What's Happenin'

  • Sep 28, 2022
    Ballet Quad Cities Resurrects Music of the Holocaust

    A ballet program that promises to be bold and possibly precedent-setting will be brought to the Adler Theatre on October 8. Our Will To Live, Ballet Quad Cities’ contribution to the "Out of the Darkness" series (OutOfDarknessQC.com) will present new original choreography by Courtney Lyon and Emily Kate Long celebrating and dramatizing works by Jewish composers who fled the Nazis or tragically died in the camps.  Read Mike Schulz's interview with Courtney Lyon at: Ballet Quad Cities' “Our Will to Live,” October 8.

  • Sep 19, 2022
    The Corn Matrix: CornCon Cybersecurity Conference, September 30 and October 1

    Founded in 2015 by the Quad Cities Cybersecurity Alliance and presented by the Docent Institute, the eighth-annual CornCon – an event designed to raise community awareness and provide business solutions for dealing with cybersecurity threats – will boast breakout sessions, expert speakers, panels, tutorials, vendors, a tech expo, children's activities and more on September 30 and October 1, this year's Davenport RiverCenter event titled The Corn Matrix.

  • Sep 21, 2022
    Ms. Pat, October 1

    Lauded by the Washington Post as "unforgiving and darkly hilarious" and the New York Times as "brutally honest and outrageous," comedian, author, and actress Patricia Williams - better known by her stage moniker Ms. Pat - will perform two standup sets at Davenport's Rhythm City Casino Resort Rhythm Room on October 1, the headliner beloved as the star of the Emmy-nominated The Ms. Pat Show and host of the podcast The Patdown with Ms. Pat.

  • Sep 20, 2022
    “The White Rose: The Student Resistance Against Hitler, Munich 1942-1943,” October 2 through February 12

    A fascinating exhibition commemorating the bravery and integrity of a group of students in the face of political evil and popular indifference, The White Rose: The Student Resistance Against Hitler, Munich 1942-1943 will be on display at Davenport's German American Heritage Center from October 2 through February 12, the informative and thought-provoking touring exhibit on loan from the White Rose Foundation in Munich, Germany.

  • Sep 21, 2022
    Lowland Block Party V, October 2

    Quad Citians of all ages are invited to celebrate the arrival of fall when Rock Island venue Rozz-Tox and Laborspace host an expansive neighborhood gathering in Lowland Block Party V, the October 2 boasting art vendors, a flea market, live music, poetry readings, food and beverages, and plenty of fun for the entire family.

Commentary

  • Sep 26, 2022
    People Who Play by Their Own Rules PAC: Dan Proft’s Political Tactics

    Far-right activist Dan Proft has proved time and time again that he is very effective at calling attention to himself and getting under Governor JB Pritzker’s skin in the worst way.

  • Sep 26, 2022
    Iowa Quad Cities' Midterm Election 2022 Candidate Questionnaire

    Publisher Note: The River Cities' Reader has emailed the publicly available emails for all party's candidates in the certain selected Iowa General Election 2022 races, a candiate questionnaire with four topics and eight questions.  That communiation is publsihed in part below, along with the complete questionnaire. 

    The Reader will publish all responses in the printed October edition out on the streets October 6, 2022. All the printed responses will also be published online shortly thereafter. 

  • Sep 27, 2022
    Illinois Quad Cities' Midterm Election 2022 Candidate Questionnaire

    Publisher Note: The River Cities' Reader has emailed the publicly available emails for all party's candidates in the certain selected Iowa General Election 2022 races, a candiate questionnaire with four topics and eight questions.  That communiation is publsihed in part below, along with the complete questionnaire.  The Reader will publish all responses in the printed October edition out on the streets October 6, 2022. All the printed responses will also be published online shortly thereafter. 

  • Still Image From The Manchurian Candidate Movie Opening Scene
    Sep 21, 2022
    Masters of Deceit: The Government’s Propaganda of Fear, Mind Control & Brain Warfare

    Worse, this is a government that has become almost indistinguishable from the evil it claims to be fighting, whether that evil takes the form of terrorism, torture, drug trafficking, sex trafficking, murder, violence, theft, pornography, scientific experimentations or some other diabolical means of inflicting pain, suffering and servitude on humanity.

