It was a THUNDEROUS night at the Iowa Motion Picture Awards, as Kelly and Tammy Rundle’s film, “Sons And Daughters of Thunder” took seven big wins out of eight nominations! “Congratulations, to those who shined in front of the camera; to our tireless crew and volunteers behind the camera; to our historic sites; to our 50+ extras; to our contributors and our supporters who made it all possible; to Kent Hawley who always believed; and to Earlene Hawley who created a beautiful play about this little known true story and laid the foundation for the film. Thank you, EVERYONE, who... Read More

Saturday In The Arts is a comprehensive weekly feature looking at a trend, personality, or major subject involving the Quad-Cities arts and entertainment scene. Though he’s been unemployed for months, like millions of Americans, due to Covid-19, St. Ambrose University alum Brian Hemesath got good news late last month. For the third time out of eight nominations, the 48-year-old Iowa native won a Daytime Emmy Award for his costume design work on “Sesame Street.” Hemesath – who earned his bachelor’s in theater and art in 1994 from SAU – was among a team of 21 designers to tie for the... Read More

As bars and restaurants have been back open in the Quad-Cities, the two major movie multiplexes in the area plan to reopen this month, both with new health and safety restrictions. Cinemark, at 3601 E. 53rd St., Davenport, will open Aug. 14, and Regal, at 4100 38th St., Moline, will be back and running Aug. 21. Cinemark is doing a phased reopening nationwide – 16 theaters are now open, with 43 more on the 14th and the rest by Aug. 31 – and Regal is reopening all its U.S. locations on the same day. “There’s nothing quite as powerful as great cinematic storytelling on the big screen,” Cinemark... Read More

Things are not looking good for this fall in regard to covid-19. Numbers are spiking, the government has been pathetically inept in terms of dealing with the crisis, and the economy is once again on the verge of completely tanking. Unemployment is up, some industries are shut down through the end of the year, and others are teetering on the precipice of being shut down, maybe for good. I don’t know about you, but I’m so pessimistic I’m starting to stock up on toilet paper. That’s why it’s more important than ever to shop at your locally-owned small businesses now. Local... Read More

Fourteen years before Aug. 6 was burned into the world’s memory (with the 1945 U.S. atom bomb dropped on Hiroshima, Japan, killing more than 70,000 people), that date marked another impactful death. Davenport native and jazz legend Leon Bismark (“Bix”) Beiderbecke died Aug. 6, 1931 at age 28, from alcohol abuse and lobar pneumonia in his Queens, N.Y., apartment. His mother and brother Burnie were on their way to New York but arrived too late. Bix’s body was returned to Davenport with services on Aug. 11, 1931 at Hill & Frederick’s Funeral Home, and burial at Oakdale Cemetery,... Read More

In recognition of the centennial anniversary of the 19th Amendment, the Bettendorf Public Library will be hosting a historical performance on August 26th at 7:00 PM. Historian Laura F. Keyes will perform as suffragist Elizabeth Cady Stanton in a live virtual presentation. The performance is free thanks to the generosity of the Friends of the Bettendorf Public Library. Registration is required and can be made by calling the 563-344-4179 or by visiting http://events.bettendorflibrary.com/event/4454379. Elizabeth Cady Stanton fought for equal rights for women for over fifty years. Upon her death in... Read More

Are you a local performer, theatrical actor, theater, or arts organization? We’re looking to provide you a virtual stage on the QuadCities.com site and social media! With covid rampaging, we know it’s a crazy time and we want to showcase your organization. No one can come to you but that doesn’t mean you can’t come to them. Along those lines, we’re producing a Virtual Cabaret called The Show Must Go On(line) and we want you to be part of it! The “live” event will air on our Facebook page on Friday, August 14 at 7 p.m. Submissions are due Friday, August 7 by 7 p.m. Use WeTransfer... Read More

Bold colors and dramatic imagery swim from the paintings of Bettendorf native and marine life artist Brian Buckles. The sea life captured on canvas by Buckles reflects his fascination with these creatures – mostly sharks, but sea turtles, dolphins and sea otters as well — and his passion for raising awareness and funding for the “proper management of marine life for generations to come,” according to a statement on his website. Buckles’ paintings are featured in a new show, “Art for the Sea” at Beréskin Gallery and Art Academy, 2967 State St., Bettendorf. The opening reception... Read More

Due to a decrease in attendance and revenue since reopening in late May, the Family Museum will be closed and all staff will be furloughed August 9-23, 2020. This decision was made with guidance from the City of Bettendorf Administration and the City Finance Department. It is necessary to help ensure the future of the Museum’s programs and activities. In addition to the two week closure, vacated job positions will not be rehired. These 8 positions result in a 24% decrease in staff. Also, beginning August 9th, the Family Museum will no longer be open on Sundays. The Family Museum closed from March... Read More

Saturday In The Arts is a comprehensive weekly feature looking at a trend, personality, or major subject involving the Quad-Cities arts and entertainment scene.   When Davenport jazz pianist and singer Freddy Allen returned July 25 to perform at The Grape Life Wine Store & Lounge, it was the first time the former regular played there since Feb. 28. It was a bittersweet occasion for the 50-year-old full-time musician, who has seen his livelihood decimated due to the raging Covid-19 crisis. “It was emotional, it was hard,” Allen said recently. “I’ve been one of those people, during... Read More