River Cities' Reader - Issue 883 - April 28, 2015

2
River Cities Reader Vol. 22 No. 883 May 28 - June 10, 2015
Business Politics Arts Culture Now You Know RiverCitiesReader.com
T:9.25
Get $150 back instantly.

Plus, well pay off your old contract.
Get a $150 U.S. Cellular Promotional Card for every new line of service you activate with a new
Smartphone. Plus, well pay off your old contract up to $350 per line.
A better value than Verizon and AT&T
Lines
U.S. Cellular
Verizon
$
120*/8GB
100*/6GB
120*/6GB
130*/6GB
170*/6GB
T:9.75
100*/8GB
AT&T
*Per month. Valid as of 4/24/15.
DOWN
Retail Installment Contract, Shared
Connect Plan and $25 act. fee required.
0% APR; 20 mo. payments of $34 for
Galaxy S 6.
Learn more about our great deals at uscellular.com/payoff

Things we want you to know: New Retail Installment Contracts, Shared Connect Plan and $25 device act. fee required. Credit approval required. Enrollment in Device Protection+ required. The monthly charge for Device Protection+ is $8.99 for Smartphones. A deductible per approved
claim applies. Federal Warranty Service Corporation is the Provider of the Device Protection+ ESC benefits, except in CA and OK. Regulatory Cost Recovery Fee applies (currently $1.82/line/month); this is not a tax or gvmt. required charge. Add. fees, taxes and terms apply and vary by
svc. and eqmt. Offers valid in-store at participating locations only, may be fulfilled through direct fulfillment and cannot be combined. See store or uscellular.com for details. $150 U.S. Cellular Promotional Card: Issued by MetaBank, Member FDIC, pursuant to a license from Visa U.S.A.
Inc. Valid only for purchases at U.S. Cellular stores and uscellular.com. Must port in current number to U.S. Cellular. New line activation and Retail Installment Contract is required. Contract Payoff Promo: Offer valid on up to 6 consumer lines or 25 business lines. Must port in current
number to U.S. Cellular and purchase new Smartphone or tablet through a Retail Installment Contract on a Shared Connect Plan. Submit final bill identifying Early Termination Fee (ETF) charged by carrier within 60 days of activation date to uscellular.com/contractpayoff or via mail to
U.S. Cellular Contract Payoff Program 5591-61; PO Box 752257; El Paso, TX 88575-2257. Customer will be reimbursed for the ETF reflected on final bill up to $350/line. Reimbursement in form of a U.S. Cellular Prepaid Card is issued by MetaBank, Member FDIC; additional offers
are not sponsored or endorsed by MetaBank. This card does not have cash access and can be used at any merchant location that accepts MasterCard Debit Cards within the U.S. only. Card valid through expiration date shown on front of card. Allow 1214 weeks for processing. To be
eligible, customer must register for My Account. Retail Installment Contract: Retail Installment Contract (Contract) and monthly payments according to the Payment Schedule in the Contract required. If you are in default or terminate your Contract, we may require you to immediately pay
the entire unpaid Amount Financed as well as our collection costs, attorneys fees and court costs related to enforcing your obligations under the Contract. Upgrade your handset after 12 consecutive payments made on the Contract. Limited-time offer. Kansas Customers: In areas in which
U.S. Cellular receives support from the Federal Universal Service Fund, all reasonable requests for service must be met. Unresolved questions concerning services availability can be directed to the Kansas Corporation Commission Office of Public Affairs and Consumer Protection at
1-800-662-0027. Trademarks and trade names are the property of their respective owners. Additional terms apply. See store or uscellular.com for details. 2015 U.S. Cellular
Job # USC1-15-02772
342
Version # 1
Job Description N082-P2 New Offer

Bleed None
Trim 9.25 x 9.75
Document Name
Art Director knoble
Mech Scale 100%

Print Scale 88.76%
Copy Writer TBD

Proj Mgr ndriscoll
USC1-15-02772-342_N082_9.25x9.75_P2 New Offer.indd

Linked Graphics
USCC logo_4CNP_horizontal_2012.eps
USC-15-SS-GS6-White-Left.psd
USC-15-SS-GS6-Blue-Right.psd
SAMSUNG Galaxy S6 Logo.ai
Last Modified
Colors In-Use
RGB
RGB
1173 ppi
1051 ppi
Cyan
Magenta
Yellow
Black
User
ma-mdanish
Mechd By: mdanish
5-8-2015 7:43 AM
Printer
10C-EXP550
RTVd By: mdanish
Output Date
5-8-2015 7:43 AM
COMMENTARY
Iowa Should Abandon Its Level Playing Field for Education Funding
hen Davenport Community

Schools Superintendent Art Tate
announced in March that he
planned to violate state law by spending more
money per pupil than the state allowed, it
highlighted the strangeness of Iowas rarely
questioned status quo: Theres no mechanism
for school districts to consistently exceed the
base-funding level.
Its not quite as simple as saying that
Davenports school district cant spend more
than $6,366 per student this year. But in
the name of funding equality across Iowa,
the state is unusually restrictive meaning
that even if citizens in a community would
support higher taxes for educational
operations, theres no way to make that
happen.
At heart, Iowas system takes the
admirable goal of adequate education
funding and turns it into a straitjacket.
To illustrate how misguided this funding
system is, consider how the NFL tries to
ensure a competitive league: It has a salary
floor and a salary cap, meaning that profootball teams (like Iowa school districts
with their students) are reasonably close to
each other in terms of how much theyre
paying for players.

To state the obvious, substantially similar
funding does not lead to substantially
similar outcomes. NFL teams arent bunched
together between 7-9 and 9-7; six teams last
season had four or fewer wins. The same
performance gap exists with schools despite
nearly uniform funding levels.
But more importantly, schools should
not be treated like NFL teams; the stakes are
much higher when it comes to education.
The State of Iowa should have no interest in
education-funding parity; its interest should
lie in ensuring baseline educational funding
that leads to baseline performance. School
districts should be able to exceed that floor
spending level.
Instead, state government financially ties
the hands of school districts.
So Tate has said hell break the law. The
district plans to exhaust $8 million in whats
known as unspent balance which it is
allowed to do beyond the base funding. But
after that, in the 2015-16 school year, the
district plans to begin spending down the
additional $21 million it has in cash reserves
which is illegal under Iowa law.
Tate has outlined some planned budget
cuts (totaling $1.4 million) and new

programs (up to $1 million), but mostly
this illegal spending is intended to stave
off budget cuts that might entail closing
schools or increasing class sizes by laying off
teachers.
Undoubtedly, Tate is trying to make a
point to Iowa legislators. Defying the law is
not a long-term solution the cash reserves
will run out but it shows the problems
inherent in maintaining funding equity by
holding everybody back.
Im not suggesting that Iowa school
districts should have the ability to tax and
spend freely. Voters should play a role
in approving or rejecting property-tax
increases for educational operations. But
they must have the opportunity to do so.
We can have important discussions about
whether school districts are spending wisely
and frugally, about teacher contracts, about
educational results. But heres the perverse
reality: The present funding system reduces
school-district accountability with local
voters because its so rigid. You can vote
for the school board, but theres never a
referendum on school-district performance
through a property-tax ballot measure.
(Gaining voter approval for property-tax
by Jeff Ignatius
jeff@rcreader.com
increases is never easy. Districts must show

the public that theyre good stewards of
the money theyre getting, and that any
additional revenues would be spent on things
that are genuinely needed and then those
must overcome voters natural aversion to
higher taxes.)
Admittedly, there are slight variations in
education funding. School districts in the
1970s that were spending more were allowed
to continue to do so, at a locked-in amount
no more than $175 per pupil which is
presently 2.7 percent more than the statewide
base level of $6,366. So every school district
in Iowa is now spending between $6,366
and $6,541 per pupil. (Pleasant Valley, for
example, is authorized to spend $6,499 per
pupil, while Bettendorf s authorization is
$6,440.) Nearly half of school districts in
Iowa are capped at $6,366.
That $175 might not sound like a lot
of money, but it adds up. As Tate notes, if
Davenports 16,000 students each resulted in
$175 in additional spending authority, over
five years that would amount to $14 million.
There are other differences. For one
thing, Iowa allows districts to institute an
Continued On Page 12
Choose chips, a cookie, waffle fries, cheddar fries, soup, or chili and a medium Pepsi product from the fountain
and save up to 30%! Make it a King Combo Pack for an additional $.30 and get a large drink in a slick cruiser cup.
NEWLY
REFURBISHED!
APP
Download for mobile ordering
DELIVERY
Order at good2goqc.com
MOBILE REWARDS
Text HOBO to 81018
Accepting:
T:9.25
Introducing OnLook.
24/7 remote home
management and security.
Activate today and get $75.
With OnLook from U.S. Cellular you can connect your house and your
Smartphone for instant home control wherever you go. Turn off the lights
when youre at the grocery store. Lock the doors from the lake. Keep an eye
on any room with a 24/7 live-video feed. Home security is in your hands.
T:9.75
Experience OnLook in-store and get a $75 U.S. Cellular Prepaid Card when you
activate your customized system. Come in today and well even pay off your
current security system contract.
Things we want you to know: 2-year agreement and Shared Connect Plan required. $40 device activation fee and credit approval required. Regulatory Cost Recovery Fee applies (currently $1.82/line/month); this is not a tax or gvmt. required charge. Add. fees, taxes and terms apply and vary by
svc. and eqmt. The Customer Service Agreement Terms and Conditions and the Terms and Conditions of Agreement for OnLook digital system services apply for as long as you are a customer and control the provision of the service. See store or uscellular.com for details. Optional equipment
may be required. $75 Prepaid Card in the form of a Visa closed loop Prepaid Card that will be issued in-store. Card is only valid at U.S. Cellular store locations and at uscellular.com. To qualify, customers must purchase one OnLook device package and register for My Account. Limit one $75
Prepaid Card per account. Prepaid Card offer expires May 20, 2015. Contract Payoff Promo: Submit final bill identifying Early Termination Fee (ETF) charged by carrier within 60 days of activation date to uscellular.com/contractpayoff or via mail to U.S. Cellular Contract Payoff Program 5591-61;
PO Box 752257; El Paso, TX 88575-2257. Customer will be reimbursed for the ETF reflected on final bill up to $350/line. Reimbursement in form of a U.S. Cellular Prepaid Card issued by MetaBank, Member FDIC; additional offers are not sponsored or endorsed by MetaBank. This card
does not have cash access and can be used at any merchant location that accepts MasterCard Debit Cards within the U.S. only. Card valid through expiration date shown on front of card. Allow 1214 weeks for processing. To be eligible, customer must register for My Account. Trademarks
and trade names are the property of their respective owners. Additional terms apply. See store or uscellular.com for details. 2015 U.S. Cellular
Job # USC1-15-01828
190 REV
Version # 1
Job Description N082-OnLook

Bleed None
Document Name
Art Director knoble
Mech Scale 100%
Copy Writer TBD
USC1-15-01828_190_N082_9.25x9.75_OnLook_REV.indd
Linked Graphics
MU20495_new_onlook graphic_FINAL_RDM_4CNP.psd CMYK
548 ppi
USCC logo_4CNP_horizontal_2012.eps
Last Modified
Colors In-Use
Cyan
Magenta
User
ma-mdanish
Mechd By: mdanish
4-10-2015 3:19 PM
Printer
10C-EXP550
RTVd By: mdanish
Output Date
4-10-2015 3:19 PM
ILLINOIS POLITICS
by Rich Miller
CapitolFax.com
Rauner and Democrats

Still Worlds Apart
spent the better part of last Wednesday

asking folks around the Statehouse if they
had anything positive to tell me. I went
looking for anything that might indicate a
silver lining to this increasingly nasty spring
legislative session.
Mostly, people just laughed at me.
Other than some individual personal
developments, there just wasnt much
positivity around. The governors chief
of staff, Mike Zolnierowicz, and his
incomparable wife Barret were about to have
a new baby. Theyre great people and thats
wonderful news, but it also means that Z
was not going to be able to work on solving
the problems for a few
days.
A gaming-expansion
bill appeared to be
progressing. But Im told
the governor is in no
mood to sign it as long as
his Turnaround Agenda
is being ignored by the
majority Democrats.
The Senate Democrats,
meanwhile, were expected
to move legislation to help
Chicago out of its horrific
fiscal mess, but theres still
the problem with the governors refusal to
do anything for the Democrats until he gets
what he wants.
So I came up with nothing.
The governors list of demands had been
whittled down, but he still wasnt backing
off his insistence that the General Assembly
give him at least some anti-union right to
work local zones. He wanted a causation
standard for workers compensation and a
property-tax freeze, which in even watereddown forms continued to be a nonstarter.
The list of demands went on and on, but
in exchange, the governor was willing to
support $3.5 billion in new revenues, which
doesnt sound too bad until you realize that
he also wanted the Democrats to agree to
$3 billion in spending cuts. The governors
folks thought they were being generous
by offering more revenues than cuts, but
the Democrats pointed out that getting
their people to vote for both tax hikes and
spending cuts was pretty much impossible.
Instead, the Dems talked last week about
sending the governor an unbalanced budget,
telling him to cut as much as he could and
then theyd come back and help provide the
revenue to make the monster balance. They
wanted to put the cuts on Rauners head,
and his head only.
But it was more likely that Rauner would
simply veto the budget bill in its entirety

and harangue the Democrats via a massive
TV ad campaign for once again producing
an irresponsibly unbalanced budget. And
Im hearing that when the clock strikes
June 1, the governors list of 80 demands
and concessions goes out the window, and
he will put his entire agenda back on the
table and withdraw all the concessions,
including (and especially) much-needed
new revenues.
So, in an admittedly desperate attempt
to find something positive to write about, I
maneuvered two people, one from each side,
to a table last Wednesday night to see if they
could hash out one little
thing.
Take it from me: These
guys are all talking past
each other. They just
dont understand each
other, although it did
appear that the governors
people were slightly more
willing to cut a deal, and
they appeared to get
the Democrats at least a
bit more than the Dems
appeared to get the
governor.
The Rauner folks know, at least
somewhere deep down, that attacking
unions is an existential issue for the
Democratic Party. The Dems aint gonna
move a millimeter on that one. But the
Rauner folks have been pointing out that
raising taxes is also a potentially existential
issue for Rauner and the GOP. He cant just
break his promise to reform government
and the economy and then hand the
majority party a gigantic tax hike. Hell get
slaughtered for that. Maybe the Dems know
that and want to force him to cut his own
political throat or, being Democrats, they
just dont comprehend how tax-averse he is.
But as long as hes willing to go part-way on
revenues, theyre going to try to push him to
go the full boat.
And then I got home Wednesday night
and read Rauners op-ed in the State JournalRegister: If legislators are willing to reform
how we do business, they will find me an
eager partner, the governor wrote. If they
are not, then they should expect a very long
extra session, because I will keep fighting for
major reforms.
Like I said: I got pretty much nothing in
the way of good news.
On June 1, the
governor will put
his entire agenda
back on the table
and withdraw all his
concessions.
Rich Miller also publishes Capitol Fax (a daily

political newsletter) and CapitolFax.com.
COVER STORY
Funny Businesses
Patrick Adamson, Andrew King, and George Strader Discuss the Area-Comedy Renaissance
s that ahi tuna?

