WQPT is holding a special screening of Ken Burns Presents: THE GENE: AN INTIMATE HISTORY followed by a 45-minute talk with “Charles Darwin” (actor Brian “Fox” Ellis – storyteller and science teacher).  Immediately following, “Darwin” will answer questions from the audience. The screening is scheduled for Wednesday, August 26 through the OVEE platform and runs from 6:30 to 8:00 pm. To RSVP visit wqpt.org or https://ovee.itvs.org/screenings/cb7yx WQPT is working in partnership with the Butterworth Center & Deere Wiman House to present this unique experience WQPT... Read More

MACOMB, IL – Beginning Wednesday, Aug. 19, several offices and service areas at Western Illinois University will have extended hours in preparation for the Fall 2020 semester, which begins Monday, Aug. 24. Because of COVID-19, masks are required to be worn on campus. Additional information about the University’s pandemic plan is available at wiu.edu/coronavirus. The University Bookstore will open from 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Friday, Aug. 21. The hours for Saturday, Aug. 22 and Sunday, Aug. 23 are 10 a.m.-3 p.m. The University Union is open from 7 a.m.-11 p.m. Friday, Aug. 21, from 7 a.m.-12:30 a.m.... Read More

The Black Box Theatre once again presents a 1940’s style radio play with “The 39 Steps: A Live Radio Play” by Joe Landry. The show is scheduled for August 20 to 30. Tickets on Thursdays are $13 and $16 all other performances. According to Playscripts the piece is “Inspired by Hitchcock’s classic tale and performed as a live period radio play, this romantic thriller is a fast-paced ride through the signature world of the Master of Suspense. Richard Hannay is visiting 1930s London when he meets Annabella Smith, who is on the run from foreign agents, after a disturbance at a music hall.... Read More

As many orchestras nationwide have cancelled in-person concerts for the fall, the show must go on for the Quad City Symphony Orchestra (QCSO). It’s proceeding with fall Masterworks concerts at Davenport’s Adler Theatre, which will undergo some major changes. Following recommendations from the Scott County Health Department, the QCSO has altered its October, November and December programs – to cut the ensemble size in half, to about 40 musicians; allow only 25 percent capacity in the Adler for both Saturday night and Sunday afternoon concerts; require masks and social distancing, and eliminate... Read More

MACOMB, IL – Western Illinois University senior agriculture major Sydney Riden, of Good Hope, IL, was named the Reserve World Champion Novice Amateur Showmanship this weekend at the National Snaffle Bit Association’s World Show in Tulsa, OK. Riden’s horse is named “Cool Lopin Lady,” with a barn name of “Willow.” Riden and the 9-year-old American Quarter Horse mare ride with Clint Ainsworth Show Horses. “I would like to thank everyone for their support, including my dad, mom, sister, grandpa, aunts, uncles, cousins, friends, and everyone from the Clint... Read More

Music certainly has the power to comfort and unify people, as exemplified in a new video by Rock Island native Lissie Maurus, who encouraged her fans to submit short videos from their recent life in quarantine. The five-minute compilation – set to her soulful 2018 song “Peace” – was released Aug. 11, and Lissie did a CNN International interview on the project from her family’s Rock Island home on Aug. 15. “Needless to say, these have been very disorienting, painful, reflective times,” the 37-year-old singer/songwriter posted on Facebook on Aug. 12. “I tear up with every view! And... Read More

MACOMB, IL — The Western Illinois University Food Pantry will resume full operations for all students, staff and faculty from noon-5 p.m. Thursday Aug. 27. Due to the ongoing health crisis, the pantry has updated its policies and procedures to keep all patrons and volunteers safe and healthy while visiting the WIU Food Pantry. Health precautions: • All patrons will be required to wear an appropriate facial covering while at the food pantry • Social distancing will be required while visiting the food pantry • Hand sanitizer will be available to use while visiting • Volunteers will... Read More

If you’re itching to get out and see some new locally made short films, plan on rolling into Sterling, Ill., on Wednesday, Aug. 26, for the first-annual Northwest Illinois Film Festival at the Midway Drive-In Theatre. The free event (registration required) is billed as a “Shorts-A-Palooza,” and is a celebration of Illinois independent filmmakers, featuring several short films  — including a few from Quad-Cities producers. “The festival is an abridged version of the much larger film festival we had planned for May, but were forced to cancel due to the Covid-19 pandemic,” Gary Camarano,... Read More

Many people have gotten used to working from home during the seemingly endless period of quarantine. Anthony Natarelli is even bringing theater and improv comedy to his home. The irrepressible 26-year-old Rock Islander, who lives in an apartment above the Circa ’21 Speakeasy, 1818 3rd Ave., livestreamed an improv show there June 27, and later this month will act in a two-man play to be shown online as part of his $1 Producer Project. “We’re keeping it small casts,” Natarelli said recently. “The highest number of people that will ever be in here will be five people in the entire apartment.... Read More

A year ago, Chelsea Ward was sassily standing up to a rigid Mother Superior in Music Guild’s “Sister Act.” This month, the passionate 25-year-old Davenport actress is standing up for racial justice and equality in two different online performances. On Aug. 8, Ward was among an all-female cast in a virtual cabaret – “Six Queens for Change,” recorded at Moline’s Black Box Theatre – and this Wednesday will play the title role in “Antigone (born against.),” a modern version of the ancient Greek tragedy. She was asked by Victoria House to help put together the Black Box cabaret,... Read More