Embezzlement, fraud investigation, and misuse of state research and development reimbursements wouldn’t seem at first glance to make fertile ground for comedy and romantic sparks. But they say write what you know, right? Jim Sederquist, a 39-year-old accountant who lives in Bettendorf and loves to write, adds up his years of number-crunching in supremely suspenseful, entertaining fashion in his first full-length play, “The Whistleblower’s Dilemma,” given a top-notch production at Playcrafters Barn Theatre as part of its original Barn Owl season. “New work is an incredibly important part... Read More

The 50s and 60s gave way to the age of the diners. Small greasy spoon stops where you could get eggs and bacon, maybe some buttered toast and a strong cup of coffee that’d wake you up and send you on your way. Mornings and lunch belonged to the working class, and the night time gave way to a jukebox in the corner and kids cutting a rug. Depressingly, those days gave way, to drive thru’s and over priced coffee. In 2018, a little stop on the river gave birth to unique take on that classic experience. The Diner opened its doors at 421 W. River Drive, Davenport. Through flood waters, pandemics,... Read More

As much as it pains me to say this, attending the last dress rehearsal for the new Quad City Music Guild production, “Roald Dahl’s Matilda,” was not a very pleasant experience. That’s not to say the super enthusiastic 32-member cast (most of whom are under 18) is not talented. They did about the best possible job under some very trying circumstances, beyond everyone’s control. Namely, that Music Guild has complied with the recent CDC recommendations that everyone (cast and audience, vaccinated or not) wear face masks indoors.’ Not only was it distracting for me to have a mask on through... Read More

It’s hard to go wrong with “Disney’s Newsies: The Musical.” But that doesn’t mean at all that it’s easy to get right. The glorious, massive show – given an expert, exhilarating production by Countryside Community Theatre – is a classic “underdog vs. topdog” battle. Scrappy, poor, relentlessly tenacious newspaper carriers (the newsies) go on strike after the cold, conniving, egomaniacal publishing titan Joseph Pulitzer hikes the cost they must pay to sell copies – in a bid to boost his bottom line. In the pre-broadcasting days, circa 1899, newspapers were THE king of communication... Read More

Meli’s Pancake House is wonderful. Today’s breakfast was an impromptu stop at Meli’s Pancake House. I didn’t expect to find a classic diner, however I’m always up for surprises. This isn’t your usual Mom and Pop breakfast place, it’s something more. While the menu is full of the regular staple items, it offers a comfort in knowing anything you choose will be amazing and fit for your needs. Whether a giant stack of fluffier than life pancakes or a perfectly cooked steak and eggs, the staff is there to make sure you’re happy. The decor and feel gives tribute... Read More

One of the absolute thrilling joys of theater is not only how it brings fictional characters to life, but illuminates the intimately human struggles and triumphs of well-known, real-life icons. The Quad-Cities premiere of “The Mountaintop” – an emotional, haunting reimagining of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.’s last night on earth – is an extraordinary example. The 90-minute, two-person Katori Hall play debuted Thursday night at the new Mockingbird on Main, a beautiful, 40-seat cabaret at 320 N. Main St., Davenport, created by Tristan Tapscott and Savannah Bay Strandin. The mood before... Read More

The economy is in shambles. The world is a mess. Young people feel as if they have little to no hope to achieve the American dream they’ve been promised. And so, for many young people struggling with this realization, escapism is paramount to balancing out their lives and getting them through. Sound familiar? It should, because it certainly describes the world today, particularly for the millenial and Gen Z generations, and, as Circa ’21’s great and gritty musical adaptation of “Saturday Night Fever” displays, there’s a fine line between the blinding dazzle of... Read More

To know Tacobar is to know Chef Toby. To know Chef Toby is to know the deranged, angry, passionate, frustrated, loving man. Who refuses to give up, give in, or go “mainstream.” He pushes the boundaries of what most Chef’s will do, then he breaks those boundaries, and smashes through the walls of your expectations like a drunken Kool-Aid man high fiving everyone in the room screaming “Ohhhh Yeah” while pelvic thrusting inappropriately to 90s alt rock. Our dinner tonight felt like a celebration of not only us, but a celebration of knowing and befriending Toby... Read More

In 1888 Vincent Van Gogh painted quite possibly my favorite work of art. Cafe De Terrace. It was part one in a series of three. Fast forward to 2021, and Chef Keys from Cooks and Cuffs has cooked for me her Cafe De Keys. This New York born and raised Chef found her way here, to our bustling little metropolitan area, looking to start a new life with her husband. What’s she brought with her is a style of cooking all her own. To call what Chef Keys does in the kitchen is cook, is an insult. If Pavarotti hummed a diddy next to you, would you call it humming or listening to a musical master?... Read More

Black Widow is streaming on Disney+ Prequels are terrible. That is, until they aren’t. It used to be that the idea of checking out the earlier adventures of beloved characters was nothing more than a craven cash grab. You had the tomfoolery of Butch and Sundance: The Early Years, the nonsense of Hannibal Rising, and the blatant idiocy of X-Men Origins: Wolverine. Done well, a prequel can add texture and character to a franchise. It can fill in the blanks and even recontextualize the original work. Despite the clunky execution, mostly poor acting, and thunderingly obvious storytelling, George... Read More