16 Nov 2016

Shoppes on 2nd “Celebrates” a one-year anniversary

By Micaela Booth

ROCK ISLAND- Celebrate!, a special events and attire consignment shop has now been open in the Shoppes on 2nd, Rock Island’s first retail incubator, for a year. The move to Rock Island meant doubling in size, and have since expanded within The S...

19 Oct 2016

Fright Night returns to The District

By Micaela Booth

(Rock Island, IL) Fright Night in The District, a fun, safe, and free Halloween event, will be held Thursday, October 27, 2016 from 5 to 8 p.m. in downtown Rock Island. This event in made possi...

09 Aug 2016

Soaking up the last 25 years of Ya Maka My WeekendSoaking up the last 25 years of Ya Maka My Weekend

By Micaela Booth

ROCK ISLAND –– For the last 25 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 ...

25 Apr 2016

Hop into May at Gallery Hop in Downtown Rock Island!

By Micaela Booth

(ROCK ISLAND, IL – April 25, 2016) – The District, MidCoast Fine Arts, The ARTery & Quad City Arts present Gallery Hop! on Friday, May 6, 2016 from 6 to 10 p.m. Gallery Hop! is a fun, festive and free downtown art stroll unique to Rock ...

08 Dec 2015

Hopping in a Winter Wonderland!

By Micaela Booth

(ROCK ISLAND, IL - December 4, 2015) - The District, MidCoast Fine Arts, The ARTery & Quad City Arts present Gallery Hop! on Friday, December 11, 2015 from 6 to 10 p.m. Gallery Hop! is a fun, festive and free art open house unique to downtown Rock Island. Local and regional artists are showcased, and some provide demonstrations in venues throughout downtown Rock Island.

The "Hop Stops" stretch all the way from 16th Street to 25th Street and from 1st Avenue to 5th Avenue! Locations will include coffee shops, restaurants, retail shops, and entertainment venues. This unique group of Hop Stops allows guests to grab a quick bite to eat, have a drink, or shop for other items, all while being at Gallery Hop! Jewelry, photography, woodwork, glass, paintings, drawings, sculpture, live music, and more will be featured. Gallery Hop! is a great opportunity to check those art lovers off of your holiday shopping list. Brand new Hop Stops include : Gentry Boutique (218 18th Street), Colman Florist (1623 2nd Avenue), and Soi 2 (1825 2nd Avenue). Make sure to hop your way to the Hop Stops that are off the beaten path as to not miss anything! The Quad City Botanical Center located at 2525 4th Avenue will host three different Gallery Hop! artists, have complementary coffee and cocoa, and "Quilt Tales" will be on exhibit as well. "Quilt Tales" includes over 30 Mississippi Valley Quilters Guild members' quilts.

There will be maps and game cards at each "Hop Stop." The map will include a list of all of the stops and their exhibiting artist(s), and the game cards will include Gallery Hop! BINGO. To play Gallery Hop! BINGO just visit at least five locations, have the artist sign off, and make a straight line on your card. Completed cards can be turned in at MidCoast Fine Arts/The ARTery or Quad City Arts. The winner gets a prize basket full of fun gifts from The District including: a $50 gift certificate to Gentry Boutique, a drum from Teranga house of Africa, a Icon's Martini tasting party certificate, a $25 gift certificate to Colman Florist, a $10 gift certificate to The Original Huckleberry's Great Pizza and Calzones, and more! The winner will be randomly drawn and notified the week of 12/14/2015.

Visual arts, galleries & studios:

• Quad City Arts: Barbara Bianchi (mixed media), Zora Murff (photography), Joseph Madrigal (sculpture), and demonstrations by the Mississippi Valley Woodcarvers

• MidCoast Gallery West: Carolyn Krueger, Lisa Mahar, Laura Weinberg

• The ARTery: Karl Adlon (astro-photography), Michael Johns & Friends (pottery)

• DeSoto Arts Center: Quad Cities Wood Turners Club



Performing arts, theaters, film studio, & live music venues:

? Circa '21 Dinner Playhouse: "A Wonderful Life" Reservations required.

? The Establishment: ComedySportz- Live comedy improv show starting at 7 p.m. Rated "E" for everyone.

? Rock Island Brewing Co: Bongzilla, show at 9 p.m., $15 advance tickets

? The Speakeasy: Manny Lopez Big Band, Doors at 5 p.m. $16 cover at door

? The District Theatre: "A Christmas Carol" Reservations may be required.

