• Chris Kattan, March 12

    Beloved for his 1996 to 2003 tenure on Saturday Night Live, where he was best-known for characters including Mango, Mr Peepers, and one of the Butabi brothers opposite Will Ferrell, Chris Kattan performs as the latest guest in the "Laugh QC" Thursday Night Comedy Series held in the Mississippi Hall of the Davenport RiverCenter, the comedian's March 12 engagement treating fans to a night (at the Roxbury) with one of SNL's longest-serving cast members.

  • “The Founding Mothers of America,” March 12

    A fascinating illustrated lecture focusing on the remarkable women who had a first-hand view of our nation's creation, The Founding Mothers of America will be presented at the Rock Island Public Library's Watts-Midtown Branch on March 12, with presenter and touring performer Laura Keyes sharing insightful tales of her subjects' history, bravery, and surprising legacies.

  • “Five Nights at Freddy's” Pizza Party, March 16

    Treating kids to an evening of video games, yummy food, and a bunch of maniacal (but somehow lovable) animatronics, the Rock Island Public Library's Watts-Midtown Branch will, on March 16, welcome guests to the Five Nights at Freddy's Pizza Party, in which youths can enjoy free pizza while playing video games on the big screen.

  • Virtual Illinois Libraries Present: “Beyond the Page with Percival Everett,” March 19

    With the event's subject a Pulitzer Prize and National Book Award winner whose 2001 novel Erasure was adapted into Cord Jefferson's Oscar-winning 2023 comedy American Fiction, Beyond the Page with Percival Everett will enjoy a virtual March 19 presentation in an event hosted by Illinois Libraries Present, the author's prize-winning James from 2024 hailed by the New York Times as "Everett's most thrilling novel, but also his most soulful."

  • Larry the Cable Guy, March 21

    With two of his seven comedy albums hitting platinum status and children of all ages adoring him for voicing tow truck Mater in the Disney/Pizer franchise Cars, Blue Collar Comedian Larry the Cable Guy brings his national tour to Davenport's Rhythm City Casino Resort Event Center on March 21, the Billboard Award winner also a bestselling author and co-founder of the non-profit organization The Git-R-Done Foundation.

  • If There Remains Confusion Over What the Meaning of “Is” Is, Illinois Politics Offers No Clarification

    Unless you’ve been under a rock, you likely know that former President Bill Clinton seemed to say that he flew on Jeffrey Epstein’s private jet with JB Pritzker and his spouse – after saying that it was likely that Epstein as well as his notorious co-conspirator Ghislaine Maxwell were passengers on every flight he took on that plane.

  • Progressive Democrats' and Neocon Republicans' Stars Align Again

    President Trump’s February 19, 2026 Executive Order 14387, under the Defense Production Act of 1950, to ensure a stable and adequate supply of U.S.-produced Glyphosate also provides a liability shield for Bayer, a company that deliberately poisons human beings. It is unconscionable no matter the inconvenience in switching to safer, saner farming protocols, such as regenerative farming and crop rotation.

  • Reader 1043 MAR 2026 Jay Strickland Paper Peace Cranes Workshop
    Jay R. Strickland, RIP (1952-2026)

    Jay R. Strickland, 73, of Rock Island, passed away Sunday, February 22, 2026, at Unity Point Health, Rock Island. A Celebration of Life will be held Saturday April 4, 2026 from 2-4pm at the Reader offices located at 532 W 3rd Street, in downtown Davenport, Iowa.  Memorials can be made to the Figge Art Museum, Davenport.

  • Keith E. Meyer, RIP (1941-2026)
    Keith E. Meyer, RIP (1941-2026)

    Keith E. Meyer, 84, formerly a longtime resident of Davenport, died Tuesday, February 17, 2026, with family at his side. Keith was known for many things in his life including a peaceful protester and activist city watchdog who eventually was elected a Davenport City Alderman. Keith’s passions in life were easily identifiable when visiting his old house at 1012 Marquette Street. Visitors would be greeted by big black labs, or huskies, and offered a sample of his wine or homemade biscotti.

  •  Summit Carbon Solutions’ proposed pipeline route. (Main image courtesy Summit Carbon Solutions; seal courtesy State of Iowa)
    Iowa CO2 Pipeline Bills Are Faux Property Rights Virtue Signaling

    The Senate and House bills for the use of eminent domain for the Co2 pipeline, now called hazardous liquid pipeline, have become the same as they move into discussion by our legislators. We must review SF2067 and HF2104 to understand how to argue against this legislation.

