I’ve always had kind of a mixed relationship with the music of Jimmy Buffett. I’ve seen him in concert a couple of times because I have friends who are Parrotheads and absolutely love him, and after seeing him once, I found his show really entertaining so I’ve gone along with them subsequent times to gigs even though my feelings on his music are, again, pretty mixed. One of my favorite songs of all time is actually a Jimmy Buffett song. “Come Monday.” It’s a beautiful ballad that hits just right when you’re missing someone, and it’s a wonderful song. One... Read More

Free outdoor theater returns to Lincoln Park as the Genesis Guild season opens with “The Two Gentlemen of Verona!” Come enjoy some free Shakespeare in the park – performances are June 17, and 18 at 7:00 PM. Thought by some scholars to be the first play written by Shakespeare, Two Gentlemen of Verona is a comedy that tells the story of two young men, sent away from home to learn how to be gentlemen, who fall in love with the same woman. Two Gentlemen of Verona is also the Genesius Guild’s annual high school production, with a cast featuring outstanding talent from high schools across... Read More

Broadway Walking Tour is taking place in Rock Island Saturday, June 17 from 10 am to 11:30 am Walk meets in Rock Island Downtown Library parking lot. Register here. Free walk of the Broadway Historic District, led by members of the Broadway Historic District Association. Don’t miss this chance to learn about historic homes along 20th and 22nd Streets, and see the Karpeles Manuscript Library Museum. About one mile, fairly flat terrain, so wear comfortable shoes.  Read More

The Rock Island Broadway Walking Tour is slated for June 17. The tour runs 10 am to 11:30 am; walk meets in Rock Island Downtown Library parking lot Free walk of the Broadway Historic District, led by members of the Broadway Historic District Association. Don’t miss this chance to learn about historic homes along 20th and 22nd Streets, and see the Karpeles Manuscript Library Museum. About one mile, fairly flat terrain, so wear comfortable shoes. Registration is required, and needed by June 10, so don’t sleep on this one! (14 seats remaining as of this newsletter.)  Read More

Join fellow community members for a park party to celebrate Rock Island’s Denkmann Park’s new basketball courts and park upgrades on June 7! Get to know your neighbors while enjoying free food, fun, and entertainment! A bevy of local businesses will be present to show off and discuss their offerings. Elected officials and city staff will also be in attendance to socialize and discuss opportunities for growth in the community. Learn more: PARK PARTY  Read More

Soon it will be time for the St. Joe’s May Coffeehouse! I hope this email finds you enjoying our spring weather, major flooding notwithstanding. Maybe get that bike out for a spin, or visit the forest. Or just walk around your neighborhood. So as winter fades and spring takes over, we can gather for some music, poetry, and community. Be well Friends! Hope to see you at the… St. Joe’s Coffeehouse Friday May 12th, 6:30-8:30pm First Lutheran Church at (or behind, weather permitting) the Parish House 1600 20th St. Rock Island All donations support the St Joseph Evening Meal at Rock Island Township Call... Read More

Continuing its 46th season with the return of a fantastically popular musical comedy based on a movie smash, the Circa ’21 Dinner Playhouse will treat patrons to the fighting and frolicking of GRUMPY OLD MEN: THE MUSICAL. Running through May 6, this audience favorite was deemed  “sometimes touching, sometimes raucous, and at all times enticing” by the City Journal-Tribune and is being brought to life by a sensational group of professional actors!  GRUMPY OLD MEN: THE MUSICAL will be presented on Wednesday, Friday and Saturday evenings at 7:30 p.m., Sundays at 5:30 p.m. and Wednesday... Read More

Come learn about the haunted history of this majestic Italianate style mansion on the banks of the Mississippi River. A Quarters One (Arsenal Rock Island) Paranormal Investigation will take place tonight at 7 p.m. The Army Sustainment Command (ASC) Historian will give a talk beginning at 6 p.m. The Illinois Paranormal Research Team will conduct an investigation starting at 7 p.m. Participants must be at least 18 years old.  Cost is $25/person and you can reserve your spots and pre-pay by visiting the Leisure Travel Office in bldg. 333 or call (309) 782-5890. For more information, visit https://www.facebook.com/events/584159755488930/. Come... Read More

Come on board for a Titanic Event Tuesday – Sunday, April 11 – 16 at Karpeles in Rock Island! The Titanic started its maiden voyage on April 10, 1912 and sunk in the early morning of April 15. Enjoy learning some interesting facts, receive a boarding pass of one of the passengers, see our document the Karpeles family owns by the Captain of the Carpathia and read his specific details of that fateful night. Get a tour of the museum and at the the end, you will receive either an obituary or a news article that gives details of your passenger. It is free, although donations are accepted... Read More

Rozz-tox & Death Stitch Custom Clothing presents Cinephile Cinema: April Edition on April 8 at 7pm! Featured films include Christopher Nolan’s “Memento” which has a runtime at 113 minutes and is rated R and Ken Russell’s “Altered States” which has a runtime of 102 minutes and is rated R. As always this is a FREE admission event hosted by the 365 Horror Film Club. A note from the presenter: Some of these films are rated R, so we ask that all attendees be 17 years of age or accompanied by an adult. We try to present these films in a very relaxed setting encouraging conversation at... Read More