Bill Campbell attended the 91st-annual Academy Awards ceremony at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles exactly two years ago, Feb. 24, 2019. And he may be part of another Oscar nominee this spring. “It was quite an amazing experience to be part of it,” he said of the 2019 event Wednesday. “Throughout the whole day and night, I kept reminding myself, I’m here because I wrote music for a film that’s all about trying to help people. And that felt good. “It did feel a little bit odd being there and celebrating it, but we worked hard for it and that was good,” Campbell said. “It was really... Read More

The Bureau of Cultural Affairs (BCA) at Western Illinois University is offering a free virtual show tonight for the Spring 2021 semester as part of “On the Couch – Virtual Arts Series.” The production company, BiCoastal Productions, is offering free shows to presenters like BCA during the COVID-19 pandemic to continue to offer exposure to the arts to audiences. Each show begins at 7 p.m. on a series of Wednesdays. Tonight’s show is: • Feb. 24 – The Silhouettes® – America’s Got Talent: The Champions! was founded in 2009, and was the first runner-up on “America’s Got Talent”... Read More

Shakti Butler, PhD, a dynamic filmmaker and visionary educator in the field of social and racial equity, will provide the keynote address for the 17th-annual Ambrose Women for Social Justice Conference on Tuesday, Feb. 23. Butler’s keynote, “Framing a Racial Justice Foundation,” begins at 3:30 p.m. via Webex. It is open to the public; viewers should click here to join the Feb. 23 keynote. On Feb. 24, “Healing and Radical Imagination,” an interactive workshop is designed to encourage open conversation and exploration of first steps to begin working towards healing... Read More

It’s Monday. The weather over the last week has sucked. Covid sucks. And in general you’re feeling like a loser. Well, DO WE HAVE THE VIDEO FOR YOU! There are certain videos and songs that are undeniably, indelibly, of their time, and today’s video is one of them. If you were putting together a time capsule of the early ’90s and Generation X (of which I’m a member, so I have a certain affinity), this video would be in there. The song, artist, and video so perfectly encapsulate the slacker smartass ethic of Gen X, even more so than Nirvana’s “Smells Like... Read More

Can we ever get out of the rabbit hole? That eternal question is more relevant today than ever, as Davenport Junior Theatre (DJT) continues its 69th season with its second virtual production, “Alice in Wonderland,” directed by local theater artist Bobby Becher. Based on Lewis Carroll’s “Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland” (1865) and adapted by Daniel DP Sheridan, “Wonderland” is a timely story that speaks directly to the viral Wonderland we’ve all found ourselves in over the last year. “Alice in Wonderland” involves 24 students from around the Q-C area. The kids range from ages... Read More

Leslie LaCorte, drama director at Davenport North High School, and her students are itching to get back to live performances. That will happen March 5-7, with their first live play since the pandemic started –  a comedic mystery, “The 39 Steps” – and the month will also be special for 10 North students who will be part of a first-ever virtual Iowa Thespian Festival. “The 39 Steps” will be performed at Paul J. Holzworth Performing Arts Center (limited to 25-percent capacity), 626 W. 53rd St., Davenport. Adapted by Patrick Barlow (from the novel by John Buchan and classic movie by Alfred... Read More

A wise man (lyricist Hal David) once wrote “What the World Needs Now is Love.” Man, do we need it now more than ever, and you can certainly get your affectionate fix in the new Circa ’21 Dinner Playhouse Valentine cabaret, “Let’s Fall in Love.” Valentine’s Day is technically over — but really, who doesn’t need love every day?? And the 90-minute, slick, sweet and super heartfelt video compilation will be available online through noon on Monday, Feb. 22. I loved, loved, loved it. It features the talents (including cute interviews of couples) of many performers not only from... Read More

Western Illinois University senior broadcasting major Devin Brooks is close to setting a state record for winning the most scholarships from the Illinois News Broadcasters Association (INBA). Brooks, of St. Louis, MO, has won the INBA scholarship three times and has the opportunity to win a fourth award this spring. “I would not have come across these opportunities without the help of my teachers at WIU,” said Brooks. “They deserve the real recognition for caring about students’ success. It makes a difference when I can worry less about how I’m going to pay for school... Read More

So, a country music star, Morgan Wallen, is caught on tape using the N word, which is not acceptable. His record company, radio stations, etc. express condemnation of it. Right thing to do. He admits his mistake and is contrite about it, does all the right things under the circumstances and seems sincere. Again, right thing to do. And then… wait for it… wait for it… His record sales SKYROCKET. Now, do I think that suddenly racists were like, “You know what? I need something to listen to in the car, other than Gavin McInnes, so how about that country music... Read More

MOLINE, IL — The Western Illinois University Quad Cities Core Values Awards have been an annual tradition since 2010 to recognize the contributions of individuals from the University community in the Quad Cities. The 2020 awards were chosen by the Quad Cities Core Values Selection Committee. The COVID-19 pandemic necessitated announcing the winners virtually, but a nameplate for each recipient will be installed on the award board on the third floor of the Quad Cities Complex. The 2020 winners, along with comments submitted by their nominator, include: • Academic Excellence – Math Instructor... Read More