: Civil War History, a
discussion of the first shots and opening months to…
Davenport Public Library - Eastern Avenue Branch,
6pm Wed Apr 10
Spice it Up: Spice and Seasoning Class, leading you
will be Chef Elly, world traveler, Executive Chef… East
Moline Public Library, 5:30pm Wed Apr 10
Celebrating History – Crash Course in Genealogy
with the Scott County Iowa Genealogical Society,
this class is being presented by members of the
Scott… Silvis Public Library, 2pm Fri Apr 12
Money Smart Week, Jaime Ragins from the Midwest
Financial Network and the Society… Davenport Public
Library - Eastern Avenue Branch, 6:30pm Mon Apr 15
Pathways to the Divine, we will highlight a different
faith practice, listen to their… First Church of Christ,
Scientist, 6pm Mon Apr 15
QCMade: Zero Waste Reserve, learn how a “refillery”
works as well as the benefits… Davenport Public
Library - Main Branch, 6pm Mon Apr 15
RCReader.com/Support. FREE ASSANGE, FREE THE WORLD.
Twisted Tales Presents “Missing Movie Theatres”,
presented by Jeff Adamson; a pictorial review of over
70… Moline Public Library, 6:30pm Wed Apr 17
Profound Realism: The Rediscovery of Ruth
Suckow, learn about the life and legacy of Iowa writer
Ruth… Bettendorf Public Library, 1:30pm Thu Apr 18
Virtual Event – Sheer Joy: Conversations with
Thomas Aquinas on Creation Spirituality,
renowned theologian Matthew Fox ‘interviews’
Thomas Aquinas in a provocative… Our Lady of the
Prairie Retreat, 6pm Thu Apr 18
CSI: Ancient Egypt - True Crime, Ancient Egyptian
Style!, Onnica Marquez, St. Ambrose University
archivist and assistant professor, will… Bettendorf
Public Library, 1pm Sat Apr 20
Be Your Own Boss. Entrepreneur Tools, Tricks and
Tips from SBDC & SCORE, join Sunlight Apothecary’s
owner, Rebecca Sebastian, for a morning of…
Davenport Public Library - Eastern Avenue Branch,
5pm Mon Apr 22
Handy at Home: No More Flooding, learn about
adjustments that can keep rain water outside where…
Butterworth Center, 6pm Mon Apr 22
Job Searching with Black Hawk College, resented
by Angela Striegel, Career Planning and Placement
Coordinator at… Rock Island Public Library - Watts-
Midtown Branch, 11am Mon Apr 22
Unrepresented Again
Continued from Page 10
industry.
2) Tenex’s substantially higher price
compared to IPAC, and two other vendors,
ES&S and Knowink pricing, in what appears
to be a violation of Iowa Code that mandates
competitive bidding, as well as awarding
contracts to the lowest bidder unless there
is a specific service issue. Auditor Tompkins
claimed she had service issues with IPAC, a
claim that Executive Director of IPAC Wil-
liam Peterson politely refuted, and for which
IPAC service call logs do not support.
3) The fast-tracking of the Tenex purchase,
despite requests from the public to slow this
election system purchase roll to address
legitimate concerns voiced in the November
21, 2023, Scott County Board of Supervi-
sors combined Committee of the Whole
and Regular Meetings. It was here that the
public’s concerns and questions were met
with indifference and unresponsiveness by
both Auditor Tompkins and the five County
Supervisors, after which they unanimously
approved the purchase they obviously knew
precious little about.
Exploring Tenex’s Web site revealed that
its pollbooks do include internet connectiv-
ity, evidenced in their messaging as follows,
“[Tenex’s] The Precinct Central software
connects to the Precinct Central Console,
a Web-based .net application that allows
elections staff to remotely monitor touchpad”
This means Auditor Tompkins and staff
can monitor the pollbooks from afar, while
at her office miles away from the precinct
polling locations. (VerifiedVoting.org/
election-system/tenex-precinct-central)
Additionally, one of the best practices
for verifying voters is comparing a voter’s
written signature on the paper Declaration
River Cities’ Reader • Vol. 31 No. 1020 • April 2024
Sustainable Living with the 3 R’s: Reduce, Reuse,
Recycle + Composting, Becky Baugh, Naturalist from
Wapsi River Environmental Education Center, will
talk… Davenport Public Library - Fairmount Street
Branch, 2pm Tue Apr 23
Mindful Methods for Staying Calm and Finding
Happiness in the Midst of Chaos, led by Teresa
Pangan, Ph. D, RDN; for those who… Our Lady of the
Prairie Retreat, 10am Fri Apr 26
Chakradance: A Sacred Movement Practice for
Your Soul, led by Lindsay R. Bodenhofer; embody
your true essence and… Our Lady of the Prairie
Retreat, 9am Sat Apr 27
World Affairs Council of the Quad Cities, program
with Dr. Brett Billman, Department of Communication,
St. Ambrose University;… Bettendorf Public Library,
7pm Tue Apr 30
MEETINGS
Scott County Board of Supervisors Regular
Meeting, activities may include voting on actions
and conducting public hearings;… Scott County
Administrative Center, 5pm Thu Mar 28
Bettendorf City Council Committee of the
Whole Meeting, recorded meetings can be seen at
Bettendorf.org or City’s Cable… Bettendorf City Hall,
5pm Mon Apr 1 and Mon Apr 15
of Eligibility (DOE) form when voting in-
person on election day, or an absentee ballot
envelope signature, to that voter’s registra-
tion signature on file. However, iPad tablet
pollbooks will also replace the paper DOE
form required for casting an in-person ballot
on election day, because these signatures will
now be captured on iPad tablets and we all
know how dissimilar our digital signature
is to our written cursive paper signatures.
What will replace this reliable means of
voter verification once written signatures
can no longer be compared to digital
signatures?
Republican Politicians’ and Bureau-
crats’ Fierce Resistance to Investi-
gations and Analysis of Their States’
and Counties’ Election Systems,
Including Data and Equipment, Sig-
nals Something Odiferous Afoot
Another troubling anomaly relative to
elections is the resolute resistance to inves-
tigations of election systems that occurred
in nearly every state where election irregu-
larities were excessive – the GOP leadership
being the worst offenders. There is no ratio-
nal explanation other than these Republican
party politicians must also benefit. And if
we are honest, this is true in both political
party’s directions.
It goes along way in explaining the
absorption of liberal Democrats and con-
servative Republicans into what has become
a progressive Uniparty. A political parlay
emphasized, underscored, and highlighted
by the blatant lack of representation of
constituents in 21st-century politics and
governance.
We feel unrepresented because we are no
longer represented.
We the people are no longer at the table,
let alone a significant variable in any of the
political equations that inform legislation
23
East Moline City Council Regular Meeting /
Committee of the Whole Meeting, meets on the
1st and 3rd Monday of every month;… East Moline
Council Chambers at City Hall, 6:30pm Mon Apr 1 and
Mon Apr 15
Bend of the River Quad Cities Pilot Club, on the 1st
Tue. of the month; Pilot International transforms…
Hickory Gardens Family Restaurant, Tue Apr 2
Midwest Corvettes Club Monthly Meeting, join us to
discuss Corvettes, friends, and community … Eriksen
Chevrolet - Milan, 6:30pm Tue Apr 2
Bettendorf City Council Meeting, recorded meetings can
be seen at Bettendorf.org or City’s Cable… Bettendorf City
Hall, 7pm Tue Apr 2 and Tue Apr 16
Silvis City Council Meeting, held on the 1st & 3rd Tuesday
of each month;… Silvis City Hall, 6:30pm Tue Apr 2 and Tue
Apr 16
Coal Valley City Hall Meeting, held on the first and third
Wednesdays of each month;… Coal Valley Village Hall, 6pm
Wed Apr 3
Davenport City Council Committee of the Whole
Meeting, the Davenport City Council meets on the first and
third… Davenport City Hall, 5:30pm Wed Apr 3 and Wed
Apr 17
Continued On Page 24
and administrative policy. All political
and administrative efforts relative to the
public’s interests are subordinate to those
of the new “Inverted Democracy” agenda,
mostly replaced with measures that include
ever stricter limitations and control over
Americans.
Inverted Democracy is a redefinition of
Democracy itself. Democracy has gone
from “consensus of a sovereign people” to
“consensus of the institutions that comprise
a Democracy.” This definition was explained
during Tucker Carlson’s interview with
Mike Benz, founder of Foundation for Free-
dom Online, who is considered the foremost
expert in censorship online.
This is further evidenced by the censor-
ship and surveillance industrial complex,
comprised of social-media platforms, legacy
media, private oligarchical corporations,
and NGOs that do for government agencies
what it cannot lawfully do on its own. This
burgeoning censorship complex has infected
our Republic not just from domestic fronts,
but also from global ones. Which means the
most important front to stand our ground
is local.
We know intuitively that the unprec-
edented level of government interference,
especially relative to elections past and
present, is shocking and unsustainable in
our particular Constitutional Republic that
expressly protects every one of us individual
types against such government intrusions.
Why, again? One more time, together:
Because America is not a Democracy – it
is Republic with a founding Constitution
under the rule of law that expressly provides
a four corners blueprint by which a repre-
sentative democratic system is tasked with
managing the people’s interests, as opposed
to the special interests of their donors and
themselves that has become their 21st-cen-
tury modus operandi.
24 River Cities’ Reader • Vol. 31 No. 1020 • April 2024 FREE ASSANGE, FREE THE WORLD. Know More. Do More. RCReader.com/Calendar.

Crossword
Line Dancing, on Thursdays; membership is $160 a year

CONTINUED
or $15 every… CASI (Center for Active Seniors), 10am thru
Meetings
Thu Apr 25

Billiards, Mon.-Fri.; membership is $160 a year or $15 every

Rock Island City Council Meeting, Public Comment is
held at the beginning of City Council… Rock Island City Hall,
GO FUND HER • April 9, 2024 March 5 Answers: Page 19 6:45pm Mon Apr 8 and Mon Apr 22
Moline City Council Committee of the Whole
Meeting / Regular Meeting, meets in Council
Chambers; the formal City Council meeting is… Moline City
Hall, 6pm Tue Apr 9 and Tue Apr 23
Riverdale City Council Meeting, held on the 2nd and 4th
Tuesday of the month;… Riverdale City Hall, 7pm Tue Apr 9
and Tue Apr 23
Scott County Board of Supervisors Committee of the
Whole Meeting, the board will review legislative actions,
administrative items, and contracts; for… Scott County
Administrative Center, 8pm Tue Apr 9 and Tue Apr 23
month;… CASI (Center for Active Seniors), 8am thru Tue
Apr 30
Milestones AAA Meal Site, Mon.-Fri; meals must be
reserved 24 to 48 hours in… CASI (Center for Active Seniors),
11:30am thru Tue Apr 30
Adult Coloring, on Fridays; membership is $160 a year or
$15 every… CASI (Center for Active Seniors), 10am thru Fri
Apr 26
Euchre, on Wed. & Fri.; membership is $160 a year or… CASI
(Center for Active Seniors), 12:45pm thru Fri Apr 26
Friday Bingo, on Fridays; membership is $160 a year or $15
every month;… CASI (Center for Active Seniors), 1pm thru
Fri Apr 26

Historical Society Meeting, meeting upstairs, all Golden Tones Chorus Practice, on Fridays; sing along
welcome; free; for information, call 309-523-3440… River to some classical memories; membership is $160… CASI
Valley District Library, 7pm Wed Apr 10 (Center for Active Seniors), 9am thru Fri Apr 26

