Catch the spirit and energy of ‘The French Quarter’ in downtown Rock Island this weekend! For the 27th consecutive year, Gumbo Ya Ya returns to downtown Rock Island this Saturday Jun 8! Gates open at 4 p.m. Zydeco and Jazz bands will tantalize your ears, while Cajun spiced food will heat up your taste buds. Bead tosses, confetti, feather masks, feather boas, and Jumer’s showgirls will complete the Mardi Gras theme. New this year, outdoor dueling pianos will be available for your listening pleasure in the Voodoo Lounge. Two sets will take place, the first from 5 – 6:30 p.m. and the second... Read More

Are you ready for some hoppin’ and shoppin’ this weekend? The first ever Bi-State Bunny Hop happens this Saturday Mar 30 from 11 a.m. – 5 p.m. throughout downtown Rock Island and Davenport. Fill those Easter baskets with some local shopping and fun! Downtown Rock Island and Davenport retailers will be opening their doors for a day of shopping, sales, and giveaways. Each participating store will be doing a MINIMUM drawing for a $50 gift certificate, but some will be doing much, much more! You can egg-spect major discounts, snacks and more as you fill those Easter baskets.   Here are this... Read More

Looking for something to do this Friday night, in the Quad Cities? Then head on down to The Speakasy! The Manny Lopez Big Band returns to The Circa ’21 Speakeasy (1818 3rd Ave Rock Island) this Friday Jan 11. Doors open at 5 p.m. and the show begins at 6 p.m. Manny Lopez and his 13-piece big band will be performing all your favorites from such legendary artists as Glenn Miller, Duke Ellington, Count Basie, Henry Mancini, and Stan Kenton, just to name a few! Tickets are $15 in advance and $18 the day of the show. You can purchase tickets online at https://www.thecirca21speakeasy.com or by calling... Read More

Rock the Arts will light up downtown Rock Island during a December art stroll happening at the Desoto building, The ARTery/MidCoast Gallery West and Quad City Arts. The three art sites will be open on Friday, December 7 during 6 to 9 p.m. and Saturday, December 8, from noon to 3 p.m. At Desoto, there will be demonstrations on woodworking by the Quad City Woodturners, outdoor raku firing with Joel Knanishu and intricate collage with Amber Williams. The Desoto studio will have a table where children can experiment with clay.  New for this event will be the collage demonstration by Amber Williams.... Read More

You won’t knock this wood — for its first family musical of the 2018-19 season, the Circa ’21 Dinner Playhouse brings a beloved fairytale figure and his many friends and foes to life in the family treat PINOCCHIO. Running through December 29, this enchanting tale of a wooden puppet who longs to be a real live boy will charm audiences of all ages with its wonderful score, hilarious antics, and memorable characters, and is being brought to life by a fantastic cast of professional talents. Circa ’21 will present show-only performances of PINOCCHIO on November 24 and... Read More

Circa ’21 Dinner Playhouse is thrilled to announce the auditions schedule for their upcoming children’s musical Pinocchio. Auditions for the show will be held at 9 a.m. on Oct. 27 at the theater, 1828 3rd Ave., Rock Island. Puppet maker, Geppetto, builds a marionette that comes to mischievous life and learns how to be a “real boy.” In Pinocchio, the story of a familiar wooden puppet who wants to become a real boy is told with vim, verve and vibrancy. Set in Italy, this version tells the beloved tale of Pinocchio, a boy-sized puppet that is built by the caring puppet maker,... Read More

The October installment of the Rock Island Artists’ Market is Sunday, October 14, 12-4 pm in the parking lot of Skeleton Key Art and Antiques at 520 18th Street, Rock Island. The Rock Island Artists’ Market has been held the second Sunday of each month, and October marks the final market of the 2018 season. Shoppers can expect to find a variety of art, local produce, handcrafted goods and more, all sold by the artists, creators and growers. The October market has over 40 registered vendors, and will feature food by Kavanaugh’s Hilltop Bar and Grill, and music by Roger Carlson. Participating... Read More

Looking for some Labor Day weekend fun? Well, there will be no shortage of excitement and entertainment downtown Rock Island! The 2018 Xtreme Rock Island Grand Prix will be taking place downtown Rock Island Sep 1-2. The Rock Island Grand Prix is the world’s largest and most prestigious go-karting street race! Powered by Mediacom, this ultimate experience in kart racing will exhilarate racers and spectators alike. This family friendly event does not charge any admission fees. In addition to karts racing around at speeds approaching 100 mph, there will be a car show and food vendors Saturday and... Read More

The August installment of the Rock Island Artists’ Market is being held on Sunday, August 12 from 12-4 pm in the parking lot of Skeleton Key Art and Antiques at 520 18th Street, Rock Island, and will double as the 5th birthday celebration of Skeleton Key. Skeleton Key Art and Antiques was opened August 1, 2013 by Brandy and John VandeWalle of Rock Island, and in 2016, Skeleton Key became the host of the Rock Island Artists’ Market. Skeleton Key sells a variety of local art, antiques, vintage, and locally crafted items spread out over 5,000 square foot. They are open five days a week, Wednesday –... Read More

The Rock Island Artists’ Market has announced the sign-up deadline for artists, crafters and growers interested in participating in the first market of the 2018 season. Completed applications must be turned in at Skeleton Key Art and Antiques, 520 18th Street, Rock Island by 6 pm, Thursday, May 31, 2018.   The Rock Island Artists’ Market is beginning its third season Sunday, June 10, 2018. The market will take place on the second Sunday of each month, June through October, from 12-4 pm. Applications received after May 31 will be considered for the remainder of the market season.   The... Read More