We at QuadCities.com are as excited as you are for the big grand opening of the Big Swing. The new restaurant and brew pub, located in the old Blue Cat Brew Pub in downtown Rock Island, opens Friday at noon. However, QuadCities.com was given an exclusive sneak preview of the hot spot. We were stoked to see the new menu and we’re here to share it with you. Check out your site for fun, free, local entertainment later tonight for more pictures of the interior and more news on the Big Swing grand opening. And don’t forget to like and check out our Facebook page for an exclusive video preview of... Read More

The scotch egg is staying. So is the meatloaf. So is the catfish, and many other menu items, almost all of the décor and a good portion of the staff, when The Big Swing opens next Friday in the former Blue Cat Brew Pub. The spot will have a limited menu opening Friday and Saturday, March 15-16, then will be closed Sunday and Monday, before having its full opening and menu March 19. “We’re excited and we’re looking forward to opening and welcoming the community,” said John Timmer, a co-owner of the Swing, as well as Milan’s Backyard Bowl and Abides Bar and Grill, with Shane Scott and... Read More

Tav Falco and Panther Burns ripped up the stage at RIBCO with their raucous rock last weekend, much to the delight of those assembled on a warm spring night for beverages and hot live music. The band will continue to tour through the year in support of their album, Cabaret of Daggers. For more information about the group, see www.tavfalco.com.  Read More

You’ve gotta love an artist whose muses have included Beetlejuice and Vincent Price. Jackie Krebs, who has painted portraits of those two titans of horror films and more, is the new artist-in-residence at A Taste of Q-C Art beginning Friday, Feb. 3 atTaste Buds, 150 16 ½ St., Rock Island. You can get a taste of Quad-Cities art while getting a taste of some delicious snacks and beverages beginning at the opening reception for Krebs’ art at 5 p.m. Thursday. A Taste of Q-C Art is a new rotating art exhibit featuring area creators debuting at the Rock Island shop notable for its smoothies, coffees,... Read More

For the last 26 years, Ya Maka My Weekend has been a tradition in The District of downtown Rock Island. This festival celebrates the culture of the Caribbean. It is known for its colorful atmosphere, delicious foods, and lively reggae music. This year, the celebration takes place from 4 p.m. to midnight Saturday Aug. 12. Ya Maka My Weekend will be held on the Great River Plaza, 2nd Avenue between 18th street to 1st and 3rd avenue, in downtown Rock Island, IL. Admission is $9 for a one-day pass and $14 for a two-day. Group discounts are available in advance. Children 12 and under are free and no... Read More

The Skeleton Key Art and Antiques is turning 4 and you’re invited to help them celebrate! On Sunday Aug 6 from 12-4 p.m. the Skeleton Key will be celebrating four years of business in downtown Rock Island (520 18th Street) in style! There will be special sales, door prizes, cupcakes and more. While you’re there, feel free to browse around for that special addition to your home décor, amazing jewelry and antiques that speak to you. Come for the party and stay for the one-of-a-kind collection found at the Skeleton Key Art and Antiques!  Read More

Calling all homebrew creators and homebrew consumers! It is time we celebrate all that is good with enzymes and fermentation! It is officially time for Rivers Edge Homebrew Festiv-Ale! On Saturday July 15 from 2-6 p.m. in The District of Rock Island you are invited to enjoy the area’s best homebrewer’s fruits (or barley) of labor. Tickets for this event are only $20 and include a Festiv-Ale tasting glass and beer sampling tickets. Advanced tickets can be purchased online at https://midwestix.securemytix.com/event/homebrew-festiv-ale.  Tickets will also be available at the door. Some of the... Read More

Sunday, July 9th marks the second monthly installment of the 2017 Rock Island Artists‘ Market. Over 20 vendors selling art, hand-crafted goods and more will be set up in the parking lot of Skeleton Key Art and Antiques at 520 18th Street, Rock Island. The market takes place on the second Sunday of each month, June through October, from 12-4 pm. The Rock Island Artists’ Market was formed through a partnership of the Rock Island Arts Advisory Committee and Skeleton Key Art and Antiques. The Rock Island Arts Advisory Committee held public meetings last year to discuss ideas for expanding the arts... Read More

A Year With Frog and Toad, the latest children’s production at Circa ’21, is wonderfully done, a show which perfectly captures the tone, feel and look of one of America’s most popular children’s-story series. The terrific, literate show, which was nominated for three 2003 Tony Awards including Best Musical, is masterfully done, and I, as an adult watching it, truly enjoyed it. I think adults watching it will likewise appreciate its subtle, well-crafted style, and smaller children will particularly like it, especially if they are fans of the book. It is a bit slow-moving, and pre-teens... Read More

One of America’s most popular children’s-story series gets a fun-filled stage makeover when Circa ’21 Dinner Playhouse presents its debut of the charming, hilarious family musical A YEAR WITH FROG & TOAD. Nominated for three 2003 Tony Awards including Best Musical, this hour-long theatrical treat to sure to entertain kids of all ages, and is being brought to life by an exceptional cast and crew of professional talents. Circa ’21 will present A YEAR WITH FROG & TOAD on scheduled Tuesday, Thursday, Friday, and Saturday mornings and afternoons from June 13 through July... Read More