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

There’s a lot happening at Rock Island’s Circa ’21 Dinner Theater over the next few months! The venerable institution is bringing in a huge array of shows, showcases and concerts for a variety of audiences. Here’s the rundown: Mainstage Shows: SHEAR MADNESS – Through April 30: Audiences are loving this absolutely hilarious comedy which is the longest running comedy in U.S. history. SISTER ACT (Quad City Premiere) May 4 – July 2: The hit 1992 movie starring Whoopi Goldberg comes to the Circa ’21 stage. MENOPAUSE THE MUSICAL – July 6 – August 27: A musical celebration... Read More

It’s St. Patrick’s Day, and we’re hoping you’re getting your Irish on today and throughout this week as festivities o’ the green have been rolling last weekend through this coming weekend. However, that’s no surprise, and that pot of gold of events at the Quad-Cities end of the rainbow has been noticed on a national level. This week, SafeCo Insurance and HomeInsurance.com analytics released a list of the the top 15 U.S. cities with the highest percentages of Irish descendants to join in their St. Patrick’s Day parades – and the Quad-Cities comes in at number 14. Number one? Butte-Silver... Read More

Ever wanted to be on stage? Circa ’21 Dinner Playhouse is holding auditions for the area premiere of “Junie B. Jones, The Musical,” an adaptation of four of Barbara Park’s hugely popular, best-selling children’s books brought to life in a genuinely comical and “not strictly-for-kids” musical. Auditions will be held Saturday, March 5 at 11 a.m. at the theatre, 1828 3rd Ave, Rock Island. “Junie” is the third different show produced at the Rock Island theatre, based on Barbara Park’s children’s books. Helming the spring children’s musical is director Kim Furness, popular... Read More

Don’t be sad this St. Patrick’s Day, don’t be sullen, don’t be disappointed you can’t find a good time and some great Irish music, because the Don’t Be Brothers are ready to turn those don’t’s into do’s. The Don’t Be Brothers, an Irish American Folksingers and Merrymakers Band, roll into Circa on Tuesday, March 15.  Tickets are $50.16 per person.  The doors open at 5:45, buffet (with Irish themed options) from 6-7:00 and the concert beginning at 7:15. The Don’t Bes are a couple of old Irish pub singers — Larry Kernagis and Larry Diemer — and three of their musically... Read More

If you want to trek to a land of hilarious, oddball fun, hit the trails to “Nocturne Falls” tomorrow night at the Establishment Theater. The show is one of Comedy Sportz’ regular after-hours studio series gigs, a slate of shorter performances with an R-rated slant that hit different distinct audiences, but have one thing in common – they’re all unique, hilarious and improvisational fun. “Nocturne” is part “Twin Peaks,” part Mayberry, part Weekly World News. It’s set in the town of the same name, and the show involves a group of its residents, each chatting, in monologues and... Read More

Bad dates. Horrible relationships. Awkward moments in online dating. We’ve all been through them, and known others who have as well. Now, Sean Leary and My Verona Productions is offering you the chance to laugh your way through others’ romantic miseries – and on the perfect day to shoot an arrow at Cupid, Valentine’s Day. “Shots 2 The Heart: Terrible Tales of Dating Disasters,” a new, original show, will debut Feb. 14 at Rock Island’s Establishment Theater, 201 19th St., Rock Island. Doors open at 6:30 p.m., show starts at 7. Tickets ($10 in advance, $12 at the door) are available... Read More

Rick Davis has long been known as an improvisational master of many hats and voices, and in his latest one-man show, “ChaRICKatures,” he’ll get the chance to use as many of both as he can in a show that finds the veteran local comedian presenting a show that even Establishment owner Patrick Adamson says is “really performing without a net.” Davis will eschew the usual practice of improvisation with other partners and instead will partner up with the crowd, playing an interesting game of presenting a handful of celebrities he’ll be impersonating and then having the audience suggestions... Read More