Rock Island Committee of the Whole Meeting, held on Second Avenue Players Senior Theatre, on Fridays; bring
the 2nd Wednesday of the month (subject to… Rock Island your theatrical side to CASI’s senior theater… CASI (Center
County Office Building, 5:30pm Wed Apr 10 for Active Seniors), 10:30am thru Fri Apr 26

Davenport City Council Meeting, the Davenport City Zumba Gold, on Fridays; membership is $160 a year or $15
Council meets on the first and third… Davenport City Hall, every… CASI (Center for Active Seniors), 10:15am thru Fri
5:30pm Wed Apr 10 and Wed Apr 24 Apr 26

Bettendorf Public Library Board of Trustees Meeting, Bridge, on Mondays & Fridays; membership is $160 a year
free; for information, call 563-344-4175… Bettendorf Public or… CASI (Center for Active Seniors), 11:30am thru Mon
Library, 5pm Thu Apr 11 Apr 29

Hob Nosh 2024, sip, taste, and mingle with over 50 food, CASI Walking Club, on Mon., Wed., and Fri.; membership
beverage and… Quad-Cities Waterfront Convention is $160 a year… CASI (Center for Active Seniors), 8am thru
Center, 5pm Thu Apr 11 Mon Apr 29

Moline Public Library Board Meeting, agendas are Low Impact Exercise, Mon., Wed., & Fri. 9-10am, Tue. 11am-
available prior to the meetings, minutes are available… 2pm, Thu. 11am-noon; membership… CASI (Center for
Moline Public Library, noon Thu Apr 11 Active Seniors), thru Tue Apr 30

