Calling all comic book aficionados! You are to report to Quad Cities Comic Con this weekend! With more vendors, artists and guests than ever, Quad Cities Comic Con will be happening at the QCCA Expo Center (2621 4th Ave Rock Island) this Saturday Sep 1 from 10 a.m. – 6 p.m. and Sunday Sep 2 from 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.! Admission for adults is only $10 for a single day or $15 for a weekend pass. Kids 12 and under are FREE! If you order your passes online in advance, you will be able to get in at 9:30 a.m. (a half hour before everyone else). In-advance passes can be purchased at: https://mightyconshows.com/store?type=attendee. In... Read More

EXCLUSIVE – The new owners of Rock Island’s Blue Cat Brew Pub, soon to be the Big Swing Brew Pub, are local real estate developers John Timmer, Shane Scott and Jon McAtee, according to a number of sources who asked not to be identified, and verified through city documents and applications. The sale to the trio was also confirmed Friday by Rock Island Mayor Mike Thoms, during recording of an episode of the podcast QCUNCUT. The trio are the creative and financial force behind the new Backyard Bowl and Abides Bar, in the old Milan Lanes building, 2020 1st St. W, Milan, which is having its opening... Read More

The new Backyard Bowl and Abides Bar is a fantastic addition to the local entertainment landscape, particularly as a draw in an area barren of other options – Milan and southwest Rock Island. The complex, at 2020 1st St. W, Milan, in the old Milan Lanes building, is a wonderful mix of high-tech bowling alley, sports bar, video game arcade and surprisingly delicious and eclectic gastro pub. Regardless of all the entertainment options, the food alone is enough of a draw, as the menu is full of tasty surprises, from flatbread pizzas featuring figs, pears and prosciutto to bourbon bacon burgers and... Read More

Is ET shopping at HyVee? A third UFO sighting in as many weeks flew onto local radar over the weekend, this time over central Rock Island. Previous sightings have occurred in east Davenport near Bettendorf and in downtown Rock Island and Davenport, during a sighting of possibly two UFOs floating high over the Mississippi River from the Iowa side into the Illinois side and into central Rock Island. That sighting was likewise reported and demonstrated on video here on QuadCities.com. The latest sighting took place late Sunday night and involved an object of flashing green lights and static red lights... Read More

A ray of Sunshine is coming to Circa’s Speakeasy Sept. 6. It’s nearly impossible to explain the exceptional talents of EmiSunshine, the 14-year-old prodigy from East Tennessee who has captured the nation’s attention and enchanted hearts-a-many with her musical wizardry. Born Emilie Sunshine Hamilton, the singer, songwriter and multi-instrumentalist has been surrounded by family members who possess a genuine love for “salt-of-the-earth” mountain melodies and lyrics. Emi embraced the classic country, blues and folk music that echoed throughout her Madisonville, Tenn. home.   Steeped... Read More

The Blue Cat is becoming the Big Swing. The Rock Island Blue Cat Brew Pub, 113 18th St., will close Aug. 31, remain shut for renovations and open later this fall as The Big Swing Brewing Company, sources close to the situation said. It was reported first here on QuadCities.com that Blue Cat, one of the first brew pubs opened in the Quad-Cities in 1994 by brewer and chef Dan Cleveland and his sister, Martha Cleveland, was sold by the duo to an unnamed local buyer last week for an undisclosed sales price. Dan will stay on as brew master after the purchase, sources said, and the menu will continue... Read More

Mother and daughters connect with their inner fairies (or trolls) at this magical event! The Quad City Botanical Center (2525 4th Ave Rock Island) is hosting a Mother & Daughter Fairy Frolic this Sunday Aug 19 from 1-3 p.m. Dress up as your favorite fairy, troll or magical creature and explore the enchanted gardens. There will be a fairy seek and find in the gardens, magical crafts, a photo booth and much more! The cost to attend is only $10 per person in advance, or $15 per person at the door. There is a discount for QCBC members! Purchase your tickets online at https://apm.activecommunities.com/rockislandparksandrec/Activity_Search/2891. Don’t... Read More

EXCLUSIVE – Rock Island’s Blue Cat Brew Pub, one of the first brew pubs opened in the Quad-Cities in 1994, has been sold, sources that asked not to be identified said Friday. The restaurant and brewery, in the heart of the District, at 113 18th St., was sold to an unnamed buyer this week and will be closed down two weeks from now, the source noted. The pub will not be closed for good and will instead be shut for “a significant remodeling,” the source said. “From what I hear, they’re going to put a lot of money into it and it’s going to look really cool,” the source added. A grand... Read More

Have you been waiting for the perfect event to pull out that flapper dress or striped suit? The time has arrived! Make plans to attend a Let’s Get Looney Jazz Party and Scavenger Hunt, hosted by Skellington Manor (420 18th Street Rock Island) this Saturday Aug 18! Back in the day, John Looney, the original Quad-Cities vice lord, ran a number of criminal enterprises in the area, many within walking distance from The Manor. Spend the evening learning about that rich history of 1920s Rock Island from characters ripped right out of the pages of history. Live actors will take you back in time to tell... Read More

Quad-Cities and Muscatine area magician David Casas has proven himself a master of magic and illusion, and in this series, co-hosted with Sean Leary, Casas takes to the streets of the Q-C and Muscatine to showcase his skills for amazed participants and viewers. Will you be a part of his street magic? Keep an eye out for Casas, and keep your eyes on this series for some amazing and entertaining magic!  Read More