Looking for some outdoor live music and delicious food to enjoy this weekend? Then look no further than the Baby Blues and BBQ Fest! The Village of Port Byron will be holding their 3rd Annual Baby Blues and BBQ Fest on Saturday July 1. From 5-11 p.m. you are invited to enjoy live blues music along with the best BBQ east of Texas and premium craft beer specials. There is no admission charge for this event. Music will be performed by Brooklyn Ed and Spider, Carefree Highwaymen, Mr. Kells Band, The Smokers and Sugardaddys. Bring out your lawn chairs and head down to the picturesque banks of the Mississippi... Read More

It’s time for the 32nd Annual Mississippi Valley Blues Festival! Head down to LeClaire Park, on the banks of the Mississippi in Davenport, Friday June 30 and Saturday July 1 for one of the Quad Cities’ most successful and enjoyable music festivals! The Mississippi Valley Blues Society has secured a line-up of musicians that you won’t want to miss. The gates will open at 4 p.m. on Friday and 12 p.m. on Saturday. Music in the Local Scene Stage will begin immediately after the gates open. Advanced ticket prices are $10 Friday night and $15 for Saturday, and can be purchased online at https://midwestix.securemytix.com/event/mississippi-valley-blues-festival2837416.... Read More

Looking for something fun and educational to do with the entire family this weekend? Then look no further than the Figge Art Museum! On Saturday June 24, the Figge is hosting a FREE Family Day! That’s right, from 10 a.m. until 1 p.m. you and your family can help celebrate the new exhibitions with a variety of hands-on projects and experiences, for FREE! From making your own Clothespin Dolls to creating Haitian art, there will be no shortage of fun projects for everyone to love. Enjoy some free play in the Artica, the museum’s most kid-friendly space! Or you can stop by the lobby for some free... Read More

When naming the most distinctive qualities of the Quad Cities Area, the Mississippi River is usually at the top of the list. If you are from the area, you probably know the QCA is located at the only bend in the Mighty Mississippi where it flows from east to west. But there is so much more to learn about the historical aspect of the river. River Action is an organization that strives to foster the environmental, economic, and cultural vitality of the Mississippi River and its riverfront in the QCA. One way they are doing this is by offering Riverine Walks this summer. Riverine Walks explore the... Read More

Have you ever dreamt of seeing your name on the front cover of your very own publication? Or maybe you already have and want to network and expand your horizons with other local authors. Whatever your personal situation may be, if you have a love for the written word, you cannot miss the 2017 David R. Collins Writers’ Conference. The Midwest Writing Center (MWC) will be holding this year’s annual David R. Collins Writers’ Conference June 22-24 at St. Ambrose University, McCarthy Hall (518 W Locust St Davenport). The David R. Collins Writers’ Conference will include intensive three-day... Read More

With the summer solstice upon us, how do you plan to celebrate? How about joining in a lively Swedish tradition and celebrate with a Midsommer Music Festival? Bishop Hill, a Utopia on the Prairie, will be holding their Midsommer Music Festival on Saturday June 24 from 11:30 a.m. – 4 p.m. Concerts in the village park will begin at 11:30 a.m. Music will be provided by Black Hawk Pipes & Drums, Hammer & Pick, Jazz on the Side, and Zak and Erin. Members of the Bishop Hill Heritage Associated (BHHA) will be also hosting their 2nd Annual Rubarber Fundraiser. The BHHA will be serving homemade... Read More

Summer is officially here! The time when parents picture their children playing outside all day long with neighborhood friends. That was until the wildly popular game, Minecraft, came into the picture. It’s no secret that creepers, Enderman and pickaxes have taken over most homes since 2009 when the game was first released. But video games are supposed to be bad for kids, right? Not this one! If you have either watched your children play this game or were brave enough to try it yourself, you will find very quickly that the critical thinking skills needed to play are actually quite intense. Yet... Read More

Whenever there is an unfortunate disaster or crisis, one organization of helpful and compassionate volunteers is always there for support. The American Red Cross. Now you have an opportunity to give back and help support them. The 22nd Annual American Red Cross Picnic on the River will be held on Friday June 23 at Schwiebert Riverfront Park in downtown Rock Island form 5:30-9:30 p.m. Picnic on the River will include an array of hors d’oeuvres from area chefs, adult beverages and an acoustic performance by Quad City native Tim Stop. Guests will also have an opportunity to bid on one of the area’s... Read More

There are 1 in 68 children diagnosed with autism each year. And thanks to local organizations, such as the Royal Ball Run for Autism, increasing awareness and support in our area is possible. The Royal Ball Run for Autism has donated more than $100,000 to local autism programs, including the Quad Cities Autism Center and the Augustana College Speech and Language Therapy program. And now they need your help to raise even more! On Friday June 23, the Royal Ball for all the Prince and Princesses will be held from 5-8 p.m. at the Camden Centre (2701 1st Street E Milan).  They will have bounce houses,... Read More

Are you ready for some live Punk Rock in the Quad Cities?! How about an entire day filled with it?! That’s right, the QCA is hosting its very own Punk Rock Festival! Dive Fest 2017 will be hitting The Blackhawk Room at Bierstube in Moline (415 15th Street) on Saturday June 24. The doors will open at 11 a.m. From noon-11:30 p.m. you will have a chance to witness 17 bands rocking out in downtown Moline. This is an all-ages show. Jake Thomas, the festival’s creator and organizer shares, “I’m in a newly local band to the Quad Cities as I just moved here last August, called Minor Decline,... Read More