  • Sep 19, 2022
    Illinois SAFE-T Act More Nuanced Than a Meme

    Four distinct attacks have been launched against Governor JB Pritzker and Democratic legislators in the past couple of weeks, but don’t expect a massive response yet.

Theatre

  • Sep 20, 2022
    “Vintage Hitchcock: A Live Radio Play,” September 29 through October 9

    One of the most recognizable and adored filmmakers of all time will have three of his classics reinterpreted in a brand-new yet old-time way from September 29 through October 9, with the Richmond Hill Barn Theatre serving up chills, laughs, and even some catchy jingles in the Geneseo run of Vintage Hitchcock: A Live Radio Play.

  • Sep 26, 2022
    “Defending the Caveman,” September 29 through October 9

    Hailed by the Chicago Sun-Times as an "outrageously funny and surprisingly sweet exploration of the gender gap,” the one-man riot Defending the Caveman enjoys a September 92 through October 9 run at Mt. Carroll's Timber Lake Playhouse, with author Rob Becker's 1991 work still standing as the longest running solo play in the history of Broadway.

  • Sep 20, 2022
    “Sylvia,” September 30 through October 9

    With CurtainUp calling the award-winning play “a delightful fantasy, but also a psychologically persuasive look at one man's mid-life crisis,” Sylvia enjoys a September 30 through October 9 run at Moline's Playcrafters Barn Theatre, this stage charmer inspiring the New York Times to state, "Dramatic literature is stuffed with memorable love scenes ... but none is as immediately delicious and dizzy as the one that begins the redeeming affair in A. R. Gurney's comedy.”

  • Sep 20, 2022
    “The Producers,” September 30 through October 9

    One of the biggest Broadway hits in history and the winner of a record-setting 12 Tony Awards including Best Musical, Mel Brooks' stage smash The Producers enjoys its eagerly awaited run at Moline's Spotlight Theatre from September 30 through October 9, this hysterical adaptation of Brooks' Oscar-winning comedy, according to the New York Times, a show in which the audience is "going to be hard-pressed to choose one favorite bit from the sublimely ridiculous spectacle."

  • Sep 26, 2022
    This Is Them: “Their Town,” at the Mockingbird on Main through October 1

    Alexander Richardson’s Their Town is inspired by Our Town, as opposed to being a direct update of Wilder's story. And by using the original text as inspiration, Richardson gave us a fresh take on what the classic play means in a modern world, updating characters, plot structure, relationships, stage design, and more.

Music

  • Sep 20, 2022
    Kidd G, September 29

    Boasting nearly one million followers on TikTok alone, rising country star Kidd G. headlines a September 29 concert at East Moline venue The Rust Belt, his 2021 debut album Down Home Boy a recording that led Country Swag to rave, "Clearly influenced by hip-hop, emo, and country music, Kidd G’s sound is one that’s all of his own. It's like nothing you have ever listened to before – and that's a good thing!"

  • Sep 20, 2022
    Whitney, September 29

    With their newest, critically acclaimed album Spark released on September 16, the rock and folk artists of Whitney headline a September 29 concert at Davenport's Raccoon Motel, their latest recording inspiring The A.V. Club to state, “If early tracks ‘Real Love,’ ‘Blue,’ and ‘Twirl,’ full of warm falsetto melodies and shimmering keyboards, offered a tantalizing taste of Whitney’s new direction, then the rest of Spark is sure to sate your appetite.”

  • Sep 20, 2022
    7 Bridges: The Ultimate Eagles Tribute, September 29

    On September 29, the chart-topping, Grammy-winning rockers of the Eagles will be celebrated when Rock Island's Circa '21 Dinner Playhouse hosts 7 Bridges: The Ultimate Eagles Tribute, an evening of beloved, iconic hits sure to include such chart-toppers as "Best of My Love," "One of These Nights," "Heartache Tonight," and "Hotel California."

  • Sep 21, 2022
    The Modern Gentlemen, September 30

    With the members of their gifted quartet all personally chosen by Frankie Valli to join his iconic band The Four Seasons, Landon Beard, Todd Fournier, and brothers Brian and Brandon Brigham – known collectively as The Modern Gentlemen – headline a highly anticipated Bally's Quad Cities concert on September 30, their repertoire of timeless pop hits including everything from the Beatles' “Help” to the Beach Boys' “California Girls” to the Four Seasons' own “December, 1963 (Oh, What a Night).”