 

Alternative venues - restaurants, shops, and entertainment establishments:

? The Shoppes on 2nd: Lisa Francescon (photography), Judy Heath & Teri Luke (watercolors), and Sally Gierke (ceramics with demonstrations), Spellbound will offer 10% off everything during Gallery Hop

? Skeleton Key Art & Antiques: John VandeWalle (metal sculpture), Bill Marsoun (paintings) & 60+ local artists, craftspeople & antique dealers.

? Blue Cat Brew Pub: Anthony Burton (paintings & wire wrapped pendants)

? Daiquiri Factory: Svetlana Pulliam (jewelry & clothing)

? Icons Martini: Ron Thomas (acrylic watercolor & pencil drawings), and Janelle Kerns with As You Wish Custom Designs (stained glass)

? Theo's Java Club: Ginger Herbst (Sister Hip Hats), Leslie Schenkel (lampwork beads, jewelry)

? NormaLeah Ovarian Cancer Foundation: Yoyo y Yo (acoustic music) & Bling 4 Cancer jewelry

? Teranga House of Africa: (incense, oils and gifts of diversity)

? Vivian's Vintage Varieties: Various artists (antiques & jewelry)

? Navarro Canoe Co: Bruce & Sue Peterson (Rock Island handcrafted works of art canoes), and David James Genac (photography)

? The Original Huckleberry's Great Pizza & Calzones- Connie (Corcoran) Wilson, author of Christmas Cats

? Roosters Sports Bar & Grill- Roberta Osmers (photography)

? Gentry Boutique: Sue Sambdman (Rock River Photography), Gentry Boutique will offer refreshments and hors d'oeuvres and 20% off all purchases

? Hickey Brother's Cigar Store and Hookah Lounge: Phil Force (metal sculpture), Lara Grossman (photography)

? Colman Florist: Steve Braudt (drawing, graphite & ink on mat board), Colman Florist will offer 25% off Christmas themed ornaments, containers, and silks (excludes FTD and Teleflora Holiday Containers)

? Steve's Old Time Tap: Pat Petersen (Conversation Pieces Jewelry)

? dphilms: Lori A. Granato (acrylic on canvas), Louis Granato III (photography), and Jay Stratton (refined & distinctive wood works)

? Soi 2: Jesse Mumm (ceramics)

? Quad City Botanical Center: Kimberly Miller (Celestial by Design body painting), Marjorie Franklin (photography), Jerri Crabtree-Frisk (paintings), and "Quilt Tales" exhibit Public art:

? MidCoast Fine Arts - Art 'N Alley installations, Quad City Arts' sculpture program, and several murals.

Gallery Hop! is presented by The District, MidCoast Fine Arts, Quad City Arts & The ARTery, and is sponsored by the Dispatch-Argus, WHBF, and River Cities' Reader.

The event is free. For more information and to print a map of participating locations, please visit www.ridistrict.com.

The Downtown Rock Island Arts & Entertainment District (The District) is a 501(c) 6 not-for-profit organization established in 1992 by local downtown merchants. The District's mission is to establish and manage downtown Rock Island as a creative and innovative experience by focusing on the development of the arts and quality special event management. It features retail shops, excellent restaurants, live entertainment, dinner theater, art galleries and several entertainment venues. Rock Island is located on the Mississippi River, three hours west of Chicago in an area known as the Quad-Cities which straddles the river and the Illinois/Iowa border. It is at the intersection of Interstate highways 74, 88 and 80 and is served by Quad City International Airport in Moline, IL.

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21 Oct 2015

Build your own Halloween experience at Fright Night in The District

By Micaela Booth

Join your favorite characters by dressing up, and enjoying a night of interactive creeps, mystery, fantasy & adventure. Fright Night in The District, a safe Halloween event, will be held Thursday,
October 29, 2015 from 5 to 8 p.m. in downtown Rock Island. Rock Island Parks and Recreation, Rock Island County Area Project, Martin Luther King, Jr. Center and The District are proud to
present this annual children's event.

Attendees will have the chance to trick or treat, parade in their costumes, check out some spooky interactive Halloween windows, play games, and much more! The first 600 children will each receive a free bag of goodies from the welcome table on Daiquiri Factory's deck. Fright Night is free to the public. Jeff James will be the live DJ, and there will be plenty of fun dance music from 5 to 8 p.m. There will also be a performance by the Metropolitan Youth Program Drum Corps & Drill Team at 5:30 p.m. Keep an eye out for many suspenseful surprises throughout the evening! If you are looking for dinner options Huckleberry's Pizza will be selling pizza by the slice, and all other downtown restaurants will offer full menu items.