No. Its a-ha
tuna. This is a
comedy interview.
So went a not-atypical
exchange during my recent
conversation with area
comedians George Strader,
Patrick Adamson, and
Andrew King. (It was George
who asked about the tuna
and Patrick who ordered
it. If you were wondering,
Andrew had a burger.) But
while the jokes and laughs
tended to come fast and
furious during our chat,
there was one thing this trio
was dead-serious about: The
Quad Cities comedy scene
has, since the beginning of
this decade, been enjoying a
pretty dramatic renaissance.
A pretty inspiring one, too.
For those who follow area
comedy, the names of these
three gentlemen (cue: Whos
a gentleman?!?) are hardly unfamiliar. The
36-year old Adamson, along with his father
Jeff, co-owns the ComedySportz Quad Cities
affiliate, which debuted in 1990. Thirtyfour-year-old Strader is the founder of the
improvisational-comedy ensemble The
Blacklist, which originated in 2010 and now
performs in Davenports Backroom Comedy
Theater. Twenty-four-year-old King has, for
two years, hosted stand-up comics in the
Bix Beiderbomb: Comedy Invitational every
Thursday night at Boozies Bar & Grille in
Davenport.
But those simplified descriptions dont
suggest just how active in local comedy these
guys truly are, nor do they hint at the rather
staggering variety particularly in recent
years of their endeavors.
In addition to its long-running, familyfriendly, short-form improv shows at Rock
Islands Establishment, ComedySportz
recently added uncensored long-form
improv and sketch comedy to the mix
in the form of the Studio Series, upping
the companys total to four performances
weekly (not including the roughly 200
gigs performed annually by the groups
touring ensemble Guys in Ties). Adamsons
organization is also set to host the June
10 through 13 ComedySportz World
Championships, featuring 250 comedians
from 24 cities throughout the United States
and England.
The Blacklist, which also performs two
the venues, but in the way we

deliver things. Andrews crafted
a really unique talk show. The
Studio Series offers a wide
variety of different types of
improv and stand-up.
King: One of the things I like
about the Studio Series is that
it gives Patricks performers a
chance to come up with an idea
and produce something. Thats a
skill set thats actually lacking in
a lot of performers in this area.
Their ability to produce.
Strader: And with the
Blacklist, right off the bat we
focused solely on one niche:
adults. Were bar-prov. Triedand-true bar-prov. There was
no way in hell we were ever
gonna be able to compete with
ComedySportz, nor would I
want to. Thats sacred in the
Quad Cities. Thats where a
lot of guys like me got our
Photo by Kevin Schafer
start, you know? If it wasnt
Mike Schulz, George Strader, Andrew King, and Patrick Adamson
KevinRichardPhoto.com
for ComedySportz, I never
shows each on Fridays and Saturdays,
wouldve
found
my improv passion. I probably
produces specially themed bar-prov
wouldve
stuck
with
wrestling and show choir.
which Strader describes as an improvKing:
At
the
same
time.
comedy show performed in front of the
Adamson:
Hey,
they
both use robes, so
rowdiest people in the world while also
Adamson: It doesnt feel like whats going
why not?
hosting occasional touring comedians and a
on in comedy is new, because Ive always
Strader: But weve never wanted to pursue
weekly open-mic night.
been entrenched in it, you know? This is
family
comedy. The family audience will
Beyond his regular engagement at
18 years Im running on now, doing shows
always
have a home with ComedySportz.
Boozies, where he both hosts and performs
every weekend. But having options beyond
Adamson:
Well, while we do have families
original stand-up comedy, King gets to act
[former area venues] Penguins or the Funny
at
Sportz,
we
also
have bachelorette parties,
as host in two live, monthly talk shows that
Bone is new, because there never were any
we
have
bachelor
parties,
we get college kids,
he originated: Rozz-Toxs Rozz-Talks, and
other options. It was either you went to
we
get
church
groups
...
.
We
have a very
the new The After Hour at the Circa 21
ComedySportz or you went to the stand-up
weird melting pot of an audience. And while
Speakeasy.
clubs.
ComedySportz is rated E for everyone, its
And as Adamson, Strader, and King
King: I only started in 2009, doing the open
not just the kids show.
would quickly admit, theres so much
mic once a month at Penguins for a while
Strader: No, of course not.
more in terms of area comedy: the touring
before it shut down, but yeah, it was stand-up
Adamson: Its a show thats funny without
comedians of Molines The Venue; The
or improv.
being offensive. Thats really the goal. Which
Circumstantial Comedy show at the Village
Adamson: And even then, our improv
is why seeing that there was interest in the
of East Davenports BREW; Bottoms Up
option was ComedySportz, which is a
area for uncensored comedy was a great
Quad City Burlesque; Sean Learys Rock
formatted show that has been prescribed
opportunity for our performers to generate
City Live; Joshua Kahns and Wayne Lyters
and handed down by a trade association.
new formats and ideas, and not have that
Stand Up Face Off; the Circa 21 Speakeasys
You know, were one of 25 cities that perform
parameter put on them that they had to have
Laugh Hard and #soblessed Comedy tours;
ComedySportz. So that path was predicated.
a show with no offensive qualities.
Augustana Colleges Electric Theatre
But now, at the Establishment, we have
King: Another thing about these new
Unplugged ... .
12 other shows that were doing beyond
formats,
at least in my experience, is that
But squeezing everyone responsible for
ComedySportz. So in that way, it does feel new,
theyre often bred out of necessity. Cause its
the recent uptick in local options into one
because we now have new options, and thats
really hard to get people to come out just to
restaurant booth was gonna be impossible.
good for everybody players and audiences.
see a stand-up show.
Consequently, what follows are a few of
Strader: Under Patricks leadership at the
Strader: Oh yeah.
Adamsons, Straders, and Kings thoughts
Establishment, theres been a great amount
King: And thats a shame because thats
on comedy and, specifically, the recent areaof diversification there. And I really feel like
my
main bag thats what I love to do. I wish
comedy blitzkrieg whats happening, why
thats what were seeing right now throughout
I
could
just do stand-up. But I cant. I cant
its happening, and why its not going away
the Quad Cities. Not just a diversification in
get people to come out to see stand-up. Its
any time soon.
Gotta Be Different
Somehow
by Mike Schulz
mike@rcreader.com
too hard to market. Because none of us have

names. And so its easier to present a show that
has a theme ... . Well, not a theme necessarily,
but its gotta be different somehow. Thats why
I started the talk shows. People know what
this is. Its not going to be an extremely hard
sell, at least in explaining it.
Adamson: Whats cool as hell about whats
happening in the Quad Cities, but whats also
a difficulty, is that were all local comedians. I
mean, every person on my staff, every person
on Georges staff, everyone who appears at
Andrews open mics and on the talk shows
theyre all local talent, and theres a lot of
local talent. But then someone will say to you,
Oh, you guys do comedy? Cool! Whos come
through lately? They want to hear, Well, we
resurrected George Carlin and he came back
and did our venue ... .
Strader: I run an advertising company, so
I study markets. And in the Quad Cities, we
have a median household income of about
42 grand a year in a two-income household.
And this markets entertainment dollar is
primarily spent on cable television. Theres
only a limited amount of dollars to be spent
on live entertainment, but most of its being
swallowed up by cable. So I think we suffer
from a perception that people are only funny,
or only relevant, if theyve appeared on cable.
Its in markets like Chicago and New York
and L.A. that you realize that people arent
necessarily looking for the big name; theyre
looking for the next big name.
Tons of Work to Do
Adamson: Somebody bought me coffee

in Galesburg once because they recognized
me from ComedySportz. I knew I had
arrived when somebody bought me coffee in
Galesburg.
King: I get spotted on occasion. People will
say, Hey! Youre that one guy!
Strader: But if you live in the Quad Cities,
and youre a local talent with quote marks,
and youre doing this for fame and fortune,
youre doing it for all the wrong reasons.
King: Well, I wasnt alive in the 80s, but .
Strader: Oh God!
Adamson: I had the same reaction!
King: but I do know there had been
[televised] local shows. Like we used to have
Live on Tape. And people seemed to really care
about local people doing things. So one thing
I love about the Rozz-Talks and The After
Hour is building the idea that there are local
celebrities. Im sitting down with these people
for a reason. These are people that you should
recognize.
Adamson: Theres always been this idea
that if youre a local person whos done well,

you leave. You get out of here.
Strader: And I think thats what guys like
us are fighting to change. Hopefully, were
helping to inspire people to take the reins
and be in control of their destiny and realize
that the Quad Cities is this vast metropolis of
opportunity. My vision for the Quad Cities
in the next five years is that this will be such
a thriving theatre, arts, comedy, and music
market, well be compared to Austin, Texas.
King: I was in Chicago for six months, but
I wanted to move back because I could see
so much was starting to happen in the Quad
Cities. It was like, I have to be a part of that
a part of the growth.
Adamson: From what anybody ever told
me growing up, I would never be able to
have a full-time job and sustain my family
doing comedy in the Quad Cities. But theres
opportunity here because there isnt a large
footprint. There isnt a machine of a system
like Second City and iO and the Groundlings
and the UCB thats not here. So if youre
smart enough to follow those opportunities,
then theres tons of work to do. I mean,
between our traveling troupe Guys in Ties
and our four shows a weekend at the theatre,
ComedySportz did 408 shows last year. People
are surprised to hear that that theres that
much opportunity in the little ol Quad Cities.
Strader: Thats such a valid point. Patrick
and I can remember when we would do one
show every Friday and Saturday. Now, hes
doing four shows, Im doing four shows,
Andrews doing shows, there are at least five
different venues where you can see a comedythemed show ... . And thats not to mention
comedy in theatre, musicals ... . So whats
happening here is not just an expansion of
scene, but an expansion of ambition. When I
met him four or five years ago, Andrew and a
buddy had done one showcase together, and it
was a huge success ... .
King: I remember that.
Strader: And they were thirsty and hungry
for more opportunity, and I looked at him
and said, Lets make it happen. Id never
seen them before, but I want to work with
people with the ambition and the want to
succeed. And there are so many of them out
there. I mean, I have 28 people on my roster
now, and Im just now adding another 18.
And Im getting calls from aspiring stand-up
comedians in Des Moines, in Cedar Rapids,
who want to come in and open for my
Blacklist shows.
Adamson: We audition every year, and the
numbers at the auditions have always been
pretty consistent. Weve always had about 30,
35 people that come out every year. Some
of those faces are repeats, but there always

seem to be new people. Right now, I have
34 performers. Forty-six with staff, but 34
performers.
King: For me, what usually happens is I
have some heavy-hitters for a while, and then
they want to move away, which is a shame.
Theyre under the impression that its better
to move to a bigger market which I dont
feel is the case, but it can be for some people.
I think you can either develop in front of live
audience members here or you can develop in
front of 10 comics and a bunch of Chicagoans
staring at their notebooks. You just really
really have to gauge whats most important in
your stage of development.
Adamson: What gets me really excited
about working with somebody is when they
have that charisma that reason you want
to watch and want to listen. An audience can
believe someone is funny before they even do
anything based on confidence and the way
he or she looks, acts, carries themselves ... . If
they really enjoy what they do, and they can
make it look easy, thats when I want to come
back and see that person again.
King: I look for perspective, which ties in
with the idea of presence. A good comedian
is a unique comedian. Because anybody can
write a joke about x topic. But if you can
take an old topic and somehow make it new
and funny, thats an achievement all in itself.
Even if you dont have your delivery figured
out, if youre able to come up with a personal
idea, youre never gonna run out of content.
Stage presence and personality can be
modified or learned.
Strader: When I have Blacklist auditions,
its difficult for me to relay to a lot of incoming
performers that the word f--- isnt funny
just because its delivered any which way. That
exploring the concept of something hilarious
is much more difficult than exploiting the
obvious joke. And the obvious joke to a lot of
people is to go raunchy right off the bat.
King: I make an effort to not go blue. I
mean, sometimes its too good to pass up, but
if you conserve it, it impacts more. Because
then it means something. Otherwise you can
become desensitized to it.
Strader: A great comedian who can speak
the truth, shine a spotlight on the ironies of
humanity, and do it with a unique delivery
has a better chance of being successful than
anybody who can tell a great dick or fart joke.
I say to all those guys auditioning that I had
to learn to perform completely clean before
I could ever understand how to properly
play blue. You think youre good? Jump into
ComedySportz and try to do a 45-minute
show completely clean if you think youre that
good.
Adamson: Honestly, I feel its more freeing
to have to be clean because then I have a
challenge. Then Im more free to explore
and create. And I dont mean to sound like a
pompous ass .
King: Its okay. You are.
Adamson: Thank you. But I feel we have
to work twice as hard at the family-friendly,
rated E for everybody ComedySportz
show .
Strader: Amen.
Adamson: than we ever have to work at
9:30 when we can just say anything. I mean,
sometimes in a moment of panic youll be like,
I need a quick grab and I dont have anything!
Ill just drop a dick joke cause I know its
there! But its always the low-hanging fruit.
And I agree that you cant rip that Band-Aid
off right at the beginning. If you start your
show with the most dirty, offensive one-liner,
then thats the bar. And everything after that
either doesnt have the effect you want it to,
or requires so much energy to maintain that
you just want to take a shower at the end of
the show. Like, I dont know if I can wake up
tomorrow morning and have breakfast with
my family! Ive reached bottom!
Hardees, McDonalds,
and Culvers
King: But it feels like, regarding Quad

Cities comedy, were really starting to see a
lot of progression. Its growing incredibly
well, and people seem to be responding to it
very well. It feels like theres not just a ground
floor anymore. I think theres a second floor
now. And its only getting bigger.
Strader: I think everyone at this table, and
so many more of us who arent at this table,
are gonna continue to raise the bar, and
theyre gonna continue to challenge peoples
perception of what comedy is.
Adamson: I know that even if I, as the
engine of ComedySportz, would no longer
pull the train behind me, there are so many
dedicated people that would pick up and
continue to do it. Because they love it. Thats
whats really cool for me, looking at my team
and looking at the community.
Strader: Thats just the thing. People
wanted to focus so much on competition at
first, they failed to acknowledge the miracle
of what was going on.
Adamson: Like the Russians and the U.S.
hockey team!
Strader: They failed to acknowledge the
Vol. 22 No. 883

