It’s not in a dancer’s nature to sit still. So it makes sense that even though Ballet Quad Cities (BQC) had to cancel the rest of its season because of the Covid-19 crisis, the professional company keeps moving forward. Students in the BQC School of Dance are continuing their lessons online, through Zoom, and students have submitted their own videos for a new collage. Artistic director Courtney Lyon (who recently received an Iowa Arts Council emergency relief grant) has choreographed, taught, and edited a new piece with three dancers on Zoom. And executive director Joedy Cook and artistic associate... Read More

It’s fitting that one of the many things Davenport Junior Theatre (DJT) teaches is improv – for students to develop an ability to think quickly and imaginatively. In light of the Covid-19 pandemic, the 69-year-old program of Davenport Parks and Recreation is doing its own improvising, by shifting programs online. Since April, it has over 50 free videos on the “DJT Learning YouTube Channel” (on YouTube) that include lessons in theater and dance, tours, full productions, and much more. Starting June 1, DJT will offer 50 fee-based theater and dance classes using the Zoom platform. The classes... Read More

DAVENPORT – The Figge Art Museum will celebrate Quad-Cities Pride starting Saturday with its first dual virtual/gallery exhibition. Works by Cedar Rapids-based photojournalist Andy Abeyta will be in the Figge’s second-floor Lewis Gallery once the museum reopens, but will also be available Saturday, May 2, for online viewing at figgeartmuseum.org. The exhibit features 11 of Abeyta’s joyous and vibrant images of the 2019 QC Pridefest, part of the QC Pride’s Unity Pride Week, which is being postponed this year. “QC Pride is dedicated to promoting awareness and visibility of the LGBTQ+ community... Read More

Despite the Covid crisis, Mercado on Fifth is moving forth in its fifth year, cooking up some very special things. While the Moline-based nonprofit — which works to showcase Hispanic food, culture, and business – may postpone the start of its fifth-annual season, it’s also busy creating its first permanent building and has introduced new programming. In late 2019, Mercado, with real estate development group West Gateway Partners LLC, bought the former Car Shop Inc. at 423 12th St., Moline, next to the organization’s outdoor property. Mercado and West Gateway, both managed by members... Read More

A pesar de la crisis de Covid , Mercado on Fifth está avanzando en su quinto año, cocinando algunas cosas muy especiales. Si bien la organización sin fines de lucro con sede en Moline, que trabaja para exhibir la comida, la cultura y los negocios hispanos, puede posponer el inicio de su quinta temporada anual, también está ocupada creando su primer edificio permanente y ha introducido una nueva programación. A fines de 2019, Mercado, con el grupo de desarrollo inmobiliario West Gateway Partners LLC, compró la antigua Car Shop Inc. en 423 12th St., Moline, al lado de la propiedad exterior... Read More

An outdoor summer tradition in the Quad-Cities will go on as planned, as the Freight House Farmers Market will expand Saturday in its operating hours and vendors, but with public-safety restrictions. From 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday at 421 W. River Drive, Davenport, the market will have its first May day under the Covid-19 crisis. Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds on April 24 allowed farmers markets to open, despite a ban on large gatherings due to the coronavirus pandemic, with restrictions. Only farm products or food can be sold (including prepared hot food and baked goods) at such markets, and other goods... Read More

Like most others during this crazy Covid crisis, arts organizations locally and nationally are struggling to find financial help. Though four individual artists recently got some funding, no Quad-Cities arts groups – all reeling from the financial impact of the coronavirus pandemic — were helped in the first round of $191,000 from the Iowa Department of Cultural Affairs (IDCA). The first relief grants this month were limited to artists and very small nonprofits, including Q-C artists Courtney Lyon (dance), Lojo Russo (music), Matthew Terry (visual art) and Pat Bereskin (art and art education). In... Read More

DAVENPORT – In this world of virtual reality we’re all living, this year’s Spring Beaux Arts Fair on May 9-10 is also entering cyberspace. For the first time in its 67-year history, the fair’s 114 local and regional artists will feature their handmade creations online at beauxartsfair.com. Shoppers are asked to visit the “Meet the Artists” page, where they can peruse and purchase directly from vendors. “This will be the first time the fair has gone virtual, but it is necessary given the current situation with Covid-19,” says Beaux Arts organizer Vicki Rocker. “It’s important... Read More

It’s like rain on your wedding day…Isn’t it ironic? During National Library Week, the Moline Public Library, 3210 41st St., temporarily laid off all its 29 employees Wednesday. It’s been closed to the public since March 17 because of Covid-19, but Tuesday the library board and city council agreed to remove $450,000 from its 2020 budget of $3.9 million, board president Sue Blackall said. “We’re just gonna adjust to find out how we can recoup the cost of that,” she said, noting the city recommended furloughing employees last Sunday, and the board met at noon Tuesday. The library... Read More

For the first time since 1949, the sweet sound of music will not play in Prospect Park. Quad City Music Guild became the latest arts organization to cancel its summer 2020 season, due to the Covid-19 pandemic, it announced Wednesday. Following a March 13 decision to cancel the planned spring show, “The Secret Garden,” at Music Guild’s April 21 board meeting, they decided to cancel the three summer productions (all already cast) – “Spamalot,” “Mamma Mia!,” and “Matilda.” “Our hope is to bring you these three shows, along with our previously canceled spring production, ‘The... Read More