The Laugh Hard Challenge is back this weekend for a second year of rocking the mic and ripping out the laughs for area audiences. In the six years since opening The Speakeasy has become known as one of the premiere venues in the area for stand up comedy. “Comics tell us on a regular basis it’s their favorite room in town to perform in” said Brett Hitchcock, Director of Audience Development. “Last year we hosted the inaugural Speakeasy Laugh Hard Challenge where we had comics from Chicago, Peoria, St Louis as well as our wonderful local comics coming together to compete in... Read More

It’s a gloomy Monday morning in a coffee shop filled with sleepy drones and the only full-time magician in the Quad-Cities is performing an amazing trick – he’s making my case of the Mondays disappear. And all without two dozen pieces of flair, shrimp poppers, pizza shooters or extreme fajitas! That’s because David Casas is more than a magician, he’s a magical performer. He’s got a charm, style and panache that makes him compelling to watch on- and off-stage when he’s talking about his craft. Casas, 36, mixes self-deprecating humor and a down-to-earth persona with quicksilver sleights... Read More

It’s hard to believe that anything could be better than cover bands, karaoke and gravy, unless it’s a Nickelback cover band that leads a karaoke version of “Call Me Maybe” re-titled “Call Me Gravy,” as they’re making gravy, but, as incomprehensible as it may be even within the realm of quantum physics, Andrew King insists that the new Bix Beiderbomb Presents MAY be even better than that. MAY be. He’s not making any promises or guarantees. So, if your to-do list for the week includes downing cheap beer, laughing at cheap comedy, being surprised by cheap thrills and stories and getting... Read More

Some of the most interesting and funny conversations any of us have had are those that have been in that crooked hour of the night when the liquor has kicked in and the inhibitions have kicked out. Heather Nobiling is hoping to recreate that loose, hilarious feel in the new show she’s put together, Chics with Bics, Just Having Beer In New Jammies: Comedy For a Girls’ Night Out. The gig takes place this Saturday, at the Speakeasy in Rock Island. Doors open at 7, show starts at 8. The cost is $10 in advance, $12 at the door. All female comics are onstage, but boys are allowed (and even encouraged!)... Read More

It may be hard out here for a pimp, as they say, but it’s much easier within the confines of the Rock Island Speakeasy for a pimproviser. The downtown venue at 1828 3rd Ave. is opening its doors once again to “Pimprov,” one of the most popular adult improv shows in Chicago on April 30. The doors open at 7 with the show at 8 p.m. Tickets for the show are $10 in advance and $12 at the door and may be reserved through the Circa ’21 ticket office, 1828 3rd Ave., Rock Island, calling (309) 786-7733, ext. 2, or online at www.thecirca21speakeasy.com. “Pimprov” has been a hugely successful... Read More

The latest sketch comedy show in the Quad-Cities, “The Lunchbox: Live,” opens up its bag of goodies this weekend, offering short hits of comedic takes on various subjects from superheroes to politics to vaping – although perhaps all three could be included in one sketch if you see Hillary in a cape dipping to vape. You never know. You’ll have to show up to find out! “The Lunchbox: Live,” was created by local actor and comedian Anthony Natarelli. Natarelli has been a regular on The District Theatre and Speakeasy stages. He was last seen there as the transgender rocker, Hedwig, in “Hedwig... Read More

It’s a gloomy Monday morning in winter in a coffee shop filled with sleepy drones and the only full-time magician in the Quad-Cities is performing an amazing trick – he’s making my case of the Mondays disappear. And all without two dozen pieces of flair, shrimp poppers, pizza shooters or extreme fajitas! That’s because David Casas is more than a magician, he’s a magical performer. He’s got a charm, style and panache that makes him compelling to watch on- and off-stage when he’s talking about his craft. Casas, 36, mixes self-deprecating humor and a down-to-earth persona with quicksilver... Read More

There’s something fun, relaxed, goofy and familiar about the Quad Cities Lip Sync battles that’s utterly charming, which is why, if you haven’t done so already, you really should check one of them out. This weekend, the regular gigs at the Rock Island Speakeasy turn their spotlight on songs from Disney, so if you’re a fan of the house of the mouse and its signature showtunes, you can get on board Saturday night. But if not, make sure you make time at some point in the future to include these unique events on your planner. I checked out the last Lip Sync event the first week in February... Read More

The Show Us Your Pokeballs crew is going back, and forth, in time for their latest show, an homage to everyone’s favorite Gallifreyan time lord, Dr. Who. “I’m really excited for this one, it’s not just Dr. Who, there are lot of geek culture references, but fans of Dr. Who will especially love it,” said writer, director and actor Josh Kahn. “These shows are always so much fun. They’re geek humor done by geeks for geeks, and I say that with all love possible. There are jokes for all different kinds of fandoms in here, and if you are passionate about anything related to geek culture,... Read More

We’re barely a month into the local theater season, but already the bar has been set pretty high for best show of the year with “Hedwig and the Angry Inch.” The rock musical, produced masterfully by Tristan Tapscott (best known for his work as impresario of District Theater) and brilliantly acted by titular star Anthony Jade Natarelli, is a bravura production, doing the award-winning source material proud and presenting a show of rare entertainment and exquisite humanity. For those who haven’t seen it or heard of it, “Hedwig,” which is making its area stage debut at Rock Island’s... Read More