River Cities' Reader - Issue 872 - December 24, 2014

2
River Cities Reader Vol. 22 No. 872 December 24, 2014 - January 7, 2015
Business Politics Arts Culture Now You Know RiverCitiesReader.com
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ILLINOIS POLITICS
by Rich Miller
CapitolFax.com
Nobody Appears Ready to Fill

Topinkas Role with Rauner
heres little doubt that the late Comptroller

Judy Baar Topinka wouldve continued her
straight-talking ways during the administration of Governor-elect Bruce Rauner.
Topinka was good copy for reporters. When
she criticized a budget or a fiscal position, we
listened.
Other Statehouse denizens respected her
fiscal smarts as well. If she attacked a proposal,
legislators and everyone else
under the dome took note.
Rauner showed great
deference to Topinka after
the election, officing in
her Statehouse suite and
giving her chief of staff the
authority to hire most of his
new employees. I dont think
theres any question that he
grew to truly admire the
quirky redhead.
But Topinka had called for a far more gradual
reduction to the states 2011 income-tax hike
than Rauner has said he wants. A particularly
brutal package of budget cuts or one-time
gimmicks proposed by Rauner next year
wouldnt have gone down too well with her.
Rauner wouldve had to take her opinion into
account before unveiling his budget or suffer the
consequences afterward.
She was also much more liberal than Rauner
admits to. Topinka was expected to help build
bridges between Rauner and organized labor, as
well as to Democrats and left-of-center groups
she worked with over the years and who have
not yet become comfortable with the idea of a
Republican governor.
Yes, many of us lost a friend this month when
Topinka died, but we also lost an experienced,
respected politico who could counsel the new
and inexperienced governor about how to be a
more effective leader and one who could help
nudge him, publicly or privately, to stay on a
more humane and fiscally responsible fiscal path.
And with Topinkas post-election passing, I
dont see any of Rauners fellow Republicans out
there with the power or credibility who will also
have the guts to stand up to the guy.
Some holes can be patched here and there.
Both Republican state legislative leaders have ties
to unions, for example. And Senate Republican
Leader Christine Radogno is a former social
worker who has championed human-services
causes.
But neither of those leaders has yet to show
much independence from Rauner, whose money
had a major impact on House races this year and
could have an equally big impact on 2016 Senate
races.
For instance, Governor Pat Quinn, Attorney
General Lisa Madigan, and Senate President John
Cullerton have all forcefully argued for a special

election so that Rauners pick for Topinkas
replacement wont serve beyond a 2016 special
election. A four-year appointment by Rauner,
they all argue, is downright undemocratic.
When the topic was first broached,
Rauner claimed such an election would be
unconstitutional, but the Illinois Constitution
clearly says that the appointee serves until
the successor is elected
and qualified as may be
provided by law.
The next day, the two
legislative leaders, Radogno
and House GOP Leader
Jim Durkin, released what
higher-ups in the attorney
generals office derisively
dismissed as a half-baked
legal opinion about why a
special session would be
unconstitutional.
The opinion deliberately left out crucial words
in important constitutional passages, defied logic
by claiming the as may be provided by law
passage didnt allow the legislature to actually
do anything, and ignored committee reports
from and debate at the states constitutional
convention, which made it abundantly clear that
the legislature has the authority to act.
Not only did that opinion bode ill for the
incoming Rauner administration (with one
person at the attorney generals office saying
it reminded her of Rod Blagojevich, whose
lawyers would often pull legal arguments out of
thin air to counter the attorney general); it also
showed an astonishing servility by the two GOP
legislative leaders.
I dont know whether Topinka wouldve
wanted a special election to replace her in 2016,
rather than allow her successor to serve four
years until after the regularly scheduled 2018
election. She had her partisan leanings, so she
might be wary of holding a special election in
a presidential election year, when Democrats
do much better than in off years. But she was
also a small-d democrat, and a four-year
appointment sure doesnt feel democratic to
many folks.
I do know, however, that Topinka never
wouldve signed her name to an obviously bogus
legal argument such as the one released last
week.
Theres a hole in the hearts of the people of
this state, Quinn said at Topinkas memorial
service last week. Thats true. But theres also
now a gaping hole in the government that
assumes power next month.
Topinka was
expected to help
build bridges
between Rauner and
organized labor.
Rich Miller also publishes Capitol Fax (a daily

political newsletter) and CapitolFax.com.
Movie Reviews
Where Theres a Will, Theres a Way
ANNIE
Sonys last-remaining grab for the holiday

box office, the much-downloaded reboot of
Annie, opened this past weekend, and it must
be said that as a musical especially as a
musically faithful interpretation of the stage
show it kind of sucks. The choreographys
a shambles and the mixing is poor and the
original numbers are terrible, while familiar,
enjoyable Annie tunes such as Little Girls
and Easy Street are merely sampled, their
melodies and lyrics awkwardly woven into
new pop and hip-hop arrangements. (Three
of the films myriad producers are Jay-Z and
Will and Jada Pinkett Smith, so I guess we
should just be grateful that the titular orphan
is played by Quvenzhan Wallis and not
Willow. Or Jaden.)
Heres the thing, though: If you can ignore
the fact that this modernized Annie is a
musical, which is surprisingly easy to do, you
can still have an awfully good time. Because
damn is this movie funny and not funny
in a laughing-at-it way, either. Its certainly
not a film to enter with even moderately
high expectations. But the cast is incredibly
winning and the updates to the material are
clever and the jokes are bountiful; it may be
a crap musical, but this Annie winds up a
pretty awesome Will Gluck comedy, albeit
one occasionally interrupted by songs.
My guess is that Gluck wont be hired
to direct another musical any time soon.
But why the inventive, witty helmer of
2009s wildly underrated male-cheerleader
slapstick Fired Up! and 2010s Emma Stone
classic Easy A doesnt get more work in
Hollywood comedies baffles me. (Maybe
its the fault of Glucks uncharacteristically
meh rom-com Friends with Benefits.) Here,
working from a script he co-wrote with
Aline Brosh McKenna, Gluck again proves
himself wizardly at the breakneck pacing
of verbal and visual gags; you barely have
time to giggle at an especially inspired joke
before two or three more land. Updating
Little Orphan Annies Depression-era saga
to present-day Manhattan, Gluck and
McKenna deliver all manner of smart,
riotous commentary on modern politics,
bureaucratic red tape, and the perks and
perils of social media, and manage to do
so while successfully melding their comic
observations with the traditional Annie
narrative. That narrative, however, is also
one theyre frequently happy to toss out
the window. Those who worship the stage
musical and/or John Hustons beloved,
by Mike Schulz mike@rcreader.com
Peter Jacksons
largely inept 1982
excessively
movie may well hate
busy, insanely
what Gluck and
tedious J.R.R.
McKenna are up to.
Tolkien finale
But for those of us
The Hobbit: Are
whove pretty much
We Done Yet?,
had it up to here
heres what I was
with this material,
most grateful for:
their refusal to treat
the 10 minutes
Annie as sacrosanct,
Rose Byrne and Quvenzhan Wallis in Annie
of Smaug, and
and to instead mess
30 seconds of
with the formula
Benedict Cumberbatch vocals, before the
in playful and unexpected ways, is almost
title card pops up. The narrative drabness at
beyond refreshing.
least augmented by handsome production
The movie opens with a curly-haired
design. The compositional blandness at least
redhead named Annie grinning and
augmented, occasionally, by imaginative
tap dancing her way through a school
presentation while her fellow students groan. fight choreography. Martin Freemans
sincerity. Cate Blanchetts bad-assery.
Then Quvenzhan Wallis Annie walks to
Christopher Lee and his Edgar Winter wig.
the front of the class, begins her report on
Jacksons ability to still come through with
FDR and the New Deal, and wins over the
arresting images, such as Orlando Bloom
kids with an energetic stomp-and-clap. So
running up a series of collapsing stone
purists be warned. But I was with the movie
blocks, and the sight of a (nearly) deceased
from that first, snarky flourish and never
Orc gently floating beneath a sheet of ice.
looked back. Beyond the underwhelming
And only one ending, and the one youre
tunes, there was no reason to. Playing their
hoping for, instead of Return of the Kings five
outsize comic-strip figures with robust glee,
or six. So thank you, Mr. Jackson, I suppose,
Jamie Foxx, Rose Byrne, Bobby Cannavale,
for the roughly 18 collective screen hours of
Adewale Akinnuoye-Agbaje, Stephanie
Middle Earth. Can you please come back to
Kurtzuba, and a comically feral Cameron
real Earth now?
Diaz provide readings as hilarious as most
of their dialogue. And while I wouldve
appreciated even one moment from her
TOP FIVE
that boasted the naturalism of her Beasts of
Chris Rock is on-record as being a
the Southern Wild performance, Wallis is a
fan of Woody Allen movies and Richard
powerhouse of charisma here, and sings with
Linklaters Before Sunrise/Sunset/Midnight
lovely, unforced sweetness and clarity. (The
trilogy, and the comedians funny and
same, sadly, cant be said of Foxx, whos on
thoughtful Top Five Rocks first film as
melisma overdrive, or the others, who sound
a writer/director since 2007s I Think I
just like affable non-singers singing.) You
Love My Wife is like a 100-minute blend
may detest the music. You may loathe the
of those influences. Then again, Allen,
changes to the story. You may gulp when a
and certainly Linklater, would be much
character in this Sony release makes a Kim
less likely to cap a scene with the image
Jong-il crack. But if your kids are clamoring
of a naked man getting a Tabasco-soaked
for you to take them to Annie, think twice
tampon shoved up his ass.
about dropping them off and driving away.
This is not a put-down. That scene
Its not every day you see Michael J. Fox
and its wince-inducing punchline are
publicly endorse a mayoral candidate in a
hilarious, as is the beyond-filthy flashback
campaign commercial, especially when that
involving Rock, two hookers, and Cedric
candidate, you realize, is the guy were meant
the Entertainer, and Jerry Seinfelds
to root against.
high-pitched apoplexy after realizing
exactly where a thong-clad stripper has
THE HOBBIT: THE BATTLE stashed his wallet. Yet for all of its comic
subversion and relentless droppings of
OF THE FIVE ARMIES
the F-bomb, Top Five is also, by a wide
Tis the season to be grateful. So as I
margin, the sweetest and most touching
slogged through the half-hour of setup and
romantic comedy of the year, as well as
the 90-minute battle scene that followed in
an unexpectedly moving meditation on
addiction and the unending recovery

process. Following its premiere at
the Toronto Film Festival, Rocks
independent feature was optioned by
Paramount for a newsworthy $12.5
million, and it turns out to be worth
every penny.
Rock plays Andre Allen, an A-list
screen star famous for playing the guntoting grizzly bear Hammy in a series
of witless action comedies (Its Hammy
time!) whos now striving for legitimacy
with an unfortunate Haitian-slave
drama titled Uprize! Rosario Dawson
plays Chelsea Brown, a New York Times
entertainment reporter assigned to
interview him. And over the course of
roughly 18 hours, Andrea and Chelsea
playfully chat and spar while attending
press junkets, visiting Andres extended
family, and walking the streets of New
York, at one point discovering that
theyre both in AA and have the chips
to prove it. This walk-and-talk structure
is, of course, the backbone of Linklaters
Before movies, and a signature of
some of Allens more inspired works,
primarily the ones with Diane Keaton.
But happily, also like those films, Top
Five is about obviously well-matched
individuals who truly and deeply like
each other; riffing and laughing and
bitching, and plainly admiring of one
anothers humor and smarts, Rock and
Dawson make a dream of a rom-com
pairing.
All dreams, though, inevitably
lead to a wake-up moment, and this
one has several potential biggies,
including Andres impending marriage
to a reality-TV star (Gabrielle Union,
whose character is treated with
surprising dignity), Chelseas mostly
unseen boyfriend, and the insistent
pressure on Andre to be funny when,
as he says, I dont feel like doing funny
movies anymore. (That sentiment is
expressed almost verbatim by Woody
Allens frustrated director in 1980s
Stardust Memories.) And thankfully,
Rock doesnt shy away from Top Fives
frequent serious-mindedness, allowing
scenes, as they should, to be filled with
melancholy and disappointment and
even genuine anxiety; in two separate
sequences, Andre and Chelsea both
make uncomfortably long perusals in
stores liquor sections. The movie does
Continued On Page 10
COVER STORY
Invigorating Isolation
A 2014 Album
or the past eight years,