THEATRE
Accentuate the Postulant
By Thom White
thomasjasonwhite@gmail.com
The Sound of Music, at the Circa 21 Dinner Playhouse through July 25
nuns (Regina Harbour and

heres an effervescent joy
Becky Lee Hinton especially)
permeating the Circa
pepper their roles with the
21 Dinner Playhouses
right blend of attitude and
The Sound of Music from
reserved wisdom. Cody Kings
beginning to end minus the
amiable Rolf shares a lovely
Nazi involvement, of course.
duet with Loose in Sixteen
Director/choreographer Jim
Going On Seventeen, which
Hesselmans production exudes
Hesselman keeps pleasingly
an infectious glee that, for me,
simple, like the rest of his
lifts this Rodgers & Hammerchoreography. Brad Hauskins
stein classic to new heights of
is nicely subdued, going for a
performance pleasure. And
smidge of sarcasm rather than
as Hesselman must know that
a handful of flamboyancy,
audiences take great delight in
as Max, the family friend
its composers cherished musiwho books the music festival
cal and remember it fondly, he
at which the von Trapp
plays to those happy memories.
Family Singers perform. In
The source of this
Natalie Anderson, Allison Willie, Autumn Loose, Lauren VanSpeybroeck,
truth, the shows only true
productions wellspring of
Krianna Walljasper, Ben Klocke, Gage McCalester, and Hailie Shemek
disappointment lies in the
cheer is, without a doubt,
grandeur of the set, for which no designer
Lauren VanSpeybroecks portrayal of Maria, militaristic renders him sympathetic, and
also softens the blow of the pending Mayis listed in the program, being downplayed
the nun-in-training assigned to nanny the
December romance which is, in reality,
through scenic artist Susan Holgerssons
von Trapp children. Theres an elation in
more of a May-September romance. Given
bland combination of greens and light
her performance layered with an everMarias navet and Circa 21s casting, this
browns. (The dull look is unfortunate
present hope and optimism; even in Marias
story could easily read as von Trapp taking
primarily because the scenic design a twodisappointment, such as when shes sent
story tower that, when rotated, also creates
away from the abbey, VanSpeybroeck seems advantage of a younger womans wide-eyed
optimism. However, Bowmans approach
the mountains, the Abbey, and various
to measure the weight of her new lot in
avoids any sense of that, especially as he lets rooms in the von Trapp home is otherwise
life, and then move on, and make the most
down his guard and shows his true loving
a wonder to behold.)
of it. (When she first meets the children
nature.
In a way, the Circa 21 Dinner Playhouses
and Autumn Looses charming Liesl
Whats also intriguing in this Sound of
presentation could be compared to costume
insists that she doesnt need a governess,
Music is the way the age difference affects
designer Gregory Hiatts most interesting
VanSpeybroecks response Im glad you
Marias relationship with Elsa. Instead of an
contributions: the childrens play clothes
told me; well just be friends is genuine
equal fight for von Trapp, theres an intrinsic that Maria makes out of curtains. Theyre
rather than patronizing.)
sense that Elsa feels threatened by Marias
wonderfully assembled, perfectly fitted, and
VanSpeybroecks casting also creates an
youthfulness. And with the way Furness
finely stitched, even though the ugliness of
interesting dynamic in this familiar story,
plays Elsa, there isnt a sense that shes truly
the curtains green-and-peach floral pattern
in that Brian Bowmans Captain von Trapp,
in love with von Trapp anyway; it feels more is still there. Here, with the von Trapps
who looks to be in his mid- to upper-30s,
like, given their financial standings, their
facing and then escaping Nazi control, The
is left to choose between the young Maria
relationship would make for a good business Sound of Musics theme of overcoming evil is
(VanSpeybroeck is only 19) and Kimberly
partnership. Elsa is disappointed when she
still present, but its so beautifully wrapped
Furness Elsa a woman closer to his age,
loses the captain to Maria, but concedes
tied up with string, if you will in jubilation
or perhaps even a bit older. With this Maria
willingly, as though never deeply attached
that you focus more on the delight with
so close in age to the von Trapp children,
in the first place. (Furness, I must say,
which its presented.
the oldest of whom is 16, theres also a
deliciously excels at playing rich bitches.)
different meaning now when the captain
Otherwise, this production is a buoyant
The Sound of Music runs at the Circa 21
sings, For here you are, standing there,
trip
down a musical memory lane. The
Dinner Playhouse (1828 Third Avenue,
loving me whether or not you should in
children who, except for Loose, are
Rock Island) through July 25, and more
the song I Must Have Done Something
played in rotating performances by two
information and tickets are available by
Good. Thankfully, though, Bowmans
actors each are enchantingly jubilant
calling (309)786-7733 extension 2 or visiting
sincerity and decision to play von Trapp as
and precocious, while those portraying the
Circa21.com.
aloof and self-protective rather than coldly
May 28 - June 10, 2015

River Cities Reader
532 W. 3rd St.
Davenport IA 52801
RiverCitiesReader.com
(563)324-0049 (phone)
(563)323-3101 (fax)
info@rcreader.com
Publishing since 1993

The River Cities Reader is an independent
newspaper published every other Thursday,
and available free throughout the Quad Cities
and surrounding areas.
2015 River Cities Reader
AD DEADLINE:
5 p.m. Wednesday prior to publication
PUBLISHER
Todd McGreevy
EDITOR
Kathleen McCarthy
EDITORIAL
Managing Editor: Jeff Ignatius jeff@rcreader.com
Arts Editor, Calendar Editor: Mike Schulz mike@rcreader.com
Contributing Writers: Amy Alkon, Rob Brezsny, Rich
Miller, Sherry C. Maurer, Frederick Morden, Bruce Walters,
Thom White
ADVERTISING
Advertising Coordinator: Nathan Klaus
Advertising rates, publishing schedule, demographics,
and more are available at
QCAdvertising.com
DESIGN/PRODUCTION
Art Director, Production Manager: Shawn Eldridge

shawn@rcreader.com
Graphic Artist: Nathan Klaus nathan@rcreader.com
Design/Production Interns:
ADMINISTRATION
Business Manager: Kathleen McCarthy
Office Administrator, Classifieds Manager, Circulation
Manager: Rick Martin rick@rcreader.com
Distribution: William Cook, Cheri DeLay,
Greg FitzPatrick, Daniel Levsen, M.M. Rice
Jay Strickland, Ron Thompson, Doug Wilming
10
GO THE DISTANCE WITH OUR NEW
COAST-TO-COAST
BUFFET
Thursday 11am-9pm | Fri & Sat 11am-10pm
CO M I N G
EARN POINTS TO GET BUFFET

DISCOUNTS AND YOU KEEP THE POINTS!
JUNE 4
Introducing Jumers Coast-to-Coast Buffet featuring

signature food from across America! Only at Jumers can
you feast on different dishes from the states you love.
Jumers is your direct route to delicacies you would have
to drive hundreds of miles to enjoy!
You never know where our menu might take you!
It could be:
Louisiana Grilled BBQ Oysters in the half shell
Rhode Island Stuffed Scallops in the shell
Texas Smoked brisket
New York Buffalo Wings and Manhattan
Clam Chowder
Missouri St. Louis BBQ Ribs
California Fried Fish Tacos with Avocados
and Guacamole
Iowa Iowa Chops and Loose Meat Sandwiches
Florida Key Lime Pie
Illinois Chicago Style Hot Dogs
Tennessee Memphis Dry Rub Ribs
And dozens of other choices throughout the year
Crackin up for Lobster?

Weve got it! With our Coast-to-Coast
buffet, you can add two split lobster
tails, for an additional
$1999
S AV E W I T H P O I N TS
$14.99
with 100 earned points
$9.99
with 200 earned points
The Coast-to-Coast Buffet

will continue to feature:
Carved prime rib, crab
legs, peel n eat shrimp,
fried chicken, rotisserie
chicken and several
vegetable and potato
choices, as well as the full
salad and dessert bars.
MAKE-YOUR-OWN
VANILLA SHAKE BAR!

Coast-to-coast
everyone loves ice
cream. Whether you
like it plain or want all
the fixings, this shake
bar is ready for you.
$14.99!
VISIT jumerscasinohotel.com for the complete menus.
I-280 and Hwy 92 Exit 11-A, Rock Island, IL 309-756-4600 800-477-7747 Open 7am-5am daily
If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, crisis counseling and referral services
can be accessed by calling 1800GAMBLER (18004262537).
F O R Y O U R E N J O Y M E N T, A LWAY S S M O K E F R E E !
Movie Reviews
11
by Mike Schulz mike@rcreader.com
Its a Pall World After All
TOMORROWLAND
To the credit of Disneys marketing

team, the intriguingly vague previews for
Tomorrowland provided just enough (a
grizzled George Clooney, directed by Brad
Bird in the credits, no number at the titles
end or colon in its middle) to make the film
appear promising without explicitly stating
what it was about, or whom it was meant for.
Having now seen Birds futuristic adventure,
I know what its about mainly because,
from its first seconds, Disneys latest liveaction endeavor keeps spelling out its themes
in big block letters. Whom its meant for,
however, remains a mystery.
No movie that opens with Clooney
directly addressing the camera could ever
be accused of not having an agenda. And
just like last years The Monuments Men
made a clumsily aggressive argument for the
appreciation of art, Tomorrowland the tale
of a teen (Britt Robertson) whose optimism
and can-do attitude just might save the world
makes a clumsily aggressive argument for
the appreciation of imagination. If I may
ask: Who, beyond Nazis or the Nazi-esque,
is against either of these things? No one
preaches to the choir quite like George
Clooney, and the biggest disappointment
here among many disappointments is
that the hectoring tone he employs (only
somewhat ironically) in his characters
introductory lecture about cultural decline
is, for 130 minutes, pretty much echoed by
the film itself. Thankfully, Bird is a visually
acute director; Tomorrowlands CGI effects
may be wanting, but at least its cutting is
sharp and theres nearly always some eyecatching production design. (A detour to
Paris features the rather staggering sight
of the Eiffel Tower, very slowly, splitting in
half.) But beyond

emerging as a long
harangue against
the sourpusses of
the modern world,
Birds outing is
rife with forced
enthusiasm and
fraudulent emotion,
and seems designed
either for fairly
Britt Robertson in Tomorrowland
sophisticated firstgraders or slightly
this melting pot, and the results do earn
slow-witted adults, with neither group likely
points for creativity, if not originality. Yet
to leave terribly awed.
while points are also docked for the chaotic
Both groups could certainly leave
action, unconvincing banter (especially
confused, though. Theres a nice robot
Robertsons and Clooneys too-practiced
(Raffey Cassidy) and a bunch of mean
repartee), and climactic sentimentality thats
robots (two of them, blessedly, played by
so relentlessly poured on you can practically
Kathryn Hahn and Keegan-Michael Key),
see the off-screen ladles, the movies biggest
and teleportation by means of lapel pins and
a bathtub. There are jet packs that dont work problem is one of tone. All told, and this
isnt necessarily an insult, Tomorrowland
and jet packs that work incredibly well, and
somewhat resembles a super-size version of
some astonishingly violent physical fights
one of those environmental documentaries
and gunplay or rather, laser-play for a
for kids that ends with a rousing call to
PG release. (During its car chases, I was
action. But in shouting Think!, Dream!,
also uncomfortably distracted when no one
Cheer
up!, and Have fun! with such
in this family entertainment bothered to
insistence,
and at such deafening volume,
buckle a seat belt.) There are holograms and
those
directives
quickly feel like commands.
weapons that freeze time and a doomsday
Instead
of
being
treated to a bag of candy,
machine clicking down red numbers, and
were
being
ordered
to eat our vegetables.
because the titular product placement
apparently wasnt enough, theres a slow boat
POLTERGEIST
ride through Disneys Its a Small World.
Theres Clooney as a grumpy inventor with
Early in director Gil Kenans remake of
a senseless animosity toward Robertson.
Poltergeist, the beleaguered dad played by
Theres Hugh Laurie as a supercilious bad
Sam Rockwell reveals that hes just been
guy whose villainy is signified by Lauries
laid off from his job at the John Deere
British accent. Theres Tim McGraw as a
facility in Moline. Isnt this poor guys
NASA engineer. I dont know what else to
situation unfortunate enough without
say about that one.
adding unruly, child-snatching spirits
There is, in other words, an awful lot in
to the mix? Happily, though, his and his
familys pain turns out to be, for the

most part, our pleasure. Hewing closely
to Tobe Hoopers still-pretty-damnedscary original, David Lindsay-Abaires
screenplay keeps threatening to become
more interesting than its 1982 blueprint
allows; a potentially juicy subplot
involving the unemployed Rockwells
spending habits is established only to be
quickly ignored. (It feels like numerous
scenes here, especially transitional ones,
got lost in the editing room.) But this
clever, confident, 90-minute update is
speedily yet not hastily paced and boasts
a bunch of quick, unexpected jolts that
even longtime Poltergeist fans Ive
watched the original at least two dozen
times wont see coming. And while
I both enjoyed and appreciated the
portrayals of Rockwell and Rosemarie
DeWitt (a dream of a screen duo) as the
unlucky clans parents and Jane Adams
and Jared Harris as squabbling, divorced
paranormal investigators, Kenan does
his finest work with the kids: Saxon
Sharbino, Kyle Catlett, and Kennedi
Clements are, despite the oxymoronic
sentiment, beautifully directed naturals.
Its not a film anyone needed, but this
Poltergeist is also smarter and funnier
than it needed to be, with just enough
creepy/giggly references to upturned
cemeteries and malevolent trees and
nightmarish clown dolls (as if there
were any other kind) to make cynical
fortysomethings feel like teens again.
Youve heard the idiom familiarity
breeds contempt? Not always.
For reviews of Mad Max: Fury Road,
Pitch Perfect 2, and other current releases,
visit RiverCitiesReader.com.
12
Whats Happenin
Music
Bruce Katz
The Muddy Waters

Saturday, June 6, 8:30 p.m.
ood news, gang:

Summer is fast
approaching! As opposed
to previous summers,
however, well have to wait a little longer for
this years Mississippi Valley Blues Festival, the
traditional Fourth-of-July-weekend event thats
now a Labor-Day-weekend event.
But fret not, blues fans! The Mississippi
Valley Blues Society is ready to ease your
impatience with a bunch of summertime
concerts held at The Muddy Waters in
Bettendorf, beginning with the June 6
engagement featuring Bruce Katz. A fourtime Blues Music Award nominee for Pinetop
Perkins Piano Player of the Year, the pianist,
organist, and bass guitarist has been described
by JazzTimes magazine as a multi-directional
cat with a lot of music inside him. Much like
my parents cat, but you really dont wanna
know whats inside him.
A Baltimore native, the 72-year-old Katz
began playing classical piano at age five, and
chose to study at the Berklee College of Music,
an institution at which from 1996 to 2010
he eventually served as a faculty member.
Following college, he played bass for R&B
legend Big Mama Thornton and Barrence
Whitfield & the Savages, getting his first taste
of national and international touring, and went
on play organ and piano for Ronnie Earl & the
Broadcasters, musicians for whom Katz also
began songwriting.
COMMENTARY
The artist left Ronnie Earls

outfit in 1997 to pursue full-time
opportunities for The Bruce Katz
Band, a blues ensemble that had
already released two albums in
1992s Crescent Crawl and 1994s
Transformation the latter of
which, according to JazzTimes,
was steeped in ... gritty soul
with darker bits of misterioso
intrigue and a few avant-gardeish twists along the way. And as
far as Katzs post-1997 success is concerned,
theres nothing misterioso about it.
A popular touring performer who has
worked alongside the likes of Joe Louis Walker,
Debbie Davies, and David Fathead Newman,
Katzs blues stylings have been praised by
fellow artists including Delbert McClinton,
who called Katz pure genius, and John
Hammond Jr., who described him as one of
the greatest keyboard artists Ive ever heard.
Plus, with eight Bruce Katz Band albums
now to his credit the most recent being
2014s Homecoming critics have had almost
no choice but to compare Katz to the best that
ever were. Blues & Biscuits magazine wrote
that Katzs ensemble is like Mozart with a
jazz trio playing at Juniors Juke Joint on a
Thursday night. And the Toledo City Paper
wrote, His sound resembles what would
have happened had a jazz session broken out
between Jimi Hendrix, Professor Longhair, and
Frank Zappa. Though hopefully with fewer
fights over whose hair is coolest.
Admission to Bruce Katzs Bettendorf
concert is $10, or $8 for Mississippi Valley
Blues Society members, and more information
is available by calling (563)355-0655 or visiting
TheMuddyWaters.com.
Music
Moeller Mondays Presents: Pattern Is Movement Farewell Tour