Fright Night has a new and improved costume contest that means no registration and no lines. This change means there is more time for candy and fun. Surprise costume judging will take place on 2nd Avenue between the hours of 6:00 and 7:30 p.m. Judges will be looking for event participation, effort into costume and enthusiasm, positive attitude, and most of all...if you are having fun. Winners will be picked out of the crowd at random for prizes. Be prepared, you never know who is watching! Everyone is invited to participate in the Costume Parade starting at 6 p.m. The parade will begin at the Plaza Stage and continue down 2nd Avenue. All participants of the parade will receive a raffle ticket for prize bags, with raffle winners being announced at 6:30 p.m.

Several community agencies and downtown businesses will host activities and/or trick or treating. Children will receive an activity sheet that includes a map of the trick or treat locations at downtown businesses and other activities. The activity sheet will include a pumpkin scavenger hunt game. Participants may return their completed sheet at the goodie bag table and a special prize winner will be drawn from all the completed entries. All entries must be received by 7:30 p.m. and the lucky winner must be present to win.

Fright Night is made possible by the help of our contributors: WHBF, the Family Museum, Spellbound, & Hy-Vee.

For more information, please call The District at 309.788.6311 or visit www.ridistrict.com.

The Downtown Rock Island Arts & Entertainment District (The District) is a 501(c)6 not-for-profit organization established in 1992 by local downtown merchants. The District's mission is to establish and manage downtown Rock Island as a creative and innovative experience by focusing on the development of the arts and quality special event management. It features retail shops, excellent restaurants, live entertainment, dinner theater, art galleries and several entertainment venues. Rock Island is located on the Mississippi River, three hours west of Chicago in an area known as the Quad-Cities which straddles the river and the Illinois/Iowa border. It is at the intersection of Interstate highways 74, 88 and 80 and is served by Quad City International Airport in Moline, IL.

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29 Jul 2015

Midweek Music is a free live lunchtime concert each Wednesday 6/3-8/26

By Micaela Booth

(ROCK ISLAND, IL - May 29, 2015) - Renaissance Rock Island is pleased to present Midweek Music beginning Wednesday, June 3, 2015. Midweek Music is a free lunchtime concert series taking place on The Great River Plaza from 12-1 p.m. every Wednesday in June, July, and August.

Enjoy musical performances as you eat lunch outside on the beautiful Great River Plaza. Each Wednesday a local musician will entertain downtown Rock Island visitors during the lunch hour. To stay updated on who is performing check www.ridistrict.com or The District's Facebook and Twitter page (www.facebook.com/ridistrict, www.twitter.com/districtri). We encourage attendees to grab lunch from a downtown restaurant, and take it to go so you can enjoy the music on the plaza!

Midweek Music is presented by Renaissance Rock Island.

The event is free. For more information and to print a map of participating locations, please visit www.ridistrict.com.

13 Jul 2015

The first Homebrew event in the Quad Cities to debut in downtown Rock Island

By Micaela Booth

On Saturday, July 18, 2015 from 2-6 p.m. The District will host a Homebrew event on the Great River Plaza in downtown Rock Island. Rivers Edge Homebrew Festiv-Ale is the first of its kind in downtown Rock Island; this event will feature over a dozen homebrew clubs from around the Midwest with over fifty different brews to sample. Attendees will receive fifteen sample tickets, a raffle ticket, and a Rivers Edge Homebrew Festiv-Ale commemorative glass (while supplies last) with paid admission.

An exciting element of this brand new event will be a special tapping of the Reverse Collaboration Series featuring pro brewers from local breweries including: Bent River Brewing Company, Blue Cat Brew Pub, Radicle Effect Brewerks, and Great River Brewery. Pretzel necklaces will also be given to the first 200 attendees through the gate. A limited supply of special edition mustard from Boetge's will be available with a purchase of a hot pretzel from Rock Island Brewing Company.

Attendees must be 21 years of age or older, and have a valid ID. Tickets are $20 in advance, and $25 the day of the event. Advance tickets can be purchased at Rock Island Brewing Company, Ragged Records, and Midwestix.com.

For more information visit www.ridistrict.com

Rivers Edge Homebrew Festiv-Ale is presented by The Downtown Rock Island Arts & Entertainment District, and sponsored by Rock Island Brewing Company, MUGZ, and Rivers Edge Fermentation Society.

