Through January 4, guests of Davenport's German American Heritage Center are invited to explore themes of nostalgia, community, nature, and perspective in the wonderful collection The Prints of David & Sarojini Johnson.
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Court-ing fans in their eagerly anticipated return to Moline, the electrifying athletes of the Harlem Globetrotters bring their “100 Years of Thrills" tour to the Vibrant Arena at the MARK on January 7, thrilling crowds with phenomenal basketball action, comic hijinks, ankle-breaking moves, jaw-dropping swag, and rim-rattling dunks in a fully-modernized amphitheater production.
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Exploring the transformative role immigrants played from 1880 to 1924 as the United States shifted from farmland to factory floors, Why We Need Immigrants and Why That Causes Conflict will be presented by Peter Kivisto at the German American Heritage Center, this fascinating January 11 talk the first 2026 event in the Davenport venue's popular "Kaffee und Kuchen" series.
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With the virtual program boasting an interview with the bestselling author of six books including his most recent, Pulitzer Prize-winning King: A Life, the Rock Island and Silvis Public Libraries join Illinois Libraries Present in hosting Bringing History to Life with Jonathan Eig, this January 13 event finding the author in conversation with The Interview Show's Mark Bazer.
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An Augustana College graduate, former Moline teacher/coach, and Superintendent of Rock Island-Milan Public Schools takes part in a conversation about his recent memoir From Dubuque to Selma & Beyond, a pair of January 15 "Community Connections" book talks with Dave Markward that finds the author, at the Bettendorf Public Library, sharing his personal journey of understanding racism in America.
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Political Ideology Is Not Driving Socialisim's Rise in Global Cities, Structural Stability Amidst Unseen Resources Is
Over my 67 years in the Midwest, I’ve watched generations leave small towns for larger cities. I understand the appeal: opportunity, stimulation, anonymity, convenience. Alongside this pervasive trend, a political shift is taking place: socialism has become more acceptable and capitalism less revered, especially in the nation’s largest metros.
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Whitey’s entire life was shaped by the game of golf. Growing up during the Great Depression with a single mother who worked 12-hour shifts to care for her three children – with little help and no car – Whitey’s story is one of resilience and determination.
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Propaganda has proven itself to be among the most useful tools in the behavior modifiers' toolbox for capturing human cognitivity and strategically directing it to predetermined, highly specific conclusions. The success of propaganda campaigns depends on the techniques used, and the resources available for deploying and anchoring propaganda, including whether said messaging induces harmony or discord relative to the established hierarchy of social norms and mores.
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If housing were free, what kind of house would we live in? A mansion? Maybe a cardboard box? If a third party bought our food, even a close neighbor, would we eat well? Despite the obvious flaws in this logic, politicians have been enticing voters with empty promises of “free” healthcare while simultaneously making it both unaffordable and often unavailable.
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The two most intense state legislative pressure campaigns I’ve witnessed both ended in failure. Back in 2017, Governor Bruce Rauner tried everything he could think of to stop legislative Republicans from voting to increase the income tax to about where it was right before he took office for his one and only term.
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And they said it couldn't be done! Well, actually, no one to my knowledge ever said that … . But who cares? It was done, dammit! Our annual celebration of area theatre, the Reader Tony Awards, has made it to its 10th anniversary!
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Updated: Tuesday, December 23
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Reviews by Rochelle Arnold, Jeff Ashcraft, Patricia Baugh-Riechers, Audra Beals, Pamela Briggs, Dee Canfield, Madeline Dudziak, Kim Eastland, Emily Heninger, Heather Herkelman, Kitty (née Israel) Hooker, Mischa Hooker, Paula Jolly, Victoria Navarro, Roger Pavey Jr., Alexander Richardson, Mark Ruebling, Mike Schulz, Joy Thompson, Oz Torres, Brent Tubbs, Jill Pearson Walsh, and Thom White.
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It’s a long-running joke at our house that I get Irving Berlin’s Christmas-y shows confused, as both feature his music and plots about saving a small-town lodging facility from financial dire straits. So to be clear: The Circa '21 Dinner Playhouse is not currently staging Irving Berlin's Holiday Inn, but rather Irving Berlin’s White Christmas, directed and choreographed by Ashley Becher. And if you’re in the mood for a little holiday fun, you will not be disappointed.
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The Playcrafters Barn Theatre closes out its 2025 season with Cheaper by the Dozen, adapted for the stage by Christopher Sergel and directed by Emma Terronez. It offers family-friendly entertainment … if also entertainment devoid of yuletide cheer for the particularly Christmas-adverse.
