District Theater’s “Behanding in Spokane” is an absolute joy to experience, a dark, wonderful array of literary and theatrical twists and turns that’s exhilarating and fun. I very highly recommend it. Martin McDonagh is one of the most original voices in theater to emerge over the last 15 years. The closest comparison overall is Quentin Tarantino, in that McDonagh has a brilliant talent for dark, often violently dark, comedy and breaking barriers in regard to aggressive language in a way that’s both primal and intellectual. McDonagh’s closest comparison  stage-wise is David Mamet,... Read More

Downtown Moline is going to be bursting with Heart, heritage and a human slingshot over the next couple of weeks, and the good folks of Moline Centre are happy to holler about it. Here’s the rundown of their events coming up for your perusement and amusement: The Moline Historic Preservation Commission, in conjunction with Moline Centre and the City of Moline, is proud to announce the roll out of a new Self-Guided Heritage Walking tour in Moline on Saturday, May 14, from 10 a.m. to noon.  The new system will allow you to access the tour through your smart phone via QR codes that will be available... Read More

Heavenly humor and music is going to be shining down on the congregation of Circa ’21 Dinner Theater this summer as the Rock Island venue opens up its pearly gates to “Sister Act.” The Broadway musical-comedy smash hit opens May 6 and runs through July 2. Based on 1992’s wildly popular film comedy starring Whoopi Goldberg, and nominated for five 2011 Tony Awards including  Best Musical, this hilarious, endearing, and high-energy production will have you riding a wave of pure musical-comedy exhilaration, and is being brought to life by a magnificent cast of professional talents. “Sister... Read More

For the first time in its 64 year history, Davenport Junior Theatre is featuring a show starring… a puppet. See our previous coverage of “The Magical Lamp of Aladdin” :  Puppet Lead Adds To ‘Aladdin’s’ Magic For Junior Theatre The Magical Lamp of Aladdin April 30, May 7 at 1 and 4 p.m., May 1 and May 8 at 2 p.m. Davenport Junior Theater, 2822 Eastern Ave, Davenport Tickets: adults $8, ages 3-17 $6, under 2 free, sold at the door www.DavenportJuniorTheatre.org (563) 326-7862  Read More

Where else can you find everything from live music to live art displays to book signings to performance art to free drinks and food in an eclectic array of settings and get an evening’s worth of that entertainment all for free? Well, Gallery Hop. The bi-annual event in the District of Rock Island going on from 6 to 10 p.m. Friday features over 300 artists and performers showcased in over 20 locations throughout downtown Rock Island. The locations are not limited to art galleries; artists will exhibit in coffee shops, restaurants, retail shops, and entertainment venues. Jewelry, photography, glass,... Read More

The lives of bootleggers during prohibition have been romanticized and captured many times on screens big and small, but one of the most unique and interesting tales of a city predominantly run by bootleggers will debut on local PBS station WQPT at 9 p.m. Sunday, May 8 and 9 p.m. May 12. “Whiskey Cookers: The Amazing True Story of the Templeton Rye Bootleggers” tells the fascinating tale of Templeton, Iowa, a town which dealt with the oppression of prohibition by banding together to avoid capture by the authorities. The award-winning documentary tells the tale of how this town of 400 German-Catholic... Read More

Ever wonder if you could escape from a prison? Find a hidden pirate’s treasure? Uncover clues to solve a crime for CSI? Well, wonder no more, because now you can experience all of those and more at the Bust Out Escape Game at 2704 Central Ave., Bettendorf. Owner Scott Carpenter opened up Bust Out in October after experiencing an escape room game first hand on vacation in Myrtle Beach, S.C. “I was down there with my daughter, Paige, and she thought it would be fun, so we did it and we had a great time, we loved it,” Carpenter said. “I did some research and saw that the games have been going... Read More

For the first time in its 64 year history, Davenport Junior Theatre is featuring a show starring… a puppet. It’s both a surprising and not-so-shocking turn of events for the local stalwart. Given the nature of kids’ shows, one might have thought a puppet would’ve made its bow as the narrator or lead by this time, but, there’s a first time for everything, even this great moment in puppet equality rights. “The Magical Lamp of Aladdin,” a tale of adventure, genies and magic adapted by Tim Kelly features an evil magician trying to trick a young street urchin into stealing a genie’s... Read More

Getting your laughs on for a good cause is a win for everyone involved, and Cyndi Hartley is hoping to bring those positive vibes to Muscatine Saturday night as the Muscatine Society of Freethinkers will present a comedy and music show entitled Passing Notes: a Benefit for Flickinger Learning Center. The event will be upstairs at Boonies on Iowa Avenue. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. Comedy starts at 7 p.m. and music starts at 9 p.m. Comics on the bill include Chris Schlichting, Nikki Gillette, Austin Black, Taylor Williams and James Draper. Tickets are $12 in advance and $15 at the door and can be purchased... Read More

It may be hard out here for a pimp, as they say, but it’s much easier within the confines of the Rock Island Speakeasy for a pimproviser. The downtown venue at 1828 3rd Ave. is opening its doors once again to “Pimprov,” one of the most popular adult improv shows in Chicago on April 30. The doors open at 7 with the show at 8 p.m. Tickets for the show are $10 in advance and $12 at the door and may be reserved through the Circa ’21 ticket office, 1828 3rd Ave., Rock Island, calling (309) 786-7733, ext. 2, or online at www.thecirca21speakeasy.com. “Pimprov” has been a hugely successful... Read More