Ive compiled a yearend album of favorite
songs released in the 12
preceding months, with no
artists repeating from previous years. Ive done it again.
Beyond the artists
presented here, my favorite
album was ODeaths Out
of Hands We Go which,
if not quite as consistently
great as the bands 2011
record Outside, is a
stunning accomplishment
a warbling, adventurous,
authentic backwoods blend
of introspection and primal emotion
putting bluegrass instrumentation
through the aesthetic amp of folk, punk,
lo-fi, and indie rock. The bands Vacant
Moan is probably my favorite song of the
past decade (it was on my 2008 album),
and since then ODeath has largely
abandoned thrashing furor in favor of
a more measured sound that finds its
power in places other than speed and
volume.
My initial effort at compiling this
album was decidedly pop-oriented, with a
few digressions into my natural proclivity
toward the odd. But 19 songs became
16, and as I pared away tracks I loved
that felt a little too reliant on formula, I
recognized a thread of elemental music.
Sometimes it took the form of naked
aggression (another proclivity), but just
as often it was songs stripped down to
base emotion concentrated states of the
heart and mind. I ran with that.
So goodbye to Spoons Rainy
Taxi and Catfish & the Bottlemens
Homesick and Nikki Lanes I Dont
Care and New Madrids Forest Gum.
And goodbye to the Sleater-Kinney
reunion-album teaser Bury Our Friends
and Jos James EveryLittleThing
and Temples The Golden Throne.
And goodbye, with great regret, to
Lydia Loveless Wine Lips, which in a
different world would be a hit on pop,
country, and alternative radio at the same
time. (And Wine Lips might not even
be the best song off her Somewhere Else
album given the deep sense of loss in
Everythings Gone, a re-write of John
Mellencamps Rain on the Scarecrow
through sadness rather than anger.)
I ended up with 11 songs over 45
minutes, and what started out as a bright
slab of 2014 became something quite
clicks over cavernous

vocal effects, with a
lovely summation of
the power of songs: I
will make like Robert
Johnson / Swap the
truth out for a song.
Andrew Bird,
Tin Foiled. With
gentleness and good
cheer, Bird deflates all
The Soil & the Sun
your hopes with his
effective soft-loud Pixies dynamics.
unerringly pretty fatalism
The Soil & the Sun, Samyaza.
in this cover of a Handsome
The title, Ive learned, is the name of
Family song: What is
a fallen angel in the non-canonical
moving will be still / What
Photo
by
Shervin
Lainez
Book of Enoch. Lyrically, the song
Andrew Bird
is gathered will disperse /
literally represents a struggle against
different, weirdly meditative and dark
Whats been built up will collapse / All
temptation, for transcendence, for
full of existential questions and perhaps
of your dreams, theyre all fulfilled.
destiny: You demon / Perverter of the
even death-obsessed. (Alas, another
Hmmm. What dreams, exactly? Last
truth / Youve been poisoning my blood
proclivity.)
night I dreamed that I dug my own grave / But I know that Ill be purified by a
I promise, however, that theres plenty of
/ So I climbed down inside there to
flood. Youd be forgiven for missing any
pleasure to be found here. My 2014 album
patiently wait. / And down in the ground of that, with the titles inherent obscurity,
is dominated by isolation to borrow
while I breathed the cold air / All the
the lyrics heady abstruseness, and the
from one of its songs but its invigorating
blackbirds came down there to nest in
vocals subdued gauziness. What cant be
and, in the sense of speaking honestly
my hair. With Birds distinctive phrasing, missed is the songs engaging, soaring,
about the human condition, life-affirming.
lovely ukulele, and echoes of Paul Simon, and fairly won epic-ness, with a progBut hey, enough of my yakkin.
the singer/songwriter crafts what might
rock length, expansiveness, and sonic
Whaddaya say? Lets boogie!
be called a love song to death a return
palette that unfolds naturally and without
Peggy Sue, Idle. One of its lyrics is
to the earth with no fear.
the pretension youd expect from what
Liam Finn, Burn
Ive written so far. Put simply, the song
Up the Road. Its initial
has a winning integrity as an interior
feint of light clouds of
emotional battle, as a rich musical
warm sounds has hints
composition, and as a damn fine rock
underneath of the stormy song. But dont get too comfortable in the
turbulence to follow, but
peaceful resolution of its outro, because
the driving distortedthe quiet breeze gives way to ...
guitar hook that explodes
Mica Levi, Andrew Void. If youve
from it like lightning 25
seen Under the Skin, the moment in
seconds in still comes as a this track when the strident, wheezy,
joyful shock an eternal
piercing, and oddly seductive triplet of
riff matched by electric
violin melodies bursts from the nearly
energy. And thats just the subliminal swarm of strings soon
Photo by Jonathan Hyde backbone of Finns wildly
followed by dull, forebodingly methodical
Peggy Sue
eclectic
percussion will bring
rocker, which brings
some specific queasy
Patience is as patience does, and that
in everything from
images to mind: men
seems to be a model for the song, whose
Adrian Belew-style
with erections walking,
rigid three-part structure is obscured by
animal guitar mimicry
sinking willingly into
flatly heavenly singing, which further
to uninhibitedly bright
liquid blackness. If you
obscures the anxiety that runs through
keyboards to stuttering
havent seen Jonathan
the words a plea to keep thoughts of
beats, all held together
Glazers movie, it will still
a lover at bay: I think he could love
by Finns unremarkable
bring unsettling images
me right / If I could keep him off my
but expressive singing.
to mind. In that way,
mind. The wispy quality of the vocals
Like the most infectious
Levis score reaches a
is gently undermined by the downbeat
of Andrew W.K.s protorare ideal for soundtrack
stresses on words and syllables, which are
metal songs, it feels like
music indivisible
underscored when the dense drums enter
unleashed id although
from the film, yet so
for the middle section and the guitar
filtered through a morememory-searing that
becomes more lyrical and eloquent.
Photo by Elroy Finn
sophisticated musical
it invokes the movies
The final third ditches guitar entirely
Liam Finn
mind and those always
mood independent of the
and foregrounds drums and drumstick
by Jeff Ignatius
jeff@rcreader.com
whole, and
Ted Leo (as The
Little Hurricane,
evocative
Both) rediscovered
Sheep in Wolves
enough to
that magic.
Clothes. With its
stand on its
Hummingbird
stay/leave lyrical
own. If it
is a vaguely blunt
tension, this love
doesnt send environmental
song would seem
a chill of
plea (I got a
naturally suited
nauseating
message from the
to the call-anddread down hummingbird / He
response method
your spine,
gave me a warning
that distinguished
Mica Levi
youre likely in disguise / He
2011s
inhuman. But dont despair, because to
told me theyre
Homewrecker
the rescue comes ...
marching on
album by the male/
Beck, Wave. Beck has called Morning Monsanto / But the
female guitar/
Phase a companion piece to 2002s Sea
same monolithic
drum duo. But
Change, but Wave sounds like it could
structures rise)
Sheep in Wolves
Little Hurricane
have easily
elevated by
Clothes favors
fit on Bjrks
gorgeous singing from both artists,
Anthony Catalanoa as the primary singer
Selmasongs
enveloping production, undeniable
with Celeste Spinas background vocals
album of Dancer melodies, and smartly applied electric
echoing as if from memory, and that
in the Dark
guitar from Leo. The song argues too
choice is essential to the songs success. It
tracks a vivid
pointedly, perhaps that nature and
follows the expected musical path with its
fragment of a
industry are out of balance, but the warm, escalations, climaxes, and denouements,
larger musicalharmonious texture offers its own kind
and the basic structure is enlivened by the
narrative
of hope.
artfulness of the execution a resonantly
tragedy. Its just
Christian Lee Hutson, Thatll
gritty nakedness with light production
begging for a
Do. When I
flourishes. But the slippery lyrics with
Beck
movie to be
interviewed
attraction, need, desire, joy, and rejection
used in. A lovely, poetic distillation of
Hutson earlier
melting into each other invoke a state
existential persistence and submission
this year, he
of both presence and absence, effectively
in 40-odd words (If I surrender / And
was a chatty
expressing the conflicted whole of a failed
I dont fight this wave / No I wont go
and charming
relationship in the same moment.
under / Ill only get carried away),
subject, and
Drive-By Truckers, Made Up English
Wave is a fitting converse to the mood
I told him he
Oceans. If you read my introduction and
of Levis Under the Skin score. Solemn,
seemed to enjoy
see the Drive-By Truckers, youd be right
yearning strings and Becks vocals expand this PR necessity
to think Im a little crazy. The Truckers,
and contract, with mood and meaning
more than most
after all, specialize in detailed, specific
shifting from moment to moment. In
musicians. He
working-class narratives, and I promised
addition to its lyrical concision, the song
said jokingly that
core emotional states. But Mike Cooley
is striking in its precise emotional effects. the pleasure was
is a different writer from his more
The climax and resolution are created
likely a function
celebrated bandmate Patterson Hood,
with the building repetition of the word
of isolation, and
and his obscurity here is fascinating, as
isolation from breathy to firm, followed this song strips
Christian Lee Hutson is the songs static, unwavering texture
by an emphatic three-note hum from the
that idea of his
no build, no tension, no release. The
throat that is then echoed in the strings
humor, laying bare a pure, heartbreaking
and escapes, imperfectly, from
loneliness: Please send me
Becks lips, dissipating like
soon / A brand new tune /
smoke.
Or at least someone I could
The Both,
sing the old one to. / If theres
Hummingbird. Aimee
anybody who / will suffer
Manns songs and voice for
a fool / Thatll do just fine.
me require great care in
It begins with a sniffle, and
arrangement and production,
Hutson sings, in a cracked
needing both gentle richness
and unsteady voice, over
and shapely muscle to give
simple acoustic guitar,
them a life beyond Manns
with a muffled, wordless
oddly detached vocalmimicking of the vocals in
performance mannerisms.
the background. It makes
2002s Lost in Space found
me want to call him up, just
that sweet spot, and this
to make sure he has some
Drive-By Truckers
The Both
years collaboration with
human contact.
Madi Diaz
elusive melody is buried in the keyboard
underneath galloping acoustic guitar and
Morricone-style desert percussion, and
Cooleys coolly matter-of-fact singing
of overstuffed lines mostly disguises
the contempt for all that drips from the
words: Because only simple men can
see the logic in whatever / Smarter men
can whittle down til you can fit it on a
sticker; So be it if they come to find
out feeling goods as easy / As denying
that theres day or night at all. Ive read
interpretations that the songs written
from the perspective of a cynical political
strategist, but that feels too narrow for
the bitter misanthropy Cooley quietly
unleashes.
Madi Diaz, Ashes. Andrew Bird,
Beck, and Mica Levi sent us to the other
side, but Ill leave it to Diaz to lure us
happily there with her sirens song, and
the enchanting coos that punctuate this
song. Over an atmospheric backdrop and
gentle piano and heartbeat percussion,
Diaz sings plainly in a downcast natural
voice up until the chorus, with its highpitched, heavenward vocals invoking a
famous funeral prayer and leading to
something like
a bird call at
once elegiac
and praising,
urgent and at
peace. The 3/4
time lends it not
a dance quality
but an unsteady
lurch in the
vocal phrasings
and rhythms,
magically
wrapping joy
around sorrow.
Photo by David McClister
THEATRE
A Coupla Theatre Guys Sittin Around Talkin

