From 2017 to 2019, there were 32 incidents of rape reported at Augustana College, Rock Island, nearly all occurring on campus. The private school’s new program director for sexual violence prevention and education — Zachary Draves – not only wants to prevent those incidents in the first place, but address issues of domestic violence, dating violence and stalking. Augustana has received a $298,827 grant from the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) – over three years, among 52 grants DOJ gave to colleges in 2020-21 from its program to reduce sexual assault, domestic violence, dating violence,... Read More

Quad City Arts presents the 44th-annual High School Art Invitational at Quad City Arts Gallery in Rock Island, from Saturday, March 27 through April 29, 2021. The exhibition is free and open to the public. The gallery (1715 2nd Ave., Rock Island) will be open extended hours — until 8 p.m. — on April 1 and 29th.  A virtual award presentation will go live on Quad City Arts Facebook page on April 1st, along with an online gallery where all of the entries can be viewed at www.quadcityarts.com/hs-invitational.html, This exhibition features exemplary works of art selected by each high... Read More

EXCLUSIVE: Renew Moline on Friday publicly released a 102-page Public Art and Placemaking Plan, which will be considered by the Moline City Council at its meeting next Tuesday, March 30. The plan lays out three strategies that will help shape the future of public art in downtown Moline and creates a strong foundation in the city to support public art. “Public art in Moline importantly shows a vibrant, growing economy and is reflective of a community emerging from the challenges of the last year,” Mayor Stephanie Acri said in a Friday release. “We are looking forward to seeing the plan and... Read More

SAL Family & Community Services (SAL), home to Skip-A-Long Child Development Services, is launching a major new initiative intended to transform the lives of low income expectant families and children until four years of age. Through the first and only Early Head Start Child Care Partnership Program (EHS CCP) serving the Illinois Quad-Cities, SAL continues its deep commitment to further the Q-C’s regional vision of cultivating a community that is both equitable and inclusive. The program is made possible thanks to a new annual $3.8-million grant from the U.S. Department of Health and Human... Read More

Before she achieved her musical dreams on ABC’s “American Idol,” Althea Grace lived through a personal nightmare with her little daughter. The persistent, inspiring 21-year-old native of Algonquin, Ill. (near Chicago) had her first child, Lennon, in Los Angeles Jan. 22, 2019. Grace has loved music and “American Idol” since she herself was little – writing her first song at age 4. Her parents named her after a 1980 Grateful Dead song, and Grace named her daughter after the legendary ex-Beatle who was murdered in 1980, since Althea is a huge Beatles fan. On Thursday – three days after... Read More

Shelley Cooper is a great admirer of legendary opera singer Maria Callas (1923-1977), who truly had an epic, operatic life. The multi-talented, 35-year-old Augustana assistant professor of theatre arts is bringing her one-woman, one-hour tribute to Callas this weekend to Moline’s Black Box Theatre. “La Divina: The Last Interview of Maria Callas” will be performed at 7:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday, and 2 p.m. Sunday, at 1623 5th Ave., Moline. Audiences will be limited to 30 patrons; temperatures checked at the door, and Cooper will wear a clear plastic face shield while performing. She credited... Read More

Mike Moncada and Jambrella are throwing a major music party on Thursday, April 15 for Molly Durnin at one of her regular haunts, Eleven17 at 1117 Mound St., Village of East Davenport. Several local bands will perform from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m., and Lobo’s Salsa will donate all of their sales then to Durnin, who is leaving the Q-C April 17 to move back to Charleston, S.C. “It’s gonna be really big,” Moncada said. “We’re trying to send her off such that she doesn’t want to leave. Plus, I’m gonna slash the tires on her car so she  can’t go anywhere, right?” Durnin... Read More

The month-old Jambrella movement is quickly gaining steam, as Jambrella Productions is having a big jam event Friday night to raise money for local musicians. There are also plans to have a second major festival outdoors on Saturday, June 12 to coincide with the 17th anniversary of River Music Experience. The first massive Jambrella music festival – aimed to give back to local musicians and bars – was a major success Feb. 26 at The Mound in the Village of East Davenport, raising $7,006. Artists who performed that night included Molly Durnin, Far Out 283, Angela Meyer, Fair Warning, 3 On... Read More

Happiness is…opening your first main show in over a year; starting a new jazz duo in a new intimate bar, planning for your first musical in far too long, and a new film series in the soaring theater space… The super talented husband-and-wife pair of Sara and Brent Tubbs – who own Moline’s Spotlight Theatre are pretty giddy at their recent good fortune. Last month, Sara (a veteran singer and actress) brought her new jazz lounge act with pianist/singer Mason Moss to christen the opening of the new Blueprint Bar and Lounge, in a previously unused (and totally renovated) room off the Spotlight... Read More

BREAKING NEWS: The International Softball Congress (ISC) will return to the Quad-Cities to celebrate its Diamond Anniversary at the 75th Annual ISC Men’s Fastball World Tournament on August 14-21, 2021. Due to ongoing effects of the pandemic and future unknowns associated with it, the 2021 ISC World Tournament will move from its scheduled site in Kitchener, Ontario, to Sheridan Meadows Park in Eldridge, Iowa, according to Visit Quad Cities. “With the potential travel restrictions and the impacts on sponsorships and volunteers in the Kitchener area, the host committee suggested to us that... Read More