Isabel Bloom has decided to consolidate its Quad-Cities retail locations into its East Village location, cutting its Moline store after 30 years in business and its LeClaire shop after six years. The company released a statement late Friday that read as follows: Dear Friends, On behalf of our entire team at Isabel Bloom, we thank you for your loyalty and support, especially during these past few months. Your support, whether it be through online orders, curbside pickups, or local deliveries, has meant the world to us. Thank you for your words of encouragement through social media, phone calls and... Read More

Richmond Hill Players auditions originally set for this weekend have been canceled due to covid-19 concerns, as previously reported on QuadCities.com. The theater put out a reminder post on Facebook Friday evening: Just to repeat: auditions originally scheduled this weekend (May 30 & 31) are canceled, along with our June, July, and August shows. A determination will be made in July with regard to October and November productions. Please keep an eye on our Facebook page or Richmond Hill Players website for updates. Meanwhile, stay safe and stay healthy!  Read More

The cornucopia of closures due to coronavirus keeps growing, as what was planned to be the 50th PGA Tour event in the Quad-Cities, the John Deere Classic, is canceled this July. Because of the continuing Covid-19 restrictions around events and public gatherings in the surrounding area, the 2020 JDC at TPC Deere Run in Silvis was canceled, tournament officials announced Thursday. The tournament will, however, continue its commitment to the 2020 Birdies for Charity campaign, including a promise to deliver at least a 5-percent bonus to all participating organizations. Last year, the tournament raised... Read More

Since March, the Quad-Cities has been singing the quarantine blues. And due to the dissonant chords of Covid-19, that beloved music will be silenced later this year, as the 35th-anniversary of the Mississippi Valley Blues Festival is canceled. Though it initially pushed back the fest from the July 4th weekend, to Sept. 18-19, the Mississippi Valley Blues Society board decided “that it is in the best interest of our fans, artists and vendors to cancel a live Festival until the ongoing pandemic is far behind us,” president Bob Clevenstine posted on mvbs.org. The potential for a second coronavirus... Read More

EAST MOLINE, Illinois (May 2020) — Earlier this month, the Rock Island County Fair Board voted to cancel the 2020 Rock Island County Fair, originally scheduled for July 14-18. “This decision was made for the health and safety of our fairgoers, exhibitors, participants, volunteers, staff and animals. It was not made lightly,” said Gin Wray, fair manager. “We are devastated to cancel a family-fun event that has taken place in our community for 150 years but look forward to using this as an opportunity to strengthen our offerings for the 2021 RICO Fair.” Last year marked the official 150th... Read More

The coronavirus crisis continues to play havoc with outdoor music events in the Quad-Cities, as more summer series are being canceled, while others optimistically remain on the 2020 calendar. Given the ongoing uncertainty due to the Covid-19 pandemic surrounding when exactly public gatherings will once again be permitted, and out of concern for the health, safety and well-being of the Quad-Cities community, Moline Centre has made the difficult decision to suspend the 2020 Bass Street Landing Thursday Night Summer Concert Series until further notice. “This decision did not come easily, as it... Read More

After 40 years of drawing crowds to Walcott, Iowa, off I-80, the annual Truckers Jamboreee will be virtual this July 9-11, including an online Antique Truck Show; Super Truck Beauty Contest; Trucker’s Best Friend Pet Contest and free meals for drivers. “The good news is we will most definitely continue with our long-standing tradition of Celebrating America’s Truckers,” Heather DeBaillie, Vice President of Marketing for the Iowa 80 Truckstop, said in a recent release. “While we can’t host 45,000 people at Iowa 80 to celebrate, we will take the Jamboree virtual and still celebrate the... Read More

Countryside Community Theatre has joined the host of area venues canceling their summer slate due to concerns about covid-19. The Eldridge-based group released the following statement on Facebook today: We are sad to announce that our Summer 2020 shows, The Music Man and The Fantasticks, will not be happening this summer due to the Covid-19 Pandemic. The health and safety of our performers, stage crew, musicians, patrons, and volunteers are of the utmost importance to us, and we know that this is the right decision for Countryside Community Theatre. We hope to announce our 2021 Season as soon... Read More

It’s not in a dancer’s nature to sit still. So it makes sense that even though Ballet Quad Cities (BQC) had to cancel the rest of its season because of the Covid-19 crisis, the professional company keeps moving forward. Students in the BQC School of Dance are continuing their lessons online, through Zoom, and students have submitted their own videos for a new collage. Artistic director Courtney Lyon (who recently received an Iowa Arts Council emergency relief grant) has choreographed, taught, and edited a new piece with three dancers on Zoom. And executive director Joedy Cook and artistic associate... Read More

The coronavirus funk draping the planet has canceled the Planet Funk. Planet Funk Con 2020 is canceled, with the event postponed until next year. An announcement was made today on the event’s Facebook: With a heavy heart we have to announce we are holding off until 2021. Due to the growing difficulties during the COVID-19 pandemic lockdown and our desire to bring our attendees the best show possible, the Planet Funk Con Crew has made the hard decision to postpone this year’s convention until 2021. With the COVID-19 situation still in flux we do not feel we can safely, or in good conscience,... Read More