2 River Cities’ Reader • Vol. 27 No. 967 • November 2019
com
WORDS FROM THE EDITOR
We Are the Leaders We’ve Been Waiting For
E
very thinking American knows on some level
that his/her current political disposition is
based almost entirely on emotions triggered
by media manipulation like never before.
So take a moment to assess yourself with as much
self-honesty as you can muster regarding what you
actually know about current affairs – in other words,
verifiable facts – but also, just as importantly, the
context of those facts that are informing your politi-
cal opinions and rationales.
If mainstream media is your primary source
of news, especially cable and broadcast news, you
are being relentlessly triggered, inevitably trapping
you in an “arena” mentality of picking a side – right
or left – and pigeonholing you within predictable,
managed parameters of behavior modification.
And this prison of stupid is precisely where
the social engineers of this systematic behavioral
manipulation want you. The fact that you do know
this on some level, yet continue to ignore it, makes
this toxic political environment a deeply selfish,
unimaginative, lazy, and in too many cases, a cow-
ardly indulgence. Translation: your fault.
Mindlessly buying into the daily rickety media
narratives of biased, fact-less, mostly anonymous,
contradictory, redundant, conflicted, and emo-
tional-charged memes delivered in short disparate
spurts is a communications tactic in the world of
behavioral science.
It is the polar opposite of reasoned, thought-pro-
voking dissemination of need-to-know information,
and is deployed throughout today’s news industry
with impunity. It is no longer news, and the industry
is not the Fourth Estate. It forfeited that awesome
responsibility in favor of activism, mostly liberal if
you believe the majority of scientific polling. News
anchors, regardless of party identification or affili-
ation, abandoned even the veneer of investigative
journalism, favoring celebrity-hood. Technology
means not actually having to travel where the news
is, such as to Syria or Yemen. Instead, producers can
green-screen the appearance of being on location
without a hair out of place. These theatrically-savvy
spokespeople read their lines as directed, elevating
guided speculation, sprinkled with the glitterati of
idealogical spin, as constantly “Breaking News.”
There are countless examples of compiled clips
of these 24/7 anchors repeating identical words,
phrases, and highly specific iterations across not
just news segments on one channel, but across mul-
tiple channels during multiple news segments. Proof
positive that the so-called news is rigidly scripted
and hive-mined.
How about this: reacting emotionally to news
items is your first clue you are being played. Emo-
tionally-charged responses have their footing in
the more primal limbic system of our brain, taking
root quickly and more permanently. As a result, it
is much harder to change or reverse an emotionally
derived opinion than it is a rationally achieved one.
Social engineers depend on this well-established
tenet of behavioral science. As long as an emotional
response can be elicited from you, the odds of you
pushing past that emotion to reason through the
information that caused it become far less likely.
You have to resolve yourself to the fact that most
news is negative; that’s why it’s news. But only
Sources and Resources:
• EMFWarriors.com
• Video: The Secret Behind 5G Technology: rcreader.com/y/5g1
• 11 Reasons to Be Concerned: rcreader.com/y/5g2
authentic investigative journalism is real news. In
its true and proper form, nothing but the facts are
pursued. And every relevant peice of information
must first be sourced, then verified multiple times
where possible. These are the minimum standards
for information to be considered reliable, trustwor-
thy news. Anything less is unacceptable.
The public must sort out the issues, problems,
trends of the day for themselves. That’s how it works
in a free society. Augmenting information with
opinion, spin, and political leanings is fast becoming
a license for indoctrination. Replacing neutral, fact-
based news with biased narratives that are sourced
anonymously confirms a complete degradation of
the integrity essential to the news-delivery mission
of factually and actually informing the public with-
out bias – nothing less will serve the watchdog of
the people. Media has abdicated its prime directive
to inform the public reliably, through usurpation of
the media platforms to advance far narrower agen-
das of backroom political and social provocateurs.
Time for you to get back to rational assessment of
the news because the stakes have never been higher
– as you are about to learn. It is time to reignite
your individual responsibility to question things,
especially government and big business, where it
dominates. Reignite your natural, healthy skepti-
cism that is one of the defining characteristics of a
free society. Redeploy your critical thinking skills
by seeking to resolve the contradictions that present,
by questioning underlying assumptions, verifying
information points, exploring proffered solutions’
potential unintended consequences … . You know,
stuff like that.
And rededicate yourself to the rule of law and the
overarching principle that evidence matters. It’s the
only thing that matters in a just society. Finally, get
real about the truth of things, without the overin-
dulgence of emotions, but instead with the intellec-
tual acuity required to assess things as they are. And
you better get comfortable in the middle, because
that’s where the truth mostly exists.
The following compiled list of news items have
gone dangerously unreported, underreported, mis-
reported, or malreported by mainstream media.
While you’ve been wallowing in an epic distortion
of emotional angst and drama triggered by media’s
relentless coverage of President Donald Trump – all
bad, all day, every day – to keep you alarmingly dis-
tracted from myriad other critical news occurring
under your nose. Whether you hate him or love him
does not absolve you from keeping informed about
other vital news and updates of current affairs and
events that are in your purview as an American.
Since the media is no longer delivering such infor-
mation, its on you to explore beyond a cursory read
or blurry explanation confined to a three-minute
news segment. This is serious stuff and ignoring it
makes you not unlike a civic accomplice – and if you
have children and/or grandchildren, also makes you
a civically negligent parent/grandparent. What you
do now is what your progeny lives with later.
We all owe them and each other and ourselves
some discernible effort to hold our government
accountable for increasing egregious patterns of
conduct, including actual legislation and rule-
making that threatens the foundational protections
• Definitive Guide to 5G Rollout: rcreader.com/y/5g3
• May 2019 Senate Judiciary Committee Hearing on 5G: rcreader.com/y/5g4
• Oct 2019 Senate Homeland Security Hearing on 5G: rcreader.com/y/5g5
Know More, Do More • RiverCitiesReader.
of our basic individual rights. While mostly our
fault for our inexcusable non-participation beyond
morbid contempt or delusional hero worship, the
malfeasance afoot during our watch is coming
to fruition unchallenged. You don’t get a pass for
political decrepitude in a republic because without
civic participation, adherence to the rule of law, and
tolerance for a spectrum of differences, eventually
society will devolve and fall prey to some miserable
totalitarianism ever lurking.
Evidence of this can be found in our govern-
ment’s increasing secrecy, justified as necessary for
national security. Nondisclosure of government
activities and finances; including certain unscru-
pulous corporations; fraudulent charitable foun-
dations; parasitical NGOs, denominational
organizations, and academia, will inevitably render
the public obsolete in this republic’s governance
model. It is a centuries old strategy to commandeer
ever more power, and it is succeeding thanks to our
individual silent exempting of ourselves en masse
from nearly all civic participation.
Below (and continued in upcoming issues) is
critical information, with a brief explanation and
links for you to further research. This country needs
to snap out of it and reengage now. We need a civic
reawakening if we want to effect change, if you want
to effect change, in time. We are the leaders we’ve
been waiting for. Tick tock … .
5G TECHNOLOGY
A simple explanation is as follows: 5G is basi-
cally electromagnetic wavelengths, sometimes
referred to as signatures, that bear an exponential
increase in density and strength. Electromagnetic
wavelengths travel within an Electromagnetic Field
(EMF). EMFs exist all around us, and produce vary-
ing levels of radiation emissions, depending on their
intensity, wavelength, and pulse rate.
The first generations of EMFs associated with cell
phones and towers (1G, 2G, 3G, and 4G) operated on
a lower density and pulse-rate spectrum due to the
wavelengths of approximately 3-6 gigahertz (GHz)
traveling longer distances and dispersing radiation
over wider areas. Still, there is ever-increasing con-
firmation of serious health hazards associated with
this lower level spectrum of EMF radiation emission
attributable to cell-phone use. These hazards include
cancer, neurological disorders, birth defects, genetic
damage, autism, mental illness, and dementia, all
part of a growing list of health risks that are found
to have correlations with EMF radiation emissions
already prevalent, not counting the increased expo-
sure predicted to occur as a result of 5G technology.
Now comes 5G, with a wavelength called a mil-
limeter wave (MMW) of approximately 30-300
ghz. But because it is a much shorter wavelength,
it is denser with a much faster pulse rate, substan-
tially increasing the amount of radiation emissions.
Underpinning the growing alarm within the bio-
medical community, is that the 5G wavelengths are
much shorter, so their travel distance is dramati-
cally reduced, concentrating emissions in a much
narrower area.
Currently, 3G and 4G operate via large transmis-
sion towers that are spread in wide grids, miles apart
• Feb 2019 Senate Commerce Hearing on 5G: rcreader.com/y/5g6
• Physicians for Safe Technology: rcreader.com/y/5g7
By Kathleen McCarthy
from one another as they transmit. Hence the ability
for radiation to disperse over a greater area between
towers. 5G will require mini antennas located
approximately 20 meters apart from one another for
the continuity of transmission. In its initial rollout,
5G will require at least one mini-antennae per block,
approximately 250 mini-antennas per square mile,
all emitting exponentially larger levels of radiation
during transmissions.
In addition, the macro 5G system will require
approximately 20,000 satellites launched into space
directly above Earth, blanketing the planet with
additional EMF radiation. 5G’s rollout is on a fast-
track, proceeding with infrastructure development
before the individual components that comprise
the 5G technology have been worked out. And also
before any industry or government-sanctioned
research has been conducted on the potential health
impacts and potential negative consequences from
this new technology.
5G is promoted as a modern efficiency technol-
ogy, connecting more devises together, download-
ing large amounts of data much faster, seemingly
providing all manner of potential improvements.
But some argue that 5G is not for the benefit or
enhancement of consumers’ usage, but to increase
speed and efficiencies in machine-to-machine
communications and applications, many of which
are strictly military and intelligence-gathering
applications.
Currently, the Telecommunications Act of 1996
exempts the telecommunications companies from
liability for health hazards. However this indemni-
fication may not apply relative to 5G due to the thou-
sands of independent studies and peer reviewed
papers on the dangers of EMF radiation since
the1930s. Many of the Telecoms’ investors sylla-
bus’ disclose the potential financial risks looming if
health hazards emerge from 5G, especially because
no insurance companies will provide liability insur-
ance for such potential future claims.
Still, there is currently no legal remedy to pre-
vent the telecoms from installing their 5G anten-
nas on or near your property if your city has already
contracted with them for 5G. So now is the time to
intervene and demand that your city does not con-
tract with telecoms or 5G implementation until the
telecoms devotes resources to studying the risks and
acting responsibly. The telecommunications indus-
try has devoted $50 trillion to the infrastructure
development that will accommodate 5G. This is an
unprecedented budget for a single technology and
feasibly could free funding for such an important
aspect to the tech’s longterm success. It begs the
question: Why not?
This brief explanation is the tip of the tip of the
5G iceberg. The argument favoring 5G technology
sooner than later includes an overarching global
anxiety that whoever secures 5G tech penetration
first will rule the future economically. So, naturally,
the U.S. race is with China. Always always follow the
money, and also, of course, the obsessive, relentless
pursuit of power and world domination.
Full article online includes coverage of Smith
Mundt Modernization Act, and the US Bureau of
Global Public Affairs. Visit rcreader.com/y/km
Know More, Do More • RiverCitiesReader.com River Cities’ Reader • Vol. 27 No. 967 • November 2019 3
ILLINOIS POLITICS By Rich Miller
CapitolFax.com

A Criminal in the House and a Mole in the Senate

T
he first day of the 2019 veto session on
Monday, October 28, was unlike any
other that most people have ever seen.
First, we learned that Representative Luis
Arroyo (D-Chicago) had been arrested on
public-corruption charges. About an hour
later, federal prosecutors claimed that Arroyo
had attempted to bribe a state Senator who has
been cooperating with the feds since 2016.
An alleged venal criminal in the House and
a government mole in the Senate. That can tend
to disrupt your day.
Even so, the House Democratic caucus
meeting early that afternoon was almost com-
pletely routine. House Speaker Michael Madi-
gan went over several mundane topics with
members and then finally wound up an hour
later by reading a statement to his members
about Arroyo.
Madigan’s central message was that Arroyo
must resign from the House or face a potential
expulsion. One member of his caucus thanked
him for the statement. Other than that, the
meeting was routine. Members talked inces-
santly amongst themselves about Arroyo but
were mainly mum in caucus.
Things were a little different in the Senate
Democratic caucus meeting. Senator Melinda
Bush (D-Grayslake) angrily demanded that
corrupt members should be forced out if they
don’t leave. Sitting in that room was Sena-
tor Tom Cullerton (D-Villa Park), who was
indicted on over 40 federal counts during the
summer. Tom Cullerton was reelected just
last year, so he can continue attending session
unless he’s eventually convicted of a felony or
is also expelled.
Also in that caucus meeting was Senator
Terry Link (D-Waukegan). The Sun-Times and
the Tribune both reported that Link was the
one who helped the feds sting Arroyo. Link,
72, the most prominent gaming expansion sup-
porter in the Senate, repeatedly denied being
the mole and each of the newspapers relied on a
single source for their stories. But the unnamed
Senator said on a government recording that
he was in the “twilight” of his career, his first
meeting with Arroyo was in Lake County, and
they talked about a gaming-related bill. If it’s
not Link, the government sure seemed to go out
of its way to draw a map to his house.
Regardless, this might put a damper on
Mayor Lightfoot’s gaming bill if Senator Link
is still involved. People may be hesitant to enter
a negotiating room believing that someone in
the venue might be manipulating them into
saying something that the FBI could interpret
as a potential criminal offense.
And then there are the lazy criminals who
think the only way to get things done is by brib-
ing people. That’s apparently the category that
Arroyo falls into, if the government transcript
of his conversation with the cooperating wit-
ness is accurate and in context.
“This is, this is the jackpot,” Representative
Arroyo said to that unnamed Senator as he
handed over the first of what he thought would
be 12 monthly $2,500 checks.
Seriously? The jackpot? Twenty-five hun-
dred? That’s only 30 grand over the life of the
one-year bribe. Either Arroyo figured the
unnamed Senator was desperate for cash or that
the Senator was recklessly corrupt. And “reck-
lessly corrupt” is definitely what I would call
someone who threw away his future by hand-
ing over a $2,500 check to an FBI informant.
Line two of the “List of Items to be Seized”
in the September federal search warrant of
Senator Martin Sandoval’s Statehouse office
read: “Items related to CW1, Lobbyist A, and/
or Lobbyist B.” CW is fed-speak for “cooperat-
ing witness.”
The unnamed Senator is described in the
Arroyo criminal complaint as “CW-1.” The
cooperating witness “became a source for the
FBI” in 2016. The feds must have let that person
off the hook for something else because the
complaint says the person had to be “admon-
ished multiple times” to report his/her involve-
ment in any “unauthorized” illegal activity.
And then the witness allegedly filed false
income-tax returns and the FBI “closed” him
as a source. They apparently gave the Senator
an opportunity at redemption, or at least a sen-
tence reduction, with the Arroyo sting.
The herd mentality requires a rejection of
informants. This particular informant, mole,
or whatever else you want to call it, was obvi-
ously no angel. But he did help nab someone
who apparently thought he could bribe a state
Senator into carrying legislation to legalize
sweepstakes games. There is a strong positive
to what the cooperating witness accomplished
here.
By the end of the week, Arroyo had resigned.
In his resignation letter, he practically begged
his colleagues to let his district keep the pork
projects he had inserted into the infrastructure
program. Maybe somebody should take a look
at those.
Rich Miller also publishes Capitol Fax, a daily
political newsletter, and CapitolFax.com.
New Column Published
Weekly at RCReader.com

CURRENT EXHIBITION

OF THE DEAD
D AY
l
l

THE ART OF REMEMBRANCE

DIA DE LOS MUERTOS
Through December 8, 2019
Sponsored by MidAmerican Energy, Hola America and Quad-City Times

Davenport, Iowa • 563.326.7804

www.figgeartmuseum.org
4 River Cities’ Reader • Vol. 27 No. 967 • November 2019 Know More, Do More • RiverCitiesReader.com

MUSIC By Max Allison

Jimmy Eat World

Friday, November 8, 8:30 p.m. @ The Rust Belt, 533 12th Avenue, East Moline, IL

P
Vol. 27 · No. 967 op-punk veterans Jimmy Eat World
NOVEMBER 2019 perform at the Rust Belt on Novem-
ber 8 on a tour supporting their
newest LP Surviving.
RIVER CITIES’ READER The word “timeless” gets thrown around
532 W. 3rd St. plenty to describe evergreen music that
Davenport IA 52801 seems to float outside of today’s trends.
RiverCitiesReader.com The kind of jams that always warrant a
(563)324-0049 (phone)
(563)323-3101 (fax)
return with fresh ears, regardless of what-
info@rcreader.com ever new styles have taken over the charts
in the interim since their release. Arizona-
PUBLISHING SINCE 1993 based power-pop/punk band Jimmy Eat
The River Cities’Reader is an independently owned publication and
website, dedicated to providing readers and members the “keys to the World makes music that fits a different
Quad Cities’culture.” defi nition of timelessness. Their tracks
escape the flow of the ages by managing
PRINTED MONTHLY to conflate so many eras of human devel-
Newly printed complimentary editions are available monthly
at select locations in the region. For a complete list, visit opment by way of their effervescent spirit
www.rcreader.com/distribution. and their youthful energy, even though
Jimmy Eat World at the Rust Belt – November 8
they’re delivered by a band that has been
PRINT & DIGITAL ADVERTISING:
PRINT ADVERTISING SPACE RESERVATION DEADLINE IS THE 15TH in the game for almost thirty years. The the band’s many other Billboard-worthy that would come to further captivate the
OF EACH MONTH FOR THE FOLLOWING MONTH’S EDITION. band sidesteps the brand of forever-in- hits – the kind of song that they begrudg- band up to the present day. The song uti-
WEBSITE & WEEKLY E-NEWSLETTER ADVERTISING DEADLINE IS high-school lyrical content still pumped ingly play as the finale of a set that they lizes tropes like gang vocal sing-a-longs,
EVERY MONDAY FOR THURSDAY PLACEMENTS.
out by flagships like Blink 182, who sketch know so many audience members had heavy major key progressions, and kinetic
Visit QCAdvertising.com for full out a somewhat creepy. Matthew McCo- patiently been expecting – the fervor of snare rolls to ramp up the energy through-
publishing calendar, sponsorship naughey-esque “I get older but they stay the Jimmy Eat World fan base ensures that out its unfolding structure.
opportunities, ad sizes, and pricing. the same age” mentality (and have done the track remains just another banger in The question becomes: What does
so since that band’s earliest releases, their arsenal. Jimmy Eat World’s newest music, released
PUBLISHER when they were already firmly in their
Todd McGreevy • todd@admospheres.com Take, for example, the other tracks on 2019’s LP Surviving, have to offer to a
20s). Jimmy Eat World conjure a sense of that hit the airwaves around that era of pop/rock landscape where their brand of
EDITOR & BUSINESS MANAGER simple, cross-generational bliss by way the band’s output — and the memorable bombastic vocal songwriting has become
Kathleen McCarthy • km@rcreader.com of the fundamental elements that consti- entries that made their 2007 album Chase increasingly commonplace, after the con-
tute their songs: sugary melodic hooks, This Light their highest charting album tributions of five-years-removed chart-
ARTS & CALENDAR EDITOR dynamic multi-guitar arrangements, and
Mike Schulz • mike@rcreader.com
to date. “A Praise Chorus,” from Bleed toppers such as Fall Out Boy or Panic! At
a honed sense of narrative development. American, hits with a fleet-footed verse The Disco? The answer is: plenty. Surviv-
ART DIRECTOR From the moment they fully broke into melody ornamented with stuttered syl- ing, which just landed in October, builds
Nathan Klaus • nathan@rcreader.com the mainstream in the early 2000s, Jimmy lables and high notes that stretch almost on the template of the band’s previous
Eat World were perhaps unfairly lumped to the falsetto range. When the pre-chorus albums as it showcases Adkins’s voice
DISTRIBUTION & OFFICE MANAGER into the glut of pop-leaning bands that hits and the guitars take a step down into as it keeps the guitar riffs churning and
Michael Locander • michael@rcreader.com pulled tropes of emo rock, Cheap Trick- the lower register, the sense of narrative threading together into striking harmonic
style arena rock, and punk from their tool- flow locks into place. Here is a band that backdrops. Album opener “Surviving”
IT-SYSMIN
William Reveal boxes. Far from the willfully raw, emotive isn’t afraid to cram their song structures bumps over start-and-stop guitar chords
yelps that emerged from the microphones with melodies that would probably each and a loping drum beat that allows the
ADVERTISING SALES of bands such as American Football and constitute their own discrete songs in lead vocals to float between the cracks
Michael Locander • sales@rcreader.com The Get Up Kids, Jimmy Eat World always the hands of a lesser band. Similarly, the in counterpoint. Highlight “All The Way
brought a theatrical, professional flair to excellent “Sweetness,” perhaps their sec- (Stay)” fully commits to the kind of bright,
CONTRIBUTING WRITERS their vocal arrangements. Lead singers
Amy Alkon, Max Allison, Rochelle Arnold, ond-most widely recognized song after chunky power chord riffs that covered
Rob Brezsny, Pamela Briggs, Max Cannon, Jim Adkins knows how to craft an ear- “The Middle,” flies right out of the date the airwaves in the 80s, before shedding
Madeline Dudziak, Daniel McAdams, worm melody, and possesses the vocal with some towering, hooky bellows that any semblance of machismo for its sticky
Julie McCarthy, Rich Miller, Loren Thacher chops to actually rise up and down the immediately implant into your brain. The sweet chorus. As a whole, the album rein-
scales as he sings, instead of harping on band’s sophistication in guitar arrange- forces Jimmy Eat World’s status as a fore-
PRINT COPY DISTRIBUTORS
Cheri Delay, Greg Fitzpatrick, Marie Mack, monotone clusters of notes or banking on ment comes into view here, as the distor- runner of affecting, expertly crafted pop
Jay Strickland an idiosyncratic delivery to back up what tion pedals kick on and the six-strings rock that knows exactly when to pull its
could be considered otherwise pedes- pump out chord progressions that subtly punches and when to make a lunge for

KNOW MORE. trian vocal lines. The band’s initial rise

on the strength of their immortal 2001
vary the harmonies already implied by the
chorus. The effect is one of motive intro-
those heartstrings.

