For someone like me, who hadn’t seen a big musical with a big cast – live and in person – in 18 months, getting back to Quad City Music Guild Thursday night for the last dress rehearsal of the new “Mamma Mia!” (after nabbing next to the last spot in the parking lot) was a terrific treat. My son Josh and I wore masks and sat in the back row – but every one of the 535 seats in the Prospect Park theater is great, because you’re at Music Guild, seeing immensely talented people pursuing their passion: putting on the best possible entertainment and faithfully reflecting some of the greatest... Read More

Time to Rock featuring Dokken, Firehouse, Jack Russell’s Great White is set for Friday, July 9 at Moline‘s TaxSlayer Center. After over 15 months of darkness, concerts return to the TaxSlayer Center with a powerhouse line-up of legendary arena rock bands featuring DOKKEN…FIREHOUSE…JACK RUSSEL’S GREAT WHITE…and special guest BRANDON GIBBS. The Facebook ticket presale is currently going on; get great seats at the link below with the password: ROCK https://www.ticketmaster.com/event/06005AD10BA27261 For more information, click here.  Read More

Western Illinois University fire science majors, within the WIU School of Law Enforcement and Justice Administration (LEJA), recently underwent rigorous testing for Basic Firefighters and Hazardous Materials Operations Certifications as part of the Illinois Fire Service Institute’s (IFSI) Pro-Board Certification process. During the Spring 2021 semester, freshman fire science students traveled to Quincy to participate in a six-week, hands-on program focusing on a range of active fire situations including exposure to live fire, drills, hose advancement, ladder deployment, search and rescue... Read More

After more than 16 months of sonic darkness, the TaxSlayer Center in Moline is more than ready to rock Friday, July 9 at 7 p.m. Its first concert since the Zac Brown Band on Feb. 28, 2020 will be the powerhouse lineup of legendary arena rock bands — featuring Dokken, Lynch Reunion (with special guest star guitarist George Lynch), Firehouse, Jack Russell’s Great White, and special guest Brandon Gibbs (a native of Burlington, Iowa). While Illinois indoor venues have been able to open to 100-percent audience capacity since mid-June, TaxSlayer Center executive director Scott Mullen said about... Read More

Looking for something to do this weekend? Listen to your weekly Weekend in 2 Minutes podcast! Every Thursday on QuadCities.com we feature a short podcast with a quick rundown of things for you to check out over the coming weekend. John Deere Classic returns, and so does the Walcott Truckers Jamboree, and there’s a number of outdoor concerts, events, shows, art gallery exhibitions and more and you can hear all about them in your Weekend in 2 Minutes! Click here to listen!  Read More

The family cattle operation, run by two Western Illinois University alumni, has been recognized as the 2021 Illinois Beef Association Commercial Producer of the Year. Larry Joe O’Hern, a 1982 agriculture graduate, and his son, Patrick, a 2004 agriculture graduate, are two of the owners of O’Hern Stock Farms, a 5,000-acre operation. Both men were members of the Alpha Gamma Rho fraternity during their time as students at WIU. O’Hern Farms was nominated for the award based on its operation in Vermont, IL, about 30 miles southeast of Macomb. In addition to raising cattle, the operation... Read More

“Sons & Daughters of Thunder,” a new film by Mid-America Emmy nominated filmmakers Kelly and Tammy Rundle of Moline-based Fourth Wall Films, will be showcased by the Over-the-Rhine Film Festival at the historic Harriet Beecher Stowe House in Cincinnati, Ohio, Thursday, July 8 at 4 p.m. Central time. A Q&A with the filmmakers and others will follow the screening. The film will receive the Harriet Beecher Stowe “Power of Voice” Award, according to a Fourth Wall release. Viewers can attend the exclusive event virtually by purchasing advance tickets at https://thirdrow.live/otrff . “Sons... Read More

Welcome to the Quad-Cities! For all of those of you hitting town today for the John Deere Classic’s 50th golf tournament, thanks for checking out your best source for fun, entertainment and good news in the Quad-Cities, QuadCities.com! The tourney is rolling July 7-11 at TPC Deere Run, 15623 Coaltown Rd., East Moline. For more information on tickets and the event, see www.JohnDeereClassic.com. And if you’re in town for the JDC, you might be asking yourself, “What is this Quad-Cities place? Where do I go for a great pizza, or a cold beer, or to check out some entertainment?” Well,... Read More

Moline Centre on Friday was excited to announce this year’s lineup for the Thursday night Bass Street Landing Summer Concert Series, off 17th Street and River Drive. “It has been 610 days since our last FREE concert @ Bass Street, and we are ready to ‘safely’ party with all of you again on the plaza!” it posted on Facebook, noting it is partnering again with Courtesy Car City as both the title and vehicle sponsor for this year’s concert series. Moline Centre “is taking many extra precautions to ensure that these series of concerts are following all CDC/State of Illinois Covid-19 safety... Read More

MACOMB/MOLINE, IL — For 11 years running, Western Illinois University has been selected as a Military Times “Best for Vets College” by Military Times magazine. Western is one of two Illinois public institutions in the top 25. According to the Military Times, 136 schools – from four-year to two-year, public, private and trade schools – responded to a survey detailing programs, policies and resources for veterans. Institutions were evaluated in five categories: university culture, student support, academic policies, academic outcomes/quality, and cost and financial aid. “Western... Read More