Riverboat Days brings back daytime activities to attract families ... with online exclusive Dennis DeYoung interview
By Stephanie De Pasquale
Go&Do
>>> The focus of Clinton Riverboat Days isn’t just on the concerts anymore.
Several daytime events have been added this year, and the carnival has been moved to the center of the grounds in an effort to bring families back to the three-day festival.
“It’s always been a family festival, and because the focus has been strictly concerts for the last three or four years, we’ve lost some of the families that come down during the day,” said Don Tegeler, entertainment chairman of the Riverboat Days board of directors. “But now that we’ve brought back a lot of these other things, like the dirt activities and the karaoke and the free acts tent ... I’m hoping, I can’t predict the future, but I’m hoping we’ll see a lot more families show up this year.”
The dirt events that were brought back by public request are the tractor pull, truck pull, demo derby and mud volleyball. A karaoke tent and a free acts tent that will feature local acting talent will provide entertainment throughout the day as well.
Tegeler said Riverboat Days also rearranged its grounds layout and worked with the Clinton Jaycees to make sure the carnival is held closer to the festival action instead of down the street or in a parking lot.
“It was probably an inconvenience in the past if the parents wanted the kids to go to the carnival while they sat and watched the show or did something else because it was kind of far to get to,” he said. “Now, it’s all bundled right together. I think it’s going to be exciting to have all the activities happening right there in the middle of the grounds.”
Also new this year is ultimate fighting, which will be held in Alliant Energy Stadium and is expected to draw 3,000-4,000 people alone.
“Ultimate fighting just has a good crowd, a good following, and we had a lot of people who would like to see new and fresh ideas down there, and that was new, fresh idea, so we brought it on board,” said Mike Fullerton, a member of the Riverboat Days board.
Ultimate fighting will feature eight bouts with 16 fighters, including Erik Wisely of Clinton. He has fought throughout the Midwest and will compete for the Mainstream MMA (mixed martial arts) title this summer.
As for the nightly concerts, the lineup includes Dennis DeYoung and the music of Styx, with Glen Burtnick tonight, Blackhawk and Restless Heart on Friday and Blue Oyster Cult, with The Shadows of Knight on Saturday.
“I believe that having Dennis DeYoung is better than actually having the band Styx (of which DeYoung was a founding member) because he is the voice of Styx, so I’m pretty excited about that show,” said Tegeler, who was surprised by the interest shown in Saturday’s headliner, Blue Oyster Cult, which first came to prominence between three and four decades ago.
“I thought that would be kind of our sleeper night or our little bit slower night, but we’ve sold more front-row seats for that show than any other night.”
For a complete schedule of events, visit riverboatdays.org on the Web.
Stephanie De Pasquale can be contacted at (563) 333-2639 or sdepasquale@qctimes.com. Comment on this story at qctimes.com.
What: Clinton Riverboat Days
When: 10 a.m. to midnight Thursday, 8 a.m. to midnight Friday and Saturday
Where: 100 Riverview Drive, Clinton, Iowa
How much: $7 for a day pass, which does not include admission to the concerts or Ultimate Fighting; $30 fun card includes admission to all events on all days.
Information: riverboatdays.org on the Web
At age 61, it’s still the best of times for Dennis DeYoung.
The former Styx lead singer, who is performing Thursday night at Riverboat Days in Clinton, Iowa, is reliving the music of the Chicago-born band that he fronted until 1999, as well as composing a musical that’s a hit in a Chicago theater and releasing his sixth solo album.
From somewhere in northern Canada, with tongue firmly planted in cheek, he answered these e-mailed interview questions from Go&Do:
Q: You played at the former Mark of the Quad-Cities in Moline during 2004 and are now playing an outdoor festival setting. What are the differences in your show?
A: This will be a rock concert and not a rock symphony show. Last time, we had a 30-piece orchestra with the rock band. This will be rock band city. You know, two guitars, bass and drums, two keyboards, singers and a partridge in a pear tree. The music will sound like the original recordings, only louder and sweatier.
Q: After years and years of preparation, your “Hunchback of Notre Dame” finally opened in Chicago. What was it like to have your “baby” born after all that time?
A: After the spinal, I felt much better. Mounting a musical is a bit like childbirth without the best part, of course, which happens nine months prior. “The Hunchback of Notre Dame” has just been extended at the Bailiwick Theater in Chicago until Aug. 31, which has been a pleasant surprise. Great reviews, great attendance and a great cast.
Q: How is the post-viral infection that made you sensitive to light?
A: I still have it, but it doesn't interfere with my semi-normal life. Remember, I’m an aging rock star and the envy of millions. What more do I want? Make that the envy of hundreds.
Q: What’s the relationship with you and the rest of Styx these days? Are either of you considering it a permanent separation?
A: Apparently we’re seeing other people.
Q: Aside from touring, what’s in the future for you?
A: My album “One Hundred Years From Now” will released this fall on Rounder Records. It was released last summer in Canada, and it spawned a No. 1 hit on the pop, (adult contemporary) and rock charts in Quebec. The single was the title track. I will be touring Germany this December in “The Night of the Proms,” a concert tour featuring a symphony orchestra with Tears for Fears, Robin Gibb and 10 CC. Future plans include balancing comedy with tragedy, spending time with family and friends, and reminding myself daily how fortunate I have been.
— David Burke