DO MORE.
hit “The Middle” came into being due to
the song’s seamless, rapid-fire cadences
and multiple interlocking hooks. While
© 2019 River Cities’ Reader “The Middle” might have developed into
the kind of track that would overshadow
duction and quick reconfiguration, as
the voices cast off new melodic flourishes
against the shifting context of the guitars.
“Big Casino” from Chase This Light dou-
bles down on the arena-rock influences
Jimmy Eat World plays the Rust Belt
at 8:30 p.m. on November 8, admis-
sion is $30-35, and more information
and tickets are available by visiting
TheRustBeltQC.com.
Know More, Do More • RiverCitiesReader.com
Your event listing in print and online has been complimentary since 1993!
Send your events to Calendar@RCReader.com
VISUAL ARTS
Openings & Gallery Events
Community Activist Talk, Donald and Theresa
Daradar of the Pointeau-Chien Indian tribe of Louisiana
will discuss their tribe’s ongoing efforts to combat the
effects of global warming that threaten their tribe’s land;
free with $4-10 museum admission; for information,
call 563-326-7804, Figge Art Museum, 225 W. 2nd St.,
Davenport IA, FiggeArtMuseum.org, 6:30pm Thu Nov 7
Senior Day at the Figge, meet in the lobby for a
tour at 1:30pm, with a 2:30pm film in the auditorium;
seniors get 10% off in the Museum Store and Cafe; for
information, call 563-326-7804, Figge Art Museum, 225
W. 2nd St., Davenport IA, FiggeArtMuseum.org, 1:30pm
Thu Nov 7
Thursdays at the Figge, art-themed activities,
discussions, tours, refreshments, and more; guests
are invited to experience the current exhibitions
and permanent collection gallery as well as shop the
Museum Store; free; for information, call 563-326-
7804, Figge Art Museum, 225 W. 2nd St., Davenport IA,
FiggeArtMuseum.org, 5pm Thu Nov 7 thru Thu Nov 28
Q&A: Earthly Beauty, held in conjunction with the
exhibit of works by Susan… Morrissey Gallery, Galvin
Fine Arts Center - St. Ambrose University, 4pm Fri Nov 8
Q&A: Truth & Beauty, held in conjunction with the
exhibit of works by Sandra… Catich Gallery - St. Ambrose
University, 4pm Fri Nov 8
Reception: Earthly Beauty, held in conjunction with
the exhibit of works by Susan… Morrissey Gallery, Galvin
Fine Arts Center - St. Ambrose University, 5pm Fri Nov 8
Reception: Truth & Beauty, held in conjunction with
the exhibit of works by Sandra… Catich Gallery - St.
Ambrose University, 5pm Fri Nov 8
Closing Reception: Carolyn Krueger and Susan
Sharp, held in conjunction with the exhibit of ceramics
and mixed media;… The ARTery, Sat Nov 9
St. Alphonsus Catholic Church Annual Craft Sale,
held in the gymnasium; among the many items for
sale… St. Alphonsus Catholic Church, 9am Sat Nov 9
Collection and Exhibition Highlights Tour, a
guided tour with one of our knowledgeable docents, this
is a wonderful way to gain further insight into museum
exhibitions; meet in the Quad City Bank & Trust Grand
Lobby at the museum; free with $4-10 admission; for
information, call 563-326-7804, Figge Art Museum, 225
W. 2nd St., Davenport IA, FiggeArtMuseum.org, 1:30pm
Sat Nov 9 thru Sun Nov 17
Curator Talk: Vanessa Sage, Sage, Figge assistant
curator, will take visitors through the permanent
collection galleries to discuss some of her favorite
artworks; free with $4-10 museum admission; for
information, call 563-326-7804, Figge Art Museum, 225
W. 2nd St., Davenport IA, FiggeArtMuseum.org, 6:30pm
Thu Nov 14
The cArt!, find our art cart in selected galleries for
in-depth conversations about art; books, objects, gallery
games and information, along with a trained docent, will
NOVEMBER 2019
CALENDAR OF EVENTS
Covering November 7–December 4, 2019
be available for guests to explore art topics in new ways;
for information, call 563-326-7804, Figge Art Museum,
225 W. 2nd St., Davenport IA, FiggeArtMuseum.org, 1pm
Sat Nov 16
Girls On Fire Conference, the Figge is proud
to partner with LOVE Girls Magazine for this event
of empowerment focused on the capabilities,
achievements and spirit of junior high and high
school girls; for information, call 563-326-7804,
Figge Art Museum, 225 W. 2nd St., Davenport IA,
FiggeArtMuseum.org, 10am Thu Nov 21
Free Family Day, families and fans will dive into the
current exhibitions with special activities throughout
the museum; for information, call 563-326-7804,
Figge Art Museum, 225 W. 2nd St., Davenport IA,
FiggeArtMuseum.org, 10am Sat Nov 23
Final Friday at Bucktown, featuring the closing
reception for the “Show Your Colors!” exhibit;…
Bucktown Center for the Arts, 6pm Fri Nov 29
Public Reception: Show Your Colors, featuring
works of visual art from all media excepting video;…
Bucktown Center for the Arts, 6pm Fri Nov 29
Collection and Exhibition Highlights Tour, a
guided tour with one of our knowledgeable docents,
this is a wonderful way to gain further insight into
museum exhibitions; meet in the Quad City Bank & Trust
Grand Lobby at the museum; free with $4-10 admission;
for information, call 563-326-7804, Figge Art Museum,
225 W. 2nd St., Davenport IA, FiggeArtMuseum.org,
1:30pm Sun Dec 1
Exhibits & Shows
Earthly Beauty, exhibit of works from Susan Coleman,
an artist… Morrissey Gallery, Galvin Fine Arts Center - St.
Ambrose University, thru Sat Nov 23
Truth & Beauty, exhibit of works by Sandra Louise
Dyas,… Catich Gallery - St. Ambrose University, thru Sat
Nov 23
Mannheim Steamroller Christmas @ the Adler Theatre – November 14
River Cities’ Reader • Vol. 27 No. 967 • November 2019
Carolyn Krueger - Susan Sharp, exhibit of ceramics
and mixed media; Wed.-Sat.… The ARTery, thru Sat
Nov 30
Corrine Smith - Shari Telman, exhibit of mixed media
and jewelry; Wed.-Sat.… Midcoast at Bucktown Gallery,
thru Sat Nov 30
Day of the Dead: The Art of Remembrance,
this installation will explore how we celebrate and
remember the lives of our lost loved ones through the
collective traditions, art-making and storytelling that are
integral parts of Dia de los Muertos; Tue.-Fri. 10am-5pm,
Sat. 11am-5pm; free with $4-10 museum admission; for
information, call 563-326-7804, Figge Art Museum, 225
W. 2nd St., Davenport IA, FiggeArtMuseum.org, thru
Wed Dec 4
Denise Bellazo - David Bower, exhibit of mixed-
media artworks; for information, contact Zaiga
Thorson… Black Hawk College ArtSpace Gallery, thru
Wed Dec 4
Emily Newman: Sky Weave, exhibit of drawings by
the Des Moines-based… Quad City Arts Center, thru
Wed Dec 4
John Dilg: Arterial Resources, the exhibition
includes approximately 30 works as well as a collection
of source materials, including a collection of thrift store
artworks, which combined with memory have inspired
Dilg in the development of his work; Tue.-Fri. 10am-5pm,
Sat. 11am-5pm; free with $4-10 museum admission; for
information, call 563-326-7804, Figge Art Museum, 225
W. 2nd St., Davenport IA, FiggeArtMuseum.org, thru
Wed Dec 4
Let It Show, seasonal exhibit by local artists; Wed.-Sat.
11am-6pm; free;… Bereskin Gallery & Art Academy, thru
Wed Dec 4
Mia Feuer: Totems of the Anthropocene, the
exhibit envisions what our environment might become
after prolonged exposure to petroleum products;
featuring several unique installations and a one-
person indoor synthetic ice rink; Tue.-Sat. 10am-5pm,
Thu. 10am-9pm, Sun. noon-5pm; free with $4-10
museum admission; for information, call 563-326-
5
7804, Figge Art Museum, 225 W. 2nd St., Davenport IA,
FiggeArtMuseum.org, thru Wed Dec 4
Randy Richmond: The Set Table: Forks on the
Left, Metaphors on the Right, exhibit of photographs
by the Muscatine-based artist;… Quad City Arts Center,
thru Wed Dec 4
Randy Richmond: Verisimilitude, an exhibit of 10
large-format photographs; the subjects of Richmond’s
photographs are careful arrangements of found
objects combined with taxidermy animals or mounts
from the collections of St. Ambrose University and the
Nature Center at Nahant Marsh; Tue.-Fri. 10am-5pm,
Sat. 11am-5pm; free with $4-10 museum admission; for
information, call 563-326-7804, Figge Art Museum, 225
W. 2nd St., Davenport IA, FiggeArtMuseum.org, thru
Wed Dec 4
Rose Frantzen: Portrait of Maquoketa and the
Storytelling Tree, Frantzen’s multi-panel “Portrait of
Maquoketa” artwork includes 180 12x12” oil portraits of
people from Maquoketa and a 315 square foot landscape
view of Maquoketa painted on 34 vertical panels
suspended from the ceiling; “The Storytelling Tree” tells
the story of a young girl’s special bond with her father;
Tue.-Sat. 10am-5pm, Thu. 10am-9pm, Sun. noon-5pm;
free with $4-10 museum admission; for information,
call 563-326-7804, Figge Art Museum, 225 W. 2nd St.,
Davenport IA, FiggeArtMuseum.org,thru Wed Dec 4
Steve Erickson: Painter, through the series of 11
recent works that comprise the exhibit, one can witness
firsthand the artists’s desire to create paintings that
suggest vast possibilities well beyond the edge of a
rectangular plane; Tue.-Fri. 10am-5pm, Sat. 11am-5pm;
free with $4-10 museum admission; for information,
call 563-326-7804, Figge Art Museum, 225 W. 2nd St.,
Davenport IA, FiggeArtMuseum.org, thru Wed Dec 4
Ben Ryan - Tony Seabolt, exhibit of mixed media and
paintings; Wed.-Sat.… Midcoast at Bucktown Gallery,
Sun Dec 1 thru thru Wed Dec 4
Teresa Mesich - Jeanne O’Melia, exhibit of paintings
and mixed-media parade floats;… The ARTery, Sun Dec
1 thru thru Wed Dec 4
 6 River Cities’ Reader • Vol. 27 No. 967 • November 2019 Know More, Do More • RiverCitiesReader.com

MUSIC Classes
submissions of video art and sound works; artists will be
notified the first week of January 2020; for information,
call 563-326-7804, Figge Art Museum, 225 W. 2nd St.,

America
Bath Bombs, all materials will be supplied; free; for Davenport IA, RockIslandArtGuild.org, thru Sat Nov 23
information, call 309-523-3440… River Valley District
Library, 5pm Thu Nov 7 Call for Entries: Show Your Colors, seeking
Saturday, November 9, 8 p.m. @ Rhythm City Casino Wine & Art: Mixed-Media Pet Portraits, enjoy
submissions for the exhibit whose public… Bucktown
Center for the Arts, Sat Nov 16 thru Wed Dec 4

Resort Event Center, 7077 Elmore Avenue, Davenport, IA

a glass of wine, light hors d’oeuvres, and socializing;
participants will think outside the frame of traditional
portraiture when they create their favorite furry family
member’s portrait. use acrylic paint and paper collage MUSIC
to create colors, patterns and dramatic layers; for
information, call 563-326-7804, Figge Art Museum, 225 Concerts
W. 2nd St., Davenport IA, FiggeArtMuseum.org, 6pm
Thu Nov 7 Guest List Series featuring Joe Marcinek, concert
with the blues, funk, and jazz-fusion musician; free; for…
Needlecraft: Applique, on Thursdays; learn to The Redstone Room, 7:30pm Thu Nov 7
personalize anything with easy to learn… Davenport
Public Library - Eastern Avenue Branch, 3:30pm thru Bettendorf Park Band, the ensemble’s first concert
Thu Nov 21 in its 52nd season; free… Herbert Goettsch Community
Center, 7:30pm Fri Nov 8
Adult Coloring, coloring pages, gel pens, colored
pencils and crayons will be… River Valley District Library, Brent Penny - Annalibera - Gabriel Dowie,
2pm Fri Nov 8 bedroom-pop musician in concert; $5-10 sliding scale;
for information, call 309-200-0978… Rozz-Tox, 9pm Fri
America @ Rhythm City Casino Resort – November 9

C
hart-topping rockers whose illus-
trious career has seen the release
of 16 studio albums, four live
albums, and seven compilations (including
2019’s 50th Anniversary: Golden Hits), the
Grammy Award-winning band America
enjoys a special engagement at Davenport’s
Rhythm City Casino Resort Event Center
on November 9, playing from a five-decade
repertoire boasting such classic hits as “Tin
Man,” “Sister Golden Hair,” and the iconic
“A Horse with No Name.”
Despite the band’s moniker, America
was actually formed in London in 1970 by
Dewey Bunnell and Gerry Beckley (both of
whom are still in the group) alongside Dan
Peek. The trio met as sons of U.S. Air Force
personnel stationed in London, where they
began performing together shortly after the
members’ graduation from high school.
Acclaimed from the start for their tight
vocal harmonies and light, acoustic, folk-
rock sound, America’s musicians signed a
record deal with Warner Bros. Records and
released their self-titled debut in 1971, an
album whose lead-off single was “A Hotrse
with No Name.” The song became their first
number-one smash on the Billboard Hot
100 and was also a top-five hit in the United
Kingdom, where it reached number three
on the U.K. Singles Chart. America itself
topped the U.S. Billboard charts, earned
platinum sales, and inspired another top-10
sensation in “I Need You,” while additional
hits for America in the 1970s included
“Ventura Highway,” “Lonely People,” “Tin
Man,” and the chart-topping “Sister Golden
Hair.”
America’s 2007 album Here & Now was
a collaboration with a new generation of
musicians who credited the band as an
influence, and in addition to their Grammy
Award, the musicians were inducted into
the Vocal Group Hall of Fame in 2006 and
received a star on the Hollywood Walk of
Fame in 2012. In recent years, America has
gained more than 1.4 million monthly lis-
teners on Spotify with eight songs receiv-
ing over two million streams, among them
“A Horse with No Name” (42 million-plus
streams), “Sister Golden Hair” (11 million-
plus), and “Ventura Highway” (10 million-
plus). With Bunnell and Beckley continuing
to record material and tour with regular-
ity, America’s audience continues to grow,
comprising a loyal legion of first-, second-,
and third-generation fans.
America plays the Rhythm City
Casino Resort Event Center at 8 p.m. on
November 9, admission is $35-75, and
more information and tickets are avail-
able by calling (844)852-4386 or visiting
RhythmCityCasino.com.
Intro to Clay Studio, on Fridays, with instructors Claire
Waterman and Karen Brinson; learn… Bereskin Gallery &
Art Academy, 5:30pm Fri Nov 8 thru Fri Nov 15
Mixed-Media Assemblage: “Put A Bird On It”
Workshop, with instructor Theresa Weil; explore
mixed media assemblage in this… Bereskin Gallery & Art
Academy, 12:30pm Sat Nov 9
Oil Painting, on Saturdays, with instructor Dave
Anderson; learn to see, draw,… Bereskin Gallery & Art
Academy, 9:30am Sat Nov 9 thru Sat Nov 30
Box of Thanks, an activity in the Southwest Craft Night
series; materials supplied;… Rock Island Public Library -
Southwest Branch, 6pm Tue Nov 12
Crocheting a Gift, Nov. 12 & 19; $28; for information
and to register,… Black Hawk College - Quad City
Campus, 5:30pm Tue Nov 12
DIY Canvas Photos, create your own 8” x 10” canvas
photo; participants need… River Valley District Library,
2pm Tue Nov 12
Tipsy Art, have fun sipping on your favorite drink while
creating your… Hauberg Civic Center Mansion, 7pm Fri
Nov 15
Holiday Crafternoon, guests will be able to fashion
ornaments from six selections… Bettendorf Public
Library, 1pm Sat Nov 16
Creation Studio Drop-In: Washi Tape Kindness
Cards, free; for information, call 563-344-4175 or e-mail
info@bettendorflibrary.com… Bettendorf Public Library,
3pm Mon Nov 18
Thankful Tree, if you have something you’re thankful
for this fall, help… Davenport Public Library - Fairmount
Street Branch, 4pm Mon Nov 18
How Pin-teresting! with Jenn Voss, if you’re stuck
with the kids, bring them to the… LeClaire Community
Library, 6:30pm Thu Nov 21
Creation Studio Drop-In: 3D Greeting Cards,
free; for information, call 563-344-4175 or e-mail info@
bettendorflibrary.com… Bettendorf Public Library, 3pm
Mon Nov 25
Nov 8
Casual Classics: Concert III, “Duets for Divas,” with
Diane McVey, soprano and Gretchen Windt,… Galvin
Fine Arts Center - St. Ambrose University, 5pm Fri Nov 8
Jimmy Eat World, concert with the platinum-selling,
Arizona-based rockers; $30-35… The Rust Belt, 8:30pm
Fri Nov 8
Terry Quiett Band, concert with the touring blues
musicians, featuring an opening set… The Redstone
Room, 8pm Fri Nov 8
The Manny Lopez Big Band, Lopez and his 13 piece
big band will be playing… The Circa ’21 Speakeasy, 6pm
Fri Nov 8
America, concert with the multi-platinum-selling,
Grammy-winning classic rockers; $35-75; for tickets and
information, call 844-852-4FUN, Rhythm City Casino
Resort Event Center, 7077 Elmore Ave., Davenport IA,
RhythmCityCasino.com, 8pm Sat Nov 9
Corridore - White Batzzz - Everlasting Light, black-
metal, electronic, and doom musicians in concert; $5-10
sliding scale; for… Rozz-Tox, 9pm Sat Nov 9
St. Ambrose University Student Invitational
Recital, free; for information, contact Terri Flynn at 563-
333-6001 or buesing-flynnterrik@sau.edu… Galvin Fine
Arts Center - St. Ambrose University, 3pm Sun Nov 10
Chris O’Leary Band, concert with the New York-based
blues singer, guitarist, and harmonica… Moline Viking
Club, 6pm Mon Nov 11
Thy Art Is Murder, Australian deathcore musicians in
concert, with sets by VCTMS, Pit Lord,… RIBCO, 5:30pm
Mon Nov 11

Adult Coloring, discover the therapeutic benefits of

coloring; color pencils and coloring… Davenport Public
Library - Fairmount Street Branch, 2pm Tue Nov 26

DIY Dog Toys, we’ll provide the supplies you need

to make simple rope… Davenport Public Library -
Fairmount Street Branch, 6:30pm Tue Dec 3

Holiday Craft, celebrate the holidays with the Library

by making your own… Davenport Public Library -
Eastern Avenue Branch, 6pm Wed Dec 4