Scott County Board of Supervisors Regular Meeting, Bell Choir, on Mondays; membership is $160 a year or $15
activities may include voting on actions and conducting every… CASI (Center for Active Seniors), 10am Mon Apr 1
public hearings;… Scott County Administrative Center, 5pm thru Mon Apr 29
Thu Apr 11 and Thu Apr 25
Shuffleboard, on Mondays; membership is $160 a year or
Rock Island County Board Regular Meeting, all meetings $15 every month;… CASI (Center for Active Seniors), 1pm
are open to the public, but may be… Rock Island County Mon Apr 1 thru Mon Apr 29
Office Building, 5:30pm Tue Apr 16
ACROSS 79. Seed cover 9. Salad plant 64. Ho-hum Ugly Quilts, on Mondays; volunteer group; no sewing
1. Kind of follower 80. _ contendere 10. Islamic title 65. "Exodus" author Rock Island Public Library Monthly Board of Trustees experience necessary; membership is $160… CASI (Center
5. _ citato 81. Beak part 11. Actor _ Linden 66. Lessen for young Meeting, free; for information, call 309-732-7323… Rock for Active Seniors), 9am Mon Apr 1 thru Mon Apr 29
10. Shave sheep 82. Blusher 12. "Time Machine" learners Island Public Library - Downtown Library, 5pm Tue Apr 16
15. Outback 83. "League of race 67. Fear Zumba Toning, on Mondays; membership is $160 a year
19. Affirm Legends" queen 13. "Thanks _ _!" 68. "La Traviata" Coal Valley City Council Meeting, held on the first and or $15 every month;… CASI (Center for Active Seniors),
20. Nostrils 84. Soft drink 14. Corrected composer third Wednesdays of each month;… Coal Valley Village Hall, 10:15am Mon Apr 1 thru Mon Apr 29
21. Actress _ Berry 85. Somewhat blue 15. European peninsula 69. Girl in Cleveland 6pm Wed Apr 17
22. English queen 86. Ground 16. Sloth 72. Reduce to ashes Coffee & Conversations, senior citizens of retirement ages
23. Retread 87. Dingle 17. Clip 73. Lasso loop Rock Island Public Library Board Community & are invited to stop in… Bettendorf Public Library, 9am Tue
24. Unbroken horse: 88. Gone up 18. Olympian queen 74. Tin Pan _ Planning Committee Meeting, free; for information, call Apr 2
Var. 89. Part 4 of quip: 28. Buds 75. Cash advance 309-732-7323… Rock Island Public Library - Watts-Midtown
25. Standoffish 4 wds. 30. Unhinged soliloquy 77. "Star Trek" Branch, 4:30pm Thu Apr 18 Red Hat Ladies Club, meeting locations vary; for
26. Gang's hideout 94. Egg: Prefix 32. _ _ even keel antagonists information, call 563-386-7477… CASI (Center for Active
27. Highway crossing 95. Spin 34. Dashboard 78. A chordophone Milan-Blackhawk Area Public Library District Board Seniors), 11am Tue Apr 2
29. Timetable abbr. 96. _ -memoire indicators 79. Indigenous Alaskan Meeting, free; for information, call 309-732-7323… Rock
31. Start of a quip by 97. End of the quip: 35. Candidate 82. Sane Island Public Library - Southwest Branch, 4pm Thu Apr 25 Canasta, on Tuesdays; membership is $160 a year or $15
Ruth Buzzi: 4 wds. 3 wds. 37. Cut 83. Extend every… CASI (Center for Active Seniors), 1pm Tue Apr 2
33. Facilitate 102. Work unit 38. Bay window 86. Deadly sin thru Tue Apr 30
34. Empty 103. Intelligentsia 39. Heat: Prefix 87. Growl
36. Genetic messenger
37. Part 2 of quip:
107. Jewish month
108. Conventional
40. Libertine
41. Animal class
88. Went on
90. Misgivings
HEALTH Chair-Based Exercise, on Tuesdays; membership is $160
a year or $15 every… CASI (Center for Active Seniors), 9am
5 wds. 110. Quick on the 42. Trojan War story 91. Puts into office Art & Meditation: Yin Yoga, Fridays thru Apr. 19; a three- Tue Apr 2 thru Tue Apr 30
44. Inventory uptake 43. Gall 92. Called to session class that links art… Figge Art Museum, 6pm Fri
45. Marching order 112. Chester _ Arthur 44. "Hold on!" 93. Bishops' hats Apr 5 Knitting & Crocheting, on Tuesdays; volunteer group;
46. Expert 113. Shed 48. Letters 97. Manageable membership is $160 a year or… CASI (Center for Active
47. "_ bygones ..." 114. Leaning 50. Woody plant 98. Woodwind Pathways to Peace: 20 Visualizations to Enhance Your Seniors), 12:30pm Tue Apr 2 thru Tue Apr 30
49. Vegas hotel 115. Hourglass 51. Rend 99. Tab Yoga Practice, led by Dianne Willging; learn to integrate
50. Commemorative 116. Result of good 52. Fer-de- _ 100. Part of NB guided meditation and… Our Lady of the Prairie Retreat, Senior Technology Clinic, on Tuesdays; with expert Mike
pillar service 53. Haggard title 101. Arab VIP 1:30pm Sat Apr 27 Shinbori; bring your Apple and… CASI (Center for Active
52. Gave a thumbs-up 117. Morays 56. Primp 103. Bean type Seniors), noon Tue Apr 2 thru Tue Apr 30
53. Your majesty 118. _ and penates 57. Drink in long drafts 104. Inter _
54. Currier and _ 119. Minced oath 59. Pierce 105. Bugle call
55. A possessive
56. Clear squares
120. Word in place
names
60. "Six _ _, half
dozen ..."
106. Part of MIT: Abbr.
109. _ -de-France
SENIORS Step into Balance: Balance & Strength, on Tuesdays; half-
hour exercise class with Logan Anderson, owner of… CASI
(Center for Active Seniors), 1pm Tue Apr 2 thru Tue Apr 30
57. Tonsorial service 61. Set of steps 111. Band's booking Bob Gaston New Horizons Band Practice, on Thursdays;
58. Wire DOWN 63. Some journeys membership is $160 a year or $15 every month;… CASI Therapeutic Movement with Logan Anderson, on
60. River in France 1. Roman statesman (Center for Active Seniors), 12:30pm thru Thu Apr 25 Tuesdays; membership is $160 a year or $15 every… CASI
61. Scandinavians 2. Tel _ (Center for Active Seniors), 2pm Tue Apr 2 thru Tue Apr 30
62. Part 3 of quip: 3. Simple
4 wds. 4. Beta version New Crossword Puzzles Card Embroidery, on Thursdays; learn how to create fun
embroidery greeting cards; membership… CASI (Center Zumba Gold, on Tuesdays and Thursdays; membership is
66. Term in grammar 5. Aboard, in baseball: and Answer Keys for Active Seniors), 9am thru Thu Apr 25 $160 a year or… CASI (Center for Active Seniors), 9am Tue
70. Sole 2 wds.
71. First 6. Interstellar distance posted EVERY week at Hand and Foot, on Thursdays; membership is $160 a year
Apr 2 thru Tue Apr 30
76. Alla _ 7. Love god RCReader.com/lifestyle or $15 every month;… CASI (Center for Active Seniors),
77. Go on and off 8. Kidney, in anatomy 1pm thru Thu Apr 25 Continued On Page 26
Keep the Reader Alive and Free Since '93.
FREE WILL ASTROLOGY
ARIES (March 21-April 19): In the
coming days, your hunger will be so
inexhaustible that you may feel driven to
devour extravagant amounts of food and
drink. It’s possible you will gain 10 pounds in a
very short time. Who knows? You might even
enter an extreme eating contest and devour 46
dozen oysters in 10 minutes! APRIL FOOL!
Although what I just said is remotely plausible, I
foresee that you will sublimate your exorbitant
hunger. You will realize it is spiritual in nature and
can’t be gratified by eating food. As you explore
your voracious longings, you will hopefully dis-
cover a half-hidden psychological need you have
been suppressing. And then you will liberate that
need and feed it what it craves!
TAURUS (April 20-May 20): Taurus
novelist Lionel Shriver writes, “There’s a
freedom in apathy, a wild, dizzying lib-
eration on which you can almost get
drunk.” In accordance with astrological omens, I
recommend you experiment with Shriver’s strat-
egy in the coming weeks. APRIL FOOL! I lied. In
fact, Lionel Shriver’s comment is one of the dumb-
est thoughts I have ever heard. Why would anyone
want the cheap, damaged liberation that comes
from feeling indifferent, numb, and passionless?
Please do all you can to disrupt and dissolve any
attraction you may have to that state, Taurus. In
my opinion, you now have a sacred duty to culti-
vate extra helpings of enthusiasm, zeal, liveliness,
and ambition.
GEMINI (May 21-June 20): At enor-
mous cost and after years of study, I have
finally figured out the meaning of life, at
least as it applies to you Geminis. Unfor-
tunately, I won’t be able to reveal it to you unless
you send me $1,000 and a case of Veuve Clicquot
champagne. I’ve got to recoup my investment,
right?! APRIL FOOL! Most of what I just said was
a dirty lie. It’s true that I have worked hard to
uncover the meaning of life for you Geminis. But
I haven’t found it yet. And even if I did, I would of
course provide it to you free. Luckily, you are now
in a prime position to make dramatic progress in
deciphering the meaning of life for yourself.
RCReader.com/Support. FREE ASSANGE, FREE THE WORLD.
New Columns Weekly at RCReader.com
CANCER (June 21-July 22): For a lim-
ited time only, you have permission from
the cosmos to be a wildly charismatic
egomaniac who brags incessantly and
insists on getting your selfish needs met at all
times and in all places. Please feel free to have
maximum amounts of narcissistic fun, Cancerian!
APRIL FOOL! I was exaggerating a bit, hoping to
offer you medicinal encouragement so you will
stop being so damn humble and self-effacing all
the time. But the truth is, now is indeed an excel-
lent time to assert your authority, expand your
clout, and flaunt your potency and sovereignty.
LEO (July 23-August 22): Michael Scott
was a character in the TV sitcom The
Office. He was the boss of a paper com-
pany. Played by Leo actor Steve Carell, he
was notoriously self-centered and obnoxious.
However, there was one famous scene I will urge
you to emulate. He was asked if he would rather be
feared or loved. He replied, “Um, easy, both. I want
people to be afraid of how much they love me.” Be
like Michael Scott, Leo! APRIL FOOL! i was half-
kidding. It’s true I’m quite excited by the likeli-
hood that you will receive floods of love in the
coming weeks. It’s also true that I think you should
do everything possible to boost this likelihood.
But I would rather that people be amazed and
pleased at how much they love you, not afraid.
VIRGO (August 23-September 22):
Now would be an excellent time for you
to snag a Sugar Daddy or Sugar Momma
or Sugar NonBinary Nurturer. The astro-
logical omens are telling me that life is expanding
its willingness and capacity to provide you with
help, support, and maybe even extra cash. I dare
you to dangle yourself as bait and sell your soul to
the highest bidder. APRIL FOOL! I was half-kid-
ding. While I do believe it’s prime time to ask for
and receive more help, support, and extra cash, I
don’t believe you will have to sell your soul to get
any of it. Just be yourself!
LIBRA (September 23-October 22):
Happy Unbirthday, Libra! It’s that time
halfway between your last birthday and
your next. Here are the presents I plan to
give you: a boost in your receptivity to be loved
River Cities’ Reader • Vol. 31 No. 1020 • April 2024
and needed; a constructive relationship with
obsession; more power to accomplish the half-
right thing when it’s hard to do the totally right
thing; the disposal of 85 percent of the psychic
trash left over from the time between 2018 and
2023; and a provocative new invitation to tran-
scend an outworn old taboo. APRIL FOOL! The
truth is, I can’t possibly supply every one of you
with these fine offerings, so please bestow them on
yourself. Luckily, the cosmic currents will con-
spire with you to make these things happen.
SCORPIO (October 23-November 21):
Now would be an excellent time to seek
liposuction, a face lift, Botox, buttocks
augmentation, or hair transplants.
Cosmic rhythms will be on your side if you change
how you look. APRIL FOOL! Everything I just said
was a lie. I’ve got nothing against cosmetic surgery,
but now is not the right time to alter your appear-
ance. Here’s the correct oracle: Shed your dis-
guises, stop hiding anything about who you really
are, and show how proud you are of your
idiosyncrasies.
SAGITTARIUS (November 22-Decem-
ber 21): I command you to love Jesus and
Buddha! If you don’t, you will burn in
Hell! APRIL FOOL! I was just kidding. I
was being sensationalistic to grab your attention.
Here’s my real, true oracle for you: Love every-
body, including Jesus and Buddha. And I mean
love them all twice as strong and wild and tender.
The cosmic powers ask it of you! The health of your
immortal soul depends on it! Yes, Sagittarius, for
your own selfish sake, you need to pour out more
adoration and care and compassion than you ever
have before. I’m not exaggerating! Be a lavish
Fountain of Love!
CAPRICORN (December 22-January
19): If you gave me permission, I would
cast a spell to arouse in you a case of ergo-
phobia, i.e., an aversion to work. I think
you need to take a sweet sabbatical from doing
business as usual. APRIL FOOL! I was just joking
about casting a spell on you. But I do wish you
would indulge in a lazy, do-nothing retreat. If you
want your ambitions to thrive later, you will be
25
By Rob Brezsny
wise to enjoy a brief period of delightful emptiness
and relaxing dormancy. As Buddhist teacher
Sylvia Boorstein recommends, “Don’t just do
something! Sit there!”
AQUARIUS (January 20-February 18):
In accordance with current astrological
omens, I suggest you get the book Brain
Surgery for Beginners by Steven Parker and David
West. You now have the power to learn and even
master complex new skills, and this would be a
excellent place to start. APRIL FOOL! I was half-
kidding. I don’t really think you should take a scal-
pel to the gray matter of your friends and family
members – or yourself, for that matter. But I am
quite certain that you currently have an enhanced
power to learn and even master new skills. It’s time
to raise your educational ambitions to a higher
octave. Find out what lessons and training you
need most, then make plans to get them.
PISCES (February 19-March 20):
In the religious beliefs of Louisiana
Voodoo, one God presides over the uni-
verse but never meddles in the details of life. There
are also many spirits who are always intervening
and tinkering, intimately involved in the daily
rhythm. They might do nice things for people or
play tricks on them – and everything in between.
In alignment with current astrological omens, I
urge you to convert to the Louisiana Voodoo reli-
gion and try ingenious strategies to get the spirits
to do your bidding. APRIL FOOL! I don’t really
think you should convert. However, I believe it
would be fun and righteous for you to proceed as
if spirits are everywhere – and assume that you
have the power to harness them to work on your
behalf.
Homework: Speak aloud as you tell yourself the
many ways you are wonderful. Visit FreeWillAs-
trology.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 1-900-950-77
26 River Cities’ Reader • Vol. 31 No. 1020 • April 2024
THEATRE
Come from Away
Tuesday, April 23, 7:30 p.m.
Adler Theatre, 136 East Third Street, Davenport IA
L
auded by the New York Times as a
“big bearhug of a musical” in which
“even the most stalwart cynics may
have trouble staying dry-eyed,” the Tony
Award-winning Come from Away makes
its Quad Cities debut when the show’s
national tour lands at Davenport’s Adler
Theatre on April 23, this 2017 entertain-
ment also hailed by Broadway World as
“inspiring, funny, and kick-ass beautiful.”
A seven-time Tony nominee that
won for Christopher Ashley’s direc-
tion, Come from Away chronicles the
real-life experiences of the people of
Gander, Newfoundland, and the almost
7,000 airline passengers who were forced
to land there when U.S. air space was
closed on September 11, 2001. Twelve
actors tell the story of both the Island-
ers and what become known as the
Plane People, revealing the fear and
uncertainty that came with the ter-
rorist attacks – as well as the profound
generosity and compassion of strangers.
While some characters and stories are
an amalgamation of several people and
experiences, others are grounded in real-
life individuals, such as Captain Beverly
Bass, the first female captain for Ameri-
can Airlines; Kevin Tuerff and Kevin
Jung; a couple from Los Angeles; and
Nick and Diane, who first met in Gander
and went on to fall in love.
With its book, music, and lyrics by
Irene Sankoff and David Hein, the Come
From Away score blends both traditional
musical theatre styles (“Me and the Sky,”
“Stop the World”) as well as traditional
Newfoundland orchestrations (“Heave
FREE ASSANGE, FREE THE WORLD.
Away,” “Screech In”); as stated in Enter-
tainment Weekly, ​​​​​​​“In 100 heartwarming
minutes, the show sets the best aspects
of human nature to infectious Celtic
folk and Broadway rock. “The Islanders
are distinguished from the Plane People
by their use of a Newfoundland dialect,
which they point out in “Welcome to the
Rock.” Along with acting out the events
of the four days, the show’s characters
step out from the story to narrate the
events, and the staging is intention-
ally minimalist, making innovative
use of only a few tables and 12 chairs to
represent airplanes, buses, and various
locations within Gander.
After enjoying record-breaking runs
at the La Jolla Playhouse in San Diego,
California, and the Seattle Repertory
Theatre in 2015, as well as at the Ford’s
Theatre in Washington, D.C., and the
Royal Alexandra Theatre in Toronto
in 2016, Come from Away opened on
Broadway at the Gerald Schoenfeld
Theatre on March 12, 2017 and became
a critical and box-office success. A live
recording of the production was released
on September 10, 2021, on the eve of the
20th anniversary of the attacks, while
the Broadway production closed on
October 2 after playing 25 previews and
1,669 regular performances.
Come from Away brings its national
tour to Davenport on April 23, admis-
sion to the 7:30 p.m. musical is $43-93,
and tickets are available by calling
(800)745-3000 and visiting
AdlerTheatre.com.
Know More. Do More.
CONTINUED
Seniors
Bunco, on Wednesdays; membership is $160 a year or $15
every… CASI (Center for Active Seniors), 2pm Wed Apr 3
thru Wed Apr 24
TOPS (Taking Off Pounds Sensibly Weight-Loss
Support Group), on Wednesdays; membership is $160 a
year or $15 every month;… CASI (Center for Active Seniors),
11:30am Wed Apr 3 thru Wed Apr 24
T’ai Chi Ch’un, on Wednesdays; membership is $160 a
year or $15 every month;… CASI (Center for Active Seniors),
10:15am Wed Apr 3 thru Wed Apr 24
Wednesday Bingo, on Wednesdays; 5pm doors, $10 card
pack minimum purchase; cash prizes… CASI (Center for
Active Seniors), 6pm Wed Apr 3 thru Wed Apr 24
Caregivers Support Group, on the 1st & 3rd Thu. of the
month; membership is… CASI (Center for Active Seniors),
4:30pm Thu Apr 4
Senior Activities and Socializing, seniors in the LeClaire
area are invited for socializing, activities,… LeClaire
Community Library, 10am Tue Apr 9
Rules of the Road Class, Nancy Johnson, associated with
AARP and the Office of the… Moline Public Library, 1:30pm
Thu Apr 18
Senior Social Services Fair, designed to provide
information from all areas of social services… CASI (Center
for Active Seniors), 2pm Tue Apr 23
Memory Circle, join us for crafts, games, activities,
conversation, and more; free;… Bettendorf Public Library,
10:30am Tue Apr 30
KIDS’ STUFF
Movers & Shakers Storytime, preschoolers and their
grownup can join us in… Moline Public Library, 9:30am Thu
Mar 28
Skill Builder Storytime, designed especially to give
children access to opportunities that… Davenport Public
Library - Eastern Avenue Branch, 10am Thu Mar 28
Tales for Tots, an enriching activity time for children ages
birth… Bettendorf Public Library, 6:30pm Thu Mar 28
Teen SFX Makeup Workshop with Victoria House, join
Miss Amber as we learn the storytelling behind special…
Davenport Public Library - Eastern Avenue Branch, 6pm
Thu Mar 28
Preschool Storytime, ages 3-5 are invited to attend these
30 minute… Bettendorf Public Library, 10am Fri Mar 29
Teen ’90s Night, join us for trivia, games, music and more;
feel free… East Moline Public Library, 4pm Fri Mar 29
Toddler Tales @ Watts-Midtown Branch, young children
and their caregivers are invited to… Rock Island Public
Library - Watts-Midtown Branch, 10:30am Fri Mar 29
Book Buddies (Sensory Session): Space, join Mrs.
Katelynn at the Silvis Public Library where your baby,…
Silvis Public Library, 10am Sat Mar 30
Child’s Play | Create : Explore : Experience, a 15-minute
storytime complete with books rhymes and… Bettendorf
Public Library, 10am Sat Mar 30
Lego Club, enjoy a morning of free building; free; for
information, call… Bettendorf Public Library, 11:30am Sat
Mar 30
Lego Club: Bridge Challenge, join Mrs. Katelynn at the
library to see who can… Silvis Public Library, 2pm Sat Mar
30
Make Believe Monday, for ages 4-8; work at a grocery
store, a coffee… Davenport Public Library - Main Branch,
4pm Mon Apr 1
The Nest Book Club, we’ll not only take part in a storytime
and activity,… Davenport Public Library - Fairmount Street
Branch, 2pm Mon Apr 1
Yoga and Stories, experience your favorite stories told
along with Yoga poses; best… Bettendorf Public Library,
6:30pm Mon Apr 1
RCReader.com/Calendar.
Teen Poetry Contest, Quad City area students in grades
6-12 can… Moline Public Library, Mon Apr 1 thru Mon
Apr 15
Tales for Tots, on Mondays; an enriching activity time for
children ages birth… Bettendorf Public Library, 10am Mon
Apr 1 thru Mon Apr 22
Teen Library Council’s Gardens Tote Bag Sale, purchase
a tote designed and made by… Moline Public Library, Mon
Apr 1 thru Fri Apr 26
Build-A-Droid Art Contest, build your own droid using
any medium… Moline Public Library, Mon Apr 1 thru Sat
Apr 27
Lapsit Storytime, on Mondays; a special storytime for
babies who are not… Davenport Public Library - Fairmount
Street Branch, 10am Mon Apr 1 thru Mon Apr 29
Little Movers Storytime, Mondays at 9:30 & 10:45am; or
kids ages 0 to… Moline Public Library, Mon Apr 1 thru Mon
Apr 29
Family Storytime: Unicorns, we’re exploring unicorns
with stories, songs, and a fun take-home… LeClaire
Community Library, 6pm Tue Apr 2
Teen Tuesday: Magnetic Poetry, join us at the library
as we make magnetic poetry; free;… Silvis Public Library,
6:30pm Tue Apr 2
Preschool Storytime, Tue.-Fri.; ages 3-5 are invited to
attend these 30 minute… Bettendorf Public Library, 10am
Tue Apr 2 thru Fri Apr 26
Tired Parents with Babies, on Tuesdays; join other new
parents to talk about daily… Davenport Public Library -
Eastern Avenue Branch, 6pm Tue Apr 2 thru Tue Apr 30
Walkers and Wigglers Storytime, on Tuesdays; we’ll sing
songs, dance, and read fun stories; all… Davenport Public
Library - Eastern Avenue Branch, 10am Tue Apr 2 thru Tue
Apr 30
Weekly Teen Book Talk, on Tuesdays; go to the library’s
Facebook page and check… Rock Island Public Library -
Downtown Library, 3:45pm Tue Apr 2 thru Tue Apr 30
After School Kids Lab: No-Sew Socktopus, create
a stuffed octopus using just stuffing, string, and a…
Bettendorf Public Library, 3pm Wed Apr 3
Book Talk: Teen Book Club, discuss popular books you’ve
seen trending on social media platforms… East Moline
Public Library, 4pm Wed Apr 3
Sew Fun! Fish Drawstring Bags, swim your way over
to the Children’s Department to create… Moline Public
Library, 5pm Wed Apr 3
Teen Time - Unwind: DIY Fidgets, this week’s theme is
Unwind and we will make different… Moline Public Library,
2:30pm Wed Apr 3
Teen Anime Club, join us as we watch Japanese Animation,
have snacks, and… Davenport Public Library - Fairmount
Street Branch, 6pm Wed Apr 3 thru Wed Apr 17
Little Makers, on Wednesdays; join us and make a new
project each… Davenport Public Library - Eastern Avenue
Branch, 4pm Wed Apr 3 thru Wed Apr 24
Teen Gaming, on Wednesdays; enjoy gaming on the
Switch, playing Roblox on… Davenport Public Library -
Fairmount Street Branch, 4pm Wed Apr 3 thru Wed Apr 24
Toddler Tales @ Southwest Branch, on Wednesdays; ages
0-5 and their caregivers are invited to enjoy… Rock Island
Public Library - Southwest Branch, 11am Wed Apr 3 thru
Wed Apr 24
Walkers & Wigglers Storytime, on Wednesdays; we’ll
sing songs, dance, and read fun stories;… Davenport Public
Library - Fairmount Street Branch, 10am Wed Apr 3 thru
Wed Apr 24
Young Adult Role Playing-Club, on Wednesdays; bring
your party members and dice; free; for… Bettendorf Public
Library, 1pm Wed Apr 3 thru Wed Apr 24
Family Storytime: Rainy Days, join Mrs. Katelynn at the
Silvis Public Library for this… Silvis Public Library, 6pm Thu
Apr 4
Monster Society Presents: Mythical Creatures of
Mexico, for ages 8 to 12; an elite secret group whose…
Davenport Public Library - Eastern Avenue Branch, 4pm
Thu Apr 4
Keep the Reader Alive and Free Since '93. RCReader.com/Support. FREE ASSANGE, FREE THE WORLD. River Cities’ Reader • Vol. 31 No. 1020 • April 2024 27
PNG Cooking: Grains, learn about nutrition and cook an
entire meal with the… Moline Public Library, 5pm Thu Apr
PNG Nahant Marsh presents: Skulls & Furs, students will
be introduced to the habitats, food sources, and… Moline
MUSIC
4 Public Library, 6pm Wed Apr 10