Rozz-Tox
Monday, June 8, 8 p.m.
ey, Jeff!
Hi, Mike. Whatre you up to?
Actually, I just sent you this weeks
Whats Happenin articles, and one of
them is on June 8s latest Moeller Monday
Presents at Rozz-Tox the venues weekly
showcase of independent artists copresented by Rozz-Toxs Benjamin Fawkes and Daytrotters Sean Moeller. This one is a co
rock pair composed of keyboardist/singer Andrew Triboldeaux and drummer Chris War
I am.
Well, this is a truly special gig. Earlier this year, the musicians announced that this spr
tour, so the Rozz-Tox engagement is likely the last chance that area fans will get to see the
Im aware of that, too, Mike.
Their band has a fascinating history. Triboldeaux and Ward performed as a Christian2001, they originated Pattern Is Movement along with three other musicians: Corey Dunc
By the fall of 2007, though, Pattern Is Movement had become a two-piece outfit with only
has their first release as a duo in 2008s All Together, which Pitchfork.com called an acces
what any other band is doing.
Yes ... .
They also released their self-titled Pattern Is Movement album in 2014, and critics wer
instance, wrote that the album allowed its artists to display their visions of skewed pop in
Yes ... .
And PopMatters.com raved, Pattern Is Movement opens up the musical framework, em
the compartmentalization that limits many of the bands contemporaries. I think youd re
Mike, you do realize that I conducted an interview with Chris Ward, and wrote an art
of 2009, right?
Wow ... youve got a good memory! And I knew youd like em. I mean, their sound is w
the experimental textures of jazz and the subtle variations of minimalism.
And you do realize that you just stole a direct quote from my article, right?
Wow ... didnt know your memory was that good ... .
Pattern Is Movements farewell concert begins at 8 p.m. on June 8, tickets are on an $8-1
available by calling (309)200-0978 or visiting RozzTox.com.
Continued From Page 3
Iowa Should Abandon Its Level Playing Field for Education Funding
Instructional Support Levy of up to 10 percent
of regular program cost.
But nearly 90 percent of Iowa school districts
including Davenports are already at that
10-percent maximum, and only 11 districts
have no Instructional Support Levy at all. So
while that money is not factored into basic perpupil expenditures, its nearly uniform across
the board. (And it should be noted that a fiveyear Instructional Support Levy requires only
school-board approval, not the assent of voters
via referendum. Again Iowas system shuts
taxpayers out of the decision-making process
for funding.)
And theres short-term flexibility in the
form of a districts spending authority that was
unused and accrues year to year. So Davenports
$8 million in unspent authority represents

potential spending beyond the annual per-pupil
allowance that other districts might not have.
Yet in the long run, school districts in Iowa
have been put into a one-size-fits-all funding
mechanism. No allowances for the differences
among districts rural and urban, rich and
poor, high-achieving and low-achieving. Most
crucially, theres no consideration that some
districts voters would be willing to pay higher
property taxes for educational spending above
that base level or that voters across the state
deserve that opportunity.
I understand the appeal of this system. It
means theres very little gap between rich and
poor communities on a per-pupil level. It acts
as a control on property taxes although theres
wide variation in rates from district to district.

And it forces school districts to spend carefully
because theres no opportunity to get more
money.
But such strict funding equity makes little
sense outside of the grossly coarse fairness it
imposes. It usurps local control of education
funding, which in a fashion also usurps local
control of actual education.
The problems with the system have been
exacerbated by the legislatures declining
allowable growth. The General Assembly sets
an annual allowable-growth rate for schooldistrict funding the percentage by which
per-pupil spending authority will increase.
From Fiscal Year 1973 to 1984, it ranged from
4.93 to 13.59 percent, averaging 8.07 percent
a year. From 1985 to 1993, it ranged from 2.54

percent to 7.18 percent, averaging 4.20 percent.
And from 1994 forward, it has never been abov
4 percent, averaging 2.94 percent.
So for 21 years, the average allowable growth
was 6.42 percent. For the past 22 years, its been
well under half that.
That wouldnt be as much of a problem if
the per-pupil spending level were merely a
mandated base level instead of a cap. Local
voters could supplement the base by approving
higher property taxes. But, of course, they
cant.
Nearly every state struggles to find the right
balance among funding equity, state support,
and property taxes for education, with the
goal of giving all children the resources and
by Mike Schulz
mike@rcreader.com
Theatre
The Boys Next Door
Richmond Hill Barn Theatre

Thursday, June 4, through Sunday,
June 14
oncert with Pattern Is Movement, the indierd. Youre aware of them?
rings bookings would mark their farewell

em perform live!
-rap group when in their early teens, and in

can, Wade Hampton, and Daniel McClain.
y Triboldeaux and Ward remaining, and they
ssible album that nonetheless sounds unlike
re just as impressed. AllMusic.com, for

n bold, vivid colors.
mbracing rhythm and blues while resisting

eally like these guys, Jeff!
ticle on Pattern Is Movement, in the summer
warm and burnished, but complicated with
12 sliding scale, and more information is
.
ve
h
n
he next production at Geneseos

Richmond Hill Barn Theatre is Tom
Griffins deservedly beloved comedy/drama
The Boys Next Door, a tale of friendship and
the overcoming of considerable obstacles that
the New York Daily News said hits squarely
on the truth of life with its constant interplays
and shadings of triumphs and tears. Last
week, my boys next door enjoyed their own
triumphs, by cheering their collegiate ability
to party outdoors until 2 in the morning. The
tears, alas, were mine.
Running at Richmond Hill June 4 through
14, The Boys Next Door features protagonist
Jack Palmer, a kindly social worker in his late
20s who is put in charge of the welfare of four
mentally challenged men: Arnold Wiggins,
a friendly but incessantly chatty obsessivecompulsive; Norman Bulansky, an affable yet
frequently confused doughnut-shop employee
with a similarly challenged girlfriend; Lucien
Smith, a library-obsessed illiterate accused
of faking his medical condition; and Barry
Kelmper, an emotionally fragile schizophrenic
with a one-armed, abusive father.
Through the course of Griffins play
which, per the New York Times, moves the
audience to an awareness of how many things
in everyday life we take for granted Jack
guides and works with the men individually
and collectively, and grows to understand
both the joys and limitations of his charges
lives, as well as his own. But The

Boys Next Door is hardly the glum,
good-for-you drama its narrative
might suggest. Filled with sharp,
empathetic humor and grininducing sweetness, Griffins script
could be a case study in how to mix
the heartrending with the hilarious, and it
makes sense that BackStage magazines review
of the shows 1988 debut called it one of the
most unusual and most rewarding plays in
town.
Given its participants, you should probably
expect nothing less from Richmond Hills
production. Serving as The Boys Next Doors
director is area-theatre mainstay John
VanDeWoestyne, a much-adored Richmond
Hill veteran both on-stage (The Odd Couple,
The Mousetrap) and off-, with directing
credits in Geneseo including Sherlock Holmes
& the Case of the Jersey Lily and The Nerd.
And his ensemble boasts a collection of
terrific performers, all of whom have made
previous appearances on the Barn stage:
Jonathan Grafft, Victor Angelo, Don Faust,
Jordan L. Smith, Justin Raver, Stacey Herrick,
Mike Skiles, Lynn Monge, Jeff Blackwell,
Suzanne DeReu, Harvey Green, Terri Nelson
... and John VanDeWoestyne. Who Im
convinced cast himself just to eat up my
available space with repetition of the 13-letter
name VanDeWoestyne. Darn it! Did it
again! Thanks a lot, VanDeWoestyne! Aw,
darn it ... !
The Boys Next Door runs at the Richmond
Hill Barn Theatre Thursdays through
Saturdays at 7:30 p.m. and Sundays at 3
p.m., and more information and tickets are
available by calling (309)944-2244 or visiting
RHPlayers.com.
by Jeff Ignatius
jeff@rcreader.com
opportunities to succeed. But Iowa is an outlier

in valuing funding equity above all else, putting
a ceiling on school spending regardless of what
individual communities would support.
Every year, the Iowa legislature focuses on
the percentage of allowable growth. Instead, it
should take a hard look at the school-finance
system overall, and especially the way the
present system so harshly mandates a level
playing field.
The fact is that each community is different,
and each school district is different. Districts
should have the ability to make a case to voters
for higher property taxes for education, and
voters should decide whether the schools
deserve additional money.
Allowing districts to tap into some of their
cash reserves is a start (which would prevent

Tate from being charged with a misdemeanor
for defying present law). But the basic
framework exists for more substantial reform.
First, establish the present funding levels as a
floor rather than both a floor and a ceiling, and
continue the allowable-growth system.
Second, raise the $175-per-student figure to
adjust for past educational-cost inflation, and
then tie it to inflation moving forward. Give all
Iowa districts the legal authority to spend up
to that additional amount using a portion of
whatever cash reserves they have.
And, finally and most crucially, give all
districts the ability to levy additional taxes via
referendum. Enable voters to decide locally what
theyre willing to spend for their schools.
13
What Else Is
Happenin
MUSIC
Thursday, May 28 Emily

Kinney. Concert with the recording
artist and co-star of TVs The
Walking Dead, with opening sets by
Adam Tressler and Dylan Gardner.
Rozz-Tox (2108 Third Avenue, Rock
Island). 8 p.m. $15. For information,
call (309)200-0978 or visit RozzTox.
com.
Saturday, May 30 Brushville.
Alt-country musicians in an outdoor
concert, with an opening set by
Dirt Road Rockers. Rock Island
Brewing Company (1815 Second
Avenue, Rock Island). 8 p.m. $10.
For information, call (309)793-1999
or visit RIBCO.com.
Saturday, May 30 Dj Vu
Rendezvous with The Fez. Steely
Dan tribute artists in concert,
with an opening set by The Low
Down. The Redstone Room (129
Main Street, Davenport). 8:30
p.m. $11.50-12. For tickets and
information, call (563)326-1333 or
visit RiverMusicExperience.org.
Tuesday, June 2 Sam Moss.
Boston-based singer/songwriter
and string player in concert.
Rozz-Tox (2108 Third Avenue,
Rock Island). 8 p.m. $5-10. For
visit RozzTox.com.
Thursday, June 4 Nicholas
Davis. Alternative soul musician
in concert, with an opening set by
Soul Storm. The Redstone Room
(129 Main Street, Davenport). 7:30
14
What Else Is Happenin

p.m. $16.75-22. For tickets and
Friday, June 5 The Way
Down Wanderers. Concert
with the roots and Americana
musicians, with an opening set
by PM Buys. The Redstone Room
(129 Main Street, Davenport).
9 p.m. $8.50-9. For tickets and
Friday, June 6 William Elliott
Whitmore. Outdoor concert with
the roots singer/songwriter, with an
opening set by Frank F. Sydneys Western
Bandit Volunteers. Rock Island Brewing
Company (1815 Second Avenue, Rock
Island). 8 p.m. $13. For information, call
(309)793-1999 or visit RIBCO.com.
Saturday, June 6 Miner
Disturbance Radio (MDR) All-Star
Jam. Experimental concert event in
which seven groups of musicians (with
names randomly drawn) perform
favorite songs from childhood, with
artists including Bill Peiffer, Wes
Weeber, MDR host Brian Miner, and
more than two dozen others. Rascals
Live (1414 15th Street, Moline). 9 p.m.
For information, call (309)757-9457 or
visit RascalsLive.com.
Wednesday, June 10 Dave
Rudolf. Family concert in the Music
on the Lawn series, featuring beach
tunes, hula hoops, a bubble machine,
and interactive activities. DeereWiman Carriage House (817
11th Avenue, Moline). 6:30
p.m. Free. For information,
call (309)743-2701 or visit
ButterworthCenter.com.
EXHIBITS
Emily Kinney @ Rozz-Tox - May 28

by Ballet Quad Cities. Lincoln Park
(11th Avenue and 38th Street, Rock
Island). 8 p.m. Donations encouraged.
For information, call (309)786-3779 or
visit BalletQuadCities.com.
COMEDY
Friday, May 29 Randy & Mr.