Calls For Entry

Call for Entries: 41st Fine Arts Exhibition, any
artist living within 150 miles of the Quad Cities is
eligible; Candace Moeller, associate director of Cristin
Tierney Gallery in New York, will be the juror; this year, Aaron Kamm and the One Drops
for the first time, the Rock Island Art Guild will accept
@ the Redstone Room – November 22
Know More, Do More • RiverCitiesReader.com
Slayer @ the TaxSlayer Center – November 14
Kris Kristofferson & the Strangers, concert with
the Country Music Hall of Fame member and… Adler
Theatre, 7:30pm Wed Nov 13
The T’N’T Tour: Tommy Castro & Tinsley Ellis,
touring blues musicians in concert; $30 adv / $35 day
of… The Redstone Room, 7:30pm Wed Nov 13
Juan Franco, concert with the acclaimed tenor and
guest music artist; free;… Galvin Fine Arts Center - St.
Ambrose University, 7pm Thu Nov 14
Karen Meat - Subatlantic - Tambourine, pop
and rock musicians in concert; $5-10 sliding scale; for
information,… Rozz-Tox, 8pm Thu Nov 14
Mannheim Steamroller Christmas, founder Chip
Davis celebrates the 35th Anniversary of his annual
Christmas… Adler Theatre, 7:30pm Thu Nov 14
Slayer, concert with the California-based thrash-metal
band, featuring sets by Primus, Ministry,… TaxSlayer
Center, 6pm Thu Nov 14
Brown Bag Lunch Series Concert: Tony Rangel
& Friends, free; for information, call 563-344-4175 or
e-mail info@bettendorflibrary.com… Bettendorf Public
Library, noon Fri Nov 15
Bucktown Revue, a live music-and-humor variety
show featuring various styles of folk… Nighswander
Theatre, 7pm Fri Nov 15
Cryptostatic - Autumn Rove - St. October, an
epic night of metal for all ages featuring the… Village
Theatre, 7pm Fri Nov 15
Joe & Vicki Price, concert with the folk, blues, and
Americana singer/songwriters and Iowa… The Redstone
Room, 7:30pm Fri Nov 15
Northern Parallels 038: Mike Derer - Higgy -
b00kie - b2b - flowereater, quality house and techno;
$5; for information, call 309-200-0978… Rozz-Tox, 8pm
Fri Nov 15
Moeller Nights Fest: Vol. II, concert with indie
musicians TBA; $40… The Rust Belt, 7pm Fri Nov 15 thru
Sat Nov 16
Ami Dang, concert with the South Asian-American
vocalist, sitarist, composer and producer… Rozz-Tox,
9pm Sat Nov 16
My Posse in Effect: A Beastie Boys Tribute, concert
with the hip-hop tribute musicians; $10 adv / $12 day…
The Redstone Room, 9pm Sat Nov 16
Fabio Frizzi - Frizzi 2 Fulci, presented by All Senses,
WAKE Brewing, Ragged Records, and Music… RIBCO,
8pm Sun Nov 17
Polyrhythms’ Third Sunday Jazz Workshop &
Matinee Series: The Bob Washut Emeritet, concert
with pianist/composer Washnut plus UNI faculty and
alums Chris… The Redstone Room, 3pm Sun Nov 17
Weeping Icon - Commodity A - Aging, concert
with experimental and noise-punk musicians; free; for
information, call… Rozz-Tox, 8pm Sun Nov 17
River Cities’ Reader • Vol. 27 No. 967 • November 2019 7
Hells Bells AC/DC Tribute, an evening with the
number-one tribute to AC/DC; $10 & up… Jumer’s Casino Special Events
& Hotel, 7pm Sat Nov 30
Augustana Symphony Orchestra: John Williams
Jim McDonough and His Orchestra & Singers: Movie Night, musicians of all ages are invited to
Holiday Grande 2019, this dazzling, all-new stage join the orchestra to play Williams’ film themes in
production features International Steinway Artist this Orchestra Reading Night; music will be provided;
McDonough… Adler Theatre, 2:30pm Sun Dec 1 participants should bring their instruments and a folding
music stand if possible; free, Bergendoff Hall of Fine
Black Hawk College Community String Orchestra, Arts - Augustana College, 3701 7th Ave., Rock Island IL,
free; for information, contact Dr. Edgar Crockett at 309- Augustana.formstack.com/forms/aso_reading_nights,
796-5479 or crockette@bhc.edu… Black Hawk College 7:30pm Thu Nov 7
Theatre - Building 1, Room 308, 7pm Mon Dec 2
RME Community Youth Band Rehearsal, on
Black Hawk College Community Band, free; for Wednesdays; a concert band for students that may not
information, contact Dr. Edgar Crockett at 309-796-5479 have… RME (River Music Experience), 5:15pm Wed Nov
or crockette@bhc.edu… Black Hawk College Hawk’s 13 thru Wed Nov 27
Nest - Building 4, 7pm Tue Dec 3
KIX Orchestra Rehearsal, the KIX Orchestra, directed
Tuneful Tuesdays, bring your lunch and enjoy a by Steve Little, plays music from… RME (River Music
musical performance over the… Rock Island Public Experience), 7pm Tue Nov 19
Library - Downtown Library, noon Tue Dec 3
Trax from the Stax: Liv Carrow Presents, a music-
Black Hawk College Electronic Music Concert, listening program designed to provide the opportunity
free; for information, contact Dr. Edgar Crockett at 309- to share… Bettendorf Public Library, 7:30pm Thu Nov 21
796-5479 or crockette@bhc.edu… Black Hawk College
Theatre - Building 1, Room 308, 7pm Wed Dec 4 RME Community Youth Band Rehearsal, on
Black Hawk College Big Band and Jazz Combos, Wednesdays; a concert band for students that may not
free; for information, contact Dr. Edgar Crockett at 309- have… RME (River Music Experience), 5:15pm Wed Dec 4
796-5479 or crockette@bhc.edu… Black Hawk College
Theatre - Building 1, Room 308, 7pm Wed Nov 20
Aaron Kamm & the One Drops, concert with the
touring reggae-rock musicians, featuring an opening
set… The Redstone Room, 9pm Fri Nov 22
Daykeeper - Dead Emperors - Igneous - Cervine,
concert with the doom, prog, and heavy-metal
musicians; $5; for… RIBCO, 9:30pm Fri Nov 22
Tunes at the Tulip, enjoy listener-friendly music from a
variety of artists in the… Hauberg Civic Center Mansion,
7pm Fri Nov 22
Harry Potter & the Prisoner of Azkaban in
Concert, the Quad City Symphony Orchestra plays live
accompaniment to Alfonso… Adler Theatre, 7:30pm Sat
Nov 23
Harry Potter & the Prisoner of Azkaban in
Concert, at 2 & 7:30pm; the Quad City Symphony
Orchestra plays live accompaniment… Adler Theatre,
Sat Nov 23
Old Dominion, concert with the chart-topping
Nashville-based country band on its “Make… TaxSlayer
Center, 7pm Sat Nov 23
Zeta - Everlasting Light - Dark Family - Aubs.,
concert with experimental and psych musicians; $5-10
sliding scale; for… Rozz-Tox, 9pm Sat Nov 23
Lessons & Carols, at 3 & 5pm; annual event presents
the story of Christ’s birth in readings and music, with the
Augustana Chamber Singers; free; for information, call
309-794-7306, Ascension Chapel, Augustana College,
3701 7th Ave., Rock Island IL, Augustana.edu, Sun Nov 24
Black Hawk College Chamber Music Recital,
free; for information, contact Dr. Edgar Crockett at 309-
796-5479 or crockette@bhc.edu… Black Hawk College
Theatre - Building 1, Room 308, 7pm Mon Nov 25
Black Hawk College Voice Recital, free; for
information, contact Dr. Edgar Crockett at 309-796-5479
or crockette@bhc.edu… Black Hawk College Theatre -
Building 1, Room 308, 7pm Tue Nov 26
Doggin’ Out Blues Band, featuring local musicians;
no cover; for information, call 563-323-0895… The Diner,
7:30pm Wed Nov 27
Tommy Cornelis, concert with the QC-born, DC-based
DJ and member of The… Rozz-Tox, 8pm Wed Nov 27
Back in Black Friday / Electric Shock: AC/DC
Tribute, concert with the Quad Cities-based tribute
rockers; $8 adv / $10… The Redstone Room, 8pm Fri
Nov 29
Guest List Series featuring Davina & the
Vagabonds - Mo Carter & Co., concert with the
touring jazz and soul band, featuring a… The Redstone
Room, 7:30pm Sat Nov 30
 8 River Cities’ Reader • Vol. 27 No. 967 • November 2019
MUSIC
Ami Dang and Bill MacKay
Saturday, November 16, 9 p.m. @ Rozz-Tox,
2108 Third Avenue, Rock Island, IL
B
altimore-based Ami Dang and Chicago
musician Bill MacKay perform at Rock
Island venue Rozz-Tox on November 16.
Ami Dang’s music sketches out a hybridized
vision of experimental yet accessible songwriting
and production that spans the many disciplines
and levels of the American and diasporic inter-
national undergrounds in which she has created.
As a fixture of the Baltimore DIY scene for years,
Dang has been an ambassador of cross-fertilization
between far-flung styles including North Indian
classical music, bedroom-pop beat-making, and
extended drone and ambient exercises. Led by her
emotive, masterful sitar playing, her tracks find
room for moments of ethereal improvisation and
swooning lead lines, along with details of elec-
tronic production and synth performance that
recontextualize her lead instrument against diverse
soundscapes.
The description “East meets West” feels like
it fundamentally misses that which makes her
music so striking, because at this point, many of
the tropes that she incorporates in her music can’t
be localized to one region or tradition. Aside from
the presence of the sitar, which clearly grounds her
work in the South Asian canon, she deals in elec-
tronic elements that have no easy reference point.
Is it Tangerine Dream-style Berlin School synth
arrangement? Is it omnivorous sculpting in digital
audio workspace that evokes the work of polyglots
such as Aisha Devi, Holly Herndon, or Earthe-
ater? Is it a post-minimalist update of the work of
eternally returning drone forerunners including
Terry Riley and La Monte Young – or, perhaps
more accurately, one step back to the bottomless
kirana gharana singing of their teacher, the origi-
nal drone progenitor Pandit Pran Nath? It is all of
these things and more.
Dang’s most recent release, 2019’s lush LP Parted
Plains, displays all the skills that have come to shape
her practice to date. The transfixing “Bopoluchi”
flows through a series of cascading sitar melodies
all while a backdrop of high-definition synthesis
broods and percolates into motion behind them.
The track’s final minute or so soars into glorious
cross-pollinated aural territory, where the intensi-
fying lines from her instrument flow in time with
patches of fine-grain, hyper-textural synth – with
chubby bass notes and contoured washes that
sound like they were sourced from the circuits of a
classic Buchla synth. Album highlight “Sohni” hits
hard with its over-layered network of sitar tones,
blasting out with a stereo spread in which every
corner is filled with percolating, twanged melody.
Moments like these, when Dang sidesteps typical
conventions of live performance and allows her
instrument to cross the uncanny valley into the
realm of fine-tuned digital arrangement, attest to
her vision as a producer and her sense of the heights
to which her tools can raise her music. The track
manages to evoke touchstones as disparate as the
guitar orchestras of Glenn Branca, the looped
melodic excursions of Noveller, and the existential
dread of large, doomsday, post-rock ensembles
such as A Silver Mount Zion. “Souterrain,” the
towering closer of Parted Plains, peels back the
layers of electronic ornamentation to allow Dang’s
By Max Allison
Ami Dang and Bill MacKay @ Rozz-Tox
– November 16
sitar to take center stage as it pours out gently
reverbed melodies. Around a minute in, how-
ever, an ominous synth arpeggio bassline creeps
into the mix along with torrents of raw electronic
tone. From there, the track navigates a tightrope
between swelling synth abandon and crystalline
lead voices, culminating in a triumphant web of
bubbling synth tones.
Chicago-based journeyman guitarist Bill
McKay joins Dang on the November 16 bill,
bringing along his achingly beautiful post-Amer-
ican Primitive style fingerpicked guitar work and
nuanced songwriting. This year, MacKay added
the solo record Fountain Fire to his deep catalog
of both solo records and albums in duo formation
with luminaries including Ryley Walker and Matt
Lux. Released via venerable Chicago mainstay label
Drag City, Fountain Fire captures exactly what
makes MacKay a continuing source of plucked-
out-of-time six string mastery. The album splits the
difference between dynamic improvisatory leads
and off-the-cuff riffing with composed passages
in which additional guitars, keyboards, and subtle
synths provide accompanying harmonies. The glis-
tening “Welcome” seduces us with its jazzy chord
structures and juxtaposed electric and acoustic
guitar tones, hitting some sweet spot between pro-
gressive English folk and pastoral mountain rock.
“Try It On” slinks its way up through ascending
melodies of open-tuned folk grandeur, and gives
us the welcome addition of MacKay’s own lovely
vocals to the mix – sounding as much like a belea-
guered songwriter stranded in a cabin in the forest
as an urban troubadour making sense of his place
in the sprawling landscape of Chicago. The monu-
mental “Dragon County” closes out Fountain Fire
on a high note as MacKay’s guitar playing com-
bines fluid comping, languid slide textures, and a
more formless, quick wrist style that provides the
harmonic bedrock for the other elements. MacKay
builds tension throughout its six-minute run time,
letting each layer of guitar shine in the spotlight
before sinking back into the mist. His jittering
electric leads, though, demand our attention as
complex details within the stew of sounds, cast off
with distinct effect processing and fleet-fingered
melodic phrasings.
Ami Dang and Bill MacKay play Rozz-Tox on
November 16 with an opening set by Idpyramid,
admission to the 9 p.m. is $10-15, and more infor-
mation on the night is available by calling (309)200-
0978 or visiting RozzTox.com.
Know More, Do More • RiverCitiesReader.com
LITERARY ARTS
Rick Beyer, historian and Quad City Arts Visiting Artist
speaks about his… Frances Banta Waggoner Community
Library, 5pm Thu Nov 7
Rick Beyer, historian and Quad City Arts Visiting
Artist speaks about his… Black Hawk College Theatre -
Building 1, Room 308, 12:30pm Fri Nov 8
Local Author Series: AR DeClerck, local author
DeClerck will be discussing how authors find
inspiration… Davenport Public Library - Eastern Avenue
Branch, 3pm Sat Nov 9
Mystery Book Discussion Group: Crow Trap, a
discussion of Ann Cleeves’ book; free; for information,
call… Bettendorf Public Library, 9:30am Sat Nov 9
Rick Beyer, historian and Quad City Arts Visiting Artist
speaks about his… Central DeWitt Performing Arts
Center, 7pm Sat Nov 9
Evening in the Palace of Reason: Bach Meets
Frederick the Great in the Age of Enlightenment,
a discussion of James R. Gaines’ book with the German
American… Bettendorf Public Library, 7pm Tue Nov 12
Get Lit: Where’d You Go, Bernadette, a discussion Chad Elliott @ Flatted Fifth Blues and BBQ
of Maria Semple’s book; free; for information, call… – November 23
Bettendorf Public Library, 7pm Tue Nov 12
Write Now! Writers Group, a chance for seasoned and Last Monday Book Club Discussion, light
inspired writers to meet to… Moline Public Library, 6pm refreshments will be paired with good conversation;
Mon Nov 18 books for… Silvis Public Library, 6:30pm Mon Nov 25
Educated, a discussion of Tara Westover’s book with the Farming While Black: Soul Fire Farm’s Practical
Last Call… Icons Martini, 7pm Tue Nov 19 Guide to Liberation on the Land, a discussion of
Leah Penniman’s book with the Environmental Book…
West End Book Club, free; for information, call 563- River Action, 7pm Tue Nov 26
326-7832… Davenport Public Library - Fairmount Street
Branch, 6:30pm Tue Nov 19 Woman in Cabin 10, a discussion of Ruth Ware’s novel
with the Southwest Branch… Rock Island Public Library -
A Novel Naptime, parents discuss a monthly selection Southwest Branch, 6pm Tue Nov 26
while activities are provided in… Moline Public Library,
10:30am Wed Nov 20 Old Possum’s Book of Practical Cats, a discussion
of T.S. Eliot’s book in the Book to… Davenport Public
Contemporary Books Discussion Group: The Library - Eastern Avenue Branch, 6:30pm Wed Nov 27
Story of My Teeth, a discussion of Valeria Luiselli’s
book; free; for information, call… Bettendorf Public The Poisoner’s Handbook, a discussion of Deborah
Library, 1pm Wed Nov 20 Blum’s book with the Brown Bag… Davenport Public
Library - Eastern Avenue Branch, 1pm Wed Nov 27
Contemporary Books Discussion Group: Signs
Preceding the End of the World, a discussion of Yuri Whiteout, a discussion of Ken Follett’s book with the
Herrera’s book; free; for information, call… Bettendorf Alpha Book… Rock Island Public Library - Downtown
Public Library, 7pm Wed Nov 20 Library, 1pm Mon Dec 2
Harry Potter & the Sorcerer’s Stone, a discussion of Write Now! Writers Group, a chance for seasoned and
J.K. Rowling’s book with the 30/31 Book… Rock Island inspired writers to meet to… Moline Public Library, 6pm
Public Library - 30/31 Branch, 6:30pm Wed Nov 20 Mon Dec 2
American Fire, a discussion of Monica Hesse’s book Pageturners Book Discussion Group, free; for
with the True Crime… Davenport Public Library - information, call 309-524-2470… Moline Public Library,
Fairmount Street Branch, 6:30pm Thu Nov 21 6:30pm Tue Dec 3
Kafka on the Shore, a discussion of Haruki Murakami’s The Store, a discussion of James Patterson.’s book with
book with the Bangtan Book… Rock Island Public Library the Between the… Davenport Public Library - Eastern
- Downtown Library, 5:30pm Thu Nov 21 Avenue Branch, 6:30pm Wed Dec 4
The Prenzie Players’ The Merry Wives of Windsor @ QC Theatre Workshop – November 15 - 23
Know More, Do More • RiverCitiesReader.com River Cities’ Reader • Vol. 27 No. 967 • November 2019 9
THEATRE THEATRE
read from the script, no preparation is necessary; Sat.
2-4pm, Sun. 5-7pm; for information, call 309-762-0330,
Playcrafters Barn Theatre, 4950 35th Ave., Moline IL,
Performances
Prescription: Murder
Playcrafters.com, 2pm Sat Nov 23 and Sun Nov 24

A Doublewide, Texas Christmas, holiday slapstick
by Jamie Wooten, Jessie Jones, and Nicholas Hope,…
Richmond Hill Barn Theatre, Thu Nov 7 thru Sun Nov 17
Newsies: The Musical, Tony-winning period musical
based on the Disney movie; Thu.-Sat. 7pm,… Alleman
High School’s Dr. Tracy Spaeth Performing Arts Center,
Thu Nov 7 thru Sun Nov 10
Elf: The Musical, holiday musical based on the 2003
Will Ferrell film comedy,… Circa ’21 Dinner Playhouse,
Thu Nov 7 thru Wed Dec 4
Audition Workshop for Area Youths, the focus of
the classes will be audition techniques for… Timber Lake
Playhouse, 10am Sat Nov 16 Friday, November 8, through Sunday, November 17 @
Playcrafters Barn Theatre, 4950 35th Avenue, Moline, IL
DANCE
Ballet Quad Cities School of Dance Classes,
offering classes in Ballet Pointe, Modern, Jazz, Tap,
Conditioning, Creative… Ballet Quad Cities School of
Dance, thru Wed Dec 4

Oleanna, New Ground Theatre’s production of David
Mamet’s sexual-harassment drama; Fri.… Village
Theatre, Fri Nov 8 thru Sun Nov 10
Prescription: Murder, mystery-thriller by William Link
and Richard Levinson, directed by Eric Teeter; Fri. & Sat.
Polka Club of Iowa, Inc., Eastern Chapter Dance:
Eddie Korosa Jr. Band (1pm), $10, 21 & under free; for
information, call 563-284-6340… Walcott Coliseum, 1pm
Sun Nov 10
Ballet Quad Cities Performance, Ballet Quad Cities Prescription Murder @ Playcrafters Barn Theatre – November 8 - 17

7:30pm, Sun. 3pm; $10-13; for information and tickets,
call 309-762-0330, Playcrafters Barn Theatre, 4950 35th
Ave., Moline IL, Playcrafters.com, Fri Nov 8 thru Sun
Nov 17
She Kills Monsters, Qui Nguyen’s comedy about the
players of fantasy role-playing games, directed by Jeff
Coussens; Thu.-Sat. 7:30pm, Sun. 1:30pm; $10-15; for
tickets and information, call 309-794-7306, Brunner
Theatre Center, Augustana College, 3750 7th Ave., Rock
Island IL, Augustana.edu, Thu Nov 14 thru Sun Nov 17
The Merry Wives of Windsor, Prenzie Players
production of Shakespeare’s comedy, directed by Jake
Walker… QC Theatre Workshop, Fri Nov 15 thru Sat
Nov 23
Losers Bracket, blue-collar comedy by Clay and Nate
Sander, directed by David Bonde;… The Black Box
Theatre, Fri Nov 15 thru Sun Nov 24
Gunplay, Frabk Higgins’ kaleidoscope of scenes about
guns in American life, directed by Kevin Battitt; Thu.-at.
7:30pm, Sun. 2:30pm; $8 at the door; reservations
recommended at 563-441-4339, Scott Community
College’s Black Box Theatre, Room #228 through Door #2,
Scott Community College, 500 Belmont Rd., Bettendorf
IA, EICC.edu, Thu Nov 21 thru Sun Nov 24
Christmas Wonderland Holiday Spectacular,
holiday production in the Broadway at the Adler Theatre
series,… Adler Theatre, 7:30pm Fri Nov 29
Mr. Scrooge! A Musical Christmas Carol, family-
friendly re-telling of Charles Dickens’ classic holiday
novel; 11am brunch,… Circa ’21 Dinner Playhouse, noon
Fri Nov 29 thru Tue Dec 3
Auditions & Calls for Entry
The Wedding Singer, seeking performers ages 16 &
older for the Tony-nominated musical… The Spotlight
Theatre, Sat Nov 16 and Sun Nov 17
The Boxcar Children, auditions for Barbara Field’s
Depression-era adventure running February 7 - 16,
directed by Cynthia Taylor; auditions will be a cold
will present a special performance inspired by art on
display at the Figge; free with $4-10 museum admission;
for information, call 563-326-7804, Figge Art Museum,
225 W. 2nd St., Davenport IA, FiggeArtMuseum.org,
6:30pm Thu Nov 21
COMEDY
Circumstantial Comedy Show, on Fridays; w/ $2 Old
School Beers of the Day; for… Brew, 10pm Fri Nov 8 thru
Fri Nov 29
SUYP Comedy Presents: Truth or Dare, combines
everyone’s favorite and most traumatizing party game
with improv… Village Theatre, 8pm Sat Nov 9
Show Us Your Pokeballs, a night of improv and sketch
comedy; $10-12; ages 18+; for… Village Theatre, 8pm
Sat Nov 9
ComedySportz, interactive comedy with the area’s
long-running improv troupe; $12 at… The Spotlight
Theatre, 7pm Sat Nov 9
Tomfoolery on Tremont 37: Davey Wester, an
evening with the touring standup comedian; 8pm show,
with Happy… Renwick Mansion, 8pm Sun Nov 10
Stand Up Comedy Open Mic, on Mondays, hosted by
Douglas Hernandez; for information, call 309-517-1944…
Broken Saddle, 8pm Mon Nov 11 thru Mon Dec 2
Broken Saddle Comedy Open Mic, on Tuesdays;
if you’ve ever been called “the funny guy”… Broken
Saddle, 8:30pm Tue Nov 12 thru Tue Dec 3
Butchers Hook Comedy w/ Ryan Proctor, on
Tuesdays; a stand-up-comedy open mic night; for
information, call… Meat Market, 9pm Tue Nov 12 thru
Tue Dec 3
The Laugh Hard Comedy Show, event featuring
some of the funniest stand-up comedians from across…
The Circa ’21 Speakeasy, 8pm Fri Nov 15
A
delightfully engaging stage mys-
tery whose fi lm version intro-
duced the world to the iconic
detective Lt. Columbo, authors William
Link’s and Richard L. Levinson’s Pre-
scription: Murder wraps up the Playcraft-
ers Barn Theatre’s 2019 season with its
November 8 through 17 run, this “arrest-
ing” comic thriller sure to prove why
British Theatre Guide raved, “For fans of
Columbo, and of detective stories in gen-
eral, this is certainly worth seeing.”
Providing the inspiration for the
Emmy-winning TV series that spanned
numerous decades and made a star of
Peter Falk, Columbo’s theatrical prede-
cessor Prescription: Murder tells the tale
of a brilliant psychiatrist and his mistress
who hatch a plot to murder the man’s neu-
rotic, possessive wife. The execution of
their plan and the creation of their perfect
alibi depend on a bizarre impersonation,
and the stage mystery finds Lt. Columbo
consequently engaging the psychiatrist in
a duel of wits. But when the doctor suc-
ceeds in having Columbo removed from
the case … .
What follows is an exciting and fasci-
nating game of cat-and-mouse written by
longtime collaborators Link and Levin-
son, who received a Special Edgar Award
(named after Edgar Allan Poe) from the
Mystery Writers of America for their
work on TV’s Ellery Queen and Columbo.
During the 1980s, they were also three-
time winners of the Edgar for Best TV
Feature or MiniSeries Teleplay, and in
November 1995, they were jointly elected
to the Television Academy Hall of Fame.
Directing Prescription: Murder for Play-
crafters is Eric Teeter, a frequent sound
designer for the Moline theatre who has
also appeared in such productions as
Something Intangible, Clybourne Park,
and Avenue Q. Columbo is portrayed by
Alexander Richardson, the founder of
the theatre’s Barn Owl Series who wrote
and directed this year’s (a work in prog-
ress) and has acted in such productions
as Some Girl(s) and Fat Pig. And com-
pleting the ensemble are Nolan Schoenle
in his acting debut for Playcrafters plus
five venue veterans: Adam Cerny (4000
Miles), Kassidy Holdridge (She Kills Mon-
sters), Dave Moreland (a work in progress),
Yvonne Siddique (And Then There Were
None), and Elle Winchester (Five Women
Wearing the Same Dress).
Prescription: Murder runs November
8 through 17 at the Playcrafters Barn The-
atre, with performances at 7:30 p.m. on
Fridays and Saturdays and 3 p.m. on Sun-
days. Admission is $7-13, and more infor-
mation and tickets are available by calling
(309)762-0330 or visiting Playcrafters.com.
10 River Cities’ Reader • Vol. 27 No. 967 • November 2019 Know More, Do More • RiverCitiesReader.com