Mike Schulz and Thom White Discuss 2014s Area Stage Scene
f youre new to this almost-annual recap,

a compass did it.
see it, but what
what follows is a condensed version of my
That was part
were your
conversation with Reader theatre reviewer
of what made it
feelings about
Thom White about the areas stage stage over
so frightening! I
Countryside
the past 12 months.
was like, Thats a
Community
If youre not new to it, you know the drill:
real summoning
Theatres Shrek:
There are roughly 9,000 additional words on
circle. Is there a
The Musical?
the subject to be found online, so feel free
priest in the house?
I thought
to read the full article at RCReader.com/y/
Because, um, if the
they made a
critics2014. (As is also part of the drill in
devils gonna show
smart choice to
this condensed version of the discussion,
up, I need to do
rent [the sets
Ballet Quad Cities' Spring Is in the Air
the phrasing of several of my questions
some confessing!
and costumes],
Chris Page and Shana Kulhavy in New Ground
They are. Theyve got another next
and comments has been altered to enhance
[Laughs.]
because I think
Theatre's Clybourne Park
summer.
conversational flow.)
How about
you really do
Good!
Either way, clear some time, grab a snack,
Music Guilds Les Misrables?
need to meet expectations with that one. More
I only got to see Twelfth Night [at
and enjoy!
I liked some of it. But what was frustrating
so than with Les Mis. That one you can play
Genesius Guild] this year the called
Mike Schulz: I didnt get to nearly as
for me was I didnt understand how the
with, but Shrek ... its too
on account of rain
much as you did, of course. I wound up
director [Bob Williams], who came up with
iconic. I think you could
production. [Laughs.]
seeing, I think, around 20 shows to your 60.
such a fantastic, layered, multi-piece set, then
play with it and do it
But I went back to
But there were certainly a few that just blew
didnt use the set in his staging. Im not at
differently, but thats one
see it the next night,
me away.
all a fan of front-and-center solos. I would
where if youre gonna do
and it was delightful.
Thom White: Doctor Faustus did, for sure.
compare it to the film. We might as well have
it the way we expect, I
Howd you fell about
On the Prenzie
had close-ups,
say thats fine.
the masked plays The
Players Web site,
because we didnt
Its probably
Suppliants and The
they have that
see anything else
dangerous to risk the
Persians?
line Theatre
going on.
wrath of children
Genesius Guild's and Opera @ AugusHmmm ... .
is not a passive
There were
whove been watching
tana's Die Fledermaus
[Laughs.] Personal
experience. And
gorgeous
that movie every day of
opinion, reviewer or not, I think doing two
for so long, that
voices in that
their lives.
back-to-back is a little much. They were each
seemed to be about
production,
Right. And Shrek was not perfect, but
about an hour I think the second one was
them grabbing
though. Its hard
they were so excited about doing it, and
shorter. But still, with masked Greek tragedy,
someone from the
to complain when having so much fun in it, and there was so
youre kind of sitting there watching people
audience, or talking
youve got Jenny
much energy between the cast members
walk about and recite. And I enjoy that, and
to the audience.
[Winn] doing
... . It was far-reaching for them, and they
the masks were the most interesting thing
Which is kind of
pretty much did reach it, and I think it was
Kitty Israel in the Prenzie Players' Doctor Faustus I Dreamed
about it, and they use their voices well. But
an experience, but
a Dream,
the best Countryside production Ive seen. It
after about an hour, I have trouble staying
it never really spoke to me personally. And
and Sarah Lounsberry as ponine, and
had all the elements that make Countryside
focused. But thats
Faustus ... was the first time where I was like,
Patrick Downing as Javert ... . And I
wonderful.
just personal.
This was totally not a passive experience
loved Dan Pepper, who played Marius.
This summer,
Other people
for me. That whole production was an
He was passionate and touching and very
you reviewed your
may have really
experience.
committed one of the best Mariuses Ive
first operetta at
enjoyed having two.
That show may have had more
ever seen.
Genesius Guild
[Laughs.]
individually great elements than any other
Agreed.
[Opera@Augustanas
How about
Prenzie show I can think of.
And you get to see another Les Mis [at
co-presentation Die
shows in the
Yeah, I was truly frightened by many
the Circa 21 Dinner Playhouse] in just a
Fledermaus].
Richmond Hill
points. Usually, even if somethings frightening few weeks, whichll be your fourth in a year
I was very hesitant
Barn Theatres
on stage, Im still like,
and a half. Are you
to review an opera.
season? I
Oh, this is theatre,
getting Les MisI didnt know it was
remember
I know that actor ...
fatigued?
going to be in English, Patti Flaherty, Krissy Wheeler, Jack Sellers,
Ben Klocke, and Emma Terronez in the Play- thinking that John
. But with this one,
Im not getting.
for one thing, and I
crafters Barn Theatre's The Secret Garden VanDeWoestyne
I felt a little creeped
I am. [Laughs.]
thought, Im gonna
and Greg Cripple
out! Being in that
Ill be honest: Im
be completely lost. I mean, I already struggle
wouldve
been
fun
together
in The Odd
dark room with
not quite looking
somewhat with Shakespeare thats some of
Couple.
[Aaron Sullivans]
forward to another
the few shows where I do prep beforehand
What surprised me about that was I
Faustus casting the
staging of Les Mis.
to know the plot, so I at least know some of
wouldve
cast VanDeWoestyne in the Felix
spells ... .
But being a reviewer, whats going on ahead of time. So I was a bit
role.
So
I
was
surprised to see him as the more
I dont know how
I try to remove my
panicked about Die Fledermaus, and then I
slovenly
one,
and
that was kind of delightful
long Aaron had to
expectations and
was like, Oh, thank you! It was fabulously
in
and
of
itself,
you
know? It was fun watching
practice drawing that
preconceived feelings rendered, it was in English ... . [Laughs.]
him
in
that.
My
only
complaint was that the
perfect circle on the Dan Pepper, Jodi McGinn, and Mark McGinn once I sit down.
I mean, it was a highlight of my year. So
costumer,
or
John
himself
perhaps, had him
in Quad City Music Guild's Les Misrables
floor, but it was like
I didnt get to
wonderful. I hope theyll do more.
with his shirt tucked in, and something about
by Mike Schulz
mike@rcreader.com
one long wall, and then the performance

space was on the opposite wall. That worked
because it gave the actors a wider area to
perform in, but also because with that show,
theres a charm to the intrinsic, amateur nature
of the material. Being limited in terms of
where you can go doesnt hurt it.
Spamalot is supposed to look a little tossed
together, like the Holy Grail movie. A little
tacky.
Right. You were really close to the cast, and
Doug Kutzli, Chris Tracy, Matt Holmes,
there was a kind of Hey, were putting on a
Wendy Czekalski, Mike Kelly, and Bob
show for you! quality that just worked so well.
Manasco in the District Theatre's Monty
Whereas the other production that I saw there,
Python's Spamalot
Angels in America: Millennium Approaches ...
is bi-i-ig in scope, you know? I think you can
it made me think, Um, I think hed have his
have some intimacy with the characters. But it
shirt undone. [Laughs.]
felt like a limited space for that particular show
And Leading Ladies? I like Ken Ludwig,
... . Tristan has said the space is temporary. I
in general, but I hadnt heard of that script.
definitely hope so. It needs to be temporary,
It was okay. Jonathan Grafft played his
because its inhibitive, and even though it
female part very sincerely he wasnt trying works for some things, I think its more of a
to be campy about it. When he was in drag, he challenge to make it work than not.
was very sincere as this woman. And the other
What about District productions from
guy, Nathan Johnson, got to be a little more
earlier this year?
campy with it. So you kind of got both flavors
The thing I remember most about Our
of drag. Because you want some camp with
Town is the way they opened up what was
drag, but it can also be kind
usually the backstage area
of offensive, or too much.
in the former space. Our
And it was a little bit of both
Town calls for minimal
in that show. There was a
sets and props, and using
nice balance.
that backstage area, which
You saw Ballet Quad
was kind of cool-looking,
Cities productions earlier
heightened the atmosphere.
in the year, and as I recall,
And A New Brain is one
you really liked Spring Is in
of those productions I
the Air.
Allison Nock, Kelly Lohrenz,
like because its quirky.
Yeah, I enjoyed those
and Trey Getz in the Circa '21
It combines a sad story
vignette pieces. Thats
Dinner Playhouse's Irving
with bright humor and
another thing like with
Berlin's White Christmas
it includes a childrens
Genesius Guilds masked
show host who is a major jerk. It was a lot of
plays you know, I can recognize the
fun to see Tom Vaccaro in a ridiculous frogs
beauty of ballet, but it takes focus when the
costume being so acerbic. And, frankly, I dont
presentation is very similar for two hours.
get to see Bret Churchill on stage enough.
But with the Love Stories ballets and Spring Is
I got to see New Ground Theatres
in the Air, where its different vignettes, and I
Clybourne Park and had a ball. I really,
can see different styles, and I really only have
really, really liked that one. That had some
to concentrate for, what, eight minutes at a
spectacular acting. I think Im love with
time? [Laughs.] That works better for me. And Shana Kulhavy now. She was so good.
I dont mean that to be offensive to the ballet,
She really was.
but with my attention span, I enjoy seeing
But when you saw it, you werent aware
varied styles.
that it was a kind-of sequel to A Raisin of
I havent seen shows in the new District
the Sun. Did you feel like you missed out on
Theatre space yet. But from what Ive
anything by not knowing that?
heard from people who have, they say that
Well, I think of it like ... . Like with
depending on the show, the smaller space
Guardians of the Galaxy. You know, I read
sometimes works and sometimes doesnt.
Marvel comics, so when they go to the
I agree. Spamalot, I thought, was great in
Collector in that movie, I know what hes got
that space. Its a long room, and [director and
in each of those boxes. But do you?
District Theatre Artistic Director] Tristan
Nope.
Tapscott had two or three rows of seats along
And I dont think you enjoyed it any less
There was just kind of