Lahey. Songs, skits, audience
participation, and Shakespeare
with two of the Trailer Park Boys,
with musical guest Le Roy. The
Redstone Room (129 Main Street,
Davenport). 8 p.m. $22. For tickets and
information, call (563)326-1333 or visit
RiverMusicExperience.org.
Saturday, May 30 Bobby Ray
& the Funny Bunch. Stand-up sets
with Rachel Weeks, Toll McGrane, Ryan
Solomon, Daniel Frana, and headliner
Brandon Ream, hosted by Bobby Ray
Bunch. Circa 21 Speakeasy (1818
Third Avenue, Rock Island). 8 p.m.
$10-12. For tickets and information,
call (309)786-7733 extension 2 or visit
Circa21.com.
Saturday,
June 6 Josh
Alton. An
evening with
the nationally
touring
comedian.
Thursday, June 4, through
The Backroom
Sunday, June 14 Hairspray.
Comedy
Tony-winning Broadway
Theatre (1510
smash set in 1960s Baltimore,
Harrison
directed by Lili-Anne Brown.
Street,
Timber Lake Playhouse
Davenport). 9
(8215 Black Oak Road, Mt.
Josh
Alton
@
Backroom
p.m. $10-12.
Carroll). Tuesdays through
For tickets and
Comedy Theater - June 6
Saturdays 7:30 p.m., Sundays
information,
and Wednesdays 2 p.m., June
call (309)781-9617 or visit
6 at 3 p.m. $17-25. For tickets and
BlacklistComedy.com.
Wednesday, June 10, through
TimberLakePlayhouse.org.
Saturday, June 13 ComedySportz
World Championship. Four days
of improv games with national and
Friday, June 5, through Sunday,
international teams. The Establishment
June 7 Ballet Under the Stars.
(220 19th Street, Rock Island). 7 p.m.
Annual outdoor vignettes performed
THEATRE
DANCE
June 10, 7 and 9:30 p.m. June 11

through 13. $12. For tickets and
visit ComedySportzQC.com.
of the Figge and what the museum

means to them. Figge Art Museum
(225 West Second Street, Davenport).
Tuesdays through Saturdays 10
a.m.-5 p.m., Thursdays 10 a.m.-9
p.m., Sundays noon-5 p.m. Free
with $4-7 museum admission. For
FiggeArtMuseum.org.
Saturday, May 30, through

Sunday, September 20 The
Model Museum. The Figges
origins and final
design will be
explored through
Friday, May
an exhibition
29 CELLOof drawings,
BRATION.
photographs, and
Event
original models
featuring all
on display in the
100 painted
Lewis Gallery.
cellos from
Figge Art Museum
the Quad City
William Elliott Whitmore @ RIBCO - June 6 Symphony
(225 West Second
Street, Davenport).
Orchestras
Tuesdays through Saturdays 10
100 Years, 100 Cellos project. Figge
a.m.-5 p.m., Thursdays 10 a.m.-9
Art Museum (225 West Second Street,
p.m., Sundays noon-5 p.m. Free
Davenport). 6 p.m. $10-25. For tickets
with $4-7 museum admission. For
and information, call (563)322-7276 or
visit QCSO.org.
FiggeArtMuseum.org.
Saturday, June 6 Make-a-Wish
Saturday, May 30 Regan
Illinois Walk & Run for Wishes.
Hatfield: Things with Strings. Event
A 5K fun run, one-mile fun walk,
featuring more than 30 original
refreshments, music, and more in a
works of art that available for viewing
fundraiser to make wishes come true
and sale, with 40 percent of the
for local children with life-threatening
proceeds being donated to the RME.
medical conditions. Ben Butterworth
River Music Experience (129 Main
Memorial Parkway (3000 River Drive,
Street, Davenport). 6 p.m. Free. For
Moline). 9 a.m. $10-35 registration. For
information, visit WalkRunWish.org.
RiverMusicExperience.org.
Saturday, June 6 Scott County
Saturday,
Relay for Life.
June 6, through
Annual run/walk
Sunday, November
fundraiser for
15 Arsenal of
the American
Innovation. Exhibit
Cancer Society,
on the Rock Island
with a 2 p.m.
Arsenal and the men
survivor
and women who have
reception inside
served and supported
the school.
our military, with
Bettendorf High
daily screenings of
School (3333
the accompanying
18th Street,
Randy & Mr. Lahey
film D-Day: Normandy
Bettendorf).
@ The Redstone Room - May 29
1944 3D. Putnam
3 p.m. For
Museum (1717 West
information, call
12th Street, Davenport). Mondays
(888)266-2071 or visit RelayForLife.
through Saturdays 10 a.m.-5 p.m.,
org/scottcountyia.
Sundays noon-5 p.m. Free with $5.50Sunday, June 7 Rozz-Talk with
12 museum admission. For tickets and Bill Gluba. Andrew King hosts an
information, call (563)324-1933 or visit evening conversation with the mayor
Putnam.org.
of Davenport. Rozz-Tox (2108 Third
Saturday, June 6, through
Avenue, Rock Island). 8 p.m. For
Sunday, September 13 I Heart
Figge. Student exhibition featuring
RozzTox.com.
works that display the artists love
EVENTS
MUSIC
15
by Frederick Morden
f.morden@mchsi.com
An Unparalleled Experience
The Quad City Symphony with Yo-Yo Ma, May 14 at the Adler Theatre
istening wasnt enough. You had to

be there to take it all in.
As one of the worlds leading
musicians, cellist Yo-Yo Ma is renowned
for his compelling tone, masterful
technique, and convincing musical
storytelling. But on May 14 at the Adler
Theatre with the Quad City Symphony,
he demonstrated a key element that
could only be experienced in the live
performance: body language.
The special centennial-season
concert was unparalleled for its depth
of expression, precision playing, and
warm sensitivity, especially in the
second-half performance of Antonn
Dvoks Concerto in B Minor for Cello
& Orchestra with Ma. And when the
spotlight shone on the Quad City
Sympony in the first half, the orchestra
flexed its considerable dynamic and
melodic muscles in no-holds-barred
performances of Johannes Brahms
Academic Festival Overture and Pyotr
Tchaikovskys tuneful Romeo & Juliet
Fantasy Overture, creating stark
moments of volcanic intensity and
radiant melodic shaping.
In Dvok, Mas formidable artistic
tools were on display, yet his movements
and expressions conveyed performance
information and evaluative thoughts
in an ongoing musical and visual
dialogue with Music Director and
Conductor Mark Russell Smith and the
other players. Ma swayed in his chair,
hunched over his cello, bobbed his head,
watched the orchestra, and smiled. He
performed some subtle conducting
gestures at special moments.
To an ensemble such as the Quad City
Symphony which is hyper-responsive
to a conductors physical cues Mas
movements were instructive for rhythm
and musical characterizations, but
they also represented encouragement
and enthusiasm that propelled the
orchestras efforts and helped unify
its performance. Even when the
orchestra was playing without Ma, he
was physically engaged in what they
were doing by watching, listening, and
moving with the players.
Throughout, there was always a sense
of evenness, a balance of tone color
moving forward with the energy always
in the musical line. Mas core sound was
unfailingly prominent, singing, even
in the contrasts between the majestic
risoluto of the first theme in the first

movement, the lovely, simple song of the
second, and the march-like Finale.
His mastery of technical challenges
was impressive, playing complicated
arpeggiated figures with his bow
skipping across the strings, fast
chromatic passages in octaves, and
quadruple stops (using all four strings
simultaneously) all while watching the
orchestras performance with a grin. He
rolled his head to the side and looked
back to follow the migration of melodic
fragments around the orchestra.
Mas musical storytelling was
exemplary. Variations in musical
nuances articulations and tone color
brought his sound characterizations
to life by making each individual idea
musically specific. The subtle accents
in the last movement gave the theme a
martial feel, while the light whispering
at the tip of the bow in the second was
prayer-like. In the coda, when previous
themes returned, Ma recaptured their
musical identity one by one.
He intensified the drama of his story
by putting pressure on the tempo,
playing slightly ahead of the orchestra
at times and keeping the pace of the
concerto moving ever-forward. Even
when the music was slow, either by
tempo indication or dramatic inflection,
the flow of energy was constant, leaving
no time to rest or relax. Contrasting
sections in the first movement seemed
to bring the music to a stop but not
quite: Ma was lingering on the note to
extend a dramatic moment, not to end
the musical flow.
In some passages, his dynamic
softness was nearly inaudible to draw
the audience into the musical intimacy
in the recap of the second theme in
the first movement, his cadenza in the
second movement, and especially the
coda in the Finale.
Smith skillfully managed the
challenges of merging Mas performance
with the Quad City Symphonys,
allowing the give-and-take elasticity
needed in the complex interplay with
the orchestra suddenly taking the reins
with bold, exuberant playing in one
moment and then whispering in the
next. This made the unmarked changes
to Dvoks score some traditionally
16
COVER STORY
by Mike Schulz
mike@rcreader.com
Funny Businesses
opportunity of having so many options.
They just didnt really see it as People eat at
Hardees, they eat at McDonalds, and they
eat at Culvers. People can get a taste of so
many different perspectives. Andrews sense
of humor is totally unlike mine. Patricks
sense of humor is unlike mine.
King: Were all good at something
different.
Strader: And the people sitting here now
arent The Dons of Comedy or anything.
Theyre just people who continue to fight the
hardest they can to achieve our vision. Your
dad, Patrick, was a great role model for all of
us. Jeff Adamson has undying energy. And
if youre driven by passion and nothing can
deter you ... . Thats who youre talking to.
Adamson: Whether we have 60 people in
the audience or 180 people, we do the best
we can.
Strader: Hell, I had 12 people last Friday
and it was a great show. The comedians were
amazing. Those 12 people laughed their
asses off. Im like, This isnt a failure.
King: At the very first After Hour that we
did, there were so many people just from
the artistic community there, and they all
loved it. And I was like, If I can get these
people believing in what Im doing this
stamp of approval from all these wonderful,
influential people I dont think I can lose
as long as I keep going as hard as Ive been
going. Ive been so fortunate to be integrated
with the arts community here, and a major
great thing about this area is that you can
integrate so many different talents. Because
every skill set is here in one form from
another.
Strader: And thats just the thing. People
ask me: Are you threatened by Andrew
King? Are you threatened by Patrick
Adamson?
Adamson: Only when I stand up.
Strader: Never. You know I like tall
people. But Im always like, No, Im
really not. You have to understand theres
an audience for every type of comic and
every style of comedy. There are more
opportunities now because there are
different individuals willing to fill different
needs. Our bar-prov crowd is a very
particular niche. Andrews filling the need
of what I believe to be a very intellectual
audience, and Ive always admired his
comedy for being intellectually based.
And Patrick, with ComedySportz and his
diversification with the Studio series ... . Its a
wide net. All these comedy establishments in
the area are thriving.
Adamson: And one or two more probably
would do the area good.
King: If I ever found money, I wouldnt
mind opening just a dedicated stand-up
room somewhere. Just stand-up.

Adamson: And I think what a lot of
people in the Quad Cities fail to realize,
too, is that we serve the outside area for
entertainment.
Strader: Sixty miles. At least.
Adamson: Every weekend its Have you
guys been here before? No, we havent.
Were from Maquoketa. We thought wed
go to the cities and have a weekend away.
And we get it from Monmouth and Macomb
and Galesburg ... . Just like youd say to your
significant other, Lets get out of town
whats going on in Dubuque? Cause I dont
want to go that far, but I want to get out of
the Quad Cities.
Strader: Were not just limited to 365,000
people with a median income of 40 grand.
Adamson: People are coming here,
and coming to see us. In 1990, when
ComedySportz first started .
King: Thats when I was born!
Strader: Jesus! Stop!
Adamson: it was an outside entity that
was served into the community. And weve
had a couple versions of the Funny Bone, a
couple versions of Penguins, Jesters ... . But
none of those were really local. And now
with the Studio Series, and the Blacklist, and
Andrews formats, and everything else, there
are all these homegrown, quote unquote,
shows. Its like: Buy Local? We laugh local.
Strader: Laugh local?! Oh my God!
King: Hashtag!
Strader: Thats so good! LaughLocal.com!
Buying it!
King: Have you been saving that this
whole goddamned time?!
Strader: Were you just sitting on that?!
Adamson: Actually, guys, the T-shirts go
on sale in three weeks.
King: Really?
Adamson: Yeah. Theyre for the World
Championships.
Strader: You dick!
King: He was gonna buy the URL just
now!
Strader: Do you have the URL? Cause if
not, Im gonna beat ya!
ComedySportz performs at the Establishment
(220 19th Street, Rock Island) Fridays and
Saturdays at 7 p.m., with Studio Series shows
at 9:30 p.m. The ComedySportz World
Championships will be held at the venue
June 10 through 13, and more information is
available by visiting ComedySportzQC.com
and EstablishmentQC.com.
The Blacklist and occasional touring
comedians perform at the Backroom Comedy
Theater (1510 Harrison Street, Davenport)
Fridays and Saturdays at 7 and 9 p.m., with
comedy open-mic nights Wednesdays at 7:30

p.m. Upcoming events also include June 6s
evening with touring comedian Josh Alton,
and more information is available by visiting
BlacklistComedy.com.
Andrew King hosts Rozz-Talks at Rozz-Tox
(2108 Third Avenue, Rock Island) the first
Sunday of the month at 8 p.m., The After
Hour at the Circa 21 Speakeasy (1818 Third
Avenue, Rock Island) the second Friday of the
month at 10:30 p.m., and Bix Beiderbomb:
Comedy Invitational at Boozies Bar & Grill

(114 1/2 West Third Street, Davenport)
Thursdays at 8 p.m. June 7s Rozz-Talks
guest is Davenport Mayor Bill Gluba, and
the June 12 After Hour features Aiden
Landman, James Draper, and the One Night
Standards. Information on Kings events is
available at RozzTox.com, Circa21.com,
and Facebook.com/BixBeiderbomb.
For listings of additional comedy events in
the Quad Cities region, see page 23.
MUSIC
by Frederick Morden
f.morden@mchsi.com
An Unparalleled Experience
observed, others unique to the soloist
seamless.
The orchestras opening exposition
was a clear and powerful musical
statement, vibrating with Dvoks
Czech verve at its best with crisply
enunciated musical characterizations
between the tutti, moody Bohemian first
theme and a gently played dulcet second
theme in a solo horn, with soft strings
hovering in the background.
The beautiful color of the clarinet
duet in the second movement and the
horn sections smooth presentation of
the first theme just before Mas cadenza
were outstanding. The clarinet and
bassoon trio with Mas second theme of
the last movement was supple chamber
music, with the cellist leaning back to
hear and play with them.
All of these elements and many
more created a captivating atmosphere
of immediacy, a sense that what was
happening was essential, without
randomness doing what Leonard
Bernstein called naming the
unnameable and communicating the
unknowable.
Although Yo-Yo Ma was the main
attraction, the Quad City Symphony
also forcefully commanded its own
spotlight during the first half of the
concert. From the taut intensity
of the opening of Brahms to the
frenetic, soaring melodic sequences
in Tchaikovsky, the orchestras
performance was electric and alive,
a dazzling contrast of opposites
bold and sensitive, edgy and frothy,
shattering and pillowy.
Smiths sturdy tempo in Brahms
brought a sense of anticipation and
tension into the string sound. It suited
the orchestra by making the overlapping
musical illusions between the winds
and strings clearly discernible. Tuneful
phrases in the strings could be robust,
flowing smoothly from one to another.
The orchestras tone color was
uniform and purposeful whether
playing an important tune or
accompanying it. The inner parts with
the violas, cellos, basses, and second
violins brought a vitality, richness, and
momentum to the melody in the first
violins.
The emphatic cross-rhythm accents
between the strings, brass, and winds
intensified the tempos momentum,
setting up the sudden change of texture
with the stratified chorale at the end.