  • Sep 20, 2022
    Too Hype Crew, September 30

    Performing their tribute to classic hip-hop and R&B party anthems from the late '80s, '90s, and early-'00s, the thrilling party band Too Hype Crew plays a headlining concert at East Moline venue The Rust Belt on September 30, the performers having opened for the likes of Nelly, Vanilla Ice, Naughty by Nature, Tone Loc, Digital Underground, and Jason Derulo ... and the group the only band in the past decade to perform at the Playboy Mansion.

Movies

  • Sep 25, 2022
    Don't Bother, Darlings: “Don't Worry Darling,” “Moonage Daydream,” and “Luck”

    Some movies are love-them-or-hate-them. The polished, mediocre Don't Worry Darling doesn't do much to inspire either reaction.

  • Sep 22, 2022
    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, September 22: Discussion of Pearl, The Woman King, God's Country, See How They Run, Confess, Fletch ... and whether, by enjoying them all, Mike's standards are getting lower.

  • Sep 19, 2022
    Quintet-à-tête: “The Woman King,” “God's Country,” “See How They Run,” “Pearl,” and “Confess, Fletch”

    Before proceeding, allow me to share my amazement in a weekend happenstance I hadn't previously experienced over nearly three decades of reviewing: I saw five new movies and enjoyed them all – a lot. Even the horror prequel whose predecessor debuted fewer than six months ago. Even the reboot of a planned Chevy Chase franchise that died in 1989.

  • Sep 21, 2022
    “Departures,” September 29

    With the latest collection of titles in the Figge Art Museum's Film at the Figge series, the Davenport venue will be screening international, award-winning works that deal with death, loss, and grief in unexpected ways, beginning with its September 29 showing of Departures, the acclaimed Japanese drama from 2008 that won the Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film.

  • Sep 22, 2022
    Now Playing: Friday, September 23, through Thursday, September 29

    Now playing at area theaters.

Art

  • Sep 20, 2022
    “Message from Our Planet: Digital Art from the Thoma Collection,” October 1 through December 31

    A collection of 20 unique software, video, and light-technology artworks, the Figge Art Museum's latest touring exhibition Message from Our Planet: Digital Art from the Thoma Collection, on display from October 1 through December 31, will treat visitors to the Davenport venue to an arresting assemblage created by a diverse group of international artists working at the forefront of digital and electronic art.

  • Sep 20, 2022
    “Caroline Kent: An Improvisation of Form,” October 1 through February 4

    On display from October 1 through February 4, the Figge Art Museum welcomes guests to view the talents of a Chicago-based artist in Caroline Kent: An Improvisation of Form, an installation will transform the Davenport venue's Katz Gallery into an immersive exhibition of paintings, site specific interventions, and sculptures, surrounding visitors in a unique synthesis of language and abstract forms.

  • Sep 26, 2022
    Figge Member Reception and Public Artist Talk: Caroline Kent, October 6

    On October 6, both Figge Art Museum members and the general public are invited to celebrate the work of a gifted, Chicago-based artist during a Member Reception and Artist Talk with Caroline Kent, whose new installation An Improvisation of Form transforms the Davenport venue's Katz Gallery into an immersive exhibition of paintings, site specific interventions, and sculptures, surrounding visitors in a unique synthesis of language and abstract forms.

  • Aug 17, 2022
    Jennifer Lynn Bates and John Nelson Exhibits, through October 7

    Evocative works by a pair of gifted central-Illinois artists will have their talents showcased at the Quad City Arts Center through October 7, with the Rock Island venue housing beautiful color-field paintings by John Nelson of Quincy, as well as arresting mixed-media portrait paintings in the Dictators & Dreamers exhibition by Jennifer Lynn Bates.

  • Aug 24, 2022
    “When the Stars Threw Down Their Spears,” through October 14

    A collection of evocative drawings by a gifted area artist, musician, and frequent contributor to the River Cities' Reader, the exhibition When the Stars Threw Down Their Spears will be on display in Black Hawk College's ArtSpace Gallery through October 14, the works showcasing the talents and vision of former Augustana College instructor and University of Iowa alumnus Bruce Walters.

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