than I did.
a gentle passion that
Well, I probably did,
but not for those reasons.
was really beautiful so
[Laughs.] Fair enough.
lovely, so beautifully
But I mean, in terms
handled. And none
of comparison with
of the three kids [Ben
Clybourne Park, we can
Klocke, Jack Sellers,
still enjoy them equally.
and Emma Terronez]
With Guardians of the
could have been more
Galaxy, I just might know a
perfect. The two boys
little more. Oh, thats this
were in [Richmond Hills]
in this box, thats that in
Cheaper by the Dozen,
that box ... . I have a little
too. And one of them
bit of inside information
[Klocke] was the lead
that, I think, heightens the
in the Christmas Story
excitement for me. But the
musical at Circa last year.
Jonathan Grafft and Nathan
excitement isnt necessarily
Hes so good.
Johnson, and (clockwise from
diminished it if you dont
Speaking of, how
lower left) Mallory Park, Josh
know whats going on
about Circa? I got to
Wielenga, Sarah Ade Wallace,
there.
see White Christmas a
Andy
Davis, Stan Weimer, and
And New Grounds
couple weeks ago and
Jackie Skiles in the Richmond Hill
Next Fall thats the gay
really enjoyed it a lot.
Barn Theatre's Leading Ladies
romance involving the
Great cast.
churchs stance on homosexuality, right?
Mmm-hmm! Thats my kind of holiday
I was really touched by that script. It did
musical. I dont like in-your-face, over-the-top
treat Christianity kind of softly. I think the
sentimentality in my holiday shows. Thats
author maybe wasnt as church-knowledgeable ones barely a holiday show, really. It more of
as maybe he could have been. Otherwise, he
a winter show with some Christmas elements
couldve made a stronger point/counterpoint
to it.
argument. But I really appreciated that the
That script really works for me because
play was trying to be respectful of both sides,
its got sentiment, but its never cloying
and trying to bring them together, and find
sentiment. And Yay! for [director] Ann
something in common.
Nieman almost singlehandedly keeping
I was glad to see Dinner with Friends on
awesome tap dance alive in Quad Cities
the Playcrafters Barn Theatre schedule. A
theatre.
very adult piece a Pulitzer-Prize-winning
My partner Matt hates tap. He thinks .
adult piece, no less about real relationships
Im sorry? How does anyone hate tap?!
and real people.
I judge him now.
And Of Mice &
[Laughs.]
Men, of course, is
So do I. [Laughs.]
wonderful.
Its something about
Matt Mercer was
the way it looks and
quite good as Lenny.
sounds together he
Genteel and lovable.
says, It just makes
Thats another
no sense to me. That
character you really
said, he loved the tap
cant mess around
numbers in White
with too much. But
Christmas. There was
he was just purely
so much energy, they
innocent in it, and
were so vivacious ... .
thats not always the Melissa Anderson Clark, Matthew McFate,
And there was a dance
and Brian Peterson in Countryside Commucase. Some actors,
quality to the look of
nity Theatre's Shrek: The Musical
even though they
the tap numbers in
can play simple, miss that a little bit. But he
this show, too, as opposed to something like
brought that necessary, pure innocence the
Bring in da Noise, Bring in da Funk, where its
character needs to make the ending all the
a lot more about the rhythm than the look.
more heart-wrenching.
Fine. I still judge him.
What about Playcrafters The Secret
Well, I bring that up as high praise that
Garden?
even somebody who hates tap loved those
Oh, The Secret Garden was so gently
numbers. But yeah, go ahead and judge him.
rendered. Donna Weeks directed that one.
[Laughs.]
10
Whats Happenin on New Years
ey, Jeff!
Hello there, Mike. All done?
Yep! Just finished this weeks
Whats Happenin pages my last official writing
duty of 2014!
Good for you.
As usual, were actually calling these the Whats
Happenin on New Years Eve pages, as theyll
list all the information we have, as of press time,
regarding the area venues hosting live music or
karaoke or DJs on December 31!
Of course.
There are listings of whats happenin where
and when, of course, plus information on any New
Years Eve particulars people can expect: party
favors, drink specials, champagne toasts you
name it!
Mmm-hmm.
Weve also included the venues addresses,
phone numbers, and Web sites, just to make things
more convenient for New Years celebrants and
of course, as theres also a version of the article at
RiverCitiesReader.com, well be able to add and
update listings right up until the afternoon of the
31st!
Excellent. Happy holidays, Mike.
To you, as well, Jeff! Oh! And I didnt get to tell
you about my New Years resolution thats going
to make you very, very happy as of 2015, I am
officially retiring the Jeff-and-Mike pieces in the
Whats Happenin pages!
Seriously?
Absolutely! Theyre old news by now, and I
know you hate them, so Im done! No more Jeffand-Mikes!
Wait. You werent planning on just calling them
Mike-and-Jeffs from now on, were you?
Its the New Years resolution I can finally keep!
The entire River Cities Reader team
MOVIES
William Elliott Whitmore @ Gabes

wishes you and yours a very safe and very Happy
New Year! Lets meet again in 2015!
Davenport): Brady
Street Pub Open
Jam, 9 p.m., no cover,
(563)323-1700.
Circa 21 Dinner
Playhouse (1828
Third Avenue, Rock
Island): Good Rockin
Live: A Salute to
Sun Records, 7:30
p.m. doors, 8-9 p.m.
buffet, 9:15 p.m. show,
$46.50-86, party
The Tailfins @ The Col Ballroom
favors, champagne
Daiquiri Factory (1809
toast, balloon drop,
Second
Avenue, Rock
(309)786-7733 extension 2, Circa21.com.
NYE Masquerade
Island):
Circle Tap (1345 Locust Street, Davenport):
Ball,
9
p.m.
(309)786-1016
ABC Karaoke, 9 p.m., no cover, (563)322-9276.
DaiquiriFactory.com.
Col Ballroom (1012 West Fourth Street,
The Dam View Inn
Davenport): The Tailfins, 7 p.m. prime-rib dinner,
(410
East Second Street,
8:30 p.m. music and dancing, $30 dinner and
Doug Brund
Davenport):
dance, $10 dance only, party favors, champagne
p.m.,
(563)324-4434.
toast, (563)322-4431.
Englert Theatre (221
Iowa City, Iowa): The F
(319)688-2653, Englert
Gabes (330 East Was
City, Iowa): William El
Zollo, 9 p.m., $20, $200
4788, ICGabes.com.
Iowa City Yacht Clu
Street, Iowa City, Iowa)
Plastic Relations, 10 p.
IowaCityYachtClub.org
Kavanaughs Hilltop
Rock Island): Greg & R
p.m., (309)786-9055, K
The Lucky Frog Bar
Salina Street, McCausla
8 p.m., (563)225-3764.
2nd Avenue Dance Club (1815 Second Avenue,

Rock Island): NYE Bass Fest with Kill Og, Danny
Grooves, Megarad, Radent, 9 p.m., $5, party
favors, (309)793-1999, RIBCO.com.
11th Street Precinct (2108 East 11th Street,
Davenport): Corporate Rock, 9 p.m., no cover,
(563)324-9545, 11thStreetPrecinct.com.
Best Western Plus (100 West 76th Street,
Davenport): DJ Night, 9 p.m., (563)386-6900,
BestWestern.com/steeplegateinn.
Blu Shamrock (311 South 13th Avenue,
Codova, Illinois): Cross Creek Karaoke, 9
p.m., no cover, (309)987-1027, BluShamrock.
com.
Boozies (114 West Third Street,
Davenport): Open Mic Night with Karl Beatty
& Mike Miller, 9 p.m., no cover, (563)3282929.
Brady Street Pub (217 Brady Street,
The Travoltas @ Quad-Cities Waterfront Convention Center
Continued From Page 4
Where Theres a Will, Theres a Way

have some substantial flaws: nothing about
Chelseas Times job, or any reference to the
Times, is remotely believable (would those
Hammy flicks, from which we see a painful
clip, really be critically acclaimed?), and
Rocks cinematic debts, particularly to Annie
Hall, are sometimes far too pronounced.
(Like Annie, Chelsea also dabbles around in
photography.) But Rocks assuredness with
his films dramatic leanings arent among
those flaws, and neither are his, or his casts,
explosive comedic gifts.
Hoo boy are they explosive. (In Cedric the
Entertainers case, probably more literally
than youre anticipating.) In addition to Rock
and the bewitching Dawson, whos blessedly
allowed to keep up with Rock beat for riotous
beat, the movie boasts a whole slew of
incendiary talents delivering cackle-worthy

turns. Theres J.B. Smoove as Andres brusque
bodyguard, and Kevin Hart as (surprise!) his
excitable agent, and Ben Vereen as a grizzled
elder who cant stop razzing Andre for his
Hollywood success. (For a reason, we learn.)
Theres Andres Brooklyn clan with Sherri
Shepherd as his ex-wife, and Leslie Jones,
Michael Che, and Tracy Morgan trading
cracks in the living room. There are Whoopi
Goldberg and Taraji P. Henson and Gabourey
Sidibe, all playing themselves and scoring
laughs. Hell, even Adam Sandler shows up,
also as himself, and makes you wonder where
this subtle guy hides out when the other one
is busy shooting Grown Ups 2 and Blended.
Top Five is a blast. And while it doesnt
make my own personal top five for 2014,
considering the 170-or-so releases under my

belt and the awfully strong competition, top
20 is a damned impressive place to be.
WILD
Reese Witherspoon has never been less
likable than she is in director Jean-Marc Valles
Wild, and I mean that as the highest possible
compliment. In her role as recovering heroin
and sex addict Cheryl Strayed, whose 2012
memoir the film is based on, Witherspoon
shucks nearly all of her natural empathy and
girl-next-door friendliness to play a decidedly
difficult individual, one embarking on a
months-long hike through 1,000-plus miles
of the Pacific Crest Trail. The hike itself, with
Cheryl seeking a kind of spiritual cleansing of
grief (following the death of her mother) and

guilt (following the demise of her marriage),
could easily be seen as a symbolic expression
of self-pity. But as with the wonderful movie
shes starring in, theres no forced pathos in
Witherspoons portrayal. Clear-eyed and
clear-headed about the mistakes of Cheryls
past, and facing the present with an intensity
of purpose that can make her seem curt and
abrasive, the performer is utterly spectacular
here, with her occasional glimmers of radiant
joy underscoring, and never overwhelming,
Witherspoons deceptive simplicity and
ferocious honesty. You may not like Cheryl,
but by the closing credits, you may find it hard
not to love her.
Though this gorgeously photographed
(by Yves Blanger) film is, in essence, one
s Eve
11
by Mike Schulz
mike@rcreader.com
OnTheRockGrille.net.
Second Avenue, Rock Island): NYE Bass Fest with
Paddlewheel Sports Bar
The Tripp Brothers, DJ Sam Perry, DJ Icon, Dat
& Grill (221 15th Street,
Cheat, 9 p.m., $5, party favors, (309)793-1999,
Bettendorf): Levee Breakers, 8 RIBCO.com.
p.m., no cover, hors doeuvres,
Riverside Casino & Golf Resort Event
drink specials, champagne
Center (3184 Highway 22, Riverside, Iowa):
toast, (563)344-9646.
The Gold Coast Orchestra, 9 p.m. no cover,
Peacocks Tavern (114
party favors, champagne toast, (319)648-1234,
North Main Street, Port
RiversideCasinoAndResort.com.
Byron, Illinois): Cross Creek
Riverside Casino & Golf Resort Show Lounge
Karaoke, 9 p.m., no cover,
(3184 Highway 22, Riverside, Iowa): Bluzillion,
(309)523-2532.
6:30 p.m., Past Masters, 9:30 p.m., no cover,
The Phoenix Restaurant
party favors, champagne toast, (319)648-1234,
& Martini Bar (111 West
RiversideCasinoAndResort.com.
9
Second Street, Davenport):
Rumors Lounge & Nightclub (1704 Second
Russ Reyman & Neal Smith,
Avenue, Rock Island): Open Mic Night, 9 p.m.,
The Candymakers @ Iowa City Yacht Club
e
dinner specials, champagne
(309)283-7069.
McManus Pub (1401 Seventh
6,
toast, (563)323-2345, ThePhoenixOfDavenport.com.
The Rusty Nail (2602 West Locust Street,
Avenue, Moline): Acoustic Jam
Quad-Cities Waterfront Convention Center
Davenport): Midnite Riders, 6 p.m., $2, North of
Night with Steve McFate, 7:30
(2021 State Street, Bettendorf): The Travoltas,
40, 10:30 p.m., $5, party favors, champagne toast,
Chuck Murphy @ Thirstys on Third
p.m., (309)517-1040.
8:30 p.m., $20, party favors, (800)843-4753,
(563)386-1900, NewRustyNail.com.
Me & Billy Kitchen & Bar (200 West Third
dies Big Acoustic Show, 9
TheIsleBettendorf.com.
Steeplegate Inn (100 West 76th Street,
Street, Davenport): Roaring 20s Party, 9 p.m.,
Racers Edge (936 15th Avenue, East Moline): DJ
Davenport): Funktastic Five, 9 p.m., $25,
1 East Washington Street, $70/person, $125/couple, hors doeuvres, drink
Night, 9 p.m., no cover, (309)755-8131.
champagne toast, (563)386-6900, BestWestern.
specials, champagne toast, 1920s attire encouraged
Fez, 8:30 p.m., $20-22,
Rascals Live (1414 15th Street, Moline): The
com/steeplegateinn.
but not required, (563)323-1195, MeAndBilly.com.
t.org.
Hooks, 9 p.m., (309)797-9457, RascalsLive.com.
Steventons (1399 Eagle Ridge Road, LeClaire):
The Mill (120 East Burlington Street, Iowa City,
shington Street, Iowa
The Redstone Room (129 Main Street,
Hap Hazard, 9 p.m., $75, appetizers, drinks,
Iowa): Wylde Nept, 4 p.m., $10, Joe & Vicki Price,
lliott Whitmore, David
Davenport): Cornmeal, Chicago Farmer, 8:30 p.m., champagne toast, (563)289-3600, Steventons.com.
Ben Schmidt, 9 p.m., $12-15, champagne toast,
0 VIP tickets, (319)354$24-27, appetizers, party favors, (563)326-1333,
Thirstys on Third (2202 West Third Street,
(319)351-9529, ICMill.com.
RiverMusicExperience.
Davenport): Chuck Murphy,
The Muddy Waters (1708 State Street,
ub (13 South Linn
org.
9 p.m., $1 fireball shots,
Bettendorf): Tangent, 9 p.m., cover charge,
): The Candymakers,
Rhythm City
(563)579-5933.
party favors, drink specials, (563)355-0655,
.m., $10, (319)337-6464,
Vans Pizza, Pub, & Grill
Casino (101
TheMuddyWaters.com.
g.
(3333 North Harrison Street,
West River Drive,
Ohnward Fine Arts Center (1215 East Platt
p Tap (1228 30th Street,
Davenport): Rude Punch,
Davenport): Night
Street,
Maquoketa, Iowa): Heartache Tonight: The
Rich Acoustic Duo, 8
9 p.m., drink specials, party
People, 7:30 p.m., no
Music of the Eagles, 7 p.m., $25-30, (563)652KavanaughsHilltop.com.
favors, champagne toast,
cover, (800)724-5825,
9815, OhnwardFineArtsCenter.com.
r & Grill (313 North
(563)386-0090, VansPizzaPub.
IsleOfCapriCasinos.
On the Rock Grille & Bar (4619 34th Street, Rock
and, Iowa): The Old 57s,
com.
com.
Island): Dirt Road Rockers, 9 p.m., $20, appetizers,
RIBCO (1815
Cornmeal
@
The
Redstone
Room
champagne toast, 2 a.m. breakfast, (309)732-1631,
by Mike Schulz
mike@rcreader.com
long hike, Dallas Buyers Club director Valle
and screenwriter Nick Hornby keep the
proceedings from ever feeling lethargic. The
movie is populated with alternately helpful and
threatening passers-by on Cheryls trek, and
much of its borderline-queasy suspense lies in
how supremely difficult and terrifying it can be,
and how long it can take, for a woman hiking
alone, to tell the difference. (Every man Cheryl
encounters initially appears branded with his
own warning sign.) But there are also numerous
moments of kindness and generosity and grace
on the trail, some of them courtesy of Cheryls
fellow travelers (one of them a four-legged one),
and many more courtesy of frequent flashbacks
involving her late, free-spirited mother, played
by Laura Dern. As much as I adore her in
general and appreciate her here, I kind of wish
the performer with her beatific presence and