Tone color and dynamics in Brahms
thematic exchanges between the
clarinet, oboe, and flute flowed evenly
without disparity in timbre or intensity.
Unlike most conductors, who want
to get into the drama of Tchaikovskys
Romeo & Juliet immediately by
overplaying the dynamics and accents
at the beginning, Smiths opening was
peaceful even gentle with only
a hint of the tragedy to come. This
softer approach allowed for a longer,
more consistent change of character
beginning with the cello section and
ending in the fight scene.
The love theme presented by the
violas and English horn was sumptuous,
elegant, and well-shaped.
Smiths choice of tempo for the fight
scenes allowed the string players to bear
into their strings and the brass to fill the
notes fully, giving the musical drama
more edge. The last few bars, which the
orchestra played in rhythmic unison,
were powerful in large part because of
Smiths clear indications for attack and
release.
Although the burst of applause
that greeted the end of the concert
clearly represented appreciation for
Mas performance and presence, the
orchestra itself had earned it, too.
Traditional stage decorum joyfully
disintegrated into open expressions of
the expansive personal charisma of both
Yo-Yo Ma and Mark Russell Smith. The
two musicians embraced each other in
celebration, and then one by one several
members of the orchestra. Ma threw
the orchestra a kiss, gave the audience
a celebratory thumbs-up, and then
tossed his bouquet into the audience as
a souvenir.
Ma then performed an encore a
moment to reflect on the relevance of
the evening playing unaccompanied
Bach for the sold-out theatre with
more than 2,500 people quietly
listening. It was a historic evening a
demonstration of Mas world-class
artistry, of the Quad City Symphony at
its best, and of the communitys passion
for great music.
Frederick Morden is a retired orchestramusic director, conductor, composer,
arranger, educator, and writer who has
served on the executive board of the
Conductors Guild.
17
PHOTOGRAPHY
Featured Image from the

Quad Cities Photography Club
(The River Cities Reader each month will

feature an image or images from the Quad
Cities Photography Club.)
ilacs are a wonderful reminder of

spring. Vicki Wassenhoves lilac
image was one of the top-scoring
images in the latest monthly competition
of the Quad Cities Photography Club.
Vicki related this about her image.
My image was shot in Davenports
lovely Stampe Lilac Garden at Duck
Creek Park. The setting offers ample
photo opportunities, especially for a
photographer who enjoys the spring
blossoms of lilacs as I do.
My camera is a Canon 60D, and I was
using a 135-millimeter prime lens. It was
handheld with settings of f/5, 1/250 of a
second, and ISO 100.
Using Corels PaintShop Pro, I added
the border and suggested a threedimensional effect with overlapping
leaves and a drop shadow. I love how

todays photo-editing software has given
me this artistic control of my digital
images.
The Quad Cities Photography Club
welcomes visitors and new members.
The club sponsors numerous activities
encompassing many types and aspects of
photography. It holds digital and print
competitions most months. At its meetings,
members discuss the images, help each other
to improve, and socialize. The club also
holds special learning workshops and small
groups that meet on specific photography
topics, and occasionally offers interesting
shooting opportunities. The club meets at
6:30 p.m. the first Thursday of the month
September through June at the Butterworth
Center, 1105 Eighth Street in Moline.
For more information on the club, visit
QCPhotoClub.com.
18
Ask
the
Advice
Goddess
The File High Club
A year ago, a co-worker I had a crush

on made moves on me after hours at
work, and we stopped just short of having
sex. I saw him as a potential boyfriend,
and I emphasized that I was not interested
in casual sex. He told me at the time that
he had broken up with his girlfriend
but two days later said theyd made up.
Several times since, when his relationship
has been on the rocks, hes suggested we
have sex. I told him I want no physical
contact with him ever again, and now he
rarely speaks to me, despite seeing me
daily at work. I considered him a friend,
so Im devastated he took advantage of me
and was only interested in cheating. Im
finding it really hard to heal and move on.
Disturbed
If theres a next logical step after late-night
office sexy-time, it probably isnt Now that
were done despoiling the conference table,
lets go meet each others parents!
Remember dating? People who want
relationships especially female people who
arent up for anything less go on dates before
they go on the conference table. This isnt to
say women should never have after-hours
fun with some guy at work; its just that if
you want a relationship, having sex before he
gets emotionally attached is a risky strategy
one that often leads to just sex. Or just sex
whenever his relationship is on the rocks.
Sure, you emphasized that you dont want
casual sex a statement that probably buzzed
on papery little wings around the guys ear
before getting squished by his sex drive.
Women evolved to be the Missouri of human
sexuality Missouris nickname being the
Show-Me State. Women protect themselves
by being what evolutionary psychologists
Martie Haselton and David Buss call
commitment skeptics holding off on
having sex while seeking evidence of a mans
willingness to invest (beyond an evening of
semi-naked fun in a desk chair). As for men,
research by psychologists Russell Clark and
Elaine Hatfield confirms what most of us
have observed numerous times: As long as a
woman has a moderate level of attractiveness,
a mans likely to want to have sex with her.
In other words, while women are the sexual
gatekeepers, for men, there is no gate. There
isnt even a fence.
Sure, its disappointing when a man youre
picturing in the future boyfriend slot just
wants to have sex. But feeling insulted about
BY AMY ALKON
that is like my feeling insulted that my fivepound dog tries to have sex with my arm
apparently some sort of odd biological
imperative that my arm and I dont take
personally.
To move on, turn this into a learning
experience so you can protect yourself in the
future. This starts with admitting that you got
sucked in not because of something this guy
did but because you let ego and emotion do
the driving while reason was gagged, hogtied,
and left for dead in the trunk. Accept that its
your responsibility to vet whether a situation
would ultimately work for you instead of
leaving the guardianship of your needs to
others others whose agenda may not match
yours. Yes, Im hinting that many men will
tell a woman just about anything to get sex.
(Just ask a man whose grandma has died
suddenly and tragically dozens of times.)
Feral Hugs
After casual sex, why do some men

spend all night spooning and cuddling?
This just happened for the second time,
and it really messes with my head. My
nesting inclination kicks in, and I start
fantasizing about engagement rings. And
Im not some needy little thing.
Confused
Its like when the planes landing gear
is malfunctioning and a person grabs the
hand of the stranger seated next to them
not because that person means something
to them, but because it feels better than
possibly dying alone in a fiery explosion.
Casual sex, like grain alcohol and ladies
clingy knitwear, isnt for everyone. In
research by anthropologist John Marshall
Townsend, many women who just wanted
sex from a guy still woke up the morning
after with worries like Does he care
about me? and Is sex all he was after?
This is perhaps because of the release of
the bonding hormone oxytocin upon
orgasm or from intense cuddling. (In men,
testosterone goes all defensive lineman,
tackling the oxytocin and blocking it from
getting to its receptor.) Understanding this
may lead you to rethink hooking up. At
the very least, you should take precautions
for safe sex like asking Wheres the fire
escape? and telling a guy about the tender
talk you need immediately afterward
such as You can let yourself out and
Dont forget to leave the parking pass in
my mailbox.
Got A Problem? Ask Amy Alkon.
171 Pier Ave, #280, Santa Monica, CA 90405

or e-mail AdviceAmy@aol.com (AdviceGoddess.com)
2015, Amy Alkon, all rights reserved.
FREE WILL ASTROLOGY

ARIES (March 21-April 19): Keith
Moon played drums for the rock
band the Who. He was once voted
the second-greatest drummer in history. But
his erratic behavior, often provoked by drugs or
alcohol, sometimes interfered with his abilities.
In 1973, the Who was doing a live concert near
San Francisco when the horse tranquilizer that
Moon had taken earlier caused him to pass out.
The band appealed to the audience for help.
Can anybody play the drums? asked guitarist
Pete Townshend. I mean somebody good?
A 19-year-old amateur drummer named Scot
Halpin volunteered. He played well enough
to finish the show. I suspect that sometime
soon, Aries, you may also get an unexpected
opportunity to play the role of a substitute. Be
ready!
TAURUS (April 20-May 20): The weta
is a very large insect whose habitat is
New Zealand. It looks like a robotic
grasshopper, with giant black eyes on a long
red face, enlarged hind legs bearing spikes, and
floppy, oversize antennae. The native Maori
people call it the god of the ugly things. Please
note that this is a term of respect. The wetas
title is not the most monstrous of the ugly
things, or the worst or the scariest or the
most worthless of the ugly things. Rather, the
Maori say its the god the highest, the best, the
most glorious. I suspect that in the coming days,
Taurus, you will have a close encounter with your
own version of a god of ugly things. Doesnt it
deserve your love and welcome?
GEMINI (May 21-June 20): You have
successfully made the transition from
brooding caterpillar to social butterfly.
Soon you will be in your full, fluttery glory, never
lingering too long with one thought, one friend,
or one identity. Some heavy-duty, level-headed
stalwarts might wish you would be more earthy
and anchored, but I dont share their concern.
At least for now, having a long attention span
is overrated. You have entered the fidgety,
inquisitive part of your cycle, when flitting and
flirting and flickering make perfect sense.
May 14 Crossword Answers
CANCER (June 21-July 22): Only

one fear is worthy of you. Only one
fear is real enough and important
enough to awaken and activate the
numb part of your intelligence. So for now, I
suggest that you retire all lesser fears. Stuff them
in a garbage bag and hide them in a closet.
Then put on your brave champion face, gather
the allies and resources you need, and go forth
into glorious battle. Wrestle with your one fear.
Reason with it. If necessary, use guile and trickery
to gain an advantage. Call on divine inspiration
and be a wickedly good truth-teller. And this is
crucial: Use your fear to awaken and activate the
numb part of your intelligence.
LEO (July 23-August 22): In the
coming nights, try to see your shadow
as its cast on the ground by the moon.
Not by the sun, mind you. Look for the shadow

thats made by the light of the moon. It might
sound far-fetched, but I suspect this experience
will have a potent impact on your subconscious
mind. It may jostle loose secrets that you have
been hiding from yourself. I bet it will give you
access to emotions and intuitions you have
been repressing. It could also help you realize
that some of the deep, dark stuff you wrestle
with is not bad and scary, but rather fertile and
fascinating.
VIRGO (August 23-September
22): The ancient Greek statesman
Demosthenes was regarded as a
supremely skilled orator. His speeches were so
powerful that he was compared to a blazing
thunderbolt. And yet as a youngster he
spoke awkwardly. His voice was weak and his
enunciation weird. To transform himself, he took
drastic measures. He put pebbles in his mouth to
force himself to formulate his words with great
care. He recited poems as he ran up and down
hills. At the beach, he learned to outshout the
pounding surf. Take inspiration from him, Virgo.
Now would be an excellent time for you to plan
and launch strenuous efforts that will enable you
to eventually accomplish one of your long-range
goals.
LIBRA (September 23-October 22):
Long-distance flirtations may soon be
just around the corner or across the
street. Remote possibilities are taking short cuts
as they head your way. I swear the far horizon
and the lucky stars seem closer than usual. Is it
all a mirage? Some of it may be, but at least a part
of it is very real. If you want to be ready to seize
the surprising opportunities that show up in your
vicinity, I suggest you make yourself as innocent
and expansive as possible. Drop any jaded
attitudes you may be harboring. Let the future
know that you are prepared to receive a flood of
beauty, truth, and help.
SCORPIO (October 23-November
21): I suspect that marriages of
convenience will begin to wither
away unless they evolve into bonds of affection.
Connections that have been fed primarily on
fun and games must acquire more ballast. In
fact, I recommend that you re-evaluate all your
contracts and agreements. How are they working
for you? Do they still serve the purpose you want
them to? Is it time to acknowledge that they have
transformed and need to be reconfigured? As
you take inventory, be both tough-minded and
compassionate.
SAGITTARIUS (November
22-December 21): Petrarch was an
influential 14th Century Italian poet
whose main work was Song Book.
Its a collection of 366 poems, most of which are
dedicated to Laura, the woman he loved. For 40
years he churned out testaments of longing and
appreciation for her, despite the fact that he and
she never spent time together. She was married to
19
by Rob Brezsny
another man, and was wrapped up in raising her
11 children. Should we judge Petrarch harshly
for choosing a muse who was so unavailable? I
dont. Muse-choosing is a mysterious and sacred
process that transcends logic. Im bringing the
subject to your attention because youre entering
a new phase in your relationship with muses. Its
either time to choose a new one (or two?) or else
adjust your bonds with your current muses.
CAPRICORN (December
22-January 19): The soul moves
in circles, said the ancient Greek
philosopher Plotinus. Modern psychologist
James Hillmans agreed, and added this thought:
Hence our lives are not moving straight ahead;
instead, hovering, wavering, returning, renewing,
repeating. I bring this to your attention,
Capricorn, because youre now in an extraintense phase of winding and rambling. This is a
good thing! You are spiraling back to get another
look at interesting teachings you didnt master the
first time around. You are building on past efforts
that werent strong enough. Your words of power
are crooked, gyrate, curvy, labyrinthine,
and corkscrew.
AQUARIUS (January 20-February
18): Its no coincidence that your
libido and your mojo are booming
at the same time. Your libido is in the midst of
a deep, hearty awakening, which is generating
a surplus of potent, super-fine mojo. And your
surplus of potent, super-fine mojo is in turn
inciting your libidos even deeper, heartier
awakening. There may be times in the coming
week when you feel like you are living with a wild
animal. As long as you keep the creature well-fed
and well-stroked, it should provide you with lots
of vigorous, even boisterous fun.
PISCES (February 19-March 20): I
always arrive late at the office, but I
make up for it by leaving early, quipped
19th Century English author Charles Lamb. I
invite you to adopt that breezy, lazy attitude in
the coming weeks. Its high time for you to slip
into a very comfortable, laid-back mood ... to
give yourself a lot of slack, explore the mysteries
of dreamy indolence, and quiet down the chirpy
voices in your head. Even if you cant literally
call in sick to your job and spend a few days
wandering free, do everything you can to claim
as much low-pressure, unhurried spaciousness
as possible.
Homework: Your Future Self comes to you and
says, You must get rid of two beliefs that are
holding you back. What are they? Testify at
FreeWillAstrology.com.
Go to RealAstrology.com to check out Rob Brezsny's
EXPANDED WEEKLY AUDIO HOROSCOPES

& DAILY TEXT MESSAGE HOROSCOPES
The audio horoscopes are also available by phone at
1-877-873-4888 or 1-900-950-7700
20
BLAME THE VICTIMS May 28, 2015
ACROSS
1. Like some tires
5. Rushes
10. PETA relative
15. Borodins prince
19. Winglike
20. Stop!, at sea
21. Equines
22. Town in Alaska
23. Turnstile
24. _ del Sol
25. Old coins of Greece
26. Hairdo
27. Start of a quip by anonymous:
5 wds.
31. Low beams
32. Obligations
33. Farm animal
34. Speak evasively
37. Shrek ogress
39. Accent
42. Fox Islands native
43. Unveiling
44. Any candy
46. Thickness unit
48. Refs decision
49. Worth
50. Body part
51. Insensible state
52. Spread to dry
53. Trousers
54. Modified leaf
55. Cuckoopint, e.g.
56. Grime
57. Gussy up
58. Ancient priest
59. Part 2 of quip: 5 wds.
65. OUs city
66. Fractious
67. Sch. subj.
68. Water birds
69. Folds up
70. Humped bovine
72. Follow a curved trajectory
75. Gen. Robt. _ _
76. Nirvana
77. Playing card
78. Vivacity
79. In medias _
80. Make frost-free

