• Virtual Illinois Libraries Present: “J. Kenji López-Alt: A Journey Through Food & Science,” November 18

    On November 18, a virtual evening of cooking insights, techniques, and foodie exploration will be delivered as Illinois Libraries Present and the Rock Island and Silvis Public Libraries host a presentation of J. Kenji López-Alt: A Journey Through Food & Science, a delightful how-to program with the award-winning cookbook author and New York Times food columnist.

  • “Friends”Giving Trivia Night, November 21

    The rain may not start to pour, but staffers at Great River Brewery will be there for you – like they've been there before! – on November 21, the evening of which will find the Davenport venue inviting patrons to share their best guesses on Central Perk factoids in the sitcom- and holiday-themed FriendsGiving Trivia Night.

  • “The Belgian Connection: Belgium's Influence Abroad & in the Quad Cities,” November 23

    In the latest program in the German American Heritage Center's popular "Kaffee und Kuchen" series, Honorary Consul Patrick Van Nevel will be discussing Belgium's role in the founding and expansion of the European Union, as well as Belgian immigration to the Quad Cities from 1850 to 1920, in The Belgian Connection: Belgium's Influence Abroad & in the Quad Cities, presented at the Davenport venue on November 23.

  • “German Expressionist Prints from the David & Sarojini Johnson Collection,” through December 14

    Amassed over four decades by a pair of noted printmakers and educators, the fascinating works found in German Expressionist Prints from the David & Sarojini Johnson Collection will be on display in Davenport's German American Heritage Center through December 14, this showcase of arresting pieces held in conjunction with the Figge Art Museum's companion exhibit Fever Dreams: German Expressionism.

  • “The Vault,” through December 31

    A massive display of one of the venue's six collections storerooms, the long-awaited open-storage locale The Vault is officially viewable at Davenport's Putnam Museum & Science Center. its shelves featuring countless pieces of fine China dinner sets, 16th-century saddles, a ship wheel, turn-of-the-century furniture, and a full-sized shrine.

  • Even After Chuy García Calls a Lasting Shabbat, One Thing Abides: Nobody Messes with the Jesus

    You likely already know that U.S. Representative Jesus “Chuy” García, D-Chicago, dropped out of his re-election race in a way that essentially handed his seat to his top aide. García said his doctor advised him not to run again because of his heart condition, as did his spouse, who has multiple sclerosis that didn’t respond to her most recent treatment. And he and his wife had just adopted a grandchild after the death of his daughter. Amid all that, García said he decided the Friday before the Monday petition-filing deadline to drop out. And he decided the same day to back his chief of staff, Patty García, to replace him on the ballot.

  • Not Even G. Gordon Liddy Could Fix a Leak. So Just Sit Back and Enjoy the Show.

    House Democratic legislators received a stern lecture during the second week of veto session about leaks from their private party caucus meetings. During the first week of veto session in October, I posted a photo on my blog of a caucus PowerPoint presentation showing the range of revenue ideas under consideration in the House to fund mass transit ... while the caucus was still meeting. That apparently caused quite a stir.

  • The Python Spirit Inside the GOP: October 16, 2025 Speech from David K. Clements at the Scott County Republican Party Reagan Dinner

    https://www.theprofessorsrecord.comAnd I'm always shocked when I get these invitations to come speak because my heart is all about making sure that we defeat the great slave master. And it's in an unaccountable black box that we use in every single state. So while we chuckle about 81 million votes going to Joe Biden, we rarely turn the scalpel towards our own backyards. And it's especially difficult to give these speeches in red states. Very difficult, right? It's easy to say those Democrats have problems. But it's we we get really, really cautious about talking about, especially at a Reagan dinner, that our elections have problems.

  • True the Vote or Screw the Vote It is Your Choice Cartoon by Ed Newmann copyright 2025
    If It Can Happen in Mesa County, Colorado, It Can Happen in Scott County, Iowa

    This means there is real hope for growing the GOP in Scott County into a pack of American Republic advocates for nonnegotiable election integrity as spelled out below, the restoration of adjudication using petit juries and public access to grand juries, and a force for the people's purse power. This was apparent with the recent annual Reagan Dinner, held at Bettendorf's Quad-Cities Waterfront Convention Center, where the service was exceptional, the food uncommonly good for a large catered event, and for our entertainment, enjoyment, and self-improvement, four remarkable gentlemen provided much-needed perspective as front-liners to subjects that otherwise lurk in the corners of establishment politics as third rails.

  • How Much Longer, and How Much Tighter, Will Illinois Road-Building Unions Be Asked to Cinch in Their Pants?

    Last May, several Illinois House Democrats complained bitterly that their mass-transit negotiators were ignored and even shut out by the Senate Democratic mass-transit negotiators. The House members had a point. The Senate passed a bill, which was an almost purely Senate Democratic creation. They literally gave the House a “take it or leave it, but you have to decide right now” moment during the final minutes of the spring legislative session.

  • The Parents Trapp: Quad City Music Guild's “The Sound of Music,” at the Prospect Park Auditorium through November 23

    A handful of transitions land a little differently on stage, which can take a moment to adjust to if the classic film is your primary Sound of Music reference point. Luckily, if you’re willing to be a little flexible, director David Blakely’s production is most enjoyable overall.

  • Holmes for the Holidays: “A Sherlock Carol,” at the Richmond Hill Barn Theatre through November 23

    Mischa: I thought it was a fun mash-up of these two classic fictional worlds, and appreciated the cleverness with which they were combined.