room-lighting smile wasnt directed to be
quite this conveniently saintly and ethereal;
it might be the Laura Dern-iest Laura Dern
performance Ive ever seen. But this lovely,
engaging, overall marvelous experience has
wonder and fascination (and despite the tenor
of this review, humor) to spare, plus a Reese
Witherspoon whos more exceptional than shes
been in ages. Im pretty Wild for it.
For reviews of Night at the Museum: Secret
of the Tomb, Exodus: Gods & Kings,
Whiplash, and other current releases, visit
RiverCitiesReader.com.
Follow Mike on Twitter at Twitter.com/
MikeSchulzNow.
12
Vol. 22 No. 872
MUSIC
Illuminating a Musical Masterpiece
by Frederick Morden
f.morden@mchsi.com
The Quad City Symphony, December 6 at the Adler Theatre
n its December 6 concert, the Quad City

Symphony checked off three important
boxes things every orchestra should
strive for.
It included contemporary American
music, in this case a world premiere from
a local composer in University of Iowa
professor David Gomppers impenetrably
obscure Sunburst.
It illustrated the role of the sensitive
accompanist, showcasing six of the
symphonys own members in three pieces.
And finally and most impressively,
it ignited and illuminated a musical
masterpiece with sizzling passion and a
refined artistic vision: The cohesive and
insightful artistic ideas of Music Director
and Conductor Mark Russell Smith joined
with the orchestras unrestrained musical
abandonment in Wolfgang Amadeus
Mozarts masterful Symphony No. 40.
Instead of limiting the orchestras Mozart
performance parameters to the general
dynamic and tempo instructions typical
for printed scores in the old days, Smith
added dramatic inflections developed in
the Romantic period. He propelled the ebb
and flow of energy into shaping phrases
and increasing the intensity of articulations
toward significant musical junctures.
In the opening bar, on top of elegantly
agitating accompaniment in the violas,
cellos, and basses, the violins dynamically
shaped not only each melodic sequence
but also longer sections of the music. The
accompaniment figures were not simply
background musical information; with
Smiths additions, they became a churning
engine of turbulent, undulating musical
motion that added more depth of interest
and textural richness to otherwise banal
figures.
And in episodic sections, where melodies
became fragmented and are distributed
among the string section and solo winds in
the score, the players musically delineated
essential from subordinate musical ideas.
The last movement was a good example
of Mozarts contrasts between two themes in
a single movement and how Smith and the
orchestra made them work musically. In the
more-abrupt first theme, Smith asked for
a variety of bowing techniques, bouncing
Lillian Lau
the bow from off the string for shortness

in the arpeggios and laying the bow on the
string for sudden volume with faster scale
fragments. In the second theme, a crescendo
through sustained repeating notes gave shape
and direction to the phrase. Consequently,
within two brief musical themes, there were
varied artistic elements, each with its own
musical characterization.
There are as many ways to interpret
the music as there are conductors. Smiths
instructions revealed the depth of his
understanding of how Mozarts music is
grounded both theoretically and technically,
and what to do beyond the score to make
it more persuasive. It was the consistent
application of these ideas that made the bits
and pieces work with his overarching vision
of the music.
If Smiths attention to detail gave Mozarts
music the chance to jump off the page and
come alive, the impressive technical and
artistic skills in the performance breathed life
into it.
The first-movement digression and
development sections were clear examples of
how precision playing can bring complicated
music into translucent tonal clarity. The
exchanges of melodic fragments between
the violins and upper woodwinds were so
finely balanced and similarly articulated that

they produced an illusion of one continuous
melodic line.
The weight of tone, its stressed heaviness
and dark change of color in the Menuetto
movement, made the Mozart-humor where
a dance in three-quarter time is constructed
with only two beats work.
The smooth lyricism in the following
Trio was charming with its undulating
theme exchanged between the strings and
winds.
As exciting as the Mozart performance
was, there were some minor problems. In the
first movement, when half notes were tied to
a series of eighth notes, the releases were not
precise, throwing off some of the descending
scales.
Tempos also changed with dynamic
variations in the first movement. Softer
sections slowed down, and loud sections
struggled to regain the lost pace. In the
second movement, the tempo was too lively
at the beginning but gradually settled into a
more comfortable pace.
Commissioned by the Quad City
Symphony as part of its centennial season,
David Gomppers Sunburst was based,
according to the program notes, on a
sequence of fractions that, when placed in
ascending order, result in a symmetrical set of
proportions. And the music sounded like it.
The performance began with tones leading
to a variety of overlapping musical textures,
such as repeating staccato notes in the
brass and plunking sounds in the keyboard
percussion. These sounds were forceful at
first, and musical ideas were passed between
instruments. String chord clusters swelled
and dwindled in volume and complexity until
only a soft roll on a bell faded to the end.
If Sunburst was intended to be a musical
depiction of a geometric shape, it was a good
idea to include the shape in the program as
a visual hint. But because the diagram that
appeared in the program was, according to
Gompper in a pre-concert talk, incorrect,
it was difficult to decode the obscure sounds
into musical experiences more familiar to
symphony-goers. An academic audience
might have better followed the conversion of
Continued On Page 13
Dec. 24, 2014 - Jan. 7, 2015

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

The River Cities Reader is an independent
newspaper published every other Thursday,
and available free throughout the Quad Cities
and surrounding areas.
2014 River Cities Reader
AD DEADLINE:
5 p.m. Wednesday prior to publication
PUBLISHER
Todd McGreevy
EDITOR
Kathleen McCarthy
EDITORIAL
Managing Editor: Jeff Ignatius jeff@rcreader.com
Arts Editor, Calendar Editor: Mike Schulz mike@rcreader.com
Contributing Writers: Amy Alkon, Rob Brezsny, Rich
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ADVERTISING
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Advertising rates, publishing schedule, demographics,
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DESIGN/PRODUCTION
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MUSIC
Continued From Page 12
13
by Frederick Morden
f.morden@mchsi.com
Illuminating a Musical Masterpiece

Gomppers math-based system to sound; as it
was, the audiences reaction to the premiere
was polite.
The concert was particularly noteworthy
for featuring soloists drawn from the ranks of
the orchestra.
Principal horn Marc Zyla stepped forward
with a smooth melodic line and a uniformly
consistent tone in Camille Saint-Saens
Romance for Horn, Op. 36.
Lillian Laus performance of Maurice
Ravels Introduction & Allegro was technically
stunning and magical-sounding. A tour de
force for the harp, the music requires the use
of multiple techniques that Lau has clearly
mastered. One striking example was found
in the Cadenza, where Lau presented the
theme with one hand at one tempo while
making glissandos with the other at a
different tempo.
Concertmaster Naha Greenholtz, cellist
Hannah Holman, oboist Andrew Parker,
and bassoonist Benjamin Coelho produced a
technically strong performance of Franz Josef
Haydns Sinfonia Concertante in Bb Major,
although it was at times distractingly uneven.
The timbres of the oboe and bassoon were
a contrast between bright and dark, both
lovely individually but not blending. Also,
there were discrepancies in the performance

style of some musical figures between the
violin and cello; imitating cadence points
were accented and abrupt in the violin, while
the cello let the notes continue to ring.
But the highlights easily overshadowed
those problems and included a prodigious
demonstration of technical prowess and
musical characterizations. The free-flowing
style of the first-movement Cadenza
was pulled together with careful visual
and musical communication. Little things,
like the trills getting into the coda, moved
perfectly in unison. Violin/bassoon and
oboe/cello duets at the beginning of the
second movement were rich in their
singing style and playfully coquettish while
players traded flurries of imitating figures
back and forth. The sweeping scales in the
last movement were a dazzling display of
phenomenal instrumental skill.
For more information on the Quad City
Symphony, visit QCSymphony.com.
Frederick Morden is a retired orchestra-music
director, conductor, composer, arranger,
educator, and writer who has served on the
executive board of the Conductors Guild.
14
Ask
the
You Delete Me
Advice
Goddess
Im trying to get over my ex, but Im

constantly checking his Twitter and Facebook
pages, and I get really upset. Ill see pics of
women or see that hes gone to some event
and wonder whether he met anyone there. Its
crazy-making, but I cant seem to stop looking.
Unhinged
You know youll feel bad when you check
his Facebook and Twitter, yet you keep doing
it. This is the social-media version of being the
busty-friend character in the horror movie the
one who says, I hear creepy reptilian hissing
coming from the cellar. Im sure its nothing, but
Ill just rub my large breasts with raw hamburger
and go down there with this flickering flashlight
to check.
Unless intelligence tests have revealed you
to have an IQ rivaling that of Jell-O, youre
repeating this misery-making behavior because
you, like the rest of us, are prone to fall into
automatic strings of behavior we call habits. In
The Power of Habit, Charles Duhigg explains
that a habit is a choice we deliberately make at
some point, and then stop thinking about, but
continue doing. Research finds that every habit
has three components, which Duhigg calls the
cue (a feeling that triggers behavior), the routine
(the behavior itself), and the reward (some sort
of payoff that tells your brain, Oh, yeah, lets
totally do that again).
Youre probably picturing yourself at 80, with
an elderly monkey on your back, still frantically
checking Facebook for signs your ex-boyfriends
shifted position in the last 30 seconds. But
Duhigg emphasizes that you can break a habit.
You do this by swapping out the middle step,
the routine (compulsively clicking into your exs
social media accounts). To understand what
to replace it with, check in with yourself at the
moment the urge strikes and figure out the
why what reward youre going after, what
need youre trying to fill. Maybe youre lonely
and longing to feel connected. Or maybe youre
going for a hit of intensity. Intense feelings
are called arousal in psychology and can be
positive or negative. Either leads to feeling
stimulated and alive (though sometimes alive
and pretty miserable).
Next, you need a plan a substitute routine to
slip in whenever the impulse to cyber-stalk him
strikes. This replacement routine is especially
important because a negative goal not doing
something is way harder than doing something
BY AMY ALKON
different. So if its connection youre longing

for, call a friend or go impede a co-workers
productivity. If youre an intensity junkie, watch
a clip from a slasher movie or maybe rappel to
your car instead of taking the elevator.
Be prepared for temptation to gnaw at you,
especially if youre tired or hungry (when
willpower is at its wimpiest). Make it harder for
yourself to cheat by mailing your phone to a
faraway friend and burying your modem in the
backyard or at least blocking the guy on social
media and maybe installing a program on your
computer like Freedom (MacFreedom.com),
which prevents you from getting on the Internet.
When the going gets tough, remind yourself that
time heals most wounds, and it should do the
job on yours as soon as you stop picking that
140-character scab every 10 minutes.
Point Multiplier Sunday