THEATRE

CONTINUED
introducing Christmas traditions like Advent,… German
COMEDY American Heritage Center, 2pm Sun Nov 24

A Doublewide, Texas Christmas

ComedySportz, interactive comedy with the area’s
Through Sunday, November 17 @ Richmond Hill Barn long-running improv troupe; $12 at… The Spotlight
Theatre, 7pm Sat Nov 16
Theatre, 600 Robinson Drive, Geneseo, IL
They’re Only Jokes: Cal Reed - Wayne Lyter -
European Christmas Markets & Traditions, a
presentation by by Wolf & Linnea Koch; we will visit…
German American Heritage Center, 2pm Sat Nov 30
Pop-Up Vendors: Suzanne’s Swiss Bakery, join
Sweet & Savory Saturdays for a selection of pop-up…
German American Heritage Center, 11am Sat Nov 30

A
Dandrei - Pubali - Xandrew - Zach Hurt, a night of
holiday-themed sequel to the ven- standup comedy with pizza included; $5; for… Rozz-Tox,
ue’s slapstick smash from 2017, A
7pm Wed Nov 20
MOVIES
Doublewide, Texas Christmas ComedySportz, interactive comedy with the area’s
long-running improv troupe; for information… Back from the Brink: Saved from Extinction 3D,
serves as a season-ending presentation at Davenport Junior Theatre, 3pm Sat Nov 23 the new Giant Screen film adventure narrated by Claire
Geneseo’s Richmond Hill Barn Theatre, Danes… Putnam Museum & Science Center, Thu Nov 7
with the comedy’s November 7 through Shots ‘n’ Giggles, performers do shots and toasts with thru Wed Dec 4
the audience while playing… The Circa ’21 Speakeasy,
17 run sure to demonstrate why Theatre 8pm Sat Nov 23 The Ghost Army, historian and Quad City Arts Visiting
Mirror proclaimed, “If you want to spend Artist speaks about his… Black Hawk College Theatre -
Tomfoolery on Tremont 38: Greg Warren, an Building 1, Room 308, 12:30pm Fri Nov 8
two hours suspending belief, forgetting evening with the touring standup comedian; 8pm show,
your troubles, and just laughing at the sil- with Happy… Renwick Mansion, 8pm Sun Nov 24 A Bridge Too Far from Hero Street & Riding the
Rails to Hero Street, the true story of Pvt. William
liness, this is the show for you.” Sandoval’s involvement in the… Putnam Museum &
Written by the popular playwriting trio
of Jessie Jones, Nicholas Hope, and Jamie MUSEUMS Science Center, 3pm Sun Nov 10

Coffee and a Movie Morning, includes a free movie,

Wooten, the authors of such beloved stage
comedies as The Dixie Swim Club, Mama
Won’t Fly, and Always a Bridesmaid, this
follow-up to Doublewide, Texas takes place
during the holidays in the newest, and tini-
est, town in Texas – and it’s beginning to
look a lot like trouble in Doublewide. Not
only are the trailer-park residents dealing
with the stress of the holiday season, but
they’ve just discovered that Doublewide
is being doubled-crossed by the county.
With their official incorporation papers
in jeopardy, our eccentric Texans throw
themselves into taking on the “big guys,”
and determined to bolster their town’s
legitimacy, they first set their sights on
the county-wide “Battle of the Mangers”
competition. As our heroes conspire to
win this smackdown with their “Nativity
at The Alamo” entry, and by any means
possible, A Doublewide, Texas Christmas
also finds Mayor Joveeta Crumpler forced
to wrangle her celebrity-obsessed mother,
her demoralized best friend who’s dating
every loser this side of the Rio Grande,
and her beleaguered brother who’s being
bullied ... by a pack of vengeful raccoons.
Serving as director for A Doublewide,
Texas Christmas is longtime Richmond
Hill favorite John VanDeWoestyne, a
Mike Skiles, Nathan Johnson, and Lorrie Lord in
A Doublewide, Texas Christmas @ Richmond Hill
Barn Theatre – through November 17
familiar actor at the venue – last seen as
Norman in this past spring’s On Golden
Pond – whose directing credits in Gen-
eseo have included the Jones/Hope/
Wooten titles Christmas Belles, Dearly
Beloved, and 2017’s Doublewide, Texas.
Appearing in the cast are area talents Tom
Akers, Storm Baca, Lorrie Lord, Suzanne
Rakestraw, and Jackie Skiles. And four
additional performers return to the roles
they originally played two years ago in
Doublewide, Texas: Eugenia Giebel (Big
Ethel Satterwhite), Diane Greenwood
(Caprice Crumpler), Nathan Johnson
(Norwayne “Baby” Crumpler), and Mike
Skiles (Haywood Sloggett).
A Doublewide, Texas Christmas runs at
the Richmond Hill Barn Theatre Novem-
ber 7 through 17, with performances Thurs-
days through Saturdays at 7:30 p.m. and
Sundays at 3 p.m. Admission is $12, and
more information and tickets are avail-
able by calling (309)944-2244 or visiting
RHPlayers.com.
Gold Coast Glass: Works from the German Home,
featuring selections of stained glass from the… German
American Heritage Center, thru Wed Dec 4
Rube Goldberg: The World of Hilarious
Invention!, the exhibit showcases Pulitzer Prize-
winning humorist and inventor… Putnam Museum &
Science Center, thru Wed Dec 4
The German Immigrant Experience, visitors will
learn about immigrants’ journey by… German American
Heritage Center, thru Wed Dec 4
Witness to the Revolution: Accounts from
Americans Who Were There, as communism fell in
Europe in the… German American Heritage Center, thru
Wed Dec 4
Neighborhood Toy Store Day, held in The Fox & Bee
store; 15% off for… Family Museum, 9am Sat Nov 9
Pop-Up Vendors: Scherer Custom Meats, join
Sweet & Savory Saturdays for a selection of pop-up…
German American Heritage Center, 11am Sat Nov 9
The Berlin Wall: Reassessing Its Impact 30 Years
After Its Fall, Dr. David Ellis will examine how the Wall
came to be,… German American Heritage Center, 2pm
Sat Nov 9
Veteran’s Day Project, support those who served and
protected our country by bringing… Family Museum,
10:30am Sat Nov 9
Stained Glass Trolley Tours, take a trolley to visit a
selection of local churches… German American Heritage
Center, 1pm Sun Nov 10
Pop-Up Vendors: Bake Me a Cake, join Sweet &
Savory Saturdays for a selection of pop-up… German
American Heritage Center, 11am Sat Nov 16
Saturday Science Lab, stop in to see what amazing
experiment, demo, or activity… Family Museum,
10:30am Sat Nov 16
coffee, light refreshments, and discussion; for… Rock
Island Public Library - Downtown Library, 9:30am Mon
Nov 11
The Lion King, a screening in the Children’s Lunch
and Movie series; 11:30am… River Valley District Library,
11:30am Mon Nov 11
Tennessee Gothic, author Ray Russell’s feature-length
horror/comedy photographed on 16mm film; a… Rozz-
Tox, 7pm Tue Nov 12
Cinema at Southwest, a free movie and light
refreshments; for information, call 309-732-7323… Rock
Island Public Library - Southwest Branch, 10am Thu
Nov 21
Film Series: Day With(out) Art, the organization Art
Visual AIDS will commemorate the 30th anniversary
of Day With(out) Art with seven newly commissioned
videos by Shanti Avirgan, Nguyen Tan Hoang, Carl
George, Viva Ruiz, Iman Shervington, Jack Waters
and Derrick Woods-Morrow, who will consider the
continuing presence of HIV/AIDS while revisiting
resonant cultural histories of art and activism; free with
$4-10 museum admission; for information, call 563-326-
7804, Figge Art Museum, 225 W. 2nd St., Davenport IA,
FiggeArtMuseum.org, 1:30pm Sun Dec 1

The German “Melusine”: A Medieval Bestseller,

presented by Misty Urban; the 15th century prose
romance “Melusine”… German American Heritage
Center, 2pm Sat Nov 16

The Making and Preservation of Stained Glass

Windows, a presentation on the restoration and
creation of stained glass… German American Heritage
Center, 2pm Sun Nov 17

Putnam Museum Guild Monthly Tea, this month’s

program will feature Bill and Bobbi Brockmann
presenting… Putnam Museum & Science Center, 1pm
Thu Nov 21

Pop-Up Vendors: Jerry’s Market, join Sweet &

Savory Saturdays for a selection of pop-up… German
American Heritage Center, 11am Sat Nov 23

Christmas Food Traditions in Germany & John Caponera @ The Rust Belt
Switzerland, this presentation will begin by
– November 21 - 23
Know More, Do More • RiverCitiesReader.com
SPORTS
Quad City Storm vs. Evansville, professional minor-
league hockey; for information and tickets, call 309-794-
2001… TaxSlayer Center, 7:10pm Sat Nov 9
Quad City Storm vs. Peoria, professional minor-
league hockey; for information and tickets, call 309-794-
2001… TaxSlayer Center, 7:10pm Fri Nov 22
Quad City Storm vs. Evansville, professional minor-
league hockey; for information and tickets, call 309-794-
2001… TaxSlayer Center, 7:10pm Fri Nov 29
Quad City Storm vs. Evansville, professional minor-
league hockey; for information and tickets, call 309-794-
2001… TaxSlayer Center, 7:10pm Sat Nov 30
OTHER EVENTS
Rock Island Rotary Trivia Night, $100/table, up to
10 players; cash prizes, cash bar, 50/50,… The Camden
Centre, 6:30pm Fri Nov 8
St. Ambrose University Trivia Night, get a team
together or come on your own and… Rogalski Center -
St. Ambrose University, 6pm Sat Nov 9
Sweets & Treats Bake Sale, the bake sale will include
baked goods like pies, cookies,… First Lutheran Church -
Rock Island, noon Sat Nov 9
The 4th Annual U.S. Citizenship Honors Diner,
held by the Quad City Alliance for Immigrants and
Refugees (QCAIR);… The Center, 6pm Sat Nov 9
Brunch with the Bald Eagle, celebrate our Veterans
during this Veterans Day weekend with our… Niabi Zoo,
11am Sun Nov 10
Walking the Trail, the Quad Cities have many trails
and one of them… Davenport Public Library - Fairmount
Street Branch, noon Tue Nov 12
VISUAL ARTS
Emily Newman and Randy Richmond Exhibits
Through Friday, December 6 @ Quad City Arts Center, 1215 Second Avenue, Rock Island, IL
D
rawings and photographs by a pair
of gifted Midwestern artists fi ll the
Quad City Arts Center Gallery
through December 6 with the Rock Island
venue housing the exhibits Sky Weave, fea-
turing new works by Des Moines’ Emily
Newman, and The Set Table: Forks on the
Left, Metaphors on the Right, boasting the
talents of Muscatine-based photographer
Randy Richmond.
Newman, an assistant professor in the
art history department of Drake Univer-
sity, received her M.F.A. from the Univer-
sity of Nebraska Lincoln and her B.F.A.
from Syracuse University, and her work
has recently been shown regionally in the
61st Juried Exhibition at Iowa’s Sioux City
Arts Center and nationally at Massachu-
setts’ Attleboro Art Museum. Her artwork
has also been selected for the North Ameri-
can Graduate Art Survey at the University
of Minnesota, for show in the Wood’s
Gallery at the University of Alabama, and
in a number of other group exhibitions
around the country. At Drake University,
Newman currently instructs Beginning
Drawing, Three-Dimensional Design, and
She Kills Monsters @ Augustana College – November 14 - 17
An Afternoon of Bunco with the Friends of
the Library, enjoy an afternoon of game play and
conversation with friends;… River Valley District Library,
1pm Wed Nov 13
Dungeons & Dragons Nights, on Wednesdays; for
information, call 309-788-8247… Big Swing Brewing
Company, 6pm Wed Nov 13 thru Wed Dec 3
Rock Star Bingo, on Wednesdays; just like “regular”
bingo, but we replaced bingo… The Tangled Wood, 8pm
Wed Nov 13 thru Wed Dec 3
Introduction to Art for Non-Majors.
According to her Drake.edu biography,
“Visual experiences that give a moment
of spatial unease, a second thought, or a
missed perception, become the details
from daily experience Emily uses to create
sculptures, drawings and photographs.
Each artwork examines problems that
persist within her visual reality whether
that reality is physical or psychological.
Th rough the forms of substitution and
illusion, Emily investigates the power of
materials and representational imagery.
Her work relies heavily on the simulation
of a specific place or thing, while question-
ing the existence of its physical space as an
object and its definition as an image.”
Richmond’s new exhibit The Set Table:
Forks on the Left, Metaphors on the Right is
composed of photographic “sketches” that
come from the creative process he uses
to arrive at his “Nature Morte” images.
In order to work out the relationships
between objects, Richmond creates still-
life scenarios indoors before taking them
outside to photograph during the last light
of the day. The making of these images is
River Cities’ Reader • Vol. 27 No. 967 • November 2019
Night Sky Viewing with the Popular Astronomy
Club, Venus, Jupiter, Saturn, M15 (Globular Cluster), M33
(Pinwheel Galaxy and… Niabi Zoo, 5pm Sat Nov 16
Trivia Night in LeClaire, tables of 8; $10 per person;
Mulligans and refreshments available… LeClaire Civic
Center, 6:30pm Sat Nov 16
Bottom’s Up Quad City Burlesque, local burlesque
with the Quad Cities’ premiere troupe and area… The
Circa ’21 Speakeasy, 8pm Sat Nov 16
Jirard the Completionist, an evening with the noted
social-media influencer and prize-winning video-
game… The Rust Belt, 7pm Tue Nov 19
integral to Richmond’s creative process,
and illustrates that no matter how much
technology is introduced into the medium
of photography, there is more to creating a
compelling image then pushing a button.
Stretching the edges of the photographic
image to tell a story has been the focus of
Richmond’s work since his student days
at the University of Iowa. Richmond has
shown his work in numerous solo, group,
invitational, and juried exhibits nationally
and internationally, and his interpreta-
tion of environmental issues has been the
focus of special exhibits created for the
Door County Land Trust, the Keeweenaw
Land Trust, and the Iowa Natural Heri-
tage Foundation. His work is in perma-
nent collections of the Center For Fine
Art Photography in Fort Collins, Colo-
rado; Kishwaukee College in Malta, Illi-
nois; Project Art of the University of Iowa
Hospitals and Clinics; and Davenport’s
St. Ambrose University, where Richmond
teaches photography as an adjunct instruc-
tor. Richmond’s exhibition Verisimilitude
is also currently on display at Davenport’s
Figge Art Museum.
11
Reentry Simulation, Safer Foundation partners
with United Way of Central Iowa to… Department of
Correctional Services, 9am Tue Nov 19
Cheers! Beer & Wine Tasting Party, with a silent
disco and sneak peek at the 2019… Davenport
RiverCenter, 5pm Thu Nov 21
Mr. Trivia, for tickets and information, call 309-786-
7733 extension 2… The Circa ’21 Speakeasy, 8pm Thu
Nov 21
Kwik Star Festival of Trees Grand Premiere, be
the first to purchase a unique design; 6:30pm cocktail…
Davenport RiverCenter, 6:30pm Fri Nov 22
Santa’s Special Stars, private event held in
conjunction with the 2019 Festival of… Davenport
RiverCenter, 9am Fri Nov 22
Silver Bell Social, special event dedicated to senior
friends 55 & older, held… Davenport RiverCenter, 9am
Fri Nov 22
Holiday Decoration Giveaway, find new-to-you
holiday decorations; decorations are available on a
first… Davenport Public Library - Eastern Avenue
Branch, 2pm Sat Nov 23
Holiday Parade, featuring giant helium balloons,
pageant queens, dance groups, floats, bands,…
Downtown Davenport, 10am Sat Nov 23
Kwik Star Festival of Trees, annual Quad City Arts
fundraiser featuring more… Davenport RiverCenter,
9am Sat Nov 23 thru Sun Dec 1
Drag. Queen. Brunch., with Nikki Turner, Milange
Cavalli, and Honesty Valentino; the event includes…
Davenport RiverCenter, 11am Sun Nov 24
Kwik Star Festival of Trees: Military Day, thru Dec.
1; annual Quad City Arts fundraiser featuring more…
Davenport RiverCenter, 10am Sun Nov 24
Martin Luther King Jr Community Center
Thanksgiving Dinner, come enjoy a delicious
Emily Newman’s Through the Trees
@ Quad City Arts Center – through December 6
Newman’s and Richmond’s new exhib-
its will be on display at the Quad City
Arts Center through December 6, with
regular gallery hours Tuesdays through
Fridays from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sat-
urdays from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Admission
is free, and more information is avail-
able by calling (309)793-1213 or visiting
QuadCityArts.com.
 12
CONTINUED River Cities’ Reader • Vol. 27 No. 967 • November 2019
LECTURES
Joe and Vicki Price @ the Redstone Room – November 15
CONTINUED
OTHER EVENTS
Thanksgiving meal and warm holiday cheer;… Martin
Luther King Jr. Community Center, 11am Sun Nov 24
Sensory-Friendly Night, geared towards families who
have children with special needs, Sensory-Friendly…
Davenport Public Library - Fairmount Street Branch, 6pm
Tue Nov 26
Kwik Star Festival of Trees Celebrity Lunch, local
celebrities wiat on tables in a holiday event featuring…
Radisson Quad City Plaza Hotel, 11am Wed Nov 27
Frogtown Beer Fest, sample old and new fall favorites
from more than 35… The Rust Belt, 1pm Sat Nov 30
Kwik Star Festival of Trees: Family Day, thru Dec.
1; annual Quad City Arts fundraiser featuring more…
Davenport RiverCenter, 9am Sat Nov 30
Bottom’s Up Quad City Burlesque, local burlesque
with the Quad Cities’ premiere troupe and area… The
Circa ’21 Speakeasy, 8pm Sat Nov 30
Lighting of the Augustana Christmas Tree, join
President Bahls on the Quad behind Old Main for
holiday treats and the annual lighting of the tree; free,
Augustana College, Rock Island IL, Augustana.edu,
4:30pm Mon Dec 2
Adult Chess Club, staff members well-versed in the
game of chess will be… Bettendorf Public Library,
6:30pm Tue Dec 3
Dungeons & Dragons Nights, on Wednesdays; for
information, call 309-788-8247… Big Swing Brewing
Company, 6pm Wed Dec 4
Rock Star Bingo, on Wednesdays; just like “regular”
bingo, but we replaced bingo… The Tangled Wood, 8pm
Wed Dec 4
LECTURES
Scam Recognition and Avoidance with Sgt. Jeff
Nelson, with Sgt. Jeff Nelson of the Bettendorf Police
Department; the… Bettendorf Public Library, 2pm Thu
Nov 7
Underground Railroad, learn about the large part
Illinois played in the Underground… Quad City Botanical
Center, 11:30am Thu Nov 7
Down by the Creek Companion Animal
Sanctuary, meet a variety of animals from Down by
the Creek… Davenport Public Library - Fairmount Street
Branch, 1pm Fri Nov 8
The Wonders of Wetlands, presented by Brian Ritter
from Nahant Marsh; after 90% destruction… Niabi Zoo,
1pm Sun Nov 10
The Power of Protest: 1969 & Today – Part IV, Dr.
Thomas Tredway, past college president and professor
Know More, Do More • RiverCitiesReader.com
emeritus of… Rock Island Public Library - Downtown
Library, 2pm Tue Nov 12
Daughters of the Steppes: The “Night Witches”
of World War II, author Brooks Carver brings to light
a different story from… Rock Island Public Library -
Downtown Library, 6pm Wed Nov 13
Divest from War & Cultivate a Peace Economy,
the St. Ambrose University Baecke Endowment for the
Humanities Lecture,… Rogalski Center - St. Ambrose
University, 7pm Wed Nov 13
Dr. Kroum Barchvarov, presentation with a scientist
who stumbled upon an extraordinary graveyard of
ancient ships off the coast of Bulgaria; for information,
call 309-794-7240, Honkamp Myhre Black Box Theatre,
Augustana College, 3750 7th Ave., Rock Island IL,
augustana.edu/about-us/news/discoverer-shipwreck-
graveyard-speak-nov-13, 7:30pm Wed Nov 13
Opening the Third Eye for the Advanced Seeker, a
Quad Cities Institute of Noetic Sciences meeting with a…
Bettendorf Public Library, 6:30pm Thu Nov 14
Alexander Hamilton: The Rags to Riches Story,
Hamilton was born in the Caribbean and abandoned as
a… River Valley District Library, 6pm Fri Nov 15
Homeschooling 101: An Introduction, free;
for information, call 563-344-4175 or e-mail info@
bettendorflibrary.com… Bettendorf Public Library, 3pm
Sat Nov 16
Community Connections, free; for information, call
563-344-4175 or e-mail info@bettendorflibrary.com…
Bettendorf Public Library, noon Thu Nov 21
Caregiving for the Elderly, in honor of Family
Caregiver Month, Milestones Area Agency on…
Davenport Public Library - Eastern Avenue Branch, 6pm
Mon Nov 25
World Affairs Council Midwest Immigration,
free; for information, call 563-344-4175 or e-mail info@
bettendorflibrary.com… Bettendorf Public Library, 7pm
Tue Nov 26
Jennifer Snell Rullman, Rullman from Snow Leopard
Trust brings an update from the… Niabi Zoo, 3pm Sun
Dec 1
COURSES
Lunchtime Meditation Class, Tue.-Thu.; learn how to
create inner peace and contentment through… Lamrim
Kadampa Buddhist Center, noon Thu Nov 7 thru Wed
Dec 3
Thursday Meditation Class, on Thursdays; learn how
to meditate and use mindfulness practices… Lamrim
Kadampa Buddhist Center, 6:30pm Thu Nov 7 thru Thu
Nov 28
Iowa State University Extension and Outreach
Nutrition Classes, learn about the Buy. Eat. Live
Healthy program at 563-359-7577;… Thu Nov 7 thru
Wed Dec 4
Know More, Do More • RiverCitiesReader.com
Book-a-Librarian, one-on-one technology and
reference assistance by appointment; reserve a half-
hour… Rock Island Public Library - Downtown Library,
River Cities’ Reader • Vol. 27 No. 967 • November 2019 13
Buddhist Meditation, on Tuesdays; for information,
call 309-794-0991 or email vs@qcgardens.com… Quad MUSIC By Loren Thacher
City Botanical Center, 7pm Tue Nov 12 thru Tue Dec 3

