Joining the cavalcade of Quad-Cities cultural offerings impacted by Covid-19, the 49th-annual Bix Beiderbecke Memorial Jazz Festival in Davenport also is moving online this year, July 31 and Aug. 1. It had been scheduled for the Rhythm City Casino Event Center in Davenport, but bands this time will record videos that can be seen for free, said Steve Trainor, Bix Society board president. “I think the majority of the board of directors of the Bix Jazz Society had felt, almost from the beginning that this was not going to be your typical year,” he said Monday. “And like everyone else, the more... Read More

Well, fingers crossed, this past weekend began the grand re-opening of society after the covid quarantine. In some states, like Illinois, we’re not entirely 100 percent back to normal, but it’s certainly stepping in that direction. On the Iowa side, it’s full boar, all in, back to the way it was, and, again, fingers crossed that we stay that way. People are squirrelly and jacked up like spider monkeys on Mountain Dew after months of being in lockdown on social distancing protocols, and as such, it’s probably going to be a wild couple of weeks. But, as always, it’s... Read More

After 40 years of drawing crowds to Walcott, Iowa, off I-80, the annual Truckers Jamboreee will be virtual this July 9-11, including an online Antique Truck Show; Super Truck Beauty Contest; Trucker’s Best Friend Pet Contest and free meals for drivers. “The good news is we will most definitely continue with our long-standing tradition of Celebrating America’s Truckers,” Heather DeBaillie, Vice President of Marketing for the Iowa 80 Truckstop, said in a recent release. “While we can’t host 45,000 people at Iowa 80 to celebrate, we will take the Jamboree virtual and still celebrate the... Read More

We continue our journey to find the best Instagram walls in the Quad City Area! Here are six more top spots to make your Instagram pop. Ike’s All American Cafe Burger Wall – 635 15th Ave – East Moline, Illinois. Dude… it’s a burger… on a wall! Need I say more? Cabana’s Sea Wall – 2120 4th Ave – Rock Island, Illinois – Located across an alley from the now vacant bar that was once Cabana’s (you cant miss the shark on the roof!), this 2 story wall of sea creatures is a one of a kind in the QCA. Freight House Wall – River Drive – Davenport,... Read More

Richmond Hill Players auditions originally set for this weekend have been canceled due to covid-19 concerns, as previously reported on QuadCities.com. The theater put out a reminder post on Facebook Friday evening: Just to repeat: auditions originally scheduled this weekend (May 30 & 31) are canceled, along with our June, July, and August shows. A determination will be made in July with regard to October and November productions. Please keep an eye on our Facebook page or Richmond Hill Players website for updates. Meanwhile, stay safe and stay healthy!  Read More

There won’t be any bi-state fireworks along the river this year. The annual Red, White and Boom fireworks display in downtown Davenport and Rock Island has been canceled due to concerns and regulations tied in with the covid-19 pandemic. The date for next year’s event has been set for July 3, 2021. According to the event’s facebook, “Red, White and Boom always has been a bi-state event, and in the spirit of regionalism, we felt it was the right thing to do to move the event to a time when both states can participate.”  Read More

There’s plenty of activity coming up over the next week in regard to spots opening up on both sides of the river in the Quad-Cities. According to the Chamber of Commerce: Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds on Tuesday announced the state will allow more businesses to reopen and mass gatherings over the next week, limiting capacity to 50%, maintaining six feet of separation between individuals and groups and adhering to hygiene and other public health measures in place. The following businesses may reopen Thursday, May 28: Bars Wineries Breweries Distilleries Social and fraternal clubs Guidelines for... Read More

Everybody loves a good Instagram wall — a great spot to use as a backdrop for your selfies and pictures — and there are some right here in the Quad-Cities. Here are six top spots to make your Instagram pop. Rust Belt – East Moline, Illinois – This spot provides an industrial and bright look with its rock star brick and sheet metal window treatment. Faithful Pilot – LeClaire, Iowa – This multicolored wall screams for a ’70s/’80s retro shoot. The muted colors are choice. Fred & Ethel’s – Rock Island, Illinois – This pocket park’s... Read More

The coronavirus crisis continues to play havoc with outdoor music events in the Quad-Cities, as more summer series are being canceled, while others optimistically remain on the 2020 calendar. Given the ongoing uncertainty due to the Covid-19 pandemic surrounding when exactly public gatherings will once again be permitted, and out of concern for the health, safety and well-being of the Quad-Cities community, Moline Centre has made the difficult decision to suspend the 2020 Bass Street Landing Thursday Night Summer Concert Series until further notice. “This decision did not come easily, as it... Read More

The music industry was among the first to close and will be among the last to reopen as a result of the Covid-19 crisis, placing musicians who depend on income from live performances in very dire financial positions, according to John Taylor, concert organizer and head of the now-canceled Galva summer concert series. To support musicians during this critical time, Heartland Connections, through non-profit support of the Galva Arts Council, has launched the “Play it Forward” campaign. This program will distribute 20 grants, starting at a minimum of $500, to musicians facing financial emergencies... Read More