If you’re itching to get out and see some new locally made short films, plan on rolling into Sterling, Ill., on Wednesday, Aug. 26, for the first-annual Northwest Illinois Film Festival at the Midway Drive-In Theatre. The free event (registration required) is billed as a “Shorts-A-Palooza,” and is a celebration of Illinois independent filmmakers, featuring several short films  — including a few from Quad-Cities producers. “The festival is an abridged version of the much larger film festival we had planned for May, but were forced to cancel due to the Covid-19 pandemic,” Gary Camarano,... Read More

Many people have gotten used to working from home during the seemingly endless period of quarantine. Anthony Natarelli is even bringing theater and improv comedy to his home. The irrepressible 26-year-old Rock Islander, who lives in an apartment above the Circa ’21 Speakeasy, 1818 3rd Ave., livestreamed an improv show there June 27, and later this month will act in a two-man play to be shown online as part of his $1 Producer Project. “We’re keeping it small casts,” Natarelli said recently. “The highest number of people that will ever be in here will be five people in the entire apartment.... Read More

Bad Boy’z Pizza and Pub, located at 5266 Utica Ridge Road Davenport just announced today that they will be shutting the doors for the last time on Sunday Aug 30. This Quad Cities hot spot for food, drinks and camaraderie has provided many memories for those on both sides of the river. From the Bettendorf High School sports after-crowds to the dependable Tuesday Night Crew, many community members are feeling the loss. According to the statement released today (found below), owner Scott Hancock and his daughters, Erica McKenzie and Amber Hancock, are actively looking for a new spot to lay... Read More

A year ago, Chelsea Ward was sassily standing up to a rigid Mother Superior in Music Guild’s “Sister Act.” This month, the passionate 25-year-old Davenport actress is standing up for racial justice and equality in two different online performances. On Aug. 8, Ward was among an all-female cast in a virtual cabaret – “Six Queens for Change,” recorded at Moline’s Black Box Theatre – and this Wednesday will play the title role in “Antigone (born against.),” a modern version of the ancient Greek tragedy. She was asked by Victoria House to help put together the Black Box cabaret,... Read More

MACOMB/MOLINE, IL — Western Illinois University is committed to creating a campus environment focused on the academic success and health of all students, faculty and staff. The Protect the ‘Necks Plan is a comprehensive plan that has been put into place to keep the University community safe by mitigating the spread of COVID-19. Several committees have worked to develop procedures, tools and protocols necessary to ensure the successful and safe return of students, faculty, staff and campus activities. As procedures and guidelines are updated, the information will be shared with the University... Read More

Experience The Art of Beer at the Figge Art Museum (225 W 2nd Street Davenport) this Thursday Aug 20 from 6:30 – 8 p.m. Enjoy four delicious brews of 5ive Cities Brewing Company while learning about the artful process of its origins from hops to bottle. In between segments, enjoy the sounds of local musician, Bobby Ray Bunch. Want a more robust experience? Have your beer tasting paired with four courses from Central Standard. Beer and food packages will be available for pick up. Food and Beer – $65 | Just Beer – $25 Reservations for tickets must be made by August 17th for food and... Read More

Ballet Quad Cities is presenting Ballet On The Lawn at 2 and 6 p.m. August 30 at the Outing Club, 2109 Brady St., Davenport. Enjoy the atmosphere of the 125 year old, member–owned, private club for a unique and beautiful dance production by Ballet Quad Cities. Professional dancers will transform the lawn at The Outing Club into a magical setting! Find your picnic spot with friends and family and connect through the arts. Bring your chairs and blankets – there is plenty of room to spread out on the lawn Purchase your tickets ahead, they won’t be available at the door Charcuterie... Read More

Saturday In The Arts is a weekly feature covering an impactful trend, personality, organization or overarching theme in the Quad-Cities arts and entertainment community.   As the Quad-Cities and nationwide Hispanic population has exploded since 2000, Hola America  News this month is celebrating 20 years as the area’s influential bilingual newspaper and a positive force for information, cultural pride and public service throughout the region. “The 20th anniversary of Hola America News is a testament to its hard work and longstanding importance in the media for both Latinos and the community... Read More

After thoughtful and careful consideration, Quad City Arts along with the Riverssance planning committee have made the difficult decision to cancel the 2020 Riverssance Festival of Fine Art originally scheduled to take place  September 19th-20th at Lindsay Park in the Village of East Davenport. Riverssance — formerly organized by Midcoast Fine Arts, before disbanding this spring — will return on September 18th and 19th, 2021 in support of arts programming through Quad City Arts.  As one of the Midwest’s finest outdoor arts fairs, this event has long been recognized for its careful... Read More

As many theaters and musicians nationwide have moved performances online, the Mississippi Bend Players at Augustana College is salvaging part of its canceled summer season, by offering a virtual reading Friday, Aug. 21, of playwright Sarah Ruhl’s deeply personal “For Peter Pan on Her 70th Birthday.” (The performance originally was scheduled for Aug. 14, but was postponed after power outages this week. Tickets for the original date will be honored on Aug. 21. Patrons who are unable to attend on the new date, and who would like a refund, should contact the Ticket Office.) Filled with Quad-Cities... Read More