Seven bands from the QC Rock Academy will perform at a free summer kickoff concert at Rock Island’s Schwiebert Riverfront Park on Saturday, May 22, from 5 p.m. to 10 p,m, The bands (totaling more than 35 teenage students) are Been There Done That, Strictly Business, Crushed Monkey, Made Ya Look, Daze Off, Tell Tale Heart and Nonetheless, plus an “All-Star Jam” to end the night, comprised of a half-dozen members of different bands playing together. There will be a few opening acts starting at 5 p.m. — Mike Diehl with Hallie Shemek, Grace Bryant and Makayla & Aleigha Navin. This event... Read More

The Rock Island-Milan Education Foundation celebrated the Rock Island High School Top Ten of each class at the Austin Academic Achievement and Scholarship Award night on Thursday, May 13, virtually. More than 70,000 dollars was given out. Congratulations to all the students on their academic success! Top Ten Recognitions Freshman: Ali Al Janab, Maryam Alhamdan, Joseph Allen, Fidelia Awoudi, Alyssa Balandran, Presley Behrens, Jackson Bennett, Addison Bomelyn, Kaytlyn Booras, Kal Boswell, Harrison Braddy, Michael Brose, Christopher Brown, Kylen Brozovich, Delaney Carroll, Briseyda Castaneda,... Read More

Jordan Danielsen Music Trio makes their way presented by Jambrella Productions this Tuesday Night in Rock Island at Kavanaugh’s Hilltop Bar & Grill! The event, at 6:30 p.m. at 1228 30th St, Rock Island, features Jordan joined by Levi Craft and Don Gustafson for a killer show you won’t wanna miss! This show is FREE ADMISSION, so come #supportlocalmusic, #supportlocalbusiness, and #TheMovement!  Read More

BEEHIVE The ’60s Musical is buzzing in to Rock Island’s Circa ’21 May 19-July 10! A fun, frothy flashback to the fabulous females who unmistakably left their mark on ’60s pop music. Matching big voices with big hairdos, Beehive features nonstop hits from early decade bubble gum classics to the explosive late ‘60s soul sound. Paying tribute to performers such as Brenda Lee, The Supremes, Connie Francis, Janis Joplin, Tina Turner and Aretha Franklin, this irresistible revue will fly you back in time to experience firsthand the music that thrilled a generation. Come rock... Read More

Are you and your children big fans of Elephant & Piggie? Then Rock Island’s Circa ’21 has got the show for you, running June 11-July 2. Get ready for a musical experience, ripped from the pages of Mo Willems’ beloved, award-winning, best-selling children’s books, that will leave audiences doing the “Flippy Floppy Floory” dance all night long! In Elephant & Piggie’s “We Are in a Play!”, Gerald and Piggie take to the stage in a rollicking adventure that is perfect for young audiences. An elephant named Gerald and a pig named Piggie are best, best, “bestus” (a... Read More

The road to Abbey Road runs again through downtown Rock Island. All Sweat Productions Performs Abbey Road featuring various local musicians will be performed in Rock Island’s Schwiebert Park on August 7th! This summer marks five years since the original All Sweat Productions tribute to Abbey Road in Davenport’s Redstone Room. The River Music Experience is partnering up with Rock Island Parks and Recreation to make this celebration even bigger. So, if you’re a fan of the Beatles and local music, definitely put it on your calendar!  Read More

On Monday, May 10, 21 Rock Island High School students who are in the high school’s Education Internship program will sign letters of intent to further their careers at the college or university level to pursue a degree in education. The course started this school year and places high school students who are interested in the education field throughout the district in a range of classrooms from Kindergarten through High School underclassmen courses, English Language, and Special Education. Education interns learn the foundations of education as well as gain hands-on experience. Interns work... Read More

Congratulations to RIHS student Riley Jones, whose piece “Black Pride” was selected as the winner for the Congressional Art Competition! Riley’s artwork will be on display in the U.S. Capitol! Congresswoman Cheri Bustos announced the winner and runners-up of the 2021 Congressional Art Competition in Illinois’ 17th Congressional District. The public got to vote for their favorite submission. The first-place winner this year is Riley Jones from Rock Island High School, whose submission “Black Pride” will be displayed in the United States Capitol! The Congressional Art Competition... Read More

BREAKING NEWS: The Quad Cities’ grassroots music festival “Dawn and On” revealed their talent lineup on Tuesday for their 2021 event, taking place on July 10, 2021 at Schwiebert Park in Rock Island. With its roots in jam music, the festival’s lineup features local and national performers and remains diverse with a mix of rock, funk, bluegrass and folk bands. The day-long festival, now heading into it’s sixth year will be headlined by Colorado jam rockers Magic Beans and Illinois Bluegrass favorites The Way Down Wanderers.  Additionally, the festival will feature Wisconsin folk rockers... Read More

The Rock Island Artists’ Market has announced it will be hosting two events for the 2021 season. Join local artists, makers, and growers on Sunday, June 27th and August 29th from 12 to 5 pm in the parking lot of Skeleton Key Art and Antiques, 520 18th Street, Rock Island, IL. This outdoor event is free to the public, and family friendly. Applications are now being accepted for vendors. Interested artists can find more information and the application form under the “Rock Island Artists’ Market” tab on Skeleton Key’s website, www.skeletonkeyqc.com, or in person during regular store hours.... Read More