Reading Assistance Dogs, children have the opportunity
to read aloud to dogs from… Bettendorf Public Library,
6pm Thu Apr 4
Take Home Workshop: Mini Ribbon Board, post photos
or to-do lists anywhere with a mini ribbon… Bettendorf
Public Library, 10am Thu Apr 4
Petite Picassos @ Southwest Branch, for ages 5 and Morgan Wade
under with caretaker; toddlers can use… Rock Island Public
Library - Southwest Branch, 11am Wed Apr 10
Tuesday, April 30, 8 p.m.
Teen Fandom Club: Fantasy Rice Maps, join us at the
Capitol Theatre, 330 West Third Street, Davenport IA
library as we make fantasy rice… Silvis Public Library,
6:30pm Wed Apr 10

Teen Advisory Board, teens can share ideas to help Teen Time: Anime Club, discuss manga and anime, enjoy
improve book orders, displays,… LeClaire Community snacks, and play a game… Moline Public Library, 2:30pm
Library, 5pm Thu Apr 4 Wed Apr 10

Movers & Shakers Storytime, on Thursdays; preschoolers Big/Little Bookclub, book club for Littles (kids in 3rd
and their grownup can join us in… Moline Public Library, through 5th grade)… Davenport Public Library - Eastern
9:30am Thu Apr 4 thru Thu Apr 25 Avenue Branch, 6:30pm Thu Apr 11

Skill Builder Storytime, on Thursdays; designed especially CreaTEEN Crafts: Potion Bottle Necklaces, create Potion
to give children access to opportunities that… Davenport Bottle Necklaces; ages 8+ are recommended; free; for
Public Library - Eastern Avenue Branch, 10am Thu Apr 4 information,… LeClaire Community Library, 5pm Thu Apr
thru Thu Apr 25 11

Tales for Tots, on Thursdays; an enriching activity time for Creativity Lab: Tie-Dye Watercolor Butterflies, grades
children ages birth… Bettendorf Public Library, 6:30pm K-5 will explore a different artistic medium and project…
Thu Apr 4 thru Thu Apr 25 Moline Public Library, 6pm Thu Apr 11

Out of This World Sensory Bins, jump into a messy Family Storytime: Library Card Holder, join Mrs. Katelynn
sensory experience with your little one;… Davenport Public at the Silvis Public Library for this… Silvis Public Library,
Library - Eastern Avenue Branch, 10am Fri Apr 5 6pm Thu Apr 11

