In a way, we’ve all been singing the blues the past 18 months. So while area blues fans will be in heaven with the return of the Mississippi Valley Blues Festival this weekend, it’s even more meaningful for two of its performers – Toronzo Cannon and Selwyn Birchwood. The Alligator Records artists, both Blues Fest veterans, had most of their 2020 touring schedules erased due to Covid and are happy to be back at it in 2021. Cannon, 53, of Chicago, is scheduled to perform 8:15 p.m. Friday at LeClaire Park, while Birchwood, 36, of Orlando, Fla., is on the Main Stage at 3:45 p.m. Saturday. “Just... Read More

Are you an automotive enthusiast? How about a coffee enthusiast? Then you won’t want to miss this event! The first Saturday of every month throughout the summer Cars and Coffee Quad Cities gather to kick tires and enjoy a cup of coffee! These events are free and open to anyone wishing to attend. This Saturday July 1, Cars and Coffee will be meeting from 8-10 a.m. at 100 W River Drive Davenport. Everyone is encouraged to stop by Redband Coffee at 329 E 4th Street Davenport to grab a delicious cup of joe before heading to the congregation of classics, exotics, hotrods and motorcycles. If you plan... Read More

It’s time for the 32nd Annual Mississippi Valley Blues Festival! Head down to LeClaire Park, on the banks of the Mississippi in Davenport, Friday June 30 and Saturday July 1 for one of the Quad Cities’ most successful and enjoyable music festivals! The Mississippi Valley Blues Society has secured a line-up of musicians that you won’t want to miss. The gates will open at 4 p.m. on Friday and 12 p.m. on Saturday. Music in the Local Scene Stage will begin immediately after the gates open. Advanced ticket prices are $10 Friday night and $15 for Saturday, and can be purchased online at https://midwestix.securemytix.com/event/mississippi-valley-blues-festival2837416.... Read More

They may have only gone to the crossroads to catch the school bus, and the darkest indigo lyrics they’ve sung are likely about not getting what they wanted for Christmas, but that won’t stop a number of local kids from learning about playing and singing the blues Saturday during the Blues Skool Program at the Mississippi Valley Blues Fest. “BlueSKool is one of the best things we ever came up with,” said Stan Furlong, a member of the Mississippi Valley Blues Society and an organizer of the event. “It’s important because we don’t want people in the future to be ignorant of the source... Read More

Drenched by rain and pushed around by the rising river, organizers of the Mississippi Valley Blues Fest have had ample reason to sing down-on-their-luck dirges over the past few years, even having to cancel last year’s event, but festival organizers are singing a happy tune going into the 31st annual fest this weekend. (For more info, see their site at http://mvbs.org/fest/.) “We feel good and optimistic about this year’s Festival,” said Stan Furlong, a member of the Mississippi Valley Blues Society and an organizer of the event. “The river is about six feet below the sidewalk in LeClaire... Read More