Moline’s Fourth Wall Films has been selected to produce a visitor center film for South Dakota’s newest state park — Good Earth State Park at Blood Run near Sioux Falls.  Mid-America Emmy® nominated filmmakers Kelly and Tammy Rundle successfully competed with 42 proposals by 36 other companies nationwide to win the $276,000 contract from the South Dakota Game, Fish and Parks (GFP) Department. The Good Earth State Park at Blood Run Visitor Center film will present the fascinating story of this historical and cultural site as told by a Native American grandfather to his grandchildren. ... Read More

A man’s worth is determined by the number of people who feel more valuable for having been in his presence. And in this way, Bob Murdock was one of the richest men in the Quad-Cities. “Dr” Bob Murdock passed away late Sunday night and since then a large part of the Quad-Cities community has been awash in shock and sadness over the loss of a great man, a longtime beacon of the community and a good friend. Murdock grew up in Ohio and moved to the Quads in 1991 to help open the long defunct Funny Bone Comedy Club. But like so many things in life, the plans we make often lead us to the destiny... Read More

Fans of the Retro Rally and Street Fair are ready to twist again like they did last summer, with a whirl of ‘50s-themed nostalgia and cool events for the whole family at the fourth annual shindig hitting Rock Island’s college hill Saturday from noon to 5. Memories of rallies past continue to drive the success and crowd numbers of the annual Retro Rally and Street Fair in Rock Island’s college hill, and have driven up expectations for this year’s event. “This year’s event is going to be much bigger, much better!” said organizer Jennifer Horvath, who also owns one of the participating... Read More

Kids around the Quad-Cities are celebrating the end of the school year, and that means that parents around the Quad-Cities are asking themselves what they’re going to do with their kids now that school is out. Junior Theater offers some solutions that are entertaining, artistic and educational for kids this summer. Founded in 1951, DJT is the second-oldest children’s theatre in America that produces theatre “For Kids, By Kids”. Programming is available for kids ages 3-18. With a goal of teaching kids to present themselves clearly, confidently, and creatively.  Summer classes start the... Read More

The city of Rock Island needs to stop pining like John Cusack lofting a sad boom box of tax incentives outside the window of the richest people in America and instead turn that attention to where their music could really be heard and appreciated – ringing through the streets of its downtown. For months, Rock Island has been panting after a Walmart location on 11th Street, and as most cities do, they have thrown a boatload of incentives at the owners of the chain, the Walton family, who need it about as much as Scrooge McDuck needs another bed of gold bars. Listen, I get it, guys. Walmart is a... Read More

Antoinette Holman has always been a star, she just needed a vehicle to show it, and I can’t think of a better way for her to debut than as the lead of Circa’s new “Sister Act.” With its combination of sass, singing and humor, Holman is perfect for the part, and it’s her brilliant talent that’s the biggest factor in leading the show to such a triumph. It’s not just Holman that highlights the show. It’s a terrific production in many ways I’ll get into shortly. But when you’ve got to cast a character that is in almost every scene, in a musical in which she sings the majority of... Read More

District Theater’s “Behanding in Spokane” is an absolute joy to experience, a dark, wonderful array of literary and theatrical twists and turns that’s exhilarating and fun. I very highly recommend it. Martin McDonagh is one of the most original voices in theater to emerge over the last 15 years. The closest comparison overall is Quentin Tarantino, in that McDonagh has a brilliant talent for dark, often violently dark, comedy and breaking barriers in regard to aggressive language in a way that’s both primal and intellectual. McDonagh’s closest comparison  stage-wise is David Mamet,... Read More

Is it Shop Small Business Week? I never pay attention. Because for me, and thousands of other Quad-Citians, every week is shop small business week. And honestly, that should always be the case. Local businesses aren’t just the economic and entrepreneurial life blood of an area, they offer you a world of new adventures you’re never going to find anywhere else. And if variety is the spice of life, the Quad-Cities offers you a pretty ample spice rack that’s full of delicious flavors for you to enjoy. Yeah, yeah, yeah, I know. I see your eyes rolling, “ANOTHER damn patronizing editorial about... Read More

Heavenly humor and music is going to be shining down on the congregation of Circa ’21 Dinner Theater this summer as the Rock Island venue opens up its pearly gates to “Sister Act.” The Broadway musical-comedy smash hit opens May 6 and runs through July 2. Based on 1992’s wildly popular film comedy starring Whoopi Goldberg, and nominated for five 2011 Tony Awards including  Best Musical, this hilarious, endearing, and high-energy production will have you riding a wave of pure musical-comedy exhilaration, and is being brought to life by a magnificent cast of professional talents. “Sister... Read More

For the first time in its 64 year history, Davenport Junior Theatre is featuring a show starring… a puppet. See our previous coverage of “The Magical Lamp of Aladdin” :  Puppet Lead Adds To ‘Aladdin’s’ Magic For Junior Theatre The Magical Lamp of Aladdin April 30, May 7 at 1 and 4 p.m., May 1 and May 8 at 2 p.m. Davenport Junior Theater, 2822 Eastern Ave, Davenport Tickets: adults $8, ages 3-17 $6, under 2 free, sold at the door www.DavenportJuniorTheatre.org (563) 326-7862  Read More