Teen Library Council, join us for a meeting to discuss
upcoming events, play… East Moline Public Library, 4pm
Fri Apr 5
LEAD Fridays @ Watts-Midtown Branch, Rock Island
Public Library introduction, services, collections, library
cards and… Eugene Field Elementary School, 11:15am Fri
Apr 5 thru Fri Apr 19
Stories @ Main, on Fridays; join us for dancing, shaking,
and stories; this storytime… Davenport Public Library -
Main Branch, 10am Fri Apr 5 thru Fri Apr 26
Toddler Tales @ Watts-Midtown Branch, on Fridays;
young children and their caregivers are invited to… Rock
Island Public Library - Watts-Midtown Branch, 10:30am Fri
Apr 5 thru Fri Apr 26
Book Buddies (Craft Buddies): Ostriches, join Mrs.
Katelynn at the Silvis Public Library where your baby,…
Silvis Public Library, 10am Sat Apr 6
Krafty Kids: Flamingos, join Mrs. Katelynn at the Silvis
Public Library for this… Silvis Public Library, 2pm Sat Apr 6
Mini Makers: Bird Feeder Fun, best for ages 3-7; stop into
the Main, Eastern, or… Davenport Public Library - Main
Branch, 10am Sat Apr 6
Teen Book Club: Will You Rant Or Rave?, we discuss
“The Downstairs Girl” by New York Times bestselling…
Bettendorf Public Library, 2pm Sat Apr 6
Child’s Play | Create : Explore : Experience, on Saturdays;
a 15-minute storytime complete with books rhymes and…
Bettendorf Public Library, 10am Sat Apr 6 thru Sat Apr 27
Explorers Club: Total Solar Eclipse, for information, call
309-794-0991… Quad City Botanical Center, 1:45pm Mon
Apr 8
The Nest Book Club: Toddler, we’ll not only take part
in a storytime and activity,… Davenport Public Library -
Fairmount Street Branch, 10am Mon Apr 8
Family Craft: CD Suncatcher, bring the joy of Spring
into your home by recycling… Rock Island Public Library -
Southwest Branch, 6pm Tue Apr 9
Read-Aloud Stories with Mr. Haack, an evening storytime
unlike any other by retired school librarian… LeClaire
Community Library, 6:30pm Tue Apr 9
Sensitive Storytime, a storytime especially for children
and families who are looking… Moline Public Library, 5pm
Tue Apr 9
Teen Advisory Board, help choose books for the library,
discuss future programs, and… Silvis Public Library, 6:30pm
Tue Apr 9
Teen Advisory Board Meeting, ages 11-19 are invited to
join; TAB Members volunteer, organize… Davenport Public
Library - Fairmount Street Branch, 6:30pm Tue Apr 9
After School Kids Lab: Mini Books, make a cute, mini
book and decorate it; free; for… Bettendorf Public Library,
3pm Wed Apr 10
PNG Cooking: Dairy, learn about nutrition and cook an
entire meal with the… Moline Public Library, 5pm Thu Apr
11
Storytime with QC CAN Therapy Dogs, welcome back
some furry guests from QC CAN for National… LeClaire
Community Library, 4pm Fri Apr 12
Teen Debate Night, debate your favorite topics, which
can be serious, silly, and… East Moline Public Library, 4pm
Fri Apr 12
Toddler Kanopy Playtime, tailored to ages 0-PreK; watch
educational TV shows on free… LeClaire Community
Library, 11am Fri Apr 12
Book Buddies: Library Week, join Mrs. Katelynn at the
Silvis Public Library where your baby,… Silvis Public Library,
10am Sat Apr 13
Full S.T.E.A.M Ahead: Chromatography Flowers, join us
at the library for this chromatography flower experiment;
free;… Silvis Public Library, 2pm Sat Apr 13
Full STEAM Ahead: Harry Potter Spell Science, learn how
to do spells through science; we’ll be inspired… LeClaire
Community Library, 11am Sat Apr 13
Kids Book Club, discuss a new book each month; free; for
information, call… Bettendorf Public Library, 2pm Sat Apr
13
Mini Mysteries: Sink or Float, best for ages 3-7; stop into
the Main, Eastern, or… Davenport Public Library - Main
Branch, 10am Sat Apr 13
Pokémon Club, an opportunity for Pokémon enthusiasts
(ages 6-12) to battle, share,… Davenport Public Library -
Eastern Avenue Branch, 10am Sat Apr 13
Read to a Dog, QC CAN’s Reading Assistance Dogs are
specially trained, along with… Davenport Public Library -
Fairmount Street Branch, 3pm Sat Apr 13
Teen Social: Dirt Pudding - Mmm… Snacks, we will
make dirt pudding and enjoy each other’s company;…
Bettendorf Public Library, 2pm Sat Apr 13
Toons at Noons With Bowls and Spoons, grab a spoon
and some cereal as we sit down… Davenport Public Library
- Eastern Avenue Branch, noon Sat Apr 13
Lego Club, enjoy a morning of free building; free; for
information, call… Bettendorf Public Library, 11:30am Sat
Apr 13 thru Sat Apr 27
Lego Club: Mythical Creatures, build with thousands
of Legos; all creations are put on… LeClaire Community
Library, 4pm Mon Apr 15
PNG Intro to Sewing, learn the basics of sewing to create
or mend everyday… Moline Public Library, 5:30pm Mon
Apr 15
Continued On Page 28
T
ouring in support of her most
recent album Psychopath, a top-10
Billboard hit that No Depression
said “highlights her broadening range
and skillful integrations of country,
rock, and pop elements,” rising country
star Morgan Wade headlines an April 30
concert at Davenport’s Capitol Theatre,
the singer/songwriter also lauded by Red
Guitar Music as “an artist who deserves
to make some serious waves.”
A native of Floyd, Virginia, Wade
began writing songs as a freshman in
college, and in 2018, she recruited musi-
cians through Craigslist to record her
debut Puppets with My Heart, which
was credited to The Stepbrothers. Later
that year, Wade performed at Virginia’s
FloydFest along with artists includ-
ing Jason Isbell, whose sound engineer
gave her album to Sadler Vaden, the
guitarist in Isbell’s band The 400 Unit.
Vaden and producer Paul Ebersold
consequently helped Wade assemble
another album, 2021’s Reckless, over the
next two years. Released via the Thirty
Tigers label, Reckless sold 3,000 copies
in its first week and peaked at number
14 on the Billboard Top Heatseekers
charts. Wade told Billboard’s magazine
version that the album was inspired by
her struggles with her mental health,
past relationships, and sobriety after
an admitted alcohol addiction, and
Rolling Stone Country went on to praise
the album by saying that Wade has
“the ragged edge of a singer/songwriter
who’s been putting her nose to the
grindstone for some time. In a voice like
worn leather, Wade describes desperate,
spontaneous relationships that feel the
strongest when they’re at their breaking
point.”
In conjunction with the album’s
release, “Wilder Days” was released to
radio as the album’s first single, a song
that led Billy Dukes of Taste of Country
to described Wade’s vocal presence as a
“hardened Sheryl Crow,” with the tune
itself labeled “complex, with chords
and a melancholy shuff le that shouts
heartbreak, even if her story is at worst
hesitant and thoughtful.” Wade sub-
sequently re-released Reckless in 2022
with six bonus tracks, one of them a
cover of Elvis Presley’s 1969 hit “Suspi-
cious Minds” that Off the Record called
“stunning and surprising ... . It’s quite
a feat to turn such an intimately known
song into something utterly fresh and
novel.” Since its release last August,
Psychopath has been amassing similar
raves, with BrooklynVegan including
the work among its 13 Great Coun-
try Albums from 2023 list, with critic
Andrew Sacher stating that “Morgan
has a way of blurring the lines between
country traditions, punk grit, and pop
appeal, but more important than any of
her stylistic choices is just how strong
her songwriting is ... the way she turns a
phrase and delivers a melody will catch
you off guard on first listen.”
Morgan Wade brings her “Cross-
ing State Lines Unplugged Tour” to on
April 30 with an additional set by Alex
Dezen of the Damwells, admission to
the 8 p.m. concert is $29-135, and more
information and tickets are available by
visiting
Facebook.com/CapitolTheatreQC.
28 River Cities’ Reader • Vol. 31 No. 1020 • April 2024
MUSIC
Two Currents in a Dark Circle:
Staghorn and Aseethe at
Rozz-Tox, April 19
Staghorn (Photo by Austin Willhite)
S
hows at Rozz-Tox have been few and far
between this year. While the Rock Island
jewel has been functioning in its usual
capacity as a food-and-drink establishment,
meeting place, and culture hub, shows in 2024
have thus far occurred on a semi-monthly basis,
usually (though not always) consisting of a tour-
ing headliner with a single local opener. A show
at Rozz-Tox is already a special event, and the
lately limited number of shows means that those
that have occurred tend to sell out.
Take this as an early warning, then: If
you’re into the cerebral, more experimental
side of heavy music, you may want to snap up
tickets for what (at the time of writing) looks
to be the only show at Rozz-Tox in April, a bill
that would be a hot item regardless of venue.
While generally not a spot for metal, Rozz-
, with an emphasis on the first part. Previously
Tox will open its doors on Friday, April 19
for Staghorn and Aseethe, two Midwestern
bands known for bringing outside influences
of a musical and sociopolitical nature to make
music that resonates on multiple experiential
levels.
Staghorn’ s trip is musically eclectic and
expressly political. Described in promotional
materials as “anarchist post-metal punk,”
with an addendum by members promising “a
sprinkle of folky waltzes,” the band’s record-
ings are often disarmingly gentle, especially in
light of their demonstrated heaviness on stage.
Drawing inspiration from a natural world both
majestic and threatened, their four-pillar ethos
of music, thought, action, and solidarity brings
an uncommon political bent to a style that
often tends toward aural navel-gazing.
“Post-metal” is often a fellow traveler with
contemporary doom metal, with a shared
emphasis on brooding atmosphere and using
sonic textures rather than riffs alone to create
moods. It’s not unlike standing in an open field
and watching a thunderstorm slowly roll in.
FREE ASSANGE, FREE THE WORLD.
By Loren Thacher
CONTINUED
Doom metal and its accompanying guitar riffs
are the sturm und drang, the violent thunder
of the storm itself. Post-metal incorporates the
all-important riffs (the storm proper), but can
also (especially in Staghorn’s example) be lik-
ened to all the other little things that build the
rising sense of dread or awe – the feeling of the
wind on one’s face as it rises; the sight of prairie
grass flattening beneath the strong breeze; the
sudden cold; the stillness that precedes the
storm’s arrival.
Like most other metal sub-genres, “doom”
was a tag applied long after the fact, after
a small but dedicated, loose-knit but like-
minded group of bands had adopted slow
tempos and lower tunings as an aesthetic and
lifestyle choice. Aseethe play doom metal
described as “a black cloud the size and shape
of the state of Iowa,” Aseethe’s power comes
not only from their involved, lurching riffs but
also from an earnest, bloodcurdling sense of
dread inspired by this place and times. Their
mood is more desperation than hopelessness,
a guttural howl in the face of environmental
chaos and a society simultaneously falling
apart, and being drawn tighter into the full
apparatus of totalitarianism. Depressing for
some, cathartic for others, Aseethe live are
a musical representation of 2024 America.
Coupled with Staghorn’s sonic and philosophi-
cal approach, the two form a complete and
black circle.
Doors for the April 19 event are at 7 p.m., the
show starts at 8 p.m., and all ages are welcome.
To ensure a spot at Rozz-Tox (2108 Third
Avenue, Rock Island IL), it’s advised to buy $17
advance tickets through the Dice.fm Web site
at Dice.fm/partner/dice/event/lmedl-staghorn-
aseethe-19th-apr-rozz-tox-rock-island-tickets.
Know More. Do More.
Kids' Stuff
Family Storytime: Trolls, we’re exploring trolls
with stories, songs, and a fun take-home… LeClaire
Community Library, 6pm Tue Apr 16
PNG Cooking: Veggies, learn about nutrition
and cook an entire meal with the… Moline Public
Library, 5pm Tue Apr 16
Project Next Generation: Lego Prime Robotics,
Tuesdays thru Apr. 30; students will build Lego
projects that… East Moline Public Library, 5pm Tue
Apr 16
Teen Tuesday: Blackout Poetry, join us at the
library as we make blackout poetry; free;… Silvis
Public Library, 6:30pm Tue Apr 16
After School Kids Lab: Toothpick Geometry,
learn some geometry while building shapes and
structures with toothpicks;… Bettendorf Public
Library, 3pm Wed Apr 17
Family Storytime @ Watts-Midtown Branch,
families are invited to enjoy story time full of
books,… Rock Island Public Library - Watts-
Midtown Branch, 6pm Wed Apr 17
Kids Anime Club, for grades 3-5; a fun program
where you don’t have to… Moline Public Library,
5pm Wed Apr 17
Life-Size Game Night: Quidditch, bring the
wizarding sport of Quidditch to life; join us…
Hollyhock Park, 4pm Wed Apr 17
Teen Movie Night, stop by for a movie and
popcorn followed by some… East Moline Public
Library, 4pm Wed Apr 17
Teen Time - Arts and Crafts: No-Sew Emoji
Pillows, we will make no-sew emoji pillows; free;
for information, call… Moline Public Library,
2:30pm Wed Apr 17
Doki Doki Anime Club: Anime Guess Who?,
nerd out over all things Japanese; this month play
Guess… LeClaire Community Library, 5pm Thu
Apr 18
Family Storytime: Marbled Earth, join Mrs.
Katelynn at the Silvis Public Library for this… Silvis
Public Library, 6pm Thu Apr 18
PNG Photography, learn how to take the best
possible photos using a… Moline Public Library,
6pm Thu Apr 18
Read to a Dog, QCCAN’s Reading Assistance Dogs
are specially trained, along with their… Davenport
Public Library - Eastern Avenue Branch, 5:30pm
Thu Apr 18
Teen Library Council, students in grades 6-12 are
needed to give advice and… Moline Public Library,
3:30pm Thu Apr 18
Teen Taylor Swift Party, celebrate the release
of Taylor’s new album; enjoy trivia, crafts,… East
Moline Public Library, 4pm Fri Apr 19
Early Earth Day Storytime & Craft, best for
ages 4-7; celebrate Mother Earth with a special…
Davenport Public Library - Fairmount Street
Branch, 10am Sat Apr 20
Mini Mathematicians: Shape Art, best for ages
3-7; stop into the Main, Eastern, or… Davenport
Public Library - Main Branch, 10am Sat Apr 20
Teen DIY: Disco Ball Painting, join Miss Amber in
another attempt at a popular TikTok… Davenport
Public Library - Eastern Avenue Branch, 1pm Sat
Apr 20
Family Rock Painting: Rock Snake, design and
paint a rock for us to seal and… Davenport Public
Library - Eastern Avenue Branch, 6pm Mon Apr 22
PNG Cooking: Fruit, learn about nutrition and
cook an entire meal with the… Moline Public
Library, 5pm Tue Apr 23
Storytime with the Post Office, Seidina the Mail
Carrier will be reading stories and answering…
LeClaire Community Library, 6pm Tue Apr 23
RCReader.com/Calendar.
Teen Tuesday: Seed Bombs, join us at the library
as we make seed bombs; free;… Silvis Public
Library, 6:30pm Tue Apr 23
After School Kids Lab: Bingo Dot Butterflies,
se bingo dot markers and other craft supplies to
make… Bettendorf Public Library, 3pm Wed Apr
24
PNG Grout Museum: Super Cold, use liquid
nitrogen, learn how temperature is related to the…
Moline Public Library, 6pm Wed Apr 24
Teen Time: Gaming, ou can bring your own device
and use our Xbox,… Moline Public Library, 2:30pm
Wed Apr 24
Family Storytime: Rain Boots, join Mrs. Katelynn
at the Silvis Public Library for this… Silvis Public
Library, 6pm Thu Apr 25
Lazy Crafternoons: DIY Wizard Wands, a magical
evening of crafting and make Wizard Wands;
ages… LeClaire Community Library, 5pm Thu Apr
25
PNG Sphero: Boat Race, learn how to use block
coding to program Sphero Bolt… Moline Public
Library, 5:30pm Thu Apr 25
The Gray Matters Collective Teen Library
Chapter Meeting, learn about a non-profit that
strives to change the world… East Moline Public
Library, 4pm Thu Apr 25
Teen Glow Painting, there will be UV lights set up
around the room… East Moline Public Library, 4pm
Fri Apr 26
Toddler Time, Miss Ashe’s Storytime aimed
towards ages 0-PreK, with stories, songs,… LeClaire
Community Library, 11am Fri Apr 26
Book Buddies (Sensory Session): Bugs, join Mrs.
Katelynn at the Silvis Public Library where your
baby,… Silvis Public Library, 10am Sat Apr 27
Drop-In Tie-Dye Party, meet us with a clean item
to tie-dye; white cotton… Moline Public Library,
10am Sat Apr 27
Explorers Club: Planting Day, for information,
call 309-794-0991… Quad City Botanical Center,
10am Sat Apr 27
Mini Movers: Window Wonders, best for ages 3-7;
stop into the Main, Eastern, or… Davenport Public
Library - Main Branch, 10am Sat Apr 27
Family Rock Painting: Rock Snake, design and
paint a rock for us to seal and… Davenport Public
Library - Fairmount Street Branch, 6pm Mon Apr 29
PJ Party Storytime: Music!, put on your PJ’s and
join us in the Children’s… Moline Public Library,
6pm Mon Apr 29
