Saturday in the Arts is a weekly feature covering a trend, subject, event or personality of local interest. It runs every Saturday morning on your site for the best entertainment and arts coverage in the area, QuadCities.com! Over 20 years ago, Josh Duffee had an inspired idea – form a big band and play the music made famous by the jazz drummer who launched the career of a world-famous Moline drummer. Then a 21-year-old Moline High graduate, Duffee intimately knew his way around a drum kit and worshipped both Gene Krupa (1909-1973) and Louie Bellson (1924-2009) – the latter a Moline alum who... Read More

When live, in-person music was wiped out last year, Davenport-based River Music Experience provided a priceless lifeline – they brought music out to private residences in the Quad-Cities with Curbside Concerts. Now they’re back for a second year. With all the outdoor shows (in private yards, curbs, driveways and cul-de-sacs), events sponsored by Russell Construction for essential workers, and curbside caroling, RME hosted 350 concerts and reached 7,260 people from April to December 2020, RME director of entertainment Kate Dale said Monday. They contracted with about a dozen local artists, plus... Read More

Augustana College invites the community to Chill on the Hill at the new Anderson Pavilion on campus, this Sunday Sep 8. The free event will feature food trucks and local bands at the Ruth and Lefty Anderson Pavilion, 3750 7th Ave., Rock Island. The pavilion is just south of the Brunner Theater Center, and the most convenient parking is in the Centennial Hall lot across 7th Avenue. Visitors should bring a blanket or lawn chairs. Seating is first-come, first-served. Beginning at 1:30 p.m., The White Tornado will take the stage. The White Tornado is the piano-playing, songwriting alter ego of the... Read More

The summer outdoor concert season closes out this weekend in Moline Centre, but there are plenty of events on tap, from that live music to the tractor parade and show, a rowing regatta and more! As for the final notes of the summer concert series,  Moline Centre, Bass Street Chop House, Steel Head Tavern & Pub 1848 presents Summer’s End on Friday, Sept. 9. Come listen to the sounds of Soul Storm from 6:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. and Minus Six from 8:00 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. World class rowers from around the Midwest will be heading to the YMCA Sylvan Boathouse for Row the Miss Regatta which... Read More