81. Napkin material
82. Tantalize
83. Calculating
85. Whitman and others
86. Made better
87. Biblical priest
88. Permission
90. Batters hit
91. End of the quip: 4 wds.
98. Celebes buffalo
99. _ Alighieri
100. Marine creature
101. _ accompli
103. Cicatrix
104. Kind of statesman
105. Notched
106. Concerning: 2 wds.
107. Give
108. Raises
109. Worn and torn
110. Shout
DOWN
1. Capture
2. Jai _
3. Wood strip
4. Simply awful
5. Flower cluster
6. States openly
7. Bucks
8. Princely Italians
9. Project: 2 wds.
10. Tiny creature
11. Stiff shoe
12. Supports
13. Compartment
14. Professed
15. Earnings
16. Thuggish one
17. Leave unmentioned
18. Umps cousin
28. _ at windmills
29. Confined
30. Rec room item
34. Float
35. Succulent plant
36. Vendetta
37. Seedless, flowerless plant
38. Sacred bird
May 14 Answers: Page 19
39. Posted
40. Buss
41. Figure of speech
43. _ of a Salesman
44. Jargon
45. Loony
47. Burdened
49. Animal cries
50. Soiled
51. Move slowly
53. Saint- _ -wort
54. Londoners
55. Inert gas
56. Public tantrum, e.g.
57. Unwanted ones
58. Kind of dome
59. Irrigate
60. Monkey genus
61. Use a flail
62. Principle
63. Recycling directive
64. Ghosts playwright
69. Slipped
70. Ability
71. American composer
72. Shrinking sea in Asia
73. Hillock
74. Kind of college
76. Mystify
77. Gun attachment
78. Blissful
80. Walter _ _ Mare
81. Hot rocks
82. Pavilion
84. Recompense
85. Places a bet
86. Brave New World author
88. Lavin or Ronstadt
89. Inscribe
90. Any animal
91. Pre-Columbian empire
92. Complain
93. Cabbage
94. Girl in Eldorado
95. Go quickly
96. Zola title
97. Colleen
98. A wood
102. _ Aviv
21
Live Music Live Music Live Music

Email all listings to calendar@rcreader.com Deadline 5 p.m. Thursday before publication
THURSDAY
2015/05/28 (Thu)
00
28
Emily Kinney - Adam Tressler - Dylan

Gardner -Rozz-Tox, 2108 3rd Ave.
Rock Island, IL
Greg & Rich Acoustic Duo -Harringtons Pub, 2321 Cumberland
Square Dr. Bettendorf, IA
Jack Lion - Local on the 8s - The Lowdown -The Mill, 120 E. Burlington St.
Iowa City, IA
Jordan Danielsen & Jef Spradley
-11th Street Precinct, 1107 Mound
St. Davenport, IA
Locally Owned - Ivy Stone - Milk Duct
Tape - Izzy Starchild -Gabes, 330 E.
Washington St. Iowa City, IA
Randy Swift & Friends -Riverside Casino and Golf Resort, 3184 Highway
22 Riverside, IA
Songwriters Showcase: Robyn McVey
CD Release Show - Jenny Ferrell
- Mark Ridolfi - David G. Smith
-The Redstone Room, 129 Main St
Davenport, IA
FRIDAY
2015/05/29 (Fri)
00
29
Black Velvet Band (5pm) -Wide River

Winery - LeClaire, 106 N. Cody Rd.
LeClaire, IA
David Zollo & the Body Elec tric
(6:30pm) -Pedestrian Plaza, Downtown Iowa City Iowa City, IA
Dead Emperors - Ice Hockey - The Savage Hacks - The Blendours -Gabes,
330 E. Washington St. Iowa City, IA
Detroit Larry & Charlie Hayes -The
Muddy Waters, 1708 State St. Bettendorf, IA
Fickle Filly -Broken Saddle, 1417 5th
Ave. Moline, IL
Final Mix -Riverside Casino and Golf Resort, 3184 Highway 22 Riverside, IA
Greg & Rich Acoustic Duo -Riverside
Grille, 1733 State St. Bettendorf, IA
Jazz After Five w/ The Blake Shaw
Group (5pm) - Catfish Keith (8pm)
-The Mill, 120 E. Burlington St. Iowa
City, IA
Just Chords -Parkside Grill & Lounge,
2307 5th Ave Moline, IL
Keep Off the Grass -11th Street Precinct, 1107 Mound St. Davenport, IA
Le Roy -The Redstone Room, 129 Main
St Davenport, IA
Lost Country Dancers Dance -Walcott
Coliseum, 116 E Bryant St Walcott, IA
Night of Rock: Black Pussy - Heavyweight - Hong Kong Sleepover
-RIBCO, 1815 2nd Ave. Rock Island, IL
Night People (5pm) - Natty Scratch
(9pm) -The Rusty Nail, 2606 W.
Locust St. Davenport, IA
Pangaea - Still Standing - Bare Bones
- Crater -Rascals Live, 1414 15th St.
Moline, IL
Soul Storm -River House, 1510 River
Dr. Moline, IL
Surgeons in Heat - Truthpick -RozzTox, 2108 3rd Ave. Rock Island, IL
Those Were the Days -The Orpheum
Theatre, 57 S. Kellogg St. Galesburg, IL
Willard Wilcox -Kilkennys, 300 W. 3rd
St. Davenport, IA
Caught in the Act -Len Browns North

Shore Inn, 700 N. Shore Dr. Moline, IL
Code 415 -Purgatorys Pub, 2104 State
St Bettendorf, IA
Deja Vu Rendezvous w/ The Fez - The
Low Down -The Redstone Room, 129
Main St Davenport, IA
Downtown Rockin Daddies -The
Muddy Waters, 1708 State St. Bettendorf, IA
Fairhaven Tour Kick-Off Show - Survival Soundtrack - Highfives &
Handshakes -RME (River Music
Experience), 129 N. Main St. Dav2015/05/30 (Sat)
enport, IA
Frankie Joe Willderman & Friends
Alanna Royale - Kansas Bible Com(10am) -Davenport Farmers Market,
pany -Iowa City Yacht Club, 13 S Linn
421 West River Drive Davenport, IA
St Iowa City, IA
Gray Wolf Band -River House, 1510
Brushville - Dirt Road Rockers -RIBCO,
River Dr. Moline, IL
1815 2nd Ave. Rock Island, IL
Jeff Black -Ca dZan, 411 South Rd.
Cambridge, IL
30
SATURDAY
30
The Hooks -Rascals Live, 1414 15th St.

Moline, IL
The Old 57s (noon) -Rock Island College Hill District, 1200/1300 Block,
30th St. Rock Island, IL
The One Night Standards - The
Killshakes -Bier Stube Moline Biergarten, 415 15th St. Moline, IL
Those Were the Days -The Orpheum
Theatre, 57 S. Kellogg St. Galesburg, IL
Vice Squad -The Rusty Nail, 2606 W.
Locust St. Davenport, IA
Willard Wilcox -Kilkennys, 300 W. 3rd
St. Davenport, IA
SUNDAY
2015/05/31 (Sun)
Alanna Royale @ Rozz-Tox - June 1

Jennifer Danielson - Mud Puppies
-Uptown Bills Coffee House, 730 S.
Dubuque St. Iowa City, IA
Kidz Days at the RME featuring Chris
Dunn (noon) -RME Community
Stage, 131 W. 2nd St. Davenport, IA
Matt Fuller Birthday Bash: Serious
Business w/ John Pea -Geezers
Draft House, 1654 W. 3rd St. Davenport, IA
Reed All About It (6pm) - The Quinns
(6:30pm) -RME Community Stage,
131 W. 2nd St. Davenport, IA
Russ Reyman Request Piano Bar -The
Phoenix Restaurant & Martini Bar,
111 West 2nd St. Davenport, IA
Sushi Roll -Riverside Casino and Golf
Resort, 3184 Highway 22 Riverside, IA
Tangent -11th Street Precinct, 1107
Mound St. Davenport, IA
31
Abnormal Man - Zuul - Other Band The Men from ... Beyond -Gabes,
Buddy Olson (3pm) -Duckys Lagoon,
13515 78th Ave W. Taylor Ridge, IL
Detroit Larry & Charlie Hayes Blues
& Barbecue (5pm) -The Muddy
Waters, 1708 State St. Bettendorf, IA
Jim Ryan (3pm) -Len Browns North
Shore Inn, 700 N. Shore Dr. Moline, IL
Steve McFate Acoustic -Mr. Eds Liquor
Store and Tap, 127 4th St. W. Milan, IL
Sunday Jazz Brunch w/ the Josh Duffee Jazz Quartet (9am) -Bix Bistro,
200 E. 3rd St. Davenport, IA
Those Were the Days (2pm) -The
Orpheum Theatre, 57 S. Kellogg St.
Galesburg, IL
MONDAY
2015/06/01 (Mon)
Death to Zero - Drones - Warren Terror - Conetrauma (6pm) - Shapes &

Colors - Foreverandnever (10pm)
-Gabes, 330 E. Washington St. Iowa
City, IA
Moeller Mondays Presents: Alanna

Royale - Kansas Bible Company Springtime Carnivore -Rozz-Tox,
2108 3rd Ave. Rock Island, IL
The Homeless Open Mic Projec t
(1pm) -The Center, 1411 Brady St.
Davenport, IA
TUESDAY
2015/06/02 (Tue)
Blues Caf (6:30pm) -RME Community

Stage, 131 W. 2nd St. Davenport, IA
Chris Avey Live -My Place the Pub, 4405
State St. Bettendorf, IA
Sam Moss -Rozz-Tox, 2108 3rd Ave.
Rock Island, IL
WEDNESDAY
2015/06/03 (Wed)
Chris Avey Experience Acoustic Show

-Rascals Live, 1414 15th St. Moline, IL
Jerry Joseph & the Jackmormons
- Sounds del Mar -Gabes, 330 E.
THURSDAY
2015/06/04 (Thu)
00
4
Brass Transit Authority -Herber t

Hoover National Historic Site, off I-80
at exit 254 West Branch, IA
Dave Ellis & Guests -Grumpys Saloon,
2120 E 11th St Davenport, IA
David G. Smith Band (6:30pm) -Bettendorf Public Library, 2950 Learning
Campus Dr. Bettendorf, IA
Dogs on Skis -Riverside Casino and
Golf Resort, 3184 Highway 22 Riverside, IA
Locally Owned - Def Kittie Blinddog
- Zuul - The Men from ... Beyond
City, IA
22
Live Music Live Music Live Music

Nicholas David - Soul Storm -The
Redstone Room, 129 Main St Davenport, IA
The Tailfins -Bass Street Landing Plaza,
Moline, IL
FRIDAY
2015/06/05 (Fri)
00
5
Aseethe - Sept of Memnon - Wax Moth

- Helmsplitter - National Hero
Bettendor f Park Band -Bill Bowe
Memorial Bandshell, Middle Park
Bettendorf, IA
Blues Rock-it -The Muddy Waters, 1708
Buddy Olson (5:30pm) -The Rusty Nail,
2606 W. Locust St. Davenport, IA
Chuck Murphy -Riverside Grille, 1733
Cosmic -River House, 1510 River Dr.
Moline, IL
Dale Thomas Band -Walcott Coliseum,
116 E Bryant St Walcott, IA
Friday Live @ Five: Soul Storm (5pm)
-RME Courtyard, 131 W. 2nd St.
Davenport, IA
G rate f u l D e a d E x p e r i e n ce : Th e
Schwag -Gabes, 330 E. Washington
St. Iowa City, IA
H.C. Wallace (5pm) -Wide River Winery LeClaire, 106 N. Cody Rd. LeClaire, IA
Just Chords -Kilkennys, 300 W. 3rd St.
Davenport, IA
Justin Morrissey -11th Street Precinct,
1107 Mound St. Davenport, IA
New Odessey -Riverside Casino and
North of 40 -Bier Stube Moline Biergarten, 415 15th St. Moline, IL
Greg & Rich Acoustic Duo (2pm) -Len

Browns North Shore Inn, 700 N.
Shore Dr. Moline, IL
Jordan Danielsen (2pm) -Creekside
Vineyards Winery & Inn, 7505 120th
Ave. Coal Valley, IL
Redstone Rumble (2pm) -The Redstone Room, 129 Main St Davenport, IA
Sunday Jazz Brunch w/ the Josh Duffee Jazz Quartet (9am) -Bix Bistro,
200 E. 3rd St. Davenport, IA
Trippin Molly -Petersons Bullseye Bar,
103 W. 3rd St. Sterling, IL
The Way Down Wanderers - PM Buys

-The Redstone Room, 129 Main St
Davenport, IA
30
SATURDAY
2015/06/06 (Sat)
Bruce Katz -The Muddy Waters, 1708

Caught in the Act -River House, 1510
River Dr. Moline, IL
Cody Road -Broken Saddle, 1417 5th
Ave. Moline, IL
Country Boy Cookoff & Music Festival: Lyrikal - Dub City - Beezy
Tha Real & TJD - Benihana Kenobi
- Nashvillian - Jit & Legacy - Bubby
the Buckeye Boss - Daverse - Skeez
& T. Stubbz - Jelly Roll - CremRo
- BB Swing - Jesse James Greenwood - Dusty Leigh - Cartel TZ
- Upchurch the Redneck & Johnny
Cashville - Dylan Carter - Big Dawg
-Hillcrest Event Center, 16260 East
350th St. Orion, IL
Eric Pettit Lion - Joemyside - Miles
Coyne -Rozz-Tox, 2108 3rd Ave.
Rock Island, IL
Groove Inc. -Riverside Casino and
Just Chords -Kilkennys, 300 W. 3rd St.
Davenport, IA
Live Broadcast - The Nemo Orchestra
- Evan Stock Band - Summertown
City, IA
LKB Trio -Ubriacos Trattoria, 1029
Miner Disturbance Radio (MDR) All
Star Jam -Rascals Live, 1414 15th
St. Moline, IL
MONDAY
2015/06/08 (Mon)
Brushville @ RIBCO - May 30

Rich Agenda -Purgatorys Pub, 2104
State St Bettendorf, IA
Rude Punch -Hooks Pub, 318 N. 4th
St. Clinton, IA
Russ Reyman Request Piano Bar -The
Phoenix Restaurant & Martini Bar,
111 West 2nd St. Davenport, IA
Scott Engledow -Uptown Bills Coffee
House, 730 S. Dubuque St. Iowa
City, IA
Shabazz Palaces - Eaters - Romulan
City, IA
Stephanie & the Interns -My Place the
Pub, 4405 State St. Bettendorf, IA
Tech N9ne -Burlington Memorial Auditorium, 200 N. Front St. Burlington, IA
The Candymakers -11th Street Precinct,
1107 Mound St. Davenport, IA
The Knockoffs -Generations Bar & Grill,

4100 4th Ave. Moline, IL
The Way Down Wanderers - Red
Comet -Iowa City Yacht Club, 13 S
Linn St Iowa City, IA
William Elliott Whitmore - Frank F.
Sydneys Western Bandit Volunteers -RIBCO, 1815 2nd Ave. Rock
Island, IL
SUNDAY
2015/06/07 (Sun)
Buddy Olson (3pm) -Duckys Lagoon,

13515 78th Ave W. Taylor Ridge, IL
Darkslider - David Graft - Jr. Wild - Hollow Owl -Gabes, 330 E. Washington
St. Iowa City, IA
Donnie Hottub Gustason & Friends
(5pm) -The Muddy Waters, 1708
Loren Walker Madsen -Gabes, 330 E.

