For many, this will be their first summer without an outdoor concert. The first year in a long time without a festival. The first stretch without them going to see their favorite artist. When will we turn that around and get to see those touring acts, get to go to those big concerts and shows? We have no idea. Cautious optimism. That’s the best description of where we’re at right now in regard to the covid-19 situation and its impact on not just the Quad-Cities arts scene, but the economy of the entire country, especially in regard to live performances, and most particularly in regard to touring... Read More

High-school graduates this spring encountered a vastly different end of school year commencement season. As the Covid-19 crisis pushed classes and graduations online (Moline, Rock Island and United Township still plan in-person ceremonies later in the summer), nothing has been normal for graduating seniors and college students. The Moline Foundation made the day for 29 scholarship recipients recently, when they were asked to participate in a Zoom conference call. Excited cheers and applause broke out as the students found out during the call that each would get at least a $1,000 scholarship award... Read More

Celebrate the 50th Anniversary of Earth Day by helping to spruce up the Nahant Marsh during the annual cleanup. Spring Cleanup at Nahant Marsh (4220 Wapello Avenue Davenport) will take place this Saturday Jun 13 from 8:30 -11:30 a.m. Projects will be both light and heavy duty. Gloves and bags will be provided. Volunteers will receive a t-shirt. For more information, please visit https://xstreamcleanup.org/event/nahant-marsh-2020-spring-cleanup-6132020.  Read More

Western Illinois University announces the following administrative changes and hires. Centennial Honors College Lorette Oden, chair of the Department of Health Sciences and Social Work and interim associate dean of the College of Education and Human Services, has been named interim dean of the Centennial Honors College, effective July 1. She will serve in her role as department chair concurrently. Oden has served as the associate dean since August 2018 and as chair of health sciences and social work since 2015. She joined the department (formerly called the WIU Department of Community Health and... Read More

QuadCities.com, the area’s fastest growing and most trusted arts and entertainment resource, wants to produce your short screenplay! Filmmakers and QuadCities.com team members Khalil Hacker and Tristan Tapscott will produce the winner of our ShortScreenplaySearch and the short film will be showcased on our website and social media platforms. The winner will be part of the entire production process and be given an inside look at independent filmmaking in the Quad-Cities. The guidelines: -All original material -Quad City resident -No more than 5 pages -Using iconic Quad City locations How it works: The... Read More

Looking for a little outdoor fun this weekend? Make your way to Wake Brewing (2529 5th Avenue Rock Island) for some Heavy Metal Parking Lot fun this Friday Jun 12 from 5 – 8 p.m. and Saturday Jun 13 from 12 – 3 p.m. Enjoy Wake’s extended outside seating across their front parking lot while taking in the Weather, Heavy tunes, Wake brews and Amazing food by local food vendors. For more information and updates, please visit https://www.facebook.com/events/2607676766227026/.  Read More

What a difference a year makes… On June 11, 2019, I was lucky enough to be among the 11,000 or so packed into Moline’s TaxSlayer Center (11th row center on the floor) to witness the first (and possibly last) performance of Sir Paul McCartney and his band in the Quad-Cities. It was an electrifying, unforgettable night – not least of which was due to the jaw-dropping lighting and multimedia displays, including a breathtaking pyrotechnic extravaganza during “Live and Let Die.” Part of what made it so thrilling was simply being in “the room where it happened,” celebrating a musical legend... Read More

MACOMB/MOLINE, IL – As Western Illinois University continues to prepare for a traditional campus experience for Fall 2020, scholarship incentives and more are available for incoming new freshmen and transfer students. WIU operates on a “rolling deadline,” which means prospective students can apply any time at wiu.edu/apply. Prospective students can apply to WIU for free through June 30. To support current high school seniors who are unable to take or retake a Spring 2020 SAT/ACT, and current high school juniors who may be unable to take an ACT/SAT test at this time due to the pandemic,... Read More

Spike O’Dell, former WGN and Quad City native and radio personality, will be the guest on the hour-long podcast Weekly Wilson on Thursday, June 11th, from 7 to 8 p.m. The hour-long podcast hosted by author Connie (Corcoran) Wilson, is carried by the Bold Brave Media Global Network and Tune-In Radio, Channel 100. [While the site says it is on at 8 p.m., that is Eastern Time and the “live” call-in format airs from 7 to 8 p.m., our time]. The hour-long show is a “live” call-in format, with listeners able to call in with questions at 866-451-1451. The taped shows are later posted on WeeklyWilson.com... Read More

Mercado on Fifth in Moline has won a big financial boost from the state of Illinois. The five-year-old nonprofit in Moline’s Floreciente neighborhood was approved by Gov. JB Pritzker and the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO) for nearly $500,000 as part of $11 million in state funding for 32 minority-owned businesses and business incubators, from the Minority-Owned Business Capital and Infrastructure Program. These grants will equip minority-owned firms with resources to create jobs, build capacity, increase revenues, and revitalize properties in underserved communities. Mercado’s... Read More