Daykeeper, Dead Emperors,

9am Fri Nov 8
Families Anonymous Group, on Tuesdays; for those
Buddhist Studies Class, on Sundays; take a deep dive whose lives have been affected by a… The Spotlight

Cervine, and Igneous

into Buddhist thought and… Lamrim Kadampa Buddhist
Center, 5pm Sun Nov 10 thru Sun Dec 1
Sunday Buddhism Class, on Sundays; this class
includes chanted prayer, meditation, and an… Lamrim
Kadampa Buddhist Center, 11am Sun Nov 10 thru Sun
Dec 1
AARP Smart Driver Course, Nov. 12 & 13; the course
helps older drivers (50… Larson Center, Genesis Medical
Center, 7:30am Tue Nov 12
Rock Island Meditation Class, on Tuesdays; learn
how to meditate and use mindfulness practices… Quad
City Botanical Center, 6:45pm Tue Nov 12 thru Tue Dec 3
Theatre, 7pm Tue Nov 12 thru Tue Dec 3
Yoga, on Tuesdays; for information, call 309-794-0991…
Quad City Botanical Center, 5pm Tue Nov 12 thru Tue
Dec 3 Friday, November 22, 9:30 p.m. @ Rock Island Brewing
From Now to Next: Genesis 150th Anniversary Company, 1815 Second Avenue, Rock Island, IL
Celebration, Genesis celebrates the milestone
with a special birthday party featuring a number of
entertaining surprises; the event will support cancer
research, genetic counseling, and cancer-nurse
navigators for patients at the Genesis Cancer Care
Institute; for information, call 563-421-6865, Quad-Cities
Waterfront Convention Center, 2021 State St., Bettendorf
IA, GenesisHealth.home.qtego.net, 6:30pm Fri Nov 15

Book-a-Librarian, one-on-one technology and Wisdom and Wellness, learn health and wellness skills
reference assistance by appointment; reserve a half- from area experts; a new… Davenport Public Library -
hour… Rock Island Public Library - 30/31 Branch, 9am Eastern Avenue Branch, 4pm Wed Dec 4
Fri Nov 15

Immigration and Citizenship Workshop Walk-
ins, representatives from QCAIR and Esperanza legal
Assistance Center will be… Moline Public Library, 10am
Sat Nov 16
Book-a-Librarian, one-on-one technology and
reference assistance by appointment; reserve a half-
hour… Rock Island Public Library - Southwest Branch,
9am Fri Nov 22
SENIORS
Billiards, Mon.-Fri.; $2; for information, call 563-386-
7477… CASI (Center for Active Seniors), 8am thru Thu
Nov 21
Euchre, on Thursdays & Fridays; $2-5; for information,
call 563-386-7477… CASI (Center for Active Seniors), Dead Emperors @ RIBCO – November 22 (photo by Michael Weber of Shadow Fox Photography)

MEETINGS
Goose Hollow Meditation Garden Open for
Outdoor Prayer, at 1006 Western Ave., Davenport; for
information, call 309-236-7113; free;… Goose Hollow,
Thu Nov 7 thru Wed Dec 4
Home Bible Study/Vesper Services w/ Pot Luck,
on Sundays in parsonage; for information and directions,
call 309-236-7113… 6pm Sun Nov 10 thru Sun Dec 1
LeClaire Chamber Networking Event, … Green Tree
Brewery, 5:30pm Tue Nov 12
Fireside Knitters, on Tuesdays; adult knitting group
from beginner to expert; free;… Davenport Public
Library - Fairmount Street Branch, 5:30pm Tue Nov 12
thru Tue Dec 3
Quad City Go Club Weekly Meetup, on Wednesdays;
beginners and masters of the board game welcome…
Rozz-Tox, 5:30pm Wed Nov 13 thru Wed Dec 4
QCMUG (Quad Cities Macintosh Users Group)
Meeting, with a special program/presentation on
Macintosh Applications or hardware, and… Bettendorf
Public Library, 6:30pm Tue Nov 19
HEALTH
Iowa State University Extension and Outreach
Nutrition Classes, learn about the Buy. Eat. Live
Healthy program at 563-359-7577;… Thu Nov 7 thru
Wed Dec 4
Seeking Life-Coaching Research Study
Participants, three free Life Coaching sessions, contact
Dr. LeBlanc at bleblanc@mymail.bhc.edu;… Thu Nov 7
thru Wed Dec 4
Guided Mindfulness: Meditation in the Galleries,
experience mindfulness meditation in the galleries;
practitioners will be guided in ways to calm the mind
and body, and to bring awareness to the present
moment; meditations will be led by practitioners from
the Prairie Oak Sangha and Prairie River Sangha; free,
but registration required; for information, call 563-326-
7804, Figge Art Museum, 225 W. 2nd St., Davenport IA,
FiggeArtMuseum.org, 6pm Sun Nov 10
NAMI Peer Support Group, on the 2nd & 4th Mon. of
the month; the… Butterworth Center, 6:30pm Mon Nov
11 thru Mon Nov 25
12:45pm thru Thu Nov 21
Knitting & Crocheting, on Thursdays; volunteer club;
for information, call 563-386-7477… CASI (Center for
Active Seniors), 12:30pm thru Thu Nov 21
Line Dancing II, on Thursdays; $3-5; for information,
call 563-386-7477… CASI (Center for Active Seniors),
2:30pm thru Thu Nov 21
Low-Impact Exercise, Mon.-Fri.; $2-5; for information,
call 563-386-7477… CASI (Center for Active Seniors), 9am
thru Thu Nov 21
New Horizons Band Practice, on Thursdays; $2-5; for
information, call 563-386-7477… CASI (Center for Active
Seniors), 12:30pm thru Thu Nov 21
Reflexology Clinic, on Wed. & Thu.; for information,
call 563-386-7477… CASI (Center for Active Seniors), 1pm
thru Wed Dec 4
Senior Bingo, free; for information, call 309-755-9614…
East Moline Public Library, 3pm thru Wed Dec 4
Senior Day at the Figge, meet in the lobby for a
tour at 1:30pm, with a 2:30pm film in the auditorium;
seniors get 10% off in the Museum Store and Cafe; for
information, call 563-326-7804, Figge Art Museum, 225
W. 2nd St., Davenport IA, FiggeArtMuseum.org, 1:30pm
Thu Nov 7
Ceramics I & II, on Fridays; $7-11; for information, call
563-386-7477… CASI (Center for Active Seniors), 9am Fri
Nov 8 thru Fri Nov 29
Golden Tones Chorus Practice, on Fridays; $2-5; for
information, call 563-386-7477… CASI (Center for Active
Seniors), 9am Fri Nov 8 thru Fri Nov 29
Senior Theatre: Second Avenue Players, on Fridays;
$2-5; for information, call 563-386-7477… CASI (Center
for Active Seniors), 10:30am Fri Nov 8 thru Fri Nov 29
Zumba, on Fridays; $3-5; for information, call 563-386-
7477… CASI (Center for Active Seniors), 8am Fri Nov 8
thru Fri Nov 29
Bridge, on Mondays & Fridays; $2-5; for information, call
563-386-7477… CASI (Center for Active Seniors), 12:30pm
Fri Nov 8 thru Mon Dec 2
Ceramics I, on Mondays & Fridays; $7-11; for
information, call 563-386-7477… CASI (Center for Active
Seniors), 9:30am Fri Nov 8 thru Mon Dec 2
Genesis Blood Pressure Checks, on Mondays; for
information, call 563-386-7477… CASI (Center for Active
Seniors), 9am Mon Nov 11 thru Mon Dec 2
R
IBCO is known for bringing fairly
diverse acts to its stage, especially
quality metal bands. The show on
Friday, November 22 combines heavi-
ness and diversity in a way seldom seen
(or heard) at the venue. Igneous, Cervine,
Dead Emperors, and Daykeeper are bring-
ing together unique strains of rock, doom,
and progressive metal to create one mem-
orable night of heavy music.
QC locals Igneous open the night with
a fresh take on modern prog. “Summer
Breeze” and “Hills and Valleys,” the two
singles from their forthcoming debut,
are as lush and warm as their titles, yet
crunch like sticks beneath your feet on a
run through the woods. The three-piece
adroitly spins nimble grooves around each
other that jump around stylistically even
within songs. One minute they’re sway-
ing toward metal, the next they’ve paused
for crystalline guitar arpeggios that fall
as cool and gently as a hidden waterfall.
Their complex yet accessible sound is just
hard enough to vibe with the other bands
on the bill, and their vivid instrumentals
need no vocals to set the mood.
Cervine arrived out of Dubuque with-
out warning back in September, emerg-
ing without hype on Facebook one week
before dropping their stunning debut. The
self-titled and self-recorded album was
mastered by Brad Boatright, who brought
Sleep’s Dopesmoker reissue the clarity it
desperately needed. Cervine present their
music with a similar clarity. A surprising
amount is given over to clean, intricate
guitar passages, far more than one would
expect of a band claiming influence from
Black Sabbath, Tool, King Crimson, and
Neurosis. Indeed, they most recall Neu-
rosis in their loud-quiet dynamics and
pensive lyrics. The gentle passages cause
the louder riffs to fall all the heavier, even
when overlaid with clean singing and
hints of Moog synth. Their QC debut will
not be one to miss – they may be a “local”
band, but Cervine ranks with the best and
biggest metal releases of 2019.
Also making their Rock Island debut are
Dead Emperors from Iowa City. They’ve
been playing their melodic, doom-laden
hard rock around Iowa since 2014, drop-
ping a few releases along the way. On their
second full-length The Beast, they spin an
apocalyptic narrative, sweeping up the lis-
tener in a tale of societal collapse inspired
by our uncertain times. Dark stuff, but the
band delivers its message with swinging
rock riffs and a macho vocal delivery that
brings to mind Monster Magnet’s more
serious moments.
Northwest Illinois’ Daykeeper closes
out the night. The trio tempers low, slow
distorted doom metal with uptempo
heavy rock grooves, though they’ve occa-
sionally thrown acoustic songs into their
live show. Their first EP From the Sea and
Out of Space evenly balances the first two
elements evenly, but fails to properly rep-
resent the live attack that the trio present
on stage. Fans of fuzzed out, old-school
doom in the vein Pentagram and Electric
Wizard will want to stay to catch Day-
keeper’s Sabbathian rumble.
Daykeeper, Dead Emperors, Cervine,
and Igneous play the Rock Island Brew-
ing Company on November 22 with doors
opening at 8:30 p.m. and the music begin-
ning at 9:30 p.m. Tickets are $5 for adults
21 and older, and more information is
available by calling (309)793-1999 or visit-
ing RIBCO.com.
14 River Cities’ Reader • Vol. 27 No. 967 • November 2019
THEATRE
Elf: The Musical
Through Sunday, December 29 @ Circa ’21
Dinner Playhouse, 1828 Third Avenue, Rock Island, IL
C
alled “hilarious and heartwarm-
ing” by the Chicago Tribune and
praised for its “bright comic zest”
and “swinging music” by the New York
Times, the musical adaptation Elf: The
Musical – based on the 2003 screen comedy
starring Will Ferrell – returns to the Circa
’21 Dinner Playhouse for a November 6
through December 29 engagement, treat-
ing patrons top a holiday tale that Broad-
way World called an “upbeat, oddball, and
tuneful concoction.”
A seasonal smash for the Rock Island
dinner theatre in 2017, Elf: The Musical
centers on William “Buddy” Hobbs, a
young orphan who mistakenly crawls into
Santa’s bag of toys and is transported back
to the North Pole. Years later, the fully
grown Buddy finds out that he’s an ordi-
nary human being, not the elf he thought
he was, and heads off to New York City in
search of his father. Although Buddy does
fi nd the man, he also fi nds that Walter
doesn’t believe in the spirit of Christmas,
nor do many other New Yorkers – which
proves to be a problem, considering that
Santa’s sleigh is powered by people’s love
for the holiday. Faced with the harsh reali-
ties that his father is on the naughty list
and his half-brother Michael doesn’t even
believe in Santa, Buddy is determined to
win over his new family and friends in this
modern-day holiday classic sure to make
everyone embrace their inner elf.
Circa ’21’s Elf: The Musical is directed by
venue newcomer Jeremy Littlejohn, with
music director Travis Smith boasting Rock
Island credits including Freaky Friday,
Ring of Fire, and The Church Basement
Ladies in: Rise Up, O Men! Buddy is por-
trayed by Stephen Potter in another Circa
’21 debut, while venue veterans Tom Wal-
ljasper and Erin Churchill play Walter and
CONTINUED
Elf the Musical @ Circa ’21 Dinner Playhouse
– through December 29
his wife Emily, both reprising their roles
from Elf ’s 2017 production. Also featured
in the cast are Jacob Clanton, Sam Forgie,
Sarah Hayes, Janos Horvath, Al Jackson,
Barry Kramer, Brooke Myers, Kirsten Sin-
delar, Miranda Sloan, Tristan Tapscott,
Haley Teel, Shelley Walljasper, and Julian
Anderson and Brennan Hampton alternat-
ing performances as Michael. And eight
student performers from the area join in
the musical’s ensemble: Evan Baker, Kai-
tlyn Baker, Jack Caslake, Kayden Denys,
Evyn Hassel, Chloe Knobloch, Liam Kno-
bloch, and Katelyn O’Brien.
In addition to its preview performances
on November 6 and 7, Elf: The Musical will
be performed November 8 through Decem-
ber 29 with performances on Fridays, Satur-
days, and Wednesdays at 7:45 p.m.; Sundays
at 5:45 p.m.; and Wednesday afternoons
at 1:30 p.m. All shows will be preceded by
meals and pre-show entertainment by the
theatre’s performing wait staff of Circa ’21
Bootleggers, and more information and
tickets are available by calling (309)786-
7733 extension 2 or visiting Circa21.com.
Know More, Do More • RiverCitiesReader.com
SENIORS
Shuffleboard, on Mondays; $2-5; for information, call
563-386-7477… CASI (Center for Active Seniors), 2:15pm
Mon Nov 11 thru Mon Dec 2
Ugly Quilts, on Mondays; no sewing experience
necessary; free; for information, call… CASI (Center for
Active Seniors), 8am Mon Nov 11 thru Mon Dec 2
Zumba Gold Toning, on Mondays; $3-5; for
information, call 563-386-7477… CASI (Center for Active
Seniors), 10:15am Mon Nov 11 thru Mon Dec 2
Genesis Foot Clinic, on Mon. & Tue.; reservations
required; for information, call 563-320-3978… CASI
(Center for Active Seniors), 8am Mon Nov 11 thru Tue
Dec 3
Movie Matinee, $2-5; for information, call 563-386-
7477… CASI (Center for Active Seniors), 1pm Tue Nov 12
Canasta, on Tuesdays; $2-5; for information, call 563-
386-7477… CASI (Center for Active Seniors), 1pm Tue
Nov 12 thru Tue Dec 3
Line Dancing I, on Tuesdays; $3-5; for information, call
563-386-7477… CASI (Center for Active Seniors), 9am Tue
Nov 12 thru Tue Dec 3
Line Dancing Lesson, on Tuesdays; free; for
information, call 563-386-7477… CASI (Center for Active
Seniors), 8:30am Tue Nov 12 thru Tue Dec 3
Senior Technology Clinic, on Tuesdays; $5-7; for
information, call 563-386-7477… CASI (Center for Active
Seniors), 1pm Tue Nov 12 thru Tue Dec 3
Spiritual Devotions, on Tuesdays; free; for
information, call 563-386-7477… CASI (Center for Active
Seniors), 8am Tue Nov 12 thru Tue Dec 3
Grief Support Group, on the 2nd & 4th Wed. of the
month; donations… CASI (Center for Active Seniors),
9:30am Wed Nov 13 thru Wed Nov 27
Bunco, on Wednesdays; $2-5; for information, call 563-
386-7477… CASI (Center for Active Seniors), 1pm Wed
Nov 13 thru Wed Dec 4
Cribbage, on Wednesdays; $2-5; for information, call
563-386-7477… CASI (Center for Active Seniors), 1pm
Wed Nov 13 thru Wed Dec 4
Early Bird Bingo, on Wednesdays; no admission fee,
card costs are $0.25 &… CASI (Center for Active Seniors),
6pm Wed Nov 13 thru Wed Dec 4
Energizing Yoga, on Wednesdays; $7-10; for
information, call 563-386-7477… CASI (Center for Active
Seniors), 2pm Wed Nov 13 thru Wed Dec 4
Pinochle, on Wednesdays; $2-5; for information, call
563-386-7477… CASI (Center for Active Seniors), 1pm
Wed Nov 13 thru Wed Dec 4
TOPS (Taking Off Pounds Sensibly), on
Wednesdays; 11:30am weigh-in, noon meeting; $1; for
information, call… CASI (Center for Active Seniors),
11:30am Wed Nov 13 thru Wed Dec 4
T’ai Chi Ch’un, on Wednesdays; $24-36/6 weeks; for
information, call 563-386-7477… CASI (Center for Active
Seniors), 10:25am Wed Nov 13 thru Wed Dec 4
Zumba Gold, on Wednesdays; $3-5; for information,
call 563-386-7477… CASI (Center for Active Seniors), 9am
Wed Nov 13 thru Wed Dec 4
11th Anniversary Holiday Hat Bash, annual evening
of fun, delicious food, a hat contest, raffle,… CASI (Center
for Active Seniors), 5:30pm Thu Nov 21
Walgreens Medication Review & Blood Pressure
Check, free; for information, call 563-386-7477… CASI
(Center for Active Seniors), 10am Thu Nov 21
Classic Movie, $2-5; for information, call 563-386-
7477… CASI (Center for Active Seniors), 1pm Tue Nov 26
Red Hat Club Luncheon, locations vary monthly; for
information, call 563-386-7477… CASI (Center for Active
Seniors), noon Tue Dec 3
KIDS’ STUFF
Reading Assistance Dogs, for information, call
563-344-4175 or e-mail info@bettendorflibrary.com…
Bettendorf Public Library, 6pm Thu Nov 7
Teen Advisory Group, an opportunity for teens and
tweens to have input in… Moline Public Library, 3:30pm
Thu Nov 7
Little Makers Thursday, on Thursdays; we’ll have
plenty of craft supplies and a… Davenport Public Library
- Main Branch, 3:30pm thru Thu Nov 21
Story You-niversity, on Thursdays; our librarian will
read a story while modeling… Davenport Public Library -
Fairmount Street Branch, 3:30pm thru Thu Nov 21
Tales for Tots : 0-3 Storytime, on Thursdays;
for information, call 563-344-4175 or e-mail info@
bettendorflibrary.com… Bettendorf Public Library,
6:30pm thru Thu Nov 21
The Young and the Restless Storytime, on
Thursdays; a music and movement storytime, this
program is… Davenport Public Library - Eastern Avenue
Branch, 10am thru Thu Nov 21
Preschool Storytime, on Thursdays; for ages 3-5 with
their adult; stories, rhymes,… Moline Public Library,
10am thru Thu Nov 28
Preschool Storytime, Tue.-Fri. at 10am and Mon.
at 6:30pm; free; for information,… Bettendorf Public
Library, thru Wed Dec 3
Baby Storytime, on Fridays; featuring books, songs,
rhymes, lap bounces, and more;… Davenport Public
Library - Eastern Avenue Branch, 10am Fri Nov 8 thru
Fri Nov 22
Family Storytime, on Fridays; songs, stories, and play
to inspire literacy; free;… Davenport Public Library -
Main Branch, 10am Fri Nov 8 thru Fri Nov 22
Know More, Do More • RiverCitiesReader.com
Fantastical Friday, on Fridays; dramatic play
encouraging your child to explore different… Davenport
Public Library - Eastern Avenue Branch, 3:30pm Fri Nov
8 thru Fri Nov 22
Crafternoon: Jewelry Making, materials provided to
create your own or instruction-led creation; free;… Silvis
Public Library, 2pm Sat Nov 9
Girl Scouts Day: Terrific Terrariums, learn about
the different types of habitat and needs for… Quad City
Botanical Center, 10am Sat Nov 9
Story Travelers: Be Careful What You Sniff For,
for information, call 563-344-4175 or e-mail info@
bettendorflibrary.com… Bettendorf Public Library, 2pm
Sat Nov 9
Child’s Play | Create : Explore : Experience, on
Saturdays; for information, call 563-344-4175 or e-mail
info@bettendorflibrary.com… Bettendorf Public Library,
10am Sat Nov 9 thru Sat Nov 30
Book Buddies, your baby, toddler and/or preschooler
can spend some time with… Silvis Public Library, 10am
Sat Nov 9 thru Sat Nov 30
Teen Video Games, free; for information, call 309-523-
3440… River Valley District Library, 3pm Mon Nov 11
The Lion King, a screening in the Children’s Lunch
and Movie series; 11:30am… River Valley District Library,
11:30am Mon Nov 11
Homework Heroes, on Mondays; we’re here to help
you solve your homework… Silvis Public Library, 4pm
Mon Nov 11 thru Mon Dec 2
Storytime for Littles, on Mondays at 9:30 & 10:45am,
for ages 3-5 with… Moline Public Library, Mon Nov 11
thru Mon Dec 2
Tales for Tots : 0-3 Storytime, on Mondays;
for information, call 563-344-4175 or e-mail info@
bettendorflibrary.com… Bettendorf Public Library,
10am Mon Nov 11 thru Mon Dec 2
Blown Away: Trebuchets : Lay Siege to Your
Curiosity!, elementary through high-school-aged
students have a chance to explore the… Bettendorf
Public Library, 11:30am Tue Nov 12
KinderNature, for ages 3-5; wild turkeys are native to
North America… Quad City Botanical Center, 10:30am
Tue Nov 12
Teen LGBTQ Round Table, Tee, from Family Resources
will be here to lead the… Silvis Public Library, 4:30pm
Tue Nov 12
Circle Time, on Tuesdays; we will talk, sing, play, and
read during… Davenport Public Library - Eastern Avenue
Branch, 9:30am Tue Nov 12 thru Tue Dec 3
Girls Love Code, on Tuesdays; an after-school club
for girls in 3rd-5th grade… Davenport Public Library -
Fairmount Street Branch, 3:30pm Tue Nov 12 thru Tue
Dec 3
Library Playgroup, on Tuesdays; drop-in and meet
with other parents and caregivers… Davenport Public
Library - Eastern Avenue Branch, 10am Tue Nov 12 thru
Tue Dec 3
Show Me the Monet!, on Tuesdays; ages 8+ learn
about different artists each week… Davenport Public
Library - Fairmount Street Branch, 3:30pm Tue Nov 12
thru Tue Dec 3
Anime-Manga Club: Tasty Snacks & Sweets, join
us and discuss all things anime and manga; enjoy… Silvis
Public Library, 5pm Wed Nov 13
After School Kids Lab, on Wednesdays; for
information, call 563-344-4175 or e-mail info@
bettendorflibrary.com… Bettendorf Public Library, 3pm
Wed Nov 13 thru Wed Nov 20
Dungeons, Dragons, & More! : Tabletop Roleplaying
and TCGs!, on Wednesdays; all of the tools of the game
will… Bettendorf Public Library, 2:30pm Wed Nov 13
thru Wed Nov 20
Yoga & Stories, on Wednesdays; for information, call
563-344-4175 or e-mail info@bettendorflibrary.com…
Bettendorf Public Library, 6:30pm Wed Nov 13 thru
Wed Nov 20
Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban in Concert @ the Adler Theatre – November 23
Little Makers Wednesday, on Wednesdays; we’ll
have plenty of craft supplies and a… Davenport Public
Library - Eastern Avenue Branch, 3:30pm Wed Nov 13
thru Wed Nov 27
Little Yogi Storytime, on Wednesdays; favorite
bedtime stories, kid-friendly meditation, stretching and
simple… Davenport Public Library - Eastern Avenue
Branch, 6pm Wed Nov 13 thru Wed Nov 27
STEAM-A-Rama, on Wednesdays; themed
programming for grades K - 5; free;… Moline Public
Library, 2pm Wed Nov 13 thru Wed Nov 27
Teen Gaming, on Wednesdays; hang out with friends
and try out new… Davenport Public Library - Fairmount
Street Branch, 3pm Wed Nov 13 thru Wed Nov 27
Toddler Storytime, on Wednesdays; stories, music,
movement and play; all ages welcome,… Davenport
Public Library - Fairmount Street Branch, 3:30pm Wed
Nov 13 thru Wed Nov 27
Creativity Lab: Autumn Luminaries, elementary
students create art; free; for information, call 309-524-
2440… Moline Public Library, 6pm Thu Nov 14
Family Storytime, program includes stories, a song
or rhyme and a craft;… Silvis Public Library, 6pm Thu
Nov 14
Animal Adventures, for ages 6-9, on the 1st & 3rd Sat.
of… Niabi Zoo, 10:15am Sat Nov 16
Animal Expeditions, for ages 10-13, on the 1st & 3rd
Sat. of… Niabi Zoo, 11:15am Sat Nov 16
Frozen II Party, grab your reindeer and journey
beyond Arendelle with the library… Davenport Public
Library - Eastern Avenue Branch, 2pm Sat Nov 16
Full S.T.E.A.M. Ahead! Bubbly Bath Fizzies, create
your own bath fizzies to enjoy or give as… Silvis Public
Library, 2pm Sat Nov 16
Gobble, Gobble!, an Augustana Kaleidoscope
program with Catherine Gehrmann for ages 6-8; create
a turkey, a banner, a leaf collage and more, just in time
for your Thanksgiving holiday; $14; for information and
to register, call 309-794-7729, Augustana Art Studio
Building, 610 35th St., Rock Island IL, Augustana.edu,
1pm Sat Nov 16
Swedish Folk Craft, Nov. 16 & 23; an Augustana
Kaleidoscope program with Lisa Huntsha for ages 9 to
adult; learn to weave a Swedish star in a variety of ways;
we’ll work with paper and reed to create this unique
craft; $20; for information and to register, call 309-794-
7729, Augustana Art Studio Building, 610 35th St., Rock
Island IL, Augustana.edu, 1pm Sat Nov 16
Youth Chess Club, on the 1st & 3rd Sat. of the month;
elementary… Bettendorf Public Library, 1pm Sat Nov 16
Animal Tales, for ages 3-5, on the 1st & 3rd Sat. of…
Niabi Zoo, 9:30am Sat Nov 16 thru Sat Nov 30
Geek Out!, geek out about all of your favorite fandoms
and play… Silvis Public Library, 5:30pm Mon Nov 18
Make-Believe Monday, on Mondays; work at a
grocery store, a coffee shop,… Davenport Public Library
River Cities’ Reader • Vol. 27 No. 967 • November 2019 15
- Fairmount Street Branch, 3:30pm Mon Nov 18 thru Sunday Funday, for information, call 309-794-0991…
Mon Nov 25 Quad City Botanical Center, 1pm Sun Dec 1
Preschool Storytime, on Mondays; songs, stories, Blown Away: Trebuchets : Lay Siege to Your
and crafts created to introduce your… Davenport Public Curiosity!, elementary through high-school-aged
Library - Fairmount Street Branch, 10am Mon Nov 18 students have a chance to explore the… Bettendorf
thru Mon Nov 25 Public Library, 11:30am Tue Dec 3
Gingerbread House Challenge!, we supply the Teen Volunteer Night, teens, fulfill needed service
materials and you supply your imagination; free;… Silvis hours or use on job applications;… Silvis Public Library,
Public Library, 5pm Tue Nov 19 5:30pm Tue Dec 3
Teen Advisory Board, teens are invited to hang out, After School Kids Lab, on Wednesdays; for
eat snacks, learn about… Davenport Public Library - information, call 563-344-4175 or e-mail info@
Fairmount Street Branch, 6:30pm Tue Nov 19 bettendorflibrary.com… Bettendorf Public Library, 3pm
Wed Dec 4
Teen Take Ten, take ten from your busy schedule with
laid-back activities with… East Moline Public Library, Build a Cat Castle, build your furry friend a customized
5pm Tue Nov 19 cardboard castle for play… Rock Island Public Library -
Downtown Library, 5:30pm Wed Dec 4
Big/Little Bookclub, book club for Littles (kids in 3rd
through 5th grade)… Davenport Public Library - Eastern Dungeons, Dragons, & More! : Tabletop Roleplaying
Avenue Branch, 6:30pm Wed Nov 20 and TCGs!, on Wednesdays; all of the tools of the game
will… Bettendorf Public Library, 2:30pm Wed Dec 4
Story Time for Littles, for ages 0-36 months; a chance
for our youngest patrons… Moline Public Library, 6pm Play & Grow, monthly play group for ages three and
Wed Nov 20 under and their… Rock Island Public Library - Southwest
Branch, 10:30am Wed Dec 4
Tween Book Club, join us to speak about your favorite
book every 3rd… Silvis Public Library, 5pm Wed Nov 20 STEAM-A-Rama, on Wednesdays; themed
programming for grades K - 5; free;… Moline Public
Family Storytime: Family Reading Night PJ Party, Library, 2pm Wed Dec 4
come in your pajamas and enjoy reading together as a…
Silvis Public Library, 6pm Thu Nov 21 Story Time for Littles, for ages 0-36 months; a chance
for our youngest patrons… Moline Public Library, 6pm
Book Buddies: Sensory Session: Oobleck, based on Wed Dec 4
the book “Bartholomew & the Oobleck,” our sensory…
Silvis Public Library, 10am Sat Nov 23 Teen Gaming, on Wednesdays; hang out with friends
and try out new… Davenport Public Library - Fairmount
Teddy Bear Tea, for ages 2-12; tea party for youths and Street Branch, 3pm Wed Dec 4
their adult… Radisson Quad City Plaza Hotel, 2pm Sun
Nov 24 Yoga & Stories, on Wednesdays; for information, call
563-344-4175 or e-mail info@bettendorflibrary.com…
PJ Party Storytime!, wear your PJs and come for Bettendorf Public Library, 6:30pm Wed Dec 4
stories free; for information,… Moline Public Library,
6pm Mon Nov 25
Sugar Plum Ball, a dress-up evening for special
sugarplums and their favorite gentlemen; for
information, call 309-793-1213, Quad-Cities Waterfront
Convention Center, 2021 State St., Bettendorf IA,
QuadCityArts.com, 6pm Tue Nov 26
October 8 Crossword Answers
Teen Advisory Board, vote on new YA library books
and plan teen programs;… Silvis Public Library, 6:30pm
Tue Nov 26
Teen Volunteer Night, teens, fulfill needed service
hours or use on job applications;… Silvis Public Library,
5:30pm Wed Nov 27
Animal Adventures, for ages 10-13, on the 1st & 3rd
Sat. of… Niabi Zoo, 11:15am Sat Nov 30
Animal Adventures, for ages 6-9, on the 1st & 3rd Sat.
of… Niabi Zoo, 10:15am Sat Nov 30
Lego Club: Chain Reactions, design and build
amazing moving machines with Legos; free; for… Silvis
Public Library, 2pm Sat Nov 30
16 River Cities’ Reader • Vol. 27 No. 967 • November 2019 Know More, Do More • RiverCitiesReader.com