    Kitty: Maybe I’m a Scrooge, but I kept thinking, “Okay, so it’s A Christmas Carol starring Sherlock Holmes. But … why?”

  • Parydice: “Eurydice,” at St. Ambrose University through November 23

    Directed by Daniel Hale and beautifully written by Sarah Ruhl, Eurydice is now playing in the studio theatre at St. Ambrose University. and this production offers a theatrical treat to warm your heart.

  • “Proceed to Checkout,” November 20 through 23

    A collection of 10 death-affirming plays, sketches, and monologues that includes Silence, which the Miami Herald called “deeply moving,” author Henry Meyerson's Proceed to Checkout serves as the 2025-26 season-opening production at Bettendorf's Scott Community College's, the show's November 20 through 23 run also treating attendees to the short work Pop Goes the Weasel, which NYTheatre hailed as “a sharp, very original piece."

  • “The Lion in Winter,” November 21 through December 6

    Hailed by the New York Times as "a work of intelligence, astringent wit, and much theatrical skill," William Goldman's stage classic The Lion in Winter enjoys a November 21 through December 6 run at Moline's Black Box Theatre, this acclaimed theatre piece also the inspiration for the 1968 film classic that won Goldman an Academy Award for his adaptation and secured Katharine Hepburn the third of her four Oscars.

  • “A Motown Christmas,” November 17

    Featuring a world-class vocal group assembled from past and present members of legendary ensembles The Miracles and The Contours, the touring sensation A Motown Christmas lands at Davenport's Adler Theatre on November 17, and evening of dazzling choreography and unforgettable harmonies performed in that unforgettable, soulful Motown style.

  • Delaney Bailey, November 18

    Hailed by The Reflector for songs that are "emotional, intimate, and cinematic," indie-pop, folk, and jazz singer/songwriter Delaney Bailey headlines a November 18 concert at Davenport's Raccoon Motel, the artist's 2022 EP (i would have followed you) lauded by Ones to Watch as "a hauntingly breathtaking folk project that both disintegrates you yet reminds you just how alive you really are."

  • Pentatonix, November 19

    Lauded by The Sun Chronicle for their “distinct vocal harmonies, choreography, and performances [that] have helped bring a cappella into the mainstream of music,” the chart-topping pop singers of Pentatonix bring their seasonal "Christmas in the City Tour" to Moline's Vibrant Arena at the MARK on November 19, showcasing the talents that have thus far resulted in three Grammy Awards and numerous appearances on the TV smashes The Sing-Off and The Masked Singer.

  • El Khat, November 19

    Lauded by PopMatters as "a project of equal parts technical skill and intangible humanity," the multi-cultural multi-instrumentalists of El Khat headline a November 19 concert event at Rock Island venue Rozz-Tox, the three-piece ensemble from Israel's Tel Aviv boasting the talents of lead vocalist Eyal el Wahab (seer, kearat, pahit), Lo tan Yaish (self-made drum kit), and Yefet Hassan (organ, percussion, self-made instruments).

  • The Henhouse Prowlers, November 20

    Traveling the country in support of their 2025 recording Unravel and praised by Time Out Chicago for their "heavenly harmonies on top of furious fingerpicking," the bluegrass quartet The Henhouse Prowlers headlines a November 20 concert at Davenport's Redstone Room in their 20th year of performance, the group also lauded by Sound Fuse for their "straight-laced, tight-knit, barn-burning bluegrass with enough vocal harmonization to make Del McCoury blush."

Art

  • “Day of the Dead,” through November 30

    A traditional Mexican holiday is again being celebrated in high style at Davenport's Figge Art Museum through the exhibit Day of the Dead, with museum patrons, through November 30, invited to reflect on why this Mexican tradition endures, and how it is gaining new resonance across the United States.

  • An Explosion of Color and Life: “Voces y Visiones: A Celebration of Hispanic Art,” at the Quad City Arts Center through December 5

    Quad City Arts has curated a new exhibit that celebrates the decades long burgeoning Hispanic culture here in the Quad Cities. A colorful and pulsating exhibit of 30-plus pieces – Voces y Visiones: A Celebration of Hispanic Art – is on view at Quad City Arts’ Rock Island Gallery (1715 Second Avenue, Rock Island IL) through December 5. This juried exhibition is presented in partnership with Mercado on Fifth, and Hispanic/Latin/Latinx artists were especially encouraged to apply.

  • “Fever Dreams: German Expressionism,” through December 7

    With the Davenport venue partnering alongside the German American Heritage Center and Museum for programming during the exhibit's run, the Figge Art Museum will house Fever Dreams: German Expressionism in the Lewis Gallery through December 7, this arresting exhibition featuring loans from the David and Sarojini Johnson Print Collection, and showcased in conjunction with the GAHC's companion exhibit German Expressionist Prints from the Johnson Collection.

  • “Artificial and Still: Woven Works on Paper,” through December 12

    With the project supported by Quad City Arts' re-granting program Arts Dollars, the Illinois Arts Council Agency, the Hubbell-Waterman Foundation, and the Quad Cities Community Foundation - Isabel Bloom Art Education Endowment, Lucas Berns' exhibition Artificial and Still: Woven Works on Paper is on display at St. Ambrose University's Morrissey Gallery through December 12, a Q&A and reception scheduled for November 6.

  • “Lettering and Assemblage: (things I love, my art so far)," through December 12

    An eclectic mix of practical lettering and expressive pieces that involve letters, historical recreations, and three-dimensional collages, Cheryl Jacobsen's Lettering and Assemblage: (things I love, my art so far) is on display at St. Ambrose University's Catich Gallery through December 12.