Theaters in the Quad-Cities and nationwide are canceling spring and summer shows, due to Covid-19. The latest response to the global pandemic is the Augustana College-based Mississippi Bend Players (MBP), which is shelving its 2020 season. Jackie McCall is in her first year as MBP producing artistic director, and this was to be the fourth season for the professional summer-stock company. It planned to start rehearsals for Neil Simon’s “Broadway Bound” June 7, with performances June 19-28 at Brunner Theatre Center, Rock Island. “When we just looked at ahead at what could happen,... Read More

Like many musicians, artists, theaters and other arts organizations in this surreal time, Quad-Cities museums are putting their collections and programs online. Forced by the coronavirus crisis to close down March 17, Davenport’s Figge Art Museum, German American Heritage Center & Museum, and Putnam Museum & Science Center have significantly boosted their websites and social-media presence. The “virtual museum” has become reality for museums worldwide. “The challenge is with reaching our audience during this time of closure, really has brought this new opportunity... Read More

As a result of the Illinois Governor’s extension of the Stay-at-Home order, all Rock Island Public Libraries will continue to be closed through April 30, 2020. Library book drops are closed, and patrons are requested to keep checked-out materials until the library reopens at a date to be named later. PrairieCat is extending due dates as well All due dates for physical materials extended to May 29 Card expirations extended to June 1 Expiration dates for previously placed holds extended to June 12 No fines will be assessed while libraries are closed. Library patrons can continue to use... Read More

Another area theater has been sunk by the coronavirus. The 2020 season for the Clinton Area Showboat Theater 2020 season has been completely cancelled, theater officials announced Sunday in an e-mail. The theater’s season included “Big River, The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn,”  “The Addams Family,” “Barefoot in the Park,” “Always… Patsy Cline” and “Greater Tuna.” “The decision was made Saturday morning, March 28, 2020, after a lengthy discussion about shortening the season or canceling it totally,” said Showboat President Neil Luker. “The... Read More

Camp Hertko Hollow has closed its offices through at least mid-April due to coronavirus concerns. Camp leadership sent out the following release today: Dear Friends of Camp Hertko Hollow, I’m writing to provide you with an update on Camp Hertko Hollow and how we are responding to COVID-19. In accordance with local, state, and federal recommendations, we will be closing our office beginning Thursday, March 19 through at least April 19th. During this time Deb Holwegner, Camp Director, and I will be working remotely. More importantly, we have made the very difficult decision to cancel our upcoming... Read More

Davenport’s German American Heritage Center is closing its doors through at least the end of March, due to coronavirus concerns. The museum sent the following release out today: Dear friends, The health and safety of our community and the German American Heritage Center volunteers, members, guests, and staff is our top priority. In the past weeks we have implemented sanitizing and cleaning procedures to keep our facilities a safe place to visit. But the time has come to temporarily close our doors to the public through Tuesday, March 31. This means we have postponed our Eiermarkt Spring... Read More

Black Box Theatre in Moline has cancelled their first week of the upcoming show “The Turn of the Screw.” The theater released the following statement today: Due to the current situation with the corona virus, The Black Box Theatre will be cancelling the first week of The Turn of the Screw. Our plan at the present time is to open on April 2 for 4 performances, but we are going to follow the news and required protocol as the situation unfolds. Thank you for your patience as we all navigate this unprecedented time in our communities across the nation.  Read More

Quad City Music Guild has cancelled “The Secret Garden” due to concerns over coronavirus. The theater group released the following statement today: Today, after reviewing the information presented at the QC COVID-19 Press Conference, Quad City Music Guild reached out to the Rock Island Department of Public Health for clarification on their guidelines and timelines. It is their recommendation, for the health of our patrons, that we cancel our spring production, The Secret Garden. We will, of course, follow their recommendation. Our hearts are heavy for all involved in this beautiful... Read More

The puck stops here. Amidst a furious playoff run and some fantastic entertainment in front of growing crowds, the Quad City Storm has pulled the plug on their second season on order of their league, the SPHL. The Storm released the following statement this morning: “It is with heavy hearts we announce the remainder of the 2019-2020 season has been cancelled per the decision made earlier today by the SPHL.  We are incredibly disappointed for our fans, players and staff but fully support the leagues decision to ensure the well-being of everyone involved.  We are committed to taking the steps... Read More

Following suit with Governor JB Pritzker’s call for all restaurants and bars to shut their doors, Circa ’21 Dinner Playhouse in Rock Island is closing through March 31. Circa made the following announcement on their Facebook page today: CIRCA ’21 IS CLOSED THROUGH MARCH 31. Because of the state-mandated restrictions on restaurants & bars, Circa ’21 is closed for the next two weeks. We will call everyone who has tickets for March performances to reschedule. Please do not call the ticket office as phones will be off until Monday, March 23. We apologize for the inconvenience... Read More