BREAKING NEWS: Illinois covid-19 numbers, up 30 percent over the past week, have exploded and are up more than 70 percent in the last three weeks, according to the latest numbers from the Illinois Department of Public Health. IDPH numbers released today show the state is averaging 3,560 new cases of COVID per day over the last week. That is 72% more than the 2,069 new cases that the state was seeing each day on Oct. 27. Hospitalizations are also rising quickly statewide, with 1,627 patients currently hospitalized with covid statewide, an increase of 36 percent in the last three weeks. There are... Read More

Circa ’21’s “Winter Wonderland” gave me everything I would want in a holiday special — it was lighthearted, cute, funny and full of snowflake fluffy holiday cheer. It’s what you want in a Christmas special, and I wholeheartedly recommend it as a perfect family gift for the holiday season. Expertly produced, director/choreographer Sean McCall, musical director Ron May, scenic designer Susan Holgersson, costume designer Greg Hiatt and lighting designer Heather Hauskins have created a winter wonderland of their own on the stage, a beautiful and cozy setting for... Read More

The Augustana College Department of Music presents Christmas at Augustana, December 4 and 5, 2021 in Centennial Hall. Presented by Quad City Bank & Trust, Christmas at Augustana is returning live after a one-year hiatus. Christmas at Augustana has thrilled audiences in sold-out performances for over a decade. Student musicians will take the stage to share their talents in what has become a highlight of the Augustana and Quad-Cities holiday season. Featuring performances by the Augustana Brass Ensemble, Augustana Symphony Orchestra, Ascension Ringers, Augustana Choir, Jenny Lind Vocal Ensemble... Read More

BREAKING NEWS: Illinois covid-19 numbers exploded over the last week, roaring up almost 30 percent, according to the Illinois Department of Public Health. Despite a statewide mask mandate and other mitigations in place, Illinois Department of Public Health recorded a 29% increase in cases from the week prior, with numbers jumping from 17,462 to 22,600 cases in one week. Illinois health officials also reported 129 additional deaths and over 439,291 new vaccine doses administered. Since the pandemic began, 1,735,586 cases of coronavirus have been reported in the state, according to the latest data... Read More

The Quad City Botanical Center is proud to announce MidAmerican Energy Company as the presenting sponsor of the fifth annual Winter Nights Winter Lights. The outdoor gardens will be in winter bloom with over 160,000 glowing lights, showcasing our largest light display yet. Explore the Sun Garden, Children’s Garden, lawns, pond and pocket gardens of our outdoor light exhibit as you experience our largest fundraiser of the year. Bundle up, stroll the gardens at night and visit the outdoor events canopy for hot cocoa and treats for purchase by Taste Buds, a Downtown Rock Island business we are proud... Read More

Bottom’s Up Burlesque invites you to join them for HOLIDAY DRAMA, an all-new show on Nov. 20. This is also Bottoms Up’s annual toy fundraiser for Toys for Tots! “This is always a very special show for all of us involved” said Brett Hitchcock, Speakeasy director of audience development.  “Over the last 10 years, the community has always been so generous with their giving.” Hitchcock said.  “We’ve filled up trucks and cars with toys year after year.  It’s always such a great feeling to take all those toys to the Marines knowing they are going... Read More

That Dam Shopping Trip, a bi-state shopping tour of downtown Rock Island and Davenport small businesses, is back for 2021 and will be taking place Friday, November 26 and Saturday, November 27 from 11 am to 5 pm. Ten businesses, skirting both sides of the dam, will offer sales and prizes as they welcome customers to our downtown on Black Friday and Small Business Saturday. That Dam Shopping Trip is a free event, and shoppers can pick up their stamp sheet at any participating location, visit the stores in any order, and turn in completed stamp sheets at their last stop. Each of the stores has donated... Read More

If you’re feeling the November spirit ofgratitude for your own blessings, the Rock Island Public Library is offering an easy way to give to people in need. The Library’s “Community Comforts” drive will collect donations of household supplies and personal care items through December 4. Collected items will be distributed to Heart of Hope Outreach Center and the Rocky Resource Room at Rock Island High School. “Personal care and hygiene items, paper products, cleaners, and other basic items are always in high demand, because they’re products people use every day,” says Karrah Kuykendall,... Read More

Rock Island’s David Sebben will have one of his gorgeous photos shared throughout the United States in 2022 — on a postage stamp. Sebben is one of a series of artists who have had their works chosen to grace the face of a new series of stamps based on the river and surrounding environs. Each state touching the river will be honored among the collection, with a photo representing the scenery of that state along the river. Sebben took the photo, along with several others, in 2015, and like many of his photos, he shared it on social media and the photo site Flickr. The USPS, scanning Flickr... Read More

For the theatre’s holiday 2021 production in its spectacular 44th season of live entertainment,  Circa ’21 Dinner Playhouse is treating family audiences to a special holiday gift: the yuletide musical revue WINTER WONDERLAND. This charmingly festive stage delight will charm audiences with its magical blend of laughs, sentiment and beloved songs from the past, and it’s being brought to life by a marvelous team of professional talents. WINTER WONDERAND will be presented at Circa ’21 through December 29, with performances on Wednesday, Friday and Saturdays evenings at 7:45 p.m.,... Read More