December 28
10am-12pm
2pm-4pm
6pm-8pm
Leave of Absinthe
I drank too much mystery punch at an

office party last week and confessed my
unrequited crush to a co-worker. He thanked
me and said he was flattered. I was mortified
and now feel really uncomfortable at the
office. How can I fix this?
Embarrassed
My boyfriend, whose favorite self-help book
is The Godfather, had this helpful suggestion:
Hire a hit man and have the guy clipped.
Unfortunately, this advice violates my rule of
not solving peoples problems by giving them
bigger problems, such as a first-degree murder
charge. Instead, inject a little perspective. Okay,
you spewed at the party. But now, back at the
office, your thoughts arent running across your
forehead, CNN news-ticker-style: Im in love
with you. Youre so hot. I love your tie. Marry me.
To make yesterdays drunken blurt-ation
todays I said no such thing, align how you
act with the message you want to send. This
starts with realigning your head. Re-frame
what happened. Tell yourself that it was gutsy
to put yourself out there. Next, tell yourself
that you accept that hes not interested. Repeat
until these notions sink in. If you use these
thoughts to avoid acting uncomfortable around
him no look of sweaty shame, no tight
smile at the copier hell have no reason to
be uncomfortable around you. Its like giving
yourself a reset that is, until you drink too
much at lunch and he finds your Post-it on his
computer: I still wanna have your babies. Dont
forget!
Got A Problem? Ask Amy Alkon.
171 Pier Ave, #280, Santa Monica, CA 90405

or e-mail AdviceAmy@aol.com (AdviceGoddess.com)
2014, Amy Alkon, all rights reserved.
Alissa
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F O R Y O U R E N J O Y M E N T, A LWAY S S M O K E F R E E !
Bach and Further Bach

music by
Bach, Dowland, Vivaldi

with
Daniel Lippel, GUITAR
David Bowlin, VIOLIN
Saturday, Jan. 3, 7:30 p.m.

Unitarian Church
3707 Eastern, Davenport
TICKETS at the door $15 $5 students
INFORMATION 309 797-0516
www.chambermusicqc.com
NEXT Beethoven
& Beyond
Thomas Sauer, pIANO

David Bowlin, VIOLIN
Friday, March 27, 7:30 p.m.
Unitarian Church, Davenport
FREE WILL ASTROLOGY
ARIES (March 21-April 19):

Hell is the suffering of being unable
to love, wrote novelist J.D. Salinger.
Using that definition, Im happy
to announce that you have a good chance of
avoiding Hell altogether in 2015. If there has
been any deficiency in your power to express
and bestow love, I think you will correct it. If
you have been so intent on getting love that you
have been neglectful in giving love, you will
switch your focus. I invite you to keep a copy
of this horoscope in your wallet for the next
12 months. Regard it as your Get Out of Hell
Free card.
TAURUS (April 20-May 20): Beetles

are abundant and ubiquitous. Scientists
have identified more than 350,000
species, and they are always discovering new
ones. In 2011, for example, they conferred
official recognition on 3,485 additional types
of beetles. Im seeing a parallel development in
your life, Taurus. A common phenomenon that
you take for granted harbors mysteries that are
worth exploring. Something you regard as quite
familiar actually contains interesting features
you dont know about. In 2015, I hope you will
open your mind to the novelties and exotica
that are hidden in plain sight.
GEMINI (May 21-June 20):
Auguste Escoffier (1846-1935) was
an influential French chef who
defined and standardized the five mother
sauces. But he wasnt content to be a star in
his own country. At the age of 44, he began his
conquest of London, bringing his spectacular
dining experience to British restaurants. He
thought it might be hard to sell his new clientele
on frogs legs, a traditional French dish, so he
resorted to trickery. On the menu, he listed it
as Nymphs of the Dawn. According to my
reading of the omens, this is an example of
the hocus-pocus that will be your specialty
in 2015. And I suspect you will get away with
it every time as long as your intention is not
selfish or manipulative, but rather generous and
constructive.
CANCER (June 21-July 22): The
entomologist Charles P. Alexander
(1889-1981) devoted much of his
professional life to analyzing the insect known
as the crane fly. He identified more than 11,000
different species, drew 15,000 illustrations of
the creatures, and referred to his lab as Crane
Fly Haven. Thats the kind of single-minded
intention Id love to see you adopt during the
first six months of 2015, Cancerian. What Im
imagining is that you will choose a specific,
well-defined area within which you will gleefully
explore and experiment and improvise. Is there
a subject or task or project you would have fun
pursuing with that kind of intensity?
LEO (July 23-August 22): In Don
DeLillos novel Underworld, Cotter
Martin is a young boy living in New
York in the 1950s. The following description is

about him. In school they tell him sometimes
to stop looking out the window. This teacher or
that teacher. The answer is not out there, they tell
him. And he always wants to say thats exactly
where the answer is. I propose we regard this
passage as one of your themes in 2015, Leo.
In other words, be skeptical of any authority
who tells you where you should or should not
be searching for the answers. Follow your own
natural inclination, even if at first it seems to be
nothing more than looking out the window.
VIRGO (August 23-September
22): It is always important to know
when something has reached its
end, writes Paulo Coelho in his book The
Zahir. Use this advice heroically in 2015, Virgo.
Wield it to clear away anything that no longer
serves you, that weighs you down or holds you
back. Prepare the way for the new story that
will begin for you around your next birthday.
Closing circles, shutting doors, finishing
chapters, Coelho says, it doesnt matter what
we call it; what matters is to leave in the past
those moments in life that are over.
LIBRA (September 23-October
22): On some nights I still believe,
said rascal journalist Hunter S. Thompson,
that a car with the gas needle on empty can
run about 50 more miles if you have the right
music very loud on the radio. In 2015, I invite
you to adopt some of that push-it-to-the-edge
attitude for your personal use, Libra. Maybe
not full-time; maybe not with the same manic
intensity that Thompson did. Rather, simply
tap into it as needed whenever youve got to
up your game or raise your intensity level or
rouse the extra energy you need to achieve total,
wondrous, resounding victory!!! The coming
months will be your time to go all the way, hold
nothing back, and quest for the best and the
most and the highest.
SCORPIO (October 23-November

21): Twenty miles long, the Onyx
River is the longest body of moving
water on the continent of Antarctica. Most of
the year its ice, though. It actually flows for
just two or three months during the summer.
Lets hope that continues to be the case for the
foreseeable future. It would be a shame if global
warming got so extreme that the Onyx melted
permanently. But now lets talk about your
own metaphorical equivalent of the Onyx: a
potentially flowing part of your life that is often
frozen. Id love to see it heat up and thaw. Id love
it to be streaming and surging most of the time.
And in 2015, I think thats a distinct possibility.
Consider making the following declaration your
battle cry: I am the Flow Master!
SAGITTARIUS (November
22-December 21): The best way
to keep a prisoner from escaping is
to make sure he never knows hes in prison.
That quote is attributed to both Russian
15
by Rob Brezsny
author Fyodor Dostoevsky and Russian author
Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn. Regardless of who said
it, I urge you to keep it in mind throughout
2015. Like all of us, you are trapped in an
invisible prison: a set of beliefs or conditioned
responses or bad habits that limit your freedom
to act. Thats the bad news. The good news
is that in the coming months, you are poised
to discover the exact nature of your invisible
prison, and then escape it.
CAPRICORN (December
22-January 19): When he was 37
years old, actor Jack Nicholson found
out that Ethel May, the woman he had always
called his mother, was in fact his grandma.
Furthermore, his older sister June was actually
his mom, who had given birth to him when
she was 17. His relatives had hidden the truth
from him. I suspect that in 2015 you will
uncover secrets and missing information that
will rival Nicholsons experience. Although
these revelations may initially be confusing or
disruptive, in the long run they will heal and
liberate you. Welcome them!
AQUARIUS (January 20-February
18): Meupareunia is an English
word that refers to a sexual adventure in
which only one of the participants has a good
time. Ill be bold and predict that you will not
experience a single instance of meupareunia in
2015. Thats because I expect youll be steadily
upgrading your levels of empathy and your
capacity for receptivity. You will be getting
better and better at listening to your intimate
allies and reading their emotional signals. I
predict that synergy and symbiosis will be your
specialties. Both your desire to please and your
skill at giving pleasure will increase, as will your
understanding of how many benefits you can
reap by being a responsive partner.
PISCES (February 19-March 20):
Be good and you will be lonesome,
said Mark Twain. Do you agree? I
dont at least as it applies to your life in 2015.
According to my understanding of the long-term
astrological omens, you will attract an abundance
of love and luck by being good by expressing
generosity, deepening your compassion,
cultivating integrity, and working for justice and
truth and beauty. That doesnt mean you should
be a pushover or doormat. Your resolve to be
good must be leavened by a determination to
deepen your self-respect. Your eagerness to do
the right thing has to include a commitment to
raising your levels of self-care.
Homework: Make three predictions about your
life in 2015. Tell me at TruthRooster@gmail.com
and visit FreeWillAstrology.com.
Go to RealAstrology.com to check out Rob Brezsny's
EXPANDED WEEKLY AUDIO HOROSCOPES

& DAILY TEXT MESSAGE HOROSCOPES
The audio horoscopes are also available by phone at
1-877-873-4888 or 1-900-950-7700
16
PHOTOGRAPHY
Featured Images from the Quad Cities Photography Club

(Editors note: The River Cities
Reader each month will feature
an image or images from the
Quad Cities Photography
Club.)
dewy day lily was the

subject of this photograph by Quad Cities
Photography Club member
Dixie Kurtz, which was the
high-scoring image in a recent
monthly competition for the
club. Dixie explains that she
had a setup to try to catch
a hummingbird but had no
luck. While she was waiting
for a hummingbird to come,
she decided to shoot the day
lily. She said that she spritzed
it with 7 Up to further entice
the little picky hummingbirds.
It was shot with a
Canon 7D with a Tamron
150-600-millimeter lens at
f/7.1, 1/640 of second, and
ISO 400. It was processed
with Topaz Detail to make

the droplets pop!
The Quad Cities Photography
Club welcomes visitors and
new members. The club
sponsors numerous activities
encompassing many types
and aspects of photography.
It holds digital and print
competitions most months. At
its meetings, members discuss
the images, help each other
to improve, and socialize.
The club also holds special
learning workshops and small
groups that meet on specific
photography topics, and
occasionally offers interesting
shooting opportunities. The
club meets at 6:30 p.m. the
first Thursday of the month
September through June at
the Butterworth Center, 1105
Eighth Street in Moline.
For more information on the
club, visit QCPhotoClub.com.
PRESENT TENSE December 24, 2014
December 11 Answers: Left
December 11 Crossword Answers
ACROSS
1. Pop superstars of the 70s
5. A Titan
10. Meaner
15. Ravens cry
18. Reed and Rawls
19. Stretch
20. Fiber plant
21. _ -Wan Kenobi
22. Start of a quip by 83-Across: 4 wds.
26. Nonexistent
27. Apollos twin
28. Linen tape
29. Worn
31. Cavy or paca, e.g.
34. To a _
35. Debris anagram
36. Bar bills
39. Horn
41. Part of LBJ
42. _ ONeill Chaplin
43. Groove
44. Bring in
45. Gas-guzzler
48. Part 2 of quip: 3 wds.
55. Abundance
58. Turnoffs
59. Yiddish thief
60. Part of USSS: Abbr.
61. Fruits
62. Length measure
63. Peels
64. Untamed
65. Golf standard
66. Root veggies
68. Column of smoke
70. Garland
71. Great Renaissance sculpture
72. Bud
75. Unhealthy vapor
76. Hanker
78. Single gemstone
83. Comedian _ Dangerfield
84. Keyboard key
85. Shower
86. Blast
89. Substance
90. Vertical pipes

