Things are not looking good for this fall in regard to covid-19. Numbers are spiking, the government has been pathetically inept in terms of dealing with the crisis, and the economy is once again on the verge of completely tanking. Unemployment is up, some industries are shut down through the end of the year, and others are teetering on the precipice of being shut down, maybe for good. I don’t know about you, but I’m so pessimistic I’m starting to stock up on toilet paper. That’s why it’s more important than ever to shop at your locally-owned small businesses now. Local... Read More

Saturday in the Arts is a comprehensive, in-depth feature on a topic, trend or personality impacting the Quad-Cities, posted every Saturday morning on QuadCities.com. This week we look at the various downtown businesses of the Illinois and Iowa Quad-Cities and how they’ve been impacted by, and have adapted to, the covid-19 pandemic.   The popular Rock Island Brewing Company (RIBCO), in the middle of The District at 1815 2nd Ave., has been through a lot since it opened in 1979. Hailed as a leader in Q-C live entertainment (its starry roster of guest acts includes Bo Diddley, The Wallflowers,... Read More

Saturday In The Arts is a new regular feature running every Saturday on QuadCities.com! Saturday In The Arts offers an in-depth, comprehensive and extensive look at a subject, trend or issue on the local arts and entertainment scene. In our debut feature, Jonathan Turner looks at the major concert venues and outdoor fests in the Quad-Cities and how they’ve been impacted, and could continue to be impacted, by covid-19.   If the Iowa State Fair is canceled, can the Mississippi Valley Fair be far behind? The Davenport fair – which would mark its 101st year Aug. 4-9, at 2815 W. Locust... Read More

For many, this will be their first summer without an outdoor concert. The first year in a long time without a festival. The first stretch without them going to see their favorite artist. When will we turn that around and get to see those touring acts, get to go to those big concerts and shows? We have no idea. Cautious optimism. That’s the best description of where we’re at right now in regard to the covid-19 situation and its impact on not just the Quad-Cities arts scene, but the economy of the entire country, especially in regard to live performances, and most particularly in regard to touring... 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

Yeah, yeah, we know, it’s Saturday night and, well, this sucks. You want to be out having a great time, listening to loud music, enjoying your friends and some cold beverages, and instead you’re boarded up in your house like it’s the zombie apocalypse. Well, consider DJ Shane Brown your sonic Negan, slaying the beats like they’re the undead with his mixing board Lucille. Yes, I really did write that. You’re damn right I did. Hey, I’ve been stuck inside the last three days just like you. I’m just trying to get through it without envying the squirrels too... Read More

Truckfighters, Valley of the Sun, Daykeeper Rock Island Brewing Co. 1815 2nd Ave, Rock Island Saturday, February 22 Doors 7/Show 8 $18/18+ Heavy music devotees in the QCA are used to high-quality touring bands stopping at the Rock Island Brewing Company with clockwork regularity. This Saturday’s bill, however, will cause even the most complacent headbanger to take note. Swedish desert rockers Truckfighters are back from a short breakup, and, with Ohio’s Valley of the Sun in tow, are visiting Rock Island for the first time in years. Wake Brewing, the heaviest brewery in the Midwest,... Read More

“The 80s aren’t over till we say they are.” The Brat Pack brings all the best of the 80s to RIBCO (1815 2nd Ave Rock Island) this Friday Jan 10 from 8 – 11 p.m. And you won’t want to miss it! The Brat Pack has delivered happy 80s and beyond party goodness throughout this great land for eighteen sweet years – that’s 150% the size of the Me Decade itself. The Brat Pack plays those never-ending hits so true to the originals that every once in a while, a listener suspects lip-synching, so the band might have to treat them to a teensy little mistake just to set them... Read More

When celebrating the end of a year, we seem to find ourselves reflecting on the past twelve months in reverence. Whether the events that transpired were something we experienced for the first time or were simply an annual routine in our lives, they still contributed to the people we are in these last days of 2019. The Quad Cities community transforms and grows each and every passing year, and 2019 was no exception. We here at QuadCities.com work our best at trying to bring our readers the most interesting, (whether new or old) events and activities happening around the area, on a daily basis. In... Read More

It’s almost the end of the year, and it’s time for everyone to flashback on the past 300-plus days, and we at QuadCities.com are right there with you. We’re taking a glance in the rearview at the past 365 to run down the top 30 stories of the year for our site! Of course, since we cover entertainment, sports, and features, that’s all we’ve got going on here. For stories on the flood, politics, crime and such, please feel free to check out our news media partners at KWQC-TV6. For the criteria on how we picked the stories, check out my column on the countdown. As always, it’s interesting... Read More