Teen Poetry Cafe, all poets who enter the 2024
Teen Poetry Contest are invited to… Moline Public
Library, 6:30pm Mon Apr 29
Family Storytime: Mermaids, This week we’re
exploring Mermaids with stories, songs, and a…
LeClaire Community Library, 6pm Tue Apr 30
Homeschool Presentation: Kuniko Yamamoto,
Yamamoto enchants audiences of every age with
dramatic storytelling using… Bettendorf Public
Library, 11am Tue Apr 30
Japanese Storytelling with Kuniko Yamamoto,
Yamamoto enchants audiences of every age
with dramatic storytelling using… Eugene Field
Elementary School, 2pm Tue Apr 30
PNG Cooking: Protein, learn about nutrition
and cook an entire meal with the… Moline Public
Library, 5pm Tue Apr 30
Teen Tuesday: Painted Rock Photo Holders, join
us at the library as we make painted rock… Silvis
Public Library, 6:30pm Tue Apr 30
Tween Tuesday: Trivia Night, stop by for trivia
and treats; play in teams to… East Moline Public
Library, 4pm Tue Apr 30
Keep the Reader Alive and Free Since '93. RCReader.com/Support. FREE ASSANGE, FREE THE WORLD. River Cities’ Reader • Vol. 31 No. 1020 • April 2024 29
30 River Cities’ Reader • Vol. 31 No. 1020 • April 2024
LIVE MUSIC
THURSDAY (28)
Daniel Villarreal – Blue County
Pistol (6pm) – Raccoon Motel, 315
E. Second St., Davenport IA
Five for Fighting w/ String Quartet
– James Tutson – Englert Theatre,
221 East Washington St., Iowa City
IA
Lewis Knudsen (6pm) – Twin Span
Brewing, 6776 Championship Dr.,
Bettendorf IA
Open Jam Night (6pm) – Denny O’s,
307 10th Ave, Fulton IL
Open Mic & Karaoke Night – The
Rusty Fox Wine & Alehouse, 1 E 3rd
St., Sterling IL
Open Mic Night w/ Antone Burton
– Bootleg Hill Honey Meads, 321 E.
2nd St., Davenport IA
Open Stage Night (6pm) – Theo’s
Java Cafe, 213 17th St., Rock Island IL
Pat Foley (5:30pm) – The Gypsy
Highway Bar & Grill, 2606 W. Locust
St., Davenport IA
FRIDAY (29)
Alan & Brianna (6pm) – Steventon’s,
1399 Eagle Ridge Rd, LeClaire IA
Cobras – Whiskey Stop, 1726 15th Ave.,
East Moline IL
Crooked Cactus – Rhythm City Casino
Resort Rhythm Room, 7077 Elmore
Ave., Davenport IA
Daylight Over – The Gypsy Highway
Bar & Grill, 2606 W. Locust St.,
Davenport IA
Downtown Charlie Brown – The V’ue,
137 5th Ave. S., Clinton IA
Ember – Riverside Casino and Golf
Resort, 3184 Highway 22, Riverside
IA
Emily Beisel & Bill Harris – David
Hurlin – Rozz-Tox, 2108 Third Ave.,
Rock Island IL
Gray Wolf Band (6:30pm) – BS
General Store, 2919 US - 67,
Camanche IA
Jef Spradley (6pm) – The Tangled
Wood, 3636 Tanglewood Rd.,
Bettendorf IA
Jen Craft – The Grape Life Wine
Store & Lounge, 3402 Elmore Ave.,
Davenport IA
Karaoke Night – 11th Street Precinct,
1107 Mound St., Davenport IA
Lewis Knudsen – Oak Grove Tavern,
4371 53rd Ave., Bettendorf IA
The People Brothers Band – The
Crew – The Redstone Room, 129
Main St, Davenport IA
Ronnie & the Redwoods – Telescope
Club – Raccoon Motel, 315 E.
Second St., Davenport IA
Running Man – Bootleg Hill Honey
Meads, 321 E. 2nd St., Davenport IA
SATURDAY (30)
Code 415 – Harley Corin’s, 1708 State
St., Bettendorf IA
Crooked Cactus – The Gypsy Highway
Bar & Grill, 2606 W. Locust St.,
Davenport IA
Dirt Road Rockers – Edje Nightclub at
Bally’s Casino, 777 Bally Blvd., Rock
Island IL
Ember – Rhythm City Casino Resort
Rhythm Room, 7077 Elmore Ave.,
Davenport IA
Foghat – The Rust Belt, 533 12th Ave.,
East Moline IL
Jazz Kissa w/ Bob Herington – Rozz-
Tox, 2108 Third Ave., Rock Island IL
Karaoke Night – Village Theatre, 2113
E 11th St, Davenport IA
Levi Craft (6pm) – Tuggers Burger Bar
& Ale House, 201 N. Main St., Port
Byron IL
Lewis Knudsen (5pm) – Crawford
Brew Works, 3659 Devils Glen Rd.,
Bettendorf IA
Lola Blu – Galena Brewing Company,
227 N. Main St., Galena IL
Old Friends: Red Cedar Chamber
Music Spring Concert – Englert
Theatre, 221 East Washington St.,
Iowa City IA
QCA KnightZ – 11th Street Precinct,
1107 Mound St., Davenport IA
Rett Madison – Raccoon Motel, 315 E.
Second St., Davenport IA
Rob and Gary of the Night People
(6pm) – Bootleg Hill Honey Meads,
321 E. 2nd St., Davenport IA
Ron Tegeler Jazz Trio – The Grape Life
Wine Store & Lounge, 3402 Elmore
Ave., Davenport IA
Rushmore – Riverside Casino and Golf
Resort, 3184 Highway 22, Riverside
IA
STEAM Irish Quartet – Grace Theater,
316 S. Main St., Princeton IL
Semi–Charmed – Hawkeye Tap
Sports Bar N Grill, 4646 Cheyenne
Ave., Davenport IA
Singing/Music Contest – The Rusty
Fox Wine & Alehouse, 1 E 3rd St.,
Sterling IL
Terri Clark – Rhythm City Casino
Resort Event Center, 7077 Elmore
Ave., Davenport IA
Xheap Trix – Potential Spam –
Rascals Live, 1414 15th St., Moline IL
SUNDAY (31)
Karaoke Night – My Place the Pub,
4405 State St., Bettendorf IA
Weary Ramblers – The V’ue, 137 5th
Ave. S., Clinton IA
TUESDAY (2)
Jazz Night at 2nd & Main (6pm) –
Zeke’s Island Cafe, 1509 N Harrison
St., Davenport IA
Karaoke Night – My Place the Pub,
4405 State St., Bettendorf IA
Karaoke w/ DJ Frost – Kavanaugh’s
Hilltop Bar & Grill, 1228 30th St., Rock
Island IL
Rock Island High School Choir
(noon) – Rock Island Public Library
- Downtown Library, 401 19th St.,
Rock Island IL
The Thing (6pm) – Raccoon Motel, 315
E. Second St., Davenport IA
WEDNESDAY (3)
Gypsy (6:30pm) – The Gypsy Highway
Bar & Grill, 2606 W. Locust St.,
Davenport IA
Herman’s Hermits Starring Peter
Noone – Adler Theatre, 136 E. Third
St., Davenport IA
THURSDAY (4)
Caleb Talbott (6:30pm) – The Gypsy
Highway Bar & Grill, 2606 W. Locust
St., Davenport IA
Chris Collins & Boulder Canyon:
The John Denver Experience
(1 & 7:15pm) – Circa ’21 Dinner
Playhouse, 1828 Third Ave., Rock
Island IL
Cory Chisel (6pm) – Raccoon Motel,
315 E. Second St., Davenport IA
Matt Pryor (6pm) – Raccoon Motel,
315 E. Second St., Davenport IA
Mission Creek Festival 2024 –
Downtown Iowa City, , Iowa City IA
Myriam Gendron – Liv Carrow –
Rozz-Tox, 2108 Third Ave., Rock
Island IL
Neko Case – L’Rain – Hanif
Abdurraqib (6pm) – Hancher
Auditorium, 141 East Park Rd., Iowa
City IA
Open Jam Night (6pm) – Denny O’s,
307 10th Ave, Fulton IL
Open Mic Night w/ Antone Burton
– Bootleg Hill Honey Meads, 321 E.
2nd St., Davenport IA
Open Stage Night (6pm) – Theo’s
Java Cafe, 213 17th St., Rock Island IL
Press Record (6pm) – Twin Span
Brewing, 6776 Championship Dr.,
FREE ASSANGE, FREE THE WORLD.
Bettendorf IA
Todd Lorenc – The Rusty Fox Wine &
Alehouse, 1 E 3rd St., Sterling IL
FRIDAY (5)
Antone – Bootleg Hill Honey Meads,
321 E. 2nd St., Davenport IA
Arlo McKinley – Carson McHone –
Raccoon Motel, 315 E. Second St.,
Davenport IA
Cherry & Jerry: Ragtime Music
(noon) – Bettendor f Public
Library, 2950 Learning Campus Dr.,
Bettendorf IA
Dana Joel Nicholson (6pm) –
Firehouse Bar & Grill, 2006 Hickory
Grove Rd., Davenport IA
Hank and My Honky Tonk Heroes:
100 Years of Hank – John & Alice
Butler Hall - University of Dubuque
Heritage Center, 2255 Bennett St.,
Dubuque IA
John Mellencamp – Des Moines Civic
Center, 221 Walnut St., Des Moines
IA
John Michael Montgomery –
Riverside Casino Event Center, 3184
Highway 22, Riverside IA
Mason Jennings – Bishop Hill Creative
Commons, 309 N Bishop Hill St.,
Bishop Hill IL
Michael Constantino – The Rusty
Fox Wine & Alehouse, 1 E 3rd St.,
Sterling IL
Mission Creek Festival 2024 –
Downtown Iowa City, , Iowa City IA
Nuclear Plowboys – The Gypsy
Highway Bar & Grill, 2606 W. Locust
St., Davenport IA
Party Foul – Rhythm City Casino
Resort Rhythm Room, 7077 Elmore
Ave., Davenport IA
TR Entertainment DJ & Karaoke
(6pm) – The Edge Eatery &
Drinkatorium, 1802 2nd Ave., Rapids
City IL
Taylor Fest – Capitol Theatre, 330 W.
3rd St., Davenport IA
SATURDAY (6)
Acoustic Circus Band – The Rusty
Fox Wine & Alehouse, 1 E 3rd St.,
Sterling IL
Alborn – Widow7 – NonGrata –
Rascals Live, 1414 15th St., Moline IL
Arcomusical – Bishop Hill Creative
Commons, 309 N Bishop Hill St.,
Bishop Hill IL
Brian Skow – Galena Brewing
Company, 227 N. Main St., Galena IL
Doug Brundies – Hawkeye Tap Sports
Bar N Grill, 4646 Cheyenne Ave.,
Davenport IA
Faded Echo – Len Brown’s North
Shore Inn, 700 N. Shore Dr., Moline IL
Fool House – The Rust Belt, 533 12th
Ave., East Moline IL
For Those About to Yacht – The
Gypsy Highway Bar & Grill, 2606 W.
Locust St., Davenport IA
Iowa Jazz Composers Orchestra
featuring Mike Conrad – The
Redstone Room, 129 Main St,
Davenport IA
Levi Craft (6pm) – Firehouse Bar
& Grill, 2006 Hickory Grove Rd.,
Davenport IA
Martin Kelly Band – Rhythm City
Casino Resort Rhythm Room, 7077
Elmore Ave., Davenport IA
Mission Creek Festival 2024 –
Downtown Iowa City, , Iowa City IA
Patrick Moore – Bootleg Hill Honey
Meads, 321 E. 2nd St., Davenport IA
Press Record (6pm) – Tuggers Burger
Bar & Ale House, 201 N. Main St., Port
Byron IL
Quad City Symphony Orchestra
Masterworks VI: The Force of
Fate – Adler Theatre, 136 E. Third St.,
Davenport IA
Stone Age Queens – Raccoon Motel,
315 E. Second St., Davenport IA
Through April 30, 2024
May Print Edition Deadline:
April 21: calendar@rcreader.com
SUNDAY (7)
Angela Meyer (2pm) – Rams
Riverhouse, 102 South Main Street,
Port Byron IL
Francisco Fernandez – Tyler Weaver
– Bishop Hill Creative Commons,
309 N Bishop Hill St., Bishop Hill IL
Karaoke Night – My Place the Pub,
4405 State St., Bettendorf IA
Kate Clover (6pm) – Raccoon Motel,
315 E. Second St., Davenport IA
Manny Lopez Big Band (2pm) – The
Circa ’21 Speakeasy, 1818 Third Ave.,
Rock Island IL
Quad City Symphony Orchestra
Masterworks VI: The Force of Fate
(2pm) – Centennial Hall, Augustana
College, 3703 7th Ave., Rock Island IL
TUESDAY (9)
Jazz Night at 2nd & Main (6pm) –
Zeke’s Island Cafe, 1509 N Harrison
St., Davenport IA
Karaoke Night – My Place the Pub,
4405 State St., Bettendorf IA
Karaoke w/ DJ Frost – Kavanaugh’s
Hilltop Bar & Grill, 1228 30th St., Rock
Island IL
Opera Quad Cities – Moline Public
Library, 3210 41st St., Moline IL
Scott H. Biram (6pm) – Raccoon
Motel, 315 E. Second St., Davenport
IA
WEDNESDAY (10)
Skrizzly Adams (6pm) – Raccoon
Motel, 315 E. Second St., Davenport
IA
True Day (6:30pm) – The Gypsy
Highway Bar & Grill, 2606 W. Locust
St., Davenport IA
The Wood Brothers – Jobi Riccio
– Englert Theatre, 221 East
Washington St., Iowa City IA
THURSDAY (11)
Girls Like Us: Barbra, Bette, &
Bernadette – Grace Theater, 316 S.
Main St., Princeton IL
Jen Craft (6pm) – Twin Span Brewing,
6776 Championship Dr., Bettendorf
IA
Jordan Davis – Mitchell Tenpenny
– Ashley Cooke – Vibrant Arena at
the MARK, 1201 River Dr, Moline IL
Kenny Wayne Shepherd Band –
Capitol Theatre, 330 W. 3rd St.,
Davenport IA
Levi Craft (6:30pm) – The Gypsy
Highway Bar & Grill, 2606 W. Locust
St., Davenport IA
Martha Redbone – Englert Theatre,
221 East Washington St., Iowa City
IA
Open Jam Night (6pm) – Denny O’s,
307 10th Ave, Fulton IL
Open Mic Night w/ Antone Burton
– Bootleg Hill Honey Meads, 321 E.
2nd St., Davenport IA
Open Stage Night (6pm) – Theo’s
Java Cafe, 213 17th St., Rock Island IL
Opera Quad Cities – Bettendorf
Public Library, 2950 Learning
Campus Dr., Bettendorf IA
Terra Lightfoot (6pm) – Raccoon
Motel, 315 E. Second St., Davenport
IA
FRIDAY (12)
Blue60 Band – Rhythm City Casino
Resort Rhythm Room, 7077 Elmore
Ave., Davenport IA
Deep Galactic Bass Sessions Vol.
5: Basura – Stymulation – Marty
Mixfly – Sorceress of Sound –
Amplified Noise – Tripendicular
BTB Dr.Lee BTB JDUBB – The
Redstone Room, 129 Main St,
Davenport IA
Galesburg Community Chorus
& Youth Choirs – First Lutheran
Know More. Do More. RCReader.com/Calendar.
Get Your Local Licks On
Church - Galesburg, 364 E. Water St., State Historic Site, 313 E 3rd St,
Galesburg IL Galesburg IL
Girls Like Us: Carole, Carly, & Joni Claude Bourbon – Bishop Hill
– Grace Theater, 316 S. Main St., Creative Commons, 309 N Bishop
Princeton IL
In the Flesh: Echoes of Pink Floyd
Hill St., Bishop Hill IL
Karaoke Night – My Place the Pub,
– The Rust Belt, 533 12th Ave., East 4405 State St., Bettendorf IA
Moline IL Nova Singers: Mother Earth
Ivy Ford – The Gypsy Highway Bar & (4pm) – St.Paul Lutheran Church
Grill, 2606 W. Locust St., Davenport - Davenport, 2136 Brady St.,
IA Davenport IA
Jazz Kissa w/ J. Barger – Rozz-Tox, The Pink Stones (6pm) – Raccoon
2108 Third Ave., Rock Island IL Motel, 315 E. Second St., Davenport
Levi Craft – Galena Brewing Company, IA
227 N. Main St., Galena IL Pollinators – Facing Winter
Nuclear Plow Boys – Hawkeye Tap (4:20pm) – Bootleg Hill Honey
Sports Bar N Grill, 4646 Cheyenne Meads, 321 E. 2nd St., Davenport IA
Ave., Davenport IA
Oumou Sangaré – Englert Theatre, TUESDAY (16)
221 East Washington St., Iowa City
Cathedral Bells – Rew (6pm) –
IA
Poor, Poor, Rich – Bootleg Hill Honey
Raccoon Motel, 315 E. Second St.,
Davenport IA
Meads, 321 E. 2nd St., Davenport IA
Jazz Night at 2nd & Main (6pm) –
Ratboys – Ducks Ltd.– Early Girl –
Zeke’s Island Cafe, 1509 N Harrison
Gabe’s, 330 E. Washington St., Iowa
St., Davenport IA
City IA
Karaoke Night – My Place the Pub,
Todd Striley & the Noize – Denny O’s,
307 10th Ave, Fulton IL
4405 State St., Bettendorf IA
Karaoke w/ DJ Frost – Kavanaugh’s
Uncle Lucius – Drook – Raccoon
Hilltop Bar & Grill, 1228 30th St., Rock
Motel, 315 E. Second St., Davenport
Island IL
IA
Open Jazz Jam Session (6pm) –
Willy Tea Taylor – Turkey Buzzards
– Trumpet Blossom Cafe, 310 E.
Zeke’s Island Cafe, 1509 N Harrison
St., Davenport IA
Prentiss St., Iowa City IA
SATURDAY (13) WEDNESDAY (17)
’80s & ’90s Dance Party – 11th
3 Door Coupe (6:30pm) – The Gypsy
Highway Bar & Grill, 2606 W. Locust
Street Precinct, 1107 Mound St.,
Davenport IA
St., Davenport IA
Indigo Girls – Lucy Wainwright
Accent – Coralville Center for the
Roche – Englert Theatre, 221 East
Performing Arts, 1301 5th St.,
Washington St., Iowa City IA
Coralville IA
Wanees Zarour (6pm) – Rock Island
Barefoot Free for All – Denny O’s, 307
Public Library - Watts-Midtown
10th Ave, Fulton IL
Branch, 2715 30th St., Rock Island IL
Code 415 – The Gypsy Highway Bar &
Grill, 2606 W. Locust St., Davenport
IA THURSDAY (18)
DJ Part Mixx Master – 11th Street
Precinct, 1107 Mound St., Davenport
Brandon Heath – Capitol Theatre, 330
W. 3rd St., Davenport IA
IA
Drew Wesley – Marc Hans Showalter
Chuck Murphy (6:30pm) – The Gypsy
Highway Bar & Grill, 2606 W. Locust
– Rozz-Tox, 2108 Third Ave., Rock
St., Davenport IA
Island IL
Googolplexia – Carondelet Guy
Eat, Sleep, Songwriter Repeat (1pm)
– Rozz-Tox, 2108 Third Ave., Rock
– The Redstone Room, 129 Main St,
Davenport IA
Island IL
Indigo Girls – Lucy Wainwright
Fluffy – Cactus Lee – Raccoon Motel,
Roche – Englert Theatre, 221 East
315 E. Second St., Davenport IA
Washington St., Iowa City IA
Heartache Tonight – Orpheum
Lewis Knudsen (6pm) – Twin Span
Theatre, 57 S. Kellogg St., Galesburg
Brewing, 6776 Championship Dr.,
IL
Bettendorf IA
Hotrods & Horns – Rhythm City
Open Jam Night (6pm) – Denny O’s,
Casino Resort Rhythm Room, 7077
307 10th Ave, Fulton IL
Elmore Ave., Davenport IA
Jen Craft – Bootleg Hill Honey Meads,
Open Mic Night w/ Antone Burton
– Bootleg Hill Honey Meads, 321 E.
321 E. 2nd St., Davenport IA
2nd St., Davenport IA
John Daversa & Tal Cohen (6:30pm)
Open Stage Night (6pm) – Theo’s
– The Sound Conservatory - Moline,
504 17th St., Moline IL
Java Cafe, 213 17th St., Rock Island IL
Wanees Zarour (2pm) – Wesley
Jonah Kagen – Gabe’s, 330 E.
United Methodist Church, 400 Iowa
Washington St., Iowa City IA
Ave., Muscatine IA
The Legendary Wailers featuring
Junior Marvin – The Rust Belt, 533
12th Ave., East Moline IL FRIDAY (19)
Lynyrd Skynyrd – ZZ Top – Black
Chicago Farmer & the Field Notes –
Stone Cherry – Vibrant Arena at the
Orpheum Theatre, 57 S. Kellogg St.,
MARK, 1201 River Dr, Moline IL
Galesburg IL
Nova Singers: Mother Earth – First
Creamery Road – Denny O’s, 307 10th
Lutheran Church Galesburg, 364 E.
Ave, Fulton IL
Water St., Galesburg IL
Daniel Stratman – Bootleg Hill Honey
Songbird Jazz Quartet – Galena
Meads, 321 E. 2nd St., Davenport IA
Brewing Company, 227 N. Main St.,
Galena IL
Far Out 283 – The Gypsy Highway
Bar & Grill, 2606 W. Locust St.,
Davenport IA
SUNDAY (14) Fit for a King – Chelsea Grin –
Kingdom of Giants – Capitol
3Way Radio (4pm) – The Gypsy Theatre, 330 W. 3rd St., Davenport IA
Highway Bar & Grill, 2606 W. Locust Freddy Allen 2&4 Swing Trio –
St., Davenport IA Galena Brewing Company, 227 N.
Active Adult & Senior Spring Dance Main St., Galena IL
(4pm) – Geneseo Community Halfloves – Jim Swim – Lou Sherry –
Center, 541 E. North St., Geneseo IL Gabe’s, 330 E. Washington St., Iowa
Blue October – Veers – The Rust Belt, City IA
533 12th Ave., East Moline IL Jake Owen – Rhythm City Casino
Cactus Lee (2pm) – Carl Sandburg Resort Event Center, 7077 Elmore
Keep the Reader Alive and Free Since '93. RCReader.com/Support. FREE ASSANGE, FREE THE WORLD. River Cities’ Reader • Vol. 31 No. 1020 • April 2024 31