93. Dorm occupant
95. Thread of cotton
96. Greek letters
97. Network
98. Machine part
100. Arboreal creatures
101. Rasps
103. Largest city in Venezuela
107. Provoke
108. End of the quip: 5 wds.
112. Rest
113. Normandys capital
114. Verboten
115. 100 centesimi
116. Gob
117. Put forth effort
118. _ decisis
119. Sufficiently, archaically
DOWN
1. Code word for A
2. Churl
3. Reynolds or Lancaster
4. Learn
5. Bitter
6. Divide into equal parts
7. _ Cruces
8. Pismire
9. Partly: Prefix
10. Creel
11. Lithe
12. Flavoring plant
13. Girl in Nevada
14. Honoring
15. Deign
16. _ Irish Rose
17. Uncivilized
23. Managed care groups: Abbr.
24. Poker stake
25. _ Brockovich
30. Pindaric
32. Likewise not
33. Kinship groups
35. Shows
36. Freebies
37. According to _
38. Comic book artist
40. Take
17
41. Thai currency

43. Gullivers Travels is one
44. Town in Oklahoma
46. Town in Iowa
47. Umps cousin
49. Quandary
51. Arthurian knight
52. Wife: Lat.
53. Direction in music
54. Trucks
56. Lizard genus
57. Tierra _ Fuego
63. Sack out
64. Liquefy
65. Persian fairy
66. Story of a kind
67. Pickled fish
68. City in Tuscany
69. Felon
70. Kind of chair
71. OT book
72. Evergreens
73. Of a space
74. Philippines island
75. Doily
76. Quite some time
77. Discord personified
79. Praiseworthy
81. Cherish
82. Cable channel
87. Eyot
88. Nuclear device
91. Unwell
92. Attempt
93. Soften
94. Toe the line
95. Learning
96. SS Andrea _
97. More educated
99. Lake out west
100. Skirt of a kind
101. Organ pipe
102. Hardens
104. Genesis name
105. Top: Prefix
106. Twist
109. Salmon, cured
110. Cereal grass
111. Sports org.
18
Live Music Live Music Live Music

Email all listings to calendar@rcreader.com Deadline 5 p.m. Thursday before publication
WEDNESDAY
2014/12/24 (Wed)
24
ABC Karaoke -11th Street Precinct,

1107 Mound St. Davenport, IA
Acoustic Jam Night w/ Steve McFate -McManus Pub, 1401 7th Ave
Moline, IL
Brady Street Pub Open Jam -Brady
Street Pub, 217 Brady St. Davenport, IA
Jam Session w/ Ben Soltau -Iowa City
Yacht Club, 13 S Linn St Iowa City, IA
Open Mic Night w/ Karl Beatty & Mike
Miller -Boozies Bar & Grill, 114 1/2
W. 3rd St. Davenport, IA
THURSDAY
2014/12/25 (Thu)
25
Cobra Kai Karaoke -Rumors Lounge &

Nightclub, 1704 Second Ave. Rock
Island, IL
Double Dz Karaoke -Purgatorys Pub,
2104 State St Bettendorf, IA
Karaoke Night -Applebees - Moline,
3805 41st Ave. Moline, IL
Open Mic Night -Rookies, 2818 N. Brady
St. Davenport, IA
Soulshake -Gabes, 330 E. Washington
St. Iowa City, IA
Thursday Night Jam Sessions w/ Bret
Dale & Zach Harris -The Muddy
Waters, 1708 State St. Bettendorf, IA
FRIDAY
2014/12/26 (Fri)
26
9th St. Memory - 1380 - The Post

Mortems -RIBCO, 1815 2nd Ave.
Rock Island, IL
ABC Karaoke -Circle Tap, 1345 W. Locust
St. Davenport, IA
ABC Karaoke -Creekside Bar and Grill,
3303 Brady St. Davenport, IA
ABC Karaoke -Moose Lodge - Davenport,

2333 Rockingham Rd Davenport, IA
Bella Diva -Riverside Casino and Golf
Resort, 3184 Highway 22 Riverside, IA
Chuck Murphy -Sandbar, 307 N. 2nd
St. Wapello, IA
Corporate Rock -11th Street Precinct,
Cross Creek Karaoke -Firehouse Bar
& Grill, 2006 Hickory Grove Rd.
Davenport, IA
Doug Brundies Big Acoustic Show
-Junction Grill & Bar, 110 E 4th St.
Wilton, IA
Karaoke Night -Bowlmor Lanes, 2952
N. Brady St. Davenport, IA
Karaoke Night -Roadrunners Roadhouse, 3803 Rockingham Rd. Davenport, IA
Karaoke Night -Roosters Sports Bar &
Grill, 2130 3rd Ave. Rock Island, IL
Karaoke Night -The Grove Tap, 108 S
1st St Long Grove, IA
Night People (6:30pm) -The Rusty Nail,
2606 W. Locust St. Davenport, IA
Oliver Twists Reunion Show - Night
Owl Choir - Us-Mode -Rozz-Tox,
2108 3rd Ave. Rock Island, IL
Pierced Productions Karaoke & DJ
featuring Leigh Timbrook -The
Old Stardust Sports Bar, 1191 19th
Street Moline, IL
River City Six -Rhythm City Casino, 101
W. River Dr. Davenport, IA
Serious Business -The Muddy Waters,
1708 State St. Bettendorf, IA
Smooth Groove -On the Rock Grille
& Bar, 4619 34th St Rock Island, IL
Southern Thunder Karaoke -Hollars
Bar and Grill, 4050 27th St Moline, IL
The Old 57s (2pm) -Wide River Winery
- Clinton, 1776 East Deer Creek Rd.
Clinton, IA
Jim Brickman @ Adler Theatre December 28

Twisted Mics Music and Entertainment -Broken Saddle, 1417 5th Ave.
Moline, IL
Vagabond Entertainment presents
Ko o by s K a ra o ke - B i e r S t u b e
LeClaire, 1001 Canal Shore Dr. SW
LeClaire, IA
30
2014/12/27
(Sat)
SATURDAY
27

B. John Burns -Uptown Bills Coffee
House, 730 S. Dubuque St. Iowa
City, IA
Bella Diva -Riverside Casino and Golf
Community Drum Circle (10:30am)
- Kidz Days w/ Lojo Russo (noon)
- Roylee McPeely (7pm) -RME
Community Stage, 131 W. 2nd St.
Davenport, IA
Derek Frank & Friends -On the Rock
Grille & Bar, 4619 34th St Rock
Island, IL
-Cochrans Pub, 13464 Galt Rd.
Sterling, IL
Glen Martin - Tambourine - Gosh! Wulfbriar -Rozz-Tox, 2108 3rd Ave.

Rock Island, IL
Greg & Rich Acoustic Duo -Jims Knoxville Tap, 8716 Knoxville Rd. Milan, IL
Hap Hazard -11th Street Precinct, 1107
Mound St. Davenport, IA
Holiday Ramble -The Mill, 120 E. Burlington St. Iowa City, IA
Hot Club of Davenport -The Redstone
Room, 129 Main St Davenport, IA
Karaoke Night -Boozies Bar & Grill, 114
1/2 W. 3rd St. Davenport, IA
Keller Karaoke -Broken Saddle, 1417
5th Ave. Moline, IL
Levee Breakers -Paddlewheel Sports
Bar & Grill, 221 15th St Bettendorf, IA
Lionel Young Band -The Muddy Waters,
1708 State St. Bettendorf, IA
Lynn Allen -Purgatorys Pub, 2104 State
St Bettendorf, IA
Meet the Press -RIBCO, 1815 2nd Ave.
Rock Island, IL
North of 40 -Poopys Pub & Grub, 1030

Viaduct Rd Savanna, IL
Nuclear Plowboys -The Rusty Nail,
Open Mic Night -Downtown Central
Perk, 226 W. 3rd St. Davenport, IA
Pierced Productions Karaoke & DJ
featuring Leigh Timbrook -The
Old Stardust Sports Bar, 1191 19th
Street Moline, IL
River City Six -Rhythm City Casino, 101
Southern Thunder Karaoke -Hollars
Bar and Grill, 4050 27th St Moline, IL
The Old 57s -Galena Brewing Company, 227 N. Main St. Galena, IL
Trippin Molly -Whiskey Barrel Saloon,
305 W 2nd St. Rock Falls, IL
Whirligig Jubilee - Makebelief -Gabes,
330 E. Washington St. Iowa City, IA
28
SUNDAY
2014/12/28 (Sun)
ABC Karaoke -11th Street Precinct,

ABC Karaoke -The Rusty Nail, 2606 W.
Locust St. Davenport, IA
Big Lott Holiday Jam & Open Mic
(6pm) -The Mill, 120 E. Burlington
St. Iowa City, IA
Dukes of Haggard Reunion -Bier Stube
Moline, 417 15th St Moline, IL
Greg & Rich Acoustic Duo End-ofthe-Year Party (3pm) -Len Browns
North Shore Inn, 700 N. Shore Dr.
Moline, IL
Jim Brickman: On a Winters Night -Adler
Theatre, 136 E. 3rd St. Davenport, IA
Mr. Daytrotter Presents Moeller
Mondays -Rozz-Tox, 2108 3rd Ave.
Rock Island, IL
Open Mic Night w/ Karl Beatty -Barrel
House 211, 211 E. 2nd St. Davenport, IA
Open Mic Night w/ Rob Dahms (5pm)

-Rustic Ridge Golf Course Grille &
Pub, 1151 East Iowa St. Eldridge, IA
Sunday Jazz Brunch (8:30 & 10:30am,
12:30pm) -Bix Bistro, 200 E. 3rd St.
Davenport, IA
The Dukes of Haggard -Bier Stube
Moline, 417 15th St Moline, IL
MONDAY
2014/12/29 (Mon)
29
Great Divide -Gabes, 330 E. Washington St. Iowa City, IA

Live Lunch w/ John Stanford (noon)
-RME Community Stage, 131 W. 2nd
St. Davenport, IA
Open Mic w/ J. Knight -The Mill, 120 E.
Burlington St. Iowa City, IA
TUESDAY
2014/12/30 (Tue)
30

ABC Karaoke -The Rusty Nail, 2606 W.
Acoustic Music Club (4:30pm) -RME
Community Stage, 131 W. 2nd St.
Davenport, IA
A Live One -Iowa City Yacht Club, 13 S
Linn St Iowa City, IA
Glenn Hickson (5pm) -Jake Os Grille,
2900 Blackhawk Rd. Rock Island, IL
Karaoke Night -Brady Street Pub, 217
Brady St. Davenport, IA
Manuel Lopez III Quartet -Rozz-Tox,
Open Mic Night (6:30pm) -Cool Beanz
Coffeehouse, 1325 30th St. Rock
Island, IL
Open Mic Nite w/ Alan Sweet -Vans
Pizza, Pub, & Grill, 3333 N. Harrison
St. Davenport, IA
Figge Art MuseuM exhibition
SeLFTAUGHT
GENiUS
Treasures from The

american folk arT museum
Through March 15, 2015
In its first stop outside of New York on a national tour, this important
exhibition, organized by the American Folk Art Museum, celebrates one
of the most unique and cherished American visual traditions: folk art.
Featuring quilts, furniture, paintings, sculptures, books and assemblages
by self-taught artists, dating from the 18th to the 21st centuries.
Self-Taught Genius: Treasures from the American Folk Art Museum
is organized by the American Folk Art Museum, New York.
Local support has been generously provided by
This exhibition and the national tour of Self-Taught Genius:

