Local label Cartouche Records will deliver a cool sonic one-two punch this weekend with a pair of new albums, Devin Frank, “The Vanishing Blues” and Chrash, “Things My Friends Say,” which will hit stores and online music spots on July 15. Both acts were featured in last weekend’s live showcase at Daytrotter and played to appreciative crowds. Frank is a former member of Iowa indie rock band Poison Control Center.  “The Vanishing Blues” is his first solo album.  Chrash is a Quad-Cities mainstay featuring Chris Bernat of the hugely successful ‘90s indie rock band Tripmaster Monkey. ... Read More

It’s pretty rare to attend a convention that features programs on My Little Pony, how to write erotic fiction about cartoon characters and the etiquette of attending raves, but then again, there are few events as unique as QC Anime-zing! The seventh annual three-day festival celebrating Japanese anime and all related fandoms, communities, and arts invades the Davenport RiverCenter this weekend, kicking off on Friday with an explosion of costumed characters, sci-fi and fantasy merchandise and imaginative diversions of the mind and body. Autograph sessions, panels, workshops, concerts, social... Read More

The Walcott Trucker’s Jamboree is rolling a high five of fan favorite musical performers at this year’s event, its 37th at the Iowa 80 Truckstop. The gigs will be held July 14-16, 2016 at Iowa 80 Truckstop, I-80 Exit 284, Walcott, Iowa. “We have a great line up this year,” says Heather DeBaillie, Marketing Manager. “Our performers are fan favorites.” Thursday July 14 attendees can enjoy the music of Dani Lynn Howe and headliner Clare Dunn. “Dani Lynn is sure to be full of energy and playing our favorites,” says DeBaillie.  “Clare Dunn has just released her new single Tuxedo.... Read More

As the Quad-Cities braces for another pulse-pounding, explosive comics blowout sale and event at Tim’s Corner, 2963 14th Ave., Rock Island, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, July 16,  theaters in the area are already bursting with the powerful onslaught of comic books being brought to celluloid life, much to the joy of thousands of film fans. But what does the cinematic trend mean to local comics retailers, can it continue, and why have comics, once on the fringe as cult entertainment, become so mainstream? “(Comics movies have) action, romance, explosions…everything that makes up a great... Read More

There’s something brewing this weekend in the Rock Island District. Saturday, July 16, from 2 to 6 p.m. The District will host a Homebrew event on the Great River Plaza in downtown Rock Island. Rivers Edge Homebrew Festiv-Ale is the first of its kind in downtown Rock Island; this event will feature over a dozen homebrew clubs from around the Midwest with over fifty different brews to sample. Attendees will receive fifteen sample tickets, and a Rivers Edge Homebrew Festiv-Ale commemorative glass (while supplies last) with paid admission. An exciting element of this event will be a special tapping... Read More

Older than pretty much every player on both teams of the NBA finals, older than almost every act in this week’s Billboard Top Ten pop chart and older than Ashton Kutcher’s favorite trucker hat, the Iowa 80 Truckstop is keeping on trucking for it’s 37th Annual Walcott Truckers Jamboree Thursday through Saturday, July 14-16. The event, as always, is at the Iowa 80 Truckstop, I-80 Exit 284, Walcott, Iowa. Admission and parking are free. Shuttles will be provided from the parking area to the event grounds. This year’s jamboree will feature nearly 150 exhibits; a Super Truck Beauty Contest,... Read More

The Davenport 13-year-old little league team is headed to the big show. The all-star team composed of players from the Davenport, Bettendorf and surrounding Iowa areas will be playing in the Babe Ruth World Series next month. The team reports Aug. 9 and will begin games Aug. 11 in Ottumwa, Iowa, against a dozen teams from around the world in the double-elimination round-robin tournament. The team is composed of Manager Jason Gillaspie, Coach Larry Cato, Coach Tony Losasso and players Cody Depardo, Sam Wellman, Jacob Struss, Luke Loving, Lucas Gross, Andrew Hutchcroft, Cade Amato, Nate Canfield,... Read More

From graphic novels to graphic discussions of superhero dating practices, the Quad-Cities Planet Con played to a full house of fans of all ages Sunday at the Holiday Inn Convention Center in Rock Island. Once again, Mellow Blue Planet hosted the 7th Annual event, a favorite meeting ground for creators, dealers, vendors, cosplayers and fans in the Q-C area and organizer, and Mellow Blue Planet shop owner Tim Johnson was thrilled with the turnout. “I’m extremely happy with the event this year,” Johnson said. “Attendance is about 600, which is up about 50 from last year, and every year it’s... Read More

Local record label Cartouche Records wants to give you a mix tape. Live. For the first time, the Davenport label is chrashing into Daytrotter with a showcase of some of its most popular acts, offering local fans the chance to check out songs by its artists Devin Frank, Chrash, J.E. Sunde and Brooks Strause, Saturday, July 9 at 324 Brady St., Davenport. Both Devin Frank and Chrash have new records coming out on July 15: Devin Frank, “The Vanishing Blues” & Chrash, “Things My Friends Say”. Devin Frank is a former member of Iowa indie rock band Poison Control Center. “The Vanishing Blues”... Read More

With one-of-a-kind memorabilia and content from the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum in Cooperstown, N.Y. and a cool interactive component and feel, the Hall of Fame Tour at Modern Woodmen Park hit a home run with me and my son when we went to see it this week. The exhibit is open 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. through Saturday and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday in the parking lot adjacent to Modern Woodmen Park. Tickets are $29 for adults, $25 for 60-over and military, $20 for students 11-over and $13 for kids 4-10. Sean Leary and his son Jackson enjoyed checking out the Hall of Fame exhibit in Davenport. When... Read More