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Known for creating collaborative, improvisation-driven performances that blend funk, soul, rock, and jazz influences into a fluid, ever-evolving live experience, Joe Marcinek and his band play Rock Island's recently re-opened RIBCO on January 3, his outfit bringing together elite musicians to explore groove-based music in real time, making every show unique.
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With Music Taster's Choice labeling the musician “one of the top 10 guitarists in the world,” the acclaimed blues rocker Anthony Gomes returns to Davenport's Redstone Room on January 9 in support of his 2025 album Praise the Loud, the acclaimed recording that Blues Rock Review called "an electrifying experience delivered with copious amounts of energy, virtuosity, feel, and swagger."
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On January 9, three touring tribute acts will deliver one exhilarating night of country hits when East Moline venue The Rust Belt hosts its co-headlining concert with Tennessee Whiskey: A Tribute to Chris Stapleton, The Ultimate Eric Church Experience, and Bell Bottom Revival: Lainey Wilson Tribute, a celebration of the Nashville-based singer/songwriters and their chart-topping, award-winning, multi-platinum-selling discographies.
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An intimate evening of gorgeous classical music will be hosted by Davenport's First Presbyterian Church on January 10, the Quad City Symphony Orchestra showcasing its principal oboe player in Up Close with Andy Parker, a night of lilting and energetic compositions with Parker accompanied on piano by frequent QCSO guest performer Marian Lee.
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Touring in support of their 2025 album Kill the Architect, a recording that Americana Highways said "works entertainingly and embodies their bold creativity," the indie rockers of Gasoline Lollipops return to Davenport's Raccoon Motel on January 13, the group also lauded by New Noise for their "a powerful mix of Americana, outlaw country, and just enough punk-rock swagger to appeal to those who won’t admit to liking those other two genres."
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I found this latest showcase for “hilarious” abhorrent behavior grossly self-satisfied and almost unfailingly obnoxious. The opening credits, though, are a hoot.
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James Cameron can always be counted on to deliver visual wonders the likes of which we've never seen before. No, wait: I take that back. I meant to say that James Cameron could always be counted on to deliver visual wonders the likes of which we've never seen before.
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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, December 18: Discussion of Ella McCay, Silent Night, Deadly Night, and On. What. Fun., previews of Avatar: Fire & Ash, The Housemaid, David, The SpongeBob Movie: Search for SquarePants, Anaconda, Marty Supreme, and Song Sung Blue, and a heartbroken appreciation of Rob Reiner. With Christmas and New Year's Day falling on Thursdays this year, no new segment 'til January 8 ... at which point you can definitely expect a lightning round. Happy Holidays and New Year to you all!
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Now playing at area theaters.
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From January 3, 2026, through January 3, 2027, masterworks on loan from Wichita, Kansas will be presented throughout the Figge’s Art Museum's Linda and J. Randolph Lewis Wing, with the exhibition Art Bridges: Ulrich Museum of Art presented through the Art Bridges Partner Loan Network – an art-sharing initiative that connects museums across the country.
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A dazzling, visually rich celebration of fascinating felines and the artists who love them, Cats! (the exhibit, not the musical) can be viewed in the third-floor gallery of Davenport's Figge Art Museum through January 4, this rich showcase inspired by our four-legged friends boasting works from both the museum's collection and on loan, and on display through the aid of contributing sponsors Carrie Kimple and Sue Quail.
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From now through January 4, masterworks on loan from the Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art will be presented throughout the Figge’s Art Museum's permanent collection galleries, with the exhibition Art Bridges: Partner Loan Network dedicated to bringing American art out of museum vaults and placing it on view in communities across the United States.
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With both artists hoping that viewers will take some time to look for meaning in their works and enjoy a diversion from the tensions of the day, talents from Iowa and Wisconsin will be showcased at the Quad City Arts International Airport Gallery, the Niebuhr & Ryan exhibit, through January 5, boasting arresting oil paintings by Michael S. Ryan and mixed-media works by Gary Warren Niebuhr.
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With the exhibition's trio of artists three hoping that viewers will take some time to look for joy in their work and enjoy a diversion from the tension happening around us, Mutschler, Quick, & Westphal will be on display at the Quad City Arts International Airport Gallery from January 6 through March 2, the showcase of Midwestern talent featuring photos by Pete Mutschler, folded paper by Rebecca Quick, and serigraphs by Keosha Westphal.
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