Crossword
TERRA FIRMA • NOVEMBER 12, 2019 Oct. 8 Answers: Page 15

ACROSS 78. Sudden increase 38. Really enjoyed

1. Griffin of TV 80. “_ Jacques” 39. Guidelines: 2 wds.
5. Flower stalk 81. Pillages 40. Moderated
10. Custard apple: Var. 83. Word in place names 41. Casts off
15. _ -a-Dale 84. Double daggers 43. Fescue
19. Tub’s contents 85. Less fat, less sugar 44. Kind of model
20. Seraph 86. Vessels 45. Be in a light sleep
21. Tropical fruit 88. _ Blanc 46. Prepares apples
22. Sauce for pasta 89. Of lofty peaks 49. Hominy _
23. Grammar school adjunct 92. Dimple 51. Sopwith Camel, e.g.
25. RV park 93. Mason or millwright 53. Used to have
27. Detached 98. Place of prominence 54. Works in verse
28. Drunkards 100. Advance: 2 wds. 55. Clearing
29. Hawn of “Laugh-In” 101. Kanten 57. Gets through effort
30. Stand wide open 102. Offspring 58. Skyrocketed
31. Join forces 103. Like a leaf 59. Secluded places
33. Canine cry 104. Old Greek weight 61. Memorize
34. Self-indulgent 105. Rogers and Orbison 62. A flatfish
37. Pin 106. Invited 63. To a better position
38. Concern of genealogists 107. Lab compound 64. “Lorna _”
42. Headband 108. The Phantom 65. Like a churchgoer
43. Plants used in landscaping 66. Stumbled
47. Go team! DOWN 67. French department
48. “QB VII” author 1. Cleans a certain way 68. Yields
49. Mortar 2. She: Fr. 70. Wild dog of Asia
50. Lunar vehicle 3. Get 71. Is dazzled by a blow: 2 wds.
51. Affectation 4. Travelers at sea 74. Standards
52. “_ Rosenkavalier” 5. Shawl 75. Cob
53. Some exams 6. Cousin to a five-spot: Hyph. 76. Peevish
54. Stomata 7. Fever 78. Auctioneer’s warning
55. Attached, in a way 8. Hanging downward 79. Skirt feature
56. How a crab moves 9. Antiquity 80. Less coarse
58. Disseminated 10. Embroidered loop 82. Hand tool
59. Sweetbreads 11. Wingy 84. Dickens’ Artful _
60. _ and raves 12. Tillis and Grier 86. Jurisdiction
61. Loamy deposit 13. Rock show equip. 87. Brought to a close
62. Boring 14. Driver of a kind 88. Clergy’s residence
63. Honors as divine 15. Swiss pine 89. Remotely
65. “_ porridge hot...” 16. Commend 90. Corporate symbol
66. _ Auguste Bartholdi 17. Hindu god of fire 91. Implore
69. Pursue 18. Painter’s subject 92. Evenfall
70. Planner 24. Persona non _ 94. Demonstration gone bad
71. Hanging fishnet 26. Athlete in a shell 95. “The Ghost and Mrs. _”
72. Application 28. Symptom 96. _ nubiles
73. Years upon years 32. Neither masc. nor fem. 97. A state: Abbr.
74. Task 33. Apiary items 99. Early spy org.
75. Deals in 34. Work by Chopin 100. Force unit
76. Took off 35. Discharged
77. A conjunction or connector 36. Carnival setting
Know More, Do More • RiverCitiesReader.com River Cities’ Reader • Vol. 27 No. 967 • November 2019 17