Treasures from the American Folk Art Museum are made
possible by generous funding from the Henry Luce
Foundation, as part of its 75th anniversary initiative.
Ammi Phillips, Girl in Red Dress with Cat and Dog, vicinity of Amenia, New York, 1830-1835, oil on canvas, collection
American Folk Art Museum, New York, gift of Ralph Esmerian, 2001.37.1, photo by John Parnell, New York.
Davenport,
563.326.7804
Davenport,
IowaIowa
563.326.7804
www.figgeartmuseum.org
www.figgeartmuseum.org
19
Live Music Live Music Live Music

Email all listings to calendar@rcreader.com Deadline 5 p.m. Thursday before publication
Open Mic w/ Corey Wallace & Friends

-11th Street Precinct, 1107 Mound
St. Davenport, IA
WEDNESDAY
2014/12/31 (Wed)
31
ABC Karaoke -Circle Tap, 1345 W. Locust

St. Davenport, IA
Moline, IL
Bluzillion (6:30pm) - Past Masters
(9:30pm) -Riverside Casino and Golf
Chuck Murphy -Thirstys on Third, 2202
Cornmeal - Chicago Farmer -The
Redstone Room, 129 Main St Davenport, IA
Corporate Rock -11th Street Precinct,
Cross Creek Karaoke -Blu Shamrock,
311 S. 13th Ave. Cordova, IL
Cross Creek Karaoke -Peacocks Tavern,
114 N. Main St. Port Byron, IL
DJ Night -Best Western Plus, 100 W. 76th
St. Davenport, IA
DJ Night -Racers Edge, 936 15th Ave
East Moline, IL
-The Dam View Inn, 410 E. 2nd St.
Davenport, IA
Funktastic Five -Best Western Steeplegate Inn, 100 W. 76th St. Davenport, IA
Good Rockin Live: A Salute to Sun
Records -Circa 21 Dinner Playhouse,
Greg & Rich Acoustic Duo New Years
Eve Party -Kavanaughs Hilltop Tap,
1228 30th St. Rock Island, IL
Hap Hazard -Steventons, 1399 Eagle

Ridge Rd LeClaire, IA
Heartache Tonight: The Music of the
Eagles -Ohnward Fine Arts Center,
1215 E Platt St. Maquoketa, IA
Justin Morrissey (11am) -Isle of Capri,
1777 Isle Parkway Bettendorf, IA
Levee Breakers -Paddlewheel Sports
Bar & Grill, 221 15th St Bettendorf, IA
Midnite Riders (6pm) - North of 40
(10:30pm) -The Rusty Nail, 2606 W.
Night People -Rhythm City Casino, 101
NYE Bass Fest: Kill Og - Danny Grooves
- Megarad - Radent -2nd Ave. Dance
Club, 1815 2nd Ave. Rock Island, IL
NYE Bass Fest: The Tripp Brothers - DJ
Sam Perry - DJ Icon - Dat Cheat
-RIBCO, 1815 2nd Ave. Rock Island, IL
NYE Masquerade Ball -Daiquiri Factory,
1809 2nd Ave. Rock Island, IL
On the Rock New Years Eve Lock-In
w/ Dir t Road Rockers -On the
Rock Grille & Bar, 4619 34th St Rock
Island, IL
Open Mic Night -Rumors Lounge &
Nightclub, 1704 Second Ave. Rock
Island, IL
Open Mic Night w/ Karl Beatty & Mike
Miller -Boozies Bar & Grill, 114 1/2
Roaring Twenties Party -Me & Billy
Kitchen & Bar, 200 W. 3rd St. Davenport, IA
Rude Punch -Vans Pizza, Pub, & Grill,
3333 N. Harrison St. Davenport, IA
Russ Reyman & Neal Smith -The Phoenix Restaurant & Martini Bar, 111
West 2nd St. Davenport, IA
Tangent -The Muddy Waters, 1708 State
St. Bettendorf, IA
The Candymakers - Plastic Relations
-Iowa City Yacht Club, 13 S Linn St
Iowa City, IA

Man in Black: The Music of Johnny
Cash -Circa 21 Dinner Playhouse,
Waking Robots - Baby Alchemy - Muldoons Clever Girls -Rozz-Tox, 2108
3rd Ave. Rock Island, IL
30
2015/01/03
(Sat)
SATURDAY
Trans-Siberian Orchestra @ i wireless Center January 4
The Fez -Englert Theatre, 221 East
Washington St. Iowa City, IA
The Gold Coast Orchestra -Riverside
Casino Event Center, 3184 Highway
22 Riverside, IA
The Hooks -Rascals Live, 1414 15th St.
Moline, IL
The Old 57s -The Lucky Frog Bar and
Grill, 313 N Salina St McCausland, IA
The Tailfins -Col Ballroom, 1012 W. 4th
St. Davenport, IA
The Travoltas -Quad-Cities Waterfront
Convention Center, 2021 State St.
Bettendorf, IA
William Elliott Whitmore - David
Zollo -Gabes, 330 E. Washington St.
Iowa City, IA
Wylde Nept (4pm) - Joe & Vicki Price Ben Schmidt (9pm) -The Mill, 120 E.
THURSDAY
2015/01/01 (Thu)
Barefoot Becky & The Ivanhoe Dutchmen Dance (2pm) -Walcott Coliseum, 116 E Bryant St Walcott, IA
Dave Ellis & Guests -Grumpys Saloon,

2120 E 11th St Davenport, IA
Mixology - Soulshake -Gabes, 330 E.
Washington St. Iowa City, IA
Thursday Night Jam Sessions w/ Bret
Dale & Zach Harris -The Muddy
Waters, 1708 State St. Bettendorf, IA
FRIDAY
2015/01/02 (Fri)
00
2
Beaker Brothers -The Mill, 120 E. Burlington St. Iowa City, IA

Casey Jamerson -Riverside Casino
and Golf Resort, 3184 Highway 22
Riverside, IA
Cross Creek Karaoke -Firehouse Bar
& Grill, 2006 Hickor y Grove Rd.
Davenport, IA
Jacob Bergland -Broken Saddle, 1417
5th Ave. Moline, IL
Just Chords -Kilkennys, 300 W. 3rd St.
Davenport, IA
Justin Morrissey & His Band -11th
Street Precinct, 1107 Mound St.
Davenport, IA
18th-Annual Elvis Tribute: Plastic

Relations - Velcro Moxie - Jon Eric
Trio - Def-Kittie Blindogg - The
Sullivan Gang -Gabes, 330 E. Washington St. Iowa City, IA
A Night of Sunshine -Circa 21 Dinner Playhouse, 1828 3rd Ave. Rock
Island, IL
Bach & Further Bach: Music of the
Renaissance & the Baroque -Davenpor t Unitarian Church, 3707
Eastern Ave Davenport, IA
Casey Jamerson -Riverside Casino
and Golf Resort, 3184 Highway 22
Riverside, IA
Chuck Murphy -Buffalo, 2016 S. Main
St. Burlington, IA
Dave Zollo - Becca Sutlive -The Mill,
120 E. Burlington St. Iowa City, IA
Just Chords -Kilkennys, 300 W. 3rd St.
Davenport, IA
Keller Karaoke -Broken Saddle, 1417
5th Ave. Moline, IL
Open Mic Night -Downtown Central
Perk, 226 W. 3rd St. Davenport, IA
The Old 57s - 3 on the Tree -RIBCO,

1815 2nd Ave. Rock Island, IL
Wandering Pint -Uptown Bills Coffee
House, 730 S. Dubuque St. Iowa
City, IA
Who Cares Band -On the Rock Grille
& Bar, 4619 34th St Rock Island, IL
Winter Blues Jam (noon) -The Redstone Room, 129 Main St Davenport, IA
SUNDAY
2015/01/04 (Sun)
MONDAY
2015/01/05 (Mon)
TUESDAY
2015/01/06 (Tue)
WEDNESDAY
2015/01/07 (Wed)
Moline, IL
Jam Session w/ Ben Soltau -Iowa City
Yacht Club, 13 S Linn St Iowa City, IA
The Old 57s (6pm) -The Rusty Nail,
WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 31
DOORS OPEN AT 8:30PM
QUAD-CITIES WATERFRONT
CONVENTION CENTER
SM
Purchase tickets online at

www.theislebettendorf.com or at the Fan Club for $20.
2014 Isle of Capri Casinos, Inc. Must be 21 to enter the casino. Management reserves
the right to change or cancel events and promotions at any time without prior notification.
Isle and Fan Club are registered trademarks of Isle of Capri Casinos, Inc. Quad-Cities
Waterfront Convention Center is a service mark of the City of Bettendorf. Gambling a
problem? There is help. And hope. Call 1-800-BETS-OFF. www.theislebettendorf.com
A Live One -Iowa City Yacht Club, 13 S

Linn St Iowa City, IA
Conrad Bascom - Sean Fahey -RozzTox, 2108 3rd Ave. Rock Island, IL
THE
TRAVOLTAS
1777 Isle Parkway Bettendorf, IA 52722

1-800-THE-ISLE www.theislebettendorf.com
Mr. Daytrotter Presents Moeller

Mondays -Rozz-Tox, 2108 3rd Ave.
Rock Island, IL
Open Mic w/ J. Knight -The Mill, 120 E.
NEW YEARS EVE 2015

LIVE ENTERTAINMENT
CONNECT WITH US
Trans-Siberian Orchestra: The Christmas Attic (3 & 7:30pm) -i wireless

Center, 1201 River Dr Moline, IL
20
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River Cities&#39; Reader - Issue 872 - December 24, 2014

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Bundle up this holiday season

Job Description N082

Mech Scale 100%

Copy Writer TBD

Business Politics Arts Culture Now You Know RiverCitiesReader.com

Nobody Appears Ready to Fill

heres little doubt that the late Comptroller

Cullerton have all forcefully argued for a special

Rich Miller also publishes Capitol Fax (a daily

Where Theres a Will, Theres a Way

Sonys last-remaining grab for the holiday

Business Politics Arts Culture Now You Know RiverCitiesReader.com

by Mike Schulz mike@rcreader.com

addiction and the unending recovery

Business Politics Arts Culture Now You Know RiverCitiesReader.com

Business Politics Arts Culture Now You Know RiverCitiesReader.com

or the past eight years,

clicks over cavernous

Business Politics Arts Culture Now You Know RiverCitiesReader.com

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A Coupla Theatre Guys Sittin Around Talkin

f youre new to this almost-annual recap,

Business Politics Arts Culture Now You Know RiverCitiesReader.com

one long wall, and then the performance

There was just kind of

Business Politics Arts Culture Now You Know RiverCitiesReader.com

Whats Happenin on New Years

William Elliott Whitmore @ Gabes

2nd Avenue Dance Club (1815 Second Avenue,

Continued From Page 4

Where Theres a Will, Theres a Way

incendiary talents delivering cackle-worthy

considering the 170-or-so releases under my

grief (following the death of her mother) and

Business Politics Arts Culture Now You Know RiverCitiesReader.com

the performer with her beatific presence and

Business Politics Arts Culture Now You Know RiverCitiesReader.com

Vol. 22 No. 872

Illuminating a Musical Masterpiece

The Quad City Symphony, December 6 at the Adler Theatre

n its December 6 concert, the Quad City

the bow from off the string for shortness

finely balanced and similarly articulated that

Dec. 24, 2014 - Jan. 7, 2015

Publishing since 1993

Art Director, Production Manager: Shawn Eldridge

Business Politics Arts Culture Now You Know RiverCitiesReader.com

Continued From Page 12

Illuminating a Musical Masterpiece

there were discrepancies in the performance

Business Politics Arts Culture Now You Know RiverCitiesReader.com

Im trying to get over my ex, but Im

different. So if its connection youre longing

Point Multiplier Sunday

I drank too much mystery punch at an

Got A Problem? Ask Amy Alkon.

171 Pier Ave, #280, Santa Monica, CA 90405

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MAKE YoUR pLAns toDAY to

Smooth Groove from 9pm-1am in the Edje

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River City 6 from10pm-2am on the casino floor

River Cities' Reader - Issue 872 - December 24, 2014

River Cities' Reader - Issue 872 - December 24, 2014