Two energetic, friendly Quad Citizens are now scanning the streets of downtown Davenport to help inform, connect and problem-solve for those who live, work and play here. Emily Dibley, 32, and Omar Gutierrez, 33, are the first Hospitality Ambassadors hired by the Downtown Davenport Partnership (DDP), a division of the Quad Cities Chamber. “We’re the eyes and ears of downtown and the face of the Downtown Davenport Partnership,” Dibley said recently. “We’re out there for whoever needs helping. We’re the friendly faces, basically like a walking visitor center. “A lot of people see us... Read More

More than 20 downtown Davenport businesses have come together to present Bix Block Parties on Friday, July 23, and Saturday, July 24, during Bix 7 race weekend. Supported by the Downtown Davenport Partnership (DDP), the event is designed to celebrate the downtown neighborhood with multiple blocks of events programmed by adjacent business owners throughout downtown. The locally focused block parties event replaces the traditional Street Fest that featured traveling vendors on Second Street. “After years of successful placemaking efforts, downtown has reached a point where DDP no longer needs... Read More

More than 17 months after they danced “The Nutcracker” at Davenport’s Adler Theatre, Ballet Quad Cities is finally getting to return to its traditional home, in a varied 40-minute program Saturday, May 29. The professional ballet company is part of a triple bill, starting at 8 p.m., to kick off an Adler Theatre Foundation series of five shows. BQC – which had to be postponed from an originally scheduled May 8 date – will feature audience favorites such as the fun baseball-themed “Players,” the jazzy and sophisticated “Sugar Rum Fairy,” the sunny and chill “Dream a Little Dream”... Read More

Things continue to look up at the Quad Cities International Airport, as twice-daily service to Minneapolis-St. Paul through Delta Air Lines will be restored starting Saturday, June 5. This news follows the airport’s strongest month since the beginning of the pandemic – in April — with more than 36,000 travelers. “We know some of our regional peers have lost Delta service entirely, so the fact that Delta sees the value in continuing to serve the Quad-Cities region is immensely important,” airport executive director Benjamin Leischner said in a Tuesday release. “With service to Atlanta... Read More

The Quad Cities Community Foundation Monday announced the recipients of nearly half a million dollars in new scholarship awards. With scholarships ranging from $500 to $11,000 going to 49 students, including nine receiving more than one award, the funding — and the opportunities it can unlock — are significant. “Throughout the pandemic, these students have remained focused and resilient, keeping their eyes on the future,” said Sherry Ristau, president/CEO of the Community Foundation. “As they go out into the world and continue to learn, grow, and go after their dreams, I can’t wait... Read More

BREAKING NEWS: Over & Under: Wildlife Crossings, a documentary short film produced by Quad Cities-based Kelly and Tammy Rundle of Fourth Wall Films, received the top Award of Excellence from the Iowa Motion Picture Association in the Educational Production category on May 22. The 30th-annual award ceremony took place at the Bridge View Center in Ottumwa, Iowa. IMPA awards recognize outstanding creative and technical achievement in Iowa’s moving-image production industry, in all its forms. Entries must have an Iowa connection. “We are honored that Over & Under: Wildlife Crossings was... Read More

Moline-based Living Proof Exhibit hosts Creative Sessions each month with a variety of community partners at various locations in the region and has one coming up in Muscatine, for the first time in a long time. To date, Living Proof Exhibit has provided free Creative Sessions to more than 2,400 participants in the Quad-Cities and Muscatine. The art sessions are free of charge and open to anyone impacted by cancer of any artistic skill level. Two upcoming sessions are: Acrylic Painting, with instructor Gina Kirschbaum, Tuesday, June 8, 6 p.m. to 8 p.m., Quad City Botanical Center, 2525 4th,... Read More

There was an overpowering feeling of celebration, joy and pride Friday in the former Grand Lobby of the Putnam Museum & Science Center, 1717 W. 12th St., Davenport. Rachael Mullins, Putnam president/CEO, welcomed about 100 guests, supporters and donors of the Quad-Cities institution for a ribbon-cutting and open house preview of the new World Culture Gallery. “We are so appreciative of this moment after the year we’ve all shared together in our community, to have a moment of true celebration here at the Putnam,” she said. Funded by Bechtel Trusts, Scott County Regional Authority, the... Read More

Saturday in the Arts is a weekly feature covering a trend, subject, event or personality of local interest. It runs every Saturday morning on your site for the best entertainment and arts coverage in the area, QuadCities.com! After 15 months of coping with the crazy Covid pandemic, we all need a day to get out, have fun and paint the town. That’s exactly what the Quad Cities Cultural Trust has planned for Tuesday, June 8, from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. That’s when the free, family-friendly “Paint the Town” event will be at River Music Experience, 129 Main St., Davenport. Including food, drinks,... Read More

Quad City Arts is helping promote a new grant opportunity for artists to help combat rampant vaccine hesitancy nationwide. It is posting the fact that Arts Alliance Illinois is looking for practicing local artists (any medium) whose audiences reach Illinois residents under 35 years old, people of color, and women. Ideally, these artists have audiences and followings in the target demographics. The artists themselves do not have to fit within said demographics. The goal of the Arts and Vaccination Campaign is to encourage Illinois residents to combat Covid-19 vaccine hesitancy, and to support Illinois... Read More