  • “Honky Tonk Angels,” March 11 through April 25

    Praised by WhartonPlazaTheatre.com for its "rousing musical numbers, hilarious social commentary, and heavenly harmony," the feel-good, foot-stomping, country-music sensation Honky Tonk Angels enjoys a March 11 through April 25 run at Rock Island's Circa '21 Dinner Playhouse, RochesterMedia.com adding, "To paraphrase a well-known movie quote: Is this heaven? No. It’s Honky Tonk Angels. Welcome to heaven on earth.”

  • “Company,” March 12 through 15

    A groundbreaking achievement whose original Broadway production received six Tony Awards and whose most recent New York presentation won the Tony for Best Revival of a Musical, composer Stephen Sondheim's and author George Furth's Company enjoys a March 12 through 16 run in Augustana College's Brunner Theatre Center, the legendary work a resonant dramatic comedy by an artist the New York Times calls “one of the most sophisticated composers ever to write Broadway musicals.”

  • “Primary Trust,” February 27 through March 15

    The recipient of the 2024 Pulitzer Prize for Drama that, according to Intermission magazine, "cuts to the heart with a simply constructed story, understated humor, and dialogue unburdened by purple prose," playwright Eboni Booth's Primary Trust makes its Iowa City debut at Riverside Theatre February 27 through March 15, the work also hailed by The Daily Beast as "beautifully written" and "a 95-minute, intermissionless, buffed-to-gleaming jewel.”

  • City Circle Theatre Company's “Jesus Christ Superstar,” March 20 through 29

    One of the most beloved and iconic rock operas of all time enjoys a spectacular new staging at the Coralville Center for the Performing Arts when City Circle Theatre Company presents hosts its July 20 through 29 run of Jesus Christ Superstar, the Andrew Lloyd Webber/Tim Rice classic boasting such unforgettable numbers as “Everything's Alright,” “Hosanna,” “King Herod's Song,” and the timeless ballad “I Don't Know How to Love Him.”

  • “Charlotte's Web,” March 24 through April 11

    With its source material named "the best American children's book of the past two hundred years" by the Children's Literature Association, the stage version of E.B. White's beloved Charlotte's Web enjoys a March 24 through April 11 run at Rock Island's Circa '21 Dinner Playhouse, this adaptation by playwright Joseph Robinette praised by the Chicago Tribune as a theatre piece that "manages to hit the emotional and humorous high points of the original."

  • Bailey Zimmerman, March 13

    Touring in support of his 2025 album Different Night Same Rodeo, a recording Country Central praised for the artist's "ability to sound authentic when singing about any of the themes he touches on," chart-topping country rocker Bailey Zimmer headlines a March 13 concert event at Moline's Vibrant Arena at the MARK, his latest also hailed by Entertainment Focus as "a confident, complex and rewarding album that cements Zimmerman's place as one of country's most interesting young voices."

  • “Are You Ready for It? A Taylor Experience,” March 13

    An award-nominated production featuring show-stopping costume changes, dynamic choreography, a live band, immersive multimedia, and unforgettable sing-along moments spanning every era, Are You Ready for It? A Taylor Experience will re-create the magic of Taylor Swift at Galesburg's Orpheum Theatre on March 13, performing all the hits, in a proudly G-rated production, from albums ranging from her self-titled debut to The Life of a Showgirl.

  • Chained Up Alice: Alice in Chains Tribute, March 14

    Composed of vocalist/acoustic guitarist Emily Cooper, vocalist/guitarist Dan Spannraft, bass player Natalee Algozino, and drummer Jason DesBiens, the rockers of Chained Up Alice: Alice in Chains Tribute headline a March 14 engagement at Davenport's Raccoon Motel, the Chicago musicians dedicated to performing songs from both eras of Alice in Chains' career, delivering hits, classic fan favorites, and deep cuts in a high-energy, unforgettable live performance.

  • Foghat and Head East, March 14

    Two legendary classic-rock bands with more than a half-century of professional performance apiece will team up for one unforgettable night at the Rhythm City Casino Resort Event Center on March 14, with the Davenport venue proud to host Foghat ridin’ strong on their “Slow Ride” 50th Anniversary tour, and joined by the authentic, full-vocal, good-time rock harmonies of Head East.