LIVE MUSIC
Get Your Local Licks On
Through April 30, 2024
May Print Edition Deadline:
April 21: calendar@rcreader.com

Ave., Davenport IA
Jeff Theisen – Galena Brewing
Company, 227 N. Main St., Galena IL
La Dame Blanche (7 & 9pm) –
Hancher Auditorium, 141 East Park
Rd., Iowa City IA
Nicole Devine – Galena Brewing
Company, 227 N. Main St., Galena IL
Palomino – Rhythm City Casino
Resort Rhythm Room, 7077 Elmore
Ave., Davenport IA
Paxton Sherbeyn & the Solid
Gold Boys – Hawkeye Tap Sports
Bar N Grill, 4646 Cheyenne Ave.,
Davenport IA
QC Santana Tribute Band – Rascals
Live, 1414 15th St., Moline IL
Rosali – Fran – Raccoon Motel, 315 E.
Second St., Davenport IA
Slaughter Beach, Dog – The James
Theater, 213 N. Gilbert St., Iowa City
IA
Songwriter Sessions: David G.
Smith – Dave Moore – Catfish
Keith – The Redstone Room, 129
Main St, Davenport IA
Staghorn – Aseethe – Rozz-Tox, 2108
Third Ave., Rock Island IL
Suzanne Vega: Old Songs, New
Songs, & Other Songs – Englert
Theatre, 221 East Washington St.,
Iowa City IA
Doug Brundies (3pm) – The Gypsy
Highway Bar & Grill, 2606 W. Locust
St., Davenport IA
Karaoke Night – My Place the Pub,
4405 State St., Bettendorf IA
Polyrhythms’ Third Sunday Jazz
Series: Lois Deloatch with
the Polyrhythms Trio (5pm) –
Unitarian Universalist Congregation
of the Quad Cities, 3707 Eastern
Ave., Davenport IA
QWANQWA – Bishop Hill Creative
Commons, 309 N Bishop Hill St.,
Bishop Hill IL
TUESDAY (23)
Caroline Rose – Sophie Mitchell
– Englert Theatre, 221 East
Washington St., Iowa City IA
Jazz Night at 2nd & Main (6pm) –
Zeke’s Island Cafe, 1509 N Harrison
St., Davenport IA
Karaoke Night – My Place the Pub,
4405 State St., Bettendorf IA
Karaoke w/ DJ Frost – Kavanaugh’s
Hilltop Bar & Grill, 1228 30th St., Rock
Island IL
TsuShiMaMiRe (6pm) – Raccoon
Motel, 315 E. Second St., Davenport
IA
– Galena Brewing Company, 227 N.
Main St., Galena IL
Madeleine Peyroux – Joy Clark
– Englert Theatre, 221 East
Washington St., Iowa City IA
Under the Purple Rain Lip Sync
Show – The Circa ’21 Speakeasy,
1818 Third Ave., Rock Island IL
SATURDAY (27)
10 of Soul – Rhythm City Casino Resort
Rhythm Room, 7077 Elmore Ave.,
Davenport IA
AJ Schmall Band – 11th Street
Precinct, 1107 Mound St., Davenport
IA
Better Late Than Never – Timber
Lake Playhouse, 8215 Black Oak
Road, Mt. Carroll IL
Bobbi White & Co. – Denny O’s, 307
10th Ave, Fulton IL
Divide the Fall – Manhattan
Blockade – The Failsafe – Autumn
Academy (6pm) – Village Theatre,
2113 E 11th St, Davenport IA
Galesburg Community Chorus
Spring Concert: Carmina Burana
– First Presby terian Church
- Galesburg, 101 N Prairie St,
Galesburg IL
Hawthorne Heights – Bike Routes ( 3
& 8pm) – Codfish Hollow Barn, 5013
288th Ave., Maquoketa IA
Identity Crisis – The Gypsy Highway
Bar & Grill, 2606 W. Locust St.,
Davenport IA
Jake Simon – Anderson Daniels –
Raccoon Motel, 315 E. Second St.,
Davenport IA
Lonestar – Rhythm City Casino Resort
Event Center, 7077 Elmore Ave.,
Davenport IA
Quad City Symphony Orchestra
Gala Concert w/ Emanuel Ax
– Adler Theatre, 136 E. Third St.,
Davenport IA
Rob and Gary of the Night People
(6pm) – Bootleg Hill Honey Meads,
321 E. 2nd St., Davenport IA
Sean Easton (6pm) – Steventon’s,
1399 Eagle Ridge Rd, LeClaire IA
Sins N Roses – Rascals Live, 1414 15th
St., Moline IL
Still Shine – Bishop Hill Creative
Commons, 309 N Bishop Hill St.,
Bishop Hill IL
Tony Hoeppner & Friends – Galena
Brewing Company, 227 N. Main St.,
Galena IL
Toxic Blonde – Hawkeye Tap Sports
Bar N Grill, 4646 Cheyenne Ave.,
Davenport IA
Upchurch – The Rust Belt, 533 12th
Ave., East Moline IL
The Wiersons (2pm) – Christ Anglican
Church, 1717 8th Ave., Moline IL
SUNDAY (28)
BanD Acoustic (3:30pm) – The Gypsy
Highway Bar & Grill, 2606 W. Locust
St., Davenport IA
Karaoke Night – My Place the Pub,
4405 State St., Bettendorf IA
Music Explorers: Motown & Stax
(4pm) – The Redstone Room, 129
Main St, Davenport IA
QCSO/QCSYE Side–by–Side Concert
(5:30pm) – Adler Theatre, 136 E.
Third St., Davenport IA
TUESDAY (30)
Alejandro Escovedo – James
Mastro – Englert Theatre, 221 East
Washington St., Iowa City IA
Jazz Night at 2nd & Main (6pm) –
Zeke’s Island Cafe, 1509 N Harrison
St., Davenport IA
Karaoke Night – My Place the Pub,
4405 State St., Bettendorf IA
Karaoke w/ DJ Frost – Kavanaugh’s
Hilltop Bar & Grill, 1228 30th St., Rock
Island IL
Morgan Wade – Capitol Theatre, 330
W. 3rd St., Davenport IA