The Downtown Rock Island Arts & Entertainment District (The District) is a 501(c) 6 not-for-profit organization established in 1992 by local downtown merchants. The District's mission is to establish and manage downtown Rock Island as a creative and innovative experience by focusing on the development of the arts and quality special event management. It features retail shops, excellent restaurants, live entertainment, dinner theater, art galleries and several entertainment venues. Rock Island is located on the Mississippi River, three hours west of Chicago in an area known as the Quad-Cities which straddles the river and the Illinois/Iowa border. It is at the intersection of Interstate highways 74, 88 and 80 and is served by Quad City International Airport in Moline, Il.

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02 Jun 2015

Free summer concert series in The District!

By Micaela Booth

Midweek Music is a free live lunchtime concert each Wednesday 6/3-8/26

(ROCK ISLAND, IL - May 29, 2015) - Renaissance Rock Island is pleased to present Midweek Music beginning Wednesday, June 3, 2015. Midweek Music is a free lunchtime concert series taking place on The Great River Plaza from 12-1 p.m. every Wednesday in June, July, and August.

Enjoy musical performances as you eat lunch outside on the beautiful Great River Plaza. Each Wednesday a local musician will entertain downtown Rock Island visitors during the lunch hour. To stay updated on who is performing check www.ridistrict.com or The District's Facebook and Twitter page (www.facebook.com/ridistrict, www.twitter.com/districtri). We encourage attendees to grab lunch from a downtown restaurant, and take it to go so you can enjoy the music on the plaza!

Midweek Music is presented by Renaissance Rock Island.

The event is free. For more information and to print a map of participating locations, please visit www.ridistrict.com.

01 Jun 2015

Gumbo Ya Ya is all about the Mardi Gras experience!

By Micaela Booth

Gumbo Ya Ya - Mardi Gras in The District returns on Friday, June 12, and Saturday, June 13, 2015. This unique two-night festival brings the atmosphere of New Orleans to downtown Rock Island. New Orleans style jazz, Creole, zydeco, and funk music will thrill your ears, while Louisiana style food will electrify your taste buds!

Gumbo Ya Ya, one of The District's signature events, is held on the Great River Plaza, on 2nd Avenue between 17th and 19th Streets, in downtown Rock Island, IL. Admission prices are $9 for a one-night ticket and $14 for a two-night ticket, and children 12 and under are free. Gumbo Ya Ya starts at 5 p.m. Friday and 4 p.m. Saturday.
With more food vendors selling Louisiana style food than ever before, you are sure to find something delicious to satisfy your craving at Gumbo Ya Ya. Of course there will be plenty of gumbo! Other Louisiana entrees include; fried alligator, frog legs, crabcakes, beignets, muffalettas, Cajun shrimp skewers, red beans & rice, low country boil, oyster po' boys, and much more! We also have plenty of options for those who are not looking for Cajun food including; fried chicken, gyros, shiskabobs, chicken wraps, taco salads, and much more! The food selection will wow the attendees this year!

A variety of craft and merchandise vendors will give the feel of the "French Quarter Marketplace". Handmade, jewelry, ethnic clothing, incense, novelty items, are just a few of the products that will be sold. Official Gumbo Ya Ya t-shirts will be on sale for $15; along with Mardi Gras beads, and masks!

The band line up for Gumbo Ya Ya features an incredible variety of musicians, three of which will be traveling all the way from Louisiana. While a Mardi Gras party is not a Mardi Gras party without Zydeco, Gumbo Ya Ya will have a mix of musical performances including: Zydeco, Cajun, New Orleans Jazz, and funk.

If you ever been to Mardi Gras you will know that seeing the Mardi Gras Indians is a rare treat. Cha Wa is a New Orleans Mardi Gras Indians band on the rise. In May they performed at New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Fesitval, and on Saturday night of Gumbo Ya Ya they will give the festival a performance like it has never seen before. Cha Wa has been described as "funk with feathers", and they are sure to make you get up and dance! Cha Wa, meaning "We're coming for ya!" is a slang phrase used by every Mardi Gras Indian tribe. If you're lucky enough to find yourself on the corner of Second and Dryades on Mardi Gras Day, you will hear "Cha Wa" chanted in celebration throughout the streets. Make sure to put on your dancing shoes for Cha Wa! Mardi Gras Indians' history dates back to 1885 in Crescent City. More details about the culture of Mardi Gras Indians can be found in the HBO series "Treme".

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