Circa ’21 owner Denny Hitchcock sent out the following letter tonight to Circa ’21 subscribers and patrons. It’s a sad farewell to the holiday show and the rest of the shows throughout 2020. Here’s hoping Circa is back better than ever and we’ll have a healthy country and season in 2021! Here’s the letter from Denny in its entirety: Dear Loyal Guest, With the closure of Rock Island County by Governor Pritzker at midnight Tuesday, we have made the difficult decision to close our doors for the holiday season. The holiday productions of “Winter Wonderland”... Read More

With the closure of indoor dining throughout the state, by Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker, Circa ’21 Dinner Playhouse has made the difficult decision to close its doors for the holiday season. The Rock Island theater’s planned productions of “Winter Wonderland” and “Seussical” will be moved to the end of the 2021 season instead. Circa has, however, received special permission from Springfield to remain open until this Saturday to finish the current run of “The Savannah Sipping Society.” “This was a terribly difficult decision,” Brett Hitchcock, director of audience development,... Read More

Rock Island’s Big Swing Brewing Company, 113 18th Street, announced today they will be closing immediately. In a video released on social media, the restaurant and brewing company housed in the old Blue Cat Brewing Company spot made the announcement. Over a montage of pictures of the staff and patrons, the message scrolled: “And suddenly you know, it’s time to start something new and trust the magic of new beginnings… “We will miss each and every one of you, and from our family to yours… “We have shared many laughs over burgers, tears over drinks, dancing... Read More

Denny and Brett Hitchcock are the most tenacious of entrepreneurs. For over 40 years, their business, Circa ’21 Dinner Playhouse, has endured a handful of recessions, booming and barren economic conditions, and, now, a pandemic. It certainly hasn’t been easy. Especially not in 2020. Both father and son have said, without hyperbole, that their business was very much in danger of going under if pandemic and economic conditions continued. However, this week, they re-opened, after several months of stress and uncertainty. They debuted a new show, “Savannah Sipping Society,” a homey comedy that’s... Read More

Following many years of work in historic preservation, Rock Island leaders made history again Monday, July 6, as the downtown officially became part of the National Register of Historic Places. Led by the city’s Community and Economic Development Department, the effort was announced by the city of Rock Island and the Development Association of Rock Island (DARI) on the Great River Plaza downtown. “Rock Island is a historically significant community. Establishing this designation offers many benefits to property owners and the community,” Mayor Mike Thoms said. “Projects will be easier to... Read More

The City of Rock Island is requiring that all bars and restaurants located in Rock Island’s city limits that hold a 3 AM license close at 2 AM effective immediately. The decision stems from the City wanting to be a regional player with the rest of the Quad Cities where bars and restaurants close at 2 AM. Growing concerns of COVID-19 also played a part in the decision as larger crowds tend to gather past the hours of 2 AM. The City has decided to close several downtown streets to provide more space for gathering areas to aid in social distancing. Mayor Mike Thoms says, “Beyond my duties as... Read More

The Big Swing is swinging back into business with a big grand re-opening from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Friday! The Rock Island restaurant and brew pub, located at 113 18th Street, in The District, dropped the following info on their Facebook page Thursday: Since we are some of the last to open, come show your support in Downtown Rock Island! WE WILL BE AWARDING PRIZES FROM OTHER LOCAL SMALL BUSINESSES TO HELP SUPPORT LOCAL! ALSO, TEE’S, GROWLERS, GIFT CARDS, VIP POINTS, MARTIAL ART CLASSES, BOWLING, AND MORE ALL DAY!! THEN PIERCED PRODUCTIONS KARAOKE & DJ starts Karaoke at 8pm!!! We have added... Read More

Grab your spandex and start teasing your hair now! Hairbangers Ball is heading to the Quad Cities! Hairbangers Ball will be rocking the District of Rock Island, along with special guest Corporate Rock, for Daiquiri Factory’s 15th Anniversary and RIBCO’s 40th Anniversary Party! The fun will happen on the stage outside of Daiquiri Factory (1809 2nd Ave Rock Island) on Saturday Jul 20. Gates open at 7 p.m. Admission for this all ages show is just $10. Hairbanger’s Ball was established out of Chicago in 2001. What started off as a “What If” idea quickly turned this band into one of the most... Read More

For one night only, DJ Shane Brown was back at the club he helped to make famous, 2nd Ave in downtown Rock Island, spinning new dance tracks and a few classics mixed in. Shane is normally at the McClellan Stockade in the Village of East Davenport, but he couldn’t resist the invitation to come back to the Ave to spin, and the packed dance floor was likewise happy to see the veteran DJ back on the tables!    Read More

The Big Swing is stepping to the tee in downtown Rock Island, opening its doors at noon today at the location of the old Blue Cat Brew Pub, 113 18th St., with a limited menu for Friday and Saturday before closing Sunday and Monday and re-opening with its full menu Tuesday, March 19. QuadCities.com was invited for a sneak preview of the venue to check out the menu and decor prior to the opening, and while it was still a work in progress when we saw it, its look was very much in line with the Blue Cat, albeit with a different color scheme and some refurbished seats, tables and hardware. The walls... Read More