Thanks to a generous donor, Earl Hanson was able to purchase a new playground for its students! On Friday, August 26, Earl Hanson Elementary School hosted a ribbon-cutting ceremony to celebrate its new playground. The PTO (parent-teacher organization) asked the school’s principal what are the school’s needs. She told them a playground, somewhere for the kids to play. The PTO members reached out to some of its community connections and found a donor. Seeing the need for a new playground, Heidi Huiskamp Collins generously donated funds through the Rock Island-Milan Education Foundation,... Read More

Circa ’21 looking for girls for their holiday shows! Circa ’21 is announcing auditions for local youth females in their holiday musicals, “White Christmas” and “Santa Claus the Musical.” Auditions will be held at 6 p.m., Tuesday, Sept. 20, at the theater, 1828 3rd Avenue, Rock Island. For the role of Susan in “White Christmas,” girls must play 9-years old, and be no taller than 5-foot tall. “White Christmas” rehearses during the day Oct 27-Nov 5 and afternoons & evening Nov. 6-11; performances are Nov 9-Dec 30 (Wednesday matinee, Wednesday evening, Friday evening, Saturday... Read More

Thursday Night Groove rocks Schwiebert Park every Thursday night through Sept. 22! The free concert schedule in downtown Rock Island includes: 8/25 Ivan Singh – Sponsored by Mississippi Valley Blues Society 9/1 Wicked Liz & the Bellyswirls 9/8 Crooked Cactus Band 9/15 Soul Storm 9/22 Phyllis and the Sharks 9/29 North of 40 10/6 Piso’s Cure – Sponsored by The Arc of the Quad Cities Area 10/13 Class of ’82 – Sponsored by The Arc of the Quad Cities Area 10/20 Rain Date if needed For more visit THURSDAY NIGHT GROOVE  Read More

Polyrhythms 8th Annual Bill Bell Jazz & Heritage Festival will be held August 19-21 in Rock Island and Bettendorf! Martin Luther King, Jr. Community Center (Outside) 630 Martin Luther King Drive Rock Island, IL Rivermont Collegiate Becherer Hall Auditorium 1821 Sunset Drive Bettendorf, IA MUSICAL PERFORMANCE TIMES: Friday Aug 19 2022 – Martin Luther King, Jr. Community Center 7-8p Charlotte Blu 8:30-9:45p Wes Julien with Club Crib Entertianment Sat Aug 20 2022 – Martin Luther King, Jr. Community Center 5:30-6:30p Saul Lubaroff (alto sax) and Andy Parrott (guitar) Duo 7-8p The Channel... Read More

The 7th Annual Dawn And On Music Festival, a celebration of music, family and fun, is back July 23. The iconic – and socially distant event – will be held at the beautiful Schwiebert Park in Rock Island, IL. Enjoy the same incredible music and festival vibe you’ve come to love from Dawn and On on July 23 on the beautiful Mississippi River! GET YOUR TICKETS HERE: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/2022-dawn-and-on-music-festival-tickets-371213659047?fs=e&s=cl  Read More

Calling all Halloween Enthusiasts: Skellington Manor is looking for scare actors for the 2022 haunt season! Are you Interested in joining our legendary haunted house cast? Are you energetic, enthusiastic, and have a love for performing and want to stretch your acting abilities? Interested in creating a character that scares the yell out of willing victims? We are scheduling interviews and tours on the following dates: Wednesday, July 13th – 5pm – 8pm Don’t be afraid……. Get all the details here: OPEN CASTING  Read More

Northern Parallels is back for it’s 55th event for one night after a 7 month hiatus, at 7 p.m. TONIGHT at Rozz Tox, 2108 3rd Ave., Rock Island. This is an open air event on the terrace of Rozz-Tox. Rozz-Tox $5 cover All ages Quality Techno & House Music  Read More

Outdoor theater is back in the Quad Cities this summer! Join the Genesius Guild as they open our 2022 season with a Shakespeare classic: Romeo & Juliet. This story is one of Shakespeare’s most well-known works. The play takes place in fair Verona, where the dueling Montagues and Capulets stand in the way of a young couple’s love. Watch classical theatre under the stars on June 18, 19, 25 and 26! Get all the details here: https://www.genesius.org  Read More

Join a community celebration to empower and bring awareness to the lives of the LGBTQ+ and its Allies! Enjoy a weekend of Live music, Drag Shows, Pyro, Burlesque and much more while visiting local merchants vendors and also check out some great organizations in the QC that will be present. Festivities will be held in Schwiebert Riverfront Park in Downtown Rock Island, IL. Admission is $7 PER DAY $12 WEEKEND PASS Get all the details here: https://quadcitiespridefestivals.com/  Read More

Arts Alley, the public alleyway at 1719 2nd Ave. in Downtown Rock Island, will undergo a major facelift thanks to a $267,181 grant award to the Quad Cities Chamber and City of Rock Island from the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO).   “These types of statewide grant programs are extremely competitive, so it’s exciting to see the State of Illinois recognize and support our ongoing efforts to revitalize Downtown Rock Island through this award,” said Jack Cullen, Director, Downtown Rock Island for the Chamber. “Arts Alley is a unique but underutilized shared... Read More