Movie Reviews By Mike Schulz • mike@rcreader.com

Hasta la Vista, Baby

TERMINATOR:
DARK FATE

Y
ou can nearly always pinpoint the
precise moment in which a formerly
serious – or at least mildly rational –
film franchise turns inexorably into camp.
With the Batman series of the ‘80s and
‘90s, it was when, in 1997’s Batman & Robin,
director Joel Schumacher’s camera gave us
nice, juicy closeups of our hero’s updated
leather-fetish costume complete with Bat-
nipples and Bat-ass. In Sam Raimi’s Spider-
Man 3 from 2007, all remaining hope was
lost when apple-cheeked Tobey Maguire
strutted down the street like the Travolta
of Saturday Night Fever, promptly fulfi ll-
ing Peter Parker’s apparent life dream of
becoming a hipster jazz pianist. And with
the new Terminator: Dark Fate, I’m afraid, Linda Hamilton and Arnold Schwarzenegger in Terminator: Dark Fate
it might be time to bid adieu to whatever
As for 72-year-old Schwarzenegger human Grace, sent from the future to pro- supporting work, my initial reaction was
sanity may have been left in this 35-years-
(who, let’s remember, played Mr. Freeze in tect Earth’s latest hope for survival: a young largely unfavorable: too much on-the-nose
running series of sci-fi action adventures …
Batman & Robin,), he entered the full-camp Mexican (the touching Natalia Reyes) as exposition and overt speechifying; too
though I can’t yet tell if the franchise offi-
phase of his acting career ages ago. But even confounded by the time-travel intrica- much postcard-ready prettiness courtesy of
cially died when Linda Hamilton made a
considering the laughs he intentionally and cies as we are. And given that its storyline cinematographer John Toll; wa-a-a-ay too
grim callback to Arnold Schwarzenegger’s
unintentionally generates, Schwarzenegger is really just a rehash of T2, complete with much aural melodrama by the usually first-
“I’ll be back” catchphrase, or when Schwar-
can’t pull off the movie’s ridiculous conceit Schwarzenegger’s need to turn his onetime rate composer Terrence Blanchard. (For
zenegger himself gave the line a cornball
that his T-800 assassin is now a contented robotic monster into an undisputed hero, two hours, the score tells us exactly what
spin with the sadly inevitable “I won’t be
family man with a drapery business and Dark Fate at least boasts the first Termi- to feel at every moment). Adding the film’s
back.” Either way, had I been holding a soda
the nom de guerre “Carl,” nor adequately nator plot since 1991 that I could actually frustrating adherence to traditional bio-pic,
or a tub of popcorn, it would have taken all
explain how even a futuristic cyborg is remember two days after seeing the movie. and even action-pic, formulas, the watering
my restraint not to hurl my concession at
able to develop facial hair, wrinkles, and a Yet despite its professionalism and occa- down of Tubman’s harrowing experiences
the screen.
conscience. The first five minutes here are sionally witty fringe touches – among them for PG-13 consumption, and some of the
I take no pleasure in reporting this, given
somewhat reminiscent of the prelude to Sarah’s astonishment that Carl’s wife hasn’t most fascinating elements of our heroine’s
that, like most everyone I know, I love James
David Fincher’s 1992 Alien3, which inten- noticed his presumed weight of 400 pounds life – such as her serving as a spy for the
Cameron’s 1991 Terminator II: Judgment
tionally (and effectively) trashed whatever – Terminator: Dark Fate feels like a huge Union Army during the Civil War – rel-
Day to death and was initially jazzed at the
upbeat notes lingered after 1986’s Aliens. Yet missed opportunity. I don’t know if Ham- egated to mere mentions in title cards at
prospect of seeing its stars Hamilton (as
I was less bummed by the opener’s revision- ilton or Schwarzenegger, or the series itself, the finale, I left my screening sincerely dis-
the iconic world-saver Sarah Conner) and
ist history – a narrative gamble that might will ever “be back.” If they do, though, I’m appointed. Upon reflection, however, it’s
Schwarzenegger (as the titular monosyllabic
easily piss off admirers of the series – than praying they’re back in a brand extension hard to deny that this blunt, literal-minded,
cyborg) reunite for another tour of duty. But
by the film’s bald acquiescence to presumed less embarrassing than this one. mostly unimaginative film wouldn’t have
most everything that’s wrong with director
fan service. Yes, seeing T2 stars Hamilton considerable impact on young audiences
Tim Miller’s Dark Fate is, unfortunately,
wrong because of Hamilton’s and Schwar-
and Schwarzenegger together again is a HARRIET new to the Harriet Tubman story who
hoot. If only their returns didn’t make me would, hopefully, be properly astounded by
zenegger’s participation. Sixty-three-year- This can only sound like a backhanded
want to hoot with derision. this historic saga of courage, tenacity, and
old Hamilton looks great, if understandably compliment, if not a direct insult. But
The rest of the fi lm is … fine, I guess. unimaginable bravery. Is Harriet a good
weathered, and her deep, husky voice ably between my weekend viewing of director
Deadpool director Miller stages the action movie? Personally speaking, I don’t think
suggests decades of residual grief and undi- Kasi Lemmons’ Harriet Tubman bio-pic
– particularly an early, extended chase so. I also think, for the right viewers under
luted anger. That’s why it’s all the more baf- and my sitting down to review it, my opin-
that climaxes on a highway bridge – with the right circumstances, that couldn’t pos-
fling that this script – credited to no fewer ion on Harriet has mellowed, and I’m now
a fair degree of style, and the famed “liquid sibly matter less.
than six screenwriters and/or “story by” ready to concede that the film may actually
metal” effects, though obviously less aston-
contributors including James Cameron – be a terrific one – for kids. Not little kids,
ishing now than they were 27 years ago, still For reviews of Joker, The Lighthouse,
turns Sarah into a figure of comic relief, mind you, but certainly intelligent, curious
provide some giddy delight when employed Maleficent: Mistress of Evil, Motherless
always at the ready with a withering aside middle- and high-schoolers interested in
by the new, improved cyborg REV-9 (a Brooklyn, The Addams Family, Zom-
or a throaty punchline; the woman’s every learning about one of the most legitimately
subtly charismatic Gabriel Luna). Macken- bieland: Double Tap, Countdown, Dolemite
cynical utterance should be followed, Dor- heroic figures in American history. Despite
zie Davis delivers an empathetic, thrillingly Is My Name, and other recent releases, visit
othy Parker-style, with Sarah taking a sip lead Cynthia Erivo’s forceful, sometimes
physical performance as the “augmented” RCReader.com/movies.
from her martini. lyrical title performance and a lot of solid
18 River Cities’ Reader • Vol. 27 No. 967 • November 2019
A Labor of Leave
I haven’t had sex since my last breakup, and
I’m all lusty. I really like this guy, but he seems
to have some intimacy issues. We went on a
coffee date, and the chemistry made things go
further than I would have wanted or expected
(making out like crazy in the car). My friends
keep reminding me to build trust and friend-
ship before sex. But can you really go back-
ward? Like, is it possible to just hang out and
chat once things have gotten hot and heavy?
– Lustbucket
A nice, thick pane of bulletproof glass
between two people is an underappreciated
chastity helper, which is to say, in a perfect
world, you’d plan your dates around one of you
getting a job in a check-cashing place or getting
arrested and held without bail.
There’s a tendency when you’ve initially gone
a little too heavy into the heavy petting to be
all: “Oh, well … cat’s out of the bag. Let’s just
go straight to the sex dungeon.” However, for
women especially, having sex right away can
lead to a sort of psychological blinding to their
sex partner’s shortcomings.
Women seem more prone to getting attached
when they have sex. This is thought to result
from surging oxytocin, a hormone associated
with emotional bonding between mothers and
children, as well as lovers. Oxytocin is released
in both men and women through cuddling,
kissing, and especially through orgasm. How-
ever, in men, having sex also sets off a big blast
of testosterone. Testosterone goes all nightclub
bouncer on oxytocin, blocking it from getting
to its receptor. So just as a woman’s going all
melt-o about a guy, if the guy has no pre-sex
emotional attachment to her, his neurochem-
istry is prodding him to say something sweet
and romantic, like “Thanks for the ride! Have
a great life!”
In other words, the bulletproof-glass sugges-
tion isn’t all that outrageous. It’s a form of “pre-
commitment,” a strategy by economist Thomas
Schelling that involves preparing in advance to
make it difficult for you to break a promise or
duck a goal. Incorporating precommitment
could mean only scheduling lunch dates in
restaurants and only on days when you have a
work meeting right afterward. Another idea is
getting to know each other over the phone more
than in person – with the caveat that you only
do it in relatively public places, where turning
FaceTime into PenisTime is likely to lead to,
um, jail time.
Got a problem? Write Amy Alkon, 171 Pier Ave, #280, Santa Monica, CA 90405. E-mail AdviceAmy@aol.com,
visit @amyalkon on Twitter, and listen to Amy’s weekly radio show at BlogTalkRadio.com/amyalkon. Order Amy
Alkon’s new book Unf_-ology: A Field Guide to Living with Guts and Confidence (St. Martin’s Griffin, 2018).
©2019, Amy Alkon, all rights reserved. New column published weekly at RCReader.com
Know More, Do More • RiverCitiesReader.com
CURRENT EXHIBITION
Fade to Bleh
I’m a very obsessive person. I went on one
date with this guy, and it was immediately
apparent that he’s emotionally unavail-
able and broken. I deleted his number but
soon dug it back up. I texted, but he never
responded. I know he’s bad news, but I still
think about him constantly. It’s especially
bad when I’m trying to go to sleep. How do
I stop these intrusive thoughts?
– Besieged
It’s like that spinning teacup ride, with Satan
MIA FEUER
as the carny: “Wanna get off? Too bad!”
You’re doing your best to avoid thinking
about the guy. Unfortunately, there’s a prob-
TOTEMS OF THE ANTHROPOCENE
lem with that. Research by psychologist Daniel THROUGH DECEMBER 29, 2019
Wegner on “the paradoxical effects of thought
suppression” suggests our minds have some- This exhibition is presented in partnership with the Center for
thing in common with a defiant two-year-old, Polar Studies at Augustana College and Davenport Parks and Recreation.
meaning that telling yourself not to think
about something gets your mind doing exactly Mia Feuer, An Unkindness, 2013, and Rink, 2018, installation view,
the opposite: thinking about that thing with a Esker Foundation, Calgary, Canada, © image courtesy of the artist
vengeance.
This is just how the mind works. When you Davenport, Iowa • 563.326.7804
tell yourself not to think about something, it’s www.figgeartmuseum.org
an immediate fail. The mind sweeps around to
monitor how well you’re doing at not think-
ing about it, which of course involves thinking
about whatever you’re not supposed be think-
ing about.
Helpfully, Wegner and his colleagues found
a possible way to stem the flood of intrusive
thoughts: distraction. This requires thinking
of something positive and unrelated to the
thoughts you’re trying to suppress. Even a red
Volkswagen – the example they used in their
experiment – could do the job.
What’s more, psychologists Jens Forster
and Nira Liberman found that you can keep
your mind from constantly bouncing back to
a thought if you shift your focus: admit that
not thinking about it is hard. As I explain in
my book Unf---ology, “Removing the need to
patrol your thoughts … removes the mental
sticky note that tells you to keep going back into
Thoughtland with a flashlight to see how well
you’re doing at it.”
Finally, because the mind cannot multitask,
meaning think two thoughts at once, it might
be helpful at bedtime to tire yourself out read-
ing aloud or following a guided meditation on
your phone: “You’re walking down a beach …
you’re looking out into the waves … and … um
… oops!” Just remind yourself that not think-
ing about something is hard and yank your
mind back to Swami Doodah after you inevita-
bly picture yourself holding the guy down and
drowning him in the ocean.
Know More, Do More • RiverCitiesReader.com
FREE WILL ASTROLOGY
ARIES (March 21-April 19): Aries psy-
chologist James Hillman said we keep
“our images and fantasies at arm’s
length because they are so full of love.”
They’re also quite flammable, he added. They are
always on the verge of catching fire, metaphori-
cally speaking. That’s why many people wrap
their love-filled images and fantasies in meta-
phorical asbestos: to prevent them from igniting a
blaze in their psyches. In my astrological opinion,
you Aries folks always have a mandate to use less
asbestos than all the other signs – even none at all.
That’s even truer than usual right now. Keep your
images and fantasies extra close and raw and wild.
TAURUS (April 20-May 20): Poet
James Merrill was ecstatic when he
learned the Greek language. According
to his biographer, he felt he could artic-
ulate his needs “with more force and clarity, with
greater simplicity and less self-consciousness,
than he ever could in his own language.” He con-
cluded, “Freedom to be oneself is all very well; the
greater freedom is not to be oneself.” Personally, I
think that’s an exaggeration. I believe the freedom
to be yourself is very, very important. But for you
in the coming weeks, Taurus, the freedom to not
be yourself could indeed be quite liberating. What
might you do to stretch your capacities beyond
what you’ve assumed is true about you? Are you
willing to rebel against and transcend your previ-
ous self-conceptions?
GEMINI (May 21-June 20): Musician
Brian Eno made a deck of oracular
cards called Oblique Strategies. Each
card has a suggestion designed to trig-
ger creative thinking about a project or process
you’re working on. You Geminis might find it
useful to call on Oblique Strategies right now,
given that you’re navigating your way through a
phase of adjustment and rearrangement. The card
I drew for you is “Honor thy error as hidden inten-
tion.” Here’s how I interpret it: An apparent lapse
or misstep will actually be the result of your
deeper mind guiding you to take a fruitful detour.
CANCER (June 21-July 22): We devote
a lot of energy to wishing and hoping
about the meaningful joys we’d love to
bring into our lives. And yet few of us
have been trained in the best strategies for mani-
festing our wishes and hopes. That’s the bad news.
The good news is that now is a favorable time for
you to upgrade your skills at getting what you
want. With that in mind, I present you with the
simple but potent wisdom of author Maya Ange-
lou: “Ask for what you want and be prepared to get
it.” To flesh that out, I’ll add: Formulate a precise
statement describing your heart’s yearning, and
then work hard to make yourself ready for its
fulfillment.
LEO (July 23-August 22): What are the
key parts of your life – the sources and
influences that enable you to be your
most soulful self? I urge you to nourish
them intensely during the next three weeks. Next
question: What are the marginally important
parts of your life – the activities and proclivities
that aren’t essential for your long-term success
and happiness? I urge you to corral all the energy
you give to those marginally important things,
and instead pour it into what’s most important.
Now is a crucial time in the evolution of your rela-
tionship with your primal fuels, your indispens-
able resources, your sustaining foundations.
VIRGO (August 23-September 22):
“When she spoke of beauty, he spoke of
the fatty tissue supporting the epider-
mis,” wrote short-story author Robert
Musil. He was describing a conversation between
a man and woman who were on different wave-
lengths. “When she mentioned love,” Musil con-
tinued, “he responded with the statistical curve
that indicates the rise and fall in the annual birth-
rate.” Many of you Virgos have the flexibility to
express yourself well on both of those wave-
lengths. But in the coming months, I hope you’ll
emphasize the beauty and love wavelength rather
than the fatty tissue and statistical curve wave-
length. It’ll be an excellent strategy for getting the
healing you need.
LIBRA (September 23-October 22):
Libran blogger Ana-Sofia Cardelle was
asked, “What is your signature per-
fume?” She said she hadn’t found one.
But then she described how she would like to
smell: “somewhere between fresh and earthy: cin-
namon and honey, a rose garden, saltwater baked
River Cities’ Reader • Vol. 27 No. 967 • November 2019
in the sun.” The coming days will be an excellent
time to indulge in your own fantasies about the
special fragrance you’d like to emanate. More-
over, I bet you’ll be energized by pinpointing a
host of qualities you would like to serve as corner-
stones of your identity: traits that embody and
express your uniqueness.
SCORPIO (October 23-November 21):
Studies suggest that on average each of
us has a social network of about 250
people, of whom 120 we regard as a
closer group of friendly acquaintances. But most
of us have no more than 20 folks we trust, and only
two or three whom we regard as confidants. I sus-
pect that these numbers will be in flux for you
during the next twelve months, Scorpio. I bet
you’ll make more new friends than usual, and will
also expand your inner circle. On the other hand,
I expect that some people who are now in your
sphere will depart. Net result: stronger alliances
and more collaboration.
SAGIT TA R IUS (November
22-December 21): I blame and thank
the Sagittarian part of me when I get
brave and brazen enough to follow my
strongest emotions where they want to lead me. I
also blame and thank the Sagittarian part of me
when I strip off my defense mechanisms and
invite the world to regard my vulnerabilities as
interesting and beautiful. I furthermore blame
and thank the Sagittarian side of me on those
occasions when I run three miles down the beach
at dawn, hoping to thereby jolt loose the secrets
I’ve been concealing from myself. I suspect the
coming weeks will be a favorable time to blame
and thank the Sagittarian part of you for similar
experiences.
CAPRICORN (December 22-January
19): Persian polymath Avicenna (980–
1037) wrote 450 books on many topics,
including medicine, philosophy,
astronomy, geography, mathematics, theology,
and poetry. While young, he tried to study the
Metaphysics of Aristotle, but had difficulty grasp-
ing it. Forty times he read the text, even commit-
ting it to memory. But he made little progress
toward fathoming it. Years later, he was browsing
at an outdoor market and found a brief, cheap
19
By Rob Brezsny
book about the Metaphysics by an author named
al-Farabi. He read it quickly, and for the first time
understood Aristotle’s great work. He was so
delighted he went out to the streets and gave away
gifts to poor people. I foresee a comparable mile-
stone for you, Capricorn: Something that has
eluded your comprehension will become clear, at
least in part due to a lucky accident.
AQUARIUS (January 20-February
18): In addition to being a key figure in
Renaissance art, fifteenth-century Ital-
ian painter Filippo Lippi had a colorful
life. According to legend, he was once held pris-
oner by Barbary pirates, but gained his freedom
by drawing a riveting portrait of their leader.
Inspired by the astrological factors affecting you
right now, I’m fantasizing about the possibility of
a liberating event arriving in your life. Maybe
you’ll call on one of your skills in a dramatic way,
thereby enhancing your leeway or generating a
breakthrough or unleashing an opportunity.
(Please also re-read your horoscope from last
week.)
PISCES (February 19-March 20):
“Stand high long enough and your
lightning will come,” writes Piscean
novelist William Gibson. He isn’t sug-
gesting that we literally stand on top of a treeless
hill in a thunderstorm and invite the lightning to
shoot down through us. More realistically, I think
he means that we should devotedly cultivate and
discipline our highest forms of expression so that
when inspiration finds us, we’ll be primed to
receive and use its full power. That’s an excellent
oracle for you.
Homework. You don’t have to believe in ideas
that make you sad or tormented. Drop them.
Visit FreeWillAstrology.com.
New column published
weekly at RCReader.com
Go to RealAstrology.com to check out Rob Brezsny’s
EXPANDED WEEKLY AUDIO HOROSCOPES
& DAILY TEXT MESSAGE HOROSCOPES
The audio horoscopes are also available by phone at
1-877-873-4888 or 1-900-950-7700
20 River Cities’ Reader • Vol. 27 No. 967 • November 2019
THURSDAY 7 SATURDAY
2019/11/07 (Thu)
Citrus Sunday – NonGrata – Iowa
City Yacht Club, 13 S Linn St, Iowa
City IA
Guest List Series featuring Joe
Marcinek – The Redstone Room,
129 Main St, Davenport IA
Riot Ten – Yakz – Cromatik – Gabe’s,
330 E. Washington St., Iowa City IA
The Talbott Brothers – Dickie – The
Mill, 120 E. Burlington St., Iowa City
IA
FRIDAY 8
2019/11/08 (Fri)
Bettendorf Park Band – Herbert
Goettsch Community Center, 2204
Grant St., Bettendorf IA
Brandon Gibbs Duo (6:30pm) –
Brushville (8:30pm) – Riverside
Casino and Golf Resort, 3184
Highway 22, Riverside IA
Brent Penny – Annalibera – Gabriel
Dowie – Rozz-Tox, 2108 Third Ave.,
Rock Island IL
Casual Classics: Concert III (5pm)
– Galvin Fine Arts Center, 2101 N.
Gaines St., Davenport IA
Chris O’Leary Band – Flatted Fifth
Blues & BBQ, 300 Potter Dr.,
Bellevue IA
The Deep Hollow – Bishop Hill
Creative Commons, 309 N Bishop
Hill St., Bishop Hill IL
Icon for Hire – TV Cop – Megababes
– Zaq Baker (5pm) – Gabe’s, 330 E.
Washington St., Iowa City IA
Jimmy Eat World – The Rust Belt, 533
12th Ave., East Moline IL
Larry Boyd (6pm) – Cool Beanz
Coffeehouse, 1325 30th St., Rock
Island IL
The Manny Lopez Big Band (6pm) –
The Circa ’21 Speakeasy, 1818 Third
Ave., Rock Island IL
North of 40 – The Gypsy Highway
Bar & Grill, 2606 W. Locust St.,
Davenport IA
Pert Near Sandstone – Kind
Country – The Mill, 120 E.
Burlington St., Iowa City IA
Phyllis & the Sharks – Parkside Grill
& Lounge, 2307 5th Ave, Moline IL
Smooth Groove – Rhythm City
Casino Resort Rhythm Room, 7077
Elmore Ave., Davenport IA
Terry Quiett Band – Hal Reed
& Mississippi Journey – The
Redstone Room, 129 Main St,
Davenport IA
MUSIC
9 MONDAY
2019/11/09 (Sat)
America – Rhythm City Casino Resort
Event Center, 7077 Elmore Ave.,
Davenport IA
BYOBrass – The Mill, 120 E. Burlington
St., Iowa City IA
Blue Mississippi – Flatted Fifth Blues
& BBQ, 300 Potter Dr., Bellevue IA
Blues Rock-It – VIP’s Corner Bar &
Grill, 4100 4th Ave., Moline IL
Bret Michaels – Night Ranger – Lita
Ford – Joe Nichols – U.S. Cellular
Center, 370 1st Ave NE, Cedar
Rapids IA
Bugeye Sprite – Len Brown’s North
Shore Inn, 700 N. Shore Dr., Moline
IL
Code 415 – Crabby’s Bar & Grill, 826 W.
1st Ave., Coal Valley IL
Corridore – White Batzzz –
Everlasting Light – Rozz-Tox, 2108
Third Ave., Rock Island IL
Folk ‘n’ Stages – Quarter-Til Tap, 4101
14th Ave., Rock Island IL
Greg & Rich Acoustic Duo – Green
Tree Brewery, 309 N. Cody Rd.,
LeClaire IA
Krank Daddies – RIBCO, 1815 Second
Ave., Rock Island IL
Ladonna & the Crossover Band –
Riverside Casino and Golf Resort,
3184 Highway 22, Riverside IA
Madd Hoss Jackson – Rhythm City
Casino Resort Rhythm Room, 7077
Elmore Ave., Davenport IA
Russ Reyman Request Piano Bar –
