From pageant queens to trailer races, from tractor pulls to live music, the Rock Island County Fair has been offering outdoor entertainment for 148 years. This year’s fair, running Tuesday, July 18 through Saturday, July 22, is expected to draw more than 40,000 people for a livestock show, arts and craft shows, rides, and live entertainment to the fairgrounds at 4200 Archer Ave., East Moline. Admission is free for five-and-under, $1 for kids 6-12 and $2 for 13-and-up, with admission going to $5 after 8:30 p.m. Here’s a rundown of the some of the events: Tuesday, July 18 8:00 a.m.                 ... Read More

If you’re looking for something to provide the soundtrack to your leisurely lunch, or just looking for a break in the workday, the District in Rock Island is providing you with an oasis of music. Every Wednesday at noon, the District is presenting performances by local musicians on the Great River Plaza in downtown Rock Island. “We thought it would be a great idea,” said Micaela Booth, events coordinator for the District. “People can come out to the District and have lunch and enjoy the outdoors and enjoy music by local entertainers. It’s just another way of giving people a great entertainment... Read More

Chicago’s Hemmingbirds are hovering into town for two gigs this weekend. They’ll be at Rozz-Tox on Thursday (http://www.rozztox.com/) and on Friday they’ll be recording their second Daytrotter session. (Their first, from 2013, is at http://www.daytrotter.com/hemmingbirds/futureappletree-august-16-2013.html.)

The band was born as a solo project, through a scattered collection of songs by Yoo Soo Kim. Navigating relationships and the uncertain future, he bunkered down in the echo chamber that was his basement and hashed out ten recordings that became Hemmingbirds’ debut, Death Wave.... Read More