  • Descendents, March 14

    With voicalist Milo Aukerman, guitarist Stephen Egerton, drummer Bill Stevenson, and bass player Karl Alvarez having stayed with the outfit for a full 40 years in a row, the punk rockers of Descendents bring their national tour to Davenport's Capitol Theatre on March 14, the band itself having been it existence since 1977, and the group's biggest hits including 1996's Everything Sucks, 2004' Cool to Be You, and 2016's chart-topping Hypercaffium Spazzinate.

  • Wake Up, I Think Maggie's Got Something to Say to You: “The Bride!”, “Hoppers,” and the 2026 Oscar-Nominated Short Films: Animation

    If possible, Maggie Gyllenhaal's intensely watchable, intensely problematic revisionist salute is an even nuttier achievement than Young Frankenstein, if not always nutty in appreciable ways.

  • Mike Schulz with Dave & Darren on Planet 93.9 FM

    Going to the cineplex or staying in and streaming this weekend? Every Thursday morning at 8:15 a.m. you can listen to Mike Schulz dish on recent movie releases & talk smack about Hollywood celebs on Planet 93.9 FM with the fabulous Dave & Darren in the Morning team of Dave Levora and Darren Pitra. The morning crew previews upcoming releases, too. Or you can check the Reader Web site and listen to their latest conversation by the warm glow of your electronic device. Never miss a pithy comment from these three scintillating pundits again

    Thursday, March 5: Discussion of Scream VII, Pillion, and EPiC: Elvis Presley in Concerts, previews of Hoppers, The Bride!, Protector, and the Oscar-nominated shorts at the Last Picture House, and an even longer, more shameless plug for Mike's run in God of Carnage at Moline's Playcrafters Barn Theatre. Dave saw it, and has a few things to say -- blessedly, all good things.

  • Slit, Slash, It Ain't No Kind of Bash: “Scream VII,” “Pillion,” and “EPIC: Elvis Presley in Concert”

    As a slasher flick with comedic leanings, director/co-writer Kevin Williamson's Scream 7 is pretty weak. As a half-dozenth sequel so steeped in callbacks and meta-commentary that nostalgia is practically its plot, it's exhausting. And as a statement on big-studio moviegoing practices and habits with a quarter of the 21st century behind us, it's depressing as hell.

  • Seven-Course Melee: “How to Make a Killing” and “I Can Only Imagine 2”

    In this dark comedy thriller, and in a change of pace for the performer, Margaret Qualley turns out not to be an on-screen firecracker. She's more like a countdown clock, the type that requires action heroes to cut either the blue or red wire before everything gets blown to bits

  • Now Playing: Friday, February 27, through Thursday, March 5

    Now playing at area theaters.

Art

  • Art Conversation Talk, March 12

    Held in conjunction with the current exhibit The Golden Age: Featuring Northern European Works from the Collection of the National Gallery of Art, Davenport's Figge Art Museum will host a special Art Conservation Talk on March 12, the event featuring a program conservator visiting the Quad Cities from the National Gallery of Art.

  • “Laber & Mullins,” through March 20

    With the works of both Iowa-based artists boasting vivid colors and expressive storytelling qualities, the dual exhibition Laber & Mullins will be on display in Rock Island's Quad City Arts Center through March 20, this showcase of local talent boasting evocative, thrilling paintings by Phillip Laber and Rachael Mullins.

  • “Rocks, Minerals, & Gems: The Olsen Collection,” February 24 through March 20

    Amethyst cathedrals, diamonds, Lake Superior agates, opals, geodes, and additionally beautiful objects will be on view at the University of Dubuque's Bisignano Art Gallery through March 20, with works in the fascinating exhibition Rocks, Minerals, & Gems: The Olsen Collection spanning five-plus decades of curiosity, craftsmanship, and global exploration.

  • “Langer, Lesperance, & Schroeder,” March 4 through April 27

    A wide range of disparate mediums and gorgeous artworks will be on display at the Quad City Arts International Airport Gallery from March 4 through April 27, with art lovers area-wide invited to view new metal and fiber sculpture by Amanda Langer, encaustics by Cindy Lesperance, and Japanese tiles by Nick Schroeder in the exhibit Langer, Lesperance, & Schroeder.

  • “Young Artists at the Figge,” through May 24

    Always an eagerly awaited series at the Figge Art Museum, the latest incarnation of Young Artists at the Figge will be on display from through May 24, with the Davenport venue celebrating the accomplishments of budding creative talents whose works will be showcased in a continuing series of individual exhibitions.