Welcome back to our look back at the strange and apocalyptic journey that was the arts and entertainment scene of 2020. It was a year unlike any other, that’s for sure, and we at QuadCities.com are recapping it this year in a series of stories through Dec. 31, and then we’re going to have the entire series of stories sent to a licensed shaman, a priest, an exorcist, and Oprah, in the hope that they’ll bless the coming 2021 and put this year behind us. If you want to check out our recap of January and February (the “normal” months), click here; if you want to read about... Read More

If you tune in to the Food Network TONIGHT, you might see a familiar face! Quad-Cities teenager Trey Gordon will be competing at 8 p.m., as the Davenport 13-year-old will be a contestant on the Food Network’s Kids’ Baking Championship! Trey shared the awesome news on his Facebook page, saying, “I have a huge announcement! I am so excited I’m able to tell you guys this.  I am going to be on Kids Baking Championship, season nine, with Food Network. Tune in on December 28 for a two-episode premiere!” You can check out a preview video of Trey’s episode here. Even... Read More

Eleven cultural organizations and three artists in the Quad-Cities were among those to receive a share of $7 million in new grants announced Tuesday by the Iowa Department of Cultural Affairs. A total of 267 cultural organizations and 152 artists serving 118 Iowa communities will get funding, made possible by the Coronavirus, Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act, on Dec. 2. The department launched the Iowa Arts & Culture Recovery Program the same day and received more than 550 requests totaling more than $36 million by the Dec. 11 deadline. The list of recipients includes some of Iowa’s... Read More

A Davenport teenager is baking up something really special for his holiday break this year — 13-year-old Trey Gordon will be a contestant on the Food Network’s Kids’ Baking Championship! Trey shared the awesome news on his Facebook page, saying, “I have a huge announcement! I am so excited I’m able to tell you guys this.  I am going to be on Kids Baking Championship, season nine, with Food Network. Tune in on December 28 for a two-episode premiere!” Even at a young age, Trey has had a distinguished career in the arts and other pursuits. He’s been on stage... Read More

Local music lovers! Tune in Saturday, December 12th at 7:00 pm on Davenport Public Library’s YouTube channel for Special Collections Sessions featuring local artist & 2019 QC Beats musician Soultru! Watch it here: https://youtu.be/GZwFXifz8NA. Special Collections Sessions is a mini music concert in the Richardson-Sloane Special Collections Center of the Davenport Public Library. QC Beats is an online audio streaming service of a curated collection of local music that started in 2018 in partnership with Davenport Public Library, River Music Experience, and St. Ambrose University. QC Beats... Read More

WQPT will stream a virtual commemoration of the 155th anniversary of Juneteenth on June 19 at 11:00 am. Six leading Black museums and historical institutions from coast to coast have joined forces to launch a digital commemoration of Juneteenth, the day that the Emancipation Proclamation was officially enforced, ending enslavement in Texas. This timely event features cultural performances from Africa and across America, educational content and appearances by: Lonnie G. Bunch III, the first African American and first historian to serve as the Secretary of the Smithsonian Institution Dr. Johnnetta... Read More

MACOMB, IL — The Multicultural Center (MCC) at Western Illinois University is highlighting two June national celebrations – the African-American community focused Juneteenth (Friday, June 19) and LGBT*QA community-focused Pride Month. Although the celebrations tend to give focus to a particular community, these are American celebrations by the diverse communities that comprise our nation. The MCC will host a virtual recognition of the commemorations on its webpage to bring additional light to the African American and the LGBT*QA tradition and celebration. “We invite you to learn... Read More

A group of local teenagers have spent the past year identifying promising opportunities and pressing needs in the Quad Cities area as part of the Quad Cities Community Foundation’s Teens for Tomorrow Program. The students immersed themselves in the grant process by learning about community needs, developing a grant opportunity, evaluating applications, visiting with nonprofits, and now, awarding grants. In recent months, with the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic in the region, the teens also adapted to virtual meetings due to stay-at-home and social distancing requirements, giving them experience... Read More

The Quad City Arts’ Visiting Artist Series will present its first ever summer residency June 15-19 with New Orleans jazz band Jazzy Ash & the Leaping Lizards! The group will be putting on free performances around the QC region, including a Father’s day concert during the Freight House Farmer’s Market in Davenport (11:00 am June 16), at the Moline Public Library on June 17 at 6:30 pm, the LeClaire Community library outdoor plaza on June 18 at 6:00 pm (rain location: next door at the firehall, 201 N 15th St.), a free concert for Rock Island summer camps and the public at MLK Jr. Park... Read More

The Mississippi Valley Fairgrounds will be transformed into a Juneteenth Festival this weekend! Come celebrate Juneteenth at the Mississippi Valley Fairgrounds (2815 W Locust St. Davenport) this Saturday Jun 15 from 11 a.m. – 5 p.m. Join the Friends of MLK for a day filled with family-friendly entertainment! Enjoy dance performances, gospel groups, Welcome Ceremony, and open-air market featuring local and regional vendors, Food Truck Alley and the 3rd Annual Miss Juneteenth Pageant. Listen to live music from Jazzy Ash & The Leapin’ Lizards, Dwayne Hodges from 10 of Soul, the QC Temptations... Read More