An outdoor concert Saturday night at Rock Island’s Schwiebert Riverfront Park will be super special for Alan Sweet, and about 30 of his closest musical friends. Co-founder and leader of All Sweat Productions – which specializes in bringing a diverse group of performers together in tribute to specific artists and/or albums – Sweet is reprising his first concert, from May 2016 at the River Music Experience’s Redstone Room, where he organized a Beatles tribute, including playing the landmark 1969 “Abbey Road” in its entirety. This Saturday, starting at 7 p.m., a stellar lineup of musicians... Read More

There are awesome opportunities this year for young Quad-Cities filmmakers to gain valuable experience and have fun with Fresh Films! Here’s the latest: Fresh Films Academies Quad Cities – Applications open for host locations! What: Fresh Films will deliver project-based film instruction on professional equipment on site at up to 4 Quad Cities high schools or youth clubs at no cost to the host organization. When: October 2021-May 2022 | Thursdays 4-6:30pm Where: On site at host school or organization Who: 12-25 youth per location, open to all QC high schools and youth organizations... Read More

BREAKING NEWS: Rock Island County Health Department released alarming new numbers for covid-19 cases today. According to the department, “Due to a 46.94% increase in the number of positive COVID-19 cases over the last seven days, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention now reports Rock Island County as having a substantial level of transmission of coronavirus that causes the COVID-19 disease. The county’s positivity rate also increased 2.59% to 6.82% over the last seven days. The number of hospital admissions also increased 50%. The CDC determines the level of transmission by... Read More

This year’s Art in the Garden is Saturday, Aug. 7 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Quad City Botanical Center, 2525 4th Ave., Rock Island. The 5th-annual event features local and regional artists — including potters, painters, sculptors, jewelry makers and others who are inspired by nature to create. Their works will be exhibited and sold at this outdoor show. The handcrafted works will be on display in tents throughout the gardens and a variety of art price points will be offered. Pieces to be sold include sculpture, jewelry, pottery, quilts, paintings and painted objects, charcoal and pastel... Read More

The Backwater Gamblers Water Ski Show Team performs FREE water ski shows every Wednesday and Sunday at 6:30 p.m. at 44th Street and the Rock River, Rock Island, IL, from Memorial Day through Labor Day. Shows are free, but donations are accepted at DONATIONS – VENMO – @Backwater-Gamblers  Read More

Due to the abridged past summer season, there’s a good chance you may have missed the small, stellar offerings of Mississippi Bend Players, the professional regional theater at Augustana College, Rock Island. Well, you are in luck, as two of the three shows in the 2021 season (which only ran for one weekend apiece) will have virtual encores, with online screenings of “Mary and Ethel: How I Learned to Sing” and “No Child…” “Mary and Ethel: How I Learned to Sing” will stream through Aug. 8. Conceived and performed by Shelly Cooper with musical arrangements by Mason Moss, the show... Read More

Join the Josh Duffee Orchestra TONIGHT at Lincoln Park in Rock Island for a 20th Anniversary Performance at 7:00pm! The bandshell is located at the intersection of 11th Avenue and 42nd Street. “We were unfortunately rained out in June, but tomorrow is looking much better than last month,” Duffee said. “Make sure you bring a lawn chair, and Hy-Vee will have food and beverages for sale at 5:00pm. “We’ll be performing the music of Gene Krupa and His Orchestra from our very first show 20 years ago, so come on out and hear some incredible music! “Please... Read More

EXCLUSIVE: Rock Island Mayoral candidate and community organizer Thurgood Brooks lost in a surprisingly close election to incumbent Mike Thoms earlier this year. Since then, Brooks has been working to put together a commission to increase communication between law enforcement and citizens, working on various community initiatives, and contemplating his political future after an impressive debut. In an exclusive and candid conversation, Brooks spoke with me for the first time since being narrowly defeated for the top political spot in the city in my latest episode of my podcast, QCUncut. We talk... Read More

Josh Duffee Orchestra has rescheduled a special 20th-anniversary concert salute to Gene Krupa (since it was rained out June 29), to the same location — Lincoln Park in Rock Island, at 7 p.m. Tuesday, July 27th. On June 30, 2001, the Josh Duffee Orchestra performed a Krupa tribute at the then-Moline Community Center on 5th Avenue, less than two blocks away from where Bellson’s family operated a music store at 1711 5th Ave. 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) –... Read More

There are awesome opportunities this year for young Quad-Cities filmmakers to gain valuable experience and have fun with Fresh Films! Here’s the latest opportunity: On-Set Filming Apprenticeship Opportunity for youth ages 13-19 What: film scenes from our upcoming feature film, Ghostland, written by Emmy Award-winning writer Rick Cleveland (The West Wing, Six Feet Under). Teens rotate through all positions on set including camera, lighting and audio. When: August 12-16 Where: Rock Island, IL Who: 5-8 local teens Cost: Free! + No experience or equipment required. Applications due July 30: freshfilms.org/ghostlandfilming  Read More