Ever wonder what music made by an extraterrestrial might sound like? Apparently, kind of like this: “Let’s dance put on your red shoes and dance the blues…” Which, if you play it backwards, sounds like this: “Dance let’s shoes red your on put blues the dance and laser beam cattle rectums. . . ’’ Amazing how that works, isn’t it? And you thought only Selena Gomez wrote about laser beaming cattle rectums, didn’t you? Little did you know . . . Anyway, of course, the song I’m talking about is “Let’s Dance,” by Alf. Well, no, it’s “Let’s Dance,” by the late legend... Read More

Quad City Arts on Tuesday announced the full schedule of events for Chalk Art Fest in Schwiebert Park, downtown Rock Island, June 26-27. SATURDAY, JUNE 26 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. — Chalk art competition  Live Music Lineup: 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. — Live DJ Mark Manuel, Alt 104.5/Kiss FM 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. – Chrash 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. — The Textures 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. – Doug Brundies Big Acoustic Show SUNDAY, JUNE 27  10 a.m. to 5 p.m. – Chalk art competition  Live Music Lineup: 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. – Mo&Co 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. — QC Rock Academy 3:30 p.m. – AWARDS CEREMONY 4 p.m. — Charlotte... Read More

We know you hate Mondays. We all do. Sorry Mondays, but it’s true. And so, every Monday, we give you a music video. A fun, funny music video. Something that’ll make you smile, make you laugh, make you reminisce, and make you realize that back in the day, music video creators were probably either insane or heavily intoxicated. But were also incredibly entertaining. We call this feature, The Video You Deserve, and you can find it every Monday on your site for fun, free entertainment and features, QuadCities.com. Today’s video is in honor of the fact that, despite the media and world largely... Read More

In honor of David Bowie’s birthday today, Jan. 8, Happy birthday, Bowie, whatever planet you’re on… Ever wonder what music made by an extraterrestrial might sound like? Apparently, kind of like this: “Let’s dance put on your red shoes and dance the blues…” Which, if you play it backwards, sounds like this: “Dance let’s shoes red your on put blues the dance and laser beam cattle rectums. . . ’’ Amazing how that works, isn’t it? And you thought only Selena Gomez wrote about laser beaming cattle rectums, didn’t you? Little did you know . .... Read More

It’s Christmas week! And so, this week, we give you a very special holiday VIDEO YOU DESERVE! We know Mondays can be rough, so, every Monday, we give you a music video. A fun, funny music video. Something that’ll make you smile, make you laugh, make you reminisce, and make you realize that back in the day, music video creators were probably either insane or heavily intoxicated. But were also incredibly entertaining. We call this feature, The Video You Deserve, and you can find it every Monday on your site for fun, free entertainment and features, QuadCities.com. And today’s video... Read More

Bullying. I revisit this subject, and this column topic, every year around this time, because every year, a new school session starts and invariably the potential for children abusing other children rises. Even this year, and maybe especially this year, due to covid-19 and the inherent pressures and stresses surrounding it, the potential for kids to lash out and hurt others is heightened. A couple years back, The Keaton bullying video went viral. It brought tears to my eyes and broke my heart. As anyone who went to junior high with me knows, I was bullied mercilessly seventh and eighth grade years.... Read More

Ever wonder what music made by an extraterrestrial might sound like? Apparently, kind of like this: “Let’s dance put on your red shoes and dance the blues…”   Which, if you play it backwards, sounds like this:   “Dance let’s shoes red your on put blues the dance and laser beam cattle rectums. . . ’’   Amazing how that works, isn’t it? And you thought only Selena Gomez wrote about laser beaming cattle rectums, didn’t you? Little did you know . . . Anyway, of course, the song I’m talking about is “Let’s Dance,” by Alf. Well,... Read More

WARNING: Contains language some may find offensive. The language is used for context and is not gratuitous, but may trigger or offend some individuals. The Keaton bullying video brought tears to my eyes and broke my heart. As anyone who went to junior high with me knows, I was bullied mercilessly seventh and eighth grade years. I was a skinny, awkward, artsy, goofy kid with messy hair who loved art, writing, Dr. Who, David Bowie, Duran Duran and all kinds of other so-called “faggot things.” I was poor and had ripped clothes and went to a rich kids’ school. I was pitifully awkward with girls... Read More

From David Bowie to Boy George to Caitlin Jenner, gender blurring and androgyny has made for provocative entertainment and social commentary, and perhaps no production has been more bombastic or incisive in recent years than “Hedwig and the Angry Inch,” which makes its area stage debut this weekend at Rock Island’s Speakeasy theater. The show, an unrepentantly over-the-top musical and dramatic extravaganza about a transgender singer that explores themes of love, freedom, gender identity and social politics, was critically acclaimed, showered by awards and a box office smash since its 1998... Read More