Presenting a panel discussion on the new Jane E. Simonsen book about Rock Island's Augustana College, the Davenport Public Library's Eastern Avenue Branch, on June 2, hosts a talk on the fascinating nonfiction Called to Reckon: Replacing History & Reclaiming Mission at a Midwestern College.

With her documentary hailed by the Los Angeles Times as "a soulful slice of Americana" that has been covered by national outlets including CNN's Anderson Cooper 360 and the Hallmark Channel's Home & Family, former Quad Citizen Beth Howard brings her film PIEOWA: A Piece of America to the Bettendorf Public Library, the May 30 screening featuring an appearance by the filmmaker and, fittingly, a bit of dessert, to boot.

With Stephen Holden of The New York Times calling the film "so verbally dexterous and visually innovative that you can't absorb it unless you have all your wits about you,” Waking Life enjoys a June 4 screening at Rozz-Tox, Oscar-nominated filmmaker Richard Linklater's animated 2001 classic the latest presentation in the Rock Island venue's popular Filmosofia series.

With the eagerly anticipated weekend event hosted by Rock Island's Quad City Arts and taking place for the 10th time, glorious colors and imaginative designs will be gracing the pavement of Rock Island's Schwiebert Riverfront Park in the Quad Cities Chalk Art Fest, a May 30 and 31 pre-summertime fixture boasting free admission, beautiful artistic creations, live music, children's activities, food and drink vendors, and more than $2,000 in cash prizes.

Hailed by the New York Daily Mirror as “a hit you must see” and by the Los Angeles Times as “a handsomely staged case for miracles,” playwright N. Richard Nash's 1953 classic The Rainmaker enjoys a June 4 through 14 run at Geneseo's Richmond Hill Barn Theatre, this optimistic charmer famed for its beloved 1956 movie adaptation starring Burt Lancaster and Katharine Hepburn.

A joyous family musical and off-Broadway smash that, as Kennedy Center Vice-President of Education Derek Gordon raved, "will delight both the young and the young at heart," The Tales of Custard the Dragon will enchant audiences in Rock Island from May 19 through June 20, this Circa '21 Dinner Playhouse debut adapted from the whimsical children's stories of Ogden Nash.

He is Henry the eighth, he is, and on May 22, a pop-rock icon returns with the band that made him famous in the Adler Theatre's hosting of Herman's Hermits Starring Peter Noone – a night of British-Invasion favorites boasting such radio classics as “I'm Into Something Good,” “Mrs. Brown You've Got a Lovely Daughter,” “Silhouettes,” and, of course, “I'm Henry the VIII, I Am.”

Composed of lead vocalist Paul Wandtke on guitar, Mike Petrasek on bass, and Joe Kus on drums, the hard-rocking tribute artists of Smells Like Nirvana play a May 22 headlining engagement at Davenport's Capitol Theatre, celebrating the legendary sounds of Nirvana and Kurt Cobain through smash hits, B-sides, rare songs, and more from albums including Nevermind, In Utero, and Bleach.

Mihali, May 26

With the Grateful Web hailing the artist whose "control is effortless, smooth but still electrifying," Vermont-based singer/songwriter and guitarist Mihali Savoulidis, performing under his single moniker Mihali, plays a May 26 concert at Davenport's Redstone Room, his singular blend of rock, jazz, reggae, bluegrass, and funk crafting immersive, improvisational live performances that have captivated audiences for two decades.

Lauded by The Beverly Review as "a multi-talented musician from the northern suburbs of Chicago" who "brings a unique sound blending elements of funk, jazz, indie, and country," singer/songwriter Josh Spinner returns to Davenport's Raccoon Motel on May 22, the artist also hailed by the Chicago Tribune as "the epitome of a hardworking musician."

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