Even in the midst of this terrible time, there’s always some good news, always people rising above the depressing and dark news out there and trying their best to do good works and be positive in this world. And every month, I, in conjunction with our media partners at KWQC-TV6’s “Paula Sands Live” bring you some of the positive and uplifting events, actions and individuals in the area. Here are some of the great things going on during this challenging time in the Quad-Cities: Mask Makers Stepping Up In the face of a shortage of masks and a greater need than ever for people... Read More

Spotlight Theatre is once again putting the spotlight on a big name in their virtual online chats! Friday April 10th, at noon, Spotlight Artistic Director Sara Tubbs sits down (virtually) with Dashaun Young live on facebook to take your questions. Dashaun’s credits include “Simba” in The Lion King (Broadway, West End, Tour, Vegas), Hairspray (1st National Tour), Legends (NY Premiere), Sex and The City 2 (Film and Soundtrack). Workshops/Readings: Hunchback of Notre Dame, A Strange Loop, Triassic Parq, The Scottsboro Boys, and Emerald Man. Join Spotlight live to ask questions!  Read More

“Unite Quad Cities for COVID-19 Recovery,” a 24-hour giving event on Monday, April 6, will include a six-hour telethon hosted by KWQC-TV6’s Paula Sands at Davenport’s River Music Experience and Quad-Cities businesses, and a local family, have stepped up to offer a challenge match for it. The first $150,000 donated this Monday will be matched dollar-for-dollar. All contributions will support the Quad Cities Disaster Recovery Fund at the Quad Cities Community Foundation. The challenge match is made possible thanks to a $50,000 gift from First Midwest Bank, a $30,000 gift from Sears... Read More

DAVENPORT — Local musician Josh Duffee has long been a scholar of area legends like Louie Bellson and Bix Beiderbecke, and now he’s sharing his encyclopedic knowledge with a new online show, Bix Beiderbecke: A Driving Tour Around Davenport, taking place from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Thursday on Josh’s Facebook Live. “When I have the opportunity to travel the country and the world performing the music I love, I am proud to say that my family and I live in Davenport, Iowa, the hometown of Bix Beiderbecke!” Josh said. “The one thing I’ve heard the most from the... Read More

My son Jackson turned twelve this week. He is undeniably the best person I’ve ever had the honor of meeting, and I’m looking forward to continuing to experience the adventure of his life with him. And as that time goes by, he may ask me for the advice I’ve gained in my years before him and since he’s been born. That’s why I started writing this list of things I’ve learned and I wish my parents had told me. I started it shortly after he was born, and I’ve added to it and published it every year on his birthday since, and, now, I’ve published it in... Read More

Have you ever wanted to be a writer? Here’s your chance! QuadCities.com is seeking interested and hard-working high school and college students for our internship program. Interns will get professional experience (and potentially college or high school credit, depending on your school’s program) writing, doing videos and podcasting for the fastest-growing media site in the area, your site for fun, free, local entertainment and positive news, QuadCities.com! Want to find out if it’s right for you? Send an email telling us why you want to be an intern and a couple of samples of your work (any... Read More

Fran Riley, one of the most beloved members of the local media and a longtime favorite at KWQC-TV6, passed away Friday after a battle with prostate cancer. Riley had been retired from the local NBC affiliate since November, after a  25-year stint there, capping a 46-year career in broadcasting. Riley was especially admired and loved for his Fran Riley Features, which told stories about interesting area people and places in his singularly beguiling way. He was also a bright and sunny presence around the newsroom, always quick with a smile and hello and a kind word. The Boston-born-and-raised Riley... Read More

T.S. Eliot had it all wrong. In “The Waste Land,” the poet wrote “April is the cruelest month.” Well, five days before we can kick it into the dustbin of history, it’s safe to say that dishonor now belongs to March. At least March 2020, which has seen one bone-crushing loss after another for many around the world, me especially. Just one of the latest is from our beloved Quad-Cities theater community – of which I’ve been honored to share as longtime arts reporter for the Dispatch/Argus (and later Quad City Times), as well as piano accompanist and occasional stage performer. The singular... Read More

Sunday, March 22, was an important day — and not only because it was the 90th birthday of legendary Broadway composer Stephen Sondheim, whose moving ballad “No One Is Alone” carries extra weight nowadays. In this crazy, continually changing time of Covid-19, this past Sunday was the first I can remember our church ever canceling its worship service. I have been piano accompanist at Davenport’s Zion Lutheran Church since 1999; performing each week and becoming close to many of its members have been highlights of my life. Among religious congregations nationwide that closed their doors,... Read More

Hey, let’s face it, we all know this is a troubling time. With all of the precautions, panic and precarious situations surrounding the coronavirus, it’s gotten very difficult to maintain a positive outlook. However, no matter how negative things may get, there are always people out there helping, there are always people out there trying to do the right thing, there are always people out there being kind and trying to make the world a better place, and those people and their actions are all the more significant and impactful now. That’s why this column, and the live segment on KWQC-TV6’s... Read More