The Phoenix Restaurant & Martini
Bar, 111 West 2nd St., Davenport IA
Smooth Groove – The Gypsy
Highway Bar & Grill, 2606 W. Locust
St., Davenport IA
The Unincorporated & Friends –
Iowa City Yacht Club, 13 S Linn St,
Iowa City IA
SUNDAY 10
2019/11/10 (Sun)
Bob Bucko Jr. – Human Host –
Mustard in Law – Ruche Mere
– Yak Attack – Gabe’s, 330 E.
Washington St., Iowa City IA
The Peña Brothers – Geezer’s Draft
House, 1654 W. 3rd St., Davenport
IA
Polka Club of Iowa, Inc., Eastern
Chapter Dance: Eddie Korosa Jr.
Band (1pm) – Walcott Coliseum,
116 E Bryant St, Walcott IA
St. Ambrose University Student
Invitational Recital (3pm) –
Galvin Fine Arts Center, 2101 N.
Gaines St., Davenport IA
Karen Meat @ Rozz-Tox – November 14
11
2019/11/11 (Mon)
Chris O’Leary Band (6pm) – Moline
Viking Club, 1450 41st St., Moline IL
Kaleido (5pm) – Bain-Marie –
OWHA – Stick People (7pm) –
Gabe’s, 330 E. Washington St., Iowa
City IA
Thy Art Is Murder – VCTMS – Pit
Lord – Post A.D. (5:30pm) –
RIBCO, 1815 Second Ave., Rock
Island IL
TUESDAY 12
2019/11/12 (Tue)
Dax – Gabe’s, 330 E. Washington St.,
Iowa City IA
WEDNESDAY 13
2019/11/13 (Wed)
Burlington Street Bluegrass Band –
The Mill, 120 E. Burlington St., Iowa
City IA
Fall Gospel Choir Concert – Blades
Chapel - University of Dubuque,
2000 University Ave., Dubuque IA
Jef Spradley – The Faithful Pilot Cafe
& Spirits, 117 N Cody Rd, LeClaire IA
Kris Kristofferson & the Strangers
– Adler Theatre, 136 E. Third St.,
Davenport IA
The T’N’T Tour: Tommy Castro
& Tinsley Ellis – The Redstone
Room, 129 Main St, Davenport IA
Thank You Scientist – Bent Knee
– Tea Club – Gabe’s, 330 E.
Washington St., Iowa City IA
Tommy Pickett & Friends (5:30pm)
– Davenport Elks Lodge #298, 4400
W. Central Park Ave., Davenport IA
THURSDAY 14
2019/11/14 (Thu)
Juan Franco – Galvin Fine Arts Center,
2101 N. Gaines St., Davenport IA
Karen Meat – Subatlantic –
Tambourine – Rozz-Tox, 2108
Third Ave., Rock Island IL
Mannheim Steamroller Christmas
– Adler Theatre, 136 E. Third St.,
Davenport IA
Novalima – Bishop Hill Creative
Commons, 309 N Bishop Hill St.,
Bishop Hill IL
Penny Peach – Tooth Ivy –
Basketball Divorce Court – Dog
Dave – Gabe’s, 330 E. Washington
St., Iowa City IA
Slayer – Primus – Ministry – Philip
H. Anselmo & the Illegals (6pm)
– TaxSlayer Center, 1201 River Dr,
Moline IL
NOVEMBER 7–DECEMBER 4
FRIDAY 15
2019/11/15 (Fri)
Blues Rock It – Parkside Grill &
Lounge, 2307 5th Ave, Moline IL
Brown Bag Lunch Series Concert:
Tony Rangel & Friends –
Bettendorf Public Library, 2950
Learning Campus Dr., Bettendorf
IA
Bucktown Revue – Nighswander
Theatre, 2822 Eastern Ave,
Davenport IA
Cryptostatic – Autumn Rove – St.
October – Village Theatre, 2113 E
11th St, Davenport IA
Dave Ellis & Rich Fricke – Treehouse
Pub & Eatery, 2239 E. Kimberly Rd.,
Bettendorf IA
Fortag – Riverside Casino and Golf
Resort, 3184 Highway 22, Riverside
IA
Funktastic 5 – RIBCO, 1815 Second
Ave., Rock Island IL
Gray Wolf Band (6:30pm) –
Lavender Crest Winery, 5401 US
Highway 6, Colona IL
Halfloves – Younger – Purple Frank
– The Mill, 120 E. Burlington St.,
Iowa City IA
Hap Hazard – The Gypsy Highway
Bar & Grill, 2606 W. Locust St.,
Davenport IA
Joe & Vicki Price – Lojo Russo – Matt
Woods – The Redstone Room, 129
Main St, Davenport IA
John Heasley & Jerry Schroeder –
Cool Beanz Coffeehouse, 1325 30th
St., Rock Island IL
Libido Funk Circus – Rhythm City
Casino Resort Rhythm Room, 7077
Elmore Ave., Davenport IA
Lil Weep & the Crybabies (6pm) –
Gabe’s, 330 E. Washington St., Iowa
City IA
Moeller Nights Fest: Vol. II – The
Rust Belt, 533 12th Ave., East
Moline IL
Northern Parallels 038: Mike
Derer – Higgy – b00kie – b2b –
flowereater – Rozz-Tox, 2108 Third
Ave., Rock Island IL
Orchestra Iowa Masterworks II:
Passion of Angels – Coralville
Center for the Performing Arts,
1301 5th St., Coralville IA
Roger Carlson & Stephanie
Stephens (6pm) – Rock Island Hy-
Vee Market Grille, 2930 18th Ave.,
Rock Island IL
Wilco – Paramount Theatre, 123 3rd
St. SE, Cedar Rapids IA
Know More, Do More • RiverCitiesReader.com
SATURDAY
2019/11/16 (Sat)
16
Ami Dang – Bill MacKay –
Idpyramid – Rozz-Tox, 2108 Third
Ave., Rock Island IL
Andy & the Decades – Rhythm City
Casino Resort Rhythm Room, 7077
Elmore Ave., Davenport IA
The Blooze Brothers Revue –
Timber Lake Playhouse, 8215 Black
Oak Road, Mt. Carroll IL
Code 415 – Quarter-Til Tap, 4101 14th
Ave., Rock Island IL
Fortag Band – Riverside Casino and
Golf Resort, 3184 Highway 22,
Riverside IA
Gray Wolf Band – Len Brown’s North
Shore Inn, 700 N. Shore Dr., Moline
IL
Greg & Rich Acoustic Duo – City
Limits Saloon & Grill, 4514 9th St.,
Rock Island IL
I Lift My Lamp – Coralville Center for
the Performing Arts, 1301 5th St.,
Coralville IA
Ivan Moshchuk – First Presbyterian
Church of Davenport, 1702 Iowa
St., Davenport IA
Kevin B.F. Burt – Alice Howe –
Kirsten Maxwell – Uptown
Theatre, 221 1st Street NE, Mt.
Vernon IA
Left of Reason – Zachary Daniels
Band – OHWA – Iowa City Yacht
Club, 13 S Linn St, Iowa City IA
Michael Charles – Flatted Fifth Blues
& BBQ, 300 Potter Dr., Bellevue IA
Moeller Nights Fest: Vol. II – The
Rust Belt, 533 12th Ave., East
Moline IL
My Posse in Effect: A Beastie Boys
Tribute – The Redstone Room, 129
Main St, Davenport IA
Orchestra Iowa Masterworks II:
Passion of Angels – Paramount
Theatre, 123 3rd St. SE, Cedar
Rapids IA
Pappa-Razzi – Green Tree Brewery,
309 N. Cody Rd., LeClaire IA
Russ Reyman Request Piano Bar –
The Phoenix Restaurant & Martini
Bar, 111 West 2nd St., Davenport IA
Soul Storm – The Gypsy Highway
Bar & Grill, 2606 W. Locust St.,
Davenport IA
Superchief – Porchburner –
Volcano Diving – The GMO’s –
Gabe’s, 330 E. Washington St., Iowa
City IA
Whoozdads? – The Grape Life Wine
Emporium & Lounge, 3402 Elmore
Ave., Davenport IA
SUNDAY 17
2019/11/17 (Sun)
Fabio Frizzi – Frizzi 2 Fulci – RIBCO,
1815 Second Ave., Rock Island IL
Jef Spradley Sunday-Funday
Acoustic Show (4:30pm) – The
Gypsy Highway Bar & Grill, 2606 W.
Locust St., Davenport IA
The Peña Brothers – Geezer’s Draft
House, 1654 W. 3rd St., Davenport
IA
Polyrhythms’ Third Sunday Jazz
Workshop & Matinee Series: The
Bob Washut Emeritet (6pm) –
The Redstone Room, 129 Main St,
Davenport IA
Quad City Music Guild Youth
Chorus (2pm) – Quad City Music
Guild - Prospect Park Auditorium,
1584 34th Ave., Moline IL
Scarlett O’Hara – Sleepwalker
– Somewhere to Call Home –
Gabe’s, 330 E. Washington St., Iowa
City IA
Weeping Icon – Commodity A –
Aging – Rozz-Tox, 2108 Third Ave.,
Rock Island IL
TUESDAY 19
2019/11/19 (Tue)
Universit y of Iowa Jazz
Performance: Area 51 & Grad
Combos – The Mill, 120 E.
Burlington St., Iowa City IA
WEDNESDAY 20
2019/11/20 (Wed)
Black Hawk College Big Band
and Jazz Combos – Black Hawk
College Theatre - Building 1, Room
306, 6600 34th Ave., Moline IL
Lewis Knudsen – The Faithful Pilot
Cafe & Spirits, 117 N Cody Rd,
LeClaire IA
The Night People (5:30pm) –
Davenport Elks Lodge #298, 4400
W. Central Park Ave., Davenport IA
On a Winter’s Night – Englert
Theatre, 221 East Washington St.,
Iowa City IA
THURSDAY 21
2019/11/21 (Thu)
Black Hawk College Jazz Ensemble
(6pm) – Cool Beanz Coffeehouse,
1325 30th St., Rock Island IL
Contra-Tiempo & Las Cafeteras –
Hancher Auditorium, 141 East Park
Rd., Iowa City IA
iHearIC – The Mill, 120 E. Burlington
St., Iowa City IA
Lauren Anderson – Matt Panek –
Iowa City Yacht Club, 13 S Linn St,
Iowa City IA
The Marcus King Band – Aaron Lee
Tasjan – Englert Theatre, 221 East
Washington St., Iowa City IA
Zeke Beats – G-Rex – Gabe’s, 330 E.
Washington St., Iowa City IA
FRIDAY 22
2019/11/22 (Fri)
Aaron Kamm & the One Drops
– Rude Punch – The Redstone
Room, 129 Main St, Davenport IA
Casting Call – Parkside Grill &
Lounge, 2307 5th Ave, Moline IL
Daykeeper – Dead Emperors –
Igneous – Cervine – RIBCO, 1815
Second Ave., Rock Island IL
Fortag – Rhythm City Casino Resort
Rhythm Room, 7077 Elmore Ave.,
Davenport IA
Funktastic Five – The Gypsy
Highway Bar & Grill, 2606 W. Locust
St., Davenport IA
Jazz After Five w/ Ritmocano (5pm)
– The Mill, 120 E. Burlington St.,
Iowa City IA
Larry Boyd (6pm) – Cool Beanz
Coffeehouse, 1325 30th St., Rock
Island IL
Passion Music Group – Riverside
Casino and Golf Resort, 3184
Highway 22, Riverside IA
The Real Zebos – TV Cop – Uncle
– Dog Dave – Gabe’s, 330 E.
Washington St., Iowa City IA
Tunes at the Tulip – Hauberg Civic
Center Mansion, 1300 24th St.,
Rock Island IL
SATURDAY
2019/11/23 (Sat)
23
The Acoustic Project (6pm) – Cool
Beanz Coffeehouse, 1325 30th St.,
Rock Island IL
Chad Elliott – Flatted Fifth Blues &
BBQ, 300 Potter Dr., Bellevue IA
Code 415 – VIP’s Corner Bar & Grill,
4100 4th Ave., Moline IL
Dave Ellis – Green Tree Brewery, 309
N. Cody Rd., LeClaire IA
Fortag – Rhythm City Casino Resort
Rhythm Room, 7077 Elmore Ave.,
Davenport IA
Hangover Rescue Team – RIBCO,
1815 Second Ave., Rock Island IL
Harry Potter & the Prisoner of
Azkaban in Concert (2 & 7:30pm)
– Adler Theatre, 136 E. Third St.,
Davenport IA
K n ox- G a l e s b u r g Sy m p h o ny
Masterwork s II: Winds of
Change – Orpheum Theatre, 57 S.
Kellogg St., Galesburg IL
Metro Mix Chorus Holiday Show
(4pm) – Ohnward Fine Arts Center,
1215 E Platt St., Maquoketa IA
Mike Jones – Gabe’s, 330 E.
Washington St., Iowa City IA
Know More, Do More • RiverCitiesReader.com
Hosting a live music event?
Email calendar@rcreader.com • Deadline 5 p.m. Thursday before publication
Davina and the Vagabonds @ The Redstone Room – November 30
The Mixtape – Iowa City Yacht Club,
13 S Linn St, Iowa City IA
Moonshine Run – The Gypsy
Highway Bar & Grill, 2606 W. Locust
St., Davenport IA
The Neverly Brothers – Timber Lake
Playhouse, 8215 Black Oak Road,
Mt. Carroll IL
Nic Arp & the Bernemann Brothers
– The Mill, 120 E. Burlington St.,
Iowa City IA
Old Dominion – Scotty McCreedy
– Ryan Hurd – TaxSlayer Center,
1201 River Dr, Moline IL
Passion Music Group – Riverside
Casino and Golf Resort, 3184
Highway 22, Riverside IA
Russ Reyman Request Piano Bar –
The Phoenix Restaurant & Martini
Bar, 111 West 2nd St., Davenport IA
Zeta – Everlasting Light – Dark
Family – Aubs. – Rozz-Tox, 2108
Third Ave., Rock Island IL
SUNDAY
2019/11/24 (Sun)
24
Kevin B.F. Burt – Riverside Casino
and Golf Resort, 3184 Highway 22,
Riverside IA
Lessons & Carols (3 & 5pm) –
Ascension Chapel, Augustana
College, 3701 7th Ave., Rock Island
IL
The Peña Brothers – Geezer’s Draft
House, 1654 W. 3rd St., Davenport
IA
Steve Grismore (5pm) – Flatted
Fifth Blues & BBQ, 300 Potter Dr.,
Bellevue IA
Telekinetic Yeti – Ape Machine –
Acoustic Guillotine – Shining
Realm – Gabe’s, 330 E. Washington
St., Iowa City IA
MONDAY
2019/11/25 (Mon)
25
Black Hawk College Chamber
Music Recital – Black Hawk
College Theatre - Building 1, Room
306, 6600 34th Ave., Moline IL
Iowa City New Horizons Band:
Generations of Jazz 2019
– Coralville Center for the
Performing Arts, 1301 5th St.,
Coralville IA
TUESDAY
2019/11/26 (Tue)
26
Black Hawk College Voice Recital
– Black Hawk College Theatre -
Building 1, Room 306, 6600 34th
Ave., Moline IL
Truffle Pig – The Mill, 120 E.
Burlington St., Iowa City IA
WEDNESDAY 27
2019/11/27 (Wed)
Burlington Street Bluegrass Band –
The Mill, 120 E. Burlington St., Iowa
City IA
Coast to Coast Blues Finale w/
Kevin B.F. Burt – Riverside Casino
and Golf Resort, 3184 Highway 22,
Riverside IA
Doggin’ Out Blues Band – The Diner,
421 W. River Dr., Davenport IA
Greg & Rich Acoustic Duo – Len
Brown’s North Shore Inn, 700 N.
Shore Dr., Moline IL
The Ladies of Blues Rock – Riverside
Casino & Golf Resort, 3184 Highway
22, Riverside IA
Lynn Allen – Parkside Grill & Lounge,
2307 5th Ave, Moline IL
My Fellow Americans – Rhythm City
Casino Resort Rhythm Room, 7077
Elmore Ave., Davenport IA
Project X Thanksgiving Eve Bash
– The Gypsy Highway Bar & Grill,
2606 W. Locust St., Davenport IA
Spam Halen – Hum Hum – The
Crash – Harley Corin’s, 1708 State
St., Bettendorf IA
Tommy Cornelis – Higgy – Rozz-Tox,
2108 Third Ave., Rock Island IL
Tommy Pickett & Friends (5:30pm)
– Davenport Elks Lodge #298, 4400
W. Central Park Ave., Davenport IA
THURSDAY
2019/11/28 (Thu)
28
The TailPeople Band – Riverside
Casino and Golf Resort, 3184
Highway 22, Riverside IA
FRIDAY
2019/11/29 (Fri)
29
Back in Black Friday / Electric
Shock: AC/DC Tribute – The
Redstone Room, 129 Main St,
Davenport IA
The Night People – The Gypsy
Highway Bar & Grill, 2606 W. Locust
St., Davenport IA
North of 40 – Rhythm City Casino
Resort Rhythm Room, 7077 Elmore
Ave., Davenport IA
SATURDAY
2019/11/30 (Sat)
30
Blues Rock–It – Riverfront Grille,
4619 34th St., Rock Island IL
Code 415 – Hawkeye Tap Sports
Bar N Grill, 4646 Cheyenne Ave.,
Davenport IA
Crooked Cactus – Rhythm City
Casino Resort Rhythm Room, 7077
Elmore Ave., Davenport IA
Dylan Doyle Band – Flatted Fifth
Blues & BBQ, 300 Potter Dr.,
Bellevue IA
Greg & Rich Acoustic Duo – Abides
Bar & Grill @ Backyard Bowl, 2020
1st St. W., Milan IL
Guest List Series featuring Davina
& the Vagabonds – Mo Carter
& Co. – The Redstone Room, 129
Main St, Davenport IA
Hells Bells AC/DC Tribute – Jumer’s
Casino & Hotel, 777 Jumer Dr., Rock
Island IL
Interstellar Cave Dweller – Leaving
Light – Josh Ross & the Want –
Near Misses – Iowa City Yacht
Club, 13 S Linn St, Iowa City IA
Ozark Jubilee Presents: A Branson
Country Xmas – Ohnward Fine
Arts Center, 1215 E Platt St.,
River Cities’ Reader • Vol. 27 No. 967 • November 2019 21
Maquoketa IA
Phyllis & One Shark (2pm) – Quarter-
Til Tap, 4101 14th Ave., Rock Island
IL
Ron Tegler Jazz Quartet (6pm) –
Cool Beanz Coffeehouse, 1325 30th
St., Rock Island IL
Russ Reyman Request Piano Bar –
The Phoenix Restaurant & Martini
Bar, 111 West 2nd St., Davenport IA
Two White Crew – Riverside Casino
and Golf Resort, 3184 Highway 22,
Riverside IA
SUNDAY
2019/12/01 (Sun)
1
If Only, If Only – Bain-Marie
– Cowpoke – Gabe’s, 330 E.
Washington St., Iowa City IA
Jim McDonough and His Orchestra
& Singers: Holiday Grande 2019
(2:30pm) – Adler Theatre, 136 E.
Third St., Davenport IA
Mike Zabrin (5pm) – Flatted Fifth
Blues & BBQ, 300 Potter Dr.,
Bellevue IA
The Peña Brothers – Geezer’s Draft
House, 1654 W. 3rd St., Davenport
IA
MONDAY
2019/12/02 (Mon)
2
Black Hawk College Community
String Orchestra – Black Hawk
College Theatre - Building 1, Room
306, 6600 34th Ave., Moline IL
TUESDAY
2019/12/03 (Tue)
3
Black Hawk College Community
Band – Black Hawk College Hawk’s
Nest - Building 4, 6600 34th Ave.,
Moline IL
Smoke in Space – ADE – London Fog
– Iowa City Yacht Club, 13 S Linn St,
Iowa City IA
Tuneful Tuesdays (noon) – Rock
Island Public Library - Downtown
Library, 401 19th St., Rock Island IL
WEDNESDAY 4
2019/12/04 (Wed)
Black Hawk College Electronic
Music Concert – Black Hawk
College Theatre - Building 1, Room
306, 6600 34th Ave., Moline IL
The Night People (5:30pm) –
Davenport Elks Lodge #298, 4400
W. Central Park Ave., Davenport IA
THURSDAY
2019/12/05 (Thu)
5
Black Hawk College Holiday Choral
Concert – First Congregational
Church - Moline, 2201 7th Avenue,
Moline IL
Blue Christmas: A Rock ‘n’ Roll
Holiday Extravaganza (1 &
7:15pm) – Circa ’21 Dinner
Playhouse, 1828 Third Ave., Rock
Island IL
22 River Cities’ Reader • Vol. 27 No. 967 • November 2019
DJs/Karaoke/Jams/Open Mics
Email all listings to calendar@rcreader.com • Deadline 5 p.m. Thursday before publication
THURSDAYS
THURSDAYS
DJ Mixxin Mel – Happy Hollow
Tavern, 1502 W. 14th St., Davenport
IA
Karaoke Night – Bier Stube Moline,
415 15th St, Moline IL
Karaoke w/ Double Dz – Purgatory’s
Pub, 2104 State St, Bettendorf IA
Karaoke Night w/ Mike Matthews –
The Torchlight Lounge, 1800 18th
Ave., East Moline IL
Open Mic & More – Uptown Bill’s
Coffee House, 730 S. Dubuque St.,
Iowa City IA
Open Mic Night (6pm) – Energized
Cafe, 226 W. Third St., Davenport IA
Open Mic w/ H.C. Wallace – Boots
Western Saloon, 2228 E 11th St.,
Davenport IA
Rock the House Karaoke – Bottoms
Up on 7th, 1814 Seventh St., Moline
IL
Thumpin’ Thursdays DJ Night –
Rascals Live, 1414 15th St., Moline IL
FRIDAYS
FRIDAYS
DJ Hi-Tech – The Key at Union Arcade,
229 Brady St., Davenport IA
DJ K Yung – Barrel House Moline,
1321 Fifth Ave., Moline IL
DJ Lacey – Hawkeye Tap Sports
Bar N Grill, 4646 Cheyenne Ave.,
Davenport IA
Fresh Wax: A Little More Blue (Nov.
22, 8pm) – Rozz-Tox, 2108 Third
Ave., Rock Island IL
Karaoke Night – Circle Tap, 1345 W.
Locust St., Davenport IA
Karaoke Night – K & T’s Bike Rack
Sports Bar & Grill, 3303 Brady St.,
Davenport IA
Karaoke Night – Big River Bowling,
2902 E. Kimberly Rd., Davenport IA
Karaoke Night – Roadrunners
Roadhouse, 3803 Rockingham Rd.,
Davenport IA
Karaoke Night – The Grove Tap, 108
S. First St., Long Grove IA
Hell’s Bells @ Jumers Casino and Hotel – November 30
Karaoke Night – V.F.W. Post 9128,
2814 State St., Bettendorf IA
Karaoke Night w/ Aftermidnight
Band in a Box – Choppers Bar &
Grill Incorporated, 17228 IL-5, East
Moline IL
Open Mic Coffeehouse (Nov. 8)
– First Lutheran Church of Rock
Island Parish House, 1600 20th St.,
Rock Island IL
SATURDAYS
SATURDAYS
DJ Hi-Tech – The Key at Union Arcade,
229 Brady St., Davenport IA
Karaoke Night – Boozie’s Bar & Grill,
114 1/2 W. Third St., Davenport IA
Karaoke Night – K & T’s Bike Rack
Sports Bar & Grill, 3303 Brady St.,
Davenport IA
Karaoke Night – Big River Bowling,
2902 E. Kimberly Rd., Davenport IA
Karaoke Night – Roadrunners
Roadhouse, 3803 Rockingham Rd.,
Davenport IA
Karaoke Night – The Grove Tap, 108
S. First St., Long Grove IA
Karaoke Night w/ Aftermidnight
Band in a Box – Choppers Bar &
Grill Incorporated, 17228 IL-5, East
Moline IL
Karaoke Night w/ Jim Harker –
Hollar’s Bar and Grill, 4050 27th St.,
Moline IL
Open Jam/Open Mic (Nov. 9, 6pm) –
Iowa City Yacht Club, 13 S. Linn St.,
Iowa City IA
Songwriters’ Round Table (Nov.
9, 11am) – RME (River Music
Experience), 131 W. Second Dt.,
Davenport IA
Tw i s t e d M i c ’s M u s i c a n d
Entertainment – Barrel House
Moline, 1321 Fifth Ave., Moline IL
SUNDAYS
SUNDAYS
Hal Reed & Mississippi Journey
Sunday Jam (Nov. 24, 6pm) –
Rock Island Elks Club, 427 Seventh
Know More, Do More • RiverCitiesReader.com
Ave., Rock Island IL
Karaoke Night – 11th Street Precinct,
1107 Mound St., Davenport IA
MONDAYS
MONDAYS
Open Mic w/ J. Knight – The Mill, 120
E. Burlington St., Iowa City IA
TUESDAYS
TUESDAYS
Karaoke Night – Iowa City Yacht
Club, 13 S. Linn St., Iowa City IA
Open Mic Night – Broken Saddle,
1417 Fifth Ave., Moline IL
Open Mic Night – Cool Beanz
Coffeehouse, 1325 30th St., Rock
Island IL
Tuesday Night Dance Party w/ DJ
Jamaican Daddy – Iowa City Yacht
Club, 13 S. Linn St., Iowa City IA
WEDNESDAYS
WEDNESDAYS
DJ Mixxin Mel – Happy Hollow
Tavern, 1502 W. 14th St., Davenport
IA
Hump Day Wing & Sing w/
Marybeth – Hawkeye Tap Sports
Bar N Grill, 4646 Cheyenne Ave.,
Davenport IA
Karaoke Night – 11th Street Precinct,
1107 Mound St., Davenport IA
Karaoke Night – Circle Tap, 1345 W.
Locust St., Davenport IA
Karaoke Night – RIBCO, 1815 Second
Ave., Rock Island IL
Open Jam w/ The Channel Cats –
Bent River Brewing Company, 512
24th St., Rock Island IL
Open Mic Night – Boozie’s Bar
& Grille, 114 1/2 W. Third St.,
Davenport IA
Open Mic Music Night (5:30pm) –
Milltown Coffee, 3800 River Dr. #2,
Moline IL
Underground Karaoke – Iowa City
Yacht Club, 13 S. Linn St., Iowa City
IA
Know More, Do More • RiverCitiesReader.com
IN MEMORIAM
R.I.P. “Happy Joe” Whitty
T
he day I began working at the first
Happy Joe’s Pizza & Ice Cream Parlor
down in the East Village of Daven-
port, Joe Whitty sat me down in his office
and imparted wisdom that affected the rest
of my life.
Joe told me that regardless of what job I
was doing at Happy Joe’s, do it to the absolute
best of my ability. He told me that no job was
menial, because everybody’s job depended
on another department doing theirs.
He shared with me that people notice
when an employee is working hard, and
willing to be a team player by stepping up
and helping wherever they are needed. I
made the decision, in that moment, to be the
best ice-cream-parlor waitress I could be.
Being a waitress isn’t normally a glamor-
ous job, but Joe’s wisdom benefited me in
ways I never could have imagined. I was a
sophomore in high school when I started
working at Happy Joe’s, and by the summer
of my senior year, I was flying around the
country in the company’s corporate jet train-
ing employees at new franchise locations.
Joe was right: Being the best waitress I
could be caught the eye of new franchise
owners, and I was asked to be on the opening
crew of many new locations.
Joe was so much more than just a boss to
all of us, especially to the original crew at the
East Village location. He treated us more like
family members.
Joe taught me the invaluable lesson that
employees matter most. He took the time to
verbally acknowledge us for a job well done,
but also to listen to each of us when he saw
I remember Joe saying on more than one occasion,
“People are humans. They make mistakes. It’s important
to extend them the same grace you would hope for.”
we were not at our best. Joe was the epitome
of what the employee/employer relationship
can be when good work ethics are employed.
Routinely, after closing on a Saturday
night, Joe would invite the entire closing
crew to join him for a much appreciated pan-
cake breakfast at the Village Inn. He would
encourage us to order anything we wanted
and would always pick up the tab. It was
such a great way to end a busy, hectic night:
River Cities’ Reader • Vol. 27 No. 967 • November 2019
laughing, sharing, and getting to know both
Joe himself and our co-workers. It’s no sur-
prise we were such a tight-knit group.
Joe knew the majority of his employees
would be young high school students who
had probably never held a previous job. He
took the time to not only make this first job
experience memorable for each of us, but he
set the stage for us to be successful in our
future careers by employing the traditional
values and work ethics that, if utilized,
would take us wherever we dreamed to go.
Joe was also showing us how to be good
future employers.
I remember Joe saying on more than one
occasion, “People are humans. They make
mistakes. It’s important to extend them the
same grace you would hope for.” It wasn’t
until many years later, and much maturing
23
By Julie McCarthy
on my part, that I realized how much of an
impact Joe Whitty had on my life. I feel so
blessed that my very first job was such a posi-
tive experience. The things I learned from
Joe have greatly influenced the course of my
career.
I moved from Iowa to Florida in the early
‘80s to start a financial advisory/money
management firm with my brother Paul
McCarthy III and still enjoy going to work
every day. It has been over 30 years since I
have had any contact with Joe Whitty, but
hopefully the words I have shared here
convey the impact he had on at least one ice-
cream-parlor waitress.
I have no doubt that God’s hand has been
on Joe throughout his career. The kind of
love and kindness Joe Whitty showed me
and the other employees represents the love
of our Heavenly Father. Occasionally when I
guest preach for my church, I share my story
about my first job to teach how we can never
really know the impact we will have on other
people’s lives with the words we use and the
behavior we choose. I pray I have positively
influenced someone else like Happy Joe did
me.
24 River Cities’ Reader • Vol. 27 No. 967 • November 2019 Know More, Do More • RiverCitiesReader.com

EIGHT REASONS
YOU’LL BE GLAD
YOU LIVE HERE.

Last year, Metro became the first transit system in the state to put
electric buses into regular operation. Now, we are proud to announce that we
are more than doubling the size of that fleet for a total of eight. Eight 100%
electric, zero emission buses. All eight evidence of a commitment to make the www.metroqc.com
Quad Cities cleaner and quieter.

So even if you never ride transit, you’ll be even happier to live here.

METRO ELECTRIC • CLEANER AND QUIETER FOR EVERYBODY.

Our new electric buses are powered by