A man’s worth is determined by the number of people who feel more valuable for having been in his presence. And in this way, Bob Murdock was one of the richest men in the Quad-Cities. “Dr” Bob Murdock passed away late Sunday night and since then a large part of the Quad-Cities community has been awash in shock and sadness over the loss of a great man, a longtime beacon of the community and a good friend. Murdock grew up in Ohio and moved to the Quads in 1991 to help open the long defunct Funny Bone Comedy Club. But like so many things in life, the plans we make often lead us to the destiny... Read More

Fans of the Retro Rally and Street Fair are ready to twist again like they did last summer, with a whirl of ‘50s-themed nostalgia and cool events for the whole family at the fourth annual shindig hitting Rock Island’s college hill Saturday from noon to 5. Memories of rallies past continue to drive the success and crowd numbers of the annual Retro Rally and Street Fair in Rock Island’s college hill, and have driven up expectations for this year’s event. “This year’s event is going to be much bigger, much better!” said organizer Jennifer Horvath, who also owns one of the participating... Read More

The car chases. The witty banter between Burt Reynolds and Sally Field. The redneck hijinks of Jackie Gleason and his bumbling array of cops hot in pursuit. If you smiled at the mention of any of those things, you’re probably a fan of the 1977 film “Smokey and the Bandit,” and if you are, you’ll want to check out the BanditRun, coming to town Thursday to LeClaire, Iowa, and Friday and Saturday, to Davenport. Around 100 replica Trans Ams, semis and the police cars from the movie have been traveling across the country since May 27, rolling through Sandusky and Dayton, Ohio, Nashville, Indiana... Read More

Billy Bad Bass isn’t going to stand a chance. It’s time, once again, for the annual fishing rodeo at Riverside Pond in Moline. The Moline Conservation Club, Crime Stoppers of the Quad Cities, and the Moline Police Benevolent Association are holding the event will be held Saturday, June 4 from 8 a.m. to noon. Registration begins at 7 a.m. sharp and is limited to the first 150 fishermen between the ages of 5 and 15. All rodeo contestants must register, have their fishing pole tagged, and receive a bib that must be worn during the rodeo. A special prize fish, Billy Bad Bass and his henchmen, all... Read More

Kids around the Quad-Cities are celebrating the end of the school year, and that means that parents around the Quad-Cities are asking themselves what they’re going to do with their kids now that school is out. Junior Theater offers some solutions that are entertaining, artistic and educational for kids this summer. Founded in 1951, DJT is the second-oldest children’s theatre in America that produces theatre “For Kids, By Kids”. Programming is available for kids ages 3-18. With a goal of teaching kids to present themselves clearly, confidently, and creatively.  Summer classes start the... Read More

As the weather gets warmer, the sounds of live music begin wafting through the humid air in all the Quad-Cities’ downtowns, and Moline is one of the first to open its stages to tunes. The River House Music Under the Stars series is already under way with Soul Storm hitting the stage on May 27 at 7 p.m. Other upcoming acts include longtime local faves Lynn Allen on July 11. Moline Centre’s Thursday Night Summer Concert Series kicks off their season with The Tailfins, presented by General Pattern Corporation, on June 2 from 7 to 9 p.m. on The Plaza at Bass Street Landing.  Check out the... Read More

The city of Rock Island needs to stop pining like John Cusack lofting a sad boom box of tax incentives outside the window of the richest people in America and instead turn that attention to where their music could really be heard and appreciated – ringing through the streets of its downtown. For months, Rock Island has been panting after a Walmart location on 11th Street, and as most cities do, they have thrown a boatload of incentives at the owners of the chain, the Walton family, who need it about as much as Scrooge McDuck needs another bed of gold bars. Listen, I get it, guys. Walmart is a... Read More

The Return are living up to their name, at least in the case of Circa ’21. The Beatles tribute act are RETURN-ing to the Rock Island dinner theater for a show Thursday, June 16. Doors are at 6, show is at 7. Tickets are $27.50 in advance and $35.00 at the door. It’s a show only gig, but the theatre will offer snacks and sandwich baskets for purchase as well as a full bar. Tickets may be reserved at the Circa ’21 ticket office located at 1828 3rd Avenue in Rock Island or by calling (309) 786-7733, ext. 2. The Return began its series of returns in 1995 when four young friends got together... Read More

District Theater’s “Behanding in Spokane” is an absolute joy to experience, a dark, wonderful array of literary and theatrical twists and turns that’s exhilarating and fun. I very highly recommend it. Martin McDonagh is one of the most original voices in theater to emerge over the last 15 years. The closest comparison overall is Quentin Tarantino, in that McDonagh has a brilliant talent for dark, often violently dark, comedy and breaking barriers in regard to aggressive language in a way that’s both primal and intellectual. McDonagh’s closest comparison  stage-wise is David Mamet,... Read More

Downtown Moline is going to be bursting with Heart, heritage and a human slingshot over the next couple of weeks, and the good folks of Moline Centre are happy to holler about it. Here’s the rundown of their events coming up for your perusement and amusement: The Moline Historic Preservation Commission, in conjunction with Moline Centre and the City of Moline, is proud to announce the roll out of a new Self-Guided Heritage Walking tour in Moline on Saturday, May 14, from 10 a.m. to noon.  The new system will allow you to access the tour through your smart phone via QR codes that will be available... Read More