There’s big news at the big auditorium at North Scott High School, Eldridge, as a big cast and crew have come together to break out their new production of the big, boisterous musical “Disney’s Newsies.” The Countryside Community Theatre performances – by a predominantly young cast of 33, led by director and choreographer Ashley Becher – will be this weekend and next, 7 p.m. Friday and Saturday, and 2 p.m. Sunday. “Newsies” was done in early 2019 at Circa ’21 and just this past May by Double Threat Studios, and is the rousing tale of Jack Kelly, a charismatic newsboy and leader... Read More

U.S. Bank Foundation today announced a $1 million investment to 20 nonprofit organizations, including Moline-based Mercado on 5th Inc. – “driven by a diverse group of exceptional emerging leaders who are focused on creating effective community-led solutions toward the increasing economic disparities,” according to a Wednesday release from Mercado. Organizations are in both rural and metro communities and are focused on support for entrepreneurs and small business owners, workforce development programs and financial inclusion efforts for individuals and families as solutions to wealth building. Specifically,... Read More

Downtown Davenport’s The Mockingbird On Main will present their inaugural production – Katori Hall’s “The Mountaintop” July 29 through August 7. What happened inside room 306 of the Lorraine Motel in Memphis the night before the assassination of Civil Rights Leader Martin Luther King, JR. is a mystery. In “The Mountaintop,” Hall imagines what may have transpired in the overnight hours between the legendary civil rights leader and a seemingly inconsequential motel maid. Hours after King’s famed final speech, punctuated by the immortal line “I’ve been to the mountaintop,”... Read More

The Backwater Gamblers Water Ski Show Team performs FREE water ski shows every Wednesday and Sunday at 6:30 p.m. at 44th Street and the Rock River, Rock Island, IL, from Memorial Day through Labor Day. Shows are free, but donations are accepted at DONATIONS – VENMO – @Backwater-Gamblers  Read More

This holiday season The Elf on the Shelf® Scout Elves return to center stage for the live musical that has captured the hearts of families everywhere. Inspired by the beloved box set The Elf on the Shelf®: A Christmas Tradition, this touring stage production is a thrilling spectacle of music and dance that transports audiences to the North Pole to glimpse the magical lives of Santa’s Scout Elves. This toe-tapping tale tells the story of one particularly impressive Scout Elf who must help his new, human family remember the importance of Christmas cheer. Can this tiny elf, along with a host of... Read More

Scott County Iowa Genealogical Society and the Richardson-Sloane Special Collections Center of the Davenport Public Library invites you to their monthly meeting. On Monday, August 2nd at 6:30 pm the Swenson Swedish Immigration Research Center will present the resources the Swenson Center has, a beginner’s how-to for Swedish genealogy, and suggestions and tips on how to work with those materials. Those wishing to attend may attend the event in two ways: in-person or virtually. Please register for the event at https://davenportlibrary.libcal.com/event/7808983 and indicate the way you want to view... Read More

Artists in Conversation is a weekly column running Wednesdays on QuadCities.com. It features a conversation with a local creator or creators going into their artistic process, projects and more. Get to know your local arts scene and local creators better on QuadCities.com with Artists In Conversation! If you’re a local creator and would like to be featured, please email us at Sean@QuadCities.com or Tristan@QuadCities.com! I close my eyes and I can see The world that’s waiting up for me That I call my own Through the dark, through the door Through where no one’s been before But it... Read More

Davenport Public Library has crafts for every color of the spectrum! Each week at the Fairmount Library we’ll offer a craft corresponding to color; do one or do them all. Registration is required for each week at http://bit.ly/dpl-craftingbycolor. Best for ages 6+ Wednesday, July 28th at 12:00 pm the concert is: Violet Beaded Dragonflies When signing up, please indicate how many children will participate (make craft, etc.) and how many additional people will be present. Space is limited in order to maintain social distancing. If possible, please limit the number of non-participating attendees. This... Read More

Due to the abridged past summer season, there’s a good chance you may have missed the small, stellar offerings of Mississippi Bend Players, the professional regional theater at Augustana College, Rock Island. Well, you are in luck, as two of the three shows in the 2021 season (which only ran for one weekend apiece) will have virtual encores, with online screenings of “Mary and Ethel: How I Learned to Sing” and “No Child…” “Mary and Ethel: How I Learned to Sing” will stream through Aug. 8. Conceived and performed by Shelly Cooper with musical arrangements by Mason Moss, the show... Read More

Rock Island Public Library children’s librarians will continue to show up at our Longview Park Library2Go bookmobile stop from 2:30 to 3:30 pm on Wednesdays in August for Full STEAM Ahead. Stop by for some fun with our STEAM (science, technology, engineering, art, math) kits. Miss Ranell will bring a new kit each week. See calendar for details. This event is great for grades K-6! (Wednesdays are early dismissal days for Rock Island-Milan School District #41.)  Read More