Though Illinois allowed indoor museums to reopen June 26, the Covid-19 pandemic still rages across the nation. Museums, historic homes and gardens in the Quad-Cities have taken differing approaches to reopening. As of that Friday in late June, with phase 4 of Illinois’ reopening implemented, very few museums on the Illinois side of the Mississippi River were open to the public. As of today, most have reopened, with attractions remaining closed include the John Deere Pavilion in Moline and Colonel Davenport House on Arsenal Island. Due to the coronavirus pandemic, all major Deere tourist facilities... Read More

At Tuesday night’s board meeting for Quad City Music Guild, it was decided to cancel the theater’s winter production, “Irving Berlin’s Holiday Inn,” to continue to protect the safety of participants and patrons, and to comply with Phase Four of Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker’s reopening plan. “While we were initially hopeful we would be able to bring this holiday classic to our audiences, we remain committed to respecting the guidance set forth by our government and public health officials,” according to a statement at qcmusicguild.com/covid-19-response/. The show was scheduled for Dec.... Read More

MACOMB/MOLINE, IL – To keep the Western Illinois University community apprised of the search process for WIU’s 12th president, a presidential search website has been created. The site will provide updates to the search, including the search timeline, position announcement and more. The site can be accessed from a tab on Western’s homepage, in the News/Events section. The direct link for the presidential search website is wiu.edu/presidentialsearch. The search committee is co-chaired by WIU Board of Trustees Chair Polly Radosh and Faculty Senate Chair Christopher Pynes. The full committee... Read More

On Friday, you can gaze up at the summer night sky and watch the stars in wonder. Join well-known local storyteller Brian “Fox” Ellis this Friday, July 24 at 8 p.m. for a fun, family-oriented evening of American Indian Star Stories at The Twinflower Inn, 110 N. Olson Street, Bishop Hill. Safe social distancing guidelines will be in effect. Fox is an author and storyteller of Cherokee heritage. There will be drumming songs and a chance to sing long. Patrons are encouraged to bring a lawn chair, bring a snack, and bring a friend. The evening is sponsored by the Twinflower Inn and Fox Tales International.... Read More

You’ve heard of Christmas in July? Well, the Quad-Cities’ first goth rock band has reunited to celebrate Halloween in July. Joshua Bentley, 46, of East Moline, played his first show in the Quad-Cities 29 years ago Tuesday — July 21, 1991 at Uncle Roscoe’s Polo Club in Davenport, with his band Pitch Black Manor (which formed in 1990). Bentley has fronted other Q-C bands, Savage Gentlemen, Human Aftertaste and Hot Candy Idols (national touring with Human Aftertaste in 2007) and has come full circle back to where it all started. Pitch Black Manor recently reunited, with bandmates... Read More

It’s the most wonderful time for a beer! Jingle Java makes its summer return to Bent River Brewing Company (1413 5th Avenue Moline) this Wednesday Jul 22 for a little Christmas in July enjoyment! This winter favorite release will mark the unofficial kick-off to the return of the Uncommon Tour on Wednesday Jul 29. Starting this Wednesday, growlers and growler fills of Jingle Java will be available at both the Moline and Rock Island locations. Want to take the Christmas in July vibe to another level? A Christmas Dinner Special will be featured on Friday and Saturday at the Moline Bent River location.... Read More

MACOMB, IL – For the fourth year in a row, a member of Western Illinois University’s chapter of The Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi has been awarded a national fellowship to pursue graduate study. Mariah Dicksen, of Lockport, IL, who graduated from WIU in May with a degree in biology, has been awarded an $8,500 fellowship to pursue a Ph.D. in microbiology at the University of Wisconsin-Madison this fall. She was a member and a student vice president with the WIU Phi Kappa Phi chapter and a student in the Centennial Honors College. In 2019, Dicksen became the first female WIU student to win... Read More

Several Quad-Cities cultural organizations and projects were among 176 grants totaling just over $2 million, announced Friday by the Iowa Department of Cultural Affairs (IDCA), for works in art, film, history, and culture. The funding comes through programs overseen by the department’s divisions: the Iowa Arts Council, the State Historical Society of Iowa and Produce Iowa, the state office of film and media production. “These funds are critical to help sustain arts, film, heritage and cultural vibrancy across the state and showcase Iowa’s world-class cultural programs and destinations with... Read More

The City of Moline is joining the Public Sculpture Program, facilitated by Quad City Arts and funded by Renew Moline. Two new sculptures will be arriving on the riverfront in coming weeks. “Swans on the Marsh” by V. Skip Willits of Camanche, IA, will be mounted this week on the river walk at 15th Street. Regarding inspiration for the sculpture, Willits states, “I was walking along the shore of a marsh by the river one day and spied three swans on the water. This is my rendition of that scene.” Arriving July 22nd on 17th Street near the KONE Building will be “Metamorphosis” by Hilde... Read More

Saturday in the Arts is a comprehensive, in-depth feature on a topic, trend or personality impacting the Quad-Cities, posted every Saturday morning on QuadCities.com. Nathan and Whitney Meyer are a bit like the plucky, cute orphans who are often protagonists of a Disney adventure. Nathan, a 34-year-old graduate of North Scott High School, Eldridge, and his wife (like most of us, isolated and home-bound) actually work for Walt Disney World and are accomplished, blazingly talented singers and actors. Despite the four theme parks in Orlando, Fla., reopening this past week, the Meyers remain out of... Read More