Saturday In The Arts is a weekly look at a personality, place, trend or topic of interest to the Quad-Cities. It runs every Saturday morning on your site for fun, free, local entertainment and features, QuadCities.com. Wealth and power don’t guarantee happiness. We’ve seen that over and over throughout history – from Greek tragedy to Shakespearean rulers, through the many curses and deaths of the Kennedy family (the closest America has to a royal family). The new fourth season of “The Crown” – the stunning, sumptuous dramatic series on Netflix – leans heavily into foreboding, dread,... Read More

Seven months after launching their weekly “Double Threat” podcast about musical theater, choreographer/dance teacher Steph DeLacy and music director/vocal coach Megan Warren are extending their brand to the new Double Threat Studios. The performing arts studio at 882 Middle Rd., Duck Creek Plaza, in Bettendorf, will open in January, aiming to provide high-quality, comprehensive musical theater instruction for young performers in grades 3rd-12th. “We aim to encourage boldness, confidence, creativity, and community through performance,” the women posted Friday morning on Facebook. “Our... Read More

The Covid-19 pandemic has not only devastated the U.S. economy and cost more than 260,000 American lives, it is driving record hunger in the greater Quad-Cities region. “The number of people who don’t have enough food to eat in the QCA has increased by over 50 percent since Covid,” Mike Miller, president/CEO of River Bend Foodbank, said this week. “There are now almost 150,000 in the 23 counties we serve, 1 in 7 people and 1 in 4 children who are food insecure.” “The Foodbank has responded with record-setting food distributions in April, May, June, and July, with over 2 million meals... Read More

QuadCities.com is offering a series of features running today between 2 and 5 p.m. showcasing local businesses in advance of Small Business Saturday, AND, in this case, Museum Store Sunday.  The Figge Art Museum Store and Putnam Museum Store will be participating in Museum Store Sunday on Sunday, Nov. 29 from noon-5 p.m. There are 1,600 Museum Stores representing all 50 states, 24 countries, and five continents participating in the promotion. The Figge Art Museum Store at 225 W. 2nd St., Davenport, has socks, jewelry, notebooks, masks with art pieces, wraps, throws, works by local artist, and... Read More

QuadCities.com is offering a series of features running today between 2 and 5 p.m. showcasing local businesses in advance of Small Business Saturday.  Lagomarcino’s in Moline and the Village of East Davenport has long been a sweet destination for Quad-Citians, and now it’s getting recognition statewide for its terrific treats. The Illinois Office of Tourism has an annual Illinois Made Holiday Gift Guide, featuring one-of-a-kind products by small businesses around the state – including the iconic Lagomarcino’s in downtown Moline. All products featured in this year’s gift guide... Read More

QuadCities.com is offering a series of features running today between 2 and 5 p.m. showcasing local businesses in advance of Small Business Saturday. If you’re looking for a one-of-a-kind item to cherish this holiday season, with the personality and charm of a watermark, you’ll want to check out  WaterMark Corners, a 21-year-old gift shop at 1500 River Drive, Moline. Amy Trimble, co-owner of the store, says she historically does half of their entire year’s business in the fourth quarter, between October and December, and a full 25 percent of their revenue is typically in December... Read More

This is the first part of a multi-part series on local businesses heading into the holiday season. All the stories will be dropping on QuadCities.com between 2 and 5 p.m. today. Please shop local this holiday season and support our local businesses! With the economic and health devastation caused by the Covid-19 pandemic, the holiday shopping season is more important than ever for independent Quad-Cities businesses. The Quad Cities Chamber of Commerce is promoting its recent “Keep It QC” campaign, to urge local residents to keep their consumer dollars in the regional economy. “The past year... Read More

Partly due to the impact of Covid, Crust Stone Oven Pizza announced Tuesday it will close permanently in less than two weeks. “It has been our distinct honor to serve the Quad-Cities, and specifically, Bettendorf community for the past 8+ years,” the restaurant at 2561 53rd Ave., Bettendorf, posted on Facebook. “We have shared celebrations, momentous events, difficult times and precious memories together.” “Your kindness and support have filled our building with laughter and love. Sadly, however, Covid-19 has affected us all. The downturn in business and issues with our lease have become... Read More

In place of a massive, festive in-person concert at Centennial Hall, Augustana College is presenting a new virtual performance of “Christmas at Augustana” throughout the month of December. To kick off the Christmas season, the Rock Island-based college has adapted its typically sold-out performances to an at-home experience for all. Three hundred student musicians will be participating in performances by the Augustana Brass Ensemble, Ascension Ringers, Augustana Symphony Orchestra, Augustana Choir, Augustana Concert Chorale and Jenny Lind Vocal Ensemble and the Augustana Jazz Ensemble. Throughout... Read More

Many of us feel powerless during the relentless, unending onslaught of Covid-19, but Brent Tubbs is not taking it laying down. The co-owner of Moline’s Spotlight Theatre (with his wife Sara), Tubbs recently filmed and edited a special music video highlighting several Quad-Cities theaters – including his – that have been shuttered again due to the pandemic. Available at thespotlighttheatreqc.com, the three-minute video – set to the inspiring “From Now On” from “The Greatest Showman” — features many masked performers dancing outside local theaters. It is meant to be shared with... Read More