Moeller Mondays Presents: Pattern
Is Movement Farewell Tour - Ryan
Joseph Anderson -Rozz-Tox, 2108
3rd Ave. Rock Island, IL
TUESDAY
2015/06/09 (Tue)

Chris Avey Live -My Place the Pub, 4405
Cracker -The Mill, 120 E. Burlington St.
Iowa City, IA
WEDNESDAY
2015/06/10 (Wed)
10

Burlington Street Bluegrass Band
City, IA
Chris Avey Experience Acoustic Show
Control - Idpyramid -Rozz-Tox, 2108

3rd Ave. Rock Island, IL
Lucinda Williams -Englert Theatre, 221
East Washington St. Iowa City, IA
Music on the Lawn: Dave Rudolf
(6:30pm) -Deere-Wiman Carriage
House, 817 11th Ave. Moline, IL
Zach Deputy - Aaron Kamm & the One
Drops -Gabes, 330 E. Washington St.
Iowa City, IA
THURSDAY
2015/06/11 (Thu)
00
11
Cody Road -Bass Street Landing Plaza,

Moline, IL
Crystal City - Hillfolk Noir - Slewgrass
City, IA
Dana T - Dagmar - Controlxoxo -Iowa
City Yacht Club, 13 S Linn St Iowa
City, IA
Gretchen Peters -CSPS/Legion Arts,
1103 3rd St SE Cedar Rapids, IA
Highway Home -Herbert Hoover National Historic Site, off I-80 at exit
254 West Branch, IA
Jef & Doc -11th Street Precinct, 1107
Kevin B.F. Burt -Riverside Casino
and Golf Resort, 3184 Highway 22
Riverside, IA
Lojo Russo -Grumpys Saloon, 2120 E
11th St Davenport, IA
Strangled Darlings - Toby Brown
Band -Rozz-Tox, 2108 3rd Ave. Rock
Island, IL
The Fry Daddies (6:30pm) -Bettendorf
Public Library, 2950 Learning Campus Dr. Bettendorf, IA
Youre Too Kind - Survival Soundtrack
- The Easy Mark (6:30pm) - Locally
Owned - The Fustics (9pm) -Gabes,
Special event
8 p.m.-midnight Friday, June 5

$25 in advance or $30 at the door
Experience the magic of the annual Art at
Heart Gala event by attending the ArtBar!
This Figges gallery space will transform
into the evenings themethe Paper Ball.
Paper-themed costumes are encouraged!
Ticket includes admission, a drink of your
choice at the bar, appetizers and a creative
array of activity stations for making minimasterpieces and souvenirs.
Advanced tickets can be purchased at
www.figgeartmuseum.org or in the
Museum Store.
All ticket sales will support the Figge Art
Museums arts education and outreach
programs.
Davenport, Iowa 563.326.7804

www.figgeartmuseum.org
23
Comedy Live Music

Live Music Live Music
DJs/Karaoke/
Jams
Mics
Email all listings/
to Open
calendar@rcreader.com
Deadline 5 p.m. Thursday before publication
THURSDAYS
Karaoke Night Roadrunners Roadhouse, 3803 Rockingham Rd., Davenport, IA.

C.J. the DJ RIBCO, 1815 2nd Ave.,
Karaoke Night Thirstys on Third,
Rock Island, IL.
2202 W. Third St., Davenport, IA.
Cobra Kai Karaoke The Backroom
Comedy Theater, 1510 N. Harrison Open Mic w/ Frankie Joe Willderman
(6pm)
Mama Comptons, 1725 SecSt., Davenport, IA.
ond Ave. Arts Alley, Rock Island, IL.
DJ Night w/ 2-Tone Shenanigans Irish
Pub, 303 W. Third St., Davenport, IA. Twisted Mics Music & Entertainment
(June 5) Broken Saddle, 1417 5th
DJ Night w/ 90s Music Thirstys on
Ave., Moline, IL.
Third, 2202 W. Third St., Davenport, IA.
Karaoke Night Bier Stube Moline, 415 SATURDAYS
15th Street, Moline, IL.
Karaoke Night My Place the Pub, 4405 Community Drum Circle (May 30,
10:30am) RME Community Stage,
State St., Bettendorf, IA.
129 N. Main Street, Davenport, IA.
Open Jam w/ the Avey Brothers The
Muddy Waters, 1708 State St., Bet- DJ AI/O EDM Party (May 30) The
Dark Horse Hall, 1510 N. Harrison
tendorf, IA.
St., Davenport, IA.
The TuckerAfterTen Happy Fun Time
Music Explosion! The Dark Horse DJ Night w/ 2-Tone Shenanigans Irish
Pub, 303 W. Third St., Davenport, IA.
Hall, 1510 N. Harrison St., DavenKaraoke Night The Grove Tap, 108 S.
port, IA.
1st St., Long Grove, IA.
Thumpin Thursdays DJs - Rascals Live,
Karaoke Night Miller Time Bowling,
1414 15th Street, Moline, IL.
2902 E. Kimberly Rd., Davenport, IA.
Twisted Mics Music & Entertainment
Broken Saddle, 1417 5th Ave., Karaoke Night Roadrunners Roadhouse, 3803 Rockingham Rd., DavMoline, IL.
enport, IA.
FRIDAYS
THURSDAYS
SATURDAYS
FRIDAYS
Cross Creek Karaoke Firehouse Bar

& Grill, 2006 Hickory Grove Rd.,
Davenport, IA.
DJ K Yung Barrel House Moline, 1321
Fifth Ave., Moline, IL.
DJ Night w/ 2-Tone Shenanigans Irish
Pub, 303 W. Third St., Davenport, IA.
Karaoke Night Circle Tap, 1345 West
Locust Street, Davenport, IA.
Karaoke Night The Grove Tap, 108 S.
1st St., Long Grove, IA.
Karaoke Night Miller Time Bowling,
2902 E. Kimberly Rd., Davenport, IA.
Open Mic Night Downtown Central

Perk, 226 W. 3rd St., Davenport, IA.
Twisted Mics Music & Entertainment
Barrel House Moline, 1321 Fifth
Ave., Moline, IL.
SUNDAYS
SUNDAYS
Drum Circle (June 7, 5:30pm) Unitarian Universalist Church of the

Quad Cities, 3707 Eastern Ave.,
Davenport, IA.
Karaoke Night 11th Street Precinct,
1107 Mound St., Davenport, IA.
Karaoke w/ JB Promotions The

Rusty Nail, 2606 W. Locust St., Davenport, IA.
TUESDAYS
TUESDAYS
Acoustic Jam Night w/ Steve McFate

Tims Corner Tap, 4018 14th Ave.,
Rock Island, IL.
Acoustic Music Club (4:30pm)
River Music Experience, 129 N. Main
Street, Davenport, IA.
Karaoke Debauchery The Muddy
Waters, 1708 State St., Bettendorf, IA.
Karaoke Night Brady Street Pub, 217
Brady St., Davenport, IA.
Open Mic Night (6:30pm) Cool Beanz
Coffeehouse, 1325 330th St., Rock
Island, IL.
Open Mic w/ Corey Wallace 11th
Street Precinct, 1107 Mound St.,
Davenport, IA.
WEDNESDAYS
WEDNESDAYS
Brady Street Pub Open Jam Brady

Street Pub, 217 Brady St., Davenport, IA.
Karaoke Night 11th Street Precinct,
1107 Mound St., Davenport, IA.
Karaoke Night Circle Tap, 1345 West
Locust Street, Davenport, IA.
Karaoke Night My Place the Pub, 4405
State St., Bettendorf, IA.
Karaoke Night RIBCO, 1815 2nd Ave.,
Rock Island, IL.
Karaoke Night Sharkys Billiards, 2902
E. Kimberly Rd., Davenport, IA.

Youth Open Mic (6:30pm) River Music Experience, 129 N. Main Street,
Davenport, IA.
More than 700 Restaurant Listings
QuadCitiesDiningGuide.com
Search Discover Share Review
THURSDAY
28
FRIDAY
00
29
THURSDAY 28
Bix Beiderbomb: Comedy Invitational
(8pm) Boozies Bar & Grill, 114 W.
3rd St., Davenport, IA.
FRIDAY 29
ComedySportz (7pm) The Establishment, 220 19th St., Rock Island, IL.
Gary Menke The Venue, 1405 Fifth
Ave., Moline, IL.
Lewis Black (8pm) Riverside Casino
Event Center, 3184 Highway 22,
Riverside, IA.
Randy & Mr. Lahey The Redstone
Room, 129 N. Main Street, Davenport, IA.
Studio Series: 309 (9:30pm) The
Establishment, 220 19th St., Rock
Island, IL.
The Blacklist: Comedy Gang Bang
The Backroom Comedy Theater, 1510
N. Harrison St., Davenport, IA.
SATURDAY
SATURDAY 30
30
Bobby Ray & the Funny Bunch Circa

21 Speakeasy, 1818 Third Ave., Rock
Island, IL.
Gary Menke The Venue, 1405 Fifth
Ave., Moline, IL.
Lewis Black (8pm) Riverside Casino
Event Center, 3184 Highway 22,
Riverside, IA.
Studio Series: Dont Try This at Home
(9:30pm) The Establishment, 220
19th St., Rock Island, IL.
The Blacklist: Blanklist 75 & Blacklist

Against Humanity (9pm) The
Backroom Comedy Theater, 1510 N.
Harrison St., Davenport, IA.
The Comedy Cage Match: Second
Preliminary Round (9pm) The
Backroom Comedy Theater, 1510 N.
Harrison St., Davenport, IA.
SUNDAY
31
TUESDAY
SUNDAY 31
The Circumstantial Comedy Show

(9pm) BREW, 1104 Jersey Ridge
Rd., Davenport, IA.
TUESDAY 2
A Night with Nick Offerman (7pm)

Englert Theatre, 221 E. Washington
St., Iowa City, IA.
Comedy Open Mic (8:30pm) The
Muddy Waters, 1708 State St., Bettendorf, IA.
WEDNESDAY
WEDNESDAY 3
Comedy Open Mic Night (7:30pm)

The Backroom Comedy Theater,
1510 N. Harrison St., Davenport, IA.
Craig Ferguson (8pm) Englert Theatre, 221 E. Washington St., Iowa
City, IA.
THURSDAY
THURSDAY 4
Bix Beiderbomb: Comedy Invitational

(8pm) Boozies Bar & Grill, 114 W.
3rd St., Davenport, IA.
FRIDAY
FRIDAY 5
00
5
Studio Series: Survivor (9:30pm) The

Island, IL.
The Blacklist (9pm) The Backroom
Comedy Theater, 1510 N. Harrison
St., Davenport, IA.
SATURDAY
SATURDAY 6
Studio Series: Wisenheimer (9:30pm)
The Establishment, 220 19th St.,
Rock Island, IL.
Josh Alton (9pm) The Backroom
Comedy Theater, 1510 N. Harrison
St., Davenport, IA.
30
SUNDAY
7
SUNDAY
The Circumstantial Comedy Show

(9pm) BREW, 1104 Jersey Ridge
Rd., Davenport, IA.
TUESDAY
TUESDAY 9
Comedy Open Mic (8:30pm) The

Muddy Waters, 1708 State St., Bettendorf, IA.
WEDNESDAY
WEDNESDAY 10
10
Comedy Open Mic Night (7:30pm)

The Backroom Comedy Theater,
1510 N. Harrison St., Davenport, IA.
ComedySportz World Championship: Los Angeles vs. San Jose /
Milwaukee vs. Seattle (7pm) The
Island, IL.
24

River Cities&#39; Reader - Issue 883 - April 28, 2015

Enviado por

Dados do documento

Direitos autorais

Formatos disponíveis

Compartilhar este documento

Compartilhar ou incorporar documento

Opções de compartilhamento

Você considera este documento útil?

Este conteúdo é inapropriado?

Direitos autorais:

Formatos disponíveis

River Cities&#39; Reader - Issue 883 - April 28, 2015

Enviado por

Direitos autorais:

Formatos disponíveis

2

Business Politics Arts Culture Now You Know RiverCitiesReader.com

Get $150 back instantly.

A better value than Verizon and AT&T

*Per month. Valid as of 4/24/15.

Learn more about our great deals at uscellular.com/payoff

Job Description N082-P2 New Offer

Mech Scale 100%

Copy Writer TBD

USC1-15-02772-342_N082_9.25x9.75_P2 New Offer.indd

Business Politics Arts Culture Now You Know RiverCitiesReader.com

hen Davenport Community

paying for players.

cuts (totaling $1.4 million) and new

increases is never easy. Districts must show

Business Politics Arts Culture Now You Know RiverCitiesReader.com

Job Description N082-OnLook

Mech Scale 100%

Copy Writer TBD

Business Politics Arts Culture Now You Know RiverCitiesReader.com

Rauner and Democrats

spent the better part of last Wednesday

simply veto the budget bill in its entirety

Rich Miller also publishes Capitol Fax (a daily

Business Politics Arts Culture Now You Know RiverCitiesReader.com

s that ahi tuna?

the venues, but in the way we

Business Politics Arts Culture Now You Know RiverCitiesReader.com

too hard to market. Because none of us have

Adamson: Somebody bought me coffee

that if youre a local person whos done well,

of those faces are repeats, but there always

King: But it feels like, regarding Quad

Business Politics Arts Culture Now You Know RiverCitiesReader.com

Vol. 22 No. 883

Accentuate the Postulant

The Sound of Music, at the Circa 21 Dinner Playhouse through July 25

nuns (Regina Harbour and

May 28 - June 10, 2015

Publishing since 1993

Art Director, Production Manager: Shawn Eldridge

Business Politics Arts Culture Now You Know RiverCitiesReader.com

Business Politics Arts Culture Now You Know RiverCitiesReader.com

GO THE DISTANCE WITH OUR NEW

Thursday 11am-9pm | Fri & Sat 11am-10pm

EARN POINTS TO GET BUFFET

Introducing Jumers Coast-to-Coast Buffet featuring

Crackin up for Lobster?

with 100 earned points

with 200 earned points

The Coast-to-Coast Buffet

VANILLA SHAKE BAR!

VISIT jumerscasinohotel.com for the complete menus.

Business Politics Arts Culture Now You Know RiverCitiesReader.com

by Mike Schulz mike@rcreader.com

Its a Pall World After All

To the credit of Disneys marketing

half.) But beyond

familys pain turns out to be, for the

The Muddy Waters

ood news, gang:

The artist left Ronnie Earls

Moeller Mondays Presents: Pattern Is Movement Farewell Tour

Continued From Page 3

River Cities' Reader - Issue 883 - April 28, 2015

River Cities' Reader - Issue 883 - April 28, 2015