MACOMB, IL – The Western Illinois University School of Music will present the WIU Wind Ensemble, under the direction of Professor of Music and Director of Bands Mike Fansler, at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 26. The ensemble will be divided into several chamber groups (for social distancing) and present chamber pieces by composers Philip Sparke, Gordon Jacob, Vaclav Nelhybel, Arthur Bird and WIU Professor of trombone and euphonium John Mindeman. Due to the restrictions currently in place, there are no general admission performances in the COFAC Recital Hall. This performance will be broadcast... Read More

Catch “Little Shop of Horrors” on the big screen this Friday Sep 25 at The Spotlight Theatre (1800 7th Avenue Moline). Doors open at 6 p.m. and the movie begins at 7 p.m. Tickets are just $10. Online ticketing, found at https://thespotlighttheatreqc.simpletix.com/e/58789, will end one hour before showtime. If available, tickets will be sold at the door. This event is sponsored by Bob Kelly at Ruhl and Ruhl for all your realtor needs. Bar will be open, and popcorn and concessions will be sold. Limited seating capacity. Masks are required.   For more fun things to do in the Quad Cities... Read More

Halloween is far from cancelled! The Factory of Fear (5027 4th Avenue Moline) opens for the 2020 season this Friday Sep 25. For 25 years, the Factory of Fear has been the QC’s #1 rated, largest, and longest running indoor haunted attraction located in Moline, IL. General admission tickets are $22 and can be purchased online at https://app.hauntpay.com/events/2020-season/event_times. Active Military members can receive $5 off their tickets at the door.   Here are the safety precautions for this year’s haunt, found on Factory of Fear’s website: SAFETY: -While waiting in our queue line,... Read More

The Black Box Theatre in downtown Moline presents “Three Viewings” by Jeffrey Hatcher, opening on Thursday, September 24. “We decided to visit Jeffrey Hatcher again,” said co-founder Lora Adams. The Black Box opened the theatre four years ago with “Murderers” by Hatcher and recently produced “Turn of the Screw.” “Looking for pieces that allow us to follow safety protocols for both our actors and audience has taken some thinking and once again, Jeffrey Hatcher has provided the answer,” said Adams. “Like ‘Murderers’ this is a tryptic of monologues and they are both hilarious... Read More

Local band Einstein’s Sister will be in the spotlight with various stories every day throughout this week, leading up to the release of the band’s first single in almost two decades this Saturday, during Record Store Day, at Moline CoOp Records. The following story is from my blog, What The &^^%%& Is Sean Leary Thinking?, from Oct. 18, 2000. It’s a review of the band’s album, “Humble Creatures,” their last full album of new original material. The album is still available for sale on all online streaming formats, and can be found on our Spotlight page... Read More

MACOMB, IL – During this time of unprecedented events, the Western Illinois University Food Pantry is open to anyone in need of food or other essential resources. The pantry is open for all students, staff and faculty in need every Thursday from noon-5 p.m. For more information, or to schedule an appointment to visit the pantry, contact Casey Hendrickson at cv-hendrickson@wiu.edu or Emily Shupe at er-shupe@wiu.edu.  Read More

WQPT is presenting a special online preview screening of clips from The Age of Nature followed by a discussion with local experts in the area of nature conservation. The event begins at 6:30 pm on September 23rd and is accessible by visiting wqpt.org/nature to register. Guest experts include: Kathy Wine from River Action, Brian Ritter from the Nahant Marsh Education Center, and Joel Vanderbush from Niabi Zoo. The film explores humanity’s relationship with nature and wildlife, as scientists and conservationists from all over the world examine ways we can restore our planet. This documentary series... Read More

MACOMB/MOLINE, IL – Western Illinois University has again been recognized as a “Best Midwestern University” by U.S.News and World Report. This is the 16th consecutive year that WIU has received the national recognition. In the U.S.News and World Report 2021 rankings, of the 51 Midwestern public universities in the top tier, Western is ranked 13th in the 2021 Midwestern rankings. Western is also listed 60th of 157 public and private colleges and universities on the top tier list of “Best Regional Universities.” Along with the “Best Midwestern” ranking, Western... Read More

Einstein’s Sister are releasing their first new material in almost 20 years! The band collaborated with musicians from the bands of Paul McCartney, Sheryl Crow, Phil Collins and more, and the double-A side single was mixed at RAK Studios (where albums from Radiohead, Adele, Simple Minds and more have been recorded) and mastered at the legendary Abbey Road Studios. Written by Kerry Tucker (guitar and vocals) and Bill Douglas (vocals), and featuring Marty Reyhons on drums and Andy Brock on bass, the song is a power pop gem. You can pick it up this Saturday during Record Store Day at the Moline... Read More

One of the Quad-Cities’ most popular bands – Einstein’s Sister – reunited last year for two new songs, which will be released Saturday, Sept. 26 for Record Store Day 2020 at Co-Op Records, Bandcamp, iTunes, Apple Music and CD Baby. The longtime musical partners Kerry Tucker and Bill Douglas co-wrote the tunes, “Standing Still” (which Tucker sings) and “Begin Again” (which Douglas sings), recorded with Einstein’s Sister drummer Marty Reyhons and bassist Andrew Brock. The only original band member not to take part was guitarist Steven Volk. The project came out of the power pop... Read More