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

Is it Shop Small Business Week? I never pay attention. Because for me, and thousands of other Quad-Citians, every week is shop small business week. And honestly, that should always be the case. Local businesses aren’t just the economic and entrepreneurial life blood of an area, they offer you a world of new adventures you’re never going to find anywhere else. And if variety is the spice of life, the Quad-Cities offers you a pretty ample spice rack that’s full of delicious flavors for you to enjoy. Yeah, yeah, yeah, I know. I see your eyes rolling, “ANOTHER damn patronizing editorial about... Read More

Heavenly humor and music is going to be shining down on the congregation of Circa ’21 Dinner Theater this summer as the Rock Island venue opens up its pearly gates to “Sister Act.” The Broadway musical-comedy smash hit opens May 6 and runs through July 2. Based on 1992’s wildly popular film comedy starring Whoopi Goldberg, and nominated for five 2011 Tony Awards including  Best Musical, this hilarious, endearing, and high-energy production will have you riding a wave of pure musical-comedy exhilaration, and is being brought to life by a magnificent cast of professional talents. “Sister... Read More

Could a Portillo’s restaurant be opening in the Quad-Cities next year? Chris Glass and Dewayne Stropes hope so, and after talking with officials from Portillo’s, they think it could happen. Glass, 29, of Davenport, and Stropes, 22, of Moline, are both big fans of the Chicago-area restaurant chain famed for their delicious Chicago-style hot dogs, Italian beef sandwiches, rich chocolate cakes and other classic Americana diner fare. So they decided on a whim to start up a movement to bring Portillo’s to the Quad-Cities, building a Facebook page dedicated to it and getting the word... Read More

For the first time in its 64 year history, Davenport Junior Theatre is featuring a show starring… a puppet. See our previous coverage of “The Magical Lamp of Aladdin” :  Puppet Lead Adds To ‘Aladdin’s’ Magic For Junior Theatre The Magical Lamp of Aladdin April 30, May 7 at 1 and 4 p.m., May 1 and May 8 at 2 p.m. Davenport Junior Theater, 2822 Eastern Ave, Davenport Tickets: adults $8, ages 3-17 $6, under 2 free, sold at the door www.DavenportJuniorTheatre.org (563) 326-7862  Read More