SATURDAY (20) WEDNESDAY (24)

Coco – Sima Cunningham – Raccoon
Motel, 315 E. Second St., Davenport
IA
Code 415 – Crabby’s, 826 W. 1st Ave.,
Coal Valley IL
Drama Major – High Five Sinners
– Experimental Submarines –
Denny O’s, 307 10th Ave, Fulton IL
Eric Whitlock (6pm) – The Edge
Eatery & Drinkatorium, 1802 2nd
Ave., Rapids City IL
Freddie Old Soul – Kay Killa –
TheZeffsterr – Kurr–is – Wright
House of Fashion, 910 S Gilbert St.,
Iowa City IA
Funktastic 5 – Hawkeye Tap Sports
Bar N Grill, 4646 Cheyenne Ave.,
Davenport IA
George Thorogood & the
Destroyers – Rhythm City Casino
Resort Event Center, 7077 Elmore
Ave., Davenport IA
Gimme Gimme Disco – Gabe’s, 330 E.
Washington St., Iowa City IA
Hap Hazard – The Gypsy Highway
Bar & Grill, 2606 W. Locust St.,
Davenport IA
Jordan Danielsen – Galena Brewing
Company, 227 N. Main St., Galena IL
Michael Moncada & Whiskey High –
Far Out 283 – Rascals Live, 1414 15th
St., Moline IL
Project X – Harley Corin’s, 1708 State
St., Bettendorf IA
QWANQWA – Bootleg Hill Honey
Meads, 321 E. 2nd St., Davenport IA
The Rat Pack: An Evening with Frank
& Dean – Timber Lake Playhouse,
8215 Black Oak Road, Mt. Carroll IL
Reverend Peyton’s Big Damn Band
– The Redstone Room, 129 Main St,
Davenport IA
A Rock n’ Roll Tribute from Elvis
to The Beatles featuring The
Neverly Brothers – Ohnward
Fine Arts Center, 1215 E Platt St.,
Maquoketa IA
Shady: A Live Band Tribute to the
Music of Eminem – The Rust Belt,
533 12th Ave., East Moline IL
Sleepyhead – 11th Street Precinct,
1107 Mound St., Davenport IA
Wanees Zarour – The Circa ’21
Speakeasy, 1818 Third Ave., Rock
Island IL
The Zone – Rhythm City Casino Resort
Rhythm Room, 7077 Elmore Ave.,
Davenport IA
SUNDAY (21)
Mokoomba – Bishop Hill Creative
Commons, 309 N Bishop Hill St.,
Bishop Hill IL
Pickled Beats (6:30pm) – The Gypsy
Highway Bar & Grill, 2606 W. Locust
St., Davenport IA
THURSDAY (25)
Jacob Hemenway (6pm) – Twin Span
Brewing, 6776 Championship Dr.,
Bettendorf IA
Not Petty Tom Petty Tribute
(6:30pm) – The Gypsy Highway
Bar & Grill, 2606 W. Locust St.,
Davenport IA
Open Jam Night (6pm) – Denny O’s,
307 10th Ave, Fulton IL
Open Mic & Karaoke Night – The
Rusty Fox Wine & Alehouse, 1 E 3rd
St., Sterling IL
Open Mic Night & Karaoke Night –
The Rusty Fox Wine & Alehouse, 1 E
3rd St., Sterling IL
Open Mic Night w/ Antone Burton
– Bootleg Hill Honey Meads, 321 E.
2nd St., Davenport IA
Open Stage Night (6pm) – Theo’s
Java Cafe, 213 17th St., Rock Island IL
Water Is the Sun – Elliott Bay Towers
– Rozz-Tox, 2108 Third Ave., Rock
Island IL
FRIDAY (26)
Amateur Selectors: Bobby Blood
– Rozz-Tox, 2108 Third Ave., Rock
Island IL
Aries vs.Taurus Hip Hop and R&B
Bash: Dey Hustle & Max Julian –
Troche Treble Tha Singer – Twixie
Too Sweets – Backdoedizzle –
The Redstone Room, 129 Main St,
Davenport IA
CraZy Ex – The Gypsy Highway Bar &
Grill, 2606 W. Locust St., Davenport
IA
Emo Nite – Gabe’s, 330 E. Washington
St., Iowa City IA
Flatland Ridge – Rhythm City Casino
Resort Rhythm Room, 7077 Elmore
Ave., Davenport IA
Georgette Jones – Rhythm City
Casino Resort Rhythm Room, 7077
Elmore Ave., Davenport IA
Got Your Six – Hawkeye Tap Sports
Bar N Grill, 4646 Cheyenne Ave.,
Davenport IA
Here Come the Mummies – The Rust
Belt, 533 12th Ave., East Moline IL
Lizano, Barnhouse & Palmer
32 River Cities’ Reader • Vol. 31 No. 1020 • April 2024 FREE ASSANGE, FREE THE WORLD. Know More. Do More. RCReader.com/Calendar.