The summer outdoor concert season closes out this weekend in Moline Centre, but there are plenty of events on tap, from that live music to the tractor parade and show, a rowing regatta and more! As for the final notes of the summer concert series,  Moline Centre, Bass Street Chop House, Steel Head Tavern & Pub 1848 presents Summer’s End on Friday, Sept. 9. Come listen to the sounds of Soul Storm from 6:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. and Minus Six from 8:00 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. World class rowers from around the Midwest will be heading to the YMCA Sylvan Boathouse for Row the Miss Regatta which... Read More

Playcrafters Barn Theater is unwinding a devious “Deathtrap” this weekend, rolling out the classic thriller September 9,10,11 & 16,17,18 at its 4950 35th Ave., Moline venue. Directed by Patti Flaherty, and starring Jason Platt, Adam Cerny, Nancy Teelink and Pamela Briggs, “Deathtrap” involves Sidney Bruhl, a successful writer of Broadway thrillers, who is struggling to overcome a dry spell which has resulted in a string of failures and a shortage of funds. His luck changes when he receives a script from a student – a thriller with the potential to be a Broadway hit. Sidney and... Read More

Families can view the night skies on Saturday, Sept. 10, with help from the Popular Astronomy Club at the Rock Island 30/31 Branch Library, 3059 30th Street. The Astronomy Viewing Night starts around 8:00 pm and will end at 9:30 pm. Popular Astronomy Club members will set up their high powered telescopes and mobile observatory in the 30/31 Branch parking lot, allowing participants to see stars, the moon, and planets such as Mars and Saturn. Kids can stop by and pick up an astronomy goodie bag, and all participants can check to see what they’d weigh on different planets. The event is open... Read More

For the final production in its 39th season, Circa ’21 Dinner Playhouse is rolling out the Tony Award-winning Broadway smash “Million Dollar Quartet,” running this weekend through November 5. A celebration of four of history’s most legendary recording artists  – Elvis Presley, Johnny Cash, Jerry Lee Lewis, and Carl Perkins – this long-requested title is finally making its area debut at the Rock Island  dinner theatre, and will be brought to life by a marvelous cast of professional talents. “Million” will be performed at Circa ’21 on Wednesday, Friday, and Saturdays... Read More

Auditions for the annual holiday spectacle of “The Nutcracker” are being held Saturday, Sept. 10 and Sept. 13 at Ballet Quad Cities Studios, 613 17th Street, Rock Island. Ages 8-13 (or BQC Level 4 and 5; younger ages by invitation only) are Saturday, Sept. 10. Registration is at 10 a.m., 10:30-11:30 audition. Ages 14-18 (or BQC level 6 and 7) will audition Tuesday, Sept. 13, with a 5 p.m. registration, 5:30-7:00 audition. Before auditioning make sure to read all of the information below: Ballet Quad Cities’ “The Nutcracker” is a professional production. Casting is determined by costume... Read More

Now that the millennial generation has graduated and entered the workforce, what’s next on the horizon? Explore that question at 6 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 7, at a presentation at the Rock Island Public Library from Doug Tschopp, director of the Augustana College Entrepreneurial Center. Tschopp’s lecture on “The Next Generation: Post Millennials” is at the Rock Island Main Library, 401 19th Street. Post or late millennials were born after the millennial generation, usually defined from around 1982 to 2002. Tschopp’s remarks will touch upon current research into what is... Read More

With beautiful weather and a beautiful spirit uniting the crowd, the 20th annual QC Festival of Praise was a huge success. Sunday evening’s concert in Davenport’s LeClaire Park, featuring Brandon Shupp, the Heritage Worship Team, and headliner Rend Collective, drew thousands to the park for a night of music and worship. “We were really happy with it!” said Babette Howard, promotions and marketing director for the event. “I went around the crowd and people seemed to really be enjoying themselves. The night included events for children, bounce houses, food and a salute to all Quad-Cities... Read More

East Fest is headed back into the direction of the Village of East Davenport this weekend for the second annual festival featuring a cool, eclectic blend of music. The event, taking place beginning at 1 p.m. Sunday at Brew, 1104 Jersey Ridge Road, Davenport, is a celebration of the best music, food and craft brews from the Quad Cities and surrounding area. Held in the historic Village of East Davenport, East Fest will feature dozens of local food vendors and craft beer vendors, multiple musical acts, children’s rides, bounce house and much more. It features the following acts performing: Lissie... Read More

Two new events highlight the weekend at the German American Heritage Center, 712 W. 2nd St., Davenport. The first is a new exhibit, “Indelible Ink” opening Sunday, September 4. This exhibit will feature a variety of pieces from the Erick O. Schonstedt Inkstand Collection on loan from the Augustana College Art Collection and will run through Sunday, January 8. Also, “The Purest Pieces of Home: German POWs Making Music in Iowa” is taking place Sunday, September 4 at 2 p.m . University of Iowa Center for Human Rights staff member Kelsey Kramer McGinnis discusses the musical... Read More

It’s midnight somewhere on a Wednesday night in a near-empty downtown Rock Island bar and Billy Peiffer is celebrating the induction of Lynn Allen into the Iowa Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, having a beer and attempting to talk Spanish to the bartender. “Was that right, was that even close?” he says, as she shrugs and nods. He laughs heartily. “Don’t worry, I’ll keep tryin’, I’ll get it right eventually!” That attitude of dogged perseverance and good humor has been the engine that’s driven the Quad-Cities band since its inception in 1982. The group – then consisting of Peiffer... Read More