Circa ’21 Dinner Playhouse,  1828 3rd Ave., Rock Island, is holding auditions for adults and children for its next show, the classic “The Music Man.” The deets: CHILDREN’S AUDITIONS FOR THE MUSIC MAN When: Saturday, January 28 10:00 AM Sunday, January 29 10:00 AM ADULT AUDITIONS FOR THE MUSIC MAN When: Saturday, January 28 12:00 PM Sunday, January 29 12:00 PM Where: Circa ’21 Dinner Playhouse 1828 3rd Ave, Rock Island. Rehearsals start March 2 and the show runs until May 13, 2017. Those auditioning should bring a resume, non-returnable photo, Dress comfortably. Be prepared to dance and... Read More

Do your kids love playing in the snow? Is one of their favorite movies Frosty the Snowman? Do they ever ask you where snow comes from? This month’s KinderNature event Is all about snowflakes! On Tuesday, January, 10 from 10:30 a.m. till 11:30 a.m. KinderNature will be holding this program at the Quad Cities Botanical Center. Come and create your very own snowflake, and learn about snow and where it comes from. Snacks are provided. Program fee is $6 for non-members and $4 for members. One adult is included with the ticket price. Each additional adult or child 18 months to two years old is $3 and... Read More

Are you looking for some comedy on New Year’s Eve among the celebrating? Then stop by Comedy Sportz for some laughter. At 7:00 p.m. there will be a match between the Red Resolutions and the Blue Baby New Years. This event will continue till 9:15 p.m., leaving time to fill your night with other activities until midnight. CSz Quad Cities is located at 220 19th Street, Rock Island. Tickets are sold for $12.00 and available at: https://www.showclix.com/event/event4065768578755802428882068756278683020641993245934321 The match is set up with a referee who calls the fouls and keeps the match on the... Read More

Where else can you find everything from live music to live art displays to book signings to performance art to free drinks and food in an eclectic array of settings and get an evening’s worth of that entertainment all for free? Well, Gallery Hop. The bi-annual event in the District of Rock Island going on from 6 to 10 p.m. Friday features over 300 artists and performers showcased in over 20 locations throughout downtown Rock Island. The locations are not limited to art galleries; artists will exhibit in coffee shops, restaurants, retail shops, and entertainment venues. Jewelry, photography, glass,... Read More

Renaissance Rock Island will celebrate three businesses with a rolling ribbon cutting on Friday, November 18th. J Wild Marketing, LLC is celebrating a year in the McKesson Lofts building with an official ribbon cutting. Avenue Studios opened at 100 19th Street earlier this year after relocating from another downtown Rock Island location. Taste Buds moved from the College Hill District to downtown Rock Island in August, and is celebrating with a ribbon cutting as well. Attendees will move from business to business during the rolling ribbon cutting, allowing them to see what each new business has... Read More

Celebrate!, a special events and attire consignment shop has now been open in the Shoppes on 2nd, Rock Island’s first retail incubator, for a year. The move to Rock Island meant doubling in size, and have since expanded within The Shoppes on 2nd, doubling the size of Celebrate! once more. “We didn’t think of it as anything more than a tiny boutique and a hobby. However, the Quad Cities really responded well and made it clear a store like ours is needed,” says Celebrate! owner, Sheleigh Martin. Since opening in November of 2015 Celebrate! now has the space for over $100,000 in inventory,... Read More

Rock Islanders were busy founding a new City in 1841, but that wasn’t the only notable event of that year. The 2016 Frieze Lecture Series discussion theme celebrates “1841, the Year That Rock Island Began” and the current events that surrounded its founding. The series of four lectures by Augustana College professors are from 2:00 to 3:00 pm Tuesday, October 18 through November 8, in the Rock Island Main Library, 401 19th Street, in the Community Room. Free coffee,  cookies and conversation are offered after each lecture. 2016 marks the 19th year for annual partnership between... Read More

Looking to unlock some great values and find some one-of-a-kind treasures in the Quad-Cities? Check out the Skeleton Key. The cozy, quaint shop at  520 18th St. in Rock Island welcomes you immediately with its quirky charm, and its giant green key. Walking into the ornate castle-like building, you’re immediately greeted by a world of artistic and crafty wonder, boasting a variety of cool, unique items from artisans from around the Quad-Cities. The shop was opened three years ago by Brandy Clark VandeWalle and her husband, John. “We wanted to do this for a very long time,” Brandy said.... Read More

For conspiracy theorists, there may be fewer things scarier than a masonic temple, but imagine just how pants-pooping freaked out those folks would be about The Asylum? The frightfest haunted house pulls out its blades again beginning this weekend at the site of the old masonic temple, Skellington Manor, 420 18th St., Rock Island. Hours are: Friday and Saturday 7 p.m. to midnight, Sunday 7 to 10 p.m. through Oct. 30. Tickets (general admission $15, VIP pass $20) are available at the door or online. The Asylum is a walk through immersive haunted attraction with over four floors of highly detailed... Read More

To say Rock Islanders were a wee bit miffed about city officials blowing $15 million and getting stiffed by Walmart is like saying Bix Beiderbecke played around with music as a little hobby. The outrage has been justifiably hot. As I said in my last column, the city overspent by millions buying up decrepit properties on 11th street ostensibly to create space for a new Walmart which didn’t materialize. That money could’ve, and should’ve, gone to help already existing businesses owned by locals or to help local entrepreneurs looking to start up